cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A mixture of delta-rules approximation to bayesian inference in change-point problems.

Error-driven learning rules have received considerable attention because of their close relationships to both optimal theory and neurobiological mechanisms. However, basic forms of these rules are effective under only a restricted set of conditions in which the environment is stable. Recent studies have defined optimal solutions to learning problems in more general, potentially unstable, environments, but the relevance of these complex mathematical solutions to how the brain solves these problems remains unclear. Here, we show that one such Bayesian solution can be approximated by a computationally straightforward mixture of simple error-driven ‘Delta’ rules. This simpler model can make effective inferences in a dynamic environment and matches human performance on a predictive-inference task using a mixture of a small number of Delta rules. This model represents an important conceptual advance in our understanding of how the brain can use relatively simple computations to make nearly optimal inferences in a dynamic world.
Comparisons of Visual Rust Assessments and DNA Levels of Phakopsora pachyrhizi in Soybean Genotypes Varying in Rust Resistance.

Abstract Soybean resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the cause of soybean rust, has been characterized by the following three infection types: (i) immune response (IM; complete resistance) with no visible lesions, (ii) resistant reaction with reddish brown (RB) lesions (incomplete resistance), and (iii) susceptible reaction with tan-colored (TAN) lesions. Based on visual assessments of these phenotypes, single gene resistance in soybean to P. pachyrhizi has been documented, but colonization within infected tissues based on fungal DNA (FDNA) levels in different soybean genotypes had not been analyzed. The research used a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assay to compare visual disease assessment to FDNA in controlled inoculation experiments using two isolates of P. pachyrhizi. The objective of the first experiment was to compare data from digital visual disease assessment to FDNA from Q-PCR assays using digital visual disease assessment using five resistant soybean genotypes (one IM and four...
Nonoperative management of biliary leaks after orthotopic liver transplantation

Specific therapy should be instituted expeditiously once the diagnosis of a biliary leak has been made in patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation. Controversy exists over whether to use nonoperative or operative management. The results of 325 consecutive orthotopic liver transplants in 297 adult and pediatric recipients were reviewed. The biliary tract was reconstructed using a choledochocholedochostomy anastomosis (254/325 or 78%) or a Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy anastomosis (71/325 or 22%). The incidence of biliary leaks was 23% (74/325). Overall, only 3% (10/325) of the orthotopic liver transplant recipients required operative repair of a biliary leak. Biliary leaks occurring in patients with Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy anastomoses (9/71 or 13%) commonly required operative repair (6/9 or 67%), whereas leaks that occurred in patients with choledochocholedochostomy anastomoses (65/254 or 26%) seldom required operative repair (4/65 or 6%). All choledochojejunostomy leaks occurred at the anastomosis, whereas choledochocholedochostomy leaks occurred either at the anastomosis (17/254 or 7%) or the T-tube insertion site (45/254 or 18%). Our study confirms that in centers with proficient endoscopic and interventional radiologic support, resolution of biliary leaks in orthotopic liver transplant patients can be achieved with nonoperative management.
Effect of Vitamin E and Antioxidants on Fertility and Hatchability as Affected by Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Abstract Card et al. (1930) and Singsen et al. (1954) have reported that vitamin E deficiencies have no effect on fertility or egg production. However, it was found to be essential for the maintenance of hatchability. Jensen et al. (1953), working with turkey breeder hens, reported findings which confirm the above work. Bieri et al. (1960) found that two artificial inseminations resulted in fertile eggs which failed to hatch; however, poor incubation facilities may have been the primary factor in this failure. These results do not coincide with those of Machlin et al. (1962). These researchers, using a purified vitamin E deficient diet, reported that at the end of an eight week period, egg production had declined from 78% to 25%, fertility was reduced to 37%, and hatchability to zero. The workers at this station believed that since fertility is primarily a mechanical factor it should not be affected by a …
Glucosylsphingosine accumulation in mice and patients with type 2 Gaucher disease begins early in gestation.

Gaucher disease, the most common of the sphingolipidoses, results from the inherited deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (EC 3.2.1.45). Although type 2 (acute neuronopathic) Gaucher disease is associated with rapidly progressive and fatal neurologic deterioration, the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to the neurologic symptoms and early demise remain uncharacterized. While the pathology encountered in Gaucher disease has been attributed to glucocerebroside storage, glucosylsphingosine (Glc-sph), a cytotoxic compound, also accumulates in the tissues. Elevations of brain Glc-sph have been reported in patients with types 2 and 3 Gaucher disease. In this study, Glc-sph levels were measured using HPLC in tissues from mice with type 2 Gaucher disease created with a null glucocerebrosidase allele. Compared with unaffected littermates, homozygous mice with type 2 Gaucher disease had approximately a 100-fold elevation of Glc-sph in brain, as well as elevated levels in other tissues. This accumulation was detected in utero by E 13 and increased progressively throughout gestation. Similarly, elevated Glc-sph levels were seen in human fetuses with type 2 Gaucher disease, indicating that therapy initiated after birth may be too late to prevent the sequaelae of progressive neurologic damage that begins early in gestation. These findings suggest that the accumulation of Glc-sph may be responsible for the rapid demise of mice with type 2 Gaucher disease and the devastating clinical course seen in patients with type 2 Gaucher disease.
Entry Into Restrictive Care Settings: Placements of Last Resort?

This study examines the relative risk of first entry into restrictive care settings (RCSs) such as group homes, residential treatment, or inpatient psychiatric care for a cohort of children (N = 570) in out-of-home care, and determines reasons and determinants related to the risk of entering such settings. Findings indicate the cumulative hazard of entering restrictive settings is highest during the first 2 to 3 months following entry into care. Behavior-related placement disruptions, behavior problems, and older age are the primary determinants of this finding. Although the majority of children entered an RCS for behavior-related reasons, close to one third entered an RCS because of reasons unrelated to behavior. Implications for service delivery to children in out-of-home care are discussed.
Juvenile Desistance and Community Disadvantage: The Role of Appropriate Accommodations and Engagements

In recent years, juvenile justice systems have shown renewed interest in ensuring effective programming and support for young offenders as they reenter the community. These services often focus on suitable accommodations, education, work-based employment, and engagement in conventional activities. Recent studies also suggest, however, that these services may not have the desired impact in the community (i.e. desistance) if underlying community-level risk factors are not attended to. This may especially be the case for young offenders. Given the developmental literature underscoring the heightened sensitivity of youth to external conditions, this study focuses attention on the recidivism of young offenders in the United Kingdom. Data from 2005 through 2009 show that changes in appropriate accommodation and engagement offered to ex-offenders in a community are both related to a community’s rate of youth reoffending; however, the strength of this relationship differs across level of community disadvantage.
SU‐FF‐T‐328: Open Source, ImageJ Based, Web Accessible Tool for Treatment Plan Evaluation

Purpose: To develop a cross platform, open source, web accessible, Java based treatment plan visualization and evaluation software using the ImageJ toolkit. Method and Materials: The application can be launched from any web browser with Java Web Start. The treatment plan and structures may be imported in PinnacleTM or in DICOM format. For Pinnacle format, the patients and plans may be selected from the clinical database. This system supports the standard viewing of isodose lines, regions of interest and dose volume histograms generated in real time. To assist in plan evaluation, the software can automatically compare the DVHs to planning guidelines to ensure both target coverage and normal tissue tolerances. The constraints can be volumetric or absolute. Conclusion: We have written an open source software tool that allows one to review a treatment plan remotely from any web browser. To facilitate research, dose volumes can be imported in binary format and dose volumes and DVHs can be exported as binary or ASCII. Future plans include a fast dose calculation engine for both photon and proton treatments and better support of batch processing through macros. Conflict of Interest: SRA with Philips Medical Systems.
Why it is so hard to find small radio frequency signals in the presence of large signals

The essence of radar, radio and wireless sensor engineering is extracting small information-bearing signals. This is notoriously difficult and engineers compensate by transmitting high power signals, reducing range, and spacing wireless systems in frequency and time. New understandings of passive intermodulation distortion, thermal effects, time-frequency effects, and noise are presented. It is seen that the familiar frequency-domain-based abstractions have missed important underlying physics. Through greater understanding, RF engineers can develop microwave systems with far lower levels of distortion and noise.
Low-Dose Aspirin Therapy Is Associated With Few Side Effects but Does Not Prevent Hepatic Artery Thrombosis in Liver Transplant Recipients

Hepatic artery thrombosis occurs in 4% to 10% of adult patients and in up to 26% of children undergoing liver transplantation. Aspirin has been used to prevent this complication but may increase procedure-related and gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose aspirin in the prophylaxis of hepatic artery thrombosis. The histories of 529 patients who survived liver transplantation between September 1988 and December 1993 were reviewed retrospectively. The routine clinical practice followed until 1992 was to initiate oral aspirin therapy on the first postoperative day (81 mg daily in adults and 40 mg daily in children) as prophylaxis for vascular thrombosis. This was done in 354 patients. Aspirin was not administered to the remaining 175 patients. Hepatic artery thrombosis occurred in 13 patients treated with aspirin (3.7%) and in 7 patients not treated with aspirin (4.0%) (P = .85). Recipient age of younger than 2 years and low donor liver weight were the only factors that predisposed the patients to hepatic artery thrombosis. A total of 1,651 percutaneous liver biopsies were performed in this series, with 1,111 performed in patients treated with aspirin. Significant bleeding after liver biopsy occurred in 12 patients treated with aspirin (1.1%) and in 3 patients not treated with aspirin (0.6%) (P = .29). Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 66 patients treated with aspirin (18.9%) and in 23 patients not treated with aspirin (12.8%) (P = .08). Low-dose aspirin therapy is not shown to be effective in preventing hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation. Although aspirin does not produce a statistically significant increase in the risk of bleeding after liver biopsy, there is a trend toward an increased incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Control of rougher flotation circuits aided by industrial simulator

Abstract Today, large size mechanical flotation cells of 100–300 m 3 are used in rougher operation in different flotation industrial plants, in Chile and worldwide. However, in spite of the advances in fundamental research and the notable growing in equipment size, with more complete instrumentation systems, there are still a lack of reliable data for industrial flotation modeling and simulation to advance in better control systems design. In this work, a procedure for modeling and simulation of rougher flotation banks, based on operating variables and parameters fitted from industrial data, is presented in condensed form. Recently, a new methodology for describing the industrial flotation, separating the collection and froth zones, has been developed. A non-linear distributed model to simulate rougher flotation circuits was developed, based on measurements of the main operating variables. The simulator was calibrated and tested using experimental data from the rougher operation at El Teniente Division, Codelco-Chile. The simulator was first used to sensitize the effect of changing the froth depth profile on target variables, and then to find out the best profile to reject common disturbances coming into the plant, considering some operating constraints. The flotation circuit simulator was then redesigned to incorporate an expert system following the proposed control algorithm. Several tests were performed by simulation to evaluate the control responses to different correlated series of input variables, such as feed grade, tonnage, particle size distribution, and solid percentage. Control alternatives based on the circuit simulator are discussed.
The key role of nanoscale surface facets on the mechanical strength and failure of wurtzite and periodically twinned zinc-blende nanowires

Using molecular dynamics, we study the role of the surface facets of III–V nanowires on their failure during tensile deformation. We find that wurtzite (WZ) nanowires can withstand higher levels of stress and strain at failure compared to zinc-blende (ZB) nanowires. We observe that it is easier to nucleate a crack on a ZB nanowire due to the stress singularities that occur at the intersection of two opposing {111} facets. In WZ nanowires, we observe that cracks always nucleate at the intersection between two adjacent {112} surface facets. We explain these phenomena using fracture mechanics techniques based on energetics of crack formation.
The ontogeny of phylogeny

The Development of Darwin's Theory: Natural History, Natural Theology, and Natural Selection, 1838–1859. By Dov Ospovat. Pp.301. ISBN 0-521-23818-8. (Cambridge University Press; 1981.) £20, $39.50.
The reductionist paradox: are the laws of chemistry and physics sufficient for the discovery of new drugs?

Reductionism is alive and well in drug-discovery research. In that tradition, we continually improve experimental and computational methods for studying smaller and smaller aspects of biological systems. Although significant improvements continue to be made, are our efforts too narrowly focused? Suppose all error could be removed from these methods, would we then understand biological systems sufficiently well to design effective drugs? Currently, almost all drug research focuses on single targets. Should the process be expanded to include multiple targets? Recent efforts in this direction have lead to the emerging field of polypharmacology. This appears to be a move in the right direction, but how much polypharmacology is enough? As the complexity of the processes underlying polypharmacology increase will we be able to understand them and their inter-relationships? Is “new” mathematics unfamiliar in much of physics and chemistry research needed to accomplish this task? A number of these questions will be addressed in this paper, which focuses on issues and questions not answers to the drug-discovery conundrum.
Self-accelerating kinetics of CO2 formation on Ir(110)

Abstract We report measurements of CO oxidation by CO moecular beam titration measurements on an Ir(110) surface precovered with atomically bonded oxygen. During the course of the titration, both the reaction product CO2 and the backscattered CO intensity were detected. The oxygen precoverage, the kinetic energy of the molecular CO and the surface temperature were varied. The CO2 formation rate increases with increasing CO exposure time and depends strongly on surface temperature. The self-accelerating CO2 formation kinetics are semi-quantitatively discussed using computer simulations with rate equations of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood type with coverage-dependent reaction rate coefficients and adsorption probabilities.
Magnetic resonance–guided, real-time targeted delivery and imaging of magnetocapsules immunoprotecting pancreatic islet cells

In type I diabetes mellitus, islet transplantation provides a moment-to-moment fine regulation of insulin. Success rates vary widely, however, necessitating suitable methods to monitor islet delivery, engraftment and survival. Here magnetic resonance-trackable magnetocapsules have been used simultaneously to immunoprotect pancreatic beta-cells and to monitor, non-invasively in real-time, hepatic delivery and engraftment by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Magnetocapsules were detected as single capsules with an altered magnetic resonance appearance on capsule rupture. Magnetocapsules were functional in vivo because mouse beta-cells restored normal glycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and human islets induced sustained C-peptide levels in swine. In this large-animal model, magnetocapsules could be precisely targeted for infusion by using magnetic resonance fluoroscopy, whereas MRI facilitated monitoring of liver engraftment over time. These findings are directly applicable to ongoing improvements in islet cell transplantation for human diabetes, particularly because our magnetocapsules comprise clinically applicable materials.
Histamine release and complement changes following injection of contrast media in humans

Mechanisms responsible for allergic-like reactions following administration of radiographic contrast media (RCM) are unclear. Aortic root blood specimens were obtained sequentially in 6 subjects following injection of RCM into the pulmonary artery during cardiac catheterization. In 5 subjects, elevated plasma histamine levels (up to 80 ng/ml) occurred within minutes. Levels of C3, C4, factor B, and total hemolytic complement activity were decreased in the same specimens. No hemodynamic or clinical abnormalities were noted. These findings support the concept that RCM can liberate histamine in vivo in humans. Complement alterations may be related to localized RCM-protein interaction. It is unclear whether complement changes are related to the RCM-induced allergic mediator release.
Spectral characteristics of geomagnetic field variations at low and equatorial latitudes

Abstract Geomagnetic field spectra from eight standard observations at geomagnetic latitudes below 30° were studied to determine the field characteristics unique to the equatorial region. Emphasis was placed upon those variations having periods between 5 min and 4 hr for a selection of magnetically quiet, average, and active days in 1965. The power spectral density at the equator was about ten times that the near 30° latitude. The initial manifestation of the equatorial electrojet as evidenced by the east-west alignment of the horizontal field or the change in vertical amplitudes occurred below about 20° latitude. Induced current effects upon the vertical component from which the Earth conductivity might be inferred could best be obtained at times and latitudes unaffected by the electrojet current. Values of about 1.6 × 10 3 mhos/m for an effective skin depth of 500–600 km were determined. The spectral amplitudes increased linearly with geomagnetic activity index, Ap . The spectral slope had a similar behavior at all latitudes. The slope changed systematically with Ap -index and showed a diurnal variation, centered on local noon, that changed form with geomagnetic activity.
Prognostic evaluation of assumptions used by cumulus parameterizations

Abstract Using a spectral-type cumulus parameterization that includes moist downdrafts within a three-dimensional mesoscale model, various disparate closure assumptions are systematically tested within the generalized framework of dynamic control, static control, and feedback. Only one assumption at a time is changed and tested using a midlatitude environment of severe convection. A control run is presented, which shows good agreement with observations in many aspects. Results of the sensitivity tests are compared to observations in terms of sea level pressure, rainfall patterns, and domain-averaged bias errors (compared to the control run) of various properties. The dynamic control is the part that determines the modulation of the convection by the environment. It is shown that rate of destabilization, as well as instantaneous stability, work well for the dynamic control. Integrated moisture convergence leads to underprediction of rainfall rates and subsequent degrading of the results in terms of movemen...
A Photometric Study of the Young Stellar Population throughout the λ Orionis Star-forming Region

We present VRI photometry of 320,917 stars with 11 R 18 throughout the λ Ori star-forming region. Using the more spatially limited spectroscopic surveys of Dolan & Mathieu to define the color-magnitude domain of young low-mass members of the association and removing statistically the field stars in this domain, we use our photometry to identify a representative pre–main-sequence (PMS) population throughout the interior of the molecular ring. The spatial distribution of this population shows a concentration of PMS stars around λ Ori and in front of the B35 dark cloud. However, few PMS stars are found outside these pockets of high stellar density, suggesting that star formation was concentrated in an elongated cloud extending from B35 through λ Ori to the B30 cloud. We find a lower limit for the global stellar mass of about 500 M⊙. We find that the global ratio of low- to high-mass stars is similar to that predicted by the field initial mass function, but this ratio varies strongly as a function of position in the star-forming region. Locally, the star formation process does not produce a universal initial mass function. Using our derived stellar ages across the region, we construct a history of the star-forming complex. This history incorporates a recent supernova to explain the distribution of stars and gas today. We infer that most of the present molecular ring was formed by ejecta from the center driven by the supernova blast about 1 Myr ago. However, we suggest that the B30 and B35 clouds were primordial, and massive enough to be mostly little disturbed by the shock. The stars that we see today trace the former extent of the cloud complex. Given the kinematics of the stellar population, we predict that the association will disperse into the field within a few tens of megayears.
Experimentally induced visual projections into auditory thalamus and cortex

Retinal cells have been induced to project into the medial geniculate nucleus, the principal auditory thalamic nucleus, in newborn ferrets by reduction of targets of retinal axons in one hemisphere and creation of alternative terminal space for these fibers in the auditory thalamus. Many cells in the medial geniculate nucleus are then visually driven, have large receptive fields, and receive input from retinal ganglion cells with small somata and slow conduction velocities. Visual cells with long conduction latencies and large contralateral receptive fields can also be recorded in primary auditory cortex. Some visual cells in auditory cortex are direction selective or have oriented receptive fields that resemble those of complex cells in primary visual cortex. Thus, functional visual projections can be routed into nonvisual structures in higher mammals, suggesting that the modality of a sensory thalamic nucleus or cortical area may be specified by its inputs during development.
The effect of HF processing on gate oxide degradation in aggressive poly buffered LOCOS isolation

We have investigated gate oxide degradation in metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices associated with aggressive Poly Buffered Locos (PBL) isolation. Defects in the gate oxide resulting in severe degradation of charge-to-breakdown (Q/sub bd/) occurring at the interface between field oxide and active silicon have been shown to be a result of local Si surface roughness. Capacitor I-V data was used to quantify the Si roughness. It is shown that NH/sub 4/F-H/sub 2/O-HF (BOE) etchback chemistry provides significant improvement in gate oxide Q/sub bd/ for capacitors fabricated using PBL isolation. This Q/sub bd/ improvement is correlated to a decrease in Si roughness at the active silicon edge.
The development of embryonic bone and cartilage in tissue culture

Embryonic chick long bone develops in a series of temporally controlled, cellular events and involves the integration of at least three distinctly different sets of cells: collar osteoblasts, core osteoblasts, and resorptive or osteoclastic cells. The morphology of the long bones is established by the developing cartilage rudiment or model. All of these events seem to be influenced by positional cues. The cultivation of all of these cells and their presumptive progenitor cells potentially allows a detailed analysis of their individual and collective phenotypic traits. Future studies can include how long bones form, how bone-forming and bone-resorbing cells interact, and how osteogenic cells influence each other throughout each stage of their respective developmental lineages.
Characteristics of a photonic crystal defect waveguide-coupled quantum-dot photodiode

We have investigated the characteristics of an In/sub 0.4/Ga/sub 0.6/As self-organized quantum-dot (QD) resonant-cavity photodiode. The QD epitaxy and the design of the two-dimensional photonic crystal cavity are tailored for 1.3-/spl mu/m wavelength operation. The input excitation to the photodiode is provided with an in-plane defect waveguide designed with the same photonic crystal. The measured spectral photocurrent characteristics reflect mode coupling between the waveguide and detector and the resonant cavity effect due to total internal reflection and photonic bandgap confinement. The photocurrent response is explained with a model involving the circulating fields in the cavity. The characteristics are also dependent of cavity size. Enhancement and narrowing (/spl sim/ 10 nm) of the photoresponse at /spl lambda//spl sim/1.3 /spl mu/m are observed. A spectral dip, of /spl sim/ 10-nm width, also observed at 1.3 /spl mu/m is possibly due to the anticrossing mechanism, uniquely present in photonic crystal waveguides.
Cell behaviors underlying notochord formation and extension in avian embryos: Quantitative and immunocytochemical studies

Formation and extension of the notochord is one of the earliest and most obvious events of axis development in vertebrate embryos. In birds, prospective notochord cells arise from Hensen's node and come to lie beneath the midline of the neural plate, where they assist in the process of neurulation and initiate the dorsoventral patterning of the neural tube through sequential inductive interactions. In the present study, we examined notochord development in avian embryos with quantitative and immunological procedures. Extension of the notochord occurs principally through accretion, that is, the addition of cells to its caudal end, a process that involves considerable cell rearrangement at the notochord-Hensen's node interface. In addition, cell division and cell rearrangement within the notochord proper contribute to notochord extension. Thus, extension of the notochord occurs in a manner that is significantly different from that of the adjacent, overlying, midline region of the neural plate (i.e., the median hinge-point region or future floor plate of the neural tube), which as shown in one of the previous studies from our laboratory (Schoenwolf and Alvarez: Development 106:427-439, 1989), extends caudally as its cells undergo two rounds of mediolateral cell-cell intercalation and two-three rounds of cell division.
Present Status of the Work of Managing

I am going to take advantage of my brief time with you here to see if we can establish the basic meaning of a Science of Management; and so to reveal the intent which has guided the steps of many who have chosen to search through the complex of social, political and economic variables which both describe the direction in which understanding may be found and inhibit the progress toward it.
Modeling thermal fatigue cracking in integrated circuits by level sets and the extended finite element method

Abstract As the demand for faster electronic devices increases, the spacing between interconnect wiring lines within integrated circuits decreases. In this work, an algorithm which couples the level set method with the extended finite element method is used to investigate the effects of the proximity of multiple interconnect lines, multiple cracks, interconnect material, and integrated circuit boundaries on the growth of cracks due to fatigue from thermal cycling. By incorporating enrichment functions to treat displacement discontinuities, these combined methods allow for the crack to pass arbitrarily through elements without the need for remeshing. In the framework of a two-dimensional model where interconnect lines are represented by material inclusions, it is shown that when interconnects are spaced close to one another, cracks can either get quite long or potentially connect with nearby cracks. We illustrate that fatigue cracks approaching a boundary tend to grow along it. It is also shown that the ratio of the Young’s modulus of the interconnect to the Young’s modulus of the substrate affects crack growth as well. The numerical investigation presented here indicates that if the spacing between interconnect lines decreases to a significant degree, the integrity of integrated circuits may be compromised.
Artist-Directed Inverse-Kinematics Using Radial Basis Function Interpolation

One of the most common tasks in computer animation is inverse-kinematics, or determining a joint configuration required to place a particular part of an articulated character at a particular location in global space. Inverse-kinematics is required at design-time to assist artists using commercial 3D animation packages, for motion capture analysis, and for run-time applications such as games. We present an efficient inverse-kinematics methodology based on the interpolation of example motions and positions. The technique is demonstrated on a number of inverse-kinematics positioning tasks for a human figure. In addition to simple positioning tasks, the method provides complete motion sequences that satisfy an inverse-kinematic goal. The interpolation at the heart of the algorithm allows an artist's influence to play a major role in ensuring that the system always generates plausible results. Due to the lightweight nature of the algorithm, we can position a character at extremely high frame rates, making the technique useful for time-critical run-time applications such as games.
Electron spin echo and CW perspective in 3D EPR imaging

Three-dimensional spectral-spatial-spatial images are presented for a sample containing six different species in seven compartments. EPR spectra used to construct these images were obtained by the normal CW methods and by electron spin echo detection. Images of the sample when viewed from these two different perspectives are contrasted.
Reproductive Benefits and the Duration of Paternal Care in a Biparental Burying Beetle, Necrophorus Orbicollis

A monogamous pair of burying beetles (Necrophorus spp.) prepares a vertebrate carcass as a food source for their young and then protects the carcass and young from aggressive congeners. It was estimated that N. orbicollis males received four times the reproductive benefit on large (27-33 g) as opposed to small carcasses (10-18 g) in the field. Large carcasses were more likely to be taken over by free-flying intruders than small carcasses and the presence of a male parent reduced the probability of such takeovers. A male also decreased the time that a large carcass was vulnerable to a takeover. The presence of a male did not affect the number of larvae produced in field or laboratory experiments or the size of larvae reared in the laboratory. Males provided a longer duration of care when on a large carcass, when larval development was slow, or when the female was removed experimentally. The number of larvae, the number of days spent on the carcass, the mass of the carcass remaining at the end of the trial, female size, male size, burial depth and prior reproduction were not found to have independent effects on the probability of fin-ding the male on the carcass. In addition, males that were allowed to provide care prior to being placed in the field did not show a subsequent decline in reproductive success as compared to males that did not provide prior care.
Understanding socio-locative practices

With the institutionalization and commercialization of locative technical infrastructures such as the global positioning system (GPS), the physical world is increasingly becoming one of ubiquitous locatability as well as connectability. This technical backdrop has proven to be an incubator for location-based applications and services, which in turn are engendering a new set of practices. When these practices involve interactions between people, we might call them 'socio-locative.' My research utilizes interviews and artifact tracking to establish a grounded ethnographic understanding of the motivations behind and impacts of these new socio-locative practices. The study design focuses on two social practices that have locative and non-locative variants: photo sharing on Flickr (with and without geotags) and broadcast microbloging via Jaiku (locative) and Twitter (nonlocative). My expected findings include a greater awareness of a new type of hybrid social space that bonds the virtual and material, as well as insights into how locative metadata acts as an organizing force for social interaction.
Toward a theory of indexing

Abstract A theory of indexing helps explain the nature of indexing, the structure of the vocabulary, and the quality of the index. Indexing theories formulated by Jonker, Heilprin, Landry and Salton are described. Each formulation has a different focus. Jonker, by means of the Terminological and Connective Continua, provided a basis for understanding the relationships between the size of the vocabulary, the hierarchical organization, and the specificity by which concepts can be described. Heilprin introduced the idea of a search path which leads from query to document. He also added a third dimension to Jonker's model; the three variables are diffuseness, permutivity and hierarchical connectedness. Landry made an ambitious and well conceived attempt to build a comprehensive theory of indexing predicated upon sets of documents, sets of attributes, and sets of relationships between the two. It is expressed in theorems and by formal notation. Salton provided both a notational definition of indexing and procedures for improving the ability of index terms to discriminate between relevant and nonrelevant documents. These separate theories need to be tested experimentally and eventually combined into a unified comprehensive theory of indexing.
Hox and a Newly Identified E2F Co-repress Cell Death in Caenorhabditis elegans

The development of an organism depends on individual cells receiving and executing their specific fates, although how this process is regulated remains largely unknown. Here, we identify a mechanism by which a specific cell fate, apoptosis, is determined through the cooperative efforts of Hox and E2F proteins. E2F transcription factors are critical, conserved regulators of the cell cycle and apoptosis. However, little is known about the two most recently discovered mammalian E2Fs—E2F7 and E2F8. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, we identify a novel E2F7/8 homolog, EFL-3, and show that EFL-3 functions cooperatively with LIN-39, providing the first example in which these two major developmental pathways—E2F and Hox—are able to directly regulate the same target gene. Our studies demonstrate that LIN-39 and EFL-3 function in a cell type-specific context to regulate transcription of the egl-1 BH3-only cell death gene and to determine cell fate during development.
An economic analysis of prenatal cytogenetic technologies for sonographically detected fetal anomalies

When congenital anomalies are diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound, the current standard of care is to perform G-banded karyotyping on cultured amniotic cells. Chromosomal microarray (CMA) can detect smaller genomic deletions and duplications than traditional karyotype analysis. CMA is the first-tier test in the postnatal evaluation of children with multiple congenital anomalies. Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of CMA in the prenatal setting and have advocated for widespread implementation of this technology as the preferred test in prenatal diagnosis. However, CMA remains significantly more expensive than karyotype. In this study, we performed an economic analysis of cytogenetic technologies in the prenatal diagnosis of sonographically detected fetal anomalies comparing four strategies: (i) karyotype alone, (ii) CMA alone, (iii) karyotype and CMA, and (iv) karyotype followed by CMA if the karyotype was normal. In a theoretical cohort of 1,000 patients, CMA alone and karyotype followed by CMA if the karyotype was normal identified a similar number of chromosomal abnormalities. In this model, CMA alone was the most cost-effective strategy, although karyotype alone and CMA following a normal karyotype are both acceptable alternatives. This study supports the clinical utility of CMA in the prenatal diagnosis of sonographically detected fetal anomalies.
Fabrication of CdS/Hg(1−x)CdxTe nanowire heterostructures on conductive glass using templated electrodeposition

Abstract Single-material and heterojunction nanowires were fabricated from CdS and Hg (1− x ) Cd x Te (MCT) in anodic aluminum oxide templates grown on transparent conductive oxide coated glass substrates. Structural and compositional analyses were carried out by electron microscopy, elemental analysis and x-ray diffraction. CdS was deposited using potentiostatic electrodeposition, forming CdS nanowires with a 1:1 stoichiometry and wurtzite structure. MCT was also deposited using potentiostatic electrodeposition, forming MCT nanowires with a stoichiometry of Hg 0.24 Cd 0.76 Te and a zinc blende structure. Annealing of the electrodeposited MCT nanowires increased crystallite size from ~9 nm to ~23 nm in the (1 1 1) direction. Heterojunction nanowires were prepared by sequential electrodeposition of CdS and MCT with control over the length and diameter. These materials have a desirable band gap and geometry for multiple-exciton generation studies for nanostructured photovoltaics applications.
A review of recent progress in the studies of molecular and microstructure of coupling agents and their functions in composites, coatings and adhesive joints

Recent progress in the studies of molecular and microstructure of interfaces and interphases in composites, coatings, and adhesive joints is reviewed. Remarkable progress has been made in elucidating the structure of silane coupling agents and their function with respect to dry and wet strengths of multiphase systems. Aminosilanes attracted major effort in the past. It is now understood that the structure of partially cured hydrolyzate is complicated. When adsorbed from a natural pH solution and dried in air at room temperature, approximately half of the amine groups form amine bicarbonate salt with the CO2 in air. The rest of the amine groups are either intra- and intermolecularly hydrogen bonded to neighboring silanol groups or free from hydrogen bonding. There exists chemical bonding at the glass/silane or metal/silane interfaces. The surface characteristics, including acidity, topology and homogeneity, influence the structure of the coupling agent. The coupling agent interphase shows a gradient in various properties. Silanes tend to be ordered in the interphase and the degree of organization depends largely on the organofunctionality. The orientation and organization of the silane affects the reinforcement mechanism. There are chemisorbed and physisorbed silanes in the interphase. The coupling agent/matrix interface is a diffuse boundary where intermixing takes place due to penetration of the matrix resin into the chemisorbed silane layers and the migration of the physisorbed silane molecules into the matrix phase. With proper selection of the organofunctionality and the curing conditions, silanes can chemically react with the matrix to form copolymers. The existence of the matrix interphase is now well accepted and the effect of the interphase on the mechanical properties has been studied. It has been recognized that modification of the matrix interphase, such as a coating applied on the fiber using a similar resin as the matrix, has a complex effect on the mechanical performance. It is noteworthy that attempts to synthesize new coupling agents and to utilize the existing coupling agents more effectively still continue. Based on the molecular understanding, new concepts in the reinforcement mechanism have appeared which recognize the importance of interpenetrating networks, the structure of silane in the treating solution, and the microheterogeneity of the glass surfaces. The knowledge obtained through the studies of composites can be applied to organic coatings and adhesive joints provided that the geometrical factors are taken into consideration.
Outcome Measures in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

The recent health policy imperatives in the United States have consequentially called to attention the absence of dermatologic evaluations in the health outcome and quality measures that will ultimately grade the success of providers. Psoriasis, in particular, represents a patient cohort with a chronic, complex and debilitating skin disorder commonly encountered in dermatology clinics that can have insufferable consequences from disease progression and comorbidities if it is not properly evaluated and managed. In order to have the appropriate compensation to the providers and the availabilities of the correct treatments to the patients, the presence of psoriasis-specific outcome measures are necessary. Incorporating the concepts employed by the rheumatology group, Outcome Measures for Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT), that created outcomes for several musculoskeletal diseases, initiatives in dermatology have already begun to create standardized, validated psoriasis outcome measures.
Marx, Postmodernism, and Spatial Configurations in Jameson and Lefebvre

In her article, "Marx, Postmodernism, and Spatial Configurations in Jameson and Lefebvre," Arina Lungu discusses the connection between Marxist sociology and postmodernist theory. Lungu examines Fredric Jameson's volume Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism under the light of the spatial theory developed in the 1970s by Marxian theoretician Henri Lefebvre. For Jameson, the spatial turn is a consequence of the gap between the limited abilities of the human perceptive apparatus and the unrepresentability of the multinational hyperspace. In Lungu's view, Jameson reaches his definition of "culturally-dominant" sensibility by disregarding the rich body of spatial criticism outside postmodern theory. In contrast, Lefebvre's analysis of urban space points to the Marxist origins of the contemporary interest in space across a range of disciplines and cultural trends, and implicitly casts doubt on Jameson's attempt to define the spatial turn as an original development within postmodernism.
The Development of the Early Expository Comprehension Assessment (EECA) A Look at Reliability

In the present study, the authors investigated the initial development of the Early Expository Comprehension Assessment (EECA) by examining its reliability. The EECA consists of a compare/ contrast passage, manipulatives to represent the information in the paragraph, and three response tasks (Retelling, Mapping, and Comparing ). The authors administered two comparable versions of the measure to 37 children between the ages of 4 and 5 years. They then analyzed the data using a mixed-models analysis of variance for repeated measures, a maximum likelihood estimate of variance components, and a post hoc equivalent-forms (Version A and Version B) reliability test. Results indicated that version and order had no significant effect and that both forms were equivalent, suggesting that the EECA is reliable.
A Gln-281 to Arg substitution in α-l-fucosidase is responsible for a common polymorphism detected by isoelectric focusing

A common polymorphism of human α-l-fucosidase consists of three phenotypes (Fu 1, Fu 2, and Fu 2-1) assigned by isoelectric focusing. The phenotypes are determined by two codominant alleles (Fu1 and Fu2). Isozymes with the Fu 2 phenotype have more basic pI than Fu 1, while Fu 2-1 is a mixture of Fu 2 and Fu 1. Recently, a missense mutation (A860→G) in the α-l-fucosidase gene was described that did not affect α-l-fucosidase activity. The mutation causes the substitution of Arg (pKaGuan=12.5) for Gln-281, which has no ionizable side chain. Isoelectric focusing profiles of extracts of COS-1 cells transfected with wild-type or mutant α-l-fucosidase cDNAs had phenotypes of Fu 1 and Fu 2, respectively. Next, 20 human lymphoid cell lines were examined for the occurrence of the A860→G mutation and expression of the Fu 1, Fu 2, and Fu 2-1 phenotypes. Eight lines with Fu 2 were homozygous for the A860→G mutation; six lines with Fu 1 were homozygous for the normal nucleotide (A860); and six lines with Fu 2-1 were heterozygous. Thus, the A860→G mutation is the molecular basis for the protein phenotypes and the Fu1 and Fu2 alleles. The normal nucleotide (A860) is responsible for Fu1 and the A860→G mutation for Fu2.
Efficient Algorithms for Local Alignment Search

We present efficient algorithms for local alignment search in biological sequences. These algorithms identify maximal segment pairs (MSPs). Our algorithms have the potential of performing better than BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) and also are efficiently parallelizable. We employ Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs). Though several attempts have been made in the past to employ FFTs in sequence analysis, they fail to capture local similarities. Our algorithms employ FFTs in a novel way to identify local similarities. FFT-based techniques have the attractive feature of benefiting from ultrafast special purpose hardware available for digital signal processing.
Wavelength dependence of UV laser selective AlxGa1-xAs growth via adlayer stimulation in OMVPE

Abstract UV-stimulated organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) growth of AlGaAs from trimethylgallium, trimethylaluminum and arsine at 500°C was studied using a wavelength-tunable pulsed laser in the range 235–255 nm. We demonstrate that the high growth contrast of 3.2 : 1 is due to the photostimulation of adlayer reactions at these wavelengths. Under our growth conditions, the adlayer stimulation exhibits a wavelength edge at 252 nm, above which the enhanced growth rate drops abruptly to zero. The s-polarized laser beam induces a pronounced periodic surface structure in all cases, which is quantitatively examined by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. The structural and optical qualities of the selectively grown layers are determined by Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy.