cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of elongating T7 and SP6 RNA polymerases and their response to a roadblock generated by a site-specific DNA binding protein

As a means of generating homogeneous populations of elongation complexes with the RNA polymerases encoded by phages T7 and SP6, transcription has been carried out in vitro on templates associated with the Gln-111 mutant of EcoRI endonuclease. The Gln-111 protein, as a result of a single amino acid substitution at position 111, lacks cleavage function yet shows higher than wild-type affinity for the EcoRI recognition sequence GAATTC. On a series of linear and circular templates associated with Gln-111 protein, blockage of the phage RNA polymerase elongation complex is observed. The 3' endpoint of the major blocked-length RNA species, just 3 bp upstream from the GAATTC, reveals an extremely close approach of polymerase's leading edge to essential contacts between Gln-111 protein and its binding site. In contrast to E. coli RNA polymerase, which is blocked stably and quantitatively by Gln-111 protein (Pavco, P.A. and Steege, D. A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 9960-9969), the phage polymerases show substantial levels of readthrough transcription beyond the protein block.
An application of zero-one goal programming in project selection and resource planning: a case study from the Woodward Governor Company

Abstract This paper deals with a project for the Aircraft Controls Group but the model is applicable to all companies that have multiple projects to select and limited resources. The zero–one goal programming (GP) model of this paper focuses on a specific component in the engine control system that has been identified as a potential growth area. Woodward has performed a detailed market analysis and has selected several potential engine programs to pursue. Decisions must be made to determine most advantageous programs to pursue in light of limited resources including capital, personnel and machinery. Therefore, a quantitative method is required for determining which programs to pursue and when they should be pursued. The GP model described in this paper has been developed to determine which programs to pursue in an effort to maximize profit over a four-year period, develop machine procurement plans and estimate personnel requirements. Scope and purpose This paper addresses the quantitative methodology for determining possible implementable solutions to project selection problems in Woodward Governor Company using computers. Also, this paper describes how mathematical methodology can be used for the actual real-world business applications. The purpose of this paper is to present an application of goal programming as an aid in project selection. The model determines most advantageous project to pursue in light of limited resources including capital, personnel and machinery by utilizing a quantitative methodology. The model is applied in a real-word setting and implementation procedure and results are discussed.
LACK OF EFFECT OF THYROXIN ON BLOOD SUGAR AND GLYCOGEN STORES OF FASTED HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS

THE MAINTENANCE during fasting of normal blood sugar and glycogen stores is dependent upon the gluconeogenetic mechanism. In hypophysectomised ani-mals this mechanism appears to be impaired; at any rate, there is a rapid fall in all carbohydrate levels when such animals are fasted. While it has been shown that the hypophyseal control of sugar formation and utilisation is mediated primarily by the adrenal cortex (1), there is evidence also for other mechanisms. Thus the pituitary appears to have another, probably direct, effect on the maintenance of muscle glyco-gen (2). On the possible role of the thyroid in regard to gluconeogenesis no general agreement has been reached. Russel's findings in hypophysectomized rats (3), as well as those of Dohan and Lukens (4, 5) in depancreatized animals do not suggest that the thyroid is similarly active as is the adrenal cortex in promoting gluconeogenesis.
The Influence of Rain Rate on Transmission Line Corona Performance

Experimental work aimed at gathering data for line design evaluation at EHV and UHV levels has concentrated on the measurement of foul weather AN, RI and corona loss. Usually the results are expressed in the forms of statistical distributions, whose mean and standard deviation are indicated. The measured data often vary widely, even during a single rainstorm
Influence of Allende minerals on deuterium retention of products of the Strecker synthesis

Abstract The α-amino and α-hydroxy acids found in the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite are deuterium enriched. These compounds are thought to have originated from common deuterium enriched carbonyl precursors, by way of a Strecker synthesis which took place in an aqueous solution of HCN, NH 3 , and carbonyl compounds during the period of aqueous alteration of the meteorite parent body. However, the hydroxy acids found in Murchison are less deuterium enriched than the amino acids. With the objective of determining if the discrepancy in deuterium enrichment between the amino acids and the hydroxy acids found in Murchison is consistent with their formation in a Strecker synthesis, we have measured the deuterium content of α-amino and α-hydroxy acids produced in solutions of deuterated carbonyl compounds, KCN and NH 4 CI, and also in mixtures of such solutions and Allende dust at 263°K and 295°K. Retention of the isotopic signature of the starting carbonyl by both α-amino acids and α-hydroxy acids is more dependent upon temperature, concentration, and pH than upon the presence of meteorite dust in the solution. In order to determine if hydroxy acids retain their carbon-bonded hydrons better than amino acids, deuterium exchange of α-hydroxy acids in D 2 O was investigated at temperatures in excess of 393°K. No measurable exchange of hydrogen was observed. While these results do not rule out the Strecker synthesis as a source of meteoritic amino acids, they do indicate that other reaction schemes may have been more important.
Calibration of microhotplate conductometric gas sensors by non-linear multivariate regression methods

Abstract This paper presents a demonstration of quantitative multicomponent multivariate calibration of microhotplate (MHP) conductometric sensors for binary and tertiary mixtures of light gases in air. Four element microsensor arrays of TiO 2 , SnO 2 with surface-dispersed gold, and two different grain structures SnO 2 , were used to differentiate among the analytes in the mixtures. We illustrate results from isothermal operation of these varied sensors, as well as the value of high-information content operation in dynamic temperature programmed settings, where the rate response change is dependent on the kinetic response of each sensing layer to the gas. The conductometric sensors have a marked non-linear profile with change in concentration. Several non-linear multivariate regression methods have been investigated to best calibrate the resulting signals from the mixtures of analyte gases: locally weighted regression (LWR), alternating conditional expectation (ACE), and projection pursuit (PP). In the best scenario, these non-linear regression methods have predicted mixtures of methanol and hydrogen gas to within 10 μmol/mol air (10 ppm) when calibrated within a concentration range of 0–150 μmol/mol air (150 ppm).
Comparing individual preferences for four meditation techniques: Zen, Vipassana (Mindfulness), Qigong, and Mantra.

Context A significant number of studies have been published examining the mind-body effects of meditation and its clinical efficacy. There are very few studies, however, which directly compare different meditation methods with each other to explore potentially distinct mechanisms and effects, and no studies comparing individual preferences for different methods. As preference is seen as an important factor in consumer healthcare decision making, greater understanding of this aspect is needed as meditation becomes a more widely used therapeutic modality. Objectives For this reason a pilot study was conducted to compare four meditation techniques for personal preference. Design A within-subjects comparison design was employed. Participants A convenience sample of 247 undergraduate university students participated in the study. Intervention Participants learned two open observing meditation techniques–Vipassana (Mindfulness) and Zen, and two focused attention techniques–Mantra and Qigong Visualization, practicing one method per week. At the end of a six-week training period participants ranked the four meditation methods in order of personal preference. Outcome Measures Ranking of subjective preference of meditations practiced. Results A within subjects comparison revealed that significantly more participants chose Vipassana or Mantra meditation as their preferred techniques compared with Qigong Visualization and Zen. Conclusion This study provides information on differences in preference for type of meditation. As the benefits of meditation accrue over time, selecting a method that motivates sustained practice is a critical objective if therapeutic effects are to be achieved.
The Effects of Cylinder Liner Finish on Piston Ring-Pack Friction

This paper presents enhancements to a previously developed mixed-lubrication ring-pack model that has been used extensively in the automotive industry in predicting piston-ring/liner oil film thickness, friction and oil-transport processes along the liner. The previous model considers three lubrication regimes, shear thinning of the lubricant, and the unsteady wetting conditions of the rings at the leading and trailing edges. The model incorporates the effects of surface roughness by using Patir and Cheng’s average flow model and the Greenwood and Tripp statistical asperity contact model, assuming a Gaussian distribution of surface roughness. However, as a result of the methods used to machine a cylinder liner and the wear-in process observed in engines, the cylinder liner finish is highly non-Gaussian. The purpose of this current study is to understand the effects of additional surface parameters other than Gaussian root-mean-square surface roughness on piston ring-pack friction in the context of a natural gas reciprocating engine ring/liner interface. In general, the surface roughness of a cylinder liner is negatively skewed. Applying similar methodology published in the literature, a wide variety of non-Gaussian probability density functions were generated in terms of the skewness of the cylinder liner surface. These probability density functions were implemented into the Greenwood and Tripp asperity contact model, and subsequently into the traditional MIT ring-pack friction model. The effects of surface skewness on flow were approximated using Gaussian flow factors and a simple truncation method. The enhanced model was studied in conjunction with results from an existing ring-pack dynamic model that provided the dynamic twists of the rings relative to the liner and inter-ring pressures. In this manner, a detailed analysis of the effects of engineered cylinder liner finish on reducing friction losses was performed.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Upconversion properties of a transparent Er3+–Yb3+ co-doped LaF3–SiO2 glass-ceramics prepared by sol–gel method

Abstract Transparent 0.1ErF3–0.1YbF3–5LaF3–94.8SiO2 (mol%) glass-ceramics was prepared by sol–gel method. Efficient upconversion emissions at 379, 407, 450, 490, 520, 540 and 660 nm were observed under 973 nm excitation. The signal at 379 nm is only ∼4.5 times weaker than the signal at 520 nm, that is readily visible by the naked eyes even with a pump power of ∼27 mW, indicating that this sample is a very good infrared-to-ultraviolet upconverter. The data obtained from transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies indicate that the rare-earth ions were partitioned in the low phonon energy LaF3 nanocrystals embedded in silica glass. The analysis of the dynamics of the upconversion emissions from level 4S3/2 (∼540 nm) and level 4F9/2 (∼660 nm) of Er3+ suggest that distinct energy transfer excitation pathways are responsible for populating these luminescent levels.
A perspective on coupled multiscale simulation and validation in nuclear materials

The field of nuclear materials encompasses numerous opportunities to address and ultimately solve longstanding industrial problems by improving the fundamental understanding of materials through the integration of experiments with multiscale modeling and high-performance simulation. A particularly noteworthy example is an ongoing study of axial power distortions in a nuclear reactor induced by corrosion deposits, known as CRUD (Chalk River unidentified deposits). We describe how progress is being made toward achieving scientific advances and technological solutions on two fronts. Specifically, the study of thermal conductivity of CRUD phases has augmented missing data as well as revealed new mechanisms. Additionally, the development of a multiscale simulation framework shows potential for the validation of a new capability to predict the power distribution of a reactor, in effect direct evidence of technological impact. The material- and system-level challenges identified in the study of CRUD are similar to other well-known vexing problems in nuclear materials, such as irradiation accelerated corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and void swelling; they all involve connecting materials science fundamentals at the atomistic- and meso-scales to technology challenges at the macroscale.
Digital libraries for scientific data discovery and reuse: from vision to practical reality

Science and technology research is becoming not only more distributed and collaborative, but more highly instrumented. Digital libraries provide a means to capture, manage, and access the data deluge that results from these research enterprises. We have conducted research on data practices and participated in developing data management services for the Center for Embedded Networked Sensing since its founding in 2002 as a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center. Over the course of eight years, our digital library strategy has shifted dramatically in response to changing technologies, practices, and policies. We report on the development of several DL systems and on the lessons learned, which include the difficulty of anticipating data requirements from nascent technologies, building systems for highly diverse work practices and data types, the need to bind together multiple single-purpose systems, the lack of incentives to manage and share data, the complementary nature of research and development in understanding practices, and sustainability.
A primal-dual resource augmentation analysis of a constant approximate algorithm for stable coalitions in a cluster

In this paper we study the following Cluster Profit Problem. Highly parallelizable requests are present on some network nodes. Each request is associated with a tuple (g, r). The requester is willing to pay kg if k machines execute the request in parallel. If some machines work on a request, the machines must pay the request processing cost, r, as well as connection costs to the request. The problem is to find a profit maximizing assignment of machines to requests, such that each machine works on at most one request. The Cluster Profit Problem can be viewed as a profit maximizing variant of the Facility Location Problem. We provide and analyze an algorithm under resource augmentation for the Cluster Profit Problem. Resource augmentation is a technique made famous by the LRU caching analysis. We compare our algorithm with the optimal algorithm operating on a network graph that has a constant factor longer distances. We prove our algorithm is a constant approximation under this resource augmentation. We also show that our algorithm is resilient to group deviations if deviating increases communication costs by a constant factor.
On Macroeconomic Reforms and Macroeconomic Resiliency: Lessons from the Great Recession

What are the payoffs from macroeconomic reforms? Whether such reforms yield higher long-term growth has long been controversial. However, the experience of the Great Recession suggests that other important benefits may have been neglected in the controversy over the growth benefits of reform. Specifically, in contrast with previous international recessions, recovery from the Great Recession has been led by emerging and developing economies, many of which have implemented significant reforms over the past two decades. How much of the resilience of these economies can be attributed to these reforms, and what do these lessons suggest for the desirability of further reforms? This paper is intended to provide some preliminary answers to these questions.
Office-based tracheoesophageal puncture: updates in techniques and outcomes.

Abstract Purpose Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is an effective rehabilitation method for postlaryngectomy speech and has already been described as a procedure that is safely performed in the office. We review our long-term experience with office-based TEP over the past 7 years in the largest cohort published to date. Materials and Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent TEP by a single surgeon from 2005 through 2012, including office-based and operating room procedures. Indications for the chosen technique (office versus operating room) and surgical outcomes were evaluated. Results Fifty-nine patients underwent 72 TEP procedures, with 55 performed in the outpatient setting and 17 performed in the operating room, all without complication. The indications for performing TEPs in the operating room included 2 primary TEPs, 14 due to concomitant procedures requiring general anesthesia, and 1 due to failed attempt at office-based TEP. Nineteen patients with prior rotational or free flap reconstruction successfully underwent office-based TEP. Conclusions TEP in an office-based setting with immediate voice prosthesis placement continues to be a safe method of voice rehabilitation for postlaryngectomy patients, including those who have previously undergone free flap or rotational flap reconstruction. Office-based TEP is now our primary approach for postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation.
Abstract B10: Development of a high-throughput screen to identify oncogene-mediated dependencies in transformed cancer cells.

Previous focused studies have investigated the components of pathways mediated by particular oncogenes, however we lack systematic and unbiased studies to understand how these pathways differ among distinct oncogenes. Here, I describe our efforts to develop a high-throughput screening platform to identify components of oncogene driven pathways through a combination of RNAi and drug screening using high-content imaging. We have developed a set of matched cell lines, of both human epithelial and mouse fibroblast origins, that have been transformed by ectopic expression of individual mutant oncogenes, such as the pancreatic cancer associated KRAS. Using these cell lines in focused RNAi and targeted inhibitor screens we can identify the differential requirements for survival in these lines, thus developing a method to map networks of different oncogenic pathways. Our long-term goal is to understand the pathway requirements of individual oncogenes to help guide the selection of rational combination targets in cancer therapy. Citation Format: Maggie Martins, Sourav Bandyopadhyay. Development of a high-throughput screen to identify oncogene-mediated dependencies in transformed cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges; Jun 18-21, 2012; Lake Tahoe, NV. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B10.
Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers.

This series is based on the Infectious Diseases section of the web site Refugee Health ∼ Immigrant Health, available on the World Wide Web at http://www.baylor.edu/Charles_Kemp/refugee_health.htm. The site was developed through a contract with the Texas Department of Health as part of an ongoing effort to improve the health of refugees and immigrants.
A methodology for assessing blast protection in explosive ordnance disposal bomb suits

To reduce human casualties associated with explosive ordnance disposal, a wide range of protective wear has been designed to shield against the blast effects of improvised explosive devices and munitions. In this study, 4 commercially available bomb suits, representing a range of materials and armor masses, were evaluated against 0.227 and 0.567 kg of spherical C-4 explosives to determine the level of protection offered to the head, neck, and thorax. A Hybrid III dummy, an instrumented human surrogate [1], was tested with and without protection from the 4 commercially available bomb suits. 20 tests with the dummy torso mounted to simulate a kneeling position were performed to confirm repeatability and robustness of the dummies, as well as to evaluate the 4 suits. Correlations between injury risk assessments based on past human or animal injury model data and various parameters such as bomb suit mass, projected area, and dummy coverage area were drawn.
Probing the interaction of Arg9Cys mutated phospholamban with phospholipid bilayers by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Abstract Phospholamban (PLB) is a 52 amino acid integral membrane protein that interacts with the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2 + ATPase (SERCA) and helps to regulate Ca2 + flow. PLB inhibits SERCA impairing Ca2 + translocation. The inhibition can be relieved upon phosphorylation of PLB. The Arg9 to Cys (R9C) mutation is a loss of function mutation with reduced inhibitory potency. The effect R9C PLB has on the membrane surface and the hydrophobic region dynamics was investigated by 31P and 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy in multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). The 31P NMR spectra indicate that, like the phosphorylated PLB (P-PLB), the mutated R9C-PLB protein has significantly less interaction with the lipid bilayer headgroup when compared to wild-type PLB (WT-PLB). Similar to P-PLB, R9C-PLB slightly decreases 31P T1 values in the lipid headgroup region. 2H SCD order parameters of 2H nuclei along the lipid acyl chain decrease less dramatically for R9C-PLB and P-PLB when compared to WT-PLB. The results suggest that R9C-PLB interacts less with the membrane surface and hydrophobic region than WT-PLB. Detachment of the cytoplasmic domain of R9C-PLB from the membrane surface could be related to its loss of function.
Isoelectronic surfactant-induced surface step structure and correlation with ordering in GaInP

Abstract This paper explores the effects of surfactants isoelectronic with P on the step structure and ordering in GaInP grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy. Three elements, Bi, Sb, and As, were studied individually by adding them during epitaxial growth using the precursors trimethylbismuth, triethylantimony, and triethylarsenic. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the influence of the surfactants on the epilayer step structure. Bi produces a remarkable change in the step structure. A Bi concentration in the vapor of (Bi/III) v =1.65×10 −2 increases the [1 1 0] step velocity by nearly an order of magnitude. The addition of Bi leads to the complete elimination of three-dimensional islands and a significant reduction in surface roughness for layers grown on singular (0 0 1) GaAs substrates. These observations suggest that the surfactant Bi alters the attachment kinetics of group III adatoms at descending and ascending steps. When a comparable amount of surfactant Sb is added [(Sb/III) v =1.2×10 −2 ] the [1 1 0] step velocity increases only slightly. However, this amount of Sb also produces smoother surfaces. Higher amounts of the surfactant Sb [(Sb/III) v =6.4×10 −2 ] produce surface undulations with a period of ∼120 nm. These undulations are related to formation of a lateral compositional modulation. No step structure change occurs when a high partial pressure of As is added during growth [(As/III) v =3.3×10 −1 ]. Addition of each of the three isoelectronic elements has been observed to disorder GaInP layers that would otherwise be highly ordered.
Pharmacotherapies for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of progressive optic neuropathies in which the axons in the optic nerve are injured, retinal ganglion cell numbers are reduced and vision is gradually and permanently lost. The only approved and effective way to treat glaucoma is to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP). This is usually accomplished by surgical and/or pharmacological means. Drugs designed to reduce IOP target one or more of the parameters that maintain it. These parameters (collectively known as aqueous humor dynamics) are the production rate of aqueous humor, the pressure in the episcleral veins and the drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular or uveoscleral outflow pathways. Intraocular pressure lowering drugs can be classified as inflow or outflow depending on whether they reduce aqueous humor inflow into the anterior chamber or improve aqueous humor outflow from the anterior chamber. Inflow drugs, like β adrenergic antagonists and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, reduce the rate of aqueous humor production. Outflow drugs, like prostaglandin analogs, cholinergic agonists and sympathomimetics, increase the rate of drainage through the uveoscleral outflow pathway and/or increase the facility of outflow through the trabecular meshwork. Some drugs have mixed inflow/outflow effects. This review summarizes the pharmacological treatments for glaucoma in use today and some new drugs showing potential for use in the future.
Sedimentary Rock Types: Relative Proportions as a Function of Geological Time

Proportions of sedimentary rock types remaining today differ from period to period. These differences may be chiefly the result of differential rates of deposition and erosion of the various components of the rocks. Lower percentages of limestones and evaporites in Precambrian rocks than in post-Precambrian rocks probably represent selective loss of these more easily removable components from the original deposits.
Of mighty mice and meek men: Contextual reconstruction of the Iranian airbus shootdown

When the U.S.S. Vincennes shot down Iran Air 655 (Airbus) on 3 July 1988, the Reagan administration initially reacted in a reserved and perfunctory manner; however, within two weeks the discourse had assumed a more vituperative demeanor. These disparate rhetorical styles suggest the premise that the administration redefined the context from which it communicated to the world. This study analyzes administrative rhetoric of the United States government during the Airbus crisis, examining all written verbatim records produced by the administration within a thirty day period following the shootdown. By studying the interplay of text and context, as this relates to the concept of rhetorical situation, we demonstrate that the administration contextually reconstructed the entire incident, that George Bush's speech before the United Nations on 14 July 1988 was the culmination of this change, and that discourse following Bush's speech evinced rhetorical qualities characteristic of administrative discourse during t...
p53 immunostaining in the differentiation of reactive processes from malignancy in pleural biopsy specimens

To determine the utility of positive p53 protein immunostaining as an adjunct in the diagnosis of malignancy in pleural biopsy specimens, we reviewed 73 recently obtained pleural biopsy specimens that represented the typical range of diagnoses encountered in the evaluation of a proliferative pleural process. Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin sections of each biopsy specimen using a monoclonal antibody to the p53 suppressor gene product clone BP53-12 (BioGenex, San Ramon, CA) and a standard capillary gap (Microprobe, Fischer Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA) avidin-biotin complex technique with a citrate buffer antigen retrieval solution. Of the pleural biopsy specimens with unequivocal malignancy, 19 of 40 mesotheliomas and nine of 18 metastatic adenocarcinomas were immunopositive for p53 protein. All 13 of the biopsy specimens with reactive mesothelial hyperplasia or organizing pleuritis were negative. Two pleural biopsy specimens, which were interpreted as suspicious but inconclusive for malignancy, were positive for p53 protein and subsequent pathology specimens confirmed the presence of metastatic carcinoma in both of these biopsy specimens. Our findings suggest that p53 protein immunostaining is relatively sensitive and highly specific in differentiating reactive processes from primary or metastatic malignancies in histopathologically equivocal pleural biopsy specimens.
Larval settlement behavior in competing species: Mytiluscalifornianus Conrad and M. edulis L.

Abstract Mytilus californianus Conrad and M. edulis L. are marine mussels that compete for attachment space in the mid and upper intertidal zones. Larval settlement behavior in these species was examined to determine which substrata were preferred or avoided. Monospecific adult mussel clumps were given special attention since they may be important settling sites if competition has played a role in the evolution of habitat selection behaviors. M. californianus larvae settled on many different substrata at Yoakam Point, Oregon: several species of algae, M. edulis beds, M. californianus beds, and bare rock with scattered barnacles. Filamentous algae had the highest densities of settlers while M. californianus beds and bare-barnacle surfaces had relatively low densities. Settler density in M. californianus beds was lowest during spring and early summer and highest in the fall. In laboratory choice experiments M. edulis larvae avoided adult patches of M. californianus , instead settling on M. edulis adults or the red alga, Rhodomela larix (Turn.) C. Ag. Mytilus californianus larvae selected M. edulis adult patches as settlement sites in choice experiments. Competition between these Mytilus species may have led to different settling behaviors: M. edulis larvae avoid adult clumps of M. californianus where competition is intense and survivorship is low. M. californianus larvae settle broadly, selecting patches of adult M. edulis if encountered. Since M. californianus is competitively superior over other sessile species in this community, there may be little evolutionary pressure for larvae to select specific substrata. The settling behaviors of M. edulis and M. californianus affect the rate and direction of succession in this intertidal zone.
Neurostimulation in the treatment of epilepsy

There is increased interest in neurostimulation as a treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Two large pivotal trials have recently been completed, one using bilateral anterior thalamic stimulation and another employing closed loop responsive therapy of the brain. These are potential additions to the therapeutic options for neurostimulation in addition to already approved vagus nerve stimulation. This review will address the principles of the various types of neurostimulation, the results of the pivotal trials and the important considerations for interpreting the results of these trials which differ from trials of antiepileptic drugs.
Calcium signals recorded from two new purpurate indicators inside frog cut twitch fibers

Two new Ca indicators, purpurate-3,3'diacetic acid (PDAA) and 1,1'-dimethylpurpurate-3,3'diacetic acid (DMPDAA), were synthesized and used to measure Ca transients in frog cut muscle fibers. These indicators are analogues of the purpurate components of murexide and tetramethylmurexide, in which two acetate groups have been incorporated into each molecule to render it membrane impermeant. The apparent dissociation constant for Ca is 0.95 mM for PDAA and 0.78 mM for DMPDAA. One of the indicators was introduced into a cut fiber, which was mounted in a double Vaseline-gap chamber, by diffusion from the end-pool solutions. The time course of indicator concentration, monitored optically in the middle of the fiber in the central-pool region, suggests that 19% of the PDAA or 27% of the DMPDAA became bound or sequestered inside the fiber. In resting fibers, the absorbance spectrum of either indicator was well fitted by the indicator's [Ca] = 0 mM cuvette absorbance spectrum, which is consistent with the idea that PDAA and DMPDAA do not enter the sarcoplasmic reticulum as tetramethylmurexide appears to be able to do (Maylie, J., M. Irving, N.L. Sizto, G. Boyarsky, and W. K. Chandler, 1987. Journal of General Physiology. 89:145-176). After an action potential, the absorbance of either indicator underwent a rapid and transient change that returned to the prestimulus baseline within 100-200 ms. The amplitude of this change had a wavelength dependence that matched the indicator's Ca-difference spectrum. The average amplitude of peak free [Ca] was 21 microM (PDAA or DMPDAA) if all the indicator inside a fiber was able to react with Ca as in cuvette calibrations, and was 26 (PDAA) or 28 microM (DMPDAA) if only freely diffusible indicator could so react. These results suggest that PDAA and DMPDAA are the first Ca indicators that provide a reliable estimate of both the amplitude and time course of (the spatial average of) free [Ca] in a twitch muscle fiber after an action potential.
Dependence of ice crystal optical properties on particle aspect ratio

Abstract The single-scattering properties of randomly oriented hexagonal ice crystals have been extensively used to study the bulk radiative properties of ice clouds. It has been reported in the literature that the asymmetry factors of these particles vary with their aspect ratios in a “V-pattern” with the minimum at a unit aspect ratio. However, this phenomenon was not explained in the previous studies. The present paper reports on an in-depth analysis of the optical properties of hexagonal ice crystals. It is shown that the delta-transmission is primarily responsible for the aforementioned “V-pattern” variation of the asymmetry factor as a function of the aspect ratio. Additionally, the term (1−fδ)g is also partially responsible for the large values of the total asymmetry factor in the case of small aspect ratios, where fδ indicates the ratio of the amount of the energy associated with the delta-transmission rays to the total amount of the scattered energy and g is the asymmetry factor associated with the geometric optics rays.
Damage to n-MOSFETs from electrical stress Relationship to processing damage and impact on device reliability

Abstract The study reported herein examines and compares damage to n-channel and p-channel metal–oxide–silicon field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) from direct current (d.c.) and alternating current (a.c.) electrical stresses as well as the relationship of this damage to plasma processing damage in MOSFETs. The lightly-doped drain (LDD) MOSFETs used are of 0.5 μ m channel length and with a 90 A thick thermally grown gate oxide fabricated using a full flow CMOS process up to and including metal-1 processes and post-metallization annealing (PMA). The damage to MOSFETs is assessed using transistor parameter characterization and charge-to-breakdown measurements on the gate oxide. It is found that manifestations of d.c. stress-induced damage and a.c. stress-induced damage to transistors are fairly similar in that both forms of damage are passivated by PMA and are reactivated by a subsequent d.c. electrical stress. However, a.c. stress-induced damage is observed to occur at much lower electric fields across the gate oxide than those necessary for d.c. stress-induced damage to be significant. This is attributed to a.c. currents, caused by carrier hopping, occurring at relatively low electric fields. One implication of our results is that plasma-charging damage, often attributed to d.c. electrical stress alone, may comprise an a.c. electrical stress component too.
Categorical Data Analysis I

In the next two chapters we consider the kinds of categorical outcomes frequently encountered in epidemiological practice. Categorical variables are those that take on discrete values only. When there are only two possible values, such as survival vs. death, exposed vs. unexposed, or diseased vs. non-diseased, we can refer to them as dichotomous. We will encounter them again as potential explanatory or exposure variables when we discuss ANOVA and dummy variables in linear regression. We now, though, consider them exclusively as both exposures and outcomes. When both our exposure and outcome are dichotomous categorical variables we can apply the classic epidemiological 2 ×2 table.
The virtues of defective codes

To each linear code there is associated a "defect" code. Sometimes the latter code has interesting properties. We show examples in the binary case, finding some low-rate codes with high minimum distance. >
A general correlation for melting in rectangular enclosures

The problem of melting of ordinary (nonmetallic) and metallic solids in enclosures has received considerable research attention due to its importance, for example, in materials processing and latent heat energy storage. It is well known that natural convection in the melt, as well as heat condition in the solid, considerably influence the solid/liquid interface shape and motion. However, attempts to correlate the average heat transfer and melting rates have been relatively unsuccessful, except for a few special cases. Consequently, the objective of this study is to demonstrate that a more general melt fraction correlation can be obtained covering the entire time domain as well as the additional effect of heat conduction in the solid. The present analysis is based on the assumptions that (1) the melting proceeds through the three heat transfer regimes described above and (2) the liquid and solid Stefan numbers are small so that the heat transfer is quasi-steady (i.e., negligible thermal inertia of the liquid and solid). The latter assumption is supported by the fact that in virtually all previous numerical and experimental studies the Stefan numbers were less than about 0.3. For conciseness, this study concentrates on melting in rectangular enclosures. However, the methods presentedmore » can easily be applied to other geometries (e.g., cylinders, etc.). The melt fraction correlation derived in this study is validated using the example of melting of metals in vertical cavities.« less
ONE-, THREE-, AND SIX-MONTH OUTCOMES AFTER BRIEF INPATIENT OPIOID DETOXIFICATION

The purpose of this study was to investigate short-term outcomes of a 3-day inpatient medical detoxification. Heroin abusers (n = 116; 66% male, 77% African-American, X = 38 years old), completed the Addiction Severity Index during detoxification, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after detoxification; 94.5% of the postdetoxification interviews were completed. During the 30 days before detoxification, mean days of self-reported use for heroin was 28, for cocaine 19, and for alcohol 14; a mean of $1,975 was spent on drugs. Across the postdetoxification interviews, mean days of reported heroin use ranged from 11 to 14; 21-30% of patients reported no heroin use, whereas 25-36% reported almost daily use. Reported use of cocaine and alcohol showed similar reductions from pre- to postdetoxification. Reports of heroin and cocaine abstinence were generally verified through urine tests. Other psychosocial factors improved as well from pre- to postdetoxification (e.g., employment increased and needle use decreased). During the 6-month evaluation, at least 41% reported engaging in formal inpatient or outpatient treatment; another 25-33% reported attending self-help groups. Engaging in formal treatment (at least 7 days duration) was associated with significantly better outcome. Nevertheless, pre- to postdetoxification changes were significant and robust for the entire study sample. These findings demonstrate that brief inpatient detoxification is followed by reduced drug use over several months and is accompanied by substantial treatment-seeking behavior. Thus brief detoxification may serve as an effective harm-reduction intervention.
Sensory-Feedback Modes as Determinants of Learning and Memory

The role of sensory feedback factors in determining learning and memory was investigated in terms of the effects of four different modes of movement control of sensory input on memory of stimulus patterns?i.e., (1) vis ual tracking of the pattern without manual control, (2) parallel pursuit tracking of the pattern with a hand-con trolled visual cursor, (3) opposed pursuit tracking of the stimulus pattern with a hand-controlled visual cursor, and (4) compensatory negative feedback tracking in which the subject observed only the error of tracking the stimulus pattern. Results indicated that mode of sensory feedback control of sensed input of stimulus patterns during learn ing determined immediate memory, and that memory was superior for modes of feedback control in which the pattern of stimulation and of movement could be compared. The main conclusion was that the processes of active and passive learning and their role in determining learning and memory are specifiable and predictable as variable forms of movement-controlled sensory feedback. THIS EXPERIMENT has studied learning and memory in terms of its sensory-feedback determinants. The aim of the experiment was to determine if the modes of feedback control of sensory stimuli during learning could influence the degree of recall of the space-time pattern of these stimuli. The hypothesis guiding design of the study was that learning is determined by the direct sensory-feedback effects of active move ment and that the extent of learning and of memory depends on the modes of such feedback regulation of sensed input (2). In the experi ment, we have measured the variations in repro duction of a space-time pattern of a perceived and tracked visual stimulus in relation to man ual and visual control of this pattern and to the mode of the manual feedback control. Method
Representation Results for Stopping Times in Jump-with-Drift Processes

While preparing the paper Dynkin and Yushkevich [6] 39 years ago, we discussed with Eugene B. Dynkin two possible approaches to the notion of a “random variable τ independent from the future,” now known under the name “stopping time.” The final adopted definition in terms of σ-algebras N t generated by evaluations X s , s ≤ t of the process competed with the desire to work in intuitively more visual terms of sample paths coinciding up to τ. The latter idea obtained an existence in terms of “saturated” concepts in Courrege and Priouret [3] and Meyer [9]; see Proposition 2.1 below.
Pathways between early visual processing and functional outcome in schizophrenia.

Results. First, we found that, similar to social perception, a measure of negative symptoms mediated the association between visual information processing and functional status. Second, we found that the inclusion of negative symptoms substantially enhanced the explanatory power of the model. Notably, it was the experiential aspect of negative symptoms (avolition and anhedonia) more than the expressive aspect (affective flattening and alogia) that accounted for significant variance in functional outcome, especially in the social component of the construct of functional outcome. Conclusions. Social perception and negative symptoms play relevant roles in functional impairment in schizophrenia. Both social perception and negative symptoms statistically mediate the connection between visual processing and functional outcome. However, given the lack of association between social perception and negative symptoms, these constructs appear to have an impact on functioning through separate pathways.
Maximum-likelihood learning of cumulative distribution functions on graphs

For many applications, a probability model can be more easily expressed as a cumulative distribution functions (CDF) as compared to the use of probability density or mass functions (PDF/PMFs). One advantage of CDF models is the simplicity of representing multivariate heavy-tailed distributions. Examples of fields that can benefit from the use of graphical models for CDFs include climatology and epidemiology, where data follow heavy-tailed distributions and exhibit spatial correlations so that dependencies between model variables must be accounted for. However, in most cases the problem of learning from data consists of optimizing the log-likelihood function with respect to model parameters where we are required to optimize a log-PDF/PMF and not a log-CDF. Given a CDF defined on a graph, we present a message-passing algorithm called the gradient-derivative-product (GDP) algorithm that allows us to learn the model in terms of the log-likelihood function whereby messages correspond to local gradients of the likelihood with respect to model parameters. We demonstrate the GDP algorithm on real-world rainfall and H1N1 mortality data and we show that the heavy-tailed multivariate distributions that arise in these problems can both be naturally parameterized and tractably estimated from data using our algorithm.
Beam current monitoring in the AGS booster and its transfer lines

The new AGS Booster is designed to accelerate low intensity polarized protons and heavy ions, and high intensity protons. The authors describe the problems and solutions for the beam current monitors in the booster and its transport lines. The wide range of beam parameters and the vacuum, thermal and radiation environment presented challenges in the instrumentation design. While most of the current monitors are external to the vacuum, they must tolerate bakeout at 150 to 300 degrees C, depending on location. The various types of monitors employed are described. Where available, results of the initial operation are presented. >
Sensor planning for PTZ cameras using the probability of camera overload

Most existing sensor planning algorithms find it difficult to tackle the discrepancy between a PTZ camera?s limited instant field of view (FOV) and panoramic achievable FOV. In this paper, we introduce the probability of camera overload to resolve this discrepancy and present a sensor planning algorithm for PTZ cameras under the same framework as static cameras. The resulting camera placement achieves the optimal balance between coverage and handoff success rate. Furthermore, our algorithm is able to incorporate the target?s dynamics into sensor planning. As a result, the system?s handoff success rate can be maintained in environments with various target densities. Experimental results and comparisons with a reference algorithm proposed by Erdem and Sclaroff verify the effectiveness of our algorithm via a significantly improved handoff success rate.
LISTENING INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED SECOND LANGUAGE STUDENTS1

The present study acts upon Rivers' (1971 and 1972) urgings to base second language listening instruction on both psychological and linguistic findings and, at the same time, contends that advanced second language students' listening needs call for improvement in processing spoken discourse. Psychological data on memory span is cited to demonstrate that advanced second language students differ from intermediate second language students and from native speakers in processing capacity of a particular type. Linguistic discourse analysis findings are cited to demonstrate the types of clues and continuities second language listeners must attend to if they are to adequately comprehend spoken discourse. A three-phase approach to listening instruction and practice for advanced second language students is proposed to meet their discourse processing needs; English, as the target language, is discussed as the case in point. Phase One consists of practice aimed toward increasing students' familiarity with and accuracy in processing intrasentential items and thus toward reducing the processing time devoted to intrasentential items. Phase Two pushed students to expand the time they have left over for processing discourse relations by requiring them to perform operations beyond those necessary for processing individual sentences. Phase Three consists of instruction in the types of discourse clues and continuities available to listeners and practice in attending to such clues and continuities.