cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Double-bootstrapping source data selection for instance-based transfer learning

Instance-based transfer is an important paradigm for transfer learning, where data from related tasks (source data) are combined with the data for the current learning task (target data) to train a learner for the current (target) task. However, in most application scenarios, the benefit of the source data is unclear. The source may contain both helpful and harmful instances to the target learning. Simply combining the source with the target data may result in performance deterioration (negative transfer). Selecting the instances from the source data that will benefit the target task is a key step for instance-based transfer learning. Most existing instance-based transfer methods lack such selection or mix source selection with the training for the target task. This leads to problems as the training may use source data harmful to the target. We propose a simple yet effective method for instance-based transfer learning in environments where the usefulness of the sources are unclear. The method employs a double-selection process, based on bootstrapping, to reduce the impact of irrelevant/harmful data in the source. Experiment results show that in most cases, our method produces more improvements through transfer than TrBagg (Kamishima et al., 2009) and TrAdaBoost (Dai et al., 2009). Our method can also deal with a wider range of transfer learning scenarios.
Nanomechanics and Nanostructured Multifunctional Materials: Experiments, Theories, and Simulations

The rapid advances of modern technology require a thorough understanding of mechanics of materials, structures, and processes at the microand nanoscales. Carbon nanotubes, nanowires, nanocomposites, nanoscale thin films and coatings, microand nano electromechancial systems (MEMS and NEMS), microand nanofabrication processes are all examples of materials systems, technologies, and processes whose continuous advancement depends upon fundamental understandings of material properties at small length scales. In order to help them fulfill their promises, mechanics at nanometer length scale must be developed to understand the deformation and failure mechanisms of these small material structures. In addition, advances in the development of new materials for multifunctional applications will require design, fabrication, and characterization at the nanometer length scale. Nanostructured materials that can be tailored to achieve greater mechanical properties along with their electrical, optical, thermal, and other functional properties are essential for future applications in many industry sectors. To achieve the overwhelming potential of nanostructured multifunctional materials, advances in the synthesis of materials with multifunctional capabilities through incorporating nanoscale constituents such as nanotubes, nanofibers, and nanoclays, as well as the development of novel methods and techniques to characterize the mechanical and multifunctional behavior of these materials under application conditions are clearly of critical importance. The goal of this special issue is to provide a platform for researchers working at the frontier of nanomechanics and nanostructured multifunctional materials to present and discuss exciting new developments on various topics in this area, which include work focused on experiments, theories, and simulations. The special issue with a total of twenty-two papers covers a wide range of topics related to fabrication of nanoscale building blocks such as nanosphere, nanowires, nanorods, and nanoscale thin films; development and application of nanomechanical characterization methods for nanomaterials and other advanced characterization techniques to probe important physical/chemical properties of multifunctional nanomaterial systems; processing and property evaluation of various polymer, ceramic, and metalbased nanocomposites; and finally nanomechanical modeling and simulations from continuum micromechanicsbased modeling to molecule dynamic-based simulations. We sincerely hope such a broad representation of important topics in these vibrant and fast growing research areas would be of interest to the readership.
Design of an Anthropomorphic Upper Extremity Prosthesis

This paper describes the design of a 21 degree-of-freedom, nine degree-of-actuation, gas-actuated arm prosthesis for transhumeral amputees. The arm incorporates a direct-drive elbow and three degree-of-freedom wrist, in addition to a 17 degree-of-freedom underactuated hand effected by five actuators. The anthropomorphic device includes full position and force sensing capability for each actuated degree of freedom and integrates a monopropellant-powered gas generator to provide on-board power for untethered operation. Design considerations addressed in this paper include the sizing of pneumatic actuators based on the requisite output energy at each joint; the development of small low-power servovalves for use with hot/cold gases; the design of compact joints with integrated position sensing; and the packaging of the actuators, on-board power, and skeletal structure within the volumetric envelope of a normal human forearm and elbow. The resulting arm prototype is intended to approach the dexterous manipulation capabilities of its anatomical counterpart while delivering approximately 50% of the force and power output of an average human arm.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The scope of paediatric laparoscopy

Abstract Minimal access techniques have revolutionised surgery in the past twenty years. The concept originated in the early twentieth century and has now become part of standard surgical practice. The potential benefits of laparoscopy include reduced pain, functional impairment and inpatient stay and improved cosmesis. Recent technological advances have assisted in the application of the techniques to a paediatric population. There are now few paediatric surgical procedures remaining that have not been performed using minimal access techniques. The scope of laparoscopy in paediatric surgery encompasses neonatal surgery, thoracic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, oncology and urology. The evidence base for laparoscopic over open surgery in childhood remains small but is growing. Laparoscopic surgery has been demonstrated to be at least equivalent to its open counterpart in some procedures and superior in a few. Recent advances in paediatric laparoscopy have largely concentrated on reducing the size of incisions needed to operate. This trend seems likely to continue with the introduction of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and the blurring of distinctions between surgeons, endoscopists and interventional radiologists.
Variability of aerosol optical properties derived from in situ aircraft measurements during ACE-Asia

[1] Airborne measurements of aerosol light scattering (using nephelometers) and absorption (using particle/soot absorption photometers; PSAPs) in the Asian outflow region are presented. Aerosol particles were sampled through a new low turbulence inlet that proved very effective at transmitting coarse-mode particles. Noise and artifacts are characterized using in-flight measurements of particle-free air and measurements with identical instruments operated in parallel. For example, the sensitivities of PSAP noise to changing altitude, changing relative humidity (RH), and particle-loading on the internal filter are quantified. On the basis of these and previous instrument characterizations, we report averages, variations, and uncertainties of optical properties, focusing on data from approximately 300 level-leg samples obtained during 19 research flights in the spring of 2001. Several broad patterns emerge from this analysis. Two dominant components, fine-mode pollution and coarse-mode mineral dust, were observed to vary independently when separated using a cut point of 1 μm aerodynamic diameter at low RH. Fine-mode pollution was found to be moderately absorbing (single scatter albedo at low RH and 550 nm, ω = 0.88 ± 0.03; mean and 95% confidence uncertainty) and moderately hygroscopic (relative increase in scattering from 40% to 85% RH, fRH = 1.7 ± 0.2), while coarse-mode dust was found to have very low absorption (ω = 0.96 ± 0.01) and to be almost nonhygroscopic (fRH = 1.1 ± 0.1). These and other optical properties are intended to serve as constraints on optical models of the Asian aerosol for the purpose of satellite retrievals and calculations of direct radiative effects.
The economics of collaborative production in the spectrum commons

The dramatic growth of collaborative activities relying on non-property relationships and exchange, such as WiFi devices using unlicensed spectrum, open source software, and peer-to-peer networks, pose a challenge to the dominant economic paradigm. This paper develops definitions to describe the economic and institutional base and explain the success of collaborative production. Antirivalry and inclusiveness are characteristics of collaborative goods that are found in open wireless networks. The paper demonstrates the superior economics of collaborative production in the spectrum commons and suggests policies to extend its scope including expansion of dedicated unlicensed spectrum to allow multi-frequency applications, rules for non-interfering sharing of licensed spectrum, and development of standards and protocols to reduce transaction costs
Hijab and American Muslim Women: Creating the Space for Autonomous Selves

Among Muslims living in the United States, Islamic religious practices are negotiated and adapted to a new culture. A visible and controversial symbol of Muslims' differences from dominant American Christianity is the hijab worn by many Muslim women. The decision to wear hijab occurs within a two-fold cultural context: (1) the assumption by many non-Muslims that hijab encapsulates Islam's inherent violation of women's "equal rights"; and (2) a widespread Muslim critique of American culture for its individualism, materialism, and lax sexual mores. Using data from interviews and observations with college-age, second-generation Muslim Americans, we explore the context, meanings, and consequences of wearing hijab. Second-generation Muslim women are negotiating social and religious identities in contrast both to non-Muslim Americans and to their immigrant families. Hijab has multiple meanings as a religious and social symbol; it provides a clear identity marker at a life-course transitional time, and it provides culturally legitimate space for young women who are formulating Muslim-American identities.
Teleutospores as origin of systemic infection of Cirsium arvense by Puccinia punctiformis

Teleutospores ofPuccinia punctiformis were used for germination and inoculation experiments. The percentage of germination increased with increasing root extract concentration separately from the spore-suspension present in the same Petri dish.
Effects of estradiol benzoate in combination with dihydrotestosterone on postejaculatory vocalization and refractory period in castrated male rats

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of estradiol ben-zoate (EB) treatment with those of testosterone propionate (TP) on the postejaculatory vocalization and refractory period in castrated dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated male rats. Twelve reliable maters were tested, castrated, and then treated with subcutaneous implants of DHT and daily injections of either 200 μg of TP (N = 6) or 200 μg of EB (N = 6). Testing continued weekly for 9 weeks with treatments interchanged after the fourth week. EB treatment resulted in: (1) a reduction in the number of males that vocalized, (2) a reduction in the duration of vocalization, and (3) the exhibition of extraordinarily abbreviated postejaculatory refractory periods by a few males. It was suggested that high doses of estradiol act to counter inhibitory processes during the refractory period.
Methods of Tuning Multiple-Cavity Magnetrons

Several methods have been developed for tuning multiple-cavity magnetron oscillators over wide frequency ranges. The most successful of these involves simultaneous variation of both the inductance and capacitance of all the resonant cavities by a single tuning motion. Tuning ranges of better than 1.4 to 1 have been obtained with good efficiency throughout. As an example, a magnetron is described which tunes from 760 to 1160 megacycles, delivering over 2 kilowatts continuous-wave power at any frequency setting.
Helium Production by Pulsationally Unstable Massive Stars

EVIDENCE suggests there are temporal and/or spatial variations of the helium abundance in the galaxy1,2 and in other galaxies3. If so, it is necessary to consider sites of helium production other than the primaeval fireball4–8. Even if the oldest stars had a minimum content of helium which is appreciable, the possibility that this was produced in some earlier galactic event could not be excluded.
Effects of amiodarone on tumor necrosis factor-α levels in congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure and may be associated with an increase in mortality. A recent in vitro study showed that amiodarone decreases TNF-alpha production by human blood mononuclear cells in response to lipopolysaccharide. However, no previous clinical studies have determined the effect of chronic amiodarone therapy on TNF-alpha levels. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether amiodarone affects TNF-alpha levels in patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy. TNF-alpha levels were analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunoassay using plasma samples at baseline, 1, and 2 years of follow-up in New York Heart Association class III patients (n = 40 in each of the placebo and amiodarone groups, mean ejection fraction 0.25+/-0.09) who were randomized in the Congestive Heart Failure-Survival Trial of Antiarrhythmic Therapy, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which the effect of amiodarone on survival was investigated. TNF-alpha levels were elevated in both groups of patients at baseline, 6.6+/-3.1 and 7.7+/-5.3 pg/ml in the amiodarone and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.3). There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical variables between the 2 groups. Amiodarone treatment was associated with a significant increase in TNF-alpha levels in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, 12.7+/-12.5 and 6.8+/-3.7 pg/ml in the amiodarone and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.03) at 1 year. No change in TNF-alpha levels was observed in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. In contrast to the in vitro data, amiodarone treatment is associated with an increase in TNF-alpha levels in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. This increase is not associated with an adverse effect on survival.
Colcemid-resistant mutants of fission yeast have an altered cell cycle.

Abstract Cell-cycle progression is altered in some colcemid-resistant mutants of fission yeast. The duration of particular stages of the cell cycle is different but total doubling time is unchanged from that of wild type. Cell-plate formation is prolonged relative to wild type but concomitant DNA synthesis is not affected. Separation of daughter cells is inhibited in some strains, giving rise to unusual cell morphologies. Control of cell division is altered in two ways: 1. 1. Critical size for division is increased. 2. 2. The probability of division as a function of size is decreased.
Computer center management symposium the impact of Reaganomics on the university and university computing

First of all, I want to thank you for inviting me. I am pleased to be here and pleased that you've chosen to attend this session. During the next few minutes, let's think together about the economic environment facing higher education, the impact of federal economic policy and the challenges this may bring to us as we seek to provide leadership for this fascinating decade. How we see the challenge will have a significant impact not only on the individual institutions we serve but on higher education in general and it will also affect the satisfaction we receive from what we do.
Large deformation of chlorotrimethylsilane treated silica aerogels

Abstract Silica aerogels were prepared through an acid–base process and surface modified with chlorotrimethylsilane. This novel application of a common non-crosslinking surface modification to improve mechanical properties allows the treated aerogels to deform plastically to compressive strains greater than 80% without macroscopic damage. This improvement in mechanical properties remains after heating in air at 500 °C for 3 h, as do residual organic groups. Heating at 700 °C for 1 h removes all organics and the aerogel behaves similar to the unmodified control. The treated aerogels also exhibit a greater resistance to sintering. Nitrogen adsorption measurements show a reduction in the number of micropores with surface modification. It is concluded that the organic monolayer increases the ductility of the silica network by filling and strengthening surface micropores that serve as crack initiators, and that these organics remain effective at elevated temperatures.
Effect of augmentation mammaplasty on breast sensation.

Background: Studies of alterations in breast sensibility after augmentation mammaplasty have produced conflicting results. Such discrepancies may be attributed to unsophisticated measuring devices used in earlier studies leading to less accurate measurements and to the comparison of results to different surgical techniques. The primary purpose of our study was to conduct a prospective clinical trial to quantify specific sensory outcomes before and after submuscular breast augmentation. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative questionnaires were used to assess patients' subjective observations on breast sensation. Quantitative data were collected using a very accurate device, the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device, to assess objective breast sensation. Thirty-three micromastia patients underwent quantitative measurements preoperatively (baseline), at 2 to 4 weeks and 6 months postoperatively to assess breast sensitivity. Results: The quantitative data showed similar patterns of sensory change between both the periareolar and the inframammary surgical approach over time. The inferior region was the only region that showed a diminished sensitivity threshold of 9.5 ± 2.9 gm/mm 2 for the inframammary incision a significantly poorer average than the periareolar incision of 1.7 ± 0.6 gm/mm2 with p = 0.008 at 6 months. Older patients had significantly higher thresholds of sensitivity compared with younger patients (p < 0.02). Conclusions: Our study suggests that the periareolar incision may produce less sensory loss in the tower pole of the breast when compared with the inframammary incision. The outcome of this study provides both the surgeon and the patient with concrete information regarding mammary sensation after augmentation mammaplasty and leads to a better informed-consent process.
Predictive input parameters for enteric virus presence at the inlet of a potable water supply

Kentucky river water samples were collected at the input of a potable water supply weekly, for a period of two years. Eighteen parameters were analysed and/or recorded for each weekly observation. The variables were of a physical, chemical and biological nature. Enteric virus presence was detected by cell culture analysis from ∼200 L samples of river water. A database of 108 observations was assembled. Of these only 100 complete observations were used for the modelling analysis. Model input parameters were selected solely based on their statistical significance in forward, backward and stepwise selection procedures. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) was used to determine the relative significance of the input parameters for predicting the presence or absence of enteric virus. The final, best-fit MLR model that used log-transformed values for enterococci, the AC/TC ratio, faecal coliforms (FC) and temperature demonstrated 82.5 and 81.4% sensitivity and specificity, respectively.
Ultra-short echo-time MRI detects changes in bone mineralization and water content in OVX rat bone in response to alendronate treatment.

In this work we hypothesize that bisphosphonate treatment following ovariectomy manifests in increased phosphorus and decreased water concentration, both quantifiable nondestructively with ultra-short echo-time (UTE) (31)P and (1)H-MRI techniques. We evaluated this hypothesis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats undergoing treatment with two regimens of alendronate. Sixty female four-month-old rats were divided into four groups of 15 animals each: ovariectomized (OVX), OVX treatment groups ALN1 and ALN2, receiving 5 microg/kg/day and 25 microg/kg/day of alendronate, and a sham-operated group (NO) serving as control. Treatment, starting 1 week post-surgery, lasted for 50 days at which time animals were sacrificed. Whole bones from the left and right femora were extracted from all the animals. (31)P and (1)H water concentration were measured by UTE MRI at 162 and 400 MHz in the femoral shaft and the results compared with other measures of mineral and matrix properties obtained by (31)P solution NMR, CT density, ash weight, and water measured by dehydration. Mechanical parameters (elastic modulus, EM, and ultimate strength, US) were obtained by three-point bending. The following quantities were lower in OVX relative to NO: phosphorus concentration measured by (31)P-MRI (-8%; 11.4+/-0.9 vs. 12.4+/-0.8%, p or =0.98, p<0.001 to p<0.05) even though the pooled data from individual animals were not. The results highlight the implications of estrogen depletion and bisphosphonate treatment on mineral composition and mechanical properties and the potential of solid-state MR imaging to detect these changes in situ in an animal model of rat ovariectomy.
The pulmonary response to fibrous dusts of diverse compositions.

Fibrous quartz, chrysotile asbestos, and tremolite talc dust, all of respirable particle size, injected intratracheally, produced polypoid proliferative inflammations within smaller air-conducting tubes as well as more peripherally. With time, the inflammatory tissue became converted into coUagenous scars which often caused permanent deformities of bronchi and bronchioles. After intratracheal injection of a fibrous dust such as synthetic chrysotile, ceramic aluminum silicate, silicon carbide, glass, or brucite, the main pulmonary response was a macrophage reaction with minimal stromal participation. In addition, within 4 days after the injection, there were foci of polypoid proliferative inflammation but limited to the more peripheral respiratory bronchiole and alveolar ducts. Because these polypoid lesions did not collagenize and did not destroy the anatomic integrity of the air spaces, and because the lesions were reversible, the dusts calling forth this type of response must be classed as biologically ...
The positive inotropic effect of compound II, a novel analogue of sotalol, on guinea-pig papillary muscles and single ventricular myocytes

1. Compound II is a novel analogue of sotalol which has been reported to be free of beta-adrenoceptor and L-type calcium channel blocking actions. The effects of compound II on the contraction of guinea-pig papillary muscles (at 2 microM) and single ventricular myocytes (at 100 nM) were investigated. 2. Exposure to compound II caused a significant increase in the contraction of both preparations. 3. Compound II prolonged the action potential of the single myocytes and increased the magnitude of the Ca-activated current which was used as a qualitative indicator of the intracellular calcium transient. 4. The ratio of first/steady state Ca-activated currents evoked by short action potentials was not modified. This may indicate that compound II does not influence the normal functioning of the sarcoplasmic reticulum stores. 5. The observations are consistent with the hypothesis that action potential prolongation by compound II reduces Ca2+ extrusion via the Na-Ca exchange. This in turn allows increased uptake of calcium into the sarcoplasmic reticulum stores so that more calcium is available for release by subsequent action potentials, leading to an increase in intracellular calcium transients and contractions.
THE HOLISTIC TRUTH OF MEMORY AND TESTIMONY IN THE RING AND THE BOOK

The questions that The Ring and Book (1868–69) raises regarding truth, perception, and testimony have long concerned critics. However, few critics have given particular focus to the role that memory plays in the poem. While The Ring and the Book was not the first piece of literature to offer different narrations of the same event, Robert Browning's introduction of at least ten iterations or perspectives (depending on how you count) of the same narrative within one work remains unique. The legal system is very much in view throughout the text of the poem, and so the nature of testimony as a component of the legal process is integral to our consideration of The Ring and the Book. Specifically, shifting attitudes about legal testimony in the nineteenth century make memory particularly important for any study of testimony in the poem. In his multivolume work The Rationale of Judicial Evidence (1827), Jeremy Bentham gives special consideration to the composition of testimony, which he argues consists of four elements: perception, judgment, memory, and expression (155). Bentham's work recognized that testimony was not a simple matter of truth and falsehood, but that the faculties of the witness were intimately intertwined with testimony. However, contemporary critics have tended to focus on perception and expression (language), while memory has remained mostly unexamined.
Terabit Ethernet: Access and Core Switching Using Time-Space Carrier Sensing

We propose an Ethernet architecture for local access and switching of Internet traffic. To achieve Terabit or Petabit switching, both time (high transmission speed) and space (multistage interconnection network) technologies are required. The Ethernet is both time and space carrier sensed, extending CSMA/CD to a time-space protocol called CSMA/TS. We call the space-time transmission medium Terabit Ethernet (TbE). We focus on the 3-stage Clos network, treating the first stage as an access switch and the second stage as the core switch. Space time carrier sensing allows routing in the TbE by the Network Interface Card (NIC). The advantages are scalability, lower cost, and most importantly, reduced delay end-to-end. Simple analysis is given for evaluating throughput for the access switch, as well as for 2-stage and 3-stage TbE networks.
Thermophysical properties of lysozyme (protein) solutions

Thermophysical properties of protein solutions composed of the lysozyme crystals with a 0.1 M sodium acetate and 5 percent NaCl solution as the buffer (pH = 4.0) are determined. The properties being measured include specific heat, thermal conductivity, dynamic viscosity, and surface tension. The protein concentrations are varied. Thermal diffusivity is calculated using the measured results. The purpose of the research is to measure thermophysical properties of lysozyme solutions which would serve as the data bank for controlling and modeling the crystal growth process on earth as well as in space.
Coinfection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus Fails To Establish CD8 T-Cell Immunity against Toxoplasma gondii

CD8+ T-cell immunity is important for long-term protection against Toxoplasma gondii infection. However, a Th1 cytokine environment, especially the presence of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), is essential for the development of primary CD8+ T-cell immunity against this obligate intracellular pathogen. Earlier studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that mice lacking optimal IFN-γ levels fail to develop robust CD8+ T-cell immunity against T. gondii. In the present study, induction of primary CD8+ T-cell immune response against T. gondii infection was evaluated in mice infected earlier with Heligmosomoides polygyrus, a gastrointestinal worm known to evoke a polarized Th2 response in the host. In the early stage of T. gondii infection, both CD4 and CD8+ T-cell responses against the parasite were suppressed in the dually infected mice. At the later stages, however, T. gondii-specific CD4+ T-cell immunity recovered, while CD8+ T-cell responses remained low. Unlike in mice infected with T. gondii alone, depletion of CD4+ T cells in the dually infected mice led to reactivation of chronic infection, leading to Toxoplasma-related encephalitis. Our observations strongly suggest that prior infection with a Th2 cytokine-polarizing pathogen can inhibit the development of CD8+ T-cell immune response against T. gondii, thus compromising long-term protection against a protozoan parasite. This is the first study to examine the generation of CD8+ T-cell immune response in a parasitic nematode and protozoan coinfection model that has important implications for infections where a CD8+ T-cell response is critical for host protection and reduced infection pathology.
Scruffy Text Understanding: Design and Implementation of 'Tolerant' Understanders

Most large text-understanding systems have been designed under the assumption that the input text will be in reasonably "neat" form, e.g., newspaper stories and other edited texts. However, a great deal of natural language text, e.g., memos, rough drafts, conversation transcripts, etc., have features that differ significantly from "neat" texts, posing special problems for readers, such as misspelled words, missing words, poor syntactic construction, missing periods, etc. Our solution to these problems is to make use of expectations , based both on knowledge of surface English and on world knowledge of the situation being described. These syntactic and semantic expectations can be used to figure out unknown words from context, constrain the possible word-senses of words with multiple meanings (ambiguity), fill in missing words (ellipsis), and resolve referents (anaphora). This method of using expectations to aid the understanding of "scruffy" texts has been incorporated into a working computer program called NOMAD, which understands scruffy texts in the domain of Navy messages.
The concept of a Z-number - A new direction in uncertain computation

Decisions are based on information. To be useful, information must be reliable. Basically, the concept of a Z-number relates to the issue of reliability of information. A Z-number, Z, has two components, Z=(A,B). The first component, A, is a restriction (generalized constraint) on the values which a real-valued uncertain variable, X, is allowed to take. The second component, B, is a measure of reliability (certainty) of the first component. Typically, A and B are described in a natural language. Example: (about 45 minutes, very sure). An important issue relates to computation with Z-numbers. Examples: What is the sum of (about 45 minutes, very sure) and (about 30 minutes, sure)? What is the square root of (approximately 100, likely)? Computation with Z-numbers falls within the province of Computing with Words (CW or CWW).
Role of N-terminal Familial Mutations in Prion Protein Fibrillization and Prion Amyloid Propagation in Vitro

A self-perpetuating conformational conversion of the prion protein (PrP) is believed to underlie pathology and transmission of prion diseases. Here we explore the effects of N-terminal pathogenic mutations (P102L, P105L, A117V) and the residue 129 polymorphism on amyloid fibril formation by the human PrP fragment 23-144, an in vitro conversion model that can reproduce certain characteristics of prion replication such as strains and species barriers. We find that these amino acid substitutions neither affect PrP23-144 amyloidogenicity nor introduce barriers to cross-seeding of soluble protein. However, the polymorphism strongly influences the conformation of the amyloid fibrils, as determined by infrared spectroscopy. Intriguingly, unlike conformational features governed by the critical amyloidogenic region of PrP23-144 (residues 138-139), the structural features distinguishing Met-129 and Val-129 PrP23-144 amyloid fibrils are not transmissible by cross-seeding. While based only on in vitro data, these findings provide fundamental insight into the mechanism of prion-based conformational transmission, indicating that only conformational features controlling seeding specificity (e.g. those in critical intermolecular contact sites of amyloid fibrils) are necessarily transmissible by cross-seeding; conformational traits in other parts of the PrP molecule may not be "heritable" from the amyloid template.
Increased Atherosclerosis and Smooth Muscle Cell Hypertrophy in Natriuretic Peptide Receptor A−/−Apolipoprotein E−/− Mice

Objective— Natriuretic peptide signaling is important in the regulation of blood pressure as well as in the growth of multiple cell types. To examine the role of natriuretic peptide signaling in atherosclerosis, we crossbred mice that lack natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA; Npr1 −/− ) with atherosclerosis-prone mice that lack apolipoprotein E (apoE; Apoe −/− ). Methods and Results— Doubly deficient Npr1 −/− Apoe −/− mice have increased blood pressure relative to Npr1 +/+ Apoe −/− mice (118±4 mm Hg compared with 108±2 mm Hg, P P Npr1 −/− Apoe −/− mice relative to Npr1 +/+ Apoe −/− mice ( P Npr1 −/− Apoe −/− mice also have significantly greater cardiac mass (9.0±0.3 mg/g body weight) than either Npr1 +/+ Apoe −/− mice (5.8±0.2 mg/g) or Npr1 −/− Apoe +/+ mice (7.1±0.2 mg/g), suggesting that the lack of both NPRA and apoE synergistically enhances cardiac hypertrophy. Conclusions— These data provide evidence that NPR1 is an atherosclerosis susceptibility locus and represents a potential link between atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy. Our results also suggest roles for Npr1 as well as Apoe in regulation of hypertrophic cell growth.
Waveguides and waveguide arrays formed by incoherent light in photorefractive materials

Abstract We report on experimental observations of nonlinear optical waveguides and waveguide arrays formed by incoherent light in photorefractive materials. Such waveguides are made possible by creating partially spatially incoherent solitons in a noninstantaneous self-focusing photorefractive medium. In addition to planar, Y-junction, and circular waveguides, we report the first demonstration of pixel-like spatial solitons from partially incoherent light. An array of as many as 56×56 soliton pixels is readily realized by launching a spatially modulated incoherent beam into the self-focusing photorefractive medium. These solitons are stable and robust, forming a steady-state two-dimensional waveguide array in which optical coupling and control of local waveguide channels can be achieved. These experiments bring about the possibility of controlling high-power laser beams with low-power incoherent light sources as well as the possibility for optically inducing three-dimensional reconfigurable photonic lattices in a bulk medium.
Estimating mean hospital cost as a function of length of stay and patient characteristics.

Statistical models have been used to assess the influence of clinical and demographic factors on hospital charge and length of stay (LOS). Hospital costs constitute a significant proportion of overall expenditure in health care. With escalating costs, knowing the correlates of LOS and in-hospital cost is important for decisions on allocating resources. However, hospital charge and LOS are correlated. We describe two regression models that permit estimation of mean charges as a function of patient hospital stay and adjust for the influence of patient characteristics and treatment procedures on LOS and charge. In the first model, the mean charge over a specified duration is a weighted average of the expected cumulative charge, with weighting determined by the distribution of LOS. The second model for LOS and charge explicitly accounts for their correlation and yields estimates of the average charge per average LOS. The methods are applied to assess mean charges and mean charge per day by cardiac procedure in a cohort of patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, while adjusting for the impact of patient demographic and clinical factors on LOS and charge. For relatively short hospital stays, and when only total hospital charges are available, these models provide a flexible approach to estimating summary measures on resource use while controlling for the effects of covariates on LOS and charge.
Mainstream Personality Psychology and the Study of Religion

In this commentary, I make some general observations about the study of personality and religion and some specific comments about individual articles from the perspective of contemporary personality psychology. Most of the authors represented here treat religion as a domain of human experience and behavior that can be understood in terms of familiar personality principles and processes. I therefore urge greater attention to the Five-Factor Model of personality traits, especially Openness to Experience, in understanding religious phenomena. Mainstream psychologists, including longitudinal researchers, behavior geneticists, and epidemiologists, should consider the inclusion of religious variables in their research designs.
Endoscopic Laser Cyclophotocoagulation in Pediatric Glaucoma With Corneal Opacities

Introduction Endoscopic diode cycloablation (ECP) has shown modest efficacy for the management of pediatric glaucomas. Eyes with pediatric glaucoma and corneal opacities pose obstacles to intraocular surgery. We examined the role of ECP in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) as well as that of endoscopy in facilitating tube shunt placement in these eyes. Methods Retrospective chart review of 12 eyes (11 patients) with glaucoma and corneal opacities from 12/99 to 9/05. ECP was performed for IOP control with success defined as postoperative IOP ≤21 mm Hg, with or without medications and without procedure-related complications. Success of ECP, repeat ECP, and endoscopically guided tube shunt placement was studied. Results Diagnoses included the following: Peters/anterior segment dysgenesis in nine eyes and corneal scar/failed corneal graft in three. Patients included eight females and three males with median age 3 years (0.5 to 10.3) at treatment. Median number of prior surgeries was three; median time to failure was 7.8 months (0.3 to 38). Ten eyes had prior external cycloablation(s). Success of first ECP (mean 6.1 clock hours) was 2/12 (17%), with Kaplan-Meier median survival 12 months. Two treatment failures had repeat ECP, and both failed. Four treatment failures had subsequent tube shunt surgery (three with endoscopic assistance), and all were successful at median follow-up of 33 months (11 to 63). Baseline IOP was 36.8 ± 11 mm Hg before ECP versus 28.2 ± 16 mm Hg after first treatment ( p = 0.07). Procedure-related complications included chorioretinal detachment in one eye. Conclusions ECP had limited success in children with refractory glaucoma. However, with anatomic limitations, endoscopy itself was valuable in facilitating subsequent successful tube shunt surgery.
Optimality of periodwise static priority policies in real-time communications

We consider the problem of real-time communication with delay constraints. In earlier work it has been shown that a certain weighted-debt policy is feasibility-optimal in the sense that if any scheduling policy can satisfy the throughput-with-deadline requirements of all the clients, then the weighted-debt policy can do so. This raises the interesting question: Why is it that a periodwise static priority policy can satisfy any set of requirements that the more general class of history dependent policies can? We answer this by showing that the set of feasible timely-throughput vectors is a polymatroid. We do so by establishing a submodularity property of the complement of the unavoidable idle time function. This shows that a periodwise static priority policy, where the priority order is revised at the beginning of each period, but never in the middle of a period, can attain any feasible timely-throughput vector. We next go on to investigate a more general problem where the packet arrivals and channel conditions can vary over periods, and establish the existence of an optimal periodwise static priority policy.
Activity spaces among injection drug users in San Francisco.

Abstract Background Representations of activity spaces, defined as the local areas within which people move or travel in the course of their daily activities, are unexplored among injection drug users (IDUs). The purpose of this paper is to use an activity space framework to study place and drug user health. Methods Data for this analysis is from an epidemiological study of street-recruited IDUs in San Francisco ( N =1084). Study participants reported geographic intersections of where they most often slept at night, hung out during the day, and used drugs during a 6 month time period. We used GIS software to construct and map activity space routes of street-based network paths between these intersections. We further identified if syringe exchange program (SEP) locations intersected with, participant activity space routes. We used logistic regression to estimate associations between activity space variables and HIV serostatus, syringe sharing, and non-fatal overdose, after adjusting for individual and Census tract covariates. Results Mean activity space distance for all participants was 1.5miles. 9.6% of participants had a SEP located along their activity space. An increase in activity space distance was associated with a decrease in odds of being HIV positive. An increase in residential transience, or the number of different locations slept in by participants in a 6 month time period, was associated with higher odds of syringe sharing. Activity space distance was not independently associated with overdose or syringe sharing. Discussion Research that locates individuals in places of perceived importance is needed to inform placement and accessibility of HIV and overdose prevention programs. More attention needs to be given to the logistics of collecting sensitive geospatial data from vulnerable populations as well as how to maximize the use of GIS software for visualizing and understanding how IDUs interact with their environment.
Sensitivity analysis of rare-event splitting applied to cascading blackout models

Splitting is a technique that can be used to improve the efficiency in simulating rare events. The basic idea is to create separate copies (splits) of the simulation whenever it gets close to the rare event. To implement splitting, several decisions must be made -- for example, choosing a level function, choosing the number of simulation runs for each level, etc. This paper analyzes the sensitivity of the variance of the rare-event estimator to several parameters used within the splitting framework. We specifically consider a two-level fixed-effort variation of splitting for which analytic results can be derived. Results are applied to a simple model of cascading blackouts. The results illustrate that a good choice for the locations of levels may be more important than a good choice for the importance function for these types of problems.
Automated testing from specifications

Software verification and validation forms the single largest cost component in safety-critical software intensive systems. The minimal requirement when verifying or validating a safety critical system is a correct and testable specification that is unambiguous, consistent and complete. There are few frameworks currently available that provide all three properties. The SpecTRM Level 3 model is a black box Boolean specification of system behavior that is unambiguous, complete, consistent and testable. The syntax and semantics of SpecTRM-RL (Specification Toolkit for Requirements Modeling Requirements Language) are clearly specified, allowing us automate test case generation. In the paper, we present a three-stage architecture for test case generation. Test data generation is carried out using the inputs specification in the model to partition the input domain. Test data selection is based on impact of the test case on the outcome of the Boolean formulae that comprise the specification. The executability of the model is exploited by using it as an oracle to determine pass-fail criteria.
Role of Immunoglobulin A Monoclonal Antibodies against P23 in Controlling Murine Cryptosporidium parvum Infection

Cryptosporidium parvum is an important diarrhea-causing protozoan parasite of immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) has been implicated in resistance to mucosal infections with bacteria, viruses, and parasites, but little is known about the role of IgA in the control of C. parvum infection. We assessed the role of IgA during C. parvum infection in neonatal mice. IgA-secreting hybridomas were developed by using Peyer’s patch lymphocytes from BALB/c mice which had been orally inoculated with viable C. parvum oocysts. Six monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were selected for further study based on indirect immunofluorescence assay reactivity with sporozoite and merozoite pellicles and the antigen (Ag) deposited on glass substrate by gliding sporozoites. Each MAb was secreted in dimeric form and recognized a 23-kDa sporozoite Ag in Western immunoblots. The Ag recognized comigrated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with P23, a previously defined neutralization-sensitive zoite pellicle Ag. MAbs were evaluated for prophylactic or therapeutic efficacy against C. parvum, singly and in combinations, in neonatal BALB/c mice. A combination of two MAbs given prophylactically prior to and 12 h following oocyst challenge reduced the number of intestinal parasites scored histologically by 21.1% compared to the numbers in mice given an isotype-matched control MAb (P < 0.01). Individual MAbs given therapeutically in nine doses over a 96-h period following oocyst challenge increased efficacy against C. parvum infection. Four MAbs given therapeutically each reduced intestinal infection 34.4 to 42.2% compared to isotype-matched control MAb-treated mice (P < 0.05). One MAb reduced infection 63.3 and 72.7% in replicate experiments compared to isotype-matched control MAb-treated mice (P < 0.0001). We conclude that IgA MAbs directed to neutralization-sensitive P23 epitopes may have utility in passive immunization against murine C. parvum infection.
Surgery for Graves' disease: a 25-year perspective.

BACKGROUND: Optimal treatment of Graves’ disease (GD) remains controversial. The authors retrospectively reviewed the surgical cases of GD at a single academic tertiary center. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were analyzed for all patients with GD undergoing thyroidectomy over 25 years, in 3 periods: 1985 to 1993 (n 5 32), 1994 to 2002 (n 5 91), and 2003 to 2010 (n 5 177). RESULTS: There were 300 patients with GD (85.7% women; mean age, 39.3 years; median length of follow-up, 24.6 months). Overall, perioperative morbidity occurred in 36 patients (12.0%), and there was no mortality. Thyroidectomy-specific morbidity was very low, and the incidental malignancy rate was 10.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of GD has a very high safety profile, with low perioperative and thyroidectomy-specific morbidity, even in patients with overt hyperthyroidism. Incidental malignancy in patients with GD is not uncommon. 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
On resource provisioning for multi-domain networks

We study the performance of multi-domain resource dimensioning/routing techniques with limited information sharing, and provide motivation for considering fairness issues.