cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Single United States Center Experience

Cryptococcal meningitis carries a high mortality. Further understanding of immune suppression factors associated with neuroinvasive infection will improve risk stratification and enhance early diagnosis and treatment with antifungal therapy. The aim of the study was to corroborate established or find novel clinical predictors for cryptococcal meningitis. We performed a matched case–control study of Cryptococcus infection in immunocompromised patients with or without cryptococcal meningitis. Data of all patients with a diagnosis of cryptococcal disease were collected at University of Colorado Hospital between 2000 and 2015 (n = 51). Thirty patients were diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis. We built a logistic regression model for risk factors associated with cryptococcal meningitis. The single-predictor univariate model found that a positive blood culture, positive serum cryptococcal antigen, current malignancy, and headaches were significantly associated with cryptococcal meningitis (p = 0.02). In the adjusted multivariate model, central nervous system disease was significantly associated with a diagnosis of HIV infection (OR 24.45, 95 % CI 1.62–350.37; p = 0.022) and a positive serum cryptococcal antigen test (OR 42.92, 95 % CI 3.26–555.55; p = 0.0055). In patients with HIV infection or a positive serum cryptococcal antigen, the pretest probability of neuroinvasive Cryptococcus infection is increased and an aggressive diagnostic evaluation should be conducted to exclude infection and consider empiric therapy.
Evidence that Oxidative Stress Induces spxA2 Transcription in Bacillus anthracis Sterne through a Mechanism Requiring SpxA1 and Positive Autoregulation.

ABSTRACT Bacillus anthracis possesses two paralogs of the transcriptional regulator, Spx. SpxA1 and SpxA2 interact with RNA polymerase (RNAP) to activate the transcription of genes implicated in the prevention and alleviation of oxidative protein damage. The spxA2 gene is highly upregulated in infected macrophages, but how this is achieved is unknown. Previous studies have shown that the spxA2 gene was under negative control by the Rrf2 family repressor protein, SaiR, whose activity is sensitive to oxidative stress. These studies also suggested that spxA2 was under positive autoregulation. In the present study, we show by in vivo and in vitro analyses that spxA2 is under direct autoregulation but is also dependent on the SpxA1 paralogous protein. The deletion of either spxA1 or spxA2 reduced the diamide-inducible expression of an spxA2-lacZ construct. In vitro transcription reactions using purified B. anthracis RNAP showed that SpxA1 and SpxA2 protein stimulates transcription from a DNA fragment containing the spxA2 promoter. Ectopically positioned spxA2-lacZ fusion requires both SpxA1 and SpxA2 for expression, but the requirement for SpxA1 is partially overcome when saiR is deleted. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that SpxA1 and SpxA2 enhance the affinity of RNAP for spxA2 promoter DNA and that this activity is sensitive to reductant. We hypothesize that the previously observed upregulation of spxA2 in the oxidative environment of the macrophage is at least partly due to SpxA1-mediated SaiR repressor inactivation and the positive autoregulation of spxA2 transcription. IMPORTANCE Regulators of transcription initiation are known to govern the expression of genes required for virulence in pathogenic bacterial species. Members of the Spx family of transcription factors function in control of genes required for virulence and viability in low-GC Gram-positive bacteria. In Bacillus anthracis, the spxA2 gene is highly induced in infected macrophages, which suggests an important role in the control of virulence gene expression during the anthrax disease state. We provide evidence that elevated concentrations of oxidized, active SpxA2 result from an autoregulatory positive-feedback loop driving spxA2 transcription.
The development and deployment of IVHS in North America

The IVHS program in the United States has made remarkable progress. By the end of the century, there will be extensive experience in the operation of advanced traffic control centers. Some classes of accidents are expected to be nearly eliminated through IVHS. Hundreds of thousands of motor vehicles will be equipped with navigation systems and be in communication with advanced traffic management centers. IVHS is expected to make significant contributions to mobility and safety. International cooperation and coordination regarding IVHS will be much farther along as the result of the World Congress program and the increasing global view reflected in the outlook of every country. >
What is chemistry all about

Let me begin by saying how honored I am to be selected as this year’s Priestley Medalist and to join the distinguished cohort of previous medalists. I also wish to salute this year’s ACS national award winners, an impressive group of chemists and accomplishments. Congratulations! In this address I would like to share a story with you, part biographical, part scientific, and part philosophical, relating something of my career, how that is intertwined with the science I have done and am currently doing, where it is going, and lastly, how it relates to the question of what chemistry is all about. My grandparents on both sides emigrated from Czarist Russia and came to America for freedom and a better life. I was fortunate to grow up in the Washington, D.C., area (in Arlington, Va., and Bethesda, Md.) in a family having a deep respect for learning, hard work, and service.
Direct Implicit Plasma Simulation

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the direct implicit plasma simulation. The characteristic time scales for collective phenomena in plasmas encompass many orders of magnitude. Where kinetic effects are crucial, that is, where fluid descriptions are inadequate, computer simulation methods have been applied very successfully to the studies of the nonlinear evolution of plasma phenomena on the faster time scales. For both applications and basic studies, there is increasing interest in extending simulation techniques to kinetic phenomena on much longer time scales. One approach to modeling long-time-scale behavior in such systems is to alter the governing equations to eliminate uninteresting high-frequency modes. In plasmas, many instability, dissipation, and nonlinear saturation mechanisms are kinetic in nature. Because particle codes have been very successful in studying such phenomena, improving their efficiency for long-time-scale simulation is of great value. The chapter describes a method for implementing implicit time differencing in particle-in-cell (PIC) plasma codes, in which the equations for the time-advanced quantities are constructed directly from the particle equations of motion by linearization, rather than by introducing fluid equations.
A Disposable Multi-Functional Air Filter: Paper Towel/Protein Nanofibers with Gradient Porous Structures for Capturing Pollutants of Broad Species and Sizes

Highly polluted air is usually concentrated with particles of broad sizes and species of gaseous toxic chemicals. Filtration of these pollutants simply relying on size effects is not sufficient; instead, strong interactions between filtering materials and pollutants are in critical need. Moreover, to reduce or even avoid further pollution to the environment from disposing of the massive amount of used air filters demands the development of “green” air filtering materials. Here, we report a high-performance hybrid cellulose/protein air filter with nanofiber structures. Interestingly, it was discovered that textured cellulose paper towel can not only act as a flexible mechanical support but also as a type of air flow regulator that can improve pollutant–nanofilter interactions. Therefore, the high-performance natural protein-based nanofabrics are promoted both mechanically and functionally by textured cellulose paper towel. Study results indicate that this hybrid filtering material possesses excellent remov...
Data-driven decomposition analysis and estimation of link-level electric vehicle energy consumption under real-world traffic conditions

Abstract Electric vehicles (EVs) have great potential to reduce transportation-related fossil fuel consumption as well as pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, due to their use of renewable electricity as the sole energy source. Therefore, the wide-spread deployment of EVs is regarded as an attractive means to mitigate the environmental problems (e.g., air pollution and climate change) resulting from transportation activities. Government agencies are trying to promote EV deployment by allocating considerable funding as well as promulgating supportive policies. However, the mass adoption of EVs is still impeded by the limited charging infrastructure and all-electric-range (AER). All these lead to a critical research topic: the EV energy consumption analysis and estimation under real-world traffic conditions, which is fundamental to various types of EV-centred applications that aim at improving the EV energy efficiency and extending the AER. For example, eco-routing systems for EVs rely on accurate link-level energy consumption estimation to calculate the EV energy consumption costs of the different route options. In this work, to obtain an accurate link-level energy consumption estimation model for EVs, the energy consumption under real-world traffic congestion is decomposed based on two proposed impact factors: positive kinetic energy (PKE) and negative kinetic energy (NKE). Upon this decomposition, a data-driven model is built to estimate EV energy consumption on each roadway link considering real-world traffic conditions. Finally, the model performance is evaluated by comparing with the performance of baseline model adapted from existing models. The results show that the proposed EV link-level energy consumption estimation model outperforms the existing models in terms of accuracy, implying that it is quite promising in various on-board EV applications.
MicroRNAs-based inter-domain communication between the host and members of the gut microbiome

The gut microbiome is an important modulator of host gene expression, impacting important functions such as the innate immune response. Recent evidence suggests that the inter-domain communication between the gut microbiome and host may in part occur via microRNAs (small, non-coding RNA molecules) which are often differentially expressed in the presence of bacteria and can even be released and taken up by bacteria. The role of microRNAs in microbiome – host communication in intestinal diseases is not fully understood, particularly in diseases impacted by exposure to environmental toxicants. Here we review the present knowledge in the areas of microbiome and microRNA expression- based communication, microbiome and intestinal disease relationships, and microRNA expression responses to intestinal diseases. We also examine potential links between host microRNA– microbiota communication and exposure to environmental toxicants by reviewing connections between i) toxicants and microRNA expression, ii) toxicants and gut diseases, and iii) toxicants and the gut microbiome. Future multidisciplinary research in this area is needed to uncover these interactions with the potential to impact how gut-microbiome associated diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and many others) are managed.
You Don’t Know Jack about Shared Variables or Memory Models: Data races are evil.

A Google search for "Threads are evil" generates 18,000 hits, but threads are ubiquitous. Almost all of the processes running on a modern Windows PC use them. Software threads are typically how programmers get machines with multiple cores to work together to solve problems faster. And often they are what allow user interfaces to remain responsive while the application performs a background calculation.
Synthesis of the diarylindolizidine alkaloid (+)-Fistulopsine B: Application of an organocatalytic Michael addition reaction

Abstract The first synthesis of a recently isolated antiproliferative diarylindolizidine alkaloid, (+)-fistulopsine B, was achieved. The synthesis features the use of an organocatalytic ketone-nitrostyrene Michael addition as the key step.
Atomic physics: A new twist in β-decay

The broad spectra of radioactive β-decay energies led to the discovery of the neutrino in the 1930s. There was also speculation that the shape of the spectrum could be used to measure a possible neutrino mass. In 1991, it was predicted that there should be ripples in the spectra called ‘β-environmental fine structure’ or BEFS. These ripples have been measured in a new experiment, which may eventually transcend the massive-neutrino controversy in that BEFS can be used to probe the atomic structure of many solids.
Voiding Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence, and Urodynamics

Voiding dysfunction in children is a common problem constituting nearly 40% of patient visits to a pediatric urologist. Although most of these children present with incontinence either daytime, or nocturnal, or both, some present with recurrent urinary tract infection, hematuria, and pain. Voiding dysfunction could be an isolated problem or in other cases form part of a wider neurological disorder. In this chapter we discuss non-neurological voiding dysfunction in children. We describe the ICCS classification of voiding dysfunction, which forms the backbone for the present day work up for these children. The common presenting symptoms, appropriate work up, diagnosis, and management of these children are discussed in detail.
WebTheme: Understanding Web Information through Visual Analytics

WebTheme combines the power of software agent-based information retrieval with visual analytics to provide users with a new tool for understanding web information. WebTheme allows users to both quickly comprehend large collections of information from the Web and drill down into interesting portions of a collection. Software agents work for users to perform controlled harvesting of web material of interest. Visualization and analysis tools allow exploration of the resulting document space. Information spaces are organized and presented according to their topical context. Tools that display how documents were collected by the agents, where they were gathered, and how they are linked further enhance users' understanding of information and its context. WebTheme is a significant tool in the pursuit of the Semantic Web. In particular, it supports enhanced user insight into semantics of large, prestructured or ad-hoc, web information collections.
Transient Expression of DNA in Plant Cells

Techniques for transferring DNA into cells often introduce much more DNA into the cell nucleus than the amount that becomes stably incorporated into the host’s chromosomes. If non-replicating, this extrachromosomal DNA is lost over a one to two week period as a result of dilution by cell division and susceptibility to intracellular degradation. During its transient existence in the cell, the extrachromosomal DNA is known to be transcriptionally active because typically 1 to 10% of the cells express the introduced DNA but only 0.01 to 0.1% of the cells stably integrate and maintain the introduced gene. This “transient expression” is extremely useful in studying gene structure and function relationships for a number of reasons. The most important is the speed with which results on gene expression can be obtained. The transfected cells are typically ready for analysis of gene expression 24 to 48 hours after DNA transfer. A second important aspect is the lack of host chromosomal flanking sequences that may influence gene expression. Quite often there is variation in gene expression in stable transformants depending on the site of insertion; such variation can be greater than the variation between the gene structures being compared (Odell et al., 1985; Velten et al., 1984). Transient DNA is free of host flanking sequences allowing a much simpler comparison of normal and altered gene structures.
Two-Scale Filtering Approach Theory

In consistency with the presentation of the previous chapter, the theory for the two-scale filtering approach will be developed for a flow where Coriolis effects are unimportant, the only stratifying agent is temperature, and the Boussinesq approximation holds. The inclusion of Coriolis effects is trivial, as the terms involved are linear. Also, the ideas to be presented henceforth are very easily generalized to the case in which several diffusing scalars are being transported by the flow.
Systems: The Specification of Multimedia Applications

Recent developments in computer technology have enabled large, distributed multimedia applications to be created in such application areas as education [Woolf95], health care [Wong97], and process control [Guha95]. These applications are often web-based and involve a large amount of user interaction. All of these characteristics increase the complexity of designing, coding and testing. The prototyping of multimedia applications based upon software engineering principles has not yet been adequately addressed by the research community although recently research interest in the area of multimedia and software engineering has increased. An indication of this increased interest is the convening of the first International Workshop on Multimedia Software Engineering held in April 1998 as part of the International Conference on Software Engineering [Hirak98]. In this chapter, we apply software engineering methodology to the production of multimedia applications introducing a principled approach to specify, verify, validate and prototype such applications.
Epidemiology of Oxidative Stress in Male Fertility

Abstract Oxidative stress can affect male fertility due to iatrogenic causes or known medical conditions, or may originate from lifestyle factors or environmental toxicants. Iatrogenic causes include centrifugation, cryopreservation, and medications such as cyclophosphamide, opioids, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Lifestyle factors include age, diet, tobacco use, alcohol intake, obesity, and stress. Environmental toxicants include exposure to air pollution, pesticides, plasticizers, heavy metals, and non-ionizing radiation. Pathologies such as urinary tract infection, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, varicocele, testicular torsion, and cryptorchidism are well-established causes of seminal oxidative stress. However, other causes such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, β-thalassemia, thyroid dysfunction, and hyperhomocysteinemia are only just now becoming recognized as potential causes of seminal oxidative stress. This overview of the various causes of oxidative stress will help identify those with risk factors linked to male infertility. In addition, this overview will hopefully stimulate further research in less well-established causes of seminal oxidative stress, as well as in unique subtypes of oxidative stress, such as the nitrosative stress induced by peroxynitrite and other derivatives of nitric oxide.
A late bird or a good bird? The effect of 9 o’clock attendance policy on student’s achievement

Policymakers around the world search for an optimal school schedule to enhance student’s academic achievement. In this paper, I examine the effect of the 9 o’clock attendance policy on student’s academic performance in South Korea. I find little evidence that delaying the school schedule positively affects pupil’s performance when I control for an extensive list of characteristics or an individual fixed effect. My result implies that individual’s omitted heterogeneities might confound results of previous literature which supports positive effects. I show that the effect of delaying the school starting time is likely to come from a good bird (self-selection effect) rather than a late bird (policy treatment effect). Therefore, we need to be cautious when interpreting the effect of postponing the school starting time, and more analysis and discussion are necessary on the education front.
Shared and distinct neural circuitry for nonsymbolic and symbolic double‐digit addition

Symbolic arithmetic is a complex, uniquely human ability that is acquired through direct instruction. In contrast, the capacity to mentally add and subtract nonsymbolic quantities such as dot arrays emerges without instruction and can be seen in human infants and nonhuman animals. One possibility is that the mental manipulation of nonsymbolic arrays provides a critical scaffold for developing symbolic arithmetic abilities. To explore this hypothesis, we examined whether there is a shared neural basis for nonsymbolic and symbolic double-digit addition. In parallel, we asked whether there are brain regions that are associated with nonsymbolic and symbolic addition independently. First, relative to visually matched control tasks, we found that both nonsymbolic and symbolic addition elicited greater neural signal in the bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS), bilateral inferior temporal gyrus, and the right superior parietal lobule. Subsequent representational similarity analyses revealed that the neural similarity between nonsymbolic and symbolic addition was stronger relative to the similarity between each addition condition and its visually matched control task, but only in the bilateral IPS. These findings suggest that the IPS is involved in arithmetic calculation independent of stimulus format.
Bringing the Astrophotography Bug Ashore

Welcome home! Now that you are ashore does that mean you have to stop taking astrophotographs? Not at all. In fact, if you want to pursue your astrophotography while on land or even other water-based venues such as sailboats, motor boats, lakes, you are in luck. Why? Everything you have applied while at sea to taking astrophotographs will be applicable ashore and on other water locations. And you will find it so much easier to take astrophotographs ashore or on a lake than a ship at sea.
The extracellular matrix–myosin pathway in mechanotransduction: from molecule to tissue

Mechanotransduction via the extracellular matrix (ECM)-myosin pathway is involved in determining cell morphology during development and in coupling external transient mechanical stimuli to the reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Here, we present a review on the molecular mechanisms involved in this pathway and how they influence cellular development and organization. We investigate key proteins involved in the ECM-myosin pathway and discuss how specific binding events and conformational changes under force are related to mechanical signaling. We connect these molecular mechanisms with observed morphological changes at the cellular and organism level. Finally, we propose a model encompassing the biomechanical signals along the ECM-myosin pathway and how it could be involved in cell adhesion, cell migration, and tissue architecture.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a technique that uses electrical pulsations for pain management. Although this method is applied to treat various pain syndromes, its clinical efficacy has been a frequent subject of debate in the literature.
School-Based Telepsychiatry in an Urban Setting: Efficiency and Satisfaction with Care

Background and Introduction: Given the shortage of child psychiatrists in most areas, telepsychiatry may increase accessibility of psychiatric care in schools, in part by improving psychiatrists' e...
Presentation of the Foundations of Thermodynamics in About Twelve One-Hour Lectures

In many expositions of thermodynamics, heat is introduced at the outset of the logical development as an intuitive and self-evident concept, independent of the laws of the subject [1, 2].
Survey of Native and Honey Bees from Agricultural Brentwood and their Constructed Bee Gardens in Northern California, 2010-2018

In 2009 the USDA-NRCS asked the Urban Bee Lab at the University of California, Berkeley if urban bee-flower knowledge could be used to attract native bees to farms in Brentwood, Contra Costa Co. in Northern California. The overarching question was, could native bees play a role in supplementing honey bees by providing pollination services for crop flowers? If so, how many native bee species were visiting farms and how frequently did they occur?Eight small farms (4-60 ha) were selected to investigate this question; four were control and four were treatment farms where bee habitat gardens were constructed. Habitat gardens were stocked with native and non-native ornamental plants known to attract native bees (and honey bees).Bees were monitored yearly in spring at each farm from 2010-2016 to evaluate species richness and abundance, which yielded several findings:I. Farms near urban areas and a creek were consistently more attractive to diverse and abundant bee speciesII. Inconsistent bee garden maintenance and major changes in farm operations in other farms resulted in consistently lower measurements of bee richness and abundanceIII. Over the seven-year monitoring period, 144 bee species were recorded among all farmsIV. Nearby urban areas had most of the same species as the agricultural areas, suggesting a relationship of bees moving between two areasV. A total of 23 diverse native bee species were recorded from apple, berry, and cherry flowers, and many of them in substantial numbers, indicating that native bees were providing pollination servicesFinally, maintaining frequent professional contact with growers was considered crucial in conducting research over the long term. These contacts were also critical in designing outreach packages to growers who expressed interest in applying our native bee findings to their farming operations.
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor SRBC-48 Protects against Dendrite Degeneration and Reduced Longevity Due to Infection

Increasing evidence suggests that deficient immune modulation and microbial infections underline neurodegeneration, but the mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we show that the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) SRBC-48, which belongs to the class BC serpentine receptors, has a protective role in Caenorhabditis elegans dendrite degeneration caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Our results indicate that SRBC-48 functions in a cell-autonomous manner in AWC neurons to protect against infection-associated dendrite degeneration. The absence of SRBC-48 results in a reduced lifespan caused by a pathogen infection early in life that induces dendrite degeneration. The decreased longevity in animals deficient in SRBC-48 is due to uncontrolled activation of immune genes, particularly those regulated by the FOXO family transcription factor DAF-16 that is part of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 receptor homolog DAF-2. These results reveal how an infection early in life can not only induce dendrite degeneration but also reduce lifespan.
Principles for Applying Augmented Reality in Manufacturing

Augmented Reality, the superimposition of digital features into the real world environment, has already made great strides in fields such as entertainment and advertising. However, the use of compound technology that bridges reality and the digital world has yet to be implemented cogently and thoroughly into the manufacturing field. This paper proposes a set of four principles for designing Augmented Reality implementations in manufacturing developed from a review of prior work in the area and related fields.
Failure of SCS MR-Conditional Modes Due to High Impedance: A Review of Literature and Case Series

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional modes are a novel feature for certain Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices. However, there is a paucity of literature around the limitation of MRI-conditional modes (“MRI safe”), specifically in clinical scenarios where urgent MRIs may be needed. One such limitation is load impedance, referring to the circuit’s resistance to the current being generated by the system. High impedance can limit the MRI-conditional mode capability, presenting potential harm to a patient undergoing an MRI or make an MRI unable to be completed. Three cases were identified, and informed consent was obtained. All information was obtained via retrospective chart review. In this case series of three patients where MRI-conditional SCS systems were unable to be placed in “MRI safe” settings, preventing timely MRI study completion in the setting of high impedance, all three were required to undergo alternative imaging including CT scans, and two patients ultimately had the system explanted and one chose to be re-implanted after completion of scans. This case series highlights the need for further investigation of impedance in SCS systems and potential limitations for future MRI usage. The review of literature of impedance in SCS shows both device- and physiologic-related etiologies for changes in impedance that warrant consideration by the implanting physician.
The subsurface structure of abraded Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

Abstract Surface abrasion has been shown to introduce heavy shear stress and produce a few hundred nanometers thick altered surface layer (ASL) on Al alloys. Such ASLs exhibit microstructural changes at room temperature and different corrosion resistance than the underlying substrate. Here, we report how sample dimensions and temperature affect the deformed subsurface microstructure evolution on an abraded Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography. The ASL microstructure evolves differently in the bulk sample than in the thin TEM specimen. In the freshly abraded ASL, the original η′/η precipitates and grain boundaries were deformed toward the abrasion direction. After 7-day natural aging of the freshly abraded bulk sample, well-defined subgrains formed locally in the ASL, and unusual Al2Cu (θ) and MgxZny phases precipitated at the subgrain boundaries. However, during natural aging of this TEM specimen taken from the abraded and aged bulk samples, much faster changes occurred, including the continued formation of subgrains and θ particles in the entire ASL, and the diffusion of Zn atoms out of MgxZny particles to form a Zn particle. On the other hand, no obvious microstructural changes occurred in the ASL during 3-month natural aging of the TEM specimen immediately taken from the freshly abraded sample. This work advances the understanding of how Al alloy microstructures respond during and following any shear deformation, and complex and unexpected effects of sample dimensions on the behavior.
Imputation of missing data using machine learning techniques

A serious problem in mining industrial data bases is that they are often incomplete, and a significant amount of data is missing, or erroneously entered. This paper explores the use of machine-learning based alternatives to standard statistical data completion (data imputation) methods, for dealing with missing data. We have approached the data completion problem using two well-known machine learning techniques. The first is an unsupervised clustering strategy which uses a Bayesian approach to cluster the data into classes. The classes so obtained are then used to predict multiple choices for the attribute of interest. The second technique involves modeling missing variables by supervised induction of a decision tree-based classifier. This predicts the most likely value for the attribute of interest. Empirical tests using extracts from industrial databases maintained by Honeywell customers have been done in order to compare the two techniques. These tests show both approaches are useful and have advantages and disadvantages. We argue that the choice between unsupervised and supervised classification techniques should be influenced by the motivation for solving the missing data problem, and discuss potential applications for the procedures we are developing.
Generalized Fault Tolerance Properties of Star Graphs

Recently an attractive interconnection topology has been proposed which compares very favorably with the well known n-cubes in terms of degree, diameter, fault tolerance and resilience. In this paper we investigate further fault tolerance properties of star graphs using the generalized measure of fault tolerance as introduced recently to study n-cubes. Star graphs are found again to compare favorably with n-cubes even using this generalized measure of fault tolerance.
Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) root penetration into and chemical properties of claypan soils

Claypans restrict rooting depth and availability of moisture and nutrients to plants during periods of drought. Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides var. dactyloides (L.) L] often remains green during summer droughts, while other plants turn brown. Questions arose whether eastern gamagrass roots could penetrate claypans to obtain needed moisture. Pits were dug (2m deep) under eastern gamagrass plants that had been growing 50+ and 5+ years at two sites in Missouri. Clay contents were 30 to 50% in soil layers below 30 cm, and moisture was not limiting in these deep soil layers. Soil pHCa, in the lower soil layers, except at 180 cm, was below 5.0, and in some cases near 4.0. Extractable Al was especially high in the 90 and 120 cm deep soil layers where pH was low. Extractable Ca, Mg, and K increased with soil depth. The eastern gamagrass roots effectively penetrated claypan soils. Root lengths and root weights were extensive to 180 cm depth, and decreased from the surface with soil depth. Roots of eastern gamagrass were aerenchymous (having cellular compartments which allow air movement) at all depths, were mycorrhizal to at least 150 cm depth, and had relatively high tolerance to acidic Al toxic Tatum subsoil (Typic Hapludult) and toxic levels of Al in nutrient solution. The eastern gamagrass roots also provided root channels through claypans, which could enable new eastern gamagrass or other plant roots to grow into deeper soil layers.
Locally proactive routing protocols

In a proactive routing protocol, each node periodically transmits control packets to distribute its local topology. Since the conditions of a mobile ad hoc network are rarely uniform, using the same period at each node may not result in the best performance. Therefore, we propose a protocol that is locally proactive, i.e., each node periodically transmits control packets using a time interval based on its local network conditions. Our objective is to simultaneously maximize the packet delivery ratio and minimize the control overhead. To accomplish it, we develop statistical models for each response for the OLSR routing protocol as a function of node speed and two timer intervals. In simulation we show that the locally proactive OLSR reduces the control overhead by 35-44% and obtains a packet delivery ratio that is statistically identical to that of the original OLSR protocol.
Self-Affine Time Series: I. Generation and Analyses

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces the basic concepts of self-affine time series. In a self-affine time series, the power-spectral density is defined as a power-law function of the frequency. Time series are quantified by their statistical distribution of values and by their persistence or antipersistence. Persistence can be classified in terms of range, short-range or long-range, and in terms of strength, weak, or strong. The distribution of values is usually either Gaussian (normal) or log-normal. The basic characteristic of a self-affine time series is that the persistence is scale invariant. Thus, a self-affine time series has a long-range persistence and these are found in a wide variety of geophysical applications. The chapter examines a variety of techniques to quantify the strength of long-range persistence in self-affine time series. These include Fourier power-spectral analysis, semivariogram analysis, rescaled-range analysis, average extreme-event analysis, and wavelet variance analysis.
PRECIPITATION OF MIXTURES OF ANIONIC AND CATIONIC SURFACTANTS. II, EFFECT OF SURFACTANT STRUCTURE, TEMPERATURE, AND PH

Abstract Precipitation phase boundaries for sodium alkyl sulfate/dodecylpyridium chloride were measured over a wide range of surfactant concentrations as a function of pH, temperature, and anionic surfactant alkyl chain length. Increasing temperature and decreasing surfactant alkyl chain length generally tend to decrease the tendency to precipitate. A previously developed model for predicting anionic/cationic surfactant precipitation phase boundaries described the experimental results very well except in some high surfactant concentration regions where coacervate and gels formed. This model uses a simple solubility product relationship, with regular solution theory, to describe mixed micelle formation. The environment of the alkyl chains is more favorable in the precipitate than in the micelles, from measured thermodynamic properties.
Fast target prediction of human reaching motion for cooperative human-robot manipulation tasks using time series classification

Interest in human-robot coexistence, in which humans and robots share a common work volume, is increasing in manufacturing environments. Efficient work coordination requires both awareness of the human pose and a plan of action for both human and robot agents in order to compute robot motion trajectories that synchronize naturally with human motion. In this paper, we present a data-driven approach that synthesizes anticipatory knowledge of both human motions and subsequent action steps in order to predict in real-time the intended target of a human performing a reaching motion. Motion-level anticipatory models are constructed using multiple demonstrations of human reaching motions. We produce a library of motions from human demonstrations, based on a statistical representation of the degrees of freedom of the human arm, using time series analysis, wherein each time step is encoded as a multivariate Gaussian distribution. We demonstrate the benefits of this approach through offline statistical analysis of human motion data. The results indicate a considerable improvement over prior techniques in early prediction, achieving 70% or higher correct classification on average for the first third of the trajectory (< 500msec). We also indicate proof-of-concept through the demonstration of a human-robot cooperative manipulation task performed with a PR2 robot. Finally, we analyze the quality of task-level anticipatory knowledge required to improve prediction performance early in the human motion trajectory.
Connection Scheduling in Web Servers

Under high loads, a Web server may be servicing many hundreds of connections concurrently. In traditional Web servers, the question of the order in which concurrent connections are serviced has been left to the operating system. In this paper we ask whether servers might provide better service by using non-traditional service ordering. In particular, for the case when a Web server is serving static files, we examine the costs and benefits of a policy that gives preferential service to short connections. We start by assessing the scheduling behavior of a commonly used server (Apache running on Linux) with respect to connection size and show that it does not appear to provide preferential service to short connections. We then examine the potential performance improvements of a policy that does favor short connections (shortest-connection-first). We show that mean response time can be improved by factors of four or five under shortest-connection-first, as compared to an (Apache-like) size-independent policy. Finally we assess the costs of shortest-connection-first scheduling in terms of unfairness (i.e., the degree to which long connections suffer). We show that under shortest-connection-first scheduling, long connections pay very little penalty. This surprising result can be understood as a consequence of heavy-tailed Web server workloads, in which most connections are small, but most server load is due to the few large connections. We support this explanation using analysis.
Interstellar hot plasma contributions to the diffuse ultraviolet background

The intensity of the diffuse background emission in the far ultraviolet from hot coronal gas present in the plane and halo of the galaxy is calculated. The main emission lines expected are those of C III, IV, N III, IV and Si III, IV at 1909, 1549, 1749, 1487, 1207 and 1398 A respectively. Unless the gas is unusually clumped or has extremely depleted abundances, this source is not of sufficient intensity to influence current broadband measurements of the diffuse continuous ultraviolet background. However, future observations at higher sensitivity and resolution might have to take this effect into account.
Incidence of two root canals in human mandibular incisor teeth

Abstract Three hundred sixty-four extracted human mandibular incisors were studied radio-graphically with metallic endodontic probes inserted into the canals in order to determine the incidence of two main root canals in these teeth. It was found that 41.4 per cent of the sample had two clinically separate canals. Only 1.3 per cent of the sample, however, had two separate canals with two separate apical foramina. In the remaining teeth with two canals, the canals merged into one canal before exiting the tooth through one apical foramen.
Relating voltage and thermal safety in Li-ion battery cathodes: a high-throughput computational study

High voltage and high thermal safety are desirable characteristics of cathode materials, but difficult to achieve simultaneously. This work uses high-throughput density functional theory computations to evaluate the link between voltage and safety (as estimated by thermodynamic O2 release temperatures) for over 1400 cathode materials. Our study indicates that a strong inverse relationship exists between voltage and safety: just over half the variance in O2 release temperature can be explained by voltage alone. We examine the effect of polyanion group, redox couple, and ratio of oxygen to counter-cation on both voltage and safety. As expected, our data demonstrates that polyanion groups improve safety when comparing compounds with similar voltages. However, a counterintuitive result of our study is that polyanion groups produce either no benefit or reduce safety when comparing compounds with the same redox couple. Using our data set, we tabulate voltages and oxidation potentials for over 105 combinations of redox couple/anion, which can be used towards the design and rationalization of new cathode materials. Overall, only a few compounds in our study, representing limited redox couple/polyanion combinations, exhibit both high voltage and high safety. We discuss these compounds in more detail as well as the opportunities for designing safe, high-voltage cathodes.
50×50 digital silicon photonic switches with MEMS-actuated adiabatic couplers

We report on monolithically integrated 50×50 digital silicon photonic switches with MEMS actuation, sub-microsecond switching time, low optical insertion loss (<9.6dB), high extinction ratio (50dB), broadband operation (1400–1700nm), and compact footprint (7.6×7.6mm2).
Thick accretion disks ten years later

The theory of radiation pressure supported thick accretion disks is discussed and observational evidence for their existence is reviewed. Theoretical aspects examined include luminosity, spectra, jets, and variability. Observational data of the binary system SS 433, compact X-ray sources (showing quasi-periodic oscillations), and active galactic nuclei are presented. The observed central masses, total luminosities, accretion rates, efficiencies, funnels, jets, and variabilities of objects thought to be thick accretion disks are given in a table and the history of the discovery of thick accretion disks is summarized.
IMPACT OF STATINS ON LONG TERM MORTALITY IN HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION (HFPEF)

Reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide due to endothelial dysfunction causes generation of reactive oxygen species which leads to vascular stiffness and worsening of HFpEF. Pleotropic effects of Statins beneficially modulate endothelial function by reducing inflammation, stabilizing atherosclerotic
Meiotic recombination in filamentous fungi

The exchange of genes by crossing over and by gene conversion is a basic process in eukaryotes. Fungi have played a special role in the study of this process because they permit tetrad analysis, which provides complete information on the distribution of genes and chromosomes in meiosis. Recombination is detected by new combinations of genetic markers. The first observation gave only the simple picture of a crossover provided by two segregating loci far apart on the chromosome. Later the discovery of recombination between sites within a gene led to a revolution in our knowledge of this process. Today we carry the resolution a step further with RFLP markers, which can detect the details of recombination down to nucleotide distances. I review here observations on filamentous fungi, which have contributed to this pursuit at each stage of the emerging synthesis.
Cerebellar Granule Cell Genesis in the Hydrocortisone-Treated Rat

The development of the cerebellar cortex was studied by quantitative light microscopic methods in rats treated with hydrocortisone on postnatal days 7-18. This treatment resulted in a decreased number of cells in the external granular layer (EGL) and an early disappearance of the EGL. In the adult cerebellum of these neonatally treated animals, the total number of granule cells in lobule VIII was decreased by 41% and that of molecular layer microneurons by 28%. Autoradiographic determinations of the 'birthdays' (time of origin) of cerebellar microneurons showed that the peaks of cell formation in the internal granular and molecular layers occurred at earlier ages than in controls. In the granule cell population, this observation was the result of both decreased cell proliferation during the treatment and premature cessation of division in granule cell precursors in the EGL. The morphological effects of 'late' hydrocortisone treatment on the cerebellum observed in this study are compared with those of 'early' hydrocortisone treatment on days 1-4 and those of thyroid hormone from previous studies. It is suggested that endogenous levels of both thyroid and glucocorticoid hormones during the neonatal period may influence the rate of neurogenesis in the postnatal rat cerebellum.
Adrenocorticotrophin-Releasing Hormone in Peripheral Blood: Increase during Stress

Significant amounts of adrenocorticotrophin-releasing hormone appear in the peripheral blood under conditions of physiological stress. Associated with the appearance of this neurohormone is an increased antidiuretic activity. The neurohormone presumably enters the general circulation by way of the portal vessels of the anterior pituitary gland.
The structure of K2Er(NO3)5

The structure of K2Er(NO3)5 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. It is monoclinic with a = 7.954(4) A, b = 11.943(4) A, c = 14.269(7) A, s = 102.85(4) A, Z = 4, Dc = 2.79 g cm−3and D = 2.659(4) g cm−3. The space group is C2h5−P21/c. Data was gathered on an automated diffractometer using MoKα radiation. For 2300 independent reflections a least-squares refinement with anisotropic temperature parameters on all atoms and an extinction correction included yielded RF = 0.049. There is bidentate bonding of the nitrate ions to the Er atom resulting in a coordination number of 10 for the Er atom. The K atoms exhibit 7-fold and 9-fold coordination to the oxygen atoms. The nine coordinated K ion shows bidentate bonding to two nitrate groups and monodentate bonding to five other nitrate groups. The second type of K exhibits bidentate coordination to one nitrate group and monodentate coordination to five other nitrate groups. The supplementary bonding results in a distortion of the nitrate ion. The three oxygen atoms that are bonded only to the 9-fold coordinated K atom have an average bond length of 1.20 A vs the NO bond length of 1.24–1.29 A for the oxygens bonded to the Er atom, both K atoms or both a K and Er atom.