cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can Social Media Play a Role in the Development of Building Occupancy Curves

The demand for building occupancy estimation continues to grow in a wide array of application domains, such as population distribution modeling, green building technologies, public safety, and natural hazards loss analytics. While much has been gained in using survey diaries, sensor technologies, and dasymetric modeling, the volume and velocity of social media data provide a unique opportunity to measure and model occupancy patterns with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. If successful, patterns or occupancy curves could describe the fluctuations in population across a 24 h period for a single building or a class of building types. Although social media hold great promise in responding to this need, a number of challenges exist regarding representativeness and fitness for purpose that, left unconsidered, could lead to erroneous conclusions about true building occupancy. As a mode of discussion, this chapter presents an explicit social media model that assists in delineating and articulating the specific challenges and limitations of using social media. It concludes by proposing a research agenda for further work and engagement in this domain.
Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Reveals a Dipeptide That Acts as a Molecular Chaperone for Amyloid β

Previously, we discovered and structurally characterized a complex between amyloid β 1–40 and the neuropeptide leucine enkephalin. This work identified leucine enkephalin as a potentially useful starting point for the discovery of peptide-related biotherapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease. In order to better understand such complexes that are formed in vitro, we describe here the analysis of a series of site-directed amino acid substitution variants of both peptides, covering the leucine enkephalin sequence in its entirety and a large number of selected residues of amyloid β 1–40 (residues: D1, E3, F4, R5, H6, Y10, E11, H13, H14, Q15, K16, E22, K28, and V40). Ion mobility–mass spectrometry measurements and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the hydrophobic C-terminus of leucine enkephalin (Phe-Leu, FL) is crucial for the formation of peptide complexes. As such, we explore here the interaction of the dipeptide FL with both wildtype and variant forms of amyloid β in order to structurally characterize t...
New Views into the Genetic Landscape of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Whether metastasis-specific genetic alterations exist remains controversial. The study by Yates et al. in this issue of Cancer Cell provides evidence that metastases emerge late during primary breast cancer progression and that additional driver mutations are often acquired, posing both challenges and opportunities for precision treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Der Aufstieg fortgeschrittener Marginalität

Im einfuhrenden Kapitel dieses Buches wurde beschreiben, wie im Laufe der vergangenen beiden Dekaden das Selbstbild fortgeschrittener kapitalistischer Gesellschaften als weitgehend pazifizierte, homogene und kohasive Gesamtheiten – „demokratisch“ in Tocquevilles, „zivilisiert“ in Norbert Elias‘ Terminologie – durch den sichtbaren Wiederanstieg von Ungleichheit und Marginalitat, begleitet von gewaltsamen Ausschreitungen in den Grosstadten des Westens nachhaltig erschuttert wurde. Zwei parallel verlaufende Debatten entzundeten sich daraufhin in den Vereinigten Staaten und in der Europaischen Union uber den Zusammenhang von Armut, Rassenspaltung und postkolonialer Migration, stadtischem Verfall und chronischer Arbeitslosigkeit, sozialer Verelendung und (realen und wahrgenommenen) ethnischen Spannungen, verstarkt durch die Ausbruche kollektiver Gewalt, die in den Grosstadten auf beiden Seiten des Atlantiks im Anschluss an die Demontage des fordistisch-keynesianistischen Sozialvertrags gleichzeitig in Erscheinung getreten waren.
Remote Monitoring and Detection of Rail Track Obstructions

Railway snow and sand monitoring has become an important safety issue, as they pose a serious threat to lives, property, and security. Snow disasters every year bring immeasurable losses to society, and sand obstructions can cause the shutdown of railway lines for weeks. This paper presents a detailed design and implementation of a non-contact railway monitoring system using a camera mounted on a mobile platform. The captured image is processed to identify the level of obstruction on a rail track. The goal is to transmit the obstruction data to the cloud in real time and enable monitoring using a web based graphical user interface. Once the obstruction crosses a predetermined threshold, the system will alert the officials.
Analysis and Comparative Study of Flux Weakening Capability in Fractional-Slot Concentrated Windings

This paper presents a detailed investigation of the winding inductance and the flux weakening capability in fractional-slot motors equipped with concentrated windings. An analytical model has been developed for evaluating the winding inductance by merging existent theories. Subsequently, a simple factor called weakening factor, which is proportional to the d -axis inductance and the pole pair, has been introduced to indicate the level of the flux weakening capability for different pole/slot combinations in the case where the air gap or slot leakage inductance is the dominant component. From the comparative study, it is shown that the multiple 4-pole/3-slot, i.e., ${\boldsymbol{S}_{\boldsymbol{pp}}} = 1/4$ , can have the highest flux weakening capability resulting from the highest air gap inductance. The experimental results from several prototype motors, together with finite element analysis, are employed to confirm the validity of key analyses discussed in the paper.
The Gap Between Clinical Trial and Application in Health Behavior Counseling: Can Behavioral Medicine Build a Bridge?

Patients desire to have information about health-related behaviors (e.g., exercise) provided to them by their health care provider. Outcomes of clinical trials in physical activity counseling are modest at best and therefore, the degree of effectiveness of physical activity counseling in the primary care setting remains unclear. We describe what may be considered a “real-world” example of behavior change counseling aimed at primary or secondary risk factor identification and modification for CHD in women. We examined rates of baseline and follow-up physical activity in our sample of midlife Caucasian and African American women (N = 227) participating in a hospital-based CHD-risk screening. Baseline physical activity levels and rates of return for follow-up appointments were quite low with only negligible achievement of behavior change recommendations. In light of these findings, the potential role of behavioral medicine in training and collaboration with health care providers in primary care behavior counseling is discussed.
MANY-BODY THEORY OF NUCLEI AND NUCLEAR MATTER

Historically nuclei and neutron stars have been considered as bound states of nucleons. Thus the simplest description of these systems is based on a non-relativistic many-body theory in which only the nucleon degrees of freedom are retained, and the effects of all subnucleonic degrees of freedom, such as those associated with mesons or quarks and gluons, are absorbed into phenomenological nuclear forces. A vast amount of nuclear phenomenon can be understood from the resulting many-body theory, and in these lectures we will review some of the recent developments in it.
The Representation of the Shoah in Maus: History as Psychology

The contemporary tendency in United States culture to substitute a discourse of psychology for political and social analysis is especially evident in treatments of the Shoah. Drawing on postmodernist techniques, Art Spiegelman's“Holocaust commix”, Maus, dramatizes not historical reality but the effort of representing the memory of trauma. In the absence of symbolic authority, suffering from rivalry with his father and haunted by the real of the father's voice, the son becomes the subject of the narration. Like Maus, the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. and the criticism of Dominick LaCapra focus on the psychological processes of the private individual.
Reading Processes in Adults

The characteristics of skilled reading are reviewed. We first review the experimental tasks that are used to study skilled reading and argue that data obtained from eye movements during reading provide the best source of information regarding how adults read. We then review the basic facts about eye movements in reading, and describe how cognitive processes can be inferred from various eye movement measures. We also review research findings dealing with the perceptual span in reading and the use of nonfoveal information in reading. We conclude with some brief comments about models of eye movements during reading.
A state diagram creation and code generation tool for robot programming

This paper discusses a new tool for the design and code generation of reactive programs for robots based on the state diagram design methodology. The tool's simple graphical interface enables interactive diagram creation followed by code generation and testing; furthermore these steps can be cycled to incrementally modify the graphical design and generated code until the desired robot behavior is achieved. We have observed that using robots provides a strong motivation for learning programming skills; however, the rapidly growing complexity of code for reactive behavior programming can result in the student losing track of the original problem and the correct design that could lead to its solution. Our tool addresses this challenge by constraining the design within a an intuitive graphical framework; the design, once it has been created, provides a frame of reference which can lead to more productive ways of design and code modification.
Comparing the effectiveness of a hybrid simulation/lecture session versus simulation alone in teaching crew resource management (CRM) skills: a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Various methods have been used to teach crew resource management (CRM) skills, including high-fidelity patient simulation. It is unclear whether a didactic lecture added on to a simulation-based curriculum can augment a learner’s education. Methods Using an already existing simulation-based curriculum for interdisciplinary teams composed of both residents and nurses, teams were randomised to an intervention or control arm. The intervention arm had a 10 min didactic lecture after the first of three simulation scenarios, while the control arm did all three simulation scenarios without any didactic component. The CRM skills of teams were then scored, and improvement was compared between the two arms using general estimating equations. Results The differences in mean teamwork scores between the intervention and control arms in scenarios 2 and 3 were not statistically significant. Mean scores in the intervention arm were lower than in the control arm (−0.57, p=0.78 for scenario 2; −3.12, p=0.13 for scenario 3), and the increase in scores from scenario 2 to 3 was lower in the intervention arm than in the control arm (difference in differences: −2.55, p=0.73). Conclusions Adding a didactic lecture to a simulation-based curriculum geared at teaching CRM skills to interdisciplinary teams did not lead to significantly improved teamwork.
Modified fibula free flap harvesting technique for prevention of heterotopic pedicle ossification.

Background Pedicle ossification is thought to arise from the residual perieosteum left along the pedicle during the fibula free flap (FFF) harvesting. Pedicle ossification in head and neck reconstruction can cause trismus, pain on mastication/turning the neck, or neck swelling. Methods Two patients reported in this article developed severe trismus within 6 months after mandibular reconstruction with FFF. CT scans revealed ossification along the vascular pedicle interfering with mouth opening. Both patients underwent surgical debridement of the heterotopic bone. Results Surgical debridement of the heterotopic bone led to the resolution of trismus in both patients with pedicle ossification. Conclusions Pedicle ossification is a complication of FFF that can be effectively managed by removal of heterotopic bone. However, it is best prevented at the time of initial surgery. In this article, a new modified FFF harvesting technique is introduced to prevent pedicle ossification and reduce the ischemia time.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7: An Emerging Therapeutic Target for Sepsis-associated Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common organ dysfunction with poor prognosis. A recent study found that hospital mortality for adults with AKI was 23.9%, and 13.8% in children [1]. A prospective study of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe AKI (most receiving dialysis) reported a 60% hospital mortality rate, and 13.8% of survivors were dialysis-dependent at the time of hospital discharge [2]. Researchers have focused on preventing AKI and promoting its recovery; however, this has been difficult because the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for AKI are still unclear.
Systems Approach to Designing an Enjoyable Process for Game Designers

The main objective of this paper is to understand game designers’ experience of designing games and to come up with a design proposal that can enhance the current game design process to be more enjoyable and game-designer friendly. Our initial motivation for writing this paper was to understand whether the current game design process is enjoyable or not. What are some of the issues that inhibit the game designer’s experiences? What can be done to make the process more enjoyable? And how these insights can lead to the design of an enjoyable process that focuses on the game designer’s experiences.
Combining Rehk Methodology and Cheikh Anta Diop’s Postulates as a Systematic Approach for Assessing the Substantiveness of Indigenous Knowledge Production Systems in Africa

Abdul Karim Bangura in this chapter begins by pointing out that almost half a century ago, Cheikh Anta Diop rang an alarm bell which was ignored. The consequence of the failure to respond to his red flag, Bangura asserts, is evident in our major African linguistic peril today: the consequences of accelerated language deaths (i.e. when communities shift to new languages totally so that the old languages are no longer used) across the continent. Given this peril, he argues in this chapter that one area globalization (i.e. the process of going to a more interconnected world by diminishing the world’s social dimension and expansion of overall global consciousness) and the new world order (i.e. the dramatic process of change of globalization) have affected Africa’s socioeconomic and political development the most has to do with African languages and linguistics. In order to support his reasoning, Bangura analyzes how globalization and the new world order have impacted African languages and linguistics, with a focus on the state of language deaths across the continent.
Calculations of electronic excitation by protons and α particles in silicon

This paper presents a method of calculating the valence electron contribution to the stopping and interaction cross sections of swift ions in matter using linear response calculations of the dielectric function in crystals. The ab initio response function is used to calculate excitations at low energy and momentum transfers to account for material-specific effects, while higher energy and momentum transfers use a free electron gas response for increased computational efficiency. The ECPSSR method for computing core cross sections is modified to allow predictions of the core contribution to electronic stopping. The charge distribution by entrained electrons is explicitly modeled to account for the additional screening beyond linear response. We use the methods developed to predict the electronic stopping of protons and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles in silicon and compare to measured values.
Standardized stress reduction interventions and blood pressure habituation: Secondary results from a randomized controlled trial.

Meta-analyses suggest a small association between cardiovascular responses to acute stressors and cardiovascular disease, but a recent review suggests that this effect may be underestimated due to insufficient consideration of individual differences in habituation to repeated stressors. Objective The present article reports new analyses of a published randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and a passive control condition on blood pressure habituation-a secondary outcome. Psychological mediators of intervention effects were examined. Method Participants (138 healthy adults reporting moderate/high stress) were randomly assigned to 6-week MBSR, CBT, or a waitlist control. Analyses were conducted on 86 participants who subsequently completed stressful speech and mental arithmetic tasks during two posttreatment visits scheduled 48 hr apart. Blood pressure was measured -15, +0, +5, +10, +25, +35, and +60 min poststressor onset. Results There were no between-condition differences in blood pressure habituation (all ps > .05). However, both MBSR and CBT led to increased perceived control over thoughts, F(2, 72) = 5.20, p = .008, and individuals who displayed a greater change in perceived control over thoughts also displayed greater habituation to the speech portion of the stressor, F(6, 799) = 2.32, p = .020. Results implied an indirect effect of stress reduction interventions on blood pressure habituation via change in perceived control over thoughts (b = -3.93, SE = 1.98, 95% CI: [-8.392, -0.701]). Conclusion Stress reduction interventions that increase perceived control over thoughts may benefit cardiovascular health by promoting blood pressure habituation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Examining a Spanish nonfiction collection in a public library

Many areas of the country have seen large growth in their Spanish speaking community. Libraries and other public agencies have redesigned their practices to better serve the needs of these new segments of the population. The urban area chosen for this study has experienced one of the fastest growing Spanish speaking populations in the country in the last 10 years. In this study, a needs assessment was created for the Spanish speaking population served by a branch library in a large, urban area. The needs assessment was created with the use of demographic data and an analysis of current library literature. Using the assessment, the current Spanish nonfiction collection of the library was evaluated for both size and content and then compared to the size and content of the English nonfiction collection. This assessment technique is useful to libraries wishing to conduct a needs analysis on a specific group in their population served.
Human TFIIH Kinase CDK7 Regulates Transcription-Associated Epigenetic Modifications

CDK7 phosphorylates the RNA polymerase II (pol II) CTD and activates the P-TEFb-associated kinase, CDK9, but its regulatory roles remain obscure. Here, using human CDK7 analog-sensitive (CDK7as) cells, we observed reduced capping enzyme recruitment, increased pol II promoterproximal pausing, and defective termination at gene 3'-ends upon CDK7 inhibition. Surprisingly, we also noted CDK7 regulates chromatin modifications downstream of transcription start sites. H3K4me3 spreading was restricted at gene 5'-ends and H3K36me3 was displaced toward gene 3'-ends in CDK7as cells. Mass spectrometry identified factors that bound TFIIH-phosphorylated vs. P-TEFb-phosphorylated CTD (vs. unmodified); capping enzymes and H3K4 methyltransferase complexes, SETD1A/B, selectively bound phosphorylated CTD and the H3K36 methyltransferase SETD2 specifically bound P-TEFb-phosphorylated CTD. Moreover, TFIIH phosphorylated CTD stimulated SETD1A/B activity toward nucleosomes, revealing a mechanistic basis for CDK7 regulation of H3K4me3 spreading. Collectively, these results implicate a CDK7 dependent "CTD code" that regulates epigenetic marks in addition to RNA processing and pol II pausing.
Topology optimization of hard-magnetic soft materials

Abstract Hard-magnetic soft materials, which consist of soft matrix embedded with hard-magnetic particles, have attracted tremendous interests owing to their untethered control capability, rapid response, and flexible programmability. This work introduces a powerful topology optimization framework to guide the rational design of hard-magnetic soft materials and structures with precisely programmable functionalities under large deformations. Built upon a unified design parameterization scheme, the proposed framework is capable of simultaneously optimizing topology, remnant magnetization distribution, and applied magnetic fields. Thus, guided by the analytical gradient information, our framework can effectively explore the entire design space to search for optimized structures with multiple target functionalities, such as programmable deformations and maximized actuation, under the corresponding optimized magnetic fields. Through five design examples, we showcase applications of the proposed framework in generating optimized shape-programming metastructures and robots, magnetic actuators, and unit cells with encoded and adaptable modes. We demonstrate how simultaneous optimization in topology, magnetization distribution, and applied magnetic field can greatly improve the performance of a design, and highlight the importance of accounting for finite-rotation kinematics to capture the influence of body torque-related magnetic force on the optimized remnant magnetization distribution. Various optimized magnetic-responsive designs with comparable performances yet distinct mechanisms are discovered, showing the effectiveness of the proposed framework to generate unconventional designs with highly programmable magnetic-actuated behaviors. We envision that the proposed topology optimization framework can potentially benefit the design process in a wide spectrum of magnetic-responsive applications, such as soft robots, magnetic actuators, and programmable metamaterials.
Equine Identification in an Amish Community, an Overview of a Survey Conducted in Pennsylvania

The Amish are a Christian group that settled in North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, they reside in 27 states, with 70% of the population living in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The Amish rely heavily on horses for transportation and farm work. If this group is to be expected to participate in the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), their beliefs and concerns must be taken into consideration. The objectives of this study were to assess demographic characteristics, movement reporting, potential for the spread of disease, use of emergency preparations, familiarity with and concerns about NAIS, and animal identification methods in the Amish population. Surveys were administered to an Amish population (n = 30) participating in a public horse sale. Regarding NAIS, 53.4% of respondents were somewhat or very familiar with NAIS, whereas 46.7% were not. More than 86% were not interested in participating in NAIS and did not have an NAIS premises number, 10.0% were unsure, and 3.3% were interested. More than 96% did not own any microchipped animals, and 73.3% would find no benefit in purchasing an equine that was microchipped. On a scale of 1 (no concern) to 5 (very concerned), respondents were concerned about tracing sources of disease (4.31) and being notified of disease outbreaks (4.34). Confidentiality of information was rated moderate (3.34), and an improved identification method for horses was of low concern (n = 2.14). In conclusion, education about NAIS, biosecurity, and preventing the spread of disease would be beneficial. Feasible alternatives to movement reporting and microchipping should be offered to this population.
Posterior distribution preprocessing with the JPDA algorithm: PACsim data set

This paper presents tracking results on the PACsim data set using a framework based on the JPDA algorithm with a posterior distribution preprocessing step. The dataset is a multistatic simulation designed to approximate real-life data. In this paper, we extend the posterior distribution preprocessing technique to include feature data and compare tracking results with and without feature information. Results show that the inclusion of feature data in the preprocessing stage can improve tracking performance. This work also explores the benefits of more extensive parameter tuning for the harder tracking scenarios included in the dataset.
“Polarizing” solutions in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A double-blind study with negative results

Abstract A total of 80 highly selected patients with classical findings of acute myocardial infarction have been treated with "polarizing" solutions in a double-blind controlled study. The five groups comprising the study were: no solution control, glucose, glucose and insulin, glucose and potassium, and glucose, insulin, and potassium. Using the parameters, electrocardiographic changes, arrhythmias, and mortality rate and with deference to the selection of patients, concentration of solutions and methods of monitoring, we found no statistically significant difference in results between the five groups studied. There is, in addition, no apparent evidence of benefit from the "polarizing" treatment, and it is felt that such solutions should not be routinely used in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Serum KL-6 level and the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in lung transplant recipients

KL-6 is a glycoprotein expressed by pulmonary epithelial cells, and its serum level has been used as a marker of disease activity in a variety of respiratory illnesses. Previously, we showed that KL-6 was elevated in lung transplant recipients diagnosed with BOS. In this study, we followed serum KL-6 levels and lung functions prospectively in lung transplant recipients who were within the first five-yr post-transplant and had no evidence of BOS at the time of study entry. Mean peak KL-6 levels were 596.16 ± 309.32 U/mL in the nine recipients who developed BOS compared to 352.41 ± 140.68 in 36 recipients who did not (p = 0.05). Six of the nine patients with BOS had an absolute rise in KL-6 above baseline level >200 U/mL compared to two of the 37 who had the same increase in KL-6 but did not develop BOS. Using the 200 U/mL elevation of KL-6 from baseline as a threshold for a positive test would produce a sensitivity of 67%, specificity of 95%, PPV of 75%, and a NPV of 92%. In addition, mean KL-6 levels of patients during acute rejection were not significantly elevated compared to the prerejection mean KL-6 levels (p = 0.71). We conclude that serum KL-6 is a relatively specific marker of BOS in lung transplant recipients.
Missense mutation serine106----proline causes 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.

Abstract Steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency is caused by defects in cytochrome P450c17, the single enzyme that has 17-alpha hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities. We describe a rapid and efficient polymerase chain reaction tactic for identifying these genetic lesions and identify Ser106----Pro as the cause of 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency in two unrelated homozygous patients from Guam. We used site-directed mutagenesis of the normal P450c17 cDNA to construct the Pro106 mutant, and expressed both the normal and mutant sequences in monkey COS-1 cells and in yeast. Expression of the normal sequence permitted the cells to convert pregnenolone to 17-OH pregnenolone, progesterone to 17-OH progesterone, and 17-OH pregnenolone to dehydroepiandrosterone, showing the normal sequence conferred both 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities. Expression of the mutant sequence generated P450c17 mRNA, but conferred none of these activities, proving that the Ser106----Pro mutation abolished the 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities. An HhaI restriction site created by the mutation should permit screening of large populations.
The Effects of Vaginal Lubricants on Sperm Function

Lubricants are commonly used during sexual intercourse among couples attempting to conceive and during the routine clinical care of patients. Given the prevalence of use, several studies have evaluated the effect of lubricants on sperm parameters and fertility. To review and summarize available literature, a PubMed search was performed of all articles from 1950 to September 2013 with a total of 11 studies (8 in vitro; 3 in vivo) identified evaluating a combined 24 agents. Overall results demonstrated that baby oil, canola oil, egg white, and Pre-Seed® did not significantly reduce sperm motility or other measured parameters. Astroglide®, KY Jelly®, KY Touch®, Replens®, saliva, and Surgilube® all resulted in time- and concentration-dependent impairments in sperm motility, viability, and/or DNA fragmentation. Plant oils (canola, olive, peanut, safflower, vegetable) generally had fewer effects on motility compared to alternative agents. Limited data on Aquasonic Gel®, FemGlide®, and Felis® all demonstrated reduced sperm motility. In vivo results of couples attempting to conceive identified no significant difference in the rate of fecundity between lubricant users vs. nonusers. Similarly, lubricants used during masturbation to obtain semen samples did not significantly alter semen characteristics compared to controls. These findings suggest that although several commonly used lubricants result in semen impairments in vitro, there is no current evidence that in vivo use is detrimental to fecundity. However, given the limited data available, additional in vivo studies are required to further assess the impact of lubricants on fertility.
Quantization and erasures in frame representations

Frame representations, which correspond to overcomplete generalizations to basis expansions, are often used in signal processing to provide robustness to errors. In this thesis robustness is provided through the use of projections to compensate for errors in the representation coefficients, with specific focus on quantization and erasure errors. The projections are implemented by modifying the unaffected coefficients using an additive term, which is linear in the error. This low-complexity implementation only assumes linear reconstruction using a pre-determined synthesis frame, and makes no assumption on how the representation coefficients are generated. In the context of quantization, the limits of scalar quantization of frame representations are first examined, assuming the analysis is using inner products with the frame vectors. Bounds on the error and the bit-efficiency are derived, demonstrating that scalar quantization of the coefficients is suboptimal. As an alternative to scalar quantization, a generalization of Sigma-Delta noise shaping to arbitrary frame representations is developed by reformulating noise shaping as a sequence of compensations for the quantization error using projections. The total error is quantified using both the additive noise model of quantization, and a deterministic upper bound based on the triangle inequality. It is thus shown that the average and the worst-case error is reduced compared to scalar quantization of the coefficients. The projection principle is also used to provide robustness to erasures. Specifically, the case of a transmitter that is aware of the erasure occurrence is considered, which compensates for the erasure error by projecting it to the subsequent frame vectors. It is further demonstrated that the transmitter can be split to a transmitter/receiver combination that performs the same compensation, but in which only the receiver is aware of the erasure occurrence. Furthermore, an algorithm to puncture dense representations in order to produce sparse approximate ones is introduced. In this algorithm the error due to the puncturing is also projected to the span of the remaining coefficients. The algorithm can be combined with quantization to produce quantized sparse representations approximating the original dense representation. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Laser-Heated Hypersonic Wind Tunnel

Typical stagnation conditions required to simulate the orbital re-entry corridor are P0 > 1000 atm and T0 > 5000°K. Although it is not feasible to have such stagnation conditions in a reservoir operating under nearly continuous conditions, it is feasible to obtain high stagnation temperatures in a gas flowing from a relatively cool high-pressure reservoir by adding laser energy to the flow. In this new approach, two important advantages are realized: 1) the energy source (i.e., the laser) is physically separated from the wind tunnel and is not temperature-limited as compared to direct heating devices, and 2) the laser beam can be accurately aimed down the central core of the flow, avoiding direct heating of the tunnel walls. A conceptual wind-tunnel configuration is illustrated in Fig. 1. The laser beam enters the tunnel system through a window near the plenum chamber and propagates downstream through the subsonic flow region of the nozzle. Under reservoir con-
A precision one-volt shunt reference

The shunt reference has for the most part been used where cost is the major concern in the choice of reference. As a result, the most prevalent shunt references have a voltage set to around the bandgap voltage of silicon ( /spl cong/ 1.2-1.25V) and poor precision in terms of slope impedance, initial tolerance and temperature coefficient. This paper describes a shunt reference with a nominal one volt output (a much more convenient value) coupled with greatly improved precision characteristics.
On Some Neglected, But Profound, Contributions of Gordon Tullock

This chapter suggests that Tullock has made more profound contributions to constitutional political economy and other related fields than he is recognized for, in part, because he himself has failed to recognize that aspect of his work. Gordon is not self-consciously pursuing the profound, but simply pushing out the frontiers of knowledge in as many directions as occur to him, more or less as rapidly as possible for a very insightful active man. Carefully integrating his research and plumbing its depths has largely been left to others.
Spectroscopic intravascular photoacoustic imaging to differentiate atherosclerotic plaques

The potential of intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging to detect atherosclerosis was previously demonstrated using a 532 nm nanosecond pulsed laser and an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging catheter. However, to differentiate vulnerable plaques, the composition of plaques needs to be imaged. Therefore, we introduce a multi-wavelength photoacoustic imaging method to distinguish various types of plaques. Multi-spectral IVPA imaging of ex vivo samples of normal and atherosclerotic rabbit aorta was performed at several wavelengths within 680–900 nm range. The spectral variation of photoacoustic response was extracted and a spectroscopic analysis was performed. The results of our preliminary study suggest that the spectroscopic intravascular photoacoustic imaging technique can be used to differentiate fibrous and lipid components of the atherosclerotic plaques.
Self-organizing Evolving Education

Abstract The undeniable success in enrollment for massive online courses sharply contrasts with the number of students that complete them. This paper argues that massive online education should radically change how content is presented and evaluated if it is to become a sustainable method at a worldwide scale. In particular, delivering online education to the rising billion, the population in the poorest developing nations, requires a different approach. This research proposes a novel, self-organizing tutorial framework that evolves along with a student's ability to solve problems. The framework incorporates elements from machine learning, education and digital entertainment to deliver a different educational experience. The dynamics of these elements are incorporated into the model to allow an evolving set of challenges that completely differ from today's views of online education. Furthermore, the paper also discusses implementation implications along with the framework's limitations and possible evaluation methodologies.
Eocene–Oligocene paleoecology and the diatom genus Kisseleviella Sheshukova-Poretskaya from the Victoria Land Basin, Antarctica

Abstract The Cape Roberts Project (CRP) recovered a composite Eocene to lower Miocene stratigraphic sequence from the Victoria Land Basin, Antarctica, which includes four new species, described herein, of the biostratigraphically useful fossil marine diatom genus Kisseleviella. Specimens of this extinct genus occur predominantly in neritic sediments, which along with the chain-forming nature and morphological similarity to extant benthic genera (e.g. Cymatosira) suggest that Kisseleviella was tychopelagic. The species of Kisseleviella described here appear to be endemic to the Antarctic region with an ecological preference for nearshore environments. The polythermal, subpolar glacial regime invoked for the late Eocene–early Miocene may have acted as a significant driver of speciation events in Antarctic Kisseleviella. Phylogenetic analysis of fossil genera such as Kisseleviella allows the development of a neritic biostratigraphic zonation. New taxa formally proposed are: Kisseleviella tricoronata, Kisseleviella cicatricata, Kisseleviella gaster and Kisseleviella faballiforma.
Filtration of aqueous latex suspensions through beds of glass spheres

Abstract Initial (clean bed) latex suspension collection has been measured in filtration through beds of packed glass beads with systematic variation of monodisperse latex particle diameter (0.7–21.0 μm), glass bead diameter (0.1–4.0 mm), flow rate (0.01–1.0 cm/sec), and ionic concentration (10 −1 to 10 −5.5 M ) of aqueous medium electrolyte [HNO 3 , NaCl and Ca(NO 3 ) 2 ]. The use of a Coulter counting system and bed depths ranging from a few to several hundred centimeters permitted measurement of filter coefficients over a factor of 50,000. Double layer repulsion was evaluated using zeta potentials measured by conventional electrophoresis and streaming potential techniques. When double layer repulsion is unimportant, the dimensionless filter coefficient is correlated by a dimensionless adhesion and gravity group as implied by theory. Collection data are also compared to the theory for collection by combined interception and gravity, which is found to give much poorer agreement. Selected data of other workers are compared to theory separately.
Evaluation of Factors Restricting Distribution of the Endangered Key Largo Woodrat

We examined a suite of models in an information theoretic framework to identify factors restricting presence of the endangered Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) throughout its remaining habitat. Models containing variables related to availability of nest sites and mammalian predator abundances were supported by our data. Abundance of natural (large overstory trees) and artificial (rock and debris piles) nest substrate were the most important predictor variables, followed by indices of feral cat and raccoon (Procyon lotor) abundance. We recommend increasing abundance of nest substrate in the short term through addition of artificial nest substrate and in the long term through continued protection of remaining forest habitat.
Behavioral facilitation following chronic administration of N-n-propylnorapomorphine

Chronic administration of drugs which interfere with normal neurotransmission within animal nervous tissue (e.g. neurotransmitter receptor antagonists) is known to result in the development of behavioral supersensitivity. During recent years, evidence has been presented which indicates that neurotransmitter receptor agonists also produce behavioral supersensitivity. This study shows that, using stereotypic cageclimbing behavior in mice, chronic administration of apomorphine, and N-n-propylnorapomorphine (two direct-acting dopamine agonists) and d-amphetamine (an indirect dopamine agonist) produced an enhanced behavioral response to a test dose of apomorphine 4, 8 and 12 days after cessation of chronic drug injections.
Effects of heterogeneity in synaptic conductance between weakly coupled identical neurons

A significant degree of heterogeneity in synaptic conductance is present in neuron to neuron connections. We study the dynamics of weakly coupled pairs of neurons with heterogeneities in synaptic conductance using Wang---Buzsaki and Hodgkin---Huxley model neurons which have Types I and II excitability, respectively. This type of heterogeneity breaks a symmetry in the bifurcation diagrams of equilibrium phase difference versus the synaptic rate constant when compared to the identical case. For weakly coupled neurons coupled with identical values of synaptic conductance a phase locked solution exists for all values of the synaptic rate constant, ?. In particular, in-phase and anti-phase solutions are guaranteed to exist for all ?. Heterogeneity in synaptic conductance results in regions where no phase locked solution exists and the general loss of the ubiquitous in-phase and anti-phase solutions of the identically coupled case. We explain these results through examination of interaction functions using the weak coupling approximation and an in-depth analysis of the underlying multiple cusp bifurcation structure of the systems of coupled neurons.
Self-directed student groups and college learning

Studies conducted by the author are reported in which small self-directed groups of college students assumed the major responsibility for their learning in college courses. Other similar studies are reported and summarized. These studies all indicate that self-directed small group study does not result in any decrement in subject matter mastery in the college learning experience. Furthermore, a number of measurable benefits appear in terms of other desirable outcomes of the overall small-group experience. Such educational outcomes as interest in reading material related to the course and its assignments, quantity and quality of study invested in the courses, increased communicative and interpersonal skills, sense of responsibility for one's own growth and learning, greater enthusiasm for the small-group experience, improvement in critical thinking, greater awareness of applications of study material, and lasting curiosity aroused by the learning, all appear persistently in favor of the self-directed student groups. Observations of self-directed groups in action and some implications for policy decisions in higher education are given.
Partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde on a model supported monolayer vanadia catalyst: vanadia on TiO2(110)

Abstract Vanadia adlayers of different coverage were prepared on TiO 2 (1 1 0) by codosing VOCl 3 and water. These surfaces and the partial oxidation of methanol on these surfaces were studied by X-ray photoelectron spetroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy. With increasing coverage of vanadia the rate of methoxy dehydrogenation to formaldehyde increased until reaching the highest activity at monolayer coverage. The V–O–Ti bond and the oxidation state of the vanadium cation play an important role in the oxidation process. The mechanism of methanol oxidation is discussed.
Magnetic polyvinylamine nanoparticles by in situ precipitation reaction

Magnetic nanoparticles represent emerging tools in biomedical and pharmaceutical research. Because in most cases, the surfaces of these nanoparticles are hydrophobic, surface modifiers are usually applied to stabilize the colloidal suspension in an aqueous media. This investigation reports a simple technique for the preparation of MnFe2O4 synthesized within polyvinylamine (PVAm) nanoparticle reactors. Magnetite nanoparticles were previously synthesized using a similar scheme; however, substituting MnFe2O4 for Fe3O4 improved nanoparticle magnetization properties and further established the synthetic approach. PVAm nanoparticles exhibited more than 18% manganese ferrite loading by weight, a saturation magnetization of ∼ 40 emu/g of MnFe2O4, excellent colloidal stability, and reactive primary amines for possible drug conjugation or surface modification. Transmission electron micrographs revealed that the dispersions contained ∼ 50 nm PVAm nanoparticles incorporating manganese ferrite particles with a size less than ∼ 7 nm. This reaction scheme further justifies a unique synthetic methodology for magnetic nanoparticles offering potential use in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or drug delivery. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 991–996, 2010
Abstract 2542: Preclinical studies of novel phosphonium salts with broad-spectrum activity

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Proliferation under selective pressures exerted by an unstable microenvironment, requires tumor cells employ adaptive mechanisms that confer growth advantage. Adaptation to adverse conditions results in cellular phenotypes that typify neoplastic transformation and offer unique opportunities for selective targeting of cancer cells. Agents that target tumor cell mitochondria with high selectivity hold clinical significance due to the adaptive, modulatory and essential role of this organelle in cancer cell energy production, metabolism and apoptosis. To this end, we have identified a series of novel, mitochondriotropic phosphonium salts, (TP compounds), that have shown broad-spectrum anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic activity in preclinical evaluation. A high-throughput MTT-based screen of over 10,000 drug-like small molecules for anti-proliferative activity identified the phosphonium salts TP187, 197 and 421 and numerous close analogues as having IC50 concentrations in the sub-micromolar range. TP treatment induced cell cycle arrest, lowered oxygen consumption, and increased mitochondrial superoxide production. Administered as single agents in a mouse model of human breast cancer, TP compounds significantly decreased tumor growth with no observed toxicities. Protein microarray data demonstrated significant down-regulation of integrin and growth factor mediated signaling pathways governing key processes including cancer cell survival, proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. At low micromolar concentrations, TP compounds prevented integrin-mediated cell adhesion to fibronectin and vitronectin coated substrates and tumor cell haptotaxsis on vitronectin coated boyden chambers. Similar concentrations of TP compound also prevented growth factor induced endothelial cell tube formation in 3-D culture using basement membrane extracts. Taken together, these results suggest that as mitochondria-targeted agents, TP compounds act to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and angiogenic capacity. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2542. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2542