cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor-suppressor genes that escape from X-inactivation contribute to cancer sex bias

There is a striking and unexplained male predominance across many cancer types. A subset of X-chromosome genes can escape X-inactivation, which would protect females from complete functional loss by a single mutation. To identify putative 'escape from X-inactivation tumor-suppressor' (EXITS) genes, we examined somatic alterations from >4,100 cancers across 21 tumor types for sex bias. Six of 783 non-pseudoautosomal region (PAR) X-chromosome genes (ATRX, CNKSR2, DDX3X, KDM5C, KDM6A, and MAGEC3) harbored loss-of-function mutations more frequently in males (based on a false discovery rate < 0.1), in comparison to zero of 18,055 autosomal and PAR genes (Fisher's exact P < 0.0001). Male-biased mutations in genes that escape X-inactivation were observed in combined analysis across many cancers and in several individual tumor types, suggesting a generalized phenomenon. We conclude that biallelic expression of EXITS genes in females explains a portion of the reduced cancer incidence in females as compared to males across a variety of tumor types.
Narratives of Colonialism, Grand and Not So Grand: A Critical Reflection on the Archaeology of the Spanish and Portuguese Americas

Grand narratives of conquest, conversion, and mestizaje continue to influence archaeological research in the Spanish and Portuguese Americas. The contributors to this important volume have disrupted these narratives through fine-grained, historically specific studies that bring forward the contradictory elements of colonial projects. Economic analysis plays a surprisingly central role in many studies, drawing attention to human needs for survival and profit-seeking ambitions, as well as the cultural and social aspects of economic activities. Together, these rigorous studies defy generalization, challenging future researchers to study colonialism in all its complexities.
Significance of Mitochondrial Protein Post-translational Modifications in Pathophysiology of Brain Injury

Mitochondria are complex organelles that undergo constant fusion and fission in order to adapt to the ever-changing cellular environment. The fusion/fission proteins, localized in the inner and outer mitochondrial membrane, play critical roles under pathological conditions such as acute brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Post-translational modifications of these proteins tightly regulate their function and activity, ultimately impacting mitochondrial dynamics and their efficiency to generate ATP. The individual post-translational modifications that are known to affect mitochondrial dynamics include SUMOylation, ubiquitination, phosphorylation, S-nitrosylation, acetylation, O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine glycosylation, ADP-ribosylation, and proteolytic cleavage. Under stress or pathologic conditions, several of these modifications are activated leading to a complex regulatory mechanism that shifts the state of the mitochondrial network. The main goal is to accommodate and adapt the cellular bioenergetics metabolism to the energetic demand of the new extra- and/or intracellular environment. Understanding the complex relationship between these modifications on fusion and fission proteins in particular pathologic stress or diseases can provide new promising therapeutic targets and treatment approaches. Here, we discuss the specific post-translational modifications of mitochondrial fusion/fission proteins under pathologic conditions and their impact on mitochondrial dynamics.
Tracing neuronal circuits in transgenic animals by transneuronal control of transcription (TRACT)

Understanding the computations that take place in brain circuits requires identifying how neurons in those circuits are connected to one another. We describe a technique called TRACT (TRAnsneuronal Control of Transcription) based on ligand-induced intramembrane proteolysis to reveal monosynaptic connections arising from genetically labeled neurons of interest. In this strategy, neurons expressing an artificial ligand ('donor' neurons) bind to and activate a genetically-engineered artificial receptor on their synaptic partners ('receiver' neurons). Upon ligand-receptor binding at synapses the receptor is cleaved in its transmembrane domain and releases a protein fragment that activates transcription in the synaptic partners. Using TRACT in Drosophila we have confirmed the connectivity between olfactory receptor neurons and their postsynaptic targets, and have discovered potential new connections between neurons in the circadian circuit. Our results demonstrate that the TRACT method can be used to investigate the connectivity of neuronal circuits in the brain.
Weighted Network Design With Cardinality Constraints via Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

This paper examines simultaneous design of the network topology and the corresponding edge weights in the presence of a cardinality constraint on the edge set. Network properties of interest for this design problem lead to optimization formulations with convex objectives, convex constraint sets, and cardinality constraints. This class of problems is referred to as the cardinality-constrained optimization problem (CCOP); the cardinality constraint generally makes CCOPs NP-hard. In this paper, a customized alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm aiming to improve the scalability of the solution strategy for large-scale CCOPs is proposed. This algorithm utilizes the special structure of the problem formulation to obtain closed-form solutions during each iterative step of the corresponding ADMM updates. We also provide a convergence proof of the proposed customized ADMM to a stationary point under certain conditions. Simulation results illustrate that the customized ADMM algorithm has a significant computational advantage over existing methods, particularly for large-scale network design problems.
Rethinking Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in the Transplant Patient in the World of Emerging Resistant Organisms-Where Are We Today?

Purpose of Review The use of prophylactic antibiotics during the neutropenic period in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been the standard of care at most institutions for the past 20 years. We sought to review the benefits and risks of this practice.
Risk Adjustment Is Necessary in Medicare Bundled Payment Models for Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Concerns exist that high-risk patients in alternative payment models may face difficulties with access to care without proper risk adjustment. The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of medical and orthopedic specific risk factors on the cost of a 90-day episode of care following total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods We queried the Medicare 5% Limited Data Set for all patients undergoing primary THA and TKA from 2010 to 2014. To evaluate the cost of an episode of care, we calculated all claims for 90 days following surgery. Multivariate analysis was performed to quantify the added episode-of-care costs for demographic variables, geography, medical comorbidities, and orthopedic specific risk factors. Results Of the 58,809 TKA patients, the median 90-day Medicare costs was $23,800 (interquartile range, $18,900-$32,300), while the median of the 27,293 THA patients was $24,000 (interquartile range, $18,500-$33,900). Independent risk factors (all P Conclusion Certain comorbidities and orthopedic risk factors increase 90-day episode-of-care costs in the Medicare population. The current lack of proper risk stratification could be a powerful driver of decreased access to care for our most medically challenged members of society.
Olfactory Cortex Physiology

The piriform cortex serves a critical role in odor discrimination and perception, synthetic processing of complex odorant mixtures, experience- and state-dependent olfactory sensory gating, short-term odor habituation, and odor memory. Overlapping, patchy termination of cortical afferents conveying odorant receptor specific information allows convergence of multiple odorant feature information onto individual cortical neurons. In addition, there is an extensive intrinsic association fiber system forming an autoassociative neural architecture that further promotes the emergence of distributed ensembles of cortical neurons. Afferent and intrinsic synapses demonstrate both a short- and long-term plasticity, contributing to the emergence of these ensembles.
The Quasi-Geostrophic Approximation

Rossby waves are of geophysical interest because of their relatively long periods. These periods correspond to the slow time scale of the motions with large horizontal length scale in the atmosphere and oceans. The relevant dynamical balance is worthy of further study.
Oxidative metabolism of estradiol.

The metabolism of the estrogenic hormone is oxidative in nature in contrast to the reductive pathway for the neutral steroid hormones. It has been postulated that estrone is the precursor of estriol on the evidence that the required ketol intermediates are normal metabolites of the estrogenic hormone (2-4). However, it is equally true that enzymatic hydroxylation of chemically unreactive methylene groups is a common feature of steroid biochemistry (5), and thus estradiol might serve as the immediate precursor of estriol with the ketols formed by subsequent oxidation. To clarify this problem we have examined the metabolism of estrone and estradiol simultaneously in the same human subject. For this purpose, estradiol labeled with tritium in ring B and estrone-16-Cl4 were dissolved together and administered intravenously to three different patients. The ratio of weight as well as isotope of the two hormones was varied in each of the studies. Urine and blood collections were obtained at successive intervals immediately after the injections and the isotopic content of the metabolites was examined after purification to radiochemical homogeneity. The results of the three studies were completely concordant. It was shown that the rate of conversion of estrone to estradiol was slow, whereas the reverse reaction was quite rapid. It seems clear that estrone rather than estradiol is the major precursor of estriol, 2-methoxyestrone, and 16-epiestriol.
Physoderma Brown Spot and Stalk Rot of Corn Caused by Physoderma maydis in Iowa

Physoderma brown spot (PBS) and stalk rot (PSR) of corn is caused by Physoderma maydis. The prevalence of PBS in the U.S. Corn Belt has increased within the past decade. In Iowa, in 2013 and 2014, ...
Pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancy: A NSQIP analysis of post-operative morbidity and mortality.

e17574Background: Pelvic Exenteration (PE) has been utilized for many years for the radical resection of various gynecologic malignancies. Much data exists describing the morbidity and mortality of...
Engaging CS1 Students With Project Based Learning

This Research to Practice Work in Progress paper examines a persistent issue with many CS1 courses – finding assignments that are engaging while still covering core learning objectives necessary for success in the course and computer science programs. In traditional CS1 courses, textbook tasks are usually elementary, mathematically based, and only somewhat relevant to the student. Instead, if we allow students to design and implement their own projects, they not only master the primary objectives of the course, but they can do so in a way that is most meaningful and engaging to them. While project-based approaches to CS1 are not new, most employ predefined projects created by the instructor or found online through community-based educational resources. In this research, we leverage the fact that many CS students are double majors and allow them to create projects that are unique and applicable to these other interests. We contrast a traditionally taught CS1 class with a project-based CS1 class and compare student achievement between the two. We discover that students perform better on most learning objectives in the project-based class and they gain a deeper understanding of how to scaffold programming components into follow-on assignments. In addition, students indicate that the project-based focus was more enjoyable and more useful as they create projects that apply to their personal interests and thus their future.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Borophosphate Anion Containing a Single Vanadium Atom: [N(2)C(6)H(14)](2)VO(PO(3)OH)(4)(B(3)O(3)OH).4H(2)O.

A new vanadium(IV) borophosphate, (N2C6H14)2[VO(PO3OH)4(B3O3OH)]0·4H2O, has been synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction. The structure contains isolated [VO(PO3OH)4(B3O3OH)]4- cluster anions connec...
From a Squad to a Team: Creating Team-Based Care

The transition to team-based care within primary care is a foundational step in building an environment that promotes relationships between patients and clinicians that are truly patient-centered. Changing from an individual provider with staff support to a team is the first step in the change in “mental models of care” called for by the evaluators of the National Demonstration Program. The change can be characterized as a change from a squad to a team. It is a transition from a small group that is hierarchical with an unchanging leader to a group with greater participation among team members and flexibility in leadership. This change gives greater flexibility in the delivery of the services that make a difference to patients. It has been shown to lead to improvement in group cohesion, improved patient satisfaction, improved quality of services, and lower burnout for both clinicians and support staff. Making such a change is not easy. One requirement is the dedication of time for team meetings, both daily and weekly, that is commensurate with the importance of the team’s successful functioning to the delivery of care. For these to be effective, the team needs consistency of membership.
Immersed Boundary Method Halo Exchange in a Hemodynamics Application

In recent years, highly parallelized simulations of blood flow resolving individual blood cells have been demonstrated. Simulating such dense suspensions of deformable particles in flow often involves a partitioned fluid-structure interaction (FSI) algorithm, with separate solvers for Eulerian fluid and Lagrangian cell grids, plus a solver - e.g., immersed boundary method - for their interaction. Managing data motion in parallel FSI implementations is increasingly important, particularly for inhomogeneous systems like vascular geometries. In this study, we evaluate the influence of Eulerian and Lagrangian halo exchanges on efficiency and scalability of a partitioned FSI algorithm for blood flow. We describe an MPI+OpenMP implementation of the immersed boundary method coupled with lattice Boltzmann and finite element methods. We consider how communication and recomputation costs influence the optimization of halo exchanges with respect to three factors: immersed boundary interaction distance, cell suspension density, and relative fluid/cell solver costs.
Dental Professionals' Engagement in Tobacco, Electronic Cigarette, and Cannabis Patient Counseling.

Objectives:California features low smoking prevalence, cautionary electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) public messaging, and legal recreational cannabis: a unique landscape for dental professionals t...
HER2/neu (HER2) specific T-cell immunity in patients with HER2+ inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and prognosis

3057 Background: IBC is rare, highly aggressive, and associated with worse prognosis when compared to non-IBC tumors. Moreover, multimodality treatment has had little impact on overall prognosis. H...
On Multivariate Sampling of a Class of Integral Transforms

The Fourier transform plays an important role in many applications, including signal and image processing where the Whittaker–Shannon–Kotelnikov sampling theorem provides a pivotal tool in the analog–digital–analog signal conversion. In this article we discuss some generalizations of the Fourier transform and their associated sampling theorems, such as the fractional Fourier transform, the linear canonical transform, and the special affine Fourier transform. The focus is on the extension of their sampling theorems to higher dimensions.
Promise, pitfalls and progress of on-line cognitive behavioural therapy: Lessons learned from a paediatric oncology unit

A cancer diagnosis during child and adolescent years fundamentally disrupts normal development, and can result in several adverse mental health sequelae. Cognitive-behavioural therapy has proven efficacy in addressing a range of psychological issues relevant to paediatric and adolescent oncology, including depression and different forms of anxiety. However, numerous barriers hinder many patients and families from being able to access specialised clinical psychology services, tailored to the unique psychosocial considerations of paediatric oncology. To address this gap in evidence-based clinical service-provision, our paediatric psycho-oncology research unit has developed several CBT-based interventions tailored to the needs of children and adolescents with cancer and their families. In this commentary, we provide an overview of our clinical-research program, examining how on-line CBT-based programs are feasible, acceptable, safe, and promising models of support for this patient population. We also examine some of the limitations or pitfalls involved in delivering on-line, CBT-based programs, including how we have navigated the ethical management of challenging, clinically-concerning events within our trials. Finally, we examine several future potential applications to extend the impact of on-line, CBT-based interventions to several other currently unmet needs in paediatric oncology. Drawing from several of our CBT-aligned, health-behaviour-focused intervention programs, we propose that on-line CBT holds significant potential in supporting the health behaviours and quality of life of young people and their families, both during and after cancer treatment. The future impact of on-line CBTbased interventions will rely upon clinicians and researchers effectively collaborating to effectively evaluate – and implement – these programs in real-world settings.
Abstract Fractional Landau Inequalities

We present uniform and \(L_{p}\) mixed Caputo-Bochner abstract generalized fractional Landau inequalities over \(\mathbb {R}\) of fractional orders \(2<\alpha \le 3\). These estimate the size of first and second derivatives of a composition with a Banach space valued function over \(\mathbb {R}\). We give applications when \(\alpha =2.5.\) It follows [5].
Author Meets Critic: AIDS and Masculinity in the African City

AIDS has been a devastating plague in much of sub-Saharan Africa, yet the long-term implications for gender and sexuality are just emerging. Robert Wyrod's new book AIDS and Masculinity in the African City tackles this issue head on and is the first book to focus on how the prolonged AIDS crisis has altered African masculinities. This Author Meets Critic Roundtable will, therefore, provide a timely discussion of the long-term social consequences of HIV/AIDS in Africa, as well as an opportunity to examine how gender and sexual relations in Africa are shifting. AIDS and Masculinity in the African City examines these issues in Uganda, a country known as Africa's great AIDS success story. A distinctive feature of this book is the depth of the research. AIDS and Masculinity in the African City is based on a decade of ethnographic fieldwork in one community in the capital city Kampala. Over the course of ten years, Robert Wyrod traced the lives of many residents in this community and gained a deep understanding of how conceptions of masculinity shaped their lives and intimate relationships in the shadow of AIDS. Overall, AIDS and Masculinity in the African City reveals the persistence of masculine privilege in the age of AIDS and the implications such privilege has for combating AIDS across the African continent.
Single Event Effects Characterization of Dosed UT200Sp WPHY01 SpaceWire Physical Layer Transceiver

We present SEE test results for the Cobham Space Wire transceiver after dosing the device to 300 krad(Si). We performed SEU characterization with variable data rates and patterns. Events resembling SEFIs were also observed and recorded.
Weighted nodal domain averages of eigenstates for quantum Monte Carlo and beyond

We study the nodal properties of many-body eigenstates of stationary Schrodinger equation that affect the accuracy of real-space quantum Monte Carlo calculations. In particular, we introduce weighted nodal domain averages that provide a new probe of nodal surfaces beyond the usual expectations. Particular choices for the weight function reveal, for example, that the difference between two arbitrary fermionic eigenvalues is given by the nodal hypersurface integrals normalized by overlaps with the bosonic ground state of the given Hamiltonian. Noninteracting and fully interacting Be atom with corresponding almost exact and approximate wave functions are used to illustrate several aspects of these concepts. Variational formulations that employ different weights are proposed for prospective improvement of nodes in variational and fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo calculations.
The Regulation and Functional Significance of Fc Receptors on Murine Lymphoid Cells: The Special Case of T Cells

Fc receptors (FcR) specific for each of the five major classes of murine Ig heavy chains occur on the surface membranes of all the major lineages of murine lymphoid cells. The number of different classes of FcR expressed, their concentration and level of functional activity, and the developmental window in ontogeny during which the FcR are expressed vary considerably amongst the subsets of lymphoid cells. The regulation of FcR expression on lymphoid cells is a multi-factorial process that involves preprogrammed genetic events and local environmental factors (Lynch and Sandor, 1990).
Threshold effects in I−⋅CH3CN and I−⋅H2O cluster anion detachment: The angular distribution as an indicator of electronic autodetachment

I(-) x H(2)O and I(-) x CH(3)CN cluster anion photodetachment properties (photoelectron spectra and angular distributions) are recorded via velocity mapped photoelectron imaging for wavelengths between 270 and 340 nm, in small energy increments. These are compared with free I(-) detachment results and reveal the presence of a sharp change in the angular distribution for the (2)P(3/2) spin orbit channel in the vicinity of the (2)P(1/2) threshold. The effect is seen at this threshold in the I(-) x H(2)O cluster anion and just below threshold for I(-) x CH(3)CN. The effect is attributed to an electronic autodetachment process, which is dependent on electronic energy transfer mediated by the electron-neutral complex produced in the excitation process. These results highlight the potential of cluster anion detachment as a probe of electron-molecule interactions and in particular the sensitivity of the angular distributions to intracluster electron transfer processes.
Acetaldehyde production by single-strain lactic streptococci.

Abstract The production of acetaldehyde by single-strain cultures of Streptococcus lactis, Streptococcus cremoris, and Streptococcus diacetilactis was found to parallel the increase in microbial population. S. lactis and S. cremoris were found to remove some of the acetaldehyde formed on continued incubation at 21C. S. diacetilactis did not remove any of the acetaldehyde produced. The ratio of diacetyl to acetaldehyde in both strains of S. diacetilactis studied was found to be unfavorable for a good culture flavor at all times up to 22-24 hr incubation. All of the cultures studied produced a distinct green flavor when grown in a milk medium. All strains of the microorganisms studied were shown to produce ethanol.
California foreshock sequences suggest aseismic triggering process

[1] Foreshocks are one of the few well-documented precursors to large earthquakes; therefore, understanding their nature is very important for earthquake prediction and hazard mitigation. However, the triggering role of foreshocks is not yet clear. It is possible that foreshocks are a self-triggering cascade of events that simply happen to trigger an unusually large aftershock; alternatively, foreshocks might originate from an external aseismic process that ultimately triggers the mainshock. In the former case, the foreshocks will have limited utility for forecasting. The latter case has been observed for several individual large earthquakes; however, it remains unclear how common it is and how to distinguish foreshock sequences from other seismicity clusters that do not lead to large earthquakes. Here we analyze foreshocks of three M>7 mainshocks in southern California. These foreshock sequences appear similar to earthquake swarms, in that they do not start with their largest events and they exhibit spatial migration of seismicity. Analysis of source spectra shows that all three foreshock sequences feature lower average stress drops and depletion of high-frequency energy compared with the aftershocks of their corresponding mainshocks. Using a longer-term stress-drop catalog, we find that the average stress drop of the Landers and Hector Mine foreshock sequences is comparable to nearby swarms. Our observations suggest that these foreshock sequences are manifestations of aseismic transients occurring close to the mainshock hypocenters, possibly related to localized fault zone complexity, which have promoted the occurrence of both the foreshocks and the eventual mainshock.
DOES DEFERRED COMPENSATION INCREASE WORKER EFFORT

This paper presents a model illustrating that deferred compensation increases effort (reduces shirking) by increasing the cost of job loss. Importantly, the size of this increase in effort shrinks as the chance of exogenous job separation grows. The paper tests the model's predictions using both US and Australian data. In both countries we find empirical results consistent with the model's predictions. Deferred compensation, as identified either by pensions or by steeper tenure–wage profiles, is associated with greater self-reported worker effort. Moreover, when the probability of job separation is greater, the influence of deferred compensation diminishes.
Gradient‐Based Optimization Techniques for Discrete Event Systems Simulation

This article considers the design, analysis, and operation of discrete event systems (DES) with performance J(θ) depending on the value of certain continuous decision parameters θeΘ. This sensitivity information is useful for assessing the relative importance of each parameter θ, studying the local functional behavior, and constructing of J(θ) over Θ. In addition to this valuable descriptive information, the sensitivity information is of prime importance in optimization. Techniques for obtaining sensitivity information and optimizing DES via simulation are presented. The article assumes an existing validated and verified simulation application in which the presented algorithms can be incorporated. Postsolution analysis tools, such as stability and “what-if” analyses, are provided. The goal is to provide a survey of the relevant literature and set forth widely used techniques in a synthesized and unified manner. All algorithms are presented in English-like format, and therefore the algorithms can be implemented using a variety of operating systems and machines, which provides unlimited portability. Keywords: discrete-event systems; gradient estimation; frequency domain; perturbation analysis; likelihood ratio; score function; single-run optimization; post-optimality analysis; gradient and response surface techniques; what-if analysis; system analysis; design and control; sensitivity analysis; goal-seeking problem; inverse problem
Distinctions in the Equilibrium Kinetic Constants of the Mitochondrial and Supernatant Isozymes of Aspartate Transaminase

Abstract A detailed comparison of the interactions of substrates with the mitochondrial and supernatant isozymes of glutamateaspartate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1) has been made by direct spectrophotometric titrations of the natural reporter, bound pyridoxal phosphate, at the active site. Spectroscopic methods are presented for the analysis of the dissociation constants of the aspartate-oxalacetate and glutamate-α-ketoglutarate equilibria of mitochondrial glutamate-aspartate transaminase. Mathematical treatment of the spectrophotometric data is based on the assumption that the mechanism involves only binary complexes. The agreement and linearity of the graphical results of these methods rule out site-site interactions or the formation of ternary complexes, such as enzyme-amino acid-keto acid. The pyridoxal form of the mitochondrial isozyme has a higher affinity for aspartate (K1 = 0.47 mm) than for glutamate (K1 = 12.4 mm). It binds oxalacetate (K3 = 46 mm) and α-ketoglutarate (K3 = 620 mm) as inactive abortive complexes. In the supernatant enzyme these values are aspartate, K1 = 4 mm; glutamate, K1 = 14 mm; oxalacetate, K3 = 100 mm; and α-ketoglutarate, K3 = 50 mm. The pyridoxamine form of both isozymes binds oxalacetate (K2 = 14 µm, mitochondrial; K2 = 20 µm, supernatant) better than α-ketoglutarate (K2 = 0.7 mm, mitochondrial; K2 = 0.4 mm, supernatant), but it has a low affinity for glutamate and aspartate. The substrate analogue, erythro-β-hydroxyaspartate, forms a complex(es) with the mitochondrial aminotransferase which absorbs at 497 mµ. The affinity of the pyridoxal enzyme for this analogue (K = 0.2 mm) is comparable to that of aspartate and is lower than in the supernatant enzyme (K = 0.4 mm). The pyridoxamine form of each isozyme has a higher affinity for erythro-β-hydroxyaspartate than for either glutamate or aspartate. Radioactive exchange studies indicate that transamination can occur between the substrate amino acid and its analogous keto acid. Dissociation constants obtained by this method agree with those of steady state equilibrium spectrophotometric data. A comparison of the intermediates of the mitochondrial and supernatant glutamate-aspartate transaminase indicates that the mitochondrial isozyme has a high affinity for 4-carbon substrates, whereas the supernatant enzyme has no distinctive preference for either 4- or 5-carbon substrates.
A parallel implementation of a hidden Markov model with duration modeling for speech recognition

This paper describes a parallel implementation of a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for spoken language recognition on the MasPar MP-1. By exploiting the massive parallelism of explicit duration HMMs, we can develop more complex models for real-time speech recognition. Implementational issues such as choice of data structures, method of communication, and utilization of parallel functions are explored. The results of our experiments show that the parallelism in HMMs can be effectively exploited by the MP-1. Training that use to take nearly a week can now be completed in about an hour. The system can recognize the phones of a test utterance in a fraction of a second. >
Bifurcation subsystem identification

An algorithm is given for the identification of a bifurcation subsystem, which experiences, produces, and causes bifurcation in the full system model. The algorithm applies the bifurcation subsystem and geometric decoupling condition tests to a sequence of partitioned models where the internal systems are of increasing order and are associated with the largest right eigenvector elements. The simplicity of this algorithm makes its application to large systems possible. The bifurcation subsystem condition and geometric decoupling condition that are sufficient conditions for existence of a bifurcation subsystem are also theoretically extended in this paper. It is thus shown that bifurcation subsystem method is more rigorously established since specific norms are introduced to represent the different system properties that allow a bifurcation subsystem to exist. The theoretical results provide more insight into the bifurcation subsystem method and why and when a bifurcation subsystem exists. This analysis reveals that the existence of a bifurcation subsystem requires much weaker conditions than that required for slaving, model reduction, coherency reduction, and a-decomposition methods. The bifurcation subsystem identification algorithm is then applied to a relatively large two-area differential algebraic modeled system with multiple generators.
A revision of the spider genus Selenops Latreille, 1819 (Arachnida, Araneae, Selenopidae) in North America, Central America and the Caribbean

The spider genus Selenops Latreille, 1819 occurs in both the Old World and New World tropics and subtropics and contains nearly half of the species in the family Selenopidae Simon, 1897. In this paper the members of the genus Selenops found in North America, Central America, and on islands of the Caribbean are revised, excluding Cuban endemics. No taxonomic changes are currently made to the species from the southwestern United States. In total, 21 new species are described, including Selenops arikok sp. n., Selenops chamela sp. n., Selenops amona sp. n., Selenops baweka sp. n., Selenops bocacanadensis sp. n., Selenops enriquillo sp. n, Selenops ixchel sp. n., Selenops huetocatl sp. n., Selenops kalinago sp. n., Selenops oviedo sp. n., Selenops morro sp. n., Selenops denia sp. n., Selenops duan sp. n., Selenops malinalxochitl sp. n., Selenops oricuajo sp. n., Selenops petenajtoy sp. n., Selenops guerrero sp. n., Selenops makimaki sp. n., Selenops souliga sp. n., Selenops wilmotorum sp. n., and Selenops wilsoni sp. n. Six species names were synonymized: Selenops lunatus Muma, 1953 syn. n. = Selenops candidus Muma, 1953; Selenops tehuacanus Muma 1953 syn. n., Selenops galapagoensis Banks, 1902 syn. n. and Selenops vagabundus Kraus, 1955 syn. n. = Selenops mexicanus Keyserling, 1880; Selenops santibanezi Valdez-Mondragon, 2010 syn. n. = Selenops nigromaculatus Keyserling, 1880; and Selenops salvadoranus Chamberlin, 1925 syn. n. = Selenops bifurcatus Banks, 1909. Lectotypes are designated for the following three species: Selenops marginalis F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900 (♂), Selenops morosus Banks, 1898 (♂), and Selenops mexicanus Keyserling, 1880 (♀). The female neotype is designated for Selenops aissus Walckenaer, 1837. The males of Selenops bani Alayon-Garcia, 1992 and Selenops marcanoi Alayon-Garcia, 1992 are described for the first time, and the females of Selenops phaselus Muma, 1953 and Selenops geraldinae Corronca, 1996 are described for the first time. Almost all species are redescribed, barring Cuban endemics and a few species recently described. New illustrations are provided, including those of the internal female copulatory organs, many of which are illustrated for the first time. A key to species is also provided as are new distributional records.
Efficient and Dispersed Local P Element Transposition from Drosophila Females

We have investigated how Drosophila P element insertions are distributed in the chromosomal region near their starting site. A single P element residing in the euchromatin of minichromosome Dp1187 was mobilized following a cross to the delta 2-3 (99B) strain, and progeny bearing transpositions were identified with a minimum of bias by performing Southern blots on progeny. Approximately 1-2% of all progeny minichromosomes contained new insertions. Many of these "local transpositions" landed very close to or within the starting P element; however, nearly 1% of all progeny chromosomes contained new insertions 1-180 kb from the donor element. More local insertions were observed in the progeny of females than from male parents, and most occurred in a preferred orientation relative to the starting element. These observations suggested that donor elements are frequently excised and reinserted locally without ever dissociating from a transposition complex. The high frequency and diverse distribution of local transpositions recovered from females suggested that the efficiency of insertional mutagenesis can be significantly enhanced by using a starting P element(s) located near the target of interest.
Thickness dependence of optical gap and void fraction for sputtered amorphous germanium.

Amorphous germanium films 600 to 18 800 A\r{} thick were deposited using rf-diode and dc-magnetron sputtering. Spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements were conducted on these samples over the photon energy range of 1.8--4.5 eV. These measurements were used to determine the void content of the deposited films. Transmission and reflectance measurements from 0.5--2.0 eV were used to determine the optical absorption spectra. Tauc's plots were constructed and optical gaps extrapolated from these plots. A correlation was found between void-content and optical-gap values.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of vindesine.

The pharmacokinetics of vindesine were investigated in five patients with advanced cancer who were receiving the drug. Following a rapid IV bolus dose, vindesine kinetics were described by a triphasic serum decay curve compatible with a three-compartment open mammillary model. Serum half-lives were 2 min, 50 min, and 24 h for the fast, middle, and slow phases, respectively. The volume of the central compartment approximated the plasma volume in all patients studied. Distribution occurred quickly into a superficial tissue compartment in fairly rapid equilibrium with the plasma compartment, and also into a deep tissue compartment with slower redistribution to the central compartment. The large apparent volume of distribution and long elimination half-live suggest extensive tissue sequestration or delayed excretion of the drug in man. The slightly increased serum half-life of vindesine compared with published results for vinblastine may account for the greater degree and longer duration of marrow suppression seen clinically with vindesine.
Using nitrate to quantify quick flow in a karst aquifer

In karst aquifers, contaminated recharge can degrade spring water quality, but quantifying the rapid recharge (quick flow) component of spring flow is challenging because of its temporal variability. Here, we investigate the use of nitrate in a two-endmember mixing model to quantify quick flow in Barton Springs, Austin, Texas. Historical nitrate data from recharging creeks and Barton Springs were evaluated to determine a representative nitrate concentration for the aquifer water endmember (1.5 mg/L) and the quick flow endmember (0.17 mg/L for nonstormflow conditions and 0.25 mg/L for stormflow conditions). Under nonstormflow conditions for 1990 to 2005, model results indicated that quick flow contributed from 0% to 55% of spring flow. The nitrate-based two-endmember model was applied to the response of Barton Springs to a storm and results compared to those produced using the same model with delta(18)O and specific conductance (SC) as tracers. Additionally, the mixing model was modified to allow endmember quick flow values to vary over time. Of the three tracers, nitrate appears to be the most advantageous because it is conservative and because the difference between the concentrations in the two endmembers is large relative to their variance. The delta(18)O-based model was very sensitive to variability within the quick flow endmember, and SC was not conservative over the timescale of the storm response. We conclude that a nitrate-based two-endmember mixing model might provide a useful approach for quantifying the temporally variable quick flow component of spring flow in some karst systems.
Theoretical Study of the Hydrogen Release from Ammonia Alane and the Catalytic Effect of Alane

Electronic structure calculations at the CCSD(T) level with the aug-cc-pVnZ and aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z basis sets (n = D, T, and Q) were employed to construct the potential energy surfaces for H2 release from ammonia alane without and with the presence of alane (AlH3). In the AlH3NH3 monomer, although the energy barrier for H2 loss of ∼29 kcal/mol is comparable with the energy for Al−N bond cleavage (∼27 kcal/mol), kinetics calculations show that only the latter is important at 298 K. The calculated results demonstrate that alane can play the role of an efficient bifunctional catalyst for H2 release from ammonia alane. The transition state for H2 production from AlH3NH3 + AlH3 is located 4.3 kcal/mol lower in energy than the separated reactants and 18.7 kcal/mol above the complex AlH3NH3···AlH3. A systematic comparison with the reaction pathways for H2 loss from ammonia borane (BH3NH3) with AlH3 or BH3 as the catalyst shows that alane is a better catalyst than borane. The predicted kinetic rate constants for hyd...
FEASIBILITY OF USING ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (ESEM) TO DETERMINE THE IMPACTS OF CLEANING TECHNIQUES ON HISTORIC STONE STRUCTURES

ABSTRACT The oiling of cultural sites has occurred in past spills (USCG, 1994; Wooley and Haggarty, 1995) and will continue to be a problem in future spills. Oiled stone structures must be cleaned to minimize damage and return them to an aesthetic standard, yet little research has been conducted on the potential impacts of the cleaning process. Unfortunately, the cleaning process can cause negative impacts, perhaps even altering the chemical makeup of the stone that can compromise the structure. Because visual inspection is usually the sole method of determining the effectiveness and negative impacts of the cleaning process, only obvious surflcial effects can be detected and not chemical changes to the rock
Cooperation among peers in an ad hoc network to support an energy efficient IM service

Continuous wireless wide area network (WWAN) access for mobile devices in future pervasive systems may be limited by battery power and may generate extensive data telecommunication costs. In this paper, we develop a new message notification protocol (MNP) to enable mobile users to maintain a continuous presence at their instant messaging (IM) server while avoiding long, idle connections. In MNP, mobile users cooperatively share a single message notification channel to reduce users' telecommunication charges and extend a device's battery life. A device may turn off its WWAN interface for most of the time to save power, and only needs to contact the IM server when needed. Precise group information does not need to be maintained by a mobile device. Message notification exchanged between the IM server and the peer group is represented by a compressed Bloom filter to further reduce the protocol overhead and provide additional privacy and security. The results of performance evaluation show that the MNP protocol could be able to save significant energy consumed in a mobile device.
Development of singularities in the motion of materials with fading memory

Consider a one-dimensional body with homogeneous reference configuration the axis (− ∞, ∞) and reference density ϱo = 1. The typical material particle is denoted by x. The relevant kinematic variables are deformation gradient u and velocity v. The Piola-Kirchhoff stress is denoted by σ and there is no body force.
Peg solitaire on graphs

There have been several papers on the subject of traditional peg solitaire on different boards. However, in this paper we consider a generalization of the game to arbitrary boards. These boards are treated as graphs in the combinatorial sense. We present necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of several well-known families of graphs. In the major result of this paper, we show that the cartesian product of two solvable graphs is likewise solvable. Several related results are also presented. Finally, several open problems related to this study are given.
Multiagent architecture that uses situation calculus (MAGSIC)

This paper explores approaches and issues of developing practical and useful software agents that will communicate and response to their environment. A Multi-AGent architecture that uses SItuation Calculus (MAGSIC) to produce execution plans is designed from scratch. Based on this architecture, a software agent framework that can be reused by agent development is implemented. At present, this framework does not include all the features that are proposed. The framework is tested on Silicon Graphics Inc.'s IRIX Unix machine and PC Linux machine. To achieve automation, a high level language called Resource Programming Language that includes decision constructs, agent communication using KQML performatives, and other features is invented. MAGSIC has some unique characteristics. It is simple in architecture and small in line of code, yet supports a reasoning unit and scales well. An agent implementation like Java Agent Template only supports agent communication but does not support the scripting and reasoning unit. MAGSIC is founded upon a declarative knowledge representation (situation calculus) and clean semantics, equipped with a simple yet powerful approach to procedural attachments (scriptlet). Procedural attachments are tightly, yet flexibly, integrated with the knowledge representation and the reasoning, taking the form of knowledge metadata that annotates the procedural resource. MAGSIC also supporting moving scriptlet and can support mobile agents as well.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Revisionism and religion in Fichte's Jena Wissenschaftslehre

The relationship between philosophical reflection and religious belief has been an issue since the very earliest times. One popular view of this relation is revisionism. Philosophical revisionists ...
The use of intense-field ionization in time-resolved measurements

Abstract We show that intense radiation introduces a length-scale in molecules which translates into a dramatic enhancement of the rate of multiple ionization of molecules at characteristic internuclear separations. This feature is common to a wide range of systems and is insensitive to variations in frequency and intensity. The electronic properties responsible for this effect are explored. We propose the use of the sensitivity of intense-field ionization to the molecular configuration as a probe in time-resolved studies of dissociative dynamics.
Comparison of methods for computing the concentration field of a particulate flow

Abstract Concentration computation from known particle positions is important for post-processing of Lagrangian multiphase flow computations and for calculation of particle-induced body force in computations with two-way fluid-particle coupling. Some existing methods for particle concentration calculation exhibit excessive noise, negative concentration values, or lack of discrete conservation of the particle volume in various situations. The current paper examines the performance of five concentration computation methods based on satisfaction of a set of desirable properties. The methods are examined for three different test cases, including situations with and without boundaries in the particle domain. Of the concentration computation methods examined, the standard particle-counting method and the moment-preserving M 4 ′ method exhibit significant amounts of noise as the ratio of grid increment to particle diameter decreases to less than a critical value. The M 4 ′ method produces non-physical negative concentration values. The concentration blob method violates the discrete-conservation property, which specifies that the total particle volume be equal to the numerical integral of the concentration field. A smooth moment-preserving Gaussian blob method is examined that discretely conserves the zeroth and first concentration moments (as well as higher-order moments) in an unbounded domain, but leads to lack of conservation in a bounded domain. A new conservative concentration blob method is presented which is positive and discretely-conservative in both unbounded and bounded domains with little spurious noise, but requires that the blob diameter be sufficiently large compared to the grid increment size.