cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Object Shape Dependent Kinematic Manipulability Measure for Path and Trajectory Synthesis and Shape Optimization

The manipulability of robot manipulators has been studied with respect to the ability to position the end-effector in its workspace. However, since manipulators have to manipulate objects with finite dimensions, the ability of a manipulator to position and orient an object is quite different from its end-effector manipulability. Object shape dependent kinematic manipulability measures are essential for the formulation of optimal path planning and trajectory synthesis algorithms used for moving objects in operations such as mating parts and for formulating related object shape optimization problems. The optimality criterion may be related to part positioning accuracy, mating accuracy, kinematics performance of the manipulator for applying force (torque) to the object at some stage of the assembly, or a number of other accuracy, force or control measures. In the present study, a class of shape dependent kinematics measures is developed for the object manipulability. The measures can be used to evaluate the manipulability of objects with various shapes, for path and trajectory synthesis, and for designing object shapes. No rigid body constraint is imposed and the object considered may be deforming, stretching or shrinking during its manipulation. A number of examples are presented.
DNA-cellulose column chromatography of phosphorylated nucleolar nonhistone proteins

A salt-extraction procedure was used to isolate a nucleolar nonhistone protein fraction, containing [32P]phosphoserine, from the nucleoli of Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells. These proteins are similar in amino-acid composition to whole nuclear (chromosomal) nonhistone proteins. DNA-cellulose column chromatography showed that this fraction contains DNA-binding phosphoproteins, some of which will bind only to homologous (Novikoff) nucleolar or nuclear DNA.
HDL anti-oxidant function associates with LDL level in young adults.

Objectives The primary objective was to evaluate predictors of HDL anti-oxidant function in young adults.
Gender-Related Sexual Abuse Experiences Reported by Children Who Were Examined in an Emergency Department

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of sexual abuse by 95 children of two gender groups to determine differences in their reported sexual exploits by perpetrators. Significant differences between female and male children were reported. Male child-victims experienced more anal penetration by penis (54.5%, 10.7% respectively) and finger (27.3%, 2.7% respectively), however; female child-victims experienced more mouth contact to their genitalia (22.7%, 10.0% respectively) and body kisses (47.9%, 9.1% respectively). A more gender-specific approach could help to facilitate prevention, and produce better outcomes.
Exposure profiling of reactive compounds in complex mixtures

Humans are constantly exposed to mixtures, such as tobacco smoke, exhaust from diesel, gasoline or new bio-fuels, containing several 1000 compounds, including many known human carcinogens. Covalent binding of reactive compounds or their metabolites to DNA and formation of stable adducts is believed to be the causal link between exposure and carcinogenesis. DNA and protein adducts are well established biomarkers for the internal dose of reactive compounds or their metabolites and are an integral part of science-based risk assessment. However, technical limitations have prevented comprehensive detection of a broad spectrum of adducts simultaneously. Therefore, most studies have focused on measurement of abundant individual adducts. These studies have produced valuable insight into the metabolism of individual carcinogens, but they are insufficient for risk assessment of exposure to complex mixtures. To overcome this limitation, we present herein proof-of-principle for comprehensive exposure assessment, using N-terminal valine adduct profiles as a biomarker. The reported method is based on our previously established immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method with modification to enrich all N-terminal valine alkylated peptides. The method was evaluated using alkylated peptide standards and globin reacted in vitro with alkylating agents (1,2-epoxy-3-butene, 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane, propylene oxide, styrene oxide, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and methyl methanesulfonate), known to form N-terminal valine adducts. To demonstrate proof-of-principle, the method was successfully applied to globin from mice treated with four model compounds. The results suggest that this novel approach might be suitable for in vivo biomonitoring.
IN SITU ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE MALE URETHRAL SPHINCTERIC COMPLEX: RELEVANCE TO CONTINENCE PRESERVATION FOLLOWING MAJOR PELVIC SURGERY

AbstractPurpose: We describe a correlative gross anatomical and histological study of the human male urethral sphincteric complex using methods that delineate skeletal, muscular and fascial components.Materials and Methods: Pelves of 6 fresh frozen male cadavers were sectioned as 4 mm. tissue blocks in planes sagittal and perpendicular to the axis of the prostatomembranous urethra from the bladder neck to the bulb of the corpus spongiosum. Sections were photographed and prepared in situ for histological staining (hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin).Results: The structure of the male urethral sphincteric complex was demonstrated to include the cylindrical rhabdosphincter surrounding the prostatomembranous urethra and a fascial framework, principally consisting of the ventral subpubic fascia and medial fascia of the levator ani musculature. The histological appearance of the rhabdosphincter at its dorsal aspect suggested a suburethral musculofascial plate. Rhabdos...
Imposing a temporal structure in neural networks

Although neural networks are very effective pattern classifiers a major limitation is that they are not suitable for classifying patterns with Inherent time-variations. This paper describes an approach to incorporate a temporal structure in a neural network system which wifi accomodate the time variations in local feature sets encountered in problems such as partial shape classification. 1.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A three-domain structure of kinesin heavy chain revealed by DNA sequence and microtubule binding analyses

Abstract The structure and function of kinesin heavy chain from D. melanogaster have been studied using DNA sequence analysis and analysis of the properties of truncated kinesin heavy chain synthesized in vitro. Analysis of the sequence suggests the existence of a 50 kd globular amino-terminal domain that contains an ATP binding consensus sequence, followed by another 50–60 kd domain that has sequence characteristics consistent with the ability to fold into an α helical coiled coil. The properties of amino- and carboxy-terminally truncated kinesin heavy chains synthesized in vitro reveal that a 60 kd amino-terminal fragment has the nucleotide-dependent microtubule binding activities of the intact kinesin heavy chain, and hence is likely to be a "motor" domain. Finally, the sequence data indicate the presence of a small carboxy-terminal domain. Because it is located at the end of the molecule away from the putative "motor" domain, we propose that this domain is responsible for interactions with other proteins, vesicles, or organelles. These data suggest that kinesin has an organization very similar to that of myosin even though there are no obvious sequence similarities between the two molecules.
Weapons possession by patients in a university emergency department.

Study objective: Violence in the emergency department, a not uncommon but complex phenomenon, may become more serious when patients possess weapons. Searches are used frequently to reduce this danger, though guidelines for searches are not well delineated. We examined our practices in order to formalize our guidelines. Design: Retrospective chart review of patients found to be carrying weapons. Setting: General, university-based emergency department in the Northwest. Participants: Of 39,000 patients seen during the 20-month study period, 500 (1.3%) were searched. Measures and main results: Of all patients seen in the ED, 92% were medical patients (153, 0.4% of whom were searched) and 8% were psychiatric patients (347, 11.1% of whom were searched). Weapons were found on 89 patients (0.2% of all ED patients and 17.8% of all patients searched). Review showed that 24 (15.7%) medical and 60 (17.3%) psychiatric patients carried weapons. Conclusion: Although various factors contributed to a clear bias toward searching psychiatric patients, we believe that the rate of weapons possession did not support this bias.
Life cycle cost assessment of a rain water harvesting system for toilet flushing

Rain water harvesting (RWH) has gained popularity as a way of supplementing water supplies for various purposes, including drinking, sanitation and irrigation. This paper presents a methodology of life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) of a unit RWH system (hereafter RWH system) for toilet flushing in an industrial site. The life cycle cost and net present value benefits (NPVB) were estimated for the RWH system and compared with those of a conventional system. For the current system design, the analysis of the life cycle cost of the RWH system indicates negative NPVB for all plausible service lives up to 55 years, mainly because of the initial infrastructure investment costs, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and pumping costs for the system. However, sensitivity analysis concluded that an alternative design with no pump, low O&M costs (5%) and 1% tank refill volume may be economically viable given 7 years of service life. The sensitivity analysis also revealed that higher hypothetical water prices ($5/m 3 ) may lead to positive NPVB after only 5 years of service. Full cost pricing for rainwater harvesting is important for the promotion of sustainable practices and life cycle based system design is critical to make RWH systems economically attractive.
Cardiac Tamponade Secondary to Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia: Castleman’s Disease

A unique association of giant lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman's disease) and cardiac tamponade is presented. Although pleural effusions have been previously described with Castleman's disease, the authors believe this to be the first report of pericardial effusion and tamponade with this entity. The development of effusions may be due to an inflammatory syndrome sometimes seen with the plasma cell variant of this disease.
Information for routing in energy-constrained ad hoc networks

Abstract In wireless ad hoc networks consisting of battery-limited nodes, communication protocols must be energy-aware to prevent early network failure due to radios exhausting their energy supplies. Incorporating current estimates of battery levels into routing metrics has been shown to reduce the demand on radios with little remaining energy and allow them to participate in the network longer. In addition to knowledge of current battery levels, estimates of how quickly radios are consuming energy may also be helpful in extending network lifetime. We present a family of routing metrics that incorporate a radio’s rate of energy consumption. Simulation results show that the proposed family of metrics performs well under a variety of traffic models and network topologies.
Demonstration of Earthquake Early Warning Using Total Displacement Waveforms from Real-time GPS Networks

Earthquake early warning (EEW) systems have historically been based on traditional seismic instrumentation to provide rapid location of the earthquake source and its magnitude. Seismic-based systems currently exist in Japan (Nakamura 1989; Kanamori 2007), Mexico (Espinosa-Aranda et al. 1995), Taiwan (Wu and Kanamori 2005a, 2005b), Turkey, and Romania (Wenzel et al. 1999; Ionescu et al. 2007), and are under development in California (Allen and Kanamori 2003). Instrumentation includes broadband velocity and strong motion acceleration sensors, which measure dynamic ground motions with great accuracy ( e.g. , Heaton 1985). Currently, seismic early warning of events requires continuous monitoring of a suite of stations looking for changes in key parameters. Most algorithms use displacement when trying to estimate the potential magnitude of an event from the initial few seconds. The magnitude estimates are made on the ratio of the short-term average displacement to the long-term average and on the apparent frequency of the initial energy. With seismic data, displacement has to be obtained by an integration of the broadband sensors or a double integration of the strong motion sensors. Due to the bandwidth and the dynamic range limits of seismometers, the accuracy of displacements so derived is poor. Seismic instruments are also affected by sensor tilts, long-term drifts, and DC offsets. These problems are not present in displacements measured by continuous GPS (CGPS) instruments. While the seismic measurements provide a powerful constraint on the much noisier GPS measurements, the GPS receiver, unlike the seismometer, measures displacement directly and never clips, making it particularly sensitive to large earthquakes, which are the main focus of EEW. CGPS instruments can be used to directly measure dynamic displacements (“GPS Seismology”— Nikolaidis et al. 2001; Larson et al. 2003) as well as static (coseismic) displacements (“Earthquake Geodesy”—Bock et al. 1993; Blewitt et …
Image Segmentation Using Hardware Forest Classifiers

Image segmentation is the process of partitioning an image into segments or subsets of pixels for purposes of further analysis, such as separating the interesting objects in the foreground from the un-interesting objects in the background. In many image processing applications, the process requires a sequence of computational steps on a per pixel basis, thereby binding the performance to the size and resolution of the image. As applications require greater resolution and larger images the computational resources of this step can quickly exceed those of available CPUs, especially in the power and thermal constrained areas of consumer electronics and mobile. In this work, we use a hardware tree-based classifier to solve the image segmentation problem. The application is background removal (BGR) from depth-maps obtained from the Microsoft Kinect sensor. After the image is segmented, subsequent steps then classify the objects in the scene. The approach is flexible: to address different application domains we only need to change the trees used by the classifiers. We describe two distinct approaches and evaluate their performance using the commercial-grade testing environment used for the Microsoft Xbox gaming console.
A Parametric Time Domain Method for Spectral Moment Estimation and Clutter Mitigation for Weather Radars

A parametric time domain method (PTDM) for clutter mitigation and precipitation spectral moments’ estimation for weather radars is introduced. Use of PTDM allows for the simultaneous estimation of clutter and precipitation echo spectral moments. It is shown that this approach leads to accurate estimates of precipitation spectral moments in the presence of clutter. Based on simulations, the PTDM performance is evaluated and compared against the clutter spectral filtering technique. In this study special attention is paid to the cases of strong clutter contamination. Furthermore, both methods, the PTDM and spectral clutter filter, are illustrated using the Colorado State University–University of Chicago–Illinois State Water Survey (CSU–CHILL) observations.
Advances in radionuclide molecular imaging in myocardial biology

Molecular imaging is a new and evolving field that employs a targeted approach to noninvasively assess biologic processes in vivo. By assessing key elements in specific cellular processes prior to irreversible end-organ damage, molecular tools will allow for earlier detection and intervention, improving management and outcomes associated with cardiovascular diseases. The goal of those working to expand this field is not just to provide diagnostic and prognostic information, but rather to guide an individual’s pharmacological, cell-based, or genetic therapeutic regimen. This article will review molecular imaging tools in the context of our current understanding of biological processes of the myocardium, including angiogenesis, ventricular remodeling, inflammation, and apoptosis. The focus will be on radiotracer-based molecular imaging modalities with an emphasis on clinical application. Though this field is still in its infancy and may not be fully ready for widespread use, molecular imaging of myocardial biology has begun to show promise of clinical utility in acute and chronic ischemia, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, as well as in more global inflammatory and immune-mediated responses in the heart-like myocarditis and allogeneic cardiac transplant rejection. With continued research and development, molecular imaging promises to be an important tool for the optimization of cardiovascular care.
Aspects of language pragmatics and the social perception of lying.

Two experiments were conducted in order to examine the influence of linguistic and extralinguistic variables on the attribution of lying. In the first experiment, one of two tape recordings of a target person, who responded either “true” or “false” to a list of adjectives, was evaluated by 83 subjects. The subjects' task was to attempt to discover when the target person was not telling the truth. The stimulus tapes were constructed such that the time between the adjective and the target person's response was systematically varied and the adjectives varied on the likability of a person possessing that trait. Overall, it was found that if the target person responded either too quickly or too slowly the subjects attributed his response as a lie more often than if the delay was more intermediate in duration (p<0.01). The adjective likability value in combination with the “true” or “false” response of the target person also contributed to the attribution of lying (p<0.01). In the second experiment, the adjectives were rescaled on another dimension thought to influence the attribution of lying: the degree to which the adjective is “true of the general population.” The results suggest that this new scale is related to the degree to which lie attributions are made.
Review of Medications Used in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Objective:To review the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and outline currently available medications used in its treatment.Data Sources:A MEDLINE/PubMed search (1966-December 2009) was conducte...
Racial Silences: Exploring and Incorporating Critical Frameworks in the Social Studies

If we are to aim toward a genuine democracy, we must be willing to look at the uncomfortable topics that continue to sabotage what we aspire to as a society. This article aims to problematize the ways we conceive of and implement the social studies. To do so, I investigate the social studies in K-12 practice through critical theoretical lenses, including critical race theory (CRT), Latino critical theory (LatCrit) and tribal critical theory (TribalCrit). Various practical resources are offered for teachers to bring a deeper level of equity to the practice of the social studies. This article provides possibilities based in both theory and practice. I discuss critical frameworks, and then, after each section, I provide resources and links to examples of critical curricula that incorporate those standpoints into the classroom. This can lead to a critical awareness regarding the ways that our democracy has shortchanged many Americans as well as the initiative to work toward change in our classrooms and society.
Hybridization, transgressive segregation, genetic covariation, and adaptive radiation

Analysis of adaptive radiation has had a central role in the development of evolutionary theory, but it is not clear why some groups radiate and others do not. Two recent papers by Albertson and colleagues on the genetic architecture of East African cichlid fishes implicate hybridization, transgressive segregation and genetic covariation in the early stages of adaptive radiation. Transgressive segregation and genetic covariation might be key innovations in genetic architecture that favor adaptive radiation.
A gradient energy formalism for the nonexponential structural relaxation kinetics

Abstract A phenomenological theory of structural relaxation is developed based on thermodynamics of systems which are spatially inhomogeneous with respect to structure. The theory yields for the kinetics an equation containing a diffusion-like term in addition to the usual relaxation term. This equation predicts two commonly observed features of structural relaxation: a broad distribution of relaxation times and a temperature independent shape of distribution function (i.e., thermorheological simplicity).
Actions of ethanol on hypothalamic and pituitary hormones in prepubertal female rats

To determine the effects of prepubertal ethanol (ETOH) exposure on hypothalamic and pituitary hormones known to be involved in the onset of female puberty, we have chronically exposed female rats to either a liquid-diet containing ETOH or an isocaloric control liquid-diet. An additional set of controls consisted of animals maintained on Lab Chow, and water provided ad lib. Our results indicate that the feeding regimen employed produced no differences with regard to body and reproductive organ weights, as well as any of the hormones measured between the two control groups. Conversely, ETOH-treated animals showed significantly lower body and reproductive organ weights than the control animals and although no differences were detected between ETOH-treated and control animals with regard to the hypothalamic content of somatostatin (SRIF), there was a significant increase in the hypothalamic content of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), with a concomitant and significant decrease in the serum concentration of growth hormone (GH). Furthermore, the ETOH-treated animals showed a significant increase in the hypothalamic content of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) with a significant decrease in the serum concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH), but not follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). These results demonstrate for the first time that chronic, prepubertal ETOH administration alters the concentrations of specific hypothalamic and pituitary hormones which are known to be involved in the female pubertal process.
Injury and nucleotides induce phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor: MMP and HB-EGF dependent pathway.

Abstract The early events that occur rapidly after injury trigger signal cascades that are essential for proper wound closure of corneal epithelial cells. We hypothesize that injury releases ATP, which stimulates purinergic receptors and elicits the phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine residues and subsequent cell migration by a MMP and HB-EGF dependent pathway. We demonstrated that the inhibition of purinergic receptors with the antagonist, Reactive Blue 2, abrogated the phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK. Pre-incubation of cells with the EGFR kinase inhibitor, AG1478, and subsequent stimulation by injury or ATP resulted in a decrease in phosphorylation of EGFR and migration. Furthermore, downregulation of EGFR by siRNA, inhibited the EGF-induced intracellular Ca2+ wave. However, the response to injury and ATP was retained indicating the presence of two signaling pathways. Inhibition with either CRM197 or TIMP-3 decreased injury and nucleotide-induced phosphorylation of both EGFR and ERK. Incubation in the presence of a functional blocking antibody to HB-EGF also resulted in a decrease in the phosphorylation of EGFR. In addition, cell migration was inhibited by CRM197 and rescued when cells were incubated with HB-EGF. We showed that injury-induced phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues and found that a similar pattern of phosphorylation was induced by trinucleotides. These studies indicate that injury-induced purinergic receptor activation leads to phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK and migration.
An electron microscopic investigation of rumen mucosa.

Bovine rumen mucosa, capable of functioning in absorption, metabolism, and protection, appeared in the electron microscope as a parakeratotic stratified squamous epithelium. Cells comprising the substratum basale contained abundant metabolic organelles and numerous large vesicles, which were postulated to function in the assimilation and metabolism of products absorbed from the rumen. Cells that comprise the substratum spinosum contained aggregates of filaments and membrane-bounded mucous granules revealing differentiation directed toward mucus formation. The presence of both keratohyaline and mucous in granular cells is indicative of differentiation directed toward keratinization and mucus production. Partially keratinized, mucus-containing horny cells with fuzzy-coated microvillus extensions comprised the stratum corneum. These specific horny cells afford protection and permit absorption to occur.
A synthesis of 2-vinylcylobutanones using 1-methoxycyclopropyllithium reagents

Abstract A facile synthesis of 2-vinylcyclobutanones consists of reductive lithiation of 1-phenylthio-1-methoxycyclopropanes) addition of enals or enones to the resulting α-lithioethers, and acid catalyzed rearrangement of the allylic alcohols thus produced.
Measuring Momentary Stress, Affect, and Cognition: Relationships with the Internalizing and Externalizing Spectra

The Internalizing (INT) and Externalizing (EXT) spectra are an emerging way to conceptualize the structure of psychopathology. Demonstrating relationships with emotional reactions to, and cognitive appraisals of, daily stressful events would be strong evidence of ecological validity. In the current study (N = 78), the experience sampling method (ESM, a structured diary technique with Palm Pilots) was used to capture affect and cognition related to current stressor, five times per day, for 1 week. Multilevel random coefficient modeling was used to examine affective and cognitive reactivity to daily stressors as a function of baseline levels of INT and EXT. INT scores were related to higher levels of negative affect (NA), lower levels of positive affect (PA) and more negative cognitive appraisals of the stressful situation. Several cross-level interactions were found between psychopathology scores, cognitive appraisals, and affect. Participants higher in INT psychopathology showed less decrease in NA as level of control increased, compared to participants low in INT. EXT moderated the association between NA and distress, with higher levels of EXT resulting in a stronger association between distress and NA. INT and EXT also moderated the relationships between the cognitive variables (distress and control, coping and control). Findings support both the utility and validity of the INT and EXT dimensions in understanding different forms of stress-related impairment in emotion and cognition.
Dual trophic effects of the alpha1-adrenergic receptor in cultured neonatal rat heart muscle cells

The molecular signals regulating myocardial hypertrophy are unknown. We used a new model system to study this problem. Muscle cells from the neonatal rat ventricle were cultured in serum-free medium. Control cells did not change in size over time and did not show spontaneous contractile activity. Incubation with norepinephrine or epinephrine had two major trophic effects that developed over 1-2 days. The first was stimulation of muscle cell hypertrophy or increase in size. The second was induction of spontaneous contractile activity. The hypertrophic response was mediated through an alpha 1-adrenoceptor. The beating response required both alpha 1- and beta 1-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Alpha 1 stimulation alone produced enlarged cells that did not beat. Alpha 1 plus beta 1 stimulation induced contractile activity even when protein synthesis and hypertrophy were inhibited. Thus, the two alpha 1 responses could be dissociated, providing evidence for two independently-regulated cellular pathways for the dual alpha 1 trophic effects. One pathway leads to hypertrophy. The other, which requires concomitant beta 1 stimulation, controls the development of beating. Preliminary work raises the possibility that different products of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis might initiate the two alpha 1 trophic pathways. Other preliminary work suggests that the growth pathway is associated with the expression of specific genes and might reflect an action of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor on the cell nucleus. These studies define previously unsuspected trophic roles for the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor.
Error Estimating Codes with Constant Overhead: A Random Walk Approach

The paper studies the construction of error-estimation-codes (EEC), which estimate the bit-error-rate (BER) of packet transmissions. The concept of EEC was first proposed by Chen et.al in SIGCOMM 2010. In the same work group-sampling-error-estimation-codes (GSEEC) were constructed. Assuming the packet length is n, GSEEC requires communication overhead O(log(n)) and coding complexity O(n) to reliably estimate BER. In this paper, random walk based error-estimation-codes (RAKEE) are proposed, which are able to achieve constant communication overhead O(1) and linear coding complexity O(n). In the end of the paper, numerical experiments is shown to support our theoretical analysis.
Information measures for object recognition accommodating signature variability

This paper presents measures characterizing the information content of remote observations of ground scenes imaged via optical and infrared sensors. Object recognition is posed in the context of deformable templates; the special Euclidean group is used to accommodate geometric variation of object pose. Principal component analysis of object signatures is used to represent and efficiently accommodate variation in object signature due to changes in the thermal state of the object surface. Mutual information measures, which are independent of the recognition system, are calculated quantifying both the information gain due to remote observations of the scene and the information loss due to signature variability. Signature model mismatch is quantitatively examined using the Kullback-Leibler divergence. Expressions are derived quadratically approximating the posterior conditional entropy on the orthogonal group for high signal-to-noise ratio. It is demonstrated that quadratic modules accurately characterize the posterior entropy for broad ranges of signal-to-mise ratio. Information gain in multiple-sensor scenarios is quantified, and it is demonstrated that the cost of signature uncertainty for the Comanche series of FLIR images collected by the US Army Night Vision Electronic Sensors Directorate is approximately 0.8 bits with an associated near doubling of mean-squared error uncertainty in pose.
The receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase PCRK1 contributes to pattern-triggered immunity against Pseudomonas syringae in Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary In this paper we describe PATTERN-TRIGGERED IMMUNITY (PTI) COMPROMISED RECEPTOR-LIKE CYTOPLASMIC KINASE 1 (PCRK1) of Arabidopsis thaliana, an RLCK that is important for defense against the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola ES4326 (Pma ES4326). We examined defense responses such as bacterial growth, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and callose deposition in pcrk1 mutant plants to determine the role of PCRK1 during pathogen infection. Expression of PCRK1 was induced following pathogen infection. Pathogen growth was significantly higher in pcrk1 mutant lines than in wild-type Col-0. Mutant pcrk1 plants showed reduced pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) against Pma ES4326 after pretreatment with peptides derived from flagellin (flg22), elongation factor-Tu (elf18), or an endogenous protein (pep1). Deposition of callose was reduced in pcrk1 plants, indicating a role of PCRK1 in activation of early immune responses. A PCRK1 transgene containing a mutation in a conserved lysine residue important for phosphorylation activity of kinases (K118E) failed to complement a pcrk1 mutant for the Pma ES4326 growth phenotype. Our study shows that PCRK1 plays an important role during PTI and that a conserved lysine residue in the putative kinase domain is important for PCRK1 function.
Cuscore Statistics to Monitor a Non‐stationary System

We investigate the monitoring of a process subject to minimum mean-squared error feedback control using cumulative score (Cuscore) charts. Specifically, we design Cuscore statistics to discover spike, step, bump, and ramp signals hidden in non-stationary disturbance for feedback-controlled processes. We develop the adjustment and monitoring policies for combinations of process dynamics, disturbance, and signal that are practical in industry. We also address issues of detection probabilities and distributions using simulation. A manufacturing case study is used to illustrate the utility of the Cuscore approach. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
libfbi: a C++ implementation for fast box intersection and application to sparse mass spectrometry data.

Motivation: Algorithms for sparse data require fast search and subset selection capabilities for the determination of point neighborhoods. A natural data representation for such cases are space partitioning data structures. However, the associated range queries assume noise-free observations and cannot take into account observation-specific uncertainty estimates that are present in e.g. modern mass spectrometry data. In order to accommodate the inhomogeneous noise characteristics of sparse real-world datasets, point queries need to be reformulated in terms of box intersection queries, where box sizes correspond to uncertainty regions for each observation. Results: This contribution introduces libfbi, a standard C++, header-only template implementation for fast box intersection in an arbitrary number of dimensions, with arbitrary data types in each dimension. The implementation is applied to a data aggregation task on state-of-the-art liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry data, where it shows excellent run time properties. Availability: The library is available under an MIT license and can be downloaded from http://software.steenlab.org/libfbi. Contact: marc.kirchner@childrens.harvard.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Short Interfering RNA–Mediated Gene Silencing of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: Effects on Cellular Proliferation in Colon Cancer Cells

Hypothesis By using short interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the in vitro expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A, we hope to further investigate the presence of an autocrine loop in colon cancer cells. We hypothesize that VEGF inhibition will result in decreased cellular proliferation. Design Human colon cancer cells were evaluated for the expression of VEGF and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). In vitro assessments were then made of the ability of anti-VEGF siRNA to knock down expression of VEGF and the subsequent effect this decreased expression had on colon cancer cell proliferation. Setting Surgical oncology research laboratory. Interventions Human colon cancer cells from the RKO cell line were transfected with siRNA targeting the coding region of VEGF. Main Outcome Measures Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Northern blot analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to establish the ability of siRNA to decrease VEGF production. Proliferation assays were run on transfected and wild-type cells to establish concomitant decrease in VEGF expression and cellular proliferation. Results The RKO colon cancer cells expressed both VEGF and VEGFR-2. Those cells transfected with siRNA targeting VEGF showed a 94% knockdown in VEGF expression and a 67% decrease in cellular proliferation. Conclusion Colon cancer cells expressing VEGF and VEGFR-2 may possess an autocrine growth pathway that can be effectively targeted using RNA interference as an antiangiogenic therapy.
Buried-grid field-controlled thyristors fabricated using silicon liquid-phase epitaxy

Field-controlled thyristors with the buried-grid device structure have been fabricated by using a recently developed silicon liquid-phase epitaxial growth technology. Using this epitaxial growth technique, closely spaced boron-doped buried-grid regions can be fabricated without autodoping problems. This has allowed the development of high-voltage devices with large blocking gains. The new epitaxial growth technology is potentially useful for the manufacturing of large-area (high-current) devices of this type.
Understanding physician adherence with a pneumonia practice guideline: effects of patient, system, and physician factors.

Background Adherence with clinical practice guidelines is highly variable. Reasons for their inconsistent performance have not been well studied. Objective To determine the patient, system, and physician factors that may explain why physicians may not follow guidelines. Methods We used chart review and physician surveys to measure adherence with an actively implemented guideline to reduce hospitalizations for patients coming to the emergency department with community-acquired pneumonia. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with guideline nonadherence. Results Overall nonadherence with the guideline was 43.6%, with 71 of 163 low-risk patients with pneumonia being hospitalized despite the recommendation for outpatient therapy. In univariate analyses, nonadherence to the guideline was more likely for patients who were aged 65 years or older, were male, were employed, and had multilobar disease or other comorbid conditions (P Conclusions Nonadherence to a pneumonia guideline was associated with a variety of patient, system, and physician factors. Guideline implementation strategies should take into account the heterogeneous forces that can influence physician decision making.
Nutrition, Anabolism, and the Wound Healing Process: An Overview

Optimum nutrition is well recognized to be a key factor in maintaining all phases of wound healing. There are 2 processes that can complicate healing. One is activation of the stress response to injury, and the second is the development of any protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Any significant wound leads to a hypermetabolic and catabolic state, and nutritional needs are significantly increased. The healing wound depends on adequate nutrient flow (Fig ​(Fig1).1). Of particular concern is the presence of any PEM, PEM being defined as a deficiency of energy and protein intake to meet bodily demands. PEM in the presence of a wound leads to the loss of lean body mass (LBM) or protein stores, which will in and of itself impede the healing process. Early aggressive nutrient and micronutritional feeding is essential to control and prevent this process from developing. PEM is commonly seen in the chronic wound population, especially the elderly, disabled, or chronically ill populations where chronic wounds tend to develop.1–5 Figure 1 Balance between adequacy of macronutrients and net anabolism and catabolism and its impact on wound healing. Hunter, in 1954, followed by Culbertson and Moore, identified the fact that a wound being a threat to human existence takes preference for the available nutrients to heal, especially amino acids, at the expense of the host LBM.6–8 This process leads to an autocannibalism of available LBM to obtain the necessary amino acids for the required protein synthesis in the wound. If inadequate intake is present to keep up with needs, then PEM can develop. If inadequate glucose is available for the healing wound, proteins will break down into amino acids and through the alanine shunt lead to glucose synthesis by the liver. However, with severe losses of LBM, the host takes preference over the wound.9–13 This entire process is the result of the activation of the “stress response” to injury or wounding with its hormonal imbalance favoring body protein catabolism for substrate, needed for protein synthesis. There is also increased metabolic or calorie demand.9–13 There is a fundamental difference between the adequate intake seen in the unstressed patient and one where trauma or infection has activated the host stress response.14,15 Starvation alone produces a self-protective hormonal environment, which spares LBM with more than 90% of calories obtained from fat.14–16 To optimize healing, a substrate that is more dependent on intake than on the bodily breakdown of protein needs to be available. Chronic wounds are more complicated because the biology of the healing process is significantly altered. However, a stress response is activated with any wound and any existing PEM will accentuate the already poor healing process.17–19 For the above reasons, one cannot dissociate the normal process of healing from the nutritional status.
The Virtual Visit: Using Telecommunications Technology to Take Care of Patients

Telephone-Linked Care (TLC) technology has been developed and applied as an alternative to and a supplement for office visits as a means to deliver ambulatory care. TLC is used to monitor patients with chronic diseases, counsel patients on important health behaviors, and provide information and support to home caregivers of patients with disabling condtions. TLC speaks to patients over the telephone in their homes using computer-controlled digitized human speech. Patients use their telephone keypad to communicate. TLC conversations last 2–15 minutes per call and take place weekly for periods of at least 3 months. The conversations consist of a salutation, password verification, the core clinical part, and a closing. The structure of the clinical part is similar for each of the application groups: chronic disease, health behavior, and caregiver support. The system architecture consists of linked voice and database components and their subcomponents. Preliminary evaluation indicates that TLC is well accepted by patients and their providers and can improve clinical outcomes.
Computational Constitutive Model for Predicting Nonlinear Viscoelastic Damage and Fracture Failure of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures

A computational constitutive model was developed to predict damage and fracture failure of asphalt concrete mixtures. Complex heterogeneity and inelastic mechanical behavior are addressed by the model by using finite-element methods and elastic- viscoelastic consti - tutive relations. Damage evolution due to progressive cracking is represented by randomly oriented interface fracture, which is governed by a newly developed nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone model. Computational simulations demonstrate that damage evolution and failure of asphalt concrete mixtures is dependent on the mechanical properties of the mixture. This approach is suitable for the relative evaluation of asphalt concrete mixtures by simply employing material properties and fracture properties of mixture components rather than by perform- ing expensive laboratory tests recursively, which are typically required for continuum damage mechanics modeling.
Assessing Changes in the Effect of Divorce Rates on Homicide Rates Across Large U.S. Cities, 1960-2000: Revisiting the Chicago School

Researchers commonly include a measure of the level of divorce among the standard covariates in macro-level studies of homicide, justifying this practice with reference to social disorganization theory. We review the underlying logic for a divorce/homicide relationship, distinguishing between a “cultural/normative conflict” variant advanced by the classical Chicago School theorists and a “structural/control” variant associated with the neosocial disorganization perspective. We suggest that the cultural/normative conflict variant implies that the effects of divorce will become attenuated over time, whereas the structural/control variant implies stability in effects. We then assess the degree to which the effects of levels of divorce on homicide rates have changed with panel data for a sample of large U.S. cities during the period 1960-2000.The results of seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) analyses reveal considerable stability in the effects of a measure of divorce on homicide rates, especially if the di...
A Renewed Emphasis on Hiring: A Closer Look at the Federal Government’s End-to-End Hiring Roadmap

This article overviews the federal government’s most recent initiative to improve its hiring processes, the End-to-End Hiring Roadmap. The Roadmap was developed through a joint partnership with the...
Randomized Partially-Minimal Routing on Three-Dimensional Mesh Networks

This letter presents a new oblivious routing algorithm for 3D mesh networks called Randomized Partially- Minimal (RPM) routing that provably achieves optimal worstcase throughput for 3D meshes when the network radix k is even and within a factor of 1/k2 of optimal when k is odd. Although this optimality result has been achieved with the minimal routing algorithm O1TURN [9] for the 2D case, the worst-case throughput of O1TURN degrades tremendously in higher dimensions. Other existing routing algorithms suffer from either poor worst-case throughput (DOR [10], ROMM [8]) or poor latency (VAL [14]). RPM on the other hand achieves near optimal worst-case and good average-case throughput as well as good latency performance.
The chemistry and properties of silicone resins: network formers (in paints and renders)

An introduction to the topic of aqueous silicone resin coating systems for exterior masonry. Concentrates on applications in the construction industry.
Silencing of Host Genes Directed by Virus-Derived Short Interfering RNAs in Caenorhabditis elegans

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) processed from viral replication intermediates by RNase III-like enzyme Dicer guide sequence-specific antiviral silencing in fungi, plants, and invertebrates. In plants, virus-derived siRNAs (viRNAs) can target and silence cellular transcripts and, in some cases, are responsible for the induction of plant diseases. Currently it remains unclear whether viRNAs are also capable of modulating the expression of cellular genes in the animal kingdom, although animal virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to guide efficient silencing of host genes, thereby facilitating virus replication. In this report, we showed that viRNAs derived from a modified nodavirus triggered potent silencing of homologous cellular transcripts produced by the endogenous gene or transgene in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Like that found in plants, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in C. elegans also involves RRF-1, a worm RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) that is known to produce single-stranded secondary siRNAs in a Dicer-independent manner. We further demonstrated that VIGS in C. elegans is inheritable, suggesting that VIGS has the potential to generate profound epigenetic consequences in future generations. Altogether, these findings, for the first time, confirmed that viRNAs have the potential to modulate host gene expression in the animal kingdom. Most importantly, the success in uncoupling the trigger and the target of the antiviral silencing would allow for the exploration of novel features of virus-host interactions mediated by viRNAs in the animal kingdom.