cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of historical forcings in simulating the observed Atlantic multidecadal oscillation

We analyze the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) in the preindustrial (PI) and historical (HIST) simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) to assess the drivers of the observed AMO from 1865 to 2005. We draw 141 year samples from the 41 CMIP5 model's PI runs and compare the correlation and variance between the observed AMO and the simulated PI and HIST AMO. The correlation coefficients in 38 forced (HIST) models are above the 90% confidence level and explain up to 56% of the observed variance. The probability that any of the unforced (PI) models do as well is less than 3% in 31 models. Multidecadal variability is larger in 39 CMIP5 HIST simulations and in all HIST members of the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble than their corresponding PI. We conclude that there is an essential role for external forcing in driving the observed AMO.
Real-time photoacoustic flow cytography and photothermolysis of single circulating melanoma cells in vivo

Metastasis is responsible for as many as 90% of cancer-related deaths, and the deadliest skin cancer, melanoma, has a high propensity for metastasis. Since hematogenous spread of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is cancer’s main route of metastasis, detecting and destroying CTCs can impede metastasis and improve patients’ prognoses. Extensive studies employing exogenous agents to detect tumor-specific biomarkers and guide therapeutics to CTCs have achieved promising results, but biosafety remains a critical concern. Taking another approach, physical detection and destruction of CTCs is a safer way to evaluate and reduce metastasis risks. Melanoma cells strongly express melanosomes, providing a striking absorption contrast with the blood background in the red to near-infrared spectrum. Exploiting this intrinsic optical absorption contrast of circulating melanoma cells, we coupled dual-wavelength photoacoustic flow cytography with a nanosecond-pulsed laser killing mechanism that specifically targets melanoma CTCs. We have successfully achieved in vivo label-free imaging of rare single CTCs and CTC clusters in mice. Further, the photoacoustic signal from a CTC immediately hardware-triggers a lethal pinpoint laser irradiation that lyses it on the spot in a thermally confined manner. Our technology can facilitate early inhibition of metastasis by clearing circulating tumor cells from vasculature.
Limitations of scaling momentum control strategies to small spacecraft

As a spacecraft becomes smaller, a number of physical effects scale both favorably and unfavorably for passive stabilization of the craft. Unfortunately, two separate quantities both scale unfavorably for the use of traditional spinning rotor actuators (e.g. reaction wheels, momentum wheels, control moment gyros) for momentum and attitude control. First, the dominant disturbance torques on small spacecraft in low earth orbit, aerodynamic drag and solar radiation pressure, both become relatively larger as spacecraft size decreases. Second, the effectiveness of spinning rotors reduces as the rotor inertia decreases with the square or the wheel radius. These two factors conspire to greatly reduce the effectiveness of rotor-based momentum control systems at small scales. This reduction requires small spacecraft designers to either devote a significantly larger mass fraction to momentum control or adopt alternative momentum control systems. In this study we examine this problem from two viewpoints. First, empirical data is used to find a relationship between spacecraft size and mass fraction devoted to attitude control. While the International Space Station can devote less than 1% of its mass fraction to momentum control effectors, GEO telecom spacecraft tend to need around 1–2% of available mass, and some CubeSats must devote greater than 50% of their mass fraction. Second, we derive an expression for the smallest spacecraft that can use a reaction wheel for effective momentum management. For reasonable assumptions, this lower limit is on the order of 1 cm length scale, which is in good agreement with the empirical trend. Finally, we list some alternative momentum management strategies and discuss how they apply to spacecraft at the smallest size: the centimeter scale ChipSat.
Preagricultural Sedentism: The Natufian Example

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses preagricultural sedentism. The Levant during the terminal Pleistocene offers an intriguing opportunity for the comparison of different adaptive systems and their evolution. During the period from around 14,000 to 10,000 years ago, simple hunting–gathering societies gave way to complex hunter–gatherers who were subsequently replaced by agriculturalists. However, in the Levant, changes in procurement and settlement strategies, demographic patterns, and social organization are at present recognized to have been more profound during the first rather than the second transition. From a diachronic perspective, three general observations can be made relative to complex hunting–gathering systems. First, such systems experienced quite short durations, normally not exceeding two to three millennia. Second, such systems were most common during the terminal Pleistocene and early Holocene (that is., after ca. 10,500 B.C.), although there are some indications of their presence earlier in the Pleistocene. Third, such complex adaptations were typically transitional between simple hunting–gathering and agricultural systems. While the simple hunting–gathering and agricultural systems have been well studied from the static and evolutionary perspectives of ethnography and archeology, few investigations have been devoted to more complex hunter–gatherers.
Comparison of NMDA and AMPA Channel Expression and Function between Embryonic and Adult Neurons Utilizing Microelectrode Array Systems.

Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are innovative tools used to perform electrophysiological experiments for the study of electrical activity and connectivity in populations of neurons from dissociated cultures. Reliance upon neurons derived from embryonic tissue is a common limitation of neuronal/MEA hybrid systems and perhaps of neuroscience research in general, and the use of adult neurons could model fully functional in vivo parameters more closely. Spontaneous network activity was concurrently recorded from both embryonic and adult rat neurons cultured on MEAs for up to 10 weeks in vitro to characterize the synaptic connections between cell types. The cultures were exposed to synaptic transmission antagonists against NMDA and AMPA channels, which revealed significantly different receptor profiles of adult and embryonic networks in vitro. In addition, both embryonic and adult neurons were evaluated for NMDA and AMPA channel subunit expression over five weeks in vitro. The results established that neurons de...
Evaluation of cold weather clothing using manikins

Abstract: This chapter discusses the use of thermal manikins to measure the insulation value and evaporative resistance of cold weather clothing ensembles. Manikin data can be used in heat loss models to predict the environmental conditions for comfort. The pumping effect in clothing can be measured with the manikin walking, and the effect of phase-change materials in cold weather clothing can be evaluated by moving the manikin between chambers at different environmental temperatures.
Development of Electrochemical Treatment at the City of Hope

To develop cancer electrochemical treatment (ECT) in the United States, we have conducted basic studies and started a Phase I clinical trial. Our in vivo preliminary results indicate that ECT is effective on RIF-1 mouse tumor and rat fibrosarcomas. The effectiveness is dependent on electrode placement and dosage. In the in vitro study ECT clearly demonstrated dose-dependent human oral carcinoma KB cell growth inhibition by colony-forming assay. ECT caused a pH change around the electrodes and DNA synthesis decreased. At 1 coulomb/ml, pH decreased to 4.53 at the anode and increased to 10.46 at the cathode. We have started an animal study to resolve the ECT methodological problems for breast cancer. Meanwhile, we began a clinical trial, entitled “Phase I study of electrochemical treatment of recurrent superficial measurable malignant tumors”. Our goal is to make ECT a useful alternative method for treating localized tumors.
Novel Therapeutic Strategies to Combat HCC

Since HCC is caused by the activation and aberrant expression of various proteins, development of any effective treatment requires targeting multiple signaling cascades simultaneously. Sorafenib, the first FDA approved drug in the United States for the treatment of HCC, was successful because it targets kinases of different signaling pathways at the same time. This approach has led to the development of a number of drugs, which target various growth factor receptors and other signaling pathways, which are currently undergoing clinical trials. In addition, owing to the success of miR-26a, different miRNAs are also being tested in clinical trials to treat HCC. Stem cell therapy is also being developed as a HCC therapy.
Sensor placement for optimal estimation of vector-valued diffusion processes

Abstract Diffusion processes are commonplace in many scientific disciplines, as they describe a broad range of physical phenomenon. Consider a diffusion process observed through linear sensors with additive white noise. We derive the optimal placement of these sensors for estimating this process, where optimality is defined in terms of the mean squared estimation error (MSE) of the state given past observations. We consider two cases. First, we assume the sensors to be orthogonal. We show in this case that the minimum MSE is related to the nuclear norm of the system matrix of the process. Second, we remove the orthogonality constraint and show that the MSE is related to the Schatten p -norm of the system matrix of the process and the optimal sensors are proportional its matrix cube root. We present simulation results illustrating the fact that the gain afforded by optimizing the choice of sensors depends on the ratio p ∕ n , where n is the dimension of the system and p the dimension of the Wiener processes driving it, and this gain is in general large, especially when p ∕ n is small.
Towards a unified model of event-related potentials as phases of stimulus-to-response processing.

Abstract This study demonstrates the utility of combining principles of connectionist theory with a sophisticated statistical approach, structural equation modeling (SEM), to better understand brain-behavior relationships in studies using event-related potentials (ERPs). The models show how sequential phases of neural processing measured by averaged ERP waveform components can successfully predict task behavior (response time; RT) while accounting for individual differences in maturation and sex. The models assume that all ERP measures are affected by individual differences in physical and mental state that inflate measurement error. ERP data were collected from 154 neurotypical children (7-13 years, M = 10.22, SD = 1.48; 74 males) performing a cued Go/No-Go task during two separate sessions. Using SEM, we show a latent variable path model with good fit (e.g., χ2(51) = 56.20, p = .25; RMSEA = .03; CFI = .99; SRMR = .06) yielding moderate-to-large predictive coefficients from N1 through the E-wave latent variables (N1 β = -.29 → P2 β = -.44 → N2 β = .28 → P3 β =.64→ E-wave), which in turn significantly predicted RT (β =.34, p = .02). Age significantly related to N1 and P3 latent variables as well as RT (β =.31, -.58, & -.40 respectively), and Sex significantly related to the E-wave latent variable and RT (β =.36 & 0.21 respectively). Additionally, the final model suggested that individual differences in emotional and physical state accounted for a significant proportion of variance in ERP measurements, and that individual states systematically varied across sessions (i.e., the variance was not just random noise). These findings suggest that modeling ERPs as a system of inter-related processes may be a more informative approach to examining brain-behavior relationships in neurotypical and clinical groups than traditional analysis techniques.
A promising front in the war on inequality

Over the last half century, earnings and income inequality have increased within many countries, although the timing and extent of the increase have been variable. This development has engendered a large stream of social science research that has successfully identified some of the main culprits behind the takeoff in inequality. Given that this topic has been worked for so long and with such success, it might be thought that the chances of uncovering an unusually important fact about trends in inequality are rather low. Although that may well be the case, the PNAS paper “Rising between-workplace inequalities in high-income countries” by Tomaskovic-Devey et al. (1) has evidently beaten the odds, breaking ground by showing that the between-workplace share of earnings inequality is rapidly growing in most well-off countries. The inequality regime of contemporary well-off countries melds together 1) superstar workplaces that are chock full of relatively high-earnings workers and 2) low-end workplaces that are chock full of relatively low-earnings workers. This result may be understood as the analog to the well-known finding that residential segregation by income is increasing in the United States. As Reardon et al. (2) show, the United States is increasingly segregated into separate residential neighborhoods, some for high earners and others for low earners. It seems that economic segregation of all types is the new normal: We sleep by night in segregated neighborhoods and then work by day in segregated workplaces. This latest finding on rising earnings inequality builds upon a preexisting country-specific literature showing that between-workplace or between-firm inequality accounts for a rising share of inequality in the United States (3), West Germany (4), and Sweden (5). The key contribution of Tomaskovic-Devey et al. (1) is to show that this result is a very common one that holds in 12 of 14 well-off countries. Moreover, … [↵][1]1Email: grusky{at}stanford.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Homozygous deletion of CDKN2A by fluorescence in situ hybridization is prognostic in grade 4, but not grade 2 or 3, IDH-mutant astrocytomas

IDH-mutant astrocytomas have a more indolent natural history and better prognosis than their IDH-wild type counterparts, but are still graded according to schemes developed prior to the recognition of this type of neoplasm as a distinct entity. Homozygous deletion of CDKN2A has been proposed as a molecular correlate of aggressive behavior in these tumors, and may be incorporated into future grading systems in an effort to improve prognostic stratification. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a common ancillary testing modality used to assess CDKN2A status, but the specifics of how to best interpret FISH results for prognostication of gliomas have not been clearly defined in the literature. To address this issue, we performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected CDKN2A FISH data from 108 primary and 43 recurrent IDH-mutant astrocytomas diagnosed between 2007–2020 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. High level CDKN2A homozygous deletion was rare in primary tumors and was identified more frequently in recurrent tumors. Multivariate Cox Proportional-Hazards analysis demonstrated that histologic grade and CDKN2A status are independent predictors of survival, and the prognostic value of CDKN2A is maximized by applying a threshold of ≥ 30% of tumor cells with homozygous deletion by FISH to define a positive result. At this threshold, CDKN2A deletion significantly stratified survival of histologic grade 4 tumors, but grade 2 and 3 tumors rarely exceeded this cutoff value and did not show worse survival. Lower thresholds identified additional lower grade tumors, but were not prognostically useful. Compared to prior studies, the lack of prognostic significance of CDKN2A homozygous deletion by FISH in grade 2–3 IDH-mutant astrocytomas may reflect differences in cohort populations or technical differences between testing modalities. Definitive criteria for determining CDKN2A homozygous deletion by various methodologies will be critical if this is to be included in future grading schemes.
Influence of Holding Conditions and Storage Duration of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs on Adventive and Quarantine Populations of Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Behavior and Parasitism Success.

Halyomorpha halys (Stal) is an invasive pest in the United States and other countries. In its native range, H. halys eggs are parasitized by a co-evolved parasitoid, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead). In the United States, T. japonicus, a classical biological control candidate, is being redistributed in many states where adventive populations exist. To establish if H. halys egg holding conditions affect T. japonicus foraging behavior or successful parasitism, naive, female parasitoids from an adventive population were allowed to forage in laboratory bioassay arenas with either fresh or frozen (-20 or -80°C) egg masses, the latter held for five durations ranging from 1 h to 112 d. Parasitoid movements were recorded for 1 h. Thereafter, parasitoids were transferred with the same egg mass for 23 h. Additionally, female parasitoids from a quarantine colony were exposed to: 1) pairs of fresh egg masses and egg masses frozen at -40°C (>24 h) or 2) a single fresh egg mass or egg mass frozen at -40°C (<1 h). All exposed egg masses were held to assess progeny emergence. In the foraging bioassay, holding temperature and storage duration appeared to influence host-finding and host quality. Egg masses held at -80°C and fresh egg masses resulted in significantly greater levels of parasitism and progeny emergence compared with eggs held at -20°C. No differences were recorded between egg masses held at -40°C for ≤1 h and fresh egg masses. These results will help refine methods for preparation of egg masses for sentinel monitoring and parasitoid mass rearing protocols.
On the Performance Impact of NUMA on One-sided RDMA Interactions

One of the consequences of ultra-fast networks like InfiniBand is that known implications of Non-uniform Memory Access (NUMA) locality now constitute a higher percentage of execution time for distributed systems employing Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA). Our findings quantify the role NUMA plays in RDMA operation performance and uncovers unexpected behavior.
Music Community, Improvisation, and Social Technologies in COVID-Era Música Huasteca

This article examines two interrelated aspects of Mexican regional music response to the coronavirus crisis in the musica huasteca community: the growth of interactive huapango livestreams as a preexisting but newly significant space for informal community gathering and cultural participation at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and the composition of original verses by son huasteco performers addressing the pandemic. Both the livestreams and the newly created coronavirus disease (COVID) verses reflect critical improvisatory approaches to the pandemic in musica huasteca. The interactive livestreams signaled an ad hoc community infrastructure facilitated by social media and an emerging community space fostered by Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activists. Improvised COVID-related verses presented resonant local and regional themes as a community response to a global crisis. Digital ethnography conducted since March 2020 revealed a regional burst of musical creativity coupled with DIY intentionality, a leveling of access to virtual community spaces, and enhanced digital intimacies established across a wide cultural diaspora in Mexico and the USA. These responses were musically, poetically, and organizationally improvisational, as was the overall outpouring of the son huasteco music inspired by the coronavirus outbreak. Son huasteco is a folk music tradition from the Huasteca, a geo-cultural region spanning the intersection of six states in central Mexico. This study examines a selection of musical responses by discussing improvisational examples in both Spanish and the indigenous language Nahuatl, and in the virtual musical communities of the Huasteca migrant diaspora in digital events such as "Encuentro Virtual de Trios Huastecos," the "Huapangos Sin Fronteras" festival and competition, and in the nightly gatherings on social media platforms developed during the pandemic to sustain the Huastecan cultural expression. These phenomena have served as vibrant points of transnational connection and identity in a time where physical gatherings were untenable.
The presence of fucose, mannose, and glucosamine-containing heteropolysaccharide in collagen from the sea anemone Metridium dianthus.

Abstract Pepsin-solubilized collagen was prepared from the body-wall connective tissue of the sea anemone Metridium dienthus. It was judged to be collagen on the basis of its precipitability with 10% NaCl solution, its segment long spacing pattern in the electron microscope, its amino acid analysis, its melting behavior, its optical rotation, and its behavior on gel filtration chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and disc electrophoresis. Pepsin-solubilized Metridium collagen contained two components, an α chain and a β component, when examined by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. These components were separated by agarose 1.5 m gel filtration and further purified by ion exchange chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose. The highly purified α and β chains each contained almost 1% by weight of the sugars fucose, mannose, and glucosamine, in the form of heteropolysaccharide. These sugars have not been previously reported to be present in highly purified, soluble collagen chains.
Cam and Lifter Wear as Affected by Engine Oil ZDP Concentration and Type

To determine the effects of oil additives on wear, controlled tests were run using 1972-1974 model cars, unleaded gasoline, and either SE commercial products or experimental formulations. Generally, protection from excessive wear was best provided by those oils containing predominately alkyl ZDP (zinc dithiophosphate) anti-wear additive instead of aryl ZDP. /GMRL/
Colorectal cancer prevention by an optimized colonoscopy protocol in routine practice.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality prevention achievable in clinical practice with an optimized colonoscopy protocol targeting near-complete polyp clearance. The protocol consisted of: (i) telephonic reinforcement of bowel preparation instructions; (ii) active inspection for polyps throughout insertion and circumferential withdrawal; and (iii) timely updating of the protocol and documentation to incorporate the latest guidelines. Of 17,312 patients provided screening colonoscopies by 59 endoscopists in South Carolina, USA from September 2001 through December 2008, 997 were excluded using accepted exclusion criteria. Data on 16,315 patients were merged with the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry and Vital Records Registry data from January 1996 to December 2009 to identify incident CRC cases and deaths, incident lung cancers and brain cancer deaths (comparison control cancers). The standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) relative to South Carolina and US SEER-18 population rates were calculated. Over 78,375 person-years of observation, 18 patients developed CRC versus 104.11 expected for an SIR of 0.17, or 83% CRC protection, the rates being 68% and 91%, respectively among the adenoma- and adenoma-free subgroups (all p < 0.001). Restricting the cohort to ensure minimum 5-year follow-up (mean follow-up 6.64 years) did not change the results. The CRC mortality reduction was 89% (p < 0.001; four CRC deaths vs. 35.95 expected). The lung cancer SIR was 0.96 (p = 0.67), and brain cancer SMR was 0.92 (p = 0.35). Over 80% reduction in CRC incidence and mortality is achievable in routine practice by implementing key colonoscopy principles targeting near-complete polyp clearance.
REALIGNMENT OF THE GENETIC MAP OF THE TERMINUS OF THE rIIB CISTRON OF BACTERIOPHAGE T4

Duplication end-point mapping in the rIIB cistron indicates that the order of the B8-B10b segments is the inverse of that presented in Benzer's (1961) genetic maps. This finding is supported by two- and three-factor crosses and the phenotypes of rII deletions extending into the D region.
Sexual positioning and race-based attraction by preferences for social dominance among gay Asian/Pacific Islander men in the United States.

For gay men in the United States, race/ethnicity has been demonstrated to factor importantly into sexual preferences, and race-based beliefs regarding certain racial groups are prevalent within the gay male community. For gay men of color, such beliefs may differentially influence their sexual preferences. Yet, little is known about the social-psychological factors underlying differences in sexual preferences among gay men of color. The present study examined how personal preferences for social hierarchy and dominance may explain variations in sexual positioning preferences, and how this relationship may be further qualified by their race-based sexual attraction among gay Asian/Pacific Islander (API) men. A total of 141 API gay men were recruited to participate in an online survey. Measures assessed participants’ sexual positioning preferences, race-based sexual attraction, and preferences for social hierarchy or social dominance orientation (SDO). Self-identified tops scored higher on SDO than bottoms or versatiles. Participants attracted to non-API men scored higher on SDO compared to participants attracted to API men and participants who reported no race-based attraction. Finally, a significant two-way interaction indicated that tops attracted to non-API men scored the highest on SDO, and bottoms with no race-based attraction in men scored the lowest. Race/ethnicity is a prominent factor in sexual attraction and sexual positioning preferences among gay men, and one’s proclivity for social hierarchy and dominance explains differences in sexual preferences among API gay men. By demonstrating how API gay men negotiate sexual preferences, present findings help elucidate existing race-based sexual dynamics within gay male culture.
E-selectin liposomal and nanotube-targeted delivery of doxorubicin to circulating tumor cells

The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is believed to lead to the formation of secondary tumors via an adhesion cascade involving interaction between adhesion receptors of endothelial cells and ligands on CTCs. Many CTCs express sialylated carbohydrate ligands on their surfaces that adhere to selectin protein found on inflamed endothelial cells. We have investigated the feasibility of using immobilized selectin proteins as a targeting mechanism for CTCs under flow. Herein, targeted liposomal doxorubicin (L-DXR) was functionalized with recombinant human E-selectin (ES) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to target and kill cancer cells under shear flow, both when immobilized along a microtube device or sheared in a cone-and-plate viscometer in a dilute suspension. Healthy circulating cells such as red blood cells were not targeted by this mechanism and were left to freely circulate, and minimal leukocyte death was observed. Halloysite nanotube (HNT)-coated microtube devices immobilized with nanoscale liposomes significantly enhanced the targeting, capture, and killing of cancer cells. This work demonstrates that E-selectin functionalized L-DXR, sheared in suspension or immobilized onto microtube devices, provides a novel approach to selectively target and deliver chemotherapeutics to CTCs in the bloodstream.
Broad band absorption silicon nanowire array using diverse radii for photovoltaic applications

In this work, we introduce new silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays that have broad band absorption spectrum using significantly low material filling ratio. Radii and pitch diversity are employed in designing the proposed SiNW arrays. The arrays are considered 2D infinite in the x and y directions, and composed of vertically aligned cylindrical SiNW that are suspended in air. Computational electromagnetics software Ansys® HFSS is used to compute the absorptance of the array. Results show that diversity of radii in an array plays a significant role in broadening the absorption spectrum, enhancing light trapping, and increasing efficiency. SiNW arrays with continuum radii diversity achieve ∼75% efficiency enhancement relative to regular array and 150% relative to equivalent thickness crystalline silicon film.
A morphological study of larval development in polymorphic all-worker broods of the army antEciton burchelli (1, 2)

L'etude de l'anatomie, interne et externe, des larves d'un couvain polymorphe “all-worker” d'Eciton burchelli indique que, malgre le manque de differences significatives entre les structures globales ou partielles des individus appartenant aux divers groupes polymorphes, il existe des differences importantes dans la courbe de croissance parmi les individus des populations polymorphes. Des differences dues a la caste se manifestent lors de l'apparition des structures externes telles que les pieces buccales et les disques imaginaux des antennes, des pattes et des gonopodes. Des differences se manifestent egalement par des structures internes telles que le tube digestif, les tubes de Malpighi, le systeme nerveux, les glandes labiales par exemple. En considerant une serie complete du couvain entier prise a n'importe quel moment de la phase de developpement, on a trouve que les individus les plus gros etaient les plus avances, ceux de volume moyen etaient moins avances, et ceux de petit volume etaient les moins avances.
Search Efficiency for Tactile Features Rendered by Surface Haptic Displays

Haptic interfaces controlled by a single fingertip or hand-held probe tend to display surface features individually, requiring serial search for multiple features. Novel surface haptic devices, however, have the potential to provide displays to multiple fingertips simultaneously, affording the possibility of parallel search. Using variable-friction surface haptic devices, we investigated the ability of participants to detect a target feature among a set of distractors in parallel across the fingers. We found that searches for a material property (slipperiness) and an illusory shape (virtual hole) were significantly impaired by distractors, while search for an abrupt discontinuity (virtual edge) was not. The efficiency of search for edges rendered by surface haptics suggests that they engage primitive detectors in the haptic perceptual system.
Low-energy total and differential cross sections for the electron-impact excitation of Si2+ and Ar6+

The total and angular differential excitation cross sections for the transitions 3${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ $^{1}$S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3s3p $^{3}$P, 3${\mathit{s}}^{2}$ $^{1}$S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3s3p $^{1}$P, and 3s3p $^{3}$P\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3s3p $^{1}$P in the Mg-like ions ${\mathrm{Si}}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{6+}$ are determined in the threshold energy region using the close-coupling R-matrix method. The total cross sections for all three transitions in both ions exhibit strong resonance structures near threshold. We focus our analysis on the angular distribution of the scattered electrons. The differential cross sections are found to undergo rapid and strong variations when the incident energy is tuned through the autoionizing resonance transitions. In ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{6+}$, we also examine the angular distribution of the scattered electrons associated with the nonresonant background cross sections for the two transitions from the ground state. For the dipole-allowed transition, the electrons are preferentially backscattered near the excitation threshold; however, the fraction of electrons scattered in the forward direction increases dramatically with energy. The corresponding behavior for the spin-forbidden transition is quite different. We discuss the implications of these results to possible excitation measurements in which the scattered electrons are collected.
The Potential Association Between Postmenopausal Hormone Use and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Importance Retinal ganglion cells are known to express estrogen receptors and prior studies have suggested an association between postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use and decreased intraocular pressure, suggesting that PMH use may decrease the risk for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Objective To determine whether the use of 3 different classes of PMH affects the risk for POAG. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis of claims data from women 50 years or older enrolled in a US managed-care plan for at least 4 years in which enrollees had at least 2 visits to an eye care provider during the period 2001 through 2009. Exposure Postmenopausal hormone medications containing estrogen only, estrogen + progesterone, and estrogen + androgen, as captured from outpatient pharmacy claims over a 4-year period. Main Outcomes and Measures Hazard ratios (HRs) for developing incident POAG. Results Of 152 163 eligible enrollees, 2925 (1.9%) developed POAG. After adjustment for confounding factors, each additional month of use of PMH containing estrogen only was associated with a 0.4% reduced risk for POAG (HR, 0.996 [95% CI, 0.993-0.999]; P = .02). The risk for POAG did not differ with each additional month of use of estrogen + progesterone (HR, 0.994 [95% CI, 0.987-1.001]; P = .08) or estrogen + androgen (HR, 0.999 [95% CI, 0.988-1.011]; P = .89). Conclusions and Relevance Use of PMH preparations containing estrogen may help reduce the risk for POAG. If prospective studies confirm the findings of this analysis, novel treatments for this sight-threatening condition may follow.
Screening and replica plating of anti-hapten hybridomas with a transfer template hemolytic spot assay

Abstract A localized hemolysis in gel assay is described for screening microcultures of hybridomas for the production of anti-hapten antibody. The keys to the rapid screening assay reported here are a special fenestrated transfer template and an improved hapten conjugated target cell. The transfer template is a 96-well plate with a calibrated hole in the bottom center of each well. To assay for anti-hapten antibodies, the transfer template is positioned over a 96-well microculture plate containing the growing hybridomas. After making contact with the tissue culture supernatant.each orifice of the transfer template retains approximately 2 μl of tissue culture supernatant. The transfer template is then placed onto an assay slide containing a thin layer of hapten conjugated target erythrocytes incorporated into agarose. After incubation with an anti-immunoglobulin and complement, areas of localized hemolysis in the gel indicate hybridomas which are secreting anti-hapten antibodies. The assay detects as little as 10 pg of antibody. Since the transfer template can be used as a replica plate, one can repeatedly transfer samples to various slides which contain either different hapten target cells or different hapten analog inhibitors in the agarose layer. Therefore, in addition to rapidly screening microcultures for positive hybridomas this procedure permits the characterization of each monoclonal antibody's fine specificity.
Fabric Defect Detection and Classification Using Image Analysis

Conventional image analysis hardware was used to image solid-shade, unpattemed, woven fabrics. Two different software approaches for detecting and classifying knot and slub defects were studied and...
Fast switching ferroelectric liquid crystal side chain polymer

Two products were isolated at a result of esterification of acrylic acid with 4-[4-(n-hydroxyundecanyloxy)phenyl] benzoic acid (5) One is 4-[4-(n-acryloloxy-undecanyloxy)phenyl] benzoic acid (6), and the other is 4-{4-[n-(3-acryloloxy-propionyloxy)undecanyloxy]phenyl}benzoic acid (7) which containts two molecules of acrylic acid. Compound7 is obtained unexpectedly and still unknown in the literature. Its identification is confirmed by the isolation and characterization of the monomer9. The mesogenic monomers8 and9 which were synthesized from 4-hydroxyphenyl 2(S)-[2(S)-methylbutoxylpropionate (4) and the corresponding acrylates6 and7 exhibit the enentiotropic Sc* and SA phases. The Sc* phase temperature range is up to 31 °C. The spontaneous polarization and response time for the monomers8 and9 is 97 and 16 nC/cm2 as well as 90 and 64 µs respectively. It us the liquid crystal side chain polymer11, not10, which is switchable in the presence of an electric field. The spontaneous polarization of 36 nC/cm2 and the response time of 3.1 ms is obtain from the new polyacrylate.
Metabolism of Methionine in the Newborn Infant: Response to the Parenteral and Enteral Administration of Nutrients

The rates of transmethylation and transsulfuration of methionine were quantified using [1-(13)C]methionine and [C2H3]methionine tracers in newborn infants born at term gestation and in prematurely born low birth weight infants. Whole body rate of protein breakdown was also measured using [2H5]phenylalanine. The response to enteral formula feeding and parenteral nutrition was examined in full term and prematurely born babies, respectively. The relative rates of appearance of methionine and phenylalanine were comparable to the amino acid composition of mixed body proteins. Rates of transmethylation were high, both in full term infants (fast 32 +/- 14 micromol kg(-1) x h(-1); fed 21.7 +/- 3.2) and in preterm infants (57.2 +/- 14.8). Significant flux through the transsulfuration pathway was evident (full term: fast 6.0 +/- 4.4, fed 4.1 +/- 2.1; preterm: 24.9 +/- 9.9 micromol kg(-1) x h(-1)). Transsulfuration of methionine is evident in the human newborn in the immediate neonatal period, suggesting that cysteine may not be considered a "conditionally" essential amino acid for the neonate. The high rate of transmethylation may reflect the high methylation demand, whereas high rates of transsulfuration in premature babies may be related to high demands for glutathione and to the amounts of methionine in parenteral amino acid mixtures.
Coevolution and the effects of climate change on interacting species

Background: Recent studies suggest that environmental changes may tip the balance between interacting species, leading to the extinction of one or more species. While it is recognized that evolution will play a role in determining how environmental changes directly affect species, the interactions among species force us to consider the coevolutionary responses of species to environmental changes. Methodology/Principle Findings: We use simple models of competition, predation, and mutualism to organize and synthesize the ways coevolution modifies species interactions when climatic changes favor one species over another. In cases where species have conflicting interests (i.e., selection for increased interspecific interaction strength on one species is detrimental to the other), we show that coevolution reduces the effects of climate change, leading to smaller changes in abundances and reduced chances of extinction. Conversely, when species have nonconflicting interests (i.e., selection for increased interspecific interaction strength on one species benefits the other), coevolution increases the effects of climate change. Conclusions/Significance: Coevolution sets up feedback loops that either dampen or amplify the effect of environmental change on species abundances depending on whether coevolution has conflicting or nonconflicting effects on species interactions. Thus, gaining a better understanding of the coevolutionary processes between interacting species is critical for understanding how communities respond to a changing climate. We suggest experimental methods to determine which types of coevolution (conflicting or nonconflicting) drive species interactions, which should lead to better understanding of the effects of coevolution on species adaptation. Conducting these experiments across environmental gradients will test our predictions of the effects of environmental change and coevolution on ecological communities.
Podocyte-specific expression of cre recombinase in transgenic mice.

We report a transgenic mouse line that expresses Cre recombinase exclusively in podocytes. Twenty- four transgenic founders were generated in which Cre recombinase was placed under the regulation of a 2.5-kb fragment of the human NPHS2 promoter. Previously, this fragment was shown to drive beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) expression exclusively in podocytes of transgenic mice. For analysis, founder mice were bred with ROSA26 mice, a reporter line that expresses beta-gal in cells that undergo Cre recombination. Eight of 24 founder lines were found to express beta-gal exclusively in the kidney. Histological analysis of the kidneys showed that beta-gal expression was confined to podocytes. Cre recombination occurred during the capillary loop stage in glomerular development. No evidence for Cre recombination was detected in any of 14 other tissues examined.
Profiles of Benzo(a)pyreiie and Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles at and in the Immediate Vicinity of a Coke Oven Battery

A seventy-oven coke manufacturing plant has been surveyed for concentrations of cyclohexane-soluble coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Three off-battery and three on-battery sampling sites were selected, with 45 samples collected during July, 1970. The on-battery locations showed measured levels of 0.0313 to 1.67 mg of CTPV and 0.172 to 15.9 μg of BaP per cubic meter; the off-battery concentrations were 0.0072 to 0.322 mg of CTPV and 0.021 to 1.18 μxg of BaP per cubic meter. Cyclohexane-soluble CTPV expressed here reflect higher benzene-soluble CTPV concentrations, since benzene is more polar than cyclohexane. BaP was determined analytically by spectrophotofluorometry preceded by instant thin-layer chromatographic (ITLC) separation of the cyclohexane-soluble residue in pentane. The influence of adjacent batteries and subsequent correlations with wind direction are also discussed.
The interest-enjoyment distinction in intrinsic motivation

Contemporary research often presupposes intrinsic motivation to be a unitary construct. Two experiments tested whether interest and enjoyment could be distinguished on the basis of differential determinants. It was hypothesized that collative motivation (Berlyne, 1963a) predicts interest ratings, while performance evaluation predicts enjoyment ratings. In both experiments, participants saw either novel, changing, and variable or monotonous, repetitive, and redundant stimulus patterns. Following their performance, participants made competence performance appraisals and rated an anagram (Experiment 1) or a puzzle (Experiment 2) task in terms of interest and enjoyment. Regression analyses were used to construct separate path analytic models for interest and enjoyment. In both experiments, collative motivation predicted interest, while perceived performance predicted enjoyment. The discussion concluded that interest and enjoyment have differential determinants and differential contributions to intrinsically motivated behavior. Interest contributes to intrinsic motivation by arousing the initiation and direction of attention and exploratory behavior, while enjoyment contributes to intrinsic motivation by sustaining the willingness to continue and persist in the activity.
Identification of sources of atmospheric PM at the Pittsburgh Supersite—Part III: Source characterization

Abstract Single-particle mass spectrometry data collected during the Pittsburgh Supersite experiment was used to isolate an episode on 27 October 2001 when the measurement site was primarily influenced by emissions from coal combustion sources. Results showed that (a) 60–80% of the particles detected during this event belonged to the Na/Si/K/Ca/Fe/Ga/Pb particle class associated with coal combustion emissions, (b) observation of this class was an isolated event occurring only during the hours of 06:00–14:00 EST, and (c) the detection of these particles was highly correlated with shifts in wind direction. Coincident SMPS, TEOM PM2.5, SO2, NOx, and O3 measurements were in excellent agreement with the single-particle results in terms of both identifying and characterizing this event. The three most likely point sources of these particles were isolated and Gaussian plume dispersion models were used in reverse to predict their particle number, particle mass, and gas phase emissions. Calculated mass emission rates were in general agreement with the US EPA National Emissions Inventory (NEI) database emissions estimates and the Title V PM10 limit. The largest of the three sources emits about 2.4×1017 fine and ultrafine particles per second.
Tectonic Boundary Conditions for Climate Reconstructions, Oxford Monographs on Geology and Geophysics, No. 39.

Although most of Earth's early historical record has been destroyed by plate-tectonic recycling of rocks, the blurry outline of its tectonic history comes slowly into focus in geologic records from the last 400 million years. One by one, past configurations of its major geographic features—outlines of continents and oceans, and subaerial and subsea topography—become resolvable in varying degree from surviving geologic evidence. Earlier in this century this kind of information inspired geoscientists to concoct hypotheses to explain the many observations of past climate changes emerging from studies of sedimentary rocks. Tectonic hypotheses of climate change proliferated, unconstrained by rigorous testing. In the last 2 decades, since pioneering work in the early 1980s by Eric Barron, climate models have been used to put quantitative constraints on these ideas, producing an ongoing scientific revolution in our understanding of long-term climate change.
Influence of myocardial catecholamines on the cardiac action of ouabain.

Toxic and lethal doses of ouabain and concomitant changes in myocardial contractility were determined in reserpine-pretreated and control cats. Reserpine pretreatment did not diminish the degree of myocardial contractility induced by ouabain. The effect of reserpine pretreatment on the toxicity of ouabain depended upon the manner in which the glycoside was administered and the physiological state of the preparation. Depletion of myocardial catecholamines by reserpine led to decreased cardiac glycoside toxicity when the ouabain was administered in the form of intermittent infusions into intact animals. However, pretreatment with reserpine did not alter appreciably the toxicity of ouabain when the drug was continuously infused into open-chest animals. Ouabain per se tended to have little effect on myocardial catecholamine content.
Church's thesis and its relation to the concept of realizability in biology and physics.

An attempt to characterize the physical realizability of an abstract mapping process in terms of the Turing computability of an associated numerical function is described. Such an approach rests heavily on the validity of Church’s Thesis for physical systems capable of computing numerical functions. This means in effect that one must investigate in what manner Church’s Thesis can be converted into an assertion concerning the nonexistence of a certain class of physical processes (namely, those processes which are capable of calculating the values of numerical functions which are not Turing-computable). A formulation which may be plausible is suggested, and it is then shown that the truth of Church’s Thesis in this, form is closely connected with the “effectiveness” of theoretical descriptions of physical systems. It is shown that the falsity of this form of Church’s Thesis is related to a fundamental incompleteness in the possibility of describing physical systems, much like the incompleteness which Godel showed to be inherent in axiomatizations of elementary arithmetic. Various implications of these matters are briefly discussed.