cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear Time Logic Control of Discrete-Time Linear Systems

The control of complex systems poses new challenges that fall beyond the traditional methods of control theory. One of these challenges is given by the need to control, coordinate and synchronize the operation of several interacting submodules within a system. The desired objectives are no longer captured by usual control specifications such as stabilization or output regulation. Instead, we consider specifications given by linear temporal logic (LTL) formulas. We show that existence of controllers for discrete-time controllable linear systems and LTL specifications can be decided and that such controllers can be effectively computed. The closed-loop system is of hybrid nature, combining the original continuous dynamics with the automatically synthesized switching logic required to enforce the specification
The relative age of the escarpments in the Martian polar laminated terrain based on morphology

Abstract Three theories have been proposed to explain the morphology of large-scale topographic features seen in the Martian polar laminated terrain. These features, which are subcircular in planimetric form, appear as dark bands in wide-angle Mariner 9 frames of the polar cap. Two of the theories (by Sagan and Murray) suggest that the features are constructional, built up through deformation of thick CO 2 layers or built through localized deposition of ice and dust. Another theory (Cutts) suggests the features are channels and escarpments cut into a pre-existing, featureless, layered plateau. The constructional theories suggest that the features were formed sequentially while the erosive theory suggests formation was more or less simultaneous. An experiment was performed to test whether it was possible to discern the relative age of the features. It was assumed that if the features are constructional, continued exposure to erosional processes would change their planimetric form with time. Murray has postulated which features are oldest and which are youngest. It was found, however, that the supposed oldest features were statistically neither significantly more nor less irregular than the supposed youngest escarpments. This evidence has led to the conclusion that the features were probably carved nearly simultaneously into a previously deposited, featureless, stratified plateau rather than being constructed sequentially.
Collagen Restoration in Healing Human Gingiva

Wound healing in human gingiva was stud. ied on 15 gingivectomy and 85 second biopsy sections taken at 6, 7, 14, 21, or 28 days after gingivectomy. Hydroxyproline concentration did not indicate completion of healing by 28 days. Projected time for completion of connective tissue repair was 49 days.
A graphical test for local self-similarity in univariate data

The Pareto distribution, or power-law distribution, has long been used to model phenomena in many fields, including wildfire sizes, earthquake seismic moments and stock price changes. Recent observations have brought the fit of the Pareto into question, however, particularly in the upper tail where it often overestimates the frequency of the largest events. This paper proposes a graphical self-similarity test specifically designed to assess whether a Pareto distribution fits better than a tapered Pareto or another alternative. Unlike some model selection methods, this graphical test provides the advantage of highlighting where the model fits well and where it breaks down. Specifically, for data that seem to be better modeled by the tapered Pareto or other alternatives, the test assesses the degree of local self-similarity at each value where the test is computed. The basic properties of the graphical test and its implementation are discussed, and applications of the test to seismological, wildfire, and fi...
A Case of a Four-Year-Old Boy with Hyperlexia: Some Considerations for Diagnosis and Treatment from a Psychodynamic Perspective

This article examines a case of a four-year-old boy presenting with hyperlexia who was seen in twice-a-week psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy over a nine-month period. Hyperlexia can be defined as a speech-language disorder with significant problems in language learning and social skills, often accompanied by a fascination with letters, patterns, numbers and logos, and precocious reading and writing. Treatment focused primarily on the boy’s psychological conflicts and relationships, rather than on implementing the typical language and education strategies for hyperlexia. Results of this treatment support the hypothesis that hyperlexia can be usefully conceptualized as a symptom arising from biological predisposition and severe emotional stress or trauma. General issues pertaining to the conceptualization, diagnosis and treatment of hyperlexia are also addressed.
A New START for Sildenafil in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Reframing the Dose–Survival Relationship in the STARTS-2 Trial

Pharmacotherapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has evolved dramatically over the past decade. One of the agents at the vanguard of this evolution was sildenafil, which was reported in 2005 to improve exercise capacity, functional status, and hemodynamics in a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) of adults with PAH (SUPER-1) 1 , and has since become a therapeutic mainstay 2 . Based in part on the promising early findings of SUPER-1, sildenafil was studied in treatment-naive children and adolescents as part of the first ever RCT for pediatric PAH, STARTS-1, which randomized patients to placebo or 1 of 3 dose-ranges of sildenafil 3 . After the 16-week evaluation, patients were allowed to remain on therapy in the extension trial, STARTS-2, which continued sildenafil in treated patients and randomized those in the placebo arm to one of the sildenafil doses. STARTS-1 enrolled 234 patients over 4.5 years at 32 centers, the vast majority of whom continued in STARTS-2.
Disruption of transcription in vitro and gene expression in vivo by DNA adducts derived from a benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide located in heterologous sequences

Previous studies indicated a high affinity of the transcription factor Sp1 for DNA adducts derived from benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE) in sequences that are not normal binding sites for Sp1. We tested for functional effects of this phenomenon in three systems in which transcription is Sp1-dependent. In an in vitro, Sp1-dependent transcription system addition of heterologous plasmid DNA containing BPDE adducts abolished production of a specific run-off transcript. This inhibition was not seen with unmodified plasmid DNA, and could be overcome by addition of purified Sp1 protein. In SL2 insect cells, high-level expression of an Sp1-dependent reporter gene, which was dependent on co-transfection of an Sp1 expression vector, was inhibited >95% by co-transfection of heterologous DNA containing BPDE adducts. This inhibition could be partially overcome by increasing the amount of the Sp1 expression vector in the transfections. In human C33A cells, expression of a transfected reporter gene driven by a GC box containing fragment of the human E2F1 promoter was enhanced by co-transfection of an Sp1 expression plasmid. Expression was inhibited 3-6-fold by co-transfection of heterologous DNA containing BPDE-DNA adducts. A similar inhibition was seen in human SAOS-2 cells, which lack functional p53 protein. These data are consistent with functionally significant sequestration of the Sp1 transcription factor by BPDE-DNA adducts in all three systems. Altered availability of transcription factors such as Sp1 in carcinogen-treated cells may disrupt patterns of gene expression.
VALIDATION OF USING EMS DISPATCH CODES TO IDENTIFY LOW-ACUITY PATIENTS

Objective. To validate the predictive ability of previously derived emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch codes to identify patients with low-acuity illnesses. Methods. This prospective descrip...
Interval-based Inverse Problems with Uncertainties

Abstract Inverse problems in science and engineering aim at estimating model parameters of a physical system using observations of the model's response. Variational least square type approaches are typically adopted, solving the forward model, and then comparing the resulting modeled data with the actual measured data. The data mismatch is minimized and the process is iterated until the best match is achieved. However, data measurements are associated with uncertainties, and deterministic inverse algorithms hardly provide the associated error estimates for the model parameters. In this work, an interval-based iterative solution is presented to predict such errors, using adjoint-based optimization and the containment-stopping criterion.
Individual differences in the metacontrol of lateralization for recognizing facial expressions of emotion

Abstract Subjects judged whether two faces expressed same or different emotions. Subjects were alternately instructed to empathize with or label the first face which was shown for eight seconds. The second face was then exposed briefly, in either the left or right visual field. Eighteen subjects had contrasting hemisphere superiorities in accuracy for making same/different judgments under the two instructions, whereas 12 subjects had consistent hemisphere superiorities. It is proposed that individuals may differ in the metacontrol of lateralization on a task, such that for some individuals, the hemisphere controlling cognitive operations can switch as a function of instructions, expectations, and strategies. For other individuals, the metacontrol of lateralization may dictate that the same hemisphere always controls processing on a particular task.
Women, Karate, and Gender Typing*

When women have the physical ability to overcome men, a major basis of cognitive categorization is violated and dissonance created. Two dissonance-resolving mechanisms take place-derision and denial. A study of women trained in Karate1 provided an opportunity to examine these dissonance-reducing mechanisms. Results from fieldwork and questionnaires administered to both participants in Karate and a sample of students reveal that dissonace created by women's skills is most often resolved by denying skill. rather than by denigration of the woman's self. Field observations suggest that a psychology of tokenism operates; men discount women's achievement presumably gained by satisfying gender-independent criteria.
Dimensionality estimate of the manifold in chemical composition space for a turbulent premixed H2 + air flame†

The dimensionality (D) of manifolds of active chemical composition space has been measured using three different approaches: the Hausdorff geometrical binning method, Principal Component Analysis, and the Grassberger-Procaccia cumulative distribution method. A series of artificial manifolds is also generated using a Monte Carlo approach to discern the advantages and limitations of the three methods. Dimensionality is quantified for different levels of turbulent intensity in a simulation of the interactions of a 2D premixed hydrogen flame with a localized region of turbulence superimposed over the cold region upstream of the flame front. The simulations are conducted using an adaptive mesh refinement code for low Mach number reacting flows. By treating the N{sub s} species and temperature of the local thermo-chemical state as a point in multi-dimensional chemical composition space, a snapshot of a flame region is mapped into chemical composition space to generate the manifold associated with the 2-D flame system. An increase in D was observed with increasing turbulent intensity for all three methods. Although each method provides useful information, the Grassberger-Procaccia method is subject to fewer artifacts than the other two thereby providing the most reliable quantification of D.
Prediction of halite, gypsum, and anhydrite solubility in natural brines under subsurface conditions

Abstract Prediction of the solubility of the evaporite minerals halite, gypsum, and anhydrite in brines has numerous scientific and practical applications. This paper presents a Pitzer equation-based model for predicting the solubility of these minerals in Na + -K + -H + -Ca 2+ -Mg 2+ -Cl − -OH − -SO 4 2− -H 2 O solutions of varying composition as a function of temperature and pressure. Model predictions compare well with experimental observations. As an example of the utility of this program, the volume of CaSO 4 precipitated as a brine flows up a pipe from 6000 m depth is predicted. This is done as a function of flow distance for different cooling rates of the brine. Results indicate that if the brine can be cooled to near the geothermal gradient no precipitation will take place.
Pyridazines. II. The synthesis of amino-, azido- and nitraminopyridazines, tetrazolo[1,5-b] pyridazines and related nitrogen heterocycles

The remaining three diaminopyridazines, 3, 4, 5-triaminopyridazine and several nitraminopyridazines have been prepared. The structure of 3,4, 5-triaminopyridazine and the 3, 5-diamino-4-nitropyridazine precursor have been established by n.in.r. analysis. In addition 8-amino-6-chloro-, 8-amino-6-hydrazino- and 8-amino-6-azidotetrazolo-[1, 5-b]pyridazine has been synthesized along with 4, 6-dihydrazino- and 4, 6-diazido-pyrimidine. Several other chemical transformation of these compounds are described.
Cholesterol Regulation of Atrial GIRk Channels

In recent years, cholesterol emerged as a major regulator of ion channel function. The most common effect of cholesterol on ion channels is a decrease in channel activity. Here we focus on G-protein gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK or Kir3) channels that play an important role in regulating membrane excitability in cardiac, neuronal and endocrine cells. We have recently shown that unexpectedly cholesterol enrichment up-regulates GIRK activity in atrial myocytes. In accordance, we also observed elevated GIRK currents in cholesterol-enriched Xenopus oocytes expressing the GIRK1/GIRK4 heteromers, the two pore-forming subunits expressed in the heart. In this study, we addressed two questions: (1) is there a correlation between cholesterol and atrial GIRK currents in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in-vivo and (2) what is the biophysical basis of cholesterol-induced increase in GIRK activity. Our results show that feeding rats high-cholesterol diet for 21-22 weeks resulted in ∼2.5-fold increase in serum LDL levels without any change in HDL and ∼1.8-fold increase in cholesterol level in the atrial tissue. Furthermore, this increase results in up to 3-fold increase in atrial GIRK currents. We also demonstrate here that cholesterol enrichment in-vitro has no effect on the surface expression of the GFP-tagged GIRK channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, as measured by fluorescent microscopy. This observation was confirmed in HEK293 cells using TIRF microscopy. Most importantly, using planar lipid bilayers we show that cholesterol significantly increases the open probability of the GIRK channels. No change was observed in the unitary conductance. Thus, taken together, our data indicate that up-regulation of GIRK channels by cholesterol is not a result of an increase in their surface expression but is due to the increase in their open probability.
Thermodynamics of Binding of Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc to theN-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Ion Channel Peptidic Inhibitors, Conantokin-G and Conantokin-T

Abstract The binding isotherms of the divalent metal cations, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+, to the synthetic γ-carboxyglutamic acid-containing neuroactive peptides, conantokin-G (con-G) and conantokin-T (con-T), have been determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) at 25 °C and pH 6.5. We have previously shown by potentiometric measurements that con-G contains 2–3 equivalent Ca2+ sites with an average K d value of 2800 μm. With Mg2+ as the ligand, two separate exothermic sites are obtained by ITC, one of K d = 46 μmand another of K d = 311 μm. Much tighter binding of Zn2+ is observed for these latter two sites (K d values = 0.2 μm and 1.1 μm), and a third considerably weaker binding site is observed, characterized by a K d value of 286 μm and an endothermic enthalpy of binding. con-T possesses a single exothermic tight binding site for Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+, with K dvalues of 428 μm, 10.2 μm, and 0.5 μm, respectively. Again, in the case of con-T, a weak (K d = 410 μm) endothermic binding site is observed for Zn2+. The binding of these cations to con-G and con-T result in an increase in the α-helical content of the peptides. However, this helix is somewhat destabilized in both cases by binding of Zn2+ to its weakest site. Since the differences observed in binding affinities of these three cations to the peptides are substantially greater than their comparative K d values to malonate, we conclude that the structure of the peptide and, most likely, the steric and geometric properties imposed on the cation site as a result of peptide folding greatly influence the strength of the interaction of cations with con-G and con-T. Further, since the Zn2+ concentrations released in the synaptic cleft during excitatory synaptic activity are sufficiently high relative to the K d of Zn2+ for con-G and con-T, this cation along with Mg2+, are most likely the most significant metal ion ligands of these peptides in neuronal cells.
Performance of Male Broilers Changed from Starter to Finisher Diets at Different Ages

Abstract Two experiments were conducted, one in the spring and a second in the summer, involving 960 male broiler chicks per experiment. A practical starter diet, containing 23% protein and 3200 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME), was fed for different durations (20, 25, 30, and 35 days). Either an 18% or 20% protein finisher diet (isocaloric with 3250 kcal/kg ME) was fed for the remainder of the growing period (49 days). Each of eight treatments was replicated in three floor pens of 40 birds each. The days of diet change and the protein content of the finisher diet had little effect on final body weight (49 days) and total feed consumption. Feed conversion and percent abdominal fat were significantly (P
Infertility in the Turkey: I. Effects of Anti-Sperm Immune Globulins on Fertilizing Ability of Turkey Spermatozoa

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of globulins, isolated from sera of turkey hens immunized against semen, on the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa and the hatchability of eggs. Sperm were incubated in sera from hens immunized against semen and in sera from non-immunized hens as well as in globulin solutions isolated from these various sera. In neither experiment did sera from control hens or gamma globulins isolated from their sera affect the fertilizing ability of sperm. In contrast, all sera from immunized hens drastically reduced the fertilizing ability of sperm. In Experiment 1, .75% gamma globulin solutions from two hens did not depress fertility but a 1.5% solution from one of the immunized hens significantly (P less than .05) reduced it. In this experiment none of the treatments had a significant effect on hatchability. Antisemen globulin solutions of 2.25 and 4.50% from 12 hens significantly reduced the fertilizing ability of sperm in dose related fashion. The higher of the two levels suppressed it to the level of whole sera. Hatchability of fertile eggs was significantly reduced by the anti-semen sera and globulins isolated from it in the second experiment.
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF A NEW INTRACELLULAR SYMBIOTIC ALGA FOUND WITHIN PLANKTONIC FORAMINIFERA1

A small intracellular eukaryotic algal symbiont, 1.5–3.5 μm in diameter, occurs abundantly and persistently in nine planktonic Foraminifera host species. This alga is different from the dinoflagellate, from 8–12 μm in diameter, known to occur in the four spinose species Orbulina universa, Globigerinoides sacculifer, G. ruber, and G. conglobatus. Transmission and epifluorescent microscopy were used to confirm the presence cophyta. The evidence supporting this classification includes the presence of a chloroplastic endoplasmic reticulum surrounding the plastids and tubular cristae, as opposed to flattened cristae, in the mitochondria. Three classes of algae may be represented including the Chrysophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Prymnesiophyceae. Ultrastructural analysis indicated that the alga in the spinose Globigerinella aequilateralis resembles a prymnesiophyte because the chloroplasts lack a girdle lamella. The algae in the non-spinose species and the short-spined Globigerina cristata resemble endocytic chrysophytes or diatoms because of the presence of a girdle lamella. Ultrastructural characteristics of the chrysophycophycean alga present in planktonic Foraminifera are discussed and compared to those of non-dinoflagellate symbiotic algae associated with other invertebrate hosts.
Severe oral hemorrhage and sepsis following bone marrow transplant failure

Aplastic anemia is a failure of all the cellular components of the bone marrow and, untreated, usually results in death from bleeding and/or infection within 4 months. Treatment by bone marrow transplantation offers the only means of survival. When a bone marrow graft fails, the patient is extremely susceptible to severe infection and/or hemorrhage. In this case, a bone marrow transplantation in a 34-year-old white man with aplastic anemia failed. Among the medical problems that subsequently developed were severe, prolonged and life-threatening oral bleeding and infection.
Broad-spectrum immunohistochemical epithelial markers: a review

A relatively large number of broad-spectrum immunohistochemical epithelial markers that can be used as part of the screening panels employed in the recognition of the main cell lineages during the initial evaluation of a poorly differentiated tumor are currently available. Variations exist in the sensitivity and specificity of the individual markers that have traditionally been used for the demonstration of epithelial differentiation and in the pitfalls associated with these markers. This article reviews not only the reactivity of the various pan-keratin antibodies that are often used to assist in the demonstration of epithelial differentiation, but also that of those that have recently become available. A review of the non-keratin, broad-spectrum epithelial markers that have been recognized as being useful is also presented.
In Search of Philosopher‐Jihadis: Abu Muhammad al‐Maqdisi’s Jihadi Philosophy

Abstract This article examines Abu Muhammad al‐Maqdisi’s imprint on the intellectual capital of jihadism. It explores al‐Maqdisi’s religious teachings, his emphasis on the ‘Religion/Community of Abraham’ as a model for believers and focuses on the meanings he ascribes to tawhid and the blurry unresolved boundaries between tawhid and takfir. In light of claims that al‐Maqdisi has reneged on the jihadi principles he once espoused, this article examines earlier and more recent writings by al‐Maqdisi and argues that such claims are not well‐founded. It contends that underlying al‐Maqdisi’s teachings is a vision of establishing an idealistic community of learned believers, who are as proficient in Islamic law as they are adept on the battlefield. Accordingly, al‐Maqdisi, like other idealist thinkers, has been entrapped by his idealism especially as jihadis seek to translate his vision into reality.
Influence of Protein Source on Consumption and Excretion of Water and Excreta Voided by Broiler Chicks

Abstract THE accumulation of water in poultry house litter is a much discussed problem. Charles et al. (1942) reviewed the problem of moisture in poultry house litter and concluded that poultry droppings, respiration, water spillage by birds and attendants, atmospheric moisture, and snow or rain blown into the pens were the most important factors involved in wet litter. James and Wheeler (1949) and Wheeler and James (1949 and Wheeler and James (1950) reported that the amount of water consumed and excreta voided varied almost directly with the protein level of the diet. They also reported that although the amount of water consumed was greater when the protein intake was increased, the percentage of moisture remained relatively constant in the droppings—approximately 71 percent. Glista and Scott (1949) found that the gross water consumption increased with soybean oil meal intake. Eley and Hoffman (1949) obtained no relationship between feed particle size, moisture content of droppings, water …
Weakly almost periodic functions on semisimple Lie groups

IfG is a semisimple analytic group with finite center, it is proved thatG admits only the “obvious” weakly almost periodic functions. The analysis yields also an intrinsic proof of Moore's ergodicity theorem [7].
Time-mode circuits for analog computation

We introduce time-mode circuits, a set of basic circuit building blocks for analog computation using a temporal step function representation for the inputs and outputs. These novel time-mode circuits are low power, provide good noise performance and offer improved dynamic range. The design, IC implementation and detailed theoretical signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) analysis of a prototype time-mode circuit—a weighted average computation circuit—are discussed. This new way of computation is studied with respect to existing conventional voltage-mode and current-mode circuits. Two possible applications of these time-mode circuits are presented: an edge detection circuit for 16 pixels and a 3-tap FIR filter that provides an SNR of 64 dB. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solutions of optimal feedback control problems with general boundary conditions using Hamiltonian dynamics and generating functions

Given a nonlinear system and performance index to be minimized, we present a general approach to evaluating the optimal feedback control law for this system that can be easily modified to satisfy different types of boundary conditions. Formulated in the context of Hamiltonian systems theory, this work allows us to analytically construct optimal feedback control laws from generating functions. Given our feedback control law solution, our approach enables us to obtain the feedback control for a different set of boundary conditions only using a series of algebraic manipulations, partial differentiations, and solutions of implicit algebraic equations. Furthermore, the proposed approach reveals a fundamental insight: that the optimal cost function that satisfies the HJB equation can be expressed as a generating function for a class of canonical transformations of the Hamiltonian system defined by the necessary conditions for optimality. This result is formalized as a theorem, which relates the sufficient condition to the necessary conditions for optimality. The whole procedure provides an advantage over the conventional method based on dynamic programming, which requires one to solve the HJB PDE repetitively for each type of boundary condition.
Experimental Results from a Physical Scale Model Alternator Pair as a Pulsed Power

The Institute for Advanced Technology is using a pair of physical scale model alternators as counter-rotating pulsed alternator simulators. These alternators have similar but not identical electrical characteristics. The original goal was to use these alternators to simulate a two-machine pulsed alternator system to study thyristor converter operation, with the two machines electrically connected at the output (dc side) of the thyristor (SCR) converter. Additional experiments were also run with the two alternators electrically connected at the input (ac side) of the thyristor converter. In the experiments, control algorithms were developed to test self-excitation and to discharge pulsed energy into various types of loads-resistive, inductive, and capacitive-to evaluate energy sharing from each alternator. Negative resistance circuits were implemented to adjust the field winding time constant of each alternator to achieve correct resistance/reactance ratio of full-scale pulsed alternators and to achieve equal energy discharge from each alternator
A NOTE ON REGULAR PERTURBATION THEORIES

There exist in the literature several related formulations of regular perturbation theory (cf. [l] and [2]). In deciding which formalism to apply to a specific problem we must take into account the radius of convergence of the various methods, and, if possible, the ease of application. In this note we shall develop a formalism, closely related to Fredholm’s resolvent, which has an infinite radius of convergence. The present formulation shares with the formalism derived directly from the Fredholm resolvent [l] the disadvantage of being rather cumbersome in its application. Consequently, we shall go on to develop an asymptotic approximation to the result. By this means we shall obtain a relatively simple procedure for evaluating the result of a formulation which is unrestricted as regards radius of convergence. Finally, we shall discuss the close relation between the present theory and Feenberg’s [3] formulation of regular perturbation theory.
A three-parameter model for circular and elliptical aperture distributions

The authors present a versatile three-parameter (3-P) aperture distribution in order to obtain a larger parameter space so that various HPM (high-power microwave) criteria of a reflector antenna can be satisfied simultaneously. This 3-P distribution encompasses the 1-P and 2-P models, provides more flexible control on far-field characteristics, gives a more realistic account of the edge illumination and modifies a recently reported similar distribution for circular apertures, and applies to both circular and elliptical apertures. Typical 3-P aperture distributions are plotted for various combinations of the three parameters. Using a circular aperture and aiming at -23 dB SLL with the highest aperture efficiency, designs are created using the 3-P and other distributions. It is shown that the 3-P model produces higher aperture efficiency and narrower HPBW. >
A coarse-grained potential for fold recognition and molecular dynamics simulations of proteins.

A coarse-grained potential for protein simulations and fold ranking is presented. The potential is based on a two-point model of individual amino acids and a specific implementation of hydrogen bonding. Parameters are determined for distance dependent pair interactions, pseudo bonds, angles, and torsions. A scaling factor for a hydrogen bonding term is also determined. Iterative sampling for 4867 proteins reproduces distributions of internal coordinates and distances observed in the Protein Data Bank. The adjustment of the potential and resampling are in the spirit of the generalized ensemble approach. No native structure information (e.g., secondary structure) is used in the calculation of the potential or in the simulation of a particular protein. The potential is subject to two tests as follows: (i) simulations of 956 globular proteins in the neighborhood of their native folds (these proteins were not used in the training set) and (ii) discrimination between native and decoy structures for 2470 proteins with 305,000 decoys and the “Decoys ‘R’ Us” dataset. In the first test, 58% of tested proteins stay within 5 A from the native fold in Molecular Dynamics simulations of more than 20 nanoseconds using the new potential. The potential is also useful in differentiating between correct and approximate folds providing significant signal for structure prediction algorithms. Sampling with the potential consistently regenerates the distribution of distances and internal coordinates it learned. Nevertheless, during Molecular Dynamics simulations structures are found that reproduce the learned distributions but are far from the native fold. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dynamic Enthalpy, Conservative Temperature, and the Seawater Boussinesq Approximation

A new seawater Boussinesq system is introduced, and it is shown that this approximation to the equations of motion of a compressible binary solution has an energy conservation law that is a consistent approximation to the Bernoulli equation of the full system. The seawater Boussinesq approximation simplifies the mass conservation equation to $ � u 5 0, employs the nonlinear equation of state of seawater to obtain the buoyancy force, and uses the conservative temperature introduced by McDougall as a thermal variable. The conserved energy consists of the kinetic energy plus the Boussinesq dynamic enthalpy h z , which is the integral of the buoyancy with respect to geopotential height Z at a fixed conservative temperature and salinity. In the Boussinesq approximation, the full specific enthalpy h is the sum of four terms: McDougall’s potential enthalpy, minus the geopotential g0Z, plus the Boussinesq dynamic enthalpy h z , and plus the dynamic pressure. The seawater Boussinesq approximation removes the large and dynamically inert contributions to h, and it reveals the important conversions between kinetic energy and h z .
Socially Assistive Robotics for Guiding Motor Task Practice

Due to their quantitative nature, robotic systems are useful tools for systematically augmenting human behavior and performance in dynamic environments, such as therapeutic rehabilitation settings. The efficacy of human-robot interaction (HRI) in these settings will depend on the robot’s coaching style. Our goal was to investigate the influence of robot coaching styles designed to enhance motivation and encouragement on post-stroke individuals during motor task practice. We hypothesized that coaching styles incorporating user performance and preference would be preferred in a therapeutic HRI setting. We designed an evaluation study with seven individuals post stroke. A socially assistive robotics (SAR) system using three different coaching styles guided participants during performance of an upper extremity practice task. User preference was not significantly affected by the different robot coaching styles in our participant sample (H(2) = 2.638, p = 0.267). However, trends indicated differences in preference for the coaching styles. Our results provide insights into the design and use of SAR systems in therapeutic interactions aiming to influence user behavior.
Nonspecific abdominal pain in pediatric primary care: evaluation and outcomes.

Abstract Objective To describe the characteristics of children with nonspecific abdominal pain (AP) in primary care, their evaluation, and their outcomes. Methods Between 2007 and 2009, a retrospective cohort of children from 5 primary care practices was followed from an index visit with AP until a well-child visit 6 to 24 months later (outcome visit). Using International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision (ICD-9), codes and chart review, we identified afebrile children between 4 and 12 years old with AP. Use of diagnostic testing was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the association of index visit clinical and demographic variables with persistent pain at the outcome visit, and receipt of a specific diagnosis. Results Three hundred seventy-five children presented with AP, representing 1% of the total population of 4- to 12-year-olds during the study period. Eighteen percent of children had persistent pain, and 70% of the study cohort never received a specific diagnosis for their pain. Seventeen percent and 14% of children had laboratory and radiology testing at the index visit, respectively. Only 3% of laboratory evaluations helped to yield a diagnosis. Among variables considered, only preceding pain of more than 7 days at the index visit was associated with persistent pain (odds ratio 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.19–3.89). None of the variables considered was associated with receiving a specific diagnosis. Conclusions Most children with AP do not receive a diagnosis, many have persistent pain, and very few receive a functional AP diagnosis. Results support limited use of diagnostic testing and conservative management consistent with national policy statements.
Calibration as parameter estimation in sensor networks

We describe an ad-hoc localization system for sensor networks and explain why traditional calibration methods are inadequate for this system. Building upon previous work, we frame calibration as a parameter estimation problem; we parameterize each device and choose the values of those parameters that optimize the overall system performance. This method reduces our average error from 74.6% without calibration to 10.1%. We propose ways to expand this technique to a method of autocalibration for localization as well as to other sensor network applications.
Variability in calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone in patients on hemodialysis.

Abstract Calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are routinely measured in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Medications, diet, and dialytic therapies are modified based upon these lab values to achieve specific goal values in the hope of improving outcomes. However, the variability of these values in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis has only been rarely studied. We prospectively investigated the variability of these measures in 35 patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis as well as the impact of this variability on clinical decision-making in a prospective manner over a month. There is significant session-to-session variability in phosphorus and PTH values (mean coefficient of variations [CV] of 0.19 and 0.31, respectively). Calcium variability is much lower (mean CV of 0.05). Not surprisingly, the CV for all values is increased during the long interdialytic interval. The impact of this variability on clinical decision-making was analyzed. The variability in calcium, phosphorus, and PTH values would lead to a different clinical decision in 23.6%, 41.2%, and 39.7% of different session lab values. We also investigated the variability of these lab measures over a year in these patients and found that the session-to-session variability was very similar to the month-to-month variability. The high degree of variability of these parameters has important implications for clinical decision-making and for implementation of pay-for-performance measures.
Are Serial Brain Imaging Scans Required for Children Who Have Suffered Acute Intracranial Injury Secondary to Blunt Head Trauma

In most instances, infants and children with moderate to severe head trauma undergo a head computed tomography (CT) scan as part of their initial evaluation. Several authors have advocated a routine second head CT after traumatic brain injury (TBI) to identify progressive lesions that may require surgical intervention. However, recent studies have challenged the need for a routine second brain imaging study after TBI. In addition, recent reports have raised concerns about the potential for malignancy following CT scanning, especially in pediatric patients. The authors performed a retrospective case series of all patients, aged 0 to 21 years, who presented to their 2 emergency departments (EDs) and received an International Classification of Disease—9th revision code related to intracranial injury. Out of 47 children, 5 (11%) underwent neurosurgical intervention following their second imaging study, and 1 of these interventions was unplanned after the first study. Compared with children who did not require...
A Review of the Mayfly Genus Cinygmula McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) in Colorado

Ten species of the heptagenine mayfly genus Cinygmula are recognized in North America. Two of these species were originally described from Colorado, C. mimus (Eaton) and C. ramaleyi (Dodds). Additionally, C. par (Eaton) and C. tarda (McDunnough) have been reported from the state. The purpose of this paper is to provide comparable descriptions of the adult males of the four species known from Colorado, providing illustrations of the male penes. McDunnough (1933) proposed the genus Cinygmula, designating C. ramaleyi (Dodds) from Colorado as the type. At least ten species are currently recognized in North America, with C. subaequalis (Banks) being restricted to Eastern North America (Edmunds et al., 1976). Two species were originally described from Colorado, C. mimus (Eaton) and C. ramaleyi; and Dodds (1923) reported C. par (Eaton) under the name of C. mimus. Durfee and Kondratieff (1997) recorded C. tarda (McDunnough) from the state. Adult male descriptions are available for all the North American species of Cinygmula (Traver, 1935; Jensen, 1966). The purpose of this paper is to facilitate the identifications of four species known from Colorado by providing comparable descriptions of the adult males and providing new figures of the penes.
Role of a Hydrophobic Pocket in Polyamine Interactions with the Polyspecific Organic Cation Transporter OCT3

Organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3, SLC22A3) is a polyspecific, facilitative transporter expressed in astrocytes and in placental, intestinal, and blood-brain barrier epithelia, and thus elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying OCT3 substrate recognition is critical for the rational design of drugs targeting these tissues. The pharmacology of OCT3 is distinct from that of other OCTs, and here we investigated the role of a hydrophobic cavity tucked within the translocation pathway in OCT3 transport properties. Replacement of an absolutely conserved Asp by charge reversal (D478E), neutralization (D478N), or even exchange (D478E) abolished MPP(+) uptake, demonstrating this residue to be obligatory for OCT3-mediated transport. Mutations at non-conserved residues lining the putative binding pocket of OCT3 to the corresponding residue in OCT1 (L166F, F450L, and E451Q) reduced the rate of MPP(+) transport, but recapitulated the higher sensitivity pharmacological profile of OCT1. Thus, interactions of natural polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine) and polyamine-like potent OCT1 blockers (1,10-diaminodecane, decamethonium, bistriethylaminodecane, and 1,10-bisquinuclidinedecane) with wild-type OCT3 were weak, but were significantly potentiated in the mutant OCT3s. Conversely, a reciprocal mutation in OCT1 (F161L) shifted the polyamine-sensitivity phenotype toward that of OCT3. Further analysis indicated that OCT1 and OCT3 can recognize essentially the same substrates, but the strength of substrate-transporter interactions is weaker in OCT3, as informed by the distinct makeup of the hydrophobic cleft. The residues identified here are key contributors to both the observed differences between OCT3 and OCT1 and to the mechanisms of substrate recognition by OCTs in general.
Continuous N-Dimensional Random Variables

This chapter extends the results of Chapters 10-13 for one and two continuous random variables to N continuous random variables. Our discussion will mirror Chapter 9 quite closely, the difference being the consideration of continuous rather than discrete random variables. Therefore, the descriptions will be brief and will serve mainly to extend the usual definitions for one and two jointly distributed cont inuous random variables to an N-dimensional random vector. One new concept that is introduced is the orthogonality principle approach to prediction of the outcome of a random variable based on the outcomes of several other random variables. This concept will be useful later when we discuss prediction of random processes in Chapter 18.
Lifted inference on transitive relations

Lifted inference algorithms are able to boost efficiency through exploiting symmetries of the underling first-order probabilistic models. Models with transitive relations (e.g., if X and Y are friends and so are Y and Z, then X and Z will likely be friends) are essential in social network analysis. With n elements in a transitive relation model, the computational complexity of exact propositional inference is O(2n(n-1)/2), making it intractable for large domains. However, no tractable exact inference on the transitive relations has been reported on the transitive relations. In this paper, we report a novel deterministic approximate lifted inference algorithm, which efficiently solves inference problems on the transitive relations without degenerating input models. We introduce an alternative graph representation for first-order probabilistic models with formulas of homogeneous bivariate predicates. The new representation, which is closely related to exponential-family random graph models, leads to an efficient deterministic approximate lifting algorithm by exploiting the asymptotic properties of the state space. We perform experiments to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Noetherian Rings and Modules

This chapter may serve as an introduction to the methods of algebraic geometry rooted in commutative algebra and the theory of modules, mostly over a Noetherian ring.
Exploring ambivalence in motivational interviewing with obese African American adolescents and their caregivers: A mixed methods analysis.

Abstract Objective We conducted an exploratory mixed methods study to describe the ambivalence African-American adolescents and their caregivers expressed during motivational interviewing sessions targeting weight loss. Methods We extracted ambivalence statements from 37 previously coded counseling sessions. We used directed content analysis to categorize ambivalence related to the target behaviors of nutrition, activity, or weight. We compared adolescent-caregiver dyads’ ambivalence using the paired sample t -test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. We then used conventional content analysis to compare the specific content of adolescents’ and caregivers’ ambivalence statements. Results Adolescents and caregivers expressed the same number of ambivalence statements overall, related to activity and weight, but caregivers expressed more statements about nutrition. Content analysis revealed convergences and divergences in caregivers’ and adolescents’ ambivalence about weight loss. Conclusion Understanding divergences in adolescent-caregiver ambivalence about the specific behaviors to target may partially explain the limited success of family-based weight loss interventions targeting African American families and provides a unique opportunity for providers to enhance family communication, foster teamwork, and build self-efficacy to promote behavior change. Practice implications Clinicians working in family contexts should explore how adolescents and caregivers converge and diverge in their ambivalence in order to recommend weight loss strategies that best meet families’ needs.
The Changing Representation of the Late Qing History in Chinese Film

From the 1950s to the 1990s, Chinese film never ceased to represent the turbulent late Qing history on the screen. The representations, all carrying the mark of their own time, not only tell a story about the late Qing Chinese predicament and dilemma of its modernization, but also reveal the trajectory of the changing ideologies behind their own production. In this sense, the films can be read as both historical and contemporary texts. This article attempts to trace the changing representation by comparing and analyzing major historical films of China from the 1950s to the 1990s, and focuses the discussion on several main themes.