cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Interactions Between The Bending Vibrations Of A Plate And A Fluid Layer Attenuator

Abstract A recently developed formalism is applied to the analysis of wave blocking phenomena observed in plate-fluid layer systems. In addition to the well-known dissipative dynamic behavior, this study calls attention to the locally reacting and stiffness-dominated characteristics of viscous compressible fluid layers. It is shown that, at small layer thicknesses, the increased flow resistance leads to shorter wavelengths and inefficient pumping of the fluid, and causes the locally reacting dynamic behavior of a fluid layer. The spatial variation of the reactive and resistive dynamic properties of a rectangular fluid layer are studied by using a surface impedance. In the applications, linear dynamic interactions between the flexural waves of a plate and a small air layer attenuator are investigated by considering a physical structure. Following the dissipative-to-stiffness transition, the increased local stiffness at relatively small layer thicknesses is observed to block the propagation of the bending waves. The influence of the frequency and the layer thickness on the wave-blocking characteristics of the air layer are discussed based on mobility, power flow and velocity distributions in the system. The predicted frequency response characteristics are confirmed by comparing the results with detailed experimental measurements.
A connectionist control architecture for working memory and workload : why working memory is not 7 + - 2

Abstract : A runnable simulation architecture for working memory is described that provides an alternative to existing models of working memory. It is used to interpret a variety of phenomena, including multiple resources, workload, chunking, sequential output, skilled and episodic memories, and stages of skill acquisition. The architecture is based on a set of modules organized into regions which communicate with each other on an innerloop of processing. A new feature of this architecture is a proposed context-storage module that temporarily stores context information in fast changing connection weights. This enables the system to expand effective working memory beyond the traditional 7 + or - 2 items. The context storage system is able to reload modules after short- term information decays or is displaced; in addition, it provides a means of achieving stable, robust processing under conditions of high workload. Human working memory is both very limited (e.g., two digits in digit cancelling) and large (80 digits skilled memory), and this range is not interpretable within the modal buffer memory models. The new connectionist/control architecture predicts the very limited working memory effects are the result of control processing limitations of the management of message transmission on an innerloop of processing or operating in a single region. In contrast, context storage provides a very large working memory as long as there are few associations of a given region to a given context. (jhd)
Root Distribution and Potential Interactions Between Allelopathic Rice, Sprangletop (Leptochloa spp.), and Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) based on 13C Isotope Discrimination Analysis

Weed-suppressive rice cultivars hold promise for improved and more economical weed management in rice. Interactions between roots of rice and weeds are thought to be modulated by the weed-suppressive activity of some rice cultivars, but these phenomena are difficult to measure and not well understood. Thus, above-ground productivity, weed suppression, and root distribution of 11 rice cultivars and two weed species were evaluated in a drill-seeded, flood-irrigated system at Stuttgart, Arkansas, USA in a two-year study. The allelopathic cultivars, PI 312777 and Taichung Native 1 (TN-1), three other weed-suppressive cultivars, three indica-derived breeding selections, and three non-suppressive commercial cultivars were evaluated in field plots infested with barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.) or bearded sprangletop (sprangletop, Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth var. fascicularis (Lam.) N. Snow). The allelopathic cultivars produced more tillers and suppressed both weed species to a greater extent than did the breeding selections or the non-suppressive cultivars. 13C isotope discrimination analysis of mixed root samples to a depth of 15 cm revealed that the allelopathic cultivars typically produced a greater fraction of their total root mass in the surface 0–5 cm of soil depth compared to the breeding selections or the non-suppressive cultivars, which tended to distribute their roots more evenly throughout the soil profile. These trends in root mass distribution were apparent at both early (pre-flood) and late-season stages in weed-free and weed-infested plots. Cultivar productivity and root distribution generally responded similarly to competition with the two weed species, but barnyardgrass reduced rice yield and root mass more than did sprangletop. These findings demonstrate for the first time that roots of the allelopathic cultivars PI 312777 and TN-1 explore the upper soil profile more thoroughly than do non-suppressive cultivars under weed-infested and weed-free conditions in flood-irrigated U.S. rice production systems. They raise the interesting prospect that root proliferation near the soil surface might enhance the weed-suppressive activity of allelochemical exudates released from roots. Plant architectural design for weed suppressive activity should take these traits into consideration along with other proven agronomic traits such as high tillering and yield.
Mercury bioavailability and bioaccumulation in estuarine food webs in the Gulf of Maine.

Marine food webs are important links between Hg in the environment and human exposure via consumption of fish. Estuaries contain sediment repositories of Hg and are also critical habitat for marine...
A strake design method for supersonic speeds and low lift

A method is presented for the design of a strake for a forebody typical of supersonic aircraft at typical cruise (low lift) conditions, in order to ensure attached flow on the strake upper surface. The method systematically varies strake camber and thickness until an attached flow surface pressure distribution is achieved. Surface pressures are computed by the full potential flow solver, NCOREL. The high-alpha flowfield of the strake is also investigated experimentally and computationally; a large vortex is noted on the strake leeside, together with a pair of vortices on the forebody upper centerline. The effect of sideslip on the high-alpha flowfield is also discussed.
A lipid mobilizing factor in serum of tumor-bearing mice

There is considerable evidence that the growing tumor requires a source of unsaturated fatty acids, but the nature of this source and the mechanism of mobilizing the fatty acids from it are obscure. These experiments make use of AKR mice with implanted adipose tisue labeled with 1-14C linoleic acid. With this experimental animal, it has been found that: (a) in the normal, fed mouse, fat is mobilized slowly and appears largely as respiratory CO2, following oxidation, (b) in the normal, fasted mouse, fat is mobilized rapidly and appears largely as respiratory CO2; (c) in the tumor-bearing, fed mouse, fat is mobilized rapidly and appears largely in the tumor; and (d) the serum from tumor-bearin mice, when injected into normal mice, produces an immediate massive fat mobilization that does not respond to feeding, whereas the serum from normal, fed mice does not. It is concluded that a mobilizing factor of unknown nature is present in the serum of tumor-bearing AKR mice.
Web 2.0: Read, write, create, connect, and learn—opportunities for online learning

This article examines the uses of Web 2.0 technologies in online education: blogs, wikis, social networking, social bookmarking, and virtual gaming environments. It also presents research on the pedagogical uses of Web 2.0 in online education and training; the theoretical underpinnings of this pedagogy; implications for colleges, universities, and organizations that adopt Web 2.0 technologies; and future trends and the systemic impact of Web 2.0. According to Thompson (2008, p. 22), “Web 2.0 offers educators new teaching and learning tools. Web 2.0 can change the way teachers interact with students and how students interact among themselves.”
Efficient solid-phase synthesis of 3-substituted-5-oxo-5H-thiazolo[2,3-b]-quinazoline-8-carboxamides under mild conditions with two diversity positions.

Highly efficient solid-phase synthesis of thiazolo[2,3,b]quinazolines under mild conditions was developed using resin-bound 2-amino-terephthalamic acid, Fmoc-NCS, and bromoketones. Primary amines immobilized to an acid-cleavable backbone amide linker were acylated with 1-methyl-2-aminoterephtalate. Following cleavage of the methyl ester, Fmoc-NCS was used to form a resin-bound thiourea. Bromoketones were subsequently added to form an aminothiazole ring and the cyclization was performed using DIC/HOBt to afford thiazolo[2,3,b]quinazolines. Highly efficient solid-phase synthesis is amenable to high throughput/combinatorial synthesis.
Differential expression of the α- and β-isoforms of protein kinase C in peripheral blood T and B cells from young and elderly adults

Abstract The expression of α- and β-isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) was analyzed in the peripheral blood T and B cells from 11 elderly and young humans. Immunoblot analysis with isoenzyme specific antibodies showed that T cells from five of 11 elderly subjects exhibited selective reductions in PKCα which was
On the effectiveness of application-aware self-management for scientific discovery in volunteer computing systems

An important challenge faced by high-throughput, multiscale applications is that human intervention has a central role in driving their success. However, manual intervention is in-efficient, error-prone and promotes resource wasting. This paper presents an application-aware modular framework that provides self-management for computational multiscale applications in volunteer computing (VC). Our framework consists of a learning engine and three modules that can be easily adapted to different distributed systems. The learning engine of this framework is based on our novel tree-like structure called KOTree. KOTree is a fully automatic method that organizes statistical information in a multidimensional structure that can be efficiently searched and updated at runtime. Our empirical evaluation shows that our framework can effectively provide application-aware self-management in VC systems. Additionally, we observed that our KOTree algorithm is able to predict accurately the expected length of new jobs, resulting in an average of 85% increased throughput with respect to other algorithms.
New drug therapies for COPD.

Abstract Clinical trials with new drugs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been performed. Viruses exacerbate COPD and bacteria may play a part in severe COPD; therefore, antibiotic and antiviral approaches have a sound rationale. Antiinflammatory approaches have been studied. Advances in understanding the molecular basis of other processes have resulted in novel drugs to target reactive oxidant species, mucus, proteases, fibrosis, cachexia, and muscle wasting, and accelerated aging. Studies with monoclonal antibodies have been disappointing, highlighting the tendency for infections and malignancies during treatment. Promising future directions are lung regeneration with retinoids and stem cells.
Influences of Rectangular Pulses and Sine Waves of Varying Frequencies on Brain Self-Stimulation in the Laboratory Rat

Experimental studies on brain self-stimulation in animals have concerned themselves primarily with the influence of locus of electrode placement and the intensity of the electrical stimulus ( 1, 2, 4, 5, 6) .2 In the present investigation we are interested in studying the possible differential effects of (a) electrical sine waves of 10, 35, 50, 60, 100, 300, 2000, and 3000 cycles per second (cps); and (b) rectangular electrical pulses of 2 msc. duration at repetition rates of 10, 60, 100, and 300 pulses per second (pps). The peak intensity of the stimulus was kept constant and equal for the sine waves and the rectangular pulses. METHOD Apparatus The sine wave stimuli were delivered to the animal as the output from a Hewlett-Packard oscillator. The output was monitored by an oscilloscope in the output circuit. Intensity of stimulus was maintained constant for all animals at 40-microamp. peak value. Silver, twisted bipolar electrodes were used. These were mounted in a lucite base, secured to the skull by means of jeweler's screws (4). The electrodes were implanted stereotoxically in the hypothalamic area (Kreig co-ordinates) and were insulated except at the tip cross-sections. Distance between the tips was less than 1 millimeter. Histological verification is in process, but has not been completed as yet. S was placed inside a wooden Skinner box and was visible to E by means of a mirror fitted at the top of the receptacle. Light flexible wires led down to the electrodes. Depression of a platform-type lever delivered the stimulus and activated one or both of two timers which recorded cumulatively the duration of "re-enforced" and the duration of all presses, respectively. The circuit also contained two counters which recorded the number of re-enforced presses and the total number of presses, respectively. Graphic records of cumulative presses were obtained by means of a Davis recorder. Electrical stimulation was applied on a variable ratio schedule, with an average of one stimulation every four presses. Electrical current to the rat's brain was delivered as long as the platform remained depressed.
Sample preparation methodology for mouse heart metabolomics using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Abstract The investigation of naturally volatile and derivatized metabolites in mammalian tissues by comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC—TOFMS) can provide the data for a comprehensive analysis of the pathophysiology of disease processes. When relative quantification is needed for hypothesis testing, the preparation of sample tissue must provide clear evidence that a quantitative relationship exists between the final detected signal and the amount of metabolite in the tissue. Herein, we report the optimization of a metabolite extraction method for mouse heart tissue for GC×GC—TOFMS analysis. A recursive extraction experiment was initially performed to measure the extraction efficiency of representative target metabolites (sugars, tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites, amino acids, lipid and signaling molecules) in the aqueous fraction of a three-phase extraction system involving tissue, methanol:water, and chloroform. Some metabolites suffered from incomplete extraction with a single extraction of ∼40 mg in 600 μl organic and 400 μl aqueous phases, possibly caused by saturation effects. Subsequent experiments, calibrating resulting metabolite signal to the mass of heart tissue extracted, demonstrated that doubling the solvent volumes and a lower tissue mass was needed to provide accurate relative quantification of the derivatized mouse heart metabolome. We demonstrate quantitative extraction of metabolites from ∼20 mg of heart tissue using 1200 μl organic phase (chloroform) and 800 μl aqueous phase (methanol:water in equal parts by volume).
Nuclear data sheets for A = 189

Abstract Level schemes, spin and parity assignments, and decay properties are presented for all nuclei with mass number A = 189. Experimental data and adopted values are given along with conclusions as to the spin and parity assignments. The presentation of the nuclear properties is given in the light of the data and current theoretical ideas. In this transition region, level decay rates are seen to be of particular importance and so have been summarized in terms of multipole enhancement or hindrance. The compilers have attempted to bring out some inconsistencies in the data and resolve discrepancies when possible. Deficiencies in the data include reaction data leading to states in 189 Pt, 189 Ir, 189 Os, and 189 Re. With the exception of 189 Os, the ground-state spins of A = 189 nuclei are not firmly established. The excitation energy of the isomeric level in 189 Pt is uncertain. The isomer decay in 189 Au has not been observed. In general, the level properties of 189 Ir and 189 Os show clear evidence of nuclear deformation.
A maximum estimability criterion for design classification and selection

A maximum estimability (maxest) criterion is proposed for design classification and selection. It is an extension and refinement of Webb's resolution criterion for general factorial designs. By using the estimability vector associated with the maxest criterion, projective properties of nonregular designs are studied from the estimability perspective. Comparisons with other criteria are also discussed.
On the formation of the banded structure in rapid solidification

Abstract Rapid solidification experiments on metallic alloys over the last decade have provided widespread observations of a novel banded structure. We present the results of numerical and analytical studies of the non-linear dynamics of the solidifying interface which provide insights into the mechanism of formation of this structure. These studies are based on a model of directional solidification which includes non-equilibrium effects and consists of a one-dimensional boundary integral equation for the temperature field combined with a boundary-layer approximation for the solute field. Three main ingredients of the banding mechanism emerge from these studies: the presence of non-linear oscillations of the solidification rate driven by solute trapping, the dramatic effect of latent heat diffusion on the character of these oscillations, and the propagation of “optical growth fronts” connecting collision-controlled and diffusion-controlled interfacial regions.
A data management model for collaborative design in a CAD environment

This paper presents a data management model to support collaborative design. More specifically, it addresses the storing and managing of changes among designers in a multidisciplinary design project. We propose a three-layered model ofversions, assemblies, andconfigurations. Versions maintain evolving descriptions of primitive entities within a single discipline.Assemblies integrate component instances to describe more complex entities, as well as designs within individual disciplines.Configurations provide a framework to represent an overall project design which is composed of designs from the participating disciplines. We apply a concept ofequivalent operations for developing operators that store, detect and manage changes among versions of a primitive design entity. The close coupling of the version, assembly, and configuration layers enables computed version changes to be recursively combined to characterize changes at the assembly and configuration levels. This applies for both project coordination throughasynchronous communication of changes among designers, and project monitoring through systematic tracking of evolving project descriptions. This paper also presents an implementation of the data management model in a CAD paradigm. We use a simple multidisciplinary facility design example to demonstrate the change management capabilities of the proposed model. This example has been tested on a prototype implementation in an AUTOCAD environment.
Modal identities for multibody elastic spacecraft

This paper answers the question, Which set of modes furnishes a higher fidelity math model of dynamics of a multihody, deformable spacecraft—hinges-free or hinges-locked vehicle modes? Three sets of general, discretized, linear equations of motion of a spacecraft with an arbitrary number of deformable appendages, each articulated directly to the core body, are obtained using the above two families of modes and appendage modes. By a comparison of these equations, 11 sets of matrix and scalar modal identities are constructed that involve modal momenta coefficients and frequencies associated with the three classes of modes. The sums of infinite series that appear in the identities are obtained in terms of mass and first and second moments of inertia of the appendages, core body, and vehicle by using some basic identities concerning appendage modes. Applying the above identities to a four-body spacecraft, the hinges-locked vehicle modes are found to yield a higher fidelity model than hinges-free modes because the hinges-free modes have nondiminisbing modal coefficients, whereas the hinges-locked modes have modal angular momentum coefficients diminishing rapidly with frequency. These characteristics are proved in the paper.
Housing Issues After Disasters

Since 1989, earthquakes and hurricanes in the United States have caused housing losses on the same scale as those typically experienced in disasters in under-developed countries. While casualties in the American disasters have been low, the costs of reconstruction have been staggering. This paper documents the housing losses and recovery problems in the Northridge earthquake and compares that experience to other American urban disasters (the Loma Prieta earthquake, Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew), as well as with those in Mexico City and Kobe, Japan. The paper will demonstrate that the common denominator in urban disasters is housing and that recovery issues are quite different in cities than in rural areas, precisely because the losses are concentrated in densely populated areas and the housing loss not only represents a significant financial investment, but also a unique component of the urban infrastructure.
The silent abreaction.

Abstract The cathartic release of bound affect is a psychotherapeutic technique whose value has been proved over the years. Although Freud abandoned hypnotic abreactions, it was while working with this approach, in collaboration with Breuer, that he discovered unconscious processes (Breuer & Freud, 1895/1957). In spite of criticisms about the permanence of therapeutic results achieved through abreactions, the procedure continues to be employed in such differing approaches as hyp-noanalysis, narcosynthesis, flooding, implosive therapy, primal scream, and gestalt therapy. A considerable limitation to the use of cathartic release lies in the fact that the violent release of powerful emotions is usually accompanied by screams, howling, cursing, or shrieks of fright. Practitioners who conduct their therapeutic sessions within most professional office buildings are often loath to initiate and work through such affective releases, even when therapeutically indicated, because of the sound disturbance to colleague...
Reflections of biological changes in the psychological performance of the aged

It is demonstrated in the course of a longitudinal study of aged twins that individuals who developed symptoms resulting in a psychiatric diagnosis of dementia had significantly lower scores on three tests of cognitive function as early as 20 years before the diagnosis was made. Prospective longitudinal studies will be required to confirm the utility of psychometric tests as predictors of subsequent dementia; nonetheless, the present results suggest that it may be possible to identify behavioral phenotypes of dementia-prone aged persons.
Spiroxatrine as a discriminative stimulus: Effects depend on pharmacological history

Spiroxatrine, a compound with effects on both dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitter systems, was established as a discriminative stimulus in pigeons. Along with novel anxiolytic nonbenzodiazepine compounds such as buspirone and ipsapirone, spiroxatrine has been suggested to interact at the 5-HT1A receptor subtype. Following the administration of 0.3 mg/kg spiroxatrine, every 30th consecutive peck on one key produced food, whereas following saline administration, pecks on the alternate key produced food. After dose-response curves with spiroxatrine were obtained, two pigeons were tested first with buspirone, which, like spiroxatrine, also has effects on both 5-HT1A and DA systems, and two pigeons were tested first with the more specific 5-HT1A compounds 2-mPP (1-[2-methoxyphenyl]piperazine) or 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-[di-n-propylamino]tetralin). All pigeons responded on the drug-appropriate key when these compounds were the initial drugs substituted for spiroxatrine. Pigeons tested first with 2-mPP or 8-OH-DPAT also responded on the drug-appropriate key when buspirone was administered in subsequent tests. However, when first tested with buspirone then tested subsequently with 8-OH-DPAT, pigeons responded on the saline key at all 8-OH-DPAT doses and did so throughout the study whenever any selective 5-HT1A ligand was substituted. Drug history may enhance or diminish specific stimulus effects of drugs with multiple stimulus dimensions. Drugs with multiple stimulus effects may permit the specific study of behavioral and pharmacological variables that affect the discriminative stimulus effects of drugs and, perhaps, also their behavioral effects under other circumstances.
Solvable group representations and free divisors whose complements are K(π,1)ʼs

Abstract We apply previous results on the representations of solvable linear algebraic groups to construct a new class of free divisors whose complements are K ( π , 1 ) ʼs. These free divisors arise as the exceptional orbit varieties for a special class of “block representations” and have the structure of determinantal arrangements. Among these are the free divisors defined by conditions for the (modified) Cholesky-type factorizations of matrices, which contain the determinantal varieties of singular matrices of various types as components. These complements are proven to be homotopy tori, as are the Milnor fibers of these free divisors. The generators for the complex cohomology of each are given in terms of forms defined using the basic relative invariants of the group representation.
Momentary and global maximizing

Four adult females responded at a computer console, on three constant probability concurrent variable-interval reinforcement schedules. The subjects were instructed to try to obtain as many reinforcers as possible, but were not given any instructions on how to accomplish this task. Three of the four subjects typically allocated responses to the schedule offering the higher reinforcement probability. These results show that some subjects trying to maximize overall reinforcement may respond in accordance with a momentary maximizing strategy.
A new formula for flow into partially penetrating wells in aquifers

The relation between drawdown and yield in an aquifer due to pumping from a partially penetrating well is approached experimentally, employing the analogy between the flow of electricity and the flow of fluids through porous media. It is found that, except for a small area near the well, the drawdown curve of a partially penetrating well has the same shape as that of a fully penetrating well. Outside this small area near the well, the two drawdown curves differ by a constant magnitude which can be found from a simple empirical formula obtained from the experimental data.
Defect Identification in Large Area Electronic Backplanes

We describe a rapid testing system for active matrix thin-film transistor (TFT) backplanes which enables the identification of many common processing defects. The technique spatially maps the charge feedthrough from TFTs in the pixel and is suited for pixels with switched-capacitor architecture.
Hysteresis in driven disordered systems: From plastic depinning to magnets

We study the dynamics of a viscoelastic medium driven through quenched disorder by expanding about mean field theory in 6-∈ dimensions. The model exhibits a critical point separating a region where the dynamics is hysteretic, with a macroscopic jump between strongly pinned and weakly pinned states, from a region where the sliding state is unique and no jump occurs. The disappearance of the jump at the critical point is described by universal exponents. As suggested by Marchetti et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 1104 (2000)], the model appears to be in the same universality class as the zero-temperature random field Ising model of hysteresis in magnets.
Assessment of treatment response in mania: commentary and new findings.

Background: Assessment of therapeutic interventions in bipolar disorder is complicated by rapid, complex clinical changes, high placebo-response rates, and varying times to specific levels of clinical recovery that may not be adequately reflected in averaged rating-scale scores particularly in acute mania, calling for improved methods to evaluate treatment responses. Chengappa et al. (1) propose operational criteria for specific outcomes based on rating-scale data from two placebo-controlled trials of olanzapine in mania. Methods: These trials and other recent research were considered in commenting on the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of experimental therapeutic trials in mania and to optimize olanzapine versus placebo contrasts by systematically varying end-point criteria for mania (YMRS) and depression (HDRS) ratings. Results: Olanzapine versus placebo responses were optimally separated at scores of 10 for final paired mania and depression ratings, or 5 for each rating scale considered separately. Conclusions: Use of empirically determined end-points derived from standard rating scales used in experimental therapeutics research in mood disorders can improve both outcome-assessment and separation of active treatment from placebo responses in acute mania.
Top-down and bottom-up attentional guidance: investigating the role of the dorsal and ventral parietal cortices

Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that the superior parietal lobule (SPL) of the human cortex mediates goal-directed attentional orienting, while the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) mediates stimulus-driven attentional orienting. Here, we investigated these brain-behavior correspondences by examining the performance of patients with an attentional deficit following a right hemisphere lesion. Patients completed two tasks, one sensitive to stimulus-driven attentional orienting and the other to goal-directed attentional orienting. Based on the behavioral profiles obtained on each task, patients were assigned to different groups and their lesion overlap explored. Patients who exhibited difficulties with goal-directed attentional orienting and showed concurrent “hyper-capture” presented with lesion overlap centered over superior portions of the parietal lobule with spared inferior portions of the parietal lobule. Patients who performed normally on the goal-directed orienting task, while remaining abnormally immune to attentional capture, presented with lesion overlap centered over the inferior portions of the parietal lobule but spared superior parietal lobule. The findings from this study clearly suggest that (a) SPL and TPJ are anatomical regions that are recruited for the purposes of top-down and bottom-up orienting, respectively, and that damage to SPL and TPJ leads to disorders of top-down and bottom-up orienting, and (b) albeit dissociable, top-down and bottom-up orienting (and, by extension, SPL and TPJ) are not entirely independent mechanisms.
Data-Aware Vaccine Allocation Over Large Networks

Given a graph, like a social/computer network or the blogosphere, in which an infection (or meme or virus) has been spreading for some time, how to select the k best nodes for immunization/quarantining immediately? Most previous works for controlling propagation (say via immunization) have concentrated on developing strategies for vaccination preemptively before the start of the epidemic. While very useful to provide insights in to which baseline policies can best control an infection, they may not be ideal to make real-time decisions as the infection is progressing. In this paper, we study how to immunize healthy nodes, in the presence of already infected nodes. Efficient algorithms for such a problem can help public-health experts make more informed choices, tailoring their decisions to the actual distribution of the epidemic on the ground. First we formulate the Data-Aware Vaccination problem, and prove it is NP-hard and also that it is hard to approximate. Secondly, we propose three effective polynomial-time heuristics DAVA, DAVA-prune and DAVA-fast, of varying degrees of efficiency and performance. Finally, we also demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of our algorithms through extensive experiments on multiple real networks including large epidemiology datasets (containing millions of interactions). Our algorithms show substantial gains of up to ten times more healthy nodes at the end against many other intuitive and nontrivial competitors.
Algorithmic design of a hierarchical and modulator leading zero detector circuit

A novel way of implementing the leading zero detector (LZD) circuit is described. The implementation is based on an algorithmic approach resulting in a modular and scalable circuit for any number of bits. This approach to LZD design yields both speed and area advantages over logic synthesis.
Reactivity of aluminum lactate-modified nanoscale iron particles with pentachlorophenol in soils.

Abstract Due to the hindered transport of nanoscale iron particles (NIP) in the subsurface caused by the agglomeration and adsorption of NIP during transport, the NIP surface has to be modified to improve the transport of NIP in the subsurface. This study assessed the effectiveness of surface-modified NIP for in situ degradation of contaminants using aluminum lactate as the modifying agent, where aluminum lactate had been earlier shown to be an effective dispersant for enhanced transport of modified NIP in the subsurface. The reactivity of bare-NIP and lactate-modified NIP (LM-NIP) was investigated using pentachlorophenol (PCP) as a representative chlorinated hydrophobic organic contaminant in kaolin and field sand as low permeability clayey soil and high permeability soil, respectively. Kaolin and field sand were spiked at 100 mg/kg PCP and at 89 mg/kg PCP, respectively. NIP dosages of 4, 10, 20, 50, 75, and 100 g/L were applied for a reaction period of 24 h. For the bare-NIP dosage of 100 g/L, PCP degra...
Delay analysis of disruption tolerant networks with two-hop routing in a finite-buffer regime

We consider disruption tolerant networks (DTNs) wherein a direct communication path from a source to a destination via multiple hops does not exist due to both mobility and sparseness of the nodes. Hence, mobile nodes will deliver messages from source to destination using a “store, carry, and forward” strategy. In this paper, our goal is to analytically study the packet latency in such networks for a two-hop unicast scenario with Bernoulli packet arrivals at the source. We exploit an embedded Markov chain approach combined with our novel iterative estimation technique to study both network delay and queuing delay. Constraints posed by both the limited node buffer size and contention between nodes for wireless channel are also considered to obtain a more realistic model. Finally, our results are validated using simulations for a random-walk on a two-dimensional grid mobility model.
Interactions of genetic and cultural evolution: Models and examples

This paper proposes models and examples of five principal modes of interaction between genes and culture in human evolution. Because genes and culture ultimately interact in the minds of individuals, the models are focused on individual level processes of “constrained microevolution.” The central hypotheses are (1) that cultural evolution as well as genetic evolution commonly proceeds by the differential transmission of alternative “instructions” among individuals, (2) that genetic and cultural processes directly interact through mutual influence on each other's differentials of transmission in a population, (3) that the cultural process is often self-selecting by its own criteria, and (4) that these criteria generally operate to enhance rather than oppose human adaptation. Evolutionary change at higher levels, which is particularly important in sociocultural evolution, is interpreted as restructuring the nature and extent of the variability available at the individual level. To clarify the conceptual differences of the models and hopefully to stimulate related analyses in other areas, I discuss selected examples of each of these interactions. I conclude with some remarks on the relative importance of the models to human ecology and evolution.
The results of knee manipulation for stiffness after total knee arthroplasty with or without an intra-articular steroid injection.

Background: Stiffness after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) requiring manipulation has a reported incidence of 1.3-54%. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of stiffness warranting manipulation using two different pain management protocols. We also studied the effect of an intra-articular injection of local anesthetic and steroid given at the time of manipulation on the range-of-motion (ROM) at last follow-up. Materials and Methods: A total of 286 TKAs (248 patients between January 2002 and December 2003) were compared to a second group of 292 TKAs (251 patients between January 2004 and March 2006). The first group received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for postoperative pain management. The second group had a peri-articular injection of a steroid-containing local anesthetic at the time of surgery, but no postoperative PCA. All patients undergoing manipulation in the second group also received a similar intra-articular injection at the time of manipulation as well. Only patients with minimum 12 months follow-up after manipulation were included in the study. Results: The overall incidence of stiffness requiring manipulation in both groups was similar at 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively ( P = 0.1). The end results of manipulation with and without injection showed a significantly higher final ROM in patients who had had an injection at the time of manipulation ( P = 0.001). The difference was due to the fact that patients who had an injection lost no motion from that achieved at the time of manipulation. Conclusion: We were unable to demonstrate a significant reduction in the incidence of stiffness after TKA using a modern pain management protocol. However, injection of a local anesthetic and steroid at the time of manipulation did have a significant influence on preserving the ROM that was obtained at the time of manipulation.
HAMILTONIAN THEORY OF PONDEROMOTIVE EFFECTS OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE IN A NONUNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD

Noncanonical variables are used to construct a Hamiltonian for guiding-center motion in a nonuniform magnetostatic field. Lie methods are then used to obtain the pondermotive (quasistatic) Hamiltonian for the perturbation by a wave of arbitrary polarization and wave number, with spatially modualted amplitude and wave vector. The result is applied to the problem of rf stoppering in mirror confinement.
Bliss Buzzer, a system to monitor health and stress with real-time feedback

"The search for biomarkers of stress and health remains a challenging task for researchers and clinicians alike," as noted in [9]. Against this backdrop, the recent emergence of medical devices that can collect time series for long durations at very high sampling rates makes it possible to study temporal patterns in biophysical signals. We demonstrate a functional system to collect and analyze physiological signals, and provide real-time feedback to the end user.
A Quasi‐Steady State Shell and Shrinking Core Approach to the Drying of Porous Particles and an Example of Parameter Identification

A quasi-steady state shell and shrinking core approach which recognizes heat and mass transfer resistances in both the gas and particle phases for drying of a porous particle is proposed. A mean field model (constant properties) using this approach was embedded in a spreadsheet combined with a genetic algorithm for parameter identification to provide an easy means of characterizing the drying process from drying data. In drying, assuming a mean field, four major parameters are typically unknown: two related to the process (heat and mass transfer coefficients) and two which incorporate porous particle properties (shell thermal conductivity and vapour diffusivity). It is shown how these four parameters may be determined from experimental drying data. The model was applied to data for spouted bed drying of rice. For the particular case studied, external heat transfer was found to be the controlling mode, although resistance to moisture diffusion within the particle is important. The approach presented admits of future refinements to improve its scope and utility. On propose une approche a noyau retrecissant et peau en regime quasi permanent qui prend en consideration les resistances aux transferts de chaleur et de matiere des phases gazeuse et particulaires pour le sechage d'une particule poreuse. Un modele de champ moyen (proprietes constantes) utilisant cette approche a ete programme dans un tableur combine a un algorithme genetique pour l'identification des parametres, dans le but d'obtenir une maniere facile pour caracteriser le procede de sechage a partir de donnees de sechage. En sechage, en supposant un champ moyen, quatre parametres principaux sont typiquement inconnus: deux qui sont relies au procede (coefficients de transfert de chaleur et de matiere) et deux qui incorporent les proprietes des particules poreuses (conductivite thermique de la peau et diffusivite de la vapeur). On montre comment ces quatre parametres peuvent etre determines a partir des donnees de sechage experimentales. Le modele a ete applique aux donnees de sechage de riz en lit jaillissant. Pour le cas particulier etudie, on a trouve que le transfert de chaleur externe est le mode controlant, bien que la resistance a la diffusion de l'humidite dans la particule soit importante. L'approche presentee peut se preter a des ameliorations pour etendre sa portee et son utilite.
The anti-androgen combination, flutamide plus finasteride, paradoxically suppressed LH and androgen concentrations in pregnant spotted hyenas, but not in males.

The androgen receptor blocker flutamide and the 5a-reductase inhibitor finasteride have been used in a variety of species to investigate the ontogeny of sexual dimorphisms by treating pregnant females or neonates at critical periods of sexual differentiation. Likewise, we have used these drugs to study the profound masculinization of the external genitalia in female spotted hyenas. However, a potential pitfall of administering flutamide, either alone or in combination with finasteride, is that it maintains or even raises plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T), because negative feedback of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis is disrupted. Contrary to expectations, when pregnant spotted hyenas were treated with flutamide and finasteride (F&F), the concentrations of T during late gestation were suppressed relative to values in untreated dams. Herein, we further investigate the paradoxical effects of F&F treatment on a battery of sex hormones in spotted hyenas. Beyond the effects on T, we found plasma concentrations of LH, estradiol, progesterone and androstenedione (A4) were also significantly lower in F&F-treated pregnant hyenas than in controls. Flutamide and finasteride did not have similar effects on LH, T, and A4 concentrations in male hyenas. The paradoxical effect of F&F treatment on LH and T concentrations in the maternal circulation suggests that negative feedback control of gonadotropin and androgen secretion may be modified in spotted hyenas during pregnancy.
Hearts and minds in the science classroom: The education of a confirmed evolutionist

This study traces a heuristic inquiry process from the point of view of a science educator, from a secular-humanist background in the northern United States, attempting to better understand and appreciate a major aspect of religious-influenced culture in the southern United States which has a major bearing on science education in the region. The intellectual and emotional viewpoints of selected scientists, science educators, science teachers, and prospective science teachers are examined regarding the relationship between their orthodox Christian religious beliefs and biological evolutionary theory. We view the prospect of teaching evolution to students with such a religious commitment as a prime example of the severe limitations of cognitively-oriented conceptual change theory. We also view conflicts between religion and science regarding evolution as a bona fide example of a multicultural issue in education. These theoretical perspectives are inconsistent with the common tendency among science professionals to view or treat orthodox Christian students in a manner unconscionable with others-to disrespect their intellect or belittle their motivations, to offer judgments based on stereotypes and prejudices, to ignore threats to personal selfesteem, or to deny the de facto connection of some scientific conceptions to the morals, attitudes, and values of individuals with such religious commitments.
Quantitative trait loci for susceptibility to tapeworm infection in the red flour beetle.

Parasites have profound effects on host ecology and evolution, and the effects of parasites on host ecology are often influenced by the magnitude of host susceptibility to parasites. Many parasites have complex life cycles that require intermediate hosts for their transmission, but little is known about the genetic basis of the intermediate host's susceptibility to these parasites. This study examined the genetic basis of susceptibility to a tapeworm ( Hymenolepis diminuta ) in the red flour beetle ( Tribolium castaneum ) that serves as an intermediate host in its transmission. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping experiments were conducted with two independent segregating populations using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. A total of five QTL that significantly affected beetle susceptibility were identified in the two reciprocal crosses. Two common QTL on linkage groups 3 and 6 were identified in both crosses with similar effects on the phenotype, and three QTL were unique to each cross. In one cross, the three main QTL accounted for 29% of the total phenotypic variance and digenic epistasis explained 39% of the variance. In the second cross, the four main QTL explained 62% of the variance and digenic epistasis accounted for only 5% of the variance. The actions of these QTL were either overdominance or underdominance. Our results suggest that the polygenic nature of beetle susceptibility to the parasites and epistasis are important genetic mechanisms for the maintenance of variation within or among beetle strains in susceptibility to tapeworm infection.