cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What we can and cannot (yet) do with functional near infrared spectroscopy

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a relatively new technique complimentary to EEG for the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). NIRS-based systems for detecting various cognitive and affective states such as mental and emotional stress have already been demonstrated in a range of adaptive human-computer interaction (HCI) applications. However, before NIRS-BCIs can be used reliably in realistic HCI settings, substantial challenges concerning signal processing and modeling must be addressed. Although many of those challenges have been identified previously, the solutions to overcome them remain scant. In this paper, we first review what can be currently done with NIRS, specifically, NIRS-based approaches to measuring cognitive and affective user states as well as demonstrations of passive NIRS-BCIs. We then discuss some of the primary challenges these systems would face if deployed in more realistic settings, including detection latencies and motion artifacts. Lastly, we investigate the effects of some of these challenges on signal reliability via a quantitative comparison of three NIRS models. The hope is that this paper will actively engage researchers to facilitate the advancement of NIRS as a more robust and useful tool to the BCI community.
Fourier Transforms By White-Light Interferometry: Michelson Stellar Interferometer Fringes

The white-light compensated rotational shear interferometer (coherence interferometer) was developed in an effort to study the spatial frequency content of passively illuminated white-light scenes in real-time and to image sources of astronomical interest at high spatial frequencies through atmospheric turbulence. This work was inspired by Professor Goodman's studies of the image formation properties of coherent (laser) illuminated transparencies. We discovered that real-time image processing is possible using white-light interferometry. The concept of a quasimonoplanatic approximation is introduced as a parallel to the quasimonochromatic approximation needed to describe the theory of Fourier transform spectrometers. This paper describes the coherence interferometer and reviews its image formation properties under the conditions of quasimonoplanacity and describes its development and its applications to physical optics, optical processing and astrophysics including the search for exoplanets.
Limits of Linear, Single‐Frequency Filter Design for Minimizing Ionosphere Divergence Error

Ionospheric storms are the most severe threat to high-integrity differential GPS systems, such as Ground-Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS). During an ionosphere storm, measurement filtering may introduce large code-carrier divergence errors (several meters in magnitude) that persist even when a user approaches the reference antenna (and the spatial ionosphere error goes to zero). This paper establishes a lower limit on the magnitude of the ionosphere divergence error that can be achieved by an optimal linear filter. Surprisingly, the commonly employed Hatch Filter approaches this minimum divergence error within about 10%. This result indicates that substantial reduction of ionosphere-induced divergence error is not possible without nonlinear processing.
Turf wars in radiology: Emergency department ultrasound and radiography

In recent years, emergency medicine physicians have made strenuous efforts to take over responsibility for interpreting and billing for ultrasound and conventional x-ray studies performed in emergency departments. This is a battle that radiologists have largely won. The authors explore some of the history of this controversy and the reasons why radiologists still control emergency department imaging.
Naegleria: A Research Partner For Cell and Developmental Biology

. Organisms in the genus Naegleria offer special opportunities for research in contemporary biology. the dramatic cell differentiation from amebae to flagellates is unique among eukaryotes in the rapidity, synchrony, reproducibility, homogeneity, and accessibility of a major phenotypic change. Environmental signals initiate a progressive signal transduction pathway in which genes are turned on, including those for several calcium-binding proteins, and newly synthesized proteins become localized in newly assembled organelles, including the centriole-like basal bodies, with the overall consequence that the cell changes its shape, motility, and behavior. This essay reviews research opportunities for which Naegleria excels, as well as interesting aspects of its biology that provide challenges for future investigations. Because these organisms alternate between two major eukaryotic motility forms, their phylogenetic position is also provocative. Although there are hints that Naegleria is capable of sexual reproduction in nature, mating has not yet been observed in the laboratory. In order to fully exploit the opportunities offered by this wonderful experimental system we are working to develop means to do genetic manipulation, in particular via DNA-mediated transformation.
DNA sequence variations in the genes MSX1 and TGFA may lead to developmentally missing teeth.

Original Article Vieira AR, Meira R, Modesto A, Murray JC. MSX1, PAX9, and TGFA contribute to tooth agenesis in humans. J Dent Res 2004;83(9):723-7. Level of Evidence 3b Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the association between developmentally missing teeth (hypodontia) and sequence variations in the genes MSX1 , PAX9 , and TGFA in an ethnically diverse population. Source of Funding National Institutes of Health Type of Study/Design A case/parent trio study
Substitution of the 5-HT1 agonist trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) for the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol: effect of training dose.

The role of the ethanol training dose on the ability of the selective 5-HT1 agonist TFMPP (m-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine) to produce ethanol-like discriminative stimulus effects was evaluated in three groups of rats trained to discriminate 1.0 g/kg (n=5), 1.5 g/kg (n=6) or 2.0 g/kg (n=7) ethanol (IG) from water using a two-lever procedure with food reinforcement available under a fixed ratio 20 (FR 20) schedule. Ethanol generalization gradients were comparable in the three groups, indicating few potency differences in the ethanol stimulus across training dose. However, the ability of TFMPP (0.1–1.7 mg/kg; IP) to substitute for ethanol was dependent on the training dose. TFMPP resulted in partial substitution in the 1.0 g/kg group, complete substitution for 1.5 g/kg group and no substitution in the 2.0 g/kg ethanol training group. The results indicate a serotonergic component to the discriminative stimulus effects of an intermediate dose of ethanol that is not prominent as the dose of ethanol is raised. These data add further support for the hypothesis that ethanol produces a mixed discriminative cue, the components of which are not uniformly amplified when the dose of ethanol is increased.
Overexpression of Ad5 precursor terminal protein accelerates recombinant adenovirus packaging and amplification in HEK-293 packaging cells

Recombinant adenoviruses are one of the most common vehicles for efficient in vitro and in vivo gene deliveries. Here, we investigate whether exogenous precursor terminal protein (pTP) expression in 293 cells improves the efficiency of adenovirus packaging and amplification. We used a piggyBac transposon-based vector and engineered a stable 293 line that expresses high level of Ad5 pTP, designated as 293pTP. Using the AdBMP6-GLuc that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP), BMP6 and Gaussia luciferase, we found that the infectivity of AdBMP6-GLuc viral samples packaged in 293pTP cells was titrated up to 19.3 times higher than that packaged in parental 293 cells. AdBMP6-GLuc viral samples packaged in 293pTP cells exhibited significantly higher transduction efficiency in 143B and immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblast (iMEF) cells, as assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of GFP-positive cells, the luciferase activity assay and BMP6-induced osteogenic marker alkaline phosphatase activities in iMEFs. When adenovirus amplification efficiency was analyzed, we found that 293pTP cells infected with AdBMP6-GLuc yielded up to 12.6 times higher titer than that in parental 293 cells, especially at lower multiplicities of infection. These results strongly suggest that exogenous pTP expression may accelerate the packaging and amplification of recombinant adenoviruses. Thus, the engineered 293pTP cells should be a superior packaging line for efficient adenovirus production.
Control of phyllotaxy by the cytokinin-inducible response regulator homologue ABPHYL1

Phyllotaxy describes the geometric pattern of leaves and flowers, and has intrigued botanists and mathematicians for centuries. How these patterns are initiated is poorly understood, and this is partly due to the paucity of mutants. Signalling by the plant hormone auxin appears to determine the site of leaf initiation; however, this observation does not explain how distinct patterns of phyllotaxy are initiated. abphyl1 (abph1) mutants of maize initiate leaves in a decussate pattern (that is, paired at 180 degrees), in contrast to the alternating or distichous phyllotaxy observed in wild-type maize and other grasses. Here we show that ABPH1 is homologous to two-component response regulators and is induced by the plant hormone cytokinin. ABPH1 is expressed in the embryonic shoot apical meristem, and its spatial expression pattern changes rapidly with cytokinin treatment. We propose that ABPH1 controls phyllotactic patterning by negatively regulating the cytokinin-induced expansion of the shoot meristem, thereby limiting the space available for primordium initiation at the apex.
Seismic measurements of the internal properties of fault zones

The internal properties within and adjacent to fault zones are reviewed, principally on the basis of laboratory, borehole, and seismic refraction and reflection data. The deformation of rocks by faulting ranges from intragrain microcracking to severe alteration. Saturated microcracked and mildly fractured rocks do not exhibit a significant reduction in velocity, but, from borehole measurements, densely fractured rocks do show significantly reduced velocities, the amount of reduction generally proportional to the fracture density. Highly fractured rock and thick fault gouge along the creeping portion of the San Andreas fault are evidenced by a pronounced seismic low-velocity zone (LVZ), which is either very thin or absent along locked portions of the fault. Thus there is a correlation between fault slip behavior and seismic velocity structure within the fault zone; high pore pressure within the pronounced LVZ may be conductive to fault creep. Deep seismic reflection data indicate that crustal faults sometimes extend through the entire crust. Models of these data and geologic evidence are consistent with a composition of deep faults consisting of highly foliated, seismically anisotropic mylonites.
A model driven XML transformation framework for Business Performance Management model creation

As XML formats have been widely adopted for representing business documents both within and across enterprises, XML to XML translation becomes a common and critical component for business process integration. Due to limitations of popular approaches such as XSLT for XML translations, we designed a model driven development framework for XML to XML translation with the additional benefits of code re-use and strong built-in model validation. We further applied this framework to the domain of Business Performance Management (BPM), converting documents from human-readable XML format to machine-readable XMI format. Experimental evaluation indicated that XML models can have more than 75% size reduction.
Building a better stop sign: understanding the signals that terminate transcription

A synthetic biology terminator toolkit enables more sophisticated circuit design and gives insight into the mechanism of transcriptional termination.
An Assessment of State Level Sexual Assault Prevalence Estimates

The purpose of our research is to compare sexual violence prevalence rates from three sources of state level data. Public health officials, legislators and other policymakers often require state-level sexual assault prevalence estimates to justify funding and rationalize both new and ongoing sexual violence prevention programs, as well as programs for victims. We compared survey design and resulting prevalence rates of the three surveys frequently used at the state level: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) extrapolations, and replications of the NVAWS. Although the specificity of the questions used in the NVAWS provides a clearer picture of the prevalence of sexual assault than the BRFSS questions, the sexual violence module on the BRFSS survey has the advantage that it is used regularly by some states. Currently available female sexual assault prevalence estimates differ widely at the state level but can be used when interpreted with informed caution. The new National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Surveillance System holds promise for providing better estimates in the future.
ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF THE ACTUATOR ROCKING MODE IN A HARD DISK DRIVE

The recording head in a hard disk drive (HDD) is supported by an actuator assembly which is being controlled by a servo system. Structural resonance modes in the actuator impact the performance of the servo system. The actuator rocking mode has been identified as a major contributor to seek settling and hence, affects the servo stability. This paper presents the effect of actuator structure, skew angle and magnetic flux on the actuator rocking mode. A model to show the effect of the actuator rocking mode on the head motion was constructed to study the interaction with the control plant. The analysis was then verified with experiments. Excellent correlation was established between the experimental result and the theoretical model. Although the rocking mode cannot be eliminated, methods to suppress it are proposed based on the findings.
Diagnostic Approaches to Posterior Uveal Melanomas

Although ophthalmologists are generally familiar with the typical clinical features of posterior uveal melanoma, a specific approach is helpful in establishing the diagnosis. This chapter covers the application of these methods specifically to ciliary body and choroidal melanoma. The material is condensed from two recent textbooks on the subject of intraocular tumors, which cite numerous references on the subject (Shields and Shields 1991,1999).
Regolith thickness instability and the formation of tors in arid environments

[1] We present model results suggesting that a physical erosion–bedrock weathering feedback is responsible for the development of isolated bedrock knobs (tors/inselbergs) that often punctuate otherwise smooth pediments of homogeneous basement lithology. Tors and larger, more heavily jointed and morphologically complex exposures, inselbergs, may arise as a consequence of fluctuations in rainfall and sediment transport conditions combined with a bedrock weathering mechanism that depends on regolith thickness. Hydrogeochemical considerations and field observations in arid, granitic environments suggest that the relationship between weathering rate and regolith thickness exhibits a maximum for a finite thickness of cover. We have encapsulated this simple erosion-weathering feedback in a numerical model simulating arid/semiarid landscape evolution that produces low-sloping pediments punctuated by tors. Tors form during periods of higher effective moisture, resulting in local base level incision and regolith thinning on pediments, invoking a transition in which mantled surfaces lower at rates exceeding the bare bedrock weathering rate. This condition favors the emergence and growth of tors in areas covered by regolith thickness less than a threshold value. Subsequent shifts in climate or local base level that restore sediment surface lowering rates less than the bare bedrock weathering rate will lead to a progressive decrease in tor height and, ultimately, their disappearance. Thus, according to this model, tors in arid environments represent possibly transient features related to fluctuations in climate or local transport conditions rather than palimpsests of an ancient landscape derived from differential subsurface weathering followed by regolith stripping.
From Headline Shooter to Picture Snatcher The construction of photojournalists in American film, 1928-39

The existing research that addresses the depiction of photojournalists in popular culture focuses primarily on stereotypical characters and assessments of their distorted reflections of ‘reality’. In contrast, this article considers elements of popular cultural practices produced under specific social, economic, and political conditions that may provide useful insights into the actual lived experiences of photojournalists. Framed from a cultural materialist perspective, this research suggests that American films are cultural artifacts that offer documentary evidence as to the actual working conditions of photojournalists. Specifically, this research project focuses on the construction of photojournalists in 20 American films, in which photojournalists and cameramen appear as central characters, produced during the late 1920s and 1930s. The insights gained from the films are also evaluated through a lens of scholarly and trade literature about photojournalism written during the beginning of the 20th century.
Linkages Among Asset Markets in the United StatesTests in a Bivariate GARCH Framework

This paper develops a bivariate GARCH model that allows for time-varying conditional correlations and simultaneous testing of two Granger-causal linkages: the impact of return volatility in a market on intermarket correlation and the impact of return volatility in one market on the volatility of another. Using daily data from stock, bond, currency, and commodity markets in the United States, the paper finds evidence of each form of linkage. Furthermore, the conditional correlations change over time and exhibit considerable persistence. The estimated time-varying conditional correlations provide insight into the nature of the stock market crash of 1987.
Integral representation for L-functions for GSp 4 × GL 2

Let π be a cuspidal, automorphic representation of GSp4 attached to a Siegel modular form of degree 2. We refine the method of Furusawa [M. Furusawa, On L-functions for GSp(4)×GL(2) and their special values, J. Reine Angew. Math. 438 (1993) 187–218] to obtain an integral representation for the degree-8 L-function L(s,π×τ), where τ runs through certain cuspidal, automorphic representation of GL2. Our calculations include the case of any representation with unramified central character for the p-adic components of τ, and a wide class of archimedean types including Maas forms. As an application we obtain a special value result for L(s,π×τ).
Possible isotopic fractionation of argon in source obsidians and archeological artifacts from Kulkuletti, Ethiopia

Abstract Despite uniform geochemistry 40Ar/39Ar ages of 0.6, 1.25, and ∼1.3 Ma on obsidians from a source flow (Worja) and from archeological artifacts at the sites of Kulkuletti (near Gademotta, Ethiopia) have been interpreted to suggest that they derive from different source flows of different ages. A further suggestion is that the magmatic source of the obsidian flows was chemically homogeneous between 1.3 Ma and 0.6 Ma. Chemical analysis of these obsidians indeed suggests that they derive from a single flow. Reexamination of the argon isotopic data reveals that argon isotopes may have been fractionated within the flow, so that the assumption of an atmospheric 40Ar/36Ar ratio of 295.5 is inappropriate to use for computing ages. Three groups of data are apparent, and internally all yield ages near 1.3 Ma if the intercept value for 40Ar/36Ar from an isotope correlation plot is used for computation instead of using the atmospheric ratio. The Soret thermal diffusion effect provides a possible mechanism of fractionation of argon within the obsidian flow that is of approximately the right magnitude to explain the observations by in-diffusion of already fractionated atmospheric argon.
A Concept Analysis of Effective Breastfeeding

Objective To provide a concept analysis of effective breastfeeding. Data sources Medline and CINAHL electronic databases, reference lists from selected articles, and 7 breastfeeding assessment tools. Search terms included the following: breastfeeding and effective, adequate, successful. Study selection Literature was selected according to whether the concept of effective breastfeeding was defined or described. Data extraction Literature was reviewed and data organized as definitions or descriptions, with descriptions grouped into categories sharing similar characteristics. Data synthesis Four characteristics were chosen as essential attributes of effective breastfeeding: positioning, latch, sucking, and milk transfer. Conclusions The concept of effective breastfeeding requires further concept development to define and describe effective positioning, latch, sucking, and milk transfer. Future research is needed to determine the relationships between the antecedents, attributes, and consequences of effective breastfeeding. JOGNN, 35, 332‐339; 2006. DOI: 10.1111/J.1552‐6909.2006.00050.x
Accommodative Convergence - An Adaptive Nonlinear Control System

Accommodative convergence of the eyes relates to reflex convergence when the lens accommodates for distance. The system has been studied in both frequency and time domains by providing sinusoidal and pulse stimuli of target distance from the eye and measuring the degree of convergence as output. Both predictable single sinusoidal and nonpredictable multiple sinusoidal data are obtained and related to subject experience in tracking. The results for single sinusoidal input at varying input amplitudes show the system to behave as if it contained a nomemory nonlinearity. Open loop single sinusoidal data was measured directly and compared with open loop Bode plots theoretically derived from the closed loop data. Instability oscillations are demonstrated and their frequency is predicted by the open loop data. A mathematical model to describe the data is derived. The adaptive nature of the system is discussed and evidence is given for a prediction operator as an input adaptive feature. The instability oscillations are shown to occur in those situations in which one might predict small signals to be produced by an initial error sensing element in the system. It is suggested that one type of adaptive function is to vary the gain of the controller or error correcting portion of the system and hence the total open loop gain. When situations then arise that markedly increase open loop gain, instability oscillations result. Finally, the system is shown to behave as if it were not a sampled data system, but rather operates on data flow continuously.
Effect of the injection angle on liquid spray development in a high-speed direct-injection optical diesel engine

AbstractIn this paper, the spray development and its interaction with the piston geometry were investigated in a small-bore high-speed direct-injection optical diesel engine. The effects of injection angle, injection timing, injection pressure, and injection fuel quantity were studied. The entire liquid spray cycle was visualized by a background-corrected Mie-scattering technique using a high-speed digital video camera synchronized with a high-repetition-rate copper vapour laser. For some conditions, the initial injection velocity was estimated quantitatively. The results show that the injection angle and injection timing predominantly control the spray interaction with the piston geometry and the resulting air—fuel mixing mode. Narrow-angle injection leads to a significantly different air—fuel mixing process from the traditional wide-angle injector. If properly controlled, the narrow-angle direct-injection technique offers more flexibility on injection timing control with the fuel confined in the central...
Pulmonary hypertension secondary to serum hyperviscosity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract A patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was evaluated for dyspnea of six months' duration is described. Although no primary cardiac or parenchymal lung disease was identified, right heart catheterization revealed marked pulmonary hypertension. The patient was presumed to have pulmonary arteritis. Evaluation of her hyperproteinemia, however, led to the discovery of a polyclonal gammopathy with a marked increase in plasma viscosity. Although the classic clinical findings of the hyperviscosity syndrome were minimal, the patient underwent plasmapheresis, resulting in a marked reduction of pulmonary artery pressures (from 53 ± 4 mm Hg, mean ± SD, to 30 ± 3 mm Hg, p 5 to 421 ± 72 dynes/second/cm 5 , p
Decision making process: typology, intelligence, and optimization

Decision making is concerned with evaluating and/or ranking possible alternatives of action. In this paper, we develop a model for the process of decision making. Understanding the decision process can provide insights into how humans make decisions, understand their decision making approaches, and how they differ from each other. We believe that decision makers who are conscious of their decision process types can make more effective and balanced decisions. In this paper, we present a new decision process model based on the following four dimensions where each dimension is defined by two opposing types: Information Processing (Concrete and Abstract), Alternative Generation (Adaptive and Constructive), Alternative Evaluation (Moderate and Bold), and Decision Closure (Organized and Flexible). Furthermore, an approach for assessing each of the four decision process types by a mathematical function is presented. In a much boarder scope than decision making, these assessed functions can be used to evaluate and rank alternatives. The decision process model can also be used in conjunction with multiple criteria decision making and multiple objective optimization. The model can also be used to explain the reasons that the classical decision making models fail to describe real decision makers' behavior, and mistakenly label such behavior as irrational. The proposed decision process model can be used for developing new behavioral, rational, and intelligent decision making theories and approaches. Extensions of this work may include group decision making, organizational decision making, team formation, and risk behavior analysis. Experimental results of over four hundred engineering students are reported. A web site has been developed for users ( http://car.cwru.edu/decision/ ).
Effects of C-4 stereochemistry and C-4' hydroxylation on the iron clearing efficiency and toxicity of desferrithiocin analogues.

Additional structure−activity studies of desferrithiocin analogues are carried out. The effects of stereochemistry at C-4 on the ligands' iron clearing efficiency are reviewed and assessed using the enantiomers 4,5-dihydro-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)thiazole-4(R)-carboxylic acid and 4,5-dihydro-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)thiazole-4(S)-carboxylic acid. The utility of 4‘-hydroxylation as a method of reducing the toxicity of desazadesferrithiocin analogues is also examined further with the synthesis and in vivo comparison of 4,5-dihydro-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylthiazole-4(S)-carboxylic acid, which is the natural product 4-methylaeruginoic acid, and 4,5-dihydro-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-methylthiazole-4(S)-carboxylic acid. The stereochemistry at C-4 is shown to have a substantial effect on the iron clearing efficiency of desferrithiocin analogues, as does C-4‘-hydroxylation on the toxicity profile. All of the compounds are evaluated in a bile-duct-cannulated rodent model to determine iron clearance efficiency and ...
C60-related tubules

A brief review is given of the structure and properties of fullerene-based graphene tubules (one atomic layer in thickness). Insight into possible growth mechanisms is given. A one-dimensional electronic band structure model of such carbon tubules is summarized, and the implications of these results are discussed.
Objectives to direct the training of emergency medicine residents on off-service rotation in neurosurgery

The off-service rotation in Neurosurgery is included in some programs training emergency medicine residents. It may also be offered as an elective. The experience on this rotation can lack opportunity and educational content if structured guidance is not available. We have addressed this problem by developing a written curricula containing subject content listing, objectives, and references for the Neurosurgery off-service rotation for emergency medicine residents. This is the 23rd in a series of objectives for off-service rotations for emergency medicine residents.
Left atrial aneurysm

Abstract A case of aneurysmal dilatation of a portion of the left atrium resulting in a diverticulum or aneurysm of considerable size is described. The patient presented with a paroxysmal arrhythmia as the only symptom and this was associated with clinical, radiological, and electrocardiographic signs suggesting ventricular enlargement with a mild degree of mitral insufficiency. These features suggested a primary cardiomyopathy. Further investigation revealed normal ventricular hemodynamics and anatomy, with anterior displacement of the left ventricle by the posteriorly situated aneurysmal mass. Failure to opacify this mass at ventriculography despite some opacification of the left atrium led to the assumption that it was not connected with the cardiac cavities. The association of apparent cardiac enlargement, arrhythmia, and a mass suggested a cardiac or pericardial tumor, and the true diagnosis was not revealed until thoracotomy was performed.
Which tautomeric form of 5-methylcytosine predominates in vacuum?

Abstract An application of high-level ab initio quantum chemistry methods to study the tautomeric equilibria of 5-methylcytosine in the gas-phase is described. Calculations for the hydroxy-amino, oxo-amino and oxo-imino forms have been performed at the second-order level of the many body perturbation theory (MBPT(2)) with a double-zeta basis set augmented with polarization functions. The optimized geometry and vibrational modes were obtained with the SCF/3-21G method. The calculations clearly show that the most stable tautomeric form in vacuum is hydroxy-amino. The remaining two forms, i.e. oxo-amino and oxo-imino, are each estimated to be less stable than the main form by about 15 kJ mol −1 .
Handling Noisy Queries in Cross Language FAQ Retrieval

Recent times have seen a tremendous growth in mobile based data services that allow people to use Short Message Service (SMS) to access these data services. In a multilingual society it is essential that data services that were developed for a specific language be made accessible through other local languages also. In this paper, we present a service that allows a user to query a Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) database built in a local language (Hindi) using Noisy SMS English queries. The inherent noise in the SMS queries, along with the language mismatch makes this a challenging problem. We handle these two problems by formulating the query similarity over FAQ questions as a combinatorial search problem where the search space consists of combinations of dictionary variations of the noisy query and its top-N translations. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a real-life dataset.
Teaching computer algorithms and data structures to students in engineering and the physical sciences

The author describes a new three credit-hour course at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), MACS 410: Scientific Programming in C. This one-semester course is targeted for students in engineering or the physical sciences who have finished the CSM core courses in computing and not expect to either major or minor in CS. The purpose of the class is to teach the fundamentals of scientific computing, bring students up to speed in the C programming language, and introduce them to UNIX, and available software tools and techniques. Instruction relies on two novel techniques which are expected to be applicable to other colleges: (1) MACS 410 is taught as a laboratory course with in-class exercises on UNIX workstations, and (2) it uses the XTANGO X-11 based algorithm animation program for interactive computer-based instruction. >
Effect of plasma metabolites of (+)-catechin and quercetin on monocyte adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells

BACKGROUND Flavonoids may exert their health benefit in cardiovascular disease by modulating monocyte adhesion in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis. Most in vitro studies used forms of flavonoids present in food rather than forms that appear in plasma after ingestion. OBJECTIVES We tested the effects of plasma metabolites of (+)-catechin and quercetin on the modulation of monocyte adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). DESIGN Plasma extracts of flavonoid metabolites were prepared after intragastric administration of pure compounds to rats. The plasma preparations contained sulfate or glucuronide conjugates or both and methylated forms. We measured adhesion of U937 monocytic cells to HAEC and the production of ROS in HAEC when cells were pretreated with either pure compounds or plasma extracts from control or treated rats. Adhesion assays were performed with HAEC stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1 beta or U937 cells activated with phorbol myristyl acetate; ROS were measured after challenging HAEC with IL-1 beta or hydrogen peroxide. RESULTS Pretreatment of HAEC with (+)-catechin metabolites inhibited U937 cell adhesion to IL-1 beta-stimulated cells, whereas pretreatment with intact (+)-catechin had no effect. Generation of ROS in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated HAEC was inhibited by (+)-catechin, its metabolites, and control plasma extract, whereas ROS generation in IL-1 beta-stimulated HAEC was inhibited by (+)-catechin metabolites only. In contrast, quercetin inhibited U937 cell adhesion to IL-1 beta-stimulated HAEC, whereas its metabolites were not effective. CONCLUSIONS Metabolic conversion of flavonoids such as (+)-catechin and quercetin modifies the flavonoids' biological activity. Metabolites of flavonoids, rather than their intact forms, may contribute to the reported effects of flavonoids on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Digital Avionics-The Best is yet to Come!!!

This paper reviews some of the history and background of digital avionics and offers some tantalizing possibilities for the future. There are payoffs in many areas from digital avionics; however, the ultimate benefits are increased mission effectiveness and lower costs. Two major U. S. Air Force avionics programs designed to increase mission effectiveness are reviewed. Major barriers to the expanded use of digital avionics in civil transports as a means to lower operating costs are examined. The paper also examines lightning effects, architectures, optical components, displays, and voice interactive control which are current research areas that promise to yield significant advances for digital avionics systems. Finally, in a notice of optimism, it is concluded that the best is yet to come. As good as contemporary avionics are, we have only begun to visualize their ultimate potential.
Lysophospholipid signaling in the function and pathology of the reproductive system

BACKGROUND Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are two prominent signaling lysophospholipids (LPs) exerting their functions through a group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This review covers current knowledge of the LP signaling in the function and pathology of the reproductive system. METHODS PubMed was searched up to May 2008 for papers on lysophospholipids/LPA/S1P/LPC/SPC in combination with each part of the reproductive system, such as testis/ovary/uterus. RESULTS LPA and SIP are found in significant amounts in serum and other biological fluids. To date, 10 LP receptors have been identified, including LPA(1-5) and S1P(1-5). In vitro and in vivo studies from the past three decades have demonstrated or suggested the physiological functions of LP signaling in reproduction, such as spermatogenesis, male sexual function, ovarian function, fertilization, early embryo development, embryo spacing, implantation, decidualization, pregnancy maintenance and parturition, as well as pathological roles in ovary, cervix, mammary gland and prostate cancers. CONCLUSIONS Receptor knock-out and other studies indicate tissue-specific and receptor-specific functions of LP signaling in reproduction. More comprehensive studies are required to define mechanisms of LP signaling and explore the potential use as a therapeutic target.
The nucleoporin gp210/Nup210 controls muscle differentiation by regulating nuclear envelope/ER homeostasis

Previously, we identified the nucleoporin gp210/Nup210 as a critical regulator of muscle and neuronal differentiation, but how this nucleoporin exerts its function and whether it modulates nuclear pore complex (NPC) activity remain unknown. Here, we show that gp210/Nup210 mediates muscle cell differentiation in vitro via its conserved N-terminal domain that extends into the perinuclear space. Removal of the C-terminal domain, which partially mislocalizes gp210/Nup210 away from NPCs, efficiently rescues the differentiation defect caused by the knockdown of endogenous gp210/Nup210. Unexpectedly, a gp210/Nup210 mutant lacking the NPC-targeting transmembrane and C-terminal domains is sufficient for C2C12 myoblast differentiation. We demonstrate that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-specific caspase cascade is exacerbated during Nup210 depletion and that blocking ER stress-mediated apoptosis rescues differentiation of Nup210-deficient cells. Our results suggest that the role of gp210/Nup210 in cell differentiation is mediated by its large luminal domain, which can act independently of NPC association and appears to play a pivotal role in the maintenance of nuclear envelope/ER homeostasis.
Chemotherapy alone for organ preservation in advanced laryngeal cancer.

Background. For patients with advanced laryngeal cancer, a trial was designed to determine if chemotherapy alone, in patients achieving a complete histologic complete response after a single neoadjuvant cycle, was an effective treatment with less morbidity than concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods. Thirty-two patients with advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer received 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy, and subsequent treatment was decided based on response. Results. A histologic complete response was achieved in 4 patients and were treated with chemotherapy alone. All 4 patients' cancer relapsed in the neck and required surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Twenty-five patients were treated with concomitant chemoradiation. Three patients were treated with surgery. Overall survival and disease-specific survival at 3 years were 68% and 78%, respectively. Conclusion. Chemotherapy alone is not feasible for long-term control of regional disease in patients with advanced laryngeal cancer even when they achieve a histologic complete response at the primary site.
Adverse Selection in Mortgage Securization

We investigate determinants of lenders’ choice to securitize loans, focusing on the quality of loans they sell to investors in the secondary mortgage market relative to ones they retain on their balance-sheets. Using several large datasets of mortgage loans originated between 2004 and 2007, we find that the impact of securitization on lender's choice differs significantly across markets. In the prime market, banks generally sold low-default-risk loans into the secondary market while retaining higher-default-risk loans in their portfolios. In contrast, these lenders retain loans with lower prepayment risk relative to loans they sold. We rationalize these findings by arguing that GSEs impose control on default-risk of loans originated by lenders since they offer guarantees only against default risk to investors. In contrast, the subprime market does not exhibit any clear pattern. Finally, securitization strategy of lenders securitizing in the prime market changed dramatically in 2007 as the crisis set in with most unwilling to retain higher-default-risk loans in return for lower prepayment risk.
A local area network on a shoe string

The design and implementation of a local area network for the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Western Carolina University are presented. This was part of a project to establish one of many local area networks which will eventually be connected by a campus backbone. The various design stages and work details that should be addressed before installing a local area network are discussed. A schematic design of the layout of the network is included.
Towards Evaluating the Quality of a Spreadsheet: The Case of the Analytical Spreadsheet Model

We consider the challenge of creating guidelines to evaluate the quality of a spreadsheet model. We suggest four principles. First, state the domain—the spreadsheets to which the guidelines apply. Second, distinguish between the process by which a spreadsheet is constructed from the resulting spreadsheet artifact. Third, guidelines should be written in terms of the artifact, independent of the process. Fourth, the meaning of “quality” must be defined. We illustrate these principles with an example. We define the domain of “analytical spreadsheet models”, which are used in business, finance, engineering, and science. We propose for discussion a framework and terminology for evaluating the quality of analytical spreadsheet models. This framework categorizes and generalizes the findings of previous work on the more narrow domain of financial spreadsheet models. We suggest that the ultimate goal is a set of guidelines for an evaluator, and a checklist for a developer.
The Role of Attachment Style and Relationship Status of the Perceiver in the Perceptions of Romantic Partner

Intimate relationships can influence interpersonal perception because they are characterized by emotional involvement and close attachment between the members of the dyad; thus, attachment theory and research may shed light on interpersonal perception within intimate relationships. In this study, a probability sample of 179 men and 198 women who were married or involved in a committed dating relationship, was examined to test the hypothesis that attachment style and degree of public commitment to the relationship (i.e. marital status) would predict perceptions of partners. Secure individuals had positive appraisals of their partner regardless of marital status, suggesting that secure individuals do not need concrete indicators of commitment to feel positively towards their partners. For insecure attachment styles, perception of partner was associated with the degree of public commitment as well as sex and attachment style of the perceiver. These findings highlight the need for more studies recognizing how...
GLS-SOD: a generalized local statistical approach for spatial outlier detection

Local based approach is a major category of methods for spatial outlier detection (SOD). Currently, there is a lack of systematic analysis on the statistical properties of this framework. For example, most methods assume identical and independent normal distributions (i.i.d. normal) for the calculated local differences, but no justifications for this critical assumption have been presented. The methods' detection performance on geostatistic data with linear or nonlinear trend is also not well studied. In addition, there is a lack of theoretical connections and empirical comparisons between local and global based SOD approaches. This paper discusses all these fundamental issues under the proposed Generalized Local Statistical (GLS) framework. Furthermore, robust estimation and outlier detection methods are designed for the new GLS model. Extensive simulations demonstrated that the SOD method based on the GLS model significantly outperformed all existing approaches when the spatial data exhibits a linear or nonlinear trend.
African-American travel agents: Travails and Survival

Abstract Social science research on the struggles of early and contemporary independent African-American travel agents represents a void in the literature. These agents experienced serious obstacles to survival during the past half-century, not only during times of racial segregation, but more recently with airlines and government regulations, expensive technological innovations, and significant industry demands. Six agents describe their histories, successes and failures, and the futures of independent Black travel agents; serious difficulties remain, including access to capital. A scenario identifies the start-up costs for an independent Black travel agency in a medium-sized Middle West metropolitan area to illustrate the problems that remain.
Stochastic physical synthesis for FPGAs with pre-routing interconnect uncertainty and process variation

Process variation and pre-routing interconnect delay uncertainty affect timing and power for modern VLSI designs in nanometer technologies. This paper presents the first in-depth study on stochastic physical synthesis algorithms leveraging statistical static timing analysis (SSTA) with process variation and pre-routing interconnect delay uncertainty for FPGAs. Evaluated by SSTA with the placed and routed layout and measured at the same clock frequency, the stochastic clustering, placement and routing reduce the yield loss from 50 failed parts per 10 thousand parts (pp10K) for the deterministic flow to 9, 12 and 35pp10K respectively for MCNC designs. The majority of improvements are achieved during clustering and placement while routing stage has much less gain. The gain mainly comes from modeling interconnect delay uncertainty for clustering and from considering process variation for placement. When applying all stochastic algorithms concurrently, the yield loss is reduced to 5pp10K (a 10 X reduction) with the mean delay reduced by 6.2% and the standard deviation reduced by 7.5%. On the other hand, stochastic clustering with deterministic placement and routing is a good flow with little change to the entire flow, but the yield loss is reduced from 50pp10K to 9pp10K, the mean delay is reduced by 5.0%, the standard deviation is reduced by 6.4%, and the runtime is slightly reduced compared to the deterministic flow. Finally, while its improvement over timing is small, stochastic routing is able to reduce the total wire length for the same routing channel width by 4.5% and to reduce runtime by 4.2% compared to deterministic routing.