cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Weil pairing and the Hilbert symbol.

Let C be a geometrically irreducible curve over a field k, let k be an algebraic closure of k, and let m be any positive integer not divisible by the characteristic of k. The Jacobian variety J of C comes equipped with a principal p~ar ization A, which is in particular an isomorphism from J to its dual variety J . The polarization A gives us an isomorphism between the m-torsion J m of J and its Cartier dual, and this isomorphism turns the natural pairing Jm • Jm ~ l~m into the Weilpairing em:Jm • ~ I~,n. Suppose D and E are k-divisors on C whose mth powers are principal, say m D = d i v f and mE = div g, where f and y are k-functions on C. The following well-known theorem tells how the Weil pairing on the classes of D and E in Jm(k) can be calculated.
Picosecond photodichroism (photoselection) measurements on transient states in reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas viridis

Abstract The primary photochemical processes in reaction centers isolated from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rps. viridis have been investigated with weak excitation flashes at 867 or 962 nm lasting approx. 30 ps. Photodichroism (photoselection) measurements of the absorption changes accompanying the formation of the transient states P + I − and P + Q − have been obtained with unoriented samples at room temperature. (Here P is a bacteriochlorophyll dimer; I, an initial electron acceptor complex that involves a bacteriopheophytin and possibly also bacteriochlorophyll; and Q, a quinone.) For state P + Q − , calculated spectra of the absorbance changes parallel and perpendicular to the 870-nm ( Rps. sphaeroides and R. rubrum ) or 960-nm ( Rps. viridis ) transition dipole of P are in excellent agreement with those from previous measurements on much slower time scales. This comparison indicates that the components of the reaction center probably do not move significantly with respect to each other in the time interval between 2 ns and 10 ms after excitation; faster movements cannot be excluded. The photodichroism spectra for P + Q − and P + I − both indicate that the bacteriopheophytin transition at 760 or 790 nm is perpendicular to the 870- or 960-nm transition, which also agrees with previous work. The spectra for P + I − suggest that the reduction of I, in addition to bleaching the absorption bands of a bacteriopheophytin, alters the absorption spectra of two bacteriochlorophylls that have different orientations relative to the 870- or 960-nm transition.
Brain to music to brain

It has been implicitly understood that culture and music as collective products of human brain in turn influence the brain itself. Now, imaging and anatomical data add substance to this notion. The impact of playing piano on the brain of musicians and its possible effects on cultural and neurological evolution are briefly discussed.
SRIRAM: A scalable resilient autonomic mesh

Mirroring and replication are common techniques for ensuring fault-tolerance and resiliency of client/server applications. Because such mirroring and replication procedures are not usually automated, they tend to be cumbersome. In this paper, we present an architecture in which the identification of sites for replicated servers, and the generation of replicas, are both automated. The design is based on a self-configuring mesh of computers and a communication mechanism between nodes that operates on a rooted spanning tree. A query-search component uses JavaTM language-based query capsules traveling along the branches of the spanning tree, and a caching scheme whereby the query and previous search results are cached at each node for improved efficiency. Furthermore, a security and anonymity component relies on one or more authentication servers and an anonymous communication scheme using link local addresses and indirect communication between the nodes via the spanning tree. The architecture also includes components for resource advertising and for application replication.
From the Radiologic Pathology Archives: Adrenal Tumors and Tumor-like Conditions in the Adult: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Advanced imaging often reveals adrenal tumors and tumor-like conditions in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. When adrenal disease is clinically suspected, cross-sectional imaging can be helpful in evaluating the etiology of the patient's symptoms. When adrenal disease is incidentally identified, what the clinician and patient really want to know is whether the findings are benign or malignant, as this ultimately will affect their next step in management. Using radiologic-pathologic correlation, we broadly classify common, uncommon, and rare tumors and tumor-like conditions that can occur in the adrenal as benign or malignant. This classification follows predominant trends in observed biologic behavior while acknowledging those tumors that may behave in the minority in an unpredictable manner. We review the clinical background and presentation of functional adrenal tumors including Conn syndrome, Cushing syndrome, and catecholamine-secreting tumors, as well as their relationship with adrenal anatomy. We discuss a variety of benign tumors, including adrenal cortical adenoma (including oncocytoma) and pheochromocytoma, as well as uncommonly and rarely encountered tumors such as myelolipoma, hemangioma, lymphangioma, schwannoma, ganglioneuroma, and adenomatoid tumor. A variety of tumefactive but nonneoplastic lesions are addressed, including adrenal cortical hyperplasia, adrenal hemorrhage, adrenal cysts, and infections. Malignant tumors discussed include adrenal cortical carcinoma, the rare malignant pheochromocytoma, lymphoma, metastases, and sarcomas. For each tumor and tumor-like lesion, the clinical presentation, epidemiology, key imaging findings, diagnostic differential considerations, and management options are briefly addressed. Finally, an approach to the workup of suspected or incidentally discovered tumors is presented based on a selected literature survey and our clinical experience. Radiologists play an important role in identification and diagnosis of adrenal tumors and tumor-like conditions in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
Molecular basis for cyclooxygenase inhibition by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen.

Naproxen ((S)-6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid) is a powerful non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is extensively used as a prescription and over-the-counter medication. Naproxen exhibits gastrointestinal toxicity, but its cardiovascular toxicity may be reduced compared with other drugs in its class. Despite the fact that naproxen has been marketed for many years, the molecular basis of its interaction with cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes is unknown. We performed a detailed study of naproxen-COX-2 interactions using site-directed mutagenesis, structure-activity analysis, and x-ray crystallography. The results indicate that each of the pendant groups of the naphthyl scaffold are essential for COX inhibition, and only minimal substitutions are tolerated. Mutation of Trp-387 to Phe significantly reduced inhibition by naproxen, a result that appears unique to this inhibitor. Substitution of S or CH(2) for the O atom of the p-methoxy group yielded analogs that were not affected by the W387F substitution and that exhibited increased COX-2 selectivity relative to naproxen. Crystallization and x-ray analysis yielded structures of COX-2 complexed to naproxen and its methylthio analog at 1.7 and 2.3 A resolution, respectively. The combination of mutagenesis, structure analysis, and x-ray crystallography provided comprehensive information on the unique interactions responsible for naproxen binding to COX-2.
Assessing the effect of climate change on mean annual runoff

Summary From published runoff measurements in catchments with a wide range of climatic conditions it is found that long-term mean annual runoff (R) can be closely fitted (r2 = 0.94) to measured climatic data by R = P * exp(-PET/P), where P is the mean annual precipitation and PET is the mean annual potential evapotranspiration (in mm) calculated via the Holland equation, PET = 1.2 × 1010 * exp(−4620/Tk), which is solely a function of the mean annual temperature in Kelvin, Tk. Application of the chain rule for partial differentiation to the combined equations gives the following equation for estimating the change in runoff due to changes in P and Tk: d R = exp ( - PET / P ) * [ 1 + PET / P ] * d P - [ 5544 × 10 10 * exp ( - PET / P ) * exp ( - 4620 / Tk ) * Tk - 2 ] * dTk By setting dR equal to zero, this equation can be used to estimate the increase in P required to maintain constant runoff for a small increase in T. It can also be used to estimate the decrease in runoff in a scenario with constant precipitation and increased temperature. It is shown herein that predictions of annual runoff changes for various climate change scenarios based on this simple model compare favorably with those based on more complex, calibrated hydrological models, as well as with those based on long-term historical observations of runoff and climate change. Application of the equation above also indicates that the IPCC projections for climate change under the A1B emissions scenario may underestimate the area of North America that is likely to suffer decreases in runoff.
Quantitative Analysis of ECG-Gated High-Resolution Contrast-Enhanced MR Angiography of the Thoracic Aorta

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cardiac gating on the quality of images of the thoracic aorta at various levels during contrast-enhanced MR angiography compared with MR angiography without cardiac gating.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Fifty patients underwent high-resolution contrast-enhanced MR angiography on a 1.5-T whole-body system. The 50 patients were composed of two groups of 25 consecutive patients; one group underwent MR angiography with ECG gating and the other group underwent MR angiography without ECG gating. A sagittal (3D) gradient-echo fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence (TR/TE, 2.8/1.4; flip angle, 25°; readout, 512; voxel size, 1.4 × 0.8 × 1.3 mm) with an asymmetric k-space scanning scheme in all three gradient axes was used, and 0.2 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine was injected at 2 mL/s. Sharpness of the thoracic aorta was evaluated at three levels by generating a signal intensity profile across the aortic vessel wall and calculating the distance between ...
Failure accommodating aircraft control

Describes development and performance analysis of a failure accommodation system for the commuter and business aircraft control recovery. First, system failures are detected and isolated using a hierarchy of techniques that is chosen to ensure minimal disruption of operations and to minimize the number of false alarms. Successive layers in the diagnostics hierarchy are increasingly invasive. Once a failure has been detected and identified, the failure can be accommodated in several ways, from passive pilot cueing to active autopilot reconfiguration. An autopilot reconfiguration algorithm to accommodate failures wherever possible is developed. Some preliminary pilot cueing strategies and displays to alert pilots to true failures, provide guidance on recommended responses, and inform the pilot of any reconfigurations are also introduced.
Cardiac transgenic matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression induces myxomatous valve degeneration: a potential model of mitral valve prolapse disease.

Abstract Introduction Myxomatous mitral valve “degeneration” with prolapse (MVP) is the most frequent form of nonischemic mitral valve disease. In myxomatous valves, interstitial cells express extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes and it has been postulated that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to these changes. Methods We generated mice with cardiac-specific expression of constitutively active MMP-2 under the control of the α-myosin heavy chain promoter. Results These mice are normal at 4–6 months of age; at 12–14 months the mitral valves and chordae tendineae exhibit severe myxomatous change with echocardiographic MVP. Myxomatous change was also evident to a lesser extent in the aortic valves. Myxomatous changes were heterogeneous and limited to the left side of the heart with major disorganization of collagen bundles within the lamina fibrosa. Alcian blue/PAS-stained valves revealed massive accumulation of acidic glycosoaminoglycans within the lamina spongiosa, consistent with valvular interstitial cell differentiation to a chondrocytic phenotype. Cells with the histologic features of hypertrophied chondrocytes were found within the chordae tendineae and the tips of the mitral papillary muscles. Conclusion This report demonstrates that increased activity of a single enzyme, MMP-2, within a transgenic context reproduces many of the features of the human MVP syndrome. The cardiac-specific MMP-2 transgenic mouse potentially provides a unique experimental platform for the evaluation of nonsurgical therapies based on the underlying pathophysiology of this disease.
Haptics-based dynamic implicit solid modeling

We systematically present a novel, interactive solid modeling framework, haptics-based dynamic implicit solid modeling, which is founded upon volumetric implicit functions and powerful physics-based modeling. In particular, we augment our modeling framework with a haptic mechanism in order to take advantage of additional realism associated with a 3D haptic interface. Our dynamic implicit solids are semialgebraic sets of volumetric implicit functions and are governed by the principles of dynamics, hence responding to sculpting forces in a natural and predictable manner. In order to directly manipulate existing volumetric data sets as well as point clouds, we develop a hierarchical fitting algorithm to reconstruct and represent discrete data sets using our continuous implicit functions, which permit users to further design and edit those existing 3D models in real-time using a large variety of haptic and geometric toolkits, and visualize their interactive deformation at arbitrary resolution. The additional geometric and physical constraints afford more sophisticated control of the dynamic implicit solids. The versatility of our dynamic implicit modeling enables the user to easily modify both the geometry and the topology of modeled objects, while the inherent physical properties can offer an intuitive haptic interface for direct manipulation with force feedback.
The regulatory C proteins from different restriction-modification systems can cross-complement.

The BamHI restriction-modification system contains a third gene, bamHIC, which positively regulates bamHIR. Similar small genes from other systems were tested in vivo for their ability to cross-complement. C.BamHI protein was identified, purified, and used to raise polyclonal antibodies. Attempts to detect other C proteins in cell extracts by cross-reactivity with C.BamHI antibodies proved unsuccessful.
EFFECTS OF CARBON DEPOSITS ON THE SPECIFIC ACTIVITY OF NICKEL AND NICKEL BIMETALLIC CATALYSTS

The effects of carbon formation on methanation activity of nickel and nickel bimetallic catalysts were investigated. Carbon was deposited on these catalysts at 675-700 K, 1 atm, H2/CO = 2 and space velocities of 80,000 to 200,000 h−1 over a period of 6-24 hours. Specific methanation activities were measured before and after carbon depositing treatments at 500-575 K, 1 atm H2/CO = 4 and space velocities of 100,000 h−1. The results show that Ni/Al2O3 loses 20-60% of its initial activity within 10-15 hours of treatment. Platinum and cobalt promoted nickel are significantly more resistant to deactivation by carbon. However, Ni-MoO2 is highly susceptible to deactivation, losing essentially all of its activity within a few hours. Data showing the effects of reaction conditions, metal concentration and catalyst composition on the extent of deactivation and the effects of deactivation on catalyst strength are presented and discussed
THE SMITH COLLEGE DIPLOMA PROBLEM

At Smith College, the graduation exercises traditionally proceed as follows: Although each diploma is made out to a particular girl, all the diplomas are initially given out at random. All of the girls who do not get their own diplomas then form a circle, and each passes the diploma she has to the girl on her right. Those who now have their own diplomas drop out, and the remaining girls again pass their diplomas to the right, and so on. This procedure is repeated until each girl has her own diploma. If there are n girls in the graduating class what is the probability that it takes precisely k passes before each girl has her own diploma?
Radiologic assessment of laryngeal teflon injection

Summary Injection of Teflon lateral to the vocalis muscle improves voice quality, cough, and helps prevent aspiration in patients with unilateral vocalfold paralysis. Unsatisfactory results may be associated with Teflon being injected either too superficially or in excessive or insufficient quantities. Evaluation and treatment of patients with poor results following Teflon injection of the vocal folds are notoriously difficult. Although radiologic studies are not used widely in these patients, they may be extremely helpful. Cross-sectional imaging using computed tomography of a larynx after Teflon injection demonstrates the position and amount of the material easily and may be especially helpful in planning revision surgery
Reduced peripheral arterial blood flow with preserved cardiac output during submaximal bicycle exercise in elderly heart failure.

Background Older heart failure (HF) patients exhibit exercise intolerance during activities of daily living. We hypothesized that reduced lower extremity blood flow (LBF) due to reduced forward cardiac output would contribute to submaximal exercise intolerance in older HF patients.
Economic Replacement Value—A Computer Program to Teach the Economic Value of Feedstuffs

Abstract A computer program was written to calculate the economic value of feeds relative to a corn and soybean meal mixture. Results of this program were compared with Morrison values and competitive prices from linear programming solutions. The program is used to introduce students to the concept of evaluating feedstuffs economically based on nutrient content and as a transition to the use of linear programing to balance rations.
Ileal adenomas after colectomy in nine patients with adenomatous polyposis coli/Gardner's syndrome

Adenomas of the ileal mucosa are an uncommon finding in adenomatous polyposis coli/Gardner's syndrome. We report 9 patients who were found to have ileal adenomas 1 yr 11 mo to 25 yr 11 mo after colectomy. The ileal adenomas occurred proximal to an ileorectal anastomosis in 7 patients, both proximal to a cecoproctostomy and later proximal to an ileostomy in 1 patient, and in an ileostomy in 1 patient. The cases confirm that ileal mucosa is susceptible to adenoma formation in adenomatous polyposis coli/Gardner's syndrome and thus provide additional evidence that adenomas are not confined to the colon in these patients. In addition, the findings in the cases suggest that the ileal adenomas developed after colectomy. Thus, our cases suggest that the small intestine should be studied for the presence of adenomas after colectomy with either ileoproctostomy or ileostomy, as well as before resection. On the other hand, aggressive management does not seem warranted as carcinoma of the jejunum and ileum has been reported only rarely.
Looking backward and forward at the practical applications of genetic researches on lactic acid bacteria

Background research findings which have led to current knowledge on the genetics of lactic acid bacteria are reviewed. Important early contributions by researchers with other microorganisms are highlighted to acknowledge milestone discoveries, especially those which have made genetic engineering of industrially important genera a reality. Current genetics in the dairy Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Bifidobacterium and Propionibacterium genera are discussed. Regulatory, environmental, and research funding concerns also are discussed.
Coastal Impacts Due to Sea-Level Rise

Author Posting. © Annual Reviews, 2007. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Annual Reviews for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 36 (2008): 601-647, doi:10.1146/annurev.earth.35.031306.140139.
A Simplified Model of the Walker Circulation with an Interactive Ocean Mixed Layer and Cloud-Radiative Feedbacks

Abstract Cloud–climate feedbacks between precipitation, radiation, circulation strength, atmospheric temperature and moisture, and ocean temperature are studied with an idealized model of the Walker circulation in a nonrotating atmosphere coupled to an ocean mixed layer. This study has two main purposes: 1) to formulate a conceptual framework that includes the dominant feedbacks between clouds and a large-scale divergent circulation; and 2) to use this framework to investigate the sensitivity of the climate system to these interactions. Two cloud types—high, convective anvils and low, nonprecipitating stratus—are included and coupled to the large-scale dynamics. The atmosphere is coupled to an ocean mixed layer via a consistent surface energy budget. Analytic approximations with a simplified radiation scheme are derived and used to explain numerical results with a more realistic radiation scheme. The model simplicity allows interactions between different parts of the ocean–atmosphere system to be cleanly ...
Case Studies: Definitive Screening Applied to a Simulation Study of the F100-229 Engine Repair Network

Problem: An adequate supply of F100-229 engines, which power the F-15 Eagle and late-model F-16 fighter jets, is vital to meet the operational demands of the Air Force. This supply is necessarily limited by government and inventory cost considerations. ..
Factors Associated With Student Academic Achievement at Community Colleges

Student retention has garnered increased attentions in higher education. Drawing from various theoretical perspectives, researchers have developed multiple theoretical models to explain or predict student retention. Most models, however, were intended for traditional aged, full-time students at 4-year colleges or universities. The rapid growth of student enrollment at 2-year community colleges calls for further studies concerning student retention at these institutions. Built upon prior studies, I developed a conceptual framework to understand student credential completion at 2-year community colleges. Drawing data from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS: 04/09) Longitudinal Study, I utilized multilevel modeling to identify variables that explain students’ likelihood of credential completion.
L-arginine-dependent vascular smooth muscle relaxation and cGMP formation.

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether endothelium-dependent relaxation and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) formation in bovine pulmonary artery are dependent on L-arginin...
Nanocrystalline diamond capped AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors via a sacrificial gate process

Top-side integration of nanocrystalline diamond films in the fabrication sequence of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors is demonstrated. Reliable oxygen plasma etching of the diamond capping layer, required for a diamond-before-gate process, was implemented by using a sacrificial SiN “dummy” gate. Hall characterization showed minimal (∼6%) reduction in sheet carrier density and commensurate increase in sheet resistance, while maintaining mobility and on-state drain current density. Off-state drain current and threshold voltage were increased, likely by fluorination of the AlGaN surface after removal of the sacrificial gate, even though a 20 nm thick Al2O3 layer was used as a SF6-plasma etch stop. Pulsed IDS and on-resistance were improved, indicating that a 10 nm SiN/500 nm NCD could offer improved AlGaN surface passivation compared to a more conventional 100 nm thick PECVD SiN film.
Control of coherent information by mixing light and sound in photonic circuits

Through a new class hybrid-photonic phononic guided-wave structures we show that artificial Brillouin nonlinearities can be created and manipulated in silicon. Exploiting the nonlocal nature of such hybrid interactions, we demonstrate sophisticated emit-receive functionalities to achieve coherent control of information.
Typing of Resistance Genes of ESBLs from Three Gram-negative Bacilli of Children in Urumqi

OBJECTIVE To study antibiotic-resistant phenotypes and genotypes of ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from children with pneumonia in Urumqi,to know the distribution and difference of these three Gram-negative bacilli from 2003 to 2007.METHODS Bacterial strains were identified by VITEK32,ESBLs were detected by confirmatory test recommended by CLSI.Microarray technique was used to determine the genotypes of ESBLs.RESULTS Antibiotic-resistant phenotypes showed ESBLs-producing K.oxytoca decreasing from 84.3% to 35.3%,K.pneumoniae stabling in 50-60%,E.coli increasing from 34.4% to 72.1% during the five years;genotypes indicated there were most of ctx-m-9 and tem+ctx-m-9 in E.coli,tem and shv in K.pneumoniae,and the most of tem+ctx-m-3 in K.oxytoca.CONCLUSIONS There is high percentage of ESBLs production from children in Urumqi;resistant phenotypes and genotypes of ESBLs are different in three Gram-negative bacilli;and must further enhance the regional epidemiology surveillance about ESBLs.
Ultrafast THz conductivity dynamics in colossal magnetoresistance manganites

Ultrafast measurements of optically induced changes in the conductivity (0.4-1.0 THz) of La0.7M0.3MnO3 films (M = Ca, Sr) from ~10K to ~0.9TC reveal a spin-lattice relaxation that follows the temperature dependence of the spin specific heat.
Left to Die

The elimination hypothesis proposed by Stanley Coren and Diane Halpern argued that left-handedness is a mortality risk factor that shortens the lifespan of left-handers by as much as 9 years. They based this conclusion on studies using archival data on the lifespans of athletes and on a death cohort study where family members were asked to report on the handedness of their deceased relatives. This announcement caused not only a flurry of media interest but also widespread concern among left-handers as to their prospects for living a long and healthy life. It also generated a large amount of interest among laterality researchers. Studies conducted in a number of different countries and using various paradigms provide conclusive evidence that the lifespans of right- and left-handers are similar. The hypothesis of longevity differences between right- and left-handers has been eliminated as a viable scientific position although it remains a frequently discussed topic among left-handers.
Computation of the dipole moment of protein molecules using protein databases.: Bacteriophage T4 lysozyme and its mutants

Abstract Although the large dipole moment of globular proteins has long been known experimentally, a lack of means to substantiate their dipole moment has been the major drawback to the research of protein dipole moments. However, with the advent of X-ray crystallography of globular proteins, the structure of many small proteins became known in detail. This entailed renewed efforts to calculate the dipole moments of proteins using these databases. The dipole moments of small proteins thus calculated are found to be in good agreement with measured values. The topic of this paper is to review the method of calculation of dipole moments using protein databases and compare the results with experimental data. Furthermore, the method of dipole moment calculation is applied to a small protein bacteriophage T4 lysozyme and its mutants.
Ammonia inhibition on thermophilic aceticlastic methanogens.

The inhibition effects of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) on aceticlastic methanogenic activity using biomass from thermophilic anaerobic reactors were investigated in this study. Anaerobic Toxicity Assays (ATA) were conducted after the biomass was acclimated to different levels of TAN. The TAN background concentrations in the reactors were 400, 1,200, and 3,050 mg/L. The results from ATA showed: 1) high TAN concentrations could cause inhibition of aceticlastic methanogens; 2) biomass acclimated to higher TAN concentrations could alleviate the inhibition effect due to the increase of TAN concentration; 3) the lethal TAN concentration for methanogens was approximately 10,000 mg/L regardless of the background TAN concentration; 4) ATA results also revealed the role played by pH. At a given TAN concentration, methanogenic activity varied with the pH values. The highest methanogenic activity was always observed at a pH of 7.0∼7.5. 5) It was also observed that acclimation could increase the pH tolerance range, which made methanogens less sensitive to pH changes.
Stress-Based Topology Optimization of Steel-Frame Structures Using Members with Standard Cross Sections: Gradient-Based Approach

AbstractThis article presents a computationally efficient methodology for stress-based topology optimization of steel frame structures with cross-sectional properties that are mapped from I-beam se...
MELT: Mapreduce-based Efficient Large-scale Trajectory Anonymization

With the proliferation of location-based services enabled by a large number of mobile devices and applications, the quantity of location data, such as trajectories collected by service providers, is gigantic. If these datasets could be published, they will be valuable assets to various service providers to explore business opportunities, to governments to research commuter behavior for better transport management, and could also greatly benefit the general public for day to day commute. However, there are two major concerns that considerably limit the availability and the usage of these trajectory datasets. The first is the threat to individual privacy as users' trajectories may be tracked by an adversary to discover sensitive information, such as home locations, their children's school locations, or social information like habits or relationships. The other concern is the ability to analyze the exabytes of location data in a timely manner. Although there have been trajectory anonymization approaches proposed in the past to mitigate privacy concerns, none of these prior works address the scalability issue since it is a newly occurring problem. In this paper, we conquer these two challenges by designing a novel trajectory anonymization algorithm using the MapReduce programming paradigm to provide scalability, strong privacy protection and high utility rate of the anonymized trajectory datasets. We have conducted extensive experiments using real maps with different topologies, and our results prove both effectiveness and efficiency when compared with the latest centralized approaches.
Probabilistic inference of traffic participants' lane change intention for enhancing adaptive cruise control

Adaptive cruise control is currently one of the most widely accepted vehicle driver assistance technologies. However, the main challenge is still due to the uncertainty about other traffic participants' intended driving maneuvers such as unexpected lane changes. In this paper, graphical modeling and unsupervised learning techniques are utilized to obtain a model for inferring the intention of drivers in surrounding vehicles. In particular, real-world driving data collected on public roads with only standard production sensors is utilized to synthesize a hidden Markov model with the aid of unscented Kalman filtering and the expectation maximization technique. Exact probabilistic inference is used to obtain a posterior probability distribution over the driver's intention. The proposed inference framework can be utilized to faster detect lane changes when compared to commercial rule-based approaches. This, in turn, gives the adaptive cruise control system more reaction time which yields a potential for improving safety and ride comfort.
Making Sense of Cerebellar Contributions to Perceptual and Motor Adaptation

The cerebellum is thought to adapt movements to changes in the environment in order to update an implicit understanding of the association between our motor commands and their sensory consequences. This trial-by-trial motor recalibration in response to external perturbations is frequently impaired in people with cerebellar damage. In healthy people, adaptation to motor perturbations is also known to induce a form of sensory perceptual recalibration. For instance, hand-reaching adaptation tasks produce transient changes in the sense of hand position, and walking adaptation tasks can lead to changes in perceived leg speed. Though such motor adaptation tasks are heavily dependent on the cerebellum, it is not yet understood how the cerebellum is associated with these accompanying sensory recalibration processes. Here we asked if the cerebellum is required for the recalibration of leg-speed perception that normally occurs alongside locomotor adaptation, as well as how ataxia severity is related to sensorimotor recalibration deficits in patients with cerebellar damage. Cerebellar patients performed a speed-matching task to assess perception of leg speed before and after walking on a split-belt treadmill, which has two belts driving each leg at a different speed. Healthy participants update their perception of leg speed following split-belt walking such that the "fast" leg during adaptation feels slower afterwards, whereas cerebellar patients have significant deficits in this sensory perceptual recalibration. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrates that ataxia severity is a crucial factor for both the sensory and motor adaptation impairments that affect patients with cerebellar damage.
Scaffolding Science Vocabulary for Middle School Newcomer ELLs

Language is critical to building knowledge in science as students are increasingly asked to read complex informational texts and to develop sophisticated means of oral and written expression, as expected by the Next Generation Science Standards [NGSS] (NGSS Lead States 2013). Developing literacy in content areas is particularly important for English language learners (ELLs), whose still-emergent academic English language skills often undermine their academic performance across subject areas (see discussion in Ardasheva et al. 2016).
Does exposure to parental substance use disorders increase offspring risk for a substance use disorder? A longitudinal follow-up study into young adulthood.

Abstract Objective The main aim of this study was to examine the risk of exposure to parental substance use disorders (SUD; alcohol or drug abuse or dependence) on the risk for SUD in offspring with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) followed into young adult years. Methods Subjects were derived from two longitudinal case-control studies of probands of both sexes, 6–17 years, with and without DSM-III-R ADHD and their parents. Probands were followed for ten years into young adulthood. Probands with a parental history of non-nicotine SUD were included in this analysis. Exposure to SUD was determined by active non-nicotine parental SUD while the parent was living with their child after birth. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the risk of non-nicotine SUD in offspring. Results 171 of the 404 probands reassessed at ten-year follow up had a family history of parental SUD. 102 probands were exposed to active parental SUD. The average age of our sample was 22.2 ± 3.5 years old. Exposure to maternal but not paternal SUD increased offspring risk for an alcohol use disorder in young adulthood independently of ADHD status (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.1, 6.9; p = 0.04). Conclusion Exposure to maternal SUD increases the risk for an alcohol use disorder in offspring ten years later in young adult years irrespective of ADHD status.
Case 29: Sudden Intraoperative Hypotension

An 18-year-old male (55 kg) with a history of spina bifida and developmental delay is admitted for surgical treatment of a recurrent right ischial and peroneal pressure sore. He has undergone multiple previous general anesthetics for urological problems without incident. Of special note is the fact that he has no allergy of any kind, especially no latex allergy. He is seen in the preoperative holding area and an IV inserted in his arm without much difficulty. The patient is very interested in the tourniquet. He is given one and he immediately starts chewing on it for comfort. He carries on chewing for approximately 30 min until anesthesia is induced. After he falls asleep, it is removed. A routine general anesthetic is given and then he is turned prone. Muscle relaxation is achieved with vecuronium 6 mg. You listen to his lungs and confirm that there is bilateral air entry. He is given Kefzol 1 gram and the operation starts. One hour after the induction of general anesthesia, the patient suddenly develops high peak inspiratory pressures (45 cm H2O), hypoxemia (85%), hypotension (systolic 70 mmHg down from 120 mmHg), and a dramatic decrease in end-tidal CO2. You increase the FIO2 to 1. You listen to the lungs and discover that there are no breath sounds over the left lung and only very minimal sounds from the right. The endotracheal tube (ETT) is withdrawn from 23 to 20 cm at the lips, with no change in the above respiratory findings. You now request that the patient is turned supine. When that is done, you palpate the cuff in the trachea. Peak inspiratory pressure remains elevated (over 50 cm). You can no longer feel the superficial temporal artery, indicating that you have a systolic blood pressure below 60 mmHg. The heart rate is increasing to 150 bpm. You give epinephrine (50micrograms). There is some improvement in his cardiovascular status, and the chest exam now reveals profound wheezing bilaterally. An additional 20 μg of IV epinephrine, 100 mg of IV hydrocortisone, and 10 puffs of albuterol through the ETT cause near resolution of his bronchospasm. The vital signs return to normal. You are delighted with this turn of events but wonder what the cause could have been for this sudden severe intraoperative hypotension. You discount an overdose of inhalation anesthetic, but you cannot ignore an allergic reaction to, e.g., muscle relaxants and/or antibiotics.
Carbon Nanoparticles and Graphene Nanosheets as MALDI Matrices in Glycomics: a New Approach to Improve Glycan Profiling in Biological Samples

Glycomics continues to be a highly dynamic and interesting research area due to the need to comprehensively understand the biological attributes of glycosylation in many important biological functions such as the immune response, cell development, cell differentiation/adhesion, and host-pathogen interactions. Although matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) has proven to be suitable for glycomic profiling studies, there is a need for improved sensitivity in the detection of native glycans, which ionize inefficiently. In this study, we investigated the efficiencies of graphene nanosheets (GNs) and carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as MALDI matrices and co-matrices in glycan profiling. Our results indicated an enhancement of signal intensity by several orders of magnitude upon using GNs and CNPs in MALDI analysis of N-glycans derived from a variety of biological samples. Interestingly, increasing the amounts of CNPs and GNs improved not only the signal intensities but also prompted in-source decay (ISD) fragmentations, which produced extensive glycosidic and cross-ring cleavages. Our results indicated that the extent of ISD fragmentation could be modulated by CNP and GN concentrations, to obtain MS2 and pseudo-MS3 spectra. The results for glycan profiling in high salt solutions confirmed high salt-tolerance capacities for both CNPs and GNs. Finally, the results showed that by using CNPs and GNs as co-matrices, DHB crystal formation was more homogeneous which improved shot-to-shot reproducibility and sensitivity.
Evidence of Bootstrap Financing among Small Start-Up Firms

This study examines the use of bootstrap financing for a sample of 78 firms in a Midwestern state. The results show that traditional sources of capital accounted for 65% of the firms' start-up capital and 35% of the start-up capital was obtained from bootstrap sources. A Chi-squared analysis indicates a significant difference between the percentage of (!) sole proprietorship versus other firms and (2) construction/manufacturing versus other types of firms using bootstrap financing as compared to traditional sources of financing when bootstrap financing comprised at least 60% of the total start-up capital. No significant difference was found between the percentage of firms located in communities less than 10,000 versus greater than 10,000 that used bootstrap financing as compared to the traditional sources of financing.
Towel: Towards an Intelligent To-Do List.

In this paper we describe Towel, a task management application that couples a user’s to-do list with a software personal assistant. This to-do list provides a unified environment for managing personal tasks, delegating tasks to the software personal assistant, and collaborating with other users. We use to-do list and instant messaging metaphors to enable the user to initiate, manage, and modify complex agent-executed tasks. Through simple operations on to-do items and direct-manipulation chat, we envision many seamless interactions between the user and various AI technologies that ultimately result in saving the user work, reducing cognitive load, and improving task performance.
Image Informatics for Clinical and Preclinical Biomedical Analysis

Biomedical informatics refers to the study of the application of computational and statistical algorithms, data structures, and methods to improve communication, understanding and management of biomedical information. Our objective through this chapter is to describe and demonstrate our research in the use of biomedical image databases - in both preclinical and clinical settings - to classify, predict, research, diagnose, and otherwise learn from the informational content encapsulated in historical image repositories. This will be accomplished by detailing our approach of describing image content in a Bayesian probabilistic framework to achieve learning from retrieved populations of similar images. We will use specific examples from two biomedical applications to describe anatomic segmentation, statistical feature generation and indexing, efficient retrieval architectures, and predictive results.
Peak Annotation and Verification Engine for Untargeted LC-MS Metabolomics.

Untargeted metabolomics can detect more than 10 000 peaks in a single LC–MS run. The correspondence between these peaks and metabolites, however, remains unclear. Here, we introduce a Peak Annotation and Verification Engine (PAVE) for annotating untargeted microbial metabolomics data. The workflow involves growing cells in 13C and 15N isotope-labeled media to identify peaks from biological compounds and their carbon and nitrogen atom counts. Improved deisotoping and deadducting are enabled by algorithms that integrate positive mode, negative mode, and labeling data. To distinguish metabolites and their fragments, PAVE experimentally measures the response of each peak to weak in-source collision induced dissociation, which increases the peak intensity for fragments while decreasing it for their parent ions. The molecular formulas of the putative metabolites are then assigned based on database searching using both m/z and C/N atom counts. Application of this procedure to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escheri...
Fun until the end: The nightclub fantasy in the Italian cinema of the economic miracle:

This article examines the use of the nightclub trope in three films from the early years of the Italian “economic miracle”: Luchino Visconti’s White Nights (1957), Federico Fellini’s Nights of Cabi...
Important Statistical Terms

Measures of central tendency and variability are commonly encountered in clinical practice and research. It is important to understand these measures and what they mean in order to guide our clinical practice.
Introducing Medical Geology to Undergraduates as a Critical Thinking and Risk Assessment Tool

Medical geology is a fast growing sub-discipline within the geological sciences; in fact it now has its own division within the Geological Society of America. With more universities pushing for integrated science classes and cross-discipline projects, it is necessary for geology educators to help students think critically and creatively about the incorporation of other fields of study into geology. We have designed a straightforward project suitable for undergraduates that emphasizes the role of geology in human health. Using the publicly available Vital Statistics of the United States, students calculate standard mortality ratios (SMRs) from respiratory and intrathoracic cancers and breast cancer as a function of county of death in Montana and California over the period of 1978–1993. The SMRs show variances in death rates from these cancers when compared to the state rates. The students can superimpose these data on geological maps, then raise questions and form theories about how geology may or may not ...
Turbulent Vortex Breakdown: A Numerical Study

Three-dimensional and axisymmetric solutions to the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations have been obtained for turbulent vortex breakdown within a slightly diverging tube. Inlet boundary conditions were derived from experimental data for the mean flow and turbulence kinetic energy provided by Sarpkaya (Private Communications). The performance of both two-equation and full differential Reynolds stress models is evaluated. The experimentally determined location of breakdown was well predicted by the differential Reynolds stress model. However, the two-equation models failed to predict the occurrence of breakdown. Failure of the two-equation models is attributed to their inability to accurately account for Reynolds stress anisotropies. Further comparisons between the experimental data of Sarpkaya and the Reynolds stress model results are presented and discussed.
Louis XIV and Absolutism

In the “discussion without end”1 that is history at its best, or at least at its liveliest, there are many forms of debate. Perhaps the most practiced of these in recent years has been that method of historical controversy which consists in finding the mote in the adversary’s eye; that is, in demonstrating that his questions and his judgments about the past are conditioned by his interests and his commitments in the present. We are, I am sure, familiar with the transformation of mote into beam that occurs as one crosses the dividing aisle of politics and ideology. Yet, although historical debate in this mold has proved immensely fruitful, I should like to come at my problem in this paper as a controversialist, to be sure, but under the aegis not so much of the sociology of knowledge as of linguistic analysis. If I shall split hairs en quatre, en huit, and perhaps en seize, it will be because I am persuaded that the principal barrier to a profitable study of the absolutism of the Old Regime and, more specifically, of Louis XIV consists at the present time not in inadequate identification of the linkage between the different interpreta tions of absolutism and the various “present days”2 of their propounders but in the tangle meaning of the key words we use in discussing absolutism.
Fungible life: Experiment in the Asian city of life

In Fungible Life (2016), Aihwa Ong introduces us to a fascinating field site, inciting a sense of ambition and amazement just by its name per se: Biopolis, a biotech-industrial complex in Singapore...