cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time Course and Ca2+ Dependence of Sensitivity Modulation in Cyclic Gmp-Gated Currents of Intact Cone Photoreceptors

We determined the Ca2+ dependence and time course of the modulation of ligand sensitivity in cGMP-gated currents of intact cone photoreceptors. In electro-permeabilized single cones isolated from striped bass, we measured outer segment current amplitude as a function of cGMP or 8Br-cGMP concentrations in the presence of various Ca2+ levels. The dependence of current amplitude on nucleotide concentration is well described by the Hill function with values of K1/2, the ligand concentration that half-saturates current, that, in turn, depend on Ca2+. K1/2 increases as Ca2+ rises, and this dependence is well described by a modified Michaelis-Menten function, indicating that modulation arises from the interaction of Ca2+ with a single site without apparent cooperativity. CaKm, the Michaelis-Menten constant for Ca2+ concentration is 857 ± 68 nM for cGMP and 863 ± 51 for 8Br-cGMP. In single cones under whole-cell voltage clamp, we simultaneously measured changes in membrane current and outer segment free Ca2+ caused by sudden Ca2+ sequestration attained by uncaging diazo-2. In the presence of constant 8Br-cGMP, 15 μΜ, Ca2+ concentration decrease was complete within 50 ms and membrane conductance was enhanced 2.33 ± 0.95-fold with a mean time to peak of 1.25 ± 0.23 s. We developed a model that assumes channel modulation is a pseudo–first-order process kinetically limited by free Ca2+. Based on the experimentally measured changes in Ca2+ concentration, model simulations match experimental data well by assigning the pseudo-first-order time constant a mean value of 0.40 ± 0.14 s. Thus, Ca2+-dependent ligand modulation occurs over the concentration range of the normal, dark-adapted cone. Its time course suggests that its functional effects are important in the recovery of the cone photoresponse to a flash of light and during the response to steps of light, when cones adapt.
Localization of an acoustic source using smart phones

The problem of determining the position of a sound source using mobile devices such as smart phones is considered in this paper. A novel calibration stage is developed to cancel out the time offsets of the time differences of arrival measurements. Two localization algorithms, one closed-form solution and the other iterative approach, are implemented to examine the performance of the proposed sound source localization system. Real-world experiments were conducted for 2-D and 3-D in-door localization. The experimental results validate the proposed localization technique which has acceptable localization bias and mean-square error.
On the implications of deformation-induced crack-tip deformation in a gamma-based titanium aluminide intermetallic

Recent work on gamma-based titanium aluminides has shown that deformation-induced twinning can play a significant role in the shielding of the crack-tip in gamma-based titanium aluminides with large grain sizes. However, although the role of deformation-induced twinning has received some attention for monotonic loading at room temperature, there have been no efforts to examine the potential role of deformation-induced twinning on fatigue crack growth mechanisms at room temperature. This is examined in the current paper via crack-tip transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical interference microscopy techniques. The role of deformation-induced twinning is also assessed at the threshold condition using non-linear fracture mechanics concepts, and the implications of deformation-induced twinning are elucidated for kinematic irreversibility under cyclic loading. It is postulated that the faster fatigue crack growth rates in gamma alloys can be attributed partly to the higher incidence of irreversible deformation-induced crack-tip twinning phenomena.
Heat-Burst Calorimetry of Heated Starch†

Differential scanning calorimetry of starch at different moisture contents have been reported to give a lower ΔH value with lower water content. This should not be true if the melting of starch crystals is solely responsible for the Δ H. Granule swelling and denaturation of the starch, grouped together and called ‘mixing’, could be responsible for the decrease in enthalpy change. ‘Mixing’ could not be measured in a differential scanning calorimeter because the water is added outside the instrument. Therefore, heat-burst calorimetry was used to determine if a thermal transition occurs when water is added to starch that had been heated. No thermal event was found. The results suggest that the enthalpy of gelatinization may not be dependent upon the water content of the sample. The reported changes may have been due to formation of the lipid-amylose complex and annealing of crystals during the DSC measurement.
Varieties and transfers

be a minimal KG-projective resolution of the trivial kG-module k. The restriction of (P, E) to H is a kH-projective resolution. Any <e H;(k) is represented by a kHcocycle f E Horn&P,, k). The transfer to G of i is then Trz([)=cIsCfl) where f’(m) = xi= 1 f(xip ‘m) for x t, . . . ,x, a complete set of representatives of the left cosets of H in G and m E P, . The transfer map is only a k-module homomorphism. Its image in Hz(k) is an ideal. The transfer has been studied for many years. However when p divides IG: HI, its utility is somewhat limited because it is often zero. We show here that, collectively, the images of the transfers are relatively large provided the Sylow p-subgroup of G is not commutative. Specifically we prove the following.
Testing Advice Response Theory in Interactions With Friends

This study extends and tests advice response theory (ART) by examining message content, message politeness, and advisor characteristics, along with situational and recipient factors as influences on the outcomes of advice. Participants (N = 244) discussed a real, current problem with a friend, completing measures about the advisor, recipient, and situation prior to the interaction, and assessments of advice message qualities and outcomes immediately after. The findings not only support ART but also indicate the need to consider how evaluations of advice evolve over time.
Patient personality predicts preference for relationships with doctors

Abstract Our study assessed the value of personality variables over and above demographic variables for predicting the type of relationships patients prefer with their doctors––from giving all the decision-making power to the doctors to a more egalitarian, information-seeking relationship. We investigated several personality variables (health locus of control, assertiveness, conservatism, and self-efficacy) in a mailed survey. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that personality variables explained additional variance in desire for shared decision-making after controlling for demographic variables. Specifically, adults with a greater belief that powerful others (e.g., doctors) controlled their health were less likely to want to seek information or make decisions about their health. Assertive adults were more likely to want comprehensive information. Our findings indicate that personality variables are important in predicting patient preferences regarding their relationships with their doctors. These findings also have important implications for improving patient satisfaction and compliance with medical treatment.
Gas Turbines in the Arctic Environment

The operation of gas turbines in regions where the atmospheric temperature may go below freezing introduces some special kinds of application problems which must be accounted for in the design if the units are to perform satisfactorily. These conditions are aggravated as the temperatures go down and gas turbines applied in Arctic regions can be severely limited in their operation if proper design precautions are not taken. The purpose of this paper is to list the various characteristics about arctic applications which are different from those in more southerly parts of the world and the design changes that must be made in order to cope with these problems. In addition, the paper outlines some characteristics of the gas turbine which are enhanced by the low temperature application and how it is possible to take advantage of these features. The subjects of Inlet Icing, Low Temperature Effects on Materials, and the Impact of Low Inlet Air Temperatures on Total Machine Capability are all discussed. In addition, the results of a number of years operating experience in arctic applications are covered and test data from a few installations is reported.Copyright © 1973 by ASME
Authority and Environment: Institutional Landscapes in Rajasthan, India

To date, there have been few systematic assessments of the role of social institutions—rules, norms, and systems of authority and power—in creating and reconfiguring natural environments. In the desert grass and shrub lands of Rajasthan, India, where multiple, contending institutions govern village resources in a state of legal pluralism, the need for such research is pressing. Here, state political interventions vie against traditional common and semiprivate rule arrangements for control of valuable pasture and forest resources. This paper introduces an authority-centered theoretical vocabulary for such an analysis and reviews research conducted during 1993–1994 comparing four institutional forms to assess the role of institutions in configuring resource extraction decisions made by producers and in creating distinct and distinguishable biotic conditions. The study results demonstrate that responses to authority differ along axes of gender, caste, and class and so lead to varied decisions by produc...
r and K Selection in Experimental Populations of Escherichia coli

Populations were adapted in vitro under density-dependent and density-independent population controls. Comparison of strains fails to demonstrate any trade-off in adaptation under these population controls.
Angle selective light management in photovoltaics using self-assembled anodized aluminum oxide nanopatterns

Semitransparent photovoltaics are of interest for building integration and window coatings, though demonstrate an intrinsic tradeoff between transparency and absorption / efficiency. We propose alleviating this tradeoff using light management nanostructures which selectively scatter light based on incident wavelength and angle, allowing transmission of normally incident light for window visibility and absorption of light at elevated angles. Two structures of interest are proposed and described: metal nanorods which scatter light via their localized surface plasmon resonance properties, and arrays of subwavelength nanopores in a dielectric which demonstrate coherent multiple scattering. Both structures can potentially be patterned over large areas by electrochemical oxidation of aluminum into self assembled nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) films.
Potential-dependent vibrational spectroscopy of solvent molecules at the Pt(111) electrode in a water/acetonitrile mixture studied by sum frequency generation.

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectra of D2O and/or acetonitrile (CH3CN) on a Pt(111) single-crystal electrode were obtained as a function of applied potential in a 5 mol % water/aceto...
Behavioral states in the fetal baboon

This study was designed to characterize behavioral states in the fetal baboon. Automated methods were developed and validated to recognize behavioral states based on relationships among three physiologic variables (EEG patterns, eye movements, heart period variability). Data included twelve 16-h records from 3 chronically instrumented fetal baboons at 0.8-0.9 of term. Randomly generated control records were used to differentiate occurrences of state from chance association of the variables. For 41.2 +/- 4.6% (mean +/- S.E.) of the time, the physiologic variables were synchronous and formed cycles of state with a mean duration of 34.4 min. Components of these cycles had mean +/- S.E. durations of 7.2 +/- 0.3 min for state 1FB (the analogue of quiet sleep in the human infant and state 1F in the human fetus), 20.7 +/- 1.2 min for the state 2FB (the analogue of active sleep in the human infant and state 2F in the human fetus), and 3.6 +/- 0.2 min for state transitions. For 24.6 +/- 2.4% of the time, the state variables exhibited coincidental, state-like agreements, that were not part of state cycles. Finally, for 34.3 +/- 2.7% of the time, there was no systematic agreement among the three variables. These data provide convincing evidence that organized behavioral states are present in the fetal baboon as early as 0.8 of term gestation.
Array antennas: New applications for an old technique

Antenna arrays exist in a wide variety of configurations, with the number of radiating elements ranging from two to several thousand. However, all are governed by the same fundamental principles, which are described in this article Contemporary antenna problems have stimulated renewed interest in the use of array-type antennas, in which a number of individual radiators are grouped together and coherently excited in some controlled manner. This type of antenna predates the application of reflector types in radio and radar applications; but the new interest, with emphasis on arrays of large numbers of elements, has provided the impetus for advances in our knowledge of the principles of arrays and the invention of new arraying techniques. It is the aim of this article to provide an exposition of the current state of the field.
Role Clarity and Organizational Level

Role clarity was examined in terms of its relationships with personal outcomes and organizational effectiveness. Organizational level as a moderator of such relationships was also investigated. Using 490 underwriting personnel from 4 levels in 20 insurance offices, hypotheses based on prior research were generally confirmed. Role clarity was positively related to perceptions of job satisfaction, personal influence, organizational effectiveness, and task-oriented leadership. Role clarity was higher at higher organizational levels, where relationships with perceived organizational effectiveness were not significant. An independent measure of effectiveness showed members in high-performing offices had greater role clarity than members in low-performing offices. Role clarity and organizational level are important variables in organizational behavior research and warrant continued study.
Metagenomic Assay for Identification of Microbial Pathogens in Tumor Tissues

ABSTRACT Screening for thousands of viruses and other pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites, in human tumor tissues will provide a better understanding of the contributory role of the microbiome in the predisposition for, causes of, and therapeutic responses to the associated cancer. Metagenomic assays designed to perform these tasks will have to include rapid and economical processing of large numbers of samples, supported by straightforward data analysis pipeline and flexible sample preparation options for multiple input tissue types from individual patients, mammals, or environmental samples. To meet these requirements, the PathoChip platform was developed by targeting viral, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic genomes with multiple DNA probes in a microarray format that can be combined with a variety of upstream sample preparation protocols and downstream data analysis. PathoChip screening of DNA plus RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues demonstrated the utility of this platform, and the detection of oncogenic viruses was validated using independent PCR and deep sequencing methods. These studies demonstrate the use of the PathoChip technology combined with PCR and deep sequencing as a valuable strategy for detecting the presence of pathogens in human cancers and other diseases. IMPORTANCE This work describes the design and testing of a PathoChip array containing probes with the ability to detect all known publicly available virus sequences as well as hundreds of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, parasites, and helminths. PathoChip provides wide coverage of microbial pathogens in an economical format. PathoChip screening of DNA plus RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues demonstrated the utility of this platform, and the detection of oncogenic viruses was validated using independent PCR and sequencing methods. These studies demonstrate that the PathoChip technology is a valuable strategy for detecting the presence of pathogens in human cancers and other diseases.
Whither oxygen for intrauterine resuscitation

Oxygen is frequently administered to women in labor in the hope of improving fetal status. However, there is a paucity of outcome data to support this practice. Although maternal oxygen administration may make physiological sense, unwarranted faith in maternal oxygen therapy may delay the indicated intervention or result in continued labor stimulation when neither is in the best interests of the fetus. A properly designed clinical trial would help answer whether maternal oxygen supplementation in labor should be considered an indicated intervention for nonreassuring fetal status.
Splicing-independent recruitment of spliceosomal small nuclear RNPs to nascent RNA polymerase II transcripts

In amphibian oocytes, most lateral loops of the lampbrush chromosomes correspond to active transcriptional sites for RNA polymerase II. We show that newly assembled small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP [snRNP]) particles, which are formed upon cytoplasmic injection of fluorescently labeled spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), target the nascent transcripts of the chromosomal loops. With this new targeting assay, we demonstrate that nonfunctional forms of U1 and U2 snRNAs still associate with the active transcriptional units. In particular, we find that their association with nascent RNP fibrils is independent of their base pairing with pre–messenger RNAs. Additionally, stem loop I of the U1 snRNA is identified as a discrete domain that is both necessary and sufficient for association with nascent transcripts. Finally, in oocytes deficient in splicing, the recruitment of U1, U4, and U5 snRNPs to transcriptional units is not affected. Collectively, these data indicate that the recruitment of snRNPs to nascent transcripts and the assembly of the spliceosome are uncoupled events.
Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cucumber fermentation brines.

Abstract: Bacterial pathogens have been reported on fresh cucumbers and other vegetables used for commercial fermentation. The Food and Drug Administration currently has a 5-log reduction standard for E. coli O157:H7 and other vegetative pathogens in acidified pickle products. For fermented vegetables, which are acid foods, there is little data documenting the conditions needed to kill acid resistant pathogens. To address this knowledge gap, we obtained 10 different cucumber fermentation brines at different stages of fermentation from 5 domestic commercial plants. Cucumber brines were used to represent vegetable fermentations because cabbage and other vegetables may have inhibitory compounds that may affect survival. The 5-log reduction times for E. coli O157:H7 strains in the commercial brines were found to be positively correlated with brine pH, and ranged from 3 to 24 d for pH values of 3.2 to 4.6, respectively. In a laboratory cucumber juice medium that had been previously fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum or Leuconostoc mesenteroides (pH 3.9), a 5-log reduction was achieved within 1 to 16 d depending on pH, acid concentration, and temperature. During competitive growth at 30 °C in the presence of L. plantarum or L. mesenteroides in cucumber juice, E. coli O157:H7 cell numbers were reduced to below the level of detection within 2 to 3 d. These data may be used to aid manufacturers of fermented vegetable products determine safe production practices based on fermentation pH and temperature. Practical Application: Disease causing strains of the bacterium E. coli may be present on fresh vegetables. Our investigation determined the time needed to kill E. coli in cucumber fermentation brines and how E. coli strains are killed in competition with naturally present lactic acid bacteria. Our results showed how brine pH and other brine conditions affected the killing of E. coli strains. These data can be used by producers of fermented vegetable products to help assure consumer safety.
A Generic Environment-Resistant Packaging Technology for MEMS

This paper presents a new generic MEMS packaging technology for thermal and vibration isolation of a MEMS device using an isolation platform crab-leg shaped isolation suspension beams, fabricated from a 100 mum-thick glass wafer. The packaging technology is both hermetic and vacuum compatible to pressures <10 mTorr, and it provides vertical feedthroughs for signal transfer. A new and generic MEMS die transfer/assembly technique is also developed that can handle a wide variety of individual MEMS chips or wafers, in either a hybrid or integrated fashion. A silicon die with a heater and temperature sensor was fabricated, transferred, and packaged to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method. A measured thermal impedance of 3000 K/W and feedthrough contact resistance of less than 2Omega has been demonstrated with this package.
The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Yoga During Pregnancy on Maternal Psychological and Physical Distress

Objective: To examine the feasibility and level of acceptability of a mindful yoga intervention provided during pregnancy and to gather preliminary data on the efficacy of the intervention in reducing distress. Design: Baseline and post-treatment measures examined state and trait anxiety, perceived stress, pain, and morning salivary cortisol in a single treatment group. Postintervention data also included participant evaluation of the intervention.
Characterization of a replicative DNA polymerase mutant with reduced fidelity and increased translesion synthesis capacity

Changing a highly conserved amino acid in motif A of any of the four yeast family B DNA polymerases, DNA polymerase α, δ, ɛ or ζ, results in yeast strains with elevated mutation rates. In order to better understand this phenotype, we have performed structure–function studies of homologous mutants of RB69 DNA polymerase (RB69 pol), a structural model for family B members. When Leu415 in RB69 pol is replaced with phenylalanine or glycine, the mutant polymerases retain high-catalytic efficiency for correct nucleotide incorporation, yet have increased error rates due to increased misinsertion, increased mismatch extension and inefficient proofreading. The Leu415Phe mutant also has increased dNTP insertion efficiency opposite a template 8-oxoG and opposite an abasic site. The 2.5 A crystal structure of a ternary complex of RB69 L415F pol with a correctly base-paired incoming dTTP reveals that the phenylalanine ring is accommodated within a cavity seen in the wild-type enzyme, without steric clash or major change in active site geometry, consistent with retention of high-catalytic efficiency for correct incorporation. In addition, slight structural differences were observed that could be relevant to the reduced fidelity of L415F RB69 pol.
Distributed and structured analysis approaches to study large and complex systems

Both the logic and the stochastic analysis of discrete-state systems are hindered by the combinatorial growth of the state space underlying a high-level model. In this work, we consider two orthogonal approaches to cope with this "state-space explosion". Distributed algorithms that make use of the processors and memory overall available on a network of N workstations can manage models with state spaces approximately N times larger than what is possible on a single workstation. A second approach, constituting a fundamental paradigm shift, is instead based on decision diagrams and related implicit data structures that efficiently encode the state space or the transition rate matrix of a model, provided that it has some structure to guide its decomposition; with these implicit methods, enormous sets can be managed efficiently, but the numerical solution of the stochastic model, if desired, is still a bottleneck, as it requires vectors of the size of the state space.
Piecewise potential vorticity diagnosis of the development of a polar low over the Sea of Japan

The piecewise potential vorticity (PV) inversion method developed by Davis and Emanuel (1991) is used to diagnose the development processes of a polar low over the Sea of Japan in December 2003. The synoptic scale-balanced flows associated with the polar low are successfully captured using the inversion method. It is shown that, antecedent to the development of the polar low, a positive lower-tropospheric temperature anomaly was induced by the approach of a positive tropopause-level PV anomaly over the northern Sea of Japan. The analysis suggests that the polar low was initiated as a result of the combined effect of the positive PV anomaly near the tropopause and the near-surface positive temperature anomaly. The rapid height falls in the lower troposphere were primarily contributed by the upper tropospheric PV anomaly. Further intensification of the polar low was afforded by latent heat release associated with cloud and precipitation processes. After the polar low moved over northern Honshu, quick dissipation was primarily rendered by the thinning and elongating of the upper level PV anomaly that led to a rapid reduction of the lower troposphere height perturbations associated with it.
New device models of quantum well infrared photodetectors

Summary form only given. Recent numerical work (Ershov et al, 1997; Thibaudeau et al, 1996) has shown that at low operating temperatures or large incident photon fluxes, carriers deplete from the quantum wells near the emitter contact in a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP). This work finds a physical model (with closed form analytical expressions) which explains the recent numerical work on carrier depletion in QWIPs. The physical model found in this work is computationally much less intensive than the full numerical model, but retains the essential physics. As an example, we have considered device designs with the same periodic structure (the same compositions and layer widths) throughout the QWIP. In our physical model, the incident radiative flux was fixed, while the device behavior was studied for a varying applied bias. The current was seen to rise linearly with the applied bias in the different operating regimes, but with a different differential resistance in each operating regime. The physics behind this device characteristic was studied, and results are summarized here.
Validation of aircraft and satellite remote sensing of brightness temperature and derived soil moisture using a hydrologic/radiobrightness model

This investigation is aimed at using a coupled hydrologic/radiobrightness model to validate remotely sensed brightness temperatures measured from aircraft and the satellite and derived moisture. The advantage of this approach is that the model can bridge the discontinuities in space and time among many observations at disparate scales and provide estimates of measurement uncertainty. This effort was focused on data generated during the Soil Moisture Experiments in 2002. Results are preliminary at this time and have served to raise numerous questions that are directing current and future research.
Role Conflict, Role Balance and Affect: A Model of Well-being of the Working Student

A conceptual model of the working college students’ well-being was developed and tested. This study extends existing research and investigated the process by which role-balance, role-conflict and affect are associated with a student’s well-being. Data were obtained from a sample of 320 full-time college students (18-23 years old) who had either a full and a part-time paid job. The model was tested using structural equation modeling. Results supported the proposed conceptual model as well as the enrichment and depletion arguments of students’ engagement in multiple roles and their well-being.
In Defense of Diverse Forms of Knowledge

The question, “What kind of political science would you like to see in the next 10 years?” raises several problems: Should I consult my self-serving or my communitarian self in framing an answer? Should I say what practices I would prefer? Or should I recommend what directions the profession should take? More generally, should we be talking about the organization of political science? Or should we refer to the profession's current epistemological conundrums? In his Science as a Vocation, Max Weber first addresses the structure and economic incentives of German university careers, then turns to more philosophical questions: What is “science”? What meanings and usages does “science” convey? What questions can it answer? (Answer: it cannot tell us how to live.) Is it cumulative? Or is Thomas Kuhn right about the noncumulative nature of scientific revolutions? Focusing on the epistemological issues, I'll try to avoid the monopolistic question, “What direction should the profession take?” in favor of the pluralist question, “What variety of knowledge regimes would I like the profession to enable?”
Influence of Particle Size and Polymer−Filler Coupling on Viscoelastic Glass Transition of Particle-Reinforced Polymers

The viscoelastic glass-to-rubber softening transition is analyzed for various cross-linked polymers reinforced with filler particles. We find that the loss modulus peak corresponding to the segmental relaxation process (glass transition) is not significantly affected by the particle surface area in carbon black-filled polybutadiene or by silane chemical coupling of poly(styrene-co-butadiene) to silica. Large differences in shape and magnitude of the peak in the loss tangent (tan δ) vs temperature are noted for these materials; however, this is due to variations in the storage modulus at small strains in the rubbery state, which is influenced by the nature of the jammed filler network. The use of a simple relaxation model demonstrates this feature of the viscoelastic glass transition in filled rubber. It is not necessary to invoke concepts involving a mobility-restricted polymer layer near the filler surfaces to explain the viscoelastic results. Atomic force microscopy conducted with an ultrasharp tungsten tip indicates that there may be some stiffening of the elastomer in the proximity of filler particles, but this does not translate into an appreciable effect on the segmental dynamics in these materials.
Narrative planning: balancing plot and character

Narrative, and in particular storytelling, is an important part of the human experience. Consequently, computational systems that can reason about narrative can be more effective communicators, entertainers, educators, and trainers. One of the central challenges in computational narrative reasoning is narrative generation, the automated creation of meaningful event sequences. There are many factors - logical and aesthetic - that contribute to the success of a narrative artifact. Central to this success is its understandability. We argue that the following two attributes of narratives are universal: (a) the logical causal progression of plot, and (b) character believability. Character believability is the perception by the audience that the actions performed by characters do not negatively impact the audience's suspension of disbelief. Specifically, characters must be perceived by the audience to be intentional agents. In this article, we explore the use of refinement search as a technique for solving the narrative generation problem - to find a sound and believable sequence of character actions that transforms an initial world state into a world state in which goal propositions hold. We describe a novel refinement search planning algorithm - the Intent-based Partial Order Causal Link (IPOCL) planner - that, in addition to creating causally sound plot progression, reasons about character intentionality by identifying possible character goals that explain their actions and creating plan structures that explain why those characters commit to their goals. We present the results of an empirical evaluation that demonstrates that narrative plans generated by the IPOCL algorithm support audience comprehension of character intentions better than plans generated by conventional partial-order planners.
A single-chip FPGA implementation of real-time adaptive background model

This paper demonstrates the use of a single chip FPGA for the extraction of highly accurate background models in real time. The models are based on 24 bit RGB values and 8 bit grayscale intensity values. Three background models are presented, all using a camcorder, single FPGA chip, four blocks of RAM and a display unit. The architectures have been implemented and tested using a Panasonic NV-DS60B digital video camera connected to a Celoxica RC300 prototyping platform with a Xilinx Virtex II XC2v6000 FPGA and 4 banks of onboard RAM. The novel FPGA architecture presented has the advantages of minimizing latency and the movement of large datasets, by conducting time critical processes on BlockRAM. The systems operate at clock rates ranging from 57MHz to 65MHz and are capable of performing preprocessing functions like temporal low pass filtering on standard frame size of 640 times 480 pixels at up to 210 frames per second
Heterocoagulation in Magnesium Hydroxide and Aluminum Hydroxycarbonate Suspensions

Abstract Magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxycarbonate interact in mixed suspensions resulting in the formation of agglomerates containing both types of particles. Direct visual evidence of the phenomenon was gained from scanning electron microscopy studies carried out on a model of the system employing a highly crystalline magnesium hydroxide of large particle size and from transmission electron microscopy of mixed colloidal suspensions. Doppler electrophoretic light scattering measurements on mixed colloid systems supported the findings as two distinct electrokinetic populations of particles were initially present which corresponded to the zeta potentials of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxycarbonate. The two populations were observed to transform over time into a single population having an intermediate zeta potential. Solubilization of both types of particles apparently takes place, leading to changes in bulk pH and ionic strength of the mixtures.
Exploiting Burstiness in Reviews for Review Spammer Detection

Online product reviews have become an important source of user opinions. Due to profit or fame, imposters have been writing deceptive or fake reviews to promote and/or to demote some target products or services. Such imposters are called review spammers. In the past few years, several approaches have been proposed to deal with the problem. In this work, we take a different approach, which exploits the burstiness nature of reviews to identify review spammers. Bursts of reviews can be either due to sudden popularity of products or spam attacks. Reviewers and reviews appearing in a burst are often related in the sense that spammers tend to work with other spammers and genuine reviewers tend to appear together with other genuine reviewers. This paves the way for us to build a network of reviewers appearing in different bursts. We then model reviewers and their cooccurrence in bursts as a Markov Random Field (MRF), and employ the Loopy Belief Propagation (LBP) method to infer whether a reviewer is a spammer or not in the graph. We also propose several features and employ feature induced message passing in the LBP framework for network inference. We further propose a novel evaluation method to evaluate the detected spammers automatically using supervised classification of their reviews. Additionally, we employ domain experts to perform a human evaluation of the identified spammers and non-spammers. Both the classification result and human evaluation result show that the proposed method outperforms strong baselines, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Impact of Bounded Delay on Resource Consumption-M/D/1 Model

This chapter investigates the impact of bounded delays on throughput in VoIP networks modeled by M/D/1. Chapter 4 modeled the VoIP traffic as an M/M/1 system. Although the M/M/1 system is easier to analyze, the M/D/1 assumption for analyzing VoIP system might be more realistic in some cases. In contrast to contemporary literature that largely focuses on average delay to estimate the Quality of Service, our model focuses on an upper bound of delay, referred to as delay threshold. Traffic that exceeds the delay threshold is treated as lost throughput. The results obtained can be used in scaling resources in a multi-hop network for attaining specified levels of throughput under different thresholds of acceptable delays. Both single-hop and multi-hop transfers are addressed. The theoretical analysis presented in this chapter is further corroborated by simulation. The findings presented in this chapter will be very relevant to multi-hop network applications where received data that are older than a specified threshold period are not relevant and must be discarded. The contents of this chapter have partially been published in [84].
Host-Microbiota Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Antibiotic-Associated Diseases

SUMMARY Improved understanding of the interplay between host and microbes stands to illuminate new avenues for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Here, we provide a high-resolution view of the dynamics between host and gut microbiota during antibiotic-induced intestinal microbiota depletion, opportunistic Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium difficile pathogenesis, and recovery from these perturbed states in a mouse model. Hostcentric proteome and microbial community profiles provide a nuanced longitudinal view, revealing the interdependence between host and microbiota in evolving dysbioses. Time- and condition-specific molecular and microbial signatures are evident and clearly distinguished from pathogen-independent inflammatory fingerprints. Our data reveal that mice recovering from antibiotic treatment or C. difficile infection retain lingering signatures of inflammation, despite compositional normalization of the microbiota, and host responses could be rapidly and durably relieved through fecal transplant. These experiments demonstrate insights that emerge from the combination of these orthogonal, untargeted approaches to the gastrointestinal ecosystem.
The relationship between fecal incontinence, constipation and defecatory symptoms in women with pelvic floor disorders.

Aims To determine if fecal incontinence (FI) is associated with constipation and defecatory symptoms in women with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. Methods Cross-sectional study of women seeking care for urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. FI was defined as a positive response to the question, “During the last 4 weeks how often have you leaked or soiled yourself with stool?” Constipation and defecatory symptoms, including straining, sensation of incomplete emptying, and splinting, were measured using the Birmingham Bowel Symptom Questionnaire and the Colorectal Anal Distress Inventory. Prevalence and severity of constipation and defecatory symptoms were compared between women with and without FI. We performed separate multivariable regression analyses for the association of FI and constipation and defecatory symptoms while adjusting for potential confounders. Results We included 1,015 women: 422 (44%) with and 593 (56%) without FI. Women with FI compared to those without FI were more likely to report constipation (76% vs. 66%) as well as straining (53% vs. 38%), sensation of incomplete emptying (58% vs. 40%) and splinting (30% vs. 20%), all P < 0.001. Women with FI reported greater severity of constipation (4.3 ± 4.3 vs. 3.1 ± 3.6, P < 0.001), straining (2.7 ± 1 vs. 2.5 ± 0.9, P = 0.02) and sense of incomplete emptying (2.6 ± 1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.9, P = 0.02) than women without FI. Even after controlling for potential confounders, the diagnosis of FI was significantly associated with constipation and defecatory symptoms. Conclusions In women with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse, diagnosis of FI is associated with constipation and other defecatory symptoms; which impacts evaluation and management strategies. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ideology and the Congressional Vote Appendix

A large class of theoretical models posits that voters choose candidates on the basis of issue congruence, but convincing empirical tests of this key claim remain elusive. The most persistent difficulty is obtaining comparable spatial estimates for winning and losing candidates, as well as voters. We address these issues using candidate surveys to characterize the electoral platforms for winners and losers, and large issue batteries in 2008 and 2010 to estimate voter preferences. Questions that were answered by both candidates and citizens allow us to jointly scale these estimates. We find robust evidence that vote choice in congressional elections is strongly associated with spatial proximity. Individual-level and contextual variables commonly associated with congressional voting behavior condition the importance of spatial proximity for vote choice, yet ideological considerations still continue to play a substantial role in vote choice. Our results have important implications for theories of voter decision-making and electoral institutions.
Binocular fusion not affected by observer’s interpretation of the stimulus

Prism vergence thresholds were compared under two conditions: (a) in which each subject believed that he was looking at a single object with both eyes; and (b) in which each subject believed that he was looking at two different objects, one seen from each eye. Thresholds were not significantly different under the two conditions.
MOBILITIES AND REACTIVITIES OF MOLECULAR IONS IN COMBUSTION AND HYPERSONICS

Mobility and reactivity are studied for the tertiary butyl cation (t-C 4 H 9 + ), a major and stable product of fuel alkanes in ion-enhanced hydrocarbon combustion. The reduced zero-field mobilities of t-C 4 H 9 + in He, N 2 , O 2 , and H 2 O are determined to be K 0 (0) = 14.8 ± 0.6, 3.7 ± 0.8, 3.3 ± 0.8, and 0.04 ± 0.02 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , respectively. While the mobility values in the nonpolar gases are in general agreement with theoretical calculations, the mobility in H 2 O is extraordinary low. Collisioninduced dissociation of t-C 4 H 9 + indicates that the ion is stable with the dissociation threshold energy (E cm ) of approximately 2 eV. Compared to other hydrocarbon cations, the t-C 4 H 9 + ion is totally non-reactive with O 2 , N 2 O, NO, and NO 2 (k < 10 -12 cm 3 s -1 ) in a drift field of up to E/N ! 60 Td (E cm ! 0.7 eV). The study has also been extended to gas phase chemistry of deprotonated nitroalkane anions (R 2 C=NO 2 - ), key intermediates in ion-enhanced combustion/detonation of nitroalkanes.
Control of Imported Fire Ants with Chlordane

One application of 1 lb or more or 2 applications of ¼ or ½ lb of chlordane per acre afforded good control of the imported fire ant. Solenopsis sacvissima richteri Forel. The duration of good control varied from 1 to 2 years.
Demonstration of a Dog Maintained for Sixteen Weeks Solely by Jejunal Alimentation in the Presence of Loss of Gastric Juice.

In order to answer certain questions relative to the general problems of gastric secretion and intestinal obstruction, some method of maintaining dogs indefinitely by jejunal alimentation was desired. Also, the clinician is not infrequently confronted with the question of the proper method and pabulum to use in certain jejunostomy cases. The difficulty that is generally encountered in attempting to feed animals and man via a jejunostomy is that diarrhea and enteritis are so likely to occur.Obviously, such a method should consist, first, of a bland, nonirritating, easily digested pabulum containing all the essential food elements and, second, it should be administered slowly, simulating the manner of emptying of the stomach. It might be thought that the pabulum should be predigested with gastric juice and pancreatin and glucose added. We have tried this a number of times, but have found that such a mixture was irritating to the bowel.After considerable preliminary experimentation on jejunal fistula dogs, a...
One-Sided Limits and Integrability

(1972). One-Sided Limits and Integrability. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 19-21.
Calorie and nutrient intakes of elderly and young subjects measured under identical conditions.

The calorie and nutrient intakes of elderly and young healthy males and females were monitored for four days at the MIT Clinical Research Center. Subjects were free to select foods for meals and snacks from among a variety of high protein and high carbohydrate foods; when necessary, fat was added to make the foods isocaloric. The elderly subjects consumed significantly fewer calories, carbohydrates, and fat than the young subjects, both absolutely and when adjusted for differences in body weight (p less than .001). Mealtime protein intake when adjusted for body weight was similar among males of both age groups and significantly greater than the intakes of both young and elderly females (p less than .001). However, young males consumed more protein from snacks than young females or older adults and thus exhibited the highest daily protein intakes. The two age groups differed significantly in their pattern of food intake from meals and snacks. Elderly adults consumed almost 85% of their total calories from meals, whereas the younger adults consumed about 72% (p less than .001) from meals. Both groups snacked mainly on carbohydrate-rich foods. The elderly subjects consumed significantly fewer snacks than the young; their daily average consumption was 2.2 and that of the young, 4.5 (p less than .001). The persistence of different patterns of food intake between young and elderly individuals when measured under identical clinical conditions suggests that age per se, in addition to age-associated lifestyle changes, may affect eating behavior.
Delivery of nicotine aerosol to mice via a modified electronic cigarette device

Abstract Background Although both men and women use e-cigarettes, most preclinical nicotine research has focused on its effects in male rodents following injection. The goals of the present study were to develop an effective e-cigarette nicotine delivery system, to compare results to those obtained after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection, and to examine sex differences in the model. Methods Hypothermia and locomotor suppression were assessed following aerosol exposure or s.c. injection with nicotine in female and male mice. Subsequently, plasma and brain concentrations of nicotine and cotinine were measured. Results Passive exposure to nicotine aerosol produced concentration-dependent and mecamylamine reversible hypothermic and locomotor suppressant effects in female and male mice, as did s.c. nicotine injection. In plasma and brain, nicotine and cotinine concentrations showed dose/concentration-dependent increases in both sexes following each route of administration. Sex differences in nicotine-induced hypothermia were dependent upon route of administration, with females showing greater hypothermia following aerosol exposure and males showing greater hypothermia following injection. In contrast, when they occurred, sex differences in nicotine and cotinine levels in brain and plasma consistently showed greater concentrations in females than males, regardless of route of administration. Discussion In summary, the e-cigarette exposure device described herein was used successfully to deliver pharmacologically active doses of nicotine to female and male mice. Further, plasma nicotine concentrations following exposure were similar to those after s.c. injection with nicotine and within the range observed in human smokers. Future research on vaped products can be strengthened by inclusion of translationally relevant routes of administration.