cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Monte Carlo technique for signal level detection in implanted intracranial pressure monitoring

Statistical monitoring techniques like CUSUM, Trigg's tracking signal and EMP filtering have a major advantage over more recent techniques, such as Kalman filtering, because of their inherent simplicity. In many biomedical applications, such as electronic implantable devices, these simpler techniques have greater utility because of the reduced requirements on power, logic complexity and sampling speed. The determination of signal means using some of the earlier techniques are reviewed in this paper, and a new Monte Carlo based method with greater capability to sparsely sample a waveform and obtain an accurate mean value is presented. This technique may find widespread use as a trend detection method when reduced power consumption is a requirement.
Single-Pole Switching-A Comparison of Computer Studies with Field Test Results

The electrical characteristics of a 150 km 500 kV transmission line during single-pole switching is simulated on a hybrid computer. A time dependent arc simulation aids in the study of the voltage occurring across the arc and the recovery voltage during single-pole switching. The accuracy of the simulation is verified by comparison with field tests. The simulation is also used to investigate the transient recovery voltage following a bolted, sudden release fault. This investigation reveals that the transient recovery voltage is markedly larger than the steady-state value and that, for a normal three cycle clearing, it is a function of the time that the fault occurs. The simulation of the transmission system established in this paper may be used to advantage in determining the dead time necessary to insure extinction of the secondary arc current. Moreover, the results set forth should serve as guides for engineers designing systems for single-pole switching.
Perioperative considerations in the patient with Angelman syndrome

Angelman syndrome arises by one of 4 genetic mechanisms. Patients often have craniofacial abnormalities, vagal hypertonia, skeletal muscle atrophy or underdevelopment, a history of seizure disorders, and pharmacodynamic unpredictability. Its pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment options, and perioperative anesthetic considerations are presented.
Genetic coding: approaches to theory construction

Abstract A new approach to genetic coding theory, the generalized genetic code (GGC), is presented. It is shown how the GGC reunifies ambiguous codon assignments within the standard genetic code, thereby redefining genetic code universality in a modified form. An extensive survey of ambiguous codings (> 100 assignments) is presented as a critical test of the GGC and all assignments are successfully analyzed within the GGC Finally, the operative nature of biological contexts is investigated and discussed.
Digital-to-time converter for fluorescence lifetime imaging

The fluorescence lifetime property of fluorophores can be used to differentiate between spectrally identical fluorophores, to reduce background signals, and to measure ion concentration in the local environment of fluorophores. Despite these advantages, use of the technique is limited because of the high cost and low throughout of existing methods for measuring fluorescence lifetime. A new type of fluorescence lifetime detector based on integrated circuit design will overcome these limitations. This abstract presents our work on one of the key building blocks of this system, a sub-nanosecond Digital-to-Time Converter (DTC), which is implemented with adjustable delay line configuration. The system utilizes two operating modes, a course mode with 510ps resolution and a fine mode with sub 50ps resolution.
Cholesterol and Bile Acid Metabolism Are Impaired in Mice Lacking the Nuclear Oxysterol Receptor LXRα

We demonstrate that mice lacking the oxysterol receptor, LXR alpha, lose their ability to respond normally to dietary cholesterol and are unable to tolerate any amount of cholesterol in excess of that which they synthesize de novo. When fed diets containing cholesterol, LXR alpha (-/-) mice fail to induce transcription of the gene encoding cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (Cyp7a), the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid synthesis. This defect is associated with a rapid accumulation of large amounts of cholesterol in the liver that eventually leads to impaired hepatic function. The regulation of several other crucial lipid metabolizing genes is also altered in LXR alpha (-/-) mice. These results demonstrate the existence of a physiologically significant feed-forward regulatory pathway for sterol metabolism and establish the role of LXR alpha as the major sensor of dietary cholesterol.
Preparation and structure of crystals of the metallofullerene Sc2@C84

IT was first proposed in 1985 that fullerenes can confine atoms in their interior because of their closed-cage structure. Attempts to verify this conjecture following the mass production of fullerenes have yielded metallofullerenes in bulk, and there is now good evidence that these compounds are endohedral—that is, that the metal atoms are inside. But direct confirmation in the form of structural data has been lacking, in part because of the difficulty of separating different metallofullerenes and obtaining pure crystals. Here we report the preparation of pure crystalline Sc_2@C_(84) and analyses of its structure by electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. At room temperature the Sc_2@C_(84) molecules pack in a hexagonal-close-packed structure with a ratio of lattice constants c/ɑ = 1.63, the value expected for ideal-sphere packing. The molecular spacing of 11.2 A is the same as that found earlier in crystalline C_(84) (refs 5, 6). The match between our microscopic images and simulations is markedly better for endohedral models than for those in which the metal atoms reside in the lattice outside the C_(84) cages. We believe that this combination of observations points inevitably to the conclusion that the metal atoms are inside the fullerenes.
Proprioception and the production of adaptation and intermanual transfer to prismatic displacement

Proprioceptive adaptation to prismatic displacement and resultant intermanual transfer were investigated in two experiments. In Experiment 1, magnitude of adaptation and transfer were assessed as a result of the reduction of felt sensation via hypnotic anesthesia in an adapting limb. Such anesthesia reduced the magnitude of adaptation in that limb and resultant transfer in the nonadapting limb to a nonsignificant level. Such was not the case when the adapting limb was nonanesthetic. In Experiment 2, adaptation and transfer magnitude were assessed as the result of anesthetic induction in a nonadapting limb. When this was the case, adaptation was produced in the adapting limb but not in the anesthetized, nonadapting limb. The results of the two experiments generally point to proprioception as being the major source of input to the production of intermanual transfer in a prismatic adaptation task. 113 When subjects adapt to a prismatically displaced environment, a portion of the adaptation magnitude is represented by a component responsible for felt limb location or orientation (Harris, 1963, 1965; Hay & Pick, 1966; Redding, 1978; Redding & Wallace, 1976, 1978; Wallace, 1977; Wallace & Redding, 1979; Wilkinson, 1971). This adaptation component is gen­ erally assessed in a head-hand coordination task where subjects are required to localize the straight­ ahead position in space with an unseen limb before and after an exposure to prismatic displacement. The preexposure-postexposure localization difference value is termed a proprioceptive shift (PS) and post­ exposurepointing is typically in the direction opposite the exposure, prism-base orientation (Harris, 1965; Welch, 1974, 1978). Recently, it has been shown that PS is amenable to intermanual transfer (Choe & Welch, 1974; McLaughlin & Bower, 1965; Wallace, 1978; Wallace & Redding 1979; Melamed, Beckett, & Hill, Note 1). Specifically, PS can be measured for a nonadapting limb as well as for an adapting limb. As such, the recalibrated proprioceptive input appears to influence control of the unexposed limb. The experimental paradigm which appears to max­ imize intermanual transfer involves a situation where a subject is required to observe a limb perform a terminal, ballistic movement while being permitted some head movement to observe the pointing action (Wallace, 1978; Wallace & Redding, 1979). Terminal,
What Makes a Good Computer Device

Numerous development projects aimed at replacing the silicon technology that dominates computer logic with a faster alternative have been conducted throughout the past 25 years. None has succeeded. The alternatives are usually based on a device that switches very rapidly, and they neglect many other requirements of computer logic. In this article the essential physical factors that account for the success of transistors in digital applications are identified, as are the factors that are absent in proposed alternative devices.
On the existence of several isoelectric forms of bovine rhodopsin.

Abstract Isoelectric focusing studies carried out on purified bovine rhodopsin revealed the presence of several forms which differed in their isoelectric points. Three major species of rhodopsin were detected having isoelectric points of 4·99, 5·33 and 5·91. Upon bleaching, only one form of opsin was generated which had an isoelectric point of 5·22.
Goal-Directed Transesophageal Echocardiography Performed by Intensivists to Assess Left Ventricular Function: Comparison With Pulmonary Artery Catheterization

Abstract Objectives: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a valuable procedure for assessing left ventricular (LV) function, but it has not been widely applied in critical care because of the limited number of intensivists who are trained in echocardiography. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of training intensivists to perform a goal-directed, limited-scope TEE to assess LV function in critically ill patients using a pediatric monoplane TEE probe. A secondary goal was to compare the usefulness of the TEE data with that of data obtained by a simultaneous pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). Design: Prospective, blinded. Setting: University teaching hospital. Participants: One hundred consecutive, intubated, intensive care unit patients. Interventions: Five surgical intensivists with no previous background in echocardiography were trained under the supervision of two cardiologists to perform limited-scope TEE using a monoplane pediatric probe. One intensivist (A) reviewed the PAC data and recorded a diagnostic impression and therapeutic plan. A second intensivist (B), blinded to the PAC data, then performed TEE to determine cardiac volume, LV wall thickness, and LV global and regional wall motion. Intensivists A and B reviewed the data from both PAC and TEE, and intensivist A then formulated a new diagnosis and therapeutic plan. Measurements and Main Results: Intensivists performed 48 TEE examinations under direct supervision of a cardiologist, and 52 without supervision, but reviewed poststudy. The average duration of TEE was 12 ± 7 minutes. The intensivists' interpretations of TEE data were deemed correct in 93% of cases for LV wall thickness, 87% for intracardiac volume status, 81% for regional LV wall motion abnormalities, and 77% for global LV function. When the TEE and PAC technologies were compared, it was found that the TEE data disagreed with.the PAC evaluation of intracardiac volume in 55% of cases and with the PAC assessment of myocardial function in 39% of cases. The post-PAC therapeutic recommendations were different from the post-TEE therapeutic recommendations in 58% of patients. Conclusions: Training intensivists in limited-scope, goal-directed TEE, using a pediatric monoplane probe to evaluate LV function, can be done rapidly and safely, and yield data pertinent to management of critically ill patients even in the early stages of skill acquisition.
Kinetics of the reactions VO(X 4Σ−)+O2, NO, and CO2

Abstract The kinetics are reported for the gas-phase reactions of VO(X 4Σ−) with O2, NO, and CO2 at 297, 394, and 531 K, and at total pressures up to 165 Torr using argon bath gas. VO was produced by the multiphoton dissociation of VOCl3(g) at 193 nm and was detected by laser-induced fluorescence. Measured rate constants for all reactions exhibited at slight negative temperature dependence, and only the VO + NO reaction was found to be pressure dependent. Results are interpreted in terms of the reactions going through an intermediate which subsequently falls apart to VO2 or collisionally stabilizes.
Thermodynamics of the Na2SO4-K2SO4-CoSO4 system and their relevance to low-temperature hot corrosion

Thermodynamic calculations and experiments were performed to determine the SO3 partial pressures and temperatures at which K2SO4-CoSO4 binary mixed liquid phases form on CoO and Co3O4 in the presence of K2SO4. The calculations and experiments are in excellent agreement. Similar calculations were also made of the compositions at the liquidus surface and the associated SO3 partial pressures for the K2SO4-Na2SO4-CoSO4 ternary system. These calculations show that the presence of K2SO4 substantially reduces the SO3 partial pressures required to stabilize a liquid salt phase on the surface of oxidized cobalt alloys at 600–800°C. Consequently, at these temperatures the hot corrosion in coal-fired systems, where K levels are high, is expected to be worse than in oil-fired systems, where K levels are low. This prediction was confirmed by experiments in a pressurized fluidized bed coal combustor and in an atmospheric pressure burner rig.
Assessing the accuracy of normal approximations

Abstract The widespread applicability and use of normal approximations creates a need for methods for assessing their accuracy in an operational fashion. In this article, two new methods are proposed and exemplified. These new methods are based on a comparison of the level curves of an exact likelihood with the level curves of the usual normal approximation to it and on a comparison of selected line integrals of an exact density and a normal approximation to it. The operational usefulness of these methods is compared with the operational usefulness of two well-known existing approaches to assessing the accuracy of approximations, namely convergence rates and the curvature methods of Bates and Watts (1980). As an example, the second method is applied to the Lee—Geisser (1972, 1975) approximation to the predictive distribution of dental measurements on girls at the ages of 8, 10, 12, and 14 years. In this application, the method shows that the 50% central (predictive) probability region has actual (predicti...
Preparation and conductivity measurements of SiS2Li2S glasses doped with LiBr and LiCl

Abstract Ionically conductive glasses have been synthesized using a 1:1 SiS2Li2S base glass and doping with lithium halides. The quenched glasses were ground to a powder and isostatically pressed into pellets with TiS2 electrodes. Conductivity was measured by complex impedance and the bulk resistance was obtained from an extrapolation of the straight line portion to the real axis. Conductivity of the base glass was 1.2×10−4 S-cm−1 at 25°C and increased several-fold when doped with lithium halide.
Inferring False Beliefs from Actions and Reactions

Current evidence suggests that young children have little understanding of false belief. Standard false belief tasks, however, may underestimate children's ability for 2 reasons. First, the only cue to belief in these tasks is a protagonist's lack of perceptual access to some critical event, and this may not be a very salient cue for young children. Second, the standard tasks require children to make forward-looking predictions from the causes of a belief (e.g., from what a protagonist has or has not perceived) to either the protagonist's belief or the protagonist's action, and children may not be very skilled at making such predictions. In 2 experiments we investigated whether 3-year-olds would do better on tasks in which the belief cues were stronger, and in which they could reason backward to the belief from its effects (e.g., from a protagonist's actions and reactions). Even on these easy tasks, however, they did not perform well. These findings provide strong support for the view that children of this age do not fully understand the representational nature of belief.
Assessing the potential benthic–pelagic coupling in episodic blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) settlement events within eelgrass (Zostera marina) communities

Coastal marine seagrass ecosystems are important nursery grounds for commercially and recreationally important species, and they serve as key settlement and recruitment sites for other species. We investigated several years (2001–2003) where episodic settlement events of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) occurred in Barnegat Bay, NJ, USA. Population assessment indicated that blue mussels settled in eelgrass beds (Zostera marina) in late spring with peak densities exceeding 170,000 m−2. Based on calculated filtration rates of M. edulis, we determined that for at least 53 days in 2001, the density and size distribution of M. edulis were sufficient to filter the water column volume in excess of twice a day, with maximum calculated filtration rates exceeding 8 m3 water m−2 day−1. While the settlement event in 2001 was very localized, in 2003, the settlement event was considerably more widespread throughout the bay, with maximum settling densities exceeding 175,000 individuals m−2. Associated with these high densities, maximum calculated filtration rates exceeded 15 m3 water m−2 day−1. This filtration potential may have impeded the localized development of a brown-tide (Aureococcus anophagefferens) bloom in 2001, which occurred in other regions of the bay, but the widespread settlement event seen in 2003 may have impeded the development of any brown-tide blooms in Barnegat Bay during that summer. The decline in mussel densities throughout the summer may be a result of elevated water temperatures in this back bay, but at one site, the high settlement of M. edulis was followed by a substantial migration (>40 individuals m−2) of small sea stars (Asterias forbesii). In 2001, A. forbesii was a significant factor in reducing M. edulis density by the end of the summer at the Barnegat Inlet site and a community level assessment showed significant positive correlations between mussel aggregations and sea star densities (r=0.68–0.73, P<0.001). At this same site in 2003, the sea stars were again present in high densities (26 m−2) and were a potential mechanism for mussel decline. In other regions of the bay, sea star densities are very low, but numerous other predatory species exist, including blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), green crabs (Carcinus maenus), spider crabs (Libinia spp.), and several Xanthid crabs. Given the high mussel densities seen in this study and the considerable predation by sea stars and other benthic predators, the benthic–pelagic coupling which these mussels provide in this system contributes to the high secondary production in these grass beds.
Developing a reconfigurable network lab

Providing adequate hands-on experience of a network is a major component of an Information Technology program. Course requirements, limited budgets, time intensive classroom setup, reconfiguration, and rapidly changing computing technology poses several challenges for most academic institutions. This paper examines designing a reconfigurable network lab to support multiple network courses. Our lab requires the use of equipment with various configurations while minimizing transition time between class periods for different course requirements or student projects.The multipurpose lab can be utilized for hands-on student learning, simple instructor demonstrations, demonstrations of multi-tiered networks with real time analysis, and site-to-site intercollegiate network-based competitions. In the future, our lab will provide students visual real time feedback similar to a network operations center (NOC); exposing the impact of their efforts in administrating and configuring their network design.This paper discusses strengths and weaknesses of the design and covers in detail the configuration of the classroom lab. Beneficial goals are to integrate software visualization tools, such as ""Nagios"" (a network monitoring tool) and virtual machines (for ease of operating system changes). The lab creates a multifunctional network classroom to facilitate education of cross discipline classes as well as focusing students with a deeper understanding of network science concepts. Our students will be able to apply their knowledge learned in the classroom during academic internships with industry. A more flexible lab means lower overall cost because of lab reuse and the ability to meet future needs.
Thermospheric global average density trends, 1967–2007, derived from orbits of 5000 near‐Earth objects

[1] We use orbit data on ∼5000 near-Earth space objects to investigate long-term trends in thermospheric total mass density, which has been predicted to decrease with time due to increasing CO2 concentrations. We refine and extend to 2007 previous density trend estimates, and investigate solar cycle-dependent bias in empirical density models previously used to filter out solar irradiance effects. We find that the bias is caused in part by the solar cycle dependence of the long-term trends, and we develop a new representation of solar cycle, seasonal, and geomagnetic activity effects. At 400 km, we estimate an overall trend of –2.68 ± 0.49 % per decade and trends of ∼–5 and –2 % per decade at solar minimum and maximum, respectively, in fair quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions. The global average density trends also depend on the phase of the year, with the strongest trends around October and weak trends in January.
Changes in N cycling and microbial N with elevated N in exotic annual grasslands of southern California

Abstract The impacts of nitrogen (N) fertilization and N deposition on N mineralization and microbial biomass were studied in exotic annual grasslands in southern California. The goal of the study was to understand how N deposition impacts N availability to the grasslands by studying mineralization in plots in an urban area that has received chronic N deposition for 50 years compared with N fertilized and control plots in a rural area. Fertilized plots had higher net and gross rates of N cycling than did soils from the control. The effect of soil mineral N concentrations on microbial N varied between and within growing seasons. Lower microbial N corresponded to more net N release and higher microbial N corresponded to less net N release. Urban soils often had higher NO3− concentrations than did soils from the rural site but there was no difference in NH4+ concentrations. Urban soils also had lower mineral N concentrations than the fertilized soils and mineralization patterns in the high N deposition soils did not resemble those in the fertilized soils, indicating that the levels of N deposition at this site were well below the experimental fertilization rate. The levels of soil mineral N in the rural site were considerably higher than from other studies in the same plots in recent years. This corresponds with rapidly increasing suburbanization of the rural site and increasing N deposition, as suggested from a recent air pollution model. Although the urban and rural soils were not as different in mineral N concentrations as expected, soils in exotic grasslands near urban areas across the region can have mineral N concentrations as high as the fertilized soils, indicating that increased N cycling and altered microbial N may occur under N deposition.
Data preparation for syntactic translation

The following paper discusses the preparation of syntactic data for use in a generalized language translation system, developed by the Linguistics Research Center at The University of Texas. Capabilities and limitations of translation by syntactic model are outlined and compared with the word-for-word model.
Analyzing Fed behavior using a dynamic Taylor-type rule

This paper estimates a dynamic Taylor-type model in order to analyze the behavior of the Federal Reserve under the leadership of three different Fed chairs: Arthur Burns, Paul Volcker, and Alan Greenspan. The model proves useful in distinguishing the conduct of monetary policy under each. Burns is found to have paid little attention to inflation and inflationary pressures. Volcker focused on reducing actual inflation during his first term while turning his attention to the GDP gap and inflationary pressures in his second term. Greenspan emphasized preemptive strikes against inflation as indicated by high weights attributed to the GDP gap and expected inflation.
Obtaining FPGA soft error rate in high performance information systems

Abstract Soft errors due to cosmic particles are a growing reliability threat for VLSI systems. The vulnerability of FPGA-based designs to soft errors is higher than ASIC implementations since the majority of chip real estate is dedicated to memory bits, configuration bits, and user bits. Moreover, Single Event Upsets (SEUs) in the configuration bits of SRAM-based FPGAs result in permanent errors in the mapped design. FPGAs are widely used in the implementation of high performance information systems. Since the reliability requirements of these high performance information sub-systems are very stringent, the reliability of the FPGA chips used in the design of such systems plays a critical role in the overall system reliability. In this paper, we compare and validate the soft error rate of FPGA-based designs used in the Logical Unit Module board of a commercial information system with the field error rates obtained from actual field failure data. This comparison confirms that our analytical tool is very accurate (there is an 81% overlap in FIT rate range obtained with our analytical modeling framework and the field failure data studied). It can be used for identifying vulnerable modules within the FPGA for cost-effective reliability improvement.
STOCHASTIC FREIGHT FLOW PATTERNS: IMPLICATIONS FOR FLEET OPTIMIZATION

Abstract Trucking, rail and other types of transportation networks share the common feature of moving equipment and crews between spatially separated terminals to accommodate the transportation of goods or people. This paper develops measures for temporal and spatial imbalances in freight flows, and applies these measures to a major trucking network. Fundamentally, the randomness inherent to a system of terminals is mitigated by pooling freight flows among terminal groups, and by pooling freight flows over many time periods. In the terminal network that we examined, long-run freight imbalances ensure that empty equipment movements must equal or exceed 13.3% of loaded movements at individual terminals and 8.2% of loaded movements at terminal groups. Due to short-run freight imbalances, the number of empty movements could increase by about 50% over the long-run average; greater increases would occur if equipment flows must be balanced on each travel lane. ©
Disability as the Basis for a Social Movement: Advocacy and the Politics of Definition

Many people with disabilities do not identify themselves as disabled or choose not to be part of a politically active community of disabled persons. This paper discusses both the barriers to the formation of a social movement of disabled people and the ways in which these barriers have been overcome. The role of public policy in the evolution of this movement is discussed, as are the current status and prospects of the disability rights movement.
Kinetics of chromium(III) oxidation by manganese(IV) oxides using quick scanning X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (Q-XAFS).

The initial kinetics of Cr(III) oxidation on mineral surfaces is poorly understood, yet a significant portion of the oxidation process occurs during the first seconds of reaction. In this study, the initial rates of Cr(III) oxidation on hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) were measured at three different pH values (pH 2.5, 3, and 3.5), using a quick X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (Q-XAFS) batch method. The calculated rate constants were 0.201, 0.242, and 0.322 s−1 at pH 2.5, 3, and 3.5, respectively. These values were independent of both [Cr(III)] and [Mn(II)] and mixing speed, suggesting that the reaction was “chemically” controlled and not dependent upon diffusion at the time period the rate parameters were measured. A second-order overall rate was found at three pH values. This represents the first study to determine the chemical kinetics of Cr(III) oxidation on Mn-oxides. The results have important implications for the determination of rapid, environmentally important reactions that cannot be ...
Nonlinear dynamics and loop formation in Kirchhoff rods with implications to the mechanics of DNA and cables

The paper contributes a general dynamical formulation and numerical solution procedure for studying nonlinear and three-dimensional dynamics of Kirchhoff rods. Target applications include the dynamic formation of DNA loops and supercoils as well as loops (hockles) in marine cables. The formulation accommodates non-homogeneous and non-isotropic inextensible rods both with and without coupling of tension and torsion. The utility of this formulation is illustrated by studying the dynamics and quasi-static response of a clamped-clamped rod subject to compression and/or twist. For slow loading rates, the computed quasi-static responses converge to published equilibrium solutions for a benchmark problem. As loading rates increase, new behaviors are observed including hysteresis in the neighborhood of equilibrium bifurcations. The addition of chirality in the form of tension-torsion coupling has a pronounced influence on the computed looped geometries. This finding has implications for DNA loops formed by DNA-protein binding as well as loop formation in helically wound wire and synthetic cables.
Comparison of resource utilization for Medicaid dementia patients using nursing homes versus home and community based waivers for long-term care.

Medicaid waiver home and community-based long-term care services (HCBS) may provide a partial solution to theescalating costs of long-term care. Persons with dementia can havecomplex caregiving needs; it is unknown whether their expendituresand resource utilization differ between community-based versusinstitutional settings.
Affective support for the creative user

The relationship between affect and creativity represents an intriguing opportunity for creativity support tools. A fine grain model that links affect with creativity can lead to development of feedback environments that maximize a user's effectiveness and creative output. In this paper, we present an empirical study that will lead us to formulation of such environments for affective support of the user. Five members in a research group reported their daily affect and creativity using an online social science survey. In addition, they used a PDA liken social sensing device called socioscopes that captured their affective and social behavior patterns. The results show that creativity is positively correlated with positive affect. Furthermore, person's speech and movement profiles are also significantly correlated with creativity. More studies are planned for future that will refine these results. Based on these empirical investigations, we propose that creativity support tools will benefit by actively considering the impact of affect on the creative process. Physiological and behavioral sensors can serve an important role in providing this measurement. The proposed research lays the foundation for future work in development of such affect driven real time measurement and modulation systems for creativity support.
Combined-Modality Therapy With Gemcitabine and Radiotherapy As a Bladder Preservation Strategy: Results of a Phase I Trial

Purpose We conducted a phase I trial of gemcitabine given twice weekly with concurrent radiotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Patients and Methods Eligible patients underwent maximal transurethral resection of their bladder tumors followed by twice-weekly infusion of gemcitabine with 2 Gy/d concurrent radiotherapy to the bladder, for a total of 60 Gy over 6 weeks. The starting dose of gemcitabine was 10 mg/m2 with subsequent dose levels of 20, 27, 30, and 33 mg/m2. The primary end point was the determination of the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of twice weekly gemcitabine with concurrent radiotherapy. Secondary end points included assessment of toxicity associated with combined-modality therapy and initial assessment of the rate of bladder preservation. Results Twenty-four patients were enrolled and 23 were assessable for toxicity and response. No significant toxicity was demonstrated at the 10 or 20 mg/m2 twice-weekly doses. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred in two of three pati...
Quantitative Gingival Crevicular Fluid Proteome in Health and Periodontal Disease Using Stable-Isotope Chemistries and Mass Spectrometry

Aim Application of quantitative stable isotope-labelling chemistries and mass spectrometry (MS) to determine alterations in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) proteome in periodontal disease. Material and Methods Quantitative proteome of GCF from 40 healthy individuals versus 40 patients with periodontal disease was established using 320 GCF samples and stable isotope-labelling reagents, ICAT and mTRAQ, with MS technology and validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent methods. Results We have identified 238 distinct proteins of which 180 were quantified in GCF of both healthy and periodontal patients with additional 26 and 32 distinct proteins that were found only in GCF of healthy or periodontal patients. In addition, 42 pathogenic bacterial proteins and 11 yeast proteins were quantified. The data highlighted a series of proteins not quantified previously by large-scale MS approaches in GCF with relevance to periodontal disease, such as host-derived Ig alpha-2 chain C, Kallikrein-4, S100-A9, transmembrane proteinase 13, peptidase S1 domain, several collagen types and pathogenic bacterial proteins, e.g. formamidase, leucine aminopeptidase and virulence factor OMP85. Conclusions The innovative analytical approaches provided detailed novel changes in both host and microbial derived GCF proteomes of periodontal patients. The study defined 50 host and 16 pathogenic bacterial proteins significantly elevated in periodontal disease most of which were novel with significant potential for application in the clinical arena of periodontal disease.
The impact of corporate turbulence on: Managers' attitudes

This cross-level study tested the relationship between organizational turbulence as reported by 49 strategic business unit managers from 17 Fortune 500 companies and the attitudes of 679 midlevel managers in these companies. The results indicated that turbulence clustered into four dimensions that were differentially related to managers' attitudes. Incremental negative turbulence was negatively associated with satisfaction with job security. Financial restructuring was positively associated with career loyalty. Growth was positively associated with career loyalty and with job involvement. Organizational breakup was positively associated with career loyalty. The long-term implications for companies of the career-loyallcompany-loyal, job-involved but job-insecure management cadre produced by the corporate turbulence of the 1980s are discussed.
Standards for validating health measures: Definition and content

Adherence to standards for judging the content validity of health measures and for labeling them is needed for the field of health assessment to proceed in an orderly fashion. This paper discusses the dimensionality of health and the range of health states that can be measured within each dimension. These two attributes of published definitions of health are used to derive minimum standards for judging the validity of health measures in terms of their content. Five generic health concepts are defined: physical health, mental health, social functioning, role functioning, and general health perceptions. Items from widely used health measures are presented to clarify distinctions among these concepts and the different health states they encompass. It is recommended that labels be assigned to health measures in a manner consistent with their content and other evidence of validity.
Incidental aortic valve calcification on CT scans: significance for bicuspid and tricuspid valve disease.

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of incidental aortic valve calcification on routine computed tomographic scans as a marker for stenosis, as assessed by echocardiography, in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve. Materials and Methods Computed tomographic and echocardiographic studies were retrospectively reviewed for 182 consecutive, unselected patients and 426 patients identified by a record search for “aortic valve calcification.” Location and severity of valve calcification were correlated with aortic valve morphology and stenosis. Differences between subgroups were assessed using χ2 or Fisher’s exact tests. Results In unselected patients, calcification was present in 25.8% with tricuspid aortic valves (46 of 178) and 75% (three of four) with BAV. In patients selected for valve calcification, the average age of those with tricuspid aortic valves (n = 395) was 14.3 years older than those with BAV (n = 31). Patients with BAV were more likely to have severe calcification (87% vs 50%, P Conclusions Aortic valve calcification was found 14 years earlier in patients with BAV and was more severe and strongly linked to aortic stenosis. Valve calcification on computed tomographic scans should be considered a marker for BAV if found before the seventh decade.
Low reproductive success of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, is due to high embryonic mortality

We examined the mechanism responsible for low reproductive success in leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at Playa Grande, Costa Rica: low egg fertilization versus high rates of embryonic death. Leatherbacks at this beach had a high rate of fertility (X=93.3%� 2.5%, n=819). We incubated 10 eggs from every clutch encountered of 19 females during 3 months of the 1998– 1999 nesting season. Fertility rate of some females decreased during the nesting season, but overall was high. Detection of fertility was difficult using standard methods because fertility rates cannot be determined accurately from nests excavated after hatching because of egg decomposition. Removal and incubation of eggs from nests provided a better estimate. Embryonic death, particularly in the beginning of incubation before embryos are visible to the unaided eye, was the cause of low hatching success in this population. Hatching success increased with increasing fertility and differed between females, with some mothers having 71–81% success and others 23–32%. Embryonic death and not low egg fertility drives poor recruitment at Playa Grande. Improved conservation of this species at Playa Grande will require a better understanding of the mechanism behind embryonic death. # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Efficient Algorithms for Protein-Based Associative Processors and Volumetric Memories

In this paper we study protein based memories. We present a model of computing based on protein based processors and also offer constant time algorithms for many fundamental problems. We also propose elegant solutions for the diffraction effects associated with protein based memories thus solving a long-standing open problem.
Direct measurement of the angular dependence of the single-photon ionization of aligned N2 and CO2.

By combining a state-of-the-art high-harmonic ultrafast soft X-ray source with field-free dynamic alignment, we map the angular dependence of molecular photoionization yields for the first time for a nondissociative molecule. The observed modulation in ion yield as a function of molecular alignment is attributed to the molecular frame transition dipole moment of single-photon ionization to the X, A and B states of N2+ and CO2+. Our data show that the transition dipoles for single-photon ionization of N2 and CO2 at 43 eV have larger perpendicular components than parallel ones. A direct comparison with published theoretical partial wave ionization cross-sections confirms these experimental observations, which are the first results to allow such comparison with theory for bound cation states. The results provide the first step toward a novel method for measuring molecular frame transition dipole matrix elements.
Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Performance of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography, Computed Tomography Perfusion, and Computed Tomography-Fractional Flow Reserve in Functional Myocardial Ischemia Assessment Versus Invasive Fractional Flow Reserve.

We sought to compare the diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), computed tomography perfusion (CTP), and computed tomography (CT)-fractional flow reserve (FFR) for assessing the functional significance of coronary stenosis as defined by invasive FFR in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). CCTA has proved clinically useful for excluding obstructive CAD because of its high sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV); however, the ability of CTA to identify functionally significant CAD has remained challenging. We searched PubMed/Medline for studies evaluating CCTA, CTP, or CT-FFR for the noninvasive detection of obstructive CAD compared with catheter-derived FFR as the reference standard. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, likelihood ratios, and odds ratio of all diagnostic tests were assessed. Eighteen studies involving a total of 1,535 patients were included. CTA demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 0.92, specificity 0.43, PPV of 0.56, and NPV of 0.87 on a per-patient level. CT-FFR and CTP increased the specificity to 0.72 and 0.77, respectively (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0009) resulting in higher point estimates for PPV 0.70 and 0.83, respectively. There was no improvement in the sensitivity. The CTP protocol involved more radiation (3.5 mSv CCTA vs 9.6 mSv CTP) and a higher volume of iodinated contrast (145 ml). In conclusion, CTP and CT-FFR improve the specificity of CCTA for detecting functionally significant stenosis as defined by invasive FFR on a per-patient level; both techniques could advance the ability to noninvasively detect the functional significance of coronary lesions.
Analysis of rRNA processing and translation in mammalian cells using a synthetic 18S rRNA expression system

Analysis of processing, assembly, and function of higher eukaryotic ribosomal RNA (rRNA) has been hindered by the lack of an expression system that enables rRNA to be modified and then examined functionally. Given the potential usefulness of such a system, we have developed one for mammalian 18S rRNA. We inserted a sequence tag into expansion segment 3 of mouse 18S rRNA to monitor expression and cleavage by hybridization. Mutations were identified that confer resistance to pactamycin, allowing functional analysis of 40S ribosomal subunits containing synthetic 18S rRNAs by selectively blocking translation from endogenous (pactamycin-sensitive) subunits. rRNA constructs were suitably expressed in transfected cells, shown to process correctly, incorporate into ≈ 15% of 40S subunits, and function normally based on various criteria. After rigorous analysis, the system was used to investigate the importance of sequences that flank 18S rRNA in precursor transcripts. Although deletion analysis supported the requirement of binding sites for the U3 snoRNA, it showed that a large segment of the 5' external transcribed spacer and the entire first internal transcribed spacer, both of which flank 18S rRNA, are not required. The success of this approach opens the possibility of functional analyses of ribosomes, with applications in basic research and synthetic biology.
Specific postnatal auditory stimulation interferes with species-typical visual responsiveness in bobwhite quail chicks

The effects that a manipulation of sensory experience may have on perceptual development are likely to depend on a number of factors, including the amount and the type of stimulation provided. To examine the relative influence of these stimulation factors on early perceptual organization, this study exposed bobwhite quail hatchlings to augmented amounts of bobwhite chick distress calls, bobwhite chick contentment calls, domestic chicken distress calls, or no additional auditory stimulation during the first 72 hr following hatching. Results showed that bobwhite hatchlings exposed to bobwhite chick distress calls do not exhibit species-typical visual responsiveness to maternal cues. In contrast, bobwhite hatchlings exposed to bobwhite chick contentment calls, domestic chicken hatchling distress calls, or no agumented auditory stimulation exhibited species-typical auditory and visual responsiveness to maternal cues. These results demonstrate intermodal effects of postnatal sensory stimulation and suggest that specific types of postnatal auditory stimulation, rather than simply increased amount of stimulation, are necessary to interfere with species-typical intersensory functioning.© 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Real-time parallel remote rendering for mobile devices using graphics processing units

Demand for 3D visualization is increasing in mobile devices as users have come to expect more realistic immersive experiences. However, limited networking and computing resources on mobile devices remain challenges. A solution is to have a proxy-based framework that offloads the burden of rendering computation from mobile devices to more powerful servers. We present the implementation of a framework for parallel remote rendering using commodity Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) in the proxy servers. Experiments show that this framework substantially improves the performance of rendering computation of 3D video.
View point evaluation and streamline filtering for flow visualization

Visualization of flow fields with geometric primitives is often challenging due to occlusion that is inevitably introduced by 3D streamlines. In this paper, we present a novel view-dependent algorithm that can minimize occlusion and reveal important flow features for three dimensional flow fields. To analyze regions of higher importance, we utilize Shannon's entropy as a measure of vector complexity. An entropy field in the form of a three dimensional volume is extracted from the input vector field. To utilize this view-independent complexity measure for view-dependent calculations, we introduce the notion of a maximal entropy projection (MEP) framebuffer, which stores maximal entropy values as well as the corresponding depth values for a given viewpoint. With this information, we develop a view-dependent streamline selection algorithm that can evaluate and choose streamlines that will cause minimum occlusion to regions of higher importance. Based on a similar concept, we also propose a viewpoint selection algorithm that works hand-in-hand with our streamline selection algorithm to maximize the visibility of high complexity regions in the flow field.
A fuzzy classifier to taxonomically group DNA fragments within a metagenome

Extracting microorganisms from their natural environment has become a popular technique. These metagenomic fragments lack enough information that can mark them into taxonomic groups. In this paper, we implement a fuzzy k-means classifier to separate fragments into taxonomic groups present in a metagenomic data set. The fuzzy classifier is used to group shotgun sequence fragments as small as 500 base pairs according to their DNA signatures, namely GC content and oligonucleotide frequencies. A comparison of using different signatures is done and we analyze results and compare them. The classifier is also tested to classify acid mine drainage metagenome into classes to represent the major Archea and Bacteria groups. The classification achieved an accuracy of 99% for acid mine drainage a published environmental genome sample.