cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hybrid aggregates: combining SSDs and HDDs in a single storage pool

Relative to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs) provide a very large number of I/Os per second, but they have limited capacity. From a cost-effectiveness perspective, SSDs provide significantly better random I/O throughput per dollar than a typical disk, but the capacity provided per dollar spent on SSDs limits them to the most demanding of datasets. Traditionally, Data ONTAP® storage aggregates have been provisioned using a single type of disk. This restriction limits the costeffectiveness of the storage pool to that of the underlying disks.The Hybrid Aggregates project within the Advanced Technology Group (ATG) explored the potential to combine multiple disk types within a single aggregate. One of the primary goals of the project was to determine whether a hybrid aggregate, composed of SSDs (for their cost-effective performance) and Serial-ATA (SATA) disks (for their cost-effective capacity), could simultaneously provide better cost/performance and cost/throughput ratios than an all Fibre-Channel (FC) solution.The project has taken a two-pronged approach to building a prototype system capable of supporting hybrid aggregates. The first part of the project investigated the changes necessary for Data ONTAP RAID and WAFL® layers to support a hybrid aggregate. This included propagating disk-type information to WAFL, modifying WAFL to support the allocation of blocks from a particular storage class (i.e., disk type), and repurposing the existing writeafter- read and segment-cleaning infrastructure to support the movement of data between storage classes. The second part of the project examined potential policies for allocating and moving data between storage classes within a hybrid aggregate. Through proper policies, it is possible to automatically segregate the data within the aggregate such that the SSD-backed portion of the aggregate absorbs a large fraction of the I/O requests, leaving the SATA disks to contribute capacity for colder data.This paper describes the implementation of the Hybrid Aggregates prototype and the policies for automatic data placement and movement that have been evaluated. It also presents some performance results from the prototype system.
Optimal Control-Based Strategy for Sensor Deployment

In sensor network-based detection/surveillance, one of the first challenges to address is the optimal deployment of sensors such that detection requirements are satisfied in a given area. Specifically, we pose the following question: Given a finite number of sensors, what is the best way to deploy these sensors in order to minimize the squared difference between achieved and required detection/miss probabilities? In this paper, we develop a novel optimal control theory based formulation of this sensor deployment problem. Exploiting similarities between the problem at hand and the linear quadratic regulator, an analytical solution is derived and tested. Unlike prior efforts that rely purely on heuristics, the proposed optimal control framework provides a theoretical basis for the resulting solution. As the complexity of the optimal control based solution is high, we develop a low-complexity approximation called Max_Deficiency algorithm. Using simulation results, we show that the proposed algorithms outperform existing methods by using 10% to 30% fewer number of sensors to satisfy detection requirements.
Determination of cadmium, lead and copper in water samples by flame atomic-absorption spectrometry with preconcentration by flow-injection on-line sorbent extraction.

Abstract Cadmium, lead and copper were determined in synthetic sea-water, drinking water and the NBS 1643b Trace Elements in Water standard reference material at μg/l. levels by flame atomic-absorption spectrometry after on-line preconcentration by sorbent extraction with a flow-injection system. Bonded silica with octadecyl functional groups packed in a micro column of 100 μl capacity was used to collect diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate complexes of the heavy metals in the aqueous samples. The sample loading time was 20 sec at a flow-rate of 3.3 ml/min. Ethanol or methanol was used to elute the adsorbed analytes into the spectrometer. The sample loading rate, elution rate and pH were optimized. Enrichment factors of 19–25 for Cd, Pb and Cu were achieved at sampling frequencies of 120/hr with precisions of 1.4, 1.0 and 1.3% rsd (n = 11), respectively. The detection limits (3σ) for Cd, Pb and Cu were 0.3, 3 and 0.2 μg/l., respectively. Determination of Cd, Pb and Cu in NBS SRM 1643b showed good agreement with the certified values. Recoveries of Cd and Pb added to sea-water were 95 and 102%, respectively.
PR Students’ Perceptions and Readiness for Using Search Engine Optimization:

Enough evidence is available to support the idea that public relations professionals must possess search engine optimization (SEO) skills to assist clients in a full-service capacity; however, litt...
Proximal Humeral Nonunion Treated With an Intramedullary Tantalum Cylinder

Nonunion is uncommon after proximal humerus fracture surgery. There is no agreement about preferred method of treatment. Traditional approaches have included laterally based locking plates, autogenous grafting, and endosteal support to provide improved biomechanical stability. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of proximal humeral nonunion has been performed with various methods, including blade plates and bone grafting, as well as intramedullary support with autologous or allogenic grafts. Both malunion and nonunion have occurred after ORIF with locking plates. Endosteal support in the form of a fibular allograft incorporated into the locking plate construct can increase mechanical stability in selected cases. An ideal implant for proximal humeral nonunion provides medial column mechanical support and osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Porous intramedullary tantalum metal may play a role in nonunion surgery as an alternative to fibular allograft because of its versatility of use and salutary biological effects. It offers many material advantages for use in nonunion surgery. Tantalum is extensively porous (75%-80%), has a stiffness close to that of native bone, and offers the possibility of being a carrier for osteoinductive materials. It may also be suitable for patients who refuse allograft material. This article describes a 65-year-old woman with recalcitrant proximal humeral nonunion who was successfully treated with revision ORIF with intramedullary tantalum cylinder augmentation with a lateral-based locking plate and autogenous cancellous bone grafting. At 5-year follow-up, she had excellent motion and clinical and radiographic union.
Cardiovascular correlates of platelet count and volume in the Framingham Heart Study

Abstract Purpose Platelet count and volume are inexpensive, routinely assayed biomarkers associated with cardiovascular health, but specific relationships among platelet indices, cardiovascular risk factors, and disease warrant further investigation. The purpose of this study was to understand associations among platelet count, volume, and 20 cardiovascular health–related variables in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Methods Cross-sectional analyses were performed on platelet count and volume associations with cardiovascular health indicators in three FHS cohorts (original n = 964, offspring n = 2699, and third generation n = 2419) using multivariate linear regression analysis. Time-to-event analysis was used for cardiovascular disease–related event incidences using Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age and sex. Results Results were concordant with the hypothesis that higher platelet counts are associated with less favorable cardiovascular risk profiles, although mean platelet volume associations were weaker. In our analysis, increased platelet count across FHS cohorts was consistently associated with smoking, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol levels. Some associations with platelet count appeared sex dependent. Conclusions Significant associations of common blood platelet measurements are observed with sex and cardiovascular risk factors, namely smoking and lipids. Research is warranted to confirm these relationships in other cohorts, evaluate differences by ethnicity, and examine longitudinal effects on disease risk.
Solid state FDMR studies of ion-molecule reactions in radiolysis of saturated hydrocarbons

Abstract Studies of radical cations produced in pulse radiolysis of frozen hydrocarbon solutions have been carried out using time-resolved fluorescence-detected magnetic resonance (FDMR). These first time-resolved solid-state FDMR experiments were performed with a spectrometer modified to allow sample translation and cooling to near liquid-helium temperature. The stability of solvent radical cations in decalins increases at lower temperatures in solid phase. The contrasting behavior of the cis- and transdecalin radical cations is indicative of the importance of ion-molecule reactions of alkane radical cations. Experiments of this type provide information about the dynamics of charge pair recombination in solids.
Technical and Economic Analysis of a Waste-to-Energy Plant for Austin, Texas Under a Range of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Prices

Technical and economic metrics of electricity generation from a Waste to Energy (WTE) plant are compared to coal, natural gas combined cycle, biomass, and landfill gas generation alternatives for Austin, Texas under a range of greenhouse gas emissions prices. The WTE technology and history is described, as well as details relevant to a WTE plant in Austin. Technical and economic values for WTE from the literature are discussed. The upper limit of electricity generation from Austin’s MSW stream is 5% of Austin’s 2007 annual electricity consumption. Selection of appropriate values for capital, operating, and fuel costs indicates that WTE is more expensive than all of the alternative generation technologies considered (coal, natural gas combined cycle, landfill gas, and biomass). If greenhouse gas emissions are priced and offsets from fugitive landfill gas emissions are allowed, WTE becomes more cost-competitive by taking credit for offset landfill gas emissions. Under this scenario WTE becomes cost-competitive with biomass at $33 per ton CO2 equivalent, coal at $92 per ton CO2 equivalent, and natural gas at $115 per ton CO2 equivalent.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
On the structural similarity of ApoA-I and ApoA-II of human high density lipoproteins.

Abstract The possible evolutionary origin of apolipoproteins was studied by comparing the primary structures of different plasma apolipoproteins and other phospholipid-binding proteins. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) and apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II) of human high density lipoprotein (HDL) are related. The resemblance of these two HDL apolipoproteins are apparently restricted to the carboxyl terminal regions suggesting that these portions of the molecules are derived from the same ancestor. The homologous carboxyl terminal segments may be involved in the regulation of HDL metabolism or in the interaction with phospholipids.
The association between self-rated mental health and symptoms of depression in Korean American older adults

Objective: The study examined the association of self-rated mental health (SRMH) with three measures of depressive symptoms (the short form CES-D, GDS-SF, and PHQ-9) in Korean American older adults. Method: The sample consisted of 420 community-dwelling Korean American older adults (M age = 71.6, SD = 7.59) in the New York City metropolitan area. Hierarchical regression models of SRMH were estimated with an array of predictors: (a) sociodemographic characteristics, (b) physical health-related variables, and (c) each of the three depressive symptom measures. Results: The three measures of depressive symptoms were interrelated, and each of them made a significant contribution to the multivariate models of SRMH. The amount of variance explained by the short-form CES-D, GDS-SF, and PHQ-9 was 11%, 10%, and 16%, respectively. Conclusion: Findings show a moderately strong linkage between the measures of depressive symptoms and SRMH and invite further research on SRMH in diverse populations.
The Newer Anticholinergic Agents *: I. Effectiveness as Anhydrotics

Pro-Banthine, Antrenyl, Pamine, and Darstine are compared with Banthine and Prantal as to their effectiveness in reducing sweat in hidrose subjects and in normal subjects in whom hyperhidrosis was induced. Results of quantitative determinations on various parts of the body before and after drug or placebo administration are discussed. The effects of prolonged administration and side effects of the drugs are reported.
A case study of women's education within the Moroccan development model

This paper examines the current efforts being made in Morocco in the field of women's education and evaluates the success of the Moroccan Development Model in the field of women's education by examining the topic through three lenses: international aid agencies, Moroccan government and royal efforts and the Moroccan Women's Movement. Consideration of the historical, religious and economic frameworks for each actor maintains priority within the study as a means of evaluating the progress made to date, the current status of women's education and the long-term goals and timeframes. The findings within this paper are primarily based on UN statistics, ratings, and definitions as well as other reputable sources such as the World Bank. Sources used include magazine articles, websites, academic journals and papers, and sociological, political and anthropological books on Morocco and women. It must be noted that this evaluation focuses on Anglophone and Francophone sources only and does not consider Arabophone sou...
The Significant Dimensions of Teaching Behavior and their Relative Importance for Instructor Evaluations.

Currently, student evaluations appear to have a large impact on academia. In order to understand better student attitudes concerning teaching performance, factor analysis is used in this paper to identify significant dimensions of student attitude toward instructors. A representative sample of 212 college of business students at the University of Georgia was selected for this purpose. Six interpretable dimensions of teaching behavior were identified. A second sample of 205 University of Georgia college of business students was used to investigate the relative importance of each of the six identified dimensions.
Enhancement of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Repopulating Capacity and Self-Renewal in the Absence of the Transcription Factor C/EBPα

Abstract The transcription factor C/EBPα is required for granulopoiesis and frequently disrupted in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we show disruption of C/EBPα blocks the transition from the common myeloid to the granulocyte/monocyte progenitor but is not required beyond this stage for terminal granulocyte maturation. C/EBPα-deficient hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have increased expression of Bmi-1 and enhanced competitive repopulating activity. Bone marrow in adult C/EBPα-deficient mice was filled with myeloblasts, similar to human AML, supporting the notion that disruption of C/EBPα cooperates with other events in the development of leukemia. Therefore, C/EBPα is not only essential for granulocyte development but, in addition, is a regulator of hematopoietic stem cell activity.
Evaluating the impact of implementation factors on family-based prevention programming: methods for strengthening causal inference.

Despite growing recognition of the important role implementation plays in successful prevention efforts, relatively little work has sought to demonstrate a causal relationship between implementation factors and participant outcomes. In turn, failure to explore the implementation-to-outcome link limits our understanding of the mechanisms essential to successful programming. This gap is partially due to the inability of current methodological procedures within prevention science to account for the multitude of confounders responsible for variation in implementation factors (i.e., selection bias). The current paper illustrates how propensity and marginal structural models can be used to improve causal inferences involving implementation factors not easily randomized (e.g., participant attendance). We first present analytic steps for simultaneously evaluating the impact of multiple implementation factors on prevention program outcome. Then, we demonstrate this approach for evaluating the impact of enrollment and attendance in a family program, over and above the impact of a school-based program, within PROSPER, a large-scale real-world prevention trial. Findings illustrate the capacity of this approach to successfully account for confounders that influence enrollment and attendance, thereby more accurately representing true causal relations. For instance, after accounting for selection bias, we observed a 5 % reduction in the prevalence of 11th grade underage drinking for those who chose to receive a family program and school program compared to those who received only the school program. Further, we detected a 7 % reduction in underage drinking for those with high attendance in the family program.
Suboptimal Subspace-Fitting Methods For Multidimensional Signal Parameter Estimation

ESPRIT is a recently introduced algorithm for direction-of-arrival (DOA) and spectral estimation. Its principal advantage is that parameter estimates are obtained directly, without knowledge (and hence storage) of the parameter manifold and without computation or search of some spectral measure. This advantage is achieved by exploiting a certain invariance structure for the spatial or temporal signal samples; for example, in DOA estimation, it is assumed that the sensor array is composed of two identical subarrays separated by a known displacement vector. In many applications, arrays are constructed with invariances in more than one spatial direction. These arrays are typically sampled uniformly, so an additional invariance in time may also be present. In this paper, it is shown how to generalize the geometric concepts of ESPRIT to accommodate arrays with multidimensional invariance structure, and consequently to simultaneously estimate multiple parameters (e.g., azimuth, elevation, frequency, etc.) per source. The framework for this generalization is provided by the fact that ESPRIT is equivalent to a least-squares (LS) fit of the single invariance structure to a set of vectors which span the signal subspace (hence the term subspace-fitting). For ESPRIT , the TLS fit requires no constraints. In the multi-dimensional case, however, constraints must be applied in order to obtain an "optimal" solution. We will primarily be concerned with suboptimal methods which approximate the optimal solution. Suboptimal here refers to the fact that the constraints are satisfied by a two-stage procedure rather than simultaneously with the LS fit; i.e., an unconstrained fit is performed first, after which the solutions are "projected" in some sense back onto the constraints.
On self-similar blast waves headed by the Chapman-Jouguet detonation

Consideration of the whole class of self-similar solutions for blast waves bounded by Chapman-Jouguet detonations that propagate into a uniform, quiescent, zero counterpressure atmosphere of a perfect gas with constant specific heats. Since such conditions can be approached quite closely by some actual chemical systems at NTP, this raises the interesting possibility of the existence of Chapman-Jouguet detonations of variable velocity. The principal virtue of the results presented is, however, more of theoretical significance. They represent the limiting case for all the self-similar blast waves headed by gasdynamic discontinuities associated with a deposition of finite amounts of energy, and they exhibit some unique features owing to the singular nature of the Chapman-Jouguet condition.
International evidence on the impact of transfers and taxes on alternative poverty indexes

Abstract Changes in the headcount rate are the standard metric for gauging how public transfers and taxes affect poverty. An alternative strategy is to rely on distribution-sensitive indexes ( Sen, 1976 , Sen, 1981 ). How would the measured impacts of policy change if such an approach were used? This study provides new empirical evidence based on Luxembourg Income Study data for 17 countries. Poverty is measured using three indexes from the class developed by Foster et al. (1984) , one of which is the headcount rate. Estimates of the policy impacts are obtained by computing index values with before- and after-policy income. Evidence is also provided on the determinants of cross-country differences in index values and policy effectiveness.
Gentamicin differentially alters cellular metabolism of cochlear hair cells as revealed by NAD(P)H fluorescence lifetime imaging

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are implicated as culprits of hearing loss in more than 120,000 individuals annually. Research has shown that the sensory cells, but not supporting cells, of the cochlea are readily damaged and/or lost after use of such antibiotics. High-frequency outer hair cells (OHCs) show a greater sensitivity to antibiotics than high- and low-frequency inner hair cells (IHCs). We hypothesize that variations in mitochondrial metabolism account for differences in susceptibility. Fluorescence lifetime microscopy was used to quantify changes in NAD(P)H in sensory and supporting cells from explanted murine cochleae exposed to mitochondrial uncouplers, inhibitors, and an ototoxic antibiotic, gentamicin (GM). Changes in metabolic state resulted in a redistribution of NAD(P)H between subcellular fluorescence lifetime pools. Supporting cells had a significantly longer lifetime than sensory cells. Pretreatment with GM increased NAD(P)H intensity in high-frequency sensory cells, as well as the NAD(P)H lifetime within IHCs. GM specifically increased NAD(P)H concentration in high-frequency OHCs, but not in IHCs or pillar cells. Variations in NAD(P)H intensity in response to mitochondrial toxins and GM were greatest in high-frequency OHCs. These results demonstrate that GM rapidly alters mitochondrial metabolism, differentially modulates cell metabolism, and provides evidence that GM-induced changes in metabolism are significant and greatest in high-frequency OHCs.
Giardiasis in wild and captive bird populations: High prevalence in herons and budgerigars

The prevalence of giardiasis was investigated in wild and captive bird populations by determining the presence of cysts in faecal samples or cloacal swabs by immunofluorescence or by direct examination of intestinal smears from necropsied animals for the presence of motile trophozoites. A total of 370 samples from 74 species of birds representing 16 orders were examined. Five orders of birds contained Giardia infections and prevalence ranged from 1.7 to 55%. Ciconiformes (herons) and Psittaciformes (budgerigars) had the highest prevalence of giardiasis being 55% and 46%, respectively. Trophozoites recovered from green‐backed herons and egrets were all morphologically identical to G. ardeae isolated from the great blue heron, whereas those from budgerigars were the same phenotypically as has been reported for G. psittaci. Anseriformes and Passeriformes had rates of giardiasis of 2.6% or less, while Falconiformes, although indicated as positive for Giardia had too few samples available to make an accurate a...
Transapical Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis: Results From the Nonrandomized Continued Access Cohort of the PARTNER Trial

Background Transapical (TA) aortic valve replacement was an integral part of the Placement of Transcatheter Aortic Valves (PARTNER) trial. Enrollment during the randomized trial included 104 transapical (premarket approval TA [PMA-TA]) and 92 surgical aortic valve replacements (SAVR) within the TA cohort. On completion of the trial, enrollment continued in a nonrandomized continued access (NRCA) program. We compared the outcomes of NRCA-TA procedures with those of PMA-TA and SAVR. Methods In 22 centers, 975 patients underwent TA aortic valve replacement as part of the NRCA registry. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were unchanged from the previously reported PARTNER trial. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Results Thirty-day or in-hospital mortality was 8.8% for the NRCA-TA cohort, compared with 10.6% and 12.0% for the PMA-TA and SAVR patients, respectively ( p = 0.54). One-year mortality in the NRCA-TA cohort was 22.1%, not significantly lower than the mortality in PMA-TA and SAVR patients at 29.0% and 25.3%, respectively ( p = 0.27). Thirty-day or in-hospital stroke was 2.2% among NRCA-TA patients in contrast to the 6.7% stroke rate observed in the PMA-TA group and 5.4% in SAVR patients ( p = 0.008). Lower rates of neurologic adverse events in the NRCA-TA group persisted at 1 year compared with the PMA-TA and SAVR patients. Conclusions Among the 975 patients in the NRCA-TA cohort, rates of major outcomes including death and stroke compared favorably with outcomes of PMA-TA and SAVR patients enrolled in the PARTNER trial. This trend toward improved outcomes may be attributed to improved patient selection, individual centers surmounting the procedural learning curve, and refinements in surgical technique.
Research and Exploitation of Precise Irrigation-Fertilization Controller

Develops a general structure of a Precise Irrigation-Fertilization Machine. Introduces the designing ideas of the hardware and software structure of Precise Irrigation-Fertilization Controller, which is the hard core of the machine. MSP430F149 is used as the manager and controller of sub-modules of the precise irrigation-fertilization controller, such as time module, memory module, valve control module, EC/PH measurement module and estate detection module, power module and so on. The paper particularly introduces the schematic diagrams and flow charts of the controller and its main sub-modules. The simulation result shows that the controller designed in the paper can realize the intended function accurately, and come up to the design requirement as well.
Biotransformation of the Antimelanoma Agent Betulinic Acid by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 13368

Microbial transformation of the antimelanoma agent betulinic acid was studied. The main objective of this study was to utilize microorganisms as in vitro models to predict and prepare potential mammalian metabolites of this compound. Preparative-scale biotransformation with resting-cell suspensions of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 13368 resulted in the production of four metabolites, which were identified as 3-oxo-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid, 3-oxo-11α-hydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid, 1β-hydroxy-3-oxo-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid, and 3β,7β,15α-trihydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid based on nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectral analyses. In addition, the antimelanoma activities of these metabolites were evaluated with two human melanoma cell lines, Mel-1 (lymph node) and Mel-2 (pleural fluid).
Landscape ecology: what is the state of the science?

▪ Abstract Landscape ecology focuses on the reciprocal interactions between spatial pattern and ecological processes, and it is well integrated with ecology. The field has grown rapidly over the past 15 years. The persistent influence of land-use history and natural disturbance on contemporary ecosystems has become apparent. Development of pattern metrics has largely stabilized, and they are widely used to relate landscape pattern to ecological responses. Analyses conducted at multiple scales have demonstrated the importance of landscape pattern for many taxa, and spatially mediated interspecific interactions are receiving increased attention. Disturbance remains prominent in landscape studies, and current research is addressing disturbance interactions. Integration of ecosystem and landscape ecology remains challenging but should enhance understanding of landscape function. Landscape ecology should continue to refine knowledge of when spatial heterogeneity is fundamentally important, rigorously test the ...
Hospital-acquired infections

The study and understanding of nosocomial infections have a very rich and colorful past in the field of obstetrics. Many of the basic principles of the spread and control of hospital-acquired infections resulted from the early work on puerperal sepsis. Certainly not the first to suggest the mode of spread of hospital-acquired infections, Ignaz Semmelweis, Professor of Obstetrics at the Vienna Medical School in the mid-19th century, was perhaps the most controversial. In his writings on “The etiology, the concept and the prophylaxis of childbed fever,” he presents his observations from over 15 years of practice. During this time maternal mortality from “childbed fever” reached as high as 30% of all deliveries in the First Division of Vienna Lying-In Hospital. This was in sharp contrast to the relatively low mortality in the adjacent Second Division. The former was staffed by medical students who frequently went directly from the autopsy suite to the delivery suite, whereas the latter was staffed by midwives who did not participate in autopsies. By a series of observations Semmelweis proposed that childbed fever resulted from the “resorption of a decomposed animal-organic matter” that could be passed outside the body.
In the Shadow of Du Bois: Afro-Modern Political Thought in America . By Robert Gooding-Williams

In this book, Robert Gooding-Williams uses the seminal work of W. E. B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folks (1903) to outline Du Bois' dominant influence in defining the boundaries of black politics. Du Bois' statement about the color line, still quoted more than a century after its publication, is just one example of the enduring impact of Souls and other works on the ways in which black politics scholars conceptualize, measure, and make prescriptions for black political progress. However, his import as a dominant voice in black political thought belies the fact that there was ideological and fervent opposition to his view concerning how blacks could overcome racial oppression. Unlike Du Bois, however, many of those opponents are less known or simply ignored by contemporary black scholars.
Supervised Learning Through Neuronal Response Modulation

Neural networks that are trained to perform specific tasks must be developed through a supervised learning procedure. This normally takes the form of direct supervision of synaptic plasticity. We explore the idea that supervision takes place instead through the modulation of neuronal excitability. Such supervision can be done using conventional synaptic feedback pathways rather than requiring the hypothetical actions of unknown modulatory agents. During task learning, supervised response modulation guides Hebbian synaptic plasticity indirectly by establishing appropriate patterns of correlated network activity. This results in robust learning of function approximation tasks evenwhenmultiple output units representing different functions share large amounts of common input. Reward-based supervision is also studied, and a number of potential advantages of neuronal response modulation are identified.
Adenoviral Transfection of Isolated Pancreatic Islets: A Study of Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) and Islet Function

Abstract Gene therapy provides a potential technique to modify immunityin vitroand therefore may prolong graft survivalin vivo.However, viral infection and gene transfer may damage target cells and interfere with biologic function. Viruses, including adenovirus, are known to be capable of modulating apoptosis and initiating cell death by either inducing or suppressing specific processes, depending on the virus and cell system studied. The effect of adenovirus on islet cell viability and function has not been examined in detail. In this study, the dose-dependent effect of an adenoviral vector on islet cell death and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was investigated to establish a therapeutic window for the dose of viral vector administered. Isolated pancreatic rat islets were incubated with an adenovirus expressing a β-galactosidase gene (AdHCMVsp1LacZ) at different viral concentrations [multiplicity of infection (MOI) 1:10, 1:100, and 1:1000]. Transfection rate,in vitroandin vivoislet viability, and occurrence of programmed cell death were determined 1, 3, and 7 days after transfection. Islets, transfected at MOI 1:10 and 1:100, demonstrated apoptosis not significantly different from nontransfected controls. Islets, transfected at MOI 1:1000, demonstrated a significant increase in apoptosis at 24 hr, which decreased over 7 days of culture. The increase in apoptosis was not reflected by a significant decrease inin vitroGSIS of surviving islet cells, as assessed by stimulation index followingin vitroperifusion. SCID or nude mice transplanted with AdlacZ-transfected islets (MOI 1:100 and 1:1000) remained normoglycemic for ≥30 days. These results demonstrate that transfection of islets using adenoviral vectors can be manipulated such that efficient expression of the gene product encoded by the transfected gene (β-galactosidase) can be achieved at lower transfecting concentrations of the adenoviral vector (MOI 1:10, 20.2%; MOI 1:100, 30.7%) while preserving islet function. This efficiency of transfection may allow pretransplant manipulation of isolated islet cells without vector-specific alteration of islet function. In cases where high virus concentrations are required for efficient gene transfer (adequate expression of the transgene product), a deleterious effect of the vector on islet cell function, with increased cell loss due to increased apoptotic events, is predicted. Using the AdlacZ vector, cell loss by apoptotic mechanisms appears limited to the first days following coculture with high viral concentrations, and does not appear to influencein vitroorin vivocell function of the surviving islet cells.
A comparison of ILC architectures for nanopositioners with applications to AFM raster tracking

In previous work, we compared the raster tracking performance of two distinct combined feedforward/feedback control architectures while using model-inverse-based feedforward control [1], [2]. In this paper, we extend that work into the application of parallel and serial iterative learning control (ILC) architectures. These ILC architectures naturally relate to the two previously studied combined feedforward/feedback control architectures, feedforward closed-loop injection (FFCLI) and feedforward plant injection (FFPI). Experimental learning results from an atomic force microscope (AFM) raster scanner are provided as well as results comparing the FFPI and FFCLI architectures with those of the learned performance for parallel and series ILC. We show that the value of ILC over model-inverse-based feedforward methods is increased in the presence of model uncertainty or variation.
Bayesian Analysis of Fiber Impedance Measurements

The resistivities of microscale components of excitable tissue include the longitudinal intracellular and interstitial resistivities and the membrane resistivity. Measurements of these tissue micro impedances have rarely been obtained, mainly because of the lack of a satisfactory measurement system. Here we evaluate a possible strategy for obtaining such measurements, and begin with a simulation. In the model, a one-dimensional fiber was stimulated with closely space interstitial electrodes at four frequencies, and the voltage differences that occurred in response were recorded. We then considered the inverse question, asking if tissue micro impedances could be found from the voltage measurements plus additive noise. In so doing, we used a Bayesian interpretation of the measured data to find the probability that each of the longitudinal and transmembrane resistivity sets was their origin. The Bayesian procedure proved better suited for interpreting the measurements than was conventional least-squares analysis. It was better because all known data, including realistic noise specifications and a priori probabilities, were included in the defined procedure. The results show that the micro impedances were found satisfactorily using realistic parameters and noise levels. The overall quantitative evaluation is promising for future experimental measurements.
The Metropolis Monte Carlo method with CUDA enabled Graphic Processing Units

We present a CPU-GPU system for runtime acceleration of large molecular simulations using GPU computation and memory swaps. The memory architecture of the GPU can be used both as container for simulation data stored on the graphics card and as floating-point code target, providing an effective means for the manipulation of atomistic or molecular data on the GPU. To fully take advantage of this mechanism, efficient GPU realizations of algorithms used to perform atomistic and molecular simulations are essential. Our system implements a versatile molecular engine, including inter-molecule interactions and orientational variables for performing the Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMC) algorithm, which is one type of Markov chain Monte Carlo. By combining memory objects with floating-point code fragments we have implemented an MMC parallel engine that entirely avoids the communication time of molecular data at runtime. Our runtime acceleration system is a forerunner of a new class of CPU-GPU algorithms exploiting memory concepts combined with threading for avoiding bus bandwidth and communication. The testbed molecular system used here is a condensed phase system of oligopyrrole chains. A benchmark shows a size scaling speedup of 60 for systems with 210,000 pyrrole monomers. Our implementation can easily be combined with MPI to connect in parallel several CPU-GPU duets. We parallelize the Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMC) algorithm on one CPU-GPU duet.The Adaptive Tempering Monte Carlo employs MMC and profits from this CPU-GPU implementation.Our benchmark shows a size scaling-up speedup of 62 for systems with 225,000 particles.The testbed involves a polymeric system of oligopyrroles in the condensed phase.The CPU-GPU parallelization includes dipole-dipole & Mie-Jones classic potentials.
Pulmonary immunotoxicology of select metals: aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, vanadium, and zinc.

(2004). Pulmonary Immunotoxicology of Select Metals: Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Manganese, Nickel, Vanadium, and Zinc. Journal of Immunotoxicology: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 39-69.
Direction diversity for indoor infrared wireless communication receivers

One of the important features of infrared (IR) communications is its sensitivity to the direction of reception. Although a diffuse indoor IR channel is less sensitive to rotation than its counterparts, there are still variations in the channel characteristics that should be discussed. The authors investigate the effects of rotation on the characteristics of a diffuse IR channel considering important channel characteristics such as path loss and delay spread. The simulation results reported also show how changing the receiver field-of-view (FOV) affects the quality of the received signal in such a channel. They propose employing direction diversity reception in the IR receivers and briefly discuss advantages offered by employing this technique.
Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Alcohol- Associated Smoking Urge and Behavior: A Pilot Study

This study examined sex differences in alcohol-associated smoking urge and smoking patterns to elucidate factors contributing to the co-use of alcohol and cigarettes. Participants were 39 (22M, 17F) binge-drinking tobacco chippers. Although men and women showed similar alcohol-smoking patterns and similar alcohol-induced smoking urges, a positive association between these factors was observed only in men. The lack of relationship in women suggests that co-use of these substances may be due to exteroceptive factors beyond the pharmacological effects of alcohol potentiating smoking urge.
Rational multiplier IQCs for uncertain time-delays and LMI stability conditions

Describes a set of delay-dependent integral quadratic constraint (IQC) stability conditions for time-delay uncertainty. The IQCs are linearly parameterized in terms of a pair of rational stability multipliers, each active over one of a pair of complementary frequency intervals. Using the finite-frequency positive real lemma, each of these finite-frequency IQC conditions are shown to be equivalent to a frequency-independent linear matrix inequality condition, thereby dispensing with the need for frequency-sweeping.
Sensor Selection for Multiple Sensor Emitter Location Systems

Multiple sensors can locate an emitter by sharing data between pairs of sensors and computing time/frequency-difference-of-arrival (TDOA/FDOA). We address optimal selection of a subset of sensors to reduce the needed network capacity. Fisher information is used to assess the data quality and geometric impact to manage the network to optimize the location accuracy subject to communication constraints. We propose various approaches and discuss trade-offs. The first method assumes that the sensors have been pre-paired. The second method optimally determines pairings as well as selections of pairs but with the constraint that no sensors are shared between pairs. The third method consists of allowing sensors to be shared between pairs. The first method is simple to solve but clearly the pre-pairing requirement makes this method very sub-optimal. In the second method, it is simple to evaluate the Fisher information but is challenging to make the optimal selections of sensors. However, the opposite is true in the third method: it is more challenging to evaluate the Fisher information but is simple to make the optimal selections of sensors.
The Near Infrared (Nir) Absorption Band of Cytochrome aa3 in Purified Enzyme, Isolated Mitochondria and in The Intact Brain in Situ

The potential value of monitoring the redox state of cytochrome c oxidase (cytochrome aa 3 or cyt aa 3) as an index to cerebral energetics was highlighted in the preceding contribution (Sylvia et al., 1985), Hypoxically induced changes in the redox state of cyt aa 3 correlated well with creatine phosphate fluctuations. That study was performed using the well described absorption peak of reduced heme a. in the visible part of the spectrum as the marker (Jobsis et al., 1977). Even as successful as that effort has proved to be, a considerable drawback exists in the fact that, except for very thin skulled animals such as rats and birds, the cerebral cortex must be exposed to obtain the optical signals. In order to be maximally useful, a totally non-invasive approach should be provided for observations on larger species including humans. Not only would this provide a greater range of applicability, including routine monitoring of patients, but the importance of preserving normal intra-cranial pressure relations can hardly be overstressed.
A Comparison of Self-Report and Audiometric Measures of Hearing and Their Associations With Functional Outcomes in Older Adults

Objective: The aim was to investigate whether associations of hearing impairment (HI) with functional outcomes in older adults differ when using self-report versus pure-tone audiometry. Method: We ...
Feature-Rich Two-Stage Logistic Regression for Monolingual Alignment

Monolingual alignment is the task of pairing semantically similar units from two pieces of text. We report a top-performing supervised aligner that operates on short text snippets. We employ a large feature set to (1) encode similarities among semantic units (words and named entities) in context, and (2) address cooperation and competition for alignment among units in the same snippet. These features are deployed in a two-stage logistic regression framework for alignment. On two benchmark data sets, our aligner achieves F1 scores of 92.1% and 88.5%, with statistically significant error reductions of 4.8% and 7.3% over the previous best aligner. It produces top results in extrinsic evaluation as well.
Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in the lung in chronic hypoxia.

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is an oxygen-dependent enzyme that may regulate vascular tone and cell proliferation through the production of carbon monoxide (CO). We tested the hypothesis that HO-1 is upre...
Characterization of N-Type Layers Formed in Si by Ion Implantation of Hydrogen

Silicon wafers have been implanted with H+ (90 keV) to doses of 5.0E15/ cm2 and 2.OE16/cm2. The wafers were annealed in nitrogen at temperatures between 450 and 700°C for times between 10 and 60 min. The electrically active carrier profiles were measured by capacitance voltage and spreading resistance techniques. The residual damage was measured by TEM and RBS. The electrical measurements were essentially the same in both FZ and CZ silicon implying that oxygen is not playing a role in the donor formation which was observed. The donor concentration peaks near the projected range of the hydrogen after annealing at temperatures between 450–500°C. As reported previously 1000 H+ ions generate 1 donor in the implant peak. In addition, the donor concentration between the surface and Rp has increased more than a factor of 10 above the background concentration after a 450°C 10 min anneal. Anneals of 550°C for 30 min or more annihilates essentially all of the donors. The RBS results show small amounts of damage for the 5.0E15/cm2 implant dose but considerable crystal damage with a dose of 2.0E16/cm2, even after a 500°C, 30 min anneal. Cross-sectional TEM analysis of 500°C annealed samples showed a large number of small loops at depths corresonding to the depth of the peak electrical carrier concentration. The donors are directly correlated to the implant damage and resultant defects. SIMS data shows little diffusion for anneals of 500°C or less but after 550°C, 30 min the peak H concentration decreases by approximately a factor of 10.
JBBM at 21: Theme Reflections One Year Later, with a Design View of B-to-B Marketing Field and Closing Tribute to David T. Wilson

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this article is to acknowledge the contribution and significance of the manuscripts published in the 2015 double issue of the Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing celebrating its 21st. anniversary. A precis of each articles’ contribution is highlighted. The author explores the distinct and relevant themes that marked the orientation and positioning of the journal as the premier specialized front runner outlet in the business-to-business (B-to-B) domain and provides reflections about what is next. Finally, further recognition of David T. Wilson as founder of the JBBM, his role as educator and his teaching are remembered.Methodology/approach: A content analysis on each of the manuscripts was performed in an attempt to identify central themes, orientations, findings, and recommendations. The approach is qualitative and focused on identifying common voices from the authors that provide light to the sustainability and relevancy of the JBBM in the future. And, my reflections...