cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computed Data-Geometry Based Supervised and Semi-supervised Learning in High Dimensional Data

In most high dimensional settings, constructing supervised or semi-supervised learning rules has been facing various critically difficult issues, such as no visualizing tools for empirical guidance, no valid distance measures, and no suitable variable selection methods for proper discrimination among data nodes. We attempt to alleviate all of these difficulties by computing data-geometry via a recently developed computational algorithm called Data Cloud geometry (DCG). The computed geometry is represented by a hierarchy of clusters providing a base for developing a divide-and-conquer version of a learning approach. We demonstrate the advantages of taking posteriori geometric information into learning rules construction by evaluating its performance with many illustrated examples and several real data sets compared to the performance resulting from the majority of commonly used techniques.
Evaluation of Head Injury Criteria Under Different Impact Loading

The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) has been employed as a measure of traumatic brain injury arising from an impact involving linear acceleration. Some investigators have been reported the shortcomings of the HIC regarding the angular accelerations, head mass and the precise threshold of injury level [1, 2]. In this study the effect of acceleration curves, as a frontal impact, and the HIC values on the strain in the brain was critically analyzed. Specifically in this paper, the strains in the brain for three sets of acceleration pulses, where the peak of the curve takes place early or later (advanced or delayed) during the pulse time, were investigated. The results of this study indicate that for two different acceleration pulses, with the same peak value, duration and the same HIC values the strains in the brain are different. Therefore there is a need for further research leading to better criteria or modification of the HIC as it relates to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Surface Reactivity of Supported Gold II. Hydrogen Transfer Between Benzene and Cyclohexane

Abstract The rate of redistribution of 14C between benzene and cyclohexane has been investigated over supported Au catalysts, in the temperature range 200 to 250 °C, partial pressures of ~0.2 atm, and total pressure 1 atm. The catalyst variables studied were the Au concentration, 0.3 to 5 wt %, and the catalyst support, Al2O3, MgO. Two methods of catalyst preparation were employed. In one, Au particles were formed by low temperature (~100 °C) chemical reduction, while in the second method by thermal decomposition of the Au salt at higher temperatures. Diameter of the Au particles ranged between 40 to >1600 A depending upon the type of support and preparative method. From the experimental results the reaction rate constant and the analytical relation between the ratio cyclohexane/benzene and reaction rate were determined. Rate constants of the order of (1 to 10) × 10−6 [mole/g(cat)sec] were calculated. The analytical relation between the cyclohexane/ benzene ratio and the reaction rate was found to change for values of the ratio ≈3. The extent of the available metal surface per weight of metal was found to influence the reaction rate constant. This intrinsic surface effect was detected under conditions such that the molecular mean free path of reactants and products was large in relation to the diameter of the metal particle. It is suggested that whenever particle size and molecular free path are of the same order of magnitude, surface effects do not lend to easy detection. The general picture of the reactivity of surfaces of finely dispersed Au toward hydrogen and oxygen is compared.
Whose Vision Fulfilled? Toward a Rightful Ideological Progenitor for the U.S. Federal Depository Library Program

Abstract This article addresses the assertion, advanced by the Depository Library Council (DLC) to the Public Printer, that James Madison's political writings serve as the ideological underpinning for the Federal Depository Library Program. In ascertaining the validity of the DLC's claim, this article reviews the evolution of Anglo-American thought regarding the concept of an informed citizenry, and concludes by suggesting persons who may rightfully be considered the harbingers of a federal depository library program.
Vision and Ritual in Native America

Howard L. Harrod. Renewing the World: Plains Indian Religion and Morality. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press, 1987. xiv. 213 pp. $22.50 (cloth).
Re-design of Rhodobacter sphaeroides Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reductase ENHANCEMENT OF ADENOSINE N1-OXIDE REDUCTASE ACTIVITY

The periplasmic DMSO reductase fromRhodobacter sphaeroides f. sp. denitrificanshas been expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells in its mature form and with the R. sphaeroides or E. coli N-terminal signal sequence. Whereas the R. sphaeroides signal sequence prevents formation of active enzyme, addition of a 6× His-tag at the N terminus of the mature peptide maximizes production of active enzyme and allows for affinity purification. The recombinant protein contains 1.7–1.9 guanines and greater than 0.7 molybdenum atoms per molecule and has a DMSO reductase activity of 3.4–3.7 units/nmol molybdenum, compared with 3.7 units/nmol molybdenum for enzyme purified from R. sphaeroides. The recombinant enzyme differs from the native enzyme in its color and spectrum but is indistinguishable from the native protein after redox cycling with reduced methyl viologen and Me2SO. Substitution of Cys for the molybdenum-ligating Ser-147 produced a protein with DMSO reductase activity of 1.4–1.5 units/nmol molybdenum. The mutant protein differs from wild type in its color and absorption spectrum in both the oxidized and reduced states. This substitution leads to losses of 61–99% of activity toward five substrates, but the adenosine N 1-oxide reductase activity increases by over 400%.
Albedo, internal heat flux, and energy balance of Saturn

Abstract Full-disk and high-resolution measurements recorded during the Voyager 1 flyby of Saturn by the radiometer of the infrared instrument, IRIS, indicate a geometric albedo of 0.242 ± 0.012, which is lower than previous estimates. The given error is largely due to uncertainties in systematic corrections; random effects are small. Combining this measurement with the Pioneer-derived phase integral yields a Bond albedo of 0.342 ± 0.030. Infrared spectra recorded at the same time by the Michelson interferometer, along with a model extrapolation to wavenumbers not covered by the instrument, yield an effective temperature of 95.0 ± 0.4°K. As in the case of the radiometer, random instrumental errors are small, and the quoted error in the effective temperature reflects primarily uncertainties in systematic corrections. The rings of Saturn significantly affect both the short- and long-wavelength fluxes. From these measurements the internal heat flux of Saturn is 2.01 ± 0.14 10−4W cm−2, and the energy balance, defined as the ratio of total emitted to total absorbed energy, is 1.78 ± 0.09.
“You Just Don't Cross Them”: Adolescent Interactions with Text Across Discourses

Abstract This article explores how adolescents interact with multimodal texts across shifting contexts, including social, academic, and digital ones. The author considers the ability of teens to articulate the boundaries and fluidity of multiple discourse systems and to maneuver across and within them with ease. The author further explores pedagogical implications, including shifting power dynamics occurring in schools. A new model for schooling is suggested, which incorporates multiple discourses and promotes a new term, “relational neteracy.”
Effect of nitrogen ion implantation on impact wear

Abstract The effect of nitrogen ion implantation on the impact wear of several metals and alloys with different hardnesses was studied. An impact testing machine was built for this study. In this machine, bullet-shaped projectiles are bounced against a metal surface which is either stationary or rotating. Wear was determined by weight loss measurements. Scanning electron microscopy pictures were taken to study the surface damage. It was found that nitrogen ion implantation improved the impact wear of most of the materials studied. With sliding motion added during the impact, nitrogen ion implantation has little effect.
Speech and pause characteristics associated with voluntary rate reduction in Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to investigate how speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) accomplish voluntary reductions in speech rate. A group of talkers with no history of neurological disease was included for comparison. This study was motivated by the idea that knowledge of how speakers with dysarthria voluntarily accomplish a reduced speech rate would contribute toward a descriptive model of speaking rate change in dysarthria. Such a model has the potential to assist in identifying rate control strategies to receive focus in clinical treatment programs and also would advance understanding of global speech timing in dysarthria. All speakers read a passage in Habitual and Slow conditions. Speech rate, articulation rate, pause duration, and pause frequency were measured. All speaker groups adjusted articulation time as well as pause time to reduce overall speech rate. Group differences in how voluntary rate reduction was accomplished were primarily one of quantity or degree. Overall, a slower-than-normal rate was associated with a reduced articulation rate, shorter speech runs that included fewer syllables, and longer more frequent pauses. Taken together, these results suggest that existing skills or strategies used by patients should be emphasized in dysarthria training programs focusing on rate reduction. Results further suggest that a model of voluntary speech rate reduction based on neurologically normal speech shows promise as being applicable for mild to moderate dysarthria. Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to: (1) describe the importance of studying voluntary adjustments in speech rate in dysarthria, (2) discuss how speakers with Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis adjust articulation time and pause time to slow speech rate.
Divisors of codeword weights

The exponent of a nonzero linear code over a finite field of characteristic p is the exponent in the highest power of p dividing the weights of all the codewords. If the code is a right ideal in a group algebra the exponent is related to invariant multilinear forms on the code. This expository paper presents recent results obtained from that relation, extending earlier work of Delsarte and McEliece.
The MultiJurisdictional Disclosure System: Model for Future Cooperation?

This study investigates whether the MultiJurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS) was successful in meeting its stated objectives, namely, facilitating cross-border offerings and reporting by Canadian firms. The MJDS is a bilateral agreement implemented in July 1991 between Canadian and US market regulators. It is hypothesized that facilitating crossborder offerings via the MJDS will lead to an increase in the number of US listings by Canadian firms and reduced costs of US listing for extant Canadian listers. Data evaluated include changes in US exchange listings from 1987 to 1995 and questionnaires to two subgroups of Canadian firms: (1) the population of Canadian firms listing their securities in US and Canadian markets and (2) a sample of Canadian firms listing only on Canadian exchanges. We conclude that for most Canadian firms, the MJDS provides no significant benefit. Further, few firms reported that the MJDS affected their decision to list in the United States. Our results suggest that the MJDS has not, overall, provided the benefits originally envisioned under it, and we question whether it is an appropriate model for future cooperation between national regulatory groups.
Relative Hooking Mortality among Walleyes Caught on Barbed and Barbless Octopus Hooks and Barbed Jigs

Abstract Anglers sometimes use alternatives or modifications to J-shaped hooks to reduce hooking mortality in fish that are caught with live baits and then released. One such modification, the removal of barbs, has been evaluated for several fish species but has shown little promise for reducing hooking mortality; however, barbless hooks have not been evaluated for walleye Sander vitreus. We evaluated relative mortality for walleyes (228–419 mm total length) that were caught by means of bobber fishing with leeches on barbed (n = 179 fish) or barbless (n = 209) live-bait octopus hooks or on barbed jigs (n = 193); after capture, the fish were held for 120 h in net pens. Holding mortality was a function of water temperature, cage density, bleeding level, and hook location; fish length and angler handling time did not significantly affect mortality. We combined hook location and bleeding level to create a single variable, hooking damage, which was used to replace the two variables in the initial model. This s...
Human surfactant protein-A contains blood group A antigenic determinants.

ABSTRACT: A major blood group antigenic epitope was identified on human pulmonary surfactant protein A (SPA). MAb and polyclonal antibodies generated against purified human SP-A aggregated blood group A human erythrocytes and immunostaine epithelial cells in a variety of human tissues, consistent with the tissue distribution of major blood group antigens. SP-A MAb (MAb-8) agglutinated red cells and immunostained tissues from A or AB blood groups, but did not react with cells or tissues from O or B individuals. MAb-8 immunostaining of tissue from blood group A individuals was ablated by incubation with blood group A red cells. MAb and polyclonal antibodies directed against A blood group antigens reacted strongly with purified SP-A obtained from a blood group A individual with alveolar proteinosis. MAb and polyclonal antibodies specific for B blood group antigen failed to react with SP-A from this patient or from patients who were in blood group B. Reactivity of anti-blood group MAb was lost after treatment of SP-A with endoglycosidase-F, demonstrating its reactivity with an epitope dependent on the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide at asparagine 187. Reactivity of MAb-8 with SP-A persisted after endoglycosidase-F treatment, but was lost after digestion with collegenase as assessed by Western blot after SDS-PAGE. Reactivity of MAb to SP-A was sensitive to β-elimination, supporting the presence of another blood group antigenic site distinct from the epitope dependent on the asparagine-linked carbohydrate. The finding that the SP-A molecule contains a major blood group epitope has implication for the clinical use of surfactant replacement preparations and diagnostic reagents based on this protein.
Genetic correlations among ethanol-related behaviors and neurotensin receptors in Long Sleep (LS) × Short Sleep (SS) recombinant inbred strains of mice

Studies were designed to examine the hypothesis that genetic based differences in sensitivity to several behavioral effects of ethanol are mediated, in part, by shared genes and that some of ethanol's actions are mediated by brain neurotensinergic processes. In these studies we have used recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice derived from Long Sleep (LS/Ibg) and Short Sleep (SS/Ibg) lines of mice. The LS and SS mice were selectively bred to differ in hypnotic sensitivity but also differ in hypothermia and locomotor effects of ethanol. Therefore LSxSS RI strains were used to answer the question whether there are shared genetic influences on these diverse ethanol actions. Moreover, since the LS and SS mice were found to differ in neurotensin (NT) receptor densities in various brain regions, the LSxSS RI strains were used to determine associations between NT receptor densities and ethanol actions. The results showed a significant genetic correlation (r=.38) between hypnotic sensitivity and low-dose locomotor effects of ethanol and indicated multigenetic influences, with estimates of seven, four and three genes being responsible for mediating differences in hypnotic, hypothermic, and locomotor effects of ethanol, respectively. The findings are consistent with one or more genes having pleiotropic effects on these ethanol actions.
Abnormal lipid composition of very low density lipoproteins in diagnosis of broad-beta disease (Type III hyperlipoproteinemia)

Abstract In an effort to define quantitative criteria for the diagnosis of broad-β disease (Type III hyperlipoproteinemia), the cholesterol and triglyceride contents of isolated very low density lipoproteins (VLDL, d 20) were analyzed in normal and hyper-lipoproteinemic subjects. The cholesterol/triglyceride ratio among the subjects with broad-β disease was 0.60 ± 0.11 (mean ± SD). This was significantly higher than the ratio among normal subjects (0.35 ± 0.08), subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (Type IIa) (0.39 ± 0.05), endogenous lipemia (Type IV) (0.27 ± 0.06), or endogenous lipemia with chylomicrons (Type V) (0.25 ± 0.08). Among subjects who did not have broad-β disease, lower triglyceride levels were associated with a higher VLDL cholesterol/triglyceride ratio. Thus, among normo-triglyceridemic individuals ( triglyceride 40 mg 100 ml ) several individual values for this ratio nearly overlapped with individual ratios from the broad-β group. However, no overlap in these ratios was observed between hyper-triglyceridemic subjects (Types IV and V) and those with broad-β disease. It is therefore proposed that a VLDL cholesterol/triglyceride ratio of > 0.42 (the upper limit of the range observed among subjects with endogenous lipemia) be considered diagnostic of broad-β disease in a hypertriglyceridemic individual.
Interaction of Solidification Fronts With Embedded Particles and Biological Cells

The interaction of solidification fronts with embedded heterogeneities, such as particles and living cells, is an important physical ingredient underlying the successful solidification processing of some materials. An example in the first category is the processing of metal-matrix composites (MMCs) where solidifying metal dendrites interact with ceramic reinforcements [1–3]. Processing of biological material, such as cells and tissue for cryopreservation [4], falls into the second category. In each case, the evolving solidification microstructure interacts in complex ways with the embedded particle.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Thinking for breakthroughs

Purpose – How can executives improve the odds of generating breakthrough ideas and solutions in their organizations? In contrast to methods like brainstorming and widely available ideation methods – this viewpoint proposes more disciplined approaches to thinking can greatly enhance the odds of breakthroughs. Through a series of illustrative examples primarily focused on creating differentiated thought leadership, this article outlines five approaches to critical thinking that can enhance the likelihood of new strategies and discoveries.Design/methodology/approach – As a viewpoint this article is based on personal reflection and analysis of prior professional experiencesFindings – This viewpoint outlines five strategies that executives can use to sharpen their thinking skills to generate breakthroughs. These include: attending to anomalies; pushing ideas to their limit and beyond; changing coordinate frames; building on and adapting prior models to new contexts; and “black box” abstraction as approaches ev...
Two-wave-plate compensator method for full-field retardation measurements.

The two-wave-plate compensator (TWC) method is expanded for full-field retardation measurements by use of a polarization microscope. The sample image is projected onto a CCD camera connected to a computer, allowing the retardation to be measured at all pixels. The retardation accuracy of this implementation of the TWC is evaluated to be 0.06 nm. The method is applied to polarization-maintaining fibers and long-period fiber gratings. The measured retardation is in good agreement with the crossed-polarizer images of the fibers. The method achieves a spatial resolution of 0.45 µm and a retardation resolution of 0.07 nm. The full-field TWC method can thus be a useful tool for characterizing and monitoring the fabrication of optical devices.
Surfactant Treatment Effects on Lung Structure and Type II Cells of Preterm Ventilated Lambs

We evaluated surfactant treatment effects on lung morphology and alveolar type II cells of preterm ventilated lambs. Lambs were ventilated for 10 h following treatment of the right lung with natural s
Using properties for uniform interaction in the Presto document system

Most document or information management systems rely on hierarchies to organise documents (e.g. files, email messages or web bookmarks). However, the rigid structures of hierarchical schemes do not mesh well with the more fluid nature of everyday document practices. This paper describes Presto, a prototype system that allows users to organise their documents entirely in terms of the properties those documents hold for users. Properties provide a uniform mechanism for managing, coding, searching, retrieving and interacting with documents. We concentrate in particular on the challenges that property-based approaches present and the architecture we have developed to tackle them.
TAJ, a Novel Member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Family, Activates the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Pathway and Mediates Caspase-independent Cell Death *

We have isolated a novel member of the TNFR family, designated TAJ, that is highly expressed during embryonic development. TAJ possesses a unique cytoplasmic domain with no sequence homology to the previously characterized members of the TNFR family. TAJ interacts with the TRAF family members and activates the JNK pathway when overexpressed in mammalian cells. Although it lacks a death domain, TAJ is capable of inducing apoptosis by a caspase-independent mechanism. Based on its unique expression profile and signaling properties, TAJ may play an essential role in embryonic development.
Impact of imperfect Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis vaccines in dairy herds: A mathematical modeling approach

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential impacts of imperfect Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) vaccines on the dynamics of MAP infection in US dairy herds using a mathematical modeling approach. Vaccine-based control programs have been implemented to reduce the prevalence of MAP infection in some dairy herds; however, MAP vaccines are imperfect. Vaccines can provide partial protection for susceptible calves, reduce the infectiousness of animals shedding MAP, lengthen the latent period of infected animals, slow the progression from low shedding to high shedding in infectious animals, and reduce clinical disease. To quantitatively study the impacts of imperfect MAP vaccines, we developed a deterministic multi-group vaccination model and performed global sensitivity analyses. Our results explain why MAP vaccination might have a beneficial, negligible, or detrimental effect in the reduction of prevalence and show that vaccines that are beneficial to individual animals may not be useful for a herd-level control plan. The study suggests that high efficacy vaccines that are aimed at reducing the susceptibility of the host are the most effective in controlling MAP transmission. This work indicates that MAP vaccination should be integrated into a comprehensive control program that includes test-and-cull intervention and improved calf rearing management.
Effects of gonadotrophins and androgens on the sex organs of the estrogen-treated male rat.

SummaryThe effects of various pituitary extracts and androgenic steroids on the sex-organs of the estrogen-treated immature male rat were studied. Testosterone induced growth of the seminal vesicles and ventral prostate with similar threshold-doses and dose-response slopes for both organs, but did not cause testicular enlargement except at high dose levels. Purified ovine LH and pregnenolone induced growth of the ventral prostate but the dose-response slope was considerably less than that obtained with testosterone, androstenedione, 17 α hydroxyprogester-one, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone or crude pituitary extracts. Unlike testosterone, neither purified LH nor pregnenolone induced growth of the seminal vesicles except at very high dose levels, but both caused enlargement of the testes at doses that barely effected prostate size.
Towards smarter documents

Document analysis research typically focuses on document image understanding or classic problems in text classification, clustering, summarization and discovery. While that is an important aspect of document management, in practice, documents lifecycles are often determined by the context of the business process that they are relevant to. It therefore becomes necessary for the document analysis techniques to recognize and leverage the contextual information provided by a supporting schema and business process. This paper presents an intelligent document management framework with relevant document analysis, metadata extraction, and business process association algorithms and methodology. The architecture supporting this framework seamlessly integrates a runtime environment with an authoring environment by combining relational data modeling tools with document classification techniques. The runtime environment accepts incoming documents, classifies the document, extracts metadata and executes customized business logic. The authoring environment supports the association of a class of documents with a relational document schema, identification of attribute values that must be extracted automatically, generation of relevant business logic, and deployment of authoring artifacts into the runtime architecture. We demonstrate the use of this framework with representative real-world document transformative applications.
Rana computatrix to human language: towards a computational neuroethology of language evolution

Walter's Machina speculatrix inspired the name Rana computatrix for a family of models of visuomotor coordination in the frog, which contributed to the development of computational neuroethology. We offer here an 'evolutionary' perspective on models in the same tradition for rat, monkey and human. For rat, we show how the frog-like taxon affordance model provides a basis for the spatial navigation mechanisms that involve the hippocampus and other brain regions. For monkey, we recall two models of neural mechanisms for visuomotor coordination. The first, for saccades, shows how interactions between the parietal and frontal cortex augment superior colliculus seen as the homologue of frog tectum. The second, for grasping, continues the theme of parieto-frontal interactions, linking parietal affordances to motor schemas in premotor cortex. It further emphasizes the mirror system for grasping, in which neurons are active both when the monkey executes a specific grasp and when it observes a similar grasp executed by others. The model of human-brain mechanisms is based on the mirror-system hypothesis of the evolution of the language-ready brain, which sees the human Broca's area as an evolved extension of the mirror system for grasping.
THEORY OF ACOUSTIC IMAGING IN THE OCEAN WITH AMBIENT NOISE

Following a recent experiment in which ambient noise (acoustic daylight) was used as the sole source of acoustic illumination for detecting objects in the ocean, a full wave-theoretic analysis is presented in this article of the visibility of a pressure-release spherical target when illuminated by ambient noise showing various degrees of anisotropy. The basis of the analysis is a new, accurate approximation for the Green's function representing the field around the sphere. From this expression, an analysis of the acoustic contrast is developed, as observed at the output of an endfire line array, which constitutes the acoustic lens. Our essential conclusion is that, even in isotropic noise, which presents one of the least favourable conditions for incoherent imaging, the visibility of the sphere (i.e. the ratio of intensities with the sphere present and absent) is approximately 4 dB. This is consistent with our early experimental observations, and is adequate to form the basis of an acoustic daylight imaging system.
English Grammar: Answer keys: Test yourself questions – Unit 6

Test yourself 18.1 You can hide between trips and make believe you're innocent. Was it near here or over there? Roger looked around but he didn't see anything. They'll eat chicken or turkey for dinner. Mr. Joseph pulled out three letters and handed one to each of the men. Test yourself 18.2 Mr. Eagle was called away on business, so Mrs. Broxton took his place at the meeting. sentences He'd heard of it, but he didn't like the idea. sentences Erin felt real excitement and enthusiasm. nouns It was raining hard, yet we went to the ball game. sentences The airline attendant asked,“Would you like coffee or tea?” nouns Test yourself 18.3 I'll be near or between the stacks. prepositions He came up with a quick and effective remedy. adjectives I hope you won't worry or brood too much about it. verbs This trip will be expensive but worthwhile. adjectives I am at or near a breakthrough. prepositions
Generating instruction streams using abstract CSP

One of the challenges that processor level stimuli generators are facing is the need to generate stimuli that exercise microarchitectural mechanisms deep inside the verified processor. These scenarios require specific relations between the instructions participating in them. We present a new approach for processor-level scenario generation. The approach is based on creating an abstract constraint satisfaction problem, which captures the essence of the requested scenario. The generation of stimuli is done by interleaving between progress in the solution of the abstract CSP and generation of instructions. Compared with existing solutions of scenario generation, this approach yields improved coverage and reduced generation fail rate.
Surface Induced Glass Transition in a Confined Molecular Liquid

The structural relaxation of a glass-forming simple liquid, 3-methylpentane, is studied by triplet state solvation dynamics as a function of the distance from the surface in porous silica. By bonding the optical probes to the pore surface, we observe interfacial dynamics which are 3 orders of magnitude slower compared with the bulk, equivalent to a surface induced glass transition. Consistent with length scales of cooperativity, these effects disappear for distances from the surface exceeding a few nanometers.
Lyapunov functionals for a class of delay-differential systems†

Conditions are found guaranteeing stability of a class of non-autonomous delay-differential systems. The principal result of this work is the construction of a functional, and the use of this functional to derive a set of theorems concerning the stability. To illustrate the results, some examples are given.
Strömgren uvby photometry of the magnetic Chemically Peculiar stars HD 32633, 25 Sex, HR 7224, and HD 200311

Differential Stromgren uvby photometric observations from the Four College Automated Photoelectric Telescope refine the rotational periods and define the shapes of the light curves of four magnetic Chemically Peculiar stars. HD 32633 () exhibits an in-phase variability with asymmetrically shaped light curves. 25 Sex () has a complex variability with the v , b , and y light variability crudely in phase, but quite different from that of u . HR 7224 () shows in-phase variability with two nearly equal secondary minima. HD 200311 (), which was previous thought to be a long period variable, is found to be a modest photometric variable.
Role of Astrocytes in Leptin Signaling

To test the hypothesis that astrocytic leptin signaling induces an overall potentiation of the neuronal response to leptin, we generated a new line of astrocyte-specific leptin receptor knockout (ALKO-Δ1) mice in which no leptin receptor is expressed in astrocytes. Corresponding to cell-specific Cre recombinase expression in hypothalamic astrocytes but not neurons, this new strain of ALKO mice had attenuated pSTAT3 signaling in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus 30 min after intracerebroventricular delivery of leptin. In response to high-fat diet for 2 months, the ALKO mice showed a greater increase of percent fat and blood leptin concentration. This coincided with a mild reactive gliosis in the hypothalamus. Overall, the absence of leptin receptors in astrocytes attenuated hypothalamic pSTAT3 signaling, induced a mild reactive morphology, and promoted the development of diet-induced obesity. We conclude that leptin signaling in astrocytes is essential for the homeostasis of neuroendocrine regulation in obesity.
Interrupted interface on the cybernetics of digital design process

Abstract From the viewpoint of Batesonian cybernetics, ‘conscious purpose’ and ‘artistic process’ are distinct ends of a spectrum of the functioning of ‘self’. The conceptual stage of the design process is essentially an artistic activity unencumbered with accuracy, dimensionality, scale, program or even tectonics, albeit all of these maybe tacitly present at the ‘back of a designer's mind’. Artistic activities involve broad mental processes that are beneath the stratum of consciousness. By definition, consciousness is selective awareness; it is linear in execution and limited in its capability to synthesize complex parameters. One of the central questions of this paper is “if artistic process requires one to abandon, or relinquish conscious purpose at the time of the generation of the work of art, and if the early stages of artistic process is a result of a vast number of ‘unconscious’ forces and impulses, then how can the computer, which demands (and thus propagates) geometric precision, focused operation and rational execution, be part of that process?” This paper will explore how, cybernetically, the computer can be ‘coupled’ with ‘self’ (via a visual interface) and the artistic process. Three specially devised conceptual design exercises—namely BlurrDesign, BlinDesign and BlitzDesign—and three corresponding “interruptive” computer interface modifications were deployed in an introduction to digital media course. The results of this study are now under consideration for their effectiveness in promoting conceptual design using the computer, and how the ‘self’ might form a cybernetic whole with the machine. The findings could have implications in design pedagogy, informatics and interface design.
Use of proteomics for design of a tailored host cell for highly efficient protein purification

After some initial optimization, a downstream process comprised of one or several chromatography steps removes the majority of the host proteins and achieves a reasonable degree of purification. The separation of remaining contaminant proteins from the target protein could become very difficult and costly due to their similar physicochemical properties. In this paper we describe a highly efficient strategy, based on proteomic analysis and elution chromatography, by which a protein of interest may be isolated from copurifying contaminants. Mutant strains of Escherichia coli were prepared that are deficient in three prevalent host proteins found in a strategic fraction of an elution profile of nickel immobilized affinity chromatography. Recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFPuv) served as a model protein and its elution was directed to this optimized fraction with an N-terminus hexahistidine tag (his(6)), thereby easing its recovery. We demonstrate that proteomic data can facilitate the rational engineering of host cell expressing the target protein and the design of an efficient process for its purification.
Modeling pilot plant results for CO2 stripping using piperazine in two stage flash

Abstract Piperazine (PZ) has shown good potential for use as a solvent for CO 2 absorption in post-combustion carbon capture It has a high absorption rate good capacity and very good resistance to thermal and oxidative degradation . Thermodynamic and kinetic models for PZ-CO 2 -water have been developed in Aspen Plus® . Pilot scale experiments were conducted on a 0.1 MW scale at the Separations Research Program at UT Austin to demonstrate the performance of concentrated (8 m) PZ using an intercooled absorber and a two-stage flash. This paper describes modeling and simulation of CO 2 stripping from PZ using data from two pilot campaigns conducted in Winter and Fall 2011. Vapor liquid equilibrium equations and thermodynamic models for this system were validated using pilot plant data and found to satisfactorily represent the actual operating conditions. Rigorous reconciliation was done on Fall 2011 data using Aspen Plus® Data Fit. The only major systematic adjustments were found in the CO 2 measurements, which required 1.2 to 6.9% increase to match the predicted model values. The best equivalent work was 45.5 kJ/mol CO 2 in Winter 2011 and 36.6 kJ/mol CO 2 in Fall 2011. The validated model predicted that the pilot plant stripper configuration should be able to achieve 32.6 kJ/mol at its optimum operating conditions. Major parameters that affected pilot plant performance were low values of rich loading and non-optimal operation of lean loading and cold rich bypass. Optimized values of operating conditions at 0.4 rich loading were identified as 0.31 lean ldg and 4% cold rich bypass flow.
The Changing Face of Phase 1 Cancer Clinical Trials : New Challenges in Study Requirements

Phase 1 studies in cancer have changed in recent years. Now, with the advent of new, less toxic, targeted agents, more patients may be candidates for new drug studies earlier in the course of their disease. It is to the advantage of the members of the oncology community to know more regarding the details and requirements for participation in early-phase clinical trials so they can advocate for their patients and help them decide when such trials may be an appropriate choice. To examine the work intensity of early phase cancer clinical trials, the authors of this report compared the study requirements of phase 1 and 2 protocols. Five parameters were studied as a surrogate of study complexity-the number of physical examinations, vital sign determinations, electrocardiograms (ECGs), nonpharmacokinetic laboratory tests, and pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling-in the first 4 weeks of protocol in 90 studies (49 phase 1 studies and 41 phase 2 studies). From July 2004 through March 2007, there were 49 phase 1 trials in the phase 1 Program, 9 phase 2 studies that were conducted by physicians appointed in that program, and 32 phase 2 trials with accessible data in the Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology. In the phase 1 trials versus the phase 2 trials, there were significantly more (P < .05) physical examinations (mean +/- standard error, 3.16 +/- 0.24 vs 2.22 +/- 0.13), vital sign determinations (5.63 +/- 0.61 vs 2.80 +/- 0.26), ECGs (4.36 +/- 1.16 vs 0.80 +/- 0.17), nonpharmacokinetic laboratory tests (18.08 +/- 1.31 vs 10.12 +/- 0.65), and PK sampling (15.14 +/- 1.79 vs 1.02 +/- 0.53). These values also differed significantly (P < .005 for each) when the median values were compared in nonparametric tests. Although both phase 1 and phase 2 trials had substantial study requirements, those for the phase 1 studies were significantly higher. The successful conduct of early-phase clinical trials requires significant research infrastructure.
SU‐E‐T‐358: Monte Carlo Dose Calculation of Small Field Electron Beams

Purpose: Dynamic radiotherapy involving electron beams such as Dynamic Electron Arc Radiotherapy (DEAR) requires accurate dose modelling of small field sizes, similar to the requirement of IMRT field on the small photon field. The current commercial electron Monte Carlo algorithms such as eMC v11 in Eclipse were developed for standard field sizes and do not support the planning of dynamic therapy yet. The purpose of this study is to develop a method to accurately model small field electron beam dosimetry using Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: Comparison between eMC, phantom measurements (diode), and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations (BEAMnrc/DOSYZnrc) were performed for a Varian TrueBeam linac. MC simulations utilized Varian TrueBeam phase space files which had been validated in another study. Static single small field was assessed by comparing dose distributions in water for a 16 MeV beam for circular (2 cm diameter) and rectangular (1×10 cm{sup 2}) cut-out. MC was performed with a resolution of 2.5×2.5×2 mm{sup 2} and statistical uncertainty < 4%. The dose distribution was averaged over adjacent bins to improve precision. Depth dose and orthogonal profiles were evaluated. Results: Small field PDDs differ from those with standard cones. For both circular and rectangular cutouts, the difference in rangemore » R8 0-R1 0 is less than 2 mm and in dose within 2%. For the orthogonal profiles, field size and penumbra differences were within 1 mm at depth of maximum dose. The eMC displayed a distinctive “step” in the out-field dose profile in disagreement with both measurement and MC results and needs further investigation. Conclusion: MC was able to characterize the small field dosimetry with good agreement with the measurement data, and thus offers the opportunity for treatment planning of dynamic radiotherapy. Analyses for all other electron energies and cut-out sizes are under way and results will be included in the presentation.« less
Quantum Networking with Atomic Ensembles in the Single Excitation Regime

Quantum networks hold the promise for revolutionary advances in information processing with entanglement distributed over remote locations via quantum repeaters. We report two milestones in this direction: the conditional control of memories and the implementation of functional nodes.
Efficient reachability query evaluation in large spatiotemporal contact datasets

With the advent of reliable positioning technologies and prevalence of location-based services, it is now feasible to accurately study the propagation of items such as infectious viruses, sensitive information pieces, and malwares through a population of moving objects, e.g., individuals, mobile devices, and vehicles. In such application scenarios, an item passes between two objects when the objects are sufficiently close (i.e., when they are, so-called, in contact), and hence once an item is initiated, it can penetrate the object population through the evolving network of contacts among objects, termed contact network. In this paper, for the first time we define and study reachability queries in large (i.e., disk-resident) contact datasets which record the movement of a (potentially large) set of objects moving in a spatial environment over an extended time period. A reachability query verifies whether two objects are "reachable" through the evolving contact network represented by such contact datasets. We propose two contact-dataset indexes that enable efficient evaluation of such queries despite the potentially humongous size of the contact datasets. With the first index, termed ReachGrid, at the query time only a small necessary portion of the contact network which is required for reachability evaluation is constructed and traversed. With the second approach, termed ReachGraph, we precompute reachability at different scales and leverage these precalculations at the query time for efficient query processing. We optimize the placement of both indexes on disk to enable efficient index traversal during query processing. We study the pros and cons of our proposed approaches by performing extensive experiments with both real and synthetic data. Based on our experimental results, our proposed approaches outperform existing reachability query processing techniques in contact networks by 76% on average.
Discriminating between generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified in a Hispanic population: is it only a matter of worry?

One hundred and two Hispanic persons who presented for treatment at a specialized anxiety disorders clinic were evaluated at intake using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-Revised (ADIS-R; DiNardo and Barlow [1988] Albany: Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, State University of New York at Albany). Results indicated that 14% of these patients suffered from anxiety and/or affective disorders that were not adequately captured by our current diagnostic system. Given that the majority of these cases were characterized by predominantly anxious features, further investigation was undertaken to determine the degree of overlap between these patients (anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified; NOS) and those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The two groups differed only with regard to the number of excessive worries they reported and not in terms of somatic symptomatology, psychosocial stressors, or demographic variables. These data suggest that excessive worry may be a discriminating factor between the GAD and NOS groups, providing support for the notion of GAD as a disorder of chromic worry. Future research is needed to tease apart the relative influences of culture and socioeconomic status on our findings. Depression and Anxiety 5:1–6, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Green clouds and black swans in the exascale era

The petascale milestone is behind us, and the next grand challenge is to design systems and datacenters for the exascale era (10^18 flops). this talk will speculate on challenges and opportunities in understanding and characterizing workloads in the exascale era, with particular emphasis on potential “black swan events*”.
Physiological changes during development and ripening of ‘Perlita’ muskmelon fruits

Abstract ‘Perlita’ muskmelon fruit (Cucumis melo L.) grown under both field and greenhouse conditions were sampled at 10-day intervals for 50 days after pollination to determine changes in pH, soluble sugars, total protein, β-carotene, tissue firmness, cell wall composition, cell wall degrading enzymes, total calcium and bound calcium. The sucrose content of fruits increased substantially after 40 days post-anthesis, which compensated for the significant decreases in glucose and fructose content. Acidity and total protein remained relatively unchanged throughout the sampling period. β-carotene increased from 0.3% (w/w) at 10 days post-pollination to 2.7% (w/w) in 50-day old melons. Tissue firmness measured by shear force decreased by 400% between 30 and 50 days postanthesis. No significant changes in cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin content of the cell wall were detected. Cx-cellulase and pectinmethylesterase activity were detected but remained constant or declined during ripening; polygalacturonase activity was not detected. The major compositional changes in developing and ripening fruit were sucrose, glucose, fructose and β-carotene. In spite of dramatic decreases in tissue firmness, concomitant changes in crude cell wall fractions and associated cell wall degrading enzymes were not detected.