cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellular Ceramic Substrates

Ceramic materials in monolithic honeycomb form offer the advantage of low pressure drop for automotive & stationary emissions control reactors, catalytic oxidation, adsorption, separation, and other applications. The ceramic materials can be extruded into cellular monoliths or coated onto a cellular ceramic substrate using conventional “washcoat” processes. Both extruded and coated ceramic substrates are prepared with a binder to promote interparticle adhesion and strength. For many applications it is advantageous to control pore structure, density, strength and surface area. In this paper composition, fabrication and physical properties of cellular monolithic substrates will be reviewed. Emphasis will be on extruded materials used as catalytic supports for automotive, DeNOx and oxidation reactions.
Changes in brain metabolism in the cat in response to multiple brief transient ischemic episodes.

Abstract In this study we report a model for multiple episodes of transient ischemia in which changes in the redox level of cytochrome a , a 3 , relative blood volume changes, tissue oxygen availability, and electrocorticographic activity were monitored simultaneously. Multiple brief episodes of partial ischemia were produced by bilateral common carotid occlusion in cats. Impairment of cerebral metabolism was observed prior to major vascular changes, the impairment worsened with increased duration and number of ischemic insults. This impairment is indicated by decreased lability of the cytochrome a , a 3 response to subsequent ischemic episodes and to changes in inspired oxygen concentration. The impairment may be related to oxygen availability because high oxygen concentrations in the inspired gas mixture decreased the magnitude of the impairment and low oxygen increased the severity of the insult. This effect appears to be a consequence of the dependence of the cytochrome a , a 3 redox state on oxygen availability.
Milestoning without a Reaction Coordinate

Milestoning is a method for calculating kinetics and thermodynamics of long time processes typically not accessible for straightforward Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. In the Milestoning approach, the system of interest is partitioned into cells by dividing hypersurfaces (Milestones) and transitions are computed between nearby hypersurfaces. Kinetics and thermodynamics are derived from the statistics of these transitions. The original Milestoning work concentrated on systems in which a one-dimensional reaction coordinate or an order parameter could be identified. In many biomolecular processes, the reaction proceeds via multiple channels or following more than a single-order parameter. A description based on a one-dimensional reaction coordinate may be insufficient. In the present paper, we introduce a variation that overcomes this limitation. Following the ideas of Vanden-Eijnden and Venturoli on Voronoi cells that avoid the use of an order parameter (J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 130, 194101), we describe an...
A vectorized, finite-volume, adaptive-grid algorithm for Navier-Stokes calculations

An adaptive grid, finite-volume method has been used to solve the Navier-Stokes equations for complete (forebody and afterbody) flowfields around blunt bodies. The code, which is applicable for axisymmetric or two-dimensional flows, allows the mesh to adjust during the computation to provide a closer spacing of mesh points in regions of high gradients, thus minimizing the number of required computational points. The solution technique is explicit, utilizing a maximum time-step advancement at each grid point to accelerate convergence to the steady state. The code has been fully vectorized for efficient solution on the CYBER 203 computer. A very flexible rezoning routine is used to concentrate mesh points anywhere in the field, either by a user-defined weighting function or by allowing high gradient regions to adjust the grid. The grid adjustment routine is implicit in nature and represents a very small portion of the total computational cost. Currently, the code runs in approximately 1.6 x 10^-^5 seconds per grid point per iteration.
GlycReSoft: A Software Package for Automated Recognition of Glycans from LC/MS Data

Glycosylation modifies the physicochemical properties and protein binding functions of glycoconjugates. These modifications are biosynthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus by a series of enzymatic transformations that are under complex control. As a result, mature glycans on a given site are heterogeneous mixtures of glycoforms. This gives rise to a spectrum of adhesive properties that strongly influences interactions with binding partners and resultant biological effects. In order to understand the roles glycosylation plays in normal and disease processes, efficient structural analysis tools are necessary. In the field of glycomics, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is used to profile the glycans present in a given sample. This technology enables comparison of glycan compositions and abundances among different biological samples, i.e. normal versus disease, normal versus mutant, etc. Manual analysis of the glycan profiling LC/MS data is extremely time-consuming and efficient software tools are needed to eliminate this bottleneck. In this work, we have developed a tool to computationally model LC/MS data to enable efficient profiling of glycans. Using LC/MS data deconvoluted by Decon2LS/DeconTools, we built a list of unique neutral masses corresponding to candidate glycan compositions summarized over their various charge states, adducts and range of elution times. Our work aims to provide confident identification of true compounds in complex data sets that are not amenable to manual interpretation. This capability is an essential part of glycomics work flows. We demonstrate this tool, GlycReSoft, using an LC/MS dataset on tissue derived heparan sulfate oligosaccharides. The software, code and a test data set are publically archived under an open source license.
Analysis of Oxygenated Compounds in Hydrotreated Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil Distillate Fractions

Three hydrotreated bio-oils with different oxygen contents (8.2, 4.9, and 0.4 w/w) were distilled to produce light, naphtha, jet, diesel, and gas oil boiling range fractions that were characterized for oxygen-containing species by a variety of analytical methods. The bio-oils were originally generated from lignocellulosic biomass in an entrained-flow fast pyrolysis reactor. Analyses included elemental composition, carbon type distribution by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, acid number, gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, volatile organic acids by liquid chromatography, and carbonyl compounds by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatization and liquid chromatography. Acid number titrations employed an improved titrant–electrode combination with faster response that allowed the detection of multiple end points in many samples and allowed for acid values attributable to carboxylic acids and to phenols to be distinguished. The results of these analyses showed that the highest oxygen content bio-oil fractions co...
Dynamic gene interactions in the evolution of rabbit VH genes: a four codon duplication and block homologies provide evidence for intergenic exchange

Two rabbit VHa-negative genes, RVH831 and RVH832, were isolated from a single genomic fragment selected by hybridization with the mouse VHIII gene S107V1. RVH831 is a pseudogene with a frameshift mutation in FR3 and a 19 bp deletion within the VH-D splice site. In contrast, RVH832 has an open reading frame and an intact VH-D splice site and thus may be functional. However, RVH832 displays a unique 4 codon duplication/insertion in FR1 that may be the result of an unequal exchange event between two ancestral VH genes. Sequence comparisons between these and other rabbit VH genes reveal patterns of shared blocks of nucleotide substitutions, suggestive of gene conversion. A high overall homology (greater than or equal to 73%) between the compared VH nucleotide sequences suggests that rabbit VH genes may not be organized in clearly divergent families or subgroups.
Impact of sulfur dioxide oxidation by Stabilized Criegee Intermediate on sulfate

Abstract We revise the Carbon Bond chemical mechanism to explicitly represent three Stabilized Criegee Intermediates (SCIs) and their subsequent reactions with sulfur dioxide, water monomer, and water dimer, and incorporate the reactions into the Community Multiscale Air Quality model. The reaction of sulfur dioxide with SCI produces sulfuric acid which partitions into sulfate. We examine the impact of sulfur dioxide oxidation by SCI on sulfate using two different measured rate constants for the reaction of sulfur dioxide and SCI. When we use the higher rate constant and emissions estimates from the Biogenic Emissions Inventory System, it enhances monthly mean sulfate in summer by ∼20% in biogenically active areas. Enhancements are driven primarily by SCI produced from the reactions of biogenically derived alkenes and ozone. The use of the lower rate constant only marginally enhances sulfate since it is 65 times lower than the higher rate constant. We performed several sensitivity analyses to investigate the impacts of uncertain biogenic emissions and SCI loss rates. When we use the higher rate constant and emissions estimates from the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature, it enhances monthly mean sulfate by ∼75%. A simulation using the lowest reported rate constant for the reaction of SCI and water indicated the maximum enhancement of sulfate from this chemistry was up to 4 μg/m3 over a 24-h period in some locations in the Southeastern U.S. Predictions without the SCI reaction are lower than observed sulfate while predictions with the SCI reaction improve the agreements with observations.
Ray-tracing the convex curved crystal x-ray spectrograph

The calculation of ray paths through the convex defocusing crystal x-ray spectrograph is described for both localized and extended sources. Application is made to some actual experimental configurations to obtain resolution values and source sizes. Wavelength calibrations are also obtainable with the ray-trace method in advance of instrument construction if desired.
Lorentz Transformation Properties of the Stokes Parameters

FERGUSON (ref. 1 and unpublished work) and Cocke, Ferguson and Muncaster (in preparation) have interpreted the optical polarization of the Crab Nebula pulsar by means of a rotating relativistic vector model. It was assumed in this work that the percentage linear polarization of a collimated beam of light is the same when measured by different observers in relative motion with respect to each other. This assumption led us to investigate the general Lorentz transformation characteristics of partially elliptically polarized radiation and in this paper we study the transformation properties of the Stokes parameters. This problem has astrophysical interest, not only for the Crab Nebula pulsar, but also for other cosmic sources emitting elliptically polarized radiation, such as the synchrotron sources studied by Pacholczyk and Swihart2.
Effects of surfactants on CaCO3 spheres prepared by interfacial reaction method

Abstract Spherical particles of CaCO 3 powder were prepared by an interfacial reaction method in which CaCO 3 powder was formed by the reaction of K 2 CO 3 aqueous solution emulsified in benzene with CaCl 2 aqueous solution. The spherical particles were prepared under the following conditions; concentration of K 2 CO 3 was 3 mol/liter and concentration of CaCl 2 was 0.2 mol/liter. Five nonionic surface active agents in the form of sorbitan esters of fatty acids were used in the concentration range of 0.01–1.0 wt%, for examining the effects of the surfactants on the spherical particle content and vaterite fraction. The spherical particle content and the vaterite fraction were determined by X-ray diffraction and microphotographic methods, respectively. It was found that the spherical particle content depended on the vaterite fraction, and that the vaterite fraction was related to the concentration and HLB-number of the surfactant. These results suggest that the vaterite sphere is initially formed by the interfacial reaction in 100% yield. After that, the vaterite partially transforms into calcite while in contact with the water phase. It is concluded that differences in the vaterite fraction are caused by the conditions of contacting with water, which depend on the adsorption of surfactants on the surface of the spheres.
Manufacturing Multiagent System for Scheduling Optimization of Production Tasks Using Dynamic Genetic Algorithms

This work faces a common yet difficult area of scheduling: that of distributing jobs to human operators that expose different production behaviors within a production line. The use of multiagent systems and genetic algorithms (GAs) is proposed to solve this type of problem. We suggest a system whose main components are avatar agents in charge of representing each human operator and a scheduler agent in charge of scheduling by the use of GAs. The system developed proved advantageous in the simulations experiments, reaching an average increase of 8.25% in the production rate, 59% decrease in the average of the operators' idleness, and 83% decrease in the standard deviation of the operators' idleness. Though quality improved only an average of 0.44%, the result may be deemed important in view of the high quality of the production line used as benchmark.
Accuracy characterization for metropolitan-scale Wi-Fi localization

Location systems have long been identified as an important component of emerging mobile applications. Most research on location systems has focused on precise location in indoor environments. However, many location applications (for example, location-aware web search) become interesting only when the underlying location system is available ubiquitously and is not limited to a single office environment. Unfortunately, the installation and calibration overhead involved for most of the existing research systems is too prohibitive to imagine deploying them across, say, an entire city. In this work, we evaluate the feasibility of building a wide-area 802.11 Wi-Fi-based positioning system. We compare a suite of wireless-radio-based positioning algorithms to understand how they can be adapted for such ubiquitous deployment with minimal calibration. In particular, we study the impact of this limited calibration on the accuracy of the positioning algorithms. Our experiments show that we can estimate a user's position with a median positioning error of 13-40 meters (depending upon the characteristics of the environment). Although this accuracy is lower than existing positioning systems, it requires substantially lower calibration overhead and provides easy deployment and coverage across large metropolitan areas.
Identification of a nonparametric panel data model with unobserved heterogeneity and lagged dependent variables

Panel data are often used to allow for unobserved individual heterogeneity in econometric models. Recently, in an impressive paper Evdokimov (2010) provided conditions for nonparametric identification and estimation of all structural elements using short panels of a model that allows for heterogeneous marginal effects. In this paper, we show how, under an additional testable assumption, the lagged dependent variables can be allowed to have certain types of explicit ceteris paribus effects on the current period dependent variable in basically the same model studied in Evdokimov (2010).
Depletion of a novel SET-domain protein enhances the sterility of mes-3 and mes-4 mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Four maternal-effect sterile genes, mes-2, mes-3, mes-4, and mes-6, are essential for germline development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Homozygous mes progeny from heterozygous mothers are themselves fertile but produce sterile progeny with underproliferated and degenerated germlines. All four mes genes encode chromatin-associated proteins, two of which resemble known regulators of gene expression. To identify additional components in the MES pathway, we used RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to test candidate genes for enhancement of the Mes mutant phenotype. Enhancement in this assay was induction of sterility a generation earlier, in the otherwise fertile homozygous progeny of heterozygous mothers, which previous results had suggested represent a sensitized genetic background. We tested seven genes predicted to encode regulators of chromatin organization for RNAi-induced enhancement of mes-3 sterility and identified one enhancer, called set-2 after the SET domain encoded by the gene. Depletion of SET-2 also enhances the sterile phenotype of mes-4 but not of mes-2 or mes-6. set-2 encodes two alternatively spliced transcripts, set-2l and set-2s, both of which are enriched in the germline of adults. In the adult germline, SET-2L protein is localized in mitotic and mid-late-stage meiotic nuclei but is undetectable in early pachytene nuclei. SET-2L protein is localized in all nuclei of embryos. The localization of SET-2L does not depend on any of the four MES proteins, and none of the MES proteins depend on SET-2 for their normal localization. Our results suggest that SET-2 participates along with the MES proteins in promoting normal germline development.
Efficacy of calcium channel blocker therapy for angina pectoris resulting from small-vessel coronary artery disease and abnormal vasodilator reserve

Abnormal vasodilator reserve of the coronary microcirculation is a frequent mechanism of angina pectoris in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries. To assess the effect of calcium channel blocking agents on symptoms and exercise capacity, 26 patients shown to have angina pectoris because of abnormally small coronary arteries and limited vasodilator reserve underwent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled outpatient study, with 1 month for each period. An unblinded lead-in phase determined the best dose of verapamil (17 patients) or nifedipine (9 patients). Exercise testing using bicycle ergometry was performed at the end of each period. Four patients interrupted the placebo period and 1 patient interrupted both placebo and drug period because of frequent and severe chest pain. While receiving calcium channel blocker drugs, patients who completed both phases of the study recorded fewer episodes of angina (21 +/- 21 vs 35 +/- 27, p less than 0.001) and consumed fewer nitroglycerin tablets (23 +/- 27 vs 41 +/- 50, p less than 0.001) than during the placebo period. Exercise duration was slightly but significantly prolonged (278 +/- 129 vs 231 +/- 136 seconds, p less than 0.025) during drug treatment compared with placebo, and significantly fewer patients terminated exercise with chest pain while receiving drug treatment. Subjectively, 22 of 26 patients felt better on the calcium channel blocker than on placebo. Thus, calcium channel blocker therapy appears to be beneficial in controlling angina and improving exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris resulting from abnormally small coronary arteries and limited vasodilator reserve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Correction factors for radial resistivity gradient evaluation of semiconductor slices

Accurate determinations of radial resistivity gradients on semiconductor slices, using the four-point probe, can be made only if correction factors for the finite boundary conditions are applied to the measurements. The off-center correction is different from the center correction. Both are necessary for gradient evaluation. These corrections were derived assuming homogeneous material, but are, nevertheless, useful approximations for nonhomogeneous materials. The corrections are given as generalized formulas and are graphed for the 62 and 25-mil probes for the center and 1/8-inch from the edge positions.
The storm controversy (1830–1860) and its impact on American science

Between 1831 and 1857 the amateur weather observer William C. Redfield propounded the view that storm winds often have a rotary motion. This view was opposed by James P. Espy, meteorologist with the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, Penn. who held the theory of centripetal wind motion within storms. Redfield argued that Espy's theory arose because he followed an incorrect methodology. Instead of practicing “correct induction,” Espy seemed content to develop mere theories. Redfield was also critical of Espy's attempts to gain popular support by using the public press as a platform for scientific debates. Redfield's success in interpreting the motion of storm winds helped to entrench the “Baconian” philosophy in American science—just at the time when it was being replaced by the method of hypothesis in Britain. Espy's incorrect interpretation of the motion of storm winds not only delayed the acceptance of the method of hypothesis in American science but also obscured the validity of his study of cloud thermodynamics.
Embedding A Pyramid On The Hypercube With Minimal Routing Load

The problem of embedding a pyramid on a boolean hypercube has been addressed. A maximal set of edges of the pyramid having an image edge in the hypercube is found. This is based on a breadth-first search that embeds a maximal bipartite subgraph of the pyramid. It has been shown that for a pyramid 70% of its edges may always have image edges in the hypercube. These edges may be statically mapped. This would reduce run-time routing load in the hypercube computer considerably.
On the Determination of Double Star Orbits

It is proposed to improve the convergence of the determination of the elements of the orbits of visual binaries by using not only first, but second-order derivatives in the development of the appropriate equations of condition. Also, some improvements of the Kowalsky-Seeliger method are suggested which improve the accuracy of the orbit used as first approximation.
Adhesive Activity of the Haemophilus Cryptic Genospecies Cha Autotransporter Is Modulated by Variation in Tandem Peptide Repeats

The Haemophilus cryptic genospecies is an important cause of maternal genital tract and neonatal systemic infections and initiates infection by colonizing the genital or respiratory epithelium. In recent work, we identified a unique Haemophilus cryptic genospecies protein called Cha, which mediates efficient adherence to genital and respiratory epithelia. The Cha adhesin belongs to the trimeric autotransporter family and contains an N-terminal signal peptide, an internal passenger domain that harbors adhesive activity, and a C-terminal membrane anchor domain. The passenger domain in Cha contains clusters of YadA-like head domains and neck motifs as well as a series of tandem 28-amino-acid peptide repeats. In the current study, we report that variation in peptide repeat number gradually modulates Cha adhesive activity, associated with a direct effect on the length of Cha fibers on the bacterial cell surface. The N-terminal 404 residues of the Cha passenger domain mediate binding to host cells and also facilitate bacterial aggregation through intermolecular Cha-Cha binding. As the tandem peptide repeats expand, the Cha fiber becomes longer and Cha adherence activity decreases. The expansion and contraction of peptide repeats represent a novel mechanism for modulating adhesive capacity, potentially balancing the need of the organism to colonize the genital and respiratory tracts with the ability to attach to alternative substrates, disperse within the host, or evade the host immune system.
Phenomenology of nonrelativistic parity-violating hydrodynamics in 2+1 dimensions.

Parity-violating fluids in two spatial dimensions can appear in a variety of contexts such as liquid crystal films, anyon fluids, and quantum Hall fluids. Nonetheless, the consequences of parity violation on the solutions to the equations of motion are largely unexplored. In this paper, we explore phenomenological consequences of parity violation through simple, illustrative examples. Although incompressible velocity fields are essentially unchanged by parity violation, we discuss examples where parity violation plays a role at boundaries, or in the dynamics of temperature. We then discuss types of compressible flows which only exist in a parity-violating fluid, including sound waves, and solitons in the dissipationless limit. We conclude with a discussion of some curious features in Rayleigh-Benard convection of a parity-violating fluid.
Disenrollment with perfect forward secrecy in threshold schemes

In this correspondence, we propose a new model for threshold schemes with disenrollment capability (TSDC), to address the scenarios in which the ability of a coalition to construct future shared secrets is prohibited. Compared to existing TSDC models, our model provides forward secrecy by adding a constraint that the broadcast from the dealer is required to activate the reconstruction of any secret. We also present a TSDC model in which the dealer has the enhanced capability of disenrolling any subset of participants, to prevent the otherwise unnecessary rekey of the entire group when a large number of participants are compromised. We establish the lower bounds on the entropy of broadcast messages in both proposed models, as guidelines on constructing broadcast efficient schemes, and present bound achieving schemes.
Computer support for distributed asynchronous software design teams: experimental results on creativity and quality

Previous research has indicated that the creative task of deciding upon the initial specifications for a software system can benefit from a structured process to guide group interaction in face-to-face meetings, and can benefit from computer support. This 2/spl times/2 experiment is the first to look at the joint effects of a distributed asynchronous computer conferencing mode of communication (CC, as compared to face to face), and a structured process on software design outcomes. Subjects were teams of graduate students in computer science and business, who designed an automated post office as a course assignment. Though the quality of solution produced by the CC groups was judged to be higher, it was not significantly so. However, the CC groups were considerably more creative. There were no main effects for the structured/unstructured factor, nor any significant interactions. >
Spam-Resilient Web Rankings via Influence Throttling

Web search is one of the most critical applications for managing the massive amount of distributed Web content. Due to the overwhelming reliance on Web search, there is a rise in efforts to manipulate (or spam) Web search engines. In this paper, we develop a spam-resilient ranking model that promotes a source-based view of the Web. One of the most salient features of our spam-resilient ranking algorithm is the concept of influence throttling. We show how to utilize influence throttling to counter Web spam that aims at manipulating link-based ranking systems, especially PageRank-like systems. Through formal analysis and experimental evaluation, we show the effectiveness and robustness of our spam-resilient ranking model in comparison with existing Web algorithms such as PageRank.
JADE: Adaptive Differential Evolution With Optional External Archive

A new differential evolution (DE) algorithm, JADE, is proposed to improve optimization performance by implementing a new mutation strategy ldquoDE/current-to-p bestrdquo with optional external archive and updating control parameters in an adaptive manner. The DE/current-to-pbest is a generalization of the classic ldquoDE/current-to-best,rdquo while the optional archive operation utilizes historical data to provide information of progress direction. Both operations diversify the population and improve the convergence performance. The parameter adaptation automatically updates the control parameters to appropriate values and avoids a user's prior knowledge of the relationship between the parameter settings and the characteristics of optimization problems. It is thus helpful to improve the robustness of the algorithm. Simulation results show that JADE is better than, or at least comparable to, other classic or adaptive DE algorithms, the canonical particle swarm optimization, and other evolutionary algorithms from the literature in terms of convergence performance for a set of 20 benchmark problems. JADE with an external archive shows promising results for relatively high dimensional problems. In addition, it clearly shows that there is no fixed control parameter setting suitable for various problems or even at different optimization stages of a single problem.
Linux kernel co-scheduling for bulk synchronous parallel applications

This paper describes a kernel scheduling algorithm that is based on co-scheduling principles and that is intended for parallel applications running on 1000 cores or more where inter-node scalability is key. Experimental results for a Linux implementation on a Cray XT5 machine are presented. The results indicate that Linux is a suitable operating system for this new scheduling scheme, and that this design provides a dramatic improvement in scaling performance for synchronizing collective operations at scale.
Optimal Targeting of HER2–PI3K Signaling in Breast Cancer: Mechanistic Insights and Clinical Implications

The combination of a PI3K inhibitor with trastuzumab has been shown to be effective at overcoming trastuzumab resistance in models of HER2(+) breast cancer by inhibiting HER2-PI3K-FOXO-survivin signaling. In this review the potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Love on the Rocks: Domestic Violence and Alcohol Abuse in Rural Mexico

I use experimental data for the evaluation of Oportunidades to study the determinants of domestic violence and alcohol abuse. The program, a combination of cash transfers to women and human capital investments, decreases husbands' alcohol abuse by 15% and changes their aggressive behavior depending on transfer size, husbands' education, and spousal age gap. While small transfers decrease violence by 37% for all households, large transfers increase the aggressive behavior of husbands with traditional views of gender roles, probably because their wife's entitlement to a large transfer threatens their identity. This evidence rejects standard unitary, collective, and bargaining models for this latter group of households. It also shows that, while targeting women as recipients of micro-credit or other welfare programs may have additional beneficial effects by reducing alcoholism and domestic violence in most households, the risk of violence may increase for some.
Rank order operators and the mean absolute error criterion

The author shows that among all randomizing stack filters whose output decisions are based on the sum of the bits in the window on each level of the threshold decomposition architecture, rank-order operators are optimal under an error criterion which is the sum of the absolute error incurred on each level of the threshold decomposition architecture. He also shows that if the filtering class being optimized obeys a deterministic stacking property, then the traditional multilevel mean absolute error criterion reduces to the sum of the absolute error incurred to each level. This leads to an efficient algorithm for choosing the rank-order filter which minimizes the multilevel mean absolute error criterion. >
Innovative mobile tool for engineering embedded design and security educations

In the current electronic industry, embedded systems have become essential components in most electronic devices. The fast growth mobile devices have been used in every sector and brought wide applications in many aspects of our society. These devices involve in internet connections, wireless communications and even cloud computing, which increases the necessity of both hardware and software securities. Therefore there is an urgent need of efficient education in EE, CE and CS in embedded systems, especially in hardware and software co-design with the concepts of modern security methods. In this paper, we present a work-in-progress development of an effective learning tool which benefits from active learning concepts and modern mobile technologies. The contributions of this tool on promoting engineering students' learning of embedded system designs and security are also investigated.
Hydrogel Based 3-Dimensional (3D) System for Toxicity and High-Throughput (HTP) Analysis for Cultured Murine Ovarian Follicles

Various toxicants, drugs and their metabolites carry potential ovarian toxicity. Ovarian follicles, the functional unit of the ovary, are susceptible to this type of damage at all stages of their development. However, despite of the large scale of potential negative impacts, assays that study ovarian toxicity are limited. Exposure of cultured ovarian follicles to toxicants of interest served as an important tool for evaluation of toxic effects for decades. Mouse follicles cultured on the bottom of a culture dish continue to serve an important approach for mechanistic studies. In this paper, we demonstrated the usefulness of a hydrogel based 3-dimensional (3D) mouse ovarian follicle culture as a tool to study ovarian toxicity in a different setup. The 3D in vitro culture, based on fibrin alginate interpenetrating network (FA-IPN), preserves the architecture of the ovarian follicle and physiological structure-function relationship. We applied the novel 3D high-throughput (HTP) in vitro ovarian follicle culture system to study the ovotoxic effects of an anti-cancer drug, Doxorobucin (DXR). The fibrin component in the system is degraded by plasmin and appears as a clear circle around the encapsulated follicle. The degradation area of the follicle is strongly correlated with follicle survival and growth. To analyze fibrin degradation in a high throughput manner, we created a custom MATLAB® code that converts brightfield micrographs of follicles encapsulated in FA-IPN to binary images, followed by image analysis. We did not observe any significant difference between manually processed images to the automated MATLAB® method, thereby confirming that the automated program is suitable to measure fibrin degradation to evaluate follicle health. The cultured follicles were treated with DXR at concentrations ranging from 0.005 nM to 200 nM, corresponding to the therapeutic plasma levels of DXR in patients. Follicles treated with DXR demonstrated decreased survival rate in greater DXR concentrations. We observed partial follicle survival of 35% ± 3% (n = 80) in 0.01nM treatment and 48% ± 2% (n = 92) in 0.005nM, which we identified as the IC50 for secondary follicles. In summary, we established a 3D in vitro ovarian follicle culture system that could be used in an HTP approach to measure toxic effects on ovarian follicles.
Agent Reasoning in Negotiation

Negotiation has been studied in different communities both scientific and communities of practice. The social sciences (see chapters by Martinovski, Albin and Druckman, Koeszegi and Vetschera, this volume for example) and the mathematical sciences have investigated different aspects of negotiation with different goals: the goals of the social sciences are to understand the factors and reasoning processes that underlie human negotiation behavior. The goal of the mathematical sciences is to formulate mathematical models that capture elements of negotiation. Further, the mathematical models can be divided into analytic models (economic, operations research etc) and computational models. The aim of the analytic models is to provide guarantees of their behavior, characterizations of optimality, or provide managerial guidance to optimize negotiation activity. The computational models aim to provide computational tractability through approximation algorithms and heuristics. Most crucially, the computational research aims to have the models implemented in autonomous processes, called agents, that are able to incorporate realistic factors of negotiation (e.g. argumentation, information seeking, and cognitive factors) and engage in negotiations in a decentralized manner. Such agent models promise to contribute to our understanding of human information processing in negotiation. Additionally, they could be used for decision support of human decision makers. In the long run, such models can even become substitutes for human negotiators. In this chapter we will provide a selective review of the most important works in the analytic and computational negotiation literature, point out some differences and synergies and provide pointers to open questions and future research.
Community, Voice, and Inquiry: Teaching Global History for English Language Learners

ABSTRACTThis in-depth qualitative case study explores how one social studies teacher implemented teaching Global History for Latino/a English Language Learners (ELLs) in an urban newcomer high school. Using a framework for culturally and linguistically relevant citizenship education, this article seeks to highlight how the teacher discussed, designed, enacted, and reflected on their Global History curricula through observing, interviewing, and gathering artifacts in a social studies classroom. Findings reveal that although the teacher faced great pressures and demands of implementing a high stakes, standards-based curriculum, he was able to enact a curriculum that focused on accessing and building upon ELL students' cultural, linguistic, and civic assets and experiences. This article explores the curricular and instructional design implemented by the social studies teacher, and aims to provide readers with an example of and insight into how best to meet the needs of ELLs in the social studies classroom. V...
Parental Care and Social Interactions of Captive Plateau Mice, Peromyscus melanophrys

Parent-offspring interactions and staged dyadic encounters between weanlings and conspecifics of the plateau mouse, Peromyscus melanophrys , were observed in laboratory experiments. Mothers provided most of the parental care, spending nearly 90% of their time with the young in the nest over the 2 weeks following parturition. There was a lack of male involvement in paternal care which is in contrast to other studies that have shown male Peromyscus to take an active role in parental care. Strange females were more aggressive than strange males toward weanlings. Mothers were more aggressive than fathers toward weanlings, and this asymmetry may be a result of the brief encounter the father had with his young on day 1. Additionally, the father's temporary presence in the natal nest may be associated with the acquisition of offspring recognition. The evidence suggests Peromyscus melanophrys has a polygynous mating system.
STRAIGHT TIME AND SCANDAL: TRAVESTI URBAN POLITICS IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

OF THESIS STRAIGHT TIME AND SCANDAL: TRAVESTI URBAN POLITICS IN SAO PAULO, BRAZIL Sao Paulo, Brazil is currently pursuing a project of creative urbanism. Though city rhetoric insists this project is rooted in tolerance of sexual diversity, I suggest that city policy effectively perpetuates normative conceptions of family and respectability. Using data gathered through a series of qualitative interviews with transgender and travesti individuals living in Sao Paulo, I argue that the straight time of Sao Paulo’s creative urbanism generates exclusionary temporalities and spatialities in the city that render travestis out of time and out of place. Furthermore, I argue that travestis use their capacity to enact shame through scandals to generate temporalities and spatialities of their own, ones not aligned with the reproductive, progressive futurity of straight time. In doing so, travestis participate in their own kind of creative urbanism and provide an affective challenge to the heteroand homonormativity of Sao Paulo’s creative urban project. Building on recent scholarship in queer urbanism and affect, this thesis adds to critical efforts to understand how creative urbanism sexualizes space and time in contexts outside of EuroAmerica and how a queer theoretical approach contributes to critiques of progressive modernity.
Implementation of Preconception Care for Women With Diabetes

IN BRIEF Women with diabetes who are of reproductive age should receive preconception risk assessment and counseling to maximize pregnancy outcomes. This article summarizes the concept of preconception care for women with diabetes and provides a description of an implementation of collaborative preconception care for primary care and obstetrics and gynecology specialty providers.
The Hormonal Regulation of Senescence

Senescence occurs ubiquitously in living organisms. At the cellular level, a cell’s life history consists of two processes: mitotic division and post-mitotic life pattern (6). A mother cell or germ-like cell can undergo a finite number of divisions to produce daughter cells. When the cell ceases dividing, this cell is said to undergo mitotic senescence. In literature concerning yeast and mammalian cells in culture, this type of senescence is often referred to as replicative senescence or replicative aging. Although the mitotically senescent cell can no longer divide, it may live for a certain period before its ultimate attrition/death; the functional degenerative process of the cell is called post-mitotic senescence. The degeneration of a neuron and the dying and peeling of a skin cell represent mitotic senescence in nature. Plants exhibit both mitotic and post-mitotic senescence.
Risk Assessment on Occupational Hazards in Electroplating Enterprise by USEPA Inhalation Risk Assessment Model

[Objective] To evaluate the practical value of a quantitative assessment method in assessing occupational hazard risks. [Methods] Following the basic protocol described in Human Health Evaluation Manual Part F: Inhalation Risk Assessment Guide Supplement released by the US Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), field investigation and hazard identification, duration and exposure pattern assessment, exposure assessment, and cancer or non-cancer risk assessment were carried out in an electroplating enterprise. [Results] Respiratory exposures and sub-chronic exposures were outstanding in the enterprise. The time weighted average concentrations of hydrochloric acid in the oil-extraction workstations, cyanide in the copper pre-plating workstations, and chromium trioxide in the chromium plating workstations were 5.2-5.8, 0.16-0.19, and 0.018-0.023 mg/m3, respectively. The hazard quotients for degreasing, copper pre-plating, and chromium plating workplaces were 75, 61, and 360 respectively(all 1), which indicated relatively high high risks. The risk values for exposure to soluble nickel compounds in the nickel plating workstations and chromium trioxide in the chromium plating workstations were 1×10-4 and 2.4×10-3 respectively(both 1×10-6), which indicated cancer risks. [Conclusion] The concentrations of soluble nickel compounds in the nickel plating workstations and chromium trioxide in the chromium plating workstations are qualified, but presenting lung cancer risks. The method is not applicable in assessing occupational hazard without established corresponding reference values such as reference concentration or inhalation unit risk.
Algorithms to Identify Statin Intolerance in Medicare Administrative Claim Data.

To compare characteristics of patients with possible statin intolerance identified using different claims-based algorithms versus patients with high adherence to statins. We analyzed 134,863 Medicare beneficiaries initiating statins between 2007 and 2011. Statin intolerance and discontinuation, and high adherence to statins, defined by proportion of days covered ≥80 %, were assessed during the 365 days following statin initiation. Definition 1 of statin intolerance included statin down-titration or discontinuation with ezetimibe initiation, having a claim for a rhabdomyolysis or antihyperlipidemic event followed by statin down-titration or discontinuation, or switching between ≥3 types of statins. Definition 2 included beneficiaries who met Definition 1 and those who down-titrated statin intensity. We also analyzed beneficiaries who met Definition 2 of statin intolerance or discontinued statins. The prevalence of statin intolerance was 1.0 % (n = 1320) and 5.2 % (n = 6985) using Definitions 1 and 2, respectively. Overall, 45,266 (33.6 %) beneficiaries had statin intolerance by Definition 2 or discontinued statins and 55,990 (41.5 %) beneficiaries had high adherence to statins. Compared with beneficiaries with high adherence to statins, those with statin intolerance and who had statin intolerance or discontinued statins were more likely to be female versus male, and black, Hispanic or Asian versus white. The multivariable adjusted odds ratio for statin intolerance by Definitions 1 and 2 comparing patients initiating high versus low/moderate intensity statins were 2.82 (95%CI: 2.42–3.29), and 8.58 (8.07–9.12), respectively, and for statin intolerance or statin discontinuation was 2.35 (2.25–2.45). Definitions of statin intolerance presented herein can be applied to analyses using administrative claims data.
Phase II trial of 13-cis-retinoic acid plus interferon-α in recurrent head and neck cancer

13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin) and interferon-α have limited activity as single agents in advanced cancer. Preclinical data indicate that these agents have different mechanisms of action and, in combination have greater activity (that is, the ability to modulate growth and differentiation) in a number of malignant cell types than either agent alone. In clinical trials, the new biological regimen of 13-cis-retinoic acid and interferon-α was shown to have major activity in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and cervix. We conducted a phase II trial of this regimen in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Of the 21 evaluable patients, none had a complete response, and only one had a partial response (5%). Two patients had minor responses, four had stable disease, and 14 experienced disease progression. Five patients developed grade 3 toxic effects, including skin toxicity, fatigue, headache, and anorexia/weight loss. The median survival duration was 25.5 weeks (range, 4–95). The combination of 13-cis- retinoic acid and interferon-α at this dose and schedule is ineffective for the treatment of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Modeling The System

This chapter focuses on the procedures for defining statistical energy analysis (SEA) models of dynamical systems. In the development of the SEA model, the primary variable in the model is the dynamical energy of the subsystem modes. The subsystems should be viewed as resonant modes that act as energy reservoirs. While the system model is defined by the average values of the subsystem parameters and the mean values of the subsystem responses are most directly calculated, it is also possible to calculate values of the variances in the response quantities. The subsystems in SEA are groups of similar modes within the physical components of a system. The physical components of a system are often easily identified as the relatively uniform sections of simple elements such as beams, pipes, plates, and acoustic spaces. Each mode group or subsystem becomes a single entity in the SEA model. Each subsystem has a single degree of freedom, the average energy of the mode group.