cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using the ASTRAL model checker to analyze mobile IP

ASTRAL is a high level formal specification language for real time systems. It is provided with structuring mechanisms that allow one to build modularized specifications of complex real time systems with layering. The ASTRAL model checker checks the satisfiability of critical requirements of a specification by enumerating possible runs of transitions within a given time bound. The paper discusses the mechanism of the model checker and how it can be used to analyze encryption protocols. Several classic benchmarks have been investigated, including the Needham-Schroeder public-key authentication protocol (R.M. Needham and M.D. Schroeder, 1978) and the TMN protocol, and a number of attacks were uncovered. The paper focuses on using ASTRAL to specify Mobile IP (C. Perkins, 1996) and testing the specification using the model checker.
Effects of chilling and temperature preconditioning on the activity of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes in zucchini squash

Summary Polyamine bisynthesis during chilling stress in zucchini squash ( Cucurbita pepo L., cv. «Ambassador») was measured by detemining the activities of SAMDC, ADC, and ODC. Stree induced increases in Put were correlated with increased ODC activity. Decreases in the levels odf Spd and Spn during chilling may be related to decreased SAMDC activity. Temperature preconditioning adapts squash to subsequent chilling stress and results in increased Spn and Spd levels in response to chilling. The concominant increase in these two polyamines is correlated with elevated SAMDC activity. These data support the view that the mechanism by which temperature preconditioning inhibits chilling injury involves the induction of polyamine biosynthesis.
More Skin, More Sun, More Tan, More Melanoma

Although personal melanoma risk factors are well established, the contribution of socioeconomic factors, including clothing styles, social norms, medical paradigms, perceptions of tanned skin, economic trends, and travel patterns, to melanoma incidence has not been fully explored. We analyzed artwork, advertisements, fashion trends, and data regarding leisure-time activities to estimate historical changes in UV skin exposure. We used data from national cancer registries to compare melanoma incidence rates with estimated skin exposure and found that they rose in parallel. Although firm conclusions about melanoma causation cannot be made in an analysis such as this, we provide a cross-disciplinary, historical framework in which to consider public health and educational measures that may ultimately help reverse melanoma incidence trends.
Ecological effects testing under the Toxic Substances Control Act: Acrylamide

Analysis of acrylamide aquatic toxicity data submitted under section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act revealed that for acute toxicity studies with bluegill, fathead minnow, and rainbow trout, concentrations of acrylamide necessary to produce 50% mortality decreased by 50-70% as a function of increasing exposure from 1 to 4 days. Analysis of acute toxicity data for Mysidopsis bahia suggested that increases in mortality with increased exposure to acrylamide might also be observed in saltwater organisms. Ratios of acute (4-day) LC50 values to chronic (28-day) maximum acceptable toxic concentrations for this saltwater invertebrate were 26 for parent and offspring survival, 115 for female dry weights, and 975 for male dry weights. These ratios illustrate that long-term acrylamide exposure to sensitive life stages of M. bahia produced adverse effects on reproduction and growth at acrylamide concentrations significantly lower than those suggested by acute LC50 or EC50 values.
'Yin and Yang' in inflammation: duality in innate immune cell function and tumorigenesis.

Background: The two stages of the acute inflammatory process are apoptosis (‘Yin’) and wound healing or resolution (‘Yang’). Inflammation defends the host against unwanted elements. Objective/methods: To present a discussion of pleiotropic roles of innate immune cells possessing ‘tumoricidal’ and/or ‘tumorigenic’ properties in inflammation-induced dysfunction of the immune system and the genesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, hyperplasia, precancer/neoplasia or tumor and angiogenesis. Results/conclusions: Loss of maintenance of the balance between apoptosis and wound healing and co-existence of death and growth factors in tissues could create ‘immunological chaos’ with accumulation of ‘immune response mismatches’. Unresolved inflammation plays a role in the genesis of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and cancer. Identification of accumulated ‘mismatched’ death and growth factors during the developmental phases of immune dysfunction in target tissues or cancer microenvironment presents chall...
Fluorescent enhancement in antibody-hapten interaction 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate as a fluorescent molecular probe for anti-azonaphthalene sulfonate antibody.

Abstract The fluorescence of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate is profoundly influenced by its molecular environment. Rabbit antibodies capable of binding ANS have been prepared to 1-azo-8-naphthalene sulfonate and its 1–4 isomer. The quantum yield of ANS fluorescence is increased more than 100 fold in the presence of specific antibody and there is a blue shift of 45 mμ. The fluorescence of ANS is largely unaffected by normal rabbit γ-globulin. There is a close correlation between the results of quantitative precipitin analysis and fluorometric titration. While changes in ANS fluorescence in various solvents have generally been attributed to differences in solvent polarity we have observed that ANS fluorescence is increased in D 2 O as compared with H 2 O suggesting that the mechanism may be more complex. This study indicates that ANS as a hydrophobic molecular probe at specific antibody site should be very useful in determination of antibody concentration, affinity and binding heterogeneity and in the study of specific antihapten antibody structure.
Lymphocyte response in sarcoidosis.

Abstract The response of peripheral lymphocytes of patients with Kveim positive sarcoidosis to a Chase-Siltzbach type-I (spleen J) suspension, normal spleen suspension, and phytohaemagglutinin (P.H.A.) was assayed in-vitro by 14 C-leucine incorporation (nineteen patients), release of migration inhibitory factor (M.I.F.) (seventeen patients), and direct migration inhibition (six patients). No specific response to Kveim suspension in a wide range of doses was detected by these assays. All patients showed diminished responsiveness to P.H.A. when compared with controls. A high spontaneous release in vitro of M.I.F. was found for the lymphocytes of patients with sarcoidosis and could not be augmented by addition of Kveim antigen.
Intensity-Dependent asymmetric transmission through a photorefractive etalon

We describe observations of asymmetric transmission through a Fabry-Perot etalon which contains a photorefractive crystal of barium titanate. The etalon transmission is asymmetric due to two-beam energy coupling in the photorefractive crystal as predicted by He et al. [Q. B. He, P. Yeh and C. Gu, Opt. Lett, 17, 664 (1992)]. We have observed up to 25% asymmetry in the contrast, the ratio between the maximum and minimum transmittance, when the barium titanate crystal is reversed within the etalon. The etalon transmission is also intensity-dependent due to the intensity dependence of photorefractive two-beam energy coupling.
Food tastes and toxic effects: associative learning by the polyphagous grasshopper Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Individuals of the polyphagous grasshopper Schistocerca americana ate less of a novel plant food when the first meal on the food was followed by an injection of one of four plant secondary compounds or lithium chloride. Tests with a control group of insects indicated that this reduction in consumption was not due to direct non-associative effects of injected compounds on acceptability of the food. The learned association of the food with the effects of an injected compound was retained for at least 2 days but not 4. Insects learned to associate the novel foods spinach and onion with aversive stimuli, but did not learn to eat less blackberry, which appeared to be the most palatable of the foods on first contact.
Achievers and underachievers: A comparative study of fear of success, education and career goals, and conception of woman's role among high school senior girls

Two groups of 16 high school senior girls, achievers and underachievers, were compared on the following variables: educational and career goals, conception of woman's role, and fear of success (FOS). Chi-square analyses showed significant differences between groups with regard to their goals. Achievers aspired significantly higher than underachievers in their educational goals. In addition, they were significantly more contemporary in their career goals and more committed to these goals than the underachievers. In contrast to underachievers, achievers also had a more contemporary view of the roles women should assume in society and, on the other hand, showed more FOS in fantasies about women succeeding in contemporary roles, but these differences did not reach statistical significance.
Photosensitive tunneling and superconductivity

If two conductors are separated by a sufficiently thin, evaporated CdS film, the observed tunnel current through the CdS film may be modulated by exposing the sample to a light source. If both conductors are metals in the superconducting state, it is possible to switch the CdS into a resistanceless state, the Josephson state, by exposing it to a light source.
Modeling Implantable Passive Mechanisms for Modifying the Transmission of Forces and Movements Between Muscle and Tendons

This paper explores the development of biomechanical models for evaluating a new class of passive mechanical implants for orthopedic surgery. The proposed implants take the form of passive engineered mechanisms, and will be used to improve the functional attachment of muscles to tendons and bone by modifying the transmission of forces and movement inside the body. Specifically, we present how two types of implantable mechanisms may be modeled in the open-source biomechanical software OpenSim. The first implant, which is proposed for hand tendon-transfer surgery, differentially distributes the forces and movement from one muscle across multiple tendons. The second implant, which is proposed for knee-replacement surgery, scales up the forces applied to the knee joint by the quadriceps muscle. This paper's key innovation is that such mechanisms have never been considered before in biomechanical simulation modeling and in surgery. When compared with joint function enabled by the current surgical practice of using sutures to make the attachment, biomechanical simulations show that the surgery with 1) the differential mechanism (tendon network) implant improves the fingers’ ability to passively adapt to an object's shape significantly during grasping tasks (2.74× as measured by the extent of finger flexion) for the same muscle force, and 2) the force-scaling implant increases knee-joint torque by 84% for the same muscle force. The critical significance of this study is to provide a methodology for the design and inclusion of the implants into biomechanical models and validating the improvement in joint function they enable when compared with current surgical practice.
Black and White Fire: The Interplay of Stories, Imagination and Children's Spirituality.

This paper explores the potential for using narrative to foster children's spiritual growth. It discusses the nature, origin and appeal of story and presents theoretical perspectives which form a rationale for using non‐sectarian children's, adolescent and young adult literature for spiritual development. Such books avoid church‐and‐state controversies while providing a fresh approach to educators where religious and spiritual education are mandated.
Modeling of Fiber Jamming Phenomena during Processing of Fiber Reinforced Composite Parts

A current research effort at the Polymer Engineering Center (PEC) consists on providing the tools required to understand and predict defects that arise during the molding of fiber reinforced composites. This review starts with a comprehensive research summary in the field of computer simulation of composites molding and then presents our current work regarding computer simulations of flexible fiber suspensions
An evaluation model for innovative individualized programs

Abstract Program evaluation may be described as a tri-level process. At one level there is diagnostic and developmental evaluation of the learners. At a second level, there is evaluation of the program against its own objectives. And, at a third level, there is evaluation of the program as compared against a criterion program. Traditional programs can be evaluated successfully at each of three levels. However, innovative programs present obstacles to effective evaluation at two levels: (I) learner diagnostic and development; (II) and, (III) relative program effectiveness. It is only at Level II, where the innovative program is judged against its own objectives, that traditional evaluation methods are productive. The purpose of this paper is to describe the tri-level process model used in the evaluation of an innovative secondary program and to discuss the deficits of the model as suggested by the case study reported here. In addition, implications for the evaluation of innovative programs is discussed against a background of the Tyler (1971) model for instructional evaluation.
A light pipe for the transillumination of hollow organs during in vivo microscopy

Abstract A transillumination device, fabricated from Image Conduit, provides a focused illumination source of N.A. = 0.8. The device is very useful for the microscopic study of hollow organs in vivo.
EFFECT OF SUPERPLASTICIZING ADMIXTURES ON CEMENT HYDRATION

The note gives the results of an investigation into the reasons for higher early concrete strengths being obtained by the use of superplasticizer admixtures as compared with strengths of reference cement pastes without plasticizers. It was shown that the rate of cement hydration increases in the presence of superplasticizers. Higher compressive strengths of superplasticized concrete were directly associated with a lower amount of large capillary pores in the superplasticized cement pastes than in the reference cement pastes. (TRRL)
Model selection and forecasting for long‐range dependent processes

Fractionally integrated autoregressive moving-average (ARFIMA) models have proved useful tools in the analysis of time series with long-range dependence. However, little is known about various practical issues regarding model selection and estimation methods, and the impact of selection and estimation methods on forecasts. By means of a large-scale simulation study, we compare three different estimation procedures and three automatic model-selection criteria on the basis of their impact on forecast accuracy. Our results endorse the use of both the frequency-domain Whittle estimation procedure and the time-domain approximate MLE procedure of Haslett and Raftery in conjunction with the AIC and SIC selection criteria, but indicate that considerable care should be exercised when using ARFIMA models. In general, we find that simple ARMA models provide competitive forecasts. Only a large number of observations and a strongly persistent time series seem to justify the use of ARFIMA models for forecasting purposes.
RNA aptamer to thrombin binds anion-binding exosite-2 and alters protease inhibition by heparin-binding serpins

We studied the RNA aptamer Toggle-25/thrombin interaction during inhibition by antithrombin (AT), heparin cofactor II (HCII) and protein C inhibitor (PCI). Thrombin inhibition was reduced 3-fold by Toggle-25 for AT and HCII, but it was slightly enhanced for PCI. In the presence of glycosaminoglycans, AT and PCI had significantly reduced thrombin inhibition with Toggle-25, but it was only reduced 3-fold for HCII. This suggested that the primary effect of aptamer binding was through the heparin-binding site of thrombin, anion-binding exosite-2 (exosite-2). We localized the Toggle-25 binding site to Arg 98, Glu 169, Lys 174, Asp 175, Arg 245, and Lys 248 of exosite-2. We conclude that a RNA aptamer to thrombin exosite-2 might provide an effective clinical reagent to control heparin's anticoagulant action.
Quenching of O+(2D) by electrons in the thermosphere

Abstract A major loss process for the metastable species, O+(2D), in the thermosphere is quenching by electrons O + ( 2 D) + e → O + ( 4 S) + e . To date no laboratory measurement exists for the rate coefficient of this reaction. Thermospheric models involving this process have thus depended on a theoretically calculated value for the rate coefficient and its variation with electron temperature. Earlier studies of the O+(2D) ion based on the Atmosphere Explorer data gathered near solar minimum, could not quantify this process. However, Atmosphere Explorer measurements made during 1978 exhibit electron densities that are significantly enhanced over those occurring in 1974, due to the large increases that have occurred in the solar extreme ultraviolet flux. Under such conditions, for altitudes ≳ 280 km, the electron quenching process becomes the major loss mechanism for O+(2D), and the chemistry of the N+2 ion, from which the O+(2D) density is deduced, simplifies to well determined processes. We are thus able to use the in situ satellite measurements made during 1978 to derive the electron quenching rate coefficient. The results confirm the absolute magnitude of the theoretical calculation of the rate coefficient, given by the analytical expression k(Te) = 7.8 × 10−8 (Te/300)−0.5cm3s−1. There is an indication of a stronger temperature dependence, but the agreement is within the error of measurement.
Water and Halide Adsorption to Corrosion Surfaces : Molecular Simulations of Atmospheric Interactions with Aluminum Oxyhydroxide and Gold

Atmospheric corrosion due to adsorption of water and solutes onto metal and metal oxide surfaces is a critical factor in the long term reliability of electronic devices. To investigate the atomistic mechanisms of corrosion, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the structure of water adsorbed onto both boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)) and gold (Au) surfaces and electrolyte adsorption and surface speciation on the boehmite (010) surface. Boehmite forms a thin film on aluminum metal under oxidizing conditions, is hydrophilic, and readily adsorbs water from the atmosphere. In contrast, gold surfaces are hydrophobic, and condensed water does not readily bond with the surface. Our MD simulations were performed using the CLAYFF force field that maintains full flexibility of water and substrate and allows for full energy and momentum transfer among all atoms. The boehmite (010) and gold (111) surfaces were initially simulated with no water present and then with incremental additions of water molecules. The ca...
Nanostructured dielectric materials

This paper presents a progress update with the development of nanostructured dielectric materials for various high energy, high power density electrical applications. It is demonstrated that novel electrical/dielectric properties can be achieved via the nanostructure and interface engineering. We present a high level summary of the progress achieved as well as challenges remaining in nanostructural engineering towards high energy density capacitor for energy storage and conversion, high voltage varistor for surge suppression and high proton conductivity membrane for fuel cell applications.
PAIR PRODUCTION IN THE FIELD OF ORBITAL ELECTRONS BY A TOTAL-ABSORPTION METHOD AT 319 MEV

The attenuation of (319\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4)-Mev photons in liquid hydrocarbons has been measured and has been used to infer the cross section for pair production in the field of the orbital electrons (triplet production).Targets of benzene (${\mathrm{C}}_{6}$${\mathrm{H}}_{6}$) and cyclohexane (${\mathrm{C}}_{6}$${\mathrm{H}}_{12}$) were used in good geometry. A pair spectrometer with three fast counter channels was used to measure the intensity of the transmitted photon beam. The synchrotron was monitored with a modified pair spectrometer that was sensitive only to the bremsstrahlung spectrum above 300 Mev.The total absorption cross sections in hydrogen and carbon at 319 Mev have been found to be 18.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.8 mb per hydrogen atom, and 321.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.8 mb per carbon atom, respectively.Subtraction of the theoretical nuclear pair and electron Compton cross sections and the experimental photomeson cross sections in hydrogen from the total hydrogen absorption cross section gives 6.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.8 mb for the experimental triplet cross section, as compared with the theoretical value of 7.68 mb. Similarly, when one subtracts the cross sections for competing processes in carbon, one gets for the triplet cross section at 319 Mev the value 46.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6.4 mb, compared with the theoretical value of 44.4 mb. The large uncertainty in the carbon triplet cross section is due to uncertainties in the cross sections for the competing processes.
Regulation in the neural plate of Xenopus laevis demonstrated by genetic markers

To follow the subsequent history of grafted tissue in experiments designed to study regulation and commitment in the amphibian neural plate, previous workers have relied on graft scars, vital dyes applied externally to cells, or xenoplastic grafts. Each of these methods has been criticized on the grounds that they do not indicate unambiguously the origins of individual cells within the operated host. To overcome these difficulties, homoplastic, genetically marked embryonic grafts were taken from the prospective spinal neuroectoderm of triploid and tetraploid Xenopus laevis frogs and transplanted to presumptive eye and prosencephalic regions of the neural plate of diploid X. laevis embryos. Orthotopic presumptive eye grafts also were done. Marked cells were scored in section either by nucleolar number or computerized nuclear size analysis. Of 28 heterotopically grafted embryos that survived to stage 41, when the retina has differentiated, prospective spinal cord neuroectoderm in eight animals gave rise to cell types unique to the eye. The remaining 20 survivors appeared to be mosaic. These results substantiate claims of regulation in the neural plate and extend these observations to the level of individual cell types, a level of resolution not previously obtained in other studies.
Process Feedback Control of the Noncircular Turning Process for Camshaft Machining

This paper presents a frequency domain learning control scheme for a class of nonlinear systems and its application to the process feedback control of the noncircular turning process for camshaft machining. In frequency domain, periodic signals are represented by the Fourier expansions that are nonzero only at discrete frequency points. An input dependent system matrix can be used to describe the input-output relationship of a class of nonlinear systems with periodic input and output signals. A learning controller is designed based on the system matrix and the bound of unmodeled dynamics. Conditions to achieve asymptotic stability and tracking performance are derived. To further improve system robustness, a low pass filter is used to turn off the learning scheme at high frequencies. The learning control scheme is then applied to the process feedback control of camshaft machining using the noncircular turning process. A two level control structure is adopted. The first level is servo control that ensures precise tool slide motion. The second level is frequency domain learning control that compensates machined profile errors due to the effects of tool/workpiece geometry, tool wears, machine deformations, and spindle runout errors. Relationship between the servo control and learning control is discussed. Implementation of the process feedback control on a steel camshaft turning demonstrates improvement of the maximum cam profile errors from 80 μm to within 20 μm in five iterations.
Properly recruit salespeople to reduce training cost

Abstract Business continues to increase its investment in sales training. For the following three reasons, this may be counter-productive: (1) the majority of training suggestions are too general or too specific, focusing on abilities that salespeople should be expected to possess already; (2) research indicates that most salespeople are not suited for such a career to begin with; and (3) the sales force has a high yearly turnover. If business is to benefit from training programs, it is imperative that the correct trainees are hired. Yet recruitment has been largely neglected. This paper suggests five steps to help insure selection of the right employee: (1) construct a solid job description; (2) increase the recruitment pool; (3) examine the applicant's record; (4) utilize psychological test; and (5) conduct an in-depth inverview.
Relation of Left Ventricular Mass and QT Dispersion in Patients With Systematic Hypertension

This study evaluated the correlation of left ventricular hypertrophy and QT dispersion in patients with systemic hypertension. QT dispersion, determined using the standard electrocardiogram, showed an increase as left ventricular mass determined by echocardiography increased in hypertensive patients.
The Profitability of Antebellum Manufacturing: Some New Estimates

Will the lack of hard data forever preclude firm conclusions about the impact of industrialization upon antebellum America? Whether it does or not, it seems unlikely to prevent continuation of one of the liveliest debates in American economic history. Professors Vedder and Gallaway contribute their findings to the controversy, and conclude that the rate of profit on manufacturing capital before 1860 was much lower than recent work has suggested.
Design and implementation of an online weekly journal to study unintended pregnancies

In this article we describe new research to investigate unintended pregnancies during the transition to adulthood. The Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) study begins with a 60-minute in-person interview about family background and current relationship characteristics. At the conclusion of the interview, respondents are enrolled in an ongoing journal, which consists of a 5-minute survey via web or phone and occurs weekly for 2.5 years. We have enrolled over 1,000 young women in the study and have experienced excellent baseline response rates and high journal participation rates. Below we describe the limitations of past research on unintended pregnancy as a background for our study. Then we provide a detailed description of the study and its design strengths and weaknesses.
Solution Structure of ERK2 Binding Domain of MAPK Phosphatase MKP-3: Structural Insights into MKP-3 Activation by ERK2

MAP kinases (MAPKs), which control mitogenic signal transduction in all eukaryotic organisms, are inactivated by dual specificity MAPK phosphatases (MKPs). MKP-3, a prototypical MKP, achieves substrate specificity through its N-terminal domain binding to the MAPK ERK2, resulting in the activation of its C-terminal phosphatase domain. The solution structure and biochemical analysis of the ERK2 binding (EB) domain of MKP-3 show that regions that are essential for ERK2 binding partly overlap with its sites that interact with the C-terminal catalytic domain, and that these interactions are functionally coupled to the active site residues of MKP-3. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which the EB domain binding to ERK2 is transduced to cause a conformational change of the C-terminal catalytic domain, resulting in the enzymatic activation of MKP-3.
Unsupervised evidence integration

Many biological propositions can be supported by a variety of different types of evidence. It is often useful to collect together large numbers of such propositions, together with the evidence supporting them, into databases to be used in other analyses. Methods that automatically make preliminary choices about which propositions to include can be helpful, if they are accurate enough. This can involve weighing evidence of varying strength.We describe a method for learning a scoring function to weigh evidence of different types. The algorithm evaluates each source of evidence by the extent to which other sources tend to support it. The details are guided by a probabilistic formulation of the problem, building on previous theoretical work. We evaluate our method by applying it to predict protein-protein interactions in yeast, and using synthetic data.
Photometric stability of the lunar surface

The rate at which cratering events currently occur on the Moon is considered in light of their influence on the use of the Moon as a radiometric standard. The radiometric effect of small impact events is determined empirically from the study of Clementine images. Events that would change the integral brightness of the moon by 1% are expected once per 1.4 Gyr. Events that cause a 1% shift in one pixel for low Earth-orbiting instruments with a 1-km nadir field of view are expected approximately once each 43 Myr. Events discernible at 1% radiometric resolution with a 5 arc-sec telescope resolution correspond to crater diameters of approximately 210 m and are expected once every 200 years. These rates are uncertain by a factor of two. For a fixed illumination and observation geometry, the Moon can be considered photometrically stable to 1 × 10−8per annum for irradiance, and 1 × 10−7per annum for radiance at a resolution common for spacecraft imaging instruments, exceeding reasonable instrument goals by six orders of magnitude.
Low complexity implementation of a downlink CDMA generalized RAKE receiver

Efficient low complexity implementation of the generalized RAKE scheme in a downlink CDMA receiver is discussed. Several simplifications of the original algorithm are presented. They reduce the computational complexity significantly while maintaining virtually the same performance. The overall computational complexity is presented. It is shown that the G-RAKE can be implemented in the downlink receiver with only a modest complexity increase.
Local stationarity and simulation of self-affine intrinsic random functions

Gaussian intrinsic random functions with power law generalized covariance functions, which in one dimension essentially correspond to fractional and integrated fractional Brownian motions, form a class of self-affine models for random fields with a wide range of smoothness properties. These random fields are nonstationary, but appropriately filtered versions of them are stationary. This work proves that most such random functions are locally stationary in a certain well-defined sense. This result yields an efficient and exact method of simulating all fractional and integrated fractional Brownian motions.
Sequence dependence of purine C8H exchange kinetics in the dodecamer 5′‐d(CGCGAATTCGCG)‐3′

Proton nmr spectroscopy is used to measure the deuterium exchange rates of C8 protons in individual purines of the dodecamer 5′-d(CGCGAATTCGCG)-3′ and their temperature dependence. In perfect agreement with results from tritium labeling and laser Raman spectroscopy, we find that the DNA secondary structure retards the rates of purine C8H exchange. The largest effects are observed for the C8 protons of adenines whose rates of exchange at 40°C are 3-to 4-fold lower than that in 5′-adenosine monophosphate. Moreover, the retardation of exchange at the central adenine is greater than that at its 5′-neighbor. For the guanines, the exchange rates are up to 2-fold lower than that in 5′-guanosine monophosphate, and the largest retardation is observed for the bases at positions 10 and 12. A dependence on base sequence is also observed for the activation energy for exchange. The activation energy is largest for the adenines and its value is 4 kcal/mol higher than that in 5′-adenosine monophosphate. The lowest activation energy is observed for the guanine in position 4 and the value is the same as in 5′-guanosine monophosphate. These results demonstrate the sensitivity of the purine C8H exchange kinetics to sequence-dependent conformational features of B-DNA in solution state. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Impact of Signaling Load on the UMTS Call Blocking/Dropping

Radio resources in third generation (3G) wireless cellular networks (WCNs) such as the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) network are limited in terms of soft capacity. The quality of a signaling service transmission depends on various factors (i.e., a user's location, speed, and data rate requirement), and has an impact on the quality of user data communications where the opposite is also true. In this paper, we provide the first step to evaluate the impact that various signaling service types have on call blocking and ongoing call dropping in UMTS systems. The radio resource's acquisition time for various signaling services is calculated according to the specifications in UMTS standards. The maximum number of sessions that a signaling service type can transmit simultaneously is estimated along with the impact when other signaling service types are transmitted. Our analysis reduces the computational complexity in the call admission control (CAC) and allows the preservation of classes of services. An example traffic scenario is given illustrating the benefit of our study.
Autonoetic consciousness: Reconsidering the role of episodic memory in future-oriented self-projection

Following the seminal work of Ingvar (1985. “Memory for the future”: An essay on the temporal organization of conscious awareness. Human Neurobiology, 4, 127–136), Suddendorf (1994. The discovery o...
Learning by observation with mobile robots: a computational approach

We present a computational approach to learning by observation (LBO) that allows users to program mobile robots by demonstrating a task. Unlike previous approaches, our system incorporates statistical-learning techniques and concepts from control theory to reduce the amount of domain knowledge needed to infer the intent of the user. To improve the generalization ability of the system, the user can demonstrate the task multiple times. We extract task subgoals from these demonstrations and automatically associate them with objects in the environment. As these objects move, the subgoals are updated accordingly. This gives our system the ability to learn from demonstrations performed in different environments. In this paper, we present the concepts used in our LBO system as well as experimental laboratory results in learning motor-skill tasks.
The open-ring microstrip antenna

The open ring microstrip structure has been studied in recent years for various applications in microwave circuits and as antenna element [1-3]. Even though a considerable amount of analytical and experimental work has been done on the resonant frequency, the corresponding field distribution for various modes, the Green's function and the input impedance of such an open ring structure, the work on the radiation characteristics such as the radiation pattern and the directivity have been somewhat limited [1-5]. In this paper the expressions for the radiation fields of an open ring structure are derived by utilizing the simple theory based on the cavity model and the resultes for the radiation pattern for typical lower order modes are presented.
MRI of lungs using partial liquid ventilation with water-in-perfluorocarbon emulsions.

A novel 1H-MRI contrast modality for rat lungs has been developed using water-in-perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions for partial liquid ventilation™ (PLV). The feasibility of the new ventilation protocol for 1H-MRI studies of lungs has been demonstrated. 1H-MR images of lungs have been obtained with sensitivity and spatial resolution higher than those of the 19F-MRI of lungs previously reported. Diffusion-weighted MRI measurements of lungs showed that the results obtained are related to the pulmonary architecture and functional properties of lungs. Although the methodology needs further improvement and evaluation, it appears to have great potential in a wide range of new applications in the field of lung MRI, such as in vivo detection of lung cancer, emphysema, and allograft rejection following lung transplantation. The ability of this technique to achieve high-quality MR images of lungs, together with its technical simplicity, stability, and low cost, makes this method a promising imaging technique for the lungs. Magn Reson Med 48:487–492, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Europe and Latin America in the World Economy

The economic relationship between Europe and Latin America, B. Friscia the impact of regional integration on European-Latin American economic relations, Susan Kaufman Purcell and Francoise Simon Germany and Latin America, W. Grabendorff Spain and Latin America, E. Schumacher Eastern Europe and Latin America, E. Mujal-Leon the tri-lateral relationship - Latin America, Europe and the United States, R. Roett.
Hepatitis C virus NS2 protein triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress and suppresses its own viral replication.

Background & Aims We previously reported that the NS2 protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) inhibits the expression of reporter genes driven by a variety of cellular and viral promoters. The aim of the study was to determine whether the broad transcriptional repression is caused by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Methods Phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α and HCV replication was detected by Western and Northern blot, respectively. De novo protein synthesis was measured by metabolic labeling. Activation of ER stress responsive genes was determined by promoter reporter assay, as well as mRNA and protein measurement by real time PCR and Western blot. Results Transient or inducible NS2 protein expression increased eIF2α phosphorylation and reduced de novo protein synthesis. It up-regulated promoter activities and transcript levels of ER stress inducible genes including GRP78 , ATF6 , and GADD153 , as well as GRP78 protein level. The same effect was observed when NS2 was synthesized as part of the core-E1-E2-p7-NS2 polypeptide. NS2 protein also inhibited reporter gene expression from the HCV internal ribosome entry site and consequently reduced HCV replication. The full-length HCV replicon activated GRP78 , ATF6 , and GADD153 promoters more efficiently than the subgenomic replicon lacking the coding sequence for both the structural proteins and NS2. Abrogation of HCV infection/replication, by an inhibitor of the NS3 protease, relieved ER stress. Conclusions HCV infection can induce ER stress, with NS2 protein being a major mediator. The stress can be relieved by a feedback mechanism.
The foundation of literacy skills in Korean: the relationship between letter-name knowledge and phonological awareness and their relative contribution to literacy skills

This study examined the relative contribution of letter-name knowledge and phonological awareness to literacy skills and the relationship between letter-name knowledge and phonological awareness, using data from Korean-speaking preschoolers. The results revealed that although both letter-name knowledge and phonological awareness made unique contributions to literacy skills (i.e., word reading, pseudoword reading, and spelling), letter-name knowledge played a more important role than phonological awareness in literacy acquisition in Korean. Letter-name knowledge explained appreciably greater amount of variance and had larger effect sizes in literacy skills. Furthermore, children with greater syllable, body (e.g., segmenting cat into ca-t), and phoneme awareness had higher levels of letter-name knowledge. In particular, children’s syllable awareness and body awareness were positively associated with their letter-name knowledge, even after controlling for children’s phoneme awareness. These results suggest that Korean children’s awareness of larger phonological units (i.e., syllable and body) in addition to phoneme awareness may mediate the relationship between letter-name knowledge and literacy acquisition in Korean, in contrast with previous findings in English that have demonstrated a positive relationship only between phoneme awareness and letter-name knowledge, and the hypothesis that phoneme awareness mediates the relationship between letter-name knowledge and literacy acquisition.
A dynamic model of short-term energy management in small food-caching and non-caching birds

The survival of small birds in winter is critically dependent on the birds’ ability to accumulate and maintain safe levels of energy reserves. In some species, food caching facilitates energy regulation by providing an energy source complementary to body fat. We present a dynamic optimization model of short-term, diurnal energy management for both food-caching and non-caching birds in which only short-day, winter conditions are considered. We assumed that birds can either rest, forage and eat, forage and cache, or retrieve existing caches (the two latter options are available only to caching birds). The model predicted that when there is variability in foraging success (here modeled strictly as within-day variability), both caching and non-caching birds should increase their fat reserves almost linearly in the morning slowing down toward late afternoon, a result consistent with field data but different than the result of a previous dynamic program. Non-cachers were predicted to carry higher fat levels than cachers especially when the variability in foraging success is high. Probability of death for non-caching birds was predicted to be higher than that for cachers, especially at higher levels of variability in foraging success. Among caching birds, an increase in number of caches and fat reserves was also predicted if: (1) mean foraging success was decreased, (2) variability in foraging success was increased, and (3) energy expenditure at night was increased over our baseline conditions. Under the conditions simulated in our model, birds were predicted to cache only if cache half-life (i.e., time interval over which 50% of the caches are forgotten or lost to pilferage) exceeded 2.5 days, indicating that low pilferage rate and long memory favor more caching. Finally, we showed that such daily patterns of energy management do not necessarily require relaxing assumptions about massdependent predation risk. Key words: caching, dynamic model, foraging, predation risk, pilferage. [Behav Ecol 12:207–218 (2001)]
Probabilistic Error Diffusion For Image Enhancement

This paper presents a stochastic error diffusion approach and analyzes its effect on image quality and artifacts. Unlike traditional error diffusion techniques that use fixed or image- dependent error diffusion weights, stochastic error diffusion distributes image quantization errors to neighboring pixels based on a stochastic process whose expectation and entropy are controllable. A model is provided to derive diffusion weight expectations based on the principle of "uniform error propagation ". The paper empirically compares the difference between random quantization thresholds and random diffusion weights and shows that stochastic error diffusion, unlike random dithering, does not generally produce images of degraded quality. On the contrary, by selecting appropriate expectation and entropy for diffusion weights, stochastic error diffusion may drastically reduce image noise patterns with little loss of image sharpness.
Transcriptional activation of inflammasome components by Libby amphibole and the role of iron.

The induction of the NALP3 inflammasome complex is shown to be necessary for the development of fibrosis after asbestos exposure. Libby amphibole (LA) induces lung inflammation and fibrosis, while complexation of iron (Fe) on fibers inhibits inflammation. In this study we examined the ability of LA to induce the inflammasome cascade and the role of Fe in modulating inflammasome activity. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were exposed intratracheally to either saline (300 μl), deferoxamine (Def) (1 mg), FeCl3 (21 μg), LA (0.5 mg), Fe-loaded LA (Fe + LA), or LA + Def. Activities of oxidative stress-sensitive enzymes, expression of inflammasome-specific genes, and cytokine proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were analyzed. Lung enzymes at 4 h and 24 h post-exposure were unchanged. LA increased lung expression of genes including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cathepsin-B, ASC, NALP3, interleukin (IL)-6 and NFκB. LA+Fe significantly reduced IL-1β and NFκB with a trend of reduction in ASC, NALP3, cathepsin-B and IL...
How to run POSIX apps in a minimal picoprocess

We envision a future where Web, mobile, and desktop applications are delivered as isolated, complete software stacks to a minimal, secure client host. This shift imbues app vendors with full autonomy to maintain their apps' integrity. Achieving this goal requires shifting complex behavior out of the client platform and into the vendors' isolated apps. We ported rich, interactive POSIX apps, such as Gimp and Inkscape, to a spartan host platform. We describe this effort in sufficient detail to support reproducibility.
A Hybrid Network Architecture for File Transfers

In prior work, we proposed a hybrid architecture that complements the connectionless Internet with a high-speed, dynamically shared circuit-switched network for file-transfer applications. "Smallrdquo files are directed to the connectionless network while for "largerdquo files, a high-speed circuit setup is attempted. If the attempt is unsuccessful (because all circuits are already in use), the application will fall back to using the connectionless path. This paper addresses the question of how to select appropriate values for operational parameters in this hybrid architecture. Specifically, we study the questions of what sized files to direct to the circuit-switched network and how much bandwidth to allocate per file transfer. To answer these questions, we construct a model of this hybrid architecture by combining the Erlang-B call blocking model with TCP delay models. Our model captures a combination of utilization and delay considerations in the selection of minimum file size above which transfers should be directed to the circuit-switched network. The optimal per-call circuit rate and the optimal minimum file size are determined to maximize the benefits of using the circuit network, which is quantified with an average-delay-reduction metric.
An Alternate Construction of the Berlekamp Subalgebra

We give an alternate construction of the Berlekamp subalgebra for cyclotomic polynomials over finite fields. This gives a new, deterministic, polynomial time reduction of factoring these polynomials to knowing the trace of an appropriate root of unity.
Analyzing Narratives in Psychotherapy: A Formal Framework and Empirical Analyses

AbstractNarration in psychotherapy has become a key area of theoretical and empiri-cal concern. Rationales for this new concern are provided in the context of introducing a three-dimensional model of narrative structure. Numerous measures corresponding to each dimension are operationally defined and used in an illustrative study of 16 pairs of temporally contiguous child-thera-pist stories sampled from Gardner's (1971) Therapeutic Communication with Children. As predicted, the therapist's narratives were more structurally con-nected, more often concerned with protagonists' internal psychological pro-cesses, and more elaborate/complex than the children's narratives. The therapist's narrative measures, however, did not seem adapted to the chil-dren's varying narrative competence, indicated by the absence of significant covariation with the children's narrative measures or with their age. These and additional analyses illustrate how to assess narrative processes in psycho-therapy and suggest future research on and training in the use of narratives in psychotherapy. (Psychology)