cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis and coding schemes for the flash normal-laplace mixture channel

Error-correcting codes are a critical need for modern flash memories. Such codes are typically designed under the assumption that the voltage threshold distributions in flash cells are Gaussian. This assumption, however, is not realistic. This is particularly the case late in the lifetime of flash devices. A recent work by Parnell et al. provides a parameterized model of MLC (2-bit cell) flash which accurately represents the voltage threshold distributions for an operating period up to 10 times longer than the device's specified lifetime. We analyze this model from an information-theoretic perspective and compute capacity for the resulting channel. We extrapolate the channel from an MLC to a TLC (3-bit cell) model and we characterize the resulting errors. We show that errors under the improved model are highly asymmetric. We introduce a code construction explicitly designed to exploit the asymmetric nature of these errors, and measure its improvement against existing codes at large P/E cycle counts.
Attitude of Basic Science Medical Students Toward Interprofessional Collaboration.

Purpose: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and interprofessional education (IPE) are increasingly emphasized in the education of health professions. Xavier University School of Medicine, a Caribbean medical school admits students from the United States, Canada, and other countries to the undergraduate medical course. The present study was carried out to obtain information about the attitude toward IPC among basic science medical students and note differences, if any, among different subgroups. Methods: The study was conducted among first to fifth semester students during July 2015 using the previously validated Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration (JeffSATIC). Gender, age, semester, and nationality were noted. Participants’ agreement with a set of 20 statements was studied. Mean total scores, working relationship, and accountability scores were calculated and compared among different subgroups of respondents (p<0.05). Results: Sixty-seven of the 71 students (94.4%) participated. Cronbach’s alpha value of the questionnaire was 0.827, indicating good internal consistency. The mean total score was 104.48 (maximum score 140) while the working relationship and accountability scores were 63.51 (maximum score 84) and 40.97 (maximum score 56), respectively. Total scores were significantly higher among third-semester students and students of Canadian nationality. Working relationship and accountability scores were higher among first and third-semester students. Conclusion: The total working relationship and accountability scores were lower compared to those obtained in a previous study. Opportunities for IPE and IPC during the basic science years should be strengthened. Longitudinal studies in the institution may be helpful. Similar studies in other Caribbean medical schools are required.
Sacrifice and Stigma: Managing Religious Risk

This article develops a theoretical explanation for the incidence of sacrifice and stigma or “strictness” that—unlike the extant literature—explicitly incorporates a supernatural motive for religiosity. This innovation permits a precise delineation of religious risks and leads to the critical insight that “strictness” is an instrument of mutually beneficial risk mitigation. The theory yields alternative explanations for all empirical regularities on the incidence of strictness that the club model explains, including the seemingly anomalous labor market behavior of Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel, the high lethality of extremist religious sects, and the positive correlation between strictness and social service provision. Among the attributes that distinguish the risk mitigation approach from the club model are: its explanation of observed income dispersion within strictness categories that is substantially greater than that implied by the club model; its prediction that the positive correlation between strictness and exclusivity is a causal relationship in which exclusivity is causally prior to strictness; and its demonstration that variation in the risk mitigation benefits members derive from strictness is at least as important as variation in the opportunity costs of strictness in explaining variation in the levels of strictness employed across denominations and sects.
The Variant Printings of the 1580 Dreßden Edition of the Concordia According to the Verzeichnis der im Deutschen Sprachbereich Erschienenen Drucke des XVI. Jahrhunderts

The first edition of the Concordia (The Book of Concord, also called the Lutheran Confessions), published in 1580 at Dresden, went through a series of variant printings. The Verzeichnis der im Deutschen Sprachbereich Erschienenen Drucke des XVI. Jahrhunderts (VD 16) provides select bibliographic data of 10 individual volumes currently at five libraries in Germany. It then distinguishes and identifies the variant printings producing five categories to which these 10 volumes are assigned. Careful scrutiny of the 10 volumes shows that VD 16 provides precise data for some volumes. For others, the data varies from minor typographical errors to errors of greater bibliographic import. This necessitates a renewed examination of these 10 volumes and a corresponding critical analysis of the bibliographic data provided in the five categories created by VD 16.
Influence of temperature on the development, fecundity, and longevity of the artichoke plume moth.

Development of the artichoke plume moth, Platyptilia carduidactyla (Riley), was studied at several constant laboratory temperatures ranging from 7°C–31°C. The lower developmental thresholds for egg stage, 4 larval Instars, and pupal stage were determined from the linear relationship between temperature and rate of development. The 4 larval instars showed a declining trend in developmental threshold as their values decreased from 8.7°C for 1st instar to 1.5°C for 4th. Thermal units required for development from egg to adult were 476.2 C°-days in the laboratory and 502.5 C°-days in the field at a base temperature of 7°C. Fecundity In the laboratory was reduced at lO°C and 28°C and maximum fecundity attained at 19°C. Survival period of adults decreased as temperature increased.
A sub-quadratic algorithm for bipartite matching of planar points with bounded integer coordinates

Let A, B ∈ [Δ]2, |A|=|B|=n, be point sets where each point has a positive integer coordinate bounded by Δ. For an arbitrary small constant δ > 0, we design an algorithm to compute a minimum-cost Euclidean bipartite matching of A,B in O(n{3/2+δlog (nΔ)) time; all previous exact algorithms for the Euclidean bipartite matching, even when the point sets have bounded integer coordinates take Ω(n2) time.First, we compute in O(n{3/2+δlog nΔ) time, a candidate set E ⊆ A x B such that M* ⊆ E and the graph G(A∪B, E) is planar; here M* is a minimum-cost matching of A and B. Next, we compute M* from this weighted bipartite planar graph in O(n3/2log n) using the algorithm described in [6].
The side effect profile of sirolimus: a phase I study in quiescent cyclosporine-prednisone-treated renal transplant patients.

The side effect profile of sirolimus: A phase I study in quiescent cyclosporine-prednisone-treated renal transplant patients. A 14-day ascending dose course of sirolimus (rapamycin, RAPA) was administered to quiescent renal transplant patients receiving a double-drug cyclosporine (CsA)/corticosteroid regimen in a double-blinded randomized study. Oral sirolimus or placebo was delivered twice daily in divided doses for 13 days and a final dose was administered on the morning of study day 14. In addition, patients in the sirolimus- and placebo-treated groups were compared with a demographically matched, concurrently treated control cohort of 30 patients who received the same concentration-controlled CsA/corticosteroid regimen. The study cohort was partitioned into four sirolimus dose level groups: placebo (0 mg/m 2 /day, N = 10), low dose (1 to 3 mg/m 2 /day, N = 9), medium dose (5 to 6 mg/m 2 /day, N = 9), and high dose (7 to 13 mg/m 2 /day, N = 12). The primary side effect of sirolimus was a reversible decrease in platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. Cholesterol values increased statistically significantly in the sirolimus-treated patients when compared with those of the placebo patients, but not when compared with those of the control group patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the steady-state average concentrations of CsA among sirolimus dose groups (including placebo). No differences were observed between the pre- and post-sirolimus treatment values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, glomerular filtration rates (GFR), serum creatinine values (S Cr ), and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) or triglyceride levels. Because the principal side effects of sirolimus are distinct from the principal nephrotoxic properties of CsA, this drug combination may display potent immunosuppression without exacerbated toxicity.
A High-Order Projection Method for Tracking Fluid Interfaces in Variable Density Incompressible Flows

We present a numerical method for computing solutions of the incompressible Euler or Navier?Stokes equations when a principal feature of the flow is the presence of an interface between two fluids with different fluid properties. The method is based on a second-order projection method for variable density flows using an “approximate projection” formulation. The boundary between the fluids is tracked with a second-order, volume-of-fluid interface tracking algorithm. We present results for viscious Rayleigh?Taylor problems at early time with equal and unequal viscosities to demonstrate the convergence of the algorithm. We also present computational results for the Rayleigh?Taylor instability in air-helium and for bubbles and drops in an air?water system without surface tension to demonstrate the behavior of the algorithm on problems with large density and viscosity contrasts.
Highly fluorescent, water-soluble, size-tunable gold quantum dots.

Highly fluorescent, water-soluble, few-atom Au quantum dots have been created that behave as multielectron artificial atoms with discrete, size-tunable electronic transitions throughout the visible and near IR. Correlation of nanodot sizes with emission energies fits the simple relation, ${E}_{\mathrm{F}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}}/{N}^{1/3}$, predicted by the jellium model. Providing the ``missing link'' between atomic and nanoparticle behavior in noble metals, these emissive, water-soluble Au nanoclusters open new opportunities for biological labels, energy transfer pairs, and light emitting sources in nanoscale optoelectronics.
Mycobacterium celatum, an emerging pathogen and cause of false positive amplified mycobacterium tuberculosis direct test☆

Mycobacterium celatum is a recently described organism. Herein we describe a case of M. celatum lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent child and the first reported case of a M. celatum infection (lung abscess) in a transplant recipient. A literature review identified 19 other cases of M. celatum infection. Fifteen occurred in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Of these, nine were disseminated and six were localized (primarily to the lungs). The remaining 4 patients were immunocompetent and had localized infection (pneumonitis or lymphadenitis). Diagnosis of M. celatum infection can be challenging as M. celatum can cause false-positive results with the current version of the Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis Direct Test (Gen-Probe, San Diego, CA.). Definitive identification is available by DNA sequencing or high-performance liquid chromatography. M. celatum can cause infection in immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts.
Actinomycin-D: effects on memory at different times after training.

INHIBITORS of macromolecular synthesis have been used extensively for studies of memory storage. The amnesic effects of two inhibitors of protein synthesis, acetoxy-cycloheximide and cycloheximide, have been attributed to specific interference with the synthesis of protein required for formation of long-term memory1–4. The effects of actinomycin-D, an inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis, have been particularly difficult to interpret because doses sufficient to produce marked inhibition of cerebral RNA synthesis produce fairly rapid onset of irreversible systemic toxicity5,6. Even much smaller doses produce localized chromatolysis7 and may lead to death. Studies with rodents injected before learning show that marked inhibition of RNA synthesis does not interfere with retention for a few hours after injection5,6,8, but the marked toxicity of this drug has limited its usefulness in studies of the participation of cerebral RNA synthesis in long term memory.
Potential bias of model projected greenhouse warming in irrigated regions

Atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs) used to project climate responses to increased CO{sub 2} generally omit irrigation of agricultural land. Using the NCAR CAM3 GCM coupled to a slab-ocean model, we find that inclusion of an extreme irrigation scenario has a small effect on the simulated temperature and precipitation response to doubled CO{sub 2} in most regions, but reduced warming by as much as 1 C in some agricultural regions, such as Europe and India. This interaction between CO{sub 2} and irrigation occurs in cases where agriculture is a major fraction of the land surface and where, in the absence of irrigation, soil moisture declines are projected to provide a positive feedback to temperature change. The reduction of warming is less than 25% of the temperature increase modeled for doubled CO{sub 2} in most regions; thus greenhouse warming will still be dominant. However, the results indicate that land use interactions may be an important component of climate change uncertainty in some agricultural regions. While irrigated lands comprise only {approx}2% of the land surface, they contribute over 40% of global food production. Climate changes in these regions are therefore particularly important to society despite their relatively small contribution to average globalmore » climate.« less
Overvaluation of shape and weight in binge eating disorder

The excessive influence of shape or weight on self-evaluation--referred to as overvaluation--is considered by some a central feature across eating disorders but is not a diagnostic requirement for binge eating disorder (BED). This study examined shape/weight overvaluation in 399 consecutive patients with BED. Participants completed semistructured interviews, including the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE; C. G. Fairburn & Z. Cooper, 1993) and several self-report measures. Shape/weight overvaluation was unrelated to body mass index (BMI) but was strongly associated with measures of eating-related psychopathology and psychological status (i.e., higher depression and lower self-esteem). Participants were categorized via EDE guidelines into 1 of 2 groups: clinical overvaluation (58%) or subclinical overvaluation (42%). The 2 groups did not differ significantly in BMI or binge eating frequency, but the clinical overvaluation group had significantly greater eating-related psychopathology and poorer psychological status than the subclinical overvaluation group. Findings suggest that overvaluation does not simply reflect concern commensurate with being overweight but is strongly associated with eating-related psychopathology and psychological functioning and warrants consideration as a diagnostic feature for BED.
Lipid droplets in the lateral terminal nucleus of the accessory optic system in Galago (primates).

Neuronal inclusions within the lateral terminal nucleus of the accessory optic system in Galago were identified as lipids. Intact L-fibers are essential for their formation. After eye enucleation, which interrupted the L-fibers, the number of cells containing lipid droplets decreased significantly.
Contour-based shape representation using principal curves

Extraction and representation of contours are challenging problems and are crucial for many image processing applications. In this study, given a membership function that returns the score of a point belonging to a contour, we propose a method for contour representation based on the principal curve (PC) of this function. The proposed method provides a piecewise linear representation of the contour with fewer points while preserving shape. Varied experiments are conducted, including lung boundary representation in CT images and shape representation in handwritten images. The results show that the technique provides accurate shape representation.
Health-related quality of life and alternative forms of exercise in Parkinson disease

Parkinson disease (PD) reduces health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but exercise may improve HRQoL. This pilot study compared the effects of Tango, Waltz/Foxtrot, Tai Chi and No Intervention on HRQoL in individuals with PD. Seventy-five persons with PD (Hoehn and Yahr I-III) were assigned to 20 lessons of Tango, Waltz/Foxtrot, Tai Chi, or an untreated No Intervention group. Participants completed the PDQ-39 before and after participation in 20 classes or within 13 weeks in the case of the No Intervention group. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs determined differences between interventions. Tango significantly improved on mobility (p=0.03), social support (p=0.05) and the PDQ-39 SI (p<0.01) at post-testing. No significant changes in HRQoL were noted in the Waltz/Foxtrot, Tai Chi or No Intervention. Tango may be helpful for improving HRQoL in PD because it addresses balance and gait deficits in the context of a social interaction that requires working closely with a partner.
Oxidative stress and diabetic neuropathy: a new understanding of an old problem.

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the Western world. In the United States, 17 million individuals have diabetes, greater than 6% of the population (1). The morbidity and mortality of diabetes is due to the development of both macrovascular and microvascular complications (2). Macrovascular complications including myocardial infarction, stroke, and large vessel peripheral vascular disease are 2 to 4 times more prevalent in individuals with diabetes. The underlying common factor in macrovascular complications is the ability of the diabetic condition to accelerate atherogenesis. Atherogenesis is a multifactorial response of vessels to injury; both insulin resistance and elevated lipid levels, common in diabetes, are primary triggers of atherogenic injury (3). The endothelium in diabetic arteries is also more prone to atherogenic injury, likely due to decreased production of endothelial nitric oxide, known to be antiatherogenic, and increased production of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (4). While macro-vascular complications are common among diabetics, diabetes-specific microvascular complications will eventually affect nearly all individuals with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of adult blindness in the United States. Ninety percent of diabetics present evidence of retinopathy within 15 years of disease onset and approximately 25,000 new cases of diabetes-related blindness are reported per year (5). Diabetes is also the leading cause of renal failure in the United States, accounting for 40% of new cases each year (6). Greater than half of all patients with diabetes develop neuropathy, a progressive deterioration of nerves resulting in peripheral and autonomic nerve dysfunction. As a result, diabetic neuropathy is the most common cause of nontraumatic amputations and autonomic failure (7, 8). In his or her lifetime, a diabetic patient with neuropathy has a 15% chance of undergoing one or more amputations (9).
Streamwater fluxes of total mercury and methylmercury into and out of Lake Champlain.

From 2000 to 2004, we sampled for total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in inlet streams to Lake Champlain, targeting high flow periods to capture increases in THg and MeHg concentrations with increasing flow. We used these data to model stream THg and MeHg fluxes for Water Years 2001 through 2009. In this mountainous forested basin with a high watershed-to-lake area ratio of 18, fluvial export from the terrestrial watershed was the dominant source of Hg to the lake. Unfiltered THg and MeHg fluxes were dominated by the particulate fraction; about 40% of stream THg was in the filtered (<0.4 mm) phase. THg flux from the watershed to the lake averaged 2.37 m gm �2 yr �1 , or about 13% of atmospheric Hg wet and dry deposition to the basin. THg export from the lake represented only about 3% of atmospheric Hg input to the basin.
An empirical analysis of prepackaged bankruptcies

Abstract We provide comprehensive data on the attributes and outcomes of the restructuring process for a sample of 49 financially distressed firms that restructured by means a prepackaged bankruptcy. Our findings complement previous research on out-of-court restructurings and traditional Chapter 11 filings. By most measures, including the time spent in reorganization, the direct fees as a percent of pre-distress assets, the recovery rates by creditors, and the incidence of violation of absolute priority of claimholders, we find that prepacks lie between out-of-court restructurings and traditional Chapter 11 bankruptcies.
The solution structure of ribosomal protein S4 Δ41 reveals two subdomains and a positively charged surface that may interact with RNA

S4 is one of the first proteins to bind to 16S RNA during assembly of the prokaryotic ribosome. Residues 43-200 of S4 from Bacillus stearothermophilus (S4 Delta41) bind specifically to both 16S rRNA and to a pseudoknot within the alpha operon mRNA. As a first step toward understanding how S4 recognizes and organizes RNA, we have solved the structure of S4 Delta41 in solution by multidimensional heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The fold consists of two globular subdomains, one comprised of four helices and the other comprised of a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet and three helices. Although cross-linking studies suggest that residues between helices alpha2 and alpha3 are close to RNA, the concentration of positive charge along the crevice between the two subdomains suggests that this could be an RNA-binding site. In contrast to the L11 RNA-binding domain studied previously, S4 Delta41 shows no fast local motions, suggesting that it has less capacity for refolding to fit RNA. The independently determined crystal structure of S4 Delta41 shows similar features, although there is small rotation of the subdomains compared with the solution structure. The relative orientation of the subdomains in solution will be verified with further study.
When and how to subsample: report on the KDD-2001 panel

Databases in the terabyte range are now common. In many domains, mining all the data available in reasonable time is already beyond the reach of current systems. Yet the size of databases continues to grow rapidly. Is subsampling unavoidable? Or should it be avoided at all costs? If we subsample, what is the best way to do it? What issues must be taken into account? The KDD-2001 Panel on When and How to Subsample addressed these and related questions, with the twin goals of developing practical guidelines and identifying key research issues. It was chaired by Pedro Domingos (University of Washington), and the participants were Surajit Chaudhuri (Microsoft Research), David Jensen (University of Massachusetts at Amherst), Ronny Kohavi (Blue Martini), and Foster Provost (New York University). Below is each panelist's summary of his position.
Alternative processing of IgA pre-mRNA responds like IgM to alterations in the efficiency of the competing splice and cleavage-polyadenylation reactions.

Abstract Both the membrane-associated and -secreted Ig proteins are encoded by a single gene whose primary transcript is alternatively processed at its 3′ end. The relative use of the alternative processing pathways is regulated during B cell maturation. This alternative RNA processing involves two competing reactions, splicing from the last constant region exon to the membrane exon(s) and cleavage-polyadenylation at the secretory-specific poly(A) site. Studies with the IgM-encoding μ gene have shown that cell-specific regulation requires that the efficiencies of these two reactions be balanced; any gene modifications that substantially improve or reduce the efficiency of either reaction also abrogate the regulatory shift in alternative processing pathways. All of the Ig isotypes that undergo a membrane-to-secreted switch during B cell maturation have a similar gene structure, thus suggesting that they might all be regulated by the same mechanism. We show that RNA processing of chimeric μα genes containing modifications in the Cα3 exon size and the Cα3-αm intron size respond to these modifications as predicted by previous μ gene studies. In addition, RNA expression ratios from the chimeric μα genes are regulated in B cells and plasma cells. This provides good evidence that splicing and cleavage-polyadenylation in the α gene are balanced reactions that are regulated in the same way as in the μ gene.
Using elderspeak with older adults

This study examined the use of elderspeak, a speech register targeted at older listeners, during a referential communication task. The task required the listener to reproduce a route drawn on a map following the speaker's instructions. Young adults were paired with older adults who performed naturally or who followed a script simulating dementia to determine if the young adults would modify their fluency, prosody, grammatical complexity, semantic content, or discourse style. When paired with older adults simulating dementia, the young adults’ instructions were longer, more informative, and more repetitious; however, the young adults did not alter their prosody or grammatical complexity. Together with previous findings on practice effects on elderspeak, these findings suggest that young adults adjust their speech to the perceived communicative needs of older listeners by varying information content but not by varying information delivery.
The Effect of Micro-Alloying of Sn Plating on Mitigation of Sn Whisker Growth

Tin (Sn) is a key industrial material in coatings on various components in the electronics industry. However, Sn is prone to the development of filament-like whiskers, which is the leading cause of many types of damage to electronics reported in the last several decades. Due to its properties, a tin-lead (Sn-Pb) alloy coating can mitigate Sn whisker growth. However, the demand for Pb-free surface finishes has rekindled interest in the Sn whisker phenomenon. In order to achieve properties similar to those naturally developed in a Sn-Pb alloy coating, we carried out a study on deposited films with other Sn alloys, such as tin-bismuth (Sn-Bi), tin-zinc (Sn-Zn), and tin-copper (Sn-Cu), electrodeposited onto a brass substrate by utilizing a pulse plating technique. The results indicated that the Sn alloy films modified the columnar grain structure of pure Sn into an equiaxed grain structure and increased the incubation period of Sn whisker growth. The primary conclusions were based on analysis of the topography and microstructural characteristics in each case, as well as the stress distribution in the plated films computed by x-ray diffraction, and the amount of Sn whisker growth in each case, over 6 months under various environmental influences.
The use of CAD/CAM in dentistry

Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) have become an increasingly popular part of dentistry over the past 25 years. The technology, which is used in both the dental laboratory and the dental office, can be applied to inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, fixed partial dentures, implant abutments, and even full-mouth reconstruction. This article discusses the history of CAD/CAM in dentistry and gives an overview of how it works. It also provides information on the advantages and disadvantages, describes the main products available, discusses how to incorporate the new technology into your practice, and addresses future applications.
Using analogies to overcome student teachers' probability misconceptions

Abstract The existence of probability misconceptions at the college level and their resistance to change has been well-documented in previous research. Analogical reasoning has been successfully utilized by John Clement and associates in overcoming physics misconceptions by basing the knowledge reconstruction process on problems which draw out students' beliefs which are in agreement with accepted theory. Such problems are referred to as anchoring situations. A similar approach was attempted in this study in the area of probability. Anchoring situations conceptually analogous to misconception-prone/target probability situations were generated. The target situations were placed in Version A of the WDYTTCA (What Do You Think The Chances Are?) instrument and the analogous anchoring situations were placed in Version B. The instrument was given to 24 secondary mathematics student teachers. Version A revealed that probability misconceptions were common whereas Version B showed that anchors for overcoming these misconceptions could be generated. Follow-up interviews with 15 volunteers indicated that the anchoring situations could be effectively utilized in overcoming probability misconceptions when the participants were engaged in a process of analogical reasoning.
TU‐C‐M100J‐08: Objective Characterization, Estimation and Prediction for Modeling Breathing‐Related Movement

Purpose: To propose a hierarchical model for estimation, tracking, and prediction of respiratory tumor motion. To incorporate modeling on different scales: semi‐reproducibility globally and slow frequency/displacement variation locally. Method and Materials: The problem is formulated with a hierarchy of scales: On the finer scale, a databased approach is used to estimate the local variation of both displacement and frequency, utilizing classic control and chaostheory. A warping procedure is used to “counteract” local variation, resulting in a much more regular post‐warping signal. On the global level, the post‐warping (phase‐synchronized) signal is modeled as a noisy observation of an intrinsic periodic system, and the best periodic pattern is estimated within a nonparametric optimization setting. For tracking and prediction purposes, the locally estimated warping map (together with proper interpolation or extrapolation, whichever applies) is used to un‐warp the globally obtained periodic pattern. A recursive method is devised to further improve the efficiency for real‐time processing. Results: The obtained estimation/prediction signal demonstrates similar local variation as the raw observation, while semi‐periodicity is incorporated to decrease its noise sensitivity and enhance prediction accuracy. Verification using RPM data shows that the proposed method reduces 1‐period look‐ahead prediction error (RMSE) by more than 50% compared to perfect periodic modeling. Conventional local linear models generally fail in such long‐term prediction tasks. Conclusions: This work provides an infrastructure for incorporating information on different knowledge levels, and offers the flexibility to adaptively balance the roles of physical prior knowledge and data fidelity. The model‐based method on the global level incorporates the well‐recognized semi‐periodicity pattern of respiratory motion, overcoming the myopia of local state models. Data‐driven local phase map estimation used in warping and un‐warping fully utilizes the observation and enjoys the freedom of nonparametric setup. This work is sponsored by NIH P01‐CA59827.
Production of Z boson pairs at photon linear colliders.

The [ital ZZ] pair production ratr in high energy [gamma][gamma] collisions is evaluated with photons from laser backscattering. We find that searching for the standard model Higgs boson with a mass up to, or slightly larger than, 400 GeV via the [ital ZZ] final state is possible via photon fusion with backscattered laser photons at a linear [ital e][sup +][ital e[minus]] collider with energies in the range 600 GeV [lt] [radical][ital s][sub [ital e]][sup +][ital e[minus]][lt]1000 GeV.
Refolded recombinant Siglec5 for NMR investigation of complex carbohydrate binding

Sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec5) is a carbohydrate-binding surface receptor expressed on neutrophils, monocytes and B cells in human lymphoid and myeloid cell lineages. Existing structural and functional data fail to define the clear ligand specificity of Siglec5, though like other Siglec family members, it binds a variety of complex carbohydrates containing a sialic acid at the non-reducing terminus. Prokaryotic expression of this protein has proven challenging due to disulfide bonds and Asn-linked glycosylation. We developed an expression and purification protocol that uses an on-column strategy to refold Escherichia coli expressed protein that produced a high yield (2 mg/L) of the single N-terminal Siglec5 carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). A 2D heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum showed this material was folded, and a secondary structure prediction based on the assigned chemical shifts of backbone atoms was consistent with a previously determined X-ray model. NMR chemical shift mapping of Siglec5 binding to three carbohydrate ligands revealed similarities in binding interfaces and affinities. In addition, the role of alternate protein conformations identified by NMR in ligand binding is discussed. These studies demonstrate the Siglec5 CRD alone is sufficient for binding sialylated carbohydrates and provide a foundation for further investigation of Siglec5 structure and function.
Vortex unbinding transitions in finite superfluid and superconducting films

Abstract For superfluid and small sample superconducting films, edge effects dominate and obscure the unbinding transition. Edge effects can be screened out, so that the unbinding transition may be observed, only for large superconducting films.
What Is Intelligent, As Well As Attractive, Is Good

One reason that physical attractiveness affects per son perception judgments is that it is easily available informa tion. It was hypothesized that when another characteristic, such as intelligence is made apparent, that it will evoke a stereo type similar to that evoked by attractiveness. A videotaped stimulus person, whose level of intelligence and attractive ness were manipulated, was rated by 68 subjects. The findings suggest that impressions are formed on the basis of all available information, rather than being primarily influenced by physical appearance, as previous studies have implied.
Algorithms for exact polynomial root calculation

This thesis discusses two sets of fully specified algorithms which, given a univariate polynomial with integer coefficients (with possible multiple roots) and a positive rational error bound, uses infinite-precision arithmetic and Sturm's Theorem to compute intervals containing the real roots of the polynomial and whose lengths are less than the given error bound, The algorithms also provide a simple means of determining the number of real roots in any interval.The first set of algorithms uses infinite-precision integer arithmetic to compute the sequence of polynomials required by Sturm's Theorem and also to do all the required polynomial evaluations. The second set uses congruence arithmetic to compute the images of the sequence of polynomials over the finite fields GF(pi) for several primes pi and then uses the natural homomorphisms from the integers onto the finite fields GF(pi) and the Chinese Remainder Theorem to do the evaluations. The primary advantage of the use of congruence arithmetic in the second set of algorithms is that the computing time to multiply any two elements of GF(pi) is a constant whereas the time to multiply any two integers is proportional to the square of their lengths.The computing times of both sets of algorithms are analyzed in detail using the techniques of computing time analysis developed in the past few years by G. E. Collins and D. Knuth. It is shown that if P is a primitive, positive, univariate polynomial over the integers of positive degree, m, whose coefficients are bounded in magnitude by d, and which has L real roots, and e is some positive rational number, 0
Synthesis, Characterization, and Coagulation of Polymeric Ferric Sulfate

This paper proposes a new approach to synthesize polymeric ferric sulfate (PFC). It was found that the basicity and stability of the synthesized PFS varied with the quantity of sulfuric acid used. The minimum amount of sulfuric acid needed for the synthesis of PFS to insure a residual Fe\U2+\N concentration in the product lower than 0.1 wt% is about 31.0 wt% of the stoichiometric requirement. However, to produce a stable product which can be stored for six months, the amount of sulfuric acid should be 51.7 and 62.0 wt% of the stoichiometric requirement for PFS produced at 55 and 85°C, respectively. The structure of PFS depended on the synthesis temperature, as observed through x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A comparison of the coagulation performance of PFS and ferric sulfate (FS) showed that PFS is, in general, more effective than FS in reducing the turbidity of Kaolinite suspensions for various conditions.
Detection of salmonellae in different turtle species within a headwater spring ecosystem.

Sediments and water from the slough arm of Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River, Texas, USA, as well as swabs from biofilms on carapaces and from the cloacae of 18 common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus), 21 red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), nine Texas river cooters (Pseudemys texana), one snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina), and three Guadalupe spiny soft-shell turtles (Apalone spinifera guadalupensis), caught at the same site, were analyzed for salmonellae by culture and molecular techniques. Although enrichment cultures from sediment and water samples were negative for salmonellae in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based analyses, this technique detected salmonellae in the enrichments from both carapaces and cloacae of 11 musk turtles (61%), eight red-eared sliders (38%), and the snapping turtle. Salmo-nellae could also be detected in the enrichments from the carapaces of two additional red-eared sliders and two Texas river cooters; the remaining samples wer...
Apoptosis accompanied by up-regulation of TNF-α death pathway genes in the brain of Niemann–Pick type C disease

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) is an autosomal recessive neurovisceral storage disease with neurodegeneration caused by mutations in either the NPC-1 or NPC-2 gene. The murine ortholog of NPC-1 is mutated in BALB/c npc(nih) and this mutant mouse shows equally conspicuous neurodegeneration and loss of neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms causing neurodegeneration in NP-C remain elusive. Here, we report the presence of apoptotic cells detected by both TUNEL staining and electron microscopy in the cerebrum and cerebellum of human patients and the mouse model. Moreover, we found that with progression of the disease process leading to neuronal cell death, an up-regulation of genes involved in the TNF-alpha death pathway caspase-8, FADD, TNFRp55, TRADD, and RIP-by an RNA protection assay. Furthermore, RT-PCR showed that TNF-alpha mRNA expression level also increased up to 30-50-fold in the cerebellum of 7- and 9-week-old NP-C mice compared with wild-type mice. Elevated expression of TNF-alpha was detected in both neurons and astrocytes with TNF-alpha-expressing astrocytes distributed in the affected brain regions. Collectively, our results suggest that the cell death in the brain of NP-C disease occurs through apoptosis and it is mediated by the TNF receptor superfamily pathway.
Democracy and the Peaceful Settlement of International Conflict.

The research reported here develops an explanation for the often-noted absence of international war between democratic states. This explanation is derived from a theoretical rationale centered on universal democratic norms for reconciling competing values and interests. I argue that democratic states locked in disputes are better equipped than others with the means for diffusing conflict situations at an early stage before they have an opportunity to escalate to military violence. Not only is this explanatory logic consistent with the published findings on democracy and war, but it also entails the novel empirical proposition that disputes between democracies are more amenable than are other disputes to peaceful settlements, the hypothesis I examine here. Analyses of contemporary interstate disputes reveal that even when potentially confounding factors are controlled, democratic opponents are significantly more likely to reach peaceful settlements than other types of disputants.
Foreign direct investment in a world of multiple taxes

Abstract Governments impose multiple taxes on foreign investors, though studies of the effect of tax policy on the location of foreign direct investment (FDI) focus almost exclusively on corporate income taxes. This paper examines the impact of indirect (non-income) taxes on FDI by American multinational firms, using affiliate-level data that permit the introduction of controls for parent companies and affiliate industries. Indirect tax burdens significantly exceed the foreign income tax obligations of foreign affiliates of American companies. Estimates imply that 10% higher local indirect tax rates are associated with 7.1% lower affiliate assets, which is similar to the effect of 10% higher income tax rates. Affiliate output falls by 2.9% as indirect taxes rise by 10%, while higher income taxes have more modest output effects. High corporate income tax rates depress capital/labor ratios and profit rates of foreign affiliates, whereas high indirect tax rates do not. These patterns reveal the impact of indirect taxes and suggest the mechanisms by which direct and indirect taxes affect FDI.
The North Korean Factor in East Asian Regional Security

This paper first examines briefly the current security environment in East Asia and then identifies the North Korean factor in regional security. It later reviews the implications of this factor in a broader context, especially in relation to the overarching theme of the conference: “East Asian Regional Integration and the US Role”. It specifically attempts to highlight three major aspects of the topic of Session I: “Political and Security Co-operation in East Asia”. They are (1) the issues of status quo and national interest, (2) the relationship between regional integration and national unification, and (3) strengthening and expanding PRC–Japan–ROK nuclear and space co-operation to include other states in the region and other fields of co-operation. It finally reaches the conclusion that, while the role of the United States should remain formidable and even essential for East Asian regional security and integration, the North Korean factor requires closer co-ordination and concerted efforts by all the powers concerned, both global and regional, as well as both big and small, preferably including Pyongyang herself. In the final analysis, the regional security could be better promoted by seeking synergy effects of regional integration and reunification of divided nations. As regional integration progresses so does national unification and vice versa. Each and every problem has a solution if its stakeholders approach it in a broader context, with farther-sighted visions, and in such a way as to exchange their positions with one another. More judicious prioritization of issues is required for each stakeholder.
Skeletal muscle lipid metabolism: A frontier for new insights into fuel homeostasis

Abstract Although skeletal muscle is recognized as a primary site of lipid utilization, the study of muscle bioenergetics has focused mainly on carbohydrate, and consequently our understanding of the variables that regulate muscle lipid metabolism is comparably poor. This review focuses on the significance of muscle lipid metabolism in regulating whole-body energy homeostasis. Multiple pathways involved in controlling muscle lipid biochemistry are discussed, and comparisons with other tissues are described. Considerable evidence indicates that muscle lipid biochemistry is altered in disease states, and a number of metabolic disorders may be explained by dysregulation of muscle lipid metabolism. An understanding of the factors accounting for dysregulated muscle metabolism is a necessity in light of the increase in the incidence of disease syndromes such as obesity and diabetes, which collectively account for a high incidence of morbidity and mortality in the western society. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to describe the biochemical events involved in the regulation and dysregulation of skeletal muscle lipid metabolism and to encourage new investigation in muscle lipid research.
Commensurate and incommensurate checkerboard charge ordered states

Abstract We consider a system of charged particles interacting through Coulomb repulsion with an additional short range attraction to model charge ordering in cuprate superconductors. The particles move over a background periodic substrate. In the absence of the substrate, we find a checkerboard type ordering of the charges along with a variety of other crystalline states as the charge density is varied. In the presence of a substrate, there are additional commensurate–incommensurate grain boundary structures that form within the checkerboard state. We compare our results to recent scanning tunneling experiments.
The growth and structure of oxide films formed on Fe in O2 and CO2 at 550°C

A study has been made of the structure of oxide layers formed at different times on abraded Fe oxidized in 1 atm O2 and CO2 at 550°C. A duplex Fe3O4 layer was formed and the inner layer was considered to grow by an oxide dissociation mechanism. The growth of both layers has been explained by a model, which correlates the overall kinetics with oxide grain growth. Derived values of the parabolic rate constant for lattice diffusion have been used to calculate self-diffusion coefficients, which were in good agreement with literature values for Fe diffusion in Fe3O4, but were very much larger than the values for either Fe or O in α-Fe2O3.
Advantages of full spectrum flow cytometry

A charge coupled device-based flow-cytometer for the measurement of full spectra was implemented and characterized. The spectral resolution was better than 1.5 nm and the coefficient of variation for fluorescence from flow check beads was 5% or better. Both cell and bead data were analyzed by fitting to measured component spectra. Separation of flow check and align flow beads, which have similar spectra, was nearly identical whether using a spectral analysis or a scatter analysis. After mixing, cells stained with ethidium bromide or propidium iodide were measured at different timepoints. The contribution of these 12 nm separated emission spectra could be separately quantified and the kinetic process of the samples becoming homogeneous due to fluorophor dissociation and rebinding was observed. Principle component analysis was used to reduce noise and alternating least squares (ALS) was used to analyze one set of noise-reduced cell data without knowledge of the component spectra. The component spectra obtained via ALS are very similar to the measured component spectra. The contributions of ethidium bromide and propidium iodide to the individual spectra are also similar to those obtained via the spectral fitting procedure