cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fighting fires with human robot teams

This video submission demonstrates cooperative human-robot firefighting. A human team leader guides the robot to the fire using a combination of speech and gesture.
COG11.1 Description, New Features, and Development Activities

The latest COG code version, COG11.1BETA2, is described along with a summary of application features and ongoing and future development activities. This version is available from the Radiation Shielding Information Computer Center and the Nuclear Energy Agency Data Bank.
Mu-opioid and NMDA-type glutamate receptors are often colocalized in spiny neurons within patches of the caudate-putamen nucleus.

The patch compartments of the caudate-putamen nucleus (CPN) are enriched in μ-opioid receptors (MORs) and have been recently implicated in reward-related behaviors. This function has been established more clearly in the nucleus accumbens, where physiological and anatomical studies show reward-associated interactions involving MORs and N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). We examined the immunolabeling for MOR and NMDAR subunit NR1 in patches of the rat CPN to determine the potential relevance of dual activation of the respective receptors. Electron microscopy showed the presence of MOR and/or NR1 immunoreactivity (IR) in many perikarya, dendrites, and spines and in morphologically heterogeneous axon terminals. In each 1,000-μm2 area, the dually labeled dendrites and spines constituted 65% (37/57) and 37% (9/25) of the total NR1-labeled and 34% (37/109) and 13% (9/71) of the total MOR-labeled dendritic profiles. Dually labeled spines received asymmetric excitatory-type synapses from terminals, which were generally unlabeled, but also occasionally contained MOR and/or NR1. The asymmetric synapses comprised the majority (81%) of the total 263 synaptic contacts between MOR- and NR1-labeled neuronal profiles. In dendrites and spines, MOR-IR was localized mainly along nonsynaptic plasma membranes, whereas NR1-IR was more often associated with asymmetric postsynaptic densities and cytoplasmic organelles. In contrast to dendrites, 6% (1.3/22) of NR1-IR and 4% (1.3/33) of MOR-IR axon terminals were dually labeled in each 1,000-μm2 area. Most singly or dually labeled terminals formed asymmetric synapses with MOR- or NR1-labeled spines. Our results suggest that opioids acting through MOR and excitatory neurotransmitters through NMDAR dually regulate the output of single spiny neurons and some of their excitatory afferents in the CPN. J. Comp. Neurol. 412:132–146, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Inositol lipids and signal transduction in the nervous system: an update.

: The role that inositol lipids play in cellular signaling events in eukaryotic cells remains one of the most intensively investigated areas of cell biology. In this respect, phosphoinositide-mediated signal transduction in the CNS is no exception; major advances have been made since a previous review on this subject (Fisher and Agranoff, 1987). Not only have stimulated phosphoinositide turnover and its physiological sequelae been demonstrated repeatedly in a variety of neural preparations, but, in addition, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying these events continue to unfold. Here we review the progress that has occurred in selected aspects of this topic since 1987. In the first two sections of this article, emphasis is placed on novel functional roles for the inositol lipids and on recent insights into the molecular characteristics and regulation of three key components of the phosphoinositide signal transduction system, namely, the inositol lipid kinases, phospholipases C (PLCs), and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate[I(1,4,5)P3] receptor. The metabolic fate of I(1,4,5)P3 in neural tissues, as well as its control, is also detailed. Later we focus on identification of the multiple receptor subtypes that are coupled to inositol lipid turnover and discuss possible strategies for intervention into phosphoinositide-mediated signal transduction. Due to space limitations, an extensive evaluation of the diacylglycerol/protein kinase C (DAG/PKC) limb of the signal transduction pathway is not included (for reviews, see Nishizuka, 1988; Kanoh et al., 1990).
Inhibition of Insulin Receptor Activation by Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are transported by a family of high-affinity binding proteins (IGFBPs) that protect IGFs from degradation, limit their binding to IGF receptors, and modulate IGF actions. The six classical IGFBPs have been believed to have no affinity for insulin. We now demonstrate that IGFBP-7/mac25, a newly identified member of the IGFBP superfamily that binds IGFs specifically with low affinity is a high-affinity insulin binding protein. IGFBP-7 blocks insulin binding to the insulin receptor and thereby inhibiting the earliest steps in insulin action, such as autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta subunit and phosphorylation of IRS-1, indicating that IGFBP-7 is a functional insulin-binding protein. The affinity of other IGFBPs for insulin can be enhanced by modifications that disrupt disulfide bonds or remove the conserved COOH terminus. Like IGFBP-7, an NH2-terminal fragment of IGFBP-3 (IGFBP-3((1-87))), also binds insulin with high affinity and blocks insulin action. IGFBPs with enhanced affinity for insulin might contribute to the insulin resistance of pregnancy, type II diabetes mellitus, and other pathological conditions.
The Facilitating Influence of Consumer Knowledge on the Effectiveness of Daily Value Reference Information

As a means of enhancing consumer understanding of nutritional information, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 requires the provision of percentage daily values (%DVs) on food labels. Findings from existing research, however, vary in their support for the assumption that including %DVs will assist consumers in their efforts to comprehend nutritional information. To shed further light on this issue, the present study examines the moderating role of consumer knowledge about how to use %DVs in evaluating a product’s healthiness. The results indicate that the usefulness of providing %DVs on a nutritional label depends strongly on this form of knowledge. Implications for public policy and directions for future research efforts are presented.
Polyimide Planarization With Polystyrene By Rie Etch-Back

This paper reports the results of a planarization process of polyimide which has been utilized as a passivation material in multilevel interconnection. The degree of planarization with spin-coated polyimide over metal topography is only 10–20% due to crosslinking and shrinking of the polymer during the curing process. Polystyrene used as sacrificial planarizing film can achieve <95% planarity over 100μm metal pad with 1μm height. A conformal polystyrene film can be spin-coated onto the polyimide surface without adhesion promoter. The topography of polyimide over the metal pattern can be planarized with thermal reflow of the polystyrene by baking the film below 250°C. The planarity of this sacrificial film, polystyrene, can be transferred to polyimide by etch-back without degrading the polyimide surface properties which has been examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Training third world students in agricultural research: An application of on-the-job training in graduate education

Abstract Many Ministries of Agriculture in Africa lack a sufficient cadre of well-trained professional scientists to undertake and implement viable agricultural research programs. While the staffs of Ministries of Agriculture have received advanced training in Western Europe and North America, they encounter difficulties in applying their advanced education to local conditions. Donor agencies have recognized the need for more research applicable to African agricultural systems by insisting that sponsored participants undertake studies in their own countries as a formal requirement of their education. This paper summarizes and evaluates a development project that combined graduate education for Zairians in the United States with relevant thesis and dissertation research undertaken in Central Africa as a form of on-the-job training for staff members of the Department of Agriculture in Zaire.
Amnesia for active avoidance.

Abstract Rats were given active avoidance training followed by ECS and were shown to be amnesic when tested by relearning or when tested by the acquisition of a conflicting passive avoidance task. Analysis of the relearning data showed that the amnesia was temporary, and therefore a retrieval deficit. Recovery from the amnesia during relearning appeared to mimic the reminder effect found in passive avoidance studies.
Learning control system analysis and design based on 2-D system theory

The connections between two research areas, intelligent control systems and multi-dimensional systems, are established. Two-dimensional (2-D) system theory is used to analyze a class of learning control system. The 2-D state-space model of a learning control system is given. A class of learning control laws is proposed and the convergence of the learning process can be checked based on a 2-D model of the learning control system. The theory and methods proposed in this paper not only provide the learning control system with powerful tools for analysis and design, but also offer a multi-dimensional system theory with a new field of application as well as some new problems for further exploration.
Development of New Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease in Transgenic Animal Models: A Role for β-Synuclein

Abstract Neuronal death in Parkinson’s disease (PD), one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the adult and aging population is probably caused by misfolding of synaptic proteins such as α-synuclein. Although, some treatments are currently available to control some of the symptoms of PD, none of these approaches directly addresses the mechanisms of disease. With the advent of new experimental animal models for this disorder, the potential for development and discovery of new treatment has been significantly bolstered. Among them, overexpression of α-synuclein results in motor deficits, dopaminergic loss and formation of inclusion bodies. Co-expression of mutant amyloid precursor protein, accelerates α-synuclein aggregation and enhances the neurodegenerative pathology in these mice, providing a unique model where to investigate the interactions between Aβ1–42 and α-synuclein and to develop treatments for combined Alzheimer’s disease and PD. Development of anti-parkinsonian treatments based on these models includes: (i) anti-aggregation or pro-degradation compounds, (ii) neuroprotective compounds, and (iii) neurotrophic agents. Among them, we characterized β-synuclein, the non-amyloidogenic homologue of α-synuclein, as an inhibitor of aggregation of α-synuclein. Our results raise the intriguing possibility that β-synuclein might be a natural negative regulator of α-synuclein aggregation, and that a similar class of endogenous factors might regulate the aggregation state of other molecules involved in neurodegeneration. Such an anti-amyloidogenic property of β-synuclein might also provide a novel strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
IDO1 Metabolites Activate β-catenin Signaling to Promote Cancer Cell Proliferation and Colon Tumorigenesis in Mice

Background & Aims Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) catabolizes tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway. Although IDO1 is expressed in inflamed and neoplastic epithelial cells of the colon, its role in colon tumorigenesis is not well understood. We used genetic and pharmacologic approaches to manipulate IDO1 activity in mice with colitis-associated cancer and human colon cancer cell lines. Methods C57Bl6 wild-type (control), IDO1-/-, Rag1-/-, and Rag1/IDO1 double-knockout mice were exposed to azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis and tumorigenesis. Colitis severity was assessed by measurements of disease activity, cytokine levels, and histologic analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted using HCT 116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cells. 1-methyl tryptophan and small interfering RNA were used to inhibit IDO1. Kynurenine pathway metabolites were used to simulate IDO1 activity. Results C57Bl6 mice given pharmacologic inhibitors of IDO1 and IDO1-/- mice had lower tumor burdens and reduced proliferation in the neoplastic epithelium after administration of dextran sodium sulfate and azoxymethane than control mice. These reductions also were observed in Rag1/IDO1 double-knockout mice compared with Rag1-/- mice (which lack mature adaptive immunity). In human colon cancer cells, blockade of IDO1 activity reduced nuclear and activated β-catenin, transcription of its target genes (cyclin D1 and Axin2), and, ultimately, proliferation. Exogenous administration of IDO1 pathway metabolites kynurenine and quinolinic acid led to activation of β-catenin and proliferation of human colon cancer cells, and increased tumor growth in mice. Conclusions IDO1, which catabolizes tryptophan, promotes colitis-associated tumorigenesis in mice, independent of its ability to limit T-cell–mediated immune surveillance. The epithelial cell–autonomous survival advantage provided by IDO1 to colon epithelial cells indicate its potential as a therapeutic target.
Highlights in basic autonomic neurosciences: Diet-induced enteric, vagal and brainstem dysfunction.

Vagally-dependent reflexes are critical to the control and regulation of appropriate gastrointestinal (GI) functions, including early satiety and the regulation of food intake. Visceral sensory information is relayed to the central nervous system via the afferent vagus nerve, the central terminals of which enter the brainstem via the tractus solitarius and terminate on neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). These second-order NTS neurons assimilate and integrate this vast volume of sensory information with inputs received from other brainstem and higher CNS centres involved in the regulation of autonomic homeostatic functions. The integrated signal is then relayed to the adjacent dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) which contains the preganglionic parasympathetic motoneurones that transfer the appropriate output response back to the upper GI tract via the efferent vagus nerve. While the enteric nervous system (ENS) is capable of a significant degree of autonomy of GI functions, the stomach and upper GI tract in particular, are more dependent upon extrinsic neural inputs, particularly through the vagus nerve. Obesity is known to adversely impact vago-vagal reflex control of GI functions, resulting in altered gastric emptying, dysmotility, dyspepsia, discomfort and nausea as well as abnormal satiation. While this has been the topic of investigation by many groups for several years, more recently it has become apparent that diet and obesity affect all aspects of vago-vagal reflex control of GI functions and, furthermore, diet and obesity may exert distinctly different effects upon these functions.
Diode-laser sensor for monitoring multiple combustion parameters in pulse detonation engines

Diode-laser absorption spectroscopy techniques have been adapted and, applied for in situ measurements of pertinent combustion parameters in pulse detonation engines (PDEs). A sensor employing five multiplexed diode lasers operating in the 1300–1800 nm spectral region has been developed for monitoring gas temperature, H2O concentration, liquid fuel concentration, and soot volume fraction. Gas temperature is determined from the ratio of H2O absorbances at different wavelengths: water mole fraction and fuel and soot volume fractions are determined from the measured gas temperature and absorbances at selected wavelengths. The sensor's time response (0.5 μs) and non-intrusive, nature make it suitable for measurements in the hostile environment generated by PDEs. The sensor was used to monitor a 4 cm diameter PDE operating on a JP-10/oxygen aerosol. Measurements revealed charges of non-uniform equivalence ratio at ignition. Detonations processing such charges reached 95% of the Chapman-Jouget velocity and gas pressures predicted for a stoichiometric, uniform load. Gas temperature and H2O concentration, however, reached only ≈50% of the Chapman-Jouget predictions, as a result of the decreasing fuel concentration along the length of the engine. The sensor also revealed the presence of hot H2O for a long duration (>100 ms) relative to the duration of the pressure pulse (≈500 μs) in the blowdown following the detonation. The engine performance information recorded by the sensor is expected to enhance PDE modeling and optimization efforts, potentially enabling PDE combustion control.
A review of current methods used in the United States for isolating Listeria from food

Abstract Two cultural and two rapid Listeria isolation procedures used in the United States will be reviewed in this presentation.
Perforated peptic ulcer disease in children: Association of corticosteroid therapy

Four children were treated at the Oregon Health Sciences University for perforated peptic ulcer disease over the last 15 years. All children were being treated for other severe underlying diseases at the time of perforation. All of the children were receiving corticosteroids; one was receiving ulcer prophylaxis. Presenting symptoms were those of a perforated viscus, and pneumoperitoneum was present in all patients. Simple closure and omental patching of the ulcer resulted in no operative mortality or morbidity. None of the ulcers have recurred. In reviewing the literature, corticosteroids were associated with perforated peptic ulcer disease in 17.8% of children with perforated peptic ulcer. Despite controversy regarding the role of corticosteroids in the causation of peptic ulcer, we recommend prophylaxis for all children receiving corticosteroids.
The Effect of Crowding on Human Task Performance1

In a series of three experiments, groups of people performed tasks under varying conditions of density. The tasks ranged from very simple to complex, from rote memory to a test of creativity. Subjects worked on the tasks for 4 hours at a time for two or three successive days. There were no significant effects of density on performance, nor any consistent trends.
The impact of functional jaw orthopedics in subjects with unfavorable class II skeletal patterns

Abstract Objective To evaluate the outcomes of functional jaw orthopedics (FJO) followed by fixed appliances in Class II patients showing cephalometric signs predictive of unfavorable responsiveness to orthopedic treatment. Materials and methods A total of 48 treated subjects (20 males, 28 females) with unfavorable Class II malocclusions were treated with FJO at the adolescent growth spurt, followed by fixed appliances. Treatment outcomes were compared with the growth changes in a matched control group of untreated subjects with “unfavorable” Class II malocclusions. Results A significant prevalence rate of successful outcome was recorded within the treated group (64.5%). When compared with the untreated controls, both the overall treated group and the successful treated subgroup revealed a significant reduction in maxillary growth and sagittal position, along with a significant enhancement in mandibular length, sagittal advancement of the mandible, and significant improvements in the maxillo-mandibular relationships. Both overjet and molar relation showed significant favorable changes in the treated group. Conclusions FJO at the pubertal spurt followed by fixed appliances is a viable therapeutical option in patients with “unfavorable” Class II malocclusions, although skeletal changes are of minor entity.
Microbubble Dissolution in a Multigas Environment

Microbubbles occur naturally in the oceans and are used in many industrial and biomedical applications. Here, a theoretical and experimental study was undertaken to determine the fate of a microbubble suddenly suspended in a medium with several gas species as in, for example, the injection of an ultrasound contrast agent into the bloodstream. The model expands on Epstein and Plesset’s analysis to include any number of gases. An experimental system was developed which isolates the microbubble in a permeable hollow fiber submerged in a perfusion chamber, allowing rapid exchange of the external aqueous medium. Experimental verification of the model was performed with individual sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) microbubbles coated with the soluble surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). SDS-coated microbubbles suddenly placed in an air-saturated medium initially grew with the influx of O2 and N2 and then dissolved under Laplace pressure. SF6-filled microbubbles coated with the highly insoluble lipid, dibehenoylpho...
An Empirical Update on the Product-Cycle Explanation and Branch-Plant Location in the Nonmetropolitan US South

In this study an empirically based examination of the importance of the labor environment, defined in terms of late-stage product-cycle expectations, to the location of branch plants in the nonmetropolitan US South is presented. The data were derived from a questionnaire-based survey of selected branch-plant managers in eight southern states. The findings suggest that labor factors have been important to the location of branch plants, and that the product-cycle explanation has merit; however, the findings also suggest that the locational behavior of these plants has been a response to conditions not clearly embraced by the product-cycle conceptualization, leading to the conclusion that a more comprehensive model is required to explain industrial location in the rural South.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate regulates activation-induced platelet microparticle formation.

While the role of the cytoskeleton in microparticle formation is well-described, the role of membrane phospholipids in regulating this process is poorly defined. PIP2 binds many cytoskeletal proteins and may oppose microparticle formation through associations with these proteins. To determine whether PIP2 effects microparticle formation, PIP2 was incorporated into platelet membranes prior to activation-induced microparticle formation. Incorporation of PIP2 into platelet membranes inhibited activation-induced microparticle formation by ≥90%. Inhibition was dose-dependent with an IC50 of 12−18 μM. A permeabilized platelet system was next used to assess the effect of modulation of endogenous PIP2 levels on microparticle formation. Infusion of type IIβ PIP kinase into permeabilized platelets inhibited microparticle formation by 75 ± 8%. In contrast, incubation of permeabilized platelets with PI-specific phospholipase C augmented microparticle formation by greater than 3-fold. Evaluation of PIP kinases followi...
The HEAO-A2 soft X-ray survey of cataclysmic variable stars: EX Hydrae during optical quiescence

Results are reported for HEAO A2 soft X-ray (below 2 keV) scanning observations of the southern dwarf nova EX Hya. An X-ray light curve is presented which shows no apparent orbital modulation. The best-fitting spectral parameters are derived for the source, and the observations are compared with the spectral behavior of the dwarf nova SS Cyg during optical quiescence. The results are discussed in terms of models for X-ray production by accreting white dwarfs.
The politics of information

The politics of information in contemporary times is a kaleidoscope of continuing change as society and government strive to cope with the impacts of various information technologies–computers, telecommunications, microform systems, audio and video devices. Within the Congress and throughout Federal, State, and local governmental units, inexorable pressures are causing the integration of these innovative support systems into existing processes. Laws and institutions are evolving at an accelerated pace, as both public and private sector leadership recognize the criticalness of selectively utilizing this manifestation of mankind's ingenuity as applied to the collection, processing, retrieval, and distribution of information essential to business, education, science, agriculture, and an array of social services.
Mathematics through play in the early years, by Kate Tucker

London, Sage, 2010, ix + 166 pp., $30.95 (paperback), ISBN 978‐1‐84860‐884‐9 Mathematics researchers and elementary educators seek exemplary settings and methods for students beyond Grade 2 (cf. NC...
Quality robustness design of manufacturing systems with repair and rework

In this paper, we study a manufacturing system with repair and rework. We show that in such systems the product quality, in terms of quality buy rate (the good job ratio of all jobs), can be described by a function of repair capacity and first time quality (the good job ratio of all first time processed jobs). Variations in first time quality can lead to reduction of quality buy rate and substantial waste of production capacity and materials. Therefore, the repair and rework system should be designed to be robust to the fluctuations. Moreover, we observe that the quality buy rate is practically independent of the distribution of the first time quality, but depends primarily on its coefficient of variations
Quality reward preference in the rat

Rats’ preferences among three qualitatively different food pellets (alfalfa, regular, and 93% sucrose) were determined by a free-choice and barpress procedure. In both situations, it was found that reward qualities can be ordered on an ordinal scale with sucrose most preferred, then regular, and finally alfalfa. The results raise the question of extending the vast literature which now exists on reward quantity to include reward quality.
Symmetric Monotonic Regression: Techniques and Applications in Sensor Networks

Inter-sensor modeling of data streams is an important problem and an enabler for numerous sensor network tasks such as faulty data detection, missing data recovery, and compression. We have developed a new symmetric monotonic regression (SMR) technique for predicting data at one sensor using data from another sensor or a set of sensors that simultaneously guarantees isotonicity and minimizes an arbitrary form of error for predicting stream X from stream Y and vice versa. Using a simple and fast algorithm, we also developed a lower bound regression (LBR) approach for evaluating the achievable accuracy of regression between the readings at two sensors. SMR often performs very close to the lower bound on a set of collected real-life sensor data. We show how LBR barrier can be outperformed by conducting prediction using either data from multiple sensors or by considering information extracted (multiple consecutive time samples) of the explanatory stream. The effectiveness of SMR is demonstrated on a sensor node sleeping coordination problem by reducing energy consumption by more than an order of magnitude with respect to the best previously published technique.
Fourier Analysis of Zooecial Shapes in Fossil Tubular Bryozoans

Fourier harmonic amplitudes provide exact characterization of the cross-sectional morphology of fossil tubular bryozoans. The Fourier method resolves a complex zooecial shape into multiple shape components (harmonics), which can be treated as individual morphologic variables. Shape elongation caused by varying zooecial orientation affects only the value of the second harmonic. Fourier harmonic coefficients reveal small changes in model shapes involving different numbers of neighboring zooecia, thickening of zooecial walls, and acanthopore variation. The number (between three and six) of neighboring zooecia controls the gross zooecial shape, as reflected in the third to the sixth harmonic. The sixth harmonic reflects the closest packing of zooecia within a colony, and its mean correlates with the colonial growth form and number of mesopores. Monticules represent the budding centers of a colony: zooecial chambers decrease in maximum diameter and become more densely packed away from the monticules. Ontogenetic changes, from the budding of new zooids to the closest packing of mature individuals, involve variation in gross zooecial form, revealed in the amplitudes of the second to the sixth harmonic. Harmonics above the sixth reflect small-scale sculpturing of the zooecial margin. The mean harmonics of different taxa suggest that Fourier values can be used for multivariate phenetic differentiation. The mean spectra of different growth forms indicate that variation in the second and sixth harmonics results from ontogenetic differences and nonmutational response to external stresses. Comparison of intrageneric variability and intracolonial variability shows that the second and sixth harmonics vary more widely among genetically identical individuals than among evolving taxa, even though the morphologies they reflect have been used as major bio-characters in bryozoan systematics. The higher numbered harmonics, especially the seventh, carry evolutionary information.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left Ventricular Contractility

The systolic performance of the left ventricle (LV) is determined by the interaction between preload, afterload, the contractile state of the myocardium, synergy of contraction and heart rate. Studies in isolated cardiac muscle have shown a direct dependency of fiber shortening (or contractile element shortening) on preload and contractile state and an inverse dependency on afterload [1]. Studies in the intact heart have shown a similar dependency of cardiac performance on loading so that, at present, no single measurement of myocardial performance is capable of reflecting contractile state completely independent of preload and afterload [2–5]. An index of cardiac inotropism would have important clinical and research applications since it would allow comparison among individual patients, early detection of myocardial dysfunction (prior to pump dysfunction) in a wide range of cardiac diseases, and evaluation of pharmacologic and surgical interventions on myocardial contractility.
Improving Bandwidth Utilization using Eager Writeback

Cache memories have been incorporated into almost all modern, general-purpose microprocessors. To maintain data consistency between cache structures and the rest of the memory systems, most of thesecachesemployeithera writebackora write-throughstrategytodealwithstoreoperations. Writethroughcachespropagatedatatomoredistantmemorylevelsatthetimeeachstoreoccurs,producinga signiflcantbustra‐coverheadtomaintainconsistencybetweenthememoryhierarchylevels. Writeback caches can signiflcantly reduce the bandwidth requirements between caches and memory by marking cachelinesas dirtywhenstoresareprocessedandwritingthoselinestothememorysystemonlywhen thatdirtylineisevicted. Writebackcachesworkwellformanyapplications;however,forapplications that experience signiflcant numbers of cache misses over a very short interval due to streaming data, writebackcachedesignscandegradeoverallsystemperformancebyclusteringbusactivitywhendirty lines contend with data being fetched into the cache. In this paper we present a technique called Eager Writeback, which avoids performance loss due to clustered memory tra‐c patterns found in streaming and graphics applications by speculatively "cleaning" dirty cache lines prior to their eviction. Eager Writeback can be viewed as a compromise betweenwrite-throughandwritebackpolicies,inwhichdirtylinesarewrittenlaterthanwrite-through, butpriortowriteback. Wewillshowthatthisapproachcanefiectivelyavoidtheperformancedegradation caused by clustering bus tra‐c in a writeback approach, while incurring very minimal additional memory tra‐c.
The Application of Apriori-Gen Algorithm on the Interaction Analysis of SNPs in Genetic Disease

Gene-gene interaction analyses have been used to identify common disease susceptibility genes. Recently, evidence of a statistical interaction among several SNPs has been reported in Crohn's disease. This paper explores the application of Apriori-Gen algorithm on the association study in Crohn's disease. The Apriori-Gen algorithm has been applied to SNP data of Crohn's disease for association study. The result shows the interaction among 5 SNPs with support of 50% and confidence of 60%. The relative risk RR and odds ratio OR are 1.98 and 2.59, respectively. The experiment results indicate that the interaction among those SNPs is responsible for the disease.
A MEMS Thermal Biosensor for Metabolic Monitoring Applications

This paper presents a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) differential thermal biosensor integrated with microfluidics for metabolite measurements in either flow-injection or flow-through mode. The MEMS device consists of two identical freestanding polymer diaphragms, resistive heaters, and a thermopile between the diaphragms. Integrated with polymer-based microfluidic measurement chambers, the device allows sensitive measurement of small volumes of liquid samples. Enzymes specific to a metabolic analyte system are immobilized on microbeads packed in the chambers. When a sample solution containing the analyte is introduced to the device, the heat released from the enzymatic reactions of the analyte is detected by the thermopile. The device has been tested with glucose solutions at physiologically relevant concentrations. In flow-injection mode, the device demonstrates a sensitivity of approximately 2.1 muV/mM and a resolution of about 0.025 mM. In flow-through mode with a perfusion flow rate of 0.5 mL/h, the sensitivity and resolution of the device are determined to be approximately 0.24 muV/mM and 0.4 mM, respectively. These results illustrate that the device, when integrated with subcutaneous sampling methods, can potentially allow for continuous monitoring of glucose and other metabolites.
You probably think this paper's about you: narcissists' perceptions of their personality and reputation.

Do narcissists have insight into the negative aspects of their personality and reputation? Using both clinical and subclinical measures of narcissism, the authors examined others’ perceptions, selfperceptions, and meta-perceptions of narcissists across a wide range of traits for a new acquaintance and close other (Study 1), longitudinally with a group of new acquaintances (Study 2), and among coworkers (Study 3). Results bring 3 surprising conclusions about narcissists: (a) they understand that others see them less positively than they see themselves (i.e., their meta-perceptions are less biased than are their self-perceptions), (b) they have some insight into the fact that they make positive first impressions that deteriorate over time, and (c) they have insight into their narcissistic personality (e.g., they describe themselves as arrogant). These findings shed light on some of the psychological mechanisms underlying narcissism.
A Simple Computer Design with Monitor Interface: Integrating Hardware and Software in Early Research in Computer Science

In computer science, the introduction of CAD tools and programmable logic devices makes it feasible to complete the design of a functioning computer during a second course in the hardware track. In earlier we presented a simple instruction set and gave a complete single cycle design as part of grant for early research in computer science. For this we used the Altera CAD package and the UP2 board. The contribution of this paper is to expand on previous work. We adopt a similar instruction set as done in earlier paper. here, however, we interface the design to include a computer monitor. The complete computer design with monitor interface at an early stage in computer science education helps in introducing research early in the curricula.
A generalization of the impulse and virial theorems with an application to bubble oscillations

In the first part of the paper it is shown that the impulse and virial theorems of inviscid incompressible fluid mechanics are special cases of a more general theorem from which an infinity of relations can be obtained. Depending on the problem, only a finite number of these relations may be independent. An application of these results is in the approximate study of the hydrodynamic interaction of bodies. As an example, in the second part of the paper, the case of two freely translating, nonlinearly pulsating bubbles is considered. It is found that in certain parameter ranges the force between the bubbles has a sign opposite to what would be expected on the basis of the linear theory of Bjerknes forces.
Asbestos Exposure and Psychic Injury—A Review of 48 Claims

Asbestos exposure has been a common occupational risk resulting in much litigation. Where pulmonary dysfunction has been minimal or even absent, psychic injury has been made an element in claimed damages. Analysis of psychiatric and psychologic claims in 48 cases reveals that diagnoses often do not conform to professional standards, are based on insufficient data sampling, lack adequate overall history as well as medical history, and do not comport with the standard of probability usually required for litigation. The group studied was elderly (mean age—62.6), mostly retired (71%), with some significant medical illnesses (18% on medical retirement). None were retired for pulmonary reasons. As expected, conflict in opinion between the opposing professional medical participants was frequent. Commonly the patients did not substantiate the complaints reported in the medicolegal reports; some ridiculed statements made on their behalf. Many psychological reports reflected simplistic or erroneous concepts of medicine or ignored relevant medical data. This study indicates that in this group claims of psychic injury due to asbestos exposure have little justification and supports the view that the current system of utilization of expert opinions is not reliable or in conformity with reasonable professional standards. Correspondingly, these claims did not result in augmented awards.
Moving Labor: Transnational Migrant Workers and Affective Literacies of Care

In this article, I examine the role of affect management in the transnational migration of Filipino care workers. Drawing on qualitative research in the Philippines, I claim that in government-mandated skills training, opportunities for Filipino migrants to critically engage in print and English literacies were often limited to standardized and rote practices to enhance transferability. In response, these migrant workers turned to affective literacies to engage in the kind of critical thinking and knowledge transformation necessary to challenge their labor conditions or simply survive the daily traumas of migrant life. While policies for skills-based labor migration categorize workers and their migration trajectories through a high-skills/low-skills divide, I suggest that affect management is the “high-skilled” work in such contexts where the mobility and flexibility of the global economy are experienced as precarity and insecurity. This reversal of high-low skill categories prompts a re-imagining of the transnational movement of labor—one where worker-citizens and their literacies move through a continuous series of affective attachments to and detachments from the nation-state.
Colorado Potato Beetle Response to Potato Plants Infected with Potato Virus Y and Potato Leafroll Virus

Agricultural systems are often simultaneously impacted by multiple stressors. In our study, we investigated the effects of two commonly occurring viruses of potato, Potato virus Y (PVY) and Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) on host plant selection and utilization across various spatial scales by the Colorado potato beetle. Adult beetles selected PLRV-infected foliage in the cage choice trails, and larvae that fed exclusively on PLRV-infected foliage developed into larger adults. PVY-infected foliage was avoided in the cage trials and had no effect on the weight of developing adults. In field trials, preference and utilization of potato plants was more dependent on plant size than on virus infection. These results demonstrate that while virus-infected plants can cause physiological changes that influence beetle preference, beetle abundance and/or distribution is driven by a more complex array of factors at the field level. Additionally, this study demonstrates the importance of investigating the applicability of laboratory findings at the field level.
The Uighurs Versus the Chinese Government: An Application of Realistic Conflict Theory

ABSTRACTThis article applies Realistic Conflict Theory to the understanding of Uighur terrorism against the Chinese in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. By and large, Realistic Conflict Theory posits that disagreement over objectives and competition over limited resources tend to lead to intergroup conflict. By the same token, as an “in-group” mentality emerges, a great amount of discrimination and negative stereotypes are the consequences for the out-group. The Uighurs (a Muslim people) have had complicated relations with China, so much so that they were increasingly bent on creating their own independent state. As the People's Republic of China grew more powerful, its stance toward the Uighurs was reflected through a shift from mild hostilities to more acute persecutions. For these reasons, the Uighurs have resorted to terrorism.
Carceral Devolution and the Transformation of Urban America

This chapter examines the ways in which prisoner reentry has transformed the urban landscape and its broader implications as the rehabilitative strategy of choice in the current age. Following broader policy trends, we find prisoner reentry to be a part of a larger process of responsibilization that offloads the responsibility of the state to ensure the social, civic, and political participation of its residents onto third-sector organizations, prisoners’ families, and former prisoners themselves. Tracing these developments, we show how reentry exhibits one way that the state has been reconfigured to manage the urban poor while embedding punishment more deeply within the social body.
Building Collaborative Competencies for Speech Language Pathologists and Deaf Educators: Review of a Pilot Project

Collaboration between professionals is widely recognized as best practice, although in serving students who are deaf/hard of hearing, deaf educators and speech-language pathologists often function ...
Metal Silicides for High-Temperature Thermoelectric Application

Transition metal silicides have good potential for converting waste heat into electrical energy at higher temperatures. Transition metal silicides are used as thermoelectric alloys at higher temperatures because of their low toxicity, high natural abundance, good transport properties, and better thermal stabilities. In this article, thermodynamic, and thermoelectric properties of promising metal silicides are reviewed, calculated, and compared for waste heat recovery application. Higher manganese silicide (Mn4Si7) was produced from easy one-step self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) procedure of arc-melting technique. Characterization of the alloy phases were done using X-ray diffraction (XRD). In this study, lattice constants, Vickers microindentation hardness, and thermoelectric (TE) properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and figure of merit) of Mn4Si7 alloy were experimentally determined, and compared with the reported literature values.
Reconciliation Feasibility in the Presence of Gene Duplication, Loss, and Coalescence With Multiple Individuals Per Species

In phylogenetics, we often seek to reconcile gene trees with species trees within the framework of an evolutionary model. While the most popular models for eukaryotic species allow for only gene duplication and gene loss or only multispecies coalescence, recent work has combined these phenomena through a reconciliation structure, the labeled coalescent tree (LCT), that simultaneously describes the duplication-loss and coalescent history of a gene family. However, the LCT makes the simplifying assumption that only one individual is sampled per species whereas, with advances in gene sequencing, we now have access to multiple samples per species. We demonstrate that with these additional samples, there exist gene tree topologies that are impossible to reconcile with any species tree. In particular, the multiple samples enforce new constraints on the placement of duplications within a valid reconciliation. To model these constraints, we extend the LCT to a new structure, the partially labeled coalescent tree (PLCT) and demonstrate how to use the PLCT to evaluate the feasibility of a gene tree topology. We apply our algorithm to two clades of apes and flies to characterize possible sources of infeasibility. Going forward, we believe that this model represents a first step towards understanding reconciliations in duplication-loss-coalescence models with multiple samples per species.
Conventional and neuromorphic systems leveraging emerging memory technologies

As big data processing becomes pervasive and ubiquitous in our lives, the desire for embedded-everywhere and human-centric information systems calls for an “intelligent” computing paradigm that is capable of handling large volume of data through massively parallel operations under limited hardware and power resources. This demand, however, is unlikely to be satisfied through the traditional computer systems whose performance is greatly hindered by the increasing performance gap between CPU and memory as well as the fast-growing power consumption. Inspired by the working mechanism of human brains, a neuromorphic system naturally possesses a massively parallel architecture with closely coupled memory, offering a great opportunity to break the “memory wall” in von Neumann architecture. In this talk, I will give an overview of our research on emerging nonvolatile memory (eNVM) technologies that feature many attractive characteristics such as non-volatility, high cell density, nanosecond access time and low operation voltage. The talk starts with the expectations of modern computing systems on memory hierarchy, followed by two examples in eNVM design and applications in conventional and neuromorphic computing systems, respectively. Our prospects on the research of eNVM technologies will be also given at the end of this talk, offering the audiences an alternative thinking about the future evolution and revolution of modern computing systems.
An Introduction to Radical Polymers

In the modern era, organic compounds (i.e., carbon-based small molecules and polymers) have earned a status of great import across various fields of modern material sciences. Beyond the realms of mere curiosity and fundamental research, the commercialization of organic electronics [e.g., organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)] has boosted the impetus to elucidate the fundamentals regarding the vast chemistry and related physical properties and device opportunities of organic materials (Fig. 1.1) [1]. This is because organic materials are often preferred over their inorganic counterparts in electronic devices where their relatively lower costs of production, earth-abundant materials compositions, ease of fine-tuning and processing, mechanical robustness and flexibility, and relatively benign environmental hazards are of primary concern [2].
Failed Intrauterine Pregnancy: What Is a Failed Pregnancy, What Is Not?

Pregnancy failure is defined as a lack of sonographic evidence of current or expected viability. Technologic advances in ultrasound imaging continue to redefine diagnostic criteria of pregnancy failure or success. When evaluating a pregnancy, the first step is an assessment of maternal risk factors