cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multivariable Dynamic Ankle Mechanical Impedance With Relaxed Muscles

Neurological or biomechanical disorders may distort ankle mechanical impedance and thereby impair locomotor function. This paper presents a quantitative characterization of multivariable ankle mechanical impedance of young healthy subjects when their muscles were relaxed, to serve as a baseline to compare with pathophysiological ankle properties of biomechanically and/or neurologically impaired patients. Measurements using a highly backdrivable wearable ankle robot combined with multi-input multi-output stochastic system identification methods enabled reliable characterization of ankle mechanical impedance in two degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) simultaneously, the sagittal and frontal planes. The characterization included important ankle properties unavailable from single DOF studies: coupling between DOFs and anisotropy as a function of frequency. Ankle impedance in joint coordinates showed responses largely consistent with a second-order system consisting of inertia, viscosity, and stiffness in both seated (knee flexed) and standing (knee straightened) postures. Stiffness in the sagittal plane was greater than in the frontal plane and furthermore, was greater when standing than when seated, most likely due to the stretch of bi-articular muscles (medial and lateral gastrocnemius). Very low off-diagonal partial coherences implied negligible coupling between dorsiflexion-plantarflexion and inversion-eversion. The directions of principal axes were tilted slightly counterclockwise from the original joint coordinates. The directional variation (anisotropy) of ankle impedance in the 2-D space formed by rotations in the sagittal and frontal planes exhibited a characteristic “peanut” shape, weak in inversion-eversion over a wide range of frequencies from the stiffness dominated region up to the inertia dominated region. Implications for the assessment of neurological and biomechanical impairments are discussed.
Transition from bilingual programs toall-English programs: Issues about and beyond language

This article reports selected findings from an ethnographic evaluation study of transition from bilingual programs conducted for the state of Connecticut. Two school districts and two groups of students in each school district are the focus of the evaluation. At the administrative level two distinct types of transition are identified— “within school” and “between schools.” The broad policy and administrative context of how students are transitioned are described and set as background to a micro view of how the transition process gets played out in the classroom. The accessibility of the language and the content of lessons are examined along the dimensions of cognitive and linguistic demands and the notion of scaffolding for a view of the social interactive nature of teaching and learning. At the personal level, the reactions, opinions, and individual strategies of students, teachers, and administrators are considered. Recommendations include a rethinking of the relationship between the bilingual programs and the all-English programs such that the responsibility of ensuring bilingual students' success in the English classroom does not lie solely with the bilingual program. Also, the ways in which learning and language are most effective for the transitioned students are ways that are at the same time effective for all students.
Key Components of Model Transition Services for Students with Learning Disabilities

Secondary-based transition programs are developed to provide instruction and support for students in transition from school to adult life. Often such programs are general in scope and designed to s...
Development and factor analysis of a social anxiety inventory

A social anxiety inventory composed of 166 items drawn from hierarchies and lists of items used in the treatment of social anxiety by behavior therapists across the United States was constructed and factor analyzed. The method of factor analysis involved a rotation to an orthogonal structure producing seven conceptually clear factors accounting for 43% of the variance. The factors were named as follows: (1) fear of disapproval or criticism by others, (2) fear of social assertiveness and visibility, (3) fear of confrontation and anger-expression, (4) fear of heterosexual contact, (5) fear of intimacy and interpersonal warmth, (6) fear of conflict with or rejection by parents, and (7) fear of interpersonal loss. A revised 100-item scale built around a core of items correlating highly with these factors was briefly described, and possible uses for the scale in behavioral research, assessment, and therapy were discussed.
Urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery: Office preoperative evaluation of the incontinent female

Successful research outcomes in the treatment of genuine stress incontinence depend upon correct preoperative urodynamic evaluation. These procedures and how they are used for diagnosis and the selection of the correct surgical procedure are discussed.
PHASE TRANSITIONS IN GRAPHITE - SbCl//5 INTERCALATES.

Interlayer and intralayer ordering in SbCl5-GIC’s are probed by X-ray diffuse scattering. A crossover from 3-d to quasi 2-d structure is observed at around stage 2. Surprisingly, different in-plane arrangements can be obtained under nominally the same preparation conditions at the same stage. A stripe-like incommensurate structure close to the √39 superperiod of graphite, and a 14×14 commensurate superlattice structure, have been observed in different samples. The formation of these groundstate structures, and their transitions to ‘disordered’ phases, are discussed in terms of the molecular degrees of freedom.
Infantile perforated appendicitis: A forgotten diagnosis

Abstract Acute appendicitis in the infant is a rare surgical diagnosis despite its frequency in older patients. The clinical presentation is often vague and can be misleading. We present the successful diagnosis and treatment of a 3 month old female with perforated appendicitis.
Handheld cellular phones restrict head movements and range of visual regard

Numerous studies have reported the ability of mobile phones to distract users and thereby degrade performance of concurrent tasks. Less is known about whether the phone-holding posture can itself influence concurrent motor activities. Horizontal eye movements are often coordinated with head movements, particularly when the amplitude of the gaze shift is large. Holding a phone to one ear has been shown to restrict the range of spontaneously generated head movements. In order to determine whether the phone-holding posture also influences gaze, we recorded eye and head movements as volunteers looked about themselves spontaneously. Holding the phone to the ear narrowed the range of gaze, principally in subjects who exhibit a strong propensity to move the head with the eyes. We argue that visual exploration may be influenced by the balance between costs and benefits of turning the head, with the phone-holding posture increasing the costs. The effects on gaze would be seen most clearly in subjects who have a higher predilection for coupling eye and head movements. Conversely, this effect would be minimal if tested in tasks that rarely elicit head movements in the specific subjects being tested. The results emphasize the close coordination between eye and head movements, and have implications for the design of ergonomic studies comparing the effects of handheld vs. hands-free mobile phones on performance of specific tasks, such as driving.
Rapid quantification of disease-marker proteins using continuous-flow immunoseparation in a nanosieve fluidic device

Nanometer-scale fluidic devices offer an alternative to gels for separating biomolecules with better control and accuracy. Here we demonstrate the quantitative analysis of disease-marker proteins by continuously separating the antibody-protein immunocomplexes from the unbound antibodies, utilizing the anisotropically patterned nanosieve array (ANA) structures. The ANA structures, composed of periodically patterned deep channels and shallow regions, allow the small antibodies to pass through the shallow regions easier than the large immunocomplex, when the flow-field is applied in an oblique direction. We examined two proteins used as disease markers, human C-reactive protein (CRP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), by using fluorescent-labeled polyclonal antibodies. We showed that the size of the immunocomplex and the field strength are the critical factors for the separation, and we successfully demonstrated the quantification of the proteins in the range of 0.05 to 10 μg/mL. Additionally, this devi...
Deforestation contributed to droughts that influenced Maya decline

New studies show that deforestation throughout much of southern Mexico in pre-Columbian times contributed to droughts that led to the decline of the Maya and Aztec civilizations. Significant droughts are known to have affected these civilizations between about 800 and 950 C.E.; it has been debated whether solar forcing, random natural variability, or clearing of rain forests to create pasture or farmlands primarily caused these droughts. Reconstructions of past land cover can be made based on population estimates. Central America was significantly deforested by Maya and Aztec societies before Europeans arrived about 1500 C.E. Forest then recovered as native populations declined, although more deforestation has been taking place in recent years.
Solution conformation of (1 → 4)-β-d-mannan from optical rotation

Abstract Through the application of a recently developed calculational model of saccharide chiroptical properties, the optical rotation of (1 → 4)-β- D -mannan is calculated as a function of its linkage geometry in terms of ϕ(H-1C1O-1C-4′) and ψ(C-1O-1C-4′H-4′). The experimental optical rotation indicates that the predominant linkage-conformation is in the region near 60° ≤ ϕ 80°, −20° ≤ ψ ≤ 20°, in agreement with some, but not all, calculated potential-energy surfaces.
Improving the equality of workload assignments in assembly lines

Most heuristic and optimal methods for assembly line balancing are designed either to minimize the number of workstations required given a production rate, or to maximize the production rate given a fixed number of workstations. This singular focus on line design efficiency typically results in an imbalanced allocation of tasks among the stations. This paper presents a new procedure that rebalances a given solution to level the allocation of tasks. Characteristics of dominant levelled solutions are identified and incorporated into this heuristic procedure. Computational results indicate that the procedure is very effective in levelling workloads.
Cytoplasmic membrane changes in conjugating Tetrahymena.

The formation of stacks of smooth-surfaced cisternae was studied in samples of Tetrahymena pyriformis that were prepared for electron microscopy after starvation for 2 days in buffer, and in samples of organisms of different mating type that were starved for 2 days and then mixed to induce conjugation. The number of stacks of cisternae was greater in starved ciliates than in those from stock cultures, and the size and number of stacks increased further after mixing animals of different mating type. When cells were either starved or mixed in buffer to which the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide had been added, the formation of the membranous stacks was almost completely abolished. Addition of the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D, however, did not result in a significant decrease in the size and number of the stacks of saccules. Conjugation did not occur in the presence of either cycloheximide or actinomycin. The results suggest that protein synthesis is required for the formation of the stacks, but RNA synthesis is no longer necessary for their formation at this stage. The previous identification of the stacks as a Golgi apparatus and the possible functions of these membranes are considered.
Complications of pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery: The diagnosis and management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea

Major complications of endoscopic sinus surgery may be classified into two broad categories: orbital and intracranial. Significant complications are usually the result of poor appreciation of anatomic relationships, poor visualization, or excessive bleeding. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas represent a life-threatening complication of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and may result in meningitis or brain abscess. The incidence of CSF fistula is less than 1% following endoscopic sinus surgeryi-‘i (Table 1) and compares favorably with traditional transnasal ethmoidectomy. i2-16 The use of ESS in pediatric sinusitis has generated few reports of complications. In the pediatric population, the lack of reported CSF fistulas may be secondary to less extensive surgery, less developed sinuses (with thicker bone), or thicker dura. Thus, the management of potential complications must be based on the adult literature as well as experience with the pediatric trauma patient. The diagnosis and management of CSF fistulas secondary to ESS are reviewed and formulate the basis of our current recommendations.
Line identifications and radiative-branching ratios of magnetic dipole lines in Si-like Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, and Se.

Magnetic dipole transitions within the ground-state configuration of Si-like Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, and Se have been observed. Seven lines have been newly identified. Observations are made on the Texas Experimental Tokamak by laser-ablation injection of each of these elements into the plasma. The radiative-branching-ratio technique, utilizing lines originating from the same upper level, 3/ital p//sup 2/ /sup 1/D/sub 2/, is used for the radiometric calibration of a 1-m normal-incidence spectrometer. This calibration is in good agreement with the absolute radiometric calibration obtained by using an argon miniarc.
The effects of moderate neonatal ethanol exposure on eyeblink conditioning and deep cerebellar nuclei neuron numbers in the rat

Heavy, bingelike patterns of exposure to ethanol during a portion of the early postnatal period in the rat, a time of rodent brain development corresponding to the human third trimester, has been shown to deplete cerebellar neurons and to produce deficits in cerebellar-dependent tasks. In the current study, we examined the impact of more moderate ethanol exposure, during an extended portion of the rat third trimester equivalent, on cerebellar-dependent learning (eyeblink conditioning) and deep cerebellar nuclei neuron numbers. Neonatal rats received 0, 1, 2, or 3g/kg/day of ethanol in milk formula via a single intragastric intubation each day across postnatal days 2-11, or were left untreated. Peak BACs for ethanol-exposed rats were 50, 150, and 225 mg/dl, respectively. Rats underwent eyeblink conditioning as young adults (70 days of age) and deep cerebellar nuclei neuron numbers were assessed at 100 days of age. In Experiment 1, all rats showed normal responsiveness to periorbital stimulation prior to conditioning. The 3-g/kg/day group was impaired in eyeblink conditioning and possessed fewer deep cerebellar nuclei neurons. A trend toward impairment was observed in the 2-g/kg/day group. However, the 0-g/kg/day group was also impaired in eyeblink conditioning. In Experiment 2, the unconditioned stimulus pretest phase was eliminated, the 0-g/kg/day group learned normally, and both the 2- and 3-g/kg/day groups were again impaired. These results suggest that more moderate doses of ethanol during the rat third-trimester equivalent can produce long-term effects on the cerebellum.
Evidence for a close association between helix IV and helix XI in the melibiose carrier of Escherichia coli.

Abstract The melibiose carrier of Escherichia coli is a cation–sugar cotransport protein. Asp124 in membrane-spanning helix IV of the carrier protein was replaced with Ser, Ile or Phe by site-directed mutagenesis of a plasmid containing the melB gene. Each of these mutants failed to show membrane transport of melibiose and melibiose-positive revertants could be isolated on melibiose MacConkey indicator plates. D124F showed only one type of revertant (D124C) and D124I showed only revertants to the normal (D124). Second site revertants were not found with either of these mutants. S124, however, showed two types of second site revertants: D124S/V375A and D124S/V375G. The revertant D124S/V375A had lost melibiose/proton cotransport but showed 25% of normal melibiose (20 mM) uptake in the presence of 10 mM sodium ion at 37°C. The value for the parental strain D124S was 2%. The second revertant D124S/V375G showed greater activity than S124 in the presence of 100 mM NaCl at both 20°C and 37°C. It was concluded that in the normal carrier protein Asp124 in helix IV is probably close to Val375 in helix XI. Since Lys377 is close to Val375, it is possible that Asp124 may interact with Lys377 to form a salt bridge.
Entropy Based Genetic Association Tests and Gene-Gene Interaction Tests

In the past few years, several entropy-based tests have been proposed for testing either single SNP association or gene-gene interaction. These tests are mainly based on Shannon entropy and have higher statistical power when compared to standard χ2 tests. In this paper, we extend some of these tests using a more generalized entropy definition, Renyi entropy, where Shannon entropy is a special case of order 1. The order λ (>0) of Renyi entropy weights the events (genotype/haplotype) according to their probabilities (frequencies). Higher λ places more emphasis on higher probability events while smaller λ (close to 0) tends to assign weights more equally. Thus, by properly choosing the λ, one can potentially increase the power of the tests or the p-value level of significance. We conducted simulation as well as real data analyses to assess the impact of the order λ and the performance of these generalized tests. The results showed that for dominant model the order 2 test was more powerful and for multiplicative model the order 1 or 2 had similar power. The analyses indicate that the choice of λ depends on the underlying genetic model and Shannon entropy is not necessarily the most powerful entropy measure for constructing genetic association or interaction tests.
Relationships between Measured and Satellite-Estimated Solar Irradiance in Texas

Abstract The accuracy of satellite-estimated surface solar irradiance and the relationship between irradiance at pairs of locations and distance between the pairs were examined. Daily measured and satellite-estimated irradiances were available for a 2–3 year period from 20 Texas locations. For the distance analysis, irradiances were normalized as a percentage of daily potential surface irradiance. In comparing the measured and satellite-estimated irradiances, the bias (the mean of satellite-estimated minus measured irradiance differences for the period of record) increased from ±1 MJ m−2 d−1 in the northern two-thirds of Texas to 2 MJ m−2 d−1 in the southern portion. The root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) between irradiances averaged 2.5 MJ m−2 d−1, which is 12% of the mean annual statewide potential surface-irradiance. Errors were at a maximum in the winter and a minimum in the summer. Between measured irradiances at pairs of locations, RMSEs increased rapidly for the first 200 km distance between the pairs...
Thrombolysis in Venous Thromboembolism: An International Perspective

Two promising novel recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) regimens for pulmonary embolism (PE) are being actively investigated: 100 mg/2 h as a continuous peripheral intravenous infusion, and bolus rt-PA, adjusted to weight, as a 2-min infusion. For deep venous thrombosis (DVT), less progress has been made in finding an optimal dosing regimen of rt-PA. Our mandate for the 1990s is to use the best possible thrombolytic dosing regimens in large clinical trials of PE and DVT. The primary objective of these planned clinical studies is to determine which patients with PE and DVT will benefit the most from thrombolysis followed by anticoagulation rather than anticoagulation alone.
Coupled-cluster evaluation of geometrical derivatives of properties using nonrelaxed orbitals

Analytical derivatives are dependent upon derivatives of the Ao basis set and the MO relaxation. By separating these effects on derivatives, they can be individually studied. We show that the coupled-cluster single and double (CCSD) model introduces most of the MO relaxation effects required by gradients, hessians, dipole, and polarizability derivatives. This finding should make it possible to simplify analytical derivative evaluation at the CCSD level.
Sorafenib induces apoptosis of AML cells via Bim-mediated activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway

Raf/MEK/Erk signaling is activated in the majority of acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs), providing rationale for targeting this pathway with therapeutic intent. We investigated growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of sorafenib in AML. Our studies demonstrated that sorafenib significantly inhibited the phosphorylation levels of Raf downstream target proteins MEK1/2 and Erk, induced apoptosis and inhibited colony formation in AML cell lines and in primary AML samples. Mechanistically, treatment with sorafenib resulted in upregulation of proapoptotic Bim, accompanied by an increase in Bad, Bax and Bak protein levels and decreased Mcl-1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis and surviving levels, which mainly led to the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Silencing of Bim protein expression significantly abrogated sorafenib-induced apoptosis, suggesting a critical function of Bim in the activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway induced by sorafenib. Importantly, sorafenib also modulated phospho-Erk, Bim, Bax and Mcl-1 levels in samples procured from patients in an ongoing Phase I clinical trial of sorafenib in AML. Combination of sorafenib with cytarabine or the novel small molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically induced cell death in AML cell lines. Our results strongly suggest potential activity of sorafenib as a novel mechanism-based therapeutic agent in AML.
Opto-electronic CAD: the impact of electrical packaging on high-speed optical interconnects

Increasing data traffic requires ever-higher-speed links between chips, boards and multi-chip modules. Electrical interconnects are rapidly reaching their limits in terms of data rate and density. The high bandwidth and low cross-talk associated with optical methods can be exploited to replace existing electrical interconnects within some systems. Before III-V and/or II-VI optoelectronic (OE) devices can be utilized within silicon-based electrical processing systems, the problem of hybrid integration must be overcome. Hybrid electrical/OE packaging therefore, is a critical enabler of optical interconnects within electrical systems. We study the impact of electrical packaging on high-speed optical interconnects. This study is made possible by a new OE system simulation tool created within fREEDA, a multi-physics modeling environment. The multi-physics capability of this tool is demonstrated through the implementation of electrical/thermal laser-driver models [1], electrical/thermal/optical laser models and electromagnetic/thermal package models. Figure 1 shows the VCSEL output with thermal rollover. Thermal rollover is modeled using leakage current and temperature dependent gain [2]. By combining these models we are able to perform a comparative study of packages such as printed wiring board, thin film, and flip-chip bonding for VCSEL-array-based interconnects. We will consider high-speed operation at 1Gbps, 5Gbps, and 10Gbps and we will quantify the performance of the overall interconnect system in terms of optical signal fidelity. Optical power for thin film and flip-chip packages @1GBps is compared in figure2 using a simple laser Driver [1]. Results of figure 2 demonstrate switching noise inherent in simple driver configuration. Package crosstalk is more obvious in thin-film package compared to flip-chip. Effect of bias level on VCSEL chirp is demonstrated in figure 3. Wavelength chirp reduces at higher biases. Also possible within fREEDA is the simulation of end-to-end free-space optical systems. This capability will be demonstrated by extending the package study to include the propagation of the (space-time domain) optical signal through components such as micro lenses, gratings, and beam-splitters.
Developing Adaptable Online Information Literacy Modules for a Learning Management System.

Higher education institutions increasingly utilize learning management systems (LMS) to teach courses and programs in hybrid or online-only formats. Providing information literacy instruction in these emerging digital environments poses challenges to librarians as the delivery of instruction requires familiarity with navigating an LMS and extensive technological skills. Embedded librarianship is one possible solution, but sustaining this approach requires substantial time and effort. During the summer of 2013, a task force of librarians at San Jose State University (SJSU) met these instructional challenges by developing a suite of online information literacy modules. As a result, all SJSU librarians, in consultation with teaching faculty, can select from a variety of standalone, customizable modules to embed within the campus LMS. This case study showcases the task force's process and initial outcomes, which can serve as a model for librarians encountering similar challenges and making comparable efforts ...
Disaster: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis

Disaster is one of those extraordinary phenomena that is ubiquitous yet indescribable. From supernatural occurrence to earthly force finally yielding to its present day configuration as a social event, disaster offers a unique lens with which to examine history. Beginning in the mid-twentieth century, scholars set out to examine urban life, race, class, and politics through a variety of socially dislocating events. The historical literature is varied and deep. Conceptions of disaster are seldom the same, and often highlight the strained relationship between social and natural configurations. But historians examining disaster have not advocated a common creed of catastrophe, so much as sharing a familiar lexicon. That language is informed by social scientific literature, environmental studies, and topics such as urban life, race, class and politics. To be sure, the discourse of disaster has been quite supple, bridging disparate units of historical manufacture and blurring familiar categories of analysis. This article surveys the evolution of the term, its usage in American historiography and major scholarly trends. The article concludes with a cri de couer to bring greater visibility to disaster studies.
Perceived Ability in Male and Female College Students.

45 males and 75 females were administered a college ability rating scale and an objective test of intelligence. Men had higher actual ability but women exhibited higher academic achievement. Men and women did not differ on the Actual-self measure, but men tended toward a higher wishedfor level of college ability. Both groups agreed closely in rating the typical female student considerably higher than the typical male. Groups did not differ on a Reality-Discrepancy measure.
Beyond 100 mW/cm2 A Bioeffects Primer: Part I-Fundamentals

Given the publicity that sonographically induced biologic effects have received and the subsequent patient concern about potential hazards related to the use of diagnostic ultrasound, users of this modality must have a basic understanding of the physical principles, phenomena, and parameters associated with the production of biologic effects. An understanding of these concepts aids the user in putting reports of biologic effects into perspective, thereby enabling him/her to more effectively respond to patient inquiry and concern. This is the first of a series whose purpose is to introduce the user to the fundamental concepts and terminology associated with bioeffect production and reporting. This will provide a basis for discussing pertinent bioeffects literature and developing a scheme for putting reports of biologic effects into perspective.
Sex-based differential regulation of oxidative stress in the vasculature by nitric oxide.

Background Nitric oxide (•NO) is more effective at inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia following arterial injury in male versus female rodents, though the etiology is unclear. Given that superoxide (O2•−) regulates cellular proliferation, and •NO regulates superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) in the vasculature, we hypothesized that •NO differentially regulates SOD-1 based on sex.
Examining Non-Critical Health Information Seeking: A Needs Analysis for Personal Health Records

Keeping track of health information may be burdensome for older adults who may be more likely to have health concerns and questions than other age groups. The management of their health information may be aided by web-based health information management tools (e.g., personal health records). However, it is currently not known what kinds of health information potential users seek and need or want to manage. The current study examined the health information needs of both older and younger adults, to better understand how e-health technology can aid health information management. Seventeen younger and twenty-four older adults kept a health diary for a two-week period, making one entry for each health concern or question they had and how they solved it.
Implicit associative responses influence encoding in memory.

In list-learning experiments, the orienting question asked of one item may influence the processing of, and memory for, later items in the list. Four experiments demonstrated that words that are not related to their own orienting question, but that are semantically related to the question asked of a previous item, are better recalled than are words that are not related to any question in the list. Factors that influence this memory enhancement include the number of times relevant orienting questions appear during study, as well as the retention interval. Experiment 4 revealed that this effect is contingent upon conscious awareness: Item-category relations do not enhance recall if the subject is not aware of them. The results of the four experiments imply that semantic categories can be primed as implicit associativeresponses to words, which influence memory.
Bayesian multivariate Poisson model for RNA-seq classification

High dimensional data and small samples make genomic/proteomic classifier design and error estimation virtually impossible without the use of prior information [1]. Dalton and Dougherty utilize prior biological knowledge via a Bayesian approach that considers a prior distribution on an uncertainty class of feature-label distributions [2], [3]. While their general framework is very broad, the focus their attention on multinomial and Gaussian models, for which they derive closed-form solutions of the minimum mean squared error (MMSE) error estimate, the MSE of the error estimate, and an optimal Bayesian classifier (OBC) classifier relative to the prior distribution. Sequencing datasets consist of the number of reads found to map to specific regions of a reference genome. As such, they are often modeled with a discrete distribution, such as the Poisson. For this reason, Gaussian and multinomial distributions are not ideal for sequence-based datasets. Thus, we introduce a multivariate Poisson model (MP) and the associated MP OBC for classifying samples using sequencing data. Lacking closed-form solutions, we employ a Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) approach to perform classification. We demonstrate superior classification performance for more complex synthetic datasets and comparable performance to the top classifiers in other simpler synthetic datasets.
Keratins Turn over by Ubiquitination in a Phosphorylation-Modulated Fashion

Keratin polypeptides 8 and 18 (K8/18) are intermediate filament (IF) proteins that are expressed in glandular epithelia. Although the mechanism of keratin turnover is poorly understood, caspase-mediated degradation of type I keratins occurs during apoptosis and the proteasome pathway has been indirectly implicated in keratin turnover based on colocalization of keratin-ubiquitin antibody staining. Here we show that K8 and K18 are ubiquitinated based on cotransfection of His-tagged ubiquitin and human K8 and/or K18 cDNAs, followed by purification of ubiquitinated proteins and immunoblotting with keratin antibodies. Transfection of K8 or K18 alone yields higher levels of keratin ubiquitination as compared with cotransfection of K8/18, likely due to stabilization of the keratin heteropolymer. Most of the ubiquitinated species partition with the noncytosolic keratin fraction. Proteasome inhibition stabilizes K8 and K18 turnover, and is associated with accumulation of phosphorylated keratins, which indicates that although keratins are stable they still turnover. Analysis of K8 and K18 ubiquitination and degradation showed that K8 phosphorylation contributes to its stabilization. Our results provide direct evidence for K8 and K18 ubiquitination, in a phosphorylation modulated fashion, as a mechanism for regulating their turnover and suggest that other IF proteins could undergo similar regulation. These and other data offer a model that links keratin ubiquitination and hyperphosphorylation that, in turn, are associated with Mallory body deposits in a variety of liver diseases.
Surgical exposure of the fundus of the internal auditory canal : Anatomic limits of the middle fossa versus the retrosigmoid transcanal approach

Objective : To define the anatomic limitations and advantages of the middle cranial fossa and the retrosigmoid transcanal approaches in the exposure of the fundus of the internal auditory canal (IAC). Study Design: A series of 15 cadaver temporal bone specimens were dissected and the measurements of the lateral recess of the IAC were made with a millimeter rule and rounded to the nearest quarter millimeter. Methods: Retrospective case review, surgical observation, review, and measurements recorded from magnetic resonance scans. Surgical observations and measurements recorded from cadaver specimens. Results: These results were compared with historical studies of the retrosigmoid transcanal approach. The results utilizing a combination of these approaches to remove acoustic neuromas at a tertiary referral center during the preceding 11 years are also presented. Previous studies have shown that for the retrosigmoid transcanal approach, it is impossible to expose 3 to 4 mm of the lateral recess of the IAC without violating the vestibule and/or the endolymphatic duct. This has led some authors to advocate the middle cranial fossa approach to the IAC when hearing preservation is a consideration. The current study shows that the falciform crest obscures the inferior half of the fundus. This creates a pocket that cannot be visualized, which on average is 1.82 x 2.33 mm. Conclusion: The fundus of the IAC cannot be completely exposed without violating the labyrinth through either the posterior fossa or middle fossa approach. The clinical implications of these studies are unknown at this time. Low recurrence rates are achieved with both approaches. The anatomic limitations of both approaches must still be considered when planning or performing these approaches, to minimize the risk of recurrence.
Boiling point determination using adiabatic Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulations: application to metals described by embedded-atom potentials.

The normal boiling points are obtained for a series of metals as described by the “quantum-corrected Sutton Chen” (qSC) potentials [S.-N. Luo, T. J. Ahrens, T. Cagin, A. Strachan, W. A. Goddard III, and D. C. Swift, Phys. Rev. B 68, 134206 (2003)]. Instead of conventional Monte Carlo simulations in an isothermal or expanded ensemble, simulations were done in the constant-NPH adabatic variant of the Gibbs ensemble technique as proposed by Kristof and Liszi [Chem. Phys. Lett. 261, 620 (1996)]. This simulation technique is shown to be a precise tool for direct calculation of boiling temperatures in high-boiling fluids, with results that are almost completely insensitive to system size or other arbitrary parameters as long as the potential truncation is handled correctly. Results obtained were validated using conventional NVT-Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulations. The qSC predictions for boiling temperatures are found to be reasonably accurate, but substantially underestimate the enthalpies of vaporization i...
Acoustic imaging system using the CAPTAN architecture

Real-time scalable data acquisition systems and high performance transducer arrays are strongly interconnected subjects as most transducer arrays demands sophisticated readout systems in order to perform properly. Sound and ultrasound systems such SOund NAvigation and Ranging (SONAR), Sonography, Speech Recognition, Robotic Sensing and Sound Source Separation are a few of many systems that can deploy transducer arrays and require real-time high speed and expandable data acquisition systems. For these system characteristics such as speed, scalability and real-time signal processing are paramount, demanding highly developed data acquisition and processing platforms. Successfully integrating acoustic arrays with generic data acquisition systems is challenging due to the wide variety of requirements regarding speed, signal processing capabilities and scale that acoustic arrays can present. The objective of this work is to present an acoustic imaging system using CAPTAN (Compact And Programmable daTa Acquisition Node) architecture that can deliver these requirements while closely integrated with a specially designed sound imaging array.
Optical Nonreciprocity in Optomechanical Structures

We demonstrate that optomechanical devices can exhibit nonreciprocal behavior when the dominant light-matter interaction takes place via a linear momentum exchange between light and the mechanical structure. As an example, we propose a microscale optomechanical device that can exhibit a nonreciprocal behavior in a microphotonic platform operating at room temperature. We show that, depending on the direction of the incident light, the device switches between a high and low transparency state with more than a 20 dB extinction ratio.
Quintessence, superquintessence, and observable quantities in Brans-Dicke and nonminimally coupled theories

The different definitions for the equation of state of a nonminimally coupled scalar field that have been introduced in the literature are analyzed. Particular emphasis is made upon those features that could yield an observable way of distinguishing nonminimally coupled theories from general relativity, with the same or with alternate potentials. It is found that some earlier claims that superquintessence, a stage of superaccelerated expansion of the universe, is possible within realistic nonminimally coupled theories are the result of an arguable definition of the equation of state. In particular, it is shown that these previous results do not import any observable consequence, i.e., that the theories are observationally identical to general relativity models and that superquintessence is not more than a mathematical outcome. Finally, in the case of nonminimally coupled theories with coupling $F=1+\ensuremath{\xi}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{2}$ and tracking potentials, it is shown that no superquintessence is possible.
Liberal Multiculturalism and Confessional Religious Schooling

Liberal multiculturalist theories argue for adopting group-specific policies as a means of securing properly liberal ends. Religious groups rarely, if ever, qualify on these accounts. This article suggests that such exclusion is unwarranted in the case of confessional religious schooling, which is meant to inculcate in students a specific set of religious beliefs and behaviors.
Does SINE evolution preclude Alu function

The evolution, mobility and deleterious genetic effects of human Alus are fairly well understood. The complexity of regulated transcriptional expression of Alus is becoming apparent and insight into the mechanism of retrotransposition is emerging. Unresolved questions concern why mobile, highly repetitive short interspersed elements (SINEs) have been tolerated throughout evolution and why and how families of such sequences are periodically replaced. Either certain SINEs are more successful genomic parasites or positive selection drives their relative success and genomic maintenance. A complete understanding of the evolutionary dynamics and significance of SINEs requires determining whether or not they have a function(s). Recent evidence suggests two possibilities, one concerning DNA and the other RNA. Dispersed Alus exhibit remarkable tissue-specific differences in the level of their 5-methylcytosine content. Differences in Alu methylation in the male and female germlines suggest that Alu DNA may be involved in either the unique chromatin organization of sperm or signaling events in the early embryo. Alu RNA is increased by cellular insults and stimulates protein synthesis by inhibiting PKR, the eIF2 kinase that is regulated by double-stranded RNA. PKR serves other roles potentially linking Alu RNA to a variety of vital cell functions. Since Alus have appeared only recently within the primate lineage, this proposal provokes the challenging question of how Alu RNA could have possibly assumed a significant role in cell physiology.
On Collecting New and Variable Media Artifacts

This paper is an exploration of the act of collecting. The desire to collect physical objects has been around for millennia (Csikszentmihalyi 1993). Seal impressions, similar to autograph collections, existed in Persia as early as the Fourth Century BC (Rigby and Rigby 1994), wealthy Romans collected art and copies of art, as well as coins, fossils and other natural objects (Belk 1994), but collecting really gained popularity during the Renaissance with the rise of the middle class (Blom 2003) and became solidified as a true hobby in the 1930s as a way of asserting individuality, and a means to self‐education about the world (Gelber 1991). Because we have such a long history, good models for how to collect, and how to evaluate collections of physical objects exist. However, collecting new media artifacts presents a host of problems. In this paper I’ll review traditional models of collection building and evaluation, and then provide an overview of some of the challenges inherent in collecting new media artifacts. More than providing an outlet for acquisitional appetites, a good collection is often associated in the mind of the collector with the idea of a “tangible biography” (Benjamin 1969; Beer 2008); the ability to look at a collection and remember different periods of one’s life, to associate objects with experiences, and to “transform the precariousness of consciousness into the solidity of things. The body is not so large, beautiful, and permanent enough to satisfy our sense of self. We need objects to magnify our power, enhance our beauty, and extend our memory into the future” (Csikszentmihalyi 1993, 28). Csikszentmihalyi believes that the act of collecting is a fundamentally important part of self‐creation, and identifies three ways in which collecting artifacts help substantiate a person’s sense of self: 1) a valuable collection displays the owner’s power, energy, and place in the social hierarchy; 2) objects remind the collector of the self through time, the objects providing a focus of involvement in the present, mementos and souvenirs from the past, and pointers to future goals; and 3) the act of collecting provides concrete evidence of the collector’s place in the social world, the objects in a collection acting as illustrations of valued relationships. “In these ways things stabilize our sense of who we are; they give a permanent shape to our views of ourselves that otherwise would quickly dissolve in the flux of consciousness” (Csikszentmihalyi 1993, 23).
Tides in the Bristol Channel

Summary Taylor’s 1921 model of the Bristol Channel tide as a small amplitude, inviscid, standing long wave does not fit the observed M2 and S, amplitudes and phases. A non-standing wave model fits them as far as Minehead. The model indicates large mean energy fluxes into the channel. 1. Introduction Some time ago Taylor (1921) advanced the theory that ‘ the usual hydrodynamical theory of tides accounts quantitatively as well as qualitatively for the abnormally high tides which exist at the head of the Bristol Channel’. The theory to which Taylor referred is the linearized, inviscid theory of long water wave propagation. The water level disturbance and current are assumed to be uniform in each section of the Channel. The theoretical distribution obtained by Taylor for the tidal amplitude in the Channel agrees remarkably well with the data, even at Newport where the Channel is very shallow and the tide is very large. This result is puzzling because the Admiralty has found that the harmonic (i.e. linear superposition) method is unsatisfactory for tidal prediction in the Bristol Channel. In the words of the hydrographer of the Navy (1973) ‘this is an area where the Shallow Water Effects are particularly large and special prediction methods are necessary ’. The apparent reasonableness of Taylor’s result in spite of the simplicity of his model has been recently pointed out by Townson (1973). However, Taylor’s results are not entirely satisfactory. He adopted a standing wave solution for his equations, for which high tide would occur at all sections simultaneously. In fact high water at Newport lags high water at Wormshead at the Channel entrance by about an hour. In this paper it is shown that if one adopts a non-standing wave solution of Taylor’s equations and determines the four degrees of freedom in the solution from tidal data at outer parts of the Channel where linearized theory could apply, one finds that the solution when extrapolated further up the Channel, differs significantly from the data and is actually singular at the head. Further, the presence of a tidal lag indicates a net energy flux into the Channel, per tidal period. The non-standing wave solution may be used to calculate the energy flux through the outer sections of the Channel. The flux is surprisingly large.
Book Review of Adlerian Therapy: Theory and Practice

Book reviewed in this article: Adlerian Therapy: Theory and Practice, by Jon Carlson, Richard E. Watts, and Michael Maniacci, 2006
Mast cells: The immune gate to the brain

Mast cells were originally considered wandering histiocytes, but are now known to derive from the bone marrow and enter the tissues as immature or precursor cells which then differentiate under micro-environmental influences such as interleukin-3. At least three types of mature mast cells have been identified as serosal (lung, peritoneal, skin), mucosal (nasal, gastrointestinal) and brain (dural, perivascular, parenchymal) with their own distinct biochemical, morphological and functional characteristics. Mast cells are necessary for immediate hypersensitivity reactions where they release numerous biologically powerful mediators in response to immunoglobulin E (IgE) and antigen (Ag), and appear to be required for delayed reactions. Anaphylatoxins, basic peptides and drugs, as well as certain neuropeptides and hormones, can also trigger mast cell secretion. Recent evidence indicates that mast cells are found in close proximity to neurons, an association which may be regulated by nerve growth factor. Moreover, mast cells may be capable of selective release of mediators which could, in turn, regulate further secretion. This information suggests that mast cells may serve as a link between the immune, endocrine and nervous systems and could have an important role in the access of lymphocytes and pathogens to the brain. The possible role of such interactions in the pathophysiology of specific neuroinflammatory conditions is also discussed.