cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Walking effects on memory in children: Implications for individual differences in BMI

Abstract Background Recent evidence suggests improvements in memory performance following a single bout of physical activity in young children. However, few investigations have explored individual differences associated with these activity-induced changes in memory performance. Objectives The present study investigated the effects of acute physical activity on recognition memory during and after treadmill walking in preadolescent children (n = 39; 24 females) with further exploration of individual differences in body mass index (BMI). Methods Word recognition memory performance was assessed during and after the cessation of a moderate bout of walking (60% heart rate max; 20-min duration) or seated rest on separate days. Results Children demonstrated unaltered word recall performance during walking compared to seated rest. Additionally, performance after walking revealed greater improvements in primacy accuracy (probability of correctly identifying the first ten words) relative to during walking and after seated rest. Additionally, evaluating only children who are overweight/obese (≥85th BMI percentile) revealed greater improvements in primacy accuracy following the walking bout with no effect observed for the normal weight group. Conclusions Together, these findings demonstrate that single bouts of walking are more effective for improving memory performance than non-active rest periods of a similar duration and may be enhanced to a greater degree among children who are overweight/obese. Such findings add to the growing body of literature supporting the need for active opportunities among all youth and further indicate the importance of advancing such opportunities among overweight/obese children to improve memory performance along with physical health.
Unconventional high-pressure Raman spectroscopy study of kinetic and peak pressure effects in plagioclase feldspars

We present the results of a high-pressure semi-hydrostatic study of two plagioclase minerals, andesine and albite, using diamond anvil cells (DACs) to characterize in situ variations in Raman spectra under different static pressures. In this work, we also examined the kinetic effects on deformation at both long and short timescales through non-traditional experiments in which the DAC was either dropped or struck with a mallet. We examined the effects of strain rate, quench rate, and pressure duration on the Raman spectra of plagioclase. We observed that amorphization occurred in all the plagioclase samples we analyzed, and that amorphization onset and permanence differ depending on the composition, kinetics, energy input, and peak pressure. In andesine, samples pressurized above a peak pressure of 18 GPa, amorphization is permanent. Below this critical pressure, the phase has ‘memory’, and crystalline andesine reforms on decompression. Our findings suggest the presence of a thermodynamic energy well in andesine around 18 GPa, and we show that any additional energy input while close to 18 GPa results in amorphization becoming permanent. The effect of the energy well may be relevant for longer duration impacts. For such impacts, equilibrium state studies of deformation and phase formation were previously considered to be applicable. These experiments illuminating the presence of memory effects in plagioclase have implications for comparing static compression, in which samples are measured while under compression, with shock compression, for which samples are measured after decompression.
Innovative development of membrane sparger for carbon dioxide supply in microalgae cultures.

The present study was aimed to develop a membrane sparger (MS) integrated into a tubular photobioreactor to promote the increase of the carbon dioxide (CO2 ) fixation by Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultures. The use of MS for the CO2 supply in Spirulina cultures resulted not only in the increase of DIC concentrations but also in the highest accumulated DIC concentration in the liquid medium (127.4 mg L-1 d-1 ). The highest values of biomass concentration (1.98 g L-1 ), biomass productivity (131.8 mg L-1 d-1 ), carbon in biomass (47.9% w w-1 ), CO2 fixation rate (231.6 mg L-1 d-1 ), and CO2 use efficiency (80.5% w w-1 ) by Spirulina were verified with MS, compared to the culture with conventional sparger for CO2 supply. Spirulina biomass in both culture conditions had high protein contents varying from 64.9 to 69% (w w-1 ). MS can be considered an innovative system for the supply of carbon for the microalgae cultivation and biomass production. Moreover, the use of membrane system might contribute to increased process efficiency with a reduced cost of biomass production.
MASS: predict the global qualities of individual protein models using random forests and novel statistical potentials

Protein model quality assessment (QA) is an essential procedure in protein structure prediction. QA methods can predict the qualities of protein models and identify good models from decoys. Clustering-based methods need a certain number of models as input. However, if a pool of models are not available, methods that only need a single model as input are indispensable. We developed MASS, a QA method to predict the global qualities of individual protein models using random forests and various novel energy functions. We designed six novel energy functions or statistical potentials that can capture the structural characteristics of a protein model, which can also be used in other protein-related bioinformatics research. MASS potentials demonstrated higher importance than the energy functions of RWplus, GOAP, DFIRE and Rosetta when the scores they generated are used as machine learning features. MASS outperforms almost all of the four CASP11 top-performing single-model methods for global quality assessment in terms of all of the four evaluation criteria officially used by CASP, which measure the abilities to assign relative and absolute scores, identify the best model from decoys, and distinguish between good and bad models. MASS has also achieved comparable performances with the leading QA methods in CASP12 and CASP13. MASS and the source code for all MASS potentials are publicly available at http://dna.cs.miami.edu/MASS/ .
Monte Carlo simulation study on the time resolution of a PMT-quadrant-sharing LSO detector block for time-of-flight PET

We developed a detailed Monte Carlo simulation method to study the time resolution of time-of-flight positron emission tomography (TOF PET). The process of scintillation light emission and transport inside the detector, the photoelectron generation and anode signal generation in the photomultiplier tube (PMT), and the electronics process of discriminator are simulated. We tested this simulation method using published experimental data, and found that it can generate reliable results. Using this method, we simulated the time resolution for a 13times13 detector block of 4times4times20 mm3 lutetium orthosilicate (LSO) crystals coupled to four 2-inch PMTs using PMT-quadrant-sharing (PQS) technology. We analyzed the effects of several factors, including the number of photoelectrons, light transport, transit time spread (TTS), transit time difference between center and edge of the PMT photocathode (Delta tC-E), and the depth of interaction (DOI). The simulation results indicated that system time resolution of 300-350 ps should be possible with currently available fast PMTs. This simulation method can also be used to simulate the time resolution of other detector design method.
Toward Inclusive Power-Sharing in Northern Ireland: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

This chapter examines power-sharing in Northern Ireland through the lens of inclusion. While the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement were designed primarily to accommodate nationalists and unionists, the chapter assesses how they have fared in representing broader equality and human rights goals. The chapter charts the evolution of the institutions since their establishment in 1998, through a number of political crises and subsequent agreements. Analyzing qualitative data collected in the region, it evaluates the institutions’ inclusion of ‘other’ identities beyond nationalism and unionism, their adaptation over time, and movement toward a more civic politics. Progress has been far from unidirectional, coming at times in spite of the institutional design. Nevertheless, advances toward inclusion have been made from which lessons can be learned, both for Northern Ireland and other consociational cases.
A note on planet size and cooling rate

Abstract Thermal history models demonstrate how small terrestrial planets can potentially cool slower than larger ones due to variations in the forces that resist tectonic plate motion and associated planetary cooling. Given that interior cooling affects surface environment, through volcanic/geologic activity, this indicates that small planets should not be down-weighted in the search for life beyond Earth and that planets of the same absolute age as the Earth can be at different evolution times.
Assessing genotyping errors in mammalian museum study skins using high-throughput genotyping-by-sequencing

The use of museum specimens held in natural history repositories for population and conservation genetic research is increasing in tandem with the use of massively parallel sequencing technologies. Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), or microsatellite loci, are commonly used genetic markers in wildlife and population genetic studies. However, they traditionally suffered from a host of issues including length homoplasy, high costs, low throughput, and difficulties in reproducibility across laboratories. Massively parallel sequencing technologies can address these problems, but the incorporation of museum specimen derived DNA suffers from significant fragmentation and exogenous DNA contamination. Combatting these issues requires extra measures of stringency in the lab and during data analysis, yet there have not been any high-throughput sequencing studies evaluating microsatellite allelic dropout from museum specimen extracted DNA. In this study, we evaluate genotyping errors derived from mammalian museum skin DNA extracts for previously characterized microsatellites across PCR replicates utilizing high-throughput sequencing. We found it useful to classify samples based on DNA concentration, which determined the rate by which genotypes were accurately recovered. Longer microsatellites performed worse in all museum specimens. Allelic dropout rates across loci were dependent on sample quantity, with high concentration museum specimens performing as well and recovering quality metrics nearly as high as the frozen tissue sample. Based on our results, we provide a set of best practices for quality assurance and incorporation of reliable genotypes from museum specimens.
A spatial analysis of the association between social vulnerability and the cumulative number of confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in United States counties through November 14, 2020.

Objectives Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is classified as a natural hazard, and social vulnerability describes the susceptibility of social groups to potential damages from natural hazards. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the association between social vulnerability and the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths (per 100,000) in 3,141 United States counties. Methods The cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths was obtained from USA Facts. Variables related to social vulnerability were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Social Vulnerability Index and the 2018 5-Year American Community Survey. Data were analyzed using spatial autoregression models. Results Lowest income and educational level, as well as high proportions of single parent households, mobile home residents, and people without health insurance were positively associated with a high cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths. Conclusion In conclusion, there are regional differences in the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths in United States counties, which are affected by various social vulnerabilities. Hence, these findings underscore the need to take social vulnerability into account when planning interventions to reduce COVID-19 deaths.
The role of endocrine hormones in the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common spinal deformity characterized by changes in the three-dimensional structure of the spine. It usually initiates during puberty, the peak period of human growth when the secretion of numerous hormones is changing, and it is more common in females than in males. Accumulating evidence shows that the abnormal levels of many hormones including estrogen, melatonin, growth hormone, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin, may be related to the occurrence and development of AIS. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary and critique of the research published on each hormone over the past 20 years, and to highlight areas for future study. It is hoped that the presentation will help provide a better understanding of the role of endocrine hormones in the pathogenesis of AIS.
Effect of Exercise on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins

The available literature on the effect of exercise on serum lipids and lipoproteins is relatively scarce, often controversial, and, as a whole, inconclusive.
Philosophy: Creative resilience

Michael Shermer sifts through a study of the science of randomness and our responses to it.
In Vitro Mammalian Cell Mutation Assays

The in vitro mammalian cell mutation assays used for preclinical safety testing detect forward mutations at various target genes. The most frequently used in vitro cell mutation assay in drug development is the Mouse Lymphoma Assay (MLA). This article discusses various aspects of regulatory guidance for the use of in vitro mammalian cell mutation assays and their role in genetic toxicity evaluation of pharmaceuticals. Keywords: in vitro mutation assays; drug development; mammalian cell; mouse lymphoma assay (MLA); genetic toxicity
State-of-health monitoring of 18650 4S packs with a single-point impedance diagnostic

Abstract The state-of-health (SOH) of Li-ion batteries and battery packs must be monitored effectively for abuse to prevent failure and accidents. In a previous publication, we described a single-point impedance diagnostic method for detecting damage in single prismatic lithium polymer rechargeable cells subjected to overcharge abuse. We now determine whether the single-point impedance diagnostic method is applicable to 4S battery packs. At 316 Hz, commercial 18650 LiCoO2 cells are determined to have the least change in impedance response when cycled between 3.0 and 4.2 V, for states-of-charge (SOC) of 0–100%. The impedance response of single cells at 316 Hz changes dramatically during overcharge (SOC = 125%), presumably due to change in their solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layers at the electrodes. When a single cell is purposely subjected to such overcharge abuse and then integrated into a 4S pack with 3 other healthy cells, the impedance response of the 4S pack at 316 Hz also changes, despite variances in the impedance response of each of the 3 healthy cells. The results suggest that this single-point impedance method could serve as a diagnostic in an all-inclusive battery management system to identify overcharge abuse of single cells without individual cell monitoring.
Specific drug sensitive transport pathways for chloride and potassium ions in steady-state ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cells

A major aim of this investigation was to determine whether, in steady-state ascites cells, Cl- transport can be partitioned into a furosemide-sensitive cotransport with K+ and a separate 4,4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) sensitive self-exchange. Both Cl- and K+ fluxes were studied. The furosemide- and Cl- sensitive K+ fluxes were equivalent, both in normal ionic media and when the external K+ concentration, [K+]o, was varied from 4 to 30 mM. The stoichiometry of the furosemide-sensitive Cl- and K+ fluxes was 2 Cl-:1 K+ at 0.1 and 0.5 mM drug levels but increased to 3 Cl-:1 K+ at 1.0 mM furosemide. DIDS at 0.1 mM had no effect on the K+ exchange rate but inhibited Cl- exchange by 39% +/- 2 (S.E.). The effects of DIDS and 0.5 mM furosemide on Cl- transport were additive but 1.0 mM furosemide and DIDS had overlapping inhibitory actions. Thus furosemide acts on components of K+ and Cl- transport which are linked to each other, but the drug also inhibits an additional DIDS-sensitive Cl- pathway, when present at higher concentrations. The dependence of the furosemide-sensitive K+ and Cl- transport on [K+]o was also studied; both fluxes fell as the [K+]o increased. The latter results recall those in an earlier study by Hempling (Hempling, H.G. (1962) J. Cell. Comp. Physiol. 60, 181-198).
What Does Not Kill You: Historical Materialism and the Body

In recent decades the body has become an important object of inquiry within the discipline of geography, as it has within the humanities and social sciences more generally. Though often critical of the tenets of poststructuralism, Marxist geographers have responded with enthusiasm to the imperative that we denaturalize the body, and have demonstrated a capacious store of resources available to this task. Building on recent efforts by geographers to conceptualize a Marxist theory of the body, this paper moves in two directions. Aligning myself with those interested in demonstrating the constructedness of the body, I begin by arguing both that the notion of bodies-as-produced is latent in historical materialism and that we can employ our insights about the production of space in order to think about the production of bodies. I then turn away from this discussion of the production of bodies and consider whether there is, in the bloodline of theoretical Marxism, any notion of the natural body with which we mu...
Study of Nailfold Capillaries in Hypertriglyceridemia (Types III and IV Hyperlipoproteinemia)

Reflected light nailfold capillaroscopy was used to discover micro-angiopathy in atherosclerotic patients with hypertriglyceridemia (types III and IV hyperlipoproteinemia). In comparison with healthy normolipemic controls, 51 of a series of 64 patients were found to have beds of dilated, congested, elongated, and tortuous capillary venular limbs and loops; and 29 of these with capillary abnormalities were found to have either fresh or old hemorrhages. Serial studies revealed that capillary hemorrhages tended to subside shortly after the hyperlipoproteinemia was controlled by a low carbohydrate diet, while the morphologic abnormalities showed little or no change for 8 to 21 months.
Dirichlet problem on locally finite graphs

In this paper, we study the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the vertex-weighted Dirichlet problem on locally finite graphs. Let B be a subset of the vertices of a graph G. The Dirichlet problem is to find a function whose discrete Laplacian on G@?B and its values on B are given. Each infinite connected component of G@?B is called an end of G relative to B. If there are no ends, then there is a unique solution to the Dirichlet problem. Such a solution can be obtained as a limit of an averaging process or as a minimizer of a certain functional or as a limit-solution of the heat equation on the graph. On the other hand, we show that if G is a locally finite graph with l ends, then the set of solutions of any Dirichlet problem, if non-empty, is at least l-dimensional.
Who has second-trimester abortions in the United States?

Abstract Background Little is known about the characteristics of second-trimester abortion patients. Study Design Data come from a national sample of 9493 women obtaining abortions in 2008. Chi-square statistics and logistic regression were used to examine demographic characteristics of women having abortions at 13 or more weeks since last menstrual period (LMP) and women having abortions at 13–15 weeks LMP compared to 16+ weeks LMP. Results In 2008, 10.3% of abortions in the United States were 13 weeks LMP or later, including 4.0% at 16+ weeks. Groups most likely to have abortions at 13 weeks or later included black women, women with less education, those using health insurance to pay for the procedure and those who had experienced three or more disruptive events in the last year. Groups more likely to have an abortion at 16 weeks or later included black women, higher income women and those paying with health insurance. Conclusions Black women and those with less education would most benefit from increased availability of first-trimester abortion services.
Herpes simplex virus 2 modulates apoptosis and stimulates NF-κB nuclear translocation during infection in human epithelial HEp-2 cells

Abstract Virus-mediated apoptosis is well documented in various systems, including herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). HSV-2 is closely related to HSV-1 but its apoptotic potential during infection has not been extensively scrutinized. We report that (i) HEp-2 cells infected with HSV-2(G) triggered apoptosis, assessed by apoptotic cellular morphologies, oligosomal DNA laddering, chromatin condensation, and death factor processing when a translational inhibitor (CHX) was added at 3 hpi. Thus, HSV-2 induced apoptosis but was unable to prevent the process from killing cells. (ii) Results from a time course of CHX addition experiment indicated that infected cell protein produced between 3 and 5 hpi, termed the apoptosis prevention window, are required for blocking virus-induced apoptosis. This corresponds to the same prevention time frame as reported for HSV-1. (iii) Importantly, CHX addition prior to 3 hpi led to less apoptosis than that at 3 hpi. This suggests that proteins produced immediately upon infection are needed for efficient apoptosis induction by HSV-2. This finding is different from that observed previously with HSV-1. (iv) Infected cell factors produced during the HSV-2(G) prevention window inhibited apoptosis induced by external TNFα plus cycloheximide treatment. (v) NF-κB translocated to nuclei and its presence in nuclei correlated with apoptosis prevention during HSV-2(G) infection. (vi) Finally, clinical HSV-2 isolates induced and prevented apoptosis in HEp-2 cells in a manner similar to that of laboratory strains. Thus, while laboratory and clinical HSV-2 strains are capable of modulating apoptosis in human HEp-2 cells, the mechanism of HSV-2 induction of apoptosis differs from that of HSV-1.
Epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): occurrence, congenital transmission, correlates of infection, isolation, and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in white tailed deer (WTD) in the USA is high but little is known of the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in this host. In the present study, we compared T. gondii seroprevalence from 749 WTD collected in 2012 and 2013 from a Metropolitan Park in Ohio and 487 WTD deer shot in Minnesota during 2008, 2009, and 2010. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to T. gondii by the modified agglutination test (cut-off titer, 25). Additionally myocardial samples from 123 seropositive WTD from Ohio were digested in pepsin and the digests were bioassayed for the isolation of T. gondii. Furthermore, to estimate transplacental rate of transmission, brains from 155 fetuses (included twins) from 148 deer from Minnesota were bioassayed in mice for the isolation of viable T. gondii. Seroprevalence of T. gondii varied with the year of collection, geography, and the age of deer. Of the Ohio deer sampled in 2012 and 2013 seroprevalences for the two years were similar (73.4% and 75.7%, respectively); remarkably 150 (66.1%) of 227 deer of <1 year of age were seropositive. Of the Minnesota deer, seroprevalence was lowest for the year 2008 (14.8%, 26/175) versus 2009 (27.7%, 59/213), and 2010 (25.2%, 25/99), thought to be related to environmental temperatures. Viable T. gondii was isolated in mice from the myocardium of four WTD from Ohio, and brain of one WTD fetus from Minnesota. Tachyzoites from infected mouse tissues were further propagated in cell culture. The DNA isolated from culture-derived tachyzoites of these five T. gondii isolates was characterized using 11 PCR-RFLP markers (SAG1, 5′- and 3′-SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico). Four genotypes were found, including ToxoDB genotype no. 1 (Type II), no. 2 (Type III), no. 3 (Type II variant) and no. 146. Results indicate fluctuating seroprevalence, probably related to weather and warrant further epidemiological studies.
Arcing studies in ISX-B

Abstract Results of experimental measurements of arcing in ISX-B are described. Samples of stainless steel were exposed at the plasma edge and arcing currents to the sample were measured. Currents from several amperes up to 100 A were observed. It was possible to trigger arcs during well-behaved discharges by applying a high voltage to the sample. Elemental analysis of surface features of samples has shown that sulfur segregates to surfaces of arc craters in type 304 stainless steel. Detection of sulfur on surface samples may be related to arcing during cleanup processes in tokamaks.
Deficiency of chondroitin sulfate N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate sulfatase in Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome.

Summary The Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis VI) is characterized by excessive excretion in urine and deposition in tissue of dermatan sulfate. To investigate the enzymic basis of this disease [ 35 S]chondroitin 4-sulfate was prepared utilizing a rat chondrosarcoma. Extracts of fibroblasts derived from patients with this syndrome showed a marked diminution of release of 35 SO 4 both from [ 35 S]chondroitin 4-SO 4 and from a heptasaccharide derived from this substance. Since there is a marked deficiency of arylsulfatase B activity in this disease, it is concluded that natural substrate of arylsulfatase B is N-acetylgalactosamine 4-SO 4 in chondroitin 4-SO 4 and dermatan sulfate.
Optical and EPR studies of LiCl pseudodoping of emeraldine base

Abstract Similar to the doping of the emeraldine base (EB) form of polyaniline with protonic acids, we report the pseudodoping of EB with Li + ions. This assignment of Li + doping is based upon the observation of defect states in the bandgap and associated spins for EB processed with LiCl. However, the signatures of the doped phase do not grow monotonically with increasing LiCl doping level, suggesting a unique equilibrium between the Li + ion associating with the imine nitrogen of EB and possibly a LiCl cluster. Even at the maximal doping level, LiCl doped EB is not a metal but rather a strongly localized charged insulator.
Laser Fluorescence Detection in Microcolumn Liquid Chromatography: Application to Derivatized Carboxylic Acids:

A laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detector is evaluated for use with high-efficiency liquid chromatography columns of capillary dimensions. This detector employs a cw helium-cadmium laser (325 nm, 5-10 mW) as the excitation source, together with a fused-silica capillary flowcell and filter/photomultiplier optical system. The flowcell, which is an integral part of the microcolumn, contributes from 0.06 nL2 to 0.06 μL2 variance to the chromatographic system for capillaries of 35 to 330 μm diameter, respectively. The LIF detector is capable of sensing femtogram amounts of coumarin 440, and the response is linearly related to concentration over at least eight orders of magnitude. The potential of this combination of analytical techniques is demonstrated through the analysis of multicomponent mixtures of derivatized fatty acids and prostaglandins at the pico- and subpicomole level.
Effect of dl-α-difluoromethylornithine on methionine cycle intermediates in Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Activities of enzymes involved in transmethylation reactions were determined in bloodstream trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats. S-Adenosyl-l-methionine synthetase (EC 2.5.1.6), S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1), cystathionine synthase (EC 4.2.1.21), as well as several transmethylases were detected and localized in cytosolic rather than particulate fractions. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of methionine cycle intermediates in cells from untreated rats and from rats treated with the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor dl-α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) indicated that the inhibitor causes pronounced changes in concentrations of these intermediates and dramatically alters the methylation index of the cell. These findings demonstrate another in the wide range of metabolite disturbances attributable to DFMO and reflect the belief that multiple biochemical events are a sequel of its action on trypanosomes.
Discrimination of Static and Dynamic Spectral Patterns by Children and Young Adults in Relationship to Speech Perception in Noise

Past work has shown relationship between the ability to discriminate spectral patterns and measures of speech intelligibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of both children and young adults to discriminate static and dynamic spectral patterns, comparing performance between the two groups and evaluating within- group results in terms of relationship to speech-in-noise perception. Data were collected from normal-hearing children (age range: 5.4-12.8 years) and young adults (mean age: 22.8 years) on two spectral discrimination tasks and speech-in-noise perception. The first discrimination task, involving static spectral profiles, measured the ability to detect a change in the phase of a low-density sinusoidal spectral ripple of wideband noise. Using dynamic spectral patterns, the second task determined the signal-to-noise ratio needed to discriminate the temporal pattern of frequency fluctuation imposed by stochastic lowrate frequency modulation (FM). Children performed significantly poorer than young adults on both discrimination tasks. For children, a significant correlation between speech-in-noise perception and spectral- pattern discrimination was obtained only with the dynamic patterns of the FM condition, with partial correlation suggesting that factors related to the children’s age mediated the relationship.
Partners or pawns?: The impact of elite decision-making and epistemic communities in global information policy on developing countries and transnational civil society

This paper explores the complex institutional processes that comprise the global governance of cyberinfrastructure and examines the impact of these elite regime formation processes on developing countries and transnational civil society organizations. Based on a concurrent, mixed-methods study of the United Nations-sponsored World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), we find that policy-actors from developing countries and civil society organizations have been less effective than other actors in influencing these processes. Finally, we recommend future research on the use of ICTs to strengthen the effective participation of developing countries and transnational civil society organizations in these processes.
Abandoned buildings: Magnets for crime?

Abstract In economically distressed neighborhoods, abandoned houses and apartments can become hangouts for thieves, drug dealers, and prostitutes. In one low-income Austin, Texas neighborhood, 41 percent of abandoned buildings could be entered without use of force; of these open buildings, 83 percent showed evidence of illegal use by prostitutes, drug dealers, property criminals, and others. Crime rates on blocks with open abandoned buildings were twice as high as rates on matched blocks without open buildings. Even if 90 percent of the crimes presented are merely displaced to the sorrounding area, securing abandoned buildings appears to be a highly cost-effective crime control tactic for distressed neighborhoods.
The dynamics of storms and substorms with the WINDMI model

WINDMI is a physics based eight-dimensional state-space model that simulates the flow of energy between the dominant global energy components in the nightside magnetosphere. The model is intrinsically three-dimensional in configuration space, and uses the basic geometry of the Tsyganenko magnetic field model to define the physical quantities. The dynamical equations satisfy the laws of energy and charge conservation for the network of branches and nodes formed by the topology of the ambient magnetic field. The model includes energy coupled by injected plasma from the plasma sheet across the Alfven layer into the ring current. The power input into the model is the electromotive plasma dynamo derived from solar wind parameters. The output of the model is the westward Auroral Electrojet current and the energy stored in the Earth’s ring current. The prediction of the model is compared to the geomagnetic AL and Dst indices. These indices measure fluctuations of the earth’s magnetic field at its surface. The model parameters have been optimized using a genetic algorithm with the Average Relative Variance (ARV) as a performance metric for five of the seven designated Geospace Environment (GEM) storms. Results for the October 3–7 2000 GEM storm and the October 20–22 2001 GEM storm are given here. The optimized models appear to give a reliable method of making predictions from the solar wind for a range of auroral and ring current activity.
Description and Analysis of Preadmission Screening

The practice of screening applicants for nursing home admission to determine whether less restrictive residential settings are possible is growing as states attempt to limit costs of Medicaid expenditures for long-term care. Preadmission screening (PAS) is a repetitive task conducted under conditions of complexity and uncertainty. Extensive knowledge and skills are required to make recommendations concerning appropriate residences for elderly persons that match their needs with available services while assuring their autonomy, as well as that of their families. We used task analysis to explicate the specific task characteristics and the knowledge and skill requirements for successful PAS.
Concentration or Dispersion? Location Choice of Commercial Developers in the Portland Metropolitan Area, 2000–2007

This study develops nested logit models to explore the location choice of commercial developers in the Portland metropolitan area, a region that is widely known for its progressive urban growth management. The purposes are to study the dynamics of urban spatial structure from the supply side of the real estate market and to test the capacity of regional governments to manage urban growth by influencing the location choices of developers. The model results indicate that commercial development in the Portland region showed a clear trend of decentralization from its central city. Decentralized commercial developments were not generally dispersed in suburban areas either. Instead, commercial developers tended to locate them in locations within or in close proximity to employment subcenters. Among many control variables tested in the models, availability of vacant land zoned for commercial and industrial purposes proved to be the most important predictor for new commercial development.
Optical Scatter Imaging with a digital micromirror device

We had developed Optical Scatter Imaging (OSI) as a method which combines light scattering spectroscopy with microscopic imaging to probe local particle size in situ. Using a variable diameter iris as a Fourier spatial filter, the technique consisted of collecting images that encoded the intensity ratio of wide-to-narrow angle scatter at each pixel in the full field of view. In this paper, we replace the variable diameter Fourier filter with a digital micromirror device (DMD) to extend our assessment of morphology to the characterization of particle shape and orientation. We describe our setup in detail and demonstrate how to eliminate aberrations associated with the placement of the DMD in a conjugate Fourier plane of our microscopic imaging system. Using bacteria and polystyrene spheres, we show how this system can be used to assess particle aspect ratio even when imaged at low resolution. We also show the feasibility of detecting alterations in organelle aspect ratio in situ within living cells. This improved OSI system could be further developed to automate morphological quantification and sorting of non-spherical particles in situ.
Sedimentation characteristics of subcellular vesicles associated with internalized insulin and those bound with intracellular glucose transport activity

Comparative studies were made on the sedimentation characteristics of microsomal vesicles associated with internalized [125I]iodoinsulin and those bound with intracellular glucose transport activity. Upon linear sucrose density gradient centrifugation, the internalized hormone formed a peak slightly, but significantly, on the higher density side of the peak of intracellular glucose transport activity. After a long centrifugation, the peak of 125I activity became lower and broader than that of glucose transport activity. Internalized 125I activity was also found in the medium-density microsomal fraction, which had little glucose transport activity. Accumulation of 125I activity in the medium-density fraction and that in the low-density fraction were both completed in approximately 10 min. Under basal conditions, little, if any, insulin binding activity was detectable in either the medium- or low-density microsomal fractions; in contrast, some glucose transport activity was always present in the low-density fraction. These results indicate that the subcellular distribution of internalized insulin and of intracellular glucose transport activity are different, suggesting that the pathways of intracellular processing of the insulin receptor and the glucose transport mechanism are different.
Hierarchical multi-touch selection techniques for collaborative geospatial analysis

In time critical visual analytic environments collaboration between multiple expert users allows for rapid knowledge discovery and facilitates the sharing of insight. New collaborative display technologies, such as multi-touch tables, have shown great promise as the medium for such collaborations to take place. However, under such new technologies, traditional selection techniques, having been developed for mouse and keyboard interfaces, become inconvenient, inefficient, and in some cases, obsolete. We present selection techniques for multi-touch environments that allow for the natural and efficient selection of complex regions-of-interest within a hierarchical geospatial environment, as well as methods for refining and organizing these selections. The intuitive nature of the touch-based interaction permits new users to quickly grasp complex controls, while the consideration for collaboration coordinates the actions of multiple users simultaneously within the same environment. As an example, we apply our simple gestures and actions mimicking real-world tactile behaviors to increase the usefulness and efficacy of an existing urban growth simulation in a traditional GIS-like environment. However, our techniques are general enough to be applied across a wide range of geospatial analytical applications for both domestic security and military use.
Polyoxoanion Coordination Chemistry: Synthesis and Characterization of the Heterometallic, Hexanuclear Clusters [{Zn(bipy)(2)}(2)V(4)O(12)], [{Zn(phen)(2)}(2)V(4)O(12)].H(2)O, and [{Ni(bipy)(2)}(2)Mo(4)O(14)].

The hydrothermal reactions of vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide starting materials with divalent first-row transition metal cations in the presence of nitrogen donor chelating ligands yield the heterometallic hexanuclear clusters [{Zn(bipy)(2)}(2)V(4)O(12)] (2), [{Zn(phen)(2)}(2)V(4)O(12)].H(2)O (3.H(2)O), and [{Ni(bipy)(2)}(2)Mo(4)O(14)] (4). A similar reaction in the presence of excess 2,2'-bipyridine yields [Zn(bipy)(3)](2)[V(4)O(12)].11H(2)O (1.11H(2)O), a species with an isolated {V(4)O(12)}(4)(-) cluster. The structure of 2 consists of a {V(4)O(12)}(4)(-) ring covalently attached to each of two {Zn(bipy)(2)}(2+) moieties through the terminal oxo groups of alternate vanadium sites. In contrast, the structure of 3 exhibits a {V(4)O(12)}(4)(-) ring linked through oxo groups of adjacent vanadium sites to two {Zn(phen)(2)}(2+) moieties. The structure of 4 is constructed from two {Mo(2)O(7)}(2)(-) units linked through two {Ni(bipy)(2)}(2+) groups to form a cyclic 12-membered {Mo(4)Ni(2)O(6)} core. Crystal data: [Zn(bipy)(3)](2)[V(4)O(12)].11H(2)O (1.11H(2)O), a = 21.910(4) A, b = 14.044(2) A, c = 23.815(4) A, beta = 106.15(1) degrees, monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4; [{Zn(bipy)(2)}(2)V(4)O(12)] (2), a = 12.017(2) A, c = 15.120(2) A, tetragonal P4(2)/n, Z = 2. [{Zn(o-phen)(2)}(2)V(4)O(12)].H(2)O (3.H(2)O), a = 18.182(2) A, b = 11.3668(9) A, c = 23.455(2) A, beta = 97.815(7) degrees, monoclinic P2(1)/c, Z = 4; [{Ni(bipy)(2){(2)Mo(4)O(14)] (4), a = 12.323(2) A, c = 14.897(4) A, tetragonal P4(2)2(1)2, Z = 2.
Human Breast Tumor Estrogen Receptor: Effects of Molybdate and Electrophoretic Analyses

The largest and smallest discrete forms of the estrogen receptor in human breast tumor cytosol were characterized by competitive steroid binding, ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, and electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels of several concentrations. Incubation of cytosol with [3H]estradiol and centrifugation in glycerol gradients containing 20 mM Na2MoO4 and 0 or 150 mM KC1 revealed a 9-10S form of the receptor. It resembles the molybdate-stabilized complexes in cytosols of other human and rodent, malignant and healthy tissues, and the complex detected in breast tumor cytosol containing leupeptin, a bacterial protease inhibitor. Preservation of receptor integrity during purification and discrimination from serum steroid-binding components are facilitated by inclusion of molybdate in all buffers. Possible mechanisms of action of molybdate include the inhibition of ribonuclease action on RNA-associated receptor forms and protection against specific proteolytic cleavage by stabilization of a phosphate gro...
Limited yield of hospitalization for the evaluation of syncope in patients presenting to an urban tertiary medical center

Syncope is a frequent presenting complaint in the emergency department and is associated with significant medical costs. We examined the utility of inpatient evaluation of syncope for patients in whom a diagnosis was not established in the emergency department. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients presenting with syncope to an urban tertiary care medical center. A diagnosis was not established after initial evaluation in the emergency department in 171 of 230 patients admitted. Inhospital evaluation led to a diagnosis in 26 patients. Acute intervention was required in 2 patients. Our observations suggest that an inpatient evaluation of syncope for patients in whom a diagnosis is not made on initial evaluation is of low yield, and outpatient follow-up may be safe.
Morphogenesis of the fetal membranes and placenta of the black bear, Ursus americanus (Pallas).

Knowledge of placentation in bears has been limited to analysis of a single shed placenta of the European brown bear. It was shown that the mature allantoic placenta is discoidal, endotheliochorial, provided with a circular marginal hematoma, and that the allantoic sac is large and permanent. The present study, based on a small series of conceptuses younger than any previously examined, provides new details concerning implantation and the morphogenesis of the fetal membranes, placenta and paraplacental organs. Implantation in the black bear is central and superficial; the orientation of the embryonic disc is antimesometrial. Amniogenesis and chorion formation are almost certainly accomplished by folding. The decidual reaction is minimal. As in other carnivores the yolk sac is prominent early, but progressively declines. A well-developed choriovitelline placenta is formed early, but is eliminated before the limb bud stage. The bilaminar omphalopleure persists only slightly beyond the limb bud stage. The allantois, however, is extensive and permanent. Initially, the allantoic placenta is cup-shaped but eventually flattens out to form the discoidal placenta. It is lobuliform and endotheliochorial, and probably a marked attenuation of the interhemal membrane occurs in later stages. The marginal hematoma, which is completed before the limb bud stage, is formed by enlargement and coalescence of separate extravasations, and apparently remains fully functional to term. Overall, morphogenetic sequences and relationships in bears more nearly resemble those of the dog than of other carnivores.
Phase II Study of Dutasteride for Recurrent Prostate Cancer During Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Purpose: We determined the response rate to and safety of a dual 5α-reductase inhibitor, dutasteride, in men with castration recurrent prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: A total of 28 men with asymptomatic castration recurrent prostate cancer were treated with 3.5 mg dutasteride daily (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone treatment continued), and evaluated monthly for response and toxicity. Eligibility included appropriate duration antiandrogen withdrawal, baseline prostate specific antigen 2.0 ng/ml or greater and a new lesion on bone scan, increase in measurable disease using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria, or 2 or more consecutive prostate specific antigen measurements increased over baseline. Outcomes were progression, stable disease, partial response (prostate specific antigen less than 50% of enrollment for 4 or more weeks) or complete response.Results: There were 25 evaluable men with a mean age of 70 years (range 57 to 88), a mean prostate specific antigen of 61.9 ng/m...
Trait dimensionality explains widespread variation in local adaptation

All species are locked in a continual struggle to adapt to local ecological conditions. In cases where species fail to locally adapt, they face reduced population growth rates, or even local extinction. Traditional explanations for limited local adaptation focus on maladaptive gene flow or homogeneous environmental conditions. These classical explanations have, however, failed to explain variation in the magnitude of local adaptation observed across taxa. Here we show that variable levels of local adaptation are better explained by trait dimensionality. First, we develop and analyse mathematical models that predict levels of local adaptation will increase with the number of traits experiencing spatially variable selection. Next, we test this prediction by estimating the relationship between dimensionality and local adaptation using data from 35 published reciprocal transplant studies. This analysis reveals a strong correlation between dimensionality and degree of local adaptation, and thus provides empirical support for the predictions of our model.
Two-stage color palettization for error diffusion

Image-adaptive color palettization chooses a decreased number of colors to represent an image. Palettization is one way to decrease storage and memory requirements for low-end displays. Palettization is generally approached as a clustering problem, where one attempts to find the k palette colors that minimize the average distortion for all the colors in an image. This would be the optimal approach if the image was to be displayed with each pixel quantized to the closest palette color. However, to improve the image quality the palettization may be followed by error diffusion. In this work, we propose a two-stage palettization where the first stage finds some m << k clusters, and the second stage chooses palette points that cover the spread of each of the M clusters. After error diffusion, this method leads to better image quality at less computational cost and with faster display speed than full k-means palettization.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.