cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal 3D object surface identification

This paper describes a method of optimal 3D object surface identification. First, the spatial and frequency domain approaches are presented for the determination of an optimal grid spacing for 3D object surface representation. The spatial domain approach is based on the measurement of the total variations of the object surface function f(x,y) in the constant x and constant y planes and the frequency domain approach utilizes the Nyquist criterion and an ideal 2D rectangular low-pass filter in an iterative operation. Two error criteria are defined based on the magnitude and shape features of f(x,y) as the measure of effectiveness of the optimal grid spacing for 3D object surface representation. Second, a feature-based object surface identification method is described based on the boundary features of the object and model surface cross sections.
Expression and purification of amyloid-β peptides from Escherichia coli

Soluble oligomers and fibrillar deposits of amyloid beta (Abeta) are key agents of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. However, the mechanism of amyloid aggregation and its interaction with live cells still remain unclear requiring the preparation of large amounts of pure and different Abeta peptides. Here we describe an Escherichia coli expression system using a fusion protein to obtain either Abeta(1-40) or Abeta(1-42) by essentially the same procedure. The fusion protein uses a His-tagged intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) followed by a six-glycine linker and a Factor Xa cleavage site before the Abeta. The advantages of this system are that the fusion protein can be expressed in large amounts, that the fusion partner, IFABP, has been well characterized in terms of folding, that Abeta or mutated Abeta peptides can be obtained without any extra residues attached to the N-terminus and that the system can be used to incorporate fluorine-labeled amino acids. The incorporation of fluorine-labeled amino acids using auxotrophic strains is a useful NMR probe of side chain behavior. We obtain final yields of 4 and 3mg/L of culture for Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42), respectively.
Millimeter-wave ion-implanted graded In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As MESFETs grown by MOCVD

The authors present the fabrication and characterization of ion-implanted graded In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As/GaAs MESFETs. The In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As layers are grown on GaAs substrates by MOCVD (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) with InAs concentration graded from 15% at the substrate to 0% at the surface. 0.5- mu m gate MESFETs are fabricated on these wafers using silicon ion implantation. In addition to improved Schottky contact, the graded In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As MESFET achieves maximum extrinsic transconductance of 460 mS/mm and a current-gain cutoff frequency f/sub t/ of 61 GHz, which is the highest ever reported for a 0.5- mu m gate MESFET. In comparison, In/sub 0.1/Ga/sub 0.9/As MESFETs fabricated with the same processing technique show an f/sub t/ of 55 GHz. >
Performance Characteristics of a New Generation Pressure Microsensor for Physiologic Applications

A next generation fiber-optic microsensor based on the extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric (EFPI) technique has been developed for pressure measurements. The basic physics governing the operation of these sensors makes them relatively tolerant or immune to the effects of high-temperature, high-EMI, and highly-corrosive environments. This pressure microsensor represents a significant improvement in size and performance over previous generation sensors. To achieve the desired overall size and sensitivity, numerical modeling of diaphragm deflection was incorporated in the design, with the desired dimensions and calculated material properties. With an outer diameter of approximately 250 μm, a dynamic operating range of over 250 mmHg, and a sampling frequency of 960 Hz, this sensor is ideal for the minimally invasive measurement of physiologic pressures and incorporation in catheter-based instrumentation. Nine individual sensors were calibrated and characterized by comparing the output to a U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Traceable reference pressure over the range of 0–250 mmHg. The microsensor performance demonstrated accuracy of better than 2% full-scale output, and repeatability, and hysteresis of better than 1% full-scale output. Additionally, fatigue effects on five additional sensors were 0.25% full-scale output after over 10,000 pressure cycles.
Learning past tense morphology with specific language impairment: a case study

This paper presents a case study of a child with specific language impairment who usually omitted the regular past inflection in obligatory contexts yet occasionally over-regularized the past (e.g. *blowed). A treatment approach was employed that permitted a test of one current account of this paradoxical pattern, the filled paradigm' hypothesis. The child's gains over the treatment period did not conform to the predic tions of the hypothesis, but rather suggested the possibility that her use of the past tense inflection was related to the phonological properties of the verb stem.
The solvent effect on the electrochemical behavior of C60 films in the presence of alkali-metal cations

Abstract The redox behavior of C 60 films was examined in acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, acetone, dimethylsulfoxide and propylene carbonate solutions containing alkali-metal salts as supporting electrolytes. A rapid deterioration in the electrochemical properties of these films is observed during repeated potential cycling. In acetonitrile the change in redox behavior of the film is attributed to the formation of a cation intercalated compound. It is possible that the surface layer of C 60 is wetted by acetonitrile. In dimethylformamide and acetone the C 60 − salt formed during the charge transfer process is found to be moderately soluble compared with neutral C 60 . Dissolution of the fullerene salt is responsible for the deterioration in the electrochemical properties of the C 60 layer in these solvents. In dimethylsulfoxide and propylene carbonate solutions and acetonitrile the formation of intercalated compounds is observed. However, in contrast to acetonitrile, the transport of cations through the C 60 layer determines the rate of electrode processes in dimethylsulfoxide and propylene carbonate. Significant differences in the electrochemical behavior of undoped and doped C 60 layers were also observed.
The Effects of Intravenous Calcium in Patients with Digoxin Toxicity

Abstract Background: Digoxin is an inhibitor of the sodium-potassium ATPase. In overdose, hyperkalemia is common. Although hyperkalemia is often treated with intravenous calcium, it is traditionally contraindicated in digoxin toxicity. Objectives: To analyze records from patients treated with intravenous calcium while digoxin-toxic. Methods: We reviewed the charts of all adult patients diagnosed with digoxin toxicity in a large teaching hospital over 17.5 years. The main outcome measures were frequency of life-threatening dysrhythmia within 1 h of calcium administration, and mortality rate in patients who did vs. patients who did not receive intravenous calcium. We use multivariate logistic regression to ensure that no relationship was overlooked due to negative confounders (controlling for age, creatinine, systolic blood pressure, peak serum potassium, time of development of digoxin toxicity, and digoxin concentration). Results: We identified 161 patients diagnosed with digoxin toxicity, and were able to retrieve 159 records. Of these, 23 patients received calcium. No life-threatening dysrhythmias occurred within 1 h of calcium administration. Mortality was similar among those who did not receive calcium (27/136, 20%) compared to those who did (5/23, 22%). In the multivariate analysis, calcium was non-significantly associated with decreased odds of death (odds ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24–2.5). Each 1 mEq/L rise in serum potassium concentration was associated with an increased mortality odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI 1.0–2.3). Conclusion: Among digoxin-intoxicated humans, intravenous calcium does not seem to cause malignant dysrhythmias or increase mortality. We found no support for the historical belief that calcium administration is contraindicated in digoxin-toxic patients.
Microfabrication of an integrated optical cell counter for cytometry application

This paper presents the design and fabrication of an integrated cell counter for a MEMS flow cytometer. The imbedded out-of-plane micro lens in the cell counter is used to focus the fluorescent or scattering light emitting from the dyed cells into the output fiber to improve the optical detection efficiency. Both the optical cell counter device with imbedded micro-lens and the hydro-focusing unit of the micro flow cytometer were fabricated using a process based on UV lithography of SU-8 negative-tone photoresist. A novel microfabrication technology based on tilted UV-lithography and controlled exposure dosage and development time was performed to produce the out-of-plane micro lens. Out-of-plane micro lens with various pad sizes and focal lengths can be fabricated by carefully controlling the fabrication process. The microlens and the hydrofocusing unit were fabricated using the same mask. High alignment accuracy can therefore be achieved without any post-fabrication alignment processes.
Myocardial Kinetics of a Putative Hypoxic Tissue Marker, 99mTc-Labeled Nitroimidazole (BMS-181321), After Regional Ischemia and Reperfusion

Background A new nitroimidazole complex, 99mTc-propylene amine oxime-1,2-nitroimidazole (BMS-181321), has been developed to allow the positive imaging of hypoxic myocardium by standard gamma camera techniques. Methods and Results To determine the myocardial kinetics of BMS-181321 during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, seven open-chest swine were prepared according to a model of extracorporeal coronary perfusion in which left ventricular wall thickening (percent end-diastolic thickness) and substrate use in the left anterior descending (LAD) region ([14C]palmitate and [3H]glucose infusions) were determined. Measurements were obtained at baseline, during 40 minutes of ischemia produced by reducing flow in the LAD distribution by 60%, and during 70 minutes of reperfusion. Three aerobic control hearts were also studied in which LAD blood flow was not reduced. Regional coronary circulation was further assessed in all hearts by use of radiolabeled microspheres injected during ischemia. BMS-181321 (20 to 30...
Novel fabrication techniques for low-mass composite structures in silicon particle detectors

Abstract The structural design of silicon-based particle detectors is governed by competing demands of reducing mass while maximizing stability and accuracy. These demands can only be met by fiber reinforced composite laminates (CFRP). As detecting sensors and electronics become lower mass, the motivation to reduce structure as a proportion of overall mass pushes modern detector structures to the lower limits of composite ply thickness, while demanding maximum stiffness. However, classical approaches to composite laminate design require symmetric laminates and flat structures, in order to minimize warping during fabrication. This constraint of symmetry in laminate design, and a “flat plate” approach to fabrication, results in more massive structures. This study presents an approach to fabricating stable and accurate, geometrically complex composite structures by bonding warped, asymmetric, but ultra-thin component laminates together in an accurate tool, achieving final overall precision normally associated with planar structures. This technique has been used to fabricate a prototype “I-beam” that supports two layers of detecting elements, while being up to 20 times stiffer and up to 30% lower mass than comparable, independent planar structures (typically known as “staves”).
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease

Abstract Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is a rapidly lethal infectious viral disease of the European Rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) characterized by high mortality rates, acute hepatic necrosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Although this disease is considered enzootic in Europe and parts of Asia, it is rarely seen in the Western Hemisphere since its eradication from Mexico in 1992. In recent years, three cases of RHD have been identified in the United States. Due to the quick action of veterinarians these cases were confined and controlled before the disease could spread.
Marital Sexual Enjoyment and Frustration of Professional Men

The psychological maturity, interpersonal, and marital attributes associated with the sexual pleasure and frustration of 59 married professional men, who had also been studied as adolescents, were examined by means of 10--12 hr of psychological tests, questionnaires, and interviews. The men's wives, closest friends, and colleagues also completed questionnaires about them. Masters and Johnson's hypothesis was confirmed that sexual pleasure is enhanced in psychologically mature and healthy men whose interpersonal relations are mature, whose relations with their spouses are marked by mutuality in fulfillment of each other's needs, and whose marriages are happy and satisfying. Increasing sexual frustration was associated, although not so consistently, with psychological unhealthiness, interpersonal immaturity, inadequate marital communication, and marital unhappiness. Degree of adult sexual pleasure and frustration was not reliably predicted by adolescent peraonality traits.
Purification and crystal growth of potassium perrhenate, KReO4

Abstract Potassium perrhenate, KReO4, has been purified appreciably via horizontal zone refining in oxygen. Single crystals weighing several grams have been produced by both the Czochralski and Bridgman techniques.
Field penetration and band bending for semiconductor of simple geometries in high electric fields

Abstract Field penetration and band bending in space charge layers are computed here for semiconductors of planar geometry, and spherical and cylindrical geometries with a radius in the 200 to 1000 A range. The spherical geometry is chosen to approximate field electron and field ion emitters. When the surface field is above ∼5 × 10 −2 V A , the band bending and the field penetration in the near surface layers of both spherical and cylindrical semiconductors differ inappreciably from those of a planar semiconductor irrespective of whether the semiconductor is intrinsic or heavily doped with impurities, provided that the radius of the sphere or the cylinder is not much less than 200 A. However, when the surface field is below ∼5 × 10 −2 V A , both the band bending and the field penetration for spherical and cylindrical semiconductors depend sensitively on the radius if the semiconductor is heavily doped with n-type impurities and the surface field is positive, or if the semiconductor is heavily doped with p-type impurities and the surface field is negative. A few consequenses of the field penetration to field electron and field ion emission phenomena are also discussed.
Anger expression and risk of stroke and coronary heart disease among male health professionals.

OBJECTIVE Anger expression is a dimension of anger that may be strongly related to coronary heart disease and stroke. To date few cohort studies have evaluated the role of anger coping style in the development of cardiovascular disease. This study prospectively examined the effects of anger expression on incidence of cardiovascular disease. METHODS Participants were male health professionals (N = 23,522), aged 50 to 85 years old and without previous cardiovascular disease, who responded to a mailed questionnaire incorporating the Spielberger Anger-Out Expression Scale in 1996. The cohort was followed for 2 years (1996-1998). RESULTS Men with moderate levels of anger expression had a reduced risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction compared with those with lower levels of expression (relative risk: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.97), controlling for coronary risk factors, health behaviors, use of psychotropic medication, employment status, and social integration. Anger expression was also inversely associated with risk of stroke. The multivariate relative risk of stroke was 0.42 (95% confidence interval: 0.20-0.88), comparing men with higher anger-out scores to men with lower scores. A protective dose-response relationship was observed between anger-out score and risk of stroke (p for multivariate trend test: 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Among this cohort of older men with high socioeconomic status and relatively low level of anger expression on average, moderate anger expression seemed to be protective against cardiovascular disease over a limited follow-up period.
Strain patterns in the patellar tendon and the implications for patellar tendinopathy.

This study investigated the strain pattern in human patellar tendon in an area of the tendon where changes commonly associated with patellar tendinitis are found. Eight fresh frozen human knees were instrumented with strain gauges on both the anterior and posterior side of the proximal patellar tendon. Both static and dynamic measurements were carried out in a range from 0° to 60° of flexion. We found uniform tensile strain in the tendon with the knee in full extension. However, as the knee was brought into flexion, the tensile strain increased on the anterior side but decreased on the posterior side in the central, proximal location of the tendon. The posterior side of the proximal patellar tendon is most commonly affected in patellar tendinopathy. This study indicates that this area of the tendon may not subjected to the highest tensile loads in the functional flexion range. It is possible that stress shielding is more important etiological factor in insertional tendinopathy as opposed to repetitive tensile loads.
Multiple Time Series Analysis of Competitive Marketing Behavior

Abstract Competitive marketing behavior is analyzed and modeled using the framework of multiple time series analysis (MTSA). MTSA is proven to detect causality of marketing mix variables and sales (market share), and the lag structure of carryover effects of the sales and advertising relationship. An empirical analysis is conducted by applying this framework to comprehensive time series data of a particular industry where three firms are competing in an oligopolistic market. In comparison with the traditional MTSA approaches used by market researchers that use bivariate causality testing, the MTSA approach proposed in this study based on the vector autoregressive moving average (VARMA) method has advantageous characteristics for marketing analysis as it permits causality testing of all variables simultaneously. Yet its potential capability to analyze marketing problems has not yet been explored by marketing researchers. This study shows that VARMA modeling is capable of capturing the dynamic competitive structure of the market. Major findings of the empirical analysis indicate that media advertising, promotion, and price are the primary arenas of competition in this industry and that the VARMA models outperform univariate time series models in goodness-of-fit measures as well as in forecasting performance.
Senegal's infrastructure : a continental perspective

Between 2000 and 2005 infrastructure made a contribution of 1 percentage point to Senegal's improved per capita growth performance, placing it in the middle of the distribution among West African countries during the period. Raising the country's infrastructure endowment to that of the region's middle-income countries (MICs) could boost annual growth by about 2.7 percentage points. Senegal has made significant progress in some areas of its infrastructure. In the transport sector, road standards are adequate and their quality average. Senegal has also strengthened the road institutional framework with the creation of the Second Generation Road Fund (FERA) and the Road Maintenance Executing Agency. It has also managed to have a toll road concession granted for the Dakar-Diamniadio Toll Highway. The tariffs in the railway sector are internationally competitive, and there has been improvement in the financial viability of ports. After Nigeria, the country stands as an emerging hub and a major player in air transport. Also, Senegal has managed to introduce private participation in electricity generation, and the unbundling of the electricity sector is under way even as the country actively participates in the regional power market. The country is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in improved water. In the information and communication technology (ICT) sector there has been an impressive expansion of the mobile and Internet markets. Senegal already spends around $911 million per year on infrastructure, equivalent to about 11 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). Almost $312 million a year is lost to inefficiencies of various kinds, associated mainly with under-pricing in the power and water sectors, poor financial management of utilities, and inefficient allocation of resources across sectors. If Senegal could raise tariffs to cost-recovery levels and reduce operational inefficiencies in line with reasonable developing-country benchmarks, it could substantially boost its infrastructure sector.
Thermal-induced transformation of retained austenite in the simulated case of a carburized steel

Systematic experiments were conducted on carburized 4320 steel to study thermal-induced transformation of austenite to bainite by measuring the volumetric transformation strains, up to about 210 C, thermal-induced transformation involved a diffusion-controlled reaction and therefore was time dependent. The mechanism is similar to that describe by the second stage of tempering. An Arhennius-type relation was used to model the kinetics of the reaction leading to a volume increase. A positive hydrostatic stress tended to increase the rate of transformation. The anisotropy of the transformation strains were proportional to the deviatoric stress.
Theiler's virus persists in glial cells during demyelinating disease

Abstract Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (T-MuEV) is the agent of a persistent, demyelinating infection of the central nervous system of mice. T-MuEV RNA was detected in histological sections of brain and spinal cord of experimentally infected animals by in situ hybridization. Both neurons and glial cells contained viral RNA during the early acute phase of the disease. The amount of viral RNA in neurons, however, was considerably higher than in glial cells. During the late demyelinating phase of the disease, viral RNA was found in low amounts only in glial cells of the white matter of spinal cord. At that stage, no viral RNA was found in neurons. These results demonstrate that T-MuEV persists in glial cells of the white matter. A reconstruction of the pathogenesis of this persistent infection is proposed, based on the different levels of virus replication in neurons and glial cells.
Neuromodulation of fever: apparent involvement of opioids.

Abstract It was recently reported that the opiate antagonist, naloxone (Nal), blocks the changes induced by the endogenous pyrogen, interferon- α 2 (IFN), in the electrical activity of hypothalamic thermosensitive neurons in rat brain slice preparations. This study was undertaken to determine whether the pyrogenic response to this cytokine might, therefore, be modulated through Nal-reversible opiate receptors. To examine this possibility, conscious guinea pigs were injected IV with recombinant human (rh) IFN (10 MU/animal), or, for comparison, with S. enteritidis endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS; 2 μg/kg), rh tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF; 20 μg/kg), or rh interleukin-6 (IL6; 50 μg/kg); Nal (10 mg/kg, SC) was administered immediately before the pyrogens. And also for comparison, in separate experiments, indomethacin (Indo; 10 mg/kg, IM) was injected 20 min before the pyrogens. Both Nal and Indo abolished the febrile rises evoked by IFN, TNF, and IL6. Nal reduced the first and suppressed the second of the characteristically bimodal febrile response to LPS; Indo depressed both peaks. Neither blocker had any significant thermal effect by itself. These results suggest that two processes may mediate the pyrogenic effects of these substances, viz., an endogenous opioid- and a PGE-dependent mechanism.
Change of the cerebrospinal fluid volume during brain activation investigated by T1ρ-weighted fMRI

Abstract A voxel in MRI often contains tissue as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). During functional stimulation, volume fractions of these different water compartments may change. To directly image the CSF volume fraction and measure its functional change, we utilized a rotating-frame longitudinal relaxation time (T1ρ)-weighted MRI technique. At 9.4 T with a spin-locking frequency of ∼ 500 Hz, T1ρ of tissue water and CSF are about 48 and 450 ms, respectively. Therefore, the parenchyma signal becomes negligible when a long spin-locking time (e.g., 200 ms) is applied, leaving only the CSF signal. Baseline CSF volume fraction (Vcsf) and its change induced by visual stimulation were mapped in isoflurane-anesthetized cats (n = 6). In both T1ρ-weighted fMRI with spin locking times of 200 and 300 ms, negative changes with similar magnitudes were observed, indicating that a decrease in Vcsf is a dominant contributor. In the region with voxels containing the visual cortex and CSF compartments, an average baseline Vcsf was 24.6 ± 2%, an average CSF volume fraction change (ΔVcsf/Vcsf) was −2.45 ± 0.6%, and an absolute change in CSF volume fraction (ΔVcsf) was −0.6 ± 0.15%. A negative correlation was observed between pixel-wise baseline Vcsf and ΔVcsf/Vcsf, which can be explained by similar ΔVcsf among voxels. Our results suggest that the functional reduction of CSF volume fraction could contribute to fMRI signals, especially when the tissue signal is significantly reduced as compared to the CSF with certain experimental techniques or parameters.
Retractile clock-powered logic

Retractile clock-powered logic is presented as a low-overhead energy-recovery logic style. It uses energy-efficient clock-steering circuits, pass-transistor logic, and a four-phase clocking scheme to recover energy from all circuit nodes but the latches. A 16-bit retractile clock-powered adder is described and evaluated through HSPICE simulations. The simulation results indicate that this approach can offer superior energy vs. delay performance but the benefit depends strongly on the switching activity of the clock-powered nodes.
Stratifying Patients With Stroke in Trials That Target Brain Repair

A number of therapies are emerging that have the potential to reduce poststroke disability by promoting repair. Careful evaluation of patients with stroke might help distinguish those who are most likely to respond to a restorative therapy from those who lack biological substrate needed to achieve gains. Potential approaches to such stratification are considered, including measures of brain injury or of poststroke brain function.
TRENDS IN GLEASON SCORE FOR PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSED BETWEEN 1983 AND 1993

Purpose: During the 1980s and 1990s the number, incidence rate and proportion of moderately differentiated prostate cancer cases ascertained by population based cancer registries increased substantially. The increase is thought to have resulted from the widespread use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) for screening because it occurred coincidentally with the introduction of PSA for early detection of prostate cancer. We investigate this increase in a population based study.Materials and Methods: To report the trends in tumor grade we conducted a blinded, standardized pathological study and reviewed medial records of a stratified random sample of cases diagnosed before and after the introduction of PSA (1983 to 1984 and 1992 to 1993). Archival tumor biopsy specimens or transurethral resection of the prostate specimens were reviewed for the diagnosis of cancer and assignment of Gleason score. Medical records were reviewed to determine the method of prostate cancer detection for each case.Results: We found ...
Goal Theorists Should Move on From Performance Goals

The large body of goal theory research that has induced performance goals or included them on forced-choice questionnaires has produced coherent results. However, the few studies available on the matter suggest that students rarely generate performance goals spontaneously, if performance goals are defined in normative terms (i.e., outperforming peers). Furthermore, although students may need something more or different from mastery goals to help them mobilize to succeed in certain achievement situations, concerns about peer comparisons or competition are likely to distract them from a focus on doing what is necessary to get ready for the test. Finally, evidence is emerging that students disposed toward performance-approach goal orientations in the present are at risk for shifting to performance-avoidance goal orientations in the future and that students' responses to performance-approach goal scales are more reflective of their past achievement histories in the domain than of motivational states likely to...
Integrating digital, analog, and mixed-signal design in an undergraduate ECE curriculum

This paper describes the integration of analog, digital, and mixed-signal IC design in the undergraduate ECE curriculum at Lafayette College. This integration is being accomplished by adding IC design coverage to the required electronics sequence and including analog and mixed-signal coverage in a what was previously an "all-digital" VLSI Design elective. As a result, all ECE students at Lafayette receive some basic instruction on IC design, including layout. Students who take advanced courses receive more coverage of analog and mixed-signal design.
Genome-Wide Analysis of MEF2 Transcriptional Program Reveals Synaptic Target Genes and Neuronal Activity-Dependent Polyadenylation Site Selection

Although many transcription factors are known to control important aspects of neural development, the genome-wide programs that are directly regulated by these factors are not known. We have characterized the genetic program that is activated by MEF2, a key regulator of activity-dependent synapse development. These MEF2 target genes have diverse functions at synapses, revealing a broad role for MEF2 in synapse development. Several of the MEF2 targets are mutated in human neurological disorders including epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders, suggesting that these disorders may be caused by disruption of an activity-dependent gene program that controls synapse development. Our analyses also reveal that neuronal activity promotes alternative polyadenylation site usage at many of the MEF2 target genes, leading to the production of truncated mRNAs that may have different functions than their full-length counterparts. Taken together, these analyses suggest that the ubiquitously expressed transcription factor MEF2 regulates an intricate transcriptional program in neurons that controls synapse development.
Feedback-driven tuning of statistical summary representations.

The amount of sensory data encountered by the visual system often exceeds its processing capacity. One solution is to exploit statistical structure in the natural environment to generate a more efficient representation of the information (Simoncelli & Olshausen, 2001). For example, the visual system may construct a “statistical summary representation” over groups of visual objects, reflecting their general properties (Alvarez, 2011). Indeed, it has been shown that observers are able to quickly and accurately extract average values over a range of visual feature dimensions, including size (Chong & Treisman, 2003), orientation (Parkes et al. 2001), and emotional expression (Haberman & Whitney, 2007). However, it remains an open question as to how observers learn to produce such accurate estimates of these summary statistics. Although good performance on these tasks suggests that summary features are readily accessible, it is not clear to what extent these statistical operations are performed automatically—integrating over sensory information in an unsupervised fashion, or are penetrable to task demands—flexibly incorporating observer goals and error-related feedback to maximize performance (Bauer, 2009; Myczek & Simons, 2008). In the present study, we sought to understand the role of learning in statistical summary representations. Specifically, we examined the contribution of task practice and performance feedback to perceptual discrimination of the centroid (i.e., mean location) of a set of objects (Alvarez & Oliva, 2008). We hypothesized that providing vector error feedback (i.e., containing both distance and direction information) while observers practiced making pointing movements toward the centroid would improve the fidelity of their centroid representations. This improvement might be reflected in reduced error during training and lower discrimination thresholds in an independent perceptual test.
The interpretation of spectral vegetation indexes

Empirical studies report several plausible correlations between transforms of spectral reflectance, called vegetation indexes, and parameters descriptive of vegetation leaf area, biomass and physiological functioning. However, most indexes can be generalized to show a derivative of surface reflectance with respect to wavelength. This derivative is a function of the optical properties of leaves and soil particles. In the case of optically dense vegetation, the spectral derivative, and thus the indexes, can be rigorously shown to be indicative of the abundance and activity of the absorbers in the leaves. Therefore, the widely used broad-band &near-infrared vegetation indexes are a measure of chlorophyll abundance and energy absorption.
Enzyme stabilization by domain insertion into a thermophilic protein

Insufficient kinetic stability of exoinulinase (EI) restricts its application in many areas including enzymatic transformation of inulin for production of ultra-high fructose syrup and oligofructan, as well as fermentation of inulin into bioethanol. The conventional method for enzyme stabilization involves mutagenesis and therefore risks alteration of an enzyme's desired properties, such as activity. Here, we report a novel method for stabilization of EI without any modification of its primary sequence. Our method employs domain insertion of an entire EI domain into a thermophilic scaffold protein. Insertion of EI into a loop of a thermophilic maltodextrin-binding protein from Pyrococcus furiosus (PfMBP) resulted in improvement of kinetic stability (the duration over which an enzyme remains active) at 37 degrees C without any compromise in EI activity. Our analysis suggests that the improved kinetic stability at 37 degrees C might originate from a raised kinetic barrier for irreversible conversion of unfolded intermediates to completely inactivated species, rather than an increased energy difference between the folded and unfolded forms.
Factorial validity and consistency of the Maslach Burnout Inventory among staff working with persons with intellectual disability and dementia

Background Burnout has been considered important to understanding the well-being of workers in the intellectual disabilities (ID) field and the quality of services delivered to clients/consumers. However, little research has examined the psychometric properties and applicability to staff in ID services of one of the most widely used burnout measurements ‐ the Human Services Survey version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS). Methods Data were gathered using a mailed questionnaire comprising the MBI-HSS and demographic information.The sample consisted of 435 staff delivering direct care and working in out-ofhome community placements for persons with ID in NewYork state.The factorial structure of the scale was examined using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency estimates of reliability of the MBI-HSS were determined using Cronbach’s alpha. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the MBI-HSS as an acceptable measure to evaluate burnout in ID services staff. However, the reliability statistics obtained for the Depersonalization (DP) sub-scale was much lower than what has been reported in studies with other staff populations. An exploratory factor analysis suggested that a fourfactor solution, dividing the DP sub-scale into two factors, provided a somewhat better fit for the sample. Conclusions The use of the MBI-HHS as an instrument for measuring burnout among ID workers has its attraction but also its limitations. In particular, the DP sub-scale should be used with caution because there appear to be wording issues for staff in ID settings that may lead to inconsistent responses.
Analysis of optical propagation in thick holographic gratings

A method of analyzing optical propagation in thick holographic gratings by decomposition of the thick material into thin gratings is discussed. The method is readily applicable to study propagation in multiple gratings of arbitrary spatial frequency and orientation recorded in the same thick emulsion. Applied to the double grating case, the method predicts strong cross-coupling between the two gratings for proper relative slope of the gratings. Results are given.
Modeling polychlorinated biphenyl congener patterns and dechlorination in dated sediments from the Ashtabula River, Ohio, USA

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were analyzed in four deep, dated sediment cores from the Ashtabula River (OH, USA), for the purpose of identifying relevant PCB sources and congener patterns. The time span for three of the cores is from the mid 1960s to 1998, whereas the fourth has a time span of six years. The total PCB concentrations are in the range of 0.4 to 6.8 microg/g dry weight, with the highest concentrations observed in samples from the 1970s. A factor analysis (FA) model with nonnegative constraints was used to investigate the sources and patterns of PCBs. Additionally, a new model, based on a least squares method, was developed to identify possible patterns of anaerobic dechlorination of PCBs in the sediments, and to quantify the relevant dechlorination pathways. Both models were validated successfully either by artificially created data sets (FA model) or by using laboratory data from the literature (dechlorination model). The FA model revealed two significant sources. The first was identified as a slightly altered Aroclor 1248. The second did not resemble any Aroclor closely, but was very similar to the overall average congener profile of all samples. Simulation of anaerobic dechlorination on an Aroclor 1248 profile from the literature, according to dechlorination activities H/H', as defined in the literature, yielded a congener profile very similar to that of the second pattern. This indicates the likelihood of anaerobic dechlorination of PCBs in Ashtabula River sediments.
Flora of the Carquinez Strait Region, Contra Costa and Solano Counties, California

Abstract The Carquinez Strait region is an area in the northeastern San Francisco Bay Area of California characterized by typical coastal lowland California vegetation dominated by oak woodland, grassland, and coastal scrub. From 1996 through 2010, an inventory of vascular plants was amassed. Of the 795 taxa found within the study area, 13 are ferns, 4 are gymnosperms, and 778 are angiosperms. Of eudicots and monocots, 41% (249) and 46% (79) respectively, are adventives introduced since European colonization. Despite the accessibility of the region and the proximity of institutional herbaria, relatively few collections were made in the study area before the beginning of this study.
The almost forgotten Feuchtersleben: poet, essayist, popular philosopher and psychiatrist.

Biographie et oeuvre de E. von Feuchtersleben (1806-49), qui enseigna le premier la psychiatrie a l'Ecole Medicale de Vienne (cours publie en 1845).
Capturing Enveloped Viruses on Affinity Grids for Downstream Cryo-Electron Microscopy Applications

Electron microscopy (EM), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) are essential techniques used for characterizing basic virus morphology and determining the three-dimensional structure of viruses. Enveloped viruses, which contain an outer lipoprotein coat, constitute the largest group of pathogenic viruses to humans. The purification of enveloped viruses from cell culture presents certain challenges. Specifically, the inclusion of host-membrane-derived vesicles, the complete destruction of the viruses, and the disruption of the internal architecture of individual virus particles. Here, we present a strategy for capturing enveloped viruses on affinity grids (AG) for use in both conventional EM and cryo-EM/ET applications. We examined the utility of AG for the selective capture of human immunodeficiency virus virus-like particles, influenza A, and measles virus. We applied nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid lipid layers in combination with molecular adaptors to selectively adhere the viruses to the AG surface. This further development of the AG method may prove essential for the gentle and selective purification of enveloped viruses directly onto EM grids for ultrastructural analyses.
Exact pair correlation function for a two-dimensional coulomb gas

Abstract The exact equilibrium two-particle correlation function for a two-dimensional Coulomb gas is derived. This exact solution involves only a Bessel function, and can readily be compared with various approximate solutions.
CALCIUM DEPENDENCE OF LARGE DENSE-CORED VESICLE EXOCYTOSIS EVOKED BY CALCIUM INFLUX IN BOVINE ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN CELLS

We used the perforated-patch technique to examine the relationship between Ca2+ entry and exocytosis of large dense-cored vesicles in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Exocytosis evoked by single-step depolarizations was monitored by capacitance detection. Ca2+ entry was varied by changing external calcium concentration, stepping to different test potentials, depolarizing for different durations, or applying blockers of specific calcium channel subtypes. Regardless of protocol, the amount of exocytosis was strictly related to the integral of the voltage-clamped calcium current, raised to a power of approximately 1.5. Thus, despite the complexities of transient and nonuniform changes in submembrane calcium concentration produced by voltage-gated calcium entry, the calcium dependence of large dense- cored vesicle fusion under conditions of minimal stimulation is well approximated by a simple transfer function of summed calcium entry.
Chinese hamster ovary cell adhesion to human platelet thrombospondin is dependent on cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan.

Abstract Thrombospondin is a 420-kD platelet alpha-granule glycoprotein that binds specifically to heparin. We examined adhesion to thrombospondin of CHO K1 cells and three mutant CHO lines with varying deficiencies in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis. In an experiment in which the parent line (K1) had 78% adherence to thrombospondin adsorbed to tissue culture plastic, CHO S745 cells, with less than 6% normal GAG synthesis had 11% adherence. CHO S677 cells, with decreased heparan sulfate proteoglycan but increased chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, had 42% adherence. CHO S803 cells, with decreased heparan sulfate proteoglycan and normal chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, had 31% adherence. Heparin inhibited K1 cell adhesion to thrombospondin, but not fibronectin, in a concentration-dependent manner. Dermatan sulfate but not chondroitin sulfate was also inhibitory. There was markedly decreased K1 cell adhesion to a thrombospondin core fragment that lacked the heparin binding NH2-terminal domain. Purified heparin binding domain, although poorly adhesive when adsorbed to substratum, inhibited cell adhesion to intact thrombospondin. Adhesion was better for all cell lines tested, including three human tumor cell lines, when thrombospondin was adsorbed at pH 4.0 compared with pH 7.4. When adsorption of thrombospondin was done at pH 7.4, cell adhesion was better when thrombospondin was adsorbed in the presence of greater than or equal to 0.6 mM calcium, compared to 0.1 mM calcium or EDTA. These findings suggest that thrombospondin can adsorb to plastic with varying degrees of exposure of a cell adhesion domain. We conclude that the thrombospondin cell adhesion receptor on CHO cells is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and that cell adhesion to thrombospondin depends on conformation of adsorbed thrombospondin.
Managing Classroom Behavior of Head Start Children Using Response Cost and Token Economy Procedures.

Problematic behaviors exhibited by young children have become a topic of concern. Head Start staff members are reporting an increase in the number of children displaying challenging and disruptive behaviors (Piotrkowski, Collins, Knitzer, & Robinson, 1994). Despite the increase in classroom behavior problems, teachers reported deficiencies in managing these behaviors. In fact, behavior management strategies comprised 3 of the top 5 areas in which Head Start staff requested additional training (Buscemi, Bennett, Thomas, & DeLuca, 1995). Therefore, it is important to provide teachers with effective strategies to manage classroom behaviors. Comparing Response Cost and Token Economy Procedures Research has supported the effectiveness of both response cost and token economy procedures in decreasing disruptive behavior in academic settings. However, both procedures employ different strategies to manage classroom behavioral problems. Thus, it is important to examine research comparing the relative effectiveness of these two procedures. Iwata and Bailey (1974) used a reversal design to compare reward and cost token systems with special education children in elementary school. The children’s behavior was observed every morning for three months during math class. Results indicated that both programs were equally effective in decreasing off-task behavior and the violation of the teacher’s rules. Mean percent off-task behavior returned to a level similar to baseline during the reversal phase. The number of mathematic problems completed more than doubled for the group earning tokens while the cost group only showed a small increase in problems completed. The teacher provided more statements of approval to students who were in the reward-cost group than to children who were in the cost-reward group. Sullivan and O’Leary (1990) also compared the effectiveness of both response cost and token economy procedures. Children were observed daily for 40 minutes during reading and language and math class. Both programs were highly and equally effective in reducing the amount of off-task behavior. More specifically, average percent on-task behavior in the baseline condition was approximately 60%, but then increased to approximately 85% when both programs were in effect. However, rates of on-task behavior differed between the two programs when the programs were faded from use. When the response cost program was faded, improvements in on-task behavior were maintained for all students participating in this program. However, half of the children who participated in the reward program did not maintain treatment effects when the program was faded from the classroom.