cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of helium flux on near-surface helium accumulation in plasma-exposed tungsten.

We report results of object kinetic Monte Carlo (OKMC) simulations to understand the effect of helium flux on the near-surface helium accumulation in plasma-facing tungsten, which is initially pristine, defect-free, and has a (100) surface orientation. These OKMC simulations are performed at 933 K for fluxes ranging from 1022to 4 × 1025He/m2 s with 100 eV helium atoms impinging on a (100) surface up to a maximum fluence of 4 × 1019He/m2. In the near-surface region, helium clusters interact elastically with the free surface. The interaction is attractive and results in the drift of mobile helium clusters towards the surface as well as increased trap mutation rates. The associated kinetics and energetics of the above-mentioned processes obtained from molecular dynamics simulations are also considered. The OKMC simulations indicate that in pristine tungsten, as the flux decreases, the retention of implanted helium decreases, and its depth distribution shifts to deeper below the surface. Furthermore, the fraction of retained helium diffusing into the bulk increases as well, so much so that for the flux of 1022He/m2 s, almost all of the retained helium diffused into the bulk with minimal/negligible near-surface helium accumulation. At a given flux, with increasing fluence, the fraction of retained helium initially decreases and then starts to increase after reaching a minimum. The occurrence of the retention minimum shifts to higher fluences as the flux decreases. Although the near-surface helium accumulation spreads deeper into the material with decreasing flux and increasing fluence, the spread appears to saturate at depths between 80 and 100 nm. We present a detailed analysis of the influence of helium flux on the size and depth distribution of total helium and helium bubbles.
Peer-delivered services and peer support reaching people with schizophrenia: A scoping review

Peers with shared lived experience may help people with schizophrenia (PWS) recover in many ways, such as by assisting them to cope with debilitating symptoms, address practical challenges of livin...
Interleukin-35: Structure, Function and Its Impact on Immune-Related Diseases.

The balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune responses is maintained through immunoregulatory cell populations and immunosuppressive cytokines. Interleukin-35 (IL-35), an inhibitor...
Effect of processing and formulation on water migration through lipids

Moisture migration through multi-compartment foods negatively affects product quality and safety. The effect of processing condition, crystallization temperature, emulsifier, solid particle, and storage conditions on vapor migration through lipid moisture barrier were studied. Palm oil and palm oil blends were structured under laminar shear applications and static conditions. Gravimetric experiment was conducted by sealing uniform-sized lipid disks over plastic cups containing known relative humidity (RH), then put into desiccators containing a different known RH. For pure palm oil, lipid barriers formed under laminar shear gave lower water vapor permeability compared to barriers formed under static condition. The addition of emulsifier into the fat system agreed with this result, showing similar trend with sheared samples having lower moisture permeability. Interestingly, when solid particle (cocoa powder) was introduced into palm oil, the opposite trend was observed. These results suggest that media formulation in combination with processing conditions affect moisture barrier properties differently. It is suggested that solid fat content, crystal polymorphism, and crystal size and agglomeration be analyzed to identify potential cause(s) of the difference. Using more accurate and specific measurement methods such as magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful. It also would be of interest to look further into the role of formulation in functionality in future studies. Key word: lipid structure, moisture migration, laminar shear, water vapor permeability.
Typed Dependency Relations for Syntactic Analysis of Thai Sentences

This paper describes a preliminary effort in identifying many different types of relations among words in Thai sentences based on dependency grammar. The relation is represented as a triple containing the pair of words and their relation. So far, the current representation contains 35 grammatical relations. The dependencies are all binary relations. That is, a grammatical relation holds between a governor and a dependent. The analysis makes use of the Thai "Orchid" corpus part-of-speech tags and the Stanford typed dependencies definitions.
SU-C-210-06: Quantitative Evaluation of Dosimetric Effects Resulting From Positional Variations of Pancreatic Tumor Volumes

Purpose: The aim of this study is to quantify dosimetric effects resulting from variation in pancreatic tumor position assessed by bony anatomy and implanted fiducial markers Methods: Twelve pancreatic cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed for this study. All patients received modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment using fiducial-based Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) to the intact pancreas. Using daily orthogonal kV and/or Cone beam CT images, the shift needed to co-register the daily pre-treatment images to reference CT from fiducial to bone (Fid-Bone) were recorded as Left-Right (LR), Anterior-Posterior (AP) and Superior-Inferior (SI). The original VMAT plan iso-center was shifted based on KV bone matching positions at 5 evenly spaced fractions. Dose coverage of the planning target volumes (PTVs) (V100%), mean dose to liver, kidney and stomach/duodenum were assessed in the modified plans. Results: A total of 306 fractions were analyzed. The absolute fiducial-bone positional shifts were greatest in the SI direction, (AP = 2.7 ± 3.0, LR = 2.8 ± 2.8, and SI 6.3 ± 7.9 mm, mean ± SD). The V100% was significantly reduced by 13.5%, (Fid-Bone = 95.3 ± 2.0 vs. 82.3 ± 11.8%, p=0.02). This varied widely among patients (Fid-Bone V100% Range = 2–60%), where 33% ofmore » patients had a reduction in V100% of more than 10%. The impact on OARs was greatest to the liver (Fid-Bone= 14.6 vs. 16.1 Gy, 10%), and stomach, (Fid-Bone = 23.9 vx. 25.5 Gy, 7%), however was not statistically significant (p=0.10 both). Conclusion: Compared to matching by fiducial markers, matching by bony anatomy would have substantially reduced the PTV coverage by 13.5%. This reinforces the importance of online position verification based on fiducial markers. Hence, implantation of fiducial markers is strongly recommended for pancreatic cancer patients undergoing intensity modulated radiation therapy treatments.« less
Modulation of FOXD3 activity in human embryonic stem cells directs pluripotency and paraxial mesoderm fates.

Transcription factor Foxd3 has been described in model systems as a key member of the pluripotency network in mice as well as being involved in the formation of many critical vertebrate cell types in vivo. Yet virtually nothing is known about roles of FOXD3 in human development and conflicting reports exist regarding its expression in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We find that FOXD3 is expressed at both the RNA and protein levels in undifferentiated hESCs and report a Foxd3 expression domain in paraxial mesoderm derivatives of wild-type mouse embryos. Furthermore, increasing FOXD3 activity in hESCs is sufficient for rapid and specific generation of mesenchymal cell types of the paraxial mesoderm, even under pluripotency maintenance conditions. Gene expression diagnostic of chondroblasts, skeletal myoblasts, osteoblasts, and adipoblast is observed within 48 hours of FOXD3 induction, as are morphological and genetic hallmarks of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. FOXD3-overexpressing cells can be maintained for several passages, while downregulation of the transgene leads to further differentiation. Loss-of-function also leads to differentiation, toward endoderm and mesoderm. Taken together, these data indicate that a balance of FOXD3 activity is required to maintain pluripotency. STEM Cells2012;30:2188–2198
Mis)Understanding Abortion Regret

The debate about abortion regret rests on competing assumptions about women's attachment to pregnancy. Antiabortion claimants argue women always attach to pregnancy (inevitably regretting abortion), while abortion rights supporters counter that women do not attach to pregnancies they choose to terminate (feeling relief instead). Neither assumption explains women's experience; research shows that attachment is discursively produced. Using interview data from 21 women, this study moves past these political claims to empirically identify three sources of women's emotional difficulty around abortion: social disapproval, romantic relationship loss, and head versus heart conflict. Findings point to the importance of attention to women's lived experience and space for complex feelings around abortion.
Generalized Identity Based and Broadcast Encryption Schemes

We provide a general framework for constructing identity-based and broadcast encryption systems. In particular, we construct a general encryption system called spatial encryption from which many systems with a variety of properties follow. The ciphertext size in all these systems is independent of the number of users involved and is just three group elements. Private key size grows with the complexity of the system. One application of these results gives the first broadcast HIBE system with short ciphertexts. Broadcast HIBE solves a natural problem having to do with identity-based encrypted email.
READERS' INTERPRETATIONS OF AIDS STORIES IN THE PRESS: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AND SOCIAL POLICY

Reactions of college students to stories about AIDS appearing in the British press were analyzed in this exploratory study. Readers' responses appeared to be based on anegotiation process between the intent ofthe message sender (the reporter), message content (the text), readers' purpose, and the larger social context (newspaperpolicy, role ofthe media and norms ofthe society). The readers seem to operate within structural and institutional constraints and exhibit selective attention and interpretative biases. Communication ofinformation about HIV infection via the press viewed as ongoing social activity filtered through, and integrated into, the receivers' daily experiences and frames ofreference needs to be investigated further.
Reconstitution of Succinate-Coenzyme Q Reductase (Complex II) and Succinate Oxidase Activities by a Highly Purified, Reactivated Succinate Dehydrogenase

Abstract Succinate dehydrogenase has been isolated in a highly purified form from succinate-coenzyme Q reductase preparations. The enzyme contains 1 mole of covalently bound flavin, 8 g atoms of iron, and 8 moles of acid-labile sulfide per 150,000 g of protein. It catalyzes succinate oxidation in the presence of phenazine methosulfate as electron acceptor at a rate of 26 to 32 µmoles per min x mg of protein (Vpmsmax ≃ 37). The succinate dehydrogenase thus prepared does not couple to the electron transport system, but it can be made to do so after treatment with Na2S, ferrous ions, and mercaptoethanol. Thus, both the succinate-coenzyme Q reductase and the succinoxidase systems have been reconstituted by combining the reactivated succinate dehydrogenase with appropriate segments of the respiratory chain. These results permit a better understanding of the composition and the electron transfer pathway of the mitochondrial respiratory chain from succinate to coenzyme Q.
A Messenger Like Me: The Effect of Average Spokespeople in Campaign Advertising

Theories of persuasion in political communication have frequently identified the credibility of the messenger as an important factor in determining the influence of a given message. The majority of research in this area, however, focuses on the influence of elite messengers (e.g., party spokespeople or other experts) who through the provision of cues or endorsements give citizens information that aids decision-making without the need to draw on more detailed knowledge. Despite this focus, campaign advertisements frequently feature non-elite messengers as the favored vehicle for conveying a candidate’s message. Yet little is known about the usage and influence of such messengers. Drawing on a comprehensive database of political advertising from the Wesleyan Media Project, our own original coding of almost 300 ads and a new large-scale survey data set assessing the effectiveness and credibility of the 2012 ads, we explore the prominence of such messengers and their effectiveness compared to other types of elite messengers. We demonstrate that using ordinary spokespeople (i.e., “Average Jo(e)” messengers) is a common tactic, particularly in negative campaign ads, and that their use is associated with higher credibility scores than ads without them even after controlling for partisanship and political sophistication.
Combined parenchymal and vascular imaging: High spatiotemporal resolution arterial evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose To assess the ability of high-resolution arterial phase imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to provide combined vascular characterization and parenchymal evaluation. Materials and Methods Thirty-eight consecutive studies in cirrhotic patients with HCC scanned with a view-shared 2-point-Dixon-based Differential Subsampling with Cartesian Ordering (DISCO) sequence were analyzed. Lesion contrast relative to precontrast and adjacent parenchyma was evaluated and compared using a Fisher's exact test. Visibility of hepatic arteries and tumor feeding vessels were graded on a 5-point scale. Catheter angiography was used as a reference standard for arterial anatomy. Results The high spatiotemporal multiphasic acquisition allowed imaging of both the angiographic and late arterial phase in 30 of 38 studies with good image quality. Maximal lesion enhancement compared to precontrast occurred more frequently during the late arterial phase compared to maximal lesion-to-adjacent, which occurred more frequently during the early arterial phase (P < 0.001). Common and proper hepatic arteries were visualized adequately in 100%, right hepatic artery in 94–97%, left hepatic artery in 94%, and segmental vessel in 83% of cases. Arterial variants were detected with sensitivity of 87–100% and specificity of 100%. Conclusion High spatiotemporal resolution arterial phase imaging provides multiple angiographic and arterial phases in a single breath-hold, enabling accurate depiction of vascular anatomy while maintain optimal arterial phase imaging for characterization of focal lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015.
Recent Developments in Low-Density Parity-Check Codes

In this paper we prove two results related to low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. The first is to show that the generating function attached to the pseudo-codewords of an LDPC code is a rational function, answering a question raised in [6]. The combinatorial information of its numerator and denominator is also discussed. The second concerns an infinite family of q -regular bipartite graphs with large girth constructed in [8]. The LDPC codes based on these graphs have attracted much attention. We show that the first few of these graphs are Ramanujan graphs.
The Immigrant, Refugee, or Internationally Adopted Child

1. Jerri Ann Jenista, MD* 1. 2. *Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI. Objectives After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the variety of backgrounds of immigrant children. 2. Delineate which groups of immigrant children have high rates of unaddressed health issues. 3. List the major health-care issues for immigrant children. 4. Characterize the screening that should be performed at the point of immigration for children. 5. Characterize medical, social, and mental health issues that are prevalent and frequently poorly addressed in this patient population. As never before, the United States is becoming a population of immigrants. In the year 2000, more than 28 million persons born in other countries were resident in the United States, a 43% increase during the decade of the 1990s. Over the same period, immigrants and children born to immigrants accounted for 70% of the population growth. Immigrant health is a complex topic. Not only do many immigrant children arrive with multiple unaddressed health issues, but there is evidence that the health of some immigrant children actually declines after living in the United States. Becoming an immigrant is never easy. Although our emphasis is on the health-care needs of this diverse population, the most important long-term issues may be those of identity and acculturation. As one immigrant author so eloquently notes, “We have to live these half-lives of people who cannot forget what they used to be and who are afraid of being addressed in a foreign language, no longer able to utter anything meaningful.” (Hemon A. The Question of Bruno . London, England: Picador; 2000) Immigrant children are a diverse group and are encountered in every pediatric practice (Table 1⇓). By far, the largest category is the temporary visitor. More than 3 million children, 0 to 19 years of age, arrive each year to the United States, usually accompanying their parents, who are visitors, temporary workers, …
Molecular analysis of a region of the group B streptococcus chromosome involved in type III capsule expression.

Abstract Type III group B streptococci (GBS) are the most common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis in the United States. The important role of the type III polysaccharide capsule and of the terminal sialic acid moiety of the capsule in the virulence of GBS has been demonstrated by using Tn916 mutagenesis. Several of the transposon insertion sites that resulted in defective type III capsule synthesis were located in a 30-kilobase (kb) region of the chromosome. Hybridization analysis of two other type III strains that differed in their relative virulence and of GBS serotypes Ia, Ib, Ic, and II showed that this region of the chromosome was highly conserved. A repetitive 1.4-kb sequence was found only in the 30-kb region of the more virulent type III strain, COH 1. The Escherichia coli maxicell in vivo expression system and an in vitro coupled transcription-translation system successfully identified the proteins expressed from the 30-kb region. Comparison of the proteins expressed from the same DNA fragments in these two assays indicated that some of these proteins may contain leader sequences that would ultimately result in their secretion to the cell surface. Identification and further characterization of the genes and their products will provide the foundation for understanding the genetic and biochemical events in GBS capsular polysaccharide production.
An adaptive UWB modulation scheme for optimization of energy, BER, and data rate

For many networks, different types of data require various QoS (quality of service) constraints such as bit error rate (BER), data rate, or energy dissipation. High data rate, low power dissipation, and simple RF circuitry make ultra wideband (UWB) an attractive technology to meet many QoS requirements. Typical UWB systems are built to meet QoS constraints even under the worst environmental conditions, although the worst environmental conditions occur infrequently. To prevent this waste of resources, we propose a UWB physical layer that adapts its modulation scheme to meet QoS requirements efficiently. The system employs m-ary PPM and adapts its pulse repetition interval (PRI) and/or the number of bits per symbol (log/sub 2/m). Compared to a non-adaptive system, the adaptive system can improve BER up to 50%, energy by 60%, or data rate by 260%.
Erratum: Effect of neutron and gamma irradiation on the low-frequency noise in GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t.s

Low-frequency noise in GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t.s has been measured from 2 kHz to 1.5 MHz as a function of fast neutron fluence and gamma dose. From 5 × 1013 to 8 × 1014 n/cm2, the noise increases appreciably, with the noise enhancement from 2 to 10 kHz attributed to generation-recombination noise in the gate depletion layer and from 500 kHz to 1.5 MHz to channel trapping effects. There was comparably little change with gamma irradiation up to doses above 107 rad (Si).
Sequentially additive graphs

The concept of a simply sequentially additive graph is introduced as follows. A graph G with |V(G)|+|E(G)|=M is said to be simply sequentially additive if there is a bijection f:V(G)@?E(G)->{;1,2,...,M}; such that for each x = (u, @n) in E(G), f(x) = f(u) + f(@n). Various aspects of finding such numberinga or showing that none exist are discussed.
Elastic deformation of mineralized collagen fibrils: An equivalent inclusion based composite model

Mineralized collagen fibrils are the basic building blocks of bone tissue at the supramolecular level. Several disease states, manipulation of the expression of specific proteins involved in biomineralization, and treatment with different agents alter the extent of mineralization as well as the morphology of mineral crystals which in turn affect the mechanical function of bone tissue. An experimental assessment of mineralized fibers' mechanical properties is challenged by their small size, leaving analytical and computational models as a viable alternative for investigation of the fibril-level mechanical properties. In the current study the variation of the elastic stiffness tensor of mineralized collagen fibrils with changing mineral volume fraction and mineral aspect ratios was predicted via a micromechanical model. The partitioning of applied stresses between mineral and collagen phases is also predicted for normal and shear loading of fibrils. Model predictions resulted in transversely isotropic collagen fibrils in which the modulus along the longer axis of the fibril was the greatest. All the elastic moduli increased with increasing mineral volume fraction whereas Poisson's ratios decreased with the exception of v 1 2 (=v 2 1 ). The partitioning of applied stresses were such that the stresses acting on mineral crystals were about 1.5, 15, and 3 times greater than collagen stresses when fibrils were loaded transversely, longitudinally, and in shear, respectively. In the overall the predictions were such that: (a) greatest modulus along longer axis; (b) the greatest mineral/collagen stress ratio along the longer axis of collagen fibers (i.e., greatest relief of stresses acting on collagen); and (c) minimal lateral contraction when fibers are loaded along the longer axis. Overall, the pattern of mineralization as put forth in this model predicts a superior mechanical function along the longer axis of collagen fibers, the direction which is more likely to experience greater stresses.
POLYMERISM, POLYMORPHISM, AND IMPURITIES IN BENCE-JONES PROTEINS.

Abstract The heterogeneity exhibited by Bence-Jones proteins in starch gel electrophoresis was found to be due to contamination with other proteins of diverse origins and to the presence of polymeric and polymorphic forms of Bence-Jones proteins. Isolation of purified major components of four Bence-Jones proteins was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Minor components were isolated by these means and were found to account for the three types of heterogeneity described. The Characteristic of dissolution at high temperatures, long considered a specific property of Bence-Jones proteins, was found to be shared by other proteins when the temperature range was extended above 100°.
The distribution of α‐bungarotoxin binding sites on mammalian skeletal muscle developing in vivo

1. The distribution of α-bungarotoxin binding sites on embryonic and neonatal rat skeletal muscle fibres was determined by autoradiography. Most of the bungarotoxin binding could be inhibited by curare. This observation, together with the spatial distribution of toxin-binding sites, indicates that the distribution of bound toxin reflects that of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors on these developing muscle cells. 2. At 15 days of embryogenesis, muscle fibres showed an essentially uniform distribution of receptors. By 16 days, many fibres showed an accumulation of receptors in their mid-region. This accumulation was at the same location as histochemically demonstrated cholinesterase activity. 3. At 16 days ACh receptors were distributed over the entire length of the fibres, with a gradient of increasing density as the accumulation was appoached. The density of toxin binding sites in the accumulation was greater than the general level on 15 day cells, suggesting that the high junctional density does not develop solely by the loss of extrajunctional receptors. 4. The accumulations of ACh receptors became more pronounced and circumscribed with embryonic development, and after birth the extent of the localizations appeared to follow the size of the neuromuscular junction. The extrajunctional receptor density decreased with development, and by 1 week after birth was undetectable by the methods used. 5. The results suggest that the high junctional receptor density found on adult, innervated skeletal muscle fibres develops after the formation of the neuromuscular junction.
Monteverdi's ‘Mass of Thanksgiving’ revisited

A stimulating and wide-ranging article, the late Moore described the special relationship Venice cultivated with the Virgin in its liturgy, art and music. Moore brought numerous kinds of evidence to bear on his thesis about the Selva morale and additionally offered performance suggestions regarding the use of the trombe or trombe squarciate mentioned in two contemporaneous descriptions of the performance of the 'Mass of Thanksgiving'. The choir for the 'Mass of Thanksgiving' was somewhat larger than the normal choir of St Mark's. Moore reports that 14 extra singers were hired. Mass composition was not as rare an activity for Claudio Monteverdi as his two published Venetian Masses would suggest. In sum, Monteverdi's Selva morale contains a group of Mass compositions that have been linked through contemporaneous descriptions with the 'Mass of Thanksgiving' celebrating the official end •of the Venetian plague of 1630—31, although not without some difficulties of interpretation.
Silurian reef-dwelling pentamerid brachiopods, Wisconsin and Illinois, USA

Eight species of pentamerid brachiopods, assigned toApopentamerus, Capelliniella, Kirkidium, Lissocoelina, Rhipidium, Supertrilobus andStenopentamerus, occur in stromatoporoid-coral reefs of the Silurian (Wenlockian) Racine Formation, Wisconsin and Illinois, USA. One new taxon,Rhipidium kuglitschi n.sp., is described. In contrast to level-bottom communities, where single pentamerid species occur in great numbers over large areas, pentamerids were generally rare members of the Racine reef fauna, and most species have localized distributions. An increase in diversity from one pentamerid species in the north to six species in the south correlates with a southward increase in reef size. Four morphologic groups of pentamerid species differed in the shape of the mantle cavity, which suggests different dynamics of suspension-feeding. Where two or more species are present in single reefs, co-occurrence of these groups represents a partitioning of the pentamerid niche. The relatively high diversity, local distributions, and morphologic distinctions among the Racine pentamerid fauna represent an evolutionary radiation and functional specialization of pentamerids in Wenlock reefs.
Reliability and validity of the BTE-Primus grip tool

This study was designed to examine the reliability and validity of the newly designed grip tool of the Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment (BTE)-Primus and to investigate the effects of body position (sit versus stand), handedness, and fatigue on grip strength. The subjects performed maximal grip strength tests using the Jamar dynamometer and the BTE-Primus. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for test-retest reliability and criterion-related validity. A repeated measures analysis of covariance was conducted to reveal differences in grip strength between instruments, body positions, hands, and sessions. The BTE-Primus grip tool was found to be reliable (r = 0.97 to 0.98) and valid (r = 0.95 to 0.96). There were no significant differences in grip strength scores between the Jamar and the BTE-Primus or between sitting and standing. Grip strength scores of the right hand were significantly greater than those of the left hand, and grip strength scores in the first session were significantly greater than those in the second session. The results of this study indicate that clinicians can use the BTE-Primus grip attachment at the second handle setting and know that is reliable, valid, and comparable to the second-handle setting of the Jamar dynamometer.
An Analytical Solution to the MinimumLp-Norm of a Hyperplane☆

Abstract We consider in this paper the problem of determining the minimumLp-norm of a hyperplane inn-dimensional space. A subset of the hyperplane is identified first that contains the optimal solution. On this reduced feasible space, the sets of optimal solutions for all values ofp, 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞, are analytically derived. Several interesting mathematical properties of the optimal solution are presented. Forp, 1
The geometry of logconcave functions and sampling algorithms

The class of logconcave functions in Rn is a common generalization of Gaussians and of indicator functions of convex sets. Motivated by the problem of sampling from logconcave density functions, we study their geometry and introduce a technique for “smoothing” them out. These results are applied to analyze two efficient algorithms for sampling from a logconcave distribution in n dimensions, with no assumptions on the local smoothness of the density function. Both algorithms, the ball walk and the hit-and-run walk, use a random walk (Markov chain) to generate a random point. After appropriate preprocessing, they produce a point from approximately the right distribution in time Oa(n4) and in amortized time Oa(n3) if n or more sample points are needed (where the asterisk indicates that dependence on the error parameter and factors of log n are not shown). These bounds match previous bounds for the special case of sampling from the uniform distribution over a convex body.© 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2007 Part of this work was done while the second author was visiting Microsoft Research in Redmond, WA, and when the first author was visiting the Newton Institute in Cambridge, UK.
Monitoring and early warning for internet worms

After the Code Red incident in 2001 and the SQL Slammer in January 2003, it is clear that a simple self-propagating worm can quickly spread across the Internet, infects most vulnerable computers before people can take effective countermeasures. The fast spreading nature of worms calls for a worm monitoring and early warning system. In this paper, we propose effective algorithms for early detection of the presence of a worm and the corresponding monitoring system. Based on epidemic model and observation data from the monitoring system, by using the idea of "detecting the trend, not the rate" of monitored illegitimated scan traffic, we propose to use a Kalman filter to detect a worm's propagation at its early stage in real-time. In addition, we can effectively predict the overall vulnerable population size, and correct the bias in the observed number of infected hosts. Our simulation experiments for Code Red and SQL Slammer show that with observation data from a small fraction of IP addresses, we can detect the presence of a worm when it infects only 1% to 2% of the vulnerable computers on the Internet.
The role of topography in the transformation of spatiotemporal patterns by a large-scale, biologically realistic model of the rat dentate gyrus

A large-scale, biologically realistic, computational model of the rat hippocampus is being constructed to study the input-output transformation that the hippocampus performs. In the initial implementation, the layer II entorhinal cortex neurons, which provide the major input to the hippocampus, and the granule cells of the dentate gyrus, which receive the majority of the input, are modeled. In a previous work, the topography, or the wiring diagram, connecting these two populations had been derived and implemented. This paper explores the consequences of two features of the topography, the distribution of the axons and the size of the neurons' axon terminal fields. The topography converts streams of independently generated random Poisson trains into structured spatiotemporal patterns through spatiotemporal convergence achievable by overlapping axon terminal fields. Increasing the axon terminal field lengths allowed input to converge over larger regions of space resulting in granule activation across a greater area but did not increase the total activity as a function of time as the number of targets per input remained constant. Additional simulations demonstrated that the total distribution of spikes in space depends not on the distribution of the presynaptic axons but the distribution of the postsynaptic population. Analyzing spike counts emphasizes the importance of the postsynaptic distribution, but it ignores the fact that each individual input may be carrying unique information. Therefore, a metric should be created that relates and tracks individual inputs as they are propagated and integrated through hippocampus.
The micromorphology of zeiotic blebs in cultured human epithelial (HEp) cells

Abstract Cultured HEp cells undergoing interphase zeiosis have been observed by phase contrast and electron microscopy. Study of a selected cell by electron microscopy was facilitated by a method for identifying the chosen cell during phase contrast microscopy and the process of fixation and preparation for thin sectioning. The zeiotic bleb apparently begins as a localized weakening of the cell membrane followed by extrusion of cytoplasm and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Morphological evidence indicates that retraction of the bleb begins with alterations of the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum which is accompanied by a change of the surrounding cytoplasm to the sol state. The membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum disappears leaving an aggregation of what appears to be polysomes in a pool of electron transparent matrix enclosed by a ring of denser cytoplasmic matrix and the cell membrane.
Ecofeminism and sustainable HCI

HCI's engagement with issues of sustainability has progressively increased over the recent years. Despite this, important aspects of ecological issues such as the socio-cultural and political remain largely unengaged with. My dissertation research outlined here is an attempt to contribute towards addressing such a gap, along with others in the field. My work remains inspired by ecofeminist philosophy, strives towards action-oriented praxis, and focuses on critical notions of social equity, identity, and agency with respect to the design and use of technological interventions to solve ecological issues within HCI.
Generic architecture for professional authoring environments to export XML-based formats

Professional authoring environments are used by Graphic Artists (GA) during the design phase of any publication type. With the increasing demand for supporting Variable Data Print (VDP) designs, these authoring environments require enhanced capabilities. The recurring challenge is to provide flexible VDP features that can be represented using several VDP enabling XML based formats. Considering the different internal structure of the authoring environments, a common platform needs to be developed. The solution must, at the same time, empower the GA with a rich VDP feature set, as well as, generating a range of output formats that drive their respective VDP workflows. We have designed a common architecture to collect the required data from the hosting application and a generic internal representation that enables multiple XML output formats.
Effect of Walker 256 tumor or turpentine on hemostatic factors locally and generally in rats

Abstract Injection of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma subcutaneously into rats led to an immediate hyperfibrinogenemia followed in a few days by thrombocytosis. Other coagulations factors were only modestly affected. Associated with the early growth of the tumor was a marked accumulation of 125 I from labeled fibrinogen and 51 Cr from labeled platelets in the tumor. These changes were closely approximated by injection of turpentine intramuscularly into rats.
Network Topology and Locational Market Power

This paper studies the effect of network topology and production constraints on the locational market power of generators. A market power spectrum is considered where one end has infinitely large production capacity but the usual network constraints while the other end has infinitely large network capacity but the usual production constraints. First, we analyze the locational market power function mathematically. Then, we use a real world example of the Portland, Oregon electrical market and determine its position on the market power spectrum. We find the Portland market to be primarily production constrained rather than network constrained. We also identify the local and global threshold generation capacities for each generator beyond which it cannot influence the individual and total locational market power, respectively. This study facilitates the understanding of the economic and physical determinants of locational market power. It can help regulators make informed decisions when it comes to the choice of enhancing the physical infrastructure, or adding more generation capacity to the market.
Effects of a protecting osmolyte on the ion atmosphere surrounding DNA duplexes.

Osmolytes are small, chemically diverse, organic solutes that function as an essential component of cellular stress response. Protecting osmolytes enhance protein stability via preferential exclusion, and nonprotecting osmolytes, such as urea, destabilize protein structures. Although much is known about osmolyte effects on proteins, less is understood about osmolyte effects on nucleic acids and their counterion atmospheres. Nonprotecting osmolytes destabilize nucleic acid structures, but effects of protecting osmolytes depend on numerous factors including the type of nucleic acid and the complexity of the functional fold. To begin quantifying protecting osmolyte effects on nucleic acid interactions, we used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques to monitor DNA duplexes in the presence of sucrose. This protecting osmolyte is a commonly used contrast matching agent in SAXS studies of protein–nucleic acid complexes; thus, it is important to characterize interaction changes induced by sucrose. Measure...
The effect of temporal factors on the maintenance of discriminated avoidance

The DAWE procedure of Hurwitz has characteristics of both free-operant and discriminated avoidance paradigms. Hooded rats, after acquiring DA WE were exposed to manipulations of the latter paradigm. These manipulations provided a constant response-shock interval, a controlling factor of free-operant avoidance. However, significant differences between treatments were found.
A magnetic suspension system with a large angular range

In order to explore and develop technology required for the magnetic suspension of objects over large ranges of orientation, a small‐scale laboratory system, the large‐angle magnetic suspension test fixture (LAMSTF) has been constructed at NASA Langley Research Center. This apparatus falls into the category of large‐gap, actively stabilized magnetic levitation systems. The hardware comprises five conventional electromagnets in a circular arrangement, each driven from a separate bipolar power amplifier. Electromagnet currents are commanded by a digital control system, implemented on a microcomputer, which in turn derives the position and attitude of the suspended element from an infrared optical system. The suspended element is a cylindrical, axially magnetized, permanent magnet core, within an aluminum tube. The element is ‘‘levitated’’ by repulsive forces, with its axis horizontal, 0.1 m above the top plane of the electromagnet conductor. The element is stabilized in five degrees‐of‐freedom, with rotatio...
The Runaway Weed: Costs and Failures of Phragmites australis Management in the USA

While public funding of invasive species management has increased substantially in the past decade, there have been few cross-institutional assessments of management programs. We assessed management of Phragmites australis, a problematic invader of coastal habitats, through a cross-institutional economic survey of 285 land managers from US public and private conservation organizations. We found that from 2005 to 2009, these organizations spent >$4.6 million per year on P. australis management, and that 94 % used herbicide to treat a total area of ∼80,000 ha. Despite these high expenditures, few organizations accomplished their management objectives. There was no relationship between resources invested in management and management success, and those organizations that endorsed a particular objective were no more likely to achieve it. Our results question the efficacy of current P. australis management strategies and call for future monitoring of biological management outcomes.
NEGATIVE VARIATIONS IN NITELLA PRODUCED BY CHLOROFORM AND BY POTASSIUM CHLORIDE

The results of applying chloroform and KCl to Nitella indicate that a negative variation may be started whenever it is possible to set up along the protoplasm a gradient of potential difference sufficiently steep to produce the necessary outward flow of current. Successive variations may thus be set up.
Hierarchical performance estimation in the statistical label fusion framework

Label fusion is a critical step in many image segmentation frameworks (e.g., multi-atlas segmentation) as it provides a mechanism for generalizing a collection of labeled examples into a single estimate of the underlying segmentation. In the multi-label case, typical label fusion algorithms treat all labels equally – fully neglecting the known, yet complex, anatomical relationships exhibited in the data. To address this problem, we propose a generalized statistical fusion framework using hierarchical models of rater performance. Building on the seminal work in statistical fusion, we reformulate the traditional rater performance model from a multi-tiered hierarchical perspective. The proposed approach provides a natural framework for leveraging known anatomical relationships and accurately modeling the types of errors that raters (or atlases) make within a hierarchically consistent formulation. Herein, the primary contributions of this manuscript are: (1) we provide a theoretical advancement to the statistical fusion framework that enables the simultaneous estimation of multiple (hierarchical) confusion matrices for each rater, (2) we highlight the amenability of the proposed hierarchical formulation to many of the state-of-the-art advancements to the statistical fusion framework, and (3) we demonstrate statistically significant improvement on both simulated and empirical data. Specifically, both theoretically and empirically, we show that the proposed hierarchical performance model provides substantial and significant accuracy benefits when applied to two disparate multi-atlas segmentation tasks: (1) 133 label whole-brain anatomy on structural MR, and (2) orbital anatomy on CT.
Foster children and the foster care system, Part II: Impact on the child.

Abstract These three programs represent efforts to solve some of the common clinical problems encountered in the care of foster children. Building on existing community resources, they create new services tailored to the specific needs of the individuals. Together, they form a continuum of services for foster and natural families; as children are identified in the Foster Care Clinic, they are referred for help to community service providers. Supporting visitation through the FRP can smooth the child's adjustment to placement and facilitate eventual return home or another permenant plan. The information from each program complements the other, and a rich and very valuable picture of the children which emerges can assist the agency and the court to make decisions based on assessments of the individual strengths and needs of the children and their families. The medical passport provides a critical link between the agency and physicians to ensure that the children receive the highest standard of health care possible.
Detection of two Zn-finger proteins of Xenopus laevis, TFIIIA, and p43, by probing western blots of ovary cytosol with 65Zn2+, 63Ni2+, or 109Cd2+.

Tow Zn-finger proteins, TFIIIA (a constituent of 7S RNP particles) and p43 (a constituent of 42S RNP particles), were detected in ovary extracts of juvenileXenopus laevis females by in vitro binding of radiolabeled divalent metals. Proteins fractionated by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) were transferred by Western blotting onto nitrocellulose membranes, probed with65Zn2+,63Ni2+, or109Cd2+, and visualized by autoradiography. Detection limits for TFIIIA were approx 0.07 μg/well by109Cd2+-probing, 0.13 μg/well by65Zn2+-probing, and 0.26 μ/well by63Ni2+-probing. Protein p43 was more clearly visualized by probing with63Ni2+ than with65Zn2+ or109Cd2+. After purified TFIIIA was cleaved with cyanogen bromide,65Zn2+,109Cd2+, and63Ni2+ distinctly labeled the 22 kDa middle fragment;65Zn2+ and109Cd2+ also labeled the 11 kDa N-terminal fragment, but didnot label the 13 kDa C-terminal fragment. These results are consistent with the notion that the radioligands were bound to finger-loop domains of TFIIIA, which occur in the middle and N-terminal fragments. Based on the abilities of nonradioactive metal ions to compete with65Zn2+ for binding to TFIIIA on Western blots, the relative affinities of the metals for TFIIIA were ranked as follows: Zn2+=Cu2+≥Hg2+>Cd2+>Co2+≥Ni2+. Even at a 1000-fold molar excess, Mn2+ did not compete with65Zn2+ for binding to TFIIIA. Probing Western blots with the radiolabeled metal ions greatly facilitates the detection, isolation, and quantitation of TFIIIA and p43.
Perception of Tonality in Short Melodies

The purpose of the study was to utilize information theory in quantifying the strength of tonality (TS) in short melodies, and to observe changes in TS values as a function of the melody length, contour, pitch structure, and condition under which the melodies were presented. The results indicated that for tonal melodies only, greater tonal strength is a function of high perception ability and the condition under which the subjects perceive the melodies. TS values for atonal melodies were unchanged as functions of perception ability and the other experimental variables. It was concluded that perception of tonality in melodies is a learned phenomenon, and that information theory is a viable measurement technique.