cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping Use, Storytelling, and Experience Design: User-Network Tracking as a Component of Usability and Sustainability

Framed around three different antenarratives about system development, this article builds on established user-centered theories to present a mixed-method approach to user experience (UX) design. B...
Extracting and normalizing temporal expressions in clinical data requests from researchers

Automatic translation of clinical researcher data requests to executable database queries is instrumental to an effective interface between clinical researchers and "Big Clinical Data". A necessary step towards this goal is to parse ample temporal expressions in free-text researcher requests. This paper reports a novel algorithm called TEXer. It uses heuristic rule and pattern learning for extracting and normalizing temporal expressions in researcher requests. Based on 400 real clinical queries with human annotations, we compared our method with four baseline methods. TEXer achieved a precision of 0.945 and a recall of 0.858, outperforming all the baseline methods. We conclude that TEXer is an effective method for temporal expression extraction from free-text clinical data requests.
Evaluating Peer Review

To be effective, any quality assurance program in psychology must be based on systematic research designed to inform both the development and the overall effectiveness of that program. These programs must be built on systematic data collection, experimental research, and program evaluation. Once built, the completed program must be judged by these same methods. Although it is debatable and perhaps even unlikely that the quality of mental health care can ever be assured (enhanced might be the preferable term), any given program will make major progress toward assuring quality of care only if it is based on quality scientific information.
Climate Teleconnections and Water Management

Advancements have been made in identifying teleconnection between various climate phenomena and regional hydrometeorology. This knowledge can be systematically applied to predict regional hydrometeorology to gain lead time for resource and risk management decision making. Adaptations for droughts, floods, and cold and warm weather conditions are necessary for optimal food production and, in many cases, for survival. The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climatic phenomenon has been linked to seasonal weather of many regions mainly through rainfall and temperature. The development of El Nino or La Nina has usually opposing regional effects. Its effects are manifested in regional droughts and crop yield reduction, loss of livestock feed, water supply shortage or floods and flood damages, insect population and pathogens, wildfires, etc. A new method has been used to track ENSO development using cumulative sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly and cumulative Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) from freely available data. The relationships of ENSO indices and the Blue Nile hydrology have been shown using an index that tracks cumulative SST anomaly. It has been shown that the Upper Blue Nile basin rainfall and flows have teleconnection to ENSO. Dry years are likely to occur during El Nino years at a confidence level of 90 % and La Nina years favor wetter condition. The results of this study can be applied to resource management decision making to mitigate drought or flood impacts with a lead time of at least few months. ENSO tracking and forecasting helps prediction of approaching hydrologic conditions to make early water management decisions. A case study with organizational structure and decision making process is presented where ENSO conditions are tracked weekly and results are applied for water management decision making.
Client-Practitioner Encounters

Perhaps the most illustrative approach to detailing the nature of the acceptable “range of therapeutic alternatives” is to present several cases of client-practitioner encounters. These cases will highlight some techniques, practices and concepts common to Bariba midwifery and will give an indication of the birth setting as well as of the characteristics of the relationship between the woman who is delivering and the matrone.
Amateur Musicians, Long-Term Engagement, and HCI

Musical instruments have a property of long-term engagement: people frequently become so engaged with them that they practice and play them for years, despite receiving no compensation other than enjoyment. We examine this phenomenon by analysing how the intrinsic motives mastery, autonomy, and purpose are built into the design of musical instruments; because, according to the self-determination theory of motivation, these three motives impact whether an activity might be found enjoyable. This analysis resulted in the identification of seven abstract qualities, inherent to the activity of music making or to the design of musical instruments, which contribute to the three intrinsic motives. These seven qualities can be treated as heuristics for the design of human-computer interfaces that have long-term engagement. These heuristics can be used throughout the design process, from the preliminary stage of idea generation to the evaluation stage of finished prototypes. Interfaces with instrument-like long-term engagement would be useful in many applications, both inside and outside the realm of music: they seem particularly suited for applications based on the attainment of long-term goals, which can be found in fields such as physical fitness, rehabilitation, education, and many others. In this chapter, we discuss an interface prototype we created and its pending evaluation. This interface, a rehabilitative rhythm game, serves as a case study showing how the heuristics might be used during the design process.
Assessing system reliability by combining multilevel data from different test modalities.

AbstractIn this paper, we show how to estimate the reliability of an entire system for a specified period of time when the available data may be at different levels of the system and come from different test modalities and consequently vary in fidelity. We propose a hierarchical statistical model for binary data which allows all available data to be used while faithfully accounting for these differences. This allows one to provide a better estimate of system reliability under use conditions even when some of test modalities are harsher than use conditions. We take a Bayesian approach and show how it can be implemented in WinBUGS. The proposed methodology is illustrated with an example.
Electronic health record cue identifies epilepsy patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea

Background Prior studies have reported that patients with epilepsy have a higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that contributes to poor seizure control. Detection and treatment of OSA can improve seizure control in some patients with epilepsy. In this study, we sought to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an electronic health record (EHR) alert to screen for OSA in patients with epilepsy. Methods A 3-month retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients with epilepsy >18 years of age who were evaluated in our epilepsy clinics prior to the intervention. An assessment for obstructive sleep apnea (AOSA) consisting of 12 recognized risk factors for OSA was subsequently developed and embedded in the EHR. The AOSA was utilized for a 3-month period. Patients identified with 2 or more risk factors were referred for polysomnography. A comparison was made to determine if there was a difference in the number of patients at risk for OSA detected and referred for polysomnography with and without an EHR alert to screen for OSA. Results There was a significant increase in OSA patient recognition. Prior to the EHR alert, 25/346 (7.23%) patients with epilepsy were referred for a polysomnography. Postintervention, 405/414 patients were screened using an EHR alert for AOSA and 134/405 (33.1%) were referred for polysomnography (p Conclusion An intervention with AOSA cued in the EHR demonstrated markedly improved identification of epilepsy patients at risk for OSA and referral for polysomnography.
Clinical, morphological, and molecular characterization of an undetermined Babesia species in a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

A possible novel Babesia species infection of a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) was first reported in 2012. The current case details a confirmed report of a maned wolf with infection by an undetermined species of Babesia. As the mortality and morbidity of babesiosis is high, this may become a significant concern to captive maned wolves, which are considered a near-threatened species by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The aim of this study is to report the clinical, morphological and molecular characterization of this Babesia species. A 2.5-year-old, intact female maned wolf was found laterally recumbent with pale mucous membranes and jaundice the morning of presentation. Hematological and serum biochemical data were consistent with babesiosis and showed a regenerative severe anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, azotemia, increased creatine phosphokinase and increase alanine aminotransferase. On blood film review, inclusion bodies were seen in the red blood cells with cytomorphological features that were most consistent with a small form Babesia species. A blood sample was sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and multi-locus sequence analyses. These findings suggested a unique Babesia species that is most closely related to a Babesia species (Babesia sp. AJB-2006) that has been found to infect raccoons (Procyon lotor) in North America. Although the cytomorphological features of the piroplasms and the clinical presentation were similar in both the current and 2012 case, when comparing the 18S melt curve temperature of the two Babesia isolates, the peak temperature was different. Unfortunately, genetic material from the 2012 case was not available so comparison of multi-locus gene sequences could not be performed, excluding the possibility to definitively state if the Babesia spp. from both cases were distinct from each other. The maned wolf was treated with a whole blood transfusion, dexamethazone (0.28 mg/kg IM), azithromycin (10 mg/kg in NaCl SC), atavaquone (1.5 cc PO), and 2 imidocarb (6.6 mg/kg IM) injections, and clinically improved. These findings demonstrate the need to further characterize the molecular and epidemiological differences of the Babesia species in this case report and the Babesia species known to infect raccoons.
Update in cystic fibrosis 2006.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex inherited condition resulting from abnormalities in the gene that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR, a membrane glycoprotein present in certain epithelia, contributes to regulation of ion flux across the cell surface in a number of ways, including direct chloride channel activity. The clinical picture of CF includes variable, but often severe, injury to the primary organs involved (exocrine pancreas, lung, sinus, liver, intestine) as well as a staggering array of secondary complications (including polymicrobial infection, malnutrition in many forms, hypoelectrolytemia, diabetes, vasculitis, nasal polyps, and pulmonary hypertension). Chronic, progressive lung disease results in most of the morbidity and mortality in CF and is therefore the main focus of clinical care and research. Care and research in CF have developed in parallel since the first clear definition of this condition in the 1930s (1). The curious elevation of sweat electrolytes seen in CF, first described in the 1950s, resulted in a robust diagnostic test. Comprehensive care centers soon followed and have evolved to include newer quality improvement and evidence-based approaches. The discovery and characterization of the abnormal gene in 1989 opened up many paths to research in model systems and in patients. It is now appreciated that CF airway disease involves intricate interrelationships among airway surface liquid, mucus clearance, infection, inflammation, repair, and fibrosis.
Behavioral and Physiological Interventions for Anxiety and Depression: An Overview of Nontraditional Methods

Public health, social well-being, and human rights worldwide have all been impactd by the effects of anxiety and depression. The helping fields have spent over a century attempting to improve peopl...
Automated matrix-matching calibration using standard dilution analysis with two internal standards and a simple three-port mixing chamber.

Abstract Simple data processing and unattended calibration are achieved in automated standard dilution analysis (aSDA) using two internal standards and an inline lab-made mixing chamber furnished from a common plastic syringe. Only two calibration solutions are required per sample, which minimizes reagent consumption and waste generation. Solution 1 contains 50% sample and 50% of a standard containing the analytes and internal standard 1 (IS1). Solution 2 has 50% sample and 50% of a blank containing internal standard 2 (IS2). The concentration of analyte in the sample is calculated from (i) the slope and intercept of an analyte vs. IS1 plot, (ii) the concentration of analyte in the standard added to Solution 1, and (iii) the intercept of a second plot with IS1 vs. IS2. The aSDA method was used to determine Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in tap and creek water, beer, cola soft drink, mouthwash, cough syrup and cachaca by ICP OES. Addition/recovery experiments involving these same samples and other challenging matrices (i.e. 40% v/v HNO3, and 1% m/v Na, Ca or C) were performed to evaluate the method's accuracy. The results were compared with values obtained with external standard calibration (EC), internal standardization (IS) and standard additions (SA). Considering all samples and analytes evaluated, aSDA provided the best accuracy, with an average absolute error ( e ‾ = | a n a l y t e p e r c e n t r e c o v e r y − 100 | ) of 4% (EC, IS and SA had 13%, 9% and 7% errors, respectively). The aSDA strategy is a simple and inexpensive alternative to traditional methods. It has great potential for broad implementation with existing ICP OES instrumentation, as it requires little modification to systems already in place in routine laboratories.
The carotid sinus acts as a mechanotransducer of shear oscillation rather than a baroreceptor

The carotid sinus is a dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery of humans and is located immediately superior to the bifurcation of the internal and external carotid arteries. It is widely accepted, in the fields of medicine and physiology, to function as a baroreceptor in its central control role. This paper presents a hypothesis challenging this paradigm - that the carotid sinus functions by detecting oscillations at the vessel wall which result from shear stress due to vortical flow. This is contrary to conventional thinking which presumes that the carotid sinus responds to blood pressure or wall pressure. Our hypothesis is based on anatomy, physiology and physical properties of fluid which make the sinus the area of highest vorticity. Utilizing magnetic resonance angiograms of undiseased carotid vessels, we computed the oscillatory shear index (OSI) via a computational fluid dynamics simulation of flow. This region of highest OSI coincides with the area where the nerve to the carotid sinus lies within the vessel wall. Accordingly, the hypothesis is that the carotid sinus acts as a mechanotransducer of wall shear stress oscillation and not as a baroreceptor.
39fJ Analog Artificial Neural Network for Breast Cancer Classification in 65nm CMOS

An analog artificial neural network (ANN) classifier using a common-source amplifier based nonlinear activation function is presented in this work. A shallow ANN is designed in 65nm CMOS to perform binary classification on breast cancer dataset and identify each patient data as either benign or malignant. Use of common-source amplifier structure simplifies the ANN and results in only 39fJ/classification at 0.8V power supply and core area of only 240μm2. The classifier is trained using Matlab and validated using Spectre simulations.
Ocean Current Measurement in a Density Following Reference Frame

To make sense of the time evolution of ocean flows, it is often best to observe in a frame that follows water parcels, given the principle of conservation of vorticity. In the stratified ocean, the horizontal components of vorticity (the vertical shears) are typically dominant. Following the motion of a particle, these are modified by baroclinicity, stretching, and dissipation. Baroclinicity changes enable / effect internal waves, while the stretching and dissipation effects are often weak. For two-dimensional depth/time measurements, working in an isopycnal-following (semi-Lagrangian, sL) frame is a practical compromise relative to actually following the motion of a particle. This, however, adds the challenge of measuring the thermocline density field simultaneously with that of velocity. Our early efforts combined the use of rapidly profiling CTDs with range gated Doppler sonar to produce the required integrated data sets. Depth variations in sonar volumetric resolution, as well as cost and logistical difficulty renders this approach challenging. We are now exploring the capabilities of the Wirewalker, a vertically profiling instrument platform powered by ocean waves, to produce the required depth-time integrated observations of velocity and density. Here, the challenge is to produce accurate point measurements of velocity on a second-by-second basis as the instrument profiles vertically at ~0.5 m/s, We present recent efforts using a Nortek Aquadopp acoustic current meter combined with a CTD to produce the integrated data set.
Slicing through Thin Layers of Humanity: Narratives of the Abject.

This essay examines narratives about cadaver dissection through the lens of psychoanalytic theory in order to better understand the nature of medical students’ socialization into medicine and its implications for physician-patient communication. The theoretical framework provided by Julia Kristeva focuses attention on the nature of subject-formation in relation to abjection – that which reveals the contingent nature of the speaking self. Analysis of memoirs and other narratives by medical students demonstrates that students encounter the abject in the process of dissecting a corpse, but are rigorously trained to map over this experience using the technical tools of biomedicine. Other students rely on dark and morbid forms of humor to develop a sense of emotional distance from their cadaver. This analysis reveals new insights about the nature of the gap between physicians and their patients. In particular, it indicates that this gap is not fixed or static but fluid and malleable. Physicians are always shifting between the symbolic realm of biomedicine and the affective, semiotic mode of encountering the abject. This malleability provides the key to training and educating medical students, socializing them in such a way that they are reflexive about this process of oscillation. How physicians handle the reality of their fluctuation between the semiotic and the symbolic is what will determine their ability to engage with patients.
Exploring the Nutritional Ecology of Stunting: New Approaches to an Old Problem

Despite a declining prevalence, stunting remains an elusive target for the global health community. The perception is that stunting represents chronic undernutrition (i.e., due to inadequate nutrient intake associated with food insecurity, low-quality diet, and suboptimal infant feeding practices in the first two years of life). However, other causes include maternal–fetal interactions leading to intrauterine growth retardation, poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, and maternal and pediatric infections. Moreover, physical, economic, demographic, and social environments are major contributors to both food insecurity and conditions that limit linear growth. Overall, factors representing both the internal and external “nutritional ecologies” need to be considered in efforts to reduce stunting rates. Nutritional assessment requires better understanding of the mechanism and role of nutrition in growth, clear expectations about the sensitivity and specificity of the tools used, and inclusion of bio-indicators reflecting the extent and nature of the functional effect of poor nutrition and environmental factors contributing to human physical growth. We provide a perspective on current knowledge about: (i) the biology and contribution of nutrition to stunting/poor growth; (ii) our current nutritional assessment toolkit; (iii) the implications of current assessment approaches for clinical care and public interventions; and (iv) future directions for addressing these challenges in a changing global health environment.
Post-perturbational transcriptional signatures of cancer cell line vulnerabilities

Abstract While chemical and genetic viability screens in cancer cell lines have identified many promising cancer vulnerabilities, simple univariate readouts of cell proliferation fail to capture the complex cellular responses to perturbations. Complementarily, gene expression profiling offers an information-rich measure of cell state that can provide a more detailed account of cellular responses to perturbations. Relatively little is known, however, about the relationship between transcriptional responses to per-turbations and the long-term cell viability effects of those perturbations. To address this question, we integrated thousands of post-perturbational transcriptional profiles from the Connectivity Map with large-scale screens of cancer cell lines’ viability response to genetic and chemical perturbations. This analysis revealed a generalized transcriptional signature associated with reduced viability across perturbations, which was consistent across post-perturbation time-points, perturbation types, and viability datasets. At a more granular level, we lay out the landscape of treatment-specific expression-viability relationships across a broad panel of drugs and genetic reagents, and we demonstrate that these post-perturbational expression signatures can be used to infer long-term viability. Together, these results help unmask the transcriptional changes that are associated with perturbation-induced viability loss in cancer cell lines.
The Pseudo-continuum Bound-free Opacity of Hydrogen and its Importance in Cool White Dwarf Atmospheres

We investigate the importance of the pseudo-continuum bound-free opacity from hydrogen atoms in the atmospheres of cool white dwarfs. This source of absorption, when calculated by the occupation probability formalism applied in the modeling of white dwarf atmospheres with $T_{\rm eff}\rm <17000 K$, dominates all other sources of opacity at optical wavelengths. This is unrealistic and not observed. On the other hand, a significant flux suppression in the blue part of the spectra of cool white dwarfs has been reported, and mainly interpreted as a result of the pseudo-continuum absorption from atomic hydrogen. We investigate this problem by proposing a new, more realistic approach to calculating this source of opacity. We show that this absorption is orders of magnitude smaller than that predicted by current methods. Therefore, we rule out the pseudo-continuum opacity as a source of the flux deficiency observed in the spectra of cool white dwarfs.
Skin conditions in early Parkinson's disease

Abstract Objective Skin conditions have been associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). Little is known about clinical and biomarker differences according to presence of skin conditions among PD patients. Studying these differences might provide insight into PD pathogenesis. Methods We examined the association between common skin conditions and risk of PD in a case-control study of 423 early drug-naive PD cases and 196 healthy controls (HC) in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Among PD participants, we examined if skin conditions were associated with clinical and PD-relevant biomarkers. Results Skin conditions occurred more frequently among PD participants (41%) relative to HC (32%). In multivariate analyses, we observed an association between any skin condition and PD (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.03–2.16) and basal cell carcinoma and PD (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.02–4.08). PD participants who reported skin conditions were older (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.21–2.35) more educated (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 0.99–2.91), had higher Semantic Fluency Test (SFT) scores (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.07–1.96) and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) retention scores (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.09–2.22) compared to PD patients without skin conditions. None of the associations remained significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions We observed a positive association between any skin condition as well as basal cell carcinoma and PD. PD participants with skin conditions were older, more educated, had higher SFT and HVLT retention scores compared to those without skin conditions. However, all associations were no longer significant after Bonferroni multiple comparisons correction. Observed associations should be confirmed in larger, longitudinal studies.
Systematic screening identifies therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides for Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare, invariably fatal childhood premature aging disorder caused by a pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing defect in the LMNA gene. We used combined in vitro screening and in vivo validation to systematically explore the effects of target sequence, backbone chemistry and mechanism of action to identify optimized antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for therapeutic use in HGPS. In a library of 198 ASOs, the most potent ASOs targeted the LMNA exon 12 junction and acted via non-RNase H-mediated mechanisms. Treatment with an optimized lead candidate resulted in extension of lifespan in a mouse model of HGPS. Progerin mRNA levels were robustly reduced in vivo, but the extent of progerin protein reduction differed between tissues, suggesting a long half-life and tissue-specific turnover of progerin in vivo. These results identify a novel therapeutic agent for HGPS and provide insight into the HGPS disease mechanism.
Complete genome sequences of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus isolated from farmed albino rainbow sharks Epalzeorhynchos frenatum in the United States.

The genus Megalocytivirus includes viruses known to cause significant disease in aquacultured fish stocks. Herein, we report the complete genome sequences of two megalocytiviruses (MCVs) isolated from diseased albino rainbow sharks Epalzeorhynchos frenatum reared on farms in the United States in 2018 and 2019. Histopathological examination revealed typical megalocytivirus microscopic lesions (i.e., basophilic cytoplasmic inclusions) that were most commonly observed in the spleen and kidney. Transmission electron microscopic examination of spleen and kidney tissues from specimens of the 2018 case revealed hexagonally shaped virus particles with a mean diameter of 153 ± 6 nm (n = 20) from opposite vertices and 131 ± 5 nm (n = 20) from opposite faces. Two MCV-specific conventional PCR assays confirmed the presence of MCV DNA in the collected samples. Full genome sequencing of both 2018 and 2019 Epalzeorhynchos frenatus iridoviruses (EFIV) was accomplished using a next-generation sequencing approach. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that both EFIV isolates belong to the infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) genotype within the genus Megalocytivirus. This study is the first report of ISKNV in albino rainbow sharks.
Egg morphometrics and egg shape coefficients for White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

Egg size is a useful metric for maternal investment, offspring quality, and contaminant studies. Yet these values and the egg shape coefficients required to estimate egg size are not available for many species, including White-faced-Ibis (Plegadis chihi). We provide egg morphometrics derived from 319 White-faced Ibis eggs sampled at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Great Salt Lake, Utah, from 2010 to 2012. Measured egg length (mean ± SD) was 51.20 ± 1.99 mm, egg width was 36.08 ± 1.15 mm, and whole egg mass was 34.1 ± 3.3 g. Estimated whole egg volume was 34.63 ± 3.73 cm3 and estimated egg shape coefficients were 0.507 for Kv (whole egg and egg contents), 0.547 for Kw (whole egg), and 0.524 for Kw (egg contents only). In addition, we documented expected declines in egg mass over time due to incubation (–0.22 g/d) and desiccation during storage (–0.03 g/d), that should be accounted for prior to analyses that use egg mass of freshly laid eggs.
The Inez Mathematical Programming Modulo Theories Framework

Our Mathematical Programming Modulo Theories (MPMT) constraint solving framework extends Mathematical Programming technology with techniques from the field of Automated Reasoning, e.g., solvers for first-order theories. In previous work, we used MPMT to synthesize system architectures for Boeing’s Dreamliner and we studied the theoretical aspects of MPMT by means of the Branch and Cut Modulo T (\({\text {BC}}(T)\)) transition system. \({\text {BC}}(T)\) can be thought of as a blueprint for MPMT solvers. This paper provides a more practical and algorithmic view of \({\text {BC}}(T)\). We elaborate on the design and features of Inez, our \({\text {BC}}(T)\) constraint solver. Inez is an open-source, freely available superset of the OCaml programming language that uses the SCIP Branch and Cut framework to extend OCaml with MPMT capability. Inez allows users to write programs that arbitrarily interweave general computation with MPMT constraint solving.
Using XML views for improving graphical query specifications

The ability to query information in an ad hoc manner from different XML data sources is becoming crucial. It is generally agreed that XQuery requires extensive training and is generally not appropriate as an ad hoc language for typical end-users. In this paper we describe a graphical interface to assist in specifying XML queries. Our graphical representation is based on the standard, the Unified Modeling Language, which makes our approach more consistent with current modeling trends. We discuss how to describe XML schemas using UML diagrams and then how to specify graphical queries for the corresponding XML documents.
Analysis using bi-spectral related techniques

This paper investigates the use of bi-spectral related techniques to obtain detection clues from time-frequency representations. Earlier results have indicated that 1.5-D spectral techniques (a degenerate version of the bi-spectrum) has potential signal to noise ratio (SNR) gain over conventional techniques. This is partially due to the rejection of Gaussian like perturbations by the cumulant based techniques. The third order moment for Gaussian zero mean random processes is essentially zero. A comparison using synthetic data via conventional spectrogram, instantaneous power spectrum, and the cumulant based technique is provided.
Discussion: A Focus on Federalism

Some decisions of the United States Supreme Court 2004 Term fall under the category of federalism. This has been true now for a large number of years in the Supreme Court. Over the last fifteen years, what has been taking place in the United States Supreme Court is what many have called a federalism revolution. It is a phrase meant to summarize the fact that there have been a series of Supreme Court decisions that have had as their theme a fairly consistent cutting back of congressional power and a fairly consistent protection of state’s rights. A more neutral definition of federalism might be to say that the Constitution contemplates two different governments having potential authority over the same geographic scope, and federalism looks at how that authority is divided between federal and state government. This Article looks at how the federalism decisions from the 2004 Term fit into the bigger picture of the federalism cases decided by the Supreme Court in the past.
Big bang nucleosynthesis and CMB constraints on dark energy

Current observational data favor cosmological models which differ from the standard model due to the presence of some form of dark energy and, perhaps, by additional contributions to the more familiar dark matter. Primordial nucleosynthesis provides a window on the very early evolution of the universe and constraints from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) can bound the parameters of models for dark matter/energy at redshifts of order ten billion. The spectrum of temperature fluctuations imprinted on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation opens a completely different window on the universe at epochs from redshifts of order ten thousand to nearly the present. The CMB anisotropy spectrum provides constraints on new physics which are independent of, and complementary to those from BBN. Here we consider three classes of models for the dark matter/energy: extra particles which were relativistic during the early evolution of the universe (X); Quintessence models involving a minimally-coupled scalar field (Q); models with a non-minimally coupled scalar field which modify the strength of gravity during the early evolution of the universe (G). We constrain the parameters of these models using data from BBN and the CMB and identify the allowed regions in their parameter spaces consistent with the more demanding joint BBN and CMB constraints. For X and Q such consistency is relatively easy to find; it is more difficult for the G models with an inverse power law potential for the scalar field.
REXEC: A Decentralized, Secure Remote Execution Environment for Clusters

Bringing clusters of computers into the mainstream as general-purpose computing systems requires that better facilities for transparent remote execution of parallel and sequential applications be developed. While much research has been done in this area, most of this work remains inaccessible for clusters built using contemporary hardware and operating systems. Implementations are either too old and/or not publicly available, require use of operating systems which are not supported by modern hardware, or simply do not meet the functional requirements demanded by practical use in real world settings. To address these issues, we designed REXEC, a decentralized, secure remote execution facility. It provides high availability, scalability, transparent remote execution, dynamic cluster configuration, decoupled node discovery and selection, a well-defined failure and cleanup model, parallel and distributed program support, and strong authentication and encryption. The system is implemented and is currently installed and in use on a 32-node cluster of 2-way SMPs running the Linux 2.2.5 operating system.
Teaching project management: an experiential approach

Project management is being increasingly recognized as an important area of study for computing programs. For example, the most recent Standish Group CHAOS Report concludes that an increased use of disciplined project management may explain an observed increase in the success rate of information technology projects. In addition, Information Technology (IT) has emerged as a new academic discipline, and project management is one of five core technology areas cited in ACM curriculum guidelines for the discipline. Given these factors, it is likely that many computing programs will consider making available a project management course within their curricula. In this paper, it is argued that an experiential approach may be most effective in such courses. A specific experiential approach to the teaching of project management is then described, and some preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of a course using this approach is given.
Cloning, disruption and chromosomal mapping of yeast LEU3, a putative regulatory gene.

The LEU3 gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , which is involved in the regulation of at least two LEU structural genes (LEU1 and LEU2), has been cloned by complementation of leu3 mutations and shown to reside within a 5.6-kb fragment. Transformation of leu3 mutants with LEU3-carrying multicopy plasmids restored normal, leucine-independent growth behavior in the recipients. It also restored approximately wild-type levels of isopropylmalate isomerase (LEU1) and β-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (LEU2), which were strongly reduced when exogenous leucine was supplied. Strains containing a disrupted leu3 allele were constructed by deleting 0.7-kb of LEU3 DNA and inserting the yeast HIS3 gene in its place. Like other leu3 mutants, these strains were leaky leucine auxotrophs, owing to a basal level of expression of LEU1 and LEU2. Southern transfer and genetic analyses of strains carrying a disrupted leu3 allele demonstrated that the cloned gene was LEU3, as opposed to a suppressor. Disruption of LEU3 was performed also with a diploid and shown to be nonlethal by tetrad analysis. Northern transfer experiments showed that the LEU3 gene produces mRNA approximately 2.9 kilonucleotides in length. The leu3 marker was mapped to chromosome XII by the spo11 method. Linkage to ura4 by about 44 centiMorgans places leu3 on the right arm of this chromosome.
Hierarchical uncalibrated predictive display for a 16 DOF Utah/MIT hand

The addition of immediate but estimated visual feedback, called predictive display, improves telemanipulation performance when the real video feedback is delayed. Current systems typically rely upon a previously-calibrated camera and manipulator. We present a method where the motor-visual calibration is estimated online from motor commands and returned video images only. Predicted visual feedback is presented in two forms. As soon as a basic model has been estimated a wire frame drawing of the predicted current pose is overlaid on the delayed video feedback. After some time when a rich model has been estimated predicted intensity images are synthesized and these replace the delayed real video. In an intermediate situation where blurry synthesized images can be computed, the wireframe is overlaid on the synthesized images to show precisely the pose of the object. Experiments with a Utah/MIT robot hand are shown.
The Extraterritorial Reach of the American Antitrust Laws Jurisdictional Aspects

The use of the term ‘jurisdiction’ may cause confusion if no further indication is given to what aspect of jurisdiction the reference is made. In its most general aspect, the term jurisdiction ‘embraces every kind of judicial action.’1
Avoided criticality in near-optimally doped high-temperature superconductors

We study the crossover from the underdoped to the overdoped regime of the $t\text{\ensuremath{-}}J$ model within a plaquette dynamical mean field approach. We find that the shortest electron lifetime occurs near optimal doping where the superconducting critical temperature is maximal. The mean field theory provides a simple physical picture of this effect. In the underdoped regime, the charge carriers propagate coherently among spin singlets, formed by the superexchange interaction. In the overdoped, large carrier concentration regime, the Kondo effect dominates resulting in spin-charge composite quasiparticles which are also coherent. Separating these two Fermi liquid regimes, there is a critical doping where the superexchange and the Kondo interaction balance each other. At this point, the normal phase is highly incoherent and the optical conductivity exhibits power law behavior at intermediate frequencies. The onset of superconductivity restores coherence, causing the appearance of a resonance in the spin channel.
Why is the laboratory an afterthought for managed care organizations

Market forces have dramatically influenced the environment in which healthcare is delivered, but these changes do not need to be interpreted negatively by community laboratorians. Only total vertical integration of laboratory medicine can control episode-of-care cost. Opportunities also exist for horizontal integration with community partners to provide geographical coverage and to compete favorably for managed care contracts. Lowering cost through "economies of scale" may apply to the procurement of supplies and equipment, but the delivery of services must be considered in the context of their overall effect on episode-of-care cost. Laboratory services may make up 5% of a hospital's budget but leverage 60-70% of all critical decision-making such as admittance, discharge, and medication. Laboratory outreach can help the medical center's financial stability by: (a) providing tests and service that can reduce or avoid a hospital stay; (b) using the additional volume of testing to distribute existing fixed costs and lower unit cost; and (c) adding revenue as a direct contribution to margin. To successfully compete for contracted managed care services, the laboratory must network with other providers to demonstrate comprehensive access and capacity. Community hospital laboratories perform 50% of all laboratory tests in this country and have adequate excess capacity to fulfill the remaining community needs.
Sonar tracking of horizontally moving targets by the big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus

When following a moving target, echolocating bats (Eptesicus fuscus) keep their heads aimed at the target's position. This tracking behavior seems not to involve predicting the target's trajectory, but is achieved by the bat's pointing its head at the target's last known position. The bat obtains frequent position updates by emitting sonar signals at a high rate. After the lag between head and target positions and the nonunity tracking gain were corrected for, bats' tracking accuracy in the horizontal plane was +/- 1.6 degree.
Tyrosine 130 Is an Important Outer Ring Donor for Thyroxine Formation in Thyroglobulin

The thyroid couples two iodotyrosine molecules to produce thyroid hormone at the acceptor site in thyroglobulin, leaving dehydroalanine or pyruvate at the donor position. Previous work has located the acceptors but not the principal iodotyrosine donors. We incorporated [14C]tyrosine into beef thyroid slices, isolated and iodinated the [14C]thyroglobulin (Tg I), separated its N-terminal approximately 22-kDa hormone-rich peptide, and digested the latter with trypsin and endoproteinase Glu-C (EC 3.4.21.19). Nonlabeled thyroglobulin (Tg II) was isolated from the same glands and processed similarly, without iodination in vitro. Tg I was used to initially recognize pyruvate in peptide fractions, and Tg II was used to then identify its location in the thyroglobulin polypeptide chain. Sequencing of a tryptic peptide by mass spectrometry and Edman degradation showed a cleavage after Val129. An endoproteinase Glu-C-generated peptide had the predicted molecular mass of a fragment containing residues 130-146 with Tyr130 replaced by pyruvate; the identification of this peptide was supported by obtaining the expected shortened fragment after tryptic digestion. 14C-labeled pyruvate was identified in the same fraction as this peptide. We conclude that Tyr130 is an important donor of the outer iodothyronine ring. Its likely acceptor is Tyr5, the most important hormonogenic site of thyroglobulin, because Tyr5 and Tyr130 are proximate, because they are the most prominent early iodination sites in this part of thyroglobulin, and because the N-terminal region was previously found capable of forming T4 by itself.
The unification of language understanding and problem solving: Brown University

We are interested in the role that "common-sense knowledge" plays in our ability to understand natural language. Because problemsolving systems have similar knowledge requirements, we are studying the relation between language comprehension on one hand, and problem-solving systems, including much of what goes under the heading of "knowledge engineering", on the other. The current focus of our research therefore is a system that can function in several areas. Some of these will be typical of the language comprehension literature ("stories" about stereotypic situations) while others will involve problem-solving (the blocks world, geometry, and inventory control). This system is based upon a unified set of programs for deductive information retrieval, syntactic parsing, and "low-level" problem solving, as well as a single "frame" representation[1].
The probing depth in photoemission and auger-electron spectroscopy

Abstract Electron scattering lengths, or escape depths, have been compiled from the literature for twenty different materials in the energy range 0–3000 eV. The energy dependence of the escape depth and its implications for interpretation of photoemission and Auger-electron data are discussed.
Mechanisms of multidimensional grouping, fusion, and search in avian texture discrimination

The influence of dimensional organization on pigeon texture perception was examined in a simultaneous conditional discrimination procedure. Six experienced pigeons were reinforced for pecking at a small block oftarget elements randomly located within a larger array ofdistractor elements in each texture stimulus. Target/distractor differences in color, size, orientation, and combinations of these dimensions were examined. In Experiment 1, the influence of target/distractor similarity on performance was investigated by using different forms of unidimensional and conjunctively organized texture stimuli made of two and three dimensions. Targets infeature displays, in which the two regions consistently differed along a single dimension, were located more accurately than targets inconjunctive displays, where a combination of values from all dimensions defined each region. In Experiment 2, a tradeoff between response speed and accuracy was found in the pigeons’ processing of conjunctive displays. In Experiment 3, the number of distractors differentially influenced the localization of feature and conjunctive targets. Overall, the pigeons’ reactions to these feature and conjunctive stimuli paralleled those of humans, suggesting that functionally equivalent mechanisms may mediate the perceptual grouping, search, and discrimination of textured multidimensional stimuli in both species.
Special Marketing Problems of Smaller-City Retailing

The purpose of this article is to review and assess the special marketing problems of smaller-city retailing. A better understanding of the problems peculiar to small-city retailing is prerequisite to the assessment of opportunities and formulation of strategies. The article traces the recent evolution of the retail trade structure in the small city. Distinctive characteristics of the nonmetropolitan market setting are discussed. The role of the small store, its relationship with new retail competitors, and other strategic issues and implications are considered.
Incidence of Temporomandibular Joint Symptoms in Male Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

In a study of 53 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, physical signs of this disease were not found in their temporomandibular joints, although 23 patients had experienced TMJ symptoms at some time during the course of their disease. Only one patient had residual TMJ complaints; these were slight and transitory and he had no loss of function.