cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combining Microfluidic Networks and Peptide Arrays for Multi-Enzyme Assays

This paper reports the use of microfluidic networks (muFNs) to both prepare peptide microarrays and carry out label-free enzyme assays on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold. A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp fabricated with microchannels is used to immobilize a linear array of cysteine-terminated peptides onto SAMs presenting maleimide groups. The stamp is then reapplied to the SAM in a perpendicular direction to introduce enzyme solutions so that each solution can interact with an identical linear array of immobilized peptides. The muFNs enable multiple enzyme-substrate interactions to be simultaneously evaluated at a submicroliter scale, while the use of SAMs enables the use of MALDI mass spectrometry (MS) to analyze the enzyme activities. This paper demonstrates applications of this system for assaying multiple kinases and for profiling the activities of kinases and phosphatases in human K562 cell extracts. The combination of muFN, SAMs, and MS detection provides a flexible platform for assaying enzyme activities in biological samples.
Discrete spectrum of inflationary fluctuations

It is conjectured that inflation, taking account of quantum gravity, leads to a discrete spectrum of cosmological perturbations, instead of the continuous Gaussian spectrum predicted by standard field theory in an unquantized background. Heuristic models of discrete spectra are discussed, based on an inflaton mode with self-gravity, a lattice of amplitude states, an entangled ensemble of modes, and the holographic or covariant entropy bound. Estimates are given for the discreteness observable in cosmic background anisotropy, galaxy clustering, and gravitational wave backgrounds.
Changing paradigms in dermatology: antivirals in dermatology

Almost all of the approved antiviral drugs have become available during the past two decades. Approximately one half of these agents are for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and comprise five classes. The first three classes all act to inhibit reverse transcriptase: nucleoside analogs; nonnucleoside analogs; and nucleotide analogs. The fourth class, protease inhibitors, prevent viral packaging; the fifth class, fusion inhibitors, prevent fusion between HIV and the target cell. Four nucleoside analogs, acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir, are approved for the therapy of herpes simplex and varicella zoster infections. Interferon alpha is approved in the injectable form for condyloma acuminatum and Kaposi's sarcoma, but the more efficient method of delivering this agent is via interferon induction following topical use of imiquimod cream. Antiviral agents are also approved for infections with cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B and C, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza viruses. Most of these antiviral drugs are virastatic and not viracidal. Vaccines and public health measures are much more effective and cost effective than antiviral drugs and must be promoted accordingly in the defense against viral infections.
Choices That Increase Compliance

A compliance model is developed and tested using a survey of corporate officials and the regulatory arena of equal employment opportunity. Findings support the economic model of compliance in its conclusion that probability of detection and probable level of sanctions influence compliance decisions. Results also indicate that adjustments to the model that account for bounded rationality are valid. The key outcome, however, is that although all types of investigations play some role in enhancing compliance, those that stress sanctions and thus severity rather than certainty of detection may have the greatest positive influence on compliance. Enforcement programs attempting to operate simply as investigators of small-scale complaints will have less success than those with different types of investigations or a balanced type of single investigation. The results also suggest a more complex cognitive process on the part of regulated individuals than initially theorized.
Circulating concentrations of growth hormone during growth, maturation, and reproductive cycles in ring doves (Streptopelia risoria)

Abstract The plasma concentrations of immunoreactive growth hormone (GH) have been determined during growth, maturation, and the reproductive cycle of Columbiform, the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria). Plasma levels of GH were high in hatched squabs, remaining high for 12 days. The circulating concentration of hormone then decreased to low levels which were maintained throughout development. The high levels of GH corresponded to the period of maximum growth rate. No major changes in plasma GH concentration were observed during the reproductive cycle (egg laying/courtship; incubation; feeding squabs).
High sensitivity and positive predictive value of fine‐needle aspiration for uncommon thyroid malignancies

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a screening and diagnostic tool used to triage the management of thyroid nodules. While FNA has proved to be a sensitive means of detecting common thyroid malignancies, less is known about the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of FNA for uncommon thyroid malignancies, including anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, lymphomas, metastatic carcinomas, and other malignancies. We reviewed our experience with these uncommon malignancies sampled by thyroid FNA and recorded interpretations according to the Bethesda System. We compared the FNA interpretations to the follow-up cytology, histology, and flow cytometry. The sensitivity and PPV were as follows: anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (sensitivity 100%, PPV 89%), lymphoma (sensitivity 100%, PPV 100%), medullary thyroid carcinoma (sensitivity 83%, PPV 100%), metastatic carcinoma (sensitivity 80%, PPV 80%), and other malignancy (sensitivity 100%, PPV 100%). Four false-negative and two false-positive diagnoses were identified. While cases were nearly always triaged correctly, occasional pitfalls were encountered.
Predicting residue–residue contacts using random forest models

Motivation: Protein residue–residue contact prediction can be useful in predicting protein 3D structures. Current algorithms for such a purpose leave room for improvement. Results: We develop ProC_S3, a set of Random Forest algorithm-based models, for predicting residue–residue contact maps. The models are constructed based on a collection of 1490 non–redundant, high-resolution protein structures using >1280 sequence-based features. A new amino acid residue contact propensity matrix and a new set of seven amino acid groups based on contact preference are developed and used in ProC_S3. ProC_S3 delivers a 3-fold cross-validated accuracy of 26.9% with coverage of 4.7% for top L/5 predictions (L is the number of residues in a protein) of long-range contacts (sequence separation ≥24). Further benchmark tests deliver an accuracy of 29.7% and coverage of 5.6% for an independent set of 329 proteins. In the recently completed Ninth Community Wide Experiment on the Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction (CASP9), ProC_S3 is ranked as No. 1, No. 3, and No. 2 accuracies in the top L/5, L/10 and best 5 predictions of long-range contacts, respectively, among 18 automatic prediction servers. Availability: http://www.abl.ku.edu/proc/proc_s3.html. Contact: jwfang@ku.edu Supplementary Information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Superconductivity with two critical temperatures.

The weak-coupling thermodynamics in zero magnetic field is extended to the case displaying two second-order transitions. First, a free-energy functional is obtained from a generalized Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) Hamiltonian by assuming a symmetry on the pairing interaction. This functional is applicable for the cases of an anisotropic Fermi surface, nonunitary states, and mixing of two irreducible representations. Second, the Landau theory of second-order transitions is extended to describe the lower transition. Here, the transition cannot occur independently without affecting the component of the upper transition. Third, a numerical calculation is performed for a model system of an elliptic Fermi surface, and theoretical curves for the specific heat with two and three discontinuities are presented. It is found from this calculation that a lower transition can occur to form a more uniform gap at T=0, provided that (1) two channels \ensuremath{\Gamma}=1,2 have fairly close ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}0}^{(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}})}$\ensuremath{\equiv}1.13${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}}_{\mathit{c}}$ exp[-1/N(0)${\mathit{V}}^{(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}})}$]; (2) an isotropic gap cannot be formed within the basis functions of the upper transition. Finally, two theoretical curves of ${\mathit{A}}_{1\mathit{g}}$-${\mathit{E}}_{1\mathit{g}}$ mixing are compared with a specific-heat experiment of ${\mathrm{UPt}}_{3}$. They give a good fit over the entire temperature range, and a second-order transition is suggested.
Asymmetric Contests with Head Starts and Nonmonotonic Costs

This paper studies equilibrium behavior in a class of games that models asymmetric multiprize competitions in which players’ costs need not be strictly increasing in their performance. Such costs accommodate various types of asymmetries, including head starts. Head starts capture incumbency advantages, prior investments, and technological differences. I provide an algorithm that constructs the unique equilibrium in which players do not choose weakly-dominated strategies, and apply it to study multiprize all-pay auctions with head starts. A comparison to the standard all-pay auction shows that the strategic effects of head starts differ substantially from those of differing valuations.
An evaluation of supracondylar humerus fractures: is there a correlation between postponing treatment and the need for open surgical intervention?

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study was to evaluate the treatment and recovery of patients treated for Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures in order to determine if postponing treatment leads to a higher rate of open surgical treatment or complications. Methods A retrospective study was conducted examining the medical records of children with Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures at our institution for a two-year period. The patients included in the study were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Results After exclusions, 134 patients were included in the study, with an average age of 5.6 years. The patients were grouped according to whether their treatment was postponed (39.6 %) or immediate (60.4 %). The majority of all patients were treated using CRPP: 46 (86.8 %) of the postponed patients and 75 (92.6 %) of the immediate patients. Very few postsurgical complications occurred in the patients; there was...
Women and depression: An update on the report of the APA task force

This article reviews selected research on gender differences in depression in order to update the status of the literature and address concerns raised by the APA Task Force on women and depression. Recent research continues to provide considerable evidence that women experience higher rates of depression and that a variety of biological and psychological factors and their interactions must be considered to understand gender differences. Methodological issues including the need to define homogeneous subgroups, the effect of demographic variables, and sex bias in the diagnosis and measurement of depression are discussed. Conclusions are drawn that have implications for the prevention, identification and treatment of depression, and suggestions are made for research strategies.
On the Importance of Being Pre-seasonal: Mathematics Education Reform as an Artifact of Generational Personalities

Abstract This article is intended to foster an appreciation of the powerful influence generational personalities have had on US mathematics reform efforts. Generation: A History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069 and The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, recent books by William Strauss and Neil Howe, provide a framework for examining past and present reform movements. A goal of the analysis is to better understand what is likely to happen in the mathematics education community and society at large if the generational patterns of the twentieth century hold for the twenty-first. Recommendations are made for maintaining some aspects of the present reform while modifying others in anticipation of future needs.
A Link between Aurora Kinase and Clp1/Cdc14 Regulation Uncovered by the Identification of a Fission Yeast Borealin-Like Protein

The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) regulates various events in cell division. This complex is composed of a catalytic subunit, Aurora B kinase, and three nonenzymatic subunits, INCENP, Survivi...
Phase I/II study of proton beam irradiation for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: treatment techniques and preliminary results.

Abstract Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration is the prevalent etiology of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The only effective treatment is laser photocoagulation, which is associated with decreased visual acuity following treatment in most patients. This study assessed both the response of subfoveal CNV to proton beam irradiation and treatment-related morbidity. We evaluated preliminary results in patients treated with an initial dose of 8 Cobalt Gray Equivalents (CGE) using a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1. Methods and Materials: Twenty-one patients with subfoveal CNV received proton irradiation to the central macula with a single fraction of 8 CGE; 19 were eligible for evaluation. Treatment-related morbidity was based on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criterai; response was evaluated by Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) guidelines. Fluorescein angiography was performed; visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and reading speed were measured at study entry and at 3-month intervals after treatment. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 15 months. Results: No measurable treatment-related morbidity was seen during or after treatment. Of 19 patients evaluated at 6 months, fluorescein angiography demonstrated treatment response in 10 (53%); 14 (74%) patients had imporved or stable visual acuity. With a mean follow-up of 11.6 months, 11 (58%) patients have demonstrated improved or stable visual acuity. Conclusion: A macular dose of 8 CGE yielded no measurable treatment morbidity in patients studied. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated that regressed or stabilized lesions were associated with improved visual acuity as compared with MPS results. In the next phase, a dose of 14 CGE in a single fraction will be used to further define the optimal dose fractionation schedule.
Index to Predict 5-Year Mortality of Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 65 and Older Using Data from the National Health Interview Survey

BACKGROUND Prognostic information is becoming increasingly important for clinical decision-making.
Counselling bereaved middle aged children: Parental suicide survivors

Suicide has spawned many books and journal articles, but the literature is sparse in discussing the grief process of middle aged sons and daughters resolving reactions to parental suicide. A developmental framework is organized into three distinct phases with interventive strategies. Each phase specifies some of the unique predicaments middle aged children may encounter in adapting to parental loss.
Thermal and humidity winds in outer planet atmospheres

Among the dynamical consequences of molecular weight variations due to condensation in hydrogen atmospheres is the creation of geostrophic wind variations by horizontal variations in molecular weight. In the present illustrative model, it is shown that such horizontal gradients are generated by methane condensation in the cases of the Uranus and Neptune atmospheres. As a result, the zonal wind shear is different in both magnitude and direction from the value determined while neglecting molecular weight variations. The horizontal molecular weight gradients due to condensation of minor constituents also vertically shear the zonal wind, giving rise to what may be termed the 'humidity wind'.
TU‐D‐332‐09: Estimating Temperature From the Magnetic Nanoparticle Magnetization

Purpose: We present a method of non‐invasively estimating the temperature of magnetic nanoparticles in vivo. The method has wide application including monitoring magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia to obtain effective thermal doses. Method and Materials: The signal from magnetic nanoparticles is generated by applying a pure sinusoidal magnetic field and observing the signal at the harmonic frequencies produced by the nanoparticles. The Langevin function model of the nanoparticle magnetization predicts a balance between the forces induced by the applied magnetic field and thermal motion of the nanoparticles. The ratio of the fifth and third harmonics is uniquely related to the temperature if the saturation magnetization and particle size distribution remain constant. Therefore, when the ratio of the harmonics is known at one calibration temperature, subsequent temperature changes can be assessed from the ratio of the harmonics. The method was tested using samples of Feridex™ at temperatures between 0°C and 100°C. After the sample reached equilibrium with a water bath of known temperature, the fifth and third harmonics of a 10mT, 9kHz sinusoidal field were measured using a pickup coil and a lockin amplifier. The temperature was estimated numerically using a spline interpolation of the Langevin function with a sinusoidal argument. Results: The ratio of the fifth to the third harmonics was shown numerically and experimentally to increase monotonically with increasing amplitude of the sinusoid in the Langevin function and the amplitude is inversely related to the temperature, P‐value of 0.0053. However, the intercept was not zero as expected, probably an artifact of the size distribution. The error in the calculated temperature estimate depends on the size distribution and temperature range used but the error was small: the standard deviation was 0.44 degrees. Conclusion: The temperature of magnetic nanoparticles can be estimated in the physiologic range using the ratio of the harmonics.
Theory of shallow donor impurity near-surface states in Si and Ge

Abstract Previously developed methods for determining the wave functions and energy levels of shallow donor impurities on the surface or in the bulk of a semiconductor have been extended to the case of impurities at a finite depth from the surface. Calculations were performed for impurities near either a (100) or (111) surface in Sci and for a (111) surface in Ge. The ground state and the excited state having the largest electric dipole coupling to the ground state wete determined. In addition, the optical absorption cross section for transitions from the ground state to this excited state were calculated for surface and near surface states. These results were used to calculate a theoretical absorption spectrum for Si doped uniformly to a depth of 10 atomic layers.
Evaluating the effects of immunotoxicants using carbon fiber microelectrode amperometry

Carbon fiber microelectrode amperometry (CFMA) is explored as a technique for studying the effects of immunotoxicants on single-cell in vitro exocytosis function in a mouse peritoneal mast cell (MPMC)/fibroblast co-culture model. MPMCs were acutely exposed to between 10 and 100 μM of the immunotoxicants mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA), and release of serotonin was evaluated by CFMA. A significant decrease in the quantal content of serotonin was measured for all levels of exposure to both MEHP and BPA. The overall efficiency of the exocytotic function of MPMCs was found to be impaired by all exposure concentrations of BPA, but this efficiency was only impaired at the lowest exposure concentration of MEHP. This study illustrates the potential of CFMA as a technique for determining quantitative and biophysical chemical information in in vitro immunotoxicological studies.
Full range Complex Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography based on a Quadrature Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

An optical setup for a full range complex Fourier domain optical coherence tomography is proposed and the associated features discussed. We propose a novel interferometric platform based on a quadrature Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a 3 times 3 fiber coupler. This interferometric configuration is used in a homodyne configuration and the complex interferometric signal is reconstructed so the complex conjugate ambiguity is removed. A fast swept laser source with a bandwidth of 100 nm is used as light source. The depth information is extracted through inverse Fourier transform of the complex interferometric signal. Tomographic images of a human fingerprint were displayed.
NOC/oFQ and NMDA contribute to piglet hypoxic ischemic hypotensive cerebrovasodilation impairment.

Previous studies have observed that hypotensive pial artery dilation was blunted after hypoxia-ischemia. In unrelated studies, the opioid nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOC/oFQ) was observed to contribute to hypoxic ischemic impairment of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced pial dilation. This study determined the contribution of NOC/oFQ and NMDA to hypoxic ischemic hypotensive cerebrovasodilation impairment in newborn pigs equipped with a closed cranial window. Global cerebral ischemia was produced via elevated intracranial pressure. Hypoxia decreased Po2 to 33 ± 3 mm Hg. Topical NOC/oFQ (10−10 M), the cerebrospinal fluid concentration after hypoxia-ischemia, had no effect on pial artery diameter by itself but attenuated hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure decrease of 44 ± 2%) -induced pial artery dilation (35 ± 2%versus 22 ± 3%). Hypotensive pial artery dilation was blunted by hypoxia-ischemia, but such dilation was partially protected by pretreatment with the putative NOC/oFQ receptor antagonist, [F/G] NOC/oFQ (1–13) NH2 (10−6 M; 29 ± 2%, sham control; 7 ± 2%, hypoxia-ischemia; and 13 ± 2%, hypoxia-ischemia and [F/G] NOC/oFQ (1–13) NH2). Coadministration of the NMDA antagonist MK801 (10−5 M) with NOC/oFQ(10−10 M) partially prevented hypotensive pial dilation impairment. Similarly, pretreatment with MK801 partially protected hypoxic ischemia impairment of hypotensive pial dilation (35 ± 2%, sham control; 7 ± 1%, hypoxia-ischemia; 22 ± 2%, hypoxia-ischemia + MK801). These data show that NOC/oFQ and NMDA contribute to hypoxic ischemic hypotensive cerebrovasodilation impairment. These data suggest that NOC/oFQ modulation of NMDA vascular activity also contributes to such hypotensive impairment.
C-Receptor Ligand Blocks Pulmonary Clearance of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Isolated Rat Lungs

AbstractPulmonary clearance of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was measured by indicator dilution technique in isolated perfused rat lungs with and without ANP clearance receptor (C-receptor) blockade. Approximately 50% of a bolus injection of 125I-ANP was removed during a single pass through the lungs compared with the intravascular marker 14C-dextran. Pulmonary clearance of 125I-ANP was suppressed in a dose-dependent fashion by unlabeled ANP, C-receptor blockade suppressed pulmonary clearance of 125I-ANP to the same degree as unlabeled ANP. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the pulmonary venous effluent from lungs treated with C-receptor ligand demonstrated intact 125I-ANP. We conclude that virtually all of the pulmonary vascular uptake of 125I-ANP during a single pass through isolated lungs is secondary to removal by ANP C-receptors.
Thermal noise in space-charge-limited solid- state diodes with field-dependent mobility and hot carriers

Thermal noise in space charge limited solid state diodes with field dependent mobility and hot carriers
Mobile speed estimation using diversity combining in fading channels

We consider the problem of mobile speed estimation using two common diversity schemes, selection combining (SC) and maximal ratio combining (MRC). We derive three new estimators, which rely on the inphase zero crossing rate, inphase rate of maxima, and the instantaneous frequency zero crossing rate of the output of SC. We also propose two estimators which work based on the level crossing rates of the envelopes at the output of SC and MRC. The performances of all these estimators are investigated in realistic noisy environments with different kinds of scattering and different numbers of diversity branches. Our simulation results reveal that a two-branch envelope level crossing rate estimator provides a performance gain. In terms of the implementation complexity, the SC-based estimator is superior to MRC, as it does not need channel estimation.
Description of the fragile behavior of glass-forming liquids with the use of experimentally accessible parameters

Abstract The temperature dependence of viscosity of glass-forming liquids near the glass transition temperature Tg (at which viscosity η = 1012 Pa s) is given by the fragility index m = d log 10 η d ( T g / T ) T = T g , which is unique for each material. Therefore, m should not depend on the type of the model functions used to describe the viscous behavior. Using this condition, we modified the three-fitting-parameter viscosity equations, i.e., Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann (VFT) and Avramov equations, into one-fitting parameter equations. Both modified equations contain the glass transition temperature Tg and fragility index m as material constants, allowing a direct comparison of the modified equations. Experimental viscosity data are required over a wide temperature range to determine the three-fitting parameters of the VFT and Avramov equations, restricting their applicability. However, the modified equations developed here provide a convenient method of modeling the temperature dependence of viscosity by using the experimentally accessible parameters Tg and m. The modified one-fitting parameter equations were used to analyze viscous behavior of a number of oxide and organic glass-forming liquids. Based on this analysis, it was concluded that the modified Avramov equation describes the experimental data better than the modified VFT equation. Taking into account that the modified VFT equation predicts infinite viscosity at a finite temperature T0, while the modified Avramov equation predicts a continuous increase in viscosity with a decrease in temperature down to the absolute zero, the obtained results may indicate that the oxide and organic super-cooled liquids do not experience dynamic divergence when they are cooled below the glass transition temperature. Strong physical interpretations are developed for all of the parameters used in present equations to model the temperature dependence of viscosity, giving an important improvement over earlier phenomenological models.
The metamorphosis of schizophrenia: from chronicity to vulnerability

On the evidence of long-term follow-up studies of cohorts of patients in Europe the outcome of schizophrenia appears to be changing from chronicity to an episodic course with a more favourable outlook. While the reasons for this change are unclear it is suggested that schizophrenia is characterized essentially by a state of vulnerability to the disorder. This vulnerability may or may not give rise to an episode of illness, depending on the incidence of triggering life event stressors and on the moderating influences of social networks, ecological factors, and premorbid personality. The traditional view of schizophrenia as an essentially chronic condition reflects not so much the natural history of the disorder as iatrogenic influences, lack of satisfactory extra-mural care, the accumulation of a relatively small proportion of truly chronic illnesses and the failure to recognize the termination of an episode of illness in patients with poor premorbid personalities. Evidence for the episodic nature of schizophrenia is presented.
Comment on Prof. Carter's Paper: ‘The Idea of Progress in Most Recent American Protestant Thought, 1930–1960’

Neither a theologian nor a church historian, I approach my task as a discussant of a paper on “The Idea of Progress in Most Recent Protestant Thought” with a great deal of hesitation. Nevertheless, there are parallels between the development of thought about history among Protestant theologians and American historians since the early nineteen-thirties.
Determining the Optimal Timeout Values for a Power-Managed System based on the Theory of Markovian Processes: Offline and Online Algorithms

This paper presents a timeout-driven DPM technique which relies on the theory of Markovian processes. The objective is to determine the energy-optimal timeout values for a system with multiple power saving states while satisfying a set of user defined performance constraints. More precisely, a controllable Markovian process is exploited to model the power management behavior of a system under the control of a timeout policy. Starting with this model, a perturbation analysis technique is applied to develop an offline gradient-based approach to determine the optimal timeout values. Online implementation of this technique for a system with dynamically-varying system parameters is also described. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Introduction Dynamic power management (DPM), which refers to selective shut-off or slow-down of components that are idle or underutilized, has proven to be a particularly effective technique for reducing power dissipation in such systems. In the literature, various DPM techniques have been proposed, from heuristic methods presented in early works [ 1][ 2] to stochastic optimization approaches [ 3][ 4]. Among the heuristic DPM methods, the timeout policy is the most widely used approach in industry and has been implemented in many operating systems. Examples include the power management scheme incorporated into the Windows system, the low-power saving mode of the IEEE 802.11a-g protocol for wireless LAN card, and the enhanced adaptive battery life extender (EABLE) for the Hitachi disk drive. Most of these industrial DPM techniques provide mechanisms to adjust the timeout values at the user level.
Engaging students in specification and reasoning: "hands-on" experimentation and evaluation

We introduce a "hands-on" experimentation approach for teaching mathematical specification and reasoning principles in a software engineering course. The approach is made possible by computer-aided analysis and reasoning tools that help achieve three central software engineering learning outcomes: (i) Learning to read specifications by creating test points using only specifications; (ii) Learning to use formal specifications in team software development while developing participating components independently; and (iii) Learning the connections between software and mathematical analysis by proving verification conditions that establish correctness for software components. Experimentation and evaluation results from two institutions show that our approach has had a positive impact.
Analysis of Pressure Variations in a Low-Pressure Nickel-Hydrogen Battery - Part 1.

Abstract A low pressure nickel–hydrogen battery using either a metal hydride or gaseous hydrogen for H 2 storage has been developed for use in implantable neuroprosthetic devices. In this paper, pressure variations inside the cell for the gaseous hydrogen version are analyzed and correlated with oxygen evolution side reaction at the end of charging, the recombination of oxygen with hydrogen during charging and a subsequent rest period, and the self-discharge of the nickel electrode. About 70% of the recombination occurred simultaneously with oxygen evolution during charging and the remaining oxygen recombined with hydrogen during the 1st hour after charging. Self-discharge of the cell varies linearly with hydrogen pressure at a given state of charge and increased with increasing battery charge levels. The coulometric efficiency calculated based on analysis of the pressure–time data agreed well with the efficiency calculated based on the current–time data. Pressure variations in the battery are simulated accurately to predict coulometric efficiency and the state of charge of the cell, factors of extreme importance for a battery intended for implantation within the human body.
Discrete wavelet transform with optimal joint localization for determining the number of image texture segments

Accurate estimation of the number of textured regions that are present in an image is one of the most difficult aspects of the unsupervised texture segmentation problem. In this paper we introduce a new approach for estimating the number of regions in an image without a priori information. Using a novel discrete-discrete uncertainty measure defined on equivalence classes of signals, we design a localized separable 2-D wavelet transform. By clustering in a feature space defined by the wavelet coefficients computed over disjoint blocks in the image, we obtain high quality estimates for the number of textured regions present in an image. Compared to a previously reported algorithm based on the eight-point Daubechies wavelet, this new approach tends to produce clusters with improved between-cluster separations.
Heterotrimeric G proteins regulate reproductive trait plasticity in response to water availability

Summary •Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of one genotype to display different phenotypes under different environmental conditions. Although variation for phenotypic plasticity has been documented in numerous species, little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity. Given their widespread roles in hormonal and environmental signaling, we examined whether genes which encode heterotrimeric G proteins are plasticity genes. •We grew multiple alleles of heterotrimeric G-protein mutants, together with wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana, under different watering regimes to determine the contributions of G-protein genes to phenotypic plasticity for a number of developmental and reproduction-related traits. •G-protein mutations did not affect significantly the amount of phenotypic variation within an environment for any trait, but did affect significantly the amount of phenotypic plasticity for certain traits. •AGB1, which encodes the β subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein in Arabidopsis, is a plasticity gene and regulates reproductive trait plasticity in response to water availability, resulting in increased fitness (defined as seed production) under drought stress.
AVCOL: Availability-aware information aggregation in large distributed systems under uncollaborative behavior

Aggregation of system-wide information in large-scale distributed systems, such as p2p systems and Grids, can be unfairly influenced by nodes that are selfish, colluding with each other, or are offline most of the time. We present AVCOL, which uses probabilistic and gossip-style techniques to provide availability-aware aggregation. Concretely, AVCOL is the first aggregation system that: (1) implements any (arbitrary) global predicate that explicitly specifies any node's probability of inclusion in the global aggregate, as a mathematical function of that node's availability (i.e., percentage time online); (2) probabilistically tolerates large numbers of selfish nodes and large groups of colluders; and (3) scales well with hundreds to thousands of nodes. AVCOL uses several unique design decisions: per-aggregation tree construction where nodes are allowed a limited but flexible probabilistic choice of parents or children, probabilistic aggregation along trees, and auditing of nodes both during aggregation as well as in gossip-style (i.e., periodically). We have implemented AVCOL, and we experimentally evaluated it using real-life churn traces. Our evaluation and our mathematical analysis show that AVCOL satisfies arbitrary predicates, scales well, and withstands a variety of selfish and colluding attacks.
From Synapses to Circuitry: Using Memristive Memory to Explore the Electronic Brain

In a synchronous digital platform for building large cognitive models, memristive nanodevices form dense, resistive memories that can be placed close to conventional processing circuitry. Through adaptive transformations, the devices can interact with the world in real time.
Evaluation of optimum position and orientation of laptop MIMO antennas using envelope correlation coefficients and mutual coupling parameters

Prototype antennas suitable for laptop wireless applications have been utilized to develop a relationship between commonly used correlation factor parameters (by the communication engineers), and the well-known S-parameters (used by microwave and antenna engineers). Based on these relations, an adequate spacing and orientation of these developed antennas were derived to assure proper use of multiple antennas for laptop MIMO applications.
HIGH FLOW PRIAPISM COMPLICATING VENO-OCCLUSIVE PRIAPISM: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF RECURRENT IDIOPATHIC PRIAPISM?

Of the several known forms of priapism veno-occlusive priapism is the most common.' High flow priapism is uncommon and usually follows trauma to the perineum.2 More than 20 cases have been reported and the majority of patients have been treated with angiographic embolization.2 Idiopathic recurrent priapism occasionally follows treatment of veno-occlusive priapism and is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.3 We report on 2 patients with recurrent idiopathic priapism aRer treatment for veno-occlusive priapism. Diagnostic testing revealed a high flow cavernosal arterial state without evidence of a cavernosal-sinusoidal fistula. Arteriographic embolization with absorbable gelatin sponge resulted in complete resolution. This high flow state may represent a variant of traumatic high flow priapism or it may be the pathophysiology of recurrent idiopathic priapism and may be best treated with angiographic embolization. CASE REPORTS Case 1. A 33-year-old black man with no medical history presented with a painful erection 24 hours in duration. He denied any drug use and had no history of trauma or sickle cell disease. Corporeal aspiration revealed dark crankcase oil like blood. He was initially treated with intracorporeal imgation using saline and then 2 to 3 doses of 300 pg. phenylephrine, which resulted in partial detumescence. However, the erection returned within 15 minutes. A Winter shunt procedure was performed without resolution of the priapism. A glans spongiosum to corpus cavernosum shunt (El-Ghorab shunt) was then created. The shunt provided for partial detumescence. The priapism returned 6 hours postoperatively. Color duplex ultrasound of the penis revealed a high flow state, which was most significant in the right cavernosal (68 cm. per second) and dorsal (63 cm. per second) arteries. An internal pudendal arteriogram revealed a common cavernosal trunk, originating from the right internal pudendal artery. There was no separate cavernosal artery originating from the left internal pudendal artery and no evidence of a cavernosal-sinusoidal fistula. Angiographic embolization of the cavernosal trunk with absorbable gelatin sponge pledgets resulted in immediate detumescence. The penis remained detumescent without any spontaneous erections 4 weeks after embolization. minutes the erection returned. A bedside Winter shunt pro
Field Testing: The Delicate Compromise1

This paper selectively compares human factors field testing with laboratory experimentation. Although each is derived from the scientific method, there are critical differences between the two research settings. Field testing is not a simple extension of the laboratory into an operational setting. Techniques, procedures, and research strategies differ; a technology is evolving to bridge the gap between the two research domains.
Does History Repeat Itself? Wavelets and the Phylodynamics of Influenza A

Unprecedented global surveillance of viruses will result in massive sequence data sets that require new statistical methods. These data sets press the limits of Bayesian phylogenetics as the high-dimensional parameters that comprise a phylogenetic tree increase the already sizable computational burden of these techniques. This burden often results in partitioning the data set, for example, by gene, and inferring the evolutionary dynamics of each partition independently, a compromise that results in stratified analyses that depend only on data within a given partition. However, parameter estimates inferred from these stratified models are likely strongly correlated, considering they rely on data from a single data set. To overcome this shortfall, we exploit the existing Monte Carlo realizations from stratified Bayesian analyses to efficiently estimate a nonparametric hierarchical wavelet-based model and learn about the time-varying parameters of effective population size that reflect levels of genetic diversity across all partitions simultaneously. Our methods are applied to complete genome influenza A sequences that span 13 years. We find that broad peaks and trends, as opposed to seasonal spikes, in the effective population size history distinguish individual segments from the complete genome. We also address hypotheses regarding intersegment dynamics within a formal statistical framework that accounts for correlation between segment-specific parameters.
Capacity and complexity of HMM duration modeling techniques

The ability of a standard hidden Markov model (HMM) or expanded state HMM (ESHMM) to accurately model duration distributions of phonemes is compared with specific duration-focused approaches such as semi-Markov models or variable transition probabilities. It is demonstrated that either a three-state ESHMM or a standard HMM with an increased number of states is capable of closely matching both Gamma distributions and duration distributions of phonemes from the TIMIT corpus, as measured by Bhattacharyya distance to the true distributions. Standard HMMs are easily implemented with off-the-shelf tools, whereas duration models require substantial algorithmic development and have higher computational costs when implemented, suggesting that a simple adjustment to HMM topologies is perhaps a more efficient solution to the problem of duration than more complex approaches.
Effect of inertia on the hydrodynamic interaction between two liquid capsules in simple shear flow

Abstract Three-dimensional numerical simulations using front-tracking method are performed to study the hydrodynamic interaction between two liquid capsules suspended in simple shear flow in presence of inertia. Capsules are modeled as liquid drops surrounded by neo-Hookean elastic membranes. In the limit of zero inertia, it has been known from past research that the hydrodynamic interaction between two deformable particles (drops/capsules) suspended in shear flow results in an irreversible shift in the trajectories of the particles as one particle rolls over the other. In this article, we show that the presence of inertia can significantly alter the capsule trajectories. When inertia is small but finite, the capsules do undergo an irreversible displacement, but the lateral separation between them first decreases before they roll over each other, unlike in Re ≪ 1. For moderate to high inertia, the capsules reverse their directions of motion before coming close to each other. The reversal of motion occurs progressively earlier in time (that is, the capsules come less closer to each other) with increasing inertia. The long-time behavior of the capsule–capsule interaction at finite inertia showed that the capsules engage in spiraling motions. Based on our simulations, four different regimes of capsule–capsule interaction at finite inertia are identified: (i) a self-diffusive type interaction, (ii) an outwardly spiraling motion, (iii) a fixed-orbit spiraling motion, and (iv) an inwardly spiraling motion in which the capsules settle with zero relative velocity. The reversal of motion, and the spiraling trajectories at finite inertia have no analogy in the limit of zero inertia. Such motions are explained by analyzing the flow field around a deformed capsule which shows reverse flow regions and off-surface stagnation points, similar to those previously reported in case of rigid spheres and cylinders under torque-free condition.
A probabilistic model for the deployment of sensors

Coverage is an important optimization objective in sensor deployment problems. This paper addresses the issue of covering a set of target points in an area with a finite set of sensors. A probabilistic model is proposed which takes in account the detection probabilities of the sensing devices which may decay with distance, environmental conditions, and hardware configuration. The objective is to deploy sensors so that the distribution of the sensors meets the probability of detection requirements while minimizing costs. The expected points to cover and the deployment points are assumed to be stationary and known a priori. A probabilistic coverage matrix is defined and the deployment is optimized using a genetic algorithm. Our experimental results verify that the proposed probabilistic sensor deployment model finds more efficient solutions requiring fewer sensors compared to other deployment schemes.
In situ localization of the per clock protein during development of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract The per locus influences biological rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, per transcripts and proteins were localized in situ in pupae and adults. Earlier genetic studies have demonstrated that per expression is required in the brain for circadian locomotor activity rhythms and in the thorax for ultradian rhythmicity of the Drosophila courtship song. per RNA and proteins were detected in a restricted group of cells in the eyes and optic lobes of the adult brain and in many cell bodies in the adult and pupal thoracic ganglia. per products were also found in the pupal ring gland complex, a tissue involved in rhythmic aspects of Drosophila development. Abundant expression was seen in gonadal tissue. No biological clock phenotypes have been reported for this tissue in any of the per mutants, per protein mapped to different subcellular locations in different tissues. The protein accumulated in or around nuclei in some cells and appeared to be cytoplasmic in others.
A measure of kinematic limb instability modulation by rhythmic auditory stimulation.

A mathematical method based on computations of residual absolute value sums (RAVS) was developed for the quantitative analysis of tremor-like perturbations of knee angle during the gait cycle. The method was tested on simulation data created by adding sinusoidal tremor of varying frequency and amplitude to the knee-angle graph of a healthy test subject. The method was then applied to compare knee tremor reduction, with and without auditory rhythm, in a group of "ve traumatically brain-injured patients with gait hemiparesis. Deviations from normal gait performance due to tremor were assessed by using self-comparison to a 17th-degree regression polynomial of each subject’s own motion-, time-, and point-normalized knee- angle curve. With rhythmic cueing, the "ve subjects had a statistically signi"cant RAVS-measured mean tremor reduction of 39.5$22.6% (t"!3.91; p"0.017). ( 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Chronic atrial fibrillation causes left ventricular dysfunction in dogs but not goats: experience with dogs, goats, and pigs

Structural remodeling in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs over weeks to months. To study the electrophysiological, structural, and functional changes that occur in chronic AF, the selection ...