cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of prosody during syntactic processing in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

In this study, we employed an eye-gaze paradigm to explore whether children (ages 8–12) and adolescents (ages 12–18) with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are able to use prosodic cues to determine the syntactic structure of an utterance. Persons with ASD were compared to typically developing (TD) peers matched on age, IQ, gender, and receptive language abilities. The stimuli were syntactically ambiguous but had a prosodic break that indicated the appropriate interpretation (feel the frog … with the feather vs. feel … the frog with the feather). We found that all groups were equally sensitive to the initial prosodic cues that were presented. Children and teens with ASD used prosody to interpret the ambiguous phrase as rapidly and efficiently as their TD peers. However, when a different cue was presented in subsequent trials, the younger ASD group was more likely to respond in a manner consistent with the initial prosodic cue rather than the new one. Eye-tracking data indicated that both younger groups (ASD and TD) had trouble shifting their interpretation as the prosodic cue changed, but the younger TD group was able to overcome this interference and produce an action consistent with the prosodic cue.
Crystal Structure of Sinigrin

SINIGRIN is a crystalline thioglucoside, extracted first by Bussy1 from the seeds of black mustard. It is the potassium salt of the anion [C10H16O9NS2]−, also called the myronate ion, and the crystals contain one molecule of water per potassium ion. In 1897 Gadamer2 proposed formula (I) for the myronate ion. Schneider and collaborators confirmed the thioglycoside linkage in 1914 (ref. 3) and in 1930 (ref. 4) established that sinigrin and analogous glucosides are 1-β-D-thio-glucosides. Important details of the Gadamer formula I were challenged recently by Ettlinger and Lundeen5, who have advanced convincing arguments in favour of structure II, with the sugar in the β-gluco-pyranoside form. While Schultz and Wagner6 cast some doubt on II, on the basis of infra-red work, the synthesis by Ettlinger and Lundeen7 of the closely related glucotropaeolate ion (allyl replaced by benzyl) strongly affirmed the correctness of II. Ettlinger and Lundeen advanced arguments based on reaction mechanisms that suggest a syn configuration of sulphate and thioglucose relative to the C=N double bond. However, these arguments were inconclusive8,9. The chemistry of sinigrin and related compounds as well as their biological properties have been reviewed recently10.
Some Uses of Time-Sharing Computers in Statistical Analysis

Time sharing enables the computer user to commnunicate with a central computer by telephone using a teletype console in or near his office. Computer time sharing is made possible by the fact that the central computer can accommodate many eustomers simultaneously by allocating each in turn a small parcel of processing time. Some of the technical and business aspects of computer time sharing have been discussed in a recent Fortune article (1) and will not be repeated here. Instead, a number of typical statistical timne sharing programs dealing with chi-square contingency table analysis, system reliability estimation by Monte Carlo simulation, forecasting and multi-factor analysis of variance will be described. Also, some of the consequences for statisticians of the advent of time sharing computers will be indicated. Each of the programs to be discussed was run on a GE 200 series computer. There are, however, also nany other computers available for time sharing either directly from the manufacturer or through a service bureau.
Measurement of the Sound Velocity in AlAs by Picosecond Ultrasonics

Picosecond ultrasonics have been used to measure the sound velocity and index of refraction in a thin film of AlAs. The AlAs layer was grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on a buffer layer of GaAs which was deposited on a semi-insulating GaAs wafer. The AlAs film was capped by a thin layer of GaAs, and a very thin film of InSb. To generate a sound wave effectively a picosecond light pulse was absorbed in the InSb film. As the sound wave propagates through the microstructure it changes the optical properties in the various films, and this produces a change in the optical reflectivity, which is measured. From the round trip time of the acoustic wave we have determined the sound velocity in the AlAs film.
The automation of two dual push-rod dilatometers

The method used to automate two dual push-rod dilatometers is presented. The two dilatometers are operated simultaneously under computer control and the data are collected concurrently. The computer system, a PDP 11, is part of a laboratory network where any one of four systems can control the dilatometers. The thermal expansion results are calculated and displayed in real time.
Computerized design and manufacturing of plate cams

Abstract Cams are essential mechanical parts in manufacturing industries. Traditional methods of cam design and production are time-consuming and error-prone. This paper is an effort to try to develop a methodology of computer-aided design and manufacturing of plate cams. The computerized procedure is detailed with accompanying examples.
Play development in Welsh pony (Equus caballus) foals

Abstract The structure of the play of colts and fillies living on pasture was studied from birth ( n = 15) for up to 24 weeks. Foal play was categorized as running and bucking alone, running and bucking in a group, interactive (contact or combat) play, play with an object, and play at an adult. The rate of play decreased with increasing age and ambient temperature. Fillies and colts played with equal frequency, but engaged in some different types of play at different rates. There was no difference between colts and fillies in the proportion of play bouts of running and bucking in a group or playing with an object. Fillies engaged in running and bucking alone more than colts. Colts engaged in interactive play and play at an adult more than fillies. While there was no significant difference between colts and fillies in the duration of either type of running and bucking play, the interactive play bouts of colts were significantly longer than those of fillies. Both mares and stallions were tolerant of foal play which involved use of their body as a play object, including mounting play. Both fillies and colts engaged in mounting play. Foals used various natural objects found in the pasture for repeated bouts of play with inanimate objects, a behaviour which may explain, from a developmental perspective, the occasional use of "tools" in adult equids. The sex differences in type of play were consistent with the social structure of unmanaged adults in which males must compete with each other in order to associate with females.
Secretion of immunoreactive ANF from FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells: regulation by calcium ionophore A23187.

Atrial natriuretic factor-like immunoreactivity (ir-ANF) was characterized in a continuous line of rat thyroid follicular cells (FRTL-5) and the influence of the calcium ionophore A23187 on ir-ANF secretion was examined. Ir-ANF was identified by immunohistochemical staining as primarily reticular and juxtanuclear in short-term cultures, and more peripheral and granular in longer-term cultures, suggesting a process of ir-ANF packaging into secretory granules. The accumulation of ir-ANF granules was dependent upon the presence of thyrotropin (TSH) in the medium. Secreted ir-ANF was characterized using reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and radioimmunoassay as a single peak eluting one fraction earlier than 125I-labeled rat ANF (99-126) (i.e., circulating atrial ANF) included as an internal standard. A23187 treatment of cells exhibiting primarily reticular ir-ANF caused a change to a pattern of more distinct, peripherally localized granules. This change occurred within 1 h after A23187 treatment and was dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the medium. In cultures containing primarily ir-ANF granules, A23187 (0.5 micrograms/ml) induced a peripheral translocation of the granules at 30 min and a complete degranulation by 7 h. Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (EIA) confirmed a dose-dependent effect of A23187 on ir-ANF release into the medium. These results suggest that some of the effects of Ca2+ in the thyroid could be ascribed to its mobilization and release of ir-ANF, which in turn may have autocrine effects on thyroid follicular cells.
Homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of Lennard-Jones liquids

The homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of a Lennard-Jones liquid is investigated using the umbrella sampling method. The free energy cost of forming a nucleating droplet is determined as a function of the quench depth, and the saddle point nature of the droplets is verified using an intervention technique. The structure and symmetry of the nucleating droplets are found for a range of temperatures. We find that for deep quenches the nucleating droplets become more anisotropic and diffuse with no well-defined core or surface. The environment of the nucleating droplets forms randomly stacked hexagonal planes. This behavior is consistent with a spinodal nucleation interpretation. We also find that the free energy barrier for heterogeneous nucleation is a minimum when the lattice spacing of the impurity equals the lattice spacing of the equilibrium crystalline phase. If the lattice spacing of the impurity is different, the crystal grows into the bulk instead of wetting the impurity.
Thymidine enhancement of carboplatin cytotoxicity: in vivo studies in normal B6D2 F1 mice.

Abstract Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that 4–24-h thymidine exposures (50–1000 μg/ml) will enhance carboplatin cytotoxicity 2–3.3-fold in vitro. In order to show that these results are clinically applicable, we performed 24-h thymidine infusions with and without carboplatin in B6D2 F1 mice. The mice were evaluated for myelosuppression, weight loss and development of diarrhea. Results obtained demonstrated that thymidine did not enhance systemic carboplatin toxicity. The clinical relevance of these results is discussed.
Haasen plot analysis of the Hall–Petch effect in Cu/Nb nanolayer composites

We investigate the effects of layer thickness ({ital t}) on hardness ({ital H}) and rate sensitivity of the hardness ({partial_derivative}H/{partial_derivative}thinsplnh{dot {epsilon}}) in 1 {mu}m-thick Cu/Nb nanolayer composites. For tthinsp{gt}thinsp10 nm, we find that {ital H} correlates with {ital t} according to Hthinsp=thinspH{sub 0}+H{sub 1}t{sup {minus}1/2}, suggestive of a Hall{endash}Petch mechanism with layer interfaces replacing grain boundaries as barriers against dislocation motion. The measured levels of {partial_derivative}H/{partial_derivative}thinsplnh{dot {epsilon}} clearly indicate the operation of bulk-like dislocation mechanisms consistent with a Hall{endash}Petch mechanism. However, based on a Haasen-plot activation analysis, it appears that the Hall{endash}Petch coefficient, H{sub 1}, is strongly rate-dependent, inconsistent with a conventional Hall{endash}Petch mechanism. For specimens with tthinsp{lt}thinsp10 nm there is a saturation in hardness, but the rate sensitivity data indicate no clear evidence of a corresponding change in mechanism. Simple models are proposed. {copyright} {ital 1999 Materials Research Society.}
X-ray spectral properties of Seyfert 2s observed with BeppoSAX

Abstract We present the results of a homogeneous analysis of BeppoSAX observations of 19 bright Compton-thin Seyfert 2s. Using the wide spectral coverage of BeppoSAX it is possible to determine the single spectral components with unprecedented precision. We find that the intrinsic emission of Seyfert 2s is well reproduced by a power law with a photon index Γ=1.79±0.01, and a dispersion σ =0.23. A reflection component is present in most spectra. We discuss these results in the view of the unified model, and we show a stacked spectrum obtained adding up the 1-200 keV spectra of all the sources of the sample.
Collaborative development of teaching scripts: An efficient faculty development approach for a busy clinical teaching unit

BACKGROUND: Exemplary teachers have been shown to use teaching scripts, ways of organizing the content and instructional approach for commonly encountered teachable moments. This study describes a busy hospitalist unit's early experience with the collaborative development of teaching scripts. METHODS: In 2010, during monthly workshops, 10 faculty members each prepared and presented a teaching script for a different commonly encountered diagnosis. Open-ended surveys assessing the impact on faculty were analyzed using an iterative approach. Changes in faculty self-efficacy, and the frequency and applicability of teaching were measured. RESULTS: The program required 10 hours of attendance time and a mean of 4.3 hours for each faculty member who prepared a teaching script. No significant differences in quantity or applicability of teaching were detected, but faculty self-efficacy improved significantly. In addition, faculty described beneficial effects in their individual professional development, development of a shared mental model of professional responsibility, and interpersonal relationships. A majority of comments were positive; negative comments focused on the time required to prepare scripts, and apprehension about presenting to peers. CONCLUSIONS: The program was an efficient approach to improve self-rated teaching skills, enhance professional development, and build collegiality among clinician-teachers. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Hemophilia and the family system

Abstract Management of hemophilia requires more than the infusion of clotting factors. Family dysfunction, in particular, causes many problems. A family systems approach, with recognition of such issues as genetic culpability, family permeability, sibling anxiety, enforced changes in coalitions, and incorporation of a medical professional into the family structure, can be used as a framework for problem management and for further investigation of psychosomatic aspects of bleeding episodes.
Structure-function analysis of Msx2-mediated transcriptional suppression

Osteocalcin (OC) is a calcium binding protein expressed in mature osteoblasts undergoing mineralization. The OC gene has been identified as a target for transcriptional suppression by Msx2, a homeodomain transcription factor that controls ossification in calvarial bone of the developing skull. We have initiated systematic structure−function analyses of Msx2, using OC promoter suppression (luciferase reporter) in MC3T3-E1 calvarial osteoblasts as an assay. Msx2 variants were epitope (“FLAG”)-tagged for monitoring Msx2 protein expression by Western blot analysis. Functional analyses of N- and C-terminally truncated molecules identify Msx2 residues 97−208 as the core suppressor domain. Internal deletion analyses indicate that suppressor function is dependent upon structural features encoded by residues 132−148upstream of the homeodomain and overlapping the homeodomain N-terminal extensionbut not upon residues in the three homeodomain helices. Mutations that enhance DNA binding activity do not proportionally ...
The Effects of Transdermal Nicotine Therapy for Smoking Cessation on Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depression

This study examines the effects of transdermal nicotine patches for smoking cessation on depressive and withdrawal symptoms among 38 non-medicated subjects with Major Depressive Disorder. The study was conducted over a 29-day period, which included a 7 day baseline phase, a 14 day treatment phase, and an 8 day placebo phase. During the treatment phase subjects received either active nicotine patches (N = 18) or placebo patches (N = 20) that were administered in a randomized, double-blind fashion. The target quit date (TQD) was day 8. Significantly, more subjects in the placebo group than in the nicotine group resumed smoking following the TQD (50% vs. 22%). There was little evidence for effects of active nicotine patches on measures of mood (HRSD, BDI, POMS) or withdrawal symptoms among subjects that remained abstinent throughout the study (N = 24). Those who resumed smoking had more severe withdrawal symptoms than those who remained abstinent. One patient in the placebo group (n = 20) became more depressed after 2 weeks of abstinence. None of the patients in the nicotine group (n = 18) became more depressed.
Control of globin gene expression during development and erythroid differentiation

Extensive studies during the last 30 years have led to considerable understanding of cellular and molecular control of hemoglobin switching. Cell biology studies in the 1970s defined the control of globin genes during erythroid differentiation and led to development of therapies for sickle cell disease. Molecular investigations of the last 20 years have delineated the two basic mechanisms that control globin gene activity during development—autonomous silencing and gene competition. Studies of hemoglobin switching have provided major insights on the control of gene loci by remote regulatory elements. Research in this field has an impact on understanding regulatory mechanisms in general and is of particular importance for eventual development of molecular cures for sickle cell disease and β thalassemia.
Safety controller synthesis using human generated trajectories: Nonlinear dynamics with feedback linearization and differential flatness

The aim of the safety controller synthesis problem is to synthesize a feedback controller that results in closed-loop trajectories that meet certain criteria, namely, the state or output trajectories terminate in a Goal set without entering an Unsafe set. We propose a formal method for synthesizing such a controller using finitely many human generated trajectories. The main theoretical idea behind our results is the concept of trajectory robustness, which is established using the theory of approximate bisimulation. Approximate bisimulation has been used to establish robustness (in the L ∞ sense) of execution trajectories of dynamical systems and hybrid systems, resulting in trajectory-based safety verification procedures. The work reported in this paper builds on our earlier work where the dynamics of the system is assumed to be affine linear. We extend the existing results to special classes of nonlinear dynamical systems, feedback linearizable and differentially flat systems. For both cases, we present some examples where it is possible to synthesize the controller using human generated trajectories, which are obtained through interactive computer programs with graphical interface (computer games).
The transition from ergodic to explosive behavior in a family of stochastic differential equations

Abstract We study a family of quadratic, possibly degenerate, stochastic differential equations in the plane, motivated by applications to turbulent transport of heavy particles. Using Lyapunov functions, Hormander’s hypoellipticity theorem, and geometric control theory, we find a critical parameter value α 1 = α 2 such that when α 2 > α 1 the system is ergodic and when α 2 α 1 solutions are not defined for all times.
Extensive Central Nervous System Cryptococcal Disease Presenting as Immune Reconstitution Syndrome in a Patient with Advanced HIV: Report of a Case and Review of Management Dilemmas and Strategies.

One of the complications of the use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), is particularly problematic in the management of cryptococcal meningitis. We present the case of a 35- year-old male with acquired immune deficiency syndrome diagnosed with extensive central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcal disease, including meningitis and multiple intracranial cysts, diagnosed eight weeks after the initiation of ART. The patient experienced a relapsing and remitting clinical course despite repeated courses of potent antifungal therapy and aggressive management of raised intracranial pressure. This review highlights therapeutic dilemmas and strategies in the management of CNS cryptococcosis complicated with IRIS and highlights gaps in available treatment guidelines.
Last Glacial Maximum in an Andean cloud forest environment (Eastern Cordillera, Bolivia): Comment and Reply: COMMENT

Whether the climate of tropical South America during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was colder and drier or colder and wetter than present day has been widely debated. It is accepted, however, that the LGM in tropical South America was 2–9 °C colder than today (e.g., [Betts and Ridgway, 1992][1
Of kings, traffic signs and flowers: exploring navigation of tagged documents

Many popular Web 2.0 sites support navigation of tagged web resources. The tag-based navigation has been described as a lightweight reorientation of view on tags and the associated web resources. But is this navigation really lightweight? This paper briefly presents an interface created to support navigation of tagged documents. The paper then describes a study that explored users' understanding of the tag-based navigation process and the underlying information space. The results point to difficulties in promoting correct understanding of complex relationships between documents and tags and to the need for creating interfaces that support navigation continuity.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed

This uses a massively wrong-headed algorithm for sorting to exemplify the use of the backtracking strategy and the branch-and-bound strategy. In addition, brief notes are included on parallel processing approaches: Java theads on multi-core computers and distributed processing through such message passing systems as PVM and MPI.
Borehole dilution tests in the vicinity of an extraction well

Abstract A mathematical solution is derived for a borehole dilution test conducted in the proximity of an extraction well under conditions where the Theis assumptions are applicable. The solution is similar to the steady-state velocity case except for a factor that accounts for the transient response of the aquifer to pumping. Curves calculated from the derived solution show a delay in response that increases with the specific storage of the aquifer and with the radius from the extraction well. The delay decreases with increasing values of hydraulic conductivity and aquifer thickness. Deviations of the response curves from the straight-line steady-state velocity case can be used to calculate the hydraulic diffusivity, while the limiting slope at late time can be used to calculate groundwater flux. When borehole dilution tests are conducted at several intervals over the thickness of the aquifer under steady-state velocity conditions, K(z) can, in principle, be calculated using several equations depending on the type of information available. Two existing methods to account for the distortion of the flow lines near the open test interval are related to well construction and development. Reasonable estimates of borehole factors can only be obtained for minimally developed wells.
Reversed phase thin‐layer chromatography for the separation of β‐endorphin, β‐lipotropin and enkephalins

A novel, simple technique using reversed phase thin-layer chromatography has been developed to separate beta-endorphin, beta-lipotropin and Met- and Leu-enkephalins. This method is useful for the rapid determination of the purity of these opioid peptides. The effectiveness of several solvent systems has been assessed. The resolution between beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin achieved by this method exceeds that reported using high performance liquid chromatography or a variety of column techniques. This system also eliminates the problem of unrecognized loss of peptide due to binding on HPLC or other types of columns since the entire stationary phase is visualized using fluorescamine detection. Efficient, inexpensive and reliable simultaneous separation with visualization of several opioid peptides, their peptide precursors and their degradation products is now possible using the new technique. Such separations are required for many purposes including preparation of samples for radioimmunoassay of opioid peptides.
Characterization of acoustic droplet vaporization and inertial cavitation thresholds in acoustically-responsive tissue scaffolds

Hydrogel scaffolds are commonly used in tissue engineering as a substrate for cells or to deliver regenerative growth factors. We have previously demonstrated that acoustically responsive scaffolds can be developed by incorporating sonosensitive emulsions into hydrogel scaffolds. Growth factors, contained within the sonosensitive emulsions, can be released using ultrasound. Since ultrasound can be applied with both spatial and temporal control, this enables spatio-temporal release of growth factors within the ARS, which is unattainable with conventional hydrogel scaffolds. In this study, we expand this previous work by studying the thresholds associated with acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) and inertial cavitation (IC) - two processes relevant to growth factor release. Acoustically-responsive scaffolds (ARS) were cast in OptiCells by doping fibrin hydrogels with perfluorocarbon droplets. ADV was generated in the ARS using a 2.5 MHz single element transducer. B-mode ultrasound was used to detect the onset of ADV whereas IC was detected with a broadband hydrophone. Results showed that ADV and IC thresholds are dependent on the number of acoustic cycles, the concentration of the ARS, and the structure of the droplets.
Evaluating Group Process in a Stress Management Intervention: Relationships Between Perceived Process and Cardiovascular Reactivity to Stress

Objective: The authors evaluated relationships among group process and treatment outcomes in a stress management intervention. Method: A group-based stress management intervention was provided to a sample of self-referred adults. After each therapy session, group members completed a process measure. Before and after the intervention, group members underwent a psychophysiological assessment of negative moods, daily stress, physical symptoms, and cardiovascular reactivity to stress. Results: Group process was comprised of three dimensions: positive process, satisfaction, and negative process. Ratings of positive process and satisfaction significantly increased across sessions. In addition, satisfaction ratings were inversely correlated with cardiovascular reactivity, whereas negative process ratings were positively correlated with cardiovascular reactivity. Conclusion: The finding of increasing positive process and satisfaction may be related to the structure of the intervention, which allowed for more freq...
High-speed data converters for communication systems

Discusses the ever increasing demands on IC specifications, namely speed and resolution, We will see that often more than 14 bits and several hundreds of MHz are required, In addition, many applications impose continuous reductions in power consumption. As a result, market challenges favor research on high speed data converters, In turn, the results achieved lead to new architectural solutions which create new needs, This paper analyses this process and discusses recent circuit solutions suitable for meeting key system specifications.
Detection and estimation of minute amounts of fluorine by means of the etching test

After having shown the disadvantage and lack of sensitivity of the etching test on glass, as ordinarily performed, an apparatus made of cast lead is described, which allows to detect by etching a microscope cover glass 0,05 mg of calcium fluoride, corresponding to 25γ of fluorine, in a conveniently short period of time. The relative degree of etching is a rough quantitative measure of the fluorine present, the actual quantity being determined by comparison with a set of standard glasses.
A Q-EM Based Simulated Annealing Algorithm for Finite Mixture Estimation

We develop a q-expectation maximization (q-EM) simulated annealing method for parameter estimation. The g-EM algorithm is a one-parameter generalization of normal expectation maximization (EM) algorithm based on Tsallis entropy. By incorporating the simulated annealing method, we propose the q-deterministic annealing expectation maximization (q-DAEM) algorithm. Given the inherent connection between a physical annealing process and statistical mechanics, we show that the proposed algorithm actually minimizes a counterpart of the free energy in statistical mechanics by controlling an effective temperature. Simulations of mixed Gaussian parameter estimation show that the proposed method is much less initialization-dependent than the standard EM algorithm and converges dramatically faster than the DAEM algorithm.
Reflections on the history of adolescence in America

The concept of adolescence was developed in the United States between 1890 and 1920. In the hands of G. Stanley Hall and his many followers, adolescence required a moratorium on the assumption of adult responsibilities by teenagers. This prescription of a moratorium broke sharply with the advice given to youth in the 19th century, which urged the quick assumption of adult responsibilities. Although the concept of adolescence emerged at a time when enrollments in public high schools were increasing at a much faster pace than the population, it is misleading to conclude that the idea of a moratorium during adolescence merely ratified the gradual removal of early teens from productive employment. Rather than describing the experience of teenagers, the discourse on adolescence in this and subsequent periods has primarily reflected the challenges that adults saw to their own values and the ways in which they adapted to change.
DUVFEL photoinjector dynamics: measurement and, simulation

The DUVFEL photoinjector consists of a 1.6 cell BNL gun IV with copper cathode, variable pulse length Ti:Sapp laser, and solenoid magnet. The beam dynamics and the electromagnetic fields in the photoinjector have been characterized by producing a short electron beam with very low charge that is used as a field probe. The transverse beam size and divergence are measured as a function of the initial RF phase and the initial spot size and compared with simulations using the code HOMDYN. The electromagnetic fields used in the simulations are produced by SUPERFISH, and have been verified with RF measurements. The simulations and measurements of beam dynamics are presented.
Regulated processive transcription of chromatin by T7 RNA polymerase in Trypanosoma brucei

Inability of T7 RNA polymerase to processively transcribe higher eukaryotic chromatin is interpreted as a correlate of its reported inhibition by nucleosomes on reconstituted templates in vitro . We used chromosomally integrated reporter cassettes to examine features of T7 transcription in a lower eukaryotic system. Luciferase reporters were targeted to rDNA in transgenic Trypanosoma brucei stably expressing the phage polymerase. Because trypanosome mRNAs are capped by RNA splicing in trans , T7 transcription could be gauged by luciferase activity. In contrast to findings from higher eukaryotes, T7 transcription is vigorous and processive on chromatin templates in T.brucei , surpassing levels achieved with endogenous promoters, including those recruiting RNA polymerase I. This may be a reflection of intrinsic differences in chromatin structure between differently evolved eukaryotes or of an integration site that is exceptionally permissive for T7 transcription due to a local accessible chromatin conformation. T7 transcription could be manipulated to achieve different levels of constitutive expression, through the use of promoter mutations. Moreover, T7 initiation could be regulated by the prokaryotic Tet repressor and elongation halted by T7 terminator sequences. We have exploited these features to construct a robust inducible expression system, whose utility potentially extends to other trans -splicing organisms.
Adaptive rate multiple access (ARMA) for wireless multimedia communications

A challenge for personal communication system (PCS) is to provide bandwidth demanding multimedia communications such as interactive video and high quality images to portable communication terminals. Such communications, requiring a transport bit-rate in multiples of Mb/s, are readily available via fiber optics using access methods such as the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) with a transport capacity of tens or hundreds of Mb/s. This paper proposes a new channel access, coding, and modulation scheme called adaptive rate multiple access (ARMA) over the wireless channel. ARMA is proposed to inter-network with a wired ATM network, to deal with the severe bit-rate limitations of fading and intersymbol interference (ISI), and the variable bit-rate requirements of multimedia communications. >
The long‐term behavior of the main peak of the dayside ionosphere of Venus during solar cycle 21 and its implications on the effect of the solar cycle upon the electron temperature in the main peak region

Results are presented on the long-term behavior of the main peak electron density in the Venus ionosphere during the solar cycle 21, based on 104 radio occultation measurements of the vertical electron density profile in the dayside ionosphere of Venus carried out aboard the Pioneer Venus Orbiter spacecraft (along with published data on 11 Venera 9-10 measurements). The equation representing the electron temperature at h = 140 km is presented. The results imply that the electron temperature at h = 140 km decreased by about 25 percent from solar maximum to solar minimum, compared to a decrease of 50-75 percent above 200 km found by Kliore and Mullen (1989).
Parallel simulated annealing strategies for VLSI cell placement

Simulated annealing based standard cell placement for VLSI designs has long been acknowledged as a compute-intensive process, and as a result several research efforts have been undertaken to parallelize this algorithm. Most previous parallel approaches to cell placement annealing have used a parallel moves approach. In this paper we investigate two new approaches that have been proposed for generalized parallel simulated annealing but have not been applied to the cell placement problem. Results are presented on the effectiveness of implementations of these algorithms when applied to the cell placement problem. We find that the first, multiple Markov chains, appears to be promising since it uses parallelism to obtain near linear speedups with no loss in quality. The second, speculative computation, while maintaining quality is not suitable since no speedups are achieved due to the specific nature of the cell placement problem. The two algorithms are compared with the parallel moves approach to parallel cell placement.
On the Convergence of Asynchronous Parallel Pattern Search

In this paper we prove global convergence for asynchronous parallel pattern search. In standard pattern search, decisions regarding the update of the iterate and the step-length control parameter are synchronized implicitly across all search directions. We lose this feature in asynchronous parallel pattern search since the search along each direction proceeds semiautonomously. By bounding the value of the step-length control parameter after any step that produces decrease along a single search direction, we can prove that all the processes share a common accumulation point and, if the function is continuously differentiable, that such a point is a stationary point of the standard nonlinear unconstrained optimization problem.
Heart rate variability during waking and sleep in healthy males and females.

Study Objectives: The study goal was to investigate autonomic activity with heart rate variability analysis during different sleep stages in males and females. Design: The study utilized a 2 Groups (males, females) X 4 States (waking, stage 2 sleep, stage 4 sleep, rapid-eye movement sleep) mixed design with one repeated, within-subjects factor (i.e., state). Setting: The study was carried out in the sleep laboratory of the Thomas N. Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research. Participants: Twenty-four healthy adults (fourteen females and ten males). Interventions: NA Measurements and Results: All participants underwent polysomnographic monitoring and electrocardiogram recordings during pre-sleep waking and one night of sleep. Fifteen-minute segments of beat-to-beat heart rate intervals during waking, stage 2 sleep, stage 4 sleep, and REM sleep were subjected to spectral analysis. Compared to NREM sleep, REM sleep was associated with decreased high frequency (HF) band power, and significantly increased low frequency (LF) to (HF) ratio. Compared to females, males showed significantly elevated LF/HF ratio during REM sleep. Males also demonstrated significantly decreased HF band power during waking when compared to females. No significant sleep- or gender-related changes in LF band power were found. Conclusions: The results confirmed changes in autonomic activity from waking to sleep, with marked differences between NREM and REM sleep. These changes were primarily due to stage-related alterations in vagal tone. REM sleep was characterized by increased sympathetic dominance, secondary to vagal withdrawal. The data also suggested gender differences in autonomic functioning during waking and sleep, with decreased vagal tone during waking and increased sympathetic dominance during REM sleep in the males.
A uniform strain hexahedron and quadrilateral with orthogonal hourglass control

The treatment of zero energy modes which arise due to one-point integration of first-order isoparametric finite elements is addressed. A method for precisely isolating these modes for arbitrary geometry is developed. Two hourglass control schemes, viscous and elastic, are presented and examined. In addition, a convenient one-point integration scheme which analytically integrates the element volume and uniform strain modes is presented.
Packet video and its integration into the network architecture

Packet video is investigated from a systems point of view. The most important issues relating to its transmission are identified and studied in the context of a layered network architecture model, leading to a better understanding of the interactions between network and signal handling. The functions at a particular layer can thereby be made less dependent on network implementation and signal format. In the layered network model, the higher layers provide format conversion, hierarchical source coding, error recovery, resynchronization, cost/quality arbitration, session setup and tear-down, packetization, and multiplexing. Provisions from the network layers pertain mainly to real-time transmission. Special consideration is given to hierarchical source coding, error recovery, statistical behavior, and timing aspects. Simulation results indicating practical solutions to some of the issues raised are presented for a hierarchical packet-video subband coding system. >
Characterization of a unique enhancer element responsive to cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and elevated calcium.

The VL30 family of defective retrovirus-like elements is abundantly transcribed in response to numerous transforming and proliferative stimuli. We have identified a novel enhancer element in the long terminal repeat of the transcriptionally active VL30 element RVL-3. The RVL-3 enhancer mediates a calcium-dependent induction of gene expression in response to treatment with either epidermal growth factor or the phorbol ester tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate. In this report we present in vivo and in vitro evidence indicating that the RVL-3 enhancer is also responsive to cAMP in the presence of elevated intracellular calcium. Proteins present in nuclear extracts obtained from Rat-1 fibroblasts bind specifically to a 20-basepair sequence within the RVL3 triple repeat. Competition binding studies and mutational analyses indicate that the cAMP responsiveness maps to the same region responsible for mediating the inductive response to epidermal growth factor and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol. The respo...
Matched source-channel communication for field estimation in wireless sensor networks

Sensing, processing and communication must be jointly optimized for efficient operation of resource-limited wireless sensor networks. We propose a novel source-channel matching approach for distributed field estimation that naturally integrates these basic operations and facilitates a unified analysis of the impact of key parameters (number of nodes, power, field complexity) on estimation accuracy. At the heart of our approach is a distributed source-channel communication architecture that matches the spatial scale of field coherence with the spatial scale of node synchronization for phase-coherent communication: the sensor field is uniformly partitioned into multiple cells and the nodes in each cell coherently communicate simple statistics of their measurements to the destination via a dedicated noisy multiple access channel (MAC). Essentially, the optimal field estimate in each cell is implicitly computed at the destination via the coherent spatial averaging inherent in the MAC, resulting in optimal power-distortion scaling with the number of nodes. In general, smoother fields demand lower per-node power but require node synchronization over larger scales for optimal estimation. In particular, optimal mean-square distortion scaling can be achieved with sub-linear power scaling. Our results also reveal a remarkable power-density tradeoff inherent in our approach: increasing the sensor density reduces the total power required to achieve a desired distortion. A direct consequence is that consistent field estimation is possible, in principle, even with vanishing total power in the limit of high sensor density.
The Marriage of Invasion Ecology and Ecological Theory

Cadotte, Marc William, Sean M. McMahon, and Tadashi Fukami, editors. Conceptual ecology and invasion biology: reciprocal approaches to nature. Invading Nature: Springer Series in Invasion Ecology. Volume 1. Springer, New York. xviii + 505 p. $129.00, ISBN: 978-1-4020-4157-0 (acid-free paper).
Approximation of Single Scattering Properties of Ice and Snow Particles for High Microwave Frequencies

Abstract As satellite high-frequency passive microwave data have recently become available, there is an increasing demand for an accurate and computationally efficient method to calculate the single scattering properties of nonspherical ice particles, so that it may be used in radiative transfer models for physical retrievals of ice water path and snowfall rate. In this study, two such approximations are presented for calculating the single scattering properties of three types of large ice particles: bullet rosettes, sector snowflakes, and dendrite snowflakes, for the frequency range of 85 to 220 GHz, based on results of discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) modeling. By analyzing the DDA modeling results, it is noted that, for nonspherical ice particles, the scattering and absorption cross sections and the asymmetry parameter have a magnitude between those of the two imaginary equal-mass spheres. One is a solid sphere, and the other is an ice–air mixed soft sphere whose diameter equals the particle's maxim...
Gait Characteristics When Walking on Different Slippery Walkways

Objective : This study sought to determine the changes in muscle activity about the ankle, knee, and hip in able-bodied people walking at steady state on surfaces with different degrees of slipperiness. Methods : Muscle activity was measured through electromyographic signals from selected lower limb muscles and quantified to directly compare changes across surface conditions. Results : Our results showed distinct changes in the patterns of muscle activity controlling each joint. Muscles controlling the ankle showed a significant reduction in activity as the surface became more slippery, presumably resulting in a compliant distal joint to facilitate full contact with the surface. Select muscles about the knee and hip showed a significant increase in activity as the surface became more slippery. This resulted in increased knee and hip flexion likely contributing to a lowering of the body's center of mass and stabilization of the proximal leg and trunk. Conclusion : These findings suggest a proximal-distal gradient in the control of muscle activity that could inform the future design of adaptable prosthetic controllers. Significance : Walking on a slippery surface is extremely difficult, especially for individuals with lower limb amputations because current prostheses do not allow the compensatory changes in lower limb dynamics that occur involuntarily in unimpaired subjects. With recent advances in prosthetic control, there is the potential to provide some of these compensatory changes; however, we first need to understand how able-bodied individuals modulate their gait under these challenging conditions.
Liquid crystal free energy relaxation by a theoretically informed Monte Carlo method using a finite element quadrature approach

A theoretically informed Monte Carlo method is proposed for Monte Carlo simulation of liquid crystals on the basis of theoretical representations in terms of coarse-grained free energy functionals. The free energy functional is described in the framework of the Landau-de Gennes formalism. A piecewise finite element discretization is used to approximate the alignment field, thereby providing an excellent geometrical representation of curved interfaces and accurate integration of the free energy. The method is suitable for situations where the free energy functional includes highly non-linear terms, including chirality or high-order deformation modes. The validity of the method is established by comparing the results of Monte Carlo simulations to traditional Ginzburg-Landau minimizations of the free energy using a finite difference scheme, and its usefulness is demonstrated in the context of simulations of chiral liquid crystal droplets with and without nanoparticle inclusions.
Larynx preservation with combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy in advanced hypopharynx cancer.

Twenty-five untreated patients with advanced, resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, for whom standard treatment would have required total laryngectomy, were treated with one to three cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy with larynx preservation as the goal. Patients with a major (complete or partial) response to chemotherapy at the primary site were treated with definitive radiation therapy, with total laryngectomy reserved for salvage; patients with less than a partial response to chemotherapy had total laryngectomy and postoperative radiation therapy recommended. Four patients had a poor response to chemotherapy and thus were not candidates for laryngectomy. Total largynectomy was required for initial induction chemotherapy failure in five patients and for local recurrence in five others. Three additional patients had unresectable recurrence. Successful larynx preservation was achieved in 32% (8 of 25). With a median follow-up period of 41 months, the actuarial overall and failure-fre...
Distance Preserving Graphs

Given a graph G then a subgraph H is isometric if, for every pair of vertices u,v of H, we have dH(u,v) = dG(u,v). We say a graph G is distance preserving (dp) if it has an isometric subgraph of every possible order up to the order of G. We consider how to add a vertex to a dp graph so that the result is a dp graph. This condition implies that chordal graphs are dp. We also find a condition on the girth of G which implies that it is not dp. In closing, we discuss other work and open problems concerning dp graphs.
Genetic variation in the terrestrial isopod, Armadillidium vulgare

Allozymic variation for the terrestrial isopod, A. vulgare, is low when compared to that reported for most invertebrates, with the average individual being heterozygous at 3.4 percent of its loci. However, this level of heterozygosity is comparable to that reported in various decapods. A significant heterozygote deficiency occurred in local populations of A. vulgare, which is most likely due to selection and/or nonrandom mating.