cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intersample ripple-free multirate H∞ optimal controller design

SUMMARY A systematic approach for the design of multirate controllers resulting in closed loops free of intersample ripple is proposed. The approach is particularly suited for design frameworks such as optimal control for which previous proposed conditions to eliminate intersample ripple cannot be readily incorporated. It is based on transforming the control inputs in the lifted transfer matrix of the design plant in a manner that stabilizing controllers for the transformed plant are in one-to-one correspondence with stabilizing ripple-free controllers for the original plant. Thus, no solutions are lost in the process of this transformation and a general stability result is obtained that can be also used in other multirate controller design methodologies to achieve ripple-free response. The results do not require that the plant should be open-loop stable and in particular can contain integrating instabilities. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age Replacement Policies

Maintenance policies are followed to reduce the incidence of unit failure or to return a failed unit to the operating state. This article concentrates on a particular maintenance policy referred to as an age replacement policy. Under this policy, a unit is replaced upon failure or at a specified age whichever comes first. We develop some of its desirable properties and obtain an optimal age replacement policy. We also define a multivariate version of this policy and give its properties. Keywords: age replacement (AR) policy; opportunity-based age replacement (OAR); multivariate age replacement (MAR) policy; multivariate renewal replacement (MRR)
Response to Parisi's Comment on ``Non-mean-field behavior of realistic spin glasses''

We expand on why our recent results rule out the standard SK picture of realistic spin glasses.
Crowd-supervised training of spoken language systems

Spoken language systems are often deployed with static speech recognizers. Only rarely are parameters in the underlying language, lexical, or acoustic models updated on-the-fly. In the few instances where parameters are learned in an online fashion, developers traditionally resort to unsupervised training techniques, which are known to be inferior to their supervised counterparts. These realities make the development of spoken language interfaces a difficult and somewhat ad-hoc engineering task, since models for each new domain must be built from scratch or adapted from a previous domain. This thesis explores an alternative approach that makes use of human computation to provide crowd-supervised training for spoken language systems. We explore human-in-the-loop algorithms that leverage the collective intelligence of crowds of non-expert individuals to provide valuable training data at a very low cost for actively deployed spoken language systems. We also show that in some domains the crowd can be incentivized to provide training data for free, as a byproduct of interacting with the system itself. Through the automation of crowdsourcing tasks, we construct and demonstrate organic spoken language systems that grow and improve without the aid of an expert. Techniques that rely on collecting data remotely from non-expert users, however, are subject to the problem of noise. This noise can sometimes be heard in audio collected from poor microphones or muddled acoustic environments. Alternatively, noise can take the form of corrupt data from a worker trying to game the system – for example, a paid worker tasked with transcribing audio may leave transcripts blank in hopes of receiving a speedy payment. We develop strategies to mitigate the effects of noise in crowd-collected data and analyze their efficacy. This research spans a number of different application domains of widely-deployed spoken language interfaces, but maintains the common thread of improving the speech recognizer's underlying models with crowd-supervised training algorithms. We experiment with three central components of a speech recognizer: the language model, the lexicon, and the acoustic model. For each component, we demonstrate the utility of a crowd-supervised training framework. For the language model and lexicon, we explicitly show that this framework can be used hands-free, in two organic spoken language systems. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
The Hopelessness Depression Symptom Questionnaire

Evaluated the Hopelessness Depression Symptom Questionnaire (HDSQ; Metalsky & Joiner, 1991). The HDSQ is a 32-item self-report measure of eight symptoms posited by L. Abramson, G. Metalsky, and L. Alloy (1989) to comprise a specific subtype of depression—hopelessness depression. Factor analytic results from 435 subjects suggested that: (a) Each of the eight subscales of the HDSQ reflects a distinct symptom of hopelessness depression; and (b) The eight subscales, taken together, reflect one higher-order construct—Hopelessness Depression Symptoms. Diathesis-stress results from a subset of 174 subjects indicated that the attributional diathesis × stress interaction predicted onset of hopelessness depression symptoms on the HDSQ but not nonhopelessness depression symptoms. The HDSQ should allow for enhanced precision in tests of the hopelessness theory of depression.
The generation of warm dense matter using fast magnetic compression at 10 MA

Knowing the properties of warm dense matter is crucial to understanding the formation and evolution of giant planets, including gaseous giants or mega-Earths. Generating warm dense matter in the laboratory has been limited to samples on the micron scale. Probing such small volumes raise major challenges in measuring the properties of warm dense matter using standard diagnostics. This work proposes a new method to produce warm dense matter samples on the centimeter scale using pulsed-power generators with current rise-times on the order of 100 ns. We numerically demonstrate that the early expansion phase of the sample, usually encountered in pulsed-power driven implosions, can be virtually eliminated by using a fast current switching scheme. To avoid mixing the plasma and warm dense matter states, the present strategy uses a low-Z gas puff z-pinch as a closing plasma switch. A cylindrical metallic sample is connected between the anode and the cathode of a pulsed-power generator. Using a fast valve, gas is injected cylindrically around the sample. The gas is pre-ionized just before the main current discharge. Since the sample is initially cold and its diameter is much smaller than the gas column, most of the current flows inside the gas during the first part of the discharge. During this phase, the gas is compressed as a z-pinch and converges radially until it reaches the sample. At this time, all the current carried by the gas z-pinch switches to the sample in 10 ns, rapidly heating and compressing it. The sample gets into a warm dense matter state while the strong azimuthal field generated by the z-pinch prevents the expansion of the sample. Numerical simulations show that this method can produce centimeter-size warm dense matter samples using a 10 MA linear transformer driver.
Bleeding Risk after Invasive Procedures in Aspirin/NSAID Users: Polypectomy Study in Veterans

BACKGROUND: Aspirin, by virtue of inhibition of platelet hemostatic function, is withheld before many invasive procedures because of the bleeding risk. American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines acknowledge the paucity of “high quality data” to make recommendations regarding the use of aspirin (ASA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before endoscopic procedures. Yet the majority of endoscopists hold ASA/NSAIDs before polypectomy. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, cohort study was conducted at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Syracuse, NY. The objectives were to assess the postpolypectomy bleeding risk in ASA/NSAID users in a large cohort of veterans undergoing colonoscopic polypectomy and to identify risk factors associated with postpolypectomy bleeding. All patients undergoing polypectomy between January 2002 and October 2007 were eligible. Patients on anticoagulants/other antiplatelet agents were excluded. Patients were selected randomly by cluster sampling techniques. Electronic medical and pharmacy records were reviewed for patient demographics, polypectomy techniques, and postpolypectomy bleeding rates. Univariate analysis was performed between patients on ASA and NSAIDs (group A) versus those not on ASA or NSAIDs (group B). Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with postpolypectomy bleeding. RESULTS: Five hundred two (43%) of 1174 patients (mean age 66 years, 92% white) were on ASA or NSAIDs, or both. There was no significant difference between postpolypectomy bleeding rates among the 2 groups (3.2% vs 3.0%). Age, sex, polyp characteristics, and polypectomy techniques were comparable between groups A and B. In multiple logistic regression analysis, ASA or NSAID use was not a significant risk factor for postpolypectomy bleeding. Number of polyps removed per patient was the only risk factor significantly associated with postpolypectomy bleeding (P .01, odds ratio 1.3, 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.43). CONCLUSIONS: In this large study, use of ASA or NSAIDs did not increase the risk of postpolypectomy bleeding. Cessation of ASA/NSAIDs before colonoscopy/polypectomy is therefore unnecessary. Published by Elsevier Inc. • The American Journal of Medicine (2012) 125, 1222-1227
Characterization of printable cellular micro-fluidic channels for tissue engineering

Tissue engineering has been a promising field of research, offering hope of bridging the gap between organ shortage and transplantation needs. However, building three-dimensional (3D) vascularized organs remains the main technological barrier to be overcome. One of the major challenges is the inclusion of a vascular network to support cell viability in terms of nutrients and oxygen perfusion. This paper introduces a new approach to the fabrication of vessel-like microfluidic channels that has the potential to be used in thick tissue or organ fabrication in the future. In this research, we investigate the manufacturability of printable micro-fluidic channels, where micro-fluidic channels support mechanical integrity as well as enable fluid transport in 3D. A pressure-assisted solid freeform fabrication platform is developed with a coaxial needle dispenser unit to print hollow hydrogel filaments. The dispensing rheology is studied, and effects of material properties on structural formation of hollow filaments are analyzed. Sample structures are printed through the developed computer-controlled system. In addition, cell viability and gene expression studies are presented in this paper. Cell viability shows that cartilage progenitor cells (CPCs) maintained their viability right after bioprinting and during prolonged in vitro culture. Real-time PCR analysis yielded a relatively higher expression of cartilage-specific genes in alginate hollow filament encapsulating CPCs, compared with monolayer cultured CPCs, which revealed that printable semi-permeable micro-fluidic channels provided an ideal environment for cell growth and function.
Respiratory distress and hypertension in pregnancy.

Dr. Michelle Finkel: Today’s case is that of a 32-yearold woman in her third trimester of pregnancy who presented by ambulance to the Emergency Department (ED) in respiratory distress. Her adolescent daughter had awakened to find the patient in the bathroom extremely short of breath. Initial information via radio indicated that the patient was seated on the toilet in severe respiratory distress with altered mental status when the paramedics arrived on the scene. The patient was initially noted to have an oxygen saturation of 80% on room air. She was intubated and brought to the ED. Her past medical history was significant for systemic lupus erythematosus; however, no other medical history was available. Her gravida/para status was unknown as was her prenatal course. Her medications, allergies, and social history were also unknown. Are there any initial questions? Dr. Andrew Reisner: With regard to the airway management, what medications were given by the paramedics? Dr. Finkel: The paramedics administered 2 mg of midazolam and intubated the patient with an 8.0 endotracheal tube (ETT). No paralytics were used. Rapid sequence intubation was not used here but would have been an acceptable alternative. Dr. William Zirkin: The patient’s fetus had passed the viability threshold and should have been carefully considered. Did the paramedics obtain a fetal heart rate? Dr. Finkel: The paramedics reported that they were unable to find a fetal heart rate. After receiving the radio call we immediately informed the obstetrical service of the patient’s imminent arrival. Dr. Won Chung: When was the patient last seen? Had she been ill or was this a sudden change in her health? Dr. Finkel: We did not have that information at the time. We believed the patient had been in her usual state of health until her daughter found her that morning. The patient arrived in the ED intubated, obtunded, and unarousable. We placed her on her left side. The heart rate was 160 beats/min, blood pressure 188/136 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation 100% with ventilation. The HEENT examination demonstrated reactive and equal pupils bilaterally without any evidence of head or oral trauma. Endotracheal tube (ETT) placement was confirmed by end tidal CO2 detector. The neck was supple with jugular venous distension. The patient’s heart was tachycardic without murmurs, gallops, or rubs. The lungs demonstrated rales bilaterally throughout all lung fields. The abdomen was gravid with an approximately 32week uterus. There was bilateral pitting edema to her knees. The neurologic examination demonstrated occasional spontaneous movement of all extremities. Are there any questions about the initial presentation? Dr. Zirkin: It is impossible to ignore the patient’s elevated blood pressure. In a patient in her third trimester of pregnancy, any blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg must be considered abnormal, and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) must be assumed. The altered mental
Marketing methods for software

Abstract This article discusses several marketing considerations that are especially appropriate for software products. These include: the importance of focusing on customer needs, market segmentation, developing a marketing strategy, the software product life cycle, strategies for positioning a software product, selecting an effective brand name, new product development, pricing strategies, channels of distribution, promotion, and the use of direct marketing. Examples from the software industry are used as illustrations.
Pediatric intracranial arachnoid cysts: comparative effectiveness of surgical treatment options

A variety of surgical approaches for the treatment of pediatric intracranial arachnoid cysts exist. In an effort to identify the optimal surgical treatment for this disorder, we developed a decision analytic model to evaluate outcomes of four surgical approaches in children. These included open craniotomy for cyst excision, open craniotomy for cyst fenestration, endoscopic cyst fenestration, and cystoperitoneal shunting. Pooled data were used to create evidence tables, from which we calculated incidence, relative risks, and summary outcomes in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for the four surgical treatments. Our study incorporated data up to 5 years postsurgery. We analyzed 1,324 cases from 36 case series. There were no significant differences in outcome among the four surgical strategies. The QALYs (maximum of 5) for surgical approaches resulted in a range from 4.79 (for open craniotomy and excision) to 4.92 (for endoscopic fenestration). Overall quality of life is comparable between patients undergoing open craniotomy for cyst excision or fenestration, endoscopic fenestration, and cystoperitoneal shunting up to 5 years after surgery. While each approach offers unique advantages and disadvantages, an individualized treatment strategy should be employed in the setting of surgical outcome equipoise.
Supercontinuum generation in an imaging fiber taper

We report on supercontinuum generation in individual fibers of a commercial Schott imaging fiber taper. Supercontinuum spectrum covering a wavelength range from about 500 nm to 1 µm was obtained. Unlike conventional approaches which use either a single micro-structured photonic crystal fiber (PCF) or an individual fiber or PCF taper, the availability of many fibers in an imaging taper can open new possibilities to independently and controllably generate supercontinuum arrays.
Nitrobenzyl-Based Photosensitive Phosphoramide Mustards: Synthesis and Photochemical Properties of Potential Prodrugs for Cancer Therapy.

Several nitrobenzyl-based photosensitive phosphoramide mustards were synthesized. The nitrobenzyl moiety was structurally varied to find the most promising prodrug candidates in respect to photorelease and activity of the alkylating species. The synthesis of these compounds proved to be applicable even in regard to compounds with additional functionalization. The target molecules 13a,b to 14 exhibited the expected red shift in their absorption spectra maximum compared to the parent nitrobenzyl moiety. As seen by UV and 31P NMR spectroscopy, the phosphoramide mustard was quickly liberated upon irradiation with mercury arc lamps. Assaying the structurally different prodrugs on their alkylating activity showed that compounds 13b and 14, derived from secondary benzyl alcohols, are promising prodrug candidates. Their water solubility and the possibility of attaching macromolecules are encouraging vis-a-vis future investigations on their in vitro cytotoxicity.
GnRH neurons and episodic bursting activity

Abstract Our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying bursting activity in mammalian GnRH neurons and how these mechanisms relate to pulsatile hormone release continue to grow. However, the wide variability of phasic bursting patterns of GnRH neurons still leaves some unanswered questions about how cellular models translate into pulsatile hormone release.
Utility of cytokeratin 7 and 20 subset analysis as an aid in the identification of primary site of origin of malignancy in cytologic specimens.

This study was undertaken to assess the utility of combined cytokeratin (CK) 7/20 immunoprofile determination in malignant cytologic cell blocks as an aid to the identification of tumor primary site of origin. Fifty-one cases in which CK 7/20 immunocytochemistry was performed as part of the initial workup were retrieved. Their contribution to the final cytologic diagnosis of tumor primary site of origin was analyzed. CK reactivity patterns were 7+/20- (n = 34), 7-/20+ (n = 9), 7-/20- (n = 7), and 7+/20+ (n = 1). The CK 7+/CK 20- immunophenotype was the most common one obtained, and due to its wide expression in a number of common carcinomas, the least informative. The second most common immunophenotype was CK 7-/20+, which is associated with colorectal origin, and as such was very useful when obtained. The CK immunoprofile was more useful in the setting of a prior carcinoma, being a major diagnostic determinant in 13 cases (55%) from group 1 (those with a prior history of malignancy), compared to 8 cases (29%) from group 2 (those with no prior history of malignancy). In the setting of prior carcinoma, the CK immunoprofile is most useful when carcinomas under consideration have different expected immunoprofiles (e.g., CK 7+/CK20- carcinomas, including lung, breast, ovary, endometrium, and others, vs. CK 7-/CK 20+ carcinomas, primarily colorectal). When similar immunoprofiles are obtained, their usefulness is greater if they are immunoprofiles other than the most common 7+/20- pattern. Similarly, in newly diagnosed carcinomas, the CK immunoprofile either helps to narrow the differential diagnosis or points to a specific diagnosis.
A graphic method for the determination of particle dimensions from molecular weight and rotary diffusion constant.

The authors have been engaged in a study by means of light scattering and streaming birefringence of protein denaturation and aggregation. These techniques provide information on the weight (31) and rotary diffusion constant (@), respectively, of the molecule or particle under investigation. It has been customary to interpret such data in terms of an ellipsoidal model,2 using the Perrin (1) equation
Cross-sectional Associations of Medication and Supplement Use With Retinal Vascular Diameter in the Beaver Dam Eye Study

Importance Retinal vessel diameters are being measured to examine their relationship with ocular and systemic disease and, in some studies, to calculate the risk of disease. Important factors that directly affect retinal vessel diameters, such as medication use, should be considered when estimating these associations. Objective To quantify the association between selected medications and supplements and retinal vessel diameters. Design, Setting, and Participants In a prospective cohort investigation, 4926 participants (aged 43-86 years at baseline) in the Beaver Dam Eye Study were evaluated every 5 years during 20 years of follow-up from 1988 to 2010. Main Outcomes and Measures Central retinal arteriolar equivalent and central retinal venular equivalent measured from the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study fundus photograph field 1. Results After Bonferroni correction, the use of any blood pressure medication (β = 0.75; P = .04), specifically calcium channel blockers (β = −1.02; P P = .09); β-blockers (β = −1.02; P = .10) and oral corticosteroids (β = 2.13; P = .07) were marginally associated with changes in the central retinal venular equivalent. Conclusions and Relevance Several medications are associated with central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents. Prostaglandin analogues, calcium channel blockers, and oral corticosteroids have the largest relative effects. After Bonferroni correction was applied, the use of calcium channel blockers was most strongly associated with change in the central retinal arteriolar equivalent. The presence of factors that are associated with retinal vessel diameters should be considered when using retinal vessel diameter as an outcome or when using these measures to assess the risk of systemic or ocular disease.
Popliteal sciatic nerve blocks after foot and ankle surgery: an adjunct to postoperative analgesia.

Summary The use of sciatic popliteal nerve blocks in conjunction with common peroneal and saphenous nerve blocks can provide prolonged hours of analgesia after foot and ankle surgery. This adjunct to analgesia allows for reduced amounts of postoperative opioids and the undesirable and adverse effects associated with these drugs. The peripheral blocks are technically easy to perform and offer the surgical patient many hours of pain relief. Furthermore, when utilized preoperatively, a lighter depth of anesthesia can be maintained with little demand for opioids so that the postoperative recovery will be accelerated with fewer complications.
Interaction mean-free-path of cosmic-ray Fe in air

The interaction mean-free-path of cosmic-ray iron in air has been determined by observing the change in flux as a function of atmospheric depth. A large detector and a large variation in altitude during the balloon flight result in a high precision measurement. The result is in agreement, though slightly larger than the mean-free-path deduced from the measurements of interactions of iron on different targets at the Bevalac accelerator.
A new distributed Depth-First-Search algorithm

Abstract This paper presents a new distributed Depth-First-Search (DFS) algorithm for an asynchronous communication network, whose communication and time complexities are O(|E|) and O(|V|), respectively. The output of the algorithm is the DFS tree, kept in a distributed fashion. The existing algorithm, due to Cheung (1983), requires O(|E|) both in communication and time complexities.
Intense cocaine self-administration after episodic social defeat stress, but not after aggressive behavior: dissociation from corticosterone activation

Rationale: An intense stress response characterizes both the dominant and submissive individuals during an aggressive confrontation, and these stress responses have enduring neural and behavioral consequences.
Unimolecular reaction kinetics

We use generating functions to analyze the kinetics of the reaction $A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(1+\ensuremath{\epsilon})A+B$ where $\ensuremath{-}1l~\ensuremath{\epsilon}l0$ and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}g0$ correspond, respectively, to $B$ particles that are traps or "sources." For an arbitrary configuration and strengths of static $B$'s and mobile $A$'s, an exact formal expression for the kinetics of the reaction is derived. This solution yields either exponential growth, power-law growth or decay, or no growth asymptotically, depending on the configuration and strength of the $B$'s.
Multiple lineages co-circulation and genetic reassortment of the neuraminidase and hemagglutinin genes within influenza viruses of the same type/subtype

Abstract Background: Analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza A and B viruses revealed worldwide circulation of multiple genetic lineages within the same type/subtype. Genetic reassortment between distinct genetic lineages was examined in this study. Methods: Nucleotide sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used. Phylogenetic studies were used to analyze sequence data. Results: Influenza A (H3N2) . The NA genes of H3N2 viruses were found to have evolved as three distinct lineages represented by A/Sydney/5/97, A/Panama/2007/99, and A/Moscow/10/99, respectively. Similar genetic groups were also found among the HA genes of these viruses. PCR/RFLP data of strains isolated between June 1999 and June 2000 showed that 122 of 141 viruses examined (87%) had their NA genes closely related to that of A/Moscow/10/99 virus; 14 of 141 viruses (10%) had A/Panama/2007/99-like NA genes, and only 5 strains (3%) had A/Sydney/5/97-like NA genes. Viruses bearing A/Panama/2007/99-like HA, and either A/Moscow/10/99-like, or A/Sydney/5/97-like NA were detected, indicating that genetic reassortments of the NA genes among different lineages of H3N2 viruses had occurred. Influenza A (H1N1) . Analyses showed that the NA and HA genes of the current strains each evolved as two genetically distinct lineages, represented by A/Bayern/7/95 and A/Beijing/262/95, respectively. The NA genes of the majority of circulating H1N1 viruses were closely related to that of the current vaccine strain A/New Caledonia/20/99 virus (A/Beijing/262/95 lineage). Influenza B . The NA genes of influenza B viruses, similar to their HA genes, were found to have diverged into two genetically and antigenically distinguishable lineages represented by B/Yamagata/16/88 (recently B/Yamanashi/166/98) and B/Victoria/2/87 (recently by B/Shandong/7/97) strains. Reassortants bearing the B/Yamagata-like HA and B/Victoria-like NA were isolated from several countries. Conclusion: Monitoring both HA and NA genes/antigens is important for appropriate vaccine strain selection.
Satellite-Based Energy Balance for Mapping Evapotranspiration with Internalized Calibration (METRIC)—Applications

Recent satellite image processing developments have provided the means to calculate evapotranspiration (ET) as a residual of the surface energy balance to produce ET “maps.” These ET maps (i.e., images) provide the means to quantify ET on a field by field basis in terms of both the rate and spatial distribution. The ET images show a progression of ET during the year or growing season as well as its spatial distribution. The mapping evapotranspiration at high resolution with internalized calibration (METRIC) is a satellite-based image-processing procedure for calculating ET. METRIC has been applied with high resolution Landsat images in southern Idaho, southern California, and New Mexico to quantify monthly and seasonal ET for water rights accounting, operation of ground water models, and determination of crop coefficient populations and mean curves for common crops. Comparisons between ET by METRIC, ET measured by lysimeter, and ET predicted using traditional methods have been made on a daily and monthly ...
Municipal government in soviet russia II. since the revolution

Home rule and the short ballot appear to American Observers o be necessary reforms in Russian Municipal government.
The role of discourse context frequency in phonological variation: a usage-based approach to bilingual speech production

Missing from the body of literature on contact-induced phonological influence are studies that examine language variation as it occurs in speech production among members of a speech community. This...
Mosquito stage, transmission blocking vaccines for malaria.

Purpose of reviewThis review highlights progress made in the development of vaccines aimed at the stages of malaria parasites found in mosquitoes that block the transmission of malaria within a community.Recent findingsSubstantial progress has been made on the production and characterization of the
Speech watermarking through parametric modeling

Parameter-embedded watermarking of speech is effected through slight perturbations of parametric models of deeply-integrated dynamics of the signal. This research focusses on speech watermarking techniques based on linear-in-parameters speech models. Information is embedded by modifying the linear predictor coefficients of the original speech, subject to fidelity constraints. The modified parameters are used to reconstruct the watermarked speech. Experiments with real speech data are used to assess robustness and other performance properties. A particular example of watermark detector design is discussed and performance tested. In set-membership filtering (SMF) based parametric watermarking, linear predictor (LP) coefficients of the original speech are modified subject to an objective fidelity constraint. SMF is used to obtain a hyperellipsoidal set of allowable parameter perturbations (i.e., watermarks) subject to a constraint on the error between the watermarked and original material. This research discusses the robustness of SMF based watermarking to filtering, quantization and combination attacks. An important consideration in watermark robustness is the energy of the watermark signal (difference between watermarked and original signals). Watermarks of higher energy are obtained from perturbed LP coefficients at the boundary of the hyperellipsoidal set. A constrained optimization problem is solved to obtain the best watermarks for filtering and quantization attacks. Finally, a generalized framework for parametric speech watermarking is presented. In addition to the LP model, other parametric representations such as log area ratio, inverse sine, line spectrum pair, and reflection coefficients are used for speech watermarking. An application of perturbed parameter theory for autoregressive models is presented. The perturbed parameter theory is used to obtain bounds on the perturbation of the stegosignal caused by watermarking.
Birefringence-balanced polarimetric optical fiber sensor for high-temperature measurements

A birefringence-balanced polarimetric multimode fiber temperature sensor is proposed and demonstrated. Two single-crystal sapphire rods are incorporated into the sensor head. They are connected end to end in such a way that the slow axis of the first rod is aligned with the fast axis of the second rod, referred to as the referencing rod. Since the lengths of the two rods are chosen to be almost the same, the original birefringence of the first rod is balanced by that of the second rod. A light-emitting diode serves as the light source. This sensor has been experimentally demonstrated for high-temperature measurements as high as 1500 C. A sensitivity of 5 C has been obtained.
Student Evaluations and Faculty Members with a Disability

ABSTRACT Resumes of hypothetical prospective faculty members were distributed to a sample of 307 university students. They were systematically manipulated as to whether the candidate had a disability. The students were asked to rate the hypothetical prospective faculty members on the basis of teaching and professional characteristics as well as whether they would sign up for a class with them and would recommend hiring them. In terms of teaching characteristics the students were more positive toward the disabled hypothetical prospective faculty members than the non-disabled. It appears that if hired, a faculty member with a disability will start at a level of student acceptance the same as or higher than that of one without a disability. One of the purposes of an affirmative action program is to bring in the protected group on the same terms as others and this purpose appears to be achievable in regard to disability.
Picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of 13-demethylretinal bacteriorhodopsin

Abstract The time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of the 13-demethylretinal artificial pigment of bacteriorhodopsin (13-dm BR) is measured with 6 ps time resolution over the initial 100 ns of its photocycle. Following 6 ps pump laser excitation (568–573 nm) to initiate the photocycle, fluorescence is generated with a 6 ps probe laser pulse (590–610 nm) appearing at time delays as long as 100 ns after the pumping. Fluorescence can be assigned to the excited electronic states of both 13-dm BR-560 and to the K-like photocycle intermediate (13-dm K) formed within 100 ps of 568–573 nm excitation. The intensity maximum of the fluorescence spectrum for 13-dm K is shifted to the blue by ≈8 nm from that of 13-dm BR-560 and has a spectral profile which remains unchanged throughout the initial 10 ps–100 ns interval of the photocycle. The fluorescence intensity ( I f ) from 13-dm BR-560 is ≈2 times larger than that from native BR-570 while I f from 13-dm K is >6.5 times larger than the corresponding I f from K-590 in the native BR photocycle. In addition, approximately 26 ns is required for the fluorescence signal from 13-dm K to reach its maximum value which is ≈9 times larger than the fluorescence signal from 13-dm BR-560. The significance of the transient fluorescence in 13-dm BR is discussed with respect to the molecular mechanism underlying the 13-dm BR photocycle.
Paper 5: Viscoelastic Behaviour of Frictional Hertzian Contacts under Ramp-Type Loads

This paper describes an investigation of ‘load–displacement’ and ‘displacement—time’ characteristics of frictional contacts of a ball between two parallel flats under low rates of tangential load application. Time history of ball displacement under sustained loads below gross slip is investigated. The tests showed that the frictional joint exhibited ‘creep’ behaviour at room temperatures under loads below the gross slip values which can be described by a Boltzmann model of viscoelasticity.
Regulation of Na+,K+-ATPase α-subunit isoforms in rat tissues during hypertension

Abstract We investigated the regulation of the protein expression of the α isozymes of Na+,K+-ATPase in reference to the enzyme activity in the heart, brain skeletal muscle of rats during deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension. Treatment of rats with DOCA and salt for 28 days produced a significant increase in systolic blood pressure compared to the control groups which remained normotensive. Rats treated with DOCA expressed greater amounts of the immunoreactive α-1 isoform than untreated controls in whole heart membranes. However, the DOCA-induced increase in the α-1 isoform did not occur during DOCA-salt hypertension. There was a parallel change in the enzyme activity of the Na+,K+-ATPase and the protein expression of the α-1 isoform as a result of these treatments. We have also demonstrated that the hearts of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats expressed less of the α-2 isoform compared to the controls. We could not detect any alteration in the α-1 and α-2 isoforms of the skeletal muscle and α-1, α-2 and α-3 isoforms of the whole brain Na+,K+-ATPase during salt or DOCA treatments alone or DOCA-salt hypertension. Furthermore, the Na+,K+-ATPase activity was unaltered in these tissues during these treatments. In conclusion, cardiac Na+,K+-ATPase α-subunit protein expression appears to be regulated during DOCA-salt hypertension. In the skeletal muscle and brain, tissues not subjected directly to increased pressure, this regulation of the Na+,K+-ATPase was not apparent.
A Seminiferous Tubular Factor Is Not Obligatory for Regulation of Plasma Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in the Rat

Plasma testosterone, FSH, and LH levels were measured by RIA in sham-castrate control rats and in castrate male rats with testosterone-containing Silastic capsule implants to evaluate the relative contribution of testosterone and inhibin in maintaining normal FSH secretion in vivo. Silastic capsules maintaining normal testosterone levels maintained normal levels of both FSH and LH over the 5-day course of these studies. The data suggest that testosterone or its metabolites can account for at least 78%, and possibly all, of the FSH-suppressing activity of the testis. The data do not support an obligatory role for other testicular factors, such as inhibin, in the regulation of plasma FSH when normal testosterone levels are maintained. (Endocrinology 108: 1035, 1981)
Derogatory stereotypic beliefs and evaluations of male nurses

One reason for the severe short age of nurses is the un will ing ness of males to pursue the profession in great numbers. This article explores people’s negative stereotypic beliefs about males in the nursing profession. Participants were asked to provide evaluations and trait descriptions of both male and female nurses. The results revealed that both male and female participants harbored favorable impressions of female nurses but unfavorable impressions of male nurses. Male participants were especially likely to form negative evaluations of men who pursue the nursing profession. Exploratory multivariate analyses of trait descriptions revealed that male nurses are viewed as feminine, non traditional, intelligent, and caring. Additional results suggest that unfavorable stereo types of male nurses can be moderated by highlighting the masculine qualities of nurses’ job duties. Implications for the recruitment of males into nursing are discussed.
Structural optimization of non-linear systems under stochastic excitation

This work concentrates on the structural optimization of a class of non-linear systems with deterministic structural parameters subject to stochastic excitation. The optimization problem is formulated as the minimization of an objective function subject to constraints on the response level. The stochastic response is characterized by its first two statistical moments, which are computed by a statistical equivalent linearization technique. The implicit structural optimization problem is replaced by a sequence of explicit sub-optimization problems. The sub-problems are constructed by using a conservative first-order approximation of the objective and constraint functions. The applicability of the proposed design process is demonstrated in three numerical examples where the methodology is applied to systems with nonlinearity of hardening and hysteretic type. The effects of the nonlinearity on the general performance of the final designs are discussed. At the same time, some engineering implications of the results obtained in this work are addressed.
Ligand efficiency in axial and radial flow immunoaffinity chromatography of factor IX

Abstract Radial flow (RF) columns are attractive for process chromatography primarily because larger throughputs and lower pressure drops are achievable in such columns. Large scale immunoaffinity processes using soft resins can benefit most from this configuration. In this study, we compared immobilized ligand efficiency in axial flow (AF) and RF columns using monoclonal antibody against factor IX as the immobilized ligand and a coagulation factor IX complex as the source material. We examined the effects of flow-rate, total protein loading, feed antigen concentration and direction of flow (centrifugal or centripetal for RF, and downward or upward for AF) on immobilized antibody capacity (measured as mg antigen bound per mg antibody). Our results corroborate earlier work, and suggest that none of the factors, in the ranges examined, significantly altered the efficiency of the monoclonal antibody (MAb) in binding factor IX. We also investigated the efficiency of the immobilized antibody upon reuse and found that, over twenty cycles, there was no significant decrease in antibody efficiency. Our results demonstrated that efficiencies obtainable in AF columns can be achieved in RF columns with the same bed thickness, suggesting that radial dispersion, mass transfer and intraparticular diffusion may not have a significant influence on immunoaffinity chromatography efficiency in RF and AF columns.
Lactonization of 3,5,7-trioxo-7-phenylheptanoic acid and its 2-methyl homolog☆

Abstract 3,5,7-Trioxo-7-phenylheptanoic acid and its 2-methyl homolog were cyclized by treatment with acetic anhydride to form the corresponding δ-lactones (or 4-hydroxy-2-pyrones). An alternative synthesis of this structural type was achieved by treatment of the trisodium salt of 1-phenyl-1,3,5-hexanetrione with carbonyl sulfide. The reaction apparently involved the corresponding triketo thiolacid, but spontaneous cyclization occurred to give the lactone. The biogenetic significance of these reactions is discussed.
The constitutive equation for a dilute emulsion

A constitutive equation for dilute emulsions is developed by considering the deformations, assumed infinitesimal, of a small droplet freely suspended in a time-dependent shearing flow. This equation is non-linear in the kinematic variables and gives rise to ‘fluid memory’ effects attributable to the droplet surface dynamics. Furthermore, it has the same form as the corresponding expression for a dilute suspension of Hookean elastic spheres (Goddard & Miller 1967), and reduces to a relation previously proposed by Schowalter, Chaffey & Brenner (1968) when time-dependent effects become small.Numerical solutions are also presented for the case of a small bubble in a steady extensional flow for the purpose of estimating the range of validity of the small deformation analysis. It is shown that, unlike the drag of a bubble which, in creeping motion, is known to be relatively insensitive to its exact shape, the macroscopic stress field in an emulsion is not well described by the present analysis unless the shapes of the deformed bubbles agree closely with those given by the first-order theory. Thus, the present rheological equation should prove of value in a qualitative rather than a quantitative sense.
Relativistic effects in spin-polarization parameters for low-energy electron-Cs scattering

Based on a Dirac R-matrix (close-coupling) calculation, the authors present results for various spin-polarization parameters for elastic and inelastic scattering of slow (Ekin<or approximately=2 eV) polarized electrons from unpolarized and polarized neutral Cs atoms in their ground state. Their results allow for a quantitative estimate of the importance of relativistic effects, and their calculated parameters clearly deviate from predictions obtained by just jj-recoupling the results of a non-relativistic calculation.
The structure of brain dihexosylceramide in globoid cell leukodystrophy.

— Dihexosylceramide from the brain of a case of globoid cell leukodystrophy was isolated and characterized. Studies utilizing partial acid hydrolysis and methylation indicated the carbohydrate sequence to be galactosylglucosylceramide. The carbohydrate moiety was liberated by ozonolysis and identified to be lactose by GLC. 4-Sphingenine and sphinganine were the only long chain bases detected. The chain length of the fatty acids present ranged from 14 to 25 carbons; C18, and C21 fatty acids composed one-half of the mixture. All analyses were performed by GLC and TLC utilizing micro-techniques.
Histidyl-proline diketopiperazine decreases food intake in rats

Histidyl-proline diketopiperazine was found to suppress food intake during stress-induced eating (10(-6)--10(-8) mol), starvation-induced eating (10(-8) mol) and over an 8 h period of spontaneous eating (10(-8) mol). In contrast, other cyclic piperazines failed to alter food ingestion. The suppressive effect of histidyl-proline diketopiperazine was antagonized by the enkephalin analogue, D-Ala-Met-enkephalin, in equimolar concentrations.
Shock Tolerance in Rats as a Function of White Noise

Two groups of 10 rats each were trained to cross increasing levels of electrical shock in a straight alley runway for food. The group receiving masking white noise (88 db) showed a significantly higher shock tolerance than controls that received no white noise. The results were interpreted as supporting the audioanalgesic effect and as suggesting a need to examine the use of masking white noise in studies using shock
Protein synthesis in cell-free extracts from first and third trimester human placenta.

Extract: Ribosomal and cell sap fractions were prepared from first and third trimester human placentas. High endogenous activity was observed with ribosomes prepared from first trimester or third trimester placenta when incubated either in the presence of cell sap derived from first trimester placenta tissue or from Krebs II ascites tumor cells. The homologous placental system is capable of translating poly(U) and globin mRNA, although the latter is translated at about 10% of the efficiency as observed in the homologous ascites tumor system. The placental cell sap may be deficient in a factor necessary for the translation of globin mRNA. The preparation of active ribosomes from first and third trimester polysomes shows that it will be possible to study the endogenous synthesis of placental proteins throughout pregnancy. Speculation: These results indicate the feasibility of studying the cell-free synthesis of placental peptide hormones. Human chorionic gonadotropin and human placental lactogen reach peak levels of synthesis at different gestational periods and thus the relation between the synthesis of the hormones and their secretion can be elucidated.
Affinity probes for ins(1,3,4,5)P4 receptors

Abstract A P-1-tethered derivative of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was synthesized and used to prepare a bioselective affinity matrix and a photoaffinity label for purification and covalent modification of IP4 receptor proteins.
Polarography of neodymium, samarium, ytterbium and europium in acetonitrile

Europium, samarium, and ytterbium can be determined in rare-earth mixtures by polarography in specially purified solutions on the perchlorates. The polarographic waves correspond to the reduction of the tripositive ions to dipositive species. Water and traces of acid interfere but their effect can be made negligible by adding an excess of non-reducible rare earths. The half-wave potential of the Sm(II) - (O) polarogram in acetonitrile was found to be −1.55 V vs. the aqueous S.C.E.
On the Plastic Deformation of a Tube During Bending

The objective of this study is to develop an analytical approach to calculate the relationship between the axial curvature of a bent tube and the resulting deformation of the cross-section. The model accounts for both geometrical and material nonlinearities. An approximate expression in trigonometric form is introduced for the displacement field, which reflects the change of wall thickness and neutral axis shift during bending. The total deformation theory is employed as a constitutive relation. The solution is found using a minimization approach and the energy principle. A better approach for springback prediction might be obtained from the deformation model, which predicts a more accurate moment of inertia change during bending.
An improved device for recording activity of rats.

SummaryAn apparatus is described for recording the activity of rats in spring-suspended cages. The movements are automatically registered on a magnetic counter.