cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Block and Batch Sizing for Batched Stream Processing System

The need for real-time and large-scale data processing has led to the development of frameworks for distributed stream processing in the cloud. To provide fast, scalable, and fault tolerant stream processing, recent Distributed Stream Processing Systems (DSPS) treat streaming workloads as a series of batch jobs, instead of a series of records. Batch-based stream processing systems could process data at high rate but lead to large end-to-end latency. In this paper we concentrate on minimizing the end-to-end latency of batched streaming system by leveraging adaptive batch sizing and execution parallelism tuning. We propose, DyBBS, a heuristic algorithm integrated with isotonic regression to automatically learn and adjust batch size and execution parallelism according to workloads and operating conditions. Our approach does not require workload specific knowledge. The experimental results show that our algorithm significantly reduces end-to-end latency compared to state-of-the-art: i) for Reduce workload, the latency can be reduced by 34.97% and 48.02% for sinusoidal and Markov chain data input rates, respectively, and ii) for Join workload, the latency reductions are 63.28% and 67.51% for sinusoidal and Markov chain data input rates, respectively.
Teaching programming in the context of solving engineering problems

This paper describes the course that was developed at the authors' University to introduce all first-year engineering students to the fundamentals of computer programming within the context of solving engineering problems. This two credit-hour, semester-long course incorporates the programming language MATLAB and is a required course for students who major in civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The course, which is usually taken during the second semester of their first year of study, was designed to utilize active learning techniques by having the students complete a series of laboratory exercises and projects that introduce computer programming and engineering applications. This paper describes the origins of the course, the laboratory exercises and projects, how the course was administered, and an assessment of how successful the course was based on student grades, student feedback, and a student survey. The results indicate that the course increased students' knowledge of programming in the context of solving engineering problems.
Bright and Stable External Fluorophores in Untransformed Living Cells

We will present atomic force microscopy methods for imaging mechanical properties of single bio molecules and live cells. Our analysis of these images have yielded a set of equations that relate nanoscale stiffness of cells to intracellular forces.
Solace in solidarity: Disability friendship networks buffer well-being.

Purpose/objective To determine whether having friends who share one's disability experiences is associated with higher well-being, and whether these friendships buffer well-being from disability-related stressors. Research Method/Design: In 2 cross-sectional studies, adults with long-term physical disabilities identified close friends who shared their diagnosis. We assessed well-being as a function of the number of friends that participants identified in each group. Study 1 included 71 adults with legal blindness living in the United States, while Study 2 included 1,453 adults in the United States with either muscular dystrophy (MD), multiple sclerosis (MS), post-polio syndrome (PPS), or spinal cord injury (SCI). Results In Study 1, having more friends sharing a blindness diagnosis was associated with higher life satisfaction, even controlling for the number of friends who were not blind. In Study 2, Participants with more friends sharing their diagnosis reported higher quality of life and satisfaction with social role participation. Participants with more friends sharing their diagnosis also showed and attenuated associations between the severity of their functional impairment and their quality of life and social role satisfaction, suggesting that their friendships buffered the impact of their functional impairment on well-being. Participants reporting more friends with any physical disability showed similar benefits. Conclusions/implications Friends with disabilities can offer uniquely important informational and emotional support resources that buffer the impact of a functional impairment on well-being. Psychosocial interventions should help people with long-term disabilities build their peer support networks. (PsycINFO Database Record
Climate terror: a critical geopolitics of climate change

As creative as it is critical, this innovative enquiry into the geopolitics of climate change is also at once discomforting and disorienting. It focuses on how the power relations dividing the ‘maj...
On Broszko’s relations for turbulent flow

Broszko’s relations are re-appraised. For pipe flow, the relations are in contradiction with the facts known from turbulent shear flow theory; however, they can be used as a starting point for a semi-empirical approach (Squire). Evoking the theory of turbulent shear flow, it can be shown that the Reynolds equation, supplemented by a Broszko relation, gives a velocity profile in parabolic form; that is, Broszko’s relation is trivial. Thus, our argument indicates the removal of the “rationality” of Broszko’s relations.
Reutilization of Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase

Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase is truly a multifunctional protein. Not only does it exhibit the well-known carboxylase and oxygenase activities, but also its high concentration and turnover characteristics in the leaf fit the classification of a storage protein. RuBP carboxylase varies in concentration by species but can be up to 65% of the total soluble protein of grass or alfalfa leaves. It is assembled and sequestered in a discrete organelle, the chloroplast, wherein it is protected from the proteolytic enzymes in the cytoplasm. In fact, it appears that carboxylase degradation is a cytoplasmically driven process. After its synthesis and assembly, little turnover is detected until plants require its remobilization. RuBP carboxylase can then be mobilized during senescence or when the plant requires its reserves because of deficits of either nitrogen or carbohydrates. As such, the RuBP carboxylase concentration in the leaf is very responsive to environmental stresses.
Academic Language in Science

The use of academic language in science is addressed in the Common Core State Standards (see also) for English Language Arts.
Understanding the Vital Signs: BP, HR, RR, TEMP, SaO 2 … and SV

It is by no accident that the five (now six) vital signs are called VITAL SIGNS. Yet, many clinicians do not appreciate the importance of these VITAL signs nor how to interpret them. The initial assessment of every ICU and ER patient requires a thoughtful review of the five vital signs; this has an essential role in triage decisions and the initial treatment strategy. Any patient with an abnormal vital sign is at an increased risk of death. The risk of death is compounded by derangements of multiple vital signs [1]. In addition, the trends in the vital signs are VITALLY important in tracking a patient’s progress. This chapter reviews the Five Vital Signs… and introduces the 6th vital sign.
Forgotten Paths in Medicine: The Case of the Low Protein Diet in Chronic Renal Failure

The current high and escalating costs of medical care in the U.S. has prompted a renewed interest in how new treatments become part of established medical practice. Moreover, recent findings have raised serious questions concerning the efficacy of several commonly accepted treatments.1 As the related disciplines of medical technology assessment and adoption are fairly new, there is much controversy concerning underlying mechanisms and approaches to studying these phenomena.2 Essentially, three perspectives on treatment assessment and adoption have started to emerge.
The estimated change in the level and distribution of PM2.5-attributable health impacts in the United States: 2005-2014.

Abstract Background Photochemical modeling can predict the level and distribution of pollutant concentrations over time, but is resource-intensive. Partly for this reason, there are few studies exploring the multi-year trajectory of the historical change in fine particle (PM2.5) levels and associated health impacts in the U.S. Objectives We used a unique dataset of Community Multi-Scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model simulations performed for a subset of years over a decade-long period fused with observations to estimate the change in ambient levels of PM2.5 across the contiguous U.S. We also quantified the change in PM2.5-attributable health risks and characterized the level of risk inequality over this period. Methods We estimated annual mean PM2.5 concentrations in 2005, 2011 and 2014. Using log-linear and logistic concentration-response coefficients we estimated changes in the numbers of deaths, hospital admissions and other morbidity outcomes. Calculating the Gini coefficient and Atkinson Index, we characterized the extent to which PM2.5 attributable risks were shared equally across the population or instead concentrated among certain subgroups. Results In 2005 the estimated fraction of deaths due to PM2.5 was 6.1%. This estimated value falls to 4.6% by 2014. Every portion of the contiguous U.S. experiences a decline in the risk of PM-related premature death over the 10-year period. As measured by the Gini coefficient and Atkinson index, the level of PM mortality risk is shared more equally in 2014 than in 2005 among all subgroups. Conclusions Between 2005 and 2014, the level of PM2.5 concentrations fall, and the risk of premature death, declined and became more equitably distributed across the U.S. population.
Physical therapists' self-perceived adequacy of entry-level education and their current confidence levels with respect to temporomandibular disorders: A pilot study.

Physical therapy (PT) has been shown to be one of the most effective conservative treatments for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The objectives of this pilot study are to determine the self-perc...
Expression of a CARD Slows the Retinal Degeneration of a Geographic Atrophy Mouse Model.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been linked to oxidative damage and para-inflammation, an activation of inflammasome signaling in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the underlying choriocapillaris. Herein, we tested the efficacy of a gene-delivered caspase-1 inhibitor in controlling the retinal degeneration observed in two models of RPE-choroid oxidative damage. In an acute model of oxidative stress (NaIO3 injection), eyes pre-treated with the sGFP-TatCARD (trans-activator of transcription; caspase activation and recruitment domain) vector demonstrated a recovery of retinal function and partial protection of RPE structure 1 month after damage, in contrast with control-treated eyes. In a model of chronic oxidative stress (RPE-specific deletion of Sod2), eyes treated with the sGFP-TatCARD vector after the onset of degeneration had a significantly slower decline in retinal function when compared to control-treated eyes. Earlier treatment of this model with the same adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector resulted in a greater protection of RPE function in eyes treated with the TatCARD when compared to control-treated eyes. Our results demonstrate that intravitreal delivery of sGFP-TatCARD reduces inflammation and can protect the retina from both acute and sustained oxidative damage within the RPE and choroid. Therefore, gene therapy with a cell-penetrating inflammasome inhibitor such as CARD may stem the progression of AMD.
ALD Titania Sidewalls on a CMOS-MEMS Resonator Oscillator and Effects on Resonant Frequency Drift

A lift-off patterned atomic layer deposition (ALD) process that selectively coats CMOS MEMS sidewalls with conductive titania (TiO 2 ) effectively eliminates the effects of dielectric sidewall charging. Charging effects are quantified through measurement of resonant frequency drift in a CMOS MEMS resonator oscillator with and without the titania coating. The coating drastically lowers the charging time constant to less than the 1 s frequency counter measurement period, compared to the long-term distributed time constant on the order of hours seen in uncoated devices and arising from trap behavior.
Les lieux de mémoire de la guerre d’indépendance algérienne: by Emmanuel Alcaraz, preface by Aïssa Kadri, Paris, Éditions Karthala, 2017, 312 + 10 iconographic pp., €24 (softcover), ISBN 978-2-8111-1903-4

Emmanuel Alcaraz’s book studies the memory of the Algerian war of independence in Algeria and the uses of places of memory to consolidate and subvert power. Algeria is presently in the midst of a v...
Galápagos Island Biodiversity

Abstract The Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory for evolutionary biologists, biogeographers and ecologists. Many of the organisms floated or flew to the islands subsequently radiated into groups of endemic species, thereby increasing the biodiversity of the islands. But the Galapagos biota are an odd mixture of plants and animals, with many reptiles, but no amphibians; many bird species, but almost no mammals. The peculiarities of the Galapagos wildlife intrigued the young Charles Darwin, starting him on an intellectual journey that eventually produced his theory of survival of the fittest and evolution. The colonization of the islands by humans brought ecological disturbances of ever-increasing intensity until the Ecuadoran government began to take steps to ensure conservation of the islands’ unique biota. The focus of much of the current conservation efforts is the prevention of the entry and spread of invasive species, both on land and in the sea.
What types of real-world evidence studies do U.S. commercial health plans cite in their specialty drug coverage decisions?

Purpose To examine the RWE U.S. commercial health plans cite in their specialty drug coverage decisions. Methods We used the Tufts Medical Center Specialty Drug Evidence and Coverage Database to identify specialty drug coverage decisions (n = 7267) issued by 17 large commercial health plans. We categorized the clinical evidence plans cited in these coverage decisions (n = 5227) as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), RWE studies, and other clinical studies (studies other than RCT or RWE study). We categorized RWE studies with respect to study type, for example, case series, studies based on medical records, and so on. We compared the frequency that plans cited different categories of RWE, cited RWE for different diseases, and cited RWE for drugs on the market for different time periods. Results RWE comprised 16% of cited clinical studies. Health plans cited RWE with different frequencies (5%-31% of the cited clinical evidence). Overall, plans cited RWE categorized as medical records most often (26% of cited RWE studies). Plans varied in the frequency they cited different RWE categories. Plans most frequently cited RWE for gastroenterological diseases (35% of clinical study citations) and least frequently for respiratory diseases (11% of clinical study citations). Plans cited RWE more for drugs that have long been on the market. Conclusions Health plans varied with respect to the number and types of RWE studies they cited in their specialty drug coverage decisions. Plans cited RWE more often for some diseases than others, and cited more RWE for older drugs.
Distinct conformational dynamics and allosteric networks in alpha tryptophan synthase during active catalysis

Experimental observations of enzymes under active turnover conditions have brought new insight into the role of protein motions and allosteric networks in catalysis. Many of these studies characterize enzymes under dynamic chemical equilibrium conditions, in which the enzyme is actively catalyzing both the forward and reverse reactions during data acquisition. We have previously analyzed conformational dynamics and allosteric networks of the alpha subunit of tryptophan synthase under such conditions using NMR. We have proposed that this working state represents a four to one ratio of the enzyme bound with the indole-3-glycerol phosphate substrate (E:IGP) to the enzyme bound with the products indole and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (E:indole:G3P). Here, we analyze the inactive D60N variant to deconvolute the contributions of the substrate- and products-bound states to the working state. While the D60N substitution itself induces small structural and dynamic changes, the D60N E:IGP and E:indole:G3P states cannot entirely account for the conformational dynamics and allosteric networks present in the working state. The act of chemical bond breakage and/or formation, or possibly the generation of an intermediate, may alter the structure and dynamics present in the working state. As the enzyme transitions from the substrate-bound to the products-bound state, millisecond conformational exchange processes are quenched and new allosteric connections are made between the alpha active site and the surface which interfaces with the beta subunit. The structural ordering of the enzyme and these new allosteric connections may be important in coordinating the channeling of the indole product into the beta subunit.
ALL-326: Low Incidence of Central Nervous System (CNS) Relapse with Hyper-CVAD-R Regimen in Adults with Burkitt Lymphoma/Leukemia (BL) and High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma (HGBCL)

Context BL and HGBCL have a propensity for CNS involvement, which confers poor prognosis. Standard of care includes dose-intense chemoimmunotherapy (Hyper-CVAD or CODOX/MVAC with rituximab [R]). Despite favorable efficacy and tolerability of DA-EPOCH-R, outcomes are poor in patients with bone marrow (BM)/CNS disease with high rates of CNS relapse due to the lack of systemic directed CNS therapy (13%; Zayac ASH 2019). Objective To report the long-term outcomes with Hyper-CVAD-R in adults with BL and HGBCL. Main outcomes measured We evaluated complete remission (CR) rates, relapse- free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR). Results Seventy-nine patients treated between 2000 and 2018 met WHO 2017 criteria (BL 54, HGBCL 25). Median age was 44 years (18–77 years); 25% were older than 60 years old. Most patients had high-risk disease; 73% BM involvement, 28% CNS involvement, and 63% had LDH > 3 times the normal level. Among the 25 patients with HGBCL, 7 (28%) had double-hit lymphomas (BCL-2 rearrangement), and the median international prognostic index was 3.5 (range 2–5). The CR rate was 91% (BL 96%; HGBCL 79%; P=0.16), and the 30-day mortality was 3%. The 5-year OS and RFS rates were 52% (BL 55%; HGBCL 44%; P=0.86) and 58% (BL 59%; HGBCL 57%; P=0.62), respectively. The CIR was 21% (BL 14%; HGBCL 37%, P=0.06); associated with BM involvement (27% vs 0%; P=0.02) and CNS involvement (42% vs 12%; P Conclusion Our data support the efficacy of Hyper-CVAD-R in preventing CNS relapse, especially among high-risk patients with BM or CNS involvement.
PySWR- A Python code for fitting soil water retention functions

Abstract Soil water retention (SWR) function is an important model that provides an empirical relationship between soil moisture and capillary pressure. We present a simple Python tool for fitting different types of SWR functions to laboratory-measured soil moisture data. Three different optimization methods including the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) method, Trust Region Reflective (TR) method, and Dog Box (DB) method are considered. We used all three methods to fit the van Genuchten (VG) and Brooks and Corey (BC) models to ten soil moisture datasets. Our results show that the TR method, which allows the user to search for optimal parameter values within a constrained region, is the best approach for fitting these models. We developed a new graphical procedure for evaluating the guesstimates and bounds for different SWR model parameters. Overall, the TR method available in Python, together with the proposed graphical procedure, is an excellent approach for fitting both VG and BC models to soil moisture data.
A Recent Open Source Embedded Implementation of the DESFire Specification Designed for On-the-Fly Logging with NFC Based Systems

The Chameleon Mini is a portable device that interfaces with the NFC protocol over RFID. This device is designed to facilitate on-the-fly logging of data exchanges between contactless cards and tag readers operating over NFC in the 13.56 MHz band. It is an indispensible tool for researchers, reverse engineers and system penetration testers that perform security analysis over the protocol. The Chameleon Mini also supports emulation of many contactless card types over NFC that are enabled by contributions to its open source embedded firmware. In 2020, we set out to offer a fully functional open source implementation to provide a frequently requested interface to the complex and proprietary DESFire tag command set and internal architecture specification from within the open source firmware for the Chameleon Mini RevG. In this application note, we describe the technologies utilized, applications of this work, and describe the challenges of the low-level implementation of the embedded software.
Determining Time of Symptom Onset in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: Agreement Between Medical Record and Interview Data.

Background: Prehospital delay, the time of symptom onset until the time of hospital arrival, for patients with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is frequently used to determine the course of care. Total ischemic time (time for symptom onset until the time of first coronary artery balloon inflation) is another criterion for quality of care for patients experiencing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. However, obtaining the exact time of symptom onset, the starting point of both time intervals, is challenging. Currently 2 methods are used to obtain the time of symptom onset: abstraction of data from the medical record and structured interviews done after the acute event. It is not clear whether these methods are equally accurate.Purpose: Using identified search terms, PubMed and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for articles published from 1990 to 2014 to identify studies that examined agreement between the 2 data sources to determine prehospital delay in patients with ACS.Conclusions: Five studies examined the accuracy and/or agreement of prehospital delay by medical record review and structured patient interviews. In these studies, the percentage of missing/incomplete data in the medical record was higher compared with interviews (14%-40% vs 12%-13%). Three of the 4 studies that compared the 2 data sources reported more than 50% disagreement, with the time of symptom onset starting sooner when obtained by interview compared with the time recorded in their medical record at hospital presentation.Clinical Implications: There is a need for a consistent, reliable method to assess the time of symptom onset in patients with ACS. To ensure the accuracy of data collected for the medical record, training of emergency and critical care clinicians should (1) emphasize the importance of assessing symptoms broadly, (2) provide tips on interviewing techniques to help patients pinpoint the time of symptom onset, and (3) instill the value of complete documentation.
The Impact of Petroleum Product Prices on State Economic Conditions: An Analysis of the Economic Base

Recent energy price increases have revitalized interest in energy’s impact on state economies. Moreover, lackluster economic growth in most states prompted some to suspend gas tax collections to stimulate economic activity. Given such interest, surprisingly few studies have quantified the effect energy has on state economies. Two questions are thus addressed here: 1) what is the impact of higher energy prices on state employment, and 2) what is the impact of a gas tax suspension. We find that the impact of increased petroleum-based energy prices on employment growth is small, calling into question the efficacy of a gas tax suspension.
Glulam Bridge Dowel System

Strength and serviceability of timber bridges have been greatly improved by the use of glulam stringers and deck panels as the basic components. Pault and the writer studied composite action in glulam bridges and found that the use of mechanical fasteners and the presence of gaps between deck panels render the composite action incomplete. Interconnection of adjacent deck panels is achieved by tight-fitting steel dowels. This note investigates the feasibility of increasing the recommended dowel hole size and the effect of such action on overall performance.
Accelerated second-order stochastic optimization using only function measurements

Consider the problem of loss-function minimization when only (possibly noisy) measurements of the loss function are available. In particular, no measurements of the gradient of the loss function are assumed available. The simultaneous perturbation SA (SPSA) algorithm has successfully addressed one of the major shortcomings of those finite-difference SA algorithms by significantly reducing the number of measurements required in many multivariate problems of practical interest. This paper presents a second-order SPSA algorithm that is based on estimating both the loss function gradient and inverse Hessian matrix at each iteration. The aim of this approach is to emulate the acceleration properties associated with deterministic algorithms of Newton-Raphson form, particularly in the terminal phase where the first-order SPSA algorithm slows down in its convergence. This second-order SPSA algorithm requires only five loss function measurements at each iteration, independent of the problem dimension. This paper represents a significantly enhanced version of a previously introduced second-order algorithm by the author (1996).
Integrate Digital Storytelling in Education

In the 21st century, educators believe using technology can be an effective factor in education for the new generation, making educational goals easier to achieve. In fact, technology is being studied by teachers and implemented into classrooms for a positive effect on student learning. Many teachers are integrating multimedia tools in teaching students different skills including synthesizing, analyzing, evaluating, and presenting information. When students use technology, they learn to convert data into information and transform information into knowledge. Also, using multimedia tools gives students the opportunity to participate and interact in the classroom. Consequently, the trend for integrating technology into education has become more widespread in most schools today. Digital storytelling is one of the multimedia tools that can support teaching and learning as well as students’ motivation. This research explores how digital storytelling can be an effective tool for both teachers and students in order to support learning and skills. Keywords: Multimedia tools, Digital storytelling, Students skills and their motivation.
Function of Rieger syndrome gene in left–right asymmetry and craniofacial development

Rieger syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder, includes ocular, craniofacial and umbilical abnormalities. The pitx2 homeobox gene, which is mutated in Rieger syndrome, has been proposed to be the effector molecule interpreting left-right axial information from the early embryonic trunk to each organ. Here we have used gene targeting in mice to generate a loss-of-function allele that would be predicted to result in organ randomization or isomerization. Although pitx2-/- embryos had abnormal cardiac morphogenesis, mutant hearts looped in the normal direction. Pitx2-/- embryos had correctly oriented, but arrested, embryonic rotation and right pulmonary isomerism. They also had defective development of the mandibular and maxillary facial prominences, regression of the stomodeum and arrested tooth development. Fgf8 expression was absent, and Bmp4 expression was expanded in the branchial-arch ectoderm. These data reveal a critical role for pitx2 in left-right asymmetry but indicate that pitx2 may function at an intermediate step in cardiac morphogenesis and embryonic rotation.
Intensive care of the pregnant diabetic

Over the last 2 years at Metropolitan Hospital Medical Center 245 diabetic women have been seen on the obstetric service. This complication of pregnancy comprises 7.9 per cent of 3,076 deliveries, resulting in an over-all uncorrected perinatal mortality rate of 2.9 per cent. We believe that early detection and strict rigid control of diabetes is the key to improved perinatal outcome. This article presents the classification, diagnosis, and management which have led to these results.
Immortalization and neoplastic transformation of normal rat colon epithelium: an in vitro model of colonic neoplastic progression.

Abstract Background : Because of the refractory nature of colon epithelium to growth and maintenance in vitro, the cell lines currently available for study are derived from tumors. Unlike most epithelial model systems, there exist no preneoplastic, nontumorigenic colon cell lines for manipulation and study. Methods : Intact fetal rat colon was cultured in the presence of a feeder layer of cells producing a retrovirus that harbors the SV40 LT gene resulting in the establishment of immortalized colon cell lines. Results : The epithelial and intestinal origin of cell lines was established from the constitutive expression of keratin and villin, respectively. All cell lines displayed an absence of anchorage independent growth and failed to produce tumors in vivo. Neoplastic transformation of immortalized rat colon epithelial cell lines was achieved following introduction of individual oncogenic ras gene members or the v-src oncogene. Probing of cell lysates with phosphotyrosine antibodies revealed altered phosphotyrosyl protein profiles associated with different stages of colonic neoplastic progression. Conclusions : The establishment of immortalized nontumorigenic colon epithelial cell lines facilitates the biochemical analysis of events associated with different stages of colonic neoplastic progression. In addition, this simple culture technique lends itself to studies involving alternative genetic elements implicated in the genesis of colon tumors.
Advances in Doppler sonar technology

There has been significant recent progress in the development of Doppler sonar systems for marine research. Major advances include the development of side-scan Doppler systems for surface wave, ship wake and Langmuir cell research, the development of coded pulses for improved sonar precision, and the development of phased array Doppler sonar for 3D (x,y,t) imaging of flow fields. Major challenges remain to understand the detailed behavior of the physical and biological scatterers on which these systems rely. Further effort is required to develop instruments which are robust with respect to clutter from river bottoms, ice keels, etc. As these issues are resolved, the role of acoustic remote sensing in both environment monitoring and scientific research should expand.
Vulnerability analysis for distributed and coordinated destabilization attacks

This paper focuses on how the vulnerability of an LTI system to destabilizing attacks can be posed as its robustness to external disturbances. First, we extend existing work on single link attack models to a more generalized attack model that allows for multiple link attacks. This is done by extending the partial structure representation of dynamical structure functions to include external perturbations. Given the new model, we then discuss how to determine the vulnerability of the system for both coordinated and distributed destabilizing attacks on a system. Finally, we develop a separability result for vulnerability in feedback systems that will be useful in determining secure architectures for structured controller design.
Durability and Performance of Press Molded Polymer Composite Monopolar Plates

The electrical and mechanical properties of new lightweight graphite polymeric separator plates aged in a PEM fuel cell were investigated to assess their resistance to short-term durability. While the changes in electrical properties of great interest to the operation of the fuel cell, mechanical and dimensional stability over the life of the cell are critical. Thus, new polymeric based separator plates developed at Virginia Tech were aged under standard operating conditions in a PEM fuel cell over 300 hours at low pressure and 85°C. A comparison of conductivity, stiffness and strength of aged plates was made to as manufactured and unaged plates. Over the aging period, electrical conductivity did not decline even as the fuel cell performance showed some changes as evidenced by polarization curves. However, the mechanical strength of the monopolar plates was observed to declined less than 10% after 300 hours of fuel cell operation, due to the lack of stability of the polyester resin used to facilitate the rapid manufacturing of these new plates. These property changes were found to be independent of aging on the reduction and oxidation sides. Further work continues on plates formed through both fiber wet lay technology and those produced by compression molding of unique graphite filled epoxy systems, and to improve the electrochemical performance of cells fabricated using the resulting plates to levels comparable to those observed when using existing plate materials.© 2004 ASME
The Rights and Responsibilities of Gay Social Parents and the Potential Implications for Children's Well-Being

As more gay couples become parents, there is a greater likelihood that some of these parents will face unique legal consequences if their relationships dissolve. In these cases, judges must determine whether social parents possess legal parental rights and responsibilities. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to assess judges’ rulings and justifications in 43 parental status cases involving gay disputants. The results verified a typology of five overarching legal themes, or rationales, that judges relied on in their decisions. The data also reveal that nearly half of the rulings in the sample were against conferring parental rights or responsibilities to social parents. These trends in judicial rulings call attention to potential adverse consequences for children's well-being, as prior research has linked disruptions in parent-child relationships to negative psychosocial outcomes. Implications for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) research, policy, and the family legal system are discussed.
Unparticle dark energy

We examine a dark energy model where a scalar unparticle degree of freedom plays the role of quintessence. In particular, we study a model where the unparticle degree of freedom has a standard kinetic term and a simple mass potential, the evolution is slowly rolling and the field value is of the order of the unparticle energy scale (${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{u}$). We study how the evolution of $w$ depends on the parameters $B$ (a function of unparticle scaling dimension ${d}_{u}$), the initial value of the field ${\ensuremath{\phi}}_{i}$ (or equivalently, ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{u}$) and the present matter density ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{m0}$. We use observational data from type Ia supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillations and the cosmic microwave background to constrain the model parameters and find that these models are not ruled out by the observational data. From a theoretical point of view, unparticle dark energy model is very attractive, since unparticles (being bound states of fundamental fermions) are protected from radiative corrections. Further, coupling of unparticles to the standard model fields can be arbitrarily suppressed by raising the fundamental energy scale ${M}_{F}$, making the unparticle dark energy model free of most of the problems that plague conventional scalar field quintessence models.
Stereoselective route to 15N-labeled-β-deuterated amino acids: synthesis of (2S,3R)-[3-2H,15N]-phenylalanine

Abstract (2 S ,3 R )-[3- 2 H, 15 N]-Phenylalanine hydrochloride was synthesized utilizing 15 N-labeled 8-phenylmenthylhippurate as a chiral glycine equivalent. The key step in the synthesis was the alkylation of the glycine template with ( S )-(+)-benzyl-α-d-mesylate. The doubly labeled alkylation product was obtained in 89% yield with 92% de at the α-carbon and 74% de at the β-carbon. The nature of the electrophile employed in the alkylation step significantly affects the stereochemical outcome at the β-carbon. Hydrolysis of the alkylation product under acidic conditions followed by recrystallization from isopropanol yielded the title compound as the hydrochloride salt. Analysis of the (−)-camphanamide derivative of the final product by NMR spectroscopy and HPLC revealed a 76% de at the α-carbon and a 72% de at the β-carbon. The synthetic strategy described represents a simple yet versatile route to chirally deuterated β-methylene unit containing amino acids.
Requisite Temperatures for the Stabilization of Atomic H in Solid H2

If an atomic hydrogen/molecular hydrogen propellant containing at least 15% free H atoms by weight may be used, values for the theoretical specific impulse near and above 750 s may be predicted. The tritium-impregnation concept has been applied to manufacturing such an H/H2 propellant, and a phenomenological rate process theory has been derived for the matrix-isolation storage and equilibrium stability of atomic H produced at such ultralow temperatures in tritium-impregnated H2. It is suggested that an energy storage efficiency greater than 0.30 may be obtained at temperatures below 100 mK. So that the storage of atomic H is stable with respect to arbitrary small perturbations, the surface temperature must be less than a critical value dependent on sample volume, tritium weight fraction, and energy storage efficiency. A derivation of the formula for this critical surface temperature is presented, noting that the energy storage efficiency is to be fixed by experiment.
A multivariable nonlinear self-tuning controller

A new self-tuning controller (STC) has been developed for a general class of nonlinear multiinput, multioutput process models. These models can include arbitrary, known nonlinear functions of the old inputs and outputs as well as the products of these functions and any powers of the most recent inputs. A very general control algorithm has been proposed that allows different numbers of inputs and outputs, different time delays for each input-output pair, and a performance index that can include different penalties on the outputs and on the incremental changes in the outputs. Simulation results are presented for two-point composition control of a pilot-scale distillation column. The results demonstrate that the new nonlinear STC performs significantly better than conventional STC's based on linear models.
Hydrophobic Wood Surfaces Generated by Non-Equilibrium, Atmospheric Pressure (NEAPP) Plasma-Enhanced Coating

NEAPP plasma-enhanced process is used to convert high molecular weight, liquid phase polymeric materials that were previously deposited on wood surfaces as thin layers, into hydrophobic, solid state networks. The entrapment of polymeric structures in the surface layers of wood samples and controlled plasma-processing performed in the next step allowed the generation of totally reduced water penetration and still a controlled surface energy.
Long‐memory and Nonlinearity: A Time Series Analysis of Stock Returns and Volatilities

This paper is focused on two particular issues related to the stochastic structure of stock prices: linear long‐memory and nonlinearity.
Future strategies in microbicide development

The reduction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in women demonstrated by pericoital use of tenofovir gel has encouraged the continued development of microbicides. Novel approaches include new ways to deliver tenofovir, as well as products that contain different antiretroviral drugs, either as single agents or as combinations of antiretroviral drugs. Indeed, emphasis has renewed on the development of multipurpose prevention technologies, products designed to address multiple sexually transmitted infections. Dual-purpose contraceptive antiretroviral products are also being designed to prevent HIV and pregnancy. Since consistent and correct use of these products will be critical to their effectiveness, the active pharmaceutical ingredients must be delivered in acceptable vaginal dosage forms, such as gels, films and sustained-release vaginal rings. The development of different dosage forms will help ensure that women can find a method to protect themselves from HIV, pregnancy, and potentially other sexually transmitted infections.
A note on nonrenewable resource extraction under discontinuous price policy

Temporal discontinuities in public policy with respect to nonrenewable resource pricing can have significant impacts on the time patterns of resource extraction. These impacts arise from the effect of price discontinuities on the relative values of Hotelling rents across time periods. Whether faced with intertemporal price continuity or price discontinuity, the planning task of the wealth-maximizing producer is to equate the present value of each period's marginal contribution to the stream of net revenues from production across time. This rule for extraction provides the key to understanding the response to a price jump such as occurs upon the removal of price controls. The rational producer holds back at least some output until the price jump occurs. At the moment, the producer pushes output up sharply, raising marginal extraction cost by the absolute amount of the price jump and, thereby, maintaining the value of the Hotelling rent given by the gap between price and marginal extraction cost. US natural gas policy options, as well as plausible alternatives, are simulated to illustrate the effects of discontinuous regulatory regimes. 15 references, 1 table.
INFLUENCE OF MOTOR ACTIVITY ON CLICK-EVOKED RESPONSES IN THE AUDITORY PATHWAY OF WAKING CATS.

Abstract Click evoked responses were recorded from waking cats by means of electrodes chronically implanted along the auditory pathway. The animals were studied in three different situations: sitting still, during bodily movements, and during presentations of novel stimuli. The responses recorded from the round window cochlear nucleus, superior olive, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate body, and auditory cortex were of smaller amplitude during movements than responses recorded in the same animals while sitting still. They were attenuated during the initial moments following the presentation of a novel stimulus at a time when the animal was engaged in orienting movements. However, when animals were sitting still and merely staring at the novel stimulus, click evoked responses were of control amplitudes. A dual regulatory system consisting of both peripheral neuromuscular as well as of central mechanisms is active in modifying click evoked responses during movements. In animals with the tendons of the middle ear muscles sectioned bilaterally, responses recorded from subcortical stations along the auditory pathway did not decrease in amplitude during movements, whereas cortical evoked responses were still attenuated. Thus, modifications of evoked responses in subcortical stations along the auditory pathway are a passive reflection of middle ear muscle induced modifications of sound input. Changes in cortical evoked responses during movements depend, in addition, upon central mechanisms. These mechanisms do not appear to act on the cortex itself but, rather, on pathways connecting brainstem stations of the auditory pathway with auditory cortex.
The Jesus Movement and Social Network Analysis: (Part II. The Social Network)

The intent of this study is to imaginatively shed light on Gerd Theissen's view of the early Jesus Movement with the help of social network analysis. Part I, after a brief introduction to network analysis, discussed Graph Theory, Central Place Theory, Urbanology, and settlement archeology as aids to understand the importance of the Galilean towns Jesus is said to have visited, especially those around the Sea of Galilee. It included some information about lake harbors, Roman roads, and Dead Sea towns (the Babatha archive). It also attempted to see Capernaum as a minor Central Place from which Jesus could travel, both by land and by sea. Part II resumes with a more detailed discussion of social network concepts and then analyzes the Jesus Movement discussed by Theissen as an "Ego-centered network." It offers as an illustration Jesus' natural kinship network, and concludes with reflections about several important critical issues in current Jesus study. (Many works cited in Part II are in "Works Cited," Part ...
Alterations in connective tissue metabolism in stress incontinence and prolapse.

Purpose: We describe current knowledge about collagen/elastin and extracellular matrix metabolism in the genitourinary tract with special emphasis on stress urinary incontinence. We also explored the influence of genetics and reproductive hormones on extracellular matrix metabolism.Materials and Methods: We performed a MEDLINE® search from 1995 to February 2011 using the key words stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, extracellular matrix, collagen, elastin, matrix metalloproteinase, collagenase, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase, elastin metabolism, elastase, connective tissue, supportive tissue, mechanical stress, biomechanical properties, selective estrogen receptor modulators, transforming growth factor-β and wound healing.Results: The literature searched produced data on 4 areas of significance for extracellular matrix metabolism in patients with stress urinary incontinence and prolapse, including collagen, elastin and transforming growth factor-β. Data on collagen metabolis...
Cdc42 and Gsk3 modulate the dynamics of radial glial growth, inter-radial glial interactions and polarity in the developing cerebral cortex

Polarized radial glia are crucial to the formation of the cerebral cortex. They serve as neural progenitors and as guides for neuronal placement in the developing cerebral cortex. The maintenance of polarized morphology is essential for radial glial functions, but the extent to which the polarized radial glial scaffold is static or dynamic during corticogenesis remains an open question. The developmental dynamics of radial glial morphology, inter-radial glial interactions during corticogenesis, and the role of the cell polarity complexes in these activities remain undefined. Here, using real-time imaging of cohorts of mouse radial glia cells, we show that the radial glial scaffold, upon which the cortex is constructed, is highly dynamic. Radial glial cells within the scaffold constantly interact with one another. These interactions are mediated by growth cone-like endfeet and filopodia-like protrusions. Polarized expression of the cell polarity regulator Cdc42 in radial glia regulates glial endfeet activities and inter-radial glial interactions. Furthermore, appropriate regulation of Gsk3 activity is required to maintain the overall polarity of the radial glia scaffold. These findings reveal dynamism and interactions among radial glia that appear to be crucial contributors to the formation of the cerebral cortex. Related cell polarity determinants (Cdc42, Gsk3) differentially influence radial glial activities within the evolving radial glia scaffold to coordinate the formation of cerebral cortex.