cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Communication technologies for exascale systems

ABSTRACT Scaling computing systems to Exaflops (10 18 floating point operations per second) will require tremendous increases in communications bandwidth but with greatly reduced power consumption per communicated bit as compared to todays petaflop machines. Reaching the required performance in both density and power consumption will be extremely challenging. Electrical and optical interc onnect technologies that may be part of the solution are su mmarized, including advanced electrical printed circuit boards, VCSEL-array based optical interconnects over multimode fibers or waveguides, and singlemode silicon photonics. The use of optical interconnects will play an ever-larger role in intrasystem communications. Although optics is used today primarily between racks, it will gradually migrate into backplanes, circuit cards, and ev entually even on-chip. Keywords: optical interconnects, supercomputers, ex ascale, parallel optics, silicon photonics 1. INTRODUCTION In 2008, IBM announced the first Petafl op supercomputer, the Roadrunner machine[1, 2] built for Los Alamos National Laboratories. At the same time, planning is underway within the supercomputing community for exascale machines[3], roughly defined as having a minimum computation power of about 0.1Exaflops (10
Meritocracy or complexity: problematizing racial disparities in mathematics assessment within the context of curricular structures, practices, and discourse

Through the examination of a collection of macro factors and explanations for racial disparities in mathematics assessment found in the literature, this article takes up these accounts and problematizes the factors by unpacking the assumptions and exposing complexities. We do this using Critical Race Theory (CRT) to reinterpret and call out important blind spots. Essential questions that guided our analysis included: what macro factors has the field identified as influencing or explaining racial disparities in mathematics assessments? What assumptions undergird the field’s conversations about racial disparities in mathematics assessments? In what ways can those assumptions be challenged through CRT to highlight the story of race in the US? Our analysis reveals that the factors fall victim to a meritocratic premise that assumes all students are exposed to equivalent forms and amounts of mathematical knowledge. This assumption effectively locates the problem of assessment within students and not the institu...
A fluorescence-based assay for transcription using a novel fluorescent GTP analogue

Abstract A new fluorescent analogue of GTP (Cm-GTP) was synthesized, which contained a coumarin fluorophore attached to the gamma phosphorus. This compound was tested in transcription assays using T7 RNA polymerase as a model system. The fluorescent nucleotide was incorporated specifically at the 5′ end of nascent RNA synthesized in two different modes of transcription initiation. In the first mode, with only Cm-GTP (+GTP), reiterative slippage synthesis occurred and poly rG ladders of up to 14 nucleotides were synthesized. In the second mode, with Cm-GTP (+GTP)+ATP+CTP, abortive transcripts of up to seven or eight nucleotides were synthesized. The fluorescence properties of the two types of RNA were studied in detail. There was greater reduction in fluorescence intensity in G-ladders than in abortive transcripts. Steady-state anisotropy and anisotropy decay indicated that the fluorophore motion was constrained in G-ladder RNAs as compared to abortive RNAs. Quenching experiments by using extraneous quenchers showed that the excited state of fluorophore at the 5′ end of G-ladder RNA was less efficiently quenched as compared to the free fluorophore. These studies suggested that the fluorescent GTP analogue sensed the structural features that distinguished G-ladder RNAs from abortive RNAs. The results suggested that G-ladder RNAs adapt unusual conformations such as G-quartets. Thus, the new fluorescent probe can be useful for structural studies on RNA.
A Study of Different Metamodeling Techniques for Conceptual Design

Many high fidelity analysis tools including finite-element analysis and computational fluid dynamics have become an integral part of the design process. However, these tools were developed for detailed design and are inadequate for conceptual design due to complexity and turnaround time. With the development of more complex technologies and systems, decisions made earlier in the design process have become crucial to product success. Therefore, one possible alternative to high fidelity analysis tools for conceptual design is metamodeling. Metamodels generated upon high fidelity analysis datasets from previous design iterations show large potential to represent the overall trends of the dataset. To determine which metamodeling techniques were best suited to handle high fidelity datasets for conceptual design, an implementation scheme for incorporating Polynomial Response Surface (PRS) methods, Kriging Approximations, and Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNN) was developed. This paper presents the development of a conceptual design metamodeling strategy. Initially high fidelity legacy datasets were generated from FEA simulations. Metamodels were then built upon the legacy datasets. Finally, metamodel performance was evaluated based upon several dataset conditions including various sample sizes, dataset linearity, interpolation within a domain, and extrapolation outside a domain.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Analysis of a continuous flow parallel plate thermal diffusion cloud chamber

Abstract In order to make reliable measurements of water droplet growth in a thermal diffusion cloud chamber, it is essential to have a detailed picture of all transient behavior and edge effects associated with the temperature and diffusion fields within the chamber. In the application of a continuous flow chamber where test nuclei are injected into a carrier air stream, additional care must be taken to account for the transition from turbulent to laminar flow of the carrier air. Here we present an analysis of the transient behavior and edge effects within a continuous flow parallel plate thermal diffusion cloud chamber including: (a) the transition to the steady state of the temperature field, (b) the transition to the steady state of the water vapor density field, (c) the evolution of the boundary layer along the edge of the chamber and (d) the development of the laminar parabolic flow profile from an initial “plug flow” state at the inlet to the chamber.
Charge Carrier Transport in Poly(N-vinylcarbazole):CdS Quantum Dot Hybrid Nanocomposite

Hybrid organic:inorganic materials have emerged as a novel class of electronic and optoelectronic media for a number of potential technological applications. However, very little fundamental understanding of charge carrier transport in such hybrid materials exists. A knowledge of the influence of nanoparticle doping on charge carrier mobility in nano composites becomes important in order to optimize properties for photorefractive and photovoltaic operations. We report here a study of the mobility of holes in a model nanoparticle-sensitized hybrid organic:inorganic system consisting of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) doped with quantum dots of cadmium sulfide. The mobility of holes (dominant carriers in the PVK host materials) was measured using the conventional time-of-flight technique with injection of holes from a selenium layer. Though photocurrent transients exhibit features typical of dispersive transport in an amorphous semiconductor, certain deviations from the original Scher-Montroll theory are obser...
Analysis of thermal radiation from burning aluminium in solid propellants

Thermal emission from burning aluminium droplets in solid propellants has been analysed using radiative transfer theory and infrared intensity measurements from emission images of burning droplets at 1–5 atm. Below 5 atm, infrared emission is dominated by the burning droplet, not the detached flame zone around the droplet. Each droplet consists of a molten metal portion and a molten oxide (cap) portion. Emission from the metal portion of the droplet surface is spatially uniform and corresponds with opaque surface theory. Emission from the oxide cap portion of the droplet surface is spatially non-uniform and corresponds with volumetric emission from a non-opaque surface. The oxide cap was approximated as a truncated section of a sphere. The burning droplet temperature was found to be approximately 300 K below the metal boiling point. Account was also taken for non-isothermal particulate emission by the sub-micron oxide smoke cloud formed in the detached flame zone around the droplet. The analysis was able ...
Design and analysis of an FPGA-based active feedback damping system for the Spallation Neutron Source

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a high-intensity proton-based accelerator that produces neutron beams for neutron-scattering research. As the most powerful pulsed neutron source in the world, the SNS accelerator has experienced an unprecedented beam instability that has a wide bandwidth (0 to 300 MHz) and fast growth time (10 to 100 μs). In this paper, we propose and analyze several FPGA-based designs for an active feedback damping system. This signal processing system is the first FPGA-based design for active feedback damping of wideband instabilities in high-intensity accelerators. It can effectively mitigate instabilities in high-intensity protons beams, reduce radiation, and boost the accelerator's luminosity performance. Unlike existing systems, which are designed using analog components, our FPGA-based active feedback damping system offers programmability while maintaining high performance. To meet the system throughput and latency requirements, we proposed these designs based on detailed analysis of resource and performance tradeoffs. We mapped these designs onto a reconfigurable platform that includes Xilinx® Virtex-II Pro FPGAs and high-speed analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. Our results show that our FPGA-based active feedback damping system can provide increased flexibility and improved signal processing performance that are not feasible with existing analog systems.
Adolescent Female Assent in Clinical Trials: A Model Assent Process:

Multiple issues concerning the assent process for adolescent female participation in clinical trials are present in a process that has historically been based on an adult developmental and cognitive perspective. Adolescents are experiencing physiological and psycho-social, sexual growth and, therefore, should not be approached as though they are adults. This paper addresses important assent elements from the unique developmental perspective of female adolescents including sexual activity, birth control, privacy rights, confidentiality, and pregnancy. A proposed assent process and model assent form addressing these important issues are presented.
Vertical integration of System-on-Chip and Green Engineering across the undergraduate curriculum

Vertical integration is significant in achieving better student comprehension of the connections among topics and concepts covered in various courses taught during the same or different semesters of the curriculum. Students realize that the courses are part of a flow that contributes to a knowledge base without artificial boundaries rather than being separate bodies of knowledge. In this paper, vertical integration is achieved by a series of laboratory exercises in two areas (System-on-Chip and Green Engineering) that start as well-structured experiments at the lower levels and proceed as increasingly complex open-ended design projects at upper levels of the curriculum. Quantitative assessment results clearly show that students understand that concepts carry over from one course to another as a result of the laboratory projects. Clinic assessment results are also very encouraging.
Column and batch reactive transport experiment parameter estimation using a genetic algorithm

This paper focuses on the application of a genetic algorithm (GA) in estimating the fate and transport parameters of a reacting solute from the column and batch experiments involving a saturated porous medium. A program is developed using C++ to model the column and batch data using kinetically controlled one- or two-site sorption models including linear and/or nonlinear forms. The objective of the algorithm is to minimize the sum of squared differences between the measured and modeled solute concentration data associated with column effluent (i.e., ''breakthrough curves''). The GA is capable of estimating transport and reactions parameters such as forward and reverse reaction rates and parameters of the nonlinear reaction models, from a given set of measured data. Further simulations have been performed to estimate the appropriate configurations of the GA, which assist the method in estimating the fate and transport parameters more efficiently. It is shown that a wide range of the GA parameters can lead to convergence to appropriate estimations. The results obtained from this study show that the capability of GAs to fit the column and batch experiment data is promising.
Radio access behavior (RAB) based cognitive radio classification and identification

Cognitive radio (CR) provides an open architecture for efficiently utilizing communication resources through flexible opportunistic access methods. However, such flexibility and dynamic access approach could lead to potential communication resource misuses and security threats. In order to successfully deploy a CR network and realize its benefits, distinguishing/classifying radio terminals and the radio behaviors is an important research issue. This paper explores unique radio characteristics in CR networks, radio access behavior (RAB) characteristics (radio access bandwidth, access time and access response time), in identifying CR terminals in a CR network. Using machine learning algorithms, the proposed RAB based CR classification method can be used for CR network monitoring and CR identification. A GNURadio/Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) test bed is developed to implement and evaluate the performance of the RAB feature extraction and CR identification. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in CR classifications/identifications (differentiating radio types and radio terminals in a CR network).
Development of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Metastatic Rectal Cancer

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an adverse event known to occur after cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We present a case of a 47-year-old patient who was diagnosed with BOOP after treatment for metastatic rectal cancer with oxaliplatin/capecitabine/bevacizumab. Removal of oxaliplatin from the regimen and replacement with irinotecan resulted in a resolution of his pulmonary symptoms.
Inducible nitric oxide has protective effect on fumonisin B1 hepatotoxicity in mice via modulation of sphingosine kinase

Abstract Fumonisin B 1 , a mycotoxin, is an inhibitor of ceramide synthase causing marked dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism in cells. This mycotoxin causes accumulation of free sphingoid bases (sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine or sphinganine) and their metabolites, important messengers involved in signal transduction leading to either cell survival or death. Free sphingoid bases are known apoptotic molecules whereas sphingosine 1-phosphate is protective. We previously reported that fumonisin B 1 caused sphingosine kinase (SPHK) induction along with the increase of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT). Fumonisin B 1 also increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. In the current study we employed a mouse strain with the targeted deletion of iNOS gene (Nos-KO) to evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) on fumonisin B 1 -induced hepatotoxicity. The Nos-KO mice exhibited increased hepatotoxicity after subacute fumonisin B 1 exposure compared to their wild type counterparts, the liver regeneration was lower in Nos-KO compared to that in the WT mice. Increased hepatotoxicity in Nos-KO was not related to the extent of free sphingoid base accumulation after fumonisin B 1 treatment; however, it was accompanied by a lack of fumonisin B 1 -induced SPHK induction. The fumonisin B 1 -induced SPT was unaffected by lack of iNOS gene. Deletion of iNOS gene did not prevent fumonisin B 1 -dependent induction of inflammatory cytokines, namely tumor necrosis factor α, interferon γ and interleukin-12. The lack of fumonisin B 1 -induced SPHK induction in Nos-KO was supported by a similar effect on phosphorylated metabolites of sphingoid bases; the equilibrium between sphingoid bases and their phosphates is maintained by SPHK. We therefore conclude that iNOS induction produced by fumonisin B 1 modulates SPHK activity; the lack of iNOS prevents generation of sphingosine 1-phosphate and deprives cells from its protective effects.
Ranking Disciplinary Journals with the Google Scholar H-Index: A New Tool for Constructing Cases for Tenure, Promotion, and Other Professional Decisions.

Given the importance of journal rankings to tenure, promotion, and other professional decisions, this study examines a new method for ranking social work journals. The Google Scholar h-index correlated highly with the current gold standard for measuring journal quality, Thomson Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) impact factors, but provided data for more than 4 times as many disciplinary journals. Eighty disciplinary periodicals are identified and ranked using the Google Scholar h-index. The vast majority of these were ranked higher than the lowest ranked social work journal indexed by Thomson ISI. Although the results hold salience for many professional stakeholders, they may be of particular interest to faculty who publish in disciplinary journals not indexed by Thomson ISI. The Google Scholar h-index provides faculty with an additional tool to document the quality of the venues in which they publish.
Effects of hydrothermal processes on antioxidants in brown, purple and red bran whole grain rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The impacts of parboiling and wet-cooking, alone and in combination, on the concentrations of lipophilic antioxidants (vitamin E and γ-oryzanol), soluble (including proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins) and cell wall-bound phenolics, and antioxidant capacities in whole grain rice from six cultivars having different bran colours were investigated. Parboiling rough and brown rice increased the concentrations of lipophilic antioxidants in whole grain rice but decreased the concentrations of total phenolics and antioxidant capacities found in the soluble fraction. After hydrothermal processing of purple bran rice, the retention of extractable anthocyanins was low, but was high for simple phenolics. For proanthocyanidins found in red bran rice, the extractable oligomers with a degree of polymerization (DP) less than 4, increased up to 6-fold; while for oligomers with DP⩾4 and polymers, there was a significant decrease that was positively correlated with the DP and the temperature of the processing methods. The presence of hulls helped to retain water-soluble antioxidants during parboiling.
Laboratory Investigation of the Potential for Re-emission of Atmospherically Derived Hg from Soils

This paper presents data from controlled laboratory experiments focused on investigating the effect of moisture and visible and ultraviolet light on the emission and re-emission of mercury (Hg) from two soils, one with low or background Hg concentrations (14 ng g-1) and a soil naturally enriched in Hg (4800 ng g-1). Water addition was found to increase emissions from dry soils by an amount greater than that occurring during exposure to PAR or UV-A radiation, whereas UV-B and UV-C exposures facilitated the greatest release. Over all exposures, only a small percentage of Hg(II) added in a wet spike simulating a precipitation input was released immediately after addition (<3%). The majority of the Hg being released during all exposures was indigenous and either an original component of the soil or derived from past wet and dry deposition. Under dark and light conditions, elemental Hg was deposited to the dry low Hg-containing soil. On the basis of experimental results, it is hypothesized that dry deposition ...
Inverter-based microgrid control and stable islanding transition

A hybrid microgrid control architecture is proposed, which combines centralized control and distributed control to achieve a fully-functional microgrid control strategy. A complete model of the microgrid has been built. Coordination and power sharing strategies have been developed for the inverters and microgrid controller, and the microgrid can be operated in on-grid mode and islanding mode, and is able to transition between the two modes smoothly with minimum load disruption and shedding during transitions. A multi-input proportional-integral control is proposed to eliminate the transients caused by the inverter control mode transition. In islanding mode, secondary frequency and voltage control strategies are proposed besides droop control methods. Assisted with the microgrid controller and the communication between the microgrid controller and the individual source and load, the microgrid can achieve optimized power flow and energy utilization, and the system efficiency can also be improved.
THE DETERMINATION OF THE CIRCULATING BLOOD VOLUME IN INFANTS BY THE CARBON MONOXIDE METHOD.

The carbon monoxide method for determination of blood volume has been used with success in experiments on adults, but has to our knowledge not been previously applied to infants. Miller (1) in 1910 einployed the procedure as refined by Zuntz and Plesch (2) in studying a group of thirty children ranging from 6 to 16 years of age, but no reports of studies in younger individuals are available. The principle of this method was first advocated by Grehant and Quinquaud (3), and was first applied to the study of blood volume in man by Haldane and Lorrain Smith (4). Improvements in the form of application have been contributed by a number of workers (5), particularly by Salvesen (6) and by Harrop and his associates (7). An accurately measured quantity of carbon monoxide gas is delivered into a breathing apparatus, from which it is absorbed rapidly from the respired air. The time required for maximal absorption, and the conditions under which absorption is accelerated, have been carefully determined by Harrop. After a suitable interval has elapsed for the establishment of equilibrium between the gas in the circulating blood and the respired air, and for complete mixing of the blood, a sample of the latter is withdrawn from a vein and analyzed for carbon monoxide content by an adaptation of the method of Van Slyke and Robscheit-Robbins (8). When the proper corrections have been applied, the calculation of the circulating blood is then simplified to the following equation:
Electrochemical studies of the redox behavior of α-tocopherol

Abstract 1. 1. The electrochemical behavior of α-tocopherol and the model chromanol, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxychroman, has been studied in aqueous acetonitrile. 2. 2. The oxidation of these chromanols is a reversible two-electron process which gives the corresponding carbonium ion. 3. 3. The second order rate constant for the hydrolysis of the carbonium ion derived from the model chromanol is 2.5 M −1 ·sec −1 . 4. 4. 8a-Hydroxy-α-tocopherone, prepared either chemically or electrochemically, is electroinactive, indicating that the equilibrium constant for the hydrolysis reaction is large and that the rate of the dehydration reaction to regenerate the carbonium ion is slow. 5. 5. Ring opening of an electroinactive chromanone gives the corresponding electroactive quinone. Electrochemical reduction of the quinone yields the hydroquinone exclusively.
Characterization of dansylated glutathione, glutathione disulfide, cysteine and cystine by narrow bore liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

A method using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (RP-LC/ESI-MS) has been developed to confirm the identity of dansylated derivatives of cysteine (C) and glutathione (GSH), and their respective dimers, cystine (CSSC) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Cysteine, GSH, CSSC and GSSG are present at low concentrations in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver cells. Initially, hepatic cells were sampled from a suspension culture and disrupted upon addition of 10% perchloric acid. The reduced thiols present in the cell extracts were acetylated to prevent dimerization and then the C and GSH species were derivatized with dansyl chloride for fluorescence detection. An LC system using a weak anion exchange column (AE) with fluorescence detection (FLD) was used for sensitive routine analysis; however, it produced peaks of unknown origin in addition to the expected analytes. Analytes were then separated on a C18 RP-LC system using a water/acetonitrile gradient with 0.2% formic acid, and detected using LC/ESI-MS at 3.5 KV which produced an intense ion with a minimum limit of detection of less than 0.5 pmole injected (>10:1 signal-to-noise (S/N). Subsequently, fractions of effluent from the AE-LC/FLD system were analyzed by LC/ESI-MS to confirm the presence of the target analytes in routine cell extracts. Monodansylated GSSG was identified as a product that could possibly affect the quantification of GSH and GSSG. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrasubject variability in amplitude of Bekesy tracings and its relation to measures of personality.

Test-retest measures of Bekesy amplitude were obtained from 10 normal-hearing adults on 8 different days. These measures were analyzed to determine: (1) the extent of intrasubject variability among...
Molecular Mechanism for Divergent Regulation of Cav1.2 Ca2+ Channels by Calmodulin and Ca2+-binding Protein-1

Ca2+-binding protein-1 (CaBP1) and calmodulin (CaM) are highly related Ca2+-binding proteins that directly interact with, and yet differentially regulate, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Whereas CaM enhances inactivation of Ca2+ currents through Cav1.2 (L-type) Ca2+ channels, CaBP1 completely prevents this process. How CaBP1 and CaM mediate such opposing effects on Cav1.2 inactivation is unknown. Here, we identified molecular determinants in the α1-subunit of Cav1.2 (α11.2) that distinguish the effects of CaBP1 and CaM on inactivation. Although both proteins bind to a well characterized IQ-domain in the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain of α11.2, mutations of the IQ-domain that significantly weakened CaM and CaBP1 binding abolished the functional effects of CaM, but not CaBP1. Pulldown binding assays revealed Ca2+-independent binding of CaBP1 to the N-terminal domain (NT) of α11.2, which was in contrast to Ca2+-dependent binding of CaM to this region. Deletion of the NT abolished the effects of CaBP1 in prolonging Cav1.2 Ca2+ currents, but spared Ca2+-dependent inactivation due to CaM. We conclude that the NT and IQ-domains of α11.2 mediate functionally distinct interactions with CaBP1 and CaM that promote conformational alterations that either stabilize or inhibit inactivation of Cav1.2.
On performance losses in some adaptive control systems

Abstract : One approach to the solution of optimal control problems has been to assume a priori distributions of parameter values, which are updated if and when additional information on system behavior becomes available. Different a priori probability distributions, however, imply different amounts of cost paid due to adaptation and it is of considerable interest to compute the price paid for adaptation for different adaptive systems converging to the same system. This is the second question. There is discussed a related problem to this second question: In order to minimize some measure of loss of performance how to assign values to these imprecisely known parameters initially before adaptation processes begin, or how to assign values throughout the control periods if additional observations on the parameters are not permitted or are not feasible. The concept of loss of performance and that of percentage loss of performance are introduced and the assignment of parameter values is done so as to minimize the average loss of performance (or percentage performance), the average being taken over the distribution of unknown parameter values. (Author)
Polar Opposition and the Ontology of `Degrees'

This paper uses the distribution and interpretation of antonymous adjectives in comparative constructions as an empirical basis to argue that abstract representations of measurement, or ‘degrees’, must be modeled as intervals on a scale, rather than as points, as commonly assumed. I begin by demonstrating that the facts in this domain must be accounted for in terms of the interaction of the semantics of adjectival polarity and the semantics of the comparative, rather than principles governing the (overt) expression of particular types of adjectives in comparatives. I then show that a principled account of the full range of data under consideration can be constructed within a model in which degrees are formalized as intervals on a scale and adjectival polarity is characterized in terms of two structurally distinct and complementary sorts of `positive' and `negative' degrees.
Recent flight test results of active-vision control systems

This tutorial session covers recent results using methods that utilize 2D and 3D imagery (e.g., from LADAR, visual, FLIR, acoustic-location) to enable aerial vehicles to autonomously detect and prosecute targets in uncertain 3D environments. This includes segmentation approaches, active contours, adaptive control, estimation theory, and optical flow. Recent flight test results utilizing a small glider and a small helicopter as well as a high-fidelity simulation of multiple airplanes are discussed.
Trellis-Based Baud-rate Timing Recovery Loop for Magnetic Recording Channels

Timing recovery is crucial for magnetic recording systems. A conventional timing recovery loop (also known as the phase-locked loop) consists of a timing error detector (TED), a loop filter, and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), all of which process the samples in a sequential manner. This sequence of operations in the timing recovery loop performs well if the timing error is a small fraction of the bit interval. However, in the cycle-slip regions, the timing error is comparable to the bit interval, and the loop fails. In this paper, we represent the timing error in magnetic recording systems using a discrete Markov model that does not confine the timing error to only small fractions of the bit interval. By utilizing such a model, we derive an optimal baud-rate processing unit that does not perform tasks in sequence, but jointly. The derived unit has a similar structure as the classical first-order phase-locked loop (PLL). Simulation results show that the new detector outperforms the standard Mueller and Muller phase-locked loop. This performance gain is substantial if the timing error process is extremely noisy or if there is residual frequency-offset. For moderately low-noise timing errors without residual frequency-offset, the improvement over the Mueller and Muller phase-locked loop is just marginal.
Failure-tolerant path planning for the PA-10 robot operating amongst obstacles

This work considers kinematic failure tolerance when obstacles are present hi the environment. An example is given using a fully spatial redundant robot, the seven degree-of-freedom Mitsubishi PA-10. This article addresses the issue of finding a collision-free path such that a redundant robot can successfully move from a start to a goal position and/or orientation in the workspace despite any single locked-joint failure at any time. An algorithm is presented that searches for a continuous obstacle-free monotonic surface in the configuration space that guarantees the existence of a solution. The method discussed is based on the following assumptions: a robot is redundant relative to its task, only a single locked-joint failure occurs at any given time, the robot is capable of detecting a joint failure and immediately locks the failed joint, and the environment is static and known.
α-Methylacyl Coenzyme A Racemase Immunoreactivity in Partial Atrophy of the Prostate

It was reported that 15 of 19 consultation cases of prostatic partial atrophy were a-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase (AMACR)-positive. We investigated partial atrophy cases from a single institution using a standard AMACR immunostaining method. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using an antibody cocktail containing p63, high-molecular-weight keratin (34bE12), and AMACR antibodies on 122 foci of partial atrophy. AMACR staining was analyzed in partial atrophy (n = 122) and compared with adjacent benign glands (n = 122) and prostatic carcinomas (n = 28). Of 122 foci of partial atrophy, 38 (31.1%) showed AMACR immunoreactivity. Typically, AMACR staining was weak or moderate. In addition, 82 (67.2%) showed patchy to negative distribution of basal cells. Partial atrophy may show AMACR immunoreactivity when using a 34bE12, p63, and AMACR antibody cocktail staining method. Compounding this problem, focal lack of basal cells may be seen. However, the AMACR staining pattern of partial atrophy is usually comparable to that of adjacent benign glands and substantially different from adenocarcinoma.
Localization for multi-axle train configured CFMMRs

This paper presents a data fusion structure based on comparing geometric configurations of serial connected multi-axle compliant framed robots. Data sources include global odometry derived sources and a novel strain-measurement based Relative Posture Sensor (RPS). Geometric methods are used because stochastic data fusion, developed from prior research, was erroneous when applied to more generalized multi-axle configurations. Our results show an excellent response predicting expected configurations and a reasonable response with un-expected configurations.
Soylent Grid: it's Made of People

The ground truth labeling of an image dataset is a task that often requires a large amount of human time and labor. We present an infrastructure for distributed human labeling that can exploit the modularity of common vision problems involving segmentation and recognition. We present the different elements of this infrastructure in detail, in particular the different vision human computational tasks (HCTs) and machine computable tasks (MCTs). We also discuss the impact of such a system on Internet security vs. the current state of the art. Finally, we present our prototype implementation of such a system, named soylent grid, on typical problems.
Borrelia burgdorferi EbfC, a Novel, Chromosomally Encoded Protein, Binds Specific DNA Sequences Adjacent to erp Loci on the Spirochete's Resident cp32 Prophages

All examined isolates of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, naturally maintain numerous variants of a prophage family as circular cp32 episomes. Each cp32 carries a locus encoding one or two different Erp outer membrane, surface-exposed lipoproteins. Many of the Erp proteins bind a host complement regulator, factor H, which is hypothesized to protect the spirochete from complement-mediated killing. We now describe the isolation and characterization of a novel, chromosomally encoded protein, EbfC, that binds specific DNA sequences located immediately 5' of all erp loci. This is one of the first site-specific DNA-binding proteins to be identified in any spirochete. The location of the ebfC gene on the B. burgdorferi chromosome suggests that the cp32 prophages have evolved to use this bacterial host protein for their own benefit and that EbfC probably plays additional roles in the bacterium. A wide range of other bacteria encode homologs of EbfC, none of which have been well characterized, so demonstration that B. burgdorferi EbfC is a site-specific DNA-binding protein has broad implications across the eubacterial kingdom.
NNERVE: Neural Network Extraction of Repetitive Vectors for Electromyography. I. Algorithm

Artificial neural network (ANN) based signal processing methods have been shown to have significant robustness in processing complex, degraded, noisy, and unstable signals. A novel approach to automated electromyogram (EMG) signal decomposition, using an ANN processing architecture, is presented here. Due to the lack of a priori knowledge of motor unit action potential (MUAP) morphology, the EMG decomposition must be performed in an unsupervised manner. An ANN classifier, consisting of a multilayer perceptron neural network and employing a novel unsupervised training strategy, is proposed. The ANN learns repetitive appearances of MUAP waveforms from their suspected occurrences in a filtered EMG signal in an autoassociative learning task. The same training waveforms are fed into the trained ANN and the output of the ANN is fed back to its input, giving rise to a dynamic retrieval net classifier. For each waveform in the data, the network discovers a feature vector associated with that waveform. For each waveform, classification is achieved by comparing its feature vector with those of the other waveforms. Firing information of each MUAP is further used to refine the classification results of the ANN classifier. Then, individual MUAP waveform shapes are derived and their firing tables are created. >
Transfer of Training in Behavior Modification Programs: An Evaluative Review

A selective review of behavior modification programs, which emphasized procedures for programming transfer of training and response maintenance, was undertaken. The principle focus was to evaluate the effectiveness of generalization techniques utilized with exceptional children and to enumerate several points for maintaining performance in the classroom. The role of self-management skills was also discussed, but it was conlcuded that logistical constraints and motivational impediments present in most special education classrooms prevent the emergence of widespread self-regulatory programming at this time. The most influential factors in programming transfer of training and response maintenance were found to be varying stimulus conditions, parent training, and peer programming.
Prior Spontaneous Abortion, Prior Elective Termination, Interpregnancy Interval, and Risk of Neural Tube Defects

A woman with a history of spontaneous abortion in her immediately prior pregnancy may be at increased risk for a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect (NTD). A short interpregnancy interval may further increase this risk. Using data from a population-based case-control study (1989-1991), the authors investigated NTD risk resulting from a prior spontaneous abortion or elective termination and a short interpregnancy interval. Of 538 interviewed case mothers and 539 interviewed control mothers, 408 case mothers and 433 control mothers reported having a prior pregnancy. Analysis showed a slightly decreased NTD risk among mothers whose immediately prior pregnancy had ended in a spontaneous abortion or elective termination in comparison with a live birth (odds ratio (OR) = 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61, 1.1). This decreased risk was consistent across strata of short or long interpregnancy intervals. Additional analysis revealed an increased NTD risk for mothers with an interpregnancy interval of 12-< or =24 months (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 0.93, 2.4). This latter risk was greatest among mothers whose immediately prior pregnancy had resulted in a live birth (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.0, 3.8) rather than a spontaneous abortion or elective termination (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.44, 2.1). Adjustment for potential covariates did not substantially alter observed risk estimates.
Parameter Identification Problem Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Ordinary differential equations have been a useful tool for describing the behavior of wide variety of dynamic physical systems. In this study, a method for solving parameter identification problem for ordinary second order differential equations using particle swarm optimization approach is presented.Experiments using two case problems are presented and compared with the best known solutions reported in the literature. The comparison results demonstrate that PSO produced better estimated results with respect to previous findings from genetic algorithm.
Lifecycle software support for the C-17 Globemaster III

The advanced avionics computer systems of the C-17 Globemaster III contain operational flight program software which requires a life cycle support system to accommodate user mission changes and aircraft upgrades. Building upon its C-17 avionics development experience, McDonnell Douglas has developed an integration support facility concept which will substantially reduce the costs of maintaining the C-17 flight software over its projected life cycle. The concept unites the benefits of open architecture, distributed processing, and advanced UNIX-based workstations, as well as the cost advantages of available commercial off-the-shelf software and equipment. >
Ligand Responsiveness in Human Prostate Cancer: Structural Analysis of Mutant Androgen Receptors from LNCaP and CWR22 Tumors

Androgen receptors (ARs) belong to the family of hormone receptors that are ligand-dependent transcription factors. Endocrine therapy provides effective treatment for prostate cancer until mutations arise that alter the ligand responsiveness of AR. In this study, structural models were developed for the functional domains of human AR by homology modeling from crystal structures of closely related nuclear receptors. These models were used to locate the sites of two frequently occurring mutations in prostate cancer. The substitutions that develop in LNCaP (threonine→alanine at residue 877) and CWR22 (histidine→tyrosine at residue 874) tumor cell lines are both located on helix 11 that forms part of the ligand-binding pocket. However, the results suggest that these mutations influence ligand responsiveness by completely different mechanisms. Residue 877 contacts the ligand directly, and substitution at this site alters the stereochemistry of the binding pocket. Thus, the LNCaP mutation apparently broadens the specificity of ligand recognition. In contrast, residue 874 is located down the helical axis, projects away from the ligand pocket, and does not contact ligand. The side chain of residue 874 lies in a cavity between helices 11 and 12. Substitution of tyrosine for histidine 874 in CWR22 tumors may affect a conformational change of helix 12 and, thus, influence binding of coactivator proteins and their regulatory effect on transcriptional activation.
Identifying and Evaluating Audit Issues: The Case of VITALOGISTICS

This case invites you to identify audit issues and evaluate an audit team's judgments and decisions on a new engagement (VITALOGISTICS). You will consider a variety of issues in the client acceptance, planning, execution, and reporting phases of an Integrated Audit. Identifying the audit issues and evaluating the audit team's decisions will enhance your: (1) appreciation of the role of research in audit practice; (2) recognition of the conflicting pressures faced by auditors and the potential for these pressures to compromise audit work; and (3) understanding of the requirements of the Integrated Audit and how it differs from the requirements of an audit of financial statements.
Enhanced Voluntary Alcohol Consumption after Estrogen Supplementation Negates Estrogen-Mediated Vascular Repair in Ovariectomized Mice

Preclinical and observational studies in ovariectomized (OVX) animals and pre- and postmenopausal women, respectively, have suggested the cardioprotective effects of estrogen replacement therapy. However, randomized clinical trials have not confirmed estrogen-mediated cardioprotection. Although uncertainties about the duration and optimal type of estrogen replacement regimen might explain the disparity, other factors that may mask the protective effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on cardiovascular outcome need scrutiny. Increased ethanol consumption may be one such factor. We examined the effect of E2 supplementation on ethanol consumption in OVX mice and the effect of ethanol consumption on E2-mediated vascular repair, in vivo. OVX mice implanted with E2 pellets consumed significantly more ethanol, compared with those receiving placebo pellets. E2-induced increase in ethanol consumption was not affected by the absence of either estrogen receptor-alpha or -beta. Reendothelialization after carotid artery denudation was repressed, and neovascularization in ischemic hind limbs was blunted in mice consuming ethanol, despite E2 supplementation. In vitro, ethanol dose-dependently attenuated E2-induced endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and tube formation activity and enhanced EC apoptosis, suggesting that ethanol blocks E2-induced EC survival and function. Taken together our data suggest that increased ethanol consumption after E2 supplementation blunts the beneficial effects of E2 on EC function and that novel approaches to estrogen replacement for cardioprotection may benefit from the control of alcohol consumption.
Critical Educational Program Components for Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: Science, Policy, and Practice:

In spite of recent education reform and reorganization efforts requiring the use of research-based methods, the fundamental elements of an effective program for children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) have not been succinctly identified. This article presents the essential features of programs for students with EBD. Program elements include (a) qualified and committed professionals, (b) utilitarian environmental supports, (c) effective behavior management plans, (d) valid social skill and social interpretation training and social interaction programs, (e) proven academic support systems, (f) strong parent- and family-involvement programs, (g) coordinated community support mechanisms, and (h) ongoing evaluation of essential program components and student outcomes and progress. A justification for the program and a comparison of the proposed program with existing models is included in the discussion.
Experiential Counterparts of Test-Indicated Disillusionment During Freshman Adjustment to College

Earlier research has shown that matriculating freshmen—on average–expect more from themselves in capacity for adjusting to college than they subsequently realize. Individual differences in occurrence of this disillusionment have been demonstrated to have important behavioral correlates. The present study extends that research through exploration of experiential counterparts of differences in occurrence of the disillusionment. Implications of the findings for testing, intervention, and research are discussed.
Selection for Early (Precocious) Development of Eimeria meleagridis in the Turkey

A precocious line of Eimeria meleagridis was developed by repeated propagation of the parasite in young turkeys and collection of the very first oocysts produced following infection. After 20 generations of selection, the prepatent period was reduced by 4-8 hr. Weight gain of poults given this line, from days 0-3 after infection, was significantly greater than that of poults given the parental strain, indicating that selection resulted in a loss of pathogenicity. Poults immunized with the precocious line produced no oocysts following challenge with the parental strain, indicating that immunogenicity was retained following selection. This is the first published report of the selection of a precocious line of Eimeria in the turkey.
Civil Engineering Curriculum for Federal Surveying and Mapping

The federal government has historically employed civil engineers in those branches concerned with surveying and mapping. In recent years, however, the recruitment efforts have fallen short of the necessary levels. The author discusses the reasons for this turn of events and analyzes curriculum requirements.
Process control and statistical inference

(1997). Process Control and Statistical Inference. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 134-139.