cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selecting the Next Generation

This paper discusses one area of the interface between science and ethics: the genetic manipulation and design of human beings. Genetic interventions are an increasingly powerful eugenic resource, but they raise ethical suspicions. Critics condemn them, alleging severe negative consequences for society and the manipulated individuals involved. I analyze some influential general arguments (consequentialist and non-consequentialist) proposed against artificially selecting the next generation and conclude that the arguments are insufficient to cast blanket prohibitions against genetic interventions. Eugenic projects are compatible in principle with the pursuit of dignity, freedom, and tolerance at the individual and social levels. The ethical challenges raised by genetic interventions are real and vital. Still, it seems more ethically beneficial to approach them piecemeal through public-level arguments informed by science and specific to the cases encountered.
Neural Spike Sorting Using Binarized Neural Networks

This article presents the design and efficient hardware implementation of binarized neural networks (BNNs) for brain-implantable neural spike sorting. In contrast to the conventional artificial neural networks (ANNs), in which the weights and activation functions of neurons are represented using real values, the BNNs utilize binarized weights and activation functions to dramatically reduce the memory requirement and computational complexity of the ANNs. The designed BNN is trained using several realistic neural datasets to verify its accuracy for neural spike sorting. The application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) implementation of the designed BNN in a standard 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS process occupies 0.33 mm 2 of silicon area. Power consumption estimation of the ASIC layout shows that the BNN dissipates $2.02~\mu \text{W}$ of power from a 1.8 V supply while operating at 24 kHz. The designed BNN-based spike sorting system is also implemented on a field-programmable gate array and is shown to reduce the required on-chip memory by 89% compared to those of the alternative state-of-the-art spike sorting systems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work employing BNNs for real-time in vivo neural spike sorting.
Role of Urban Big Data in Travel Behavior Research

Understanding urban travel behavior (TB) is critical for advancing urban transportation planning practice and scholarship; however, traditional survey data is expensive (because of labor costs) and...
Rough Surface Scattering

A summary of the theoretical and computational approaches to rough surface scattering is presented. Future directions are indicated.
Biochar-amended poultry mortality composting to increase compost temperatures, reduce ammonia emissions, and decrease leachate’s chemical oxygen demand

Abstract Proper disposal of animal mortalities is essential in preventing disease transmission and protecting air and water quality. Composting is often used to manage both routine and diseased poultry mortalities. The objectives of this pilot-scale study were to test if adding wood-based biochar to poultry mortality compost could 1) increase compost temperatures, 2) reduce ammonia emissions, 3) decrease leachate’s organic content, and 4) enhance the nutrient content of the final compost. Biochar ratios at 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15% (fresh weight) were co-composted with chicken mortalities and woodchips for 11 weeks (three heating cycles). Results indicated that the biochar amendment significantly increased (3.4–7 °C) the maximum temperatures reached during the composting compared to those of control test units without biochar. Biochar amendments at 5, 10, and 15% resulted in the prolonged periods of temperature over 67 °C to inactivate the highly pathogenic Avian influenza (H7N1), and a reduced cumulative chemical oxygen demand of the leachate by 80.4 ± 3.07%, on average. Biochar amendment at 10 and 15% significantly reduced the cumulative ammonia emissions by 40.4% and 56.8%, respectively. Biochar amendment at 15% increased (34.7%) the total nitrogen content of the final compost. It was concluded that adding biochar, at a minimum of a 5% ratio, is recommended to improve the poultry mortality composting process.
Understanding the European Union

After the Second World War, the division of Europe into two antagonistic blocs led Western European countries to strengthen their collaboration on defense issues (Treaty of Brussels, 1948, Western European Union - WEU, 1954) and economic (European Organization of Economic Cooperation, 1948 or the European Payments Union, 1950). The goal of some of the most enthusiastic Europeans of the moment, was to increase the degree of supranationality and reach a level of integration that would prevent the reedition of endemic tensions among the European powers. The internationalization of the economy and communications, made inevitable a Europe with a confederate structure that could compete with the world leader; U.S. The USA. they played a fundamental role in the promotion of economic integration in Europe, because it represented a very valuable market for their products and had to curb the expansive impetus of the Soviet Union.
Selective Crystallization of Four Bis(phthalocyaninato)lanthanoid(III) Polymorphs

Bis(phthalocyaninato)lanthanoid(III) (LnPc2) complexes have attracted significant attention for their exceptional optical, electronic and magnetic properties. Crystallization of those compounds usually requires cumbersome methods such as sublimation and electrocrystallisation, which is a significant limitation to both structural determinations and the preparation of high purity materials at scale. We report here the selective crystallization of four polymorphs of LnPc2 using exclusively slow evaporation of saturated solutions. The obtained phase depends on the initial oxidation state of the LnPc2 molecule and the choice of solvent. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies were used to determine 14 new structures including Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er and Yb, as well as correct previous mis-identifications from the literature. We provide a detailed comparison of molecular structure and crystal packing in all LnPc2 polymorphs. The primary feature in all phases is columnar stacking based on parallel π π interactions, with a variety of slip angles within those stacks as well as secondary interactions between them. Chemical redox and acid-base titrations, performed on re-dissolved crystals demonstrate that LnPc2+ and LnPc2- are easily obtained through weak oxidizing and reducing agents, respectively. Additionally, we show that the protonated form of the NdPc2- complex has a nearly identical UV-Vis spectra to that of neutral NdPc2, explaining some of the confusion over chemical composition in previously published literature.
Options for Scaled Experiments for High Temperature Liquid Salt and Helium Fluid Mechanics and Convective Heat Transfer

Liquid fluoride salts and helium have desirable properties for use as working fluids for high-temperature (500 to 1000°C) heat transport in fission and fusion applications. This paper presents rece...
Low‐Income Households’ Response to Higher Home Energy Costs

The purpose of this study was to identify the energy practices of low-income households in Virginia and to assess the impact of high energy prices on their lives. A survey of 941 low-income Virginia households revealed that household income, tenure type, and home structure type showed significant relationships with energy practices of these households. Results include the following: (1) households with the lowest incomes and renters tended to perceive more energy cost problems and (2) multifamily residents (e.g., in apartments or townhomes) were less likely to check for energy efficiency when buying a product that uses energy and less likely to try to find information on how to save energy compared to residents of single-family homes and others (e.g., in mobile homes and other nontraditional homes). More research is needed on how to best assist these households with their energy burdens and to provide them with the information and motivation to help improve their situation.
K L,S →ππνν̅ decays within and beyond the standard model

The decays ${K}_{L,S}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{o}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{o}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ and ${K}_{L,S}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ involve the weak transition from a strange to a non-strange quark. Although they have considerably smaller branching ratios than those for the corresponding rare processes involving single pions, some may be more distinguishable experimentally from background processes and thus could provide another probe of the $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{s}d\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ transition. Using the recent knowledge of the CKM matrix elements and measurements of related processes, we give improved predictions for their branching ratios both within and beyond the standard model.
Analysis of adherence-associated gene expression in Streptococcus parasangusis: A method for RNA isolation

The objective of the current research was to define a consistent and reliable method for the preparation of high quality, intact total RNA from Gram-positive oral bacteria. The method described, adapted from previously published protocols [1, 8, 17], employs mechanical means to disrupt cells and release RNA. Bacterial cells are subjected to vigorous vortexing in the presence of high density glass beads and the denaturing agents, phenol and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Under these conditions, disruption of the bacterial cell walls is rapid enough to expose intracellular contents to the denaturing agents before endogenous ribonucleases have a chance to hydrolyze RNA. Based on the ethidium bromide straining pattern of 23S and 16S rRNAs, either denaturing (formaldehyde/agarose) or nondenaturing (TAE/agarose) gel electrophoresis could be used to determine the general integrity of the RNA preparation. Analysis by either method revealed sharp rRNA bands indicative of high quality RNA. Expression of adherence-associated transcripts could be detected using formaldehyde/agarose gel electrophoresis and northern hybridization analysis. This method of RNA preparation proved to be useful for isolation of intact RNA from the recalcitrant bacterium, Streptococcus parasanguis, and may prove useful for other such oral bacteria.
Identification of Peptide Features in Precursor Spectra Using Hardklör and Krönik

Hardklor and Kronik are software tools for feature detection and data reduction of high-resolution mass spectra. Hardklor is used to reduce peptide isotope distributions to a single monoisotopic mass and charge state, and can deconvolve overlapping peptide isotope distributions. Kronik filters, validates, and summarizes peptide features identified with Hardklor from data obtained during liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Both software tools contain a simple user interface and can be run from nearly any desktop computer. These tools are freely available from http://proteome.gs.washington.edu/software/hardklor. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 37:13.18.1-13.18.13. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: proteomics; mass spectrometry; liquid chromatography; high resolution; feature detection; deisotoping; peptide isotope distribution
Workstation fiber panel

The author discusses the recent phone system upgrade at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It is noted that it makes economic sense to completely rewire the site with a modern nodal distribution system. Each office is being wired so that it can have its own twisted pair Ethernet connection. 62.5- mu m multiple fibers are being installed also, from the building distribution frame (or wiring closets) to individual offices. >
Electoral Reform, Regional Cleavages, and Party System Stability in Bolivia

This research note considers the effects of electoral system reform in Bolivia. In 1995, Bolivia moved from a list-proportional to a mixedmember proportional electoral system. The intervening years saw growing regional polarization of politics and a collapse of the existing party system. Using statistical analysis of disaggregated electoral data (at department, municipality, and district level), this paper tests whether electoral system reforms may have contributed to the current political crisis. Research findings show that regional cleavages existed prior to electoral system reform, but suggest that reforms aggravated their effects. Such evidence gives reason to question the recent popularity of mixed-member proportionality.
Geometric Constraints for Object Detection and Delineation

Preface. Acknowledgments. 1. Introduction. 2. Object Detection and Delineation. 3. Primitives and Vanishing Points. 4. Geometric Constraints for Hypothesis Generation. 5. Combining and Verifying Primitives. 6. Performance Evaluation and Analysis. 7. Conclusions. Appendices: A. Mathematical Tools. B. Experimental Results. References. About the Author. Index.
Solutions of the dispersionless Toda equation

Abstract The dispersionless (continuous) limit of the Toda equation is studied, and the solution of the initial value problem is given explicitly by the method of the classical inverse scattering transform. Some properties of the global solution are discussed. We also formulate the Whitham equation for the averaged variables describing the solutions of the weak dispersion limit of the Toda equation after shock formation (solution breaking in finite time).
Evidence for Structural Elasticity of Class A β-Lactamases in the Course of Catalytic Turnover of the Novel Cephalosporin Cefepime

The mechanism of hydrolysis of cefepime, a novel cephalosporin, by the class A TEMpUC19 β-lactamase has been investigated. Models for the active-site binding of this antibiotic indicate severe steric interactions between the active site of the enzyme and the C7β function of cefepime. Specific interactions with the side-chain functions of Pro-167 and Asn-170, amino acids present in the Ω-loop spanning residues 164−179, have been singled out as important in the interactions with the antibiotic. These interactions displace the hydrolytic water (Wat-712) from its preferred position for the deacylation step. These observations are consistent with experimental evidence that deacylation is the rate-limiting step in the turnover of cefepime by this β-lactamase. Furthermore, it has been shown in circular-dichroic measurements that hydrolysis of cefepime by this β-lactamase is accompanied by an unprecedented relaxation of the structure of the enzyme in order to accommodate the bulky C7β side chain of the antibiotic...
Effects of signaled time-out from and loss of monetary reinforcement on human operant behavior

A signal followed by a period of time-out from reinforcement was presented while human Ss were responding to procure monetary reinforcement on a variable-interval schedule. The results replicated previous findings with animals of response facilitation in the presence of the signal. Facilitation also was observed when the signal preceded a brief stimulus indicating that money had been lost. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that response facilitation reflects conditioning of frustration to the signal. But it also was observed that in the majority of cases increased responding resulted in increased rates of reinforcement, thus suggesting that increased reinforcement may have been a factor in producing rate increases.
Effects of estrogen, raloxifene, and levormeloxifene on the expression of Rho-kinase signaling molecules in urethral smooth muscle cells.

Objectives To investigate the effects of estrogen, raloxifene, and levormeloxifene on the expression of Rho-kinase signaling molecules in urethral smooth muscle cells (USMCs). Methods USMCs were isolated from female rats. Expression of calponin and estrogen receptors α (ERα) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Cells were treated with estrogen, raloxifene, or levormeloxifene at 0, 1, 10, and 100 nmol/L for 48 h and then processed for Western blotting with antibodies against RhoA, Rho kinase I and II (Rock-I and Rock-II), myosin light chain (MLC), phosphorylated MLC, and β-actin. Protein expression was quantitated by densitometry, followed by statistical analysis with β-actin as control. Results USMCs expressed calponin and ERα. Treatment of USMCs with estrogen, raloxifene or levormeloxifene resulted in decreased expression of RhoA, Rock-I, Rock-II, and p-MLC in a dosage-dependent manner. Conclusions Estrogen, raloxifene, and levormeloxifene may affect urinary continence by inhibiting the expression of Rho-kinase signaling molecules.
End-stage renal disease--is infrainguinal limb revascularization justified?

Abstract Reports of reconstructive surgery for peripheral vascular disease have been relatively uncommon in patients with end-stage renal disease. Between 1980 and 1989, 39 patients with end-stage renal disease underwent revascularization of 56 limbs. Fifty-two primary infrainguinal and four secondary infrainguinal bypass grafts were performed. In addition, nine thrombectomies were performed. At the time of surgery 37 patients were on dialysis; three had functioning kidney transplants. The indications for revascularization were gangrene, rest pain, or ulceration in all except three limbs with disabling claudication. Reversed, nonreversed, or in situ vein was used in 25 of the 52 primary infrainguinal revascularizations performed. Polytetrafluoroethylene was used in 25. Two procedures used a combination of polytetrafluoroethylene and vein. The primary patencies for all infrainguinal procedures at 1 and 2 years were 77% and 68%, respectively. Four perioperative deaths occurred in the infrainguinal group (7.7%). An additional death occurred after thrombectomy for late graft closure. Three deaths were a result of myocardial infarction. One patient on peritoneal dialysis developed uncontrolled sepsis. At 3 years 39% of patients were alive, and 84% of the limbs were salvaged. Among the cases studied no group was identified that represented unacceptable operative risk. Results compared well with reported patencies for patients subjected to infrainguinal revascularization procedures. Limb revascularization in patients with end-stage renal disease may be performed by use of similar criteria to those used for other patients with peripheral vascular disease. (J VASC SURG 1990;12:691-6.)
The substitutional framework for sorted deduction: fundamental results on hybrid reasoning

Abstract Researchers in artificial intelligence have recently been taking great interest in hybrid representations, among them sorted logics—logics that link a traditional logical representation to a taxonomic (or sort) representation such as those prevalent in semantic networks. This paper introduces a general framework—the substitutional framework—for integrating logical deduction and sortal deduction to form a deductive system for sorted logic. This paper also presents results that provide the theoretical under-pinnings of the framework. A distinguishing characteristic of a deductive system that is structured according to the substitutional framework is that the sort subsystem is invoked only when the logic subsystem performs unification, and thus sort information is used only in determining what substitutions to make for variables. Unlike every other known approach to sorted deduction, the substitutional framework provides for a systematic transformation of unsorted deductive systems into sorted ones.
Internal consistency of the Brief Symptom Inventory for counseling-center clients.

Coefficients α for 231 women and 112 men at a counseling center ranged across subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory from .70 to .88. Values are comparable to those in the manual. Symptom patterns are similar to those of the psychiatric patients described in the manual.
Role of fresh frozen plasma infusion in correction of coagulopathy of chronic liver disease: a dual phase study.

Role of Fresh Frozen Plasma Infusion in Correction of Coagulopathy of Chronic Liver Disease: A Dual Phase Study
Intra- and inter-neighborhood income inequality and crime

One important factor in many macro-level theories of crime is income inequality. Although research generally shows that low levels of neighborhood income are associated with crime, research studies have been less clear on whether income inequality is a robust, independent predictor of crime, particularly in small area studies, and few studies have explicitly considered income inequality between neighborhoods, and those that do typically focus on homicide. The current study examines whether within and between neighborhood income inequality is associated with variation in violent and property crime. We employ geocoded Uniform Crime Report data from the Indianapolis police department and economic and demographic characteristics of the population from the American Community Survey for 2005–2009. Consistent with prior research, lower levels of income were associated with higher violent and property crime counts. Within-tract income inequality was also associated with higher Uniform Crime Reports violent and pr...
Efficient transactions for parallel data movement

The rise of Integrated Application Workflows (IAWs) for processing data prior to storage on persistent media prompts the need to incorporate features that reproduce many of the semantics of persistent storage devices. One such feature is the ability to manage data sets as chunks with natural barriers between different data sets. Towards that end, we need a mechanism to ensure that data moved to an intermediate storage area is both complete and correct before allowing access by other processing components. The Doubly Distributed Transactions (D2T) protocol offers such a mechanism. The initial development [9] suffered from scalability limitations and undue requirements on server processes. The current version has addressed these limitations and has demonstrated scalability with low overhead.
Plasma transport coefficients for nonsymmetric toroidal confinement systems

A variational principle is developed for computing accurate values of local plasma transport coefficients in nonsymmetric toroidal confinement configurations. Numerical solutions of the linearized drift Fokker–Planck equation are used to obtain the thermodynamic fluxes as functions of collision frequency and the radial electric field. Effects resulting from the variation of the longitudinal adiabatic invariant J along an orbit (resulting from particle transitions from helically trapped to toroidally trapped orbits) are treated. The velocity‐space distribution resulting from trapped, circulating, and transition particle orbits is well represented by a Legendre polynomial expansion in the pitch angle coordinate. The computational effort is significantly reduced from that required with Monte Carlo methods through use of an efficient treatment of the disparity between the time scales of collisionless and collisional particle dynamics. Numerical computations for a stellarator configuration are presented.
Regular dental visits are associated with earlier stage at diagnosis for oral and pharyngeal cancer.

Purpose Oral and pharyngeal cancer patients diagnosed at an advanced stage experience increased morbidity and mortality relative to those with localized disease. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of dental insurance status and regularity of dental visits on early detection of oral and pharyngeal cancer.
Effect of Varied CO2 Concentrations of Respired Air on the EEG of the Cat

SummaryIn cats curarized with dihydro-beta erythroidin hydrobromide and under artificial respiration, changing from air to mixtures of 3 to 10% CO2 in oxygen caused no significant change in the percentages of fast, intermediate and slow waves in the electroencephalographic spectrum. It is concluded that artificial respiration as used in experiments with curarizing drugs does not distort the frequency spectrum.
Phenolic antioxidants: potent inhibitors of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract Bis(2-hydroxy-3- tert -butyl-5-methylphenyl)methane (bis-phenol) is the most potent inhibitor of the (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ -ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum yet identified. The compound behaves as a reversible, tight-binding inhibitor with apparant K i = 0.3 μM. Butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and 4-nonylphenol are also effective inhibitors. These observations are of particular interest in light of the widespread use of such phenolic antioxidants and stabilizers in the food industry and in the manufacture of rubbers and plastics and the ease with which the compounds are extracted into organic solvents.
Binary trees with the largest number of subtrees

This paper characterizes binary trees with n leaves, which have the greatest number of subtrees. These binary trees coincide with those which were shown by Fischermann et al. [Wiener index versus maximum degree in trees, Discrete Appl. Math. 122(1-3) (2002) 127-137] and Jelen and Triesch [Superdominance order and distance of trees with bounded maximum degree, Discrete Appl. Math. 125 (2-3) (2003) 225-233] to minimize the Wiener index.
The effects of straw in crated farrowing systems on peripartal behaviour of sows and piglets.

A continuous video recording of the behaviour of sows and their piglets was made from before farrowing until 48 h after the birth of the last piglet. Ten litters, receiving chopped straw bedding daily, were compared with 10 litters in unbedded farrowing crates under similar housing and management conditions. Provision of straw had no significant effect on farrowing duration, which was very variable, or on piglet survival and growth rate. Sows made more major posture changes (transitions between standing, sitting and lying) in the early stages of farrowing (median 4, 2, 0 for inter-birth intervals 1, 2 and 3+ respectively). This tended to be more marked in the absence of straw bedding (19·5 versus 5 major movements in the first three inter-birth intervals, P = 0·07, and 4·5 versus 2 transitions between sternal and lateral recumbency, P = 0·07). Early born piglets took longer to find the udder (45, 21, 11 min for piglets 1, 2 and 3 respectively) with no significant effect of straw provision. The inter-birth interval increased towards the end of farrowing and more stillbirths occurred. In the 48 h after farrowing sows without straw made more major posture changes (2·0 versus 1·4/h, P = 0·05) and also tended to make more transitions between sternal and lateral recumbency (0·8 versus 0·6/h, P = 0·06). Piglets without straw spent more time in the heated forward creep box (29 versus 4%, P < 0·01). There was no significant effect of straw on the time piglets spent on the udder (39 versus 44%), the frequency of cyclical suckling (1·3 versus 1·5/h) or the time spent active (42 versus 45%).
Effective flange width provisions for composite steel bridges

Abstract In the analysis and design of steel–concrete composite girders of a bridge, deflections, stresses, and strengths are typically obtained from elementary beam bending theory by utilizing the effective flange width concept. Shear lag effects are accounted for indirectly, by replacing the actual slab width by an appropriate reduced “effective” width. Besides the exact numerical values that can be given by numerical analysis of a bridge, it is necessary that code provisions should provide simplified practical method of evaluation of effective flange width without significant loss of accuracy. So each code implements different ideas and approaches for specifying effective flange width. Comparing them highlights distinct philosophies underlying the various effective width code formulations, which is the main objective of this paper. In this paper, the effective flange width provisions in the US, Britain, Canada, Japan, and European Committee are presented and compared. Characteristics of each provision are briefly described and summarized. Numerical comparisons for simply-supported spans and negative moment regions of continuous spans follow. The paper concludes with a summary outlining the commonalities and main differences among all these provisions.
Improved statistical seasonal forecasts using extended training data

Statistical seasonal forecasts for gridded North American temperatures are computed using Pacific sea-surface temperature predictors, comparing long (1880 through most recent year) and short (1950 through most recent year) training samples. Use of the longer training series substantially improves the forecasts in winter, and improves forecasts for the longer lead times in other seasons, even though the older reconstructed predictor fields are based on less complete and presumably less reliable information. Forecasts made using canonical correlation analysis and maximum covariance analysis (MCA) perform similarly overall, although the best forecasts in winter are achieved with MCA forecasts that also include a predictor representing the warming trend in recent years. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
The Ror Receptor Tyrosine Kinase CAM-1 Is Required for ACR-16-Mediated Synaptic Transmission at the C. elegans Neuromuscular Junction

Nicotinic (cholinergic) neurotransmission plays a critical role in the vertebrate nervous system, underlies nicotine addiction, and nicotinic receptor dysfunction leads to neurological disorders. The C. elegans neuromuscular junction (NMJ) shares many characteristics with neuronal synapses, including multiple classes of postsynaptic currents. Here, we identify two genes required for the major excitatory current found at the C. elegans NMJ: acr-16, which encodes a nicotinic AChR subunit homologous to the vertebrate α7 subunit, and cam-1, which encodes a Ror receptor tyrosine kinase. acr-16 mutants lack fast cholinergic current at the NMJ and exhibit synthetic behavioral deficits with other known AChR mutants. In cam-1 mutants, ACR-16 is mislocalized and ACR-16-dependent currents are disrupted. The postsynaptic deficit in cam-1 mutants is accompanied by alterations in the distribution of cholinergic vesicles and associated synaptic proteins. We hypothesize that CAM-1 contributes to the localization or stabilization of postsynaptic ACR-16 receptors and presynaptic release sites.
The Tax Oncoprotein of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Associates with and Persistently Activates IκB Kinases Containing IKKα and IKKβ

The Tax oncoprotein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV1) chronically activates transcription factor NF-kappaB by a mechanism involving degradation of IkappaBalpha, an NF-kappaB-associated cytoplasmic inhibitor. Tax-induced breakdown of IkappaBalpha requires phosphorylation of the inhibitor at Ser-32 and Ser-36, which is also a prerequisite for the transient activation of NF-kappaB in cytokine-treated T lymphocytes. However, it remained unclear how Tax interfaces with the cellular NF-kappaB/IkappaB signaling machinery to generate a chronic rather than a transient NF-kappaB response. We now demonstrate that Tax associates with cytokine-inducible IkappaB kinase (IKK) complexes containing catalytic subunits IKKalpha and IKKbeta, which mediate phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha at Ser-32 and Ser-36. Unlike their transiently activated counterparts in cytokine-treated cells, Tax-associated forms of IKK are constitutively active in either Tax transfectants or HTLV1-infected T lymphocytes. Moreover, point mutations in Tax that ablate its IKK-binding function also prevent Tax-mediated activation of IKK and NF-kappaB. Together, these findings suggest that the persistent activation of NF-kappaB in HTLV1-infected T-cells is mediated by a direct Tax/IKK coupling mechanism.
Transitions in Social Organization: A Predictive Model from Southwestern Archaeology

Abstract A number of studies from experimental psychology suggest the existence of information-processing constraints that place limits on the number of people with which an individual may simultaneously interact. The existence of such constraints means that increases in the size of a human group will push that population toward “scalar thresholds,” at which point a transformation of the social order must take place to reorganize patterns of group interaction. The model developed here incorporates ethnographic data into the scalar theory of social change in an attempt to refine the precision with which scalar thresholds may be predicted. This scalar model contributes to an understanding of social change in small- to midsized sedentary populations and provides insight into processes by which social differentiation can emerge in these societies.
EVALUATION OF GENE TRANSFER EFFICIENCY BY VIRAL VECTORS TO MURINE BLADDER EPITHELIUM

Purpose: In pre-clinical gene therapy studies of bladder cancer there is tremendous variation in the ability of viral vectors to deliver genetic material to bladder epithelium. Possible explanations for this variability may involve the physical parameters of delivering vectors in these experimental models. We examined the effects of intravesical volume and pressure during instillation as well as chemical modification of the bladder epithelium on subsequent gene expression in the bladder in mice.Materials and Methods: Female C57B1/6 mice underwent intravesical instillation of the replication restricted canarypox virus (ALVAC) recombinant for the reporter genes luciferase or β-galactosidase. Similar viral titers were instilled at different volumes and a pressure transducer measured intravesical pressure when the vector was instilled. Also, various agents, including 0.6 N hydrochloric acid, 0.4% oxychlorosene, poly-L-lysine and 0.25 M. ammonium chloride, were used to modify the bladder surface before vector ...
Notions of equivalence through ratios: Students with and without learning disabilities

Abstract Students with learning disabilities (LD) specific to mathematics historically underperform in foundational content such as rational number equivalence. This study examined the strategy usage and multiplicative thinking of three third grade children (i.e., Bill, a child identified as having a learning disability specific to mathematics, Carl, a child labeled as low achieving in mathematics, and Albert, a child labeled as typically achieving) before, during, and after participating in tutoring sessions consisting of student-centered pedagogy and equivalence tasks presented through an underutilized interpretation of rational number: namely, the ratio interpretation. Constant comparison analysis of the children's work during the tutoring sessions as well as responses to tasks during two clinical interviews seemed to indicate that all three children increased their use of viable strategies, with notable differences in the sophistication of the strategies as well as the level of multiplicative thinking utilized before and after the ratio-based tutoring sessions. Yet, Bill's continued use of rudimentary strategies reflects a need for continued research to investigate why the use of such strategies persists and how supporting the development of more sophisticated strategies (especially among children with LD) can be achieved.
Truncation error and oscillation property of the combined compact difference scheme

In this work, we study a sixth order combined compact difference scheme for a one dimensional convection diffusion equation. We derive the truncation error representation and analyze its oscillation property. Numerical experiments are performed to illustrate and support our analysis.
Non-linear strain rate dependent micro-mechanical composite material model for finite element impact and crashworthiness simulation

Abstract The present study aims at implementation of a strain rate dependent, non-linear, micro-mechanics material model for laminated, unidirectional polymer matrix composites into the explicit finite element code LSDYNA. The objective is to develop an accurate and simple micro-mechanical, rate dependent material model, which is computationally efficient. Within the model a representative volume cell is assumed. The stress–strain relation including rate dependent effects for the micro-model is derived for both shell elements and solid elements. Micro-failure criterion is presented for each material constituent and failure mode. The implemented model can deal with problems such as impact, crashworthiness, and failure analysis under quasi-static loads. The developed material model has a wide range of applications such as jet engine jackets, armor plates, and structural crashworthiness simulation. The deformation response of two representative composite materials with varying fiber orientation is presented using the described technique. The predicted results compare favorably to experimental values.
Interactive video authoring and sharing based on two-layer templates

The rapid adoption of digital cameras and camcorders leads to a huge demand for new tools and systems that enables average users to more efficiently and more effectively process, manage, author and share digital media contents, in particular, a powerful video authoring tool that can dramatically reduce the users' efforts in editing and sharing home video. Though there are many commercial video authoring tools available today, video authoring remains as a tedious and extremely time consuming task that often requires trained professional skills. To tackle this problem, this paper presents a novel interactive end-to-end system that enables fast, flexible and personalized video authoring and sharing. The novel system, called LazyMedia, is based on both content analysis techniques and the proposed content-aware twolayer authoring templates: Composition Template and Presentation Template. Moreover, it is designed as an open and extensible framework that can support dynamic update of core components such as content analysis algorithms, editing methods, and the two-layer authoring templates. Furthermore, the two layers of authoring templates separate the video authoring from video presentation. Once authored with LazyMedia, the video contents can be easily and flexibly presented in other forms according to users' preference. LazyMedia provides a semiautomatic video authoring and sharing system that significantly reduces users' efforts in video editing while preserving sufficient flexibility and personalization.
Compensation for Auditory Re-Arrangement in the Absence of Observer Movement:

Ss wearing a pseudophone which produced functional rotation of the interaural axis sat motionless watching a sound-source move in an arc in front of their bodies. After short exposures, significant adaptive compensation for this auditory re-arrangement was measured. An interpretation is suggested in terms of the resolution of intersensory discordance.
The problem of dead metaphors

Defendant la these selon laquelle l'usage metaphorique des phrases s'accompagne d'un contenu cognitif, l'A. etudie le probleme des metaphores mortes qui consiste a se demander pourquoi, ayant perdu sa force metaphorique, la metaphore acquiert telle signification litterale precise, que D. Davidson designe par une part de langage
Examining the factor structure of PTSD between male and female veterans in primary care.

Abstract The present study assessed potential gender differences between the two prevailing PTSD models – the emotional numbing ( King, Leskin, King, & Weathers, 1998 ) and dysphoria ( Simms, Watson, & Doebbelling, 2002 ) models – in order to establish whether one model is superior with regard to its cross-gender generalizability. The sample included 188 female and 690 male trauma-exposed United States Veterans presenting to Veterans Affairs primary care medical clinics. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses with covariates (MIMIC models) were conducted using the PTSD Checklist. The covariates included were socio-demographic variables and the type of traumatic event experienced. The emotional numbing model was statistically superior for men, but no difference between models was noted for females. After controlling for model covariates, men reported higher item-level severity and women had larger residual error variances and larger factor variances and covariances in the emotional numbing model. These results suggest partial generalizability of the emotional numbing model across gender.
The Textile Schedules in the Tariff of 1922

Congressional history of textile schedules. — Changes in form of schedules, 31: wool duties, 33; textile manufactures, 39. — Changes in rates of duty, 43; wool manufactures, 46. — Improvement in quality of textile production, and public policy, 49.
Effect of microstructure on the wear transition of zirconia-toughened alumina

Abstract The mechanical properties of alumina ceramics can be improved by the addition of pure or partially stabilized zirconia particles. In the present study, the wear characteristics of zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) composites under a non-reactive fluid (paraffin oil) lubricated condition were investigated. The wear transition load (i.e. the load at which a rapid increase in wear occurs) increased with increasing zirconia content up to 20 vol.%. The transition from mild to fracture-coritrolled wear of ZTA depends on the material properties (e.g. hardness, elastic modules), the contact conditions (e.g. hertzian stress, coefficients of friction) and the microstructure of the material. The effect of the microstructure on wear was demonstrated and a Hall-Petch-type relationship between the microfracture stresses and the grain size was found. The effect of the grain size distribution on the wear transition load was also shown.
Validating linear elastic and linear viscoelastic models of lamb liver tissue using cone-beam CT

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to validate simple linear elastic model and linear viscoelastic models for lamb liver tissue deformation using high resolution cone-beam CT images. The resolution of the scanned images is 5 to 25 times higher than typical CT scans. The tissue deformation details in the contact region between the tissue and the indentor can be detected and rendered for smaller force loads. For these loads, it is difficult to accurately predict the volume and surface changes using typical low resolution CT scans. Surgical simulations rely on the accurate representation of the mechanical response of the soft tissues which are subject to surgical manipulations. If the simulation results using a model are quite different from reality, it can be concluded that such model is not applicable to the modelling of the targeted tissue. From simulation results we compare the deformed tissue with that obtained from experiments to verify the applicability of the model to soft tissue deformation. For our validation, fresh ex vivo lamb liver is chosen to validate the linear elastic model and the linear viscoelastic model.
A method for large-scale production of mouse brain cortical cultures

Abstract Fetal cerebral cortex can be grown for several weeks in dissociated cell culture using a relatively simple protocol for culture preparation. It is possible to establish large numbers of very similar cultures which serve as an effective test system for studies of toxicity and mechanism of action of neuroactive compounds. Light microscopic and ultrastructural studies document the neuronal component of the cultures as well as the developmental sequence. Cell counts, protein concentration and choline acetyl-transferase activity demonstrate the reproducibility of the cultures from dish to dish.
Post-infarct cortical plasticity and behavioral recovery using concurrent cortical stimulation and rehabilitative training: a feasibility study in primates.

Abstract Stroke is often characterized by incomplete recovery and chronic motor impairments. A nonhuman primate model of cortical ischemia was used to evaluate the feasibility of using device-assisted cortical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training to enhance behavioral recovery and cortical plasticity. Following preinfarct training on a unimanual motor task, maps of movement representations in primary motor cortex were derived. Then, an ischemic infarct was produced which destroyed the hand representation. Several weeks later, a second cortical map was derived to guide implantation of a surface electrode over periinfarct motor cortex. After several months of spontaneous recovery, monkeys underwent subthreshold electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training for several weeks. Post-therapy behavioral performance was tracked for several additional months. A third cortical map was derived several weeks post-therapy to examine changes in motor representations. Monkeys showed significa...
Characterization and absolute QE measurements of delta-doped N-channel and P-channel CCDs

In this paper we present the methodology for making absolute quantum efficiency (QE) measurements from the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) through the near infrared (NIR) on delta-doped silicon CCDs. Delta-doped detectors provide an excellent platform to validate measurements through the VUV due to their enhanced UV response. The requirements for measuring QE through the VUV are more strenuous than measurements in the near UV and necessitate, among other things, the use of a vacuum monochromator, and good camera vacuum to prevent chip condensation, and more stringent handling requirements. The system used for these measurements was originally designed for deep UV characterization of CCDs for the WF/PC instrument on Hubble and later for Cassini CCDs.
Heptanol application to the mouse round window: a model for studying cochlear lateral wall regeneration.

ObjectiveIdentify cells supporting cochlear lateral wall regeneration.Study DesignProspective controlled trial.SettingLaboratory. Human presbyacusis occurs, in part, secondary to age-related degeneration of cochlear lateral wall structures such as the stria vascularis and spiral ligament fibrocytes. This degeneration is likely linked to the diminished regenerative capacity of lateral wall cells with age. While lateral wall regeneration is known to occur after an acute insult, this process remains poorly understood and the cells capable of self-replication unidentified. We hypothesized that spiral ligament fibrocytes constitute these proliferative cells.Subjects and MethodsTo test the hypothesis, an acute ototoxic insult was created in 65 normal-hearing, young adult mice via cochlear exposure to heptanol. Sacrifice occurred at 1 to 60 days posttreatment. Auditory brainstem responses, 5-ethynyl-2′−deoxyuridine assay, and immunostaining were used to assess regeneration.ResultsPosttreatment hearing thresholds...
New variational principles in plasticity and their application to composite materials

Abstract I n this paper , a variational method for bounding the effective properties of nonlinear composites with isotropic phases, proposed recently by ponte castaneda (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 39, 45, 1991), is given full variational principle status. Two dual versions of the new variational principle are presented and their equivalence to each other, and to the classical variational principles, is demonstrated. The variational principles are used to determine bounds and estimates for the effective energy functions of nonlinear composites with prescribed volume fractions in the context of the deformation theory of plasticity. The classical bounds of Voigt and Reuss for completely anisotropic composites are recovered from the new variational principles and are given alternative, simpler forms. Also, use of a novel identity allows the determination of simpler forms for nonlinear Hashin-Shtrikman bounds, and estimates, for isotropic, particle-reinforced composites, as well as for transversely isotropic, fiber-reinforced composites. Additionally, third-order bounds of the Beran type are determined for the first time for nonlinear composites. The question of the optimality of these bounds is discussed briefly.