cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energetics of Coronal Mass Ejections: Role of the Streamer Cavity

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large-scale outbursts from the solar corona that propel typically 2 × 1016 g of material into interplanetary space at speeds of typically 450 km s-1. Energy is required not only to accelerate the ejected mass, but also to lift it against solar gravity and, additionally, to open the coronal magnetic field. That energy is widely believed to be magnetic. However, a considerable body of research shows that energy stored in force-free magnetic arcades is sufficient only to open the field. Thus a magnetic explanation for coronal mass ejections involving simple magnetic arcades must include cross-field currents and therefore thermal pressure gradients. But in such models, the addition of cross-field currents can result in a large negative gravitational energy whose magnitude exceeds that of the available magnetic energy. The model corona then becomes more tightly bound to the Sun and is thus a poor candidate for the pre-CME coronal state. This paper introduces more complicated coronal pressure and density profiles that model the observed structure of the coronal helmet streamers in which most CMEs originate. In particular, our model includes a relatively low-density polar corona, a higher density arcade corresponding to the streamer helmet, and a low-density cavity in the equatorial region underlying the helmet. Solution of the resulting nonlinear equation for the pre-CME corona shows that it is indeed possible to build up net positive energy in excess of that needed to propel and lift the associated excess mass. Assuming that force-free currents (which are not included here) store sufficient energy to open the magnetic field, our results provide viable models for energy storage in the pre-CME corona.
Effects of serotonin transporter inhibition on gastrointestinal motility and colonic sensitivity in the mouse

Serotonin-selective reuptake transporter (SERT) expression is decreased in animal models of intestinal inflammation and in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and it is possible that resultant changes in intestinal serotonin signalling contribute to the manifestation of clinical features associated with these disorders. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether inhibition of SERT function leads to changes in gut motility and sensitivity. Mice underwent a 14-day treatment with the SERT inhibitor, paroxetine (20 mg kg(-1)), or vehicle (saline/propylene glycol). Gastrointestinal (GI) transit following charcoal gavage, colonic motility, stool frequency and visceromotor responses to colorectal distension were evaluated. In mice treated with paroxetine, stool output was decreased, upper GI transit was delayed, and colonic sensitivity to a nociceptive stimulus was attenuated. These results demonstrate that reduced SERT function (via pharmacological blockade) significantly alters GI motility and sensitivity in mice, and support the concept that altered SERT expression and function could contribute to symptoms associated with IBS and IBD.
Balamuthia Mandrillaris, N. G., N. Sp., Agent of Amebic Meningoencephalitis In Humans and Other Animals

We recently reported the isolation of a leptomyxid ameba from the brain of a mandrill baboon that died of meningoencephalitis. Based on light and electron microscopic studies, animal pathogenicity tests, and immunofluorescence patterns, we conclude that our isolate differs fundamentally from the other two amebas (Leptomyxa and Gephyramoeba) included in the Order Leptomyxida. We therefore created a new genus, Balamuthia, to accommodate our isolate and described it as Balamuthia mandrillaris to reflect the origin of the type species. Briefly, B. mandrillaris is a pathogenic ameba that causes amebic encephalitis in humans and animals. It has trophic and cyst stages in its life cycle, and is uninucleate with a large vesicular nucleus and a central nucleolus. Mature cysts have a tripartite wall consisting of an outer loose ectocyst, an inner endocyst and a middle mesocyst. Unlike Acanthamoeba and Naegleria, the other two amebas that cause amebic encephalitis in humans, Balamuthia will not grow on agar plates seeded with enteric bacteria. However, Balamuthia grows on a variety of mammalian cell cultures and kills mice following intranasal or intraperitoneal inoculation. Based on immunofluorescence testing, 35 cases of amebic encephalitis in humans and three in other animals have been identified worldwide as being caused by Balamuthia.
Castle warrior: redefining 21st century network defense

Historically, network security has often been equated to the medieval practice of building castles and walls to keep intruders at bay. In today's world of network castles, the castle paradigm has largely served us well for the last 15--20 years, but attacks are evolving to counter the once great firewalls that have protected our network castles and our crown jewels. It is time to revisit the castle doctrine and evolve our defenses to address the new targeted threats.
Tailoring thermal radiative properties with film-coupled concave grating metamaterials

This work numerically investigates the radiative properties of film-coupled metamaterials made of a two-dimensional metallic concave grating on a continuous metal film separated by an ultrathin dielectric spacer. Spectrally-selective absorption is demonstrated in the visible and near-infrared regime, and underlying mechanisms are elucidated to be either localized magnetic polaritons (MPs) or surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). The unique behaviors of MPs and SPPs are explained with the help of electromagnetic field distributions at respective resonance frequencies. An inductor–capacitor model is utilized to further confirm the excitation of MP, while dispersion relation is used to understand the behaviors of different SPP modes. Geometric effects of ridge width and grating period on the resonance absorption peaks are discussed. Moreover, directional responses at oblique incidences for different polarization states are studied. Fundamental understanding gained here will facilitate the design of novel metamaterials in energy harvesting and sensing applications.
Equilibrium Water Sorption in Human Stratum Corneum

The water content of the stratum corneum (SC) is a key factor in skin barrier homeostasis; it is intimately related to both skin condition and skin permeability. Studies of water uptake in excised human SC show strong similarities and allow characterization of the equilibrium SC water sorption isotherm in terms of widely used theoretical models. At low water activities, SC water sorption resembles that in other keratinized tissues (i.e., wool and horn), whereas at high water activities, it resembles that in polymeric hydrogels. In this paper, theoretical water sorption models [Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), D'Arcy-Watt, and Frenkel-Halsey-Hill] are fit to the combined human SC water sorption data from our laboratories and others. Each of these models provides a satisfactory description of the equilibrium water content of human SC over the water activity range 0.03-1.0. An accompanying paper discusses the implications of SC water sorption on water mobility in corneocytes and on SC permeability.
International Spillovers, Knowledge Acquisition and Transfer among Japanese Firms in the United States

Abstract In this paper, we investigate (i) the relationship between international spillovers and knowledge acquisition, and, (ii) intra-firm subsidiary-to-parent transfer of technology among Japanese firms in the United States. Using a survey of 185 firms, probit regressions reveal that R&D personnel and market power significantly influence the acquisition of knowledge associated with basic and applied science and product development. Tacit knowledge that resides in customers, and skilled personnel are effective sources for exploitation of international knowledge spillovers. Participation in seminars and conferences also enhances the acquisition of applied science. Firms that rely on codified sources are unlikely to acquire any knowledge. This research also confirms other authors’ findings that subsidiary autonomy facilitates knowledge acquisition. In addition, knowledge in product development is most likely to lead to vertical intra-firm transfers while applied scientific research only results in the tra...
Calpain and MARCKS protein regulation of airway mucin secretion.

Hypersecretion of mucin plays an important role in the pathophysiology of many inflammatory airway diseases, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis. Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein has been shown to play an important role in regulation of airway mucin secretion, as peptides analogous to the amino (N)-terminus of MARCKS attenuate mucin secretion by airway epithelium in vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated a potential role for the protease Calpain, a calcium-dependent cysteine protease that can cleave MARCKS, in the MARCKS-related secretory mechanism. We theorized that Calpain might cleave MARCKS near the N-terminus, thereby attenuating the ability of MARCKS to bind to membranes and/or creating a small N-terminal peptide that could act as a competitive intracellular inhibitor to remaining endogenous full-length MARCKS molecules. Primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and the virally-transformed human bronchial epithelial HBE1 cell line were exposed to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) to stimulate the Protein Kinase C (PKC) pathway, leading to enhanced mucin secretion, and Calpain activity within the cells was measured with a fluorescent cleavage assay. Calpain activity was increased by PMA, and pretreatment of the cells with Calpain inhibitors reduced both Calpain activity and mucin secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, as opposed to the original hypothesis, inactivating Calpain caused a decrease rather than an increase in secretion. HBE1 cells transfected with DNA constructs encoding a MARCKS-YFP fusion protein showed cleavage at a putative site near the N-terminus in response to PMA. Cleavage of MARCKS by Calpain may have an important role in regulation of the PKC/MARCKS pathway regulating airway mucin secretion.
Displaced aggression: Frustration or impression management

An experiment is reported testing an impression management interpretation of previous research demonstrating displaced aggression effects. It was found that superior performance by a confederate and not annoyance was related to increased use of shocks by subjects. Path analyses provided additional support for an impression management interpretation of these results, and disconfirmed frustration-aggression theory.
Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium ammine complexes containing the asymmetric ligand pyrazine carboxylate

The preparation and chemical properties of the ruthenium ammine complexes [(NH3)nRumcpy]+ (n = 4, 5; mcpy = pyrazine carboxylate) are described. The mcpy ligand functions as either a mono- or bi-dentate ligand, depending upon ammine coordination. When mcpy acts as a bidentate ligand, two MLCT's are observed in the visible spectrum (λmax = 520 and 420 nm). Polyvinylalcohol film studies identify the low energy band as a Ru-pyrazine MLCT and the high energy band as a Ru-metallocycle MLCT. For the pentaammine complex, Ein12 = 0.51 V compared to 0.37 V for the tetraammine species. Multiple coordination by mcpy decreases the extent of metal π backbonding relative to the monodentate complex.
Transesophageal Echocardiographic Identification of Atrial Septal Aneurysm

This case illustrates the usefulness of biplane transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of an atrial septal aneurysm, which in some views, mimicked a mass lesion in the left atrium. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 8, July 1991)
Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Coronary Stents

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is usually performed with drug-eluting stents; since the introduction of these stents in 2002, more than 2 million have been implanted worldwide. Drug-eluting stents are metal stents that are coated with a polymer containing an antiproliferative agent, which is released gradually over the course of weeks to months after the stent is inserted, thereby providing sustained inhibition of the neointimal proliferation (the process that is responsible for restenosis) that occurs as a result of vascular injury. First-generation drug-eluting stents, which released sirolimus or paclitaxel, were shown to be superior to bare-metal stents and to balloon angioplasty . . .
Heart and spleen “twin grafts” in rats: IV. Influence of donor spleen cell mass on allograft survival

Heart and spleen twin grafts from LEW to ACI rats may survive permanently, whereas those grafted from ACI to LEW rats do not. This strain difference in graft acceptance was analyzed quantitatively by transplanting one to three ACI spleens into LEW rats in order to compensate for the relatively small size of ACI spleens (Fig. 1). Under these conditions permanent graft survival was not observed in LEW recipients. However, during host splenectomy 3 days after transplantation, a nonimmunological factor was observed. The transplanted ACI spleens showed congestion and infarctions, while in the LEW to ACI transplant model the LEW spleens did not. This observation could be explained by the size of the vascular pedicle in ACI spleens. Although no problem was encountered immediately after completing the anastomoses, allogeneic spleens react by increasing in size, to such an extent that their size exceeds the capacity of the smaller vascular pedicle in ACI rats and results in congestion. Hence, the concept is formulated that early compromise of hemodynamics on a nonimmunological base may determine the fate of ACI spleen graft before immunological factors have a chance to become effective.
Does obesity explain excess prevalence of diabetes among Mexican Americans? Results of the San Antonio Heart Study.

Obesity and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus are common in the Mexican American population. It is not clear whether this is merely a specific instance of the more general phenomenon of excess Type 2 diabetes and obesity among poor people, or whether Mexican Americans have a discrete genetic susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes. The latter consideration arises because Mexican Americans are of mixed native American and European ancestry and native Americans may have a genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes which Mexican Americans could share. We studied 936 Mexican Americans and 398 Anglo-Americans randomly selected from three socially and culturally distinct neighbourhoods in San Antonio, Texas. Three categories of obesity — lean, average, and obese were defined using the Anglo-American distribution of the sum of the triceps and subscapular skinfold. Mexican Americans were two to four times as likely to fall into the obese category as Anglo-Americans, but within categories, the two ethnic groups were closely matched in terms of sum of skinfolds. The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, however, was significantly greater in Mexican Americans than in Anglo-Americans even when the comparisons were made within the three obesity categories. The summary prevalence ratio, controlling for obesity, was 2.54 for men (p=0.004) and 1.70 for women (p=0.036). Thus, lean Mexican Americans are still at greater risk of Type 2 diabetes than equally lean Anglo-Americans. Conversely, although Type 2 diabetes prevalence increases as expected with increasing obesity in both ethnic groups, obese Anglo-Americans are still relatively protected compared with equally obese Mexican Americans. Plasma glucose was significantly higher in Mexican Americans than in Anglo-Americans even after controlling for obesity. These results indicate that, although obesity contributes to Type 2 diabetes in Mexican Americans, it does not by itself explain the entire excess prevalence rate.
Private contracts for durable local public good provision

Abstract This paper presents a model of imperfectly durable local public good provision in a dynamic development framework. The private provision of these goods under contracts between developers and residents of condominium and homeowners' associations is examined. An optimal trajectory of public goods is determined and compared to time consistent contractual trajectories. This comparison is used to explain why developers typically transfer control of maintenance of these goods to residents before the development process ends. The optimal date to transfer control is determined and compared to existing contracts and recommendations in the industry literature. The optimal transfer date is nondecreasing in community size and length of the development process.
On detecting active worms with varying scan rate

Active worms have posed a major security threat to the Internet and many research efforts have focused on them. However, defending against them remains challenging due to their continuous evolution. In this paper, we study a new class of defense-oriented evolved worms, the Varying Scan Rate worm (the VSR worm in short). In order to circumvent detection by existing worm detection schemes, the VSR worm deliberately varies its scan rate according to these schemes' weaknesses. To counteract the VSR worm, we design a new worm-detection scheme, the attack-target Distribution Entropy-based Dynamic detection scheme (DED detection for short). DED detection utilizes the attack-target distribution and robust statistical feature in conjunction with dynamic decision adaptation to distinguish worm-scan traffic from non-worm-scan traffic. We present a comparatively complete space of detection schemes and conduct extensive performance evaluations on the DED detection scheme compared with other schemes, using real-world Internet traces as background scan traffic. Our data clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the DED detection scheme in detecting both the VSR worm and the traditional worm.
Particles in the lower troposphere over the High Plains of the United States. I - Size distributions, elemental compositions and morphologies

Airborne measurements of particle size distributions obtained during the spring and summer of 1975-1976 at various locations in the high plains of the U.S. are presented. The instrumentation and techniques used to collect the data are described. Particle number, surface area, and volume distribution are measured; differences in particle concentrations are investigated. Variables in particle size are related to changes in strength of ground sources of Aitken nuclei, age of the particle population, and presence or absence of rain. An accumulation mode between particles diameters of 0.1-1 micron, a coarse particle mode between particle diameters between 10-20 microns, and a nucleation mode at particle diameters less than 0.1 micron are detected. The control of the accommodation and coarse particle modes and their influence on particle concentration are studied. The elemental composition of the particles is analyzed and the morphologies are examined with an electron scanner microscope.
Laboratory behavior in spot and forward auction markets

Auctions that require advance production increase seller costs because inventories must be held. This cost does not exist in production-to-demand markets for which production follows trading, and sales exactly match quantities produced. Data from laboratory computerized double auction markets show that advance-production prices are significantly higher and quantities traded are significantly lower than they are in production-to-demand auctions. Price convergence patterns show advance-production sellers moving toward 9% higher prices and 22% greater earnings.
Distributed Ethernet Network of Advanced Pedestrian Signals

For more than 60 years, traffic signals have used direct wire connections between the traffic controller cabinet and the signals and detectors dispersed throughout the intersection. A network-based approach is reported for distributed control and sensing of traffic signal devices. The motivation of this research has been to improve safety and performance while reducing the cost of a signalized intersection installation. An Ethernet-based network architecture is presented that uses the National Transportation Communications for Intelligent Transportation Systems Protocol (NTCIP) for real-time signal control combined with the IEEE 1588 precision time protocol for robust operation of safety-critical applications synthesized into the term "smart signals." The investigation focuses on improving accessibility and safety for pedestrians through the use of smart signals. The smart signal paradigm is the basis of an enabling technology that permits complex functioning signals and detectors with self-test capabilit...
Processive Nature of Reverse Transcription by Avian Myeloblastosis Virus Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase

The ribonucleic acid dependent deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus was shown to synthesize poly(dT) transcripts by a processive mechanism using poly(rA)1100.oligo(dT)12-18 as template and primer. Template challenge experiments demonstrate that at low temperature and ionic strength, the polymerase remains bound to the completed template-daughter strand complex after completion of daughter strand elongation. Higher temperatures and ionic strength increase the dissociation of the enzyme from the complex, thus reducing transcript length. Analysis of product size and quantity indicates that the degree of processivity is also influenced by the types and concentrations of metal ions present and indicates that the metal ions affect the activity of the poly(rA) as a template more than they affect processivity or enzyme activity. The results also lead to the conclusion that initiation is the rate-limiting step under all of our experimental conditions. The arguments for a processive as opposed to distributive mechanism are based on an analysis of enzyme-template interactions, product size, and amount of product made under specific reaction conditions.
A GENETIC ALGORITHM METHODOLOGY FOR COMPLEX SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

This paper considers the scheduling problem to minimize total tardiness given multiple machines, ready times, sequence dependent setups, machine downtime and scarce tools. We develop a genetic algorithm based on random keys representation, elitist reproduction, Bernoulli crossover and immigration type mutation. Convergence of the algorithm is proved. We present computational results on data sets from the auto industry. To demonstrate robustness of the approach, problems from the literature of different structure are solved by essentially the same algorithm.
People Skills: Change Management Tools-The Modern Leadership Model

This is the third in a series of columns about some of the most effective models, methods, and processes of organization development (OD). OD is a discipline that offers much to the MS/OR practitioner determined to help clients solve real-world problems. Because it is based on a systemic view of organizations, OD includes the whole universe of fuzzy people issues that increasingly determine the success or failure of efforts to implement otherwise flawless technical solutions.
Airport privatization: A simple welfare analysis

The interest in privatization is not new to the world nor the study of economies, for that matter. The paper contains a critique of both proponent and opponent groups of economists and policy makers who deal with the issue of airport privatization. These groups primarily rely on anecdotal evidence to support their positions. At present, privatization can only be accepted or rejected on the basis of theory, politics, or ideology. In this paper a mathematical model and decision rule based on welfare analysis are developed that facilitate the process for transition of airports from a public enterprise to a private one.
Improvement of stiff-person syndrome with tiagabine

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a neurologic disorder of severe progressive stiffness and spasms of legs and spine, is frequently associated with the production of autoimmune antibodies.1 Immunologic therapies, including plasmapheresis and IV immunoglobulin, usually do not produce a permanent improvement in symptoms and treatment frequently requires benzodiazepines.2,3⇓ High-dose benzodiazepine therapy is effective, but is often worrisome, particularly in patients who do not have a positive antibody test to support the clinical diagnosis. To date, three autoantigens have been associated with SPS.4 It is likely that there are patients in whom specific antibodies are not yet identified. We present an antibody-negative patient with clinical SPS whose symptoms improved significantly in response to the anticonvulsant tiagabine, an inhibitor of GABA catabolism.5 A 39-year-old woman presented with …
New dynamic permeability upscaling method for flow simulation under depletion drive and no-crossflow conditions

The main purpose of upscaling in reservoir simulation is to capture the dynamic behavior of fine scale models at the coarse scale. Traditional static or dynamic methods use assumptions about the boundary conditions to determine the upscaled properties. In this paper, we show that the upscaled properties are strongly dependent on the flow process observed at the fine scale. We use a simple no-crossflow depletion drive process and demonstrate that an upscaled property is not a constant value. Instead, if the goal is to match the performance of the fine scale model, the upscaled permeability changes with time. We provide an analytical solution to determine the upscaled permeability and present the value of upscaled permeability under limiting conditions. Our equation suggests that it is possible that upscaled value can fall outside the range of fine scale values under certain conditions. We show that for pseudo steady state flow, using common averaging methods like arithmetic or even geometric averaging methods can lead to optimistic results. We also show that the no-crossflow solution is significantly different than crossflow solution at late times. We validate our method by comparing the results of the method with flow simulation results in two and multi-layered models.
The cycle of quality as a model for improving health outcomes in the treatment of hypertension

Considerable progress has been made in diagnosing and treating chronic diseases such as hypertension. However, ongoing improvements in methods for characterizing the impact of long-term diseases provide strong evidence that a substantial gap still exists between knowledge and its successful application. We have developed a conceptual model for improving healthcare outcomes, known as the ‘cycle of quality’, which enables clinicians, researchers, and administrators to develop new knowledge bases and put new treatment strategies into practice, while also allowing continuous feedback and education from measurement of the results of these therapeutic approaches. We discuss the application of the cycle of quality to the treatment and prevention of hypertension in the specific context of a programme exploring a community-oriented approach to healthcare.
Semivolatile organic compounds in homes: strategies for efficient and systematic exposure measurement based on empirical and theoretical factors.

Residential exposure can dominate total exposure for commercial chemicals of health concern; however, despite the importance of consumer exposures, methods for estimating household exposures remain limited. We collected house dust and indoor air samples in 49 California homes and analyzed for 76 semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs)—phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticides. Sixty chemicals were detected in either dust or air and here we report 58 SVOCs detected in dust for the first time. In dust, phthalates (bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate) and flame retardants (PBDE 99, PBDE 47) were detected at the highest concentrations relative to other chemicals at the 95th percentile, while phthalates were highest at the median. Because SVOCs are found in both gas and condensed phases and redistribute from their original source over time, partitioning models can clarify the...
Cyclotron Resonance in Indium Antimonide at High Magnetic Fields

The room temperature pulsed magnetic field infrared cyclotron resonance data of Keyes and co-workers in indium antimonide is interpreted using the k\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}p perturbation technique of Kane, which is extended to include the effects of a dc magnetic field. The energy levels are calculated for a carrier in a band in the presence of a magnetic field and which is interacting with neighboring bands. From the energy expression, the variation of the apparent effective mass with magnetic field is calculated. The theory is consistent with the room temperature measurements of Keyes et al., as well as with other cyclotron resonance results obtained at low temperatures.
Optimizing PK properties of cyclic peptides: the effect of side chain substitutions on permeability and clearance

A series of cyclic peptides were designed and prepared to investigate the physicochemical properties that affect oral bioavailabilty of this chemotype in rats. In particular, the ionization state of the peptide was examined by the incorporation of naturally occurring amino acid residues that are charged in differing regions of the gut. In addition, data was generated in a variety of in vitro assays and the usefulness of this data in predicting the subsequent oral bioavailability observed in the rat is discussed.
Repetition in Alzheimer's disease: A longitudinal study

Abstract A longitudinal study of repetition in Alzheimer's disease involving 24 patients and 35 controls over 3 years of evaluation is reported. A number of issues are addressed: Repetition ability in AD patients over time, the relationship between overall severity of dementia and performance on repetition tasks, the resemblance between the language of early AD patients and transcortical sensory aphasia symptoms, the dependence on short-term memory of repetition in Alzheimer's Disease, the occurrence of linguistic processing during repetition of an oral message, and the bearing of repetition performance in AD on the notion that imitative responses index linguistic knowledge, particularly syntax. The analysis of the collected data suggests that patients with relatively mild AD perform sentence repetition well, and that this ability deteriorates over time, but that in a majority of patients, repetition remains better preserved than many other skills. AD patients do not seem to demonstrate a transcortical aphasia. Short-term memory, auditory comprehension at least to the level of retaining the gist of the sentence, and knowledge of syntax are implicated as explanations for the repetition ability in the face of a more general deterioration of function.
Inner product matrices, kriging, and nonparametric estimation of variogram

Two important problems in the practical implementation of kriging are: (1) estimation of the variogram, and (2) estimation of the prediction error. In this paper, a nonparametric estimator of the variogram to circumvent the problem of the precise choice of a variogram model is proposed. Using orthogonal decomposition of the kriging predictor and the prediction error, a method for selecting, what may be considered, a “statistical neighborhood” is suggested. The prediction error estimates based on this scheme, in fact, reflects the true prediction error, thus leading to proper coverage for the corresponding prediction interval. By simulations and a reanalysis of published data, it is shown that the proposals made in this paper are useful in practice.
A plea for logical objects

An account of validity that makes what is invalid conditional on how many individuals there are is what I call a conditional account of validity. Here I defend conditional accounts against a criticism derived from Etchemendy’s well-known criticism of the model-theoretic analysis of validity. The criticism is essentially that knowledge of the size of the universe is non-logical and so by making knowledge of the extension of validity depend on knowledge of how many individuals there are, conditional accounts fail to reflect that the former knowledge is basic, i.e., independent of knowledge derived from other sciences. Appealing to Russell’s pre-Principia logic, I defend conditional accounts against this criticism by sketching a rationale for thinking that there are infinitely many logical objects.
Detection of myocardial injury in patients with unstable angina using a novel nanoparticle cardiac troponin I assay: observations from the PROTECT-TIMI 30 Trial

Background At least 30% of patients with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome present without evidence of myonecrosis using current generation troponin assays. A new generation of research assays for troponin that offer a >10-fold increase in analytical sensitivity has emerged. Methods To perform a pilot study to evaluate the clinical sensitivity of a new ultra-sensitive nanoparticle assay for cardiac troponin I (nano-cTnI), we identified 50 patients with unstable angina (serial negative cTnI) and 50 patients with non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction with an initially negative current generation cTnI result. We measured cTnI using an assay (Nanosphere, Northbrook, IL) that can detect pg/mL concentrations of cTnI (detection-limit 0.0002 μg/L). Results Measured at 0, 2, and 8 hours with the nano-cTnI assay 44%, 62%, and 82% of patients with unstable angina defined by the current-generation assay had an elevated nano-cTnI result (≥0.003 μg/L, 99th percentile decision-limit, coefficient of variation Conclusions In this pilot study using a nanoparticle assay for cTnI, myocardial injury was detectable in a substantial proportion of patients presently classified as having unstable angina, suggesting that ischemia with rest pain without injury is rare. The emergence of a new generation of troponin assays has the potential to lead to new clinical applications based on enhanced analytical performance at very low concentrations of troponin.
Fundamental Escherichia coli biochemical pathways for biomass and energy production: Identification of reactions

Cells grow by oxidizing nutrients using a complex network of biochemical reactions. During this process new biological material is produced along with energy used for maintaining cellular organization. Because the metabolic network is highly branched, these tasks can be accomplished using a wide variety of unique reaction sequences. However, evolutionary pressures under carbon-limited growth conditions likely select organisms that utilize highly efficient pathways. Using elementary-mode analysis, we demonstrate that the metabolism of the bacterium Escherichia coli contains four unique pathways that most efficiently convert glucose and oxygen into new cells and maintenance energy under any level of oxygen limitation. Observed regulatory patterns and experimental findings suggest growing cells use these highly efficient pathways. It is predicted that five knockout mutations generate a strain that supports growth using only the most efficient reaction sequence. The analysis approach should be generally useful for predicting metabolic capabilities and efficient network designs based on only genomic information.
Analysis of immunization workflow in clinics serving patients at risk for underimmunization |[dagger]| 631

Analysis of immunization workflow in clinics serving patients at risk for underimmunization † 631
Facile heterogenization of a cobalt catalyst via graphene adsorption: robust and versatile dihydrogen production systems.

A heterogeneous dihydrogen (H2) production system has been attained by simply soaking electrodes made from electro-deposited graphene on FTO plated glass in solutions of a cobalt bis(dithiolate) compound. The resulting electrodes are active in weakly acidic aqueous solutions (pH > 3), have relatively low overpotentials (0.37 V versus platinum), show high catalytic rates (TOF > 1000 s−1), and are resistant to degradation by dioxygen.
Knowledge base documentation: a productivity tool for large knowledge bases

KBDoc is a report-generating facility that makes use of information found in a knowledge base and information from an external database to produce a document that describes the knowledge base. The database is useful for tracking the progress of the knowledge acquisition effort as the knowledge base is being built. The document produced by the system is useful for maintenance, validation, and verification of the knowledge base, as well as for meeting customer documentation requirements. KBDoc was developed for the FRESH program, a DARPA-sponsored command and control program used to assist the Navy in managing its fleet resources. KBDoc is a custom LISP program that goes through the knowledge base and assembles the documentation for each piece of knowledge. It is a simple program that is built around the structure of the FRESH knowledge base. The KBDoc system is described. The use of this tool in large expert system development is discussed. >
Maternal health after the birth of a medically complex infant: setting the context for evaluation of co-occupational performance.

OBJECTIVE. Physical and psychological health indicators of mothers who gave birth to medically complex infants were examined to explore potential risk factors for the development of chronic conditions and to develop a scholarly base that supports the inclusion of maternal health in the scope of early intervention practice. METHOD. Ten mothers completed the Perinatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire and the State Trait Anxiety Form Y�1. Nine women completed 24-h Holter recording. Frequency of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety were determined. High frequency heart rate variability was examined for indicators of autonomic dysregulation. RESULTS. Nine of 10 women reported symptoms associated with PTSD, and 2 of these women reported more severe symptoms. Two women demonstrated indicators of autonomic dysregulation. CONCLUSION. Further research examining psychological and physical characteristics in mothers of infants at high risk is important to determine whether these women are at greater risk for chronic health conditions
Self‐Structure, Identity, and Commitment: Promise Keepers’ Godly Man Project

We address current debates related to identity theory and the organization of the self by examining how a sample of men involved in the Promise Keepers movement construct, maintain, and organize their identities. Our qualitative analysis shows that these men have undertaken a continuous project of gender identity work to become godly men. We find that the Promise Keepers movement provides these men with both the ideological and the organizational resources that enable them to sustain their godly man identity. This “master identity” becomes enmeshed with other identities and is used to modify and reorganize those identities, restricting potential identity conflicts. The result is a relatively harmonious self structure. More generally, we identify several criteria for defining the master identity concept and highlight its potential for advancing identity theory.
Efficacy of Intermittent Combined RAF and MEK Inhibition in a Patient with Concurrent BRAF- and NRAS-Mutant Malignancies

Vemurafenib, a RAF inhibitor, extends survival in patients with BRAF(V600)-mutant melanoma but activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in RAS-mutant cells. In a patient with a BRAF(V600K)-mutant melanoma responding to vemurafenib, we observed accelerated progression of a previously unrecognized NRAS-mutant leukemia. We hypothesized that combining vemurafenib with a MAP-ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor would inhibit ERK activation in the melanoma and prevent ERK activation by vemurafenib in the leukemia, and thus suppress both malignancies. We demonstrate that intermittent administration of vemurafenib led to a near-complete remission of the melanoma, and the addition of the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib (GDC-0973) caused suppression of vemurafenib-induced leukemic proliferation and ERK activation. Antimelanoma and antileukemia responses have been maintained for nearly 20 months, as documented by serial measurements of tumor-derived DNA in plasma in addition to conventional radiographic and clinical assessments of response. These data support testing of intermittent ERK pathway inhibition in the therapy for both RAS-mutant leukemia and BRAF-mutant melanoma.
Effect of cage population density on plasma corticosterone and peripheral lymphocyte populations of laboratory mice

The effect of different population densities of mice per cage on plasma corticosterone, peripheral lymphocytes and specific lymphocyte subpopulations was investigated. The animals were housed in groups of 2, 4 or 8 mice per cage and the blood samples were taken from each animal of these groups on days one, 7 and 14. A significant elevation (P less than 0.05) in plasma corticosterone concentration was observed in the group of 8 mice per cage on days one and 7 as compared with those of 2 or 4 mice per cage. The number of peripheral lymphocytes was significantly decreased in the groups of 2 (P less than 0.01) and 8 (P less than 0.05) mice per cage as compared with the group of 4 mice per cage on day one. A significantly decreased number of lymphocytes (P less than 0.01) in the group of 8 mice per cage continued to day 7. There were no significant differences in specific lymphocyte subpopulations observed among these groups. The results of this study suggest that a population density of 4 mice per cage induced minimal stress compared to that induced by the population densities of 2 or 8 mice per cage. Since stress is known to induce alteration in a variety of biological functions, the population density of mice per cage should be considered in the interpretation of research data.
Liposome-Encapsulated Methotrexate Interactions With Human Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells

The uptake of free and liposome-entrapped methotrexate (MTX) by human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells was compared under incubation conditions resembling those encountered in vivo. Liposome encapsulation enhanced up to 200 times the association of MTX with these cells. Autoradiographic studies established an association of [3H]MTX liposomes with the cells. Such a mode of delivery did not significantly increase the amount of drug available to inhibit dihydrotolate dehydrogenase, which suggested that the liposome content was not readily available to the cytoplasmic sites of action. Increased doses of encapsulated MTX resulted in enzyme inhibitions that were similar to those obtained with the free drug. This finding demonstrates that higher doses of MTX delivered by liposomes could be potentially useful in overcoming drug-transport resistance.
Neurophysiological influence of musical training on speech perception.

Does musical training affect our perception of speech? For example, does learning to play a musical instrument modify the neural circuitry for auditory processing in a way that improves one’s ability to perceive speech more clearly in noisy environments? If so, can speech perception in individuals with hearing loss, who struggle in noisy situations, benefit from musical training? While music and speech exhibit some specialization in neural processing, there is evidence suggesting that skills acquired through musical training for specific acoustical processes may transfer to, and thereby improve, speech perception. The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the influence of musical training on speech processing and the extent of this influence remains a rich area to be explored. A prerequisite for such transfer is the facilitation of greater neurophysiological overlap between speech and music processing following musical training. This review first establishes a neurophysiological link between musical training and speech perception, and subsequently provides further hypotheses on the neurophysiological implications of musical training on speech perception in adverse acoustical environments and in individuals with hearing loss.
A robot simulator classification system for HRI

This paper presents a classification system for computer-based robot simulators that is based on the FAA guidelines for aircraft simulators. Low fidelity computer simulation has been used extensively for testing artificial intelligence and control algorithms for robotic systems. Until recently operator training using simulators has been impractical due to the cost of the computer systems necessary to simulate robot operation with high fidelity. The rapid increase in the power of desktop computers over the last decade has led to cheap, high fidelity vehicle simulation. A review of the literature shows that there are many robot simulators in use with a variety of features and fidelity levels. There has been no prior work attempting to classify the functionality of these robot simulators.
UCC: update-conscious compilation for energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSN), composed of a large number of low-cost, battery-powered sensors, have recently emerged as promising computing platforms for many non-traditional applications. The preloaded code on remote sensors often needs to be updated after deployment in order for the WSN to adapt to the changing demands from the users. Post-deployment code dissemination is challenging as the data are transmitted via battery-powered wireless communication. Recent studies show that the energy for sending a single bit is about the same as executing 1000 instructions in aWSN. Therefore it is important to achieve energy efficiency in code dissemination.In this paper, we propose novel update-conscious compilation(UCC) techniques for energy-efficient code dissemination in WSNs. An update-conscious compiler, when compiling the modified code, includes the compilation decisions that were made when generating the old binary. The compiler employs a detailed energy model and strives to match the old decisions for a more energy-efficient result. In most cases, matching the previous decisions improves the binary code similarity, reduces the amount of data to be transmitted to remote sensors, and thus, consumes less energy. In this paper, we develop update-conscious register allocation and data layout algorithms. Our experimental results show that they can achieve great improvements over the traditional, update-oblivious approaches.
Experimental study and modeling of the reaction H + O2+ M → HO2+ M (M = Ar, N2, H2O) at elevated pressures and temperatures between 1050 and 1250 K

The H + O2 + M → HO2 + M reaction was investigated at temperatures between 1050 and 1250 K and pressures from 7 to 152 bar behind reflected shock waves in gas mixtures of H2, O2, NO, and bath gases of Ar, N2 and H2O. Narrow linewidth laser absorption of NO2 at 472.7 nm was used to measure quasi-steady NO2 concentration plateaus in experiments designed to be sensitive only to the H + O2 + M → HO2 + M and the relatively well-known H + NO2 → NO + OH and H + O2 → OH + O reaction rates. The pressure dependence of the reaction was studied by measuring the fall-off of the reaction for M = Ar over a 10–152 bar pressure range. A simple modified Hindered-Gorin model of the transition state is used in an RRKM analysis of the results to facilitate comparisons of this work with measurements from other researchers at lower pressures. The RRKM calculations can also be described, using the simple functional form suggested by Troe, with the following: k∞/cm3 molecule−1 s−1 = 4.7 × 10−11 (T/300)0.2; k0(Ar)/cm6 molecule−2 s−1 = 2.0 × 10−32 (T/300)−1.2; k0(N2)/cm6 molecule−2 s−1 = 4.4 × 10−32 (T/300)−1.3; k0(H2O)/cm6 molecule−2 s−1 = 3.4 × 10−31 (T/300)−1.0; Fc = 0.7 for Ar and N2 and 0.8 for H2O. Measured values of the reaction rate for M = Ar in the highest pressure experiments fall below both simple RRKM analysis and the more sophisticated treatment of Troe using an ab initio potential energy surface. Collision efficiencies of N2 and H2O relative to Ar at 1200 K are 3.3 and 20 respectively.