cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimization of aliasing artifacts during partial subband reconstruction with Wiener filters

Separable subband coding is an increasingly popular method of image compression. This technique divides an image into spatial frequency bands by convolving it with one-dimensional low- and high-pass filters and then decimating the results. Reconstruction is performed by interpolating the subbands using a mathematically related set of filters. Since the analysis filters are not ideal, their spectral overlap results in aliasing from the subsampling step. However, certain restrictions can be made on the form of the analysis and synthesis filters which will cancel the aliasing when the images are reconstructed. Filter banks so designed are said to have the perfect reconstruction property. This property is lost when not all the subbands are used in the reconstruction process. Sometimes, lack of channel bandwidth or decoder processing power makes it necessary to discard some of the higher frequency bands and reconstruct only the lower frequencies. In this case, the aliasing is no longer cancelled, such that the resulting picture is not just a low-passed version of the original and its appearance is noticeably degraded. In order to improve the picture quality, a technique is proposed which minimizes the amount of aliasing during the reconstruction process when the high subbands are not present. This method models the spectrum of the image and employs an optimal Wiener filter instead of the normal subband low-pass synthesis filter. Although no additional computation is required beyond that for a normal reconstruction, experiments show that the images produced are improved in both a visual and a signal-to-noise ratio sense.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A General Approach of Damping Torsional Resonance Modes in Multimegawatt Applications

In large-drive applications, load-commutated inverters (LCIs) are one of the most used technologies mainly because of their excellent reliability records. However, LCIs are known to generate interharmonics. They can interact with the mechanical system at torsional natural frequencies of the rotating train, on both the inverter and rectifier sides in weakly connected power systems, such as offshore oil and gas platforms. These interactions can lead to accelerated shaft fatigue, lifetime reduction, gear damage, and system blackouts. On the other hand, pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) voltage-source inverters (VSIs) are known to produce less torque ripple compared to LCIs. Consequently, VSIs are supposed to be less subject to exciting torsional resonances in mechanical shaft systems. Even with reduced torque ripple, mechanical failures have been consistently reported due to motor air-gap torques supplied by PWM drives. This paper is focused on solving torsional vibration issues. Due to system uncertainties, these issues cannot be excluded in the design phase of LCIs and VSIs for high-power applications. With regard to LCIs, the dc-link inductance is used as an integrated energy-storage unit. Motor and generator interactions are therefore decoupled. Excited eigenmodes on the grid side are damped with the rectifier; the inverter is driving the variable-speed motor. This approach is also successfully applied to damping resonance modes in the motor side. Simulation and selected experimental results on a 30-MW LCI system are provided to validate the proposed design approach. As for VSIs, a more general approach of damping or controlling excited shafts is proposed. This method is successfully applied using the dc-link capacitor as an integrated energy-storage source. This approach is used to optimize the design of new systems; otherwise, it is used to improve the performance of existing systems with minor modifications.
A new LDD transistor with inverse-T gate structure

A new submicrometer inverse-T lightly doped drain (ITLDD) transistor structure for alleviating hot-electron effects is demonstrated. A thin extension of the polysilicon gate under the oxide sidewall spacer is formed, giving the gate cross section the appearance of an inverted letter T. Due to the unique self-aligned n+ T-to-gate feature facilitated by the conducting polysilicon extension, the "spacer-induced degradation" existing in a conventional LDD transistor is eliminated in ITLDD devices. This allows the use of low n- LDD doses for optimum channel electric field reduction and minimum post-implant drive-in for future VLSI compatibility. Submicrometer ITLDD transistors with good transconductance and hot-electron reliability have been achieved. The new ITLDD transistor offers a promising device structure for future VLSI applications.
Recent developments in monitoring calcium and protein interactions in cells using fluorescence lifetime microscopy

Time-resolved fluorescence lifetime microscopy (TRFLM) allows the combination of the sensitivity of fluorescence lifetime to environmental parameters to be monitored in a spatial manner in single living cells, as well as providing more accurate, sensitive, and specific diagnosis of certain clinical diseases and chemical analyses. Here we discuss two applications of TRFLM: (1) the use of nonratiometric probes such as Calcium Crimson, for measuring Ca2+; and (2) quantification of protein interaction in living cells using green and blue fluorescent protein (GFP and BFP, respectively) expressing constructs in combination with fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy (FRET). With respect to measuring Ca2+ in biological samples, we demonstrate thatintensity-based measurements of Ca2+ with single-wavelength Ca2+ probes such as Calcium Crimson may falsely report the actual Ca2+ concentration. This is due to effects of hydrophobicity of the local environment on the emission of Calcium Crimson as well as interaction of Calcium Crimson with proteins, both of which are overcome by the use of TRFLM. The recent availability of BFP (P4-3) and GFP (S65T) (which can serve as donor and acceptor, respectively) DNA sequences which can be attached to the carboxy-or amino-terminal DNA sequence of specific proteins allows the dual expression and interaction of proteins conjugated to BFP and GFP to be monitored in individual cells using FRET. Both of these applications of TRFLM are expected to enhance substantially the information available regarding both the normal and the abnormal physiology of cells and tissues.
24. Clinical and laboratory assessment of immunity

Clinicians order specific laboratory tests and interpret laboratory data that will be useful in establishing a diagnosis of immunodeficiency, either inherited (primary) immunodeficiencies or acquired (secondary) immunodeficiencies. The clinical immunologic evaluation of patients for immunodeficiency proceeds in an orderly fashion, from screening tests to sophisticated tests. The medical history and physical examination of the patient frequently provide clues guiding the level of entry into this testing program. Specific tests have been designed to screen for the four basic mechanisms of host defense: antibody, T cell, phagocyte, and complement. The clinical immunology laboratory is a powerful adjunct to the clinician in the initial evaluation of immunodeficiency disorders and in the design of more sophisticated testing for selected patients. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:S702-11.)
miR-203 regulates progenitor cell proliferation during adult zebrafish retina regeneration

Damage of the zebrafish retina triggers a spontaneous regeneration response that is initiated by Muller Glia (MG) dedifferentiation and asymmetric cell division to produce multipotent progenitor cells. Subsequent expansion of the progenitor pool by proliferation is critical for retina regeneration. Pax6b expression in the progenitor cells is necessary for their proliferation, but exact regulation of its expression is unclear. Here, we show that miR-203 is downregulated during regeneration in proliferating progenitor cells. Elevated miR-203 levels inhibit progenitor cell expansion without affecting MG dedifferentiation or progenitor cell generation. Using GFP-reporter assays and gain and loss of function experiments in the retina, we show that miR-203 expression must be suppressed to allow pax6b expression and subsequent progenitor cell proliferation.
Hg L3 XANES study of mercury methylation in shredded Eichhornia crassipes.

Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) is a non-native plant found in abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (hereafter called Delta). This species has become a problem, clogging waterways and wetlands. Water hyacinth are also known to accumulate mercury. Recent attempts to curb its proliferation have included shredding with specialized boats. The purpose of this research is to better understand the ability of water hyacinth to phytoremediate mercury and to determine the effect of shredding and anoxic conditions on mercury speciation in plant tissue. In the field assessment, total mercury levels in sediment from the Dow Wetlands in the Delta were found to be 0.273 ± 0.070 ppm Hg, and levels in hyacinth roots and shoots from this site were 1.17 ± 0.08 ppm and 1.03 ± 0.52 ppm, respectively, indicating bioaccumulation of mercury. Plant samples collected at this site were also grown in nutrient solution with 1 ppm HgCl2 under (1) aerobic conditions, (2) anaerobic conditions, and (3) with shredded ...
Tests of an ad hoc algorithm of elastic- demand equilibrium traffic assignment

Abstract A simplication is introduced into an algorithm for elastic-demand equilibrium traffic assignment previously developed by Evans. The modified algorithm is provided without proof. It is demonstrated on test networks that the modified algorithm converges to the same solution as Evans' original algorithm and does so with substantially less computation.
Distribution of the Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra) and the Mantled Howler Monkey (A. palliata) in Their Contact Zone in Eastern Guatemala

Abstract We studied the geographic distribution of the endangered black howler monkey, Alouatta pigra, in its southeastern range in eastern Guatemala along its putative contact zone with the mantled howler monkey, A. palliata. A distributional survey of both species was conducted through direct observations and interviews, and the data analyzed with GIS to detect potentially limiting geographic and ecological factors. Alouatta pigra was not associated with any specific vegetation type or altitudinal range, as it occurred in many forest types from the lowlands up to elevations of 2705 m a.s.l., in contrast to prior reports of it being restricted to elevations below 400 m a.s.l. and having a strong affinity for riverine forests. Alouatta palliata did not occur at the higher elevations. Distribution of both howler monkey species was unaffected by the presence of Ateles, by protection status of the survey site, or by hunting activities. Deforestation appears to have restricted both species in some areas. Thro...
Alignment, Cohesion, and Change: Examining Mathematics Teachers' Belief Structures and Their Influence on Instructional Practices.

This collective case study reports on an investigation into the relationship between mathematics teachers’ beliefs and their classroom practices, namely, how they organized their classroom activities, interacted with their students, and assessed their students’ learning. Additionally, the study examined the pervasiveness of their beliefs in the face of efforts to incorporate reform-oriented classroom materials and instructional strategies. The participants were five high school teachers of ninth-grade algebra at different stages in their teaching career. The qualitative analysis of the data revealed that in general beliefs were very influential on the teachers’ daily pedagogical decisions and that their beliefs about the nature of mathematics served as a primary source of their beliefs about pedagogy and student learning. Findings from the analysis concur with previous studies in this area that reveal a clear relationship between these constructs. In addition, the results provide useful insights for the mathematics education community as it shows the diversity among the inservice teachers’ beliefs (presented as hypothesized belief models), the role and influence of beliefs about the nature of mathematics on the belief structure and how the teachers designed their instructional practices to reflect these beliefs. The article concludes with a discussion of implications of teacher education.
Rhabdomyosarcoma: An Overview

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin thought to arise from cells committed to a skeletal muscle lineage. With approximately 250 cases diagnosed yearly in the United States, it is the third most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood after Wilms' tumor and neuroblastoma. Important epidemiologic, biologic, and therapeutic differences have been elucidated within the RMS family. Common sites of primary disease include the head and neck region, genitourinary tract, and extremities. A site-based tumor-nodes-metastasis staging system is being incorporated into use for assessing prognosis and assigning therapy in conjunction with the traditional surgicopathologic clinical grouping system. The development of intensive multimodality treatment protocols tested in large-scale international trials has resulted in significant improvements in outcome, especially for patients with local or locally extensive disease for whom a 60%-70% disease-free survival can be expected. Despite aggressive approaches incorporating surgery, dose-intensive combination chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, the outcome for patients with metastatic disease remains poor. Future challenges include the development of less toxic therapy for patients with localized disease and new approaches for patients with metastatic disease.
Characterizing and Exploiting Reference Locality in Data Stream Applications

In this paper, we investigate a new approach to process queries in data stream applications. We show that reference locality characteristics of data streams could be exploited in the design of superior and flexible data stream query processing techniques. We identify two different causes of reference locality: popularity over long time scales and temporal correlations over shorter time scales. An elegant mathematical model is shown to precisely quantify the degree of those sources of locality. Furthermore, we analyze the impact of locality-awareness on achievable performance gains over traditional algorithms on applications such asMAX-subset approximate sliding window join and approximate count estimation. In a comprehensive experimental study, we compare several existing algorithms against our locality-aware algorithms over a number of real datasets. The results validate the usefulness and efficiency of our approach.
Decomposition of interaction free energies in proteins and other complex systems.

Abstract A recent analysis by Mark and van Gunsteren has questioned the validity of separating different free energy components in proteins, or indeed in any complex system. The separability of free energy terms is re-examined from both a theoretical and a numerical perspective. Using a power series expansion of the free energy, it is found that the leading terms are free energy components that arise from individual contributions to the Hamiltonian ("> in situ " free energies). The energetic part of an in situ free energy component is given by the ensemble average of the corresponding Hamiltonian component, while the leading term in the entropic part, which was missing in the analysis of Mark and van Gunsteren, is given by the mean square fluctuation. In addition there are correlations between fluctuations in each Hamiltonian component, which give rise to a coupling, or correlation entropy. A simple system, whose configurational degrees of freedom can be completely sampled, was examined in order to determine the relative sizes of these different contributions to the free energy. Under certain conditions, the change in system free energy observed when a particular component of the Hamiltonian is removed or altered is well approximated by the change in the in situ free energy of that component. In practical terms, this allows one in these cases to separate out different free energy contributions.
Propagation of handclasp grooming among captive chimpanzees

A grooming posture previously reported for two wild chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) communities developed spontaneously in a captive group of the same species. This offered a unique opportunity to follow the propagation of a new social custom. The posture consists of two partners grasping hands—either both right hands or both left hands—and raising the arms in an A-frame above their heads while mutually grooming with their free hands. The propagation of this pattern was followed over a 5 year period. In the beginning, handclasps were always initiated by the same adult female. This female initiated the posture mainly with her adult female kin. In subsequent years, these relatives became frequent participants in the posture with each other as well as with nonrelatives. Over the years the posture increased in frequency and duration and spread to the majority of adults and also to a few adolescents and older juveniles. The pattern persisted after removal of the apparent originator. Am. J. Primatol. 43:339‐346, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nonaqueous Bleaching of Cellulose by Perchloroethylene-Hydrogen Peroxide-Water

Cellulosic fibers were bleached in perchloroethylene using small quantities of a solubilized mixture of peroxide and water. The diffusion coefficient of solubilized peroxide into cellulose was about equal to that of solubilized water. In contrast to bleaching in aqueous solutions, the peroxide was an effective oxidant even at room temperature. Vis cosity data, tensile strength loss, and change in blue reflectance demonstrated the interdependence of the sorption characteristics and the bleaching efficiency.
Effect of age and diet on glucose tolerance in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats ages 12 and 27 mo were used to evaluate intravenous glucose tolerance. Rats were fed ad libitum a purified diet containing either 33% sucrose and 33% starch or 66% starch, 17.5% casein and 7% fat (g/100 g) for 4 mo. Each animal was fitted with a cannula in the left carotid artery while anesthetized with methoxyf lurane and was allowed to recover without food for 10-12 h. A resting blood sample was withdrawn, and then each rat re ceived 1 mLof 50% glucose in saline per kilogram body weight throughout the carotid cannula. The cannula was washed with the rat's blood to remove any excess glucose, and blood samples were taken at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after infusion. The 12-mo-old rats in both the high sucrose and sucrose-free diet groups had significantly greater resting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations than did their 27-mo-old coun terparts. Diet had no effect on resting glucose or insulin levels. Neither age nor diet had a significant effect on plasma glucose or insulin concentrations following the glucose infusion. These data suggest that the pancreatic response to a glucose load is not altered by age or high sucrose diets. J. Nutr. 120:598-601, 1990. INDEXINGKEYWORDS:
Modeling and mitigating AC common mode conversion in multi-Gb/s differential printed circuit boards

Techniques for quantifying and minimizing the impact of differential signal phase skew created by the non-homogeneous nature of FR4 PCBs are presented. Experimental results that allow modeling and simulation at multi-Gb/s signaling rates are developed and used to estimate the impact to voltage and timing margins at 5-10 Gb/s as a function of PCB trace length. A design approach for mitigating the impact is discussed, and results from a manufacturability study are used to assess the effectiveness of the approach.
Fuzzy logic-a modern perspective

Traditionally, fuzzy logic has been viewed in the artificial intelligence (AI) community as an approach for managing uncertainty. In the 1990s, however, fuzzy logic has emerged as a paradigm for approximating a functional mapping. This complementary modern view about the technology offers new insights about the foundation of fuzzy logic, as well as new challenges regarding the identification of fuzzy models. In this paper, we first review some of the major milestones in the history of developing fuzzy logic technology. After a short summary of major concepts in fuzzy logic, we discuss a modern view about the foundation of two types of fuzzy rules. Finally, we review some of the research in addressing various challenges regarding automated identification of fuzzy rule-based models.
Enhanced second-harmonic generation in AlGaAs/Al x O y tightly confining waveguides and resonant cavities

We demonstrate second-harmonic generation (SHG) from sub-micrometer-sized AlGaAs/AlxOy artificially birefringent waveguides. The normalized conversion efficiency is the highest ever reported. We further enhanced the SHG using a waveguide-embedded cavity formed by dichroic mirrors. Resonant enhancements as high as approximately 10x were observed. Such devices could be potentially used as highly efficient, ultracompact frequency converters in integrated photonic circuits.
Predicting the Timing of Maturational Spurts in Skeletal Age

Measures of maturity provide windows into the timing and tempo of childhood growth and maturation. Delayed maturation in a single child, or systemically in a population, can result from either genetic or environmental factors. In terms of the skeleton, delayed maturation may result in short stature or indicate another underlying issue. Thus, prediction of the timing of a maturational spurt is often desirable in order to determine the likelihood that a child will catch up to their chronological age peers. Serial data from the Fels Longitudinal Study were used to predict future skeletal age conditional on current skeletal age and to predict the timing of maturational spurts. For children who were delayed relative to their chronological age peers, the like-lihood of catch-up maturation increased through the average age of onset of puberty and decreased prior to the average age of peak height velocity. For boys, the probability of an imminent maturational spurt was higher for those who were less mature. For girls aged 11 to 13 years, however, this probability was higher for those who were more mature, potentially indicating the presence of a skeletal maturation plateau between multiple spurts. The prediction model, available on the web, is most relevant to children of European ancestry living in the Midwestern US. Our model may also provide insight into the tempo of maturation for children in other populations, but must be applied with caution if those populations are known to have high burdens of environmental stressors not typical of the Midwestern US. Am J Phys Anthropol 150:68–75, 2013.
Designing of a class of nonlinear robotic manipulators: contributions to control and stability

This paper covers several important topics in control of robotic systems and presents analysis of stability via the Lyapunov concept. Analysis and control issues are considered using the nonlinear model. The rigid-link manipulator with the proportional-integral-differential (PID) controller is asymptotically stable and tracks the desired trajectories. The relationship between control issues and Lyapunov's stability analysis for robots is treated. The essence of the second method is contained in the demonstration of asymptotic stability for nonlinear robots with PID algorithms. Analytical, numerical and experimental studies are performed to design and implement the PID controller as well as to analyze, monitor and demonstrate the dynamic performance of a two-link planar robot. Experimental results illustrate that the procedure is feasible and can be used in systems design.
Ear segmentation in color facial images using mathematical morphology

Fully automated image segmentation is an essential step for designing automated identification systems. In this paper, we address the problem of fully automated image segmentation in the context of ear biometrics. Our segmentation approach achieves more than 90% accuracy based on three different sets of 3750 facial images for 376 persons. We also present an approach for the automated evaluation of the quality of segmented images. Our approach is based on low computational-cost appearance-based features and learning based Bayesian classifier in order to determine whether the segmentation outcome is proper or improper segment. Experimental results for evaluating the segmentation outcomes of ear images indicate the benefits of the proposed scheme.
Constraining Dark Matter in Galactic Substructure

Detecting the dark matter annihilation signal from Galactic substructure, or subhalos, is an important challenge for high-energy gamma-ray experiments. In this paper we discuss detection prospects by combining two different aspects of the gamma-ray signal: the angular distribution and the photon counts probability distribution function (PDF). The true PDF from subhalos has been shown recently (by Lee et al.) to deviate from Poisson; we extend this analysis and derive the signal PDF from a detailed $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$-based model for the properties of subhalos. We combine our PDF with a model for Galactic and extra-Galactic diffuse gamma-ray emission to obtain an estimator and projected error on dark matter particle properties (mass and annihilation cross section) using the Fermi gamma-ray space telescope. We compare the estimator obtained from the true PDF to that obtained from the simpler Poisson analysis. We find that, although both estimators are unbiased in the presence of backgrounds, the error on dark matter properties derived from the true PDF is $\ensuremath{\sim}50%$ smaller than when utilizing the Poisson-based analysis.
Crystal structure of the human collagen XV trimerization domain: A potent trimerizing unit common to multiplexin collagens

Correct folding of the collagen triple helix requires a self-association step which selects and binds α-chains into trimers. Here we report the crystal structure of the trimerization domain of human type XV collagen. The trimerization domain of type XV collagen contains three monomers each composed of four β-sheets and an α-helix. The hydrophobic core of the trimer is devoid of solvent molecules and is shaped by β-sheet planes from each monomer. The trimerization domain is extremely stable and forms at picomolar concentrations. It is found that the trimerization domain of type XV collagen is structurally similar to that of type XVIII, despite only 32% sequence identity. High structural conservation indicates that the multiplexin trimerization domain represents a three dimensional fold that allows for sequence variability while retaining structural integrity necessary for tight and efficient trimerization.
Information in Securities Markets: Kyle Meets Glosten and Milgrom

This paper analyzes models of securities markets with a single strategic informed trader and competitive market makers. In one version, uninformed trades arrive as a Brownian motion and market makers see only the order imbalance, as in Kyle (1985). In the other version, uninformed trades arrive as a Poisson process and market makers see individual trades. This is similar to the Glosten–Milgrom (1985) model, except that we allow the informed trader to optimize his times of trading. We show there is an equilibrium in the Glosten–Milgrom-type model in which the informed trader plays a mixed strategy (a point process with stochastic intensity). In this equilibrium, informed and uninformed trades arrive probabilistically, as Glosten and Milgrom assume. We study a sequence of such markets in which uninformed trades become smaller and arrive more frequently, approximating a Brownian motion. We show that the equilibria of the Glosten–Milgrom model converge to the equilibrium of the Kyle model.
Early detection of regional myocardial dysfunction in paced children with congenital complete atrioventricular block.

Background:Right ventricular apical pacing leads to global left ventricular dysfunction. Assessment of regional myocardial function may allow for earlier detection of pacing-induced myocardial remodeling. The aim of this study was to evaluate regional myocardial function in paced children with congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB). Methods:We investigated regional myocardial function using strain echocardiography and tissue velocity imaging in 10 paced children with CCAVB and in 14 age-matched healthy children. Echocardiograms of the paced children were obtained during intrinsic junctional rhythm. Results:All patients had normal biventricular size and global function. The time from R wave to peak regional strain rate and the time from R wave to peak regional myocardial tissue velocity were measured in nine segments. The differences between maximum and minimum values were used as a measure of contraction delay (dSR and dTV). Study group patients had significantly higher dSR and dTV values compared to the control group. Mean peak strain rates and peak tissue velocities obtained from same segments were significantly decreased in the study group compared to the control group. Regional dysfunction was more prominent in the areas of ventricular pacing. No significant correlation is found between the duration of pacing (2.5–18 years) and dSR, dTV, mean peak strain rates, or mean peak tissue velocities. Conclusion:Pacing leads to regional myocardial dysfunction that can be detected with strain echocardiography and tissue velocity imaging during intrinsic junctional rhythm in children with CCAVB. Pacing-induced regional myocardial remodeling does not seem to progress with long-term right ventricular pacing in children with CCAVB.
Bed stability in unconfined gravel bed mountain streams: With implications for salmon spawning viability in future climates

[1] Incubating eggs of autumn-spawning Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) could be at risk of midwinter high flows and substrate scour in a changing climate. A high-spatial-resolution multidimensional hydrodynamics model was used to assess the degree of scour risk in low-gradient unconfined gravel bed channels that are the favored environment for autumn-spawning salmon in mountain watersheds such as the Middle Fork Salmon River (MFSR), Idaho. In one of the most important MFSR spawning tributaries, near-bed shear stresses were relatively low at all discharges from base flows to 300% of bankfull. The highest stresses were found only in small areas of the central flow core and not at spawning sites. Median shear stresses did not increase in overbank flow conditions because poor channel confinement released the excess water into adjacent floodplains. Channel and floodplain topography, rather than discharge, control the maximum near-bed shear stresses. Over the modeled range of discharges, ~2% of the total surface area of the main stem channel bed was predicted to be mobile. Even in known spawning areas, where shear stresses are higher, ≤20% of the spawning surface area was mobile during overbank flows with a 2 year recurrence interval. Field measurements of little gravel transport during flows that were 93% of bankfull support the numerical model predictions. Regardless of some uncertainty in future climates in these watersheds, there appears to be relatively limited risk of extensive scour at salmon spawning sites in any likely hydrologic regimes.
Fast and Effective Orchestration of Compiler Optimizations for Automatic Performance Tuning

Although compile-time optimizations generally improve program performance, degradations caused by individual techniques are to be expected. One promising research direction to overcome this problem is the development of dynamic, feedback-directed optimization orchestration algorithms, which automatically search for the combination of optimization techniques that achieves the best program performance. The challenge is to develop an orchestration algorithm that finds, in an exponential search space, a solution that is close to the best, in acceptable time. In this paper, we build such a fast and effective algorithm, called combined elimination (CE). The key advance of CE over existing techniques is that it takes the least tuning time (57% of the closest alternative), while achieving the same program performance. We conduct the experiments on both a Pentium IV machine and a SPARC II machine, by measuring performance of SPEC CPU2000 benchmarks under a large set of 38 GCC compiler options. Furthermore, through orchestrating a small set of optimizations causing the most degradation, we show that the performance achieved by CE is close to the upper bound obtained by an exhaustive search algorithm. The gap is less than 0.2% on average.
Wireless temperature and vibration sensor for real-time bearing condition monitoring

This article presents a unique sensor capable of simultaneously measuring the bearing cage temperature and vibration signature using inductive coupling. The temperature sensing is based on thermal-induced shift in resonant frequency of an inductive coil and a temperature-sensitive capacitor mounted on a bearing cage. This shift is detected remotely by placing an interrogator coil in close proximity to the sensor coil and the bearing cage. Bearing cage vibrations, result in change in the coupling factor between the sensor and interrogator coils along the bearing's axial direction. This leads to amplitude modulation of excitation frequency by a signal proportional to bearing cage vibration. In this article the authors present bearing cage temperature measurements from 20°C to 90°C for Timken MMC9112K at 1280 rpm to 3250 rpm. The corresponding vibration frequencies at each speed are measured and compared with theoretical values calculated using standard bearing frequency equations. A good agreement between measurement and theory is observed for various vibration components such as ball spin, fundamental train and ball pass-outer race frequencies with average variation of 2.8%.
Cenozoic tectonic processes along the southern Alaska convergent margin

The southern margin of Alaska is arguably the most tectonically complex part of the plate boundary that defi nes western North America. The tectonic confi guration of this plate boundary is defi ned by an active subduction zone, two active volcanic arcs (the Aleutian and Wrangell arcs), some of the largest strike-slip fault systems on Earth (the Denali and Tintina faults), and an allochthonous crustal block, the Yakutat microplate, that is currently colliding in southeastern Alaska (Fig. 1; Plafker and Berg, 1994). In addition, large-magnitude earthquakes and extremely high topography mark this area as a dynamic, actively deforming continental margin. The most accepted model for the tectonic development of southern Alaska is based on the “terrane tectonics” paradigm. The generalized framework of this model is that distinct crustal blocks (i.e., oceanic plateaus, volcanic arcs, rifted continental margins) are passively transported with subducting oceanic crust. As the terrane follows the oceanic crust into the subduction zone, the more buoyant terrane jams the subduction zone and forces the subduction zone to step outboard of the “jammed” segment, and thus the terrane becomes accreted or welded to the continental margin (i.e., the upper plate of the subduction zone). The fi nal products of this process are crustal-scale blocks (i.e., terranes) that are fault bounded and that have no “geologic” affi nity to adjacent crustal blocks along the continental margin. In the case of the northern Cordillera, the now “accreted” terranes are tectonically transported northward as rigid blocks by margin-parallel strike-slip faults. An important point for this model is that the major strikeslip faults along the continental margin are the driving force for northward translation of terranes. The terrane conceptual framework has been applied to tectonic settings around the globe, but southern Alaska was the center
Quantitation of regional myocardial function during short-lived events with ultrasound imaging

Short-lived (tens through hundreds of milliseconds) cardiac motion events, such as post-systolic thickening, have diagnostic importance and are detectable by echocardiography. Selection and quantitative analysis of these events cannot be adequately done using conventional clinical measurements of heart function. We have developed an interactive tool using MATLAB (The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, MA) that allows the user to select events in time from graphs of available data including ECG, strain, left ventricular (LV) pressure, and the time derivative of the LV pressure trace. After selection of an event in time, the program calculates the area for that section of a pressure-strain loop, which is known to correlate to myocardial contraction work. Using the new tool, we present data from a canine model of prolonged (1-2 week) local myocardial ischemia. We found that following ischemia, a proportion of the loop area in the affected cardiac muscle takes place during a postejection phase. That is, the muscle contracts but during the postejection (post-systolic) phase and hence no longer contributes to ejecting blood to circulation.
Identification of the Simian Virus 40 Which Replicates When Simian Virus 40-Transformed Human Cells Are Fused with Simian Virus 40-Transformed Mouse Cells or Superinfected with Simian Virus 40 Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Simian virus 40 (SV40) was rescued from heterokaryons of transformed mouse and transformed human cells. To determine whether the rescued SV40 was progeny of the SV40 genome resident in the transformed mouse cells, the transformed human cells, or both, rescue experiments were performed with mouse lines transformed by plaque morphology mutants of SV40. The transformed mouse lines that were used yielded fuzzy, small-clear, or large-clear plaques after fusion with CV-1 (African green monkey kidney) cells. The transformed human lines that were used did not release SV40 spontaneously or after fusion with CV-1 cells. From each mouse-human fusion mixture, only the SV40 resident in the transformed mouse cells was recovered. Fusion mixtures of CV-1 and transformed mouse cells yielded much more SV40 than those from transformed human and transformed mouse cells. The rate of SV40 formation was also greater from monkey-mouse than from human-mouse heterokaryons. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from SV40 strains which form fuzzy, largeclear, or small-clear plaques on CV-1 cells was also used to infect monkey (CV-1 and Vero), normal human, and transformed human cell lines. The rate of virion formation and the final SV40 yields were much higher from monkey than from normal or transformed human cells. Only virus with the plaque type of the infecting DNA was found in extracts from the infected cells. Two uncloned sublines of transformed human cells [W18 Va2(P363) and WI38 Va13A] released SV40 spontaneously. Virus yields were not appreciably enhanced by fusion with CV-1 cells. However, clonal lines of W18 Va2(P363) did not release SV40 spontaneously or after fusion with CV-1 cells. In contrast, several clonal lines of WI38 Va13A cells did continue to shed SV40 spontaneously.
Variation and Evolution in Plants: Progress During the Past Twenty Years

Professor Dobzhansky’s “Genetics and the Origin of Species” was a milestone of progress in our understanding of evolution for two reasons. On the one hand, it was the first book to synthesize into a coherent whole the basic facts about traditional and population genetics, chromosomal variation, and natural selection. It therefore represents the birth of the modern synthetic theory of evolution. In addition, it attracted the attention of many biologists trained in disciplines quite different from his own, who then extended the synthetic theory in a variety of different directions. The present author was stimulated to apply the theory to plants. Even more than by the book, I was inspired by many exciting discussions of evolutionary theory with Professor Dobzhansky himself. My own book (Stebbins, 1950) is now old enough to be almost obsolete, and various other commitments make a complete revision unlikely during the next few years. I should like, therefore, to dedicate to Professor Dobzhansky on his 70th birthday a discussion of some of the most important topics of my book, as they appear to me now, based upon my interpretations of research results and theoretical discussion which many evolutionists have published during the past twenty years.
The Current State of Assisted Reproduction Law

This article by Charles P. Kindregan Jr. of Suffolk University Law School was published in Volume 34 of the American Bar Association Family Advocate, No. 2, Pg. 10 (Fall 2011). It is intended to provide a survey of collaborative reproduction law for the issue of Advocate which features articles on various aspects of this evolving area of family law, including the impact of assisted reproduction on various areas of family law, the potential for conflict of interest in practicing in this field, informed consent issues, surrogacy arrangements, contract issues and disposition of cryopreserved embryos. The article provides an introduction to the field, including commentary on the absence of controlling law, the meaning of collaborative reproduction, intrauterine insemination, use of the technology by same-sex couples, in vitro fertilization, cryopreserved embryos, surrogacy arrangements, prebirth orders, maternity status of carriers, as well as proposed uniform and model laws.
There's Waldo! A Normalization Model of Visual Search Predicts Single-Trial Human Fixations in an Object Search Task

When searching for an object in a scene, how does the brain decide where to look next? Visual search theories suggest the existence of a global "priority map" that integrates bottom-up visual information with top-down, target-specific signals. We propose a mechanistic model of visual search that is consistent with recent neurophysiological evidence, can localize targets in cluttered images, and predicts single-trial behavior in a search task. This model posits that a high-level retinotopic area selective for shape features receives global, target-specific modulation and implements local normalization through divisive inhibition. The normalization step is critical to prevent highly salient bottom-up features from monopolizing attention. The resulting activity pattern constitues a priority map that tracks the correlation between local input and target features. The maximum of this priority map is selected as the locus of attention. The visual input is then spatially enhanced around the selected location, allowing object-selective visual areas to determine whether the target is present at this location. This model can localize objects both in array images and when objects are pasted in natural scenes. The model can also predict single-trial human fixations, including those in error and target-absent trials, in a search task involving complex objects.
The Microeconomics of Public Choice in Developing Economies: A Case Study of One Mexican Village

While development economics tends to focus on national and international policy, local government and social institutions can also play a critical role in either promoting or inhibiting economic prosperity. In this essay, Cowen describes the significant problems associated with the cargo system of local governance in Opan, Mexico. Despite considerable institutional inefficiencies, Cowen argues that ineffective local governance can sometimes benefit residents in warding off attempts by outside parties to exert political pressure on local officials.
Health Care Reform in a Developing Country: Transfer Program or Something More? Impacts of Mexico’s Seguro Popular Program Five Years after Introduction

This paper evaluates the effects of Mexico's Seguro Popular program on health care utilization and health outcomes for a group of poor, urban families five years after introduction. Seguro Popular, or "Popular/People’s Insurance", is a major health system reform introduced in 2002 and achieving near universal coverage by 2013. The program provides free or subsidized health insurance to Mexican families not covered by formal social security programs, which is nearly 50 percent of the population. Most previous studies of this program have found little to no effect of program participation on utilization and health, but have found a decrease in catastrophic health spending. These results imply that the program acts more as a transfer program than a health-improvement program, but only look at health outcomes less than one year after introduction. Our analysis uses panel data spanning the years 2002 through 2009, and contains results for individuals enrolled in the program for up to five years. Using a step wedge study design, we reduce bias from adverse selection, and find both an increase in overall usage of both public clinics and total medical visits. Health improvements were found in the form of decreased reporting of inability to perform usual daily activities. We also address questions of moral hazard and find an increase in preventive care (in the form of screening for hypertension). This is in contrast to previous short-term findings.
Case Report: Extra-Pulmonary Accumulation of Xenon-133 Gas

Ventilation scanning using xenon-133 gas is a common nuclear medicine procedure used to diagnose pulmonary problems. Findings of V/Q match or mismatch and trapping are well documented for various conditions. The following case is presented because of the very unusual appearance manifested during the wash-out phase.
CCR5 interaction with HIV-1 Env contributes to Env-induced depletion of CD4 T cells in vitro and in vivo

CD4 T cell depletion during HIV-1 infection is associated with AIDS disease progression, and the HIV-1 Env protein plays an important role in the process. Together with CXCR4, CCR5 is one of the two co-receptors that interact with Env during virus entry, but the role of CCR5 in Env-induced pathogenesis is not clearly defined. We have investigated CD4 T cell depletion mechanisms caused by the Env of a highly pathogenic CXCR4/CCR5 dual-tropic HIV-1 isolate R3A. We report here that R3A infection induced depletion of both infected and uninfected “bystander” CD4 T cells, and treatment with CCR5 antagonist TAK-779 inhibited R3A-induced bystander CD4 T cell depletion without affecting virus replication. To further define the role of Env-CCR5 interaction, we utilized an Env-mutant of R3A, termed R3A-5/6AA, which has lost CCR5 binding capability. Importantly, R3A-5/6AA replicated to the same level as wild type R3A by using CXCR4 for viral infection. We found the loss of CCR5 interaction resulted in a significant reduction of bystander CD4 T cells death during R3A-5/6AA infection, whereas stimulation of CCR5 with MIP1-β increased bystander pathogenesis induced by R3A-5/6AA. We confirmed our findings using a humanized mouse model, where we observed similarly reduced pathogenicity of the mutant R3A-5/6AA in various lymphoid organs in vivo. We provide the first evidence that shows CCR5 interaction with a dual-tropic HIV-1 Env played a significant role in Env-induced depletion of CD4 T cells.