cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scalable Replay with Partial-Order Dependencies for Message-Logging Fault Tolerance

Deterministic replay of a parallel application is commonly used for discovering bugs or to recover from a hard fault with message-logging fault tolerance. For message passing programs, a major source of overhead during forward execution is recording the order in which messages are sent and received. During replay, this ordering must be used to deterministically reproduce the execution. Previous work in replay algorithms often makes minimal assumptions about the programming model and application in order to maintain generality. However, in many cases, only a partial order must be recorded due to determinism intrinsic in the code, ordering constraints imposed by the execution model, and events that are commutative (their relative execution order during replay does not need to be reproduced exactly). In this paper, we present a novel algebraic framework for reasoning about the minimum dependencies required to represent the partial order for different concurrent orderings and interleavings. By exploiting this theory, we improve on an existing scalable message-logging fault tolerance scheme. The improved scheme scales to 131,072 cores on an IBM BlueGene/P with up to 2x lower overhead than one that records a total order.
Atomistic insights into Li-ion diffusion in amorphous silicon

Silicon has been critically examined for its potential use as an electrode material for Li-ion batteries. Diffusive transport of Li-ions in the crystalline silicon anode is one of the key mechanisms that controls the deformation during lithiation, the rate of the charge–discharge cycle, and eventual mechanical failure. The use of amorphous silicon, instead of its crystalline counterpart, is considered to offer several advantages. The atomistic mechanisms underpinning diffusive transport of Li-ions in amorphous silicon are, however, poorly understood. Conventional molecular dynamics, if used to obtain atomistic insights into the Li-ion transport mechanism, suffers from several disadvantages: the relaxation times of Li ion diffusion in many of the diffusion pathways in amorphous Si are well beyond the short time scales of conventional molecular dynamics. In this work we utilize a sequence of approaches that involve the employment of a novel and recently developed potential energy surface sampling method, kinetic Monte Carlo, and the transition state theory to obtain a realistic evaluation of Li-ion diffusion pathways in amorphous Si. Diffusive pathways are not a priori set but rather emerge naturally as part of our computation. We elucidate the comparative differences between Li-ion diffusion in amorphous and crystalline Si as well as compare our results with past studies based on other methods.
Hemodynamic Effects of Volume Loading in Dogs Following Cardiac Homotransplantation

The response to an acute volume load of 25 cc/kg of homologous whole blood was evaluated in ten control dogs and five dogs with orthotopic cardiac transplants at the time of combined hemodynamic-cineangiographic study 7 to 12 days after thoracotomy or transplantation. Both groups elevated their mean left ventricular end-diastolic pressures to similar levels. Cardiac output, mean systemic aortic pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and stroke work did not differentiate the two groups. The following abnormalities in diastolic filling of the transplants were noted: (1) the maximum rate of change of left ventricular area during early rapid diastolic filling was lower ( P = 0.01); (2) the baseline left ventricular end-diastolic area was smaller ( P = 0.15), although the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was elevated and the heart rate lower; and (3) the increase in left ventricular end-diastolic area was less with volume loading. Decreased distensibility of the left ventricle and a lower baseline heart rate with absence of effective atrial contractions are possible explanations for this difference. Multiple factors may account for the decrease in distensibility.
Sialendoscopy in children

Abstract Background The definitive cause of most cases of recurrent salivary gland inflammation in children remains unknown. Relatively little has been written about the use of sialendoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in children. Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sialendoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for recurrent salivary gland inflammation in children. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Medical records of all patients who underwent sialendoscopy for recurrent salivary gland inflammation from a single tertiary-care pediatric otolaryngology practice were reviewed. Comparison of pre-procedure vs. post-procedure frequency and severity of disease was reviewed. Operative reports, images, and video were analyzed for causes of inflammation. Results Six patients (aged 3–16 years old) underwent sialendoscopy (3/6 bilateral parotid, 2/6 unilateral parotid, 1/6 unilateral submandibular). There were no complications. No post-operative recurrence was noted in 3/6 patients; decreased frequency of recurrence was noted in 2/6 patients; repeat sialendoscopy was required in 1/6. Operative findings from sialendoscopy from 10 parotid glands showed fibrinous debris (7/10), mucoid debris (1/10), purulent debris (1/10), or duct stenosis (1/10). No stones were noted. Conclusions Sialendoscopy is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that may decrease the frequency of recurrences for salivary gland inflammation in children. In contrast to previously published work, the most common cause of salivary gland obstruction in this series was debris, rather than stones. Increased use of sialendoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool will allow for improved understanding of the causes of and management for recurrent salivary gland inflammation in children.
The Viability of Combining Academic and Career Pathways: A Study of Linked Learning

In an attempt to reform high schools and prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed for the 21st century, educators and policymakers have turned to programs that combine career and academic pathways. One such program, Linked Learning, has taken up the reform challenge by relying on technical adjustments, rearranging students’ schedules, and integrating career technical education (CTE) with a set of courses that support students’ eligibility for their state and university college system. Linked Learning has attempted to avoid the pitfalls often associated with an earlier vocational education model. This article reports findings from a year-long study of eight schools in five districts whose district leaders and principals have placed Linked Learning at the core of their platform for school reform. Interviews with these educators reveal that while changing the structure of students’ course schedules offered some advantages for students, school principals were challenged to keep their academic and...
The construction of literate understanding in a literature‐based classroom

This study investigated young children’s developing understanding of three essential features of book language (i.e. autonomy, conventionality, unique grammar) in two curricular genres (i.e. narrative and expository) in a literature-based, multigrade (1st–3rd) classroom. Each of the 19 participants was asked to compose two written texts (story and report) at beginning, middle and end of the school year. All texts were coded for inclusion of a variety of genre-specific discursive markers that index the three features of book language. Analyses showed that (a) the children demonstrated emergent understanding of autonomy, limited familiarity with conventionality and an embryonic sense of unique grammar, irrespective of genre; (b) they gained significantly more understanding of the three book-language features in both curricular genres over the school year; (c) the development of this understanding is genre- and feature-specific, unstable, complex and not consistently associated with children’s grade level. These findings were interpreted from both developmental and pedagogical perspectives. Limitations and directions for future research were also discussed.
A set of workshops for high school computer science teachers

This paper outlines a set of workshops to provide training for certified high school computer science teachers. Upon the completion of the four core workshops, a high school teacher would have an excellent background to teach high school computer science as detailed in the new proposed ACM Curriculum for high school certification. The workshops should also do a good job upgrading the background of high school computer science and computer math teachers to teach courses currently in the high school curriculum. One workshop, PASCAL with Applications to Data Structures, was specifically designed to prepare current high school teachers to teach a PASCAL course whose goal is to prepare students for the advanced placement test. Each of the six workshops is a three semester hour course and most carry graduate credit. Three of the six courses have already been offered and more should be taught next summer. The reception of the high school teachers to the workshops has been very enthusiastic.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Leaves Contain Compounds that Reduce Nuclear Propidium Iodide Fluorescence

Sunflower leaves have unidentified compounds that interfere with propidium iodide (PI) intercalation and/or fluorescence. Independently prepared pea leaf nuclei show greater PI fluorescence than nuclei from pea leaves simultaneously processed (co-chopped) with sunflower leaves. Differences in fluorescence persist after mixing the PI-stained pea and the co-chopped pea/sunflower samples, i.e. PI staining protects the nuclei from the effects of the inhibitor. The current results are significant to practical flow cytometric determination of plant nuclear DNA content. They show: (1) simultaneous processing of nuclear samples from the target and the standard species is necessary to obtain reliable DNA estimates; (2) a test for the presence of inhibitors should be conducted; and (3) when inhibitors are present caution should be taken in interpreting differences in estimated DNA content. The previously reported environmentally-induced variation in DNA content in sunflower populations is most simply explained by variation in the amount of environmentally-induced inhibitor that interferes with intercalation and/or fluorescence of PI. Intraspecific variation of DNA content for Helianthus annuus needs to be re-evaluated using best practice techniques comparing physiologically uniform tissues that are free of inhibitors. The best estimate for 2C DNA content of H. annuus used in this study is 7.3 pg.
A Mixture Rasch Model with Item Response Time Components

An examinee faced with a test item will engage in solution behavior or rapid-guessing behavior. These qualitatively different test-taking behaviors bias parameter estimates for item response models...
Temperature dependence of membrane sealing following transection in mammalian spinal cord axons.

Abstract Using an in vitro sucrose-gap recording chamber, sealing of cut axons in isolated strips of white matter from guinea pig spinal cord was measured by recording the “compound membrane potential”. This functional sealing was found to correlate well with anatomical resealing, measured by a horseradish peroxidase uptake assay. Near-complete functional and anatomical recovery of the axonal membrane occurred routinely within 60 min following transection at 37°C in regular Krebs’ solution. The rate of membrane potential recovery is exponential, with a time-constant of 20±5 min. The sealing process at 31°C was similar to that at 37°C, and was effectively blocked at 25°C, under which condition most axons continued to take up horseradish peroxidase for more than 1 h, and failed to substantially recover their membrane potential. Seventy-five percent of the cords transected at 40°C had similar sealing behavior to those at 37°C and 31°C. The balance failed to seal the cut end. Two-dimensional morphometric analysis has shown that raising the temperature from 25°C to above 31°C significantly decreases axonal permeabilization to horseradish peroxidase (increases the sealing of transected ends) across all areas of a transverse section of spinal cord. Moreover, this enhancement of sealing exists across all axon calibers. Since severe cooling compromises membrane resealing, caution needs to be taken when hypothermic treatment (below 25°C) is applied within the first 60 min following mechanical injury. In summary, we have found that at normal temperature (37°C), nerve fibers repair their damaged membrane following physical injury with an hour. This is similar at mildly lower (31°C) and relatively higher (40°C) temperature, although some fibers tend to collapse under this febrile temperature. Moreover, severely low temperature (25°C) hindered the repair of damaged membranes. Based on our study, caution is needed in treating spinal cord injury with low temperatures.
Exploring the Impact of Increasing the Number of Black Men in Professional Psychology

The underrepresentation of Black men in professional psychology represents a critical issue, but this topic has received relatively limited coverage in the extant literature. Given the complex challenges facing many Black communities, we contend that increasing the number of African American male professional psychologists represents one component of the multi-pronged plan to tackle these problems. However, there is a dearth of scholarship that explicitly highlights the potential contributions Black men can make to professional psychology, particularly those with an African/Black psychology lens. We address this gap by exploring the impact of increasing the number of Black male professional psychologists. We detail the contributions Black male psychologists can make in clinical, academic, and research settings, with a particular focus on how their work can affect outcomes for Black boys and men in these three settings. Embedded in our analysis, we highlight the need to incorporate an African/Black psychol...
Experimental results for uncalibrated eye-in-hand visual servoing

This paper investigates uncalibrated control schemes for vision-guided robotic tracking of a moving target using a moving camera. These control methods are applied to an uncalibrated robotic system with eye-in-hand visual feedback. Without a priori knowledge of the robot's kinematic model or camera calibration, the system is able to track a moving object through a variety of motions and maintain the object's image features in a desired position in the image plane. These control schemes estimate the system Jacobian as well as changes in target features due to target motion. Four novel strategies are tested.
Analysis of Slug Tests in Formations of High Hydraulic Conductivity

A new procedure is presented for the analysis of slug tests performed in partially penetrating wells in formations of high hydraulic conductivity. This approach is a simple, spreadsheet-based implementation of existing models that can be used for analysis of tests from confined or unconfined aquifers. Field examples of tests exhibiting oscillatory and nonoscillatory behavior are used to illustrate the procedure and to compare results with estimates obtained using alternative approaches. The procedure is considerably simpler than recently proposed methods for this hydrogeologic setting. Although the simplifications required by the approach can introduce error into hydraulic-conductivity estimates, this additional error becomes negligible when appropriate measures are taken in the field. These measures are summarized in a set of practical field guidelines for slug tests in highly permeable aquifers.
Type IV Pili and the CcpA Protein Are Needed for Maximal Biofilm Formation by the Gram-Positive Anaerobic Pathogen Clostridium perfringens

The predominant organizational state of bacteria in nature is biofilms. Biofilms have been shown to increase bacterial resistance to a variety of stresses. We demonstrate for the first time that the anaerobic gram-positive pathogen Clostridium perfringens forms biofilms. At the same concentration of glucose in the medium, optimal biofilm formation depended on a functional CcpA protein. While the ratio of biofilm to planktonic growth was higher in the wild type than in a ccpA mutant strain in middle to late stages of biofilm development, the bacteria shifted from a predominantly biofilm state to planktonic growth as the concentration of glucose in the medium increased in a CcpA-independent manner. As is the case in some gram-negative bacteria, type IV pilus (TFP)-dependent gliding motility was necessary for efficient biofilm formation, as demonstrated by laser confocal and electron microscopy. However, TFP were not associated with the bacteria in the biofilm but with the extracellular matrix. Biofilms afforded C. perfringens protection from environmental stress, including exposure to atmospheric oxygen for 6 h and 24 h and to 10 mM H(2)O(2) for 5 min. Biofilm cells also showed 5- to 15-fold-increased survival over planktonic cells after exposure to 20 microg/ml (27 times the MIC) of penicillin G for 6 h and 24 h, respectively. These results indicate C. perfringens biofilms play an important role in the persistence of the bacteria in response to environmental stress and that they may be a factor in diseases, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and gas gangrene, that are caused by C. perfringens.
LAVA: lithography analysis using virtual access

A web site allowing remote operation of the SPLAT, SAMPLE, TEMPEST and SIMPL simulators has been developed to promote collaborative work on lithography and in particular on EUV technology. Based on the extensive use of platform independent programming languages, LAVA is accessible from all modern computing platforms. The software supporting the web site is available to others in creating similar web site sites and in making simulators such as those from other universities 'play' together. The web site explores new paradigms in remote operation of lithography simulators and introduces more application-oriented modes of interaction with technologists. The LAVA web site URL is http://cuervo.eecs.berkeley.edu/Volcano/
Natural Bilinear Control Processes

A nonlinear class of models for biological and physical processes is surveyed. It is shown that these so-called bilinear systems have a variable dynamical structure that makes them quite controllable. While control systems are classically designed so there are no unstable modes, bilinear systems may utilize appropriately controlled unstable modes of response to enhance controllability.
Parietal Functional Connectivity in Numerical Cognition

The parietal cortex is central to numerical cognition. The right parietal region is primarily involved in basic quantity processing, while the left parietal region is additionally involved in precise number processing and numerical operations. Little is known about how the 2 regions interact during numerical cognition. We hypothesized that functional connectivity between the right and left parietal cortex is critical for numerical processing that engages both basic number representation and learned numerical operations. To test this hypothesis, we estimated neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging in participants performing numerical and arithmetic processing on dot arrays. We first found task-based functional connectivity between a right parietal seed and the left sensorimotor cortex in all task conditions. As we hypothesized, we found enhanced functional connectivity between this right parietal seed and both the left parietal cortex and neighboring right parietal cortex, particularly during subtraction. The degree of functional connectivity also correlated with behavioral performance across individual participants, while activity within each region did not. These results highlight the role of parietal functional connectivity in numerical processing. They suggest that arithmetic processing depends on crosstalk between and within the parietal cortex and that this crosstalk contributes to one's numerical competence.
Prognosis of Canine Mast Cell Tumors: A Comparison of Three Methods:

In this study, age, sex, recurrence, metastasis, death rate, and histologic patterns were in agreement with those of previous reports on canine mast cell tumors. Histologic grading, mitotic index, chromosome nucleolar organizer regions stained with silver (AgNORs), and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were evaluated as indicators of prognosis. Histologic grading, AgNORs estimated in 100 cells, and PCNA-labeled fraction estimated in five high power fields (HPFs) were significantly different between recurring and nonrecurring tumors. Those prognostic factors were also significantly different between tumors that metastasized and those that did not. The survival time was lower in dogs with mast cell tumors with histologic grade 3 (Patnaik's), AgNOR counts higher than 2.25, and PCNA count in five HPFs higher than 261. The significance of these factors as markers for prognosis determined by logistic regression analysis differed with the time period considered. By combining the three most significant prognostic factors in a prognostic index, three models were obtained to determine the probability of nonrecurrence at 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery. The models were accurate in the prediction of the outcome of up to 80% of mast cell tumors. The use of these models provides a less subjective means of prognosticating mast cell tumors than the use of any one component alone.
The Input Ambiguity Hypothesis and Case Blindness: An Account of Cross-Linguistic and Intra-Linguistic Differences in Case Errors.

English-acquiring children frequently make pronoun case errors, while German-acquiring children rarely do. Nonetheless, German-acquiring children frequently make article case errors. It is proposed that when child-directed speech contains a high percentage of case-ambiguous forms, case errors are common in child language; when percentages are low, case errors are rare. Input to English and German children was analyzed for percentage of case-ambiguous personal pronouns on adult tiers of corpora from 24 English-acquiring and 24 German-acquiring children. Also analyzed for German was the percentage of case-ambiguous articles. Case-ambiguous pronouns averaged 63·3% in English, compared with 7·6% in German. The percentage of case-ambiguous articles in German was 77·0%. These percentages align with the children's errors reported in the literature. It appears children may be sensitive to levels of ambiguity such that low ambiguity may aid error-free acquisition, while high ambiguity may blind children to case distinctions, resulting in errors.
Migration and Economic Mobility: Wealth Accumulation and Occupational Change Among Antebellum Migrants and Persisters

Research on nineteenth-century economic and social mobility has concentrated on occupational change among men who remained in the same community for ten or more years, although fewer than half of any community's residents persist that long. This article uses a data set created specifically to compare the experiences of men who migrated from Newburyport, Massachusetts in the mid-nineteenth century with those of men who persisted. It finds that blue-collar migrants were more successful than were their counterparts who did not move. The results suggest that previous studies may have considerably underestimated the extent of economic opportunity in nineteenth-century America.
Thermal stresses and deposition patterns in layered manufacturing

In layered manufacturing, objects are constructed by sequential deposition of material layers. When the deposition process involves temperature gradients, thermal stresses develop. This paper examines the effect of deposition patterns on the resulting stresses and deflections in laser deposited metal parts. Finite element modeling of the deposition processes showed that the deposition pattern has a significant effect on the part stresses and deflections. Experiments performed using these same deposition patterns yielded sample deflections, which were in agreement with the finite element modeling predictions.
Educating the next generation of game developers

The current revolution in videogaming used for both entertainment and serious purposes engenders a strong requirement that we advance the state of the art of game technology and design through our university research and education programs. To make this happen, many universities have begun new degree programs focused on game design and development. This special issue profiles four programs that are exploring this emerging and important discipline and have proposed similar - or even novel - solutions to the challenges it presents
Thrombotic microangiopathy isolated to the central nervous system

A man with plasma cell dyscrasia and bone marrow infiltration presented with rapidly progressive encephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple small areas of abnormal signal that correlated with the autopsy findings of thrombotic microangiopathy isolated to the central nervous system.
Perioperative evaluation of a new mixed venous oxygen saturation catheter in cardiac surgical patients

Fiberoptic pulmonary artery flotation catheters have gained clinical acceptance for continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), especially in the management of hemodynamically unstable patients. Therefore, the performance of the oximetry system used is extremely important. The accuracy and stability of a new two-wavelength oximetry pulmonary artery catheter and SAT-2 oximeter were assessed in adult patients during and following cardiac surgery. After in vitro calibration of the system, the catheter was inserted through the right internal jugular vein and positioned in the pulmonary artery prior to induction of anesthesia. During the study period, the system was updated for hemoglobin changes of 1.8 g/dL or more. In vivo SvO2 values obtained by the oximetry catheter were compared with those determined with a reference oximeter from simultaneously drawn mixed venous blood specimens at different intervals. A total of 604 paired data points from 52 patients were analyzed, 572 (94.7%) of which were within the 95% confidence interval. Overall bias was -1.7% +/- 3.5% (SD). The results suggest that over the time course of the study, in vivo SvO2 values obtained with the two-wavelength catheter and the SAT-2 oximeter closely approximated SvO2 measured with a reference oximeter from mixed venous blood samples (r = 0.917; SEE 3.5%) in cardiac surgical patients in whom marked physiological changes occur.
Binding mode prediction of conformationally restricted anandamide analogs within the CB 1 receptor

Background CB1 cannabinoid receptors are G-protein coupled receptors for endocannabinoids including anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Because these arachidonic acid metabolites possess a 20-carbon polyene chain as the alkyl terminal moiety, they are highly flexible with the potential to adopt multiple biologically relevant conformations, particularly those in a bent form. To better understand the molecular interactions associated with binding and steric trigger mechanisms of receptor activation, a series of conformationally-restricted anandamide analogs having a wide range of affinity and efficacy were evaluated.
Use of Compaction Energetics for Understanding Particle Deformation Mechanism

A primary goal of the current work was to examine the potential use of compaction energetics as a tool to predict particle deformation mechanism. Three deformation models, namely, those developed by Heckel, Walker, and Gurnham, were first used to evaluate the deformation mechanisms of 11 commonly used excipients. To complement the information gained from the deformation models, the mechanical energy used in tablet formation was then examined. It has been found that the sum of the work in the compression and decompression phases (plastic work) is a relatively good indicator of a material's plasticity. Conclusions based on this indicator regarding deformation mechanism for the different diluents used were in good agreement with those obtained from the different deformation models studied.
GPS its development and deployment

The Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) is an all-weather, space-based navigation system under development by the US Department of Defense. The military needs and requirements are well documented, but the combined utilization, savings, and deployment by the civilian users throughout the world will surpass the benefits to be reaped by DoD.
Carbon Nanomaterial-Based Composites in Wastewater Purification

New techniques and materials are called for wastewater treatment due to the shortage of worldwide fresh water and the increasing water demand. As a simple and efficient method, adsorption technique has been extensively applied to remove organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated water. The application of carbon nanomaterials, such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphenes and their derivatives/analogues, in wastewater treatment has also been investigated due to their unique properties, such as wide availability, porous structure, large surface area, tunable morphology and nontoxicity. This review highlights the recent advances of wastewater treatment utilizing carbon nanomaterial modified composites as adsorbents. The adsorption phenomenon and its mechanism are briefly discussed. Detailed discussions are focused on the selective adsorption of carbon nanomaterial composites to unique pollutants. The remaining challenges are also mentioned.
Science, engineering, and statistics

Symmetry and parsimony, together with unification through synthesis are important principles that govern the character of physical law. We show how these principles can be applied to engineering to develop an approach to reliability, and engineering in general, that centres on the identification, detection, and avoidance of failure modes through design. A definition of reliability, not presented in terms of probability, but rather based on physics, geometry, and the properties of materials, will be emphasized to support this approach. We will also show how the nature of the inductive–deductive learning cycle provides the framework for statistical science to be embedded into engineering practice, with particular regard to improving reliability through failure mode avoidance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EF-G-independent reactivity of a pre-translocation-state ribosome complex with the aminoacyl tRNA substrate puromycin supports an intermediate (hybrid) state of tRNA binding

Following peptide-bond formation, the mRNA:tRNA complex must be translocated within the ribosomal cavity before the next aminoacyl tRNA can be accommodated in the A site. Previous studies suggested that following peptide-bond formation and prior to EF-G recognition, the tRNAs occupy an intermediate (hybrid) state of binding where the acceptor ends of the tRNAs are shifted to their next sites of occupancy (the E and P sites) on the large ribosomal subunit, but where their anticodon ends (and associated mRNA) remain fixed in their prepeptidyl transferase binding states (the P and A sites) on the small subunit. Here we show that pre-translocation-state ribosomes carrying a dipeptidyl-tRNA substrate efficiently react with the minimal A-site substrate puromycin and that following this reaction, the pre-translocation-state bound deacylated tRNA:mRNA complex remains untranslocated. These data establish that pre-translocation-state ribosomes must sample or reside in an intermediate state of tRNA binding independent of the action of EF-G.
Epidemic Control Based on Fused Body Sensed and Social Network Information

Epidemic control becomes more difficult and challenging than ever due to increased population density and close social interactions. In this paper, we introduce a new information system named EPIC to predict epidemic conditions based on the continually collected vital signs of individuals from body sensor networks in a community and their social network. The core of EPIC is a critical network that models health conditions and social interactions of individuals. Facilitated by critical network, our prediction algorithms can cost-effectively determine quarantine strategies. The effectiveness of EPIC is evaluated through simulation.
Accident Count Model Based on Multiyear Cross-Sectional Roadway Data with Serial Correlation

The use of the negative multinomial model to form a predictive model of median crossover accident frequencies with a multiyear panel of crosssectional roadway data with a roadway section-specific serial correlation across time was explored. The negative multinomial model specification is compared with previous research, which used the same database but which also used negative binomial and random-effects negative binomial count models. If there is no section-specific correlation in the panel, the negative multinomial model becomes equivalent to the negative binomial. The differences in the estimation results between those models show that such a correlation exists in the data. The results show that the negative multinomial significantly outperforms the negative binomial and the random-effects negative binomial in terms of fit, with a statistically significantly higher likelihood at convergence. The signs of the coefficients were similar in all models; when the signs differed, the negative multinomial mode...
Detection of tuberous sclerosis in parents by magnetic resonance imaging

We performed a detailed physical examination and MRI without gadolinium DTPA contrast in 60 couples with at least 1 child having tuberous sclerosis (TS). Eight parents had TS diagnosed by physical examination, family history, or various diagnostic procedures including MRI. Eight additional subjects and 6 control subjects had nonspecific high-signal white matter changes on MRI. MRI confirmed the diagnosis of TS in only 1 parent without physical findings of the disease, similar to the results of earlier studies using computed cranial tomography. CT may be less sensitive than MRI but is probably more specific for TS. Either CT or MRI may occasionally help substantiate the diagnosis of TS in a parent with few other findings. Both studies may need to be done in some parents to maximize the accuracy of genetic counseling.
Pull-In and Release Voltage Design for Nanoelectromechanical Field-Effect Transistors

The Euler-Bernoulli beam equation is solved simultaneously with the Poisson equation in order to accurately model the switching behavior of nanoelectromechanical field-effect transistors (NEMFETs). Using this approach, the shape of the movable gate electrode and semiconductor potential across the width of the channel are derived for the various regimes of transistor operation (before gate pull-in, after gate pull-in, and at the point of gate release). The impact of various transistor design parameters such as the body doping concentration, gate work function, gate stiffness, and as-fabricated actuation gap thickness, as well as source-to-body bias voltage and surface forces, on the gate pull-in and gate release voltages are examined. A unified pull-in/release voltage model is developed to facilitate NEMFET design for digital- and analog-circuit applications.
Prey abundance and habitat use by migratory shorebirds at coastal stopover sites in Connecticut

Stopover areas are vital for the successful migration of many species of shorebirds, as they, in part, allow individuals to deposit large quantities of fat needed to fuel their northward and southward journeys. While much research has focused on bird migration, few studies closely examine the environmental characteristics of specific stopover areas. For our study, we conducted prey availability surveys and documented shorebird habitat use during northward summer migration for three historically important stopover areas along the Connecticut Long Island Sound coastline in 2000. Coastal Connecticut provides important habitat not only for shorebirds migrating from northern Canada to South America, but also for resident breeding shorebirds (e.g., oystercatchers, plovers, and sandpipers). Our prey availability surveys indicate that all three stopover sites were characterized by some combination of polychaete worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. Polychaete worms of the family Neredidae were the most common prey item at two of the three sites. In addition, the site frequented by the greatest densities of shorebirds also had the greatest density of nereid worms and the greatest diversity of invertebrates. In terms of habitat use, our results indicate that foraging densities tended to be highest on intertidal habitats that were sheltered from coastal wave action and where densities of benthic (burrowing) and epifaunal (surface-dwelling) prey tended to be high. However, some shorebird species, including one breeding resident, the American Oystercatcher (Hae- matopus palliatus) and one migrant, the Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), both of special management concern, favored foraging on beach-front habitats. In contrast to foraging habitat preferences, shorebirds roosting at high tidal phases showed strong preferences for beach habitats fronting the Long Island Sound. The use of beach-front habitats for both foraging and roosting poses a challenging situation for beach managers.
Comparison of Approaches

The variety of approaches to statistical inference and the problem of decision in the face of uncertainty is regarded by many statisticians as a Good Thing. On analogy with mathematics, statistics may be looked on as a body of theory and techniques which may be applicable to a wide variety of circumstances. Applications, however, are not the business of the theoretical statistician as such. On this view, the wider the range of available techniques, the richer and more various the body of statistical theory, the better. It is undemocratic, if not sinful, to regard one approach as wrong-headed as opposed to another.
Benzene Metabolism by Two Purified, Reconstituted Rat Hepatic Mixed Function Oxidase Systems

Benzene, a bone marrow depressant, requires metabolism in order to exert its hematopoetic toxicity (Snyder et al., 1980). In mammals, this metabolism ccurs primarily in the liver and is catalyzed by the cytochrome P-450 containing mixed function oxidase (MFO) system (Gonasun et al., 1973). Post and Snyder (1983) demonstrated that rat liver microsomes contain at least two, distinct MFO activities which can metabolize benzene. One is induced by phenobarbital (PB) pretreatment and displays a Km value greater than 10mM; the other is induced by benzene pretreatment and displays a Km value equal to approximately 0.1mM. PB pretreatment results in the induction of cytochrome P450IIB1 (Ryan et al., 1979), while benzene pretreatment appears to induce cytochrome P450IIE1 (Ingelman-Sundberg and Johansson, 1984). Koop et al. (1989) demonstrated that P45011E1, purified from rabbit liver microsomes, is an effective benzene hydroxylase. In this study, we have examined benzene metabolism by two purified, reconstituted rat hepatic MFO systems containing either cytochrome P450IIB1 or P450IIE1.
Half Sampling on Bipartite Graphs

On a bipartite graph G we consider the half sampling problem of uniquely recovering a function from its values on the even vertices, under the appropriate half bandlimited assumption with respect to a Laplacian on the graph. We discuss both finite and infinite graphs, give the appropriate definition of “half bandlimited” that involves splitting the mid frequency, and give an explicit solution to the problem. We discuss in detail the example of a regular tree. We also consider a related sampling problem on graphs that are generated by edge substitution.
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE SITE OF ACTION FOR THE DIPSOGENIC EFFECT OF ANGIOTENSIN II

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the hypothesis that angiotensin II (AII), derived from the renal renin–angiotensin system, participates as a dipsogenic hormone. There are five primary lines of evidence: (1) plasma renin levels rise during water deprivation, (2) intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intracranial renin, and intravenous, subcutaneous, or intracranial angiotensin I (AI) and AII, are all dipsogenic, (3) drinking is produced with systemic doses of angiotensin that are within the physiological range, (4) experimental manipulations that induce hypovolemia and/or hypotension produce increased renin release, and (5) there is broad species generality in the dipsogenic capacity of angiotensin. To account for the induction of thirst by AII, it has been proposed that the octapeptide interacts with a receptor that activates central neural systems involved in drinking behavior. Thus, the hormonereceptor interaction is the initial step by which a general perturbation in internal state is communicated to the central nervous system. It is important to specify the location of this bod–brain interface to further clarify the processes involved in the hormonal–neural control of body fluid and electrolyte balance.
Relation of stage of cycle and source of luteinizing hormone to superovulation in dairy cattle.

Summary1. Two series of studies involving a total of 26 heifers and cows are reported. 2. Five heifers superovulated during the luteal phase of the estrual cycle produced 34 eggs none of which were fertilized. Five heifers treated during the follicular phase produced 43 eggs of which 74% had cleaved. All 6 heifers treated during the luteal phase, but none of the 6 follicular heifers, had pyometra. 3. Thirty and 40 g.e. of sheep FSH gave responses about equal but considerably greater than a 20 g.e. dose. 4. USG produced approximately twice as many corpora as HCG in the intravenous injection when they were used in combination with either sheep pituitary FSH or PMS. 5. A combination of PMS and HCG may produce satisfactory superovulation and should be studied further.
Transferrin, Iron, and Serum Lipids Enhance or Inhibit Mycobacterium avium Replication in Human Macrophages

Mycobacterium avium grows exponentially over 7 days in human macrophages when they are cultured in serumless medium. Normal serum inhibits this replication. When serum lipids were extracted using chloroform, the inhibitor was present in the lipid-free component. The lipid extract significantly enhanced M. avium replication. Iron (Fe2+) added at 8-80 micrograms/mL to infected macrophage cultures in serum resulted in enhanced mycobacterial replication. Serum-induced inhibition of bacterial growth in serumless medium could be duplicated with apotransferrin at 50-500 micrograms/mL. At 1000 micrograms/mL, apotransferrin no longer inhibited bacterial growth. Holotransferrin was not inhibitory, and at 500 micrograms/mL, it enhanced M. avium growth. Depletion of the transferrin in serum by affinity chromatography using goat anti-transferrin on protein G-Sepharose removed inhibitory activity. These results indicate that transferrin levels, transferrin saturation, iron levels, and serum lipids can profoundly alter the replication of M. avium in association with macrophages.
Molecular structure of nonionic surfactants in relation to laboratory insecticidal activity.

Nonionic surface-active agents derived from the condensation of ethyleneoxide with alkyl phenols, fatty alcohols, and fatty acids were evaluated for their activity against pupae of the southern house mosquito, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say. Some of the surfactants were more effective than reference insecticides. The most active compounds were members of the alkylphenol-EO (ethyleneoxide) ethers in the following order of decreasing effectiveness: dinonylphenol-EO, tridecylphenol-EO, monononylphenol-EO, and octylphenol-EO. The following were less effective: tridecyl alcohol-EO ethers, fatty acid-EO esters and several reference anionic surfactants. Activity was greatly dependent on length of the ethylene-oxide chain. For example, the optimum chain length for monononyl-EO was in the range of 4–6 moles EO per mole of alkylphenol. Chain lengths of 1 and 20 moles EO were much less effective. In some of the homologous groups, i.e., octylphenol-EO and 1 series of nonylphenol-EO compounds, activity over a wide range of chain length is attributed to the ethoxylation procedure used for these samples, resulting in a mixture of compounds representing a broad spectrum of chain length. However, the highly active dinonylphenol-EO and tridecylphenol-EO compounds were similarly effective over a wide range of EO chain lengths between 4 and 19.5 moles.
The Effect of Substitution of Plasma for Serum on Chemistry Stat Turnaround Time

Substitution of plasma for serum is analytically sound and can have a salutary benefit on total turnaround time. Since plasma is amenable to high-speed centrifugation, sample separation time can be reduced. Although enhancement of turnaround is clearly possible by use of plasma, other components of preanalytic testing remain the major contributors to total turnaround time. Additional strategies particularly directed at preanalytic factors will have to be employed to reduce total turnaround time substantially.
A balancing act in cardiac hypertrophy

This editorial refers to ‘The H19 long noncoding RNA is a novel negative regulator of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy’ by L. Liu et al. , pp. 56–65. Cardiac hypertrophy is the process of cardiac myocyte enlargement, typically in response to the need to generate greater levels of contractile force. One of the best examples of adaptive, non-pathological hypertrophy is the expansion of cardiac myocyte volume and sarcomere content that occurs during postnatal development. Initially, compensatory hypertrophy that occurs as a result of persistent hypertension or aortic stenosis can become maladaptive in the longer term, leading to alterations in myocyte electrical stability, sarcolemmal integrity, and potential myocyte loss. The molecular basis of hypertrophy initiation and progression has been well studied, with a host of genetic manipulations in model animal hearts used to define key chromatin remodelling events, alterations in transcription of coding and noncoding mRNA, and post-translational protein modifications required for execution of the hypertrophic programme. However, endogenous pathways that serve to limit the extent of hypertrophy have typically received less attention (Figure 1). Figure 1 Upper panel: summary of the previous literature demonstrating that H19 balances transcription of Igf2; less H19 leads to greater Igf2 levels. Lower panel: findings from Liu et al. (this issue) that in the mouse heart, H19 (acting primarily through generation of miR-675) serves to limit growth responses. Higher H19 and miR-675 levels decrease hypertrophy induction. In this issue of Cardiovascular Research , Liu …