cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new adaptive identifier for second-order rotational plants with applications to underwater vehicles

This paper reports a novel adaptive identifier for the estimation of the plant parameters of three degree-of-freedom second-order rigid-body rotational plants under the influence of externally applied torques. A second adaptive identifier is also reported which, in addition to estimating the rigid body parameters, identifies quadratic drag, and buoyancy torque parameters that arise in the rotational dynamic models of rigid-body underwater vehicles. Although a rich collection of literature exists on the problem of model-based adaptive trajectory-tracking control, these approaches are not applicable when the plant is either uncontrolled, under open-loop control, or using any control law other than a specific adaptive tracking controller. In contrast, the adaptive identifiers reported herein provide an approach to plant parameter estimation applicable to the commonly occurring cases of uncontrolled plants, plants under open-loop control, and plants using control methods prescribed to meet other considerations for an application. Local stability proofs of the new adaptive identifiers are reported. The stability analysis show that the angular velocity estimate of the adaptive identifiers converges asymptotically to the angular velocity of the actual plant, that the parameter estimates are stable, and that the parameter estimates converge asymptotically to values that provide input/output model behavior identical to that of the actual plant. A comparative experimental evaluation of the second adaptive identifier is reported using the Johns Hopkins University Remotely Controlled Underwater Vehicle. The experimental results corroborate the analytical stability analysis, showing that the angular velocity estimate of the adaptive identifier converges asymptotically to the angular velocity of the actual plant, and the adaptively estimated plant parameters asymptotically converge to values that provide plant-model input/output behavior closely approximating the input/output behavior of the actual experimental underwater vehicle. An experimental comparison of adaptive identification and conventional least squares parameter identification is also reported. The adaptively identified model was shown to be similar to the least squares identified model in its ability to match the actual vehicle's input/output characteristics. The common formulation of least squares identifiers require angular acceleration, a measurement which is not required for the adaptive identification algorithm presented herein. Since underwater vehicles are often not instrumented to measure angular acceleration, this method may provide model parameter estimates that could not be obtained by other standard methods.
Repeatability of pattern electroretinogram measurements using a new paradigm optimized for glaucoma detection

The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) response in glaucoma has been studied extensively for over 20 years1–4 because of its documented relevance for disease detection. PERG responses in general are generated from the inner retina and in particular are disrupted by damage to the retinal ganglion cells5–7 indicating PERG measurement can contribute to glaucoma diagnosis. Like other electrophysiological tests, the PERG testing paradigm is essentially objective (i.e., requires no observer response beyond fixation). For this reason, this test may be valuable for assessing visual function or corroborating suspicious results in individuals who are unable to reliably perform perimetric testing (e.g., standard automated perimetry, SAP). In addition, it is theoretically likely that PERG-based visual function measurements are more repeatable than subjective testing because PERG results are minimally effected by motor response, learning effects (beyond operator learning) and the contribution to variability of imprecise thresholding algorithms. Recently a PERG recording paradigm designed specifically for glaucoma detection has been introduced that employs optimized stimulus parameters for boosting the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and compares response amplitude and phase to an internal normative database (Glaid PERGLA, Lace Elettronica, Pisa, Italy) to aid in clinical interpretation of responses that previously required expert assessment.8 Previous studies suggest that PERG recordings using this technique are repeatable, show acceptable SNR to detect early to moderate decreases in response amplitude and are sensitive to glaucoma-related decreases in signal when comparisons are made to an internal normative database.8–11 The current study seeks to further describe the within- and between-trial repeatability of PERGLA by measuring the repeatability of recordings in both healthy and patient eyes using the same instrument. Repeatability of recordings is important because good repeatability (i.e., low between trial variability) is required for detecting small changes in signal over time; an essential task for detecting disease-related change. Assessing repeatability in both healthy and patient eyes is important because studies using other visual function techniques show increased variability in patient eyes.12 We also assessed the SNR of PERG amplitude in healthy and glaucoma eyes to describe the dynamic range of the instrument for detecting severe disease and change.
Modeling, design, and control of embedded Terfenol-D actuator

Terfenol-D is a magnetostrictive material with properties such as large strain, high force, wide bandwidth, and high energy density. Terfenol-D actuator, with its unique characteristics, is therefore potentially a new class of actuator most suitable for embedded actuator applications. This paper deals with the modelling, design, and control of an embedded compact Terfenol-D actuator to suppress unwanted vibration in flexible structures, especially rotorcraft blades. Based on the two dimensional thermal analysis, the general form of the constitutive equation of magnetostrictive material is modified to include the effects of heating due to the current passing through the coil surrounding the Terfenol-D material. A new Terfenol-D actuator is designed with emphasis on compactness and embeddable properties. An accurate mathematical model based on the modified magnetostrictive constitutive equation is developed. Simulation results indicate good dynamic performance. Methodology of designing is also presented in this paper.
Low noise chirped pulse mode-locked laser using an intra-cavity Fabry-Pérot etalon

This work presents an extensive investigation of the performance characteristics of a semiconductor-based Theta cavity design laser with an intra-cavity Fabry-Perot etalon operating at 100 MHz repetition rate. The Theta laser being an external cavity harmonically mode-locked semiconductor laser exhibits supermode noise that impairs its performance. A fiberized Fabry-Perot periodic filter inserted within the Theta laser cavity mitigates the contribution of the supermode noise to the pulse-to-pulse energy variance by 20 times. The laser has both a compressed output with picosecond pulse duration and a uniform intensity quasi-CW linearly chirped pulse output with 10 nm bandwidth. Long-term stability is attained by referencing the cavity length to the etalon using an intra-cavity Hansch-Couillaud locking scheme.
Validation of 'variable number of tandem repeat'-based approach for examination of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' diversity and its applications for the analysis of the pathogen populations in the areas of recent introduction.

Citrus greening (Huanglongbing, HLB) is one of the most destructive diseases of citrus worldwide. In South Asia HLB has been known for more than a century, while in Americas the disease was found relatively recently. HLB is associated with three species of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ among which ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) has most wide distribution. Recently, a number of studies identified different regions in the CLas genome with variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) that could be used for examination of CLas diversity. One of the objectives of the work presented here was to further validate the VNTR analysis-based approach by assessing the stability of these repeats upon multiplication of the pathogen in a host over an extended period of time and upon its passaging from a host to a host using CLas populations from Florida. Our results showed that the numbers of tandem repeats in the four loci tested display very distinguishable “signature profiles” for the two Florida-type CLas haplotype groups. Remarkably, the profiles do not change upon passage of the pathogen in citrus and psyllid hosts as well as after its presence within a host over a period of five years, suggesting that VNTR analysis-based approach represents a valid methodology for examination of the pathogen populations in various geographical regions. Interestingly, an extended analysis of CLas populations in different locations throughout Florida and in several countries in the Caribbean and Central America regions and in Mexico where the pathogen has been introduced recently demonstrated the dispersion of the same haplotypes of CLas. On the other hand, these CLas populations appeared to differ significantly from those obtained from locations where the disease has been present for a much longer time.
The Myosin Inhibitor Blebbistatin Stabilizes the Super-Relaxed State in Skeletal Muscle

The super-relaxed state of myosin (SRX), in which the myosin ATPase activity is strongly inhibited, has been observed in a variety of muscle types. It has been proposed that myosin heads in this state are inhibited by binding to the core of the thick filament in a structure known as the interacting-heads motif. The myosin inhibitor blebbistatin has been shown in structural studies to stabilize the binding of myosin heads to the thick filament, and here we have utilized measurements of single ATP turnovers to show that blebbistatin also stabilizes the SRX in both fast and slow skeletal muscle, providing further support for the proposal that myosin heads in the SRX are also in the interacting-heads motif. We find that the SRX is stabilized using blebbistatin even in conditions that normally destabilize it, e.g., rigor ADP. Using blebbistatin we show that spin-labeled nucleotides bound to myosin have an oriented spectrum in the SRX in both slow and fast skeletal muscle. This is to our knowledge the first observation of oriented spin probes on the myosin motor domain in relaxed skeletal muscle fibers. The spectra for skeletal muscle with blebbistatin are similar to those observed in relaxed tarantula fibers in the absence of blebbistatin, demonstrating that the structure of the SRX is similar in different muscle types and in the presence and absence of blebbistatin. The mobility of spin probes attached to nucleotides bound to myosin shows that the conformation of the nucleotide site is closed in the SRX.
Planning Instruction to Meet the Intent of the Next Generation Science Standards

The National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States in Next Generation Science Standards: For states, by states. The National Academies Press, Washington, 2013) move teaching away from covering many isolated facts to a focus on a smaller number of disciplinary core ideas (DCIs) and crosscutting concepts that can be used to explain phenomena and solve problems by engaging in science and engineering practices. The NGSS present standards as knowledge-in-use by expressing them as performance expectations (PEs) that integrate all three dimensions from the Framework for K-12 Science Education. This integration of core ideas, practices, and crosscutting concepts is referred to as three-dimensional learning (NRC in Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. The National Academies Press, Washington, 2014). PEs state what students can be assessed on at the end of grade level for K-5 and at the end of grade band for 6–8 and 9–12. PEs do not specify how instruction should be developed nor do they serve as objectives for individual lessons. To support students in developing proficiency in the PEs, the elements of the DCIs will need to be blended with various practices and crosscutting concepts. In this paper, we examine how to design instruction to support students in meeting a cluster or “bundle” of PEs and how to blend the three dimensions to develop lesson level PEs that can be used for guiding instruction. We provide a ten-step process and an example of that process that teachers and curriculum designers can use to design lessons that meet the intent of the Next Generation of Science Standards.
Dufour's gland lipid chemistry of three species of Centris bees (hymenoptera: apoidea, anthophoridae)

Abstract 1. 1. Lipids secreted by the Dufour's glands of Centris (Hemisiella) analis, C. (Acritocentris) and C. (Centris) flavifrons consist primarily of odd-carbon alkanes (C19-C29). 2. 2. More detailed GC/MS analyses of C. analis reveal a complex array of aliphatic esters, including a homologous series of tetradecenyl esters. 3. 3. Within the genus, the linear Dufour's gland varies widely in proportional dimensions, with the elongate gland of C. flavifrons being exceptional.
Assessment of candidate information models for granular computing

Granular computing (GrC) is an emerging discipline of information theory that strives to allow reasoning and analysis based on varying levels of information granularity (from fine to coarse). In GrC, the entire information universe can be organised based on many different criteria, allowing the information to be abstracted, aggregated, classified, generalised and so on, based on various characteristics (e.g., data similarity, operational usage, etc.). As a result, GrC relies on information models to describe the universe, the elements of the universe and the composition of each element. In this paper, candidate information models for GrC are explored and assessed, including: the attribute-based data model, the relational data model, the functional data model and the extensible markup language. This includes a description of these models in terms of their concepts, data definition and data manipulation and an analysis of the suitability in support of GrC.
Generating disjoint incompressible surfaces

Abstract We show that one can embed an arbitrarily large collection of disjoint, incompressible, non-parallel, non-boundary-parallel surfaces in any compact, orientable 3-manifold with at least one boundary component of genus greater than or equal to two. We also provide an answer to the open question, Question III.16, from Jaco's book, Lecture Notes on 3-Manifold Topology.
Cytokine Signaling Modules in Inflammatory Responses

Cytokine signaling via a restricted number of Jak-Stat pathways positively and negatively regulates all cell types involved in the initiation, propagation, and resolution of inflammation. Here, we focus on Jak-Stat signaling in three major cell types involved in inflammatory responses: T cells, neutrophils, and macrophages. We summarize how the Jak-Stat pathways in these cells are negatively regulated by the Suppressor of cytokine signaling (Socs) proteins. We emphasize that common Jak-Stat-Socs signaling modules can have diverse developmental, pro- and anti-inflammatory outcomes depending on the cytokine receptor activated and which genes are accessible at a given time in a cell's life. Because multiple components of Jak-Stat-Socs pathways are mutated or closely associated with human inflammatory diseases, and cytokine-based therapies are increasingly deployed to treat inflammation, understanding cytokine signaling will continue to advance our ability to manipulate chronic and acute inflammatory diseases.
Theory of resonance pressure broadening: Resolvent operator formalism and classical path approximation

The problem of resonance pressure broadening of spectral lines in monatomic gases is discussed using a resolvent operator formalism. A differential equation is developed to determine the resolvent, and it is shown how its solution for a limiting case yields the familiar classical path approximation for the translational motion of the atoms, and how quantum corrections may be systematically studied. Commonly used limiting cases within the classical path approximation (two-body static and impact approximations) are also exhibited as limiting cases, with methods for systematic evaluation of corrections. Closed form solutions are obtained for the two-body static and impact cases. The results are compared with available experimental data, and generally satisfactory agreement is obtained. Of some theoretical interest is the formalism, which embraces all the usual approximations and permits them to be studied together with corrections to them from a unified point of view. New results of more practical interest are the closed form solutions for the limiting cases, and the estimation of the lowest-order quantum corrections, which are appreciable under some experimental conditions.
Workforce‐constrained Preventive Maintenance Scheduling Using Evolution Strategies

Heavy equipment overhaul facilities such as aircraft service centers and railroad yards face the challenge of minimizing the makespan for a set of preventive maintenance (PM) tasks, requiring single or multiple skills, within workforce availability constraints. In this paper, we examine the utility of evolution strategies to this problem. Comparison of the computational efforts of evolution strategies with exhaustive enumeration to reach optimal solutions for 60 small problems illustrates the ability of evolution strategies to yield optimal solutions increasingly efficiently with increasing problem size. A set of 852 large-scale problems was solved using evolution strategies to examine the effects of task-related problem characteristics, workforce-related variables, and evolution strategies population size (μ) on CPU time. The results empirically supported practical utility of evolution strategies to solve large-scale, complex preventive maintenance problems involving single- and multiple-skilled workforce. Finally, comparison of evolution strategies and simulated annealing for the 852 experiments indicated much faster convergence to optimality with evolution strategies.
Immunology and failure of valved allografts in children

Valved allografts are frequently used in the repair of congenital heart defects in children. Although the longevity of these grafts is generally very good, there continue to be ongoing problems with allograft stenosis, allograft valve insufficiency, and subsequent allograft failure, particularly in younger children. This review presents data on the immunologic and nonimmunologic risk factors implicated in valved allograft failure, in addition to ongoing investigation into the improvement of allograft function.
A new radio channel allocation strategy using simulated annealing and Gibbs sampling

Since the problem of optimal radio channel assignment (RCA) is NP-hard, the existing RCA algorithms have to use heuristic approaches for any networks of practical sizes. However, the algorithms suffer from two major issues, i.e., unable to consider the co-channel interference (CCI), and finding only sub-optimal assignment. In this work, we propose a new strategy to overcome the two challenging issues. (1) To consider CCI among neighboring head routers (HRs) and their terminals, we propose to choose the average effective channel utilization (ECU) of an HR as the basic objective function. The function can be also the sum of the average ECU, for which the optimization target is directly to maximize the overall throughput. (2) We propose to use the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm to find the optimal assignment and use the Gibbs sampling (GS) technique to convert the global optimization problem to a series of local optimization problems. In this way, we propose a distributed optimal assignment, i.e., SA-GS-based RCA (SRCA) algorithm. Our extensive simulation results have demonstrated that SRCA outperforms all the existing RCA algorithms in achieving global optimality with bounded CS.
Synaptic desensitization of NMDA receptors by calcineurin

Desensitization is a phenomenon that is common to many ligand-gated ion channels but has been demonstrated only rarely with physiological stimulation. Numerous studies describe desensitization of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor by exogenous agonists, but whether synaptic stimulation causes desensitization has been unknown. Synaptic stimulation of NMDA receptors on rat hippocampal neurons resulted in desensitization that was prevented by intracellular 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP-gamma-S), or inhibitors of phosphatase 2B (calcineurin), but not by inhibitors of phosphatases 1 and 2A or of tyrosine phosphatases. Synaptic NMDA receptors may fluctuate between phosphorylated and dephosphorylated forms, depending on the rate of synaptic stimulation and the magnitude of the associated influx of calcium through NMDA receptors.
Photosynthetic carbon metabolism in isolated pea chloroplasts: Metabolite levels and enzyme activities

Abstract We report here that enzyme activation precedes the rise in metabolite levels, which appear to limit photosynthetic CO 2 fixation during induction in pea leaf chloroplasts. Therefore light activation may be required for the build-up of photosynthetic intermediates and hence for photosynthesis in isolated chloroplasts. Analysis of metabolite levels and the known kinetic properties of the chloroplast enzymes indicates that the reductive pentose phosphate cycle is subject to control which fluctuates between several points during induction and when CO 2 fixation is maximal. The transketolase-aldolase-catalyzed reactions around sedoheptulosebiphosphatase appear to provide a simple and effective primary control for photosynthetic CO 2 fixation. When substrate levels and enzyme active site concentrations are taken into account, there is insufficient glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, aldolase, and transketolase activity to support photosynthetic CO 2 fixation at observed rates. These results suggest that there may be direct transfer of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate among these enzymes in the pea chloroplast.
Short transcripts of the ternary complex provide insight into RNA polymerase II elongational pausing.

Expression of thehsp70 gene ofDrosophila melanogasteris controlled at the level of transcript elongation. In the uninduced state,hsp70 possesses an RNA polymerase II complex, elongationally engaged, but paused early in the transcription unit. In this study, we have used a powerful new selection-amplification technique to analyze the RNA transcripts associated with such “paused polymerases” under non-heat shock and heat shock-induced conditions. They reveal a region of pausing on the uninduced genein vivospanning from +21 to +35. This region is interrupted by an area of low polymerase density, centered at about +26. Upon induction, an accumulation of short transcripts, similar in size to those associated with the paused complex, was seen. Models for polymerase pausing and release are discussed in light of these data. The increased sensitivity of our new technique also allowed us to investigate ternary complexes associated with genes with much lower levels of engaged RNA polymerase. These included two of the small heat shock genes (hsp26 andhsp27) and two metabolic genes (Gapdh-1andGapdh-2), where paused polymerase were thought to be present, plus two other genes (Mtn andyp1), where polymerases pausing has not been detected in the past. In both of the small heat shock genes, we found evidence of previously unknown sites of transcriptional termination, residing immediately upstream of the regions of polymerase pausing.
Mating competitiveness of irradiated Mexican fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Laboratory and field case studies were conducted with two laboratory cultures (one ≈34 yr old and the other 2 yr old). Each culture was divided into irradiated and unirradiated groups and tested in competition against the feral Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew. The feral fly was collected from its native host Sargentia gregii S. Wats. Unirradiated laboratory-reared flies were very competitive with feral flies. In caged full grown trees, sterile males from the old culture were one-third as successful and those from the 2-yr-old culture were one-fifth as successful in mating as the feral flies. Irradiation also slowed the mating response of laboratory-reared males as compared with unirradiated males, but the slow response put the flies in phase with the mating period of the feral flies. Of 865 captured pairs, 63% were on leaves. Of 241 captured pairs of flies that had mated within each group type, we recorded 77% of them in the peripheral half of the tree bisected by the NE cardinal point. Irradiated males from the old laboratory culture produced 65% as much pheromone as unirradiated males. Only 6% of irradiated females from the same culture responded to a male-produced pheromone extract as compared with unirradiated females.
Preparation and structural characterization of a pentacoordinate Ru(II) complex, RuCl2(Ph2PCH2SiMe3)3

The compound RuCl 2 (Ph 2 PCH 2 SiMe 3 ) 3 was obtained from the reaction of ruthenium trichloride with diphenyl(trimethylsilylmethyl)phosphine. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2 1 / c (No. 14) with the following cell dimensions: a = 18.289(2), b = 10.517(2), c = 26.410(7) A, β = 93.56(3)°, V = 5070(4) A 3 and Z = 4. The molecular structure was determined by a single crystal X-ray study. The complex has a square pyramidal geometry with two trans phosphines and two trans chloride atoms in the base of the pyramid and a phosphine at the apex.
Fuel decomposition and hydrocarbon growth processes for substituted cyclohexanes and for alkenes in nonpremixed flames

Abstract Cycloalkanes are major constituents of petroleum-based fuels. In the experiments reported here, centerline profiles of C3–C12 hydrocarbons were measured in coflowing methane/air flames whose fuel was separately doped with 2000 ppm each of nine substituted cyclohexanes, cycloheptane, eight isomers of heptene, and three isomers of octene. The decomposition rates of the dopants increased in the following order: cycloalkanes with saturated side-chains
The measurement of extravascular lung water by thermal-green dye indicator dilution.

The theory and practice of the thermal-dye indicator-dilution method for measurement of EVLW has been discussed, and all available animal data from our laboratory correlating EVTV and gravimetric EVLW have been presented. The method appears to function well over the entire range of edema seen , and to be minimally dependent on cardiac output. Thermal-indicator loss does not seem to be a significant problem and does not impair the accuracy of this method. Out results are consistent with earlier works in the field in identifying significant differences between the isotopic EVLW methods and the thermal-dye method, and it seems likely that these differences are due to the much greater diffusion rate of the thermal indicator.
Optical spectrum of a Hubbard chain

The optical absorption of the one-dimensional Hubbard model is calculated by three different methods. Linear chains of five atoms and rings of five and seven atoms containing four electrons are treated numerically. The infinite-chain problem is solved first in the $t$-matrix approximation of Lyo and Holstein. It is shown that in this approximation, most of the high-frequency absorption is due to a bound state which lies above the band continuum. Finally, the absorption is evaluated in the memory-function formalism of G\"otze and W\"olfle, which reduces to ordinary perturbation theory at high frequency. The three approaches are in qualitative agreement, and the differences between them can be explained by the nature of the approximations involved. Applications to tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) and the platinum salt ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}$Pt${(\mathrm{CN})}_{4}$${\mathrm{Br}}_{0.3}$ \ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{} 3${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O (KCP) are discussed.
Monoalkylation of DNA by reductively activated FR66979.

Abstract The antitumor antibiotic FR66979 has previously been shown to form interstrand cross-links in duplex DNA at the sequence [5′-d(CG)] 2 , linking the exocyclic amino groups (N2) of deoxyguanosine (dG) residues. During the reaction of reductively activated FR66979 with DNA, products are formed which have electrophoretic mobility in denaturing polyacrylamide gels which is intermediate between that of unmodified and interstrand cross-linked DNA. We show here that these products are monoadducts between FR66979 and DNA and provide strong evidence for the site of alkylation being N2 of dG. Moreover, the sequence selectivity of monoalkylation reactions between FR66979 and DNA containing either 5′-d(CG)·5′-d(CI) or [5′-d(CG)] 2 was observed to be ca. 5-fold less than for the related antitumor antibiotic mitomycin C (MC). The mechanistic implications of this result are discussed. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that contrary to a previous report, FR66979 requires DNA to be in duplex form for efficient monoadduct formation.
Mechanical interactions of mouse mammary gland cells with collagen in a three-dimensional construct

An effort to understand the development of breast cancer motivates the study of mammary gland cells and their interactions with the extracellular matrix. A mixture of mammary gland epithelial cells (normal murine mammary gland), collagen, and fluorescent beads was loaded into microchannels and observed via four-dimensional imaging. Collagen concentrations of 1.3, 2, and 3 mg/mL were used. The displacements of the beads were used to calculate strains in the 3D matrix. To ensure physiologically relevant materials properties for analysis, the collagen was characterized using independent tensile testing with strain rates in the range of those measured in the cell-gel constructs. 3D elastic theory for an isotropic material was employed to calculate the stress. The technique presented adds to the field of measuring cell-generated stresses by providing the capability of measuring 3D stresses locally around a single cell and using physiologically relevant materials properties for analysis. The highest strains were observed in the most compliant matrix. Additionally, the stresses fluctuated over time due to the cells' interaction with the collagen matrix.
Towards Optimal Monitoring in Cooperative IDS for Resource Constrained Wireless Networks

The problem of cooperative intrusion detection in resource constrained wireless networks (e.g., adhoc, sensor) is challenging, primarily because of the limited resources available to participating nodes. Although the problem has received some attention from the research community, little is known about the tradeoffs among different objectives, e.g. network performance, power consumption, delay in information being collected and security effectiveness. This paper proposes, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, to distribute cooperative intrusion detection functions that take into account, simultaneously, multiple objectives. We formulate the problem of identifying the type of intrusion detection each node runs as a multi-objective optimization problem and motivate/develop a genetic algorithm to solve it. Through extensive simulations we demonstrate that our solution is characterized by: a small variance in the normalized fitness values of individual/single objectives; and a smaller attack detection and reporting delay than state of art solutions. In a real implementation/evaluation of our cooperative intrusion detection system, we demonstrate that it achieves a higher detection rate (93%) than state of art solutions (60%-73%).
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND CITIZEN EVALUATION IN DISASTER RECOVERY

In April 1997, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota, experienced a disastrous flood. Both cities have been textbook examples of success according to the Federal Emergency Mana...
The effect of pacing of experimental stimuli on observed functional MRI activity.

Neuroimaging activation studies typically observe signals during two or more periods of differing cognitive activity which are then analyzed by a subtraction to test for localized neuroanatomical dissociations between cognitive tasks. Significant activity found between task conditions is frequently assumed to reflect a novel cognitive process present in one task and not the other. We present a conceptual framework that considers the neural mechanisms underlying such observed neuroimaging changes. We propose that neuroimaging experiments which present stimuli at a fixed pace (where each trial takes the same amount of time) will be sensitive to changes in both duration and intensity of neural processing. In contrast, the signal observed during a self-paced design is derived from neural processing averaged over the reaction time and hence could be less sensitive to differences in duration of neural processing. As an empirical demonstration of these ideas, we studied normal subjects using echoplanar functional MRI during two visuospatial tasks (matching of either ROTATED or NONROTATED stimuli) performed using FIXED and SELF-PACED designs. In both pacing designs, reaction times were greater in the ROTATED than NONROTATED task, interpreted as a greater duration of neural processing during the ROTATED compared to the NONROTATED task. In the FIXED-PACED design, significantly greater signal was present within a parieto-occipital cortical region during the ROTATED task compared to the NONROTATED task. This difference was not observed during the SELF-PACED design. This result illustrates the importance of considering trial pacing in the interpretation of functional neuroimaging activation studies.
Campylobacter jejuni FlpA Binds Fibronectin and Is Required for Maximal Host Cell Adherence

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most frequent bacterial causes of food-borne gastrointestinal disease in developed countries. Previous work indicates that the binding of C. jejuni to human intestinal cells is crucial for host colonization and disease. Fibronectin (Fn), a major constituent of the extracellular matrix, is a approximately 250-kDa glycoprotein present at regions of cell-to-cell contact in the intestinal epithelium. Fn is composed of three types of repeating units: type I (approximately 45 amino acids), type II (approximately 60 amino acids), and type III (approximately 90 amino acids). The deduced amino acid sequence of C. jejuni flpA (Cj1279c) contains at least three Fn type III domains. Based on the presence of the Fn type III domains, we hypothesized that FlpA contributes to the binding of C. jejuni to human INT 407 epithelial cells and Fn. We assessed the contribution of FlpA in C. jejuni binding to host cells by in vitro adherence assays with a C. jejuni wild-type strain and a C. jejuni flpA mutant and binding of purified FlpA protein to Fn by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adherence assays revealed the binding of the C. jejuni flpA mutant to INT 407 epithelial cells was significantly reduced compared with that for a wild-type strain. In addition, rabbit polyclonal serum generated against FlpA blocked C. jejuni adherence to INT 407 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Binding of FlpA to Fn was found to be dose dependent and saturable by ELISA, demonstrating the specificity of the interaction. Based on these data, we conclude that FlpA mediates C. jejuni attachment to host epithelial cells via Fn binding.
Sample size formulae for the Bayesian continual reassessment method

BackgroundIn the planning of a dose finding study, a primary design objective is to maintain high accuracy in terms of the probability of selecting the maximum tolerated dose. While numerous dose finding methods have been proposed in the literature, concrete guidance on sample size determination is lacking.PurposeWith a motivation to provide quick and easy calculations during trial planning, we present closed form formulae for sample size determination associated with the use of the Bayesian continual reassessment method (CRM).MethodsWe examine the sampling distribution of a nonparametric optimal design and exploit it as a proxy to empirically derive an accuracy index of the CRM using linear regression.ResultsWe apply the formulae to determine the sample size of a phase I trial of PTEN-long in pancreatic cancer patients and demonstrate that the formulae give results very similar to simulation. The formulae are implemented by an R function ‘getn’ in the package ‘dfcrm’.LimitationsThe results are developed ...
Wave-oriented data processing for frequency- and time-domain scattering by nonuniform truncated arrays

Understanding observable-based observables (OBP) phenomenology should make it possible to link observables, extracted from measured or computed data, to the wave mechanisms from which they originated, aiding in data inversion: we have referred to such a scenario as wave-oriented data processing. Thus, in wave-oriented data processing, one first parameterizes the forward problem in terms of a concise set of observables (forward problem), and then signal-processing algorithms are developed to extract these observables from data (inverse problem). To close the loop, we must show that the data processing algorithms extract wave phenomenology which is consistent with the forward OBP. The authors describe the forward and inverse phases of this strategy in greater detail. A general strategy is then implemented for a very specific scattering problem: frequency-domain (FD) and time domain (TD) scattering from periodic and weakly aperiodic arrays. That scattering problem is described and the results of their previous forward modeling are summarized. The remainder of the article emphasizes inverse, wave-oriented data processing. Processing options for phase-space processing are summarized,and the results for FD and TD scattering are presented. >
Transient constrictive pericarditis: causes and natural history.

Abstract Objectives This study was designed to elucidate the causes and natural history of transient constrictive pericarditis (CP). Background In some patients with acute CP, the symptoms and constrictive physiologic features resolve with medical therapy alone, a phenomenon that has been labeled “transient constrictive pericarditis.” No large studies have examined the causes or natural history of transient CP. Methods Review of the Mayo Clinic echocardiogram database identified 212 patients who had echocardiographic findings of CP from 1988 through 1999. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic findings were identified in all patients. In 36 of these patients, follow-up echocardiograms showed resolution of the constrictive hemodynamics without pericardiectomy. Results The average age of the patients was 49 ± 21 years, and 72% were men. The causes for the CP were diverse, the most common being prior cardiovascular surgery (25%). In a subset of 22 patients who were followed serially during the course of their illness, resolution of the constrictive physiologic features occurred at an average of 8.3 weeks after diagnosis. Conclusions A subset of patients with CP experience resolution of the disorder without requiring pericardiectomy.
Atheromas of the Thoracic Aorta: A Comparison of Transesophageal Echocardiography and Breath-Hold Gadolinium-Enhanced 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Abstract Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been the procedure of choice for identifying thoracic aortic atheromas. All patients over a 2-year period who underwent both TEE and magnetic resonance angiography of the thoracic aorta within 1 month were identified. The largest plaque in 3 aortic segments (ascending, arch, and descending) was measured. Thirty patients (16 men; 66.8 ± 12.9 years) were studied. The mean size of the atheromas in the arch was larger as measured by TEE compared with magnetic resonance angiography (3.4 vs 1.4 mm, P = .01). However, the mean atheroma size was similar in the ascending aorta (1.9 vs 1.3 mm, P = .5) and descending aorta (3.9 vs 3.5 mm, P = .66). Of 24 aortic segments with plaques measuring ≥5 mm (with high embolic risk), 22 (92%) were seen on TEE and only 13 (54%) on magnetic resonance angiography ( P = .003). In conclusion, although both techniques are complementary, TEE does identify more high-risk plaques. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1999;12:853-8.)
γ-Diketone Axonopathy: Analyses of Cytoskeletal Motors and Highways in CNS Myelinated Axons

2,5-Hexanedione (HD) intoxication is associated with axon atrophy that might be responsible for the characteristic gait abnormalities, hindlimb skeletal muscle weakness and other neurological deficits that accompany neurotoxicity. Although previous mechanistic research focused on neurofilament triplet proteins (NFL, NFM, NFH), other cytoskeletal targets are possible. Therefore, to identify potential non-NF protein targets, we characterized the effects of HD on protein-protein interactions in cosedimentation assays using microtubules and NFs prepared from spinal cord of rats intoxicated at different daily dose rates (175 and 400 mg/kg/day). Results indicate that HD did not alter the presence of alpha- or beta-tubulins in these preparations, nor were changes noted in the distribution of either anterograde (KIF1A, KIF3, KIF5) or retrograde (dynein) molecular motors. The cosedimentation of dynactin, a dynein-associated protein, also was not affected. Immunoblot analysis of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in microtubule preparations revealed substantial reductions (45-80%) in MAP1A, MAP1B heavy chain, MAP2, and tau regardless of HD dose rate. MAP1B light chain content was not altered. Finally, HD intoxication did not influence native NF protein content in either preparation. As per previous research, microtubule and NF preparations were enriched in high-molecular weight NF species. However, these NF derivatives were common to both HD and control samples, suggesting a lack of pathognomonic relevance. These data indicate that, although motor proteins were not affected, HD selectively impaired MAP-microtubule binding, presumably through adduction of lysine residues that mediate such interactions. Given their critical role in cytoskeletal physiology, MAPs could represent a relevant target for the induction of gamma-diketone axonopathy.
NF-kB activation in human JEG3 trophoblast cells and murine placental fibroblasts after exposure to ultrafine particulate matter

disease. Hazard rates (risk) of SB were calculated for each week of gestation. RESULTS: Women R40 y had a significantly increased risk of SB across all gestational ages, which was greatest at R37 weeks (Figure). Women in the 3539 y group had an increased risk of SB only at R37 weeks, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.25 (95% CI = 1.17, 1.33) compared to women !35 y. The risk of SB for women R40 y at R37 weeks was approximately 1 in 450 ongoing pregnancies, RR being 1.83 fold greater (95% CI = 1.61, 2.05) when compared to women !35 y. 85% of the excess risk of SB for women R40 y at R37 weeks was not directly related to maternal medical disease.
Are Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Protected from Thrombophlebitis and Pulmonary Embolism

To study the incidence of deep venous thrombophlebitis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), charts of 228 subjects with multiple sclerosis who constituted 1986 hospital admissions to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center were reviewed, covering a 3½-year period. The records were investigated for any other hospitalization for deep venous thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism. No case of pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombophlebitis was found. There were over 57,416 non-MS-related admissions during the same interval. Among these patients there were 175 with PE and 258 with DVT. The presence of lower extremity spastic disease may have prevented clotting. This statistically low incidence of thromboembolic events in MS is less than expected, and further studies are warranted.
Comparison of combined preemption and queuing schemes for admission control in a cellular emergency network

Preemption is a possible way to ensure emergency traffic's priority in wireless network. But a pure preemption policy can be especially harsh to low priority calls. A way to improve this is introducing a queuing mechanism, which means putting preempted calls into a queue so that they can resume when channels become available, as long as they do not give up due to waiting too long in the queue. Also, we bring out a single preemption scheme, to avoid calls being preempted multiple times. The analytical results for performance analysis of these methods are given, and based on them the performance of different schemes are evaluated and compared
eFlowMining: An Exception-Flow Analysis Tool for .NET Applications

In this paper, we present a exception-flow analysis tool, called eFlow Mining, that automates the process of gathering and visualizing exception-handling constructs in multi-programming languages. More specifically, the current version of eFlow Mining focuses on code written using the. NET framework to help developers in inspecting applications either to improve them or to understand their exception handling behavior. eFlow Mining extracts metrics and information about the exception flows in. NET applications, providing different views of the exception handling. For instance, an Evolution View allows developers to visualize the behavior of multiple metrics over the application history. Use of this tool on five. NET applications demonstrates that the tool can be helpful to support developers building and evolving applications with appropriate error-handling strategies.
Natural variation in the C-repeat binding factor cold response pathway correlates with local adaptation of Arabidopsis ecotypes.

Summary The natural range of Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) encompasses geographical regions that have greatly differing local climates, including harshness of winter temperatures. A question thus raised is whether differences in freezing tolerance might contribute to local adaptation in Arabidopsis. Consistent with this possibility is that Arabidopsis accessions differ in freezing tolerance and that those collected from colder northern latitudes are generally more tolerant to freezing than those collected from warmer southern latitudes. Moreover, recent studies with Arabidopsis genotypes collected from sites in Sweden (SW) and Italy (IT) have established that the two accessions are locally adapted, that the SW ecotype is more tolerant of freezing than the IT ecotype, and that genetic differences between the two ecotypes that condition local adaptation and freezing tolerance map to a region that includes the C-repeat binding factor (CBF) locus. The CBF locus includes three genes – CBF1, CBF2 and CBF3 – that are induced by low temperature and encode transcription factors that regulate a group of more than 100 genes, the CBF regulon, which impart freezing tolerance. Here we show that cold induction of most CBF regulon genes is lower in IT plants compared with SW plants, and that this is due to the IT CBF2 gene encoding a non-functional CBF2 protein. The non-functional IT CBF2 protein also contributes to the lower freezing tolerance of the IT plants compared with the SW plants. Taken together, studies on the SW and IT ecotypes provide evidence that natural variation in the CBF pathway has contributed to adaptive evolution in these Arabidopsis populations.