cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mobile user identity sensing using the motion sensor

Employing mobile sensor data to recognize user behavioral activities has been well studied in recent years. However, to adopt the data as a biometric modality has rarely been explored. Existing methods either used the data to recognize gait, which is considered as a distinguished identity feature; or segmented a specific kind of motion for user recognition, such as phone picking-up motion. Since the identity and the motion gesture jointly affect motion data, to fix the gesture (walking or phone picking-up) definitively simplifies the identity sensing problem. However, it meanwhile introduces the complexity from gesture detection or requirement on a higher sample rate from motion sensor readings, which may draw the battery fast and affect the usability of the phone. In general, it is still under investigation that motion based user authentication in a large scale satisfies the accuracy requirement as a stand-alone biometrics modality. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to use the motion sensor readings for user identity sensing. Instead of decoupling the user identity from a gesture, we reasonably assume users have their own distinguishing phone usage habits and extract the identity from fuzzy activity patterns, represented by a combination of body movements whose signals in chains span in relative low frequency spectrum and hand movements whose signals span in relative high frequency spectrum. Then Bayesian Rules are applied to analyze the dependency of different frequency components in the signals. During testing, a posterior probability of user identity given the observed chains can be computed for authentication. Tested on an accelerometer dataset with 347 users, our approach has demonstrated the promising results.
Preventing Misfolding of the Prion Protein by Trimethylamine N-Oxide†

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are a class of fatal neurodegenerative diseases linked to the prion protein. The prion protein normally exists in a soluble, globular state (PrP(C)) that appears to participate in copper metabolism in the central nervous system and/or signal transduction. Infection or disease occurs when an alternatively folded form of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)) converts soluble and predominantly alpha-helical PrP(C) into aggregates rich in beta-structure. The structurally disordered N-terminus adopts beta-structure upon conversion to PrP(Sc) at low pH. Chemical chaperones, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), can prevent formation of PrP(Sc) in scrapie-infected mouse neuroblastoma cells [Tatzelt, J., et al. (1996) EMBO J. 15, 6363-6373]. To explore the mechanism of TMAO protection of PrP(C) at the atomic level, molecular dynamics simulations were performed under conditions normally leading to conversion (low pH) with and without 1 M TMAO. In PrP(C) simulations at low pH, the helix content drops and the N-terminus is brought into the small native beta-sheet, yielding a PrP(Sc)-like state. Addition of 1 M TMAO leads to a decreased radius of gyration, a greater number of protein-protein hydrogen bonds, and a greater number of tertiary contacts due to the N-terminus forming an Omega-loop and packing against the structured core of the protein, not due to an increase in the level of extended structure as with the PrP(C) to PrP(Sc) simulation. In simulations beginning with the "PrP(Sc)-like" structure (derived from PrP(C) simulated at low pH in pure water) in 1 M TMAO, similar structural reorganization at the N-terminus occurred, disrupting the extended sheet. The mechanism of protection by TMAO appears to be exclusionary in nature, consistent with previous theoretical and experimental studies. The TMAO-induced N-terminal conformational change prevents residues that are important in the conversion of PrP(C) to PrP(Sc) from assuming extended sheet structure at low pH.
Hard Coatings for Polymer Films by Biomimetic in situ Precipitation

Hard siliceous coatings on polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) surfaces have been prepared upon hydrolyzing a tetraisocyanatosilane permeant present in biaxially oriented PET film samples. The structure of these films differs from commercial PET film materials in that silica is present both as a surface layer and as discrete submicron particles dispersed throughout the films. In order to accomplish this, it was found that suitable silica precursors should be chemically compatible with the polymer and have calculated Hildebrand solubility parameter values similar to that for PET.
A New Genetic Marker of Human Immunoglobulins Determined by an Allele at the α2 Locus

. A new antigenic determinant occurring on human IgA2 protein is described. In family studies this marker showed to be dominant, non-sex-linked and antithetical to the first known marker of α2 chains. It is proposed to call this marker A2m(2), indicating that it is the second marker of IgA2 proteins.
Antepartum Assessment in High-Risk Pregnancy

Many new techniques can be used to assess the high-risk pregnant patient and the fetus. Nurses in communities and regional centers must be aware of the resources available and the requirements for and purposes of such special procedures as amniocentesis, ultrasonography, and the oxytocin challenge test. Health care systems must be responsive to the cultural and socioeconomic needs of their patients in order to encourage early prenatal care in those patients who need it most.
End of double taxation: Is the policy better when announced?

Abstract This paper examines the effectiveness of the “end of double taxation” (on dividends) policy in stabilizing an economy. Both announced and unannounced policies are considered. A reduction in double taxation stimulates investment and improves welfare, but its impact on output is moderate and it has a negative effect on work hours. A temporary cut creates an investment boom but also generates an investment slump when the tax cut expires. Announcements of future tax cuts are found to have important effect on output dynamics. Agents respond to the tax policy even before it is implemented. If the tax cut is announced to be temporary, its impact on output is greatly reduced. Our study suggests that a temporary dividend tax cut is most effective in stabilizing a recession stricken economy when the policy change comes as “news” to the economy.
Microarray Analysis Uncovers a Role for Tip60 in Nervous System Function and General Metabolism

Background Tip60 is a key histone acetyltransferase (HAT) enzyme that plays a central role in diverse biological processes critical for general cell function; however, the chromatin-mediated cell-type specific developmental pathways that are dependent exclusively upon the HAT activity of Tip60 remain to be explored. Methods and Findings Here, we investigate the role of Tip60 HAT activity in transcriptional control during multicellular development in vivo by examining genome-wide changes in gene expression in a Drosophila model system specifically depleted for endogenous dTip60 HAT function. Conclusions We show that amino acid residue E431 in the catalytic HAT domain of dTip60 is critical for the acetylation of endogenous histone H4 in our fly model in vivo, and demonstrate that dTip60 HAT activity is essential for multicellular development. Moreover, our results uncover a novel role for Tip60 HAT activity in controlling neuronal specific gene expression profiles essential for nervous system function as well as a central regulatory role for Tip60 HAT function in general metabolism.
Measuring the EUV-induced contamination rates of TiO2-capped multilayer optics by anticipated production-environment hydrocarbons

The primary, publicly reported cause of optic degradation in pre-production extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems is carbon deposition. This results when volatile organics adsorb onto optic surfaces and then are cracked by EUV-induced reactions. Hence the deposition rate depends on the adsorption-desorption kinetics of the molecule-surface system as well as the basic photon-stimulated reaction rates, both of which may vary significantly for different organic species. The goal of our ongoing optics-contamination program is to estimate the contamination rate of species expected in the tool environment by exposing samples to in-band 13.5 nm light from our synchrotron in the presence of fixed partial pressures of admitted gases. Here we report preliminary results of contamination rates on TiO2-capped samples for species observed in resist-outgassing measurements (benzene, isobutene, toluene and tert-butylbenzene) in the pressure range (10-6 to 10-4) Pa which all display an unexpected logarithmic dependence on pressure. This scaling is in agreement with previous EUV exposures of other species at NIST as well as independent measurements of coverage performed at Rutgers University. These results are consistent with a molecular desorption energy that decreases with coverage due to molecular interactions (Temkin model). Use of the proper scaling law is critical when estimating optic lifetimes by extrapolating over the 3-to-6 orders of magnitude between accelerated-testing and tool-environment partial pressures.
The Occlusion Spectrum for Volume Classification and Visualization

Despite the ever-growing improvements on graphics processing units and computational power, classifying 3D volume data remains a challenge.In this paper, we present a new method for classifying volume data based on the ambient occlusion of voxels. This information stems from the observation that most volumes of a certain type, e.g., CT, MRI or flow simulation, contain occlusion patterns that reveal the spatial structure of their materials or features. Furthermore, these patterns appear to emerge consistently for different data sets of the same type. We call this collection of patterns the occlusion spectrum of a dataset. We show that using this occlusion spectrum leads to better two-dimensional transfer functions that can help classify complex data sets in terms of the spatial relationships among features. In general, the ambient occlusion of a voxel can be interpreted as a weighted average of the intensities in a spherical neighborhood around the voxel. Different weighting schemes determine the ability to separate structures of interest in the occlusion spectrum. We present a general methodology for finding such a weighting. We show results of our approach in 3D imaging for different applications, including brain and breast tumor detection and the visualization of turbulent flow.
Roentgenography of the diaphragmatic and retrosternal lymphatics by intraperitoneal injection of contrast material.

Abstract Roentgenograms of the retrosternal lymphatics in rats and dogs and of the thoracic duct in rats by means of intraperitoneally administered contrast media have been obtained for the first time. The method depends upon reducing the particle size of an iodinated fat in order to allow for absorption by diaphragmatic lymphatics.
Dynamical decoupling and Kac-Moody current representation in multicomponent integrable systems.

The conformal invariant charcter of n-multicomponent integrable systems is described from the point of veiw of the response to the curvature of the two-dimensional space. The \ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\ensuremath{\nu} dressed-charge matrix, which determines the dimensions of the primary fields, is shown to be a representation of the momentum Fourier components of the diagonal generators of \ensuremath{\nu} independent Kac-Moody algebras in the basis of the ground state and gapless excitations of momentum k\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${0}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$. The dynamical decoupling which occurs in these systems is characterized in terms of the conductivities associated with the diagonal generators.
Neural mechanisms of an auditory temporal discrimination by the goldfish

1. The capacities of the goldfish (Carassius auratus) auditory system for encoding and processing periodic temporal patterns were characterized using behavioral and neurophysiological analyses. Animals were classically conditioned to detect changes in the rates (20 to 200 Hz) at which tonal and noise signals were amplitude-modulated, at a variety of modulation depths (3 to 100%). For the same stimulus set, the variability with which saccular neurons represent envelope periodicity in inter-spike-intervals was measured. 2. The just discriminable change in envelope period (ΔP) is approximately equal to the variance wich spikes in saccular neurons are phase-locked to modulation envelopes. 3. The error made in detecting changes in modulation rate is highly correlated with the error with which inter-spike-intervals in saccular fibers represent envelope periodicity at a wide variety of modulation rates and depths. This is evidence that the goldfish estimates the duration of acoustic inter-pulse-intervals through information contained in neural inter-spike-intervals. 4. Factors in addition to synchronization error determine envelope period discriminability for amplitude modulated signals. Chief among these may be an informational signal-to-noise ratio, or the number of inter-spike-intervals (ISI) which bear information about envelope period as a proportion of the total ISIs evoked by a given stimulus. 5. There is a clear correspondence between the neural and psychophysical measures of envelope representation in the goldfish auditory system, and the precision with which damselfish recognize vocalizations of their own species on the basis of the time interval between repeated sound pulses.
Increasing permeability of polymer membranes by irradiation in the fully swollen state.

THE permeability of polyolefin film may be made selective towards a particular solvent by annealing the film below its dissolution temperature in that solvent. For example1,2, a selectivity towards p-xylene in a mixture of o, m and p-xylenes has been conferred on a polyolefin membrane in this way. Michaels and co-workers3 have extended this to other solvents and were able to increase permeability as much as fifteen-fold relative to untreated membranes, but with reduced selectivity toward the permeants. These enhanced permeabilities were, however, not permanent. We demonstrate here4 that when solvent annealing of a polyethylene film is followed by cobalt-60γ-irradiation—while the film is still in contact with the annealing solvent—permeabilities are greatly increased. The enhancement produced by a combination of irradiation and annealing, however, is not only greater than that caused by annealing alone, but is far more permanent.
Using in-line film measurement as a proxy for device matching to speed up process change qualification

We describe two cases where we were able to use in-line macro measurement data to pre-select processes and to do necessary adjustments to prospect matching devices for process qualification. This approach dramatically shortens the time for new process qualification.
Transgenerational epigenetic instability is a source of novel methylation variants

Epigenetic information, which may affect an organism’s phenotype, can be stored and stably inherited in the form of cytosine DNA methylation. Changes in DNA methylation can produce meiotically stable epialleles that affect transcription and morphology, but the rates of spontaneous gain or loss of DNA methylation are unknown. We examined spontaneously occurring variation in DNA methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana plants propagated by single-seed descent for 30 generations. We identified 114,287 CG single methylation polymorphisms and 2485 CG differentially methylated regions (DMRs), both of which show patterns of divergence compared with the ancestral state. Thus, transgenerational epigenetic variation in DNA methylation may generate new allelic states that alter transcription, providing a mechanism for phenotypic diversity in the absence of genetic mutation.
Superconducting transition temperatures from anisotropic interactions

The anisotropic electron-phonon interaction is used to calculate the transition temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ of a superconductor. We derive constraints on the maximum value of the anisotropic interaction, and use these extremal values to calculate the maximum increase in ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ from the anisotropy. Calculations are done for electrons on a two-dimensional square lattice using an Einstein model for phonons.
MEMS-based resonant heat engine: scaling analysis

In this article, a scaling model of a MEMS-based resonant heat engine is presented. The engine is an external combustion engine made of a cavity encapsulated between two thin membranes. The cavity is filled with a saturated liquid–vapor mixture working fluid. Both model and experiment are used to investigate issues related to scaling of the engine. The results of the scaling analysis suggest that the performance of the engine is determined by three major factors: geometry of the engine, speed of operation, and thermal-physical properties of engine components. Larger engine volumes, working fluids with higher latent evaporation property, slower engine speeds, and compliant expander structure are desirable. In experiments, the expander membrane material and thickness, and the thickness of engine cavity are varied. The experimental measurements show that the velocity amplitude of the expander membrane increases by approximately a factor of 20 when more compliant structure with less thermal inertia is used.
Effects of environmental osmolality on release of prolactin, growth hormone and ACTH from the tilapia pituitary.

Abstract Prolactin (PRL) plays a central role in freshwater (FW) adaptation in teleost fish. Evidence now suggests that growth hormone (GH) acts in the seawater (SW) adaptation in at least some euryhaline fish. Reflecting its important role in FW adaptation, plasma levels of PRL188 and PRL177 are higher in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) adapted to FW than in those adapted to SW. A transient but significant increase in plasma GH was observed 6 h after transfer from FW to SW. Elevated plasma PRL levels were seen in association with reductions in plasma osmolality after blood withdrawal in FW fish whereas no significant change was seen in plasma GH levels. When pituitaries from FW tilapia were incubated for 7 days, secretion of both PRLs was significantly greater in hyposmotic medium than in hyperosmotic medium for the first 24 h. Secretion of GH from the same pituitary was relatively low during this period compared with PRL secretion. No consistent effect of medium osmolality on GH release was seen for the first day, but its cumulative release was increased significantly in hyperosmotic medium after 2 days and thereafter. On the other hand, ACTH release was extremely low compared with the secretion of PRLs and GH and there was no consistent effect of medium osmolality. These results indicate that PRL release from the tilapia pituitary is stimulated both in vivo and in vitro as extracellular osmolality is reduced, whereas the secretion of GH increases temporarily when osmolality is increased. ACTH seems to be relatively insensitive to the changes in environmental osmolality.
Quantitative studies of heteropolymer-mediated binding of inactivated Marburg virus to the complement receptor on primate erythrocytes

Abstract Previous in vitro and in vivo experiments in our laboratory have demonstrated that cross-linked bispecific monoclonal antibody (mAb) complexes (Heteropolymers, HP) facilitate binding of prototype pathogens to primate erythrocytes (E) via the E complement receptor, CR1. These E-bound immune complexes are safely and rapidly cleared from the bloodstream. In order to generate a robust bispecific system for HP-mediated clearance of real pathogens such as Filoviruses, we have developed the necessary methodologies and reagents using both inactivated Marburg virus (iMV) and a recombinant form of its surface envelope glycoprotein (rGP). We identified mAbs which bind rGP in solution phase immunoprecipitation experiments. HP were prepared by chemically cross-linking an anti-CR1 mAb with several of these anti-Marburg virus mAbs and used to facilitate binding of iMV and rGP to monkey and human E. These HP mediate specific and quantitative binding (≥90%) of both antigens to monkey and human E. Binding was also demonstrable in an indirect RIA. E with bound Marburg virus were probed with 125 I labeled mAbs to the Marburg surface glycoprotein and more than 100 mAbs are bound per E. It should be possible to adapt this general approach to other pathogens, and experiments underway should lead to an in vivo test of HP-mediated clearance of Marburg virus.
The development of a career ladder for acute care case managers.

Purpose and objective This article proposes grass roots initiatives for facilitating a career ladder for Methodist La Bonheur Healthcare systems. It looks at the roles and functions case managers perform that are above and beyond those of staff nurses. Currently, the facility has a career advancement program for staff nurses but not for case managers. Primary practice ACUTE CARE FINDINGS: Career ladders are available to staff nurses in multiple settings; however, case managers are often not included in the career ladder process despite their invaluable service to the facility. Implications for case management practice Career ladders are utilized by hospitals around the nation to give incentive to nurses. Case managers usually become salaried employees and are separated from staff nurses in hospital settings despite their diverse and unique scope of practice. Case managers' need for professional growth can be enhanced through career ladders. Career ladders lay the groundwork and offer growth both professionally and personally. With the development of a career ladder, a facility offers a way for case managers to develop a sense of achievement, recognition, leadership, and career development.
Depressive Symptoms Among Delinquent Youth: Testing Models of Association with Stress and Support.

The high prevalence of depression among incarcerated youth indicates a need to better understand factors that contribute to depression within this vulnerable subgroup. Previous research in general community samples has suggested that high levels of stress and low levels of parental support are associated with depression in young people, but it is unclear whether or how they might be associated with depression among incarcerated youth who are already vulnerable. Using a sample of 228 adolescents (aged 13–18 years) who were detained in the juvenile justice system, stress and support were modeled as independent main effects and as interactive risk factors in relation to depressive symptoms. More stressful life events and less caregiver support were each independently associated with depressive symptoms, but no evidence was found for the buffering hypothesis in this sample. Stressful life events were more strongly associated with depressive symptoms among boys compared to girls.
Controlled silylation of montmorillonite and its polyethylene nanocomposites

An alkylammonium modified montmorillonite, Cloisite 20A, was reacted with trimethylchlorosilane in order to replace the edge hydroxyl groups of the clay. Since the reaction will liberate HCl, reactions were performed both in the presence and absence of sodium hydrogencarbonate. Without sodium hydrogencarbonate, the proton, which was generated in situ, could replace a portion of the alkylammonium ions and further react with trimethylchlorosilane. The product, TMS-20H, has a smaller basal spacing than Cloisite 20A itself. If the proton was trapped by the hydrogencarbonate ions, only the edge silanol groups react with trimethylchlorosilane. The product, TMS-20A, maintained the same basal spacing as the precursor. The presence of the edge trimethylsilyl groups were confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Intercalated polyethylene nanocomposite could be fabricated by melt blending polyethylene with TMS-20A, while only microcomposites could be formed using TMS-20H. The structure of the hybrid was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.
Special session - does size matter? Small programs contribute as many graduates to the engineering workforce as large programs do

This special session focuses on the characteristics of small engineering schools: schools with fewer than 75 engineering faculty members. Based on the 2004 ASEE database, approximately 200 schools are in this category, about 60% of universities and colleges with engineering programs. Collectively these programs produced the same number of engineering graduates (14,000 or 25% of the total) as the 20 largest schools. Considering the collective impact of these programs, and their potential flexibility and nimbleness in implementing change, innovations at small engineering schools could have significant impact in transforming engineering education. Small schools must participate broadly in changing engineering education if all graduates are to be more like the Engineer of 2020. Small engineering schools need to collaborate in identifying their strengths and in overcoming impediments to change. This special session invites participants from small schools to share data, practices, and problems to increase awareness of the capabilities and challenges for innovative engineering education at smaller engineering schools.
Nitrate uptake rate in anoxic profundal sediments from a eutrophic reservoir

There is renewed interest in the use of nitrate to treat the profundal zone of lakes to inhibit anaerobic biogeochemical processes that result in the degradation of bottom water quality (e.g., sediment phosphorus release, mercury methylation). In this study we used experimental sediment–water interface chambers to quantify the rate of sediment nitrate uptake (SNU) in profundal sediments from Lake Perris, a eutrophic raw water reservoir in Southern California. Deoxygenated chamber water was spiked with nitrate, and nitrate concentration was monitored over time under quiescent conditions, followed by mixed conditions with average water velocities of 1 cm/s. Key findings included: (1) SNU decreased with decreasing nitrate concentration, (2) SNU was higher under mixed versus quiescent conditions by nearly 50%, and (3) nitrate uptake as a function of nitrate concentration followed a conventional sediment oxygen demand model in which nitrate uptake was proportional to the square root of nitrate concentration. The probable mechanism for elevated SNU under mixed conditions was an increased diffusional concentration gradient combined with a decrease in the diffusional boundary layer at the sediment–water interface, both of which enhanced the flux of nitrate from overlaying water into sediment. Managers planning to implement lake nitrate addition should account for induced nitrate demand when determining dosing rates. For example, based on our modeling efforts from this data set, SNU in Lake Perris could range by an order of magnitude, from around 12 mg N/m2/d under quiescent, low nitrate conditions (0.1 mg N/l) to around 120 mg N/m2/d under mixed, high nitrate conditions (5 mg N/l).
A study of the period of isovolumic relaxation in normal subjects and in patients with heart disease.

Abstract 1. 1. Measurements of isovolumic relaxation time from simultaneous recording of the apex cardiogram, carotid tracing and phonocardiogram were obtained in 64 normal subjects and in 60 patients with compensated heart disease. This time interval was measured from the second heart sound of the phonocardiogram to the O point of the apex cardiogram. The range for normal values was 50 to 140 milliseconds, with a mean of 103 ± 22 milliseconds. In the patients with compensated heart disease this interval ranged from 58 to 175, with a mean of 102 ± 26 milliseconds. The standard error of the measurement was 4 per cent of the mean. 2. 2. Age itself did not influence the duration of isovolumic relaxation time. Heart rate, exercise and the administration of isoproterenol significantly decreased the isovolumic relaxation time. 3. 3. Digitalis significantly increased the duration of the isovolumic relaxation time, which may prove to be the basis for a useful and simple method of evaluating digitalization in man. 4. 4. Since this period of the cardiac cycle may be altered by pharmacologic means and by disease states, it may be a useful avenue to the study of the condition of ventricular function in man.
Evidence for a p27 tumor suppressive function independent of its role regulating cell proliferation in the prostate

Reduced p27 levels correlate with poor prognosis in a wide spectrum of human tumors and can accelerate tumorigenesis in mouse tissues. To determine whether p27 deficiency can accelerate tumorigenesis in tissues with inactive Rb and p53 pathways, we examined the effect of p27 status on prostate tumorigenesis in mice expressing simian virus 40 large T antigen (LT). In p27-deficient mice expressing LT, tumors progressed from high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to poorly differentiated carcinoma at a greatly accelerated rate. p27 deficiency could not collaborate with a mutant of LT that fails to inactivate the Rb pathway alone. Furthermore, p27 deficiency does not increase the proliferation index, reduce the apoptotic index, or affect the expression of E2F-dependent genes in cells expressing LT at any stage of the disease. Expression of LT alone leads to maximal proliferation, but p27 deficiency still increases the amount of cyclin A and cyclin-dependent kinase 2-associated kinase activity in tissues. Interestingly, this model recapitulates an important feature of the human disease, specifically a high frequency of allelic loss of chromosome 16q, which is syntenic to mouse chromosome 8. Loss of heterozygosity may accelerate the inactivation of other tumor suppressors, such as E-cadherin, which are located in this interval. These experiments provide direct physiological and causal evidence that p27 has tumor suppressive functions independent of its role regulating cell proliferation.
Protein-only transmission of three yeast prion strains

Key questions regarding the molecular nature of prions are how different prion strains can be propagated by the same protein and whether they are only protein1,2,3. Here we demonstrate the protein-only nature of prion strains in a yeast model, the [PSI] genetic element that enhances the read-through of nonsense mutations in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae4,5. Infectious fibrous aggregates containing a Sup35 prion-determining amino-terminal fragment labelled with green fluorescent protein were purified from yeast harbouring distinctive prion strains. Using the infectious aggregates as ‘seeds’, elongated fibres were generated in vitro from the bacterially expressed labelled prion protein. De novo generation of strain-specific [PSI] infectivity was demonstrated by introducing sheared fibres into uninfected yeast hosts. The cross-sectional morphology of the elongated fibres generated in vitro was indistinguishable from that of the short yeast seeds, as visualized by electron microscopy. Electron diffraction of the long fibres showed the 4.7 A spacing characteristic of the cross-beta structure of amyloids. The fact that the amyloid fibres nucleated in vitro propagate the strain-specific infectivity of the yeast seeds implies that the heritable information of distinct prion strains must be encoded by different, self-propagating cross-beta folding patterns of the same prion protein.
THE LEVEL SCHEME OF 134Ba

The gamma-ray spectrum associated with the beta decay of ~a4Cs has been studied with curved-crystal and Ge(Li) spectrometers. The data provide energy and intensity measurements of 11 gamma rays. Coincidence spectra were taken using a Ge(Li)-NaI(T1) combination. The data fail to support the previously proposed levels at 1570 and 1773 keV.
947. Gene Directed Enzyme/Prodrug Therapy of Human Glioma Xenografts Using Mutant Escherichia coli Cytosine Deaminase

Combined treatment using suicide gene therapy and radiation therapy has the potential to become a powerful new method of cancer therapy. We have developed a non-replicative adenoviral vector encoding a mutant bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD) gene harboring substitution of an alanine (A) for the aspartic acid (D) at position 314 in the CD protein (AdCD-D314A) which has a higher affinity for 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) than wild type bCD (CDwt). The purpose of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity in vitro and therapeutic efficacy in vivo of the combination of AdCD-D314A with the prodrug 5-FC and radiation treatment (RT) against human glioma. The results of CD enzyme activity assays showed that the conversion of 3H-5-FC to 3H-5-FU was elevated 183.3, 205.6 and 102.2-fold in D54MG, U87MG and U251MG human glioma cells, respectively, for cells infected with 2 multiplicity of infection (MOI) of AdCD-D314A compared to AdCDwt. AdCD-D314A infection also resulted in increased 5-FC-mediated cell killing. The 50% inhibitory concentration produced by 5-FC decreased by 7.8-fold for D54MG, 32.9-fold for U87MG, and 8.1-fold for U251MG cells infected with 10 MOI of AdCD-D341A in comparison with AdCDwt. Animal studies showed significant inhibition of tumor growth of D54MG glioma subcutaneous xenografts by the combination of AdCD-D314A/5-FC with RT as compared with either agent alone, or with AdCDwt/5-FC plus RT. The results demonstrate that the combination of AdCD-D314A/5-FC with radiation produces markedly increased cytotoxicity in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo compared to AdCDwt. These data indicate that combined treatment with this novel mutant enzyme/prodrug therapy and radiotherapy provides a promising approach for glioma therapy.
Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor of Pindborg. An electron microscopic study.

A calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor of Pindborg was examined with the electron microscope. The tumor cells demonstrated fine structural features commonly seen in epidermal cells, i.e., intercellular bridges with desmosomes, intracytoplasmic tonofilaments, and well-developed hemidesmosomes. A thin linear condensation was observed within die lamina lucida of hemidesmosomes which probably represents a normal component of these attachments. A copious extracellular matrix was seen which was composed largely of fine fibrils, approximately 50 A in width, aggregated to form a structure resembling a basal lamina. The possibility that this fibrillar extracellular matrix represents amyloid was discussed. Calcospherites were present within the matrix, occasionally in association with fragmented tumor cell cytoplasm. They appeared to lack collagen and were composed primarily of electron dense needles resembling hydroxyapatite.
Vasectomy Reversal for Treatment of the Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome

ABSTRACTPurpose: The post-vasectomy pain syndrome is a rare but troublesome complication of vasectomy. We report our experience with 32 patients who underwent vasectomy reversal for relief of the post-vasectomy pain syndrome.Materials and Methods: The records of 32 patients undergoing vasovasostomy or epididymo-vasostomy for the post-vasectomy pain syndrome were evaluated for characteristics of symptoms, previous therapy, interval from vasectomy, success of surgery and duration or relief.Results: Of 32 men who underwent vasectomy reversal for the post-vasectomy pain syndrome between 1980 and 1994, 24 had relief of symptoms after the initial procedure. Of 8 men with recurrent pain 6 underwent a second reversal procedure, and 3 of them subsequently had relief of symptoms. Overall, 27 of 32 men had resolution of pain.Conclusions: In our experience vasectomy reversal has a high rate of success for relief of the post-vasectomy pain syndrome. It does not preclude other forms of surgical therapy and it should be...
Unified theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions with ΔI = 12 rule

An SU(2) ⊗ U (1) gauge theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions satisfying the ΔI = 12 rule is proposed, which has the following characteristic: (i) A neutral boson Z, coupling to the neutral strangeness-changing current is used in addition to the usual charged ones, to give the ΔI = 12 rule in the standard fashion. Couplings are chosen such that the Z decouples from the observed leptons, in order to agree with experiment. (ii) It is assumed that the |ΔY| = 2 transitions due to neutral vector-boson exchange cancel the |ΔY| = 2 contributions due to charged vector-boson exchange. This constraints the Cabibbo angle in a manner consistent with experiment.
Influence of decompression rate on the expansion velocity and expansion style of bubbly fluids

[1] The decompression rate of magma is correlated with explosivity of volcanic eruptions. We present a series of decompression experiments in a shock tube apparatus to investigate the effect of decompression rate on the expansion and eruption style of bubbly fluids. We also consider the effects of the pressure change ΔP and initial vesicularity ϕi. As an analogue for magma we use viscoelastic polymer solutions. For fast decompression, we observe fragmentation and rupture of bubble walls only for large ΔP and large ϕi. For slow decompression, however, bubbles maintain spherical shapes, and the bubbly fluid does not fragment, irrespective of ΔP and ϕi. We consider two theoretical estimates for the expansion of bubbles, which we refer to as “equilibrium expansion,” in which the pressures inside and outside the bubbles are assumed to be equal, and “disequilibrium expansion,” in which the enthalpy change caused by the pressure change is converted into kinetic energy. The observed expansion velocity is governed by the slower estimate. For slow decompression, where bubbles expand while maintaining their spherical shape, the measured expansion is well explained by equilibrium expansion. In contrast, for fast decompression, in which we observe the rupture of bubble walls and fragmentation, the expansion follows disequilibrium expansion. We conclude that the disequilibrium estimate is an upper limit velocity for the bubble expansion and fragmentation and the rupture of bubble walls require disequilibrium expansion. The calculated threshold decompression rate for disequilibrium expansion is consistent with the estimated decompression rate for the explosive/effusive transition in natural basaltic eruptions.
Fast and accurate finite element analysis of large-scale three-dimensional photonic devices with a robust domain decomposition method

A fast and accurate full-wave technique based on the dual-primal finite element tearing and interconnecting method and the second-order transmission condition is presented for large-scale three-dimensional photonic device simulations. The technique decomposes a general three-dimensional electromagnetic problem into smaller subdomain problems so that parallel computing can be performed on distributed-memory computer clusters to reduce the simulation time significantly. With the electric fields computed everywhere, photonic device parameters such as transmission and reflection coefficients are extracted. Several photonic devices, with simulation volumes up to 1.9×10(4) (λ/n(avg))3 and modeled with over one hundred million unknowns, are simulated to demonstrate the application, efficiency, and capability of this technique. The simulations show good agreement with experimental results and in a special case with a simplified two-dimensional simulation.
Boltzmann's H-theorem and the assumption of molecular chaos

We describe a simple dynamical model of a one-dimensional ideal gas and use computer simulations of the model to illustrate two fundamental results of kinetic theory: the Boltzmann transport equation and the Boltzmann H-theorem. Although the model is time-reversal invariant, both results predict that the behaviour of the gas is time-asymmetric. We show that the assumption of molecular chaos is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient condition, for such time-asymmetric results to correctly describe the model, and we use computer simulations to investigate the conditions under which the assumption of molecular chaos holds.
From Mate Retention to Murder: Evolutionary Psychological Perspectives on Men's Partner-Directed Violence

In response to the tragically high incidence and negative consequences of female-directed violence in intimate relationships, a large literature has been dedicated to the investigation of the proximate and the ultimate or evolutionary predictors of men's partner-directed violence. Evolutionary psychology offers a framework for investigating the design of evolved information-processing mechanisms that motivate costly behaviors such as men's partner-directed violence. We review several forms of men's partner-directed violence, including insults, sexual coercion, physical violence, and homicide, from an evolutionary psychological perspective and with a particular focus on the adaptive problem of paternity uncertainty. The problem of paternity uncertainty is hypothesized to have selected for the emotion of male sexual jealousy, which in turn motivates men's nonviolent and violent mate retention behaviors. We review empirical evidence for the relationships among paternity uncertainty, male sexual jealousy, and men's partner-directed violence. We propose that a comprehensive understanding of men's partner-directed violence will be achieved only by careful consideration of both proximate and ultimate causes.
Technology-assisted education in graduate medical education: a review of the literature

Studies on computer-aided instruction and web-based learning have left many questions unanswered about the most effective use of technology-assisted education in graduate medical education.
80 MHz MCM microprocessor/cache subsystem based on i486 architecture

An experimental multichip module (MCM) implementation of a microprocessor/cache subsystem has been designed and demonstrated to operate at 80 MHz. The module consists of an 80486DX microprocessor with a cache controller and 256 kB of second-level cache (plus parity). Thus, the integration of 16 million transistors into a single 52-cm/sup 2/ package with single-chip performance has been achieved. The high performance of the module is dependent on the architecture, the MCM technology and the complex electrical, thermal, and mechanical simulation and routing tools developed for the task. >
Making Scents: Dynamic Olfactometry for Threshold Measurement

Data on human odor thresholds show disparities huge enough to marginalize olfactory psychophysics and delegitimize importation of its data into other areas. Variation of orders of magnitude from study to study, much of it systematic, threatens meaningful comparisons with animal species, comparison between in vivo with in vitro studies, the search for molecular determinants of potency, and use of olfactory information for environmental or public health policy. On the premise that good experimental results will flow from use of good tools, this report describes a vapor delivery system and its peripherals that instantiate good tools. The vapor delivery device 8 (VDD8) provides flexibility in range of delivered concentrations, offers definable stability of delivery, accommodates solvent-free delivery below a part per trillion, gives a realistic interface with subjects, has accessible and replaceable components, and adapts to a variety of psychophysical methodologies. The device serves most often for measurement of absolute sensitivity, where its design encourages collection of thousands of judgments per day from subjects tested simultaneously. The results have shown humans to be more sensitive and less variable than has previous testing. The VDD8 can also serve for measurement of differential sensitivity, discrimination of quality, and perception of mixtures and masking. The exposition seeks to transmit general lessons while it proffers some specifics of design to reproduce features of the device in a new or existing system. The principles can apply to devices for animal testing.
Designing Aging-In-Place Technologies to Reflect the Lifestyles and Precious Artifacts of Urban and Rural Older Adults

Technology has the potential to support aging in place to enable older adults of all backgrounds to live with dignity and autonomy in their own home for as long as they wish. However, perceptions, needs, and prototype technologies are often studied using convenience samples of older adults comprised of mid to high socioeconomic status (SES) individuals. Such populations do not represent the individuals who may benefit most from aging in place technologies, namely low-SES older adults. In this paper, we present findings from nine 8-hour long contextual observations of low-SES older adults living in rural and urban settings. We organize our findings and implications around the themes of SES status, daily routines and home characteristics. We highlight differences and similarities between rural and urban low-SES populations and discuss implications for design including designing for connection including creating “heirloom technologies”, and designing for lifestyle including space, time, family and supporting...
Creating services with hard guarantees from cycle-harvesting systems

Cycle-harvesting is a significant part of the Grid computing landscape. However, creating commercial service contracts based on resources made available by cycle-harvesting is a significant challenge: the characteristics of the harvested resources are inherently stochastic; and secondly, in a commercial environment, purchasers can expect providers to optimize against the quality of service (QoS) definitions. The essential point for creating commercially valuable QoS definitions is to guarantee a set of statistical parameters for each contract instance. Here we describe an appropriate QoS definition, Hard Statistical QoS (HSQ), and show how this can be implemented using a hybrid stochastic-deterministic system. We analyze algorithm behavior analytically using a distribution free approach versus the expected proportion of deterministic resources required for an HSQ specification. We conclude that commercial service contracts based on cycle-harvested resources are viable both from a conceptual point of view and quantitatively.
Convection in a porous cavity

Convection in a porous cavity driven by heating in the horizontal is analysed by a number of different techniques which yield a fairly complete description of the two-dimensional solutions. The solutions are governed by two dimensionless parameters: the Darcy-Rayleigh number R and the cavity aspect ratio A. We first find solutions valid for shallow cavities, A → 0, by using matched asymptotic expansions. These solutions are given up to O(A6R4). For A fixed, we find regular expansions in R by semi-numerical techniques, up to O(R30) in some cases. Series-improvement techniques then enable us to cover the range 0 ≤ R ≤ ∞. A limited result regarding bifurcations is noted. Finally, for R → ∞ with A fixed, we propose a self-consistent boundary-layer theory which extends previous approximate work. The results obtained by these different methods of solution are in good agreement with each other and with experiments.
All electrical laser diode characterization by monolithic integration with a photodiode

Summary form only given. The combination of a laser diode integrated on top of a photodiode has been shown to be of interest as an electronic device for optoelectronic circuits (the photon transport transistor) and for reducing the power dissipation of a laser at thresholds up to 42% through photon recycling. The added photodiode also proves to be a powerful analysis tool for determining laser parameters, characterizing mirror processing, and studying laser diode degradation. Without a single optical measurement one can determine the laser threshold current, the nonradiative lifetime of the carriers, and the differential quantum efficiency. Early degradation of the laser diode was also studied by monitoring the light absorbed in the photodiode. >