cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasensitive electronic detection of DNA using Si nanograting FETs coated with PNA probes

We report the label-free rapid detection of single stranded DNA segments using lithographic Si nanograting (NG) FET devices coated with single stranded PNA probes. The NGFETs shows improved signal to noise ratio and similar sensitivity in comparison with the single nanowire FETs fabricated on the same chip. The limit of detection of our finFETs reaches sub-femtoMolar. The same devices do not respond significantly to high concentrations of non-complementary DNA segments.
Response biases in auditory forebrain regions of female songbirds following exposure to sexually relevant variation in male song.

In many species of songbirds, individual variation between the songs of competing males is correlated with female behavioral preferences. The neural mechanisms of song based female preference in songbirds are not known. Working with female European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), we used immunocytochemistry for ZENK protein to localize forebrain regions that respond to sexually relevant variation in conspecific male song. The number of ZENK-ir cells in ventral caudo-medial neostriatum [NCMv] was significantly higher in females exposed to longer songs than in those exposed to shorter songs, whereas variation in the total duration of song exposure yielded no significant differences in ZENK expression. ZENK expression in caudo-medial ventral hyperstriatum [cmHV] was uniformly high in all subjects, and did not vary significantly among the three groups. These results suggest that subregions of NCM in female starlings are tuned to variation in male song length, or to song features correlated therewith. Female starlings exhibit robust behavioral preferences for longer over shorter male songs (Gentner and Hulse; Anim Behav 59:443-458, 2000). Therefore, the results of this study strongly implicate NCM in at least a portion of the perceptual processes underlying the complex natural behavior of female choice.
Hydrogen surface segregation on Si(111) by photon-stimulated desorption at the Si K edge

The photon-stimulated desorption of H/sup +/ from cleaved Si(111) using photon energies near the Si K excitation threshold is reported. The time dependence of the H surface segregation from the bulk following cleavage shows two or three sequential time regimes of growth kinetics suggesting multiple sequential hydride phase formations. Removal of the H from the H-saturated surface results in the subsequent observation of only the first time regime (which we interpret as being due to formation of a monohydride phase).
Biofilm formation in geometries with different surface curvature and oxygen availability

Bacteria in the natural environment exist as interface-associated colonies known as biofilms . Complex mechanisms are often involved in biofilm formation and development. Despite the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in biofilm formation, it remains unclear how physical effects in standing cultures influence biofilm development. The topology of the solid interface has been suggested as one of the physical cues influencing bacteria-surface interactions and biofilm development. Using the model organism Bacillus subtilis, we study the transformation of swimming bacteria in liquid culture into robust biofilms in a range of confinement geometries (planar, spherical and toroidal) and interfaces (air/water, silicone/water, and silicone elastomer/water). We find that B. subtilis form submerged biofilms at both solid and liquid interfaces in addition to air-water pellicles. When confined, bacteria grow on curved surfaces of both positive and negative Gaussian curvature. However, the confinement geometry does affect the resulting biofilm roughness and relative coverage. We also find that the biofilm location is governed by oxygen availability as well as by gravitational effects; these compete with each other in some situations. Overall, our results demonstrate that confinement geometry is an effective way to control oxygen availability and subsequently biofilm growth.
A novel method for computerized measurement of episcleral venous pressure in humans.

Abstract Episcleral venous pressure (EVP) is an important determinant of intraocular pressure (IOP) and can be estimated by the pressure required to compress an episcleral vein. However, the lack of objective measurement endpoints makes EVP measurements in humans uncertain. To address this issue, we developed a new method to measure EVP objectively and reproducibly, and demonstrated its utility on a group of normal subjects. Our system for pressure chamber based venomanometry included a computer-controlled motor drive to increase pressure automatically, a transducer to record pressure, and a high-definition video camera to record vein collapse. Pressure measurements were synchronized with the video stream to determine the pressure required to collapse the vein to a specific pre-determined degree. This system was used to measure EVP in 10 eyes from 5 young healthy volunteers. Episcleral veins were selected in each of 4 quadrants. EVP was calculated to be the pressure in the chamber that compressed the vein by 0% (by back-projection), 10% or 50% as determined by using image analysis of the video stream. For this group of subjects, mean EVP was 6.3 ± 2.8 mmHg (mean ± SD, n = 40 measurements), 7.0 ± 2.6 mmHg, and 9.6 ± 2.6 mmHg using the 0%, 10% and 50% reduction endpoints, respectively. Pressures and standard deviations determined from these endpoints were significantly different from each other (p
Building animats: neurobiomimetic approach for cognitive systems

This paper discusses selected aspects of our effort to implement rudimentary emulations of brain regions and their synaptic connectivity (a paradigm we refer to as neurobiomimetic ), including in particular the Neurobiomimetic Cognitive Architecture Foundation Framework (NCAFF) we developed. Different instances of neurobiomimetic emulations are possible and we refer to those instances as animats . NCAFF addresses the overwhelming developmental challenge of implementing animats, separating animat-development process from the lower-level details. Approaches such as NCAFF enable feasible building of animats which, by emulating aspects of brain structure and processes, may constitute a particularly promising path to cognitive systems.
Effects of local Coulomb potentials on acid and base protonation–deprotonation rates and equilibria

Ab initio electronic structure methods, even when performed at a very modest level, applied to the energy profiles for deprotonation of an organic acid or of a protonated amine in the presence of proximal charged groups yield data that suggest the following: 1. The proton affinity of an amine tethered to a surface can be altered substantially by the presence of proximal positively charged groups. 2. Barriers (above the thermodynamic energy requirement) along the amine protonation–deprotonation pathway arise when positive charges are tethered nearby. 3. A competition between the attractive intrinsic NH bonding potential and the repulsive Coulomb potential between the departing proton and the proximal positive charges is the primary source of the above two results. 4. There is much less change in the equilibrium constant K or the deprotonation and protonation rate constants k1 and k−1 for an organic acid tethered to a surface when in the presence of proximal negative charges. 5. The attractive intrinsic OH bonding potential and the attractive Coulomb potential between the proton and the proximal and nascent negative charges act in concert in the organic acid case. So, unlike the amine example, there is no competition between the dominant potentials and, as a result, no pronounced barriers occur along the reaction path. The relevance of these findings to acid–base properties of surfaces and nanoparticles are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
A Robot Manipulator With 16 Real Inverse Kinematic Solution Sets

A solution search algorithm based on a one-dimensional numerical approach to the inverse kinematic problem (pre sented in an earlier paper) led to the discovery of a six-DOF manipulator able to position and orient its end-effector in 16 distinct configurations for a given end-effector pose (position and orientation). This paper discusses the consequences of such a discovery and presents a description of the manipula tor, the end-effector pose, and the 16 kinematic solutions.
Three land-snail species new to the Norwegian fauna: Pupilla pratensis (Clessin, 1871), Vertigo ultimathule von Proschwitz, 2007 and Balea sarsii Philippi, 1847 [= B. heydeni von Maltzan, 1881]

Three land-snail species are reported as new to Norway: Pupilla pratensis, which has been segregated from P. muscorum s. lat., occurs in three isolated, calcareous wetland sites in the counties of Hedmark and Oppland and two calcareous rock habitats in Nordland County; Vertigo ultimathule, recently described from the northernmost part of Swedish Lapland, has been found in seven localities in the adjacent Norwegian county of Finnmark – the species is probably endemic to northernmost Scandinavia; finally Balea sarsii [= B. heydeni], a pronounced Atlantic element, which has been segregated from B. perversa s. lat., is found in five sites in Hordaland County and one in Sogn og Fjordane County – the locality at Floro in the latter province is the northernmost known for the species.
Dy-V magnetic interaction and local structure bias on the complex spin and orbital ordering in Dy 1-x Tb x VO 3 (x=0 and 0.2)

The spin and orbital ordering in Dy${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Tb${}_{x}$VO${}_{3}$ ($x=0$ and 0.2) was studied by measuring x-ray powder diffraction, magnetization, specific heat, and neutron single-crystal diffraction. The results show that G-OO/C-AF and C-OO/G-AF phases coexist in Dy${}_{0.8}$Tb${}_{0.20}$VO${}_{3}$ in the temperature range 2--60 K, and the volume fraction of each phase is temperature and field dependent. The ordering of Dy moments at $T$* = 12 K induces a transition from G-OO/C-AF to a C-OO/G-AF phase. Magnetic fields suppress the long-range order of Dy moments and thus the C-OO/G-AF phase below $T$*. The polarized moments induced at the Dy sublattice by external magnetic fields couple to the V 3d moments, and this coupling favors the G-OO/C-AF state. Also discussed is the effect of the Dy-V magnetic interaction and local structure distortion on the spin and orbital ordering in Dy${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Tb${}_{x}$VO${}_{3}$.
A Plastic Replica-Embedding and Staining Technique for Studying the Behavior of Microorganisms on Food-Contact Surfaces

Summary A simple, versatile technique of embedding and staining microorganisms which are present on food-contact surfaces has been developed which can be performed with equipment and materials readily available from scientific supply houses. A Gram-staining procedure can be advantageously employed to differentiate bacteria and other microbes from other surface residues on the plastic-embedding matrix utilized in this technique. The stained preparations may be embedded in material such as Tissuemat and conveniently sectioned and examined from many angles. The plastic replicas are quite stable to the effects of aging; thus, can be stored for future reference.
Creating bigger problems: grand challenges as boundary objects and the legitimacy of the information systems field

The impact of a discipline's research is constrained by its ability to articulate compelling problems. Well-crafted problems are the foundation for mobilizing the effort, resources, and attention essential to scientific progress and broader impact. We argue that Information Systems (IS) scholars, individually and collectively, must develop the practice of articulating and engaging large-scale, broad scope problems – or grand challenges. To support this position, we examine the role and value of grand challenge efforts in science and engineering based on a theory of grand challenges as socially constructed boundary objects. Conceptualizing grand challenges in these terms implies strategies and approaches for magnifying the impact of IS research by engaging these types of problems.
Disparity statistics in natural scenes.

Binocular disparity is the input to stereopsis, which is a very strong depth cue in humans. However, the distribution of binocular disparities in natural environments has not been quantitatively measured. In this study, we converted distances from accurate range maps of forest scenes and indoor scenes into the disparities that an observer would encounter, given an eye model and fixation distances (which we measured for the forest environment, and simulated for the indoor environment). We found that the distributions of natural disparities in these two kinds of scenes are centered at zero, have high peaks, and span about 5 deg, which closely matches the macaque MT cells’ disparity tuning range. These ranges are fully within the operational range of human stereopsis determined psychophysically. Suprathreshold disparities (910 arcsec) are common rather than exceptional. There is a prevailing notion that stereopsis only operates within a few meters, but our finding suggests that we should rethink the role of stereopsis at far viewing distances because of the abundance of suprathreshold disparities.
Inhibition of neuronal phenotype by PTEN in PC12 cells

The mechanisms of neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells are still not completely understood. Here, we report that the tumor suppressor PTEN has a profound effect on differentiation by affecting several pathways involved in nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling. When overexpressed in PC12 cells, PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten) blocked neurite outgrowth induced by NGF. In addition, these cells failed to demonstrate the transient mitogenic response to NGF, as well as subsequent growth arrest. Consistent with these observations was a finding that PTEN significantly inhibits NGF-mediated activation of the members of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways, crucial for these processes. While exploring possible mechanisms of PTEN effects on NGF signaling, we discovered a significant down-regulation of both high-affinity (TrkA) and low-affinity (p75) NGF receptors in PTEN-overexpressing clones. Subsequent microarray analysis of several independent clonal isolates revealed a myriad of neuronal genes to be affected by PTEN. All of these changes were validated by quantitative PCR. Of particular interest were the genes for the key enzymes of the dopamine synthesis pathway, receptors for different neurotransmitters, and neuron-specific cytoskeleton proteins, among others. Some, but not all effects could be reproduced by pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K and/or MAPK, suggesting that PTEN may influence some genes by mechanisms independent of these signaling pathways. Our findings may shed new light on the role of this tumor suppressor during normal brain development and suggest a previously uncharacterized mechanism of PTEN action in neuron-like cells.
Integrated Analysis of Gene Expression and Gene Copy Number for Gene Shaving Based on ICA Approach

Microarray gene expression and array CGH (aCGH) are two genomic approaches, which are widely used for biomedical discovery. While microarray gene expression analysis provides functional information, the aCGH analysis provides structural variations of genome using gene copy number analysis. The integration of this complementary information is challenging. We proposed a method, named as "gene shaving", to identify subsets of the genes with coherent expression patterns and large variation across samples. We used the independent component analysis (ICA) to project the data into statistically independent biological processes, which are then integrated to identify variation patterns in two inputs. We applied the method to cluster group of genes, resulting better identification of genes that are statistically significant in both measurements (e.g., gene expression and aCGH). We investigated the properties of our proposed method by analyzing both simulated and real data. We demonstrated that the robustness of our method to noise using simulated data. Using breast cancer data, we showed that our method is superior to the Generalized Singular Value Decomposition (GSVD) gene shaving method for identifying genes associated with breast cancer.
Deference, Dissent, and Dispute Resolution: An Experimental Intervention Using Mass Media to Change Norms and Behavior in Rwanda

Deference and dissent strike a delicate balance in any polity. Insufficient deference to authority may incapacitate government, whereas too much may allow leaders to orchestrate mass violence. Although cross-national and cross-temporal variation in deference to authority and willingness to express dissent has long been studied in political science, rarely have scholars studied programs designed to change these aspects of political culture. This study, situated in post-genocide Rwanda, reports a qualitative and quantitative assessment of one such attempt, a radio program aimed at discouraging blind obedience and reliance on direction from authorities and promoting independent thought and collective action in problem solving. Over the course of one year, this radio program or a comparable program dealing with HIV was randomly presented to pairs of communities, including communities of genocide survivors, Twa people, and imprisoned genocidaires. Changes in individual attitudes, perceived community norms, and deliberative behaviors were assessed using closed-ended interviews, focus group discussions, role-play exercises, and unobtrusive measures of collective decision making. Although the radio program had little effect on many kinds of beliefs and attitudes, it had a substantial impact on listeners' willingness to express dissent and the ways they resolved communal problems.
Three dimensional Voronoi cell finite element model for microstructures with ellipsoidal heterogeneties

In this paper a three-dimensional Voronoi cell finite element model is developed for analyzing heterogeneous materials containing a dispersion of ellipsoidal inclusions or voids in the matrix. The paper starts with a description of 3D tessellation of a domain with ellipsoidal heterogeneities, to yield a 3D mesh of Voronoi cells containing the heterogeneities. A surface based tessellation algorithm is developed to account for the shape and size of the ellipsoids in point based tessellation methods. The 3D Voronoi cell finite element model, using the assumed stress hybrid formulation, is developed for determining stresses and displacements in a linear elastic material domain. Special stress functions that introduce classical Lame functions in ellipsoidal coordinates are implemented to enhance solution convergence. Numerical methods for implementation of algorithms and yielding stable solutions are discussed. Numerical examples are conducted with inclusions and voids to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model.
Emotional distress and cognitive functioning of older couples: a dyadic analysis.

Objective: This article examines the relationship between cognitive functioning and emotional distress in a sample of 2,684 married couples from the 2006 and 2008 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging...
Some Circuit Design Techniques for Linear Integrated Circuits

This paper describes some novel circuit design techniques for linear integrated circuits. These techniques make use of elements which can be constructed easily in monolithic form to avoid processing difficulties or substantial yield losses in manufacturing. Methods are shown which eliminate the need for the wide variety of components and tight component tolerances usually required with discrete designs, which substitute parts which can be made simply, and which make use of special characteristics obtainable with monolithic construction.
THE EFFECT OF PURE PROTEIN SOLUTIONS AND OF BLOOD SERUM ON THE DIFFUSIBILITY OF CALCIUM.

1. A comparative study has been made of the diffusibility of calcium in solutions of crystalline egg albumin, serum globulin, and human blood serum. 2. In all three of these solutions, at pH 7.4, molal Ca concentrations within the membrane are greater than the calcium concentrations in the outside solutions, quite in accordance with the Donnan theory. 3. At pH 7.4, the ratio of See PDF for Structure varies directly with the protein concentration whether the solution be one of egg albumin, serum globulin, or blood serum. This is also in accordance with the Donnan theory. 4. On the acid side of the isoelectric point of the proteins, the concentration of Ca outside becomes greater than the concentration in the solution of blood serum or pure protein, as is demanded by the Donnan theory. 5. The magnitude of the Ca ratios on the alkaline and acid sides of the isoelectric points is probably the resultant of the Donnan equilibrium and the formation of complex Ca-protein ions. Northrop and Kunitz have shown the probability of the existence of such ions in the case of Zn(++), K(+), and Li(+), where satisfactory electrodes have been developed for E.M.F. measurements.
Influence of Cryptococcal Antigens on Cell-Mediated Immunity

Cryptococcosis is a frequently fatal disease caused by a yeast-like organism, Cryptococcus neoformans. Patients with systemic cyptococcosis generally have cryptococcal antigen in their body fluids; levels of antigen directly correlate with severity of the disease. With use of a murine model, it was documented that cell-mediated immunity is an important protective mechanism and that an epitope(s) on the mannoprotein fraction of the cryptococcal antigen present in a culture filtrate is recognized in cell-mediated immunity. Sera from mice infected with C. neoformans will induce suppressor cells that suppress cell-mediated immunity, as measured by the delayed-type hypersensitivity response, and the level of cryptococcal antigen in the serum directly correlates with the degree of suppression induced. There is no correlation with the amount of anticryptococcal antibody and the ability of the serum to induce suppression. Further, it was demonstrated that cryptococcal antigen, when injected into mice at concentrations similar to those found in human systemic cryptococcosis, induces a complex series of suppressor cells and factors that specifically suppress the delayed-type hypersensitivity response and protective immunity to cryptococci.
Multisociety Letter to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Serious Methodological Flaws Plague Technology Assessment on Pain Management Injection Therapies for Low Back Pain.

The recent publication of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) Technology Assessment Pain Management Injection Therapies for Low Back Pain has raised significant concerns for physicians who utilize injection procedures to treat patients suffering with pain and functional limitations resulting from spinal pathology. Representatives of 14 medical specialty societies representing both physicians who perform these procedures and those whose practices rely on them in determining appropriateness of more invasive surgical treatments have convened to discuss concerns and formulate an appropriate response. The medical specialty societies who participated in this review and critique share a common goal with the AHRQ: commitment to identifying pain management therapies that provide value to the patient and society through measurable improvements in pain and physical functioning with no or minimal adverse events. We are fully cognizant of the issues of overutilization and inappropriate utilization, and, therefore, also wish to bring into focus which interventions are effective when treating the various causes of low back pain. We have concerns, however, that the methodology used by the report's authors cannot and does not make such determinations, and that the conclusions may lead to egregious denial of access to these procedures for many patients suffering from low back pain. We trust that due consideration will be given to the most critical comments made during the peer review/public comment period and that several aspects of the report will be revisited to ensure that the best available evidence is addressed scientifically to provide an accurate assessment of the procedures reviewed. Our primary concerns fall into five main categories, and are best illustrated by the flawed epidural steroid analysis:
Measuring Electronic Coupling in the Reaction Center of Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria by Two-Color, Three-Pulse Photon Echo Peak Shift Spectroscopy

One- and two-color, three-pulse photon echo peak shift spectroscopy (1C and 2C3PEPS) was used to estimate the electronic coupling between the accessory bacteriochlorophyll (B) and the bacteriopheophytin (H) in the reaction center of the purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides as ∼170 ± 30 cm-1. This is the first direct experimental determination of this parameter; it is within the range of values found in previously published calculations. The 1C3PEPS signal of the Qy band of the bacteriochlorophyll B shows that it is weakly coupled to nuclear motions of the bath, whereas the 1C3PEPS signal of the Qy band of the bacteriopheophytin, H, shows that it is more strongly coupled to the bath, but has minimal inhomogeneous broadening. Our simulations capture the major features of the data with the theoretical framework developed in our group to separately calculate the response functions and population dynamics.
AN EXAMINATION OF REVERSE LOGISTICS PRACTICES

Managing reverse logistics is becoming an important element of supply chain management and, in some cases, a profit generating function. In this paper, reverse logistics activities and key reverse logistics management methodologies are discussed, as well as their benefits and the barriers to successful implementation. Economic and supply chain issues related to reverse logistics are examined, and a working definition of reverse logistics is developed.
Matrix effect in exhaled breath condensate interferon-gamma immunoassay

Manuscripts presenting cytokine (and other protein) concentrations in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) are commonly published with insufficient control experiments performed to provide confidence that the assay was accurate. Our laboratory has identified false positives in EBC with several forms of immunoassay, including ELISA and multiplex bead arrays. In this current brief investigation, we studied EBC samples from ten subjects and examined for the effect of alteration of the matrix on the assay results reported by a commercially available ELISA assay for a commonly reported EBC cytokine (interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)). The commercial immunoassay reported measurable levels of the IFN-γ signal in all samples. However, when we added to the EBC samples the proteinaceous matrix of the zero-standard from the commercial kit, we could identify no IFN-γ signal. These simple findings are consistent with our earlier observations that the EBC matrix requires adjustment for there to be any validity to immunoassays.
Vulnerability in research: a developmental perspective on research risk.

Assessing potential risks to children who participate in developmental research is a challenging task because children are a heterogeneous population, varying in developmental competencies and in background characteristics. This essay offers a developmental perspective on research risk, emphasizing that children's vulnerability to research risk changes in complex ways: some risks decrease with increasing age, some increase as the child matures, others change in a curvilinear fashion, while some remain essentially stable with development. Because vulnerability in research does not simply decline linearly with age, assessments of research risk must entail multidimensional considerations that vary over developmental time. In a similar manner, individual characteristics of children at any age (e.g., maltreatment, at-risk status, etc.) may also heighten their vulnerability to certain risks which require special consideration by researchers. Finally, this discussion of developmental vulnerability and the principles underlying research ethics suggests that in addition to the conventional risk/benefit analysis, researchers are in an optimal position to establish and maintain standards of decent treatment of children in research that safeguard their rights as research participants. Suggestions for fostering this process in the research community are outlined.
Convergent DNA synthesis: a non-enzymatic dimerization approach to circular oligodeoxynucleotides

Abstract We report a novel convergent approach to the construction of circular DNA oligonucleotides from two smaller linear precursors. Circular DNAs 34-74 nucleotides (nt) in size are constructed non-enzymatically in a single step from two half-length oligomers. A DNA template is used to assemble the constituent parts into a triple helical complex which brings the four reactive ends together for chemical ligation with BrCN/imidazole/Ni2+. A homodimerization reaction strategy is successfully used on a small scale to construct circles 42, 58 and 74 nt in size. In addition, a heterodimerization strategy is successfully used in two cases to construct circular 34mers from different 16mer and 18mer precursors. Measurement of preparative yields for one biologically active 34mer circle shows that the dimerization strategy gives a yield higher than that from conventional cyclization and nearly as high as that for a normally synthesized linear DNA, establishing that there is not necessarily a yield penalty for circle construction. Six additional preparative circle constructions, giving conversions of approximately 33-85% from precursors to circular product, are also described. Convergent strategies allow the construction of medium and large size DNA molecules in higher yields than can be achieved by standard linear synthesis alone.
Analytical Study of Diffusive Relativistic Shock Acceleration

Particle acceleration in relativistic shocks is studied analytically in the test-particle, small-angle scattering limit, for an arbitrary velocity-angle diffusion function D. The particle spectral index s is found to be sensitive to D, particularly downstream and at certain angles. The analysis, confirmed numerically, justifies and generalizes previous results for isotropic diffusion. It can be used to test collisionless shock models and to observationally constrain D. For example, strongly forward- or backward-enhanced diffusion downstream is ruled out by gamma-ray burst afterglow observations.
Bandlimited signal reconstruction from noisy periodic nonuniform samples in time-interleaved ADCS

In this paper, we propose a time-domain method for uniform signal reconstruction from periodic nonuniform samples of a bandlimited signal when timing-skews are known. The algorithm computes a constrained least-squares estimate of the input via the pseudoinverse of a time-varying filter. The method exploits the oversampling in the system to provide increased performance in the presence of noise.
Practical persistence in ecological models via comparison methods

A basic question in mathematical ecology is that of deciding whether or not a model for the population dynamics of interacting species predicts their long-term coexistence. A sufficient condition for coexistence is the presence of a globally attracting positive equilibrium, but that condition may be too strong since it excludes other possibilities such as stable periodic solutions. Even if there is such an equilibrium, it may be difficult to establish its existence and stability, especially in the case of models with diffusion. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the idea of uniform persistence or permanence, where coexistence is inferred from the existence of a globally attracting positive set. The advantage of that approach is that often uniform persistence can be shown much more easily than the existence of a globally attracting equilibrium. The disadvantage is that most techniques for establishing uniform persistence do not provide any information on the size or location of the attracting set. That is a serious drawback from the applied viewpoint, because if the positive attracting set contains points that represent less than one individual of some species, then the practical interpretation that uniform persistence predicts coexistence may not be valid. An alternative approach is to seek asymptotic lower bounds on the populations or densities in the model, via comparison with simpler equations whose dynamics are better known. If such bounds can be obtained and approximately computed, then the prediction ofpersistence can be made practical rather than merely theoretical. This paper describes how practical persistence can be established for some classes of reaction–diffusion models for interacting populations. Somewhat surprisingly, themodels need not be autonomous or have any specific monotonicity properties.
Dynamic balancing of hexapods for high-speed applications

In this paper, a method is proposed for dynamic balancing of hexapods for high-speed applications. The kinematic structure of the hexapod is based on the parallel mechanism. For high-speed applications, hexapod dynamics is the dominant factor, and dynamic balancing becomes very important. The proposed method is aimed at minimizing the changes in the hexapod inertia over the workspace by utilizing the tool holder attached to the hexapod's end-effector as a counterweight.
Radiographic enhancement of the nasoseptal flap does not predict postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks in endoscopic skull base reconstruction

Objectives/Hypothesis: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks continue to be the most common postoperative complication in expanded endonasal skull base procedures. Currently, a multilayer closure using a vascularized nasoseptal flap is most commonly performed for large ventral skull base defects in an effort to avoid postoperative CSF leaks. We correlated nasoseptal flap enhancement with postoperative CSF leak rates in a group of skull base reconstruction patients. The nasoseptal flap enhancement was determined by immediate postoperative gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which allowed for imaging of the flap’s vascular pedicle. Our aim was to identify whether nasoseptal flap enhancement contributed to reduction of postoperative CSF leak rates. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: We reviewed 19 patients who underwent expanded endoscopic resections of skull base lesions of advanced complexity. We calculated the incidence of CSF leaks and measured the presence of nasoseptal flap enhancement. Results: Of the 19 patients with immediate postoperative MRIs, three developed postoperative CSF leaks. All three CSF leaks were in cases with enhancing vascular pedicles. In contrast, we had three patients without evidence of flap enhancement, none of whom developed a postoperative CSF leak (Fisher exact test, P ¼ 1.0). CSF leak was associated with posterior fossa lesions (P ¼ .25). Nasoseptal flap enhancement was associated with younger age (P ¼ .15). Conclusions: This retrospective cohort study demonstrates that although the vascularized pedicled nasoseptal flap is effective for closure of expanded endonasal skull base procedures, our experience found the actual enhancement of the flap itself does not appear to effect postoperative CSF leak rates.
Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood

Within a span of six months, People magazines’ covers asked, “Britney’s Mental Illness: What’s Behind Her Disturbing Behavior?” spotlighted Lindsay Lohan’s struggle, “From Rehab to Arrest in 11 days”; and attributed “Heath Ledger’s Tragic Death” to suicide.1 Each of these emerging adults can be said to have achieved a great deal, yet their struggles are apparent. Perhaps a “quarterlife crisis” is to blame. Perhaps too much selfesteem enhancement left them unprepared for the realities of adulthood and that is “why today’s young Americans are more confident, assertive, entitled—and more miserable than ever before (Twenge, 2006).” Perhaps the new, longer road to adulthood is to blame for their troubles; perhaps their celebrity?
Construct validity of the computerized continuous performance test with measures of intelligence, achievement, and behavior

It has been argued that the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is a measure of arousal. The current study examined the CPT relative to accepted measures of intelligence, behavior, and achievement in a group of school-age children. Fifty-four subjects completed the WISC-R, WRAT-R, PIAT reading comprehension, and Bender, as well as a computerized version of the CPT. The Conners Parent Behavior Rating Scale was administered to their parents. A principal-components analysis with varimax rotation suggested a four-factor solution that accounted for 79% of the total variance. Factors were defined as (1) Academic Achievement, (2) Verbal Abilities/Sustained Attention, (3) Perceptual-Spatial Organization and (4) Behavior. Academic Achievement carried loadings from all three subtests of the WRAT-R and the CPT. The CPT loaded on only the Academic Achievement factor, suggesting that it may relate most closely to educational achievement. The CPT appears to be a promising psychoeducational tool for school psychologists.
Abstract P346: Regulation of GRK5 in Myocytes Is Mediated by Nuclear Transcription Factor [ê]B: A New Clue in Heart Disease

G protein coupled receptor kinase-5 (GRK5) plays a key role in the heart and it’s expression is increased in heart failure. Moreover, a human mutation within its amino-terminus appears to play a role in therapeutic responses to β-blockers in heart failure patients. Nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB), a ubiquitous transcription factor, is involved in the regulation of numerous genes in various tissues and activation of NF-κB has also been shown to be associated with heart disease. Here, we investigated the role of NF-κB signaling in the regulation of the GRK5 gene and GRK5 expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). In analyzing the 5’-flanking DNA of GRK5 , the presence of a potential NF-κB binding site was observed in the promoter. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a known stimulator of NF-κB, increased the levels of GRK5 in NRVMs. Conversely, treatment of NRVMs with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a known inhibitor of NF-κB, decreased the levels of GRK5 compared to control cells. Utilizing electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with nuclear extracts from NRVMs treated with or without PMA, it was found that proteins bound to the GRK5 promoter containing the putative NF-κB binding site. When an antibody specific for NF-κB was utilized, a super-shift of the proteins binding to the putative NF-κB binding site was observed. Furthermore, interaction of NF-κB with GRK5 was confirmed by shift Western blot. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) showed dynamic recruitment of both p50 and p65 to the NF-κB site of GRK5 promoter after treatment of NRVMs with PMA. Treatment of myocytes with siRNA and subsequent knock-down of NF-κB p65 decreased the levels of GRK5 as judged by real time quantitative PCR. Finally, adenovirus mediated overexpression of a dominant negative IκB-α in NRVMs inhibited the levels of GRK5. Taken together, our present studies suggest that NF-κB plays a potential role in the regulation of GRK5 transcription in myocytes and this may translate to key expressional changes seen in heart disease.
Decision analysis in Management Science

A part of the 50th anniversary of Management Science, the journal is publishing articles that reflect on the past, present, and future of the various subfields the journal represents. In this article, we consider decision analysis research as it has appeared in Management Science. After reviewing the foundations of decision analysis and the history of the journal’s decision analysis department, we review a number of key developments in decision analysis research that have appeared in Management Science and offer some comments on the current state of the field.
Direct simulation of a supersonic round turbulent shear layer

A temporally developing turbulent round mixing layer at Mach number M(j) = 1.92 has been simulated, and results compared to a similar nearly incompressible simulation at M(j) = 0.4. The supersonic mixing layer growth rate, defined with a delta99 thickness parameter, is found to be suppressed relative to its low Mach number counterpart. The Reynolds stresses in the supersonic flow are also suppressed in a manner similar to experimental results. Flow visualization, 1D energy spectra, and two point correlations indicate that a realistic turbulent flow is being simulated. At a given thickness in the development of the two mixing layers, the mean velocity, mean temperature, Reynolds stresses, Reynolds shear stress anisotropy, pressure fluctuations, budgets of Reynolds stresses, and turbulent kinetic energy are compared. It is found that even though maximum turbulent Mach number reaches 0.43 in the compressible case, dilatational effects are minimal, and the total viscous dissipation is nearly the same fraction of the production of turbulent kinetic energy for both flows. (Author)
Design and Optimization of Point Spread Functions in Volume Holographic Imaging Systems

We present how to optimize and locate the best combination of point indenters exerted on the exterior of the holograms to achieve the desired point-spread-functions (PSFs) in volume holographic imaging systems.
ANALYSIS OF RAM ACCELERATOR FLOW USING A TAYLOR-MACCOLL CONICAL SOLUTION

A model of the flow in a ram accelerator was developed based on a Taylor-Maccoll conical solution with simple inert and detonation shock models. This model was used to calculate the flow properties for a range of projectile Mach numbers in Methane, Oxygen and Nitrogen propellant mixtures. One expected method of superdetonative operation is with an overdriven weak detonation shock reflecting off of the tunnel wall. Mach numbers for this operation were found to be approximately 4.1 times the Chapman-Jouguet Mach number. At lower Mach numbers solutions are mathematically possible for overdriven weak detonation shocks off the bow of the projectile and strong detonation shocks reflected from the tunnel wall. Such solutions could lead to unstarts. The strong detonation solutions are in the same Mach number range as unstarts experienced in previous experiments. This model was found to be an effective tool to quickly estimate flow around a ram projectile and narrow further studies. Nomenclature
Ecology of mountain pine beetle (Coleoptera : Scolytidae) cold hardening in the intermountain West

The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, spends the majority of its life cycle within the phloem of pine trees, experiencing exposure to temperatures below −30°C in many parts of their expansive range. To better understand cold tolerance capabilities of this insect, seasonal patterns of cold-hardiness, as measured by supercooling points in the laboratory, were compared with seasonal patterns of host tree phloem temperatures at several geographic sites for 2 beetle generations. Larvae were found to be intolerant of tissue freezing, and supercooling points measured appear to be a reasonable estimate of the lower limit for survival. Of the compounds analyzed, glycerol was found to be the major cryoprotectant. No differences in supercooling points were found among instars or between larvae collected from the north and south aspect of tree boles. Both phloem temperatures and supercooling points of larvae collected from within the phloem were found to be different among the geographic sites sampled. Mountain pine beetle larvae appear to respond to seasonal and yearly fluctuations in microhabitat temperatures by adjusting levels of cold hardening.
Comparative study of exchange-correlation functionals for accurate predictions of structural and magnetic properties of multiferroic oxides

We systematically compare predictions of various exchange correlation functionals for the structural and magnetic properties of perovskite ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{x}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3} (0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}1)$---a representative class of multiferroic oxides. The local spin density approximation (LSDA) and spin-dependent generalized gradient approximation with Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof parametrization (sPBE) make substantial different predictions for ferroelectric atomic distortions, tetragonality, and ground state magnetic ordering. Neither approximation quantitatively reproduces all the measured structural and magnetic properties of perovskite ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$. The spin-dependent generalized gradient approximation with Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof revised for solids parametrization (sPBEsol) and the charge-only Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof parametrized generalized gradient approximation with Hubbard $U$ and Hund's $J$ extensions both provide overall better agreement with measured structural and magnetic properties of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$, compared to LSDA and sPBE. Using these two methods, we find that different from previous predictions, perovskite ${\mathrm{BaMnO}}_{3}$ has large Mn off-center displacements and is close to a ferromagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic phase boundary, making it a promising candidate to induce effective giant magnetoelectric effects and to achieve cross-field control of polarization and magnetism.
Analysis of 246 Cases of Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Using EREB Electrosurgery Station

Objective To investigate the methods and advantages of total laparoscopic hysterectomy(TLH) with EREB electrosurgery station.Methods 264 cases of TLH using EREB electrosurgery station were analyzed retrospectively.The average age of the patients was 48.5 years old(40～67).Of the 264 cases,188 cases had uterine myoma,44 cases had adenomyosis,1 case had refractory dysfunctional uterine bleeding,13 cases had atypical endometrial hyperplasia,86 cases had history of surgery on lower abdomen.Results Operations were completed successfully in all 246 cases.2 cases who had history of surgery on lower abdomen and severe pelvic adhesions were conversed to open surgery.1 case was found bladder perforation which was repaired by laparoscopic operation.2 cases who had ureteral-vagina fistula after surgery were cured by setting double-J tube with ureteroscope.Conclusion TLH with EREB electrosurgery Station is a safe,reliable procedure to remove uterus.
Dual decomposition for marginal inference

We present a dual decomposition approach to the tree-reweighted belief propagation objective. Each tree in the tree-reweighted bound yields one subproblem, which can be solved with the sum-product algorithm. The master problem is a simple differentiable optimization, to which a standard optimization method can be applied. Experimental results on 10x10 Ising models show the dual decomposition approach using L-BFGS is similar in settings where message-passing converges quickly, and one to two orders of magnitude faster in settings where message-passing requires many iterations, specifically high accuracy convergence, and strong interactions.
WAAX: Web Audio {API} eXtension

The introduction of the Web Audio API in 2011 marked a significant advance for web-based music systems by enabling real-time sound synthesis on web browsers simply by writing JavaScript code. While this powerful functionality has arrived there is a yet unaddressed need for an extension to the API to fully reveal its potential. To meet this need, a JavaScript library dubbed WAAX was created to facilitate music and audio programming based on Web Audio API bypassing underlying tasks and augmenting useful features. In this paper, we describe common issues in web audio programming, illustrate how WAAX can speed up the development, and discuss future developments.