cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring 3D shape similarity by matching the medial scaffolds

We propose to measure 3D shape similarity by matching a medial axis (MA) based representation—the medial scaffold (MS). Shape similarity is measured as the minimum extent of deformation necessary for one shape to match another, guided by the MS. This approach is an extension of an approach to match 2D shapes by matching their shock graphs, whereas here in 3D the MS is in the form of a hypergraph. The MS representation is both hierarchical and complete. Our approach finds the optimal deformation path between two shapes by modelling shape deformations as discrete topological changes (transitions) of the MS, with costs associated with each transition. We first regularize the MS hypergraphs and use the graduated assignment graph matching scheme to match the hypergraphs. A set of compatibility functions is defined to measure the pairwise similarity between the MS nodes, curves, and sheets. Early results on matching carpal bones and other shapes promise its potential in a range of applications.
A new string-pattern matching algorithm using partitioning and hashing efficiently

In this paper, we present a new string-pattern matching algorithm that partitions the text into segments of the input pattern length and searches for pattern occurrences using a simple hashing scheme. Unlike the well known Boyer-Moore style algorithm, our algorithm does not compute variable shift length, thus providing a conceptually simpler way to search for patterns. Empirical evaluation shows that our algorithm runs significantly faster than Sunday's and Horspool's extensions of the Boyer-Moore algorithm. The notion of the non-occurrence heuristic used in our algorithm, together with a text partitioning scheme, leads to a simplified scheme for searching for pattern occurrences, thus yielding better run time performance.
The DaVincis of dirt: Geoarchaeological perspectives on Native American mound building in the Mississippi River basin

The complexity of mound construction, as revealed through geoarchaeological analyses, indicates the cultural significance of mounds may be as well reflected in the earthen construction materials and their arrangement, as it is in the artifacts abandoned on their summits. We use geoarchaeological examples from three sites in the Mississippi River basin, Shiloh Mounds, Cahokia, and Poverty Point, to advocate a geoarchaeological approach that considers multiple scales from the regional soils and geomorphology, field observation of lithostratigraphic units, to the micro-scale identification of the mineralogy and soil development in order to decipher the source and processing of the soils and sediments. We focus on the use of five types of construction referred to here as: sod blocks, soil blocks, loaded fills, zoned fills and veneers. Also we address the selection and transportation of soils and sediments used in mound building and what these types of deposits reveal about the methods used to build mounds. These data can be used to evaluate and understand organization of labor, pace of construction, and mound appearance. We hold there is a considerable (although unquantified) difference between earth moving and mound building and that the construction of these important monuments required considerable knowledge, skill, planning, hard work, and attention to symbolic and ritual meaning.
An epidemiological study of the relationship between occupations and acute herniated lumbar intervertebral discs

A case-control study of the epidemiology of acute herniated lumbar intervertebral discs in the New Haven, Connecticut, area indicates that sedentary occupations increase the risk for herniated lumbar discs, particularly among those aged 35 years and older who have had sedentary jobs for several years. People in occupations requiring prolonged driving of motor vehicles, such as truck drivers, appear to be at particularly high risk. The results of this study provide no evidence that people whose jobs involve heavy manual labour are at greater risk for acute herniated lumbar disc than others of their age and sex.
Transcriptional activity at the 3' end of the actin gene at 5C on the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Polyribosomal poly(A) + RNA from stage-specific embryos of Drosophila melanogaster was analyzed by Northern hybridizations to determine the transcription at the 5C actin gene (act5C) and to establish whether these mRNAs are used in translation. A 3′ end probe, which contains 30 nucleotides of the actin coding sequence as well as 3′-end-adjacent sequence, hybridizes in addition to the act5C transcript to a smaller transcript 450 nucleotides long. Hybridizations with the 3′ end strand-specific probes show that this transcript has the same orientation as the actin gene. This transcript is temporally coexpressed with the act5C gene over most of the developmental stages examined. S 1 nuclease mapping and primer extension experiments place its 5′ end about 20 nucleotides upstream from the actin translation termination signal. Furthermore, the transcript appears to translate in an in vitro translation system into a protein of 7.4 kDa, as expected from the size of the open reading frame. The data suggest, but do not prove, that the 3′-end-transcribed but untranslated region of act5C may be involved in actin gene expression.
Community Organization in the Twenty-First Century: Scholarship and Practice Directions for the Future

The context for community practice in social work is continually changing. As we entered the 21st century, we would not have envisioned the challenges and opportunities that exist today in our nati...
Feeling by Sight or Seeing by Touch

We have addressed the role of occipital and somatosensory cortex in a tactile discrimination task. Sight-ed and congenitally blind subjects rated the roughness and distance spacing for a series of raised dot patterns. When judging roughness, intermediate dot spacings were perceived as being the most rough, while distance judgments generated a linear relation. Low-frequency rTMS applied to somatosensory cortex disrupted roughness without affecting distance judgments, while rTMS to occipital cortex disrupted distance but not roughness judgments. We also tested an early blind patient with bilateral occipital cortex damage. Her performance on the roughness determination task was normal; however, she was greatly impaired with distance judgments. The findings suggest a double-dissociation effect in which roughness and distance are primarily processed in somatosensory and occipital cortex, respectively. The differential effect of rTMS on task performance and corroborative clinical evidence suggest that occipital cortex is engaged in tactile tasks requiring fine spatial discrimination.
The coefficient of resistance as a function of Reynolds number for solids of various shapes

Abstract The purpose of the present article is twofold. First it is an attempt to show the usefulness of the degree of true sphericity as an expression for shape of rock particles. Second it is intended as a background for a new, analytical, sedimentographic method to be given in a forthcoming paper. Any radical variation in shape influences the numerical value of the degree of true sphericity and affects the size of the surface area, the size of the largest cross-sectional area and the degree of circularity of a great number of cross-sections of a solid. These factors determine to a large extent the settling velocity of that solid. The resistance of wholly submerged bodies, as a theoretical foundation for determining the coefficient of resistance as a function of Reynolds number for solids of different degree of sphericity, is discussed. The influence of the degree of circularity on the resistance is then shown by graphs constructed on the basis of available data. Formulae for calculating the coefficient of resistance and Reynolds number are introduced and their practical value demonstrated by graphic illustrations. The sedimentological significance and usefulness of the results are discussed.
A meta-validation model for assessing the score-validity of student teaching evaluations

Virtually every institution of higher education in the US uses some type of student teaching evaluation (STE) instrument as a means of assessing instructors’ instructional performance in courses. Unfortunately, many administrators and faculty misinterpret STE ratings. Therefore, the present article provides a comprehensive critique of STE instruments. In particular, we build on Messick’s (Educational Measurement, MacMillan, pp. 13–103, and Messick (Am. Psychol., 50, 741–749, 1995, 1989) conceptualization of validity to yield what we refer to as a meta-validity model that subdivides content-, criterion-, and construct-related validity into several areas of evidence. We use our meta-validity model to conduct a meta-validity analysis of STEs. Specifically, we assessed the score-validity of STEs based on findings from the extant literature. We conclude that strong evidence has been provided with respect to areas of criterion-related validity; however, for the most part, weak or inadequate evidence has been provided with regard to areas of both content-related and construct-related validity. This seriously calls into question both the score-validity and utility of STEs.
The classical limit of the surface response in Fermi liquids

Abstract The RPA theory of the surface response of a self-bound Fermi liquid reduces to the classical diffusion equation in the low frequency, long wavelength limit. The dynamic equation for the surface position includes a restoring force identifiable with the surface tension and a viscous force identifiable with the usual wall friction.
Radiation dose perturbation at tissue-titanium dental interfaces in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose : To determine the dose perturbation effects at the tissue-metal implant interfaces in head and neck cancer patients treated with 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams. Methods and Materials : Phantom measurements were performed to investigate the magnitude of dose perturbation to the tissue adjacent to the titanium alloy implants with (100 μ and 500 μ thick) and without hydroxylapatite (HA) coating. Radiographic and radiochromic films were placed at the upper (and lower) surface of circular metal discs (diameter x thickness : 15 x 3.2, 48 x 3.2, 48 x 3.8 mm 2 ) in a solid water phantom and were exposed perpendicular to radiation beams. The dosimeters were scanned with automatic film scanners. Using a thin-window parallel-plate ion chamber, dose perturbation were measured for a 48 x 3.2 mm 2 disc. Results : At the upper surface of the tissue-dental implant interface, the radiographic data indicate that for 15 x 3.2 mm 2 uncoated, as well as 100 μ coated discs, dose perturbation is about +22.5% and +20.0% using 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.2 mm 2 discs, these values basically remain the same. However, for 48 x 3.8 mm 2 discs, these values increase slightly to about +23.0% and +20.5% for 6 MV and 10 MV beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.2 mm 2 discs with 500 μ coating, dose enhancement is slightly lower than that obtained for uncoated and 100 μ coated discs for each beam energy studied. At the lower interface for 15 x 3.2 mm 2 and 48 x 3.2 mm 2 uncoated and 100 μ coated discs, dose reduction is similar and is about -13.5% and -9.5% for 6 MV and 10 MV beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.8 mm 2 discs, dose reduction is about -14.5% and -10.0% for 6 MV and 10 MV beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.2 mm 2 discs with 500 μ coating, the dose reduction were slightly higher than those for uncoated and 100 μ coated discs. Conclusions : For the beam energies studied, dose enhancement is slightly larger for the lower energy beam. The results of dose perturbation were similar for 100 μ coated and uncoated discs. These results were slightly lower for the 500 μ coated discs but are not clinically significant. The dosimetry results obtained from radiochromic films were similar to the ones obtained from radiographic film. The dose enhancement results obtained from ion chamber dosimetry are higher than those obtained from film dosimetry. The ion chamber data represent the data at true tissue-titanium interface, whereas the ones obtained from film dosimetry represent the data at film-titanium interface.
Speckle reduction in OCT with multimode source fiber

Speckle noise in OCT images originates in the high spatial coherence that allows interference between light backscattered from the tissue specimen. Speckle reduction techniques on which many investigators have reported all rely on averaging independent intensity images of the speckle field. Recently, we completed an experiment to test speckle reduction by averaging independent intensity images formed by incoherent spatial modes emitted from a broadband light source. Broadband light coupled into a multimode optical fiber produces a number of spatial modes that propagate along the waveguide at distinct velocities. When the spatial modes propagate length, modes become mutually incoherent. When the multimode fiber is placed in the source path of a Michelson interferometer, each spatial mode produces an intensity image of an independent speckle field. To illustrate speckle averaging using independent spatial modes, we recorded low-coherence interferograms of a scattering metallic surface using single mode and multimode source fiber. The interferogram recorded using a single mode source fiber is indicative of that observed by conventional OCT. Speckle noise in the interferogram recorded using the multimode source fiber is substantially reduced compared to the single mode case.
New Studies of Jupiter's Atmosphere

Structure and composition of Jovian atmosphere, discussing hydrogen helium ratio, cloud colors, etc
Grating acoustic scanner using bulk acoustic waves

A new type of electronically scanned and focused acoustic beam scanner, based on coherent scattering of a grazing incident bulk wave with chirped frequencies by an array of surface grooves, is discussed. Experimental results of a 40 MHz bulk wave grating acoustic scanner with 1" field of view and 300 µm lateral resolution will be presented as a feasibility demonstration.
Defects of the nasal internal lining: etiology and repair.

Objectives To analyze risk factors leading to full-thickness (FT) defects, to review methods of repair, and to present guidelines for management of aggressive basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the nose. Design Retrospective medical chart review of patients who underwent nasal reconstruction by the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery between 1996 and 2003. Results Two hundred ten patients underwent nasal reconstruction; 183 had complete medical records and were included in this study. There were 53 patients with FT nasal defects, 38 (71.7%) of which were due to BCC. Among all patients presenting with an aggressive histologic subtype of BCC, 30.1% (22/73) developed FT defects. In contrast, 14.5% (16/100) with a nonaggressive subtype had FT involvement (P Conclusions Internal lining defects are more likely to occur from aggressive histologic subtypes of BCC (infiltrative, morpheaform, and micronodular) than nonaggressive subtypes (P 2 cm2) involving the ala have a high rate of internal lining involvement independent of pathologic subtype.
Spontaneous Reciprocal Translocation during Megasporogenesis of Maize Haploids

IN the course of an investigation of haploidy in maize, a number of haploids were pollinated by normal diploid males. The progenies were grown to anthesis and classified for pollen abortion, with the thought that some of them would be monosomic, that is, would arise from n-1 eggs. An F1 plant was found to be semi-sterile (male) and was self-pollinated and outcrossed with a normal female. Subsequent examination of the selfed and outcrossed progenies revealed that the original semi-sterile F1 plant was heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation. The finding agrees with earlier observations in which recovery of reciprocal translocation from haploids of Triticum vulgare1 and of Sorghum vulgare2 had been made.
On the eigenfunction expansion of electromagnetic dyadic Green's functions

A relatively simple approach is described for developing the complete eigenfunction expansion of time-harmonic electric ( \bar{E} ) and magnetic ( \bar{H} ) fields within exterior or interior regions containing an arbitrarily oriented electric current point source. In particular, these results yield directly the complete eigenfunction expansion of the electric and magnetic dyadic Green's functions \bar\bar{G}_{e} and \bar\bar{G}_{m} that are associated with \bar{E} and \bar{H} , respectively. This expansion of \bar\bar{G}_{e} and \bar\bar{G}_{m} contains only the solenoidal type eigenfunctions. In addition, the expansion of \bar\bar{G}_{e} also contains an explicit dyadic delta function term which is required for making that expansion complete at the source point. The explicit dyadic delta function term in \bar\bar{G}_{e} is found readily from a simple condition governing the behavior of the eigenfunction expansion at the source point, provided one views that condition in the light of distribution theory. These general expressions for the eigenfunction expansion of \bar\bar{G}_{e} and \bar\bar{G}_{m} reduce properly to those obtained previously for special geometries by Tai.
An efficient parts-based near-duplicate and sub-image retrieval system

We introduce a system for near-duplicate detection and sub-image retrieval. Such a system is useful for finding copyright violations and detecting forged images. We define near-duplicate as images altered with common transformations such as changing contrast, saturation, scaling, cropping, framing, etc. Our system builds a parts-based representation of images using distinctive local descriptors which give high quality matches even under severe transformations. To cope with the large number of features extracted from the images, we employ locality-sensitive hashing to index the local descriptors. This allows us to make approximate similarity queries that only examine a small fraction of the database. Although locality-sensitive hashing has excellent theoretical performance properties, a standard implementation would still be unacceptably slow for this application. We show that, by optimizing layout and access to the index data on disk, we can efficiently query indices containing millions of keypoints. Our system achieves near-perfect accuracy (100% precision at 99.85% recall) on the tests presented in Meng et al. [16], and consistently strong results on our own, significantly more challenging experiments. Query times are interactive even for collections of thousands of images.
Precise laser incisions, corrected for patient respiration with an intelligent aiming system.

Background and Objective: Patient motion due to respiration and blood flow can negatively affect the precision of a laser incision. Study Design/Materials and Methods: The video image of the surgical field is monitored by a computer system, and trends in the motion are learned by the computer. The laser beam is then adjusted to compensate for predicted motion. Occasional erratic motion sometime causes a false prediction. In this event, the prediction is corrected with real-time feedback. Results: Our experience shows that even with occasional false predictions, the motion compensation still gives a better incision. The surgeon always maintains control of the laser. The net effect of the intelligent aiming system is to subtract away nearly all patient motions. Conclusion: Laser surgery can be performed with greater accuracy and reduced unwanted tissue damage with the predictive tracking of motion.
LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF MILD GASTRIC IRRADIATION AS ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY.

Irradiation of the acid-secreting portions of the stomach is a valuable adjunctive procedure in the treatment of patients with peptic ulcer. The therapeutic effect depends upon suppression of secretion of gastric acid and pepsin. There is no correlation between the effect of the irradiation upon gastric secretion and the age of the patient or duration of the ulcer. There appears to have been a higher incidence of postirradiation achlorhydria in patients with gastric ulcer than in those with duodenal or jejunal ulcer. Recurrences of peptic ulcer invariably are preceded by the reappearance of hydrochloric acid. Peptic ulcer has never recurred during the period of sustained achlorhydria.
On the inverse problem in statistical mechanics

We review briefly the status of some inverse problems in classical equilibrium statistical mechanics.
Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation Contribute to the Generation of hERG1 C-terminal Isoforms

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 (hERG1) encodes the pore-forming subunit of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel. Several hERG1 isoforms with different N- and C-terminal ends have been identified. The hERG1a, hERG1b, and hERG1-3.1 isoforms contain the full-length C terminus, whereas the hERG1USO isoforms, hERG1aUSO and hERG1bUSO, lack most of the C-terminal domain and contain a unique C-terminal end. The mechanisms underlying the generation of hERG1USO isoforms are not understood. We show that hERG1 isoforms with different C-terminal ends are generated by alternative splicing and polyadenylation of hERG1 pre-mRNA. We identified an intrinsically weak, noncanonical poly(A) signal, AGUAAA, within intron 9 of hERG1 that modulates the expression of hERG1a and hERG1aUSO. Replacing AGUAAA with the strong, canonical poly(A) signal AAUAAA resulted in the predominant production of hERG1aUSO and a marked decrease in hERG1 current. In contrast, eliminating the intron 9 poly(A) signal or increasing the strength of 5′ splice site led to the predominant production of hERG1a and a significant increase in hERG1 current. We found significant variation in the relative abundance of hERG1 C-terminal isoforms in different human tissues. Taken together, these findings suggest that post-transcriptional regulation of hERG1 pre-mRNA may represent a novel mechanism to modulate the expression and function of hERG1 channels.
Epigenetics—an emerging and highly promising source of new drug targets

Epigenetic modifications to DNA and its associated histone proteins are major influences on gene expression. This regulatory process is disrupted in cancer and a range of chronic human diseases, and provides attractive new intervention points and targets for drug discovery.
Correlation of in vitro cytotoxicity with paracellular permeability in Caco-2 cells

This in vitro study aims to develop a cell culture model that compares paracellular permeability (PP) with acute cytotoxicity (AC). Caco-2 cells were seeded in 96-well plates and on polycarbonate filter inserts. Confluent monolayers were exposed to increasing concentrations of 20 reference chemicals for 24-h and 72-h. Cytotoxicity was determined using MTT and NRU cell viability assays in 96-well plates. PP was measured using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, as well as passage of lucifer yellow (LY), [3H]-mannitol (both low mw indicators), and FITC-dextran (higher mw indicator) in culture inserts. Inhibitory concentrations 50% (IC50s) suggest that there were good correlations between 24-h and 72-h exposures. NRU IC50 values correlated better with TEER, which is consistent with the Registry of Cytotoxicity (RC; ICCVAM) database report. Both cell viability assays indicate that cytotoxicity occurs before TEER is compromised. In addition, 24-h and 72-h NRU assays, and 72-h TEER measurements, displayed the highest correlations with established rodent LD50s. PP experiments showed that passive paracellular transport of the tight junction markers, especially [3H]-mannitol, correlates with the IC50s determined with the viability assays and TEER measurements. Our AC/TEER/PP model thus allows for the differentiation between the concentrations necessary for AC and those needed to interfere with PP. We propose that the in vitro AC, TEER and PP results be used to compute a formula which can "normalize" and improve the predictive ability of in vitro acute cytotoxicity assays for in vivo lethality.
Capacity reservation contracts for high-tech industry

Abstract Capacity reservation provides a risk-sharing mechanism that encourages a manufacturer to expand its capacity more. We propose a deductible reservation (DR) contract where customers reserve future capacity with a fee that is deductible from the purchasing price. The manufacturer’s ex ante announcement of the “excess” capacity that she will have in addition to the reservation amount is a unique feature of the DR contract. An individually rational DR contract that provides channel coordination always exists. Since there is a unique Nash equilibrium for the reservation game among multiple customers, the main results of the one-customer case can be extended to the n -customer case. The DR contract is compared with another capacity reservation contract called take-or-pay. While the manufacturer may gain more profit under a take-or-pay contract, there may not be a channel-coordinated contract that is also individually rational for the customer. Finally, the similarities and differences between the capacity reservation contracts and other well-known supply contracts are discussed.
Use of plasma norepinephrine for evaluation of sympathetic neuronal function in man.

Abstract Levels of norepinephrine (NE) in human plasma have been determined by a radioenzymatic technique sufficiently sensitive to measure 0.014 ng NE per ml plasma. Several procedures which raise plasma NE levels have been compared and a standard procedure developed to evaluate sympathetic neuronal function based on the increments in plasma NE produced by postural change and a standard amount of exertion. The mean basal level of NE in plasma of 74 resting, supine, normal subjects ranging in age from 10 to 70 (mean 32.7 years) was 0.292 ± 0.016 (± SEM) ng/ml and ranged from 0.112 to 0.738 ng/ml. There was a significant correlation between age and basal levels of NE (L.R. = 0.33, p
A point process model-based framework reveals reinforcement mechanisms in striatum during high frequency STN DBS

Striatum is a major stage of the motor loop but, despite a pivotal role in the execution of movements, it has been poorly studied thus far under Parkinsonian conditions and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). We propose a computational framework to analyze the spiking activity of striatal neurons under several conditions. This framework combines point process models and single unit recordings, and separately evaluates the effects of the spiking history, DBS frequency, and other cells on the neuronal discharge pattern, thus giving a full characterization of non-stationary neuronal dynamics and inter-neuronal dependencies. We applied this framework to 166 striatal neurons collected in a monkey both at rest and during DBS (30–130 Hz). Our analysis was conducted both before and after treatment of the animal with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which evoked Parkinsonian-like motor disorders. We reported that high frequency (≥100 Hz) DBS reduces non-stationary dynamics and inter-neuronal dependencies by regularizing the discharge patterns both in MPTP and normal striatum, while the combination of MPTP and low frequency (30–80 Hz) DBS enhances these features, thus suggesting that pattern regularization in striatum might contribute to the therapeutic effect of high frequency DBS and presumably results from the overlap of feed-forward and feedback activation along the motor loop (reinforcement).
The one-way analysis of variance with ordered alternatives: A modification of bartholomew's Ē2 Test

Tests of homogeneity of normal means with the alternative restricted by an ordering on the means are considered. The simply ordered case, μ1 ≤ μ2 ≤ ··· ≤ μk, and the simple tree ordering, μ1 ≤ μj, for; j= 2, 3,…, k, are emphasized. A modification of the likelihood-ratio test is proposed which is asymptotically equivalent to it but is more robust to violations of the hypothesized orderings. The new test has power at the points satisfying the hypothesized ordering which is similar to that of the likelihood-ratio test provided the degrees of freedom are not too small. The modified test is shown to be unbiased and consistent. Nous considerons les tests d'homogeneite des moyennes de populations normales lorsque les contre-hypotheses stipulent une relation d'ordre entre celles-ci. Nous insistons davantage sur le cas d'un ordre total, μ1 ≤ μ2 ≤ ··· ≤ μk et sur le cas d'un ordre arborescent, μ1 ≤ μjj = 2, 3, …, k. Nous proposons une modification au test du rapport de vraisemblance qui le rend plus robuste quant aux ecarts a l'ordre specifie par la contre-hypothese. Le nouveau test, qui est asymptotiquement equivalent au test du rapport de vraisemblance, admet aux points qui satisfont a l'ordre specifie une puissance similaire a celle du test du rapport de vraisemblance a condition que les degres de liberte ne soient pas trop faibles. Nous demontrons que le test modifie est sans biais et convergent.
Acute pancreatitis associated with congenital cyst of the common bile duct.

Summary A case of congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct with an associated pancreatitis is presented. The literature is reviewed in an attempt to find the frequency of such an association. Five other cases were found in which both conditions coexisted. The symptoms of pancreatitis are not always sufficiently different from those of choledochus cyst to ensure the simultaneous diagnosis of both diseases when they occur together. Therefore, an awareness of the possible association may be helpful.
An Initial Investigation into Naturally Occurring Loss- and Gain-Framed Memorable Breast Cancer Messages.

Memorable message research examines interpersonal messages “ … remembered for extremely long periods of time and which people perceive as a major influence on the course of their lives” (Knapp, Stohl, & Reardon, 1981, p. 27). They can also guide actions, such as health behaviors. This exploratory research examined self-reported memorable messages about breast cancer to determine if they were framed, emphasizing either the benefits (gain-framed) or the costs (loss-framed) of a behavior. About one-fourth of the messages were framed, with most being gain-framed. The messages tended to emphasize early detection actions. Study limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Glutamyl-γ-boronate inhibitors of bacterial Glu-tRNAGln amidotransferase

Abstract Analogues of glutamyl-γ-boronate ( 1 ) were synthesized as mechanism-based inhibitors of bacterial Glu-tRNA Gln amidotransferase (Glu-AdT) and were designed to engage a putative catalytic serine nucleophile required for the glutaminase activity of the enzyme. Although 1 provides potent enzyme inhibition, structure–activity studies revealed a narrow range of tolerated chemical changes that maintained activity. Nonetheless, growth inhibition of organisms that require Glu-AdT by the most potent enzyme inhibitors appears to validate mechanism-based inhibitor design of Glu-AdT as an approach to antimicrobial development.
The performance of analog photonic links employing highly compressed erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

We present the tradeoffs of employing highly compressed erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) in analog microwave photonic links. We employ the newly developed concept of noise penalty and introduce the concept of generalized relative intensity noise to facilitate system design. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that a highly compressed EDFA: 1) can achieve near shot-noise-limited performance, even with large optical noise figure and 2) can simultaneously increase the spurious-free dynamic range, increase the compression dynamic range, increase the analog gain, and decrease the analog noise figure, as compared to an unamplified link with identical components.
Walking-Induced Floor Vibration Case Studies

Excessive floor vibration due to walking is an important serviceability condition to be considered in building design. This paper presents several case studies of problem floors. The case studies include complaints about office, classroom, and retail spaces where vibration levels were found disturbing. In each of these cases, the cause of the vibration was due to people walking around the space. These case studies are presented to reinforce the existence of this problem, to describe nonstructural factors that affect the behavior of floors, and to provide new data to the design and research communities.
A Quantitative Analysis of Certain Interpersonal Skills Required in the Service Encounter

Employees play an integral part in how consumers rate service quality. As such, it is very important to be able to quantify the interpersonal skills required by employees in service positions. One ...
A rapid, reliable, and valid method for measuring infarct and brain compartment volumes from computed tomographic scans.

Clinical stroke trials require objective and reproducible end point variables. Morphometry of cerebral structures, including infarct volume, provides numerical measures that represent the amount of tissue damaged and potentially salvaged by therapy. However, morphometry may be time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it requires standardization across multiple centers, which may be difficult to achieve in large multicenter trials. We developed a brain morphometry method that is unbiased, rapid, reliable, and based on well-accepted stereological techniques. We now extend this method to analysis of routine computed tomographic (CT) scans such as might be obtained during a clinical stroke trial. We studied CT scans from 18 stroke patients and 14 asymptomatic control patients obtained over 5 years at the San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center. Three observers independently measured the volume of the cranial vault, cerebrum, cortex, white matter, deep gray structures, ventricle, sulcal cerebrospinal fluid space, visible infarction, and cerebellum/brain stem. The two patient groups were well matched demographically. The intracranial volume of 1400 +/- 40 mL in control subjects was not different from the 1311 +/- 41 mL in patients. Cerebral volume was 1250 +/- 36 mL compared with 1070 +/- 36 mL (control subjects versus patients, P < .001), and infarction volume was 55 +/- 16 mL in patients. For all structures, intraclass correlation coefficients among the observers ranged from 0.87 to 0.03; the best agreement was found for lesion, ventricle, and intracranial volume. White matter and cortex volume predicted the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score but not the late outcome scores on the Barthel Index or Rankin Scale. Each scan required 70 to 90 minutes for analysis. We developed a stereological method for cerebral morphometry from CT scans that is reliable, rapid, and simple. The measurements are unbiased, can be made on slices of any known thickness, and are independent of machine variables. Our results are remarkably similar to values obtained with more labor-intensive methods. This method should be of use in large-scale, multicenter trials of stroke therapy.
Sorption and Catalytic Hydrolysis of Diethatyl-Ethyl on Homoionic Clays

Sorption and catalytic hydrolysis of the herbicide diethatyl-ethyl [N-chloroacetyl-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)glycine ethyl ester] on homoionic Na+-, K+-, Ca2+-, and Mg2+-montmorillonite clays were studied in aqueous media. The Freundlich sorption coefficient, Kf, measured from isotherms on clay followed the order of Na+ ≈ K+ > Mg2+ ≈ Ca 2+. Analysis of FT-IR spectra of diethatyl-ethyl sorbed on clay suggests probable bonding at the carboxyl and amide carbonyl groups of the herbicide. The rate of herbicide hydrolysis in homoionic clay suspensions followed the same order as that for sorption, indicating that sorption may have preceded and thus caused hydrolysis. Preliminary product identification showed that hydrolysis occurred via nucleophilic substitution at the carboxyl carbon, causing cleavage of the ester bond and formation of diethatyl and its dechlorinated derivative, and at the amide carbon, yielding an ethyl ester derivative and its acid. These pathways also suggest that hydrolysis of diethatyl-ethyl wa...
Majorana zero modes choose Euler numbers - revealed by full counting statistics

We study transport properties of a quantum dot coupled to a Majorana zero mode and two normal leads. We investigate the full counting statistics of charge tunneling events and obtain complete information on current fluctuations through the dot. Using the Keldysh path-integral approach, we compute the cumulant generating function of the current. We first consider a spinless case and find that for the symmetric dot-lead couplings, the zero-frequency cumulants are independent of the microscopic parameters and exhibit a universal pattern described by Euler numbers. We then consider the spinful system and investigate the effect of both weak and strong Coulomb interactions. We show that cases with and without Majorana coupling exhibit qualitatively different full counting statistics of charge tunneling events despite the fact that differential linear conductance might have zero-bias features in both cases.
Learning the Threshold in Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering

Most partitional clustering algorithms require the number of desired clusters to be set a priori. Not only is this somewhat counter-intuitive, it is also difficult except in the simplest of situations. By contrast, hierarchical clustering may create partitions with varying numbers of clusters. The actual final partition depends on a threshold placed on the similarity measure used. Given a cluster quality metric, one can efficiently discover an appropriate threshold through a form of semi-supervised learning. This paper shows one such solution for complete-link hierarchical agglomerative clustering using the F-measure and a small subset of labeled examples. Empirical evaluation demonstrates promise.
Neural reactivation links unconscious thought to decision-making performance

Brief periods of unconscious thought (UT) have been shown to improve decision making compared with making an immediate decision (ID). We reveal a neural mechanism for UT in decision making using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants (N ¼ 33) encoded information on a set of consumer products (e.g. 48 attributes describing four different cars), and we manipulated whether participants (i) consciously thought about this information (conscious thought), (ii) completed a difficult 2-back working memory task (UT) or (iii) made an immediate decision about the consumer products (ID) in a within-subjects blocked design. To differentiate UT neural activity from 2-back working memory neural activity, participants completed an independent 2-back task and this neural activity was subtracted from neural activity occurring during the UT 2-back task. Consistent with a neural reactivation account, we found that the same regions activated during the encoding of complex decision information (right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left intermediate visual cortex) continued to be activated during a subsequent 2-min UT period. Moreover, neural reactivation in these regions was predictive of subsequent behavioral decision-making performance after the UT period. These results provide initial evidence for post-encoding unconscious neural reactivation in facilitating decision making.
Role of glutamic acid decarboxylase in the prepubertal inhibition of the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone release in female rhesus monkeys

To investigate further the role of GABA in the onset of puberty, this study examines whether glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the catalytic enzyme for GABA synthesis, is involved in the suppression of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) before puberty in rhesus monkeys. First, both GAD67 and GAD65 mRNAs were detectable by reverse transcription-PCR analysis in the preoptic area, medio-basal hypothalamus, posterior hypothalamic area, and hippocampus of the monkey brain. Second, effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (D- oligos) for GAD67 and GAD65 mRNAs on LHRH release were examined in conscious female rhesus monkeys at the prepubertal stage using a push- pull perfusion method. The GAD67 or GAD65 antisense D-oligos or scrambled D-oligos were infused directly into the stalk-median eminence. Both the GAD67 and the GAD65 antisense D-oligos induced a large and prompt increase in LHRH release, whereas the scrambled D- oligos did not induce any significant effect. The results suggest that the removal of GABA inhibition by interfering with GAD synthesis is effective in increasing LHRH release in prepubertal monkeys. Third, the specificity of the antisense D-oligos on GAD levels was examined by incubating basal hypothalami with D-oligos in vitro and subsequent Western blot analysis. The antisense D-oligos consistently decreased the proteins GAD67 and GAD65 compared with respective control D-oligos. We conclude that the decrease of tonic GABAergic inhibition and maturational changes in GAD synthesis may be critical factors for the onset of puberty in nonhuman primates.
Multiverse Understanding of Cosmological Coincidences

There is a deep cosmological mystery: although dependent on very different underlying physics, the time scales of structure formation, of galaxy cooling (both radiatively and against the CMB), and of vacuum domination do not differ by many orders of magnitude, but are all comparable to the present age of the universe. By scanning four landscape parameters simultaneously, we show that this quadruple coincidence is resolved. We assume only that the statistical distribution of parameter values in the multiverse grows towards certain catastrophic boundaries we identify, across which there are drastic regime changes. We find order-of-magnitude predictions for the cosmological constant, the primordial density contrast, the temperature at matter-radiation equality, the typical galaxy mass, and the age of the universe, in terms of the fine structure constant and the electron, proton and Planck masses. Our approach permits a systematic evaluation of measure proposals; with the causal patch measure, we find no runaway of the primordial density contrast and the cosmological constant to large values.
Pharmacy Benefit Caps And The Chronically Ill

In this paper we examine medication use among retirees with employer-sponsored drug coverage both with and without annual benefit limits. We find that pharmacy benefit caps are associated with higher rates of medication discontinuation across the most common therapeutic classes and that only a minority of those who discontinue use reinitiate therapy once coverage resumes. Plan members who reach their cap are more likely than others to switch plans and increase their rate of generic use; however, in most cases, the shift is temporary. Given the similarities between these plans and Part D, we make some inferences about reforms for Medicare.
A scalable parallel algorithm for sparse Cholesky factorization

In this paper, we describe a scalable parallel algorithm for sparse Cholesky factorization, analyze its performance and scalability, and present experimental results of its implementation on a 1024-processor nCUBE2 parallel computer. Through our analysis and experimental results, we demonstrate that our algorithm improves the state of the art in parallel direct solution of sparse linear systems by an order of magnitude--both in terms of speedups and the number of processors that can be utilized effectively for a given problem size. This algorithm incurs strictly less communication overhead and is more scalable than any known parallel formulation of sparse matrix factorization. We show that our algorithm is optimally scalable on hypercube and mesh architectures and that its asymptotic scalability is the same as that of dense matrix factorization for a wide class of sparse linear systems, including those arising in all two- and three- dimensional finite element problems.
Quantitative Interpretation of Sedimentary Structures Formed by River Dunes

ABSTRACT New experimental data from a range of flumes and rivers have been used to test and develop a theoretical model for the thickness of sets of cross strata formed by the migration of subaqueous dunes. The distribution of dune height can be calculated directly from the distribution of cross-set thickness, and vice versa, independently of aggradation rate. Mean dune height is approximately 2.9 (± 0.7) mean cross-set thickness. The new models relating dune height to cross-set thickness have been tested successfully with data from flumes and from the Calamus and Mississippi Rivers. Furthermore, it is well known that dune height can be related approximately to formative flow depth. Although prediction of flow depth from cross-set thickness and dune height is imprecise, it provides a useful complement to other methods of estimating flow depth from sedimentary information.
Image-based modeling and photo editing

We present an image-based modeling and editing system that takes a single photo as input. We represent a scene as a layered collection of depth images, where each pixel encodes both color and depth. Starting from an input image, we employ a suite of user-assisted techniques, based on a painting metaphor, to assign depths and extract layers. We introduce two specific editing operations. The first, a “clone brushing tool,” permits the distortion-free copying of parts of a picture, by using a parameterization optimization technique. The second, a “texture-illuminance decoupling filter,” discounts the effect of illumination on uniformly textured areas, by decoupling large- and small-scale features via bilateral filtering. Our system enables editing from different viewpoints, extracting and grouping of image-based objects, and modifying the shape, color, and illumination of these objects.
Low-frequency waves in a high-beta collisionless plasma: polarization, compressibility and helicity

This paper considers the linear theory of waves near and below the ion cyclotron frequency in an isothermal electron-ion Vlasov plasma which is isotropic, homogeneous and magnetized. Numerical solutions of the full dispersion equation for the magnetosonic/whistler and Alfven/ion cyclotron modes at beta(i) = 1.0 are presented, and the polarizations, compressibilities, helicities, ion Alfven ratios and ion cross-helicities are exhibited and compared. At sufficiently large beta(i) and theta, the angle of propagation with respect to the magnetic field, the real part of the polarization of the Alfven/ion cyclotron wave changes sign, so that, for such parameters, this mode is no longer left-hand polarized. The Alfven/ion cyclotron mode becomes more compressive as the wavenumber increases, whereas the magnetosonic/whistler becomes more compressive with increasing theta.
Evolving Alternative Organization Designs: Their Sociotechnical Bases

The implicit assumptions underlying dominant or classic organization designs and the presentforces in society are examined as a background for rise of alternative organization designs. Some fourteen attributes commonly shared by the new designs are presented. These include systemic structure and roles, organizations as open systems, design by joint optimization, organizational uniqueness, stated organizational values or philosophy, quality of working life as an essential objective, comprehensive roles, selfmaintaining social units, flat structure, participation, minimal status differences, make large small, iterative evolutionary development, and minimal critical specifications. Some attributes are a response to needs for institutional survival, others for long-term economic survival, and still others for enhanced institutional effectiveness. A postscript compares evolving alternative organization designs with proposals of proponents of intermediate technology.