cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning with Stochastic Gradient

Statistical learning often involves minimizing an objective function to find a suitable value of the model parameter. A simple and ubiquitous method for minimizing a differentiable objective function is Gradient Descent, which uses iterative parameter updates in the direction of steepest descent to minimize the objective. However, there are situations where the calculation of the objective function gradient is either analytically intractable or computationally infeasible. Two important examples are parameter estimation for Gibbs models and weight optimization in deep neural networks. Stochastic Gradient methods, which use a random but unbiased estimate of the full gradient, can be a useful tool for overcoming situations where the full gradient is unavailable. In the first half of the chapter, several theorems concerning the approximation of the true gradient from per-observation gradients are presented, and an important connection between Stochastic Gradient and Langevin Dynamics is discussed. The second section covers parameter estimation for Markov Random Field models, and the final section presents MCMC learning methods for deep image models.
Las disculpas del primer ministro británico Tony Blair por la hambruna de la patata en Irlanda

In June 1997, Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a statement expressing remorse for the British government’s inaction to assist the Irish during the potato famine of the late 1840s. Blair’s contrition was met with praise and criticism, but it proved to be part of the larger narrative in the peace negotiations within Northern Ireland. Although Blair’s apology is often cited as an exemplar of political leaders apologizing for historical injustices, little actual scholarly work on this subject has been conducted. To that end, this paper examines Blair’s potato famine apology through the theory of collective apology. We argue that collective apologies serve to build, repair, renew, and strengthen bonds between communities harmed by historical wrongdoing. Moreover, collective apologies are meditations in collective memory about the past, present, and future relationship between communities. We assess Blair’s apology through this theoretical lens, discussing the potential impact that it had on the Northern Ireland peace process.
Uncertainty Prediction for Deep Sequential Regression Using Meta Models

Generating high quality uncertainty estimates for sequential regression, particularly deep recurrent networks, remains a challenging and open problem. Existing approaches often make restrictive assumptions (such as stationarity) yet still perform poorly in practice, particularly in presence of real world non-stationary signals and drift. This paper describes a flexible method that can generate symmetric and asymmetric uncertainty estimates, makes no assumptions about stationarity, and outperforms competitive baselines on both drift and non drift scenarios. This work helps make sequential regression more effective and practical for use in real-world applications, and is a powerful new addition to the modeling toolbox for sequential uncertainty quantification in general.
Potential Applications of Active Antenna Technologies for Emerging NASA Space Communications Scenarios

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is presently embarking on the implementation of far-reaching changes within the framework of both space and aeronautics communications architectures. For example, near earth relays are looking to transition from the traditional few large geostationary satellites to satellite constellations consisting of thousands of small low earth orbiting satellites while lunar space communications will require the need to relay data from many assets distributed on the lunar surface back to earth. Furthermore, within the aeronautics realm, satellite communications for beyond line of sight (BLOS) links are being investigated in tandem with the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) within the urban air mobility (UAM) environment. In all of these scenarios, future communications architectures will demand the need to connect and quickly transition between many nodes for large data volume transport. As such, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been heavily investigating the development of low cost phased array technologies that can readily address these various scenario conditions. In particular, GRC is presently exploring 5G-based beamformer technologies to leverage commercial timescale and volume production cycles which have heretofore not existed within the frequency allocations utilized for NASA applications. In this paper, an overview of the potential future applications of phased arrays being envisioned by NASA are discussed, along with technology feasibility demonstrations being conducted by GRC implementing low cost, 5G based beamformer technologies.
Modeling population and subject-specific growth in a latent trait measured by multiple instruments over time using a hierarchical Bayesian framework

Psychometric growth curve modeling techniques are used to describe a person’s latent ability and how that ability changes over time based on a specific measurement instrument. However, the same ins...
Virtual Learning During a Pandemic: Using Technology to Provide and Launch Interactive and Experiential Learning Opportunities for Preservice Teachers

The quick transition to remote learning during the COVID 19 pandemic helped prevent learning from being disrupted at higher educational institutions across the U.S. However, for many instructors and students, this rushed transition to forced online learning without preparation also caused confusion. This paper presents a best practice case study where a college instructor moved her traditional face-to-face, hands-on course to online blended learning (synchronous and asynchronous). Various forms of digital technology were creatively used to teach, model, and engage preservice student teachers in best instructional practices. Lessons learned and a variety of learning activities are shared, and opportunities and challenges are discussed.
Normal and Abnormal Liver Development

Two primordia contribute to the development of the liver (Fig. 9.1). The parenchyma is entirely derived from the hepatic diverticulum, while the stroma is derived from the septum transversum. The hepatic diverticulum appears as an outgrowth of the endodermal epithelium at the distal end of the foregut (future duodenum) at 29 days (stage 11) (O’Rahilly and Muller 2001). This outgrowth penetrates the septum transversum, that is, the mesodermal plate that separates the embryonic thoracic and abdominal cavities (Fig. 9.1a). The endodermal cells in the cranial part of the diverticulum that penetrate the septum transversum differentiate into hepatocytes and epithelial cells of the bile ducts. The mesenchymal cells of the septum transversum form the connective tissue elements of the hepatic stroma and capsule. As the liver rapidly grows during the weeks following the initial budding of the hepatic diverticulum, it separates from the residual mesenchyme of the septum transversum, which becomes the diaphragm. The caudal part of the hepatic diverticulum, the portion that does not invade the septum transversum, forms the gallbladder, cystic duct, common bile duct, and ventral pancreatic anlage.
Improving Outcomes for At-Risk MSW Students: A Pilot e-Mentorship Program Using A Near-Peer Model

Much research exists to support the positive effects of mentorship programs on improving grades and retention rates for MSW students. With the rapid growth in online MSW programs, the need to provi...
On Precise Current Sensors for Low Voltage Trench MOSFETs

The paper summarizes layout considerations as well as experimental data of low voltage (50 V) trench MOSFET with integrated current sensor. Major effects responsible for errors of the sensed current as well as its current dependency are discussed. Then, layout features leading to more accurate current sensing at small current are outlined.
NMR Spectroscopy for Protein Higher Order Structure Similarity Assessment in Formulated Drug Products

Peptide and protein drug molecules fold into higher order structures (HOS) in formulation and these folded structures are often critical for drug efficacy and safety. Generic or biosimilar drug products (DPs) need to show similar HOS to the reference product. The solution NMR spectroscopy is a non-invasive, chemically and structurally specific analytical method that is ideal for characterizing protein therapeutics in formulation. However, only limited NMR studies have been performed directly on marketed DPs and questions remain on how to quantitively define similarity. Here, NMR spectra were collected on marketed peptide and protein DPs, including calcitonin-salmon, liraglutide, teriparatide, exenatide, insulin glargine and rituximab. The 1D 1H spectral pattern readily revealed protein HOS heterogeneity, exchange and oligomerization in the different formulations. Principal component analysis (PCA) applied to two rituximab DPs showed consistent results with the previously demonstrated similarity metrics of Mahalanobis distance (DM) of 3.3. The 2D 1H-13C HSQC spectral comparison of insulin glargine DPs provided similarity metrics for chemical shift difference (Δδ) and methyl peak profile, i.e., 4 ppb for 1H, 15 ppb for 13C and 98% peaks with equivalent peak height. Finally, 2D 1H-15N sofast HMQC was demonstrated as a sensitive method for comparison of small protein HOS. The application of NMR procedures and chemometric analysis on therapeutic proteins offer quantitative similarity assessments of DPs with practically achievable similarity metrics.
Use of an in-house trypsin-based method to resolve the interference of daratumumab

Background Daratumumab (DARA) is a monoclonal antibody for treatment of plasma cell myeloma targeting CD38, a surface molecule expressed on plasma cells and red blood cells (RBCs). This complicates blood bank testing, requiring dithiothreitol (DTT) to remove DARA interference. A simple in-house method of removing DARA interference without use of DTT, a potentially hazardous chemical, is desirable. We demonstrate a trypsin-based method to remove interference in antibody testing at a medical center (MC), with parallel testing at an immunohematology reference laboratory (IRL). Study design and methods Pre-DARA type and screen (T&S) samples were obtained from 61 patients for antibody testing and RBC phenotyping using untreated reagent RBCs. Subsequent post-DARA T&S testing was performed with untreated reagent RBCs to demonstrate interference and repeated after trypsin treatment. Positive trypsin-treated antibody screens were reflexed to antibody identification using trypsin-treated panel cells. Parallel testing was performed on the same post-DARA samples at IRL. Results DARA interference was detected in 61/61 (100%) samples by MC and IRL. After trypsin treatment, DARA interference was eliminated in 60/61 (98.4%) antibody screens by both institutions with an overall percent agreement of 96.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.7%-99.6%). Identification of known alloantibodies was confirmed in 3/3 patients with 100% concordant results between MC and IRL. There were no false-negative results demonstrated by IRL's functionally CD38-negative controls. Conclusion Our in-house trypsin-based method enables pretransfusion testing of patients receiving DARA in an accurate and cost-effective manner without missing clinically significant alloantibodies. This presents an additional testing option where DTT use is undesirable.
INSURANCE Life Insurance: Grant to Publicly Owned Corporations an Insurable Interest in Employees

The Act amends the Code by granting to publicly owned corporations an insurable interest in their directors, officers, and employees, permitting employers to deduct as business expenses premiums paid for employees' term life insurance.
Classifying Variants of Undetermined Significance in BRCA2 with protein likelihood ratios.

Background Missense (aminoacid changing) variants found in cancer predisposition genes often create difficulties when clinically interpreting genetic testing results. Although bioinformatics has developed approaches to predicting the impact of these variants, many of these approaches have not been readily applicable in the clinical setting. Bioinformatics approaches for predicting the impact of these variants have not yet found their footing in clinical practice because 1) interpreting the medical relevance of predictive scores is difficult; 2) the relationship between bioinformatics “predictors” (sequence conservation, protein structure) and cancer susceptibility is not understood.
Replication of RNA bacteriophage R23. II. Inhibition of phage-specific RNA synthesis by phleomycin.

Abstract The multiplication in Escherichia coli of both DNA and RNA bacteriophages was found to be inhibited by the antibiotic phleomycin. The cessation of RNA phage replication appeared to result from inhibition of phage-directed RNA synthesis. After addition of phleomycin, there was simultaneous cessation of synthesis of both single-stranded phage RNA and RNase-resistant RNA. Synthesis of coat protein, phage assembly and the formation of infective particles were unaffected and phleomycin treatment did not result in defective particles. This drug also inhibited the synthesis of bacterial RNA, and secondarily, of bacterial protein in E. coli. Inhibition by phleomycin of viral RNA polymerase and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activities was evident in in vitro studies and there was evidence of phleomycin binding to RNA.
On using a CDN’s infrastructure to improve file transfer among peers

Content Distribution Network (CDN) technology has been proposed to deliver content from content nodes placed at strategic locations on the Internet. However, only companies or organizations, who can pay for the services of CDNs, have the privilege of using CDNs to distribute their content. Individual users (peers) have to resort to more economical peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies to distribute their content. Although P2P technologies have demonstrated tremendous successes, they have inherent problems such as the instability and the limited bandwidth of peers. In this paper, we propose a new approach to build bandwidth bounded data distribution trees inside a CDN so that external peers can leverage the power of a CDN’s infrastructure for distributing their content. Our performance evaluation shows that, with some limited help from a CDN, the content distribution time among peers can be speeded up from 1.5 to 3 times.
Effects of patulin and method of application on growth stages of wheat.

When a single, 100-μg/ml application of patulin, produced by Penicillium urticae Bainier, was applied to growth stages 7, 9, 10, and 10.1 (Feekes scale) of Lee spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), decreases in internodal elongation, floret number, seed weight, and seed number were observed. Yields were reduced according to the proximity of application prior to heading. Application of patulin to the soil in crystalline form and dissolved in aqueous solution were also investigated, and the solution method of application was found to be the treatment of choice. A single exposure of growing wheat plants to patulin can produce yield reductions similar to those observed in stubble-mulch farming.
Bankruptcy Prediction Using Ex Ante Neural Networks and Realistically Proportioned Testing Sets

The objective of this study is to assess the viability of a neural network in the prediction of bankruptcy, using a more realistic setting than has generally been examined in the past. In order for neural network bankruptcy prediction models to be useful and relevant, they must be designed to predict in realistic settings, rather than carefully designed matched-pair settings. The data sets which are tested in this study reflect the true proportion of firms that actually fail, which is less than one percent of all firms. Further, all models are developed ex ante to test subsequent years' data sets. Comparison of neural network predictive power with that from traditional logit models indicate that logit models remain a viable alternative to neural networks. The results also indicate that need for continuous updating of bankruptcy prediction models, a task to which neural networks are well adopted.
Women in applied behavior analysis.

The status of women in applied behavior analysis was examined by comparing the participation of women in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) to their participation in three similar journals. For all journals, the percentage of articles with at least one female author, the percentage of authors who are female, and the percentage of articles with a female first author increased from 1978 to 1997. Participation by women in JABA was equal to or greater than participation by women in the comparison journals. However, women appeared as authors on papers in special sections of Behavior Modification substantially more often when the editor was female than when the editor was male. In addition, female membership on the editorial boards of JABA, Behavior Modification, and Behaviour Research and Therapy failed to increase from 1978 to 1997. We conclude that a “glass ceiling” reduces the participation of women at the highest levels of applied behavior analysis and related fields.
Principles and practice of sex therapy, fifth edition, edited by Yitzchak M. Binik and Kathryn S. K. Hall

The Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy has long been considered the “bread and butter” of clinical references for sex therapists and medical professionals. With the passing of the late Sandra L...
A Jacobian Minor Based Algorithm For Rate Coordination Of Redundant Serial Chain Manipulators

This paper presents a computationally efficient algorithm for resolving the irate allocation problem of redundant serial chain manipulators. The method utilizes the minors of the Jacobian to obtain the null space of the Jacobian and a basic feasible solution for the task velocity vector. Then, by applying the physical characteristics of the joint space incorporating the duality between the Jacobian and its null space, a simple form of the general solution is derived. Numerical examples for single degree of redundancy (d.0.r.) system and multiple d.0.r. are provided. Closed form solutions for null sipace coefficient matrix and the basic solutions, are derived for a 3R planar case and a 7R spatial case. The applicability of the algorithm to obtain closed form solution improves the computational ability. Also the choice of Jacobian minors in obtaining the basic solution avoids algorithmic singularities.
Situating the 2012 Election in a Broader African Diaspora

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, this article analyzes Obama's significance for the African Diaspora in Colombia. I argue that for Afro-Colombians, Obama's election brought an unprecedented sense of collective pride. However, after four years of the Obama administration, many Afro-Colombian activists have begun to evaluate the impact of the Obama administration's foreign policy toward Colombia. I suggest that in order to understand Obama's significance for a broader African Diaspora, we must analyze both his symbolic importance and the material consequences of his administration's policies.
Design and analysis of a large-diameter precision optical mount for NFIRAOS

This study describes the design evolution, finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental testing completed to develop the large optical mounts for the Near-Field IR Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS), the facility Adaptive Optics system for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). The mount design incorporates a unique combination of bonded flexure-based linear actuators and a roller-chain radial support. Extensive FEA was completed to refine the design to ensure the final mount design will meet the required operational performance. Experimental work was conducted to ensure that the suitability of the bonded interface between the optic and the flexures and to verify that the high bond stiffness did not cause fracture of the glass during thermal cycling.
Case report. Computed tomographic and ultrasound appearances of a solitary intrahepatic choledochal cyst

A pregnant patient presenting with acute abdominal pain was found to have an intrahepatic mass, the features of which, on computed tomography and ultrasound examination, suggested a solid lesion. At surgery this proved to be a solitary intrahepatic choledochal cyst (Todani Type 5) with areas of malignant degeneration.
Defect Calculations for Carbon Interstitials in α-Iron

A comparison is presented between real-space and reciprocal-space methods of performing lattice-defect calculations for carbon interstitials in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-iron. After correcting for several errors, no significant differences were found in the results of either method.
Electrical and thermoelectric properties of undoped MnO single crystals

Abstract The electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficients of pure MnO single crystals have been measured above the Neel temperature. The material is p type in this temperature range. The results are interpreted on the basis of small-polaron hopping involving charge carriers in one or more sets of transport levels.
Pathogenesis of early nephritis in lupus prone mice with a genetic accelerating (lpr) factor

We investigated the relative roles of B cell activity, circulating immune complexes, complement concentration and kinetics of disappearance and uptake of immune complexes from the circulation in the pathogenesis of early nephritis of MRL/lpr mice. In comparison to data in control (C57BL/6J) mice, B cell activity was enhanced and the concentration of autoantibodies and endogenous immune complexes in plasma were increased, whereas complement (C3) concentration was not significantly different in MRL/lpr mice. The kinetics of disappearance of radiolabeled immune complexes from the circulation were similar in MRL/lpr and control mice, whereas uptake of radiolabeled immune complexes by the liver was decreased in MRL/lpr mice. Features of polyclonal B cell activation and impaired mononuclear phagocyte function are early events that may set the stage for progressive systemic involvement in MRL/lpr mice.
DETERMINISTIC, STOCHASTIC, AND SEGMENTED TRENDS IN AGGREGATE OUTPUT: A CROSS-COUNTRY ANALYSIS

This paper examines whether output per capita in 126 countries is better described as trend or difference stationary, using appropriate finite-sample critical values. Depending upon whether one uses solely a test with a trend stationary null, or solely one with a difference stationary null, very different conclusions are obtained. This outcome suggests that it is useful to consider the tests complementary, rather than competing. We find that when a definite characterization of GDP can be made, it is very likely to indicate a difference stationary process. However, the likelihood of making definite conclusions does vary positively with both income level and data quality.
Theories, Models, and Equations in Biology: The Heuristic Search for Emergent Simplifications in Neurobiology

This paper begins with a review of some claims made by biologists such as Waddington, von Bertalanffy, and others, that biology should seek general theories similar to those found in physics. I disagree with that view, and describe an alternative framework for biological theories as collections of prototypical interlevel models that can be extrapolated by analogy to different organisms. To exemplify this position, I look in detail at the development of the Hodgkin-Huxley giant squid model for action potentials. The Hodgkin-Huxley strategy uses equations, but in specialized ways involving heuristic approximations, to build their model, which is here viewed as an “emergent simplification.” Very current elaborations of the Hodgkin-Huxley model, including Hille’s, utilize gene “superfamily” language to license generalization from one channel type to the others, and indicate that the Hodgkin-Huxley model is interpretable as an emergent unifier. Emergent unifiers, which require simplifications of a variety of sorts, represent an application of the types of heuristics discussed in Wimsatt’s writings on reduction, but with a twist: In the interpretation given them in the present paper, the heuristics are utilized to generate emergent rather than reductive explanations.
Dengue virus infection of the Aedes aegypti salivary gland and chemosensory apparatus induces genes that modulate infection and blood-feeding behavior.

The female Aedes aegypti salivary gland plays a pivotal role in bloodmeal acquisition and reproduction, and thereby dengue virus (DENV) transmission. It produces numerous immune factors, as well as immune-modulatory, vasodilatory, and anti-coagulant molecules that facilitate blood-feeding. To assess the impact of DENV infection on salivary gland physiology and function, we performed a comparative genome-wide microarray analysis of the naive and DENV infection-responsive A. aegypti salivary gland transcriptomes. DENV infection resulted in the regulation of 147 transcripts that represented a variety of functional classes, including several that are essential for virus transmission, such as immunity, blood-feeding, and host-seeking. RNAi-mediated gene silencing of three DENV infection-responsive genes - a cathepsin B, a putative cystatin, and a hypothetical ankyrin repeat-containing protein - significantly modulated DENV replication in the salivary gland. Furthermore, silencing of two DENV infection-responsive odorant-binding protein genes (OBPs) resulted in an overall compromise in blood acquisition from a single host by increasing the time for initiation of probing and the probing time before a successful bloodmeal. We also show that DENV established an extensive infection in the mosquito's main olfactory organs, the antennae, which resulted in changes of the transcript abundance of key host-seeking genes. DENV infection, however, did not significantly impact probing initiation or probing times in our laboratory infection system. Here we show for the first time that the mosquito salivary gland mounts responses to suppress DENV which, in turn, modulates the expression of chemosensory-related genes that regulate feeding behavior. These reciprocal interactions may have the potential to affect DENV transmission between humans.
Development of striatal dopaminergic function. I. Pre- and postnatal development of mRNAs and binding sites for striatal D1 (D1a) and D2 (D2a) receptors

Quantitative receptor autoradiography with iodinated ligands, quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to describe the prenatal and early postnatal ontogeny (embryonic day 14 to postnatal day 7, or E14 to P7) of striatal D1 and D2 dopamine receptor binding sites and mRNA levels, respectively, in relation to the development of dopaminergic nigrostriatal innervation D1 dopamine receptor, measured by [125I]SCH23982 binding, and dopamine transporter binding sites, measured by [125I]RTI-55 binding, were present in low amounts beginning on E14 (2-3% and 0.3-0.6% of adult values, respectively) and increased slowly during the prenatal period. D2 receptor binding sites, measured with [125I]spiperone, were also detected on E14 but in higher relative quantities (17% of adult values) than D1 receptor and dopamine transporter binding sites at the same age. Other than abrupt declines in the late prenatal period for D1 and D2 receptor binding sites, all three binding sites increased throughout development and increased maximally between P7 and adulthood. On P5, both D1 and D2 receptors were functionally coupled to their respective G proteins, based on GTP-induced decreases in affinity of dopamine for [125I]SCH23982 and [125I]spiperone binding. D1 receptor mRNA was present in E14 striatal anlage, increased prenatally, declined on P0, then increased to a peak on P5, after which it declined to its lowest levels (20% of peak values) in the adult. In contrast, D2 receptor mRNA levels were presented also on E14, increased to a peak on P0, declined until P5, and increased thereafter to adulthood. Anatomically, nigrostriatal innervation and D1 and D2 receptor mRNA levels increased from the medial to lateral striatal quadrants. In contrast, D1 and D2 receptor binding site ontogency exhibited fairly homogenous distributions from E18 to P7. D1 and D2 receptor mRNAs appear to be expressed early in prenatal development before there is any significant dopaminergic innervation. In contrast, the majority of D1 and D2 receptor binding activity, representing expressed receptor proteins, develops in the postnatal period and correlates well with the increase in dopaminergic innervation. Intrinsic genetic programming is more likely to be responsible for D1 and D2 receptor gene transcription in striatal neuroblasts and newly born neurons, while factors derived from ingrowing dopaminergic afferents may direct post-transcriptional dopamine receptor development. The dissociation between the ontogeny of dopamine receptor binding sites and mRNAs suggests that the developmental regulation of D1 and D2 receptor synthesis is independent of D1 and D2 receptor gene transcription.
Inhibition of flyhead acetylcholinesterase by dimethoxon analogs

Abstract The inhibition of purified housefly-head acetylcholinesterase by 16 dimethoxon analogs was studied and the phosphorylation and affinity constants determined. Except for compound XV, all the analogs were better inhibitors of flyhead acetylcholinesterase than of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase. The large bimolecular reaction constants were the result of higher affinity and phosphorylation rates. Mono-substitution on the carbamoyl nitrogen primarily affected reactivity (k2), whereas di-substitution affected affinity (Ka). Modification of the 0,0-dialkyl moiety had little effect on affinity although reactivity decreased proportionately with chain length. There is some indication that the interaction of these inhibitors with flyhead AChE is due to a considerable electrostatic contribution. The difference between target enzymes (housefly versus erythrocyte AChE) accounts in part for the selectivity of dimethoate and its analogs.
Measurement of adhesive forces between S. epidermidis and fibronectin-coated surfaces using optical tweezers.

Background and Objectives: Biomaterial-mediated infection, a common cause of medical device failure, is initiated by bacterial adhesion to an adsorbed protein layer on the implant surface. This adhesion is thought to be mediated by specific molecules present on the bacterial cell surface. Optical tweezers can be used to measure the adhesive force between a single bacterium and a proteincoated surface. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Using optical tweezers, a bacterium was trapped and brought in contact with a 10-mm diameter polystyrene microsphere coated with fibronectin. The minimum force required to detach the cell from the bead was determined over a range of fibronectin concentrations and contact times. Results: The detachment forces were integer multiples of an 18-pN base value that was independent of contact time and coating concentration; we propose that the variation in force is related to the number of bonds formed. Conclusions: These experiments demonstrate that optical tweezers can be used to investigate the adhesion of individual bacteria to surfaces. The results suggest that S. epidermidis has surface proteins capable of binding fibronectin. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:45–52, 2002. 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Degradation kinetics of high molecular weight poly(L-lactide) microspheres and release mechanism of lipid:DNA complexes

Plasmid DNA encoding the green lantern protein was ion-paired with 1,2-dioleoyl, 3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) at a (+/-) charge ratio of (1:1) to form a hydrophobic ion-pair (HIP) complex using the Bligh and Dyer method, and transferred into methylene chloride. Precipitation with a compressed antisolvent (PCA) was then employed to encapsulate plasmid DNA into poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) microspheres. The hydrophobicity of DOTAP:DNA complexes allowed consistently high encapsulation efficiencies (>70%) to be achieved. Release of the DOTAP:DNA complex from PLLA microspheres exhibited minimal burst and a short (ca. 1 week) lag phase, followed by sustained release over a 20 week period. Release kinetics were consistent with a simple Fickian diffusion model. No correlation was identified between release rate of soluble poly(L-lactide) species (< or =10 lactate units) from PLLA and the DNA release kinetics. Only approximately 12% of the polymer was degraded into soluble poly(L-lactide) over the time frame where approximately 90% of the plasmid load had been released.
Characterization of subthreshold MOS mismatch in transistors for VLSI systems

MOS transistor mismatch is revisited in the context of subthreshold operation and VLSI systems. We report experimental measurements from large transistor arrays with device sizes typical for digital and analog VLSI systems (areas between 9 and 400μm2). These are fabricated at different production qualified facilities in 40-nm gate oxide,n-well andp-well, mask lithography processes. Within the small area of our test-strips (3 mm2), transistor mismatch can be classified into four categories: random variations, “edge,” “striation,” and “gradient” effects. The edge effect manifests itself as a dependence of the transistor current on its position with reference to the surrounding structures. Contrary to what was previously believed, edge effects extend beyond the outer most devices in the array. The striation effect exhibits itself as a position-dependent variation in transistor current following a sinusoidal oscillation in space of slowly varying frequency. The gradient effect is also a position-dependent spatial variation but of much lower frequency. When systematic effects are removed from the data, the random variations follow an inverse linear dependence on the square root of transistor area.
A niche quantum genetic algorithm used in multi-peak function optimization

When we use quantum genetic algorithm in multi-peak function optimization, there exist some problems, such as easily falling into prematurity, having slow convergence rate and so on. To solve above problems, a niche quantum genetic algorithm based on real number encoding is brought forward. The algorithm adopts phases in niche technique; it encodes quantum bit using real number, renews chromosome using quantum revolving gates and enhances the global optimum capability of solving multi-peak function optimization. The algorithm not only has the efficient parallelism but also increases the diversities of population because of the niche technique. The simulation result shows that the new algorithm is prior to traditional quantum genetic algorithm, having stronger adaptability and convergence, solving better the question on multi-peak function optimization.
Differential Binding Affinities of Rat Testis Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Receptors for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Human LH, and Ovine LH

Specific binding of hCG, human LH (hLH), and ovine LH (oLH) to LH receptors was analyzed in rat testis homogenate. Equilibration studies with each of the gonadotropins indicated that the three hormones bind to a common receptor with similar binding capacity for each hormone. Scatchard analysis of the binding data revealed a single set of binding sites for hCG and hLH, with an equilibrium association constant (Ka) of 7.6 × 1010 M-1 for hCG and 2.5 × 1010 M-1 for hLH. In contrast, two sets of binding sites were found for oLH, about 20% with a mean Ka of 7.0 × 1010 M-1 and the remainder with a Ka of 0.08 × 1010 M-1. Kinetic binding experiments gave similar association rate constants (k1) of 3.4 × 108, 4.0 × 108 and 4.0 × 108 M-1 min-1 for hCG, hLH, and oLH, respectively. In dissociation experiments, the half-times of bound hCG, hLH, and oLH were 25, 9.2, and 2.1 h, respectively, and two dissociation components were seen with each of the three hormones. The rate constants of the fast components were 0.19, 0.1...
ALTERATIONS OF BEHAVIOR FOLLOWING STIMULATION OF THE CLAUSTRUM OF THE CAT.

Abstract The claustrum, internal, external and extreme capsules, putamen and ectosylvian cortex of 27 awake, unrestrained cats were stimulated. The alterations in behavior were as follows: 1. 1. Motor activity consisting of contraversion of the head and body was seen during a high frequency (60/sec) stimulation of the claustrum, internal and external capsule, putamen and cortex, in 7 experiments. 2. 2. Autonomic activity consisting of salivation, eructation, urination and dilatation of the pupil was seen during high frequency stimulation of the claustrum, internal and external capsule, in 4 experiments. 3. 3. An inactivation syndrome was seen after high frequency stimulation of the claustrum, internal and extreme capsule, in 12 experiments. 4. 4. Behavior consistent with natural sleep was noted after low frequency, high voltage stimulation of the claustrum and internal capsule, in 2 experiments.
Membrane rafts regulate phospholipase B activation in murine sperm

It is intuitive that fertilization—the start of life—involves communication between a sperm cell and an egg. It has been known that to become able to fertilize an egg, a sperm must first communicate with stimuli in the female tract. For example, sterol removal from the plasma membrane is required for sperm to undergo membrane fusion during acrosome exocytosis (AE). However, how membrane lipid changes were transduced into initiation of AE remained unclear. Recently, we found that sperm phospholipase B (PLB) is activated in response to sterol removal and released into the extracellular fluid by proteolytic cleavage. The resultant active PLB fragment can stimulate initiation of AE without other physiological stimulation. These results provide a possible mechanism for how AE is triggered, a critical question given recent data from others that show that AE is induced prior to contact with the egg’s extracellular covering, the zona pellucida.
Structural susceptibility and separation of time scales in the van der Pol oscillator.

We use an extension of the van der Pol oscillator as an example of a system with multiple time scales to study the susceptibility of its trajectory to polynomial perturbations in the dynamics. A striking feature of many nonlinear, multiparameter models is an apparently inherent insensitivity to large-magnitude variations in certain linear combinations of parameters. This phenomenon of ``sloppiness'' is quantified by calculating the eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix of the least-squares cost function. These typically span many orders of magnitude. The van der Pol system is no exception: Perturbations in its dynamics show that most directions in parameter space weakly affect the limit cycle, whereas only a few directions are stiff. With this study, we show that separating the time scales in the van der Pol system leads to a further separation of eigenvalues. Parameter combinations which perturb the slow manifold are stiffer and those which solely affect the jumps in the dynamics are sloppier.
Calibration of pulsed x‐ray spectra

A new technique has recently been described for the absolute calibration of intense sources of pulsed radiation in the 0.2–1‐MeV range of photon energies. An x‐ray activation technique, it depended upon the storage of samples of the irradiating spectrum in the form of populations of nuclei excited to isomeric states with lifetimes of seconds to hours. Accuracy was dependent upon the precision assumed for tabulated values of nuclear parameters. Described here is an extension of this technique to the larger range of photon energies, 0.2–1.5 MeV and to intensities from 1012 keV/keV to 1016 keV/keV using the target nuclei 79Br and 77Se. In this work self‐consistency of the nuclear parameters was directly determined. Important changes were found to be necessary for improved accuracy, particularly over the larger ranges of experimental variables being considered. Values of the now‐consistent set of nuclear parameters are reported.
A new property of frieze patterns

Landauer [Journal of Geometry6, 155–183 (1975)] gives a 10 × 10 frieze table of which he observes that the last row consists of the negative squares of the last column. The present note generalizes and explains this phenomenon.
Impact of community-acquired infection on acquisition of nosocomial infection, length of stay, and mortality in adult blunt trauma patients.

The incidence of community-acquired infections (CA) and how it relates to the incidence of nosocomial infections (NI) in the adult blunt trauma population is unknown. We evaluated this incidence an...
Deposition of high quality Sol-Gel oxides on silicon

We have fabricated high quality sol-gel derived silicate and aluminoborosilicate thin films deposited on silicon substrates. From capacitance vs voltage measurements we observe low interface trap densities (<1011/cm2eV) and very low densities of slow interface state (<1010/cm2) in most films investigated. We have been able to make significant improvements over previous sol-gel derived oxides on silicon by controlling some of the key factors which effect the structure of the sol-gel derived thin films.
Cloning of the p50 DNA binding subunit of NF-κB: Homology to rel and dorsal

The DNA binding subunit of the transcription factor NF-kappa B, p50, has been cloned. p50 appears to be synthesized as a larger protein that is then processed to its functional size. Sequence analysis reveals remarkable homology for over 300 amino acids at the amino-terminal end to the oncogene v-rel, its cellular homolog c-rel, and the Drosophila maternal effect gene dorsal. This establishes NF-kappa B as a member of the rel family of proteins, all of which display nuclear-cytosolic translocation. Protein sequence from the p65 polypeptide has established that it is not encoded in the same mRNA as p50. However, p65 appears homologous to c-rel, suggesting that c-rel may form heterodimers with p50 and rel may include a homodimerization motif.
Bombesin stimulates growth of colon cancer in mice and decreases their survival.

Abstract Bombesin (BBS) stimulates cellular proliferation of both normal and transformed cells. The mouse colon cancer cells (MC-26) possess specific binding sites for BBS. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine the effect of chronic administration of BBS on in vivo growth of MC-26 tumours in Balb/c mice and on survival of tumour-bearing mice. Three groups of mice (n = 10 each) inoculated with MC-26 cells received either saline containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA), or BBS (5 μg kg−1 or 20 μg kg−1) dissolved with 0.1% BSA saline by intraperitoneal route three times a day for 15 days. BBS increased weight, DNA and RNA contents of MC-26 tumours. To examine the effect of BBS on suŕvival rates of mice with MC-26 tumours, three groups of mice (n = 20 each) were treated for 31 days, as above. Onc group of mice inoculated with MC-26 cells received 0.1% BSA saline; the other group of MC-26-inoculated mice and the control group without tumour received BBS (5 μg kg−1) dissolved with 0.1% BSA saline. BBS significantly decreased the survival rate of mice bearing MC-26 tumours (median survival; saline group: 42.5 days, BBS group: 32.0 days, p = 0.037). None of the mice in the control group died during the experiment. BBS may stimulate in vivo growth of MC-26 cells through specific receptors.
Concentration and analysis of trace volatile organics in gases and biological fluids with a new solid adsorbent

A new procedure for sampling, transfer, and analysis of volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography has been developed. An adsorbent trap ultimately becomes an insert for a modified injector port, and a valve system allows the sample to be transferred to a cooled precolumn and finally to the separating column. Several traps may be used for sampling (for multiple injections), and it has been established that such traps may be stored without loss of sample. The ease and reproducibility of this procedure is amenable for the investigation of volatile organic compounds involving air and water pollution, flavor, and aroma analyses, and body fluid metabolites.
Bayesian methods for analysing climate change and water resource uncertainties

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to outline the advantages of the Bayesian approach for analysing uncertainties involving climate change, emphasizing the study of the risks such changes pose to water resources systems. Bayesian analysis has the advantage of basing inference and decisions on a coherent and normatively appealing theoretical framework. Furthermore, it can incorporate diverse sources of information, including subjective opinions, historical observations and model outputs. The paper summarizes the basic assumptions and procedures of Bayesian analysis. Summaries of applications to detection of climate change, estimation of climate model parameters, and wetlands management under climatic uncertainty illustrate the potential of the Bayesian methodology. Criticisms of the approach are summarized. It is concluded that in comparison with alternative paradigms for analysing uncertainty, such as fuzzy sets and Dempster–Shafer reasoning, Bayesian analysis is practical, theoretically sound, and relatively easy to understand.
Effective lattice point counting in rational convex polytopes

Abstract This paper discusses algorithms and software for the enumeration of all lattice points inside a rational convex polytope: we describe LattE , a computer package for lattice point enumeration which contains the first implementation of A. Barvinok’s algorithm (Math. Oper. Res. 19 (1994) 769). We report on computational experiments with multiway contingency tables, knapsack type problems, rational polygons, and flow polytopes. We prove that these kinds of symbolic–algebraic ideas surpass the traditional branch-and-bound enumeration and in some instances LattE is the only software capable of counting. Using LattE , we have also computed new formulas of Ehrhart (quasi-)polynomials for interesting families of polytopes (hypersimplices, truncated cubes, etc). We end with a survey of other “algebraic–analytic” algorithms, including a “homogeneous” variation of Barvinok’s algorithm which is very fast when the number of facet-defining inequalities is much smaller compared to the number of vertices.