cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dwell-time min-switching for discrete-time switched linear systems

This paper addresses analysis and switching control problems of discrete-time switched linear systems. A mixed time-driven and state-dependent switching strategy is proposed to guarantee an average dwell time even when all subsystems are unstable. The switching rule and its associated switching output feedback controllers are designed to stabilize the switched system and achieve a disturbance attenuation performance. The proposed analysis and switching control approach could refrain frequent switches commonly observed in min-switching based designs. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated through a numerical example.
London penetration depth and strong pair breaking in iron-based superconductors

The low-temperature variation in the London penetration depth for a number of iron-pnictide and iron-chalcogenide superconductors is nearly quadratic, $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)=\ensuremath{\beta}{T}^{n}$ with $n\ensuremath{\approx}2$. The coefficient in this dependence shows a robust scaling, $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\propto}1/{T}_{c}^{3}$ across different families of these materials. We associate the scaling with a strong pair breaking. The same mechanism has recently been suggested to explain the scalings of the specific-heat jump, $\ensuremath{\Delta}C\ensuremath{\propto}{T}_{c}^{3}$ [Bud'ko et al., Phys. Rev. B 79, 220516(R) (2009)], and the slopes of the upper critical field, $d{H}_{c2}/dT\ensuremath{\propto}{T}_{c}$ in these materials [Kogan, Phys. Rev. B 80, 214532 (2009)]. This suggests that thermodynamic and electromagnetic properties of the iron-based superconductors can be described within a strong pair-breaking scenario (this work).
Coverant control of self-evaluations through temporal cueing

Abstract Procedures involving temporal cueing of coverant emission were employed in the treatment of a case of interpersonal anxiety and depression. Spontaneous rate of positive self-evaluations was increased by the therapy procedures and maintained after the procedures were terminated. Concomitant improvements were reported for behavioral measures. The results are compared with previous attempts to use cueing procedures for coverant control and potential differences are suggested.
Detection of Multiple Cracks in Beams Using Genetic Algorithms

The detection and identification of structural damages play a key role in the monitoring and servicing of structural safety and reliability. This paper applies the real-coded Genetic Algorithm to the crack detection problems of multi-cracked beams. The objective function of the Genetic Algorithm was minimized by comparing the changes of measured vibration data of cracked and uncracked structures with those of the analytical model before and after updating. In the analytical model, the massless spring was used to simulate the open crack in the beam. Based on the frequency changes and the mode shape changes caused by the presences of cracks, the analytical model is updated to find the crack locations and sizes. A thorough explanation on how to find the mutation rate, crossover rate, population size, and weights of the vibration data are also discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
NO2 formation over Cu-ZSM-5 and the selective catalytic reduction of NO

The extent of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitric oxide to dinitrogen in the presence of excess oxygen is enhanced by the oxygen on several zeolite-based catalysts and using different reductants. When the catalyst is Cu-ZSM-5 and the reductant is a hydrocarbon, an NO2 intermediate has been suggested by several investigators. This work shows that at short residence times, with excess reductant and in the absence of oxygen, the NO2 itself is reduced only back to NO. Thus, for the selective reduction of NO2 to N2 (N-pairing) strongly oxidizing conditions are required, same as for the complete reduction of NO. In the presence of excess oxygen the activity of Cu-ZSM-5 in the NO + O2 reaction to form NO2 parallels the SCR in every respect. It is higher over Cu-ZSM-5 than on Cu/Al2O3 or on H-ZSM-5. The coppercontaining zeolite is also active in the decomposition of NO2 back to NO and O2 while the other catalysts are much less active. The inhibiting effect of water on the NO + O2 catalytic reaction is also parallel to the effect on SCR. This evidence strengthens the notion of an NO2 intermediate.
Magnetotaxis and magnetic particles in bacteria

Magnetotactic bacteria contain magnetic particles that constitute a permanent magnetic dipole and cause each cell to orient and migrate along geomagnetic field lines. Recent results relevant to the biomineralization process and to the function of magnetotaxis are discussed.
The Link Between Androgen Receptor Splice Variants and Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Resistance to the latest advanced prostate cancer therapies, including abiraterone and enzalutamide, is associated with increased expression of constitutively active androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs). The exact mechanism by which these therapies result in AR-Vs is unknown, but may include genomic rearrangement of the androgen receptor gene as well as alternative splicing of the AR pre-messenger RNA (mRNA). An additional complication that hinders further development of effective AR strategies is that the mechanisms by which the directed therapies are bypassed may vary. Finally, the question must be addressed as to whether the androgen receptor remains to be the driver of most castration resistant disease or whether truly AR-independent tumors arise after successful androgen ablation therapy. In this review, we will examine androgen receptor splice variants as an alternative mechanism by which prostate cancer becomes resistant to androgen receptor-directed therapy.
Repulsive Core and Charge Independence

In an earlier paper Schwinger derived expressions for the effective strengths of the neutron-proton and proton-proton interactions in the singlet $S$ state. He showed their difference is small and can be accounted for by magnetic forces if a long-tailed potential (Yukawa) is assumed but not for a short-tailed potential. In this paper an equivalent analysis is carried out for nuclear potentials which have a repulsive core. It is shown that for core radii of more than about 0.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm the effect of the magnetic interaction is decreased and the difference between the $n\ensuremath{-}p$ and $p\ensuremath{-}p$ interactions is increased. Numerical values of the discrepancy are given for different core radii.
TNFα decreases gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes isolated from 10-day-old rats

Gluconeogenesis decreases during septic shock, but its mechanism is not well known. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), which is a key cytokine in septic shock, can increase GLUT1 gene expression and glucose uptake in muscles and fatty tissues. TNF-alpha does not alter the metabolism of hepatocytes in which GLUT2 is the predominant glucose transporter. However, GLUT1 is the predominant glucose transporter in hepatocytes of 10-d-old rats. Thus, we hypothesized that TNF-alpha might increase glucose uptake and glycolysis in those cells, and decrease gluconeogenesis. In the present study, hepatocytes isolated from 10-d-old rats were incubated with TNF-alpha at the concentrations of 0, 0.98, 9.8, 98, and 980 ng/mL to evaluate TNF-alpha effects on gluconeogenesis and glucose uptake. TNF-alpha increased glucose uptake (41.1 +/- 8 to 114 +/- 21.4 micromol/10(6) cells at the concentration of 980 ng/mL of TNF-alpha) in a dose-dependent manner, and decreased gluconeogenesis (98.2 +/- 8.2 to 1.1 +/- 3.2 micromol/10(6) cells at the concentration of 980 ng/mL of TNF-alpha) in a dose-dependent manner. The decrease of glucokinase mRNA and GLUT1 mRNA abundance correlated with glucose uptake (r = 0.988 and 0.997, respectively), and the decrease of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA abundance correlated with the decrease of gluconeogenesis (r = 0.972). The decrease of gluconeogenesis by TNF-alpha correlated with the increase of glucose uptake (r = -0.988). We concluded that TNF-alpha reciprocally suppressed gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes isolated from 10-d-old rats.
Mitigating code-reuse attacks with control-flow locking

Code-reuse attacks are software exploits in which an attacker directs control flow through existing code with a malicious result. One such technique, return-oriented programming, is based on "gadgets" (short pre-existing sequences of code ending in a ret instruction) being executed in arbitrary order as a result of a stack corruption exploit. Many existing codereuse defenses have relied upon a particular attribute of the attack in question (e.g., the frequency of ret instructions in a return-oriented attack), which leads to an incomplete protection, while a smaller number of efforts in protecting all exploitable control flow transfers suffer from limited deploy-ability due to high performance overhead. In this paper, we present a novel cost-effective defense technique called control flow locking, which allows for effective enforcement of control flow integrity with a small performance overhead. Specifically, instead of immediately determining whether a control flow violation happens before the control flow transfer takes place, control flow locking lazily detects the violation after the transfer. To still restrict attackers' capability, our scheme guarantees that the deviation of the normal control flow graph will only occur at most once. Further, our scheme ensures that this deviation cannot be used to craft a malicious system call, which denies any potential gains an attacker might obtain from what is permitted in the threat model. We have developed a proof-of-concept prototype in Linux and our evaluation demonstrates desirable effectiveness and competitive performance overhead with existing techniques. In several benchmarks, our scheme is able to achieve significant gains.
Regulation of the cortical actin cytoskeleton in budding yeast by twinfilin, a ubiquitous actin monomer-sequestering protein.

Here we describe the identification of a novel 37-kD actin monomer binding protein in budding yeast. This protein, which we named twinfilin, is composed of two cofilin-like regions. In our sequence database searches we also identified human, mouse, and Caenorhabditis elegans homologues of yeast twinfilin, suggesting that twinfilins form an evolutionarily conserved family of actin-binding proteins. Purified recombinant twinfilin prevents actin filament assembly by forming a 1:1 complex with actin monomers, and inhibits the nucleotide exchange reaction of actin monomers. Despite the sequence homology with the actin filament depolymerizing cofilin/actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) proteins, our data suggests that twinfilin does not induce actin filament depolymerization. In yeast cells, a green fluorescent protein (GFP)–twinfilin fusion protein localizes primarily to cytoplasm, but also to cortical actin patches. Overexpression of the twinfilin gene ( TWF1 ) results in depolarization of the cortical actin patches. A twf1 null mutation appears to result in increased assembly of cortical actin structures and is synthetically lethal with the yeast cofilin mutant cof1-22 , shown previously to cause pronounced reduction in turnover of cortical actin filaments. Taken together, these results demonstrate that twinfilin is a novel, highly conserved actin monomer-sequestering protein involved in regulation of the cortical actin cytoskeleton.
A systematic scanning electron microscopy technique for evaluating combined biological/granular activated carbon treatment processes

Abstract A systematic scanning electron microscope analytical technique has been developed to examine granular activated carbon used as a medium for biomass attachment in liquid waste treatment. The procedure allows for the objective monitoring, comparing, and trouble shooting of combined processes by direct visual examination of the biomass's attachment characteristics and rating key criteria that have been found to have the greatest effect on the process's performance. These criteria include the surface characteristics of the carbon; the quantity, type, and position of the biomass; and the amount of unidentifiable material. A set of instructions along with a set of reference photographs that illustrate the rating scale of each criteria were developed as was a standard data recording form. Several investigators rated samples from a variety of bioreactors to verify the practicality and quality of the technique. A comparison of the individual ratings indicated a significant correlation with each other as w...
Independent component analysis: Mining microarray data for fundamental human gene expression modules

As public microarray repositories rapidly accumulate gene expression data, these resources contain increasingly valuable information about cellular processes in human biology. This presents a unique opportunity for intelligent data mining methods to extract information about the transcriptional modules underlying these biological processes. Modeling cellular gene expression as a combination of functional modules, we use independent component analysis (ICA) to derive 423 fundamental components of human biology from a 9395-array compendium of heterogeneous expression data. Annotation using the Gene Ontology (GO) suggests that while some of these components represent known biological modules, others may describe biology not well characterized by existing manually-curated ontologies. In order to understand the biological functions represented by these modules, we investigate the mechanism of the preclinical anti-cancer drug parthenolide (PTL) by analyzing the differential expression of our fundamental components. Our method correctly identifies known pathways and predicts that N-glycan biosynthesis and T-cell receptor signaling may contribute to PTL response. The fundamental gene modules we describe have the potential to provide pathway-level insight into new gene expression datasets.
Detection of Myocardial Perfusion in Multiple Echocardiographic Windows With One Intravenous Injection of Microbubbles Using Transient Response Second Harmonic Imaging

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to prove that transient response harmonic imaging could detect normal and abnormal myocardial perfusion in multiple echocardiographic windows with one intravenous injection of microbubbles in humans. Background. Myocardial ultrasound contrast can be produced from intravenous perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin, and ultrasound can be significantly improved by briefly suspending the interval between frame rates. Whether this contrast can noninvasively quantify myocardial perfusion in humans is unknown. Methods. In 28 patients, harmonic transient response imaging was used to image the heart in multiple different imaging planes after one intravenous injection of ultrasound contrast agent. Twenty-five of these 28 patients had a repeat injection during dipyridamole stress. In the primary view, the ultrasound transmission rate was one frame per cardiac cycle; in secondary and tertiary views, the transmission rate was once every multiple cardiac cycles. Regional myocardial contrast was visually assessed and quantified off-line. Quantitative rest thallium and dipyridamole stress sestamibi imaging was also performed. Results. Perfusion abnormalities were evident in the secondary and tertiary views only with one frame every multiple cardiac cycles. Regional peak myocardial videointensity (PMVI) correlated closely with regional tracer uptake in individual patients both at rest (r = 0.84) and during stress (r = 0.88). A PMVI ratio (abnormal region divided by the region with highest nuclear uptake) Conclusions. Transient response imaging produces myocardial contrast in multiple views with one intravenous injection of contrast agent and can accurately identify regional myocardial perfusion abnormalities. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:791–9)
Effect and interaction of crop management factors on the glycoalkaloid concentration of potato tubers

Potato tuber glycoalkaloid content was measured in response to nitrogen fertilizer rate, storage temperature, length of storage period and cultivar. Cvs Gemchip, Norchip and Russet Burbank were grown with applied nitrogen fertilizer rates of 0, 168 or 336 kg/ha and then stored at either 4.4 or 10°C. Total glycoalkaloid content was determined one month before harvest, at harvest, after three months of storage and after nine months of storage. Higher rates of nitrogen, higher storage temperature and a period of storage all resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of glycoalkaloids. The cv Norchip had higher glycoalkaloids than cvs Gemchip or Russet Burbank. Only the storage period had more influence than the environment (difference between years). Significant (P<0.05) two-way interactions were detected for year x cultivar, year x nitrogen, storage period x cultivar and nitrogen x cultivar. Most interactions were due to the unique responses of cultivars.
Successful defibrillation with the use of left ventricular drainage after prolonged refractory ventricular fibrillation in experimental acute myocardial infarction

Abstract To determine the efficacy of left ventricular drainage in permitting defibrillation after prolonged, refractory ventricular fibrillation, 12 dogs (7 normal, 5 with major coronary arterial ligation) with 21 episodes of either spontaneous or electrically induced ventricular fibrillation were studied before and during left ventricular drainage by means of transaortic or transatrial cannulation. After prolonged ventricular fibrillation without circulatory support (average 28, range 17 to 48 minutes), electrical defibrillation was unsuccessful despite increasing amounts of direct current. Defibrillation was then attempted during graded amounts of left ventricular drainage (200 to 1,800 ml/min; 8.7 to 57.6 ml/kg per min). Defibrillation was successful in each instance (10 watt-sec), at an average left ventricular drainage flow rate of 19.7 ml/kg per min (range, 12.1 to 30.4). Successful defibrillation was obtained with either low or normal arterial pH values. Left ventricular drainage with concomitant successful defibrillation was associated with significant increments of arterial PO2. Submaximal volumes of left ventricular drainage may permit defibrillation after prolonged refractory ventricular fibrillation, both in normal animals and in those with acute myocardial infarction. Acute reduction of left ventricular volume with alteration of the form of the left ventricle, reduction of myocardial oxygen requirement and increments of coronary flow attributable to left ventricular drainage are postulated as mechanisms facilitating defibrillation. It is suggested that application of left ventricular drainage through a closed chest may be helpful in certain clinical instances of refractory ventricular fibrillation.
Supporting toddlers’ transfer of word learning from video

Abstract Young children frequently do not transfer information from video to real-world situations. We provided perceptual and conceptual supports to help children transfer a new word from video to physical objects and photos. An on-screen actress labeled one of two novel objects; then 24-month-olds were asked to identify the ‘modi.’ Children failed to demonstrate word learning after holding the objects while viewing ( comparison condition ). In a two-step transfer condition , children correctly identified the modi on a test video image but did not identify the real matching object. However, when parents pointed out that the real objects were “the same” as those on screen ( scaffold condition ), children demonstrated reliable transfer of the word from video to reality. This study shows that parents’ active co-viewing of videos supports transfer and suggests that toddlers’ frequent failure to learn from video stems at least partially from their lack of understanding of the relevance of video to real life.
An assessment of the exchangeability of water molecules in the interior of chymotrypsinogen in solution.

Abstract Water enriched with H2, 18O was used to probe the possible existence in solution of nonexchangeable water molecules in the interior of chymotrypsinogen that has been suggested by crystallographic studies. Although 10 nonexchangeable water molecules per chymotrypsinogen molecule are expected based on the crystallographic results, no nonexchangeable waters are observed for dissolved chymotrypsinogen within the limits of detection (0.5 μmoles of water per μmole of protein).
Isotope Effects on Hydrogen Atom Transfer from Transition Metals to Carbon

The isotope effect for transfer of a hydrogen/deuterium atom from HMn(CO)5/DMn(CO)5 to the monomeric trityl radical (p-tBu-C6H4)3C• (1) has been measured from −40 to +60 °C in toluene; the isotope effect for transfer from H2Os(CO)4/D2Os(CO)4 has been measured from 30 to 60 °C. Iterative kinetic simulation has been used to correct measured D• rate constants for the effects of incomplete deuteration. The isotope effect kH/kD at 25 °C is 3.18(3) for HMn(CO)5 and 4.3(3) for H2Os(CO)4. The larger isotope effect in the osmium case may be due to the difference in thermochemistry; the H−Os bond is stronger than the H−Mn one, and H• transfer from H2Os(CO)4 to 1 is approximately thermoneutral and in that sense “symmetric”.
Constraint and turnover in sex-biased gene expression in the genus Drosophila

Both genome content and deployment contribute to phenotypic differences between species. Sex is the most important difference between individuals in a species and has long been posited to be rapidly evolving. Indeed, in the Drosophila genus, traits such as sperm length, genitalia, and gonad size are the most obvious differences between species. Comparative analysis of sex-biased expression should deepen our understanding of the relationship between genome content and deployment during evolution. Using existing and newly assembled genomes, we designed species-specific microarrays to examine sex-biased expression of orthologues and species-restricted genes in D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. yakuba, D. ananassae, D. pseudoobscura, D. virilis and D. mojavensis. We show that averaged sex-biased expression changes accumulate monotonically over time within the genus. However, different genes contribute to expression variance within species groups compared to between groups. We observed greater turnover of species-restricted genes with male-biased expression, indicating that gene formation and extinction may play a significant part in species differences. Genes with male-biased expression also show the greatest expression and DNA sequence divergence. This higher divergence and turnover of genes with male-biased expression may be due to high transcription rates in the male germline, greater functional pleiotropy of genes expressed in females, and/or sexual competition.
The science of level design

Level designers create gameplay through geometry, AI scripting, and item placement. There is little formal understanding of this process, but rather a large body of design lore and rules of thumb. We have taken a first step in improving understanding by identifying design patterns in first-person shooter (FPS) levels, providing cause-effect relationships between level design elements and gameplay. The next step is to validate this theory with a series of experiments that test the strength of these relationships. Analysis data collected from subjects can improve understanding and provide designers with scientifically verified tools for creating gameplay in FPS levels.
Failure of mechanically loaded laminated composites subjected to intense localized heating

A numerical procedure is presented for predicting failure in laminated composites subjected to simultaneous intense localized heating and applied mechanical loads. The method consists of a non-linear two-dimensional, axisymmetric finite difference thermal analyser which considers the effects of surface ablation, radiation and convection losses and temperature dependent thermophysical properties. The thermal results are used in conjunction with a flat plate finite element code to predict the failure of laminated composites. Predictions based on the numerical analyses are compared with experimental results obtained from mechanically loaded graphite epoxy coupons spot-irradiated at various intensities.
Evidentiality and suggestibility: a new research venue.

Recent research suggests that acquisition of mental-state language may influence conceptual development. We examine this possibility by investigating the conceptual links between evidentiality in language and suggestibility. Young children are disproportionately suggestible and tend to change their reports or memories when questioned. The authors discuss the extent to which components of mental-state understanding, specifically representational understanding and understanding origins of knowledge, are implicated in improvements in resistance to suggestions and comprehending evidentiality. The authors also review social-psychological evidence that has implications for evidential understanding. Integration of the literature on both topics is followed by suggestions for new research directions. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrical conduction in water revisited: roles of field-enhanced dissociation and a reaction-based boundary condition

A one-dimensional formulation for the current density-electric field (J-E) characteristic for pure water has been developed which includes a self-consistent boundary condition, the auto-dissociation process, and electro-chemical kinetics at the electrodes. Our model results in a relatively simple form for the J-E characteristic. The predictions are shown to be in agreement with experimental data. The resulting J-E characteristics have an initial linear shape, followed by a super-linear increase. A saturating behavior is predicted based on the details of field-dependent variations in electro-chemical kinetic rates. Strong auto-dissociation would finally cause nonlinear increases at much higher applied voltages. Based on the present theory, pertinent suggestions for improving the performance of water-based gaps for pulsed power applications have been made. These include water circulation, employing surface coatings, and optical/laser excitation at the electrodes.
Have State Accountability and High‐Stakes Tests Influenced Student Progression Rates in High School?

The question addressed in this paper is whether there are signs that students' progression through high school to graduation has been affected by the efforts to increase school accountability, including high-stakes exit exams. If such accountability systems were able to raise student academic performance significantly in elementary and middle school, these same students should be more likely to succeed academically in high school and graduate with their cohort. If state accountability systems also attempt to raise minimum standards for high school graduation by requiring exit tests, as many do, this could have the opposite effect of lowering high school graduation rates by putting yet one more barrier in the way of lower-performing students completing requirements.
Collective Problem Solving: Features and affordances of creative online communities

Panelists will discuss how collective intelligence can be applied to large-scale problems through collaborative online systems. The features and affordances of several such systems will be described, inviting discussion about how such systems can be better designed by the CSCW community.
First- and second-order methods for semidefinite programming

In this paper, we survey the most recent methods that have been developed for the solution of semidefinite programs. We first concentrate on the methods that have been primarily motivated by the interior point (IP) algorithms for linear programming, putting special emphasis in the class of primal-dual path-following algorithms. We also survey methods that have been developed for solving large-scale SDP problems. These include first-order nonlinear programming (NLP) methods and more specialized path-following IP methods which use the (preconditioned) conjugate gradient or residual scheme to compute the Newton direction and the notion of matrix completion to exploit data sparsity.
Are n-BuLi/TMEDA-Mediated Arene Ortholithiations Directed? Substituent-Dependent Rates, Substituent-Independent Mechanisms

Rate studies of the lithiation of benzene and related alkoxy-substituted aromatics by n-BuLi/TMEDA mixtures implicate similar mechanisms in which the proton transfers are rate limiting with transition structures of stoichiometry [(n-BuLi)2(TMEDA)2(Ar−H)]⧧ (Ar−H = benzene, C6H5OCH3, m-C6H4(OCH3)2, C6H5OCH2OCH3, and C6H5OCH2CH2N(CH3)2). Cooperative substituent effects and an apparent importance of inductive effects suggest a mechanism in which alkoxy−lithium interactions are minor or nonexistent in the rate-limiting transition structures. Supported by ab initio calculations, transition structures based upon triple ions of general structure [(n-Bu)2Li]-//+Li(TMEDA)2 are discussed.
Brain nitric oxide synthase levels increase in response to antenatal ethanol exposure.

Aims: Our previous in vitro data have indicated that ethanol can increase nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression. Thus, the Aims of this study were to determine whether ethanol produces the same effect in vivo . Methods: To accomplish this, we utilized the well-established prenatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure model in the guinea pig to examine the effect on brain NOS expression and activity. Results: Brain homogenates isolated from offspring of guinea pigs fed EtOH exhibited an increase in NOS protein expression and NOS activity compared to controls. Increased expression of neuronal NOS was observed only in soluble fractions of brain homogenates ( P < 0.05 vs. control). Increased expression of a ∼60 kDa band was detected in the soluble fraction that was immunoreactive against an antiserum raised against inducible NOS. In addition, an immunoreactive band of the correct predicted molecular weight for iNOS was found in the particulate fraction although the expression was unchanged between control and EtOH-treated animals. Endothelial NOS protein expression could not be detected in either soluble or particulate fractions from control or EtOH-treated animals. Conclusions: These results suggest that EtOH may exert its toxic effects antenatally via a mechanism of altered nitric oxide availability from NOS. ( Received 24 March 2003; first review notified 25 July 2003; in revised form 10 September 2003; accepted 25 November 2003 )
VARIANCE APPROXIMATION FOR EXPONENTIAL FAMILY PENALIZED MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATORS: APPLICATION TO KINETIC PARAMETRIC ESTIMATION

We further simplify previously published general approximate expressions for the covariance of penalized maximum likelihood estimators for likelihoods with the canonical form of the exponential family. The resulting expression makes calculation of the covariance more tractable for cases involving complicated log-likelihood expressions. We use this approximation to derive the covariance of direct estimates of voxel-wise kinetic parameters from list mode and bin mode PET data. To evaluate the accuracy of the approximation we simulate a simple parametric image reconstruction problem and demonstrate that the approximate covariances match well with the empirical covariances.
Climate change hotspots mapping: what have we learned?

In the past 5 years there has been a proliferation of efforts to map climate change “hotspots” — regions that are particularly vulnerable to current or future climate impacts, and where human security may be at risk. While some are academic exercises, many are produced with the goal of drawing policy maker attention to regions that are particularly susceptible to climate impacts, either to mitigate the risk of humanitarian crises or conflicts or to target adaptation assistance. Hotspots mapping efforts address a range of issues and sectors such as vulnerable populations, humanitarian crises, conflict, agriculture and food security, and water resources. This paper offers a timely assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current hotspots mapping approaches with the goal of improving future efforts. It also highlights regions that are anticipated, based on combinations of high exposure, high sensitivity and low adaptive capacity, to suffer significant impacts from climate change.
Characterizing correlated latency anomalies in broadband access networks

The growing prevalence of broadband Internet access around the world has made understanding the performance and reliability of broadband access networks extremely important. To better understand the performance anomalies that arise in broadband access networks, we have deployed hundreds of routers in home broadband access networks around the world and are studying the performance of these networks. One of the performance pathologies that we have observed is correlated, sudden latency increases simultaneously and to multiple destinations. In this work, we provide an preliminary glimpse into these sudden latency increases and attempt to understand their causes. Although we do not isolate root cause in this study, observing the sets of destinations that experience correlated latency increases can provide important clues as to the locations in the network that may be inducing these pathologies. We present an algorithm to better identify the network locations that are likely responsible for these pathologies. We then analyze latency data from one month across our home router deployment to determine where in the network latency issues are arising, and how those pathologies differ across regions, ISPs, and countries. Our preliminary analysis suggests that most latency pathologies are to a single destination and a relatively small percentage of these pathologies are likely in the last mile, suggesting that peering within the network may be a more likely culprit for these pathologies than access link problems.
Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity in the Address Domain

Address-event representation (AER), originally proposed as a means to communicate sparse neural events between neuromorphic chips, has proven efficient in implementing large-scale networks with arbitrary, configurable synaptic connectivity. In this work, we further extend the functionality of AER to implement arbitrary, configurable synaptic plasticity in the address domain. As proof of concept, we implement a biologically inspired form of spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) based on relative timing of events in an AER framework. Experimental results from an analog VLSI integrate-and-fire network demonstrate address domain learning in a task that requires neurons to group correlated inputs.
The ontological argument and the motivational centres of lives

Assuming S 5 , the main controversial premise in modal ontological arguments is the possibility premise, such as that possibly a maximally great being exists. I shall offer a new way of arguing that the possibility premise is probably true.
Decadal Current Variations in the Southwestern Japan/East Sea

Absolute geostrophic velocities were calculated along TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) groundtracks located in the Ulleung Basin of the southwestern Japan/East Sea (JES) from a combined analysis of nearly a decade of T/P data and two years of pressure-gauge-equipped inverted echo sounder (PIES) data obtained during the United States Office of Naval Research’s JES Program. Geostrophic velocities have been calculated daily for the Ulleung Basin from June 1999 to July 2001 from a three-dimensional mapping of temperature and salinity produced by PIES data interpreted via the Gravest Empirical Mode (GEM) technique combined with the Navy’s Modular Ocean Data Assimilation System (MODAS). These velocities were then used to convert T/P velocity anomalies to absolute velocities for the T/P time period of 1993 to 2002. Current intensities and variabilities associated with the East Korean Warm Current, Ulleung Warm Eddy, and Offshore Branch are examined. Spatial and temporal variations of the sea surface circulation are strong. Intensification of the currents generally occurred during the fall season. The flow pattern in individual years differed greatly from year to year and differed from climatology in important qualitative ways.
Extraction of CT dose information from DICOM metadata: automated Matlab-based approach

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to extract exposure parameters and dose-relevant indexes of CT examinations from information embedded in DICOM metadata. CONCLUSION. DICOM dose report files were identified and retrieved from a PACS. An automated software program was used to extract from these files information from the structured elements in the DICOM metadata relevant to exposure. Extracting information from DICOM metadata eliminated potential errors inherent in techniques based on optical character recognition, yielding 100% accuracy.
Pseudobulbar crying induced by stimulation in the region of the subthalamic nucleus

We describe a case of pseudobulbar crying associated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the region of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Patients with pseudobulbar crying show no other evidence of subjective feelings of depression such as dysphoria, anhedonia, or vegetative signs. This may be accompanied by other symptoms of pseudobulbar palsy and has been reported to occur with ischaemic or structural lesions in both cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. Although depression has been observed to result from DBS in the region of the STN, pseudobulbar crying has not been reported. A single patient who reported the symptoms of pseudobulbar crying after placement of an STN DBS was tested in the off DBS and on DBS conditions. The patient was tested using all four DBS lead contacts and the observations and results of the examiners were recorded. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to evaluate for depression in all of the conditions. The patient exhibited pseudobulbar crying when on monopolar stimulation at all four lead contacts. The pseudobulbar crying resolved off stimulation. This case describes another type of affective change that may be associated with stimulation in the region of or within the STN. Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication, the importance of differentiating it from stimulation induced depression, and its response to a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, such as sertraline.
EVOLUTION AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF NEOGENE CORBULIDAE (BIVALVIA; MYOIDEA) OF TROPICAL AMERICA

Abstract We used 24 fossil and Recent species to construct character states of both composite and exemplar taxa for phylogenetic analyses of Neogene genera and subgenera of the Corbulidae from tropical America. All characters were conchologic and two matrices, which differed in the manner that commarginal-rib characters were coded, were analyzed using branch and bound searches and maximum parsimony. Character polarity was determined using Corbula sensu strictu as an outgroup. These analyses produced a limited number of robust and well-resolved cladograms that require only one ghost lineage. Such stable results indicate a high level of congruency among characters, and demonstrate that conchologic data sets can yield highly resolved cladograms. Tropical American corbulids are not monophyletic, and include two major clades. Crown groups within these clades are endemic, and all genera endemic to tropical America first appear in the Miocene. In fact, generic diversity and body size peak in the upper Miocene of...
A New Deal for the American People: A Marxist Analysis of FDR's First Inaugural Address

The Great Depression was a time when despair and hopelessness dominated the outlook of the American people. What began with the Stock Market crash in 1929 lasted for ten long years with nearly half of the U.S. banks failing and unemployment rates skyrocketing to nearly 30%. The election of 1932 proved to be a time of change, namely a shift from a Republican president, Herbert Hoover, to a Democratic one, Franklin D. Roosevelt. When Roosevelt delivered his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, the citizens were more than willing to listen and obey his plans and ideas for revitalizing the American economy and ending the dark days of the Depression. The power in Roosevelt’s hands, therefore, was enormous. He used this power to encourage the people to traverse a path towards capitalism by providing them with answers that benefited the marketplace and the working class and removed power from the hands of the elite bankers. He called for change, and the American people listened with an optimistic hope that had not been seen for several years. By critically analyzing Roosevelt’s first inaugural address, this paper explores the relationship between culture, society and ideology and explains how these relationships can ultimately lead to a
High Temperature Performance of Creep Strength Enhanced Ferritic Steels Under Steady and Cyclic Operating Conditions

High energy components must exhibit reliable long-term performance under cyclic operating conditions. Historically assessment of the performance of these components focused on defining the transients related to hot, warm and cold starts and stops. The complexity and range of cycles in many plants now includes rapid changes in generating output to operating levels of 30 % of rated capacity. In many cases, the desirable levels of low load operation are below the values considered in the original design. EPRI programs have thus been working with utilities to implement monitoring campaigns which record the changes in local pressure, temperature and flow with time at different locations within a system and to undertake analysis to assess the influence of these effects on performance. The present review summarizes EPRI achievements linked to transient effects in modern generating plant, with particular emphasis on the behavior of creep strength enhanced steels. These steels, typically based on 9–12 % Cr, offer significant benefits to the design and fabrication of components in high efficiency fossil fueled plants because, when properly processed, tempered martensitic steels offer an excellent combination of strength and toughness. However, assessment of in-service experience demonstrates that cracking in creep strength enhanced ferritic steel components has occurred relatively early in life. Solutions to prevent cracking are presented.
Celiprolol does not protect against ventricular tachycardia or sudden death in the conscious canine: a comparison with pindolol in assessing the role of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

The antiarrhythmic and antifibrillatory effects of the beta-1 adrenoceptor antagonist celiprolol were evaluated in a chronic canine model of myocardial infarction and sudden death. Programmed electrical stimulation (PES) was performed in conscious animals 3 to 5 days after a 2-hr occlusion/reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Dogs in which PES resulted in a reproducible nonsustaining or sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) were randomized to receive i.v. celiprolol (3 mg/kg, n = 10) or vehicle (n = 10). PES and measurement of electrophysiologic (parameters were repeated after 30 min and the animals were entered into the sudden death protocol by introducing a 150-microA anodal current to the lumen of the left circumflex coronary artery via a surgically implanted silver wire electrode. Celiprolol failed to prevent the induction of VT, and the outcome of the sudden death protocol did not differ from vehicle with respect to either sudden (within 1 hr of ischemia) or delayed (greater than 1 hr) mortality. VT cycle length and ventricular refractoriness were prolonged (P less than .05) by celiprolol, but other electrophysiologic parameters were unaffected. Heart rate was not altered after drug, but celiprolol antagonized the ischemia-induced increase in rate seen in the vehicle group. Similar electrophysiologic results and mortality data were apparent in a third group of dogs which received pindolol (0.09 mg/kg, n = 8). The failure of both drugs to protect against ischemic ventricular fibrillation in a model in which beta adrenoceptor antagonism has previously proved beneficial may be due in part to related cardiostimulant properties shared by celiprolol and pindolol.
Equation of State for the Thermodynamic Properties of 1,1,2,2,3-Pentafluoropropane (R-245ca)

An equation of state for the calculation of the thermodynamic properties of 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane (R-245ca), which is a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant, is presented. The equation of state (EOS) is expressed in terms of the Helmholtz energy as a function of temperature and density, and can calculate all thermodynamic properties through the use of derivatives of the Helmholtz energy. The equation is valid for all liquid, vapor, and supercritical states of the fluid, and is valid from the triple point to 450 K, with pressures up to 10 MPa. Comparisons to experimental data are given to verify the stated uncertainties in the EOS. The estimated uncertainty for density is 0.1 % in the liquid phase between 243 K and 373 K with pressures up to 6.5 MPa; the uncertainties increase outside this range, and are unknown. The uncertainty in vapor-phase speed of sound is 0.1 %. The uncertainty in vapor pressure is 0.2 % between 270 K and 393 K. The uncertainties in other regions and properties are unknown due to a lack of experimental data.
Pulmonary Function in Idiopathic Scoliosis

Pulmonary function studies were reported in sixty-two patients with idiopathic scoliosis with ages ranging between ten and twenty years and were compared with the data obtained from fifty-three normal subjects of a similar age group. Twenty-Six of the normal subjects were siblings of the patients. Abnormalities in pulmonary function were noted in twenty-nine patients. There was a predominant restrictive type of respiratory abnormality in fourteen, a reduction in pulmonary diffusing capacity in twelve, and a decrease in expiratory flow rates in three. The most common physiological abnormality was a decrease in lung volumes, particularly in vital capacity and its components. Decrease in pulmonary diffusing capacity was usually associated with reduced lung volumes. Pulmonary capillary blood volume was normal in all patients. One to four years after corrective surgery, follow-up pulmonary function evaluation was repeated in thirty-three patients. In these patients, the average precorrection spinal curve was 62 degrees, and the average final curve after correction and stabilization was 21 degrees. In the postoperative period, improvement of pulmonary function toward normal was observed in twelve patients. Sixteen of thirty-three patients had normal pulmonary function before and after surgical treatment, suggesting that they would have a better chance for their pulmonary status to remain normal in the future because of correction of their spinal curves.