cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Position dependence of the rous sarcoma virus negative regulator of splicing element reflects proximity to a 5′ splice site

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) requires incomplete splicing of its viral transcripts to maintain efficient replication. A splicing inhibitor element, the negative regulator of splicing (NRS), is located near the 5' end of the RNA but the significance of this positioning is not known. In a heterologous intron the NRS functions optimally when positioned close to the authentic 5' splice site. This observation led us to investigate the basis of the position dependence. Four explanations were put forth and stressed the role of three major elements involved in splicing, the 3' splice site, the 5' splice site, and the 5' end cap structure. NRS function was unrelated to its position relative to the 3' splice site or the cap structure and appeared to depend on its position relative to the authentic 5' splice site. We conclude that position dependence may reflect distance constraints necessary for competition of the NRS with the authentic 5' splice site for pairing with the 3' splice sites.
Influenza virus-specific human cytotoxic T cell clones: heterogeneity in antigenic specificity and restriction by class II MHC products.

Abstract Human cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for A/JAP/57 (H2N2) influenza virus were cloned from in vitro stimulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Analysis of the viral specificity in cytotoxic function revealed one clone that killed all type A influenza-infected targets, another clone that was specific for the hemagglutinin subtype of the immunizing influenza virus, and the third clone that demonstrated cytotoxicity restricted to the hemagglutinin of A/JAP/57 and A/JAP/62 (H2N2) and not other type A influenza strains with the H2N2 subtypes. The phenotype of these three clones was Leu 2 − , Leu 3 + , Leu 4 + ; MHC restriction of their cytotoxic function was mapped to HLA-DR by a panel of target cells as well as by inhibition of cytotoxicity with monoclonal antibodies. Proliferation of these clones, examined in a tritiated thymidine incorporation assay, was found to be driven by antigen in the absence of exogenous lymphokines. For all three clones antigen-dependent production and secretion of lymphokines with IL-2 activity was demonstrated. The antigen specificity of proliferation and factor production was shown to be identical to the pattern that each clone revealed in its cytotoxic function.
Growth-Related Oncogene-α Expression in Human Nasal Polyps:

The cytokine growth-related oncogene-α (GRO-α) is a potent mediator of leukocyte recruitment and proliferation in inflammatory diseases. We hypothesized that GRO-α is produced in the inflammatory n...
Awareness becomes necessary between adaptive pattern coding of open and closed curvatures.

Visual pattern processing becomes increasingly complex along the ventral pathway, from the low-level coding of local orientation in the primary visual cortex to the high-level coding of face identity in temporal visual areas. Previous research using pattern aftereffects as a psychophysical tool to measure activation of adaptive feature coding has suggested that awareness is relatively unimportant for the coding of orientation, but awareness is crucial for the coding of face identity. We investigated where along the ventral visual pathway awareness becomes crucial for pattern coding. Monoptic masking, which interferes with neural spiking activity in low-level processing while preserving awareness of the adaptor, eliminated open-curvature aftereffects but preserved closed-curvature aftereffects. In contrast, dichoptic masking, which spares spiking activity in low-level processing while wiping out awareness, preserved open-curvature aftereffects but eliminated closed-curvature aftereffects. This double disso...
Kinematic evolution of the Ama Drime detachment: Insights into orogen-parallel extension and exhumation of the Ama Drime Massif, Tibet–Nepal

Abstract The Ama Drime Massif is a north–south trending antiformal structure located on the southern margin of the Tibetan Plateau that is bound by the Ama Drime and Nyonno Ri detachments on the western and eastern sides, respectively. Detailed kinematic and vorticity analyses were combined with deformation temperature estimates on rocks from the Ama Drime detachment to document spatial and temporal patterns of deformation. Deformation temperatures estimated from quartz and feldspar microstructures, quartz [c] axis fabrics, and two-feldspar geothermometry of asymmetric strain-induced myrmekite range between ∼400 and 650 °C. Micro- and macro-kinematic indicators suggest west-directed displacement dominated over this temperature range. Mean kinematic vorticity estimates record early pure shear dominated flow (49–66% pure shear) overprinted by later simple shear (1–57% pure shear), high-strain (36–50% shortening and 57–99% down-dip extension) dominated flow during the later increments of ductile deformation. Exhumation of the massif was accommodated by at least ∼21–42 km of displacement on the Ama Drime detachment. Samples from the Nyonno Ri detachment were exhumed from similar depths. We propose that exhumation on the Nyonno Ri detachment during initiation of orogen-parallel extension (11–13 Ma) resulted in a west-dipping structural weakness in the footwall that reactivated as the Ama Drime detachment.
Adsorption of polyacrylic acid at oxide/water interfaces

Abstract The adsorption of polyacrylic acid (PAA) on rutile (TiO3) and hematite (Fe2O3) has been studied as a function of pH. The uptake of PAA at the adsorption plateau level was observed to decrease with increasing pH until near-zero values of adsorption occurred near the isoelectric point of the oxide. Adsorption of PAA is correlated to the amount of positive surface charge on the oxide particles. Electrophoretic mobility measurements Indicate that some specific adsorption occurs at the pH of the isoelectric point of the oxides.
Ultrafast non-adiabatic dynamics of systems with multiple surface crossings: a test of the Meyer-Miller Hamiltonian with semiclassical initial value representation methods

Abstract Three three-state models have been studied to test the capabilities of the Meyer–Miller Hamiltonian studying non-adiabatic photodissociation dynamics. within the framework of the semiclassical initial value representation (SC-IVR). The absorption spectra and the evolution of the electronic populations were calculated using the SC-IVR methodology, and they both show excellent agreement with accurate quantum results. A linearized version (LSC-IVR) was also tested, and it describes the dynamics well for short times but becomes less accurate at longer time.
Dian bronze art: its source and formation

The stylistic variation in Dian bronze art delineates the society of the Dian culture (4th century BC-1st century AD) as a hierarchical one that also had affinities to a wide range of alien cultures. Further studies of archaeological materials uncovered in Yunnan sites reveal that population movements, continual cultural assimilation, and frequent technological exchanges in and around Yunnan resulted in the creation of a hybrid bronze art, which was eventually transplanted on to the indigenous cultural stratum in east-central Yunnan.
Iterative damage index method for structural health monitoring

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an effective alternative to conventional inspections which are time-consuming and subjective. SHM can detect damage early and reduce maintenance cost and thereby help reduce the likelihood of catastrophic structural events to infrastructure such as bridges. After reviewing the Damage Index Method (DIM), an Iterative Damage Index Method (IDIM) is proposed to improve the accuracy of damage detection. These two damage detection techniques are compared based on damage on two structures, a simply supported beam and a pedestrian bridge. Compared to the traditional damage detection algorithm, the proposed IDIM is shown to be less arbitrary and more accurate.
Wound healing and dermatologic dressings

Abstract The problem of optimal wound healing is not a new one; however, much attention is now being focused on this, as witnessed by several recent reviews. 1–5 In addition, there has also been a similar focus on changes in the skin that modify optimal wound healing. It has been traditional to categorize healing by primary and secondary intent, and this is a part of the basic vocabulary and elementary education of any surgeon. More recently, this has become an increasingly familiar part of the practice of dermatology with its growing surgical emphasis. Indeed, the ultimate calling card for a successful surgeon is the patient's postoperative scar (or lack of same). The increase in surgical procedures performed by dermatologists has been part of the renewed impetus for research in wound healing in this specialty. Further, the immense public cost of slowly healing or nonhealing lesions (diabetic ulcers, decubitus ulcers, etc.) has further focused federal National Institutes of Health funding on the problem, increasing the support for the investigations. Because surgery is now an important part of daily practice of many dermatologists, an awareness of advances in this area has become essential. Advances in dermatologic dressings are having increasing impact in practice. They accelerate the healing process and in many instances provide a better cosmetic result. These new dressings are appropriate for wounds healing by both primary intent and secondary intent. Let us briefly review both processes and the indications for dressings.
Listening to Nicotine: Negative Affect and the Smoking Withdrawal Conundrum

In recent years, theoretical models of drug motivation and drug dependence have downplayed the role of withdrawal symptoms in the maintenance of addiction During this same period, strong links between drug use and measures of negative affect have been uncovered in empirical research In this article we examine these trends in the context of research on smoking Evidence is presented from two recent studies on smoking relapse that highlight the intimate connection between withdrawal symptomatology and negative affect Specifically, these studies reveal that (a) single-occasion measures of withdrawal symptoms or other markers of physical dependence do not contribute incremental validity in predicting relapse relative to measures of negative affect, (b) the trajectory of withdrawal symptoms is highly idiosyncratic, (c) exacerbations cannot be tightly coupled with pharmacological events, (d) the temporal dynamics of withdrawal reflect fluctuations in negative affect, and (e) differences in the trajectory of with...
Combined electrical and mechanical fatigue of piezoelectric ceramics undergoing polarization switching for large displacement actuation

This paper investigates the issue of inducing large displacements in piezoelectric ceramics for actuator applications through the management of domain walls. Domain wall management involves the control of domain wall evolution with external stresses or electric fields to obtain specific domain structures. Control of these domains is achieved through the use of interdigitated electrodes capable of producing an electric field in either the x or y direction or a combination of the two thereof. Strain up to 4000 (mu) (epsilon) can be obtained using this methodology. One of the major drawbacks of incorporating domain wall motion to obtain large displacements is material fatigue and degradation. Material degradation is shown to be the result of large mechanical stresses in the material that arises from dissimilar domains during polarization switching. This paper will investigate the combined influence of different electric field strengths, temperature, and mechanical loads on the fatigue of the piezoelectric ceramic, PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT-5H). Results show that the degree of degradation during polarization switching is dependent upon the magnitude and frequency of the applied electric field. However, cycling the material at high temperatures or under mechanical loads decrease the rate of fatigue degradation. Parametric studies show that higher temperatures and higher preloads will extend the fatigue life of piezoelectric ceramics to well over 10 million switching cycles.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cardiac output of marmots by the thoracic impedance technique.

Abstract Baseline impedance (Z0) and resistivity of blood were higher for marmots than reported for other species. The transthoracic impedance method was compared to dye dilution and electromagnetic flowmeter procedures for estimation of cardiac output of seven marmots at a range of flows from 40 to 400 ml/min. There was a low, positive, but significant correlation (r = 0.566) found in comparison to dye dilution at outputs measured by the impedance method exceeding 120 ml/min. Correlation was better (r = 0.905) in the comparison between impedance and flowmeter methods. It was concluded that transthoracic impedance provides data that are sufficiently accurate for chronic measurements of stroke volume and cardiac output of this species. The method has the additional advantage of supplying EGG and respiratory data without supplemental connections to the animal preparations.
C2-ceramide attenuates prostaglandin F2α-induced vasoconstriction and elevation of [Ca2+]i in canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle

Sphingolipids have emerged as important components of signal transduction pathways involved in a variety of cellular processes. In the present study, we examined the effects of C2-ceramide, a cell-permeable sphingolipid, on contraction of canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle and intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). C2-ceramide (10(-8)-10(-4) M) alone did not elicit any significant changes in either basal tension or resting levels of [Ca2+]i in canine cerebrovascular muscle. However, C2-ceramide (10(-7)-10(-4) M) attenuated prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-induced contractions in isolated canine cerebrovascular smooth muscle rings. C2-ceramide (10(-5) M) inhibited the secondary phasic rise of [Ca2+]i evoked by PGF2alpha in cultured canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in decreases in the elevation in [Ca2+]i. NO inhibitors (L-NNA, L-NMMA), an inhibitor of prostanoid synthesis (indomethacin), an inhibitor of opiate actions and several inhibitors of the pharmacologic actions of various vasoactive amines all failed to interfere with the vasorelaxant response of C2-ceramide. Our results suggest that the sphingomyelin signaling pathway may play an important regulatory role in cerebral arterial wall tone.
Ground-state phases of ultracold bosons with Rashba-Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling

We study ultracold bosons in three dimensions with an anisotropic Rashba-Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling. We first carry out the exact summation of ladder diagrams for the two-boson $t$ matrix at zero energy. Then, with the $t$ matrix as the effective interaction, we find the ground-state phase diagrams of bosons in mean field as a function of the spin-orbit coupling, the anisotropy, and the scattering lengths between particles in the same and in different pseudospin states. The resulting phase diagrams have much richer structures than those obtained using mean-field couplings, exhibiting three different phases: a plane-wave condensate, a striped condensate, and an unstable phase. The differences between the present approach using the $t$ matrix compared to using mean-field couplings is significant for large scattering lengths, large spin-orbit-coupling strength, or small anisotropy.
Vibrations of inclined bars with end constraint

Abstract Considered are vibrations of inclined bars with the bottom end fixed and the top end having a constraint that this end can move only in the vertical direction. During the vibrations of such bars, the axial and lateral motions are coupled. The frequencies of the coupled vibrations of small amplitudes of inclined bars with different end conditions are presented along with the normal functions. The application of the method of normalfunction expansion to the forced as well as transient vibrations of the inclined bars is also outlined.
Penile epithelioid sarcoma and the case for a histopathological diagnosis in Peyronie's disease.

OBJECTIVES To devise a set of clinical criteria that would identify which penile abnormality could be malignant and warrant biopsy, between Peyronie's disease (a pathological fibrosis involving the tunica albuginea of the penis) and epithelioid sarcoma (ES) of the penis (a rare malignant condition which can resemble Peyronie's disease in clinical presentation). PATIENTS AND METHODS The pathology reports and histological slides of men with Peyronie's disease who underwent penile biopsy were reviewed for ES. The medical charts of suspicious cases were then reviewed by a pathologist, unaware of the origin, for consistencies in signs, symptoms and clinical findings. These consistencies were then to be used to develop criteria for biopsy. Thirty-two men underwent penile biopsy from 1992 to 2001. RESULTS Because there were no actual cases of ES, a specific set of criteria for ES could not be established. A review of previously published cases was then used for comparison with the present patients. CONCLUSIONS Many of the previously reported cases included signs and symptoms of urethral narrowing or compression, causing lower urinary tract symptoms. In addition, the penile nodule size was reported to progressively enlarge over time. Because of the high prevalence of Peyronie's disease and low prevalence of ES, biopsy of every penile nodule is not judicious. However, signs and symptoms of urethral obstruction, and a progressively growing and persistently painful nodule should suggest a possible malignancy and warrant biopsy.
Evolution and future of the knowledge commons: emerging opportunities and challenges for less developed societies 1

This article addresses the emerging field of the knowledge commons in relation to the challenges of international development. It reviews the history of academic knowledge and innovation since the Enlightenment, its evolution and current trends, with the purpose of exploring the future of the knowledge commons. Assuming that knowledge is the most important resource in the twenty-first century, the intention of this article is to map the conditions necessary to take advantage of this resource. What are the barriers to accessing and using the global common pool of knowledge that is currently being generated? The supply and the demand sides of the knowledge sharing equation are reviewed to understand their particularities and trends. Particular attention is given to the demand side of this equation in order to identify the obstacles that prevent people from less developed countries from taking full advantage of this fast-growing resource.
The SRI AVEC-2014 Evaluation System

Though depression is a common mental health problem with significant impact on human society, it often goes undetected. We explore a diverse set of features based only on spoken audio to understand which features correlate with self-reported depression scores according to the Beck depression rating scale. These features, many of which are novel for this task, include (1) estimated articulatory trajectories during speech production, (2) acoustic characteristics, (3) acoustic-phonetic characteristics and (4) prosodic features. Features are modeled using a variety of approaches, including support vector regression, a Gaussian backend and decision trees. We report results on the AVEC-2014 depression dataset and find that individual systems range from 9.18 to 11.87 in root mean squared error (RMSE), and from 7.68 to 9.99 in mean absolute error (MAE). Initial fusion brings further improvement; fusion and feature selection work is still in progress.
Shaping the focus of the undergraduate curriculum

This paper outlines an approach to reshape the existing undergraduate CS curriculum. Based on software engineering and parallel computing concepts, the details of the new curriculum are presented in terms of educational objectives, core courses, innovations in the teaching method, and early experiences.
Multiframe X-Ray Images From A Single Meander Stripline Coated On A Microchannel Plate

The electrical gating of microchannel plates can produce shutter times shorter than 100 ps. Previously, several different micro strip lines with independent electrical gating have been coated on a microchannel plate in order to obtain several image areas on one microchannel plate. We describe here design considerations and results from a microstrip line coated as a meander on a microchannel plate, from which 14, 100 ps images, gated at different times are obtained from a single gate.
Aircraft Engine Fault Detection Using Dynamic/Adaptive Threshold Approach

Fault detection plays a critical role in aircraft engines and the performance of their control systems. A real challenge in fault detection applications is the design of a scheme which can distinguish between model uncertainties and occurrence of faults. Therefore, a technique to accommodate uncertainties in the model, help in reducing false alarms and missed detections is essential for the enhancement of engine operations. In this paper, a dynamic/adaptive threshold algorithm is developed for aircraft engine fault detection based on both ‘unstructured’ time-varying perturbations in the model parameters as well as external disturbances. The residuals are errors between estimated and measured variables of the outputs. With this design approach, the residual crossing the dynamic/adaptive threshold indicates the occurrence of fault. By this method of ‘dynamic/adaptive threshold’, model uncertainties do not trigger a false alarm as in normal case with a constant threshold. Simulation results based on an engine Component Level Model (CLM) are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Further revisions of the Sabellidae subfamilies and cladistic relationships among the Fabriciinae (Annelida: Polychaeta)

Cladistic relationships of the sabellid subfamilies Fabriciinae and Sabellinae are examined in light of recent revisions of fabriciin taxa. The potential placement of Caobangia in the Sabellinae is suggested from an initial analysis of selected fabriciin species and genera. Subsequent cladistic analyses at the family level produced over 1800 cladograms, among which Caobangia is the most plesiomorphic taxon of either the Fabriciinae or Sabellinae. Successive approximations weighting reduced this ambiguity, consistently placing Caobangia in the Sabellinae. Subfamilies are emended on the basis of these results. Cladistic relationships of fabriciin taxa, exclusive of Caobangia, display topological instability among some genera and species. Genera are, however, monophyletic in all topologies. Incorporating ontogenetic data for branching ventral filamentous appendages in Augeneriella reduces ambiguity among genera and suggests alternative transformation series for ventral filamentous appendages.
Portal vein gas, a changing clinical entity. Report of 7 patients and review of the literature.

Objective: To assess the clinical significance of portal vein gas (PVG) demonstrated by computed tomography (CT). Design: Review of medical records. Setting: Three network-affiliated hospitals providing both primary community-based and tertiary services. Methods: Review of diagnosis, clinical circumstances, and significance of PVG in 7 patients detected by CT during a 3-year period in 3 affiliated hospitals. Results: Four of 7 patients underwent laparotomy; 1 patient refused surgery. Two patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics only and had uneventful clinical courses. Of the 3 patients who died, 1 refused and 2 underwent laparotomy. Conclusions: This series indicates that more sensitive imaging and more widespread use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, colonoscopy, and liver transplantation have changed the clinical presentation of PVG; PVG may be found in various clinical settings that do not mandate laparotomy; and the significance of PVG must be derived from the clinical context of the individual patient. Arch Surg. 1997;132:1071-1075
Modeling of Angiotensin Peptide Metabolism in Renal Proximal Tubules

The recent discovery of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a functional peptidase within the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has added a new layer of complexity to the enzymatic cascade of this hormonal system. ACE2 is highly expressed in the proximal tubules of the kidney, an important tissue site involved in blood pressure regulation. Therefore, we derived a model for the processing of Ang I which is the immediate precursor to the biologically active peptides Ang II and Ang-(1-7) based on metabolism data in isolated proximal tubules of the sheep kidney (1). Given the individual experimental velocities for several peptidases expressed in the proximal tubules including ACE, ACE2 and neprilysin, rate constants were calculated to describe the conservation equations for the processing of Ang I, Ang II and Ang-(1-7) We modeled the system with Ang I as the initial substrate and peptide concentrations for the downstream products were calculated using Euler’s method.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Cholesterol 26-hydroxylase activity of hamster liver mitochondria: isotope ratio analysis using deuterated 26-hydroxycholesterol.

Deuterated 26-hydroxycholesterol prepared from diosgenin by modifications of existing methods permitted the determination of mitochondrial cholesterol 26-hydroxylase using endogenous cholesterol as the substrate. Enzyme activity in a group of Syrian hamsters was found to be 10.3 +/- 3.7 pmol.min-1.mg protein-1.
Change in Attitude of Party Switchers before and after an Election

Previous research has demonstrated that party switchers, individuals intending to vote for a candidate of other than the party with which they identify, exhibit greater authoritarianism and dogmatism than do non-switchers. The present study determined that switchers exhibited a smaller difference in attitude between candidates than did non-switchers. In addition, the initial attitude toward the importance of the election was intensified as a function of voting behavior. The results imply that switching may produce cognitive tension after the decision is made and that this tension may be dissipated following an oven act, such as voting, consistent with the decision.
Impact of Oral Ubiquinol on Blood Oxidative Stress and Exercise Performance

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) plays an important role in bioenergetic processes and has antioxidant activity. Fifteen exercise-trained individuals (10 men and 5 women; 30–65 years) received reduced CoQ10 (Kaneka QH ubiquinol; 300 mg per day) or a placebo for four weeks in a random order, double blind, cross-over design (3 week washout). After each four-week period, a graded exercise treadmill test and a repeated cycle sprint test were performed (separated by 48 hours). Blood samples were collected before and immediately following both exercise tests and analyzed for lactate, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide. Resting blood samples were analyzed for CoQ10 (ubiquinone and ubiquinol) profile before and after each treatment period. Treatment with CoQ10 resulted in a significant increase in total blood CoQ10 (138%; ) and reduced blood CoQ10 (168%; ), but did not improve exercise performance (with the exception of selected individuals) or impact oxidative stress. The relationship between the percentage change in total blood CoQ10 and the cycle sprint total work () was noted to be moderate to strong. We conclude that treatment with CoQ10 in healthy, exercise-trained subjects increases total and reduced blood CoQ10, but this increase does not translate into improved exercise performance or decreased oxidative stress.
SUPERCOOLING IN THE REDBAY AMBROSIA BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichoff, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a severe pest of North American trees and shrubs in the family Lauraceae. Supercooling point (SCP) is an important physiological baseline for cold tolerance studies and could provide useful insights into the invasive potential of X. glabratus in northern latitudes of North America. The supercooling point (SCP) of X. glabratus was experimentally determined on field-collected and artificially cold hardened specimens. Field-collected beetles were captured in Jackson County, Mississippi using Lindgren funnel traps baited with manuka oil lures. Testing was conducted from June through August 2011. The mean SCP for field-collected X. glabratus was -21.7 ± 0.5 °C (± SE). A significant negative trend in the SCPs of field-collected beetles occurred over the summer testing period. Xyleborus glabratus specimens were reared from redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Sprengel bolts in June 2012 and artificially cold hardened in a low temperature incubator at a thermo-photoperiod of 7 °C:2 °C (10:14 h L:D) for 31 days. Artificially cold hardened X. glabratus supercooled to a mean temperature of -23.9 ± 0.4 °C (± SE), which was significantly lower than that of field-collected beetles. Biometric indices of beetles (size, weight, and size x weight interaction) had no effect on the mean supercooling SCPs of either field-collected or artificially cold hardened beetles. Results from environmentally conditioned beetles suggest that X. glabratus has a high degree of thermal plasticity. Based on the artificially cold hardened mean SCP, X. glabratus and laurel wilt disease have the possibility to impact sassafras and northern spicebush throughout eastern North America. The data, although preliminary, suggests that a previous spatio-temporal model based on climate match data may have substantially underestimated the geographical area that may be affected by X. glabratus. This study will help form the basis of building and validating models to better predict the North American invasion potential of X. glabratus.
PVT-aware leakage reduction for on-die caches with improved read stability

Effectiveness of previous SRAM leakage reduction techniques vary significantly as the leakage variation gets worse with process and temperature fluctuation. This paper proposes a simple circuit technique that adaptively trades off overhead energy for maximum leakage savings under severe leakage variations. The proposed run-time leakage reduction technique for on-die SRAM caches considers architectural access behavior to determine how often the SRAM blocks should enter a sleep mode. A self-decay circuit generates a periodic sleep pulse with an adaptive pulse period, which puts the SRAM array into a sleep mode more frequently at high leakage conditions (fast process, high temperature) and vice versa. An 0.18-/spl mu/m 1.8-V 16-kbyte SRAM testchip shows 94.2% reduction in SRAM cell leakage at a performance penalty less than 2%. Measurement results also indicate that our proposed memory cell improves SRAM static noise margin by 25%.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Small Mammal Hosts of Ixodes Ticks, Western United States

A total of 2,121 small mammals in California were assessed for Anaplasma phagocytophilum from 2006 through 2008. Odds ratios were >1 for 4 sciurids species and dusky-footed woodrats. High seroprevalence was observed in northern sites. Ten tick species were identified. Heavily infested rodent species included meadow voles, woodrats, deer mice, and redwood chipmunks.
Principles of perioperative pain management in older adults

The consequences of poor planning for pain management during surgery of geriatric patients not only affect the immediate well-being of the patient but also have terrible socioeconomic implications. Delays in rehabilitation, increases in hospital lengths of stay, and increased comorbidity can be expected if interventions for pain management are either inadequate or excessive without appropriate monitoring. During surgery, seniors are likely to suffer from acute and chronic pain that must be addressed aggressively in the postoperative period to ensure a rapid functional recovery. New pain scales have been developed with seniors in mind, and greater testing of older scales in elderly populations have helped to identify measures of pain more suited to frail seniors. This article is designed to help clinicians to strategically implement optimal pain management principles and techniques and, thus, help to fulfill the obligation to relieve pain and suffering in patients in the perioperative period, which will ensure the greatest chance of recovery to optimal independence for patients.
Circulating CD4‐positive lymphocyte levels as predictor of response to induction chemotherapy in patients with advanced laryngeal cancer

Background. Tumor regression after induction chemotherapy (ICT) identifies laryngeal cancers that are responsive to chemoradiation. Patient immune parameters have recently been associated with response to chemotherapy and may identify responding patients. A retrospective analysis was performed to determine if pretreatment, circulating T lymphocyte levels predicted ICT response in patients with advanced laryngeal cancer. Methods. Pretreatment, circulating T lymphocyte subpopulations were correlated with response to therapy and survival. Results were compared with similar data from an identical phase II trial involving patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Results. An increased percentage of CD4+ cells predicted response to ICT and suggested improved survival in patients with laryngeal, but not oropharyngeal, cancer. In the combined group of patients, increased CD4 levels predicted response to ICT. Conclusion. These findings demonstrate the potential importance of the immune system in chemotherapy response and clinical outcome. Differences in findings between patients with advanced laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer may reflect different cellular immunity function in the patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-16+ oropharyngeal cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 9–14, 2014
Monte Carlo model and single-scattering approximation of the propagation of polarized light in turbid media containing glucose

We present a single-scattering model as well as a Monte Carlo model of the effect of glucose on polarized light in turbid media. Glucose alters the Mueller-matrix patterns of diffusely backscattered and forward-scattered light because glucose molecules rotate the polarization plane of linearly polarized light. For example, the angles of rotation in Mueller-matrix elements S_(21) and S_(12) are linearly related to the concentration of glucose and increase with the source–detector distance. In the nondiffusion regime, the two models agree well with each other. In the diffusion regime, the single-scattering model is invalid, but there still exists a linear relationship between the angles of rotation in the Mueller-matrix elements and the concentration of glucose, which is predicted by the Monte Carlo model.
A reference governor-based hierarchical control for failure mode power management of hybrid power systems for all-electric ships

This paper deals with the design of failure mode power management (PM) of hybrid power systems (HPS) during a shipboard power source failure, which is an important scenario that the all-electric ships (AES) targeting military applications have to deal with. The control objective is to manage the power flow from working power sources and battery to ensure survivability, namely, ensuring system safety and maximizing the load support. The on-demand nature of the problem due to unpredictable failure times makes real-time control a key requirement. The survivability mandates, along with large scale, nonlinear HPS dynamics and long warmup times of the backup power sources, make most of the existing control strategies ineffective to meet the real-time requirements. With the focus on achieving real-time computational efficiency, a novel hierarchical control approach using reference governor is proposed. A top level controller determines a sub-optimal power split between the battery and working source to meet the demand on the HPS and the local controllers govern the power demands for the individual power sources to enforce constraints. A case study of the proposed controller on a scaled HPS test-bed illustrates the real-time computational efficiency and improved HPS survivability.
Intrinsically switchable contour mode acoustic wave resonators based on barium titanate thin films

This paper summarizes the design, fabrication, and performance of an intrinsically switchable contour mode acoustic wave resonator using the ferroelectric material barium titanate (BaTiO 3 or BTO). The resonance frequency of contour mode resonators is mainly determined by its lateral dimensions. Because of the electrostrictive effect in BTO thin films, the acoustic resonance can be turned on by the application of a DC bias voltage. The BTO contour mode resonator has series and parallel resonance frequencies of 159.7 MHz and 160.45 MHz, respectively, when biased at 12 V. The quality factors for the series and parallel resonance frequencies are 47 and 83, respectively.
Body temperature regulation in desert robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae)

. 1 We investigated effective thermal environments and behavioural and physiological mechanisms for thermoregulation in two sympatric desert robber flies, Promachus giganteus (Hine) and Efferia texana (Banks). Although similar in body shape and colour, P. giganteus are 4–8 times heavier than E. texana. 2 During midday, operative temperatures near the ground were substantially higher for P. giganteus (56–73°C) than for E. texana (54–63°C). Correspondingly, P. giganteus generally perched at greater heights above the ground than did E. texana. 3 Both species maintained thoracic temperatures between 40 and 45°C during most of the day. However, differences between thoracic and abdominal temperatures for individual flies were significantly lower in P. giganteus than in E. texana. 4 In the laboratory, P. giganteus regulated thoracic temperature by pumping haemolymph into the abdomen. This ability may have accounted for the smaller differences observed between thoracic and abdominal temperatures in P. giganteus and may have allowed this species to search for food and mates during midday when E. texana sought shade.
Neuromorphic pitch attitude regulation of an underwater telerobot

The experimental results of using trained neural networks to regulate the pitch attitude of an underwater telerobot are presented. The neuromorphic control algorithm developed for teaching the networks is a direct application of the back-propagation entrainment method, with those modifications required to pose the problem in a control systems framework. The networks perform in the field as predicted by simulation results; however, it is observed that the complexity of the calculations required can create unacceptable delays when using a single serial microprocessor to compute the control. This problem becomes especially acute when scaling the architecture to more complex neural topologies. Special-purpose hardware, which directly implements the neural equations and, hence, realizes the benefits of the natural parallelism of these models, is seen as a necessary development for the effective use of neural controllers. >
Know your audience: analysis of chief complaints at clinica esperanza, a student-run free clinic in memphis, tennessee.

Purpose: To identify the chief complaints and demographics at Clinica Esperanza, a student-run free clinic for an underserved Hispanic population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patient f...
Numerical conformal mapping methods based on Faber series

Methods are presented for approximating the conformal map from the interior of various regions to the interior of simply-connected target regions with a smooth boundary. The methods for the disk due to Fornberg (1980) and the ellipse due to DeLillo and Elcrat (1993) are reformulated so that they may be extended to other new computational regions. The case of a cross-shaped region is introduced and developed. These methods are used to circumvent the severe ill-conditioning due to the crowding phenomenon suffered by conformal maps from the unit disk to target regions with elongated sections while preserving the fast Fourier methods available on the disk. The methods are based on expanding the mapping function in the Faber series for the regions. All of these methods proceed by approximating the boundary correspondence of the map with a Newton-like iteration. At each Newton step, a system of linear equations is solved using the conjugate gradient method. The matrix-vector multiplication in this inner iteration can be implemented with fast Fourier transforms at a cost of O(N log N). It is shown that the linear systems are discretizations of the identity plus a compact operator and so the conjugate gradient method converges superlinearly. Several computational examples are given along with a discussion of the accuracy of the methods.
Immunization with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium-Derived Outer Membrane Vesicles Delivering the Pneumococcal Protein PspA Confers Protection against Challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Gram-negative bacteria produce outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that serve a variety of functions related to survival and pathogenicity. Periplasmic and outer membrane proteins are naturally captured during vesicle formation. This property has been exploited as a method to derive immunogenic vesicle preparations for use as vaccines. In this work, we constructed a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain that synthesized a derivative of the pneumococcal protein PspA engineered to be secreted into the periplasmic space. Vesicles isolated from this strain contained PspA in the lumen. Mice intranasally immunized with the vesicle preparation developed serum antibody responses against vesicle components that included PspA and Salmonella-derived lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane proteins, while no detectable responses developed in mice immunized with an equivalent dose of purified PspA. Mucosal IgA responses developed against the Salmonella components, while the response to PspA was less apparent in most mice. Mice immunized with the vesicle preparation were completely protected against a 10× 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) challenge of Streptococcus pneumoniae and significantly protected against a 200× LD₅₀ challenge, while control mice immunized with purified PspA or empty vesicles were not protected. These results establish that vesicles can be used to mucosally deliver an antigen from a Gram-positive organism and induce a protective immune response.
Reducing P to a sparse set using a constant number of queries collapses P to L

We prove that there is no sparse hard set for P under logspace computable bounded truth-table reductions unless P=L. In case of reductions computable in NC/sup 1/, the collapse goes down to P=NC/sup 1/. We generalize this result by parameterizing the sparseness condition, the space bound and the number of queries of the reduction, apply the proof technique to NL and L, and extend all these theorems to two-sided error randomized reductions in the multiple access model, for which we also obtain new results for NP.
Solution Sets of Convex Programs Related to Chemical Equilibrium Problems

We consider the program I infFx, subject to x ∈ H and Ax = b, where H is any convex set in the positive orthant, A is any m × n matrix, b is any m-vector, and F is convex and continuous on H. A subsidiary program is used to study the nature of the constraint set and optimal solution set of program I. The method used involves classifying duality states of the program with respect to duality states of its subsidiary program. Extensions are thereby obtained of Bigelow-DeHaven-Shapiro results [SIAM J. Appl. Math. 18, 768-775 1970] on the set of solutions to chemical equilibrium problems. An example of Bigelow and Shapiro is given illustrating the states by means of a simple, ideal, one-phase chemical-equilibrium problem in two dimensions.
OBEST: An Observation-Based Ensemble Subsetting Technique for Tropical Cyclone Track Prediction

AbstractAn observation-based ensemble subsetting technique (OBEST) is developed for tropical cyclone track prediction in which a subset of members from either a single- or multimodel ensemble is selected based on the distance from the latest best-track position. The performance of OBEST is examined using both the 2-yr hindcasts for 2010–11 and the 2-yr operational predictions during 2012–13. It is found that OBEST outperforms both the simple ensemble mean (without subsetting) and the corresponding deterministic high-resolution control forecast for most forecast lead times up to 5 days. Applying OBEST to a superensemble of global ensembles from both the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction yielded a further reduction in track forecast errors by 5%–10% for lead times of 24–120 h.
uniMorph: Fabricating Thin Film Composites for Shape-Changing Interfaces

Researchers have been investigating shape-changing interfaces, however technologies for thin, reversible shape change remain complicated to fabricate. uniMorph is an enabling technology for rapid digital fabrication of customized thin-film shape-changing interfaces. By combining the thermoelectric characteristics of copper with the high thermal expansion rate of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, we are able to actuate the shape of flexible circuit composites directly. The shape-changing actuation is enabled by a temperature driven mechanism and reduces the complexity of fabrication for thin shape-changing interfaces. In this paper we describe how to design and fabricate thin uniMorph composites. We present composites that are actuated by either environmental temperature changes or active heating of embedded structures and provide a systematic overview of shape-changing primitives. Finally, we present different sensing techniques that leverage the existing copper structures or can be seamlessly embedded into the uniMorph composite. To demonstrate the wide applicability of uniMorph, we present several applications in ubiquitous and mobile computing.
Abstract 322: HDL Dynamics in Circulation: Complexity of Protein Distribution and Metabolism Across HDL Size

Introduction: The composition of specific apolipoproteins may determine HDL functions. We present novel mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods that capture the absolute quantities and kinetics of 7 apolipoproteins in 5 HDL size fractions. Methods and Results: Three participants were recruited, infused with a bolus of D3-Leu tracer, and blood was collected for 70 hrs. ApoA-I-containing HDL was prepared by immunoaffinity purification, separated into 5 size fractions, preβ, α3, α2, α1, and α0 by ND-PAGE, and in-gel trypsinized for MS. We monitored 7 proteins that likely affect HDL metabolism - apoA-I, apoA-II, apoA-IV, apoC-III, apoD, apoE and apoM. Each protein pool size had a distinct distribution across the HDL sizes. ApoE and apoM were enriched in larger HDL, whereas apoC-III and apoA-IV were enriched in smaller HDL sizes. We evaluated the tracer enrichment curves of these 7 proteins in the 5 fractions using high resolution parallel reaction monitoring performed on a quadrupole Orbitrap (Thermo). The enric...
How Safe Were Today's Older Drivers When They Were Younger?

Data from the Fatal Accident Reporting System for 1975-1990 were used to perform longitudinal analyses of car driver fatality rates (driver fatalities per million population) for a 16-year period; for example, the fatality rate of drivers born in 1960 was examined for ages 15 years through 30 years. It was found that fatality rates for male drivers of a given age systematically decline with increasing birth year; for example, 20-year-olds born in 1970 have lower fatality rates than do 20-year-olds born in 1960. The fatality rates for cohorts of drivers of either sex do not begin to increase appreciably until about age 70 years, and then they approximately double by age 80 years. These increases are of a lesser magnitude, and occur later, than those found in the earlier cross-sectional analyses that identified the "older driver problem." Language: en