cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Child mental and behavioral health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Trends and implications for service outcomes during telehealth expansion

Transportation to/from care is a significant barrier to healthcare access and utilization. The novel coronavirus pandemic prompted a widespread expansion of telehealth service delivery throughout much of 2020. We used propensity score matching to generate two comparison groups of children served in a large public mental and behavioral health system between (1) April-December 2019 (pre-pandemic; n=2,794), and (2) between April-December 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic, n=2,794), followed by longitudinal linear mixed-effects modelling to explore the relationship between caregiver transportation needs and child-level outcomes. Our analyses indicated a statistically significant association between the resolution of caregivers transportation needs and childrens clinical improvement in the 2019 (pre-pandemic) sample; there was no such association found in the 2020 (pandemic) sample. Our findings suggest that the use of telehealth may mitigate the effect of caregiver transportation needs on child-level clinical outcomes.
Emerging mutation patterns in SARS-CoV-2 variants

There is an urgent need to understand the functional effects of mutations in emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. Variants of concern (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) acquired four patterns of spike glycoprotein mutations that enhance transmissibility and immune evasion: 1) mutations in the N-terminal domain (NTD), 2) mutations in the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD), 3) mutations at interchain contacts of the spike trimer, and 4) furin cleavage site mutations. Most distinguishing mutations among variants of concern are exhibited in the NTD, localized to sites of high structural flexibility. Emerging variants of interest such as mu, lambda and C.1.2 exhibit the same patterns of mutations as variants of concern. There is a strong likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 variants will continue to emerge with mutations in these defined patterns, thus providing a basis for the development of next line antiviral drugs and vaccine candidates.
An Empirical Analysis of Middle Class Welfare: Testing Alternative Approaches

Every year the Census Bureau reports data on income inequality and poverty, based on income estimates derived from the Current Population Survey. Our analysis suggests that the data may not be presenting an accurate picture. By under-reporting incomes, leaving out certain sources of income, and not making equivalence adjustments that are now standard among researchers, the reports present an imperfect picture of overall welfare. We develop an alternative that relies on data from the National Income and Product Accounts. Our data reveal that real median incomes have been increasing in the recent period, albeit at a slower rate than the long-term average. Using the same methodology for consumption, we find that consumption for all income groups, including the middle, has been growing robustly in recent times. This is in contrast to statistics reported by the Consumer Expenditure Survey, the most often cited data for all consumption analysis, which show middle class consumption declining.
Scale-dependent habitat use in three species of prairie wetland birds

We evaluated the influence of scale on habitat use for three wetland-obligate bird species with divergent life history characteristics and possible scale-dependent criteria for nesting and foraging in South Dakota, USA. A stratified, two-stage cluster sample was used to randomly select survey wetlands within strata defined by region, wetland density, and wetland surface area. We used 18-m (0.1 ha) fixed radius circular-plots to survey birds in 412 semipermanent wetlands during the summers of 1995 and 1996. Variation in habitat use by pied-billed grebes (Podilymbus podiceps) and yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), two sedentary species that rarely exploit resources outside the vicinity of nest wetlands, was explained solely by within-patch variation. Yellow-headed blackbirds were a cosmopolitan species that commonly nested in small wetlands, whereas pied-billed grebes were an area-sensitive species that used larger wetlands regardless of landscape pattern. Area requirements for black terns (Chlidonias niger), a vagile species that typically forages up to 4 km away from the nest wetland, fluctuated in response to landscape structure. Black tern area requirements were small (6.5 ha) in heterogeneous landscapes compared to those in homogeneous landscapes (15.4–32.6 ha). Low wetland density landscapes composed of small wetlands, where few nesting wetlands occurred and potential food sources were spread over large distances, were not widely used by black terns. Landscape-level measurements related to black tern occurrence extended past relationships between wetlands into the surrounding matrix. Black terns were more likely to occur in landscapes where grasslands had not been tilled for agricultural production. Our findings represent empirical evidence that characteristics of entire landscapes, rather than individual patches, must be quantified to assess habitat suitability for wide-ranging species that use resources over large areas.
Evaluation of carbon flux and substrate selection through alternate pathways involving the citric acid cycle of the heart by 13C NMR spectroscopy.

A previous 13C NMR technique (Malloy, C. R., Sherry, A.D., and Jeffrey, F.M.H. (1987) FEBS Lett. 212, 58-62) for measuring the relative flux of molecules through the oxidative versus anaplerotic pathways involving the citric acid cycle of the rat heart has been extended to include a complete analysis of the entire glutamate 13C spectrum. Although still simple in practice, this more sophisticated model allows an evaluation of 13C fractional enrichment of molecules entering both the oxidative and anaplerotic pathways under steady-state conditions. The method was used to analyze 13C NMR spectra of intact hearts or their acid extracts during utilization of 13C-enriched pyruvate, propionate, acetate, or various combinations thereof. [2-13C]Pyruvate was used to prove that steady-state flux of pyruvate through pyruvate carboxylase is significant during co-perfusion of pyruvate and acetate, and we demonstrate for the first time that a nine-line 13C multiplet may be detected in an intact, beating heart. Acetate or pyruvate alone provided about 86% of the acetyl-CoA; in combination, about 65% of the acetyl-CoA was derived from acetate, about 30% was derived from pyruvate, and the remainder from endogenous sources. Propionate reduced the contribution of exogenous acetate to acetyl-CoA to 77% and also reduced the oxidation of endogenous substrates. Equations are presented which allow this same analysis on multiply labeled substrates, making this technique extremely powerful for the evaluation of substrate selection and relative metabolic flux through anaplerotic and oxidative pathways in the intact heart.
Giant photoconductivity gain in nanowire photodetectors and the effect of photo-modulation of contact injection

We demonstrate large photoconductive gain on single-crystalline Bi 2 S 3 nanowire photodetectors. The photoconductive gain is found to be significantly enhanced by optical modulation of the electrical contacts, which accounts for >90% of the conductivity change.
Quantifying nicotine's value‐enhancement effect using a behavioral economic approach

Nicotine increases the value of some reinforcing stimuli, and this effect may contribute to nicotine's widespread abuse. We aimed to quantify this effect using a behavioral economic analysis. Six Long- Evans rats were exposed to a modified observing response procedure. In this procedure, presses to one lever resulted either in food according to a variable-interval 15 second schedule or extinction; presses to a second, observing lever illuminated stimuli correlated with the schedule in effect on the food/extinction lever (i.e., conditioned reinforcers). The FR requirement on the observing lever increased across sessions. The number of presentations of the conditioned reinforcers was plotted as a function of FR value to generate a demand curve. Nicotine was then administered at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg. All demand curves were fitted to the exponential demand equation and a parameter reflecting reinforcer value was evaluated. Nicotine increased the value of the conditioned reinforcers as measured by this equation; nicotine also increased responding on the food/extinction lever. This analysis demonstrates that nicotine increases the value of conditioned reinforcers under certain conditions. The current procedure allows for a novel method of analyzing demand for conditioned reinforcers.
Isolation and Characterization of S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine:Tetrahydroberberine-cis-N-Methyltransferase from Suspension Cultures of Sanguinaria canadensis L

As part of a continuing study of the induction of alkaloid biosynthesis, we report the isolation to homogeneity and characterization of S-adenosyl-L-methionine:tetrahydroberberine-cis-N-mehtyltransferase from suspension cultures of Sanguinaria canadensis that were induced to produce alkaloids by hormone depletion. This enzyme catalyzes the stereospecific transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the tertiary nitrogen of the protoberberine alkaloid tetrahydroberberine (canadine). The enzyme was purified 315-fold by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel permeation chromatography, affinity dye chromatography, and both diethylaminoethyl and Mono-Q ion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme was further purified to an optimum specific activity of 225 nkat/mg of protein (3500-fold) and electrophoretic homogeneity by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). In contrast to previous reports with partially purified enzyme, the isolated protein was found to have a pH optimum of 7.0, a temperature optimum of 25 to 30[deg]C, and an isoelectric point of 5.1. Furthermore, the molecular weight of the homogeneous protein was found to be 39,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. The homogeneous enzyme preferred tetrahydroberberine over all other substrates tested, showing an apparent Km of 2.1 [mu]M, but also showed partial activity with tetrahydrojatrorrhizine and tetrahydropalmatrubine.
Elastic-Wave Propagation in Random Polycrystals: Fundamentals and Application to Nondestructive Evaluation

The fundamental principles that govern the propagation of elastic waves in metal polycrystals are discussed in the context of their influence on nondestructive evaluation. The major influence of the polycrystalline microstructure is to determine the velocity, attenuation and backscattering of the elastic waves. For randomly oriented, equi-axed polycrystals, these effects are reasonably well understood. Waves travel at the same velocity in all directions and are exponentially attenuated at a rate controlled by the frequency and grain size. Signals backscattered from the grains, also controlled by the wavelength and grain size, produce a background noise that competes with flaw signals. The same basic phenomena exist in more complex materials. However, the understanding of these phenomena is not as well understood. Recent progress towards the development of such an understanding is discussed within this chapter. Examples include cases in which the grains have preferred crystallographic orientation, elongation in one or more dimension, or correlations in orientation from crystallite to crystallite. The latter case is particularly rich, in that the two dimensions scales of the media, associated with the grain size and the correlation length, can lead to a number of unusual phenomena such as highly anisotropic backscattering and phase modulations of an elastic beam. These modulations make the measurement, and even definition, of attenuation problematic. The current status of experimental observation and theoretical description of these phenomena is discussed. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications of these effects on the imaging of flaws in complex media.
Effect of Vacuum Packaging on Growth of Clostridium botulinum and Staphylococcus aureus in Cured Meats

Incrimination of vacuum-packaged smoked fish in outbreaks of botulism has raised questions about the safety of this process in comparison with other methods of packaging foods. It has been suggested, for example, that Clostridium botulinum may grow better in a vacuum-packaged product than in one that is packaged without vacuum. To evaluate this possibility, sliced bologna was inoculated with spores of C. botulinum type A, packaged in transparent plastic film with and without vacuum, and stored at temperatures within the growth range of the organism. There was no detectable difference in the rate of toxin development in the two types of packages. In contrast, vacuum packaging markedly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus on sliced ham. The results indicate that vacuum packaging has little if any effect on the ability of C. botulinum to grow in cured meats, but it may reduce the likelihood of staphylococcal food poisoning.
Analysis of the role of Bacillus subtilis σM in β-lactam resistance reveals an essential role for c-di-AMP in peptidoglycan homeostasis

The Bacillus subtilis extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor σ(M) is inducible by, and confers resistance to, several cell envelope-acting antibiotics. Here, we demonstrate that σ(M) is responsible for intrinsic β-lactam resistance, with σ(X) playing a secondary role. Activation of σ(M) upregulates several cell wall biosynthetic enzymes including one, PBP1, shown here to be a target for the beta-lactam cefuroxime. However, σ(M) still plays a major role in cefuroxime resistance even in cells lacking PBP1. To better define the role of σ(M) in β-lactam resistance, we characterized suppressor mutations that restore cefuroxime resistance to a sigM null mutant. The most frequent suppressors inactivated gdpP (yybT) which encodes a cyclic-di-AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE). Intriguingly, σ(M) is a known activator of disA encoding one of three paralogous diadenylate cyclases (DAC). Overproduction of the GdpP PDE greatly sensitized cells to β-lactam antibiotics. Conversely, genetic studies indicate that at least one DAC is required for growth with depletion leading to cell lysis. These findings support a model in which c-di-AMP is an essential signal molecule required for cell wall homeostasis. Other suppressors highlight the roles of ECF σ factors in counteracting the deleterious effects of autolysins and reactive oxygen species in β-lactam-treated cells.
An Alternative to the Impasse: The Grassroots Approach to Coping with Media Violence

Abstract The volume of violence portrayed in American mass media has caused concern for decades, but media self-interests, weak governmental policies, and the First Amendment protection for freedom of expression have stymied efforts to improve media content. Grassroots endeavors to alert parents to possible negative effects may be a more effective approach. “Pulling the Plug on Media Violence,” a campaign aimed at escalating consumer awareness, has been implemented by a volunteer group in North Carolina. This study, using the results of a statewide poll, evaluates the campaign's effectiveness and provides useful findings for future efforts devoted to similar issues. The survey shows that although awareness of the campaign was high, the level of concern about media effects was not influenced directly. Religiosity, gender and parenthood were found to be the most important factors linked to higher levels of concern about media violence. Future efforts to mobilize an anti-violence effort may want to target me...
Multigrid in energy preconditioner for Krylov solvers

We have added a new multigrid in energy (MGE) preconditioner to the Denovo discrete-ordinates radiation transport code. This preconditioner takes advantage of a new multilevel parallel decomposition. A multigroup Krylov subspace iterative solver that is decomposed in energy as well as space-angle forms the backbone of the transport solves in Denovo. The space-angle-energy decomposition facilitates scaling to hundreds of thousands of cores. The multigrid in energy preconditioner scales well in the energy dimension and significantly reduces the number of Krylov iterations required for convergence. This preconditioner is well-suited for use with advanced eigenvalue solvers such as Rayleigh Quotient Iteration and Arnoldi.
Functions of mammalian Smad genes as revealed by targeted gene disruption in mice.

Abstract The Smad genes are the intracellular mediators of TGF-beta signals. Targeted mutagenesis in mice has yielded valuable new insights into the functions of this important gene family. These experiments have shown that Smad2 and Smad4 are needed for gastrulation, Smad5 for angiogenesis, and Smad3 for establishment of the mucosal immune response and proper development of the skeleton. In addition, these experiments have shown us the importance of gene dosage in this family, as several of its members yielded haploinsufficiency phenotypes. These include gastrulation and craniofacial defects for Smad2 , accelerated wound healing for Smad3 , and the incidence of gastric cancer for Smad4 . Combinatorial genetics has also revealed functions of Smads in left/right isomerism and liver development.
Likelihood Analysis of Mega-Pixel Maps

The derivation of cosmological parameters from astrophysical data sets routinely involves operations counts which scale as O(N(exp 3) where N is the number of data points. Currently planned missions, including MAP and Planck, will generate sky maps with N(sub d) = 10(exp 6) or more pixels. Simple "brute force" analysis, applied to such mega-pixel data, would require years of computing even on the fastest computers. We describe an algorithm which allows estimation of the likelihood function in the direct pixel basis. The algorithm uses a conjugate gradient approach to evaluate X2 and a geometric approximation to evaluate the determinant. Monte Carlo simulations provide a correction to the determinant, yielding an unbiased estimate of the likelihood surface in an arbitrary region surrounding the likelihood peak. The algorithm requires O(N(sub d)(exp 3/2) operations and O(Nd) storage for each likelihood evaluation, and allows for significant parallel computation.
Bio-anaerobic treatability study for PCBs-contaminated oil

This study investigated the bio-treatability of PCB contaminated oil for the development of design and operational parameters for the bioreactor. Input of external carbon and nutrient source in the aqueous phase was found to be required for the treatment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)-contaminated oil. Addition of surfactant was investigated for the emulsification of oil to reduce interference of contact with microorganisms and PCBs. The ratio of surfactant to oil was empirically optimized to 1 : 1. The higher PCB removal efficiency was obtained at 30 days of hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the semi-batch reactor study without cell recycle. The removal efficiency measured in mixed liquor was maintained at over 85% on average at 32±2 °C and 30% at 22±2 °C. More than 0.2 g/l/d of the organic loading rate was suggested to be maintained for various PCB loading rates (0.02–0.6 mg-PCB/l/d). For high biomass retaining and easy collection of treated oil, an Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR) was investigated. The removal of Aroclor was observed as more than 50% in the oil phase with 3 days reaction time and about 40% in overall phases, i.e. oil, liquid, biomass phases at 22±2 °C. US EPA verification results on the process performance are included in this presentation.
Raman Scattering in Resonance with the Exciton Transition in Pure Polar Crystals

A study of the Raman scattering near resonance with the exciton transition in pure polar crystals is presented. The following conclusions are obtained, independently of the crystal symmetry: (I) The resonant Raman spectra should show multiphonon structures at energy multiples of the first-order peak. The repetition of the peaks depends on the strength of the exciton-phonon coupling. (II) For the case of large-radius excitons, these spectra should show the same peaks for any polarization of the light.
Perception of Wordlikeness: Effects of Segment Probability and Length on the Processing of Nonwords

A probabilistic phonotactic grammar based on the probabilities of the constituents contained in a dictionary of English was used to generate multisyllabic nonwords. English-speaking listeners evaluated the wordlikeness of these patterns. Wordlikeness ratings were higher for nonwords containing high-probability constituents and were also higher for nonwords with fewer syllables. Differences in the processing of these same nonwords that partially reflected their perceived wordlikeness were also found in a recognition memory task. Nonwords with higher probability constituents yielded better recognition memory performance, suggesting that participants were able to use their knowledge of frequently occurring lexical patterns to improve recognition. These results suggest that lexical patterns provide the foundation of an emergent phonological competence used to process nonwords in both linguistic and metalinguistic tasks.
A Neo-Kohlbergian Approach to Morality Research

Kohlberg's work in moral judgement has been criticised by many philosophers and psychologists. Building on Kohlberg's core assumptions, we propose a model of moral judgement (hereafter the neo-Kohlbergian approach) that addresses these concerns. Using 25 years of data gathered with the Defining Issues Test (DIT), we present an overview of Minnesota's neo-Kohlbergian approach, using Kohlberg's basic starting points, ideas from Cognitive Science (especially schema theory), and developments in moral philosophy.
On Holomorphic Solutions of the Darwin Equations of Motion of Point Charges

The existence of holomorphic (in time) solutions of the nonrelativistic Darwin equations of motion of point charges is proved with the help of the Cauchy theorem.
The significance of the serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity following acute myocardial infarction.

The serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase rose two to 20 times normal in 74 of 75 patients who had acute transmural myocardial infarction. The height of the enzymatic activity was roughly proportional to the size of the infarct. Serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase is unaffected by angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, heart failure, or digitalis in the absence of active heart cell injury. Experimental myocardial infarction is followed consistently by a two to twenty-fold increase in serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity. Increase in the serum activity of this enzyme appears to be a useful index of the presence of active heart muscle injury.
Strategies for Maximizing Estate Wealth

The conventional wisdom that using tax-sheltered accounts such as Keogh plans, IRAs, 401(k) programs, etc. is an excellent way to save for retirement but a poor way to accumulate an estate is shown to be incorrect at least under a variety of reasonable circumstances. It is shown that net estate wealth (i.e., after income and estate taxes) generally will be greater by saving in such plans compared to saving in conventional (i.e., taxable) accounts. The misconception arises because the net wealth left after taxes on two estates of equal size at death will be less when a significant part of the assets are in tax-sheltered plans, but this is not a fair comparison because if all other factors (e.g., income and consumption during the accumulation period, pre-tax rates of return, etc.) are held constant, the estate associated with the tax-sheltered investment will unequivocally be larger at the time of death. It is also shown that saving in tax-sheltered plans during the early years of the lifecycle, followed by saving in a taxable account in the later years, will generate a maximum after-tax transfer to heirs.
Temporal and Spatial Variation in Fecundity of Yellowtail Rockfish

Abstract Fecundities of the commercially important yellowtail rockfish Sebastes flavidus were compared to determine interannual variability and geographic variation, which will assist in stock assessment, characterization, and management. Gravimetrically estimated fecundities were compared in 1985–1991 between California, the southern extent of the species' distribution, and coastal waters of Washington, near the center of the species' abundance, where yellowtail rockfish are most heavily fished. California yellowtail rockfish were older, smaller in weight and length, and had smaller mesenteric fat deposits and more extensive disease and parasite pathologies than Washington fish. Egg production of this comparatively fecund viviparous fish increased linearly and sigmoidally with body weight and length, and asymptotically with age. Significant interannual differences were found in fecundities of young fish ( age 14) or in ...
A slingshot model for solar flares

Recent observations of intense, impulsive gamma-ray and X-ray-emitting solar flares underline the suddenness of these events. The simultaneous emission of X-rays greater than 40 keV from electron bremsstrahlung and gamma-rays requiring several MeV protons shows that all particles must be accelerated in less than 5 s. This paper proposes a simple model to explain such events, using the energy stored in the stretched field lines of a coronal arch. When reconnection occurs at the top of the arch, field lines retract like stretched rubber bands, sweeping up plasma and acting like a piston or slingshot. When the slug of plasma caught in the magnetic fields strikes the photosphere, it deposits its considerable kinetic energy, heating and compressing the intruding slug. Ten slugs of 100 km radius striking the photosphere may account for the 10 to the 29th ergs radiation from loop flares.
Autonomous image data reduction by analysis and interpretation

Image data is a critical component of the scientific information acquired by space missions. Compression of image data is required due to the limited bandwidth of the data transmission channel and limited memory space on the acquisition vehicle. This need becomes more pressing when dealing with multispectral data where each pixel may comprise 300 or more bytes. An autonomous, real time, on-board image analysis system for an exploratory vehicle such as a Mars Rover is developed. The completed system will be capable of interpreting image data to produce reduced representations of the image, and of making decisions regarding the importance of data based on current scientific goals. Data from multiple sources, including stereo images, color images, and multispectral data, are fused into single image representations. Analysis techniques emphasize artificial neural networks. Clusters are described by their outlines and class values. These analysis and compression techniques are coupled with decision-making capacity for determining importance of each image region. Areas determined to be noise or uninteresting can be discarded in favor of more important areas. Thus limited resources for data storage and transmission are allocated to the most significant images.
Laparoscopic ablation of symptomatic parenchymal and peripelvic renal cysts

Abstract Objectives. To assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic ablation of symptomatic renal cysts as minimally invasive therapeutic techniques have largely supplanted open surgical intervention for the treatment of symptomatic renal cysts. Methods. The records of 32 consecutive adult patients who underwent laparoscopic ablation of renal cysts (11 peripelvic, 21 parenchymal) were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were symptomatic at presentation; 26 had a single cyst, 5 had two cysts, and 1 had four cysts. Results. Twenty patients underwent a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach, and 12 patients underwent a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach. An average of 3.2 ports were used for each procedure, and no open conversions or transfusions were necessary. When comparing patients with parenchymal and peripelvic cysts, statistically significant differences were noted in the mean operative time (164 versus 233 minutes, respectively; P = 0.003) and mean operative blood loss (98 versus 182 mL, respectively; P = 0.04). Four patients (13%) had complications (one major and three minor), including a persistent ureteral stricture. One patient with negative preoperative aspiration cytology and negative intraoperative frozen section analysis was later found to have malignancy within the cyst wall, necessitating radical nephrectomy and trocar site excision. One patient (3%) developed a recurrence. Conclusions. Laparoscopic ablation of symptomatic renal cysts is a safe and efficacious procedure. We report an overall complication rate of 13% and a recurrence rate of 3% with a mean follow-up of 18.1 months (median 10.0).
Wave parameter gradients along the wave ray

Abstract Computer methods have been used to track selected deep-water waves along their orthogonals to the surf zone. Three bottom orbital parameters were computed at each step: diameter, maximum velocity and acceleration. These three parameters were then plotted along the several wave rays, thereby providing shoreward gradients. The three gradients have essentially the same geometry, so that any one can be taken as an indicator of the other two. Bottom slope changes are responsible for departure of the gradients from linearity. The bottom orbital gradients are quite different from gradients of wave height and wave length. These results from coasting waves cannot be applied directly to the case of forced, or wind-driven, waves. The non-linear nature of the bottom orbital gradients indicates that the near-shore bottom should exhibit a crude banding, more-or-less parallel with the coast, with different sediment transport and ripple-mark geometry from band to band.
Hybrid neural network and rule-based pattern recognition system capable of self-modification

This paper describes a hybrid neural network and rule-based pattern recognition system architecture which is capable of self-modification or learning. The central research issue to be addressed for a multiclassifier hybrid system is whether such a system can perform better than the two classifiers taken by themselves. The hybrid system employs a hierarchical architecture, and it can be interfaced with one or more sensors. Feature extraction routines operating on raw sensor data produce feature vectors which serve as inputs to neural network classifiers at the next level in the hierarchy. These low-level neural networks are trained to provide further discrimination of the sensor data. A set of feature vectors is formed from a concatenation of information from the feature extraction routines and the low-level neural network results. A rule-based classifier system uses this feature set to determine if certain expected environmental states, conditions, or objects are present in the sensors' current data stream. The rule-based system has been given an a priori set of models of the expected environmental states, conditions, or objects which it is expected to identify. The rule-based system forms many candidate directed graphs of various combinations of incoming features vectors, and it uses a suitably chosenmore » metric to measure the similarity between candidate and model directed graphs. The rule-based system must decide if there is a match between one of the candidate graphs and a model graph. If a match is found, then the rule-based system invokes a routine to create and train a new high-level neural network from the appropriate feature vector data to recognize when this model state is present in future sensor data streams. 12 refs., 3 figs.« less
A new multi-layer discrete ordinate approach to radiative transfer in vertically inhomogeneous atmospheres

Abstract A recently developed matrix formulation of the discrete ordinate method is extended for application to an inhomogeneous atmosphere. The solution yields fluxes, as well as the complete azimuthal dependence of the intensity at any level in the atmosphere. The numerical aspects of the solution are discussed and numerical verification is provided by comparing computed results with those obtained by other methods. In particular, it is shown that a simple scaling scheme, which removes the positive exponentials in the coefficient matrix when solving for the constants of integration, provides unconditionally stable solutions for arbitrary optical thicknesses. An assessment of the accuracy to be expected is also provided, and it is shown that low-order discrete ordinate approximations yield very accurate flux values.
On the detectability of antimatter propulsion spacecraft

It is shown that the NASA Gamma-Ray Observatory will be able to detect large interstellar spacecraft at distances up to ∼ 300 pc by the γ-ray emission from the propulsion system alone. The distance limit is set by the possibility of recognizing such objects by their proper motions.
THE CHANGING GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND WORLD CROP PRODUCTION

Summary During a period of a presumed world food crisis, the importance of climate and weather, and the rising level of atmospheric carbon dioxide are highlighted as important changes in the global environment. There is a dual and simultaneous effect of the rising level of atmospheric carbon dioxide on first, global warming and second, on the enhancement of crop productivity as reflected by an increased photosynthetic capacity, greater water use efficiency and alleviation of other crop stresses. Climate variability has a greater impact on agricultural productivity than does climate change. The rising level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is a universally free subsidy, gaining in magnitude with time, on which all can reckon when it comes to crop productivity.
Effect of histamine on blood flow to the adrenal glands of pigs

Blood flow to the adrenal glands was measured with radioactive microspheres labeled with85Sr in 25–37 kg pigs following the intravenous infusion of physiological saline solution or histamine solution (2 ug/kg/min) for 60 minutes. Total blood flow averaged 2.28 ml/min/gland for control pigs and 4.38 ml/min/gland for histamine-treated pigs (P<.0005). Mean blood flow to the adrenal glands of histamine-treated pigs (3.15 ml/min/g) was 82% higher than that of control pigs (1.73 ml/min/g); the difference was highly significant (P<.0005). The result of this study showed that histamine caused an increased blood flow to the porcine adrenal glands.
A Comparison of Patient Satisfaction With Sedation Between Fentanyl/Midazolam and Meperidine/Midazolam in Patients Undergoing Endoscopy

A Comparison of Patient Satisfaction With Sedation Between Fentanyl/Midazolam and Meperidine/Midazolam in Patients Undergoing Endoscopy
Modulation of cultured brain, adrenal, and aortic endothelial cell glucose transport.

Abstract Studies of glucose transporter activity and anti-glucose transporter (GLUT1) immunoblots were performed on different endothelial cell primary cultures (brain capillary, adrenal capillary and aortic) to determine their response to glucose deprivation. Cell cultures were exposed to glucose deprivation (0.5 mM) for 48 h periods and refed (11.0 mM) for 36 additional hours. Control cultures were kept in 11.0 mM glucose for the duration of these studies. Measurements of 2-[ 3 H]deoxy- d -glucose uptake and membrane fraction purification were performed every 12 h during these timecourses. Baseline cytochalasin-B sensitive uptake of 2-deoxy- d -glucose was near three times larger in brain capillary endothelial cells than in adrenal or aortic endothelial cultures. In all three endothelial cell cultures, 2-deoxy- d -glucose uptake increased during glucose deprivation, and returned to control values upon refeeding. Aortic and adrenal cortical endothelia expressed the starvation induced increases 12 h sooner than brain capillary endothelia. Return to control values was also 12 h faster in these cultured endothelia. Immunoblot studies showed that in all three endothelial cell cultures the increases in transporter activity during glucose starvation correlate with increased membrane expression of GLUT1. Quantitative analysis of the anti-GLUT1 immunoblots indicated that induction of GLUT1 following glucose starvation was slower in brain capillary endothelia than in aortic or adrenal endothelia. The slower response by brain capillary endothelial cells may be related to the higher transport rate of glucose in these cells.
Abstract IA5: EMT and dissemination precede pancreatic tumor formation.

Metastatic spread has been difficult to study because it involves a series of rare events that are difficult to observe in vivo. To capture such events, we have employed lineage tracing—a technique which allows cells to be tagged and tracked—and applied it to an autochthonous mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Using this approach, found that pancreas-derived cells entered the circulation at the PanIN-stage, prior to the presence of a histologically recognizable tumor. Moreover, invasive behavior was almost universally associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and bloodstream entry was associated with a “cancer stem cell” phenotype. These observations demonstrate that cellular dissemination in pancreatic cancer can occur at a very early stage of tumor progression, a finding that has implications for disease screening, surveillance, and intervention. Citation Format: Andrew D. Rhim, Nicole M. Aiello, Emily T. Mirek, Ben Z. Stanger. EMT and dissemination precede pancreatic tumor formation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges; Jun 18-21, 2012; Lake Tahoe, NV. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA5.
Anti-angiotensin Therapy: New Perspectives

Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Thus, strategies for the treatment of heart failure have focused on agents that block the RAS. More recently, the role of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in heart failure therapy has been better defined. This article examines the rationale and role of ARBs in the treatment of patients with heart failure on the basis of evidence from clinical trials.
Myogenic fusion and the duration of the post-mitotic gap (G1).

Abstract The decreased growth rate observed in older muscle cultures has been attributed to the withdrawal of cells from the proliferative pool by fusion. The possibility was examined that this decrease reflects changes in the cell cycle as well. Before fusion, the cycle is relatively short and uniform (10.0 ± 2.7 hr) becoming greatly extended and more variable (19.2 ± 8.5 hr) in cultures undergoing fusion. Most of the increase in generation time is introduced by a long, variable G 1 phase, that phase to which fusion is restricted. These stage-specific cycle characterstics are a function of changes occurring in the medium, rather than of time in culture. Older cultures, refed fresh medium acquire the cell cycle characteristics of younger cultures, and conversely, early cultures fed medium collected from older cultures exhibit cycle measurements typical of older cultures. Although the mean G 1 time almost doubles at the time of fusion, there is no evidence that cells actually withdraw from the cycle prior to fusion. Continuous labeling before and after the initiation of fusion indicate that at all stages virtually 100% of the mononucleated cells incorporate 3 H-TdR. Since fusion occurs in G 1 , it seems reasonable to assume that some preparation for fusion occurs during this phase and the probability of fusion increases with protraction of G 1 .
Molecular Mechanism of Enhancement of CaV1.2 Channels by β2-Adrenergic Receptors

In neurons, β2-adrenergic (β2AR) enhancement of the activity of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (Cav1.2) is important for certain forms of synaptic plasticity. The mechanism of regulation is thought to involve phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA) of residues in the C-terminus of Cav1.2. A PKA-anchoring protein (AKAP) is required for efficient phosphorylation and enhancement of Cav1.2 channel activity. Neuronally-localized AKAP79, unlike all other AKAPs, binds the Ca2+/calmodulin-activated phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), and thus anchors CaN along with PKA within the Cav1.2-β2AR complex. To study β2AR enhancement of Cav1.2 channel activity, we have used whole-cell patch-clamp to voltage-clamp currents from tsA-201 cells transfected with constructs for full-length Cav1.2, the channel's accessory subunits (β2b, α2δ), AKAP79 and the β2AR. With this system, we have found that β2AR agonist (isoproterenol, Iso) can enhance Ba2+ current ∼25%. Enhancement by Iso was nearly absent (∼5%) when current was carried by Ca2+. Candidates that could support Ca2+-dependent suppression of enhancement include CaN and the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase CaMKII, which is also scaffolded to the channel. Sites phosphorylated by PKA and suspected of involvement in enhancement include residues S1700, T1704 and S1928 in the CaV1.2 C-terminus. Substitution of alanine at any of these three sites of phosphorylation by PKA abolished enhancement by Iso. To further investigate the mechanism of enhancement, we used the ratio of Ba2+ tail current (−60 mV) to gating charge at reversal as an index of the efficiency of channel opening (Itail/Qgate coupling efficiency). For wild-type (WT) channels, coupling efficiency was increased by Iso. Phosphorylation site mutations (S1700, S1928, S1700+T1704) decreased coupling efficiency in the absence of Iso, and abolished the Iso-induced increase in coupling efficiency observed for WT channels, consistent with the inability of agonist to enhance current carried by the mutants.
Pressure Dependence of Second Sound Velocity in Liquid Helium. II

The velocity of second sound as a function of pressure and temperature has been measured to 0.95\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K by a pulse method. The quantitative dependence of the rise in velocity upon pressure is found to support the role of the phonons in contributing to the normal fluid flow alone.
Pulsed megagauss fields produced by laser-driven coils

The generation of pulsed magnetic fields in the range 20 kG to 2MG by laser-driven coils is analyzed. Previous experimental results are modeled using a time-dependent circuit equation. By varying the circuit parameters and the coil geometry, it is shown that a field of 30 kG and a rate of change of 4 kG/ns can be generated by a small single-turn solenoid driven by a 1 J, 20 ns laser pulse. Using a more energetic laser pulse, a rate of 600 kG/ns is achievable. This value of dB/dt greatly exceeds that available from the more conventional field generation devices and is important for the observation of transient magnetic phenomena.
An isothermal flow calorimeter for high-temperature basic solutions

Abstract An isothermal flow calorimeter suitable for measuring heats of reaction in basic aqueous solutions is described. The calorimeter was constructed of materials capable of operating to 773 K and 40 MPa. Corrosion resistance was obtained by using nickel tubing in the calorimeter proper. An automatically controlled pulsed heater and a highly stable heat-leak path are used to maintain the reaction zone at a constant temperature. Energy effects from 0.15 to 120 J min −1 can be measured to an accuracy of ±0.8% at constant temperature and pressure. The calorimeter was tested by measuring the heats of dilution of aqueous NaOH solutions at 523 K and 5.5 MPa and was found to produce data in good agreement with literature values.
THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE, IRRADIANCE, AND NITROGEN ON THE ENCYSTMENT AND GROWTH OF THE FRESHWATER DINOFLAGELLATES PERIDINIUM CINCTUM AND P. WILLEI IN CULTURE (DINOPHYCEAE)1

Effects of temperature, irradiance, and nitrogen availability on the encystment and growth of the freshwater dinoflagellates Peridinium cinctum Ehrenberg and Peridinium willei Huitfeld-Kaas were studied in culture. Lack of nitrogen was the main trigger of encystment in both species. Irradiance had a secondary effect on the percentage of the population of each species that encysted. Temperature did not significantly affect encystment in either species. In both species, only a small percentage of the population underwent encystment. Low light had an inhibitory effect on the growth of P. willei growing in nitrogen-sufficient medium.
On the Identification of Technology Shocks: An Alternative to the Standard Long-Run Method

This study proposes an alternative procedure to identify technology shocks using vector autoregressions (VARs). The proposed procedure delivers improved small-sample properties relative to the standard long-run identification method provided that the dynamics of the observed variables can only be captured precisely by an infinite-order VAR. Monte Carlo experiments on artificial data produced by a standard version of the real business cycle model demonstrate that the proposed procedure is associated with smaller average bias and mean square error. These results obtain under a range of specifications regarding the share of technology shocks in overall output variability.
Synthesis, characterization and activity in cyclohexene epoxidation of mesoporous TiO2–SiO2 mixed oxides

Abstract A series of porous TiO 2 –SiO 2 mixed metal oxides were synthesized via sol–gel route using n -alkyl amine as pore directing templates. The mixed oxides were characterized by nitrogen physisorption for surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution, as well as by FTIR, TGA, SEM, and TEM for the dispersion of titanium. These compounds are good catalysts for liquid phase epoxidation of cyclohexene using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. The effects of various factors on catalyst reactivity were also studied. The catalysts performance and selectivity are enhanced in protic solvents when compared to aprotic solvents.
Physiological control of chamise shoot growth after fire.

Five controlled burns (ca. 2 ha each) were conducted in the Coast Range of northern California near Hopland, California, between November 18, 1975 and September 15, 1976 to determine the effect of shrub phenology on the sprouting response of chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum H&A) following fire. The time of burn had little effect on the amount of shoot growth that occurred after fire, although the pattern of growth was altered. Shrubs burned on June 22 or August 2, 1976 grew continually until August 1977, while unburned shrubs or those burned at other times ceased seasonal growth during the first summer after fire. Neither the amount nor the pattern of shoot growth was influenced by the shrub water status before the fire occurred. The relationship between chamise shoot growth after fire, 14CO2 fixation, xylem sap tension, and air temperature was also studied. The growth rate of regrowing shrubs was highly correlated with 14CO2 fixation prior to the growth measurement. Water status (pre-dawn xylem sap tension) had a negative correlation with 14CO2 fixation. The abundance of carbohydrate at the shoot apex is believed to influence the seasonal pattern and rate of chamise shoot growth following
Convergent Validities of the Resultant Achievement Motivation Test and the Presatie Motivatie Test With AC and AI Scales of the CPI

Hermans' and Mehrabian's tests of achievement motivation were correlated with the Achievement via conformance (Ac) and Achievement via independence (Ai) scales of the California Psychological Inventory (N = 66). Results indicated the Mehrabian test to be associated ( r = .29) only with the Ac scale, but the Hermans measure was rather strongly related to both the Ac and Ai scales (r = .40 and .47, respectively). However, alternative scoring protocols for Hermans' test which were developed as part of the study, created marked changes in results associated with external relationships of the measure.