cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Least Squares with Examples in Signal Processing 1

Ivan Selesnick March 7, 2013 NYU-Poly These notes address (approximate) solutions to linear equations by least squares. We deal with the ‘easy’ case wherein the system matrix is full rank. If the system matrix is rank deficient, then other methods are needed, e.g., QR decomposition, singular value decomposition, or the pseudo-inverse, [2, 3]. In these notes, least squares is illustrated by applying it to several basic problems in signal processing:
Thinking aloud during idea generating and planning before written translation: Developmental changes from ages 10 to 12 in expressing and defending opinions

AbstractThis interdisciplinary research, drawing on cognitive psychology and linguistics, extended to middle childhood past research during early childhood or adulthood on thinking aloud prior to written composing. In year 5 of a longitudinal study of typical writing, when cohort 1 was in grade 5 (n = 110 ten year-olds) and cohort 2 in grade 7 (n = 97 twelve year-olds), a cross-sectional study was conducted. Children were first asked to think aloud while they generated ideas and second while they planned their essays to express and defend their opinions on a controversial topic in the region of the United States where they lived. Third, they wrote their essays. Their think-aloud protocols were audio-recorded and later transcribed into writing for analysis. The authors developed and applied rating scales for quality of idea generating and planning in the written transcriptions and quality of opinion expression, opinion defense, organization, and content in the essays children wrote after thinking aloud; to...
Near-surface and anisotropy modeling for efficient land seismic depth imaging in low-relief geology

AbstractPrestack depth migration of land data presents unique characteristics and challenges that distinguish it from the workflows applied for marine data. Such unique characteristics are primarily related to the near surface. In areas of low-relief geology, near-surface velocity variations can obscure the reservoir structure. The remaining deeper earth model section has good lateral continuity and can be described effectively by smooth velocity fields. Strategies for estimating the near-surface effects and incorporating them into a processing workflow are of primary importance for the successful depth imaging of land seismic data. The second important aspect of a depth imaging workflow is that the seismic image must honor the well markers or formation tops. The subhorizontal fine-scale layering of low-relief structures can cause anisotropy that needs to be taken into account to achieve accurate well ties and good image quality. We have evaluated the application of an efficient workflow to achieve fast a...
Examining Healthcare Segregation Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities Receiving Spine Surgical Procedures in the State of Florida.

Study Design.This was a retrospective review of the Florida Inpatient Dataset (2011–2014).Objective.To examine healthcare segregation among African American and Hispanic patients treated with one of four common spine surgical procedures.Summary of Background Data.Racial and ethnic minorities are kno
Interband Faraday rotation and Voigt effect in Ge

Abstract The interband Faraday and Voigt effect near the direct edge of Ge were measured near liquid helium temperature in the magnetic fields up to 56.7 kG applied in the [110] axis. The sample, about 4 μ thick, was backed by the glass substrate of 3 mm thick. In the low temperature the difference in the linear expansion coefficients of the sample and substrate induced a uniaxial stress equivalently in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the sample. Consequently the strain removed the four-fold degeneracy of the valence bands at Γ point, so that each of the observed Faraday singularities could be interpreted as caused by electronic transition to a non-degenerate excitonic state. An anomalous reversal in the sign of the Faraday peak was observed near the field of 45 kG, corres- ponding to the magneto-absorption line of the lowest photon energy. This phenomenon is due to the competitive effects of strain and magnetic field.
Retained Ureteral Stents at a Tertiary Referral Stone Center—Who is at Risk?

AbstractIntroduction: Encrustation of retained ureteral stents can lead to significant morbidity. We examined the treatment of patients with retained stents.Methods: Patients with retained stents were identified from a prospectively collected stone registry at a high volume center. The electronic medical record was queried using a relational database management program to parse operative notes for the terms “retained” and “encrusted.” The generated list was manually validated, and data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. We collected demographics, medical history, insurance type, and surgical and postoperative data. Preoperative degree of encrustation was graded using the forgotten, encrusted, calcified system. A cohort of patients undergoing ureteroscopy for urolithiasis was identified as a control group.Results: Overall 66 patients with retained, encrusted stents and 4,962 controls were identified. The indication for stent insertion was most commonly obstructing stone (53%), after ureteroscopy ...
Identification of Critical Protection Functions for Transient Stability Studies

Historical information and ex-post analysis of blackouts reaffirm the critical role of protective devices in cascading events, thereby confirming the necessity to represent protective functions in transient stability studies. The representation of protection functions greatly enhances the accuracy of the transient stability study and leads to a better understanding of power system states during emergency conditions. Although modeling all of the protective relays within transient stability studies may result in a better estimation of system behavior, representing, updating, and maintaining the protection system data becomes an insurmountable task. Inappropriate or outdated representation of the relays may result in incorrect assessment of the system behavior. This paper presents a systematic method to determine essential relays to be modeled in transient stability studies. The desired approach should identify protective relays that are critical for various operating conditions and contingencies. The proposed strategy is verified as a viable technique based on results obtained from the WECC 179-bus and the IEEE 145-bus test cases, while considering various operating states and contingencies. The results of the transient stability studies confirm that modeling only the identified critical protective relays is sufficient to capture system behavior and precludes the need to model all of the protective relays.
In-hospital outcomes after switching from a bivalirudin-first strategy to an unfractionated heparin-first strategy for percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: The optimal anticoagulation strategy for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) remains debated. We report outcomes after switching from a bivalirudin-first to an unfractionated heparin (UFH)-first strategy for PCIs in a large academic center. Methods: Patients undergoing PCI from June 1 st 2013–May 31 st , 2015 were identified through the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR), and divided into the “bivalirudin era” (June 2013–July 2014) and the “UFH era” (October 2014–May 2015). Bleeding outcomes were compared using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Results: A total of 1,145 patients were identified (bivalirudin era =752, UFH era =393). Radial access for PCI increased over time, and was lower in the bivalirudin era (26% vs. 34%, P<0.05). There were 32 major bleeds (4.3%) in the bivalirudin era and 29 major bleeds (7.4%) in the UFH era (P=0.03), with the majority being hemoglobin drops (≥3 g/dL) without overt clinical bleeding (85.7% of bleeds in the bivalirudin era and 86.2% of bleeds in the UFH era). After adjustments for other common major causes of bleeding, bivalirudin was associated with 78% lower odds of bleeding (OR =0.22; 95% CI: 0.05–0.91). Conclusions: An increase in major bleeding events occurred after switching to an UFH-first strategy, primarily associated with hemoglobin drop (≥3 g/dL) without overt clinical bleeding. Major overt bleeding was rare (0.3%) and similar in both groups. These results suggest a UFH-first strategy for PCI may have a role in patients with low bleeding risk.
Einstein's Equations from the Stretched Future Light Cone

We define the stretched future light cone, a timelike hypersurface composed of the worldlines of radially accelerating observers with constant and uniform proper acceleration. By attributing temperature and entropy to this hypersurface, we derive Einstein's equations from the Clausius theorem. Moreover, we show that the gravitational equations of motion for a broad class of diffeomorphism-invariant theories of gravity can be obtained from thermodynamics on the stretched future light cone, provided the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy is replaced by the Wald entropy.
Determinants of Exercise Ventilatory Inefficiency in Heart Failure With Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction: Application of Classical and Emerging Integrative Physiology Concepts

Abstract While it is well-recognized that ventilatory inefficiency during exercise signals worsened prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF), the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of this relationship have yet to be well defined. Further complicating this question is the evolving body of evidence suggesting the etiology of HF with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction is discernably different. Therefore, to advance this field of study, while simultaneously strengthening the clinical utility of quantifying exercise ventilatory inefficiency in HF, it is critical that this field as an entirety demonstrates a commitment toward conducting patient-based studies that foremost consider the integrative physiological nature of human ventilation. Thus, by merging discussions between multiple independent lines of study focusing on ventilatory responses to exercise in HF, this chapter narrows the scope of this topic to demonstrate that there are indeed integrative associations across anatomical, physiological, and biochemical factors that synergize to provoke ventilatory inefficiency and exercise intolerance in HF.
Dyadic Stance in Natural Language Communication with a Teachable Robot

Learning companion robots can provide personalized learning interactions to engage students in many domains including STEM. For successful interactions, students must feel comfortable and engaged. We describe an experiment with a learning companion robot acting as a teachable robot; based on human-to-human peer tutoring, students teach the robot how to solve math problems. We compare student attitudes of comfort, attention, engagement, motivation, and physical proximity for two dyadic stance formations: a face-to-face stance and a side-by-side stance. In human-robot interaction experiments, it is common for dyads to assume a face-to-face stance, while in human-to-human peer tutoring, it is common for dyads to sit in side-by-side as well as face-to-face formations. We find that students in the face-to-face stance report stronger feelings of comfort and attention, compared to students in the side-by-side stance. We find no difference between stances for feelings of engagement, motivation, and physical proximity.
The Enigmatic Function of TREM-2 in Osteoclastogenesis

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2) is a member of family of receptors that play a central role in regulating function of myeloid cells. TREM-2 is expressed on macrophages, microglia and pre-osteoclasts and transduces intracellular signals through the adaptor DAP12. In human, genetic defects of TREM-2 and DAP12 result in a rare syndrome characterized by presenile dementia and bone cysts. This syndrome and the tissue distribution of TREM-2 have indicated a role of the TREM-2/DAP12 complex in brain function and bone modeling, particularly osteoclastogenesis. Accordingly, human TREM-2- and DAP12-deficient pre-osteoclast precursors failed to differentiate in vitro into mature osteoclasts endowed with bone resorptive activity. In mouse, DAP12-deficiency also resulted in impaired osteoclastogenesis in vitro and a mild osteopetrosis in vivo although bone cysts were not observed. Surprisingly, TREM-2-deficiency in mouse led to accelerated osteoclastogenesis in vitro without osteopetrosis or bone cysts in vivo, revealing an unexpected inhibitory function of mouse TREM-2. These data demonstrate that TREM-2 function is essential for normal osteoclastogenesis. The conflicting results as to the relationship between TREM-2, DAP12 and osteoclastogenesis and bone modeling in human and mouse suggest that TREM-2 contribution to osteoclast biology may vary depending on the influence of additional DAP12-associated receptors and on the presence of TREM-2 ligands with variable avidity/affinity, which may induce either activating or an inhibitory signals through TREM-2/DAP12.
State Minimization of PNDFSMs in Networks of FSMs

A behavior is permissible at a node of an interconnection, say at M 1, if the system obtained by placing at that node a DFSM that represents the behavior works according to the original specification. Such a replacement is allowed if the composition is well-defined and the global behavior is the one expected. Unfortunately not any behavior contained in a PNDFSMs is permissible, i.e., it is valid candidate for implementation. The reason is that it may not yield a well-defined feedback composition. Watanabe proposed in [119] a sufficient condition in the form of acyclicity, for a behavior to be permissible. In the previous chapter, we have presented a comprehensive analysis of the conditions for the existence of a correct feedback composition, and described how to find all valid candidate behaviors. Since a valid candidate is preferred if it minimizes the number of states of the related FSM, here we will discuss the problem of the combined objective of finding a state-minimum and well-defined behavior.
Effect of PDGF, IL-1alpha, and BMP2/4 on corneal fibroblast chemotaxis: expression of the platelet-derived growth factor system in the cornea.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptors in the human cornea and to study the effects of the PDGF isotypes on proliferation and chemotaxis of human corneal fibroblasts. The effects of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, bone morphogenic protein (BMP)2, and BMP4 on chemotaxis of human corneal fibroblasts were also studied. Methods mRNA expression was monitored with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in primary cultured cells. Protein expression in fresh-frozen human corneal sections was studied with immunocytology. Chemotaxis was measured using a modified Boyden chamber, and proliferation was quantitated by cell counting. Results PDGF A, PDGF B, PDGF receptor alpha, and PDGF receptor beta mRNAs were detected in corneal epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells in culture. The proteins were expressed in each major cell type in human corneal sections, with PDGF A and PDGF B detected at high levels in the epithelial basement membrane. PDGF, BMP2, and BMP4 had attractive chemotactic effects on corneal fibroblasts, with the PDGF BB dimer having a significantly greater positive chemotactic effect than the other PDGF isotypes. Interleukin-1alpha had a repulsive chemotactic effect on corneal fibroblasts. PDGF AA, AB, and BB stimulated proliferation of human corneal fibroblasts. Conclusions The PDGF growth factor receptor system is expressed in the human cornea. PDGF, BMP2, BMP4, and IL-1alpha may modulate keratocyte chemotaxis and proliferation during homeostasis and wound healing.
Time-optimal pursuit inside a circle

Lion, having a speed advantage, chases Man inside a circular cage, the game terminating when their positions coincide. The solution to this game, computed for a speed-ratio 1.2, includes a “focal surface” of “radial” positions leading to curved motion by both players until termination, with Lion having to respond immediately to any change by Man between clockwise and anticlockwise motion. The solution also includes an “indifference zone” for Man from inside of which he must arrive at a particular point on the opposite side of the cage center from Lion by the time Lion reaches the center, curved motion by both then ensuing.
Differences in self-awareness of functional deficits between amnestic single- and multidomain mild cognitive impairment

Introduction: Prior research examining self-awareness of deficits in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been inconsistent, suggesting that preservation of insight at this disease stage ...
The Surgeon, the Patient, and the Healthcare System: Access, Equity, and Fairness

Accessing surgical services is an inherently complicated process that can expose and create disparities in care provision and health outcomes. The overarching principle that structures approaches to access in surgery is justice, although how this is framed and implemented remains a complex issue. Access and justice tend to intersect and are often resolved based upon circumstantial details, whether in clinical practice, policy, law, or administration, despite established frameworks. Herein, these values are analyzed as applied to various stakeholders including organizations, countries, health systems, and individual surgeons, which each face unique challenges to ensuring fair and equitable access and care.
Total Prostate-Specific Antigen (tPSA) Outperforms Free PSA Percentage (fPSA%) in Detecting High-grade Prostate Carcinoma (PCa) in Patients Older than 60 Years of Age

The PSA-based prostate cancer (PCa) screening remains a controversial topic. Total PSA (tPSA) levels along with % free PSA (fPSA%) still remain the most widely used screening markers for PCa in clinical practice. To assess tPSA and fPSA% screening performance and threshold to identify high-grade PCa, a large hospital-based cohort study is executed. A total of 853 patients who received 6 or 12 core prostate biopsies between January 2011 and August 2016 were included in the study and the tPSA and fPSA% were evaluated. The highest tPSA and lowest fPSA% levels within the prior 2 years of the biopsies were scrutinized. Both tPSA and fPSA% have the ability to discriminate patients with PCa from men without PCa. Intriguingly, only tPSA levels in patients older than 60 years showed a significant difference between men with and without PCa. More aggressive PCa also tends to occur in older patients ( Ptrend = 0.045). With a level of tPSA > 20ng/mL, the likelihood ratio for detecting PCa with pathologic Gleason score > 8 is 6.43, with 95% specificity and 30% sensitivity. fPSA% did not show a correlation with PCa histological grades or patients’ age. Both tPSA and fPSA% have significant predictive values in PCa screening. The tPSA levels with the highest predictive value for PCa were achieved in patients older than 60 years in our cohort. Furthermore, a higher level of tPSA, such as 20 ng/mL rather than the widely adopted screening cutoffs (i.e. 4.0 or 10.0 ng/mL) is significantly associated with a high-grade PCa. [N A J Med Sci. 2019;12(1):007-013. DOI: 10.7156/najms.2019.1201007]
The intra-genus and inter-species quorum-sensing autoinducers exert distinct control over Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation and dispersal

Abstract Vibrio cholerae possesses multiple quorum-sensing systems that control virulence and biofilm formation among other traits. At low cell densities, when quorum-sensing autoinducers are absent, V. cholerae forms biofilms. At high cell densities, when autoinducers have accumulated, biofilm formation is repressed and dispersal occurs. Here, we focus on the roles of two well-characterized quorum-sensing autoinducers that function in parallel. One autoinducer, called CAI-1, is used to measure vibrio abundance, and the other autoinducer, called AI-2, is a broadly-made universal autoinducer that is presumed to enable V. cholerae to assess the total bacterial cell density of the vicinal community. The two V. cholerae autoinducers funnel information into a shared signal relay pathway. This feature of the quorum-sensing system architecture has made it difficult to understand how specific information can be extracted from each autoinducer, how the autoinducers might drive distinct output behaviors, and in turn, how the bacteria use quorum sensing to distinguish self from other in bacterial communities. We develop a live-cell biofilm formation and dispersal assay that allows examination of the individual and combined roles of the two autoinducers in controlling V. cholerae behavior. We show that the quorum-sensing system works as a coincidence detector in which both autoinducers must be present simultaneously for repression of biofilm formation to occur. Within that context, the CAI-1 quorum-sensing pathway is activated when only a few V. cholerae cells are present, whereas the AI-2 pathway is activated only at much higher cell density. The consequence of this asymmetry is that exogenous sources of AI-2, but not CAI-1, contribute to satisfying the coincidence detector to repress biofilm formation and promote dispersal. We propose that V. cholerae uses CAI-1 to verify that some of its kin are present before committing to the high-cell-density quorum-sensing mode, but it is, in fact, the universal autoinducer AI-2, that sets the pace of the V. cholerae quorum-sensing program. This first report of unique roles for the different V. cholerae autoinducers suggests that detection of self fosters a distinct outcome from detection of other.
Adaptive fiber-ring lasers based on an optical fiber Fabry-Perot cavity for high-frequency dynamic strain sensing

A fiber-optic Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer integrated with an adaptive fiber-ring laser is configured as a switchable multi-wavelength fiber laser that can be utilized for ultrasound detection. Because the FP sensor acts as a wavelength filter and a reflector of the fiber-ring laser, the reflective spectrum of the FP sensor changes due to static/dynamic strains, and the wavelength of the laser output shifts accordingly, which is subsequently converted into a corresponding phase shift and demodulated by an unbalanced interferometer. By carefully controlling the polarization of the system, the lasing outputs with a side-mode suppression ratio higher than 30 dB can be obtained, and the lasing linewidth is much narrower than that of the spectrum of the FP sensor. The experiments show that the proposed sensing system has high sensitivity for ultrasound detection and can be adaptive to the low-frequency drifts due to environmental noise.
Spiritual leadership: Current status and Agenda for future research and practice

Over the past decade, spiritual leadership has emerged as a new paradigm of and approach to leadership. To provide a thorough understanding of the current status of research on this new phenomenon ...
The unbuilt city of Reno

This essay suggests that colleges and universities incorporate settler technologies, as discursive, mathematical, spatial tools, that further settler colonialism in our economic moment. These tools...
Gender, power and emotions in the collaborative production of knowledge: A large-scale analysis of Wikipedia editor conversations

Abstract This paper studies the conversations behind the operations of a large-scale, online knowledge production community: Wikipedia. We investigate gender differences in the conversational styles (emotionality) and conversational domain choices (controversiality and gender stereotypicality of content) among contributors, and how these differences change as we look up the organizational hierarchy. In the general population of contributors, we expect and find significant gender differences, whereby comments and statements from women are higher-valenced, have more affective content, and are in domains that are less controversial and more female-typed. Importantly, these differences diminish or disappear among people in positions of power: female authorities converge to the behavior of their male counterparts, such that the gender gaps in valence and willingness to converse on controversial content disappear. We find greater sorting into topics according to their gender stereotypicality. We discuss mechanisms and implications for research on gender differences, leadership behavior, and conversational phenomena arising from such large-scale forms of knowledge production.
Unforeseen Applications of Rydberg Atom-Based Sensors: SI Traceability, Phase Detection, Musical Recording, and other Unique Applications

Great progress had been made in the use of Rydberg atoms to detect the amplitude, phase, and polarization of electric fields and modulated signals. This has led to several unforeseen applications, which are discussed here.
An Evaluation of Micronutrient Losses in the Diets of Mothers and Children in Sierra Leone

Deficiencies of micronutrients including iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc deficiencies are a widespread problem in resource-constrained countries, particularly among pregnant and nursing mothers and children under five. Studies addressing this problem often focus on one step of the food value chain, such as the production or metabolism aspect of the intake of micronutrients. This article holistically examines the food value chain through a case study in Makeni, Sierra Leone with the objective of describing the potential loss of micronutrients at various stages in the food value chain. This article aims to describe a potential method for root cause analysis for micronutrient deficiencies to researchers and practitioners alike. Through examinations of case studies and data collected from over 180 interviews conducted in Sierra Leone, we show that current policies and practices in sectors like healthcare, education, and indigenous methods of food preparation cause ripple effects that increase the negative health, societal, and economic consequences of widespread micronutrient deficiencies among mothers and young children.
Arithmetic of Spring Forces on the Banjo Bridge

Spring-like forces on the bridge are key to a banjo's characteristic voice. These are due to the tension in strings and head. Conceptually distinct from the forces of waves in the strings and head that encode the underlying music, the spring-like forces impact the timbre of how those waves are converted to sound. This note presents a simplified model that allows the head contribution to be calculated (mostly) with paper and pencil. The key simplification is placing a circular bridge at the center of the head. The resulting formulae show how design elements and player's adjustments can effect the sound. The results also provide estimates of the magnitudes of the effects when evaluated with numerical values for Young's moduli and typical banjo set-up specs. For steel strings and tight mylar head, the head contribution is about three times as large as that of the strings.
Maximizing and evaluating the impact of test-trace-isolate programs: A modeling study.

BACKGROUND: Test-trace-isolate programs are an essential part of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control that offer a more targeted approach than many other nonpharmaceutical interventions. Effective use of such programs requires methods to estimate their current and anticipated impact. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We present a mathematical modeling framework to evaluate the expected reductions in the reproductive number, R, from test-trace-isolate programs. This framework is implemented in a publicly available R package and an online application. We evaluated the effects of completeness in case detection and contact tracing and speed of isolation and quarantine using parameters consistent with COVID-19 transmission (R0: 2.5, generation time: 6.5 days). We show that R is most sensitive to changes in the proportion of cases detected in almost all scenarios, and other metrics have a reduced impact when case detection levels are low (<30%). Although test-trace-isolate programs can contribute substantially to reducing R, exceptional performance across all metrics is needed to bring R below one through test-trace-isolate alone, highlighting the need for comprehensive control strategies. Results from this model also indicate that metrics used to evaluate performance of test-trace-isolate, such as the proportion of identified infections among traced contacts, may be misleading. While estimates of the impact of test-trace-isolate are sensitive to assumptions about COVID-19 natural history and adherence to isolation and quarantine, our qualitative findings are robust across numerous sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Effective test-trace-isolate programs first need to be strong in the "test" component, as case detection underlies all other program activities. Even moderately effective test-trace-isolate programs are an important tool for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and can alleviate the need for more restrictive social distancing measures.
Mental Health and Social Development Effects of the Abecedarian Approach

The Abecedarian Approach is an early intervention and contains a broad-spectrum adult/child curriculum. The Approach has been studied in three longitudinal randomized controlled trials in the USA, starting in 1972 and continuing today. Recent research studies in multiple countries have examined the Abecedarian Approach during the first three years of life. The collective findings from these studies lead to the conclusion that human development is malleable, especially in the years before school entry, and that high-quality early intervention exerts positive, early, and long-lasting influences on human development, including social development and mental health.
Long-term trends in wildfire damages in California

In 2017 and 2018, wildfires in California burned millions of hectares and caused billions of dollars in structure damages. This paper puts these recent fires in a long-term historical context by assembling four decades of data on wildfires in California. We combine administrative data of structure loss due to wildfire with economic data on replacement costs and spatial data on fire locations and sizes. We find that over the period 1979–2018, wildfires in California have been getting larger and that the trend is accelerating. This same trend is seen in the wildland–urban interface. As well, total structure damage from wildfires has grown steadily during the past four decades. Our conclusion is that the recent California fires are not an anomaly, but rather part of a trend towards larger and increasingly destructive wildfires.
Localized time accurate sampling of nonequilibrium and unsteady hypersonic flows: methods and horizons

Modern “non-intrusive” optical methods are providing revolutionary capabilities for diagnostics of hypersonic flow fields. They generate accurate information on the performance of ground test facilities and provide local time accurate measurements of near-wall and off-body flow fields surrounding hypersonic test articles. They can follow the true molecular motion of the flow and detect nonequilibrium states and gas mixtures. They can be used to capture a wide range of turbulent scales and can produce highly accurate velocity, temperature and density measurements as well as time-frozen images that provide intuitive understanding of flow phenomena. Recent review articles address many of these methods and their applications. The methods highlighted in this review are those that have been enabled or greatly improved by new, versatile laser systems, particularly including kHz rate femtosecond lasers and MHz rate pulse burst lasers. Although these methods can be applied to combusting environments, the focus of this review is on external high Mach number flows surrounding test articles and wind tunnel core flow properties. The high repetition rates enable rapid time evolving flows to be analyzed and enable the collection of large data sets necessary for statistical analysis. Future capabilities based on the use of atomic vapor filters and on frequency tunable, injection locked MHz rate lasers are promising.
Compression of Solids by Strong Shock Waves

Publisher Summary For most solids, shock wave pressures in the range extending from 100 kilobars to 400 kilobars are attained easily. Pressures in excess of 1000 kilobars can be obtained by the slight modification of the simple in contact explosive–solid geometry. The task of determining the associated pressure–compression data derives part of its appeal from the fact that precise static compressibility studies have been limited to pressures below 100 kilobars. The experimental approaches to the problem of determining the pressure–compression states behind shock waves are reviewed and a summary of the published experimental data for solids is given in the chapter. The experimental data that consist of a known pressure P, volume V, energy E locus for each material are extended to a complete thermodynamic description of states neighboring the experimental curves. These calculations are based upon the Mie–Gruneisen equation of state and the Dugdale–MacDonald relation, the latter being used to determine the volume dependence of the Gruneisen ratio. The Dugdale–MacDonald relation is tested at zero pressure, where sufficient thermodynamic data exist to permit the comparison with Gruneisen's ratio as calculated from the usual thermodynamic relations.
Caspase-cleavage of the Amyloid Precursor Protein is Prevented After Overexpression of Bcl-2 in a Triple Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

A recent study demonstrated the lack of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaque formation and accumulation of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD) following overexpression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 (Rohn et al., J. Neurosci. 28: 3051-9, 2008). The supposition from that study was the accumulation of APP resulted from a decrease in caspase-mediated processing of APP. To determine a direct role for the caspase-cleavage of APP in 3xTg-AD mice, we designed a site-directed caspase- cleavage antibody to APP and demonstrated it is a specific marker for caspase-cleaved APP. Application of this antibody revealed neuronal staining in the hippocampus and subiculum of 3xTg-AD mice. These results were confirmed utilizing a similar site-directed antibody to caspase-cleaved APP (APPneo). The caspase cleavage of APP as well as the formation of extracellular Aβ plaques was prevented in 3xTg-AD animals overexpressing Bcl-2. These results provide further support that caspases play a proximal role in promoting the pathology associated with AD.
New Perspectives on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing impairment is the third most prevalent chronic disability in the United States, and hearing loss in the speech frequency region (pure-tone average threshold at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz ≥ 25 dB) is currently estimated to affect 29 million Americans ages 20–69 years based on 2003–2004 data (16% of population; Agrawal et al. 2008). When the higher frequencies are considered (pure-tone average at 3, 4, and 6 kHz ≥ 25 HL), the number affected doubles (Agrawal et al. 2008). Consistent with this, the National Institutes of Health has estimated that some 15% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss at higher test frequencies, suggesting the hearing loss may have been caused by exposure to loud sound (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 2002).
Typical evanescent and atypical persistent polymorphic cutaneous rash in an adult Brazilian with Still’s disease: a case report and review of the literature

Adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a systemic auto-inflammatory condition of unknown etiology, characterized by high fever, an evanescent, salmon-pink maculopapular skin rash, arthralgia or arthritis and leukocytosis. AOSD can also present with atypical cutaneous manifestations, such as persistent pruritic coalescent papules or plaques and linear lesions that have highly distinctive pathological features and are usually associated with severe disease. Herein, we present a 31-year-old Brazilian man with both typical Still’s rash and atypical persistent polymorphic cutaneous manifestations associated with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Eosinophils that are consistently lacking in the AOSD-associated skin lesions were evident in the skin biopsy of the persistent atypical cutaneous manifestations and were either drug-related or AOSD-associated.
Towards dynamic data-driven optimization of oil well placement

The adequate location of wells in oil and environmental applications has a significant economical impact on reservoir management. However, the determination of optimal well locations is both challenging and computationally expensive. The overall goal of this research is to use the emerging Grid infrastructure to realize an autonomic dynamic data-driven self-optimizing reservoir framework. In this paper, we present the use of distributed data to dynamically drive the optimization of well placement in an oil reservoir.
A Novel Therapeutic Target for Treatment of Malignant Brain Tumors (P7.268)

Objective: To develop effective therapeutics to treat malignant brain tumors via targeting a tumor specific metabolic pathway. Background: Tumor cells increase energy production to adapt to their high metabolic state. In vitro studies have revealed that many cancer cells synthesize guanosine triphosphate (GTP), an essential energy molecule, via the de novo GTP synthesis pathway. While normal tissues use an alternative pathway, the Salvage pathway, to synthesize GTP. In the present study we have focused on inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), the rate limiting enzyme of the de novo GTP synthesis pathway. The IMPDH inhibitor, Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF), is an FDA approved immunosuppressive drug widely used for prevention of acute transplant rejection. Here we discuss the role of MMF to suppress tumor cell growth via IMPHD inhibition. Methods: 1: We first examined whether the do novo GTP synthesis pathway is the preferred metabolic pathway in glioblastoma cell lines. 2: We next analyzed the cBio database operated by Memorial Sloan Ketering Cancer Center to determine whether IMPDH shows enhanced gene expression profile in glioblastoma tumors obtained from patients. 3: We then reviewed the literature on IMPDH as related to tumorigenesis and the use of MMF as a potential anti-tumor drug. Results: We found that GTP levels are increased in a glioblastoma cell line. IMPDH isoforms show enhanced gene expression profile in about 10% of glioblastoma tumors obtained from patients. In addition, IMPDH shows enhanced expression in a number of other malignancies that commonly metastasize to brain including melanoma, lung and breast cancers. Anti-cell proliferation effect of MMF has been shown in a number of pre-clinical studies both in cancer cell lines and xenograft models. Conclusions: The gene critical for the de novo GTP synthesis pathway is overexpressed in malignant brain tumors. Since MMF is an FDA approved drug with anti-tumor effects in a number of solid and blood cancers, it has immense potential for treatment of malignancies that overexpress IMPDH including glioblstoma. Disclosure: Dr. Majd has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sumita has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yoshino has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sasaki has nothing to disclose.
Robust command recognition using kernel learning algorithms

We introduce a new idea of robust command recognition system using frequency domain analysis and radial basis function support vector machines (SVM). We have tested the proposed system under stationary background noise hypothesis and have compared the performance of SVM classifier to multi-layer perceptron and radial basis function neural network classifiers. Simulations were carried out on the TI-46 corpus and higher performance of the SVM classifier was obtained on a small set of commands.
Jet breaks in the X‐ray light‐curves of Swift gamma‐ray burst afterglows

In the set of 236 gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows observed by Swift between 2005 January and 2007 March, we identify 30 X-ray light-curves that have power-law fall-offs that exhibit a steepening ('break') at 0.1-10 d after they are triggered, to a decay steeper than t -1.5 . For most of these afterglows, the X-ray spectral slope and the decay indices before and after the break can be accommodated by the standard jet model although a different origin of the breaks cannot be ruled out. In addition, there are 27 other afterglows which have X-ray light-curves that may also exhibit a late break to a steep decay, but the evidence is not that compelling. The X-ray emissions of 38 afterglows decay slower than t- 1.5 until after 3 d, half of them exhibiting such a slow decay until after 10 d. Therefore, the fraction of well-monitored Swift afterglows with potential jet breaks is around 60 per cent, whether we count only the strongest cases for each type or all of them. This fraction is comparable to the 75 per cent of pre-Swift afterglows which have optical light-curves that displayed similar breaks at ∼1 d. The peak energy of the GRB spectrum of Swift afterglows with light-curve breaks shows the same correlations with the burst isotropic output (Amati relation) and with the burst collimated output (Ghirlanda relation) as previously found for pre-Swift optical afterglows with light-curve breaks. However, we find that the Ghirlanda relation is largely a consequence of Amati's and that the use of the jet-break time leads to a stronger Ghirlanda correlation only when the few objects that do not satisfy the Amati relation are included.
Comparison of integrated magneto-optics and integrated acousto-optics

Significant advances have been made in both integrated magnetooptics and integrated acoustooptics in recent years. In this paper similarities in the basic Bragg interaction geometry and the characteristics associated with acoustooptics (AO) and magnetooptic (MO) Bragg diffractions, and a comparison of the resulting AO and MO Bragg cell modulators in center carrier frequency, bandwidth and their electronic tunability, modulation/switching speed, diffraction efficiency, substrate material, and fabrication technologies are presented. Further R and D toward ultimate realization of integrated AO and MO device modules are also discussed.
Appropriations and patterns in the use of group support systems

This paper describes a macro-level coding scheme to distinguish patterns that occur in groups using a group support system (GSS). The coding scheme has roots in adaptive structuration theory (AST) with its emphasis on how technology is appropriated or used, and discourse analysis that requires one consider the context of the larger discussion when analyzing textual data. The macro-level coding scheme revolves around junctures that occur during group meetings such as when a group either chooses to use the GSS software or chooses to accomplish some aspect of the task without the software. After identifying a juncture, a brief description is written detailing how group members responded to the opportunity presented by the juncture. Qualitative analysis is then used to identify patterns in how the technology is used. Application of the coding scheme is demonstrated with data gathered from 17 groups that met three times over a two-week period.
Spatial frequency mechanisms with short-wavelength-sensitive cone inputs.

We have estimated the minimum number and frequency tuning of spatial mechanisms with Short-Wavelength-Sensitive (SWS)-cone inputs. This was accomplished by isolating SWS cones with intense, long-wavelength (yellow) adaptation, and measuring threshold elevation functions for short-wavelength, spatially localized test stimuli masked by obliquely oriented, short-wavelength, cosine gratings. Peak spatial frequency of the cosine gratings and test stimuli varied from 0.25 to 2.83 cpd in 0.5 octave steps. Results derived in this manner demonstrate that SWS cones input to at least two orientation selective mechanisms with peak spatial frequencies of approx. 0.7 and 1.4 cpd, respectively. The frequency tuning of the isolated-SWS-cone, spatial frequency mechanisms resemble closely the lowest two mechanisms measured with luminance modulation (i.e. normal viewing conditions where all cones contribute to the response).
Frequency-dependent response of ZrO2 oxygen sensors to square-wave pulses of gas composition

Abstract The frequency response of ZrO2 oxygen sensors to square-wave pulses of gas composition was studied on a laboratory flow reactor at 600°C. Square-wave frequencies between 0.001 and 5 Hz were applied to solenoid devices that switched alternate flow streams past the sensor. At frequencies
Colorectal cancer prevention for low-income, sociodemographically-diverse adults in public housing: baseline findings of a randomized controlled trial

This paper presents the study design, intervention components, and baseline data from Open Doors to Health, a study designed to address social contextual factors in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention for low-income, racial/ethnic minority populations. A cluster randomized design with 12 housing sites as the primary sampling units was used: 6 sites were assigned to a "Peer-led plus Screening Access" (PL) condition, and 6 were assigned to "Screening Access only" (SCR) condition. Study-related outcomes were CRC screening, physical activity (measured as mean steps/day), and multivitamin use. At baseline (unweighted sample size = 1554), two-thirds self-reported that they were current with screening recommendations for CRC (corrected for medical records validation, prevalence was 52%), with half having received a colonoscopy (54%); 96% had health insurance. Mean steps per day was 5648 (se mean = 224), and on average 28% of the sample reported regular multivitamin use. Residents reported high levels of social support [mean = 4.40 (se = .03)] and moderately extensive social networks [mean = 2.66 (se = .02)]. Few studies have conducted community-based studies in public housing communities; these data suggest areas for improvement and future opportunities for intervention development and dissemination. Findings from the randomized trial will determine the effectiveness of the intervention on our health-related outcomes as well as inform future avenues of research.
Induction of neutralizing antibodies to papillomaviruses by anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Abstract Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Ids) were generated against three mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which neutralized three different papillomaviruses. The neutralizing MAbs (N-MAbs) were generated against infectious human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV-11), cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV), and bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1), and all recognized surface conformational epitopes that were lost upon denaturation of the virions. The polyclonal anti-Ids were screened in an ELISA using a panel of 10 N-MAbs (4 HPV-11 neutralizing, 5 CRPV neutralizing, and 1 BPV-1 neutralizing), and cross-reactive idiotypic reactivity was observed. Affinity-purified anti-H11.B2 (HPV-11 N-MAb) cross-reacted with the 3 other HPV-11 N-MAbs, was unreactive to a nonneutralizing HPV-11 MAb and all 5 CRPV N-MAbs, but surprisingly was reactive to the BPV-1 N-MAb. In contrast, affinity-purified anti-CRPV-1A (CRPV N-MAb) reacted with all 5 CRPV N-MAbs, but not with any other MAb. Affinity-purified anti-B1.A1 (BPV-1 N-MAb) also showed unexpected cross-reactivity with the 4 HPV-11 N-MAbs, but not with any of the CRPV N-MAbs. Two of the three polyclonal rabbit anti-Ids induced strong anti-vital antibody responses (including virus-neutralizing antibodies) in BALB/c mice following immunization. The results indicate that within a mouse strain, papillomavirus-neutralizing antibodies share cross-reactive idiotopes that group the N-MAbs into several subsets. One group includes the CRPV N-MAbs, and another group includes N-MAbs directed to apparently unrelated papillomaviruses, including HPV-11, BPV-1, and possibly HPV-6.