cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-Scale Analysis of Dynamics of Choice Among Discrete Alternatives

The online world is rife with scenarios in which a user must select one from a finite set of alternatives: which movie to watch, which song to play, which camera to order, which website to visit. There is a long history of study of these types of questions in economics, machine learning, marketing, and psychology. However, historically the study of choice was limited to relatively modest data scales. Today, we have access to large-scale datasets providing insights into the choices of large populations of users faced with a wide variety of sets of alternatives. From such data, we are beginning to develop more detailed models of how users weigh alternatives and make selections. I'll begin this talk by covering basic models for choice, along with some standard assumptions made by these models. I'll then cover some more recent work on understanding choice in modern datasets. First, I'll discuss choice in a geographic setting, in which users make selections of restaurants. Features in this setting provide visibility into the actual time cost to travel to one alternative versus another. In addition to this real cost, we may also tease out the implications on likelihood as the set of alternatives at a particular distance becomes larger or smaller based on the local density of restaurants. The marginals of these factors provide poor quality compared to joint models suggested by choice theory. From choice of individual restaurants, I'll then move to a setting in which users consume items repeatedly: repeated purchases of a particular brand of product; repeated listens to a song; repeated visits to a favorite coffee shop; and so forth. I'll describe a simple but accurate model for this problem whose behavior moves between two regimes based on parameter choices: in one regime, users settle on particular favorites and maintain them over time; in another regime, even the most favored item will eventually be abandoned after finite reconsumptions. Finally, I'll move to a more complex scenario of sequential consumption of a range of items, and will show how the theory of discrete choice can be incorporated into the theory of markov processes, requiring a new algorithmic approach to learning the optimal solution. In all of these instances, the learned models include a per-item quality score that may be viewed as proportional to the residual likelihood of selecting the item after other factors in the choice slate have been accounted for. The work described in this talk is partly due to other researchers, and partly joint with various colleagues including Ashton Anderson, Ravi Kumar, Mohammad Mahdian, Bo Pang, Sergei Vassilvitskii and Erik Vee.
Neonatal MSG reduces hypothalamic DA, β-endorphin, and delays weight gain in genetically obese (Aviable yellow/a) mice

Neonatal treatment with monosodium glutamate (MSG) decreases proopiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides and results in obesity. The yellow mouse is a model of obesity induced by the viable yellow (Avy) gene at the agouti locus on Chromosome 2, which results in overproduction of a POMC receptor antagonist. Thus we hypothesized that MSG, when imposed on the genetically susceptible model, would alter the development of obesity. Both yellow obese (Avy) and black lean (alpha/alpha) males were injected on Postnatal Days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 with 2.0 mg/g body weight MSG or saline SC. Their food intake, growth parameters, and neurochemical status were examined. Paradoxically, MSG interacted with the yellow phenotype to delay the rapid rate of weight gain characteristic of this model (p < 0.05). Food intake was decreased (p < 0.05) in both phenotypes treated with MSG, as was hypothalamic content of dopamine (p < 0.05) and of the POMC peptide, beta-endorphin (p < 0.001). The yellow obese phenotype was more sensitive than the black lean phenotype to the neurochemical effect of early postnatal MSG administration. Recent reports suggest the agouti locus protein is an antagonist of the receptor for another POMC peptide, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). Therefore, the balance of functional activity between various POMC peptides appears to be an important factor in the development of both acquired and genetic obesity.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Upregulation in Children with Autism is Associated with Underexpression of Both Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein and GABAA Receptor Beta 3 in Adults with Autism

Recent work has demonstrated the impact of dysfunction of the GABAergic signaling system in brain and the resultant behavioral pathologies in subjects with autism. In animal models, altered expression of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) has been linked to downregulation of GABA receptors. Interestingly, the autistic phenotype is also observed in individuals with Fragile X syndrome. This study was undertaken to test previous theories relating abnormalities in levels of FMRP to GABA(A) receptor underexpression. We observed a significant reduction in levels of FMRP in the vermis of adults with autism. Additionally, we found that levels of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) protein were significantly increased in vermis of children with autism versus age and postmortem interval matched controls. There was also a significant decrease in level of GABA(A) receptor beta 3 (GABRβ3) protein in vermis of adult subjects with autism. Finally, we found significant increases in glial fibrillary acidic protein in vermis of both children and adults with autism when compared with controls. Taken together, our results provide further evidence that altered FMRP expression and increased mGluR5 protein production potentially lead to altered expression of GABA(A) receptors.
A Compact Algorithm for Computing the Stationary Point of a Quadratic Function Subject to Linear Constraints

Abstract : An algorithm is presented for computing the stationary point of a quadratic function of n variables subject to a set of m(m or = n) linear equality constraints. The procedure is compact in the sense that it requires no two-dimensional arrays of computer storage beyond that needed to store the problem data. The use of a Householder orthogonal decomposition by the method should not degrade the numerical conditioning of the original problem. The method is applicable to problems with singular Hessian matrices, and can be adapted for use in a general quadratic programming algorithm. (Author)
IL-4 triggers autoimmune diabetes by increasing self-antigen presentation within the pancreatic Islets.

Several findings have recently questioned the long held hypothesis that cytokines belonging to the Th2 pathway are protective in T-cell-mediated autoimmunity. Among them, there is our previous report that pancreatic expression of IL-4 activated islet antigen-specific BDC2.5 T cells and rendered them able to trigger insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in ins-IL-4/BDC2.5 mice (Mueller et al., Immunity, 7, 1997). Here we analyze the mechanisms underlying IL-4-mediated activation of the self-reactive BDC2.5 T cells. IL-4 is mainly known as the Th2-driving cytokine. However, IL-4 is also critical for DC maturation and upregulation of antigen uptake and presentation by macrophages. In our model, we found that pancreatic expression of IL-4 activated self-reactive BDC2.5 T cells by increasing islet antigen presentation by macrophages and dendritic cells. IL-4 could have triggered self-antigen presentation within the pancreatic islets both by driving maturation of DC from a tolerizing to a priming state and by increasing self-antigen uptake by macrophages.
Alternate Form Reliability of the Revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test for Head Start Children

A review of the reliability data of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (3) indicates that the median coefficient for preschool children, including head start programs, was .64 and .72 for all-aged subjects (2) which suggests that the Peabody Test was less reliable for preschool children. The present study investigated the alternate form reliability of the Peabody Picrure Vocabulary ~est-~evised' (4) with head start children. Forms L and M were administered in counterbalanced order to 39 males ranging in age from 45 to 68 mo. (M = 57.23 mo., SD = 7.42) and 40 females ranging in age from 46 to 75 mo. (M = 57.08 mo., SD = 7.80). A time period of three to seven days elapsed between administrations. All subjects were given both forms by the same trained examiner. The range of standard scores for Form L was 45 to 128, M = 89.51, SD = 14.13; for Form M range was 59 to 127, M = 93.73, SD = 13.04. A significant difference between means was indicated by a t test for correlated data (t = -4.22, fi < .001) which suggests that the standard score equivalent for head start children is significantly higher on Form M than Form L. However, in a practical sense the mean difference between forms is not important as an examiner should report the true score for form used which is estimated by using the obtained score and standard error of measurement. Sex differences were nonsignificant; on Form L females' M = 89.08, SD = 15.42 ' and males' M = 89.95, SD = 12.87 (t = .27); on Form M females' M = 91.43, SD = 12.64 and males' M = 96.10, SD = 13.18 (t = 1.61). Pearson product-moment correlation of .79 between forms was substantial and significant (p < ,001). This finding is consistent with the immediate rerest reliability coefficient for alternate forms using standard score equjvalencs for ages 3-0 to 5-11 which have a median coefficient of .76 and .79 for subjects of all ages as cited by Dunn (4, p. 56). Further, results support use of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised as a consistent measure for head start children since these values compare favorably with the reliability coefficients of the standardization sample. The obtained correlation is lower than is desirable for reliability coefficients which usually fall in the 30's or .Yo's (1, p. 109).
Electrode reactions at solid oxide electrolytes

Reactions at electrodes in contact with solid oxide electrolytes have been studied for application in steam electrolyzers and fuel cells to determine properties which could affect voltage losses. Polarization, ac impedance, and cyclic voltammetry measurements were used to study porous, non-porous, and single-contact electrodes. Simple oxides, complex oxides, and metals have been investigated on zirconia and thoria electrolytes in air, H2O/H2, and inert gases. The electrode performance was highly dependent on the electrode material and the presence of impurities, which played a major role in obtaining reproducible results and the formation of oxide layers. Models for the oxygen reaction have been developed and tested. The results were consistent with the formation of adsorbed oxygen on the electrode, catalyzed by the electrode surfaces.
Semi-automatic time-series transfer functions via temporal clustering and sequencing

When creating transfer functions for time-varying data, it is not clear what range of values to use for classification, as data value ranges and distributions change over time. In order to generate time-varying transfer functions, we search the data for classes that have similar behavior over time, assuming that data points that behave similarly belong to the same feature. We utilize a method we call temporal clustering and sequencing to find dynamic features in value space and create a corresponding transfer function. First, clustering finds groups of data points that have the same value space activity over time. Then, sequencing derives a progression of clusters over time, creating chains that follow value distribution changes. Finally, the cluster sequences are used to create transfer functions, as sequences describe the value range distributions over time in a data set.
Extremely Late Extramedullary Relapse of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Case Report and Review of the Literature

With the use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as frontline treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), there has been an increase in overall remission rates and extended survival, but relapses still occur. While most cases of relapse are limited to the bone marrow and/or blood, APL can relapse in extramedullary sites as well. These relapses may develop several years after remission. While different reasons for extramedullary relapse have been presented in the literature, the exact mechanism and reason for late relapse still needs to be defined. Our case documents the longest interval from diagnosis to relapse of APL described in the literature to date. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jh41e
Relation of Cell Wall Lipid Content of Serratia marcescens to Resistance to Antimicrobial Agents

Serratia marcescens strains were divided into three groups on the basis of antimicrobial sensitivity and pigment production. Group I, nonpigmented, was resistant to most antibiotics. Group II, nonpigmented, was susceptible to many antimicrobial agents, as was group III which was pigmented. Representative organisms of each group were examined for all lipid content. There were no significant differences in total lipid, phospholipid, or fatty acid esters among the three groups. Differences in susceptibility to antibiotics in Serratia do not seem to be explained on the basis of wall lipid content.
Breast Cancer and Sexual Functioning: A Review of the Literature and Implications for Future Research

A review of the literature from 1953-1981 about breast cancer and sexual functioning is presented with an emphasis on the reported research in this field. Based on the literature there is evidence to suggest that women with breast cancer are at risk for developing sexual difficulties as a result of their illness and its subsequent treatment. The existing research indicates that the study of breast cancer and sexual functioning is in its infancy. Most of the research is found to be lacking in an appreciation for the complexity of variables which may contribute to sexual difficulties in this population. An outline of such variables, which are drawn from patient, partner and health provider sources, is presented. Particular attention is given to the effect of treatment upon the patient's ability to maintain her previous level of sexual functioning. Implications for future research are given throughout the discussions of those variables and throughout critiques of the previous studies.
Ultrahigh Current Density Ion Implantation

A study of several engineering alloys implanted at ultrahigh current densities has revealed that the process induces no change in the bulk microsctructure of the materials. Even though temperatures induced during processing exceed the transformation (tempering and annealing) temperatures, there is insufficient time for nucleation and growth reactions to occur during the temperature excursion associated with typical implantation dose and energy conditions. Substantially lower costs should accompany the shorter duration ultrahigh current density implantation process. Auger electron spectrographs reveal a substantially extended nitrogen range over those observed at low current densities (four-fold increase). This enhanced range appears to be due to radiation enhanced diffusion effects. Deeper penetration could lead to more durable surface layers.
Toward Solar Fuels: Photocatalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Hydrocarbons

The past several decades have seen a significant rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels resulting from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. A solar energy based technology to recycle carbon dioxide into readily transportable hydrocarbon fuel (i.e., a solar fuel) would help reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and partly fulfill energy demands within the present hydrocarbon based fuel infrastructure. We review the present status of carbon dioxide conversion techniques, with particular attention to a recently developed photocatalytic process to convert carbon dioxide and water vapor into hydrocarbon fuels using sunlight.
Analysis of Accelerated Life Test Data-Part III: Product Comparisons and Checks on the Validity of the Model and Data

This is Part III of a three-part series presenting statistical methods for planning and analyzing temperature-accelerated life tests with the Arrhenius model when all test units are run to failure. These methods are presented so they can be profitably used by individuals with a limited statistical background. In Part I, the Arrhenius model is described and graphical methods for analysis of such data are given. In Part II, numerical methods for analysis of such data are given and optimum and standard test plans are presented and compared. In Part III, graphical and numerical methods for comparing different products are given and methods for assessing the validity of the data and the assumptions of the Arrhenius model also are given. These methods are illustrated throughout with accelerated life test data on insulation. While the methods are presented for the Arrhenius model, they can be used for planning and analyzing many other accelerated life test situations.
The interaction of periodically generated cylindrical detonations in a simulated hypersonic flow

A new experimental method of establishing oblique detonation waves in stationary detonable mixtures was demonstrated. This method of simulating oblique detonations in hypersonic flow involved the periodic initiation of multiple cylindrical detonation fronts, which upon interaction quickly transitioned to an oblique detonation wave. Its axisymmetric analog was the point ignition of multiple spherical detonation waves forming a conical oblique detonation. The two-dimensional system was chosen here to focus on the interaction of the waves and the motion of the triple points, as well as to determine how rapidly the interacting fronts form a single oblique wave. A stoichiometric mixture of acetylene and oxygen was utilized at pressures between 30 and 50 kPa in these experiments. Ignition was accomplished by branching an established normal detonation wave into five waves propagating in small tubes and time delaying then with respect to one another to initiate cylindrical detonations in the test section. The simulated hypersonic flow speeds were 1.5, 2, and 3 times the Chapman-Jouguet (C-J) velocity. The corresponding initiation frequencies were 1.2×10 5 , 1.6×10 5 , and 2.4×10 5 Hz. The measured oblique wave angles at these three simulated speeds were in good agreement with the expected values based on the wave front kinematics. Interrogation of the wave front velocities indicated that the undisturbed regions propagate at near C-J velocities, whereas the triple point regions propagate at velocities up to 4% to 13% greater than the undisturbed regions, helping to smooth the combined wave front. These results suggest that the periodic strong ignition of a detonable mixture in a hypersonic flow can be a viable method of sustaining detonative combustion without the need of a “flame holder.”
Plant Fitness Assessment for Wild Relatives of Insect Resistant Bt-Crops

When field tests of transgenic plants are precluded by practical containment concerns, manipulative experiments can detect potential consequences of crop-wild gene flow. Using topical sprays of bacterial Bacillus thuringiensis larvicide (Bt) and larval additions, we measured fitness effects of reduced herbivory on Brassica rapa (wild mustard) and Raphanus sativus (wild radish). These species represent different life histories among the potential recipients of Bt transgenes from Bt cole crops in the US and Asia, for which rare spontaneous crosses are expected under high exposure. Protected wild radish and wild mustard seedlings had approximately half the herbivore damage of exposed plants and 55% lower seedling mortality, resulting in 27% greater reproductive success, 14-day longer life-spans, and 118% more seeds, on average. Seed addition experiments in microcosms and in situ indicated that wild radish was more likely to spread than wild mustard in coastal grasslands.
ISEE-1 and -2 observations of magnetotail flux ropes - FTEs in the plasma sheet?

ISEE-1 and 2 observations from about 20 Re down the near-earth magnetotail indicate the presence of magnetic flux ropes in the neutral sheet. Magnetic and electric field and fast plasma data show that these structures convect across the spacecraft at speeds of 200-600-km/s, and have scale sizes of roughly 3 5-Re. The rope axis orientation is approximately cross-tail. Their magnetic structure is similar to Venus ionospheric flux ropes, and to flux transfer events at the dayside magnetopause. These structures may arise from patchy reconnection or tearing mode reconnection within the plasma sheet.
The resistance of cork to decay by wood-destroying molds.

Abstract A new method for the determination of the lignin in cork has been reported. This procedure gives values ca. 25–30%. It is based on the colorimetric estimation of the lignin released by autoclaving with alkali. Using this method it was shown that cork is highly resistant to decay by brown-rot wood-destroying molds. This is attributed to the protective action of the suberin or to the presence in the cork of substances toxic to the molds.
Network demonstration of 100 Gbit/s optical packet switching with self-routing

An OTDM multihop prototype network, developed at Princeton University, is presented. By employing a new self-routing scheme with special address coding suitable for optical packet switching, 100 Gbit/s optical packet switching in an 8-node transparent shuffle network is demonstrated offering extremely high bandwidth and low latency.
Atmospheric thermal stratification and the position of mechanical ventilation air intakes

Abstract The specific characteristics of the thermal structure in the atmospheric surface layer can be utilized for thermal optimization of ventilation of buildings. General description of these characteristics, as well as procedures for their evaluations are presented. Illustrative observations are given, which imply that thermal energy gains can be obtained under appropriate ventilation procedures. The applicability and significance of the suggested procedures are discussed.
Base of tongue carcinoma: Patterns of failure and predictors of recurrence after surgery alone

Between January 1971 and December 1986, 55 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base underwent complete surgical resection with curative intent. No preoperative or postoperative adjuvant therapy was administered. The study group consisted of 41 men and 14 women (median age 61 years). All patients were followed until death (39 patients) or for a median of 9.4 years. Local control at 5 years was 74%. No predictors of local recurrence were discovered. Control in the dissected neck at 5 years was 68%. Control of cancer above the clavicles at 5 years was 48%. Distant metastases developed in 14% of the patients by 5 years. Cause-specific survival at 5 years was 65%. A Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed that pathologic N stage was the only significant independent predictor of recurrence in the dissected neck, recurrence above the clavicles, and cause-specific survival. The 5-year overall survival was 55%. Surgical mortality was 4%.
Testing for Purchasing Power Parity using stationary covariates

Purchasing Power Parity is tested for in post-Bretton Woods real exchange rate data from 20 developed countries using univariate tests and covariate augmented versions of the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (CADF) and feasible point optimal (CPT) unit root tests. The covariates are a combination of stationary variables – inflation, monetary, income, and current account. A cross method comparison of the results is performed. Very strong evidence is found of PPP using the CPT test, rejecting the unit root null for 12 out of the 20 countries at the 5% significance level or better, and six more at the 10% level. Much less evidence is found of PPP with the CADF and univariate tests.
Hydrodynamic loading of microcantilevers vibrating in viscous fluids

The hydrodynamic loading of elastic microcantilevers vibrating in viscous fluids is analyzed computationally using a three-dimensional, finite element fluid-structure interaction model. The quality factors and added mass coefficients of several modes are computed accurately from the transient oscillations of the microcantilever in the fluid. The effects of microcantilever geometry, operation in higher bending modes, and orientation and proximity to a surface are analyzed in detail. The results indicate that in an infinite medium, microcantilever damping arises from localized fluid shear near the edges of the microcantilever. Closer to the surface, however, the damping arises due to a combination of squeeze film effects and viscous shear near the edges. The dependence of these mechanisms on microcantilever geometry and orientation in the proximity of a surface are discussed. The results provide a comprehensive understanding of the hydrodynamic loading of microcantilevers in viscous fluids and are expected to be of immediate interest in atomic force microscopy and microcantilever biosensors.
Bowen, Dufek, and Shelly Receive 2012 James B. Macelwane Medals: Response

Thank you, Mark, for your kind words, and thanks also to AGU and the Macelwane committee for this unexpected honor, and to my nominators for their support.
Accreditation and the state of North Carolina: The revitalization of national standards

From the mid to late 70s, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) developed a process for accrediting post-secondary criminal justice education programs. The academy gave form to the program by developing guidelines and a complex organizational network. However, the program did not reach fruition for a variety of economic and political reasons and it is doubtful that the Academy will attempt to resurrect the program soon. Even though the accreditation movement was abandoned on the national level, the North Carolina Association of Criminal Justice Educators (NCACJE) decided to implement the program and stepped into a very lengthy and political process.
SHIV-1157i and Passaged Progeny Viruses Encoding R5 HIV-1 Clade C Env Cause AIDS in Rhesus Monkeys

Infection of nonhuman primates with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) strains is widely used to study lentiviral pathogenesis, antiviral immunity and the efficacy of AIDS vaccine candidates. SHIV challenges allow assessment of anti-HIV-1 envelope responses in primates. As such, SHIVs should mimic natural HIV-1 infection in humans and, to address the pandemic, encode HIV-1 Env components representing major viral subtypes worldwide. We have developed a panel of clade C R5-tropic SHIVs based upon env of a Zambian pediatric isolate of HIV-1 clade C, the world's most prevalent HIV-1 subtype. The parental infectious proviral clone, SHIV-1157i, was rapidly passaged through five rhesus monkeys. After AIDS developed in the first animal at week 123 post-inoculation, infected blood was infused into a sixth monkey. Virus reisolated at this late stage was still exclusively R5 tropic and mucosally transmissible. Here we describe the long-term follow-up of this initial cohort of six monkeys. Two have remained non-progressors, whereas the other four gradually progressed to AIDS within 123–270 weeks post-exposure. Two progressors succumbed to opportunistic infections, including a case of SV40 encephalitis. These data document the disease progression induced by the first mucosally transmissible, pathogenic R5 non-clade B SHIV and suggest that SHIV-1157i-derived viruses, including the late-stage, highly replication-competent SHIV-1157ipd3N4 previously described (Song et al., 2006), display biological characteristics that mirror those of HIV-1 clade C and support their expanded use for AIDS vaccine studies in nonhuman primates.
A defect in catecholamine metabolism in kinky‐hair disease

The measurement of blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of copper, dopamine β-hydroxylase, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in a patient with kinky-hair disease indicated a block in the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine. The decreased activity of dopamine β-hydroxylase was not corrected by increasing serum copper levels. A second patient with kinky-hair disease had similar clinical and biochemical findings on initial examination. With oral supplemental copper therapy, the second patient attained levels within the control range for blood and cerebrospinal fluid copper, dopamine β-hydroxylase, dopamine, and norepinephrine, demonstrating a state of genetic heterogeneity for this syndrome.
Finite-difference simulations of transient radiation from a finite-length pipe

The far-field radiation originating from a finite-length pipe is well studied, especially for steady-state conditions. However, because all physical systems do not begin in steady state, these radiation characteristics are only valid after the transient portion of the solution has decayed. Understanding transient radiation characteristics may be important (particularly for systems transmitting very short-duration signals), as they can differ quite significantly. A numerical complication to this problem involves dealing with a sharp corner in the domain of interest. While many numerical studies have attempted to couple solutions from the domains inside and outside a pipe, the analysis presented in this work treats the computational domain as a single region by expressing the entire physical domain as a map from a simple rectangular domain in generalized curvilinear coordinates. This method will be introduced in detail and general results of transient radiation will be presented for an infinitely baffled, finite-length pipe using the finite-difference method expressed in generalized curvilinear coordinates. Comparison will be made to previous results [P. Stepanishen and R. A. Tougas, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 93, 3074–3084 (1993)] that used a semi-analytic approach with certain assumptions.
Self-tuning fields and resonant correlations in 2d-gravity

We show that minimal models coupled to quantum gravity have special type of resonant correlations defined by the free field representations and are explicitly computable. The key phenomena in these models are shown to be discontinuity of the number of degrees of freedom at exceptional values of momenta and incomplete decoupling of the spurious states.
Toward a practical methodology for completely characterizing the optimal design space

One of the most compelling reasons for developing high-level synthesis systems has been the desire to quickly explore the design space. Since this problem is very difficult to solve optimally, most systems compute either lower bounds or estimates on the optimal tradeoff curve. The methodology described here goes beyond most previous work in several ways: (1) it computes all optimal tradeoff points so as to completely characterize the design space, (2) it solves not only the scheduling problem, but the clock determination and module selection problems as well, and (3) it carefully prunes the search space at each level of the design cycle.
Microbial Communities Associated with Electrodes Harvesting Electricity from a Variety of Aquatic Sediments

The microbial communities associated with electrodes from underwater fuel cells harvesting electricity from five different aquatic sediments were investigated. Three fuel cells were constructed with marine, salt-marsh, or freshwater sediments incubated in the laboratory. Fuel cells were also deployed in the field in salt marsh sediments in New Jersey and estuarine sediments in Oregon, USA. All of the sediments produced comparable amounts of power. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences after 3-7 months of incubation demonstrated that all of the energy-harvesting anodes were highly enriched in microorganisms in the delta-Proteobacteria when compared with control electrodes not connected to a cathode. Geobacteraceae accounted for the majority of delta-Proteobacterial sequences or all of the energy-harvesting anodes, except the one deployed at the Oregon estuarine site. Quantitative PCR analysis of 16S rRNA genes and culturing studies indicated that Geobacteraceae were 100-fold more abundant on the marine-deployed anodes versus controls. Sequences most similar to microorganisms in the family Desulfobulbaceae predominated on the anode deployed in the estuarine sediments, and a significant proportion of the sequences recovered from the freshwater anodes were closely related to the Fe(III)-reducing isolate, Geothrix fermentans. There was also a specific enrichment of microorganisms on energy harvesting cathodes, but the enriched populations varied with the sediment/water source. Thus, future studies designed to help optimize the harvesting of electricity from aquatic sediments or waste organic matter should focus on the electrode interactions of these microorganisms which are most competitive in colonizing anodes and cathodes.
The consequences of dissimilation in Sundanese

Studies of phonological assimilation have played a central role in the development of current phonological theory. As widely discussed in the literature, assimilation is an extremely common phonological process cross-linguistically and therefore an adequate phonological theory should represent it simply and naturally. This has led to the current view of assimilation as spreading (Clements 1976; Goldsmith 1976; Hayes 1986; among others). Much less work has addressed itself to the issue of dissimilation, but recently it has been suggested that dissimilation should be analysed as delinking followed by default fill-in (Odden 1987; Poser 1987; McCarthy 1988; Yip 1988).
The Sar1 GTPase coordinates biosynthetic cargo selection with endoplasmic reticulum export site assembly

Cargo selection and export from the endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by the COPII coat machinery that includes the small GTPase Sar1 and the Sec23/24 and Sec13/31 complexes. We have analyzed the sequential events regulated by purified Sar1 and COPII coat complexes during synchronized export of cargo from the ER in vitro. We find that activation of Sar1 alone, in the absence of other cytosolic components, leads to the formation of ER-derived tubular domains that resemble ER transitional elements that initiate cargo selection. These Sar1-generated tubular domains were shown to be transient, functional intermediates in ER to Golgi transport in vitro. By following cargo export in live cells, we show that ER export in vivo is also characterized by the formation of dynamic tubular structures. Our results demonstrate an unanticipated and novel role for Sar1 in linking cargo selection with ER morphogenesis through the generation of transitional tubular ER export sites.
Mechanization and Work in the American Shoe Industry: Lynn, Massachusetts, 1852–1883

Between 1852 and 1883 the nature and organization of work in the American shoe industry changed due to the introduction of machinery and the factory system. For generations before 1852 shoes had been made by hand in small workshops organized through a putting out system. Each artisan possessed the skill and tools to make an entire shoe by hand, and work was intertwined with family life. With the introduction of machinery, making a shoe was divided into many distinct tasks, each performed by a different worker, and work was moved into a factory where it came under closer supervision.
An Elderly Patient with Chronic Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder. With the aging of the population and the greater propensity of the elderly to develop hyponatremia, this electrolyte disorder is of increasing importance to the practicing nephrologist. In this Attending Rounds, an illustrative patient with hyponatremia is presented. The reasons for the increased incidence and prevalence of hyponatremia in the elderly are discussed, with emphasis on the effects of aging on urinary dilution, the frequently multifactorial nature of hyponatremia in this population, and the absence of a definite cause for inappropriate and persistent vasopressin release in many such patients. The rationale for treating the hyponatremia, even when apparently asymptomatic, is discussed, with attention to cognitive function, gait, and bone structure disturbances that increase the risk for fractures. The various available treatment approaches, including water restriction, demeclocycline, loop diuretics with NaCl supplementation, urea, and vasopressin antagonists are summarized, with emphasis on the efficacy and limitations of each of these therapies.
Scalability Analysis for Wireless Sensor Networks Routing Protocols

Scalability of routing protocols used in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is a critical issue due to the extremely high node numbers and relatively high node density. A good routing protocol has to be scalable and adaptive to the changes in the network topology. Thus protocols must perform well as the network grows larger or as the workload increases. In this paper, we performed a mathematical verification and the evaluation for proposed scalable property of a given WSN has been computed. This computation showed the limitation and capability of the WSN scalability and specifically for Flooding and SPIN protocols.
Use of contextual information for feature ranking and discretization

Deriving classification rules or decision trees from examples is an important problem. When there are too many features, discarding weak features before the derivation process is highly desirable. When there are numeric features, they need to be discretized for the rule generation. We present a new approach to these problems. Traditional techniques make use of feature merits based on either the information theoretic, or the statistical correlation between each feature and the class. We instead assign merits to features by finding each feature's "obligation" to the class discrimination in the context of other features. The merits are then used to rank the features, select a feature subset, and discretize the numeric variables. Experience with benchmark example sets demonstrates that the new approach is a powerful alternative to the traditional methods. This paper concludes by posing some new technical issues that arise from this approach.
Topography of spinal, dorsal column nuclear, and spinal trigeminal projections to the pontine gray in rats.

Several studies using a variety of animals have reported conflicting evidence concerning the distribution, laterality, and indeed the presence of ascending projections to the pontine nuclei. In an attempt to clarify this issue, projections to the pontine nuclei from the spinal cord, dorsal column nuclei, and spinal trigeminal nucleus were investigated with anterograde methods, i.e., the Fink-Heimer technique and/or autoradiography, in Long-Evans black-hooded rats. Results revealed that dorsal column nuclear projections to the contralateral pontine gray terminate predominantly in two regions – one in the caudal aspect of the medial pontine subdivision and another overlapping the ventral and lateral subdivisions. Within the medial and ventrallateral nuclear regions, fibers from nucleus cuneatus primarily terminated more rostrally to afferents from the nucleus gracilis. Spinal trigeminal projections terminated most heavily within the contralateral pontine gray at midpontine levels. Similar to the dorsal column nuclear projections, trigeminal afferents were observed in the medial and ventrolateral subdivisions, although these terminations were rostral and dorsal to areas receiving cuneatus input. Additional projections from the spinal trigeminal nuclei to the contralateral ventral peduncular nucleus were also observed. In comparison to the above-mentioned pontine afferents, both high cervical and midthoracic spinal cord lesions produced a similar pattern of axonal degeneration in the ipsilateral pontine gray which overlapped substantially with gracilis inputs. The observed topographic distribution pattern of ascending afferents to pontine gray confirm and extend previous findings which in general have only briefly described these pathways.
Umbilical artery Doppler indices in small for gestational age fetuses: correlation with adverse outcomes and placental abnormalities.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the screening efficiency of the umbilical artery systolic to diastolic ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI), and absent end-diastolic flow (AEDF) for adverse pregnancy outcomes and placental abnormalities in small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Doppler examinations of 161 nonanomalous SGA fetuses. The reliability of the S/D and PI were quantified by intraclass correlation coefficients. The association of the S/D, PI, and AEDF with adverse outcomes and placental abnormalities was compared by the chi(2) test. Results There was a simple association of Doppler results with adverse outcomes, which was mitigated when controlled for gestational age. For all measures of adverse outcomes, the specificity of abnormal Doppler results exceeded the sensitivity, and the negative predictive value was greater than the positive predictive value. Comparing the S/D with the PI, there was no significant difference in the sensitivity; however, the specificity of the PI was at least 90% and exceeded that of the S/D for all outcomes. The intraclass correlation coefficients of the S/D and PI were similar, indicating no difference in reliability. Placental abnormalities were significantly more common in cases with abnormal Doppler values (positive predictive value, 94%) with no overlap in the types of placental lesions in most cases. Conclusions As an initial screen for adverse outcomes in SGA fetuses, the umbilical artery Doppler S/D, PI, and AEDF were imprecise. However, these measures were all strongly and similarly predictive of placental abnormalities, especially lesions of maternal underperfusion and fetal vascular obstruction.
Arginine Analogs Modify Signal Detection by Neurons in the Visual Cortex

Nitric oxide (NO) modulates neurotransmitter release, induction of long-term synaptic potentiation and depression, and activity levels of neurons. However, it is not known whether NO contributes to the ability of the CNS to distinguish sensory signals from background noise and/or extract sensory information with greater reliability. We addressed these questions in the visual cortex, in vivo , using electrophysiological recording and analysis of signal detection from individual neurons. This was combined with microiontophoretic application of arginine analogs that either upregulate or downregulate the brain’s endogenous NO-generating pathways or compounds that produce exogenous NO. Protocols that enhance NO levels generally increased the number of action potentials per trial evoked by visual stimuli, improved signal detection, and decreased the coefficient of variation of visually evoked responses, whereas NO-reducing protocols predominantly had complementary effects. Control experiments demonstrate that these effects are likely attributable to the specific ability of these arginine compounds to modify NO levels versus other nonspecific effects. Differential effects between neighboring cells and between single-cell receptive subfields suggest that these actions have a significant direct neural component versus exclusively operating indirectly on neurons through the central vascular actions of NO.
Use of Natural Killer Cells as Immunotherapy for Leukaemia

Natural killer (NK) cells potentially play a significant role in eradicating residual disease following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation, and have been explored as tools for adoptive immunotherapy for chemotherapy-refractory patients. NK cell cytotoxicity is modulated by multiple activating and inhibitory receptors that maintain a balance between self-tolerance and providing surveillance against pathogens and malignant transformation. The functional characteristics of NK cells are dictated by the strength of inhibitory receptor signalling. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-specific inhibitory receptor acquisition occurs sequentially during NK cell development, and is determined by the nature of immunological reconstitution after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation. Polymorphisms of inhibitory receptors [killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs)] and their ligands (MHC) contribute to interindividual variability. As a result, the functional NK cell repertoire of individual donors has variable potential for graft-vs-leukaemia reactions. Models predicting NK cell alloreactivity, including KIR ligand mismatch and missing KIR ligand strategies, are discussed as algorithms for optimal NK cell donor selection. Future modifications to improve NK cell adoptive immunotherapy by means of increasing target recognition and reducing inhibitory signalling are being explored.
Co‐culturing Chlorella minutissima with Escherichia coli can increase neutral lipid production and improve biodiesel quality

Lipid productivity and fatty acid composition are important metrics for the production of high quality biodiesel from algae. Our previous results showed that co-culturing the green alga Chlorella minutissima with Escherichia coli under high-substrate mixotrophic conditions enhanced both culture growth and crude lipid content. To investigate further, we analyzed neutral lipid content and fatty acid content and composition of axenic cultures and co-cultures produced under autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions. We found that co-culturing C. minutissima with E. coli under high substrate conditions (10 g/L) increased neutral lipid content 1.9- to 3.1-fold and fatty acid content 1.5- to 2.6-fold compared to equivalent axenic C. minutissima cultures. These same co-cultures also exhibited a significant fatty acid shift away from trienoic and toward monoenoic fatty acids thereby improving the quality of the synthesized fatty acids for biodiesel production. Further investigation suggested that E. coli facilitates substrate uptake by the algae and that the resulting growth enhancement induces a nitrogen-limited condition. Enhanced carbon uptake coupled with nitrogen limitation is the likely cause of the observed neutral lipid accumulation and fatty acid profile changes.
Thermodynamic Equations of State

An entropy change for the independent variables T and V follows the partial differential path
Lagrangian approach to minimize makespan of non-identical parallel batch processing machines

Proposes a Lagrangian Relaxation of the non-identical parallel batch processing machine problem.Compares to Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Random Keys Genetic Algorithm (RKGA), and CPLEX.Conducts experiments for two and four machine problems of various number of jobs.Shows Lagrangian Relaxation identifies new, improved solutions for several benchmark instances. This research is motivated by the testing operations conducted at an electronics manufacturing facility. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) of varying size are assembled on multiple assembly lines. The PCBs from different assembly lines are later grouped to form batches that are scheduled for testing on non-identical Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) chambers. The ESS chambers can process multiple PCBs simultaneously as long as the total size of all PCBs in the batch does not exceed the chamber's capacity. The testing time of the batch depends on the composition of the batch. The chambers are referred to as Batch Processing Machines (BPMs) and PCBs are jobs in this paper. Scheduling non-identical BPMs to minimize the makespan objective is known to be NP-hard. Consequently, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Random Keys Genetic Algorithm (RKGA) approaches were proposed in the literature. In this research, a Lagrangian Relaxation (LR) approach is proposed. The solution from the LR approach is compared to the solution from PSO, RKGA, and a commercial solver. An experimental study is conducted on benchmark instances and the LR approach identified a new improved solution for several problem instances.