cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A universal and efficient method to compute maps from image-based prediction models.

Discriminative supervised learning algorithms, such as Support Vector Machines, are becoming increasingly popular in biomedical image computing. One of their main uses is to construct image-based prediction models, e.g., for computer aided diagnosis or “mind reading.” A major challenge in these applications is the biological interpretation of the machine learning models, which can be arbitrarily complex functions of the input features (e.g., as induced by kernel-based methods). Recent work has proposed several strategies for deriving maps that highlight regions relevant for accurate prediction. Yet most of these methods either rely on strong assumptions about the prediction model (e.g., linearity, sparsity) and/or data (e.g., Gaussianity), or fail to exploit the covariance structure in the data. In this work, we propose a computationally efficient and universal framework for quantifying associations captured by black box machine learning models. Furthermore, our theoretical perspective reveals that examining associations with predictions, in the absence of ground truth labels, can be very informative. We apply the proposed method to machine learning models trained to predict cognitive impairment from structural neuroimaging data. We demonstrate that our approach yields biologically meaningful maps of association.
Teaching cybersecurity and Python programming in a 5-day summer camp

This report documents our experiences teaching cybersecurity and Python programming during a 5-day, 25-hour summer camp at Stetson University in 2017. The camp participants included rising high school juniors, seniors, and entering college freshmen. The camp curriculum covered the fundamentals of cybersecurity including networking, encryption, password management, penetration testing, and the Tor proxy server; and the fundamentals of programming in Python including variables, input/output, conditionals, loops, functions, lists, and dictionaries. The curriculum was designed for students with no prior experience in cybersecurity or programming. This report details our curriculum and offers evidence of the effectiveness of the camp based on pre- and post-surveys.
Effect of Composition and Applied Stress on the Transformation Behavior in Ni X Ti 80−X Zr 20 Shape Memory Alloys

This study demonstrates the effect of Ni content and applied stress on the microstructure and shape memory properties of a range of NiXTi80−XZr20 (X = 50–51 at.%) shape memory alloys, which were produced via arc melting. Uniaxial constant force thermal cycling, differential scanning calorimetry, microhardness, and microscopy were used to evaluate the alloys in the homogenized, solutionized, and aged (500–550 °C) conditions. Transformation temperatures decrease linearly with increasing Ni content for the solutionized and aged samples, while the data demonstrate a rebound in transformation temperatures in the high-Ni alloys in the homogenized condition. In general, hardness increases with Ni content as a result of solution strengthening in the case of the solutionized condition, and precipitation strengthening in the aged conditions. During uniaxial constant force thermal cycling, the austenite finish temperature (AF) increased with increasing stress at a higher rate in the near-stoichiometric compositions than in the high-Ni compositions. Transformation strains also increased with stress, with the stress rate and the magnitude of the peak transformation strain heavily dependent on Ni content. Residual strain decreased with Ni content due to the strengthening effects of the solid solution and H-phase precipitates.
Bridging the Gap between Market and Nonmarket Strategy: Entrepreneurship and Nonmarket Strategy

Entrepreneurial activities are a critical part of vibrant economic development. Although there is some research that examines the effect of regulations/policies and the roles of governments on entr...
How much is a "like" worth? Engagement and Retention in an Online Health Community

Online health communities are designed to help their users acquire social support, but developing self-sustaining communities capable of providing that support requires long-term user retention. Therefore, understanding the factors early in a user's experience that predict their long-term retention is important. In this study, we explore the impact of short-term visitor engagement on long-term user retention. We study users of CaringBridge.org, an online health community for communicating about health journeys, using survival analysis methods to quantify the impact of engagement on retention. First, we explicitly compare the impact of non-text "likes'' to text comments, surprisingly finding that likes exceed comments in their impact on retention for some users. Second, we compare less active and more active users in their response to visitor engagement, finding that more active users are less affected by short-term visitor engagement. We discuss the implications of our findings for the design of OHCs and for future work on visitor engagement.
Structure and activation mechanism of the yeast RNA Pol II CTD kinase CTDK-1 complex

The C-terminal domain (CTD) kinase I (CTDK-1) complex is the primary RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) CTD Ser2 kinase in budding yeast. CTDK-1 consists of a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Ctk1, a cyclin Ctk2, and a unique subunit Ctk3 required for CTDK-1 activity. Here, we present a crystal structure of CTDK-1 at 1.85-A resolution. The structure reveals that, compared to the canonical two-component CDK-cyclin system, the third component Ctk3 of CTDK-1 plays a critical role in Ctk1 activation by stabilizing a key element of CDK regulation, the T-loop, in an active conformation. In addition, Ctk3 contributes to the assembly of CTDK-1 through extensive interactions with both Ctk1 and Ctk2. We also demonstrate that CTDK-1 physically and genetically interacts with the serine/arginine-like protein Gbp2. Together, the data in our work reveal a regulatory mechanism of CDK complexes.
Epigenetic modulation in the pathogenesis and treatment of inherited aortic aneurysm conditions

Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS) is a rare systemic connective tissue disorder characterized by craniofacial, skeletal, neurodevelopmental, cutaneous, and cardiovascular manifestations, including aortic root aneurysm. It has significant phenotypic overlap with both Marfan syndrome (MFS) and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). We previously reported that SGS is caused by heterozygous mutations in the Sloan-Kettering Institute proto-oncogene (SKI), which encodes a potent suppressor of transforming growth factor beta (TGF{beta}) target gene expression. Herein, we show that mouse lines harboring orthologous amino acid substitutions in Ski recapitulate multiple human SGS phenotypic manifestations, including skin collagen deposition, skeletal kyphosis, behavioral hypoactivity, and aortic root aneurysm. Furthermore, aortic root aneurysm in SGS mice is associated with both increased acetylation of histone H3 at lysine-27 (H3K27) and TGF{beta} target gene expression, all of which can be ameliorated by pharmacological CBP/P300 inhibition in vivo; similar findings were seen in cultured dermal fibroblast from SGS patients. Aortic root growth is also abrogated in a mouse model of MFS by selective CBP/P300 inhibition in association with blunted expression of TGF{beta} target genes. These data document excessive H3K27 acetylation and hence TGF{beta} target gene expression in the pathogenesis of inherited presentations of aortic root aneurysm and the therapeutic potential of pharmacological epigenetic modulation.
Sustained Inflation Reduces Pulmonary Blood Flow during Resuscitation with an Intact Cord

The optimal timing of cord clamping in asphyxia is not known. Our aims were to determine the effect of ventilation (sustained inflation-SI vs. positive pressure ventilation-V) with early (ECC) or delayed cord clamping (DCC) in asphyxiated near-term lambs. We hypothesized that SI with DCC improves gas exchange and hemodynamics in near-term lambs with asphyxial bradycardia. A total of 28 lambs were asphyxiated to a mean blood pressure of 22 mmHg. Lambs were randomized based on the timing of cord clamping (ECC-immediate, DCC-60 s) and mode of initial ventilation into five groups: ECC + V, ECC + SI, DCC, DCC + V and DCC + SI. The magnitude of placental transfusion was assessed using biotinylated RBC. Though an asphyxial bradycardia model, 2-3 lambs in each group were arrested. There was no difference in primary outcomes, the time to reach baseline carotid blood flow (CBF), HR ≥ 100 bpm or MBP ≥ 40 mmHg. SI reduced pulmonary (PBF) and umbilical venous (UV) blood flow without affecting CBF or umbilical arterial blood flow. A significant reduction in PBF with SI persisted for a few minutes after birth. In our model of perinatal asphyxia, an initial SI breath increased airway pressure, and reduced PBF and UV return with an intact cord. Further clinical studies evaluating the timing of cord clamping and ventilation strategy in asphyxiated infants are warranted.
Implementation of an enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery care pathway for thoracotomy patients—achieving better pain control with less (schedule II) opioid utilization

Background Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols incorporate evidence-based practices of pre-, intra- and post-operative care to achieve the most optimal surgical outcome, safe on-time discharge, and surgical cost efficiency. Such protocols have been adapted for specialty-specific needs and are implemented by a variety of surgical disciplines including general thoracic surgery. This study aims to evaluate the impact of our enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery (ERATS) protocol on postoperative outcomes, pain, and opioid utilization following thoracotomy. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing elective resection of intrathoracic neoplasms via posterolateral thoracotomy between 1/1/2016 and 3/1/2020. Our enhanced recovery protocol, with a focus on multimodal pain management (opioid-sparing analgesics, infiltration of local anesthetics into intercostal spaces and surgical wounds, and elimination of thoracic epidural analgesia) was initiated on 2/1/2018. Demographics, clinicopathology data, subjective pain levels, peri-operative outcomes, in-hospital and post-discharge opioid utilization were obtained from the electronic medical record. Results A total of 98 patients (43 pre- and 55 post-protocol implementation) were included in this study. There was no difference in perioperative outcomes or percentage of opioid utilization between the two cohorts. The enhanced recovery group had significantly less acute pain. A significant reduction of in-hospital potent schedule II opioid use was noted following ERATS implementation [average MME: 10.5 (3.5-16.5) (ERATS) vs. 19.5 (12.6-36.0) (pre-ERATS), P<0.0001]. More importantly, a drastic reduction of total and schedule II opioids dispensed at discharge was noted in the ERATS group [total MME: 150 (100.0-330.0) vs. 800.0 (450.0-975.0), P<0.0001 and schedule II MME: 90.0 (0-242.2) vs. 800.0 (450.0-975.0), P<0.0001; ERATS vs. pre-ERATS respectively]. A shorter hospital stay (median difference of 1 day, P=0.0012 and a mean difference of 2.4 days, P=0.0054) was observed in the enhanced recovery group. Conclusions Implementation of an enhanced recovery protocol for thoracotomy patients is safe and associated with elimination of thoracic epidural analgesia, decreased postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, drastic reduction of post-discharge opioid dispensed and decreased dependence on addiction-prone schedule II narcotics.
Infrared surface phonon polariton waveguides on SiC Substrate

Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguides harbor many potential applications at visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. However, dispersive properties of the metal in the waveguide yields weakly coupled and lossy plasmonic modes in the mid and long wave infrared range. This is one of the major reasons for the rise in popularity of surface phonon polariton (SPhP) waveguides in recent research and micro-fabrication pursuit. Silicon carbide (SiC) is a good candidate in SPhP waveguides since it has negative dielectric permittivity in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral region, indicative that coupling to surface phonon polaritons is realizable. Introducing surface phonon polaritons for waveguiding provides good modal confinement and enhanced propagation length. A hybrid waveguide structure at long-wave infrared (LWIR) is demonstrated in which an eigenmode solver approach in Ansys HFSS was applied. The effect of a three layer configuration i.e., silicon wire on a benzocyclobutene (BCB) dielectric slab on SiC, and the effects of varying their dimensions on the modal field distribution and on the propagation length, is presented.
A 2 mu CMOS aircraft communication monitor

All private aircraft are equipped with a device which is called the emergency locator transmitter (ELT). Many private aircraft presently in use have no means of notifying the pilot if the ELT has been activated. The authors describe a solution to the problems using 2- mu m CMOS technology. Because FAA regulations prohibit the device from being powered by or attached to the aircraft, this design is completely portable and powered by a 9-V battery. The design was realized using a 2- mu m, double-metal, single-poly, p-well CMOS process. The chip will detect aircraft ELT transmissions at a frequency of 121.5 MHz. In addition, the monitor will appropriately enable or disable output to an external flight recorder. Theoretical and experimental results for the first-pass aircraft communication monitor design are encouraging. >
Performance and limitation of discrete band-limited signal extrapolation

The discrete band-limited signal extrapolation is a finite-dimensional linear estimation operation. In this paper, we describe the algorithm as a two-step recognition and reconstruction process and analyze its performance and limitation by using the associated singular values as indicators of the algorithm's sensitivity and capability for signal identification. We also indicate that the performance of the algorithm depends on the dimension of the effective vector space, and provide the relationship between the variation of the dimension and control-point spacings.
A Volumetric Optical Flow Method for Measurement of Brain Deformation from Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Images

A method to measure spatial and temporal brain deformation from sequential intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) and its preliminary clinical results are reported. Deformation is estimated with a volumetric optical flow measurement based on local intensity differences. A multi-resolution approach was used to efficiently estimate the deformation. We applied the method to five different cases and the method is highlighted by illustrative features accompanied by five sets of intraoperative MRI scanned before and after dura opening, twice during tumor resection and immediately after dura closure. The maximum cortical surface shift measured was 11 mm and subsurface shift was 4 mm. Volume change was measured by aligning the sequence of intraoperative MR images immediately after the opening of the dura to the images during the tumor resection. The amount of deformation present at each stage of the surgery was visualized. The computed deformation field was most satisfactory when the skin was first segmented and removed from the images prior to the optical flow computation. Magnetic field inhomegeneities as well as administration of contrast agent (Gadolinium-DTPA) were observed to modify the deformation field. The method demonstrated a good capability of intra-operative surface, subsurface and midline shift measurement.
CaMKII-dependent filamin phosphorylation attenuates the MARCKS regulation of ENaC (892.24)

Filamin A is an actin crosslinking protein regulated by phosphorylation. Several kinases including protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase B (Akt), protein kinase C (PKC), and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-depe...
Nitroalkane Oxidation by Streptomycetes

Crude cell-free extracts of nine strains of Streptomyces tested for nitroalkane-oxidizing activity showed production of nitrous acid from 2-nitropropane, 1-nitropropane, nitroethane, nitromethane, and 3-nitropropionic acid. These substrates were utilized in most strains but to a decreasing extent in the order given, and different strains varied in their relative efficiency of oxidation. p-Nitrobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, enteromycin, and ω-nitro-l-arginine were not attacked. d-Amino acid oxidase, glucose oxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and xanthine oxidase, enzymes potentially responsible for the observed oxidations in crude cellfree extracts, were present at concentrations too low to play any significant role. A nitroalkane-oxidizing enzyme from streptozotocin-producing Streptomyces achromogenes subsp. streptozoticus was partially purified and characterized. It catalyzes the oxidative denitrification of 2-nitropropane as follows: 2CH3CH(NO2)CH3 + O2 → 2CH3COCH3 + 2HNO2. At the optimum pH of 7.5 of the enzyme, 2-nitropropane was as good a substrate as its sodium salt; t-nitrobutane was not a substrate. Whereas Tiron, oxine, and nitroxyl radical acted as potent inhibitors of this enzyme, superoxide dismutase was essentially without effect. Sodium peroxide abolished a lag phase in the progress curve of the enzyme and afforded stimulation, whereas sodium superoxide did not affect the reaction. Reducing agents, such as glutathione, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form, as well as thiol compounds, were strongly inhibitory, but cyanide had no effect. The S. achromogenes enzyme at the present stage of purification is similar in many respects to the enzyme 2-nitropropane dioxygenase from Hansenula mrakii. The possible involvement of the nitroalkane-oxidizing enzyme in the biosynthesis of antibiotics that contain a nitrogen-nitrogen bond is discussed.
Smoothing multinomial naïve bayes in the presence of imbalance

Multinomial naive Bayes is a popular classifier used for a wide variety of applications. When applied to text classification, this classifier requires some form of smoothing when estimating parameters. Typically, Laplace smoothing is used, and researchers have proposed several other successful forms of smoothing. In this paper, we show that common preprocessing techniques for text categorization have detrimental effects when using several of these well-known smoothing methods. We also introduce a new form of smoothing for which these detrimental effects are less severe: ROSE smoothing, which can be derived from methods for cost-sensitive learning and imbalanced datasets. We show empirically on text data that ROSE smoothing performs well compared to known methods of smoothing, and is the only method tested that performs well regardless of the type of text preprocessing used. It is particularly effective compared to existing methods when the data is imbalanced.
Atmospheric Propagation and Communication Channel Model for Laser Wavelengths: An Update

Excellent reveiw papers on the state of the art of propagation through the atmosphere at laser wavelengths have been published during and prior to 1970. This concise paper gives a brief update of major developments that took place since 1970. Covered are the saturation phenomenon, heterodyne receiver performance, atmospheric turbulence model, and transmitter-aperture averaging effect.
Neural Activity in the Central Complex of the Insect Brain Is Linked to Locomotor Changes

Summary Animals negotiating complex natural terrain must consider cues around them and alter movement parameters accordingly [1, 2]. In the arthropod brain, the central complex (CC) receives bilateral sensory relays and sits immediately upstream of premotor areas, suggesting that it may be involved in the context-dependent control of behavior [3]. In previous studies, CC neurons in various insects responded to visual, chemical, and mechanical stimuli [4–7], and genetic or physical lesions affected locomotor behaviors [8–11]. Additionally, electrical stimulation of the CC led to malformed chirping movements by crickets [12], and pharmacological stimulation evoked stridulation in grasshoppers [13], but no more precise relationship has been documented between neural activity in the CC and movements in a behaving animal. We performed tetrode recordings from the CC of cockroaches walking in place on a slippery surface. Neural activity in the CC was strongly correlated with, and in some cases predictive of, stepping frequency. Electrical stimulation of these areas also evoked or modified walking. Many of the same neural units responded to tactile antennal stimulation while the animal was standing still but became unresponsive during walking. Therefore, these CC units are unlikely to be reporting only sensory signals, but their activity may be directing changes in locomotion based on sensory inputs. Video Abstract
Putrescine-modified catalase with preserved enzymatic activity exhibits increased permeability at the blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers.

Abstract Much evidence exists in support of the hypothesis that free radicals contribute to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders and that mechanisms of free radical generation occur both intracellularly and extracellularly. Previous studies in this laboratory have shown that covalent modification of growth factors and antioxidant enzymes with the naturally occurring polyamine, putrescine, increases their permeability at the blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers (BNB and BBB), but does not significantly inhibit bioactivity. Furthermore, putrescine-modified superoxide dismutase (SOD) was shown to reduce neurodegeneration in a rat model of global cerebral ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to modify the antioxidant enzyme, catalase (CAT), with putrescine (PUT) at carboxylic acid groups whose ionization, and hence reactivity, was controlled with pH and investigate the effects on permeability and enzymatic activity. Modification of CAT with PUT increased its permeability 2–3-fold and preserved 67% of its enzymatic activity compared to native CAT and 137% compared to lyophilized CAT. The results of this study indicate that modification of CAT with putrescine increases its permeability while preserving enzymatic activity. PUT-SOD administered in combination with PUT-CAT may eliminate both the superoxide radical and the H2O2 produced from the dismutation of superoxide, respectively, and thus prevent the formation of hydroxyl radicals. This combination may exhibit increased neuroprotective effects, compared to native enzymes, following systemic administration for the treatment of free radical associated neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect of inhibitors of microsomal enzymes on aflatoxin B1-induced cytotoxicity and inhibition of RNA synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes

Abstract Previous studies conducted in this laboratory demonstrated that AFB 1 activation and deactivation was effectively inhibited by metyrapone and TCPO in isolated hepatocytes. The present study was undertaken to study the toxic effect of AFB 1 on hepatocyte and RNA synthesis, and to assess the influence of the inhibitors on AFB 1 -induced cytotoxicity and AFB 1 -inhibited RNA synthesis. AFB 1 at 50 μM was toxic and inhibited macromolecular synthesis by greater than 70% at 180 min of incubation whereas at lower concentrations of AFB 1 (0.05–10 μM) dose-and time-dependent decreases in cell viability, protein and RNA synthesis were observed. Using [ 3 H]-AFB 1 (0–1.5 μM), the uptake and covalent binding of the toxin were also dose-and time-dependent. Initial rates of these processes to reach half-maximum was found to be 0.25 μM AFB 1 . In cells treated with AFB 1 (5 μM) and metyrapone (1.0 mM) or SKF-525A (10 μM), the cell viability was similar to the control and [ 3 H]-uridine incorporation was significantly higher than AFB 1 treated cells. AFB 1 and TCPO (0.5 mM) treated cells exhibited further decreases in cell viability and RNA synthesis. Results suggest that the binding of AFB 1 to DNA and impairment of transcriptional activity may lead to cell death.
Studies on the mechanism of inhibition of sodium transport in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas.

Studies on the Mechanism of Inhibition of Sodium Transport in Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas
Antiferromagnetic excitations and van Hove singularities in YBa2Cu3O6+x.

We show that in quasi-two-dimensional d-wave superconductors van Hove singularities close to the Fermi surface lead to magnetic quasiparticle excitations. We calculate the temperature and doping dependence of dynamical magnetic susceptibility for ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{6+\mathit{x}}$ and show that the proposed excitations are in agreement with inelastic-neutron-scattering experiments. In addition, the values of the gap parameter and in-plane antiferromagnetic coupling are much smaller than usually believed.
Podocyte expression of the CDK-inhibitor p57 during development and disease.

ated cell with a limited proliferative capacity. The precise cell experimental glomerular disease is associated with a decrease cycle proteins necessary for establishing podocyte quiescence during development or permitting podocyte cell cycle re-entry in p57, the levels of all three members of the Cip/Kip family in disease states have not been fully defined. Accordingly, we of CDK inhibitors appear to determine the capability of podostudied the role of the cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)-inhibi- cytes to proliferate. tor p57 Kip2
The WKB Local Discontinuous Galerkin Method for the Simulation of Schrödinger Equation in a Resonant Tunneling Diode

In this paper, we develop a multiscale local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method to simulate the one-dimensional stationary Schrodinger-Poisson problem. The stationary Schrodinger equation is discretized by the WKB local discontinuous Galerkin (WKB-LDG) method, and the Poisson potential equation is discretized by the minimal dissipation LDG (MD-LDG) method. The WKB-LDG method we propose provides a significant reduction of both the computational cost and memory in solving the Schrodinger equation. Compared with traditional continuous finite element Galerkin methodology, the WKB-LDG method has the advantages of the DG methods including their flexibility in h-p adaptivity and allowance of complete discontinuity at element interfaces. Although not addressed in this paper, a major advantage of the WKB-LDG method is its feasibility for two-dimensional devices.
Imaging-based direct measurement of aggregate surface area and its application in asphalt mixture design

In asphalt mix design, an effective way to prevent asphalt films of improper thickness is to directly coat the aggregate particle with a controlled thickness of the asphalt film, which prerequisites that the total surface area (SA) of aggregate particles in an asphalt mix be accurately measured. This paper introduces an imaging-based approach to measure the SA of a single irregular-shaped aggregate particle from three orthogonal views, based on which the total SA of aggregate particles in a mixture can be determined. The developed SA method is validated by predicting accurate SA results for both regular-shaped and irregular-shaped objects, which are comparable to the SA results measured using a 3D laser scanning device developed for solid shape modelling in manufacturing applications. As an application of the imaging-based SA algorithm, the average asphalt film thicknesses of 18 mixes are calculated based on the SA of the individual aggregate particles in each mixture.
An Optimum Phase Reference Detector for Fully Modulated Phase-Shift Keyed Signals

Many modern telemetry systems which use phase-shift keying (PSK) have receivers which derive a coherent reference from the fully modulated PSK signal itself and thus conserve the energy which otherwise would be allocated to a discrete reference signal. In this paper, an optimum receiver structure for estimating a phase reference from the PSK signal itself is derived and its realization discussed. It is shown that at low signal-to-noise ratios, the optimum detector can be realized with a Costas loop. Since a Costas loop and squaring loop exhibit identical performance, it follows that either of these simple devices gives optimum performance for low-input signal-to-noise ratios.
Highly scalable checkpointing for exascale computing

A consequence of the fact that the number of processors in High Performance Computers (HPC) continues to increase is demonstrated by the correlation between Mean-Time-To-Failure(T MTTF ) and application execution time. The T MTTF is becoming shorter than the expected execution time for many next generation HPC applications. There is an ability to handle failure without a system-wide breakdown in most architecture, but many of the applications do not have a built-in ability to survive node failures. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach to develop a highly scalable technique to allow the next generation applications to survive node and/or link failure without aborting the computation. We will develop several strategies to improve the scalability of diskless checkpointing. The technique is scalable in the sense that when the number of processes increases, the overhead to handle k failures on p processes should remain as constant as possible. We will present the proposed technique, initial results together with remaining objectives and challenges.
TRANSIENT SIMULATION OF LOSSY COUPLED TRANSMISSION LINES CHARACTERIZED WITH FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT PARAMETERS

The method of characteristics is generalized to simulate the transient response of coupled transmission lines, which are characterized with frequency-dependent parameters. The discrete-time transient simulation is carried out from the equivalent decoupled transmission lines with an arbitrary set of characteristic impedances. The method eliminates the time-consuming convolution integration and has been adapted for iterative waveform relaxation simulation using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for reduction of simulation cost. Examples are given to substantiate the accuracy and the efficiency of both discrete-time and waveform relaxation simulations.
Effects of reserpine on the content and properties of rat adrenal medullary storage vesicles.

Abstract Male rats were given reserpine (2.5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) (preceded by chlorisondamine, 10 mg/kg, i.p., to prevent reflex neural stimulation), and the subcellular distributions of adrenal storage vesicle components (catecholamines, ATP and dopamine β-hydroxylase) were determined along with the ability of the vesicles to incorporate a catecholamine ( 14 C-epinephrine) and a non-catecholamine ( 3 H-metaraminol). One and 4 hr after the low dose of reserpine, epinephrine uptake was inhibited 60 per cent, while there was little change in metaraminol uptake; epinephrine uptake returned to normal in 24 hr, at which time there was a small decrease in catecohamines and ATP and a slight shift of dopamine β-hydroxylase toward lower density particles. One hr after the high dose of reserpine, inhibition of epinephrine uptake was nearly complete, and metaraminol uptake decreased by 35 per cent. There was little or no change in catecholamines, ATP and dopamine β-hydroxylase 1 and 4 hr after reserpine, but there was a marked shift at 24 hr, at which time catecholamines and ATP had decreased. Total dopamine β-hydroxylase activity was unchanged at 24 hr, but the distribution was markedly shifted toward lighter particles. Subsequently, the uptake of epinephrine recovered gradually to 80 per cent of controls at 4 days, while metaraminol uptake returned to normal almost immediately (4–24 hr). By 3 days after reserpine, dopamine β-hydroxylase exceeded control levels in all subcellular fractions, but was highest in the fraction containing storage vesicles with below normal catecholamine contents. Catecholamine and ATP levels decreased to 34 per cent of controls between 4 hr and 2 days and then increased to 80 per cent of controls at 4 days. These data and previous studies provide evidence for different degrees of reserpine-sensitivity in different species and indicate that the blockade of ATP-Mg 2+ -stimulated uptake may be partly reversible, since recovery of the uptake mechanism commences at a time when new vesicle synthesis is not occurring. The rapid recovery of metaraminol uptake also suggests that vesicles partly or completely emptied of their ATP and catecholamine content can still incorporate metaraminol, although their ability to incorporate epinephrine is impaired.
Variable-length lossy compression and channel coding: Non-asymptotic converses via cumulant generating functions

enyi entropy. We also illustrate the application of the non-asymptotic bounds to obtain strong converses. I. INTRODUCTION There have been several recent results on non-asymptotic bounds for the three major Shannon theoretic paradigms: fixed-length data transmission (e.g. [1]), fixed-length lossy compression (e.g. [2]), and variable-length lossless compression [3]. Those works give their bounds, not in terms of average quantities such as entropy and mutual information, but in terms of information spectra (i.e. the cumulative distribution functions of random variables such as information, information density and d-tilted information). The evaluation of those upper and lower bounds yields tight results for blocklengths as low as 100, and they have also been used to prove not only the conventional asymptotic fundamental limits but also to perform central-limit analyses based on the Berry-Esse´ bound. In this paper, we take a different approach by studying the cumulant generating function (log moment generating function) of the random encoded lengths. The new nonasymptotic converse bounds are in terms of average quantities such as the R´
A Comparison of the Determination of Gentisic Acid in Blood by Means of the Ferric Ion-Gentisate Complex With and Without the Presence of Ferrous Ions*

Two methods for the determination of gentisic acid in blood have been compared and the data treated statistically. Almost identical results were obtained by the two methods. The method involving the use of a reagent containing ferric ions alone is shown to have definite advantages over the method involving the use of a reagent containing 0th ferrous and ferric ions.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

As the overall long-term event-free survival rate in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia approaches 80%, emphasis is being placed on risk-directed therapy so that patients are neither overtreated nor undertreated. It has become apparent that a risk assignment system based on primary genetic a
A TRIPLET OF NUCLEASE PROTEINS (NP42-50) IS ACTIVATED IN HUMAN JURKAT CELLS UNDERGOING APOPTOSIS

Activation of a triplet of nuclear proteins (NP42-50) was observed in human Jurkat T cell line following treatment with an antibody to CD95 (Fas/Apo-1), a cell surface molecule involved in apoptotic cell death. The nuclease activity, corresponding to a triplet of proteins observed at approximately 42, 45, and 50 kDa in size, was extractable, heat-stable, and detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis containing deoxyribonucleic acids (SDS-PAGE-DNA) assay. The NP42-50 activity requires the presence of Mg2+/Ca2+ and is insensitive to inactivation by heating at 80 degrees C for 5 min. Zinc effectively inhibited the enzymatic activity of NP42-50 on SDS-PAGE-DNA and also protected Jurkat cells from the CD95-mediated apoptosis in cell cultures. The nuclease activation, however, was not a unique pathway for the CD95-mediated cell death. The apoptosis induced by arabinofuranosyl cytosine, a chemotherapeutic agent, also activated the NP42-50 nuclease activity in Jurkat cells, suggesting that a similar cascade of subsequent events in apoptosis may occur in most instances although many different signals can initiate apoptotic cell death in various cell types. The nuclease identified by this study appears to be distinguishable from DNase I or DNase II by its molecular characteristics and its enzymatic requirements. The NP42-50, with respect to the nuclease activity closely associated with apoptotic cell death, may serve as a candidate for the endonuclease(s) involved in the cleavage of DNA into fragments during apoptosis.
Fretting Fatigue and Stress Relaxation Behaviors of Shot-Peened Ti-6Al-4V

Relaxation behavior of residual stress and its effect on fretting fatigue response of shot-peened titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V were investigated at room and elevated temperatures under constant amplitude cycling condition using two contact configurations, cylinder on flat and flat on flat. Measurements by X-ray diffraction method before and after tests showed that residual compressive stress relaxed during fretting fatigue. Fretting fatigue life depended on the amount of stress relaxation as well as on the applied stress range. Elevated temperature induced more residual stress relaxation relative to that at room temperature, which, in turn, resulted in a reduction of fretting fatigue life. There was no effect of contact geometry on fretting fatigue life on the basis of the applied cyclic stress on the specimen, which did not account for any effects from contact stresses, even though less residual stress relaxation occurred with flat pad. A critical plane based fatigue crack initiation model, modified shear stress range parameter (MSSR), was computed from finite element analysis for tests incorporating various levels of stress relaxation. It showed that not only crack initiation but also crack propagation should be considered to characterize fretting fatigue behavior of shot-peened specimens.
Small bowel tumours causing intussusception in childhood

In a series of 292 children with intussusception ten (3.5 per cent) were caused by small bowel tumours. The average age of these patients was greater than in idiopathic cases; seven of the ten being older than 2 years. Intussusception due to Peutz-Jeghers hamartomas was jejunojejunal whereas other small bowel tumours causing intussusception were in the terminal ileum. The majority of these intussusceptions were either irreducible or gangrenous and all required resection of bowel. There was only one death in the entire series of 292 patients, and this was a child with lymphosarcoma.
Psychosocial risk and protective factors for condom use among female injection drug users.

The authors examined the influences of domains of psychosocial risk and protective factors on male-partner condom use in a cohort of 209 female HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) injection drug users (IDUs) by use of a cross-sectional, retrospective design. Information collected from a structured questionnaire included data on psychosocial risk and protective factors in the personality, family, and peer domains; HIV status; and condom use. Among HIV+ IDUs, personality risk factors (e.g., unconventionality), family (e.g., low maternal identification), and peer factors were related to less male-partner condom use. Resources and condom availability were associated with greater male condom use with both HIV+ and HIV- IDUs. The psychosocial domains affected male condom use with both HIV+ and HIV- female IDU patients via two different mediational models. The findings suggest the need to use specific psychosocial interventions for risky sexual behavior among HIV+ and HIV- female IDUs.
Nutrition and nonparticipation in the US food stamp programme

Microdata from the National Food Consumption Survey are used to test for differences in caloric and protein intake distributions. We compare poor households that participate in the US food stamp programme to eligible households that do not participate. Tests for stochastic dominance provide unambiguous evidence that eligible nonparticipants suffer from relative undernutrition compared to participating households. Probit analysis is used to identify characteristics of participating and nonparticipating households.
Taste judgements and gustatory stimulus duration: taste quality, taste intensity, and reaction time

Etude systematique de la duree de reaction a differents stimuli sapides (sale, acide, complexes) a differentes concentrations, et terminologie utilisee par les membres du jury pour la description du gout percu. Exemples d'applications a des solutions de NaCl, de saccharine, de glutamate et d'acide citrique
The Optical Frequency Divider for High Spectral Purity Microwave Generation

An optical frequency comb locked to a stable optical reference can serve as a source for microwave signals having very high spectral purity. Here we describe the system architecture, and present our latest results.
Structure and in Vitro Molecular Chaperone Activity of Cytosolic Small Heat Shock Proteins from Pea

Plants synthesize several classes of small heat shock proteins ranging in size from 15 to 30 kDa. Two conserved classes, designated class I and class II, are localized to the cytosol. Recombinant HSP18.1 and HSP17.7, representing class I and class II proteins from pea, respectively, were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy demonstrated that the purified proteins formed discretely sized, high molecular weight complexes. Sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation revealed that the HSP18.1 and HSP17.7 complexes were composed of approximately 12 subunits. Both proteins were able to enhance the refolding of chemically denatured citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase at stoichiometric levels in an ATP-independent manner. Furthermore, HSP18.1 and HSP17.7 prevented aggregation of citrate synthase at 45°C and irreversible inactivation of citrate synthase at 38°C. HSP18.1 also suppressed aggregation of lactate dehydrogenase at 55°C. These findings demonstrate that HSP18.1 and HSP17.7 can function as molecular chaperones in vitro.
A Preliminary Assessment of Adjustment Disorder Among First-Year College Students

Using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria, we investigated whether the diagnosis adjustment disorder (AD) described first-year college students' adjustment problems. We found that a substantial portion of students experienced a set of adjustment symptoms meeting the AD criteria. Another portion of students reported adjustment concerns that were problematic but did not meet the AD diagnosis threshold. Female students tended to report more symptoms than do male students. College counseling implications are presented.
A principled dimension-reduction method for the population density approach to modeling networks of neurons with synaptic dynamics

The population density approach to neural network modeling has been utilized in a variety of contexts. The idea is to group many similar noisy neurons into populations and track the probability density function for each population that encompasses the proportion of neurons with a particular state rather than simulating individual neurons i.e., Monte Carlo. It is commonly used for both analytic insight and as a time-saving computational tool. The main shortcoming of this method is that when realistic attributes are incorporated in the underlying neuron model, the dimension of the probability density function increases, leading to intractable equations or, at best, computationally intensive simulations. Thus, developing principled dimension-reduction methods is essential for the robustness of these powerful methods. As a more pragmatic tool, it would be of great value for the larger theoretical neuroscience community. For exposition of this method, we consider a single uncoupled population of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons receiving external excitatory synaptic input only. We present a dimension-reduction method that reduces a two-dimensional partial differential-integral equation to a computationally efficient one-dimensional system and gives qualitatively accurate results in both the steady-state and nonequilibrium regimes. The method, termed modified mean-field method, is based entirely on the governing equations and not on any auxiliary variables or parameters, and it does not require fine-tuning. The principles of the modified mean-field method have potential applicability to more realistic i.e., higher-dimensional neural networks.
Mechanical Retinal Fixation Usiong Tacks

Since their introduction, retinal tacks have been increasingly used as an adjunct in the repair of complicated retinal detachments. Indications, results, and complications in a consecutive series of patients undergoing surgery for complicated retinal detachment are reported. Of the 47 patients with the potential for 6-month follow-up, 44 were available for evaluation. Overall complications were infrequent and usually controllable. At the 6-month follow-up interval, the macula was attached in 27 of the 44 patients (61%). Vision improved in 21 patients (48%). Between the intervals of 6 and 12 months, there was basic stability with two patients worsening in acuity, two patients improving, and 11 patients demonstrating no change. The use of retinal tacks appears to be a procedure with an acceptable complication rate which is helpful in repair of complex retinal detachments.
Aircraft health management network: A user interface

Network management is one of the most discussed topics in the networking fraternity. The efficiency of the network management suit is measured by the number of parameters/components handled by the application while making decisions. In the case of Internet-enabled aircrafts, along with network security, even aircraft safety needs to be considered as a factor while designing the network management suit. This requires the network management suit to monitor/analyze the aircraft-related data (avionics data, physical security parameters, etc.) while determining the proper functioning of the overall system. Herein, these authors present a framework for network management suit that, along with network health, monitors inputs from avionics, video surveillance system, weather monitoring system, and manual pilot alarms, and based on the situation, reconfigures the on-board networking devices to stream appropriate flight-critical data to the ground station. The proposed framework attempts to provide a comprehensive user interface for the flight health monitoring crew with all relevant data.
Indirect Recognition in Sequence-specific DNA Binding by Escherichia coli Integration Host Factor: THE ROLE OF DNA DEFORMATION ENERGY *

Integration host factor (IHF) is a bacterial histone-like protein whose primary biological role is to condense the bacterial nucleoid and to constrain DNA supercoils. It does so by binding in a sequence-independent manner throughout the genome. However, unlike other structurally related bacterial histone-like proteins, IHF has evolved a sequence-dependent, high affinity DNA-binding motif. The high affinity binding sites are important for the regulation of a wide range of cellular processes. A remarkable feature of IHF is that it employs an indirect readout mechanism to bind and wrap DNA at both the nonspecific and high affinity (sequence-dependent) DNA sites. In this study we assessed the contributions of pre-formed and protein-induced DNA conformations to the energetics of IHF binding. Binding energies determined experimentally were compared with energies predicted for the IHF-induced deformation of the DNA helix (DNA deformation energy) in the IHF-DNA complex. Combinatorial sets of de novo DNA sequences were designed to systematically evaluate the influence of sequence-dependent structural characteristics of the conserved IHF recognition elements of the consensus DNA sequence. We show that IHF recognizes pre-formed conformational characteristics of the consensus DNA sequence at high affinity sites, whereas at all other sites relative affinity is determined by the deformational energy required for nearest-neighbor base pairs to adopt the DNA structure of the bound DNA-IHF complex.