cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Multi Voltage Aware Timing Analysis Methodology for SOC using Machine Learning

To improve gross margins, the semiconductor industry is focused on the PPA (power, performance, area) matrix of the SOC. The current trend is to put more IPs on the chips to enable multiple functionalities to support various applications. To optimize PPA of such SOCs, multi voltage and multi power domain design techniques are used due to which the timing signoff of the chip has to be done on multiple corners and multiple modes (MCMM). Single voltage timing analysis is easier. With the multi-level supply voltage and dynamic scaling features, the timing analysis complexity increases because timing signoff has to be done on different voltages and cross-voltage paths. Multi-voltage designs need exhaustive analysis of cross voltage domain paths to make sure all worst-case paths are identified under all voltage combinations. With numerous operating PVT corners, timing analysis across corners is very challenging. Simultaneous multi-voltage aware analysis (SMVA) do the analysis of all cross-domain paths under all voltage scenarios in a single run, without the need for margining that can add pessimism. In this paper, we propose a machine learning model, based on bigrams of path stages, to predict the timing slack divergence and cell delays across voltages. We identified the circuit parameters which affects the cell delays due to voltage changes and thereby causing the differences in the endpoint arrival times. We use the timing analysis data of a given testcase at multiple voltages and with the use of Classification and regression tree (CART) approach we develop a predictive model for the new arrival times due to the change in voltages. Experimental results show that our model is able to predict the timing path slack divergence with ~97% accuracy at different voltages on both clock and data paths with a lower turnaround time including the cross-voltage timing paths.
Refining Patient-Centered Measures of End-of-Life Care Quality for Children With Cancer.

PURPOSE:There are no existing quality measures (QMs) to optimize end-of-life care for children with cancer. Previously, we developed a set of 26 candidate QMs. Our primary objective in this study w...
Modeling operator self-assessment in human-autonomy teaming settings

Abstract The need to design for appropriate human-autonomy teaming has become increasingly important as systems grow in complexity, especially those that require time-pressured interactions like in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations. However, it is not always clear whether operators develop effective strategies for computer-based technologies. When operators are given such tools, their performances can be statistically compared but often such assessments only provide summative information. These comparisons do not indicate how and why technology influenced people's strategies and actions. To fill this gap, we utilized Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to represent strategies employed by operators in first-person control of UAVs for inspection tasks. The resulting models captured differences in strategies for people who both succeeded and crashed, as well as those who were overconfident in their self-assessments, and those who were not. People who were not overconfident exhibited less risky strategies and were more successful. These findings were further strengthened by a quantitative state similarity metric, which indicated where and for who possible interventions could improve outcomes. This application of HMMs to operator strategy representation could help to identify effective operator strategy development in the use of computer-based technologies, and what kind of interventions could be the most effective in improving outcomes.
The tRNA Identity Problem: Past, Present, and Future

This chapter describes the current understanding of the structural features in tRNA that determine the specificity of the interaction with the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS), and outlines future research in this area. Early methods of sequence comparison to predict tRNA identity determinants relied only on the structural similarities among isoacceptor tRNAs discerned by visual inspection of the sequences. Positions where the same nucleotide occurs in all isoacceptor species were considered more predictive of tRNA identity than were positions where the nucleotide differed among the isoacceptors. The newer approach relies on computer analysis of tRNA sequences and identifies not only conserved nucleotide positions within a tRNA acceptor group, but also positions with more than one nucleotide that differ from the corresponding nucleotide positions in other tRNA acceptor groups. In addition, because the between-group variation is considered, the newer method provides information for single tRNA sequences and can perform impressively when only two tRNA isoacceptor sequences are known. The chapter summarizes experiments that define specificity determinants in tRNAs for several amino acids, and includes illustrations of computer predictions. The implications of the study results are discussed, and the chapter closes with an outline of future prospects.
Atmospheric Acidification Chemistry: A Review

Atmospheric acidification is the result of the oxidation of sulfur, nitrogen, and organic compounds to form their corresponding acids. The gas- and aqueous-phase pathways depend on the production of oxidizing free radicals (HO, CH3O2) that react directly with these compounds or produce molecular oxidants. The most important molecular oxidants are H2O2, organic peroxides, and O3. Except for O3-olefin reactions, these molecular oxidants are not reactive in the gas phase, but they are highly reactive in the aqueous phase with dissolved reductants (SO2, HNO2, organics). Thus, the molecular oxidants may be generated in a photochemically active region and transported long distances before reacting with dissolved reductants in the aqueous phase, such as fogs, clouds, and rain. Changes in H2O4 and HNO3 atmospheric production rates are expected to be a function of changes in the emission rates of SO2, NOx, and VOC. A reduction in emission rate of SO2 will lead to a reduction in gas-phase production of H2SO4. However, if SO2 concentration exceeds that of H2O2, reduction in SO2 may not lead to a reduction in aqueous-phase production of H2SO4. Effective control of H2O2 production is dependent on scientific advances to determine its formation mechanisms and rates.
Investigating Second Language Reading Components:Reading for Different Types of Meaning

The nature of second language (L2) reading ability is extremely complex and its components are yet to be agreed upon. The current study hypothesized that L2 reading ability consists of (1) reading for literal meaning (LIT), (2) reading for implied meaning with endophoric reference (IMP-EN), and (3) reading for implied meaning with exophoric reference (IMP-EX). In addition, different reading passages were assumed to affect test performance in varying degrees. Participants were 298 incoming students to an adult English as a second language (ESL) program. They took a reading placement test consisting of four reading passages and 30 items. Participants’ reading scores were analyzed using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach in structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings suggest that L2 reading ability consists of the three constructs of LIT, IMP-EN, and IMP-EX. Moreover, the three reading constructs are on a continuum with LIT having the most direct relationship between the text and the response, while IMP-EX having the most indirect relationship. However, reading passages did not have a significant influence on test performance.
Objectivity and the Overlook: Examining the Use of Multiple Narratives in Stephen King's THE SHINING

Stephen King's The Shining presents a fractured family teetering on divorce. Casting a menacing shadow over the text, the threat of domestic violence evokes a persistent undercurrent of tension. No...
A new species of Proteus isolated from larvae of the gypsy moth Porthetria dispar (L.).

Characteristics of a slime-producing bacterium isolated from living and dead gypsy moth larvae were determined. The bacterium was found to be a motile, gram-negative rod, which fermented glucose, but not lactose. It was oxidase-negative, hydrolyzed urea, deaminated phenylalanine and produced H2S. These characteristics are common to several members of the genusProteus. In addition to the unique feature of slime production, a biochemical comparison with other members of the genus showed that it differed markedly from described species ofProteus; thus the new speciesProteus myxofaciens was proposed.
Cancer Stem Cells Activate STAT3 the EZ Way

Activated STAT3 and increased expression of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 are independently associated with the most malignant subset of gliomas. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Kim and colleagues discover that EZH2 enhances STAT3 activation by trimethylating lysine180 in STAT3 and does so preferentially in glioma stem-like cells.
State Legislative Constraints on the Development of Water Resources Policy

: Legislative constraints on the development of water resources policy fit into three broad categories-political, institutional, and informational. The political category encompasses constituency needs and preferences, satisfaction with existing water management practices and policies, and the necessity for legislators to blend political ambition with public problem solving. Constraints fitting into the institutional category include differences in legislative behavior and attitudes that stem from one's location in the legislature (e.g., senate-house, leader-follower, or committee activity), the dynamics of scheduling and organization, and the capability to manage complex issues. Informational constraints refer to the availability of information and the use to which it is put by lawmakers in formulating decisions on waterrelated issues. These constraints are approached from a behavioral perspective by examining several constituency, institutional, and information hypotheses that “explain” legislative involvement with water resources issues. The data are drawn from a recent study of water resources decision making in West Virginia. Eighty-three of the 134 members of the 1975–76 West Virginia Legislature participated in the study.
Structural studies of bridgehead alkenes. The x-ray crystal structure of 3-oxabicyclo[5.3.1]deca-1(10)7,(8)-(ZZ)-diene-10-carboxylic acid

Abstract The X-ray crystal structure of 3-oxabicyclo[5.3.1]deca-1(10),7(8)-(ZZ)-diene-10-carboxylic acid, a highly strained bridgehead diene, is reported.
Injury mortality in American Indian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white children in New Mexico, 1958-1982.

Abstract Childhood fatalities from injuries are a serious public health problem in New Mexico, a state which ranks second in the nation in injury-related mortality rates. To determine the extent of injury mortality in children in this state, and to examine time trends and differences in mortality rates in New Mexico's American Indian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white children aged 0–14 years, we analyzed vital records collected from 1958 to 1982. American Indian children experienced the highest mortality rates from all external causes combined. Among all three major ethnic groups, children aged 0–4 years were at the highest risk for injury fatalities. Unintentional injuries accounted for 85% of all injury-related deaths. Motor vehicle crashes and drowning were the first and second leading causes of death in all three groups, while other important causes of death included fire, choking on food or other objects, poisoning, and homicide. Although the fatality rates on most types of injuries decreased over the 25-year period, childhood fatality rates for motor vehicle crashes and homicide increased in each ethnic group. Despite the overall decrease in injury mortality rates in New Mexican children, the rates are excessively high compared to other states, especially in American Indian children.
Contextual Factors Affecting Errors in Proportional Reasoning.

Although instruction in proportions generally begins in the middle school years, proportional reasoning remains problematic for many college students (Adi & Pulos, 1980; Niaz, 1989; Renner & Paske, 1977; Thornton & Fuller, 1981). A review of the proportional reasoning literature by Tourniaire and Pulos (1985) suggests that a number of factors relating to the context of the problem are responsible for variability in performance. Such factors include the type of problem (e.g., rate, mixture, or physical problems), presence of discrete versus continuous quantities, and familiarity of problem content. It is apparent that most students' understanding of proportion concepts is relatively fragile and easily influenced by structural variations in the problem. Recent research in mathematics education has emphasized the importance of the interaction between intuitive knowledge (i.e., knowledge about a subject matter gained through natural experience) and the acquisition of formal mathematics concepts (see Behr, Harel, Post, & Lesh, 1992). It would be useful to determine exactly which factors in proportion problems elicit an intuitive understanding of the underlying concept; instruction in proportional reasoning could then use that knowledge as the basis for developing a more generalizable system of symbols and algorithms. One factor that may be important in eliciting an intuitive understanding of proportional relationships is the degree of physical similarity between the objects in a problem. Tourniaire & Pulos (1985) cite Van den Brink (1978) as suggesting that distinct items in a proportion problem are "psychologically easier to handle." For example, two items being combined in a mixture problem may be so similar to one another that subjects tend to treat them as though they share a one-to-one correspondence, failing to recognize that units of one item must be converted into units of the other. Emphasizing the unit characteristics of one of the items should increase the recognition that the two items are related in a proportional, rather than a
The Fractography and Crack Patterns of Broken Glass

The topographical features which appear on the fracture surfaces of broken glass objects and the resulting crack patterns which develop are Nature’s documentation of the fracture event. They are considered after a brief discussion of glass strength. Strength is central to the fracture surface features for it determines the strain energy release rate and the dynamics of crack extension. The surface features known as the mirror, the mist, and the hackle are illustrated and addressed through the principles of fracture mechanics and associated energy criteria. Quantitative aspects of the fracture process such as the stress level at fracture for a glass object are directly related to the size of the fracture mirror. The concept of a fracture mirror constant is related to the strength. Formation of the mist and hackle surface regions are also fundamentally addressed, as is crack branching. Distinctive crack patterns that evolve during fracture, that is the traces of the cracks intersecting the glass free surfaces, are described. Dicing fragmentation of high-strength tempered glass and the long sword-like shards of low-strength annealed glass fracture are contrasted through their strain energies. Characteristic cracking patterns are reviewed for several common glass fractures including those for pressure breaks, both bottle explosions and flat glass window failures from wind pressure whose basic similarities are described. The patterns of crack branching or forking, the branching angles and the crack length prior to forking, are also discussed. Other glass crack patterns such as those from impact and thermal stress are also considered.
Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Sport Fish Community Abundance in the Eastern Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana

Abstract The Atchafalaya River basin (ARB), a 5,000-km2 river–floodplain system in south-central Louisiana, provides one of the most popular fisheries in the state for anglers pursuing bass Micropterus spp., sunfishes Lepomis spp., crappies Pomoxis spp., and catfishes Ictalurus spp. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck in August and September 2005, resulting in tremendous changes in habitat and water quality in the ARB. Although the short-term and long-term impacts of these storms on this floodplain ecosystem remain poorly understood, a long-term fish and water quality monitoring program has provided data with which to analyze sport fish abundance in the eastern ARB 2 years before and 2 years after the hurricanes. The results of this analysis suggest that location within the basin influenced the effect of the hurricanes on sport fish abundance and that overall sport fish catch per unit effort (CPUE) decreased after the hurricanes. Within the study area, sunfishes in Bayou Postillion, bass and sunfishes in M...
The conserved ELK-homeodomain of KNOTTED-1 contains two regions that signal nuclear localization

Nuclear localization serves as a regulatory mechanism in the activity of several transcription factors. KNOTTED-1 (Kn1) is a homeodomain protein likely to regulate vegetative development in maize. At least twelve genes related to Kn1 are known in maize and six in Arabidopsis. Ectopic expression of the maize, rice and Arabidopsis Kn1-related genes have been shown to alter cell fate determination. In this paper, we study the nuclear localization capabilities of the Kn1 homeodomain and the proximal amino acid residues (the ELK region) which is highly conserved among Kn1-related homeodomain proteins. The ELK homeodomain (ELK-HD) of Kn1 was fused to the reporter gene uidA encoding the bacterial enzyme β-glucuronidase (GUS) and transformed into tobacco and onion cells. Quantitation of GUS activity in nuclear and total protein extracts from transgenic tobacco revealed a highly localized GUS activity in the nucleus for the ELK-HD/GUS fusion protein, as compared to the basal level of GUS activity in the nucleus for the GUS only protein. The ELK-HD/GUS transformants showed no unusual characteristics, thus indicating that expression of the putative Kn1 DNA-binding domain fused to GUS may be insufficient to create a dominant negative phenotype. Histochemical analysis of the onion epidermal cells transfected by particle bombardment demonstrated that greater than 50% of the transformed onion epidermal cells showed higher levels of GUS staining in the nucleus relative to the cytoplasm. Deletion analysis of the ELK-HD revealed that the Kn1 homeodomain comprising the three predicted α-helices and the conserved ELK domain can each function independently as nuclear localization signals.
Distributed storage allocation for heterogeneous systems

We consider a distributed storage system where the storage nodes have heterogeneous access probabilities. The problem is to allocate a given storage budget across the nodes so as to store a unit-size data object with maximum reliability. We propose efficient algorithms for optimizing over several classes of allocations. In the basic one-level symmetric allocation, the storage budget is spread evenly over an appropriately chosen subset of nodes. In the multi k-level symmetric allocation, the budget is divided into k parts, each spread evenly over a different subset of nodes, such that the amount allocated to each node in the higher levels is multiple times that of the last level. These allocations are simpler and are shown to outperform existing methods in numerical experiments. We also describe an application of the symmetric allocations to the design of streaming codes.
Plasma exchange versus intravenous immunoglobulin for myasthenia gravis crisis: An acute hospital cost comparison study

Objective:To compare the short-term financial costs of treating a patient in myasthenia gravis crisis with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) versus plasma exchange.Methods:An itemized comparative cost-minimization analysis of IVIG versus plasma exchange for myasthenia gravis crisis was performed. Ca
Deformation Behavior of a Shape Memory Alloy: Nitinol

Nickel-Titanium, commonly referred to as Nitinol, is a shape-memory alloy with numerous applications due to its superelastic nature and its ability to revert to a previously defined shape when deformed and then heated past a set transformation temperature. While the crystallography and the overall phenomenology are reasonably well understood, much remains unknown about the deformation and failure mechanisms of these materials. These latter issues are becoming critically important as Nitinol is being increasingly used in medical devices and space applications. The talk will describe the investigation of the deformation and failure of Nitinol using an in-situ optical technique called Digital Image Correlation (DIC). With this technique, full-field quantitative maps of strain localization are obtained for the first time in thin sheets of Nitinol under tension. These experiments provide new information connecting previous observations on the micro- and macro- scale. They show that martensitic transformation initiates before the formation of localized bands, and that the strain inside the bands does not saturate when the bands nucleate. The effect of rolling texture, the validity of the widely used resolved stress transformation criterion, and the role of geometric defects are examined.
A New Family of Copolymers: Multifunctional Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas

An exciting new class of hexagonal mesoporous organosilicas containing multiple organic bridging groups within the pore walls is introduced. These high-surface-area organic−inorganic materials combine the ordered microstructure of mesoporous silicas and the chemical functionality of organic copolymers.
Distribution of glutamotransferase activity in the chick retina.

Abstract Glutamotransferase was assayed in separate inner (ganglionic) and outer (visual) halves of frozen-dried sections of the neuroretina of chicks from 15 days' incubation to 5 days after hatching. In spite of considerable experimental variability no consistent differences could be shown between the two halves. Both exhibited the steep rise in specific activity previously observed in whole retinas during the hatching period. Assays of the inside layers (consisting chiefly of the bipolar cells) of retina sections, as compared with the ganglionic and visual border material, likewise showed closely similar values for specific activity at various days during this period of development. It is thus considered that all major levels of the retina partake equally in the extensive enzymatic growth that is being studied.
Detectability and Interpretational Uncertainties: Considerations in Gauging the Impacts of Land Disturbance on Streamflow

AbstractHydrologic impacts of land disturbance and management can be confounded by rainfall variability. As a consequence, attempts to gauge and quantify these effects through streamflow monitoring are typically subject to uncertainties. This paper addresses the quantification and delineation of different sources of how uncertainty is manifested in a long-term hydrologic monitoring study and through two concepts: (1) detectability, i.e., the chance of observing anticipated changes in streamflow following a known change in land cover; and (2) interpretational uncertainty, i.e., the chance of improperly attributing an observed effect to the wrong cause. The paper offers probabilistic interpretation of each concept and illustrates, through a set of hypothetical monitoring experiments, the dependence of these entities on factors such as monitoring duration and the choice of indicators. Central to the experiments is a resampling scheme which randomly redistributes historical rainfall events and thereby generat...
Research Advances: Fill ‘Er Up on Chicken, Shrimp, and Coffee?

These research advances focus on obtaining biodiesel fuel from food and beverage industry waste.
Synaptic Characteristics of Rostral Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Neurons with Input from the Chorda Tympani and Glossopharyngeal Nerves

Chorda tympani (CT) and glossopharyngeal (IXth) nerves relay taste information from anterior and posterior tongue to brainstem where they synapse with second order neurons in the rostral nucleus of solitary tract (rNST). rNST neurons monosynaptically connected to afferent gustatory input were identified both by anatomical labeling and synaptic latency measures. Anterograde tracing was used to label the CT and IXth terminal fields, and neurons surrounded by fluorescent neural profiles visualized with differential interference contrast (DIC) optics in horizontal brainstem slices. Anatomically identified neurons were patch-clamped and excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) evoked by electrically stimulating the solitary tract (ST) under GABA(A) receptor blockade. Monosynaptic connections were confirmed by measures of the standard deviation of synaptic latency (jitter). rNST neurons responded to ST stimulation with either all-or-none or graded amplitude EPSCs. Most (70%) of the rNST neurons with CT input and 30% with IX input responded with all-or-none EPSCs. The remainder of the neurons with CT and IX input responded with increasing EPSC amplitudes to greater intensity stimulus shocks. EPSCs evoked in rNST neurons by increasing shock frequency to both CT and IXth nerves resulted in reduced amplitude EPSCs characteristic of frequency-dependent synaptic depression. Our results suggest that the second order rNST neurons respond to afferent input with different patterns of EPSCs that potentially influence transmission of gustatory information. Frequency-dependent synaptic depression would act as a low pass filter important in the initial processing of gustatory derived sensory messages.
Corin: a key protein of an adaptive renal mechanism to respond to salt variation?

The protease corin generates atrial natriuretic peptide and affects blood pressure and salt–water homeostasis. Under dietary salt challenge, corin knockout mice show blood pressure exacerbation and significant weight gain due to water and salt retention. This phenotype involves the epithelial sodium channel but is independent of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. This suggests that corin has an important role in a new adaptive mechanism of the response to variations of salt in the diet.
Alfalfa/grass response to nitrogen and phosphorus applications

Abstract Alfalfa/grass (Medicago sativa/Dactylis glomerata, Bromus) yield and quality responses to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer applications are well documented. The magnitude of the P response and in turn N, may however, be limited by the relative immobility of P in the soil. A two‐year field study was conducted to determine the response of an established alfalfa/grass stand to combinations of a one‐time broadcast application of N, P, and sulfur (S) rates with fall or spring applications of P. Nitrogen and P applications increased forage production, nutrient concentration and nutrient content, particularly in the first production year. No S response was observed. Fall P applications were superior to spring applications only in the first year of production. If annual broadcast applications of P are made to existing alfalfa/grass stands in Intermountain areas, fall applications are recommended.
A Raman difference spectroscopic investigation of ovalbumin and S-ovalbumin

Raman spectra from 800 to 1850 cm−1 of aqueous solutions of ovalbumin and its more heat-stable form, S-ovalbumin, are presented. A Raman difference spectrum (ovalbumin minus S-ovalbumin) shows differences in intensity in the amide I and III regions. These intensity differences lead us to postulate that the conversion of ovalbumin to S-ovalbumin involves a conformation change of a small part (∼3–4%) of the protein from α-helix to antiparallel β-sheet geometry. This small difference in the three-dimensional arrangement of the peptide chain may contribute to the large difference in the thermodynamic stability between ovalbumin and S-ovalbumin.
Cross-linking of wheat starch and hydroxypropylated wheat starch in alkaline slurry with sodium trimetaphosphate

Abstract Wheat starch was cross-linked at 40 °C and pH 11.0 by slurrying the starch (30% solids) in a solution of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP), sodium hydroxide, and sodium sulfate. The extent of cross-linking was determined by an increase in alkaline fluidity or by a decrease in alkaline clarity. Response surface analysis showed that cross-linking increased with increasing levels of STMP (0.5-1.5%, based on starch, bos) and sodium sulfate (0–4.0%, bos) over a reaction period of 120–720 min. A regression equation with first and second order terms showed that STMP and sodium sulfate concentrations and the reaction time accounted for 99% of the variability in alkaline fluidity. Wheat starch (37% slurry) was hydroxypropylated by reaction with propylene oxide (8%, bos) for 24h at 45 °C in alkali (pH 11.5) containing 16.0% sodium sulfate (bos). The hydroxypropylated (4.5wt%) wheat starch (DS 0.12-0.13) was not isolated but was cross-linked with STMP (0.1-0.5%, bos) over a 10–40 min reaction period. A comparison of pasting curves at pH 3.5 showed that some of the cross-links produced by STMP were less stable than those produced by phosphoryl chloride, indicating a low level of pyrophosphate as well as monophosphate cross-links. The less stable cross-links were diminished by changing reaction conditions with STMP.
Electric-field-based routing: a reliable framework for routing in MANETs

Constructing multipath routes in MANETs is important for providing reliable delivery, load balancing, and bandwidth aggregation. However, popular multipath routing approaches fail to produce spatially disjoint routes in a simple and cost-effective manner, and existing single-path approaches cannot be easily modified to produce multiple disjoint routes. In this paper we propose Electric-Field-Based Routing (EFR) as a reliable framework for routing in MANETs by applying the concept of electric field lines. Our location-based protocol naturally provides spatially disjoint routes based on the shapes of these lines. The computation is highly localized and requires no explicit coordination among routes. EFR can also be easily extended to offer load-balancing, bandwidth aggregation, and power management. Through simulation, EFR shows a higher delivery ratio and lower overhead under high mobility, high network loads, and network failures compared to popular multipath and location-based schemes. EFR also demonstrates high resiliency to DoS attacks.
Experimental and statistical analysis methods for peptide detection using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has the potential to make a significant impact in biology research due to its ability to provide information orthogonal to that obtained by traditional techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS). While SERS has been well studied for its use in chemical applications, detailed investigations with biological molecules are less common. In addition, a clear understanding of how methodology and molecular characteristics impact the intensity, the number of peaks, and the signal-to-noise of SERS spectra is largely missing. By varying the concentration and order of addition of the SERS-enhancer salt (LiCl) with colloidal silver, we were able to evaluate the impact of these variables on peptide spectra using a quantitative measure of spectra quality based on the number of peaks and peak intensity. The LiCl concentration and order of addition that produced the best SERS spectra were applied to a panel of synthetic peptides with a range of charges and isoelectric points (pIs) where the pI was directly correlated with higher spectral quality. Those peptides with moderate to high pIs and spectra quality scores were differentiated from each other using the improved method and a hierarchical clustering algorithm. In addition, the same method and algorithm was applied to a set of highly similar phosphorylated peptides, and it was possible to successfully classify the majority of peptides on the basis of species-specific peak differences. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poetic play: Pascoli’s Catullocalvos and Catullus 50

Giovanni Pascoli's Catullocalvos (1897) is a Catullan pastiche purporting to be a transcript of the poetic game between Catullus and C. Licinius Calvus described in Catullus 50. This article analyzes Pascoli's versification, his use of Catullan material, and his implied reading of Catullus.
Salience-based compression: providing FMV over low-bit rate channels

We introduce Salience-Based Compression (SBC), a vision-guided pre-filtering technology, coupled with standardsbased video coding. SBC works by detecting and tracking salient features and keeping them sharp; non-salient features are lowpass filtered, causing an automatic and beneficial drop in bit rate. Because salience-based pre-filtering is performed as a pre-processing step, it can interface to any COTS video encoder, thus enabling use in existing infrastructures and ensuring the compliance of the video bitstream that is produced. For typical aerial surveillance video, SBC can reduce bit rate by up to a factor of four, yet still provide full motion video (FMV) and preserve salient visual information.
A comparative double blind study of ketoconazole and griseofulvin in dermatophytosis

The merits of oral ketoconazole and griseofulvin in dermatophytosis have been compared in a double blind study on 74 patients with 152 infected sites. The initial daily doses were 200 mg and 500 mg respectively, but these were doubled after 3 months if there was an inadequate clinical response. Treatment was continued either until clinical and mycological remission was achieved or a year of therapy had been given. Seventy-five per cent (total 80) and 74% (total 72) of all infected sites treated with ketoconazole and griseofulvin respectively were cleared of infection. However, in toe nail infections the respective cure rates were only 21% and 17%. Ketoconazole appeared to act more rapidly in curing tinea corporis or tinea cruris due to Trichophyton rubrum, whereas griseofulvin was superior in T. interdigitale infections. No serious side-effects were encountered in either treatment group. In view of the slight risk of drug-induced hepatitis, ketoconazole is best reserved as a second-line drug for toe nail infections unless there are specific indications, such as griseofulvin intolerance. In these cases liver function tests should be monitored regularly throughout therapy.
How radioimmunoassay has added to our knowledge about gastrin.

Abstract Radioimmunoassay of gastrin has confirmed most of the earlier notions about factors controlling release of gastrin deduced from studies using secretion of acid to monitor gastrin release. These confirmations include vagal cholinergic release of gastrin, release of gastrin by distention of the gastric antrum, inhibition of gastrin release by acid bathing the antral mucosa, and release of gastrin from duodenal mucosa by food. New and unexpected information about gastrin that has come from radioimmunoassay includes: (1) disproof of the hypothesis that all gastrin release is cholinergic; atropine blocks vagal gastrin release but not release by food in the stomach; (2) vagal release of gastrin is substantial, not just a trace as had been supposed from acid studies; (3) the possibility that release of gastrin by hypoglycemia may be in part nonvagal; (4) the possibility that intestinal mucose releases stimulants of acid secretion in addition to those that are immunoreactive with antibodies to antral gastrin; and (5) Berson's discovery that the main forms of gastrin in blood plasma are larger molecules than the heptadecapeptide, little gastrin, that is the main form in antral mucose; big gastrins contain little gastrin in covalent linkage and trypsin splits off little gastrin from big gastrins.
The University of Illinois elementary-school science project: Report of the 1963 writing conference

Drs. Atkin and Wyatt of the University of Illinois were responsible for some of the earliest efforts among the curriculum projects to develop materials for elementary school children. Miss Pierce, a project staff member who works with teachers trying the Illinois materials, here reports on the current status of their project.
Gypsum growth in the presence of background electrolytes studied by Scanning Force Microscopy

Background electrolytes in aqueous solutions can strongly influence the growth rate of gypsum, which can be easily shown from bulk growth experiments. However, such experiments cannot be used to decipher the actual mechanism unambiguously. We have used Scanning Force Microscopy in order to characterize the microtopography of the gypsum (010) surface, to determine the dominate step-generating process, and to investigate the influence of NaNO3 and NaCl as background electrolytes on the growth kinetics of monolayer steps. Due to surface defects, the step density can be inhomogeneous, resulting in variability in bulk growth rate data. Two-dimensional nucleation (birth and spread) has been found to be the dominant process that forms new steps on the (010) surface. Surface nuclei may be bounded by [100] and [001] steps, judging from the shape and orientation of the smallest observed surface islands during growth. In addition, ab initio molecular orbital calculations show that [100] and [001] steps on the (010) surface of gypsum have nearly identical energies. Nevertheless, well beyond the nucleation stage, growth occurs on the (010) surface via the advance of monolayer steps (representing one growth slice, 7 A in height) parallel to [101] and [001]. Steps parallel to [101] migrate faster than [001] steps, in agreement with ab initio calculations which show that [101] steps have a considerably higher energy than [001] steps. The step displacement velocity of the fast growth direction parallel to [101] is increased in the presence of NaCl, relative to NaNO3, as background electrolytes, whereas the slow growth direction parallel to [001] shows no background electrolyte effect. The different growth kinetics for the two major growth directions in the presence of different electrolytes can be explained by the difference in step energies. On the basis of our data, it appears very likely that a specific interaction between [101] steps and Cl− in solution results in an increased dehydration frequency for hydrated Cat2+ near [101] step-edge regions relative to NO3− containing supersaturated solutions.
Response: Self-management psychology and the treatment of childhood asthma

The article by Thoresen and Kirmil-Gray makes several contributions to the self-management of asthma. Beginning with a brief historic review, the article establishes a context for an introduction to the characteristics and concepts of self-management. This material is invaluable; more important, however, is the cognitive social learning model for the self-management of asthma that is proposed by the authors. Recent attempts to design self-management systems for the disorder have suffered because of a lack of a conceptual model; as a result, the rationale of why certain components or processes are included in a particular system has frequently been ambiguous. Interpretation of findings has also been hampered by the lack of a comprehensive conceptual model: We seem to have been guided by intuition, sometimes with good results, but intuition nevertheless. No longer can we make this excuse. Thoresen and Kirmil-Gray have also clarified misconceptions about the phrase “social learning. ” Thus far social learning seems to have become a catchword for the decade. The term, with differing interpretations, can be found in the writings of a number of behavioral scientists, ranging from Bandural to Patterson.2 Clarification of the term is most useful. The enumeration of personal sources of influence relevant to children is a contribution made by the article. Many have been incorporated into past attempts to design a self-management system for patients with asthma, but Thoresen and Kirmil-Gray emphasize such factors by presenting a comprehensive list of sources. It is not only a thorough compendium, but it should serve as a guide for the design and execution of future programs. The same potential function exists with the evaluation criteria proposed by the authors. They have value in a review of current self-management studies, but, more importantly, they provide a checklist for the design of future research in the area.
M-mode echocardiographic findings in children with idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy

The M-mode echocardiographic findings in five pediatric patients, ages 4–15 years, with primary idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy, diagnosed by cardiac catheterization, and of 12 normal children (control group) are presented. The M-mode echocardiographic findings in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy were (1) normal left and right ventricular end-diastolic dimension, (2) normal left ventricular posterior wall and interventricular septal thickness (three patients) or mild concentric hypertrophy (two patients), (3) normal opening and closing velocity of the mitral valve, (4) consistently enlarged left atrium (more than 40 mm) in all, and (5) right ventricular systolic time intervals compatible with pulmonary artery hypertension. The left ventricular ejection phase parameters (systolic time intervals, shortening fraction, and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening) were normal. Left ventricular relaxation phase parameters (diastolic function) were abnormal. The isovolumic relaxation time index was prolonged, 68±40 ms (±SD), in the study group as compared with 11±6 ms (±SD) in the control group (P<0.001). Percent relaxation of left ventricular posterior wall endocardium at 50% of diastole was decreased, 58±4% (±SD), in the study group as compared with 85±6% (±SD) in the control group (P<0.005). We conclude that M-mode echocardiography provides arelatively useful and specific noninvasive method for the diagnosis of primary restrictive cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients.
LINEAR PROGRAMMING FORMULATIONS FOR SYSTEM OPTIMUM DYNAMIC TRAFFIC ASSIGNMENT WITH ARRIVAL TIME-BASED AND DEPARTURE TIME-BASED DEMANDS

The system optimum dynamic traffic assignment problem, in which drivers fix their arrival rather than their departure times, is examined. A model is formulated as a linear program that simultaneously optimizes departure time and route choice. The model applies to multiorigin/multidestination problems, and the first-in-first-out condition is generally observed on the links and nodes of the network. An extension is discussed that accounts for combined departure time- and arrival time-based demand on the same network. The models are tested on an example network, and the results are discussed.
File replication in video on demand services

A large-scale video-on-demand (VOD) system demands storage of hundreds of movies and support of thousands of concurrent accesses. The number of concurrent accesses to each movie may vary, depending on the popularity of each movie. File replication problem is concerned with how to replicate, and place the movie files over a number of magnetic disk arrays such that a given access profile can be supported at a minimum cost. This is an NP-hard combinatorial problem. However with its similarity to a transportation model, we develop a transportation-type algorithm to generate a good solution in an effective and convenient form. The computational results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing greedy placement algorithm.
Can Smoothing Help When Equating With Unrepresentative Small Samples

The study evaluated the effectiveness of log-linear presmoothing (Holland & Thayer, 1987) on the accuracy of small sample chained equipercentile equatings under two conditions (i.e., using small samples that differed randomly in ability from the target population versus using small samples that were distinctly different from the target population). Results showed that equating with small samples (e.g., N < 50) using either raw or smoothed score distributions can result in a substantial amount of random equating error (although smoothing reduced random equating error). Even with samples sizes of 100, the random equating error was quite large (greater than the difference that matters or DTM) for almost all score points. Moreover, when the small samples were unrepresentative of the target population, which is quite likely for small samples, the amount of equating bias (in addition to random equating error) was considerably large for both the raw and smoothed equatings. It was concluded that although presmoothing helped reduce random equating error, it is unlikely to reduce equating bias caused by using an unrepresentative sample. Other alternatives to the small sample equating problem that focus more on improving data collection than on improving existing equating methods are discussed.
Quality Characteristics of Spaghetti as Affected by Green and Yellow Pea, Lentil, and Chickpea Flours

Spaghetti was made from semolina, containing 5% to 30% milled flours of green pea, yellow pea, chickpea, and lentil, respectively. Physical-chemical characteristics and descriptive sensory and consumer acceptance characteristics were measured. Spaghetti containing legume flours darkened the spaghetti (P < 0.05) but did not affect the cooked weight significantly. Cooking loss and firmness increased with an increase in legume flour content. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA/g) was significantly reduced after cooking. Descriptive intensity analysis showed that the firmness, pulse flavor, and color intensity of the pasta products increased with the increase in the percentages of legume flour fortification up to 30%, whereas the intensity of the shiny appearance, elasticity, and overall quality decreased. Consumers preferred control spaghetti (without legume additives) more than the spaghetti containing legume flours and they slightly liked the spaghetti with 15% lentil or green pea and the spaghetti with 20% chickpea or yellow pea.
Electromagnetic and hadronic form factors and operators in the interacting boson model

Making use of the underlying shell model picture of the interacting boson model, we derive some relations between the electromagnetic and hadronic density operators.
Emergence of Life

Discussions of the origin of life usually assume that there is a specific event, however improbable, by which dead matter be[ came a living entity. Naturalistic accounts, although in seeming opposition to theistic explanations of the apparent design of even the simplest cells, often share the assumption that there is a specific line to be crossed. If the problem is recast as one of a process of emergence of biochemistry from protobiochemistry, which in turn emerged from the organic chemistry and geochemistry of primitive earth, the resources of the new sciences of complex systems dynamics can provide a more robust conceptual framework within which to explore the possible pathways of chemical complexification leading to life. In such a view the emergence of life is the result of deep natural laws (the outlines of which we are only beginning to perceive) and reflects a degree of holism in those systems that led to life. Further, there is the possibility of developing a more general theory of biology and of natural organization from such an approach. The emergence of life may thus be seen as an instance of the broader innate creativity of nature and consistent with a possible natural teleology.