cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Joke-o-mat: browsing sitcoms punchline by punchline

This paper summarizes our contribution to the Yahoo! task of the ACM Multimedia Grand Challenge. This challenge asks for the robust automatic segmentation of videos according to "narrative themes". Based on the automatic segmentation methods presented in [1] and partly [2], we describe a system to navigate Seinfeld episodes based on automatic segmentation of the audio track only. The system distinguishes laughter, music, and other noise as well as speech segments. Speech segments are identified against pre-trained speaker models of the actors. Given this segmentation and the artistic production rules that underlie the genre situation comedy and Seinfeld in particular, the system enables a user to browse an episode by scene, by punchline, and by dialog segments. The themes can be filtered by the main actors, e.g. the user can select to see only punchlines by Jerry and Kramer. Based on the length of the laughter, the top 5 punchlines are also identified and presented to the user.
Cytokines as potential vaccine adjuvants

There is a compelling clinical need for adjuvants suitable for human use to enhance the efficacy of vaccines in the prevention of life-threatening infection. Candidate populations for such vaccine-adjuvant strategies include normal individuals at the two extremes of life, as well as the ever increasing population of immunocompromised individuals. In addition, adjuvants that would increase the efficiency of vaccination with such vaccines as those directed against hepatitis B and Streptococcus pneumoniae would have an even greater general use. Cytokines, as natural peptides intimately involved in the normal immune response, have great appeal as potential adjuvants. An increasing body of work utilizing recombinant versions of interleukin-1, -2, -3, -6, -12, gamma-interferon, tumor necrosis factor, and granulocyte-monocyte-colony stimulating factor has shown that cytokines do have vaccine adjuvant activity. However, in order to optimize adjuvant effect and minimize systemic toxicity, strategies in which the cytokine is fused to the antigen, or the cytokine is presented within liposomes or microspheres appear to be necessary to make this a practical approach suitable for human use. There is much promise in this approach, but there is much work to be accomplished in order to optimize the pharmacokinetics of cytokine administration as well as its side effect profile.
REPRODUCTIVE PROFICIENCY IN PAEONIA CALIFORNICA (PAEONIACEAE)

Study of three populations of geophytic Paeonia californica in southern California revealed considerable variation, within and between populations, in both potential and in realized seed output. Plants are weakly self-compatible, but natural seed set (x = 4.2 seeds per carpel) is closer to seed set produced in hand cross-pollinations (x = 4.5) than in self pollinations (x = 1.4). Flowers are protogynous, nectariferous, and scented; 17 species of bees in four families, and one species of melyrid beetle were found in them and probably account for pollinations at these sites. Counts of reproductive parts show greatest inter-population variation in mean numbers per plant, of flowers (population means ranged from 16.2 to 21.2), ovules (744 to 1142), pollen grains (23 million to 38 million), and % viable pollen (26.6 to 81.4). Seed set also varied significantly, with only 11.4 to 26.8 % of the ovules maturing into seeds. This low reproductive success is probably correlated with the genetic anomalies studied by others-particularly the translocation heterozygosity that causes lowered production of viable gametes. The relatively few seeds produced are heavy (x = 0.184 g per seed), and germination percentages are high (x = 80 %). The elongation of cotyledon bases during hypogeal germination seems to permit optimal germination at soil depths of only 2-3 cm, but environmental factors such as drought stress and herbivore pressure promote high seedling mortality.
To Fear Foolishness for the Sake of Wisdom: A Message to Leaders

The premise of this paper is that the fear of foolishness is essential to wisdom. Unfortunately, leaders are often conditioned to suppress fear in favor of confidence. However, wise leaders fear foolishness while foolish leaders are fearless. Leaders fall into traps and hit walls that result in fallacies. It is the recognition of these fallacies and the fear of their consequences that compel leaders to seek wisdom. This paper relies on protection motivation theory, the balance theory of wisdom, the imbalance theory of foolishness, and the WICS model of leadership to caution leaders of foolishness so that wisdom can be developed. Specifically, the fear of foolishness is proposed as the motivating factor for the pursuit of wisdom. In doing so, the literatures of wisdom and fear are reviewed and the appraisal process of the fear of foolishness and the coping mechanisms to address foolishness are elaborated on. The protection motivation of the fear of foolishness can fundamentally change leader behaviors and attitudes for the sake of wisdom and individual, organizational, and societal well-being.
Heat transfer of sprays of large water drops impacting on high temperature surfaces

Liquid spray cooling is used extensively in industrial processes. In applications involving stationary, slow moving, or vertical surfaces, disperse sprays, arrays of scattered liquid droplets, are favored for their high heat transfer rates and low water consumption. Experiments were performed to evaluate the heat transfer of monodisperse sprays of large droplet diameters, ranging from 3 to 25 mm, on high temperature surfaces. This range of drop sizes has not previously been studied, and it was of interest to determine their heat transfer characteristics and how they relate to sprays of smaller drops. Parametric tests showed that the spray heat flux depends on mass flux with a power-law relationship, and that spray effectiveness, which relates the actual spray heat transfer to the maximum heat transfer potential, varies with d{sup {minus}1/2}. There was no discernible relationship between the heat transfer and droplet velocity. These results agreed favorably with published results for smaller droplets. The current data were compared to previous tests with smaller droplets using the droplet Reynolds and Weber numbers. This analysis showed some grouping, with a marked separation at We = 80, where the dynamic behavior of droplets has been shown to change for nonwetting impaction.
Natural History of Pain Following Herpes Zoster

Abstract In a longitudinal observational study of 94 patients (39M:55F, mean age 69) at elevated risk for developing post herpetic neuralgia (PHN), the natural history of pain during the first 6 months after herpes zoster (HZ) rash onset was determined. Pain severity and impact were rated using pain-VAS, SF-MPQ, and MPI. Applying a definition of PHN of average daily pain >0/100 on the pain VAS during the last 48 h, 30 subjects had PHN at 6 months. These 30 subjects reported more pain and a higher SF-MPQ score (p 0/100 at 6 months after rash onset appears to substantially overestimate the number of HZ patients negatively impacted by ongoing pain and disability.
Fast neurotransmitter release triggered by Ca influx through AMPA-type glutamate receptors

Feedback inhibition at reciprocal synapses between A17 amacrine cells and rod bipolar cells (RBCs) shapes light-evoked responses in the retina1,2,3. Glutamate-mediated excitation of A17 cells elicits GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)-mediated inhibitory feedback onto RBCs4,5,6, but the mechanisms that underlie GABA release from the dendrites of A17 cells are unknown. If, as observed at all other synapses studied, voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) couple membrane depolarization to neurotransmitter release7, feedforward excitatory postsynaptic potentials could spread through A17 dendrites to elicit ‘surround’ feedback inhibitory transmission at neighbouring synapses. Here we show, however, that GABA release from A17 cells in the rat retina does not depend on VGCCs or membrane depolarization. Instead, calcium-permeable AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid) receptors (AMPARs), activated by glutamate released from RBCs, provide the calcium influx necessary to trigger GABA release from A17 cells. The AMPAR-mediated calcium signal is amplified by calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) from intracellular calcium stores. These results describe a fast synapse that operates independently of VGCCs and membrane depolarization and reveal a previously unknown form of feedback inhibition within a neural circuit.
Crystallization, melting, and relaxation of modified poly(phenylene sulfide). II. Dynamic relaxation characteristics

Abstract The relaxation characteristics of a series of random PPS copolymers based on sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH) and 1,4- and 1,3-dichlorobenzene monomers have been investigated via dielectric and dynamic mechanical methods. Comparison of dielectric and dynamic mechanical glass-rubber (α) relaxation temperatures measured for the crystallized copolymers with their amorphous analogues indicated that the presence of meta-phenylene defects led to a progressive reduction in the degree of constraint imposed by the crystallites on the relaxing amorphous chains. Estimation of the mobile amorphous phase fraction in the crystallized samples based on dielectric relaxation intensity revealed complete mobilization of the rigid amorphous phase above Tg for those copolymers containing 8% and 10% meta-phenylene units. Examination of the subglass (β) relaxation in the amorphous samples showed that the introduction of meta segments in the polymer chain backbone produced a positive offset in relaxation temperatures and a co...
DEVELOPMENT OF EXPECTATIONS OF LARVAL AMPHIBIAN ASSEMBLAGE STRUCTURE IN SOUTHEASTERN DEPRESSION WETLANDS

We surveyed larval amphibians and fish in 25 relatively pristine depression wetlands on the upper Atlantic coastal plain of South Carolina to examine relationships among hydroperiod length, fish presence/absence and larval amphibian assemblage structure. Our goals were to test the application of general models of lentic community structure to Southeastern depression wetlands and to develop expectations of larval amphibian assemblage structure at reference sites. Amphibian species richness showed a unimodal pattern along a hydroperiod gradient, with wetlands that contained water for 8–10 mo/yr having the highest species richness. Wetlands that contained water for longer periods (i.e., dried only during severe drought) often contained fish and had relatively low amphibian species richness. Most species occurred along a restricted portion of the hydroperiod gradient, and some species were found almost exclusively in wetlands with fish. Associations among the occurrence of species led to relatively discrete breaks in assemblage structure along the hydroperiod gradient. Canonical correspondence analysis of catch-per-unit-effort data identified four groups of wetlands with similar assemblage structure: (1) short (drying in spring), (2) medium (drying in summer), and (3) long (drying in fall or semi-annually) hydroperiod wetlands without fish; and (4) long hydroperiod wetlands with fish. Our results suggest that general models of community structure in lentic systems are applicable to southeastern isolated wetlands and should form the basis for developing expectations of larval amphibian assemblage structure in these systems.
Use versus manufacture life cycle electricity and environmental impacts for computer tape drives

Many companies have focused on pollution prevention initiatives including reducing the amount of energy required for production. However, many products consume orders of magnitude more energy and cause greater environmental emissions over the entire life cycle. With this in mind, a life cycle assessment of manufacturing and use-phase effects was done for a computer tape drive (TD) product. Quantum Corporation's Environmental Stewardship Group initiated an evaluation of the differential electricity and environmental impacts of its TD products that are shipped worldwide. This research showed that when internal corporate service functions were included in the evaluation, 60% more electricity was used than when only final assembly was considered. In addition, the consumption of electricity from external suppliers was nearly three times higher than internal use sources. Finally, use-phase electricity consumption was a factor of four higher than total manufacturing consumption. Better management of TD life cycle electricity use would serve to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for customers, while at the same time, reducing the global environmental impact of the product.
Depression Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective Relationship With Ongoing Health and Function

The relationship between baseline depression and health-related quality of life were examined in a cohort of patients after hospitalization due to acute myocardial infarction (N = 196). Patients were assessed for presence of mood disturbance, anxiety, and quality of life at the time of hospitalization and again 4 months later. Baseline assessment was used to assign subjects to a depressed or a nondepressed group. Adjusting for preinfarction quality of life, in-hospital anxiety, and demographic variables, depression was prospectively and independently related to reduced global health at 4 months as well as reduced overall mental health—including vitality, psychological health, and social function—and increased role interference from psychological problems.
EGO DISTURBANCES ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY DEPRIVATION.

I have been assigned the topic of Ego Disturbances Associated with Early Deprivation. I doubt that I have anything to say which is not known to you, and my contribution will be limited to some points of emphasis, specifically from the point of view of psychoanalytic theory. Another limitation of my presentation is that it does not fit in the framework set by your chairman that the discussion be confined to children under the age of six in foster care. My own experience is for the most part with children over the age of six and in institutional care at the Pleasantville Cottage School. The conclusions that I shall offer are based on retrospective studies which, I believe, have considerable validity in this field. Early deprivation usually refers to deprivation of maternal care, but this is not itself a simple factor. It may, as so many authors have shown, occur with or without physical separation and with or without adequate supply of such basic needs as food and hygienic care. Other variables, some obvious and others hidden, influence the development of the child, and many varied clinical syndromes have been described in children who share the common experience of early deprivation. These observations do not, however, negate the well-documented conclusion that disturbances of development follow upon early deprivation. The evidence for this conclusion comes from many sources which, I am sure, the other participants in this workshop will describe in detail.
The community source approach to software development and the Kuali experience

Participating educational institutions get a much more cost-effective result compared to the commercial off-the-shelf alternative.
Statistical Analysis of Precipitation Chemistry Measurements over the Eastern United States. Part II: Kriging Analysis of Regional Patterns and Trends

Abstract The regional patterns and time trends of free acidity and inorganic chemical constituents in precipitation were investigated using a new archive of daily precipitation chemistry measurements for the eastern United States. This archive contains data from three networks during the period 1979 through 1983 and consists of approximately 10 000 precipitation samples. The interpolation method known as Kriging was used to provide objective, unbiased estimates of the regional patterns of the chemical constituents and their time trends. Highest concentrations of hydrogen, sulfate, and nitrate ions occurred along the Ohio River Valley northeastward to New England. Maximum ammonium concentrations occurred in a belt extending from the northern Great Plains eastward across the Great Lakes. Over the period investigated, a small trend toward decreasing acidity and decreasing concentrations of the three main constituents was found. Year-to-year changes were both upward and downward, with values decreasing from 1...
Predictive Use of Traffic Signal State for Fuel Saving

Abstract This paper proposes preview of upcoming traffic light information to minimize idle at the lights and reduce fuel use. An optimal control algorithm is formulated for each equipped vehicle that uses short range radar and traffic signal information predictively to schedule an optimum velocity trajectory for the vehicle. The objectives are timely arrival at green light with minimal use of braking, maintaining safe distance between vehicles, and cruising at or near set speed. Preliminary simulation results show considerable reduction of fuel use.
Computerized Posturography Analysis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: A Case-Control Comparison With Parkinson's Disease and Healthy Controls

Background Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is frequently mistaken for Parkinson's disease (PD) in its early stages. Objective To compare balance measures using computerized posturography in patients with early PSP and early PD. Methods We performed computerized posturography (SMART Balance Master; NeuroCom International, Inc, Clackamas, Ore) in 20 patients with clinically diagnosed mild to moderate PSP (ambulatory) and compared results with those from 20 patients with PD of similar age and disease duration who were not receiving medications, and from 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Sensory organization testing (SOT), limits of stability (LOS), and toes-up perturbations (4° at 50° per second) were tested while receiving and not receiving a combination of oral carbidopa (25 mg) and levodopa (250 mg) in the PSP group. Clinical assessment included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Performance-oriented assessments, and functional reach. Results When compared with the PD and control groups, total LOS time ( P P 2,57 = 29.6; P P = .003), eyes open and platform sway ( P = .003), eyes closed and platform sway ( P P 2 = 11.3; P = .002). Levodopa administration did not significantly improve any aspect of posturography testing in PSP. In differentiating PSP from PD, LOS time and SOT condition of eyes open and platform and visual sway were nearly 100% sensitive and 100% specific (canonical correlation, 0.91). Conclusions Computerized posturography testing reliably differentiated early PSP from early PD and age-matched controls. The PSP group demonstrated severely contracted limits of stability with probable deficits in motor programming. Results of SOT in PSP suggested a vestibular pattern and overreliance on visual cues, even when incorrect. The absence of short-latency responses (monosynaptic reflex arch) suggests an additional disturbance in the spinal cord or peripheral nervous system.
Water relations of the terrestrial isopodsPorcellio laevis andPorcellionides pruinosus (Crustacea, Oniscoidea)

Some aspects of the water relations of the terrestrial isopodsPorcellio laevis andPorcellionides pruinosus were investigated using a technique which provides a continuous record of the water lost by the specimen to a moving air stream. Water loss in both species varied considerably with time and was characterized by numerous moisture peaks due in part to movement by the animals. In living isopods, the water loss rate ofP. laevis was significantly higher than that ofP. pruinosus; however, the water loss rates of dead isopods were considerably lower than those of living animals, and the interspecific differences were absent after death. It was concluded that some additional avenue of water loss was present in living animals, although blockage of the mouth and anus ofP. laevis had little effect on the water loss rate. Cuticular permeability, measured in dead isopods, increased in both species with increasing temperatures (25 to 50° C), with the most marked changes occurring between 40 and 50° C. The increase in water loss rate persisted even after correction for saturation deficit.
Follistatin decreases activin-stimulated FSH secretion with no effect on GnRH-stimulated FSH secretion in prepubertal male monkeys.

Follistatin is an activin-binding glycoprotein that decreases FSH secretion in vitro and in vivo in rats. The mechanism by which follistatin acts is unclear, but it has been suggested that it may bind endogenous activin and neutralize its effects. In this study, we wished to test the ability of follistatin to suppress FSH secretion in vivo in primates whose FSH secretion has been stimulated by activin or by GnRH. Six prepubertal male monkeys were injected intravenously with human recombinant follistatin at the dose of 90 micrograms/kg or 180 micrograms/kg plus activin (90 micrograms/kg) or GnRH (10 micrograms/kg). Frequent blood samples were drawn for 12 hours following each injection. Bio FSH and LH levels were measured in those samples. GnRH and activin each stimulated FSH bioactivity. Both doses of follistatin significantly inhibited the activin-induced increase in FSH (p < 0.05). The GnRH-induced increase in FSH was not affected by follistatin. LH levels were not affected by follistatin in any of the ...
An implementation of independent component analysis for 3D statistical shape analysis

Abstract An implementation of the independent component analysis (ICA) technique for three-dimensional (3D) statistical shape analysis is presented. The capabilities of the ICA approach to uncover inherent shape features are first demonstrated through analysis of sets of artificially generated surfaces, and the nature of these features is compared to a more traditional proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique. For the surfaces generated, the ICA approach is shown to consistently extract surface features that closely resembled the original basis surfaces used to generate the artificial dataset, while the POD approach produces features that clearly mix the original basis. The details of an implementation of the ICA approach within a statistical shape analysis framework are then presented. Results are shown for the ICA decomposition of a collection of clinically obtained human right ventricle endocardial surfaces (RVES) segmented from cardiac computed tomography imaging, and these results are again compared with an analogous statistical shape analysis framework utilizing POD in lieu of ICA. The ICA approach is shown to produce shape features for the RVES that capture more localized variations in the shape across the set compared to the POD approach, and overall, the ICA approach produces features that represent the RVES variation throughout the set in a considerably different manner than the more traditional POD approach, providing a potentially useful alternate to statistically analyze such a set of shapes.
Neuropsychiatric aspects of HIV infection among older adults

Treatment advances such as the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have translated into greater life expectancy for HIV-infected individuals, which will ultimately result in a “graying” of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In addition, older individuals are engaging in a higher rate of high risk behaviors than had been previously expected. As such, study of older HIV-infected patients, including study of the psychiatric and neurocognitive aspects of the disease, appears highly indicated. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that HIV infection is associated with higher rates of several psychological/psychiatric disorders when compared to general population base rates. There is also a rich literature that has documented the adverse neurocognitive effects of HIV infection, ranging from subtle cognitive complaints to frank dementia, among younger adults. Although it has been hypothesized that older age may potentiate the deleterious effects of HIV infection, little is actually known, however, regarding the incidence, prevalence, course, and clinical features of HIV-associated psychiatric and cognitive dysfunction among older adults. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of HIV-associated cognitive and psychiatric disorder across the age spectrum, with particular focus on what is known regarding the interaction of advancing age and HIV infection. Future directions for research are suggested, including basic epidemiologic study of incidence and prevalence rates of neurodisease among older HIV-infected adults as well as investigations designed to determine whether the nature, severity, course, or treatment of such disorders differs among older versus younger patients.
Calibration of a hexapod machine tool using a redundant leg

Abstract Parallel configurations are recently being applied to the machine tool with the hopes of greater rigidity, stability, and accuracy than conventional multi-axis structures allow. However, the many calibration methods presently available for serial machine tools are not applicable to hexapod type structures. A calibration method is presented that uses a ball–bar or other simple length measuring device to act as an ‘extra leg,’ allowing calibration of the hexapod's true kinematic parameters. This method utilizes a total least squares minimization, does not require any special hexapod configuration or difficult six degree of freedom pose measurements, and is effective with as few as one additional length sensor. Selection of calibration pose sets is briefly discussed, as well as the influence of measurement noise on calibration accuracy. Simulations show the potential for this algorithm to significantly reduce errors to the point where machining errors are within 5–10 times the measurement errors.
Synthesis of Some Iodopurine Derivatives

Several new 6- and 8-iodopurine derivatives have been prepared. It was found that a nucleophilic displacement of a chloro- or mercapto- function by iodide ion was most successful for the introduction of iodine into the purine ring. The resultant iodopurine derivatives were also screened against the lymphoid leukemia L-1210 test system for biological activity.
Uncertainties in estimating the mixing depth-comparing three mixing-depth models with profiler measurements

Abstract Determining the temporal evolution of the mixing depth is a complex problem in air pollution modeling. In this paper, mixing depths derived from three algorithms, RAMMET-X, MIXEMUP, and CALMET, are compared with estimates derived from a 915-MHZ radar profiler and Radio Acoustic Sounding System (RASS) located at Schenectady, NY, for nine clear summer days. Besides wind and temperature soundings, the profiler system also provided estimates of the mixing depth based on refractive index structure parameter ( C n 2 ) measurements. For the nine test days studied, mixing depths ranged from 1.6 km in midafternoon to 150–250 m at night, based on C n 2 . Mixing depths obtained from CALMET and MIXEMUP were in good agreement with C n 2 estimates throughout the day, but especially in the afternoon when they agreed to within 100 m. In contrast, estimates from RAMMET-X displayed considerably less diurnal variation, with afternoon mixing depths 300–400 m lower than profiler estimates, and nighttime values similarly too high. A separate “analytical method” based on an analysis of the profiler system's wind and temperature profiles, is offered as an alternate way for estimating the mixing depth. Mixing depths derived from the analytical method agreed well with C n 2 estimates at the times of the maximum and minimum, but displayed a much faster growth rate during the morning and a slightly slower decay rate in the evening. It is well known that ozone concentrations predicted by photochemical models are very sensitive to the mixing depth. The impact of the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of the mixing-depth profile on the ozone concentrations is examined through Ozone Isopleth Research Model (OZIPR) simulations. The results reveal that the variability in the OZIPR-predicted ozone concentration due to the uncertainties in the specification of the evolution of the mixing height is comparable or greater than that of different chemical mechanisms in the OZIPR model.
Myeloperoxidase-catalyzed chlorination of histamine by stimulated neutrophils.

Abstract To investigate neutrophil interactions with mediators released by mast cells at sites of inflammation, stimulated neutrophils were incubated with histamine. No accumulation of chlorinated histamine derivatives was detected in the medium. Instead, histamine inhibited the formation of chloramine derivatives of other amines. Incubation with radiolabeled histamine resulted in rapid uptake of label into the cells, and most of the label could be extracted and recovered as histamine. About 3% of the label taken up was incorporated into acid-precipitable forms. Uptake depended on myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed formation of chlorinating agents. Uptake was promoted by adding MPO and blocked by the MPO inhibitor dapsone, catalase, scavengers for hypochlorous acid and chloramines, or in a low-chloride medium, but not by histamine receptor antagonists. Incubation of histamine with MPO, hydrogen peroxide, and chloride resulted in formation of mono- and di-chloramine derivatives of the primary amino group. Abo...
Parallel approach to identifying the well-test interpretation model using a neurocomputer

The well test is one of the primary diagnostic and predictive tools used in the analysis of oil and gas wells. In these tests, a pressure recording device is placed in the well and the pressure response is recorded over time under controlled flow conditions. The interpreted results are indicators of the well's ability to flow and the damage done to the formation surrounding the wellbore during drilling and completion. The results are used for many purposes, including reservoir modeling (simulation) and economic forecasting. The first step in the analysis is the identification of the Well-Test Interpretation (WTI) model, which determines the appropriate solution method. Mis-identification of the WTI model occurs due to noise and non-ideal reservoir conditions. Previous studies have shown that a feed-forward neural network using the backpropagation algorithm can be used to identify the WTI model. One of the drawbacks to this approach is, however, training time, which can run into days of CPU time on personal computers. In this paper a similar neural network is applied using both a personal computer and a neurocomputer. Input data processing, network design, and performance are discussed and compared. The results show that the neurocomputer greatly eases the burden of training and allows the network to outperform a similar network running on a personal computer.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Intimate Interactions with Carbonyl Groups: Dipole–Dipole or n→π*?

Amide carbonyl groups in proteins can engage in C═O···C═O and C–X···C═O interactions, where X is a halogen. The putative involvement of four poles suggests that these interactions are primarily dipolar. Our survey of crystal structures with a C–X···C═O contact that is short (i.e., within the sum of the X and C van der Waals radii) revealed no preferred C–X···C═O dihedral angle. Moreover, we found that structures with a short X–···C═O contact display the signatures of an n→π* interaction. We conclude that intimate interactions with carbonyl groups do not require a dipole.
Skill augmentation via interactive learning for visual guidance of mobile robots

Abstract A computer learning system is presented, which is capable of gaining and augmenting the operational skills for a mobile robot to navigate in unexplored environments. Rather than having the robot programmed to work in a designated environment, it is trained to acquire generic knowledge about visual guidance and motion control in the environments which bear some common features of the learning environment. In the training process, the robot learns to make decisions under different circumstances, represented as meta-scenes. The learning process applies an interactive instruction method and a generic rule modification scheme. An explanation-based reasoning approach and a pattern-matching technique for knowledge induction are implemented. The learning system structure and computer simulations are illustrated.
A linear algorithm for solving non-linear isothermal ice-shelf equations

Abstract. A linear non-iterative algorithm is suggested for solving nonlinear isothermal steady-state Morland–MacAyeal ice shelf equations. The idea of the algorithm is in replacing the problem of solving the non-linear second order differential equations for velocities with a system of linear first order differential equations for stresses. The resulting system of linear equations can be solved numerically with direct methods which are faster than iterative methods for solving corresponding non-linear equations. The suggested algorithm is applicable if the boundary conditions for stresses can be specified. The efficiency of the linear algorithm is demonstrated for one-dimensional and two-dimensional ice shelf equations by comparing the linear algorithm and the traditional iterative algorithm on derived manufactured solutions. The linear algorithm is shown to be as accurate as the traditional iterative algorithm but significantly faster. The method may be valuable as the way to increase the efficiency of complex ice sheet models a part of which requires solving the ice shelf model as well as to solve efficiently two-dimensional ice-shelf equations.
Quagga mussels in the western United States: Monitoring and Management

Editor’s note: This paper was prepared by participants attending the workshop entitled “Quagga Mussels in the Western United States – Monitoring and Management” held in San Diego, California, USA on 1-5 March 2010. The workshop was organized within the framework of the National Shellfisheries Association, American Fisheries Society (Fish Culture Section) and World Aquaculture Society’s Triennial Conference. The main objective of this workshop was to exchange and share information on invasive quagga mussels among agencies. The data presented in this special issue provide critical baseline information on quagga mussel monitoring and management at the early stages of introduction in the western United States.
Network Coding for Distributed Storage Systems

Distributed storage systems provide reliable access to data through redundancy spread over individually unreliable nodes. Application scenarios include data centers, peer-to-peer storage systems, and storage in wireless networks. Storing data using an erasure code, in fragments spread across nodes, requires less redundancy than simple replication for the same level of reliability. However, since fragments must be periodically replaced as nodes fail, a key question is how to generate encoded fragments in a distributed way while transferring as little data as possible across the network. For an erasure coded system, a common practice to repair from a single node failure is for a new node to reconstruct the whole encoded data object to generate just one encoded block. We show that this procedure is sub-optimal. We introduce the notion of regenerating codes, which allow a new node to communicate functions of the stored data from the surviving nodes. We show that regenerating codes can significantly reduce the repair bandwidth. Further, we show that there is a fundamental tradeoff between storage and repair bandwidth which we theoretically characterize using flow arguments on an appropriately constructed graph. By invoking constructive results in network coding, we introduce regenerating codes that can achieve any point in this optimal tradeoff.
6 Bit Decimation Filter in Sub-threshold Region

We show the design of a 6-bit decimation filter with a decimation factor 4 operating in sub threshold region. We find that the optimum Wp/Wn ratio for an inverter operating in the sub-threshold was 24 as measure by equalizing NMOS and PMOS transistors drives. At the maximum achievable operating frequency of 50 kHz the circuit uses 2.5 nW of power and occupies an area of 47 mum times 100 mum. TSMC 0.18 mum technology, with a supply voltage of 300 mV was used.
Treatment of external fixation pins about the wrist: a prospective, randomized trial.

Background: Pin-track infection remains one of the most troublesome complications of external fixation, in some cases compromising otherwise successful fracture treatment. Methods: One hundred and eighteen patients (120 wrists) who had been managed with the placement of an external fixation device for the treatment of a displaced, unstable, distal radial fracture were randomized into one of three treatment groups: (1) weekly dry dressing changes without pin-site care; (2) daily pin-site care with a solution of one-half normal saline solution and one-half hydrogen peroxide; and (3) treatment with the placement of chlorhexidine-impregnated discs (Biopatch) around the pins, with weekly changes of the discs by the treating surgeon. The patients were followed at weekly intervals until the external fixator was removed. Radiographs were made biweekly. The patients were evaluated with regard to (1) erythema, (2) cellulitis, (3) drainage, (4) clinical or radiographic evidence of pin-loosening, (5) the need for antibiotics, and (6) the need for pin removal before fracture-healing due to infection. Differences in complication rates among the three groups, with adjustment for patient age, gender, and the performance of an associated open procedure, were evaluated. Results: The average age of the patients was fifty-four years. Forty-seven wrists had an open procedure (either bone-grafting or open reduction and internal fixation) in addition to treatment with the external fixator. The fixators remained in place for an average of 5.9 weeks. Twenty-three patients (19%) had a complication related to the pin track, with twelve of these patients requiring oral antibiotics for the treatment of a pin-track infection. There were no significant differences among the three groups with regard to the prevalence of pin-site complications. The age of the patient was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative pin-track complications (p = 0.04). Conclusions: We found a high rate of local wound complications around external fixation pin sites; however, most complications were minor and could be observed or treated with oral antibiotics. The prevalence of these complications was not decreased in association with the use of hydrogen peroxide wound care or chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings. On the basis of these results, we do not recommend additional wound care beyond the use of dry, sterile dressings for pin-track care after external fixation for the treatment of distal radial fractures. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Montessorian Music Method: Unpublished Works

The purpose of this article was to announce the existence of 35 unpublished booklets on Montessorian music education that were conceived by Maria Montessori and authored by her music consultant, Anna Maria Maccheroni, at the beginning of this century. These booklets considerably extend the brief portions devoted to music in Montessori's publications. The joint effort of these two women resulted in a comprehensive program that is distinctive by reason of unique aspects that include (1) collaboration, (2) structure, (3) prepared environments, (4) auto-education, (5) control of error, (6) isolation of the aural sense, and (7) scope. Representative examples of distinctive features and a cursory description of the booklets and their contents are presented.
Image coding using optimized significance tree quantization

A number of recent embedded transform coders, including Shapiro's (1993) EZW scheme, Said and Pearlman's (see IEEE Trans. Circuits and Systems for Video Technology, vol.6, no.3, p.243-250, 1996) SPIHT scheme, and Xiong et al. (see IEEE Signal Processing Letters, no.11, 1996) EZDCT scheme employ a common algorithm called significance tree quantization (STQ). Each of these coders have been selected from a large family of significance tree quantizers based on empirical work and a priori knowledge of the transform coefficient behavior. We describe an algorithm for selecting a particular form of STQ that is optimized for a given class of images. We apply our optimization procedure to the task of quantizing 8/spl times/8 DCT blocks. Our algorithm yields a fully embedded, low-complexity coder with performance from 0.7 to 2.5 dB better than baseline JPEG for standard test images.
3-D transmission tomography using wide aperture data for velocity estimation for irregular salt bodies

Reliable 3-D velocity estimation is a prerequisite to 3-D migration in laterally varying environments, but is difficult with data from conventional seismic surveys because of limited aperture, especially in the crossline direction. A possible solution to this problem is tomographic estimation of the 3-D velocity distribution using transmitted (turned) rays recorded in wide areal apertures. Using this approach, the shape and position of salt structures, including overhangs, sub salt features, and deformation of surrounding sediments, are accurately estimated from synthetic test data. Model enhancement based on a priori geologic constraints gives 3-D macro velocity distributions for models of three actual salt structures: a salt tongue in the Gulf Coast, and the Hainesville and Mount Sylvan domes in the East Texas Basin. The geometries required are feasible with current land acquisition systems. The main practical limitations are the requirements for nonstandard (wide aperture) recording arrays and for accurate time picking of the transmitted arrivals.
A fault model and mutation testing of access control policies

To increase confidence in the correctness of specified policies, policy developers can conduct policy testing by supplying typical test inputs (requests) and subsequently checking test outputs (responses) against expected ones. Unfortunately, manual testing is tedious and few tools exist for automated testing of access control policies. We present a fault model for access control policies and a framework to explore it. The framework includes mutation operators used to implement the fault model, mutant generation, equivalent-mutant detection, and mutant-killing determination. This framework allows us to investigate our fault model, evaluate coverage criteria for test generation and selection, and determine a relationship between structural coverage and fault-detection effectiveness. We have implemented the framework and applied it to various policies written in XACML. Our experimental results offer valuable insights into choosing mutation operators in mutation testing and choosing coverage criteria in test generation and selection.
Spectral and spread-spectral teleportation

We report how quantum information encoded into the spectral degree of freedom of a single-photon state may be teleported using a finite spectrally entangled biphoton state. We further demonstrate how the bandwidth of the teleported wave form can be controllably and coherently dilated using a spread-spectral variant of teleportation. We calculate analytical expressions for the fidelities of spectral and spread-spectral teleportation when complex-valued Gaussian states are transferred using a proposed experimental approach. Finally, we discuss the utility of these techniques for integrating broad-bandwidth photonic qubits with narrow-bandwidth receivers in quantum communication systems.
Polarized distribution of ion channels within microdomains of the axon initial segment.

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels accumulate at the axon initial segment (IS), where their high density supports spike initiation. Maintenance of this high density of Nav channels involves a macromolecular complex that includes the cytoskeletal linker protein ankyrin-G, the only protein known to bind Nav channels and localize them at the IS. We found previously that Nav1.6 is the predominant Nav channel isoform at IS of adult rodent retinal ganglion cells. However, here we report that Nav1.6 immunostaining is consistently reduced or absent in short regions of the IS proximal to the soma, although both ankyrin-G and pan-Nav antibodies stain this region. We show that this proximal IS subregion is a unique axonal microdomain, containing an accumulation of Nav1.1 channels that are spatially segregated from the Nav1.6 channels of the distal IS. Additionally, we find that axonal Kv1.2 potassium channels are present within the distal IS, but are also excluded from the Nav1.1-enriched proximal IS microdomain. Because ankyrin-G was prominent in both proximal and distal subcompartments of the IS, where it colocalized with either Nav1.1 or Nav1.6, respectively, mechanisms other than association with ankyrin-G must mediate differential targeting of Nav channel subtypes to achieve the spatial precision observed within the IS. This precise arrangement of ion channels within the axon initial segment is likely an important determinant of the firing properties of ganglion cells and other mammalian neurons. J. Comp.
Selective Interference Cancellation using Kalman Filtering

In present paper we have investigated a co-channel interference cancellation technique based on the tracking a limited number of strongest interferers only. With the assumption of synchronous base stations operation with overlapping but different training signals (pilots). Kalman filtering may be used for interfering channels estimation and further calculation of interference correlation matrix. This correlation matrix estimate is exploited in ZF or MMSE based interference cancellation scheme. Developed approach for synchronous interference mitigation may be used in next generation of the WiMAX systems.
Economic Evaluation of Soybean Fungicide Seed Treatments

The effects of fungicide seed treatments on seeding rate, location, simulated rainfall at emergence, time of planting, and seed quality were analyzed for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in this study. Variation in plant emergence allowed estimation of economically optimal seeding rates and partial returns (PR = Gross revenue -Seed cost) across seed treatment options. Study results proved a single seed treatment to be superior across most study conditions. In fact, a comparison of optimally treated to untreated seed revealed that a seemingly insignificant input in terms of cost (<$8.65 ha -1 ) enhanced profitability by an average of $43.71 ha -1 in this study. Using high rather than low quality treated seed increased producer returns by an average of $64.27 ha -1 . Seeding rate recommendations need to be viewed with the precaution that added seed may be low cost insurance against lesser-than-expected survival rates. For the cultivar Hutcheson (MG V), planting in May compared with April and June provided better yields using less seed on average. Finally, as the planting season progressed, replanting plant population density thresholds decreased.