cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-mobility two-dimensional electron gases at AlGaN/GaN heterostructures grown on GaN bulk wafers and GaN template substrates

We report a comparative study of the mobility of two-dimensional electron gases (2DEG) formed at AlGaN/GaN heterostructures by simultaneously growing on substrates with very different dislocation densities. The mobility is seen to depend on the 2DEG charge density directly, but surprisingly, dislocations do not cause a discernible impact on the mobility of the samples within the measured region <25 000 cm2 V−1 s−1. This experimental observation questions the generally accepted belief that dislocations are one of the dominant low-temperature scattering mechanisms for low-density 2DEG at AlGaN/GaN structures.
Family Caregiving for Older Adults.

Family members are the primary source of support for older adults with chronic illness and disability. Thousands of published empirical studies and dozens of reviews have documented the psychologic...
Bundling can signal high quality

Abstract When consumers have noisy information, bundling experience goods can signal high quality in a simple static model. When consumers are partially informed, bundling has a bigger negative impact on the sales of a low-quality firm than on the sales of a firm with two high-quality products. Bundling can also signal high quality by restricting total sales even when consumers are uninformed. However, I argue this is not a likely explanation for bundling because raising prices is always a more profitable way to restrict total sales than bundling.
A new stenoendemic species of Blephilia (Lamiaceae: Lamioideae; Menthinae) from the Interior Low Plateau of Tennessee

A new species of Blephilia, B. woffordii sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on results of morphometric and molecular analyses. The results support the distinctiveness of four species of Blephilia. The newly recognized species is distributed on limestone bluffs and cliffs within a small section of the Caney Fork River drainage of Middle Tennessee in the Eastern Highland Rim physiographic province. This region is known for several endemic species and also several species disjunct from the Ozark region of the Interior Highlands. A revised key to the genus is provided.
Physical activity impacts insulin sensitivity post metabolic bariatric surgery in adolescents with severe obesity.

We hypothesized that physical activity (PA) improves insulin sensitivity in adolescents with severe obesity beyond that attributable to metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). StepWatchTM monitors objectively measured PA in 88 participants in the Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study. Primary outcomes included absolute change in fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and fasting glucose from pre-surgery (baseline) to 6, 12, 24, and 36 months post-MBS. SAS PROC TRAJ generated activity trajectories based on probability and individual participant step count trajectories. Linear regression models were used, adjusted for baseline value, visit, surgical procedure, sex, and percent change in BMI. Additional models adjusted for percent change in iliac waist circumference (IWC) or percent body fat (BF), measured by bio-impedance. Two activity trajectories were identified: more active (MA, n = 13) and less active (LA, n = 75). MA baseline mean daily step count was >6000, increasing to >9000 at 2 years. LA mean daily step count remained at ~4000. Few participants recorded moderate step activity (cadence >80 steps/minute). Still, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR differed in association with activity trajectoy. MA was associated with a greater absolute decrease in fasting insulin (−7.8 μU/ml [95% CI: (−11.8, −3.7)], p ≤ 0.001) and a greater decrease in HOMA-IR (−1.9 [95% CI: (−3.0, −0.7)], p = 0.001), when adjusted for percent change in BMI. The significant independent effect of MA remained when adjusted for percent change in IWC or percent BF. Clinically, 100% of MA trajectory participants normalized fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and fasting glucose by 6 months and normalization remained throughout the 36 months follow up. In contrast, 76.3 and 65.8% of LA trajectory participants normalized fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, respectively, by 12 months with 28.6% of both remaining normalized at 36 months. PA is independently associated with improved insulin sensitivity beyond that attributable to MBS in adolescents with severe obesity.
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: Teaching Philosophy Statements and the State of Student Learning

In association with the republishing of our 2009 papers, we revisit the core ideas about teaching philosophy papers, considering how the ideas have evolved and offering possible questions for futur...
Online Detection of MOSFET Gate Oxide Degradation in a Three-Phase Inverter-Drive Application

Failure in electrical machines or their drives can be catastrophic in safety-critical applications. Both silicon and silicon-carbide MOSFETs experience gate oxide degradation that leads to device failure. It is ideal to detect gate oxide degradation early using noninvasive, online techniques. In this article, an online gate oxide degradation detection method is proposed to reduce the reliability concern of using MOSFET switching devices. Gate oxide degradation causes a delay in phase current rise. Although the delay is short, it affects the voltage commands calculated in the controller. It is shown through analysis, simulation, and experiment that space vector pulsewidth modulation (SVPWM) duty cycle commands reflect the delay in phase current rise caused by gate oxide degradation.
let-7 miRNAs inhibit CHD7 expression and control auditory-sensory progenitor cell behavior in the developing inner ear

The evolutionarily conserved lethal-7 (let-7) microRNAs (miRNAs) are well-known activators of proliferative quiescence and terminal differentiation. However, in the murine auditory organ, let-7g overexpression delays the differentiation of mechano-sensory hair cells (HCs). To address whether the role of let-7 in auditory-sensory differentiation is conserved among vertebrates, we manipulated let-7 levels within the chicken auditory organ: the basilar papilla. Using a let-7 sponge construct to sequester let-7 miRNAs, we found that endogenous let-7 miRNAs are essential for limiting the self-renewal of HC progenitor cells. Furthermore, let-7b overexpression experiments revealed that, similar to mice, higher than normal let-7 levels slow/delay HC differentiation. Finally, we identify CHD7, a chromatin remodeler, as a candidate for mediating the repressive function of let-7 in HC differentiation and inner ear morphogenesis. Our analysis uncovered an evolutionarily conserved let-7-5p-binding site within the chicken Chd7 gene and its human and murine homologs, and we show that let-7g overexpression in mice limits CHD7 expression in the developing inner ear, retina and brain. Haploinsufficiency of CHD7 in humans causes CHARGE syndrome and attenuation of let-7 function may be an effective method for treating CHD7 deficiency.
Octahedral Iron Complexes of Pyrazine(diimine) Pincers: Ligand Electronic Effects and Protonation.

Redox noninnocent ligands are known to be involved in altering the overall electronic nature of organometallic complexes by serving as an electron reservoir. Pyrazine(diimine) backbones in these complexes introduce enhanced π acidity over their more well-studied pyridine(diimine) analogues and open up the opportunity for functionalization of the nitrogen at the 4-position of the ring. Herein we report the characterization of bis-chelated pyrazine(diimine) [(PzDI)2Fe]n+ (n = 0, 1, and 2) complexes for electronic and structural comparison to pyridine(diimine) complexes (PDI) with similar architectures. Cyclic voltammetry studies show three reductions, two of which are ligand-based and reversible. Reduction of [(PzDI)2Fe]2+ (1) to [(PzDI)2Fe]+ (2) and (PzDI)2Fe (3) gives rise to characteristic structural changes, such as imine C═N bond lengthening, indicating the formation of a ligand radical, a conclusion which is further supported by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electronic structure calculations. Comparisons between the PzDI and PDI systems are highlighted. Complex 1 can be protonated at the uncoordinated pyrazine nitrogen, resulting in changes to its spectroscopic and redox properties; efforts to further functionalize the ligand are discussed.
An effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial for informatics-based cancer symptom management.

236Background: Oncology outpatients can facesignificant cancer- and treatment-related symptoms that compromise health related quality of life and quality health care. Although the burden of symptom...
Investigating Therapist Vocal Nonverbal Behavior for Applications in Robot-Mediated Therapies for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism

Socially assistive robots (SARs) are being utilized for delivering a variety of healthcare services to patients. The design of these human-robot interactions (HRIs) for healthcare applications have primarily focused on the interaction flow and verbal behaviors of a SAR. To date, there has been minimal focus on investigating how SAR nonverbal behaviors should be designed according to the context of the SAR’s communication goals during a HRI. In this paper, we present a methodology to investigate nonverbal behavior during specific human-human healthcare interactions so that they can be applied to a SAR. We apply this methodology to study the context-dependent vocal nonverbal behaviors of therapists during discrete trial training (DTT) therapies delivered to children with autism. We chose DTT because it is a therapy commonly being delivered by SARs and modeled after human-human interactions. Results from our study led to the following recommendations for the design of the vocal nonverbal behavior of SARs during a DTT therapy: 1) the consequential error correction should have a lower pitch and intensity than the discriminative stimulus but maintain a similar speaking rate; and 2) the consequential reinforcement should have a higher pitch and intensity than the discriminative stimulus but a slower speaking rate.
Penetrating Vertebral Artery Injuries: A Literature Review and Proposed Treatment Algorithm.

Background Penetrating vertebral artery injuries (VAIs) are rare but devastating trauma for which the approach to treatment varies greatly. The literature on treatment modalities is limited to case reports, case series, and 1 review, with the majority of cases being treated surgically. However, with the advent of digital subtraction angiography, treatment has shifted toward less invasive endovascular modalities that allows one to assess the flow and risks of sacrificing the vertebral artery (VA). Methods In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses, a systematic review of VAI was performed. Two case reports were also detailed. Using a multidisciplinary team, a decision algorithm was proposed for approaching penetrating VAIs. Results We identified 169 patients. Of the penetrating VAI, the majority were occlusions, most commonly managed conservatively. Other injuries including pseudoaneurysm, dissection, transection, and arterial-venous fistula were treated predominantly endovascularly and occasionally with the surgical exploration/ligation. Most endovascular treatments included embolization without significant stroke or complication from VA sacrifice. However, there are incidences in which VA sacrifice should be avoided and these scenarios can be better delineated with digital subtraction angiography to assess flow and anatomy. Conclusions This systematic review not only details the updated treatment options but also provides a decision algorithm for the treatment of penetrating VAI. It highlights the shifting treatment options of penetrating VAI to endovascular therapy, as well as details VAI variants that may suggest stenting over embolization.
SMARCA4 and Other SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable Family Genomic Alterations in NSCLC: Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Outcomes to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition

Abstract Introduction The SWItch/Sucrose Nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex acts as a regulatory component of transcription, and inactivating mutations (muts) within the complex are implicated in genomic instability, higher tumor mutational burden, and an aggressive cancer phenotype. Whether SMARCA4 and other SWI/SNF alterations are independent prognostic factors or associated with clinical outcomes to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in NSCLC remains unclear. Methods We collected clinicopathologic and genomic data from patients with NSCLC who underwent targeted next-generation sequencing at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Tumors were characterized on the basis of the presence or absence of muts across a set of six SWI/SNF genes (ARID1A, ARID1B, ARID2, PBRM1, SMARCA4, and SMARCB1). Results Of 2689 patients with NSCLC, 20.6% (N = 555) had SWI/SNF genomic alterations. Compared with SWI/SNF wild-type (wt) NSCLC, patients with SWI/SNF-mutant NSCLCs had a lower prevalence of concurrent targetable driver muts (33.2% versus 22.2%; p Conclusions Although there were no associations between SWI/SNF mut status and immunotherapy efficacy in the overall NSCLC cohort, the presence of a SMARCA4 alteration may confer a worse outcome to immunotherapy among KRAS-mutant NSCLCs.
Novel clinical presentation of a CRX rod-cone dystrophy

We describe a novel clinical presentation of a CRX rod-cone dystrophy in a single family. Two boys ages 6 and 12 years presented with clinical and optical coherence tomography features suggestive of X-linked retinoschisis, but with optic nerve swelling without increased intracranial pressure. One patient had an electronegative electroretinogram (ERG) and the other had rod-cone dysfunction. Neither had retinoschisin (RS1) gene mutations. Biological mother and sister presented with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes and abnormal cone-rod ERG responses. On further testing, next generation sequencing with array comparative genomic hybridisation showed a deletion in exon 4 of the CRX gene. Cystoid maculopathy in young male children can be difficult to distinguish from RS1-associated schisis. Phenotypic variants within a family must prompt a thorough retinal dystrophy evaluation even with electronegative ERG in the presenting child. This novel phenotype for CRX presents with optic nerve swelling and cystoid maculopathy in men, and RPE changes in women.
Ensemble forecasting greatly expands the prediction horizon for ocean mesoscale variability

Mesoscale eddies dominate energetics of the ocean, modify mass, heat and freshwater transport and primary production in the upper ocean. However, the forecast skill horizon for ocean mesoscales in current operational models is shorter than 10 days: eddy-resolving ocean models, with horizontal resolution finer than 10 km in mid-latitudes, represent mesoscale dynamics, but mesoscale initial conditions are hard to constrain with available observations. Here we analyze a suite of ocean model simulations at high (1/25°) and lower (1/12.5°) resolution and compare with an ensemble of lower-resolution simulations. We show that the ensemble forecast significantly extends the predictability of the ocean mesoscales to between 20 and 40 days. We find that the lack of predictive skill in data assimilative deterministic ocean models is due to high uncertainty in the initial location and forecast of mesoscale features. Ensemble simulations account for this uncertainty and filter-out unconstrained scales. We suggest that advancements in ensemble analysis and forecasting should complement the current focus on high-resolution modeling of the ocean. Forecasts of oceanic mesoscale variability, such as fronts and eddies, can be extended significantly by accounting for uncertainties in initial conditions, according to ensemble simulations of ocean models that filter out unconstrained scales.
Are You (Still) My Great and Worthy Opponent?: Compassionate Release of Terminally Ill Offenders

Compassionate release is rooted in the notion that changed circumstances post-conviction may render a criminal sentence inhumane, excessive, unjust, and, therefore, unwarranted. Compassionate release provides for the early release of prisoners for “extraordinary and compelling” reasons, which may include terminal illness, debilitating medical condition, age, and unique family caregiving duties. When a prisoner becomes terminally ill, compassionate release allows him to spend his last days on earth, in his own home, surrounded and supported by family and friends. In such situations, the justice system recognizes that radically changed circumstances have transformed the offender into a shadow of his former self, a less worthy opponent, with whom battle is neither fair nor necessary.
Narrative Analyses: Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy for Women with Menopause and Bipolar or Major Depressive Disorders

Background: Bipolar and depressive disorders (bipolar disorder [BD], major depressive disorder [MDD]), as well as menopause affect millions of women. Although there are three known cognitive behavioral group treatment (CBGT) protocols to help women with problematic menopause symptoms, they do not target women on the BD or MDD spectrum. The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn more about the treatment needs and group experiences of women with problematic menopause symptoms and diagnosed on the BD and MDD spectrum, who participated in a CBGT intervention for menopausal symptoms. Methods: Narrative data recorded by clinicians (Interventionists' notes) and participants (Evaluation of Groups Survey) were analyzed using content analyses. Results: Several themes emerged from (n = 11 BD; n = 48 MDD) what women wanted help with (specific symptoms and general aspects of menopause), what women liked about CBGT (specific and general aspects of the program), and changes needed in the CBGT intervention (things wished for and barriers that interfered with the program). The two diagnostic groups differed in their responses, although both groups identified content and delivery gaps they wished would be addressed. Specifically related to their diagnosis, women most commonly talked about problems with worsening mood and mood instability and multiple stressors interfering with their ability to follow through with the intervention. Conclusions: These findings can help refine existing CBGT protocols for women diagnosed on the BD and MDD spectrum seeking help for menopause symptoms. Trial Registry: Parent study ClinicalTrials.gov [identifier: NCT02860910].
Using the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Proposal to Train Original Scientific Writing Skills in First-Year Graduate Students: A Demonstrated Project at the University of Iowa

Advanced scientific communication skills are highly desired for academic and nonacademic career professionals but are insufficiently developed in many graduate students. Because students with under...
Half a century later and we're back where we started: How the problem of locality turned in to the problem of portability.

Abstract In the 1970s, Lewontin sparked a debate about a problem of locality, by making the case that any given heritability estimate is local to the original population and environment studied, and could not be generalized to other populations and environments. Nearly 50 years later, a new problem of portability has emerged: the predictive accuracy of polygenic scores diminishes when applied to populations whose characteristics are different from the original population sample. This paper briefly reviews the nature of each problem and analyzes their similarities and differences in three areas: 1) conceptual underpinnings, 2) causal explanations, and 3) practical, social, and political implications. Although conceptually and methodologically different from the problem of locality in important respects, the problem of portability facing contemporary genomics today should come as no surprise, as it is an inevitable outcome of the kinds of problematic inferences detailed by Lewontin nearly half a century ago.
Domain adaptation for text categorization by feature labeling

We present a novel approach to domain adaptation for text categorization, which merely requires that the source domain data are weakly annotated in the form of labeled features. The main advantage of our approach resides in the fact that labeling words is less expensive than labeling documents. We propose two methods, the first of which seeks to minimize the divergence between the distributions of the source domain, which contains labeled features, and the target domain, which contains only unlabeled data. The second method augments the labeled features set in an unsupervised way, via the discovery of a shared latent concept space between source and target. We empirically show that our approach outperforms standard supervised and semi-supervised methods, and obtains results competitive to those reported by state-of-the-art domain adaptation methods, while requiring considerably less supervision.
Data mining for process and quality control in the semiconductor industry

Like in any other industry, manufacturing departments of semiconductor plants are evaluated by their ability to meet the delivery schedules. However, the final quantities and the flow times of individual semiconductor batches are affected by multiple uncertain factors, like material quality, process variability, equipment condition, and others. Thus, the tasks of predicting the batch quality (measured by yield) and its total flow time are an important part of the production planning activities. Beyond prediction, the plant management is interested in identifying the main causes of yield excursion and process delays.
The generalized Goppa codes and related discrete designs from Hermitian surfaces in PG(3,s 2 )*

A short description is first given of the fascinating use of Hermitian curves and normal rational curves by Goppa in the construction of linear error correcting codes and estimation of their transmission rate (k/n) and error correcting power (d/n) by invoking Riemann-Roch theorem and the subsequent discovery by Tsfasman, Vladut and Zink of a sequence of linear codes in q symbols, which performs better than those predicted by the Gilbert-Varshamov bound for q ≥ 49.
Murine Thrombopoietin mRNA Levels Are Modulated by Platelet Count

The activity of the c-Mpl ligand on hematopoietic progenitors meets criteria expected for thrombopoietin (TPO). Bioassays have shown that blood TPO levels are inversely related to platelet mass. We sought to identify the molecular basis for this regulation. To determine if TPO mRNA levels respond to platelet demand, RNA from selected organs of mice with high, normal, or low platelet counts was subjected to semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Although no differences in TPO mRNA levels between control and treated mice could be detected in liver or kidney, TPO-specific bands were more intense after 25 to 30 polymerase chain reaction cycles in marrow-derived mRNA from thrombocytopenic mice. The TPO-specific bands were less intense in thrombocytotic mouse marrow and spleen than control mouse marrow and spleen after 30 cycles. These data support the hypothesis that TPO levels are regulated, at least in part, by modulating mRNA levels in response to platelet demand.
Multiple roles of the pilus biogenesis protein pilD: involvement of pilD in excretion of enzymes from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the genes pilB, pilC, and pilD encode proteins necessary for posttranslational modification and assembly of pilin monomers into pilus organelles (D. Nunn, S. Bergman, and S. Lory, J. Bacteriol. 172:2911-2919, 1990). We show that PilD, encoding a putative pilin-specific leader peptidase, also controls export of alkaline phosphatase, phospholipase C, elastase, and exotoxin A. pilD mutants accumulate these proteins in the periplasmic space, while secretion of periplasmic and outer membrane proteins appears to be normal. The periplasmic form of exotoxin A was fully mature in size, contained all cysteines in disulfide bonds, and was toxic in a tissue culture cytotoxicity assay, suggesting that in pilD mutants, exotoxin A was folded into its native conformation. The function of the other two accessory proteins, PilB and PilC, appears to be restricted to pilus biogenesis, and strains carrying mutations in their respective genes do not show an export defect. These studies show that in addition to cleaving the leader sequence from prepilin, PilD has an additional role in secretion of proteins that are released from P. aeruginosa into the surrounding media. PilD most likely functions as a protease that is involved in processing and assembly of one or more components of the membrane machinery necessary for the later stages of protein extracellular localization.
A Predictive Model to Identify Patients at Risk of Unplanned 30-Day Acute Care Hospital Readmission

We tested an all-cause unplanned 30-day readmission risk model that produces timely risk scores from claims data and using the ACG predictive modeling framework. Our model achieves and AUC of. 75 on a test set. The major components of the model include fixed patient attributes such as maternity and disability, morbidity burden (ACG), count of hospital dominant morbidity types, cardiovascular, malignancy, neurologic and other condition clusters, count of ED episodes, and inpatient utilization measures including the number of previous acute care hospital stays, accumulated days, number of 30-day readmissions, and whether the patient had a major inpatient procedure.
Salvation, self, and solidarity in the work of Earl Lovelace

(1988). Salvation, self, and solidarity in the work of Earl Lovelace. World Literature Written in English: Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 103-114.
Death Rates, Psychiatric Commitments, Blood Pressure, and Perceived Crowding As a Function of Institutional Crowding

The effects of crowding were examined in a prison system. Emphasis was directed toward three factors—social density (number of individuals in sleeping quarters), spatial density (space per person), and overall institutional population level. Archival data indicated that in prisons higher population years yielded higher death rates and higher rates of psychiatric commitments. Blood pressure measures were analyzed for inmates living in three types of housing that differed in degree of spatial and social density. Blood pressure was higher in more crowded housing. The degree of perceived crowding was more strongly related to space per person than number of occupants per housing unit.
EFFECT OF FIBRE CONTENT AND METHOD OF APPLICATION OF SELECTED INTERFACINGS ON PERFORMANCE OF GARMENTS AFTER REPEATED LAUNDERING

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of fibre content and method of application of selected interfacing fabrics on appearance of garments after repeated laundering. Experimental fabrics were three interfacings of 100% polyester sew-in, 100% rayon and 100% polyester fusible, and two white fashion fabrics of polyester/cotton durable press treated and 100% cotton. Thirty blouses were constructed and divided into six groups representing six combinations of fashion and interfacing fabrics. Evaluation methods included appearance, dimensional stability and stiffness. Data were statistically analysed using t tests and Pearson rank order correlation coefficient. Results showed that method of applying interfacing fabrics had a significant effect on appearance of the combined fashion and interfacing fabrics. Sew-in method resulted in satisfactory appearance throughout repeated laundering for polyester/cotton DP fabric. Deterioration of adhesive resin of fusible interfacings in the laundering process resulted in significant shrinkage and poor appearance. Also, relationship was found between per cent shrinkage and appearance ratings indicating that as per cent shrinkage increased, appearance ratings decreased. Effect of fibre content of interfacings on appearance was not significant. However, interfacing fabrics were found to be the major contributor to shrinkage of composite fabric and not the fashion fabrics. Poor appearance of fusible interfacings was related also to per cent loss of stiffness.
Evolution of the Foxtrot simulator's gimbal control system

The Foxtrot System is an Infra-Red (IR) Simulator that is mounted in a pod under the wing of a test aircraft. It uses a gimbal control system that points and stabilizes an IR camera. The video signal from this camera is sent to an image processor that analyzes the signal in order to detect features of interest in a scene and then make tracking decisions for the gimbal system. The gimbal system has evolved from an analog linear prototype system controlled by an eight (8) bit microprocessor to the present VME Bus based system (allows the migration of control loop functions from the hardware to the software domain) that is controlled by a real time operating system. Starting with the premise that some key system components are now and expected to remain analog in nature (i.e. Inertial Gyro and Servo Motor), this paper discusses the evolution of Foxtrot's gimbal system architecture that is taking place in order to accommodate both these required analog interfaces and advances in software and hardware technology (i.e. improved compilers, real time operating systems, improved processors and enhanced image processing hardware). Discussion then focuses on improvements that can be made to the system by mathematically modeling it on a software simulator such as MATLAB. The response of the system can then be described as a difference equation and the emerging capabilities of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) can be utilized to improve system performance.
Preliminary characterization of laminarinase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Abstract Trichoderma longibrachiatum, when cultivated on untreated ground mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) fruiting bodies as the only carbon substrate, exhibited extracellular laminarinase (endo-1,3(4)-s-glucanase EC 3.2.1.6) activity. The general physicochemical and catalytic properties of that enzyme preparation were examined. The apparent Kmand Vmax values were determined to be 137 mg ml−1) and 0.62 nmol s−1, respectively. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 5.0 and 50°C, and among several buffers tested at pH 5.0, sodium acetate was found to be optimum. The energy of activation, Ea, and temperature coefficient, Q10 (between 30 and 40°C), were calculated to be 3.7 kcal mol−1 and 1.02, respectively. The enzyme was stable between pH 3.0 and 9.0 when stored at 4°C for 48 h. In the absence of substrate, enzyme activity was unaffected at 30°C for 1 h but lost complete activity within 10 min at 60°C. Among a number of metal ions and enzyme inhibitors tested, only Mn2+, Hg2+, N-bromosuccinimide and potassium permanganate showed prominent inhibition.
Cardioplegia flow dynamics in an in vitro model

The flow of fluids in extracorporeal circuits does not conform to conventional Poiseuille mechanics which confounds calculating cardioplegia (CP) flow distribution. The purpose of this study was to quantify CP flow dynamics in a model simulating coronary atherosclerosis across varying sized restrictions. An in vitro preparation was designed to assess hydraulic fluid movement across paired restrictions of 51, 81 and 98% lumen reductions. Volume data were obtained at variable flow, temperature, viscosity and pressure conditions. CP delivered through 14- and 18-gauge (GA) conduits at 8 degrees C and 100 mmHg infusion pressure revealed that both four to one and crystalloid CP solutions had significantly less total percentage flow through the 14-GA conduit, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively. Overall, 4:1 CP exhibited the most favorable fluid dynamics at 8 degrees C in that it delivered the highest percentages of total CP flow through the smaller lumen conduit. At both 8 degrees C and 37 degrees C delivery, blood CP resulted in the least homogeneous fluid distribution at all delivery parameters. The results in relation to blood viscosity indicate that, although the 8 degrees C blood CP had a significantly greater viscosity than 37 degrees C blood CP, it did not produce an effect in fluid distribution. These data show that increasing the cardioplegic solution hematocrit causes an inhomogeneous fluid distribution regardless of delivery temperature or infusion pressure.
The Use of Structural Analysis to Develop Antecedent-based Interventions for Students with Autism

Evidence continues to maintain that the use of antecedent variables (i.e., instructional practices, and environmental characteristics) increase prosocial and adaptive behaviors of students with disabilities (e.g., Kern et al. in J Appl Behav Anal 27(1):7-19, 1994; Stichter et al. in Behav Disord 30:401-418, 2005). This study extends the literature by systematically utilizing practitioner-imple- mented structural analyzes within school settings to determine antecedent variables affecting the prosocial behavior of students with autism. Optimal antecedents were combined into intervention packages and assessed utilizing a multiple baseline design across settings. All three students demonstrated improvement across all three settings. Rates of engagement and social interaction were obtained from classroom peers to serve as benchmark data. Findings indicate that practitioners can implement struc- tural analyzes and design corresponding interventions for students with ASD within educational settings.
Closed form effective conformal anomaly actions in D ≥ 4

I present, in any D≥4, closed-form type B conformal anomaly effective actions incorporating the logarithmic scaling cutoff dependence that generates these anomalies. Their construction is based on a novel class of Weyl-invariant tensor operators. The only known type A actions in D≥4 are extensions of the Polyakov integral in D=2; despite contrary appearances, we show that their nonlocality does not conflict with general anomaly requirements. They are, however, physically unsatisfactory, prompting a brief attempt at better versions.
Hereditary dysphasic dementia and the Pick‐Alzheimer spectrum

Hereditary dysphasic dementia is described in terms of its clinicopathological, ultrastructural, and transmissibility characteristics. Its mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant, and its clinical manifestations of progressive dementia and severe dysphasic disturbances are expressed in late adulthood. Complete neuropathological examination of four patients reveals findings typical for Pick's disease (asymmetrical focal cerebral atrophy), Alzheimer's disease (profuse neuritic plaques), and paralysis agitans (neuronal depigmentation, depletion, and Lewy body formation in substantia nigra) in addition to a striking but nonspecific spongiform degeneration of superficial cortical layers. This unique combination of gross morphological and histopathological features qualifies hereditary dysphasic dementia as a distinct entity, but its precise relationship to the well-recognized adult cortical dementias has been difficult to establish by conventional classification methods. This disorder and other unusual dementing illnesses may be best considered as part of a Pick-Alzheimer spectrum of cortical neuronal degenerations.
The Street Corner: A Laboratory for the Study of Life-Threatening Behavior

An expanded spectrum of research strategy is needed for the study of dying, death, and lethal behavior. Reported here is a small study that combines two of the approaches recommended: Naturalistic observation, and the exploration of possible relationships between predisposing factors and actual behavior. A street corner in Detroit, Michigan was selected as the research setting or natural laboratory. Types of street-crossing behavior were categorized into five groups, ranging from most to least risk-taking. Pedestrians were classified into the appropriate groups, depending upon their observed behavior, and asked to participate in a brief on-the-spot interview. The results clearly demonstrate empirical relationships between phenomenological, life history, and socio-demographic variables and type of pedestrian behavior.
Factor structure of the children's depression inventory in a multisite sample of children and adolescents with chronic pain.

Abstract This study examined the factor structure of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) among children and adolescents with chronic pain using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in a large, multisite sample of treatment-seeking youth. Participants included 1,043 children and adolescents (ages 8–18) with a range of chronic pain complaints who presented for initial evaluation at 1 of 3 tertiary care pediatric chronic pain clinics across the United States. They completed the CDI and reported on pain intensity and functional disability. Factor analysis was conducted using a 2-step (exploratory and confirmatory) approach. Results supported a 5-factor model for the CDI with good fit to the data. The distribution and item-total correlations of the somatic items (eg, pain complaints, fatigue) were explored in this sample. Results indicate that the CDI is a useful tool for assessing depressive symptoms in youth with chronic pain, but some caution is warranted in interpreting the clinical significance of scores in light of the overlap of specific symptoms common to both pain and depression. Perspective The CDI can be considered a valid tool for assessing mood symptoms in children with chronic pain. Caution is encouraged when interpreting the clinical significance of scores due to symptom overlap between chronic pain and depression.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL BIOLOGY: PROSPECTS AND PROBLEMS IN THE EARLY 1970's

Biological exploration of Mars in terms of biological and chemical experiments and hardware planned for missions
Widespread Correction of Lysosomal Storage in the Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII Mouse Brain with a Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Vector Expressing β-Glucuronidase

We have inoculated a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vector into a variety of sites in the mouse brain and assayed the regions of latency and expression of a β-glucuronidase (GUSB) cDNA from the latency-associated transcript promoter. Injection sites used were somatosensory cortex, visual cortex, striatum, dorsal hippocampus, and CSF spaces. Latent vector was detected in regions at a distance from the respective injection sites, consistent with axonal transport of vector. Regions of GUSB activity varied by injection site and included cerebral cortex, striatum, thalamus, hypothalamus, substantia nigra, hippocampus, midbrain, pons, medulla, cerebellum, and spinal cord. After a single injection, GUSB enzymatic activity reached wild-type levels in several brain regions. GUSB was found in some areas without any detectable vector, indicative of axonal transport of GUSB enzyme. GUSB-deficient mice, which have the lysosomal storage disease mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VII, have lysosomal storage lesions in cells throughout the brain. Adult MPS VII mice treated by injection of vector into a single site on each side of the brain had correction of storage lesions in a large volume of brain. The potential for long-term, widespread correction of lysosomal storage diseases with HSV-1 vectors is discussed.
Syllable frequency in lexical decision and naming of English words

The importance of phonological syllables in recognition and pronunciation of visual words has been demonstrated in languages with a high degree of spelling-sound correspondence. In Spanish, multisyllabic words with frequent first syllables are named more quickly than those with less frequent first syllables, but receive slower lexical decisions. The latter effect is attributed to lexical competition from other words beginning with the same syllable. We examined syllable frequency effects on naming and lexical decision for 3029 visually presented words in English, a language with a high degree of irregularity in spelling/sound relationships, and in which phonological syllables are less clearly marked in printed words. The results showed facilitative effects of syllable frequency in both tasks, and these were stronger when syllables were defined orthographically than phonologically. The results suggest that activation of lexical candidates based on a syllabic code does not occur rapidly enough to interfere with lexical decision in English.
Nitrogen-, oxygen-, and air-broadened widths and relative intensities of N2O lines near 2450 cm-1☆

Spectra of the v sub 1 + 2v sub 2 and the weak underlying v sub 1 + 3v sub 2 - v sub 2 band of N2O near 2450/cm were analyzed by the nonlinear, least squares, whole band technique. The oxygen, nitrogen, and air broadened line widths and the relative line intensities were determined. The air broadened widths, for/m/3, are in agreement with those in the 1980 AFGL line listing and the relative band intensities also agree, within about 20% with the values in this listing.
A survey of trace metals in human hair

Abstract Concentrations of Pb, Hg, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Mn in the hair of subjects from the industrial city of Port Arthur, Texas were determined. Values were compared to published values of subjects living in the eastern United States. Comparable results were obtained; however, higher lead values were found for Port Arthur. There were several subjects containing high lead and/or mercury. These appear to be isolated cases. Copper and zinc values appear to be related to hair pigmentation.
In vitro release kinetics of biologically active transforming growth factor-β1 from a novel porous glass carrier

Sol-gel silica-based porous glass (xerogel) was used as a novel carrier material for recombinant human transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Room temperature synthesis procedures included sol preparation, the addition of TGF-β1 solution to the sol, subsequent gelation and drying. After determination of optimal synthesis parameters, the material was assayed in vitro for its ability to release biologically active TGF-β1 in a controlled manner. Sustained release of TGF-β1 over a 7-day period was demonstrated. On the basis of published TGF-β1 potency, the amount released is capable of eliciting bone tissue reactivity. These findings suggest that this novel glass-growth factor composite may serve as an effective bone graft material for the repair of osseous defects.
Differential hemispheric activation during complex visuomotor performance.

Abstract Bilateral EEGs were recorded from central, temporal and parietal scalp locations from seven male and seven female human subjects (Ss) while they were engaged in verbal and non-verbal tasks. Alpha power was higher in the right hemisphere when Ss listened to verbal material being read to them; the reverse was true when Ss performed in an imaginative block rotation task. Compared with intergame rest periods, alpha power was suppressed in the right hemisphere when Ss either watched or played Pong (Tv tennis). Watching Pong was as effective in producing alpha asymmetry as playing the game in the parietal region, but motor involvement enhanced asymmetry at central and temporal leads. Performance was non-linearly related to asymmetry, first increasing and then decreasing as asymmetry increased.
Moisture-dependent physical properties of caper (Capparis ssp.) fruit

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the effect of moisture content on some physical properties of caper ( Capparis ssp.) fruit. Four levels of moisture content ranging from 71.85% to 82.93% w.b. were considered in this study. The fruit length increased from 8.50 to 8.96 mm, width from 7.54 to 8.23 mm, its thickness from 5.67 to 6.90 mm, the geometric mean diameter from 7.13 to 7.96 mm, the sphericity from 0.83 to 0.89, the surface area from 1.59 to 2.00 cm 2 , the one thousand fruit volume from 156 to 391 cm 3 and thousand of fruits mass from 143 to 273 g, increased, while the true density decreased from 916.66 to 598.2 kg m −3 , bulk density increased from 394.30 to 424.69 kg m −3 , the porosity decreased from 56.98% to 39.17% and the angle of repose increased from 14.84° to 18.05°. The coefficients of static and kinetic friction slightly decreased with the increases in moisture content for all the materials. The highest static and kinetic coefficient of friction were observed on plywood surface, followed by metal sheet, galvanized steel sheet, and rubber materials. This is due to the properties of friction surfaces. This trend may be due to the smoother and more polished surface of galvanized steel and rubber materials compared to metal steel and plywood. The fruits stick more to the friction surfaces as water content decreases.
Functional Interplay Between Nuclear Factor‐κB and c‐Jun Integrated by Coactivator p300 Determines the Survival of Nerve Growth Factor‐Dependent PC12 Cells

Nerve growth factor (NGF) activates the transcription factors nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in sympathetic neurons. Whereas NGF-inducible NF-kappaB is required for the survival of neurons, c-Jun has the ability to promote neuronal death. In this report, we have examined the effect of NGF withdrawal on c-Jun and NF-kappaB transcription factors in PC12 cells differentiated to a neuronal phenotype. We show that the withdrawal of NGF from these cultures results in de novo synthesis of c-Jun, increase in AP-1 activity, and down-regulation of NF-kappaB activity. To investigate how the signal transduction pathways activating c-Jun and NF-kappaB are differentially regulated by NGF, we performed transcriptional analyses. Expression of ReIA (NF-kappaB) suppressed the c-Jun-dependent transcription of c-jun, and this effect was reversed by overexpression of the coactivator p300. RelA's effects on c-Jun transcription were mediated by competitive binding of the carboxy-terminal region of RelA to the CH1 domain of p300, which also binds to c-Jun; deletion of this region abrogated the ability of RelA to inhibit c-Jun activity. Furthermore, the inhibition of endogenous NF-kappaB in NGF-maintained neuronal PC12 cells led to the induction of c-Jun synthesis and a marked increase in cell death. Together, these studies demonstrate a functional interaction between NF-kappaB and c-Jun and suggest a novel mechanism of NF-kappaB-mediated neuroprotection.
Transient expression of a surface antigen on a small subset of neurones during embryonic development

During development, neurones find and interconnect with their targets in a remarkably precise way. The unfolding of neuronal specificity involves a series of highly specific recognition events which are likely to be coordinated by the spatial and temporal expression of many different surface molecules. At early stages of development, neuronal recognition occurs most dramatically at the tips of growing axons, at growth cones and their filopodia. Previous studies on the grasshopper embryo suggest that specific filopodial contacts lead to the stereotyped patterns of selective axonal fasciculation; these results support the 'labelled pathways' hypothesis which predicts that the different neighbouring axon fascicles in the embryonic neuropil within filopodial grasp are differentially labelled. To uncover the molecular labels on fasciculating embryonic axons, we screened 2,000 monoclonal antibodies generated against the embryonic neuroepithelium. Here we describe three antibodies which reveal surface antigens whose temporal and spatial expression during embryogenesis correlate with the predictions of the model. In particular, the Mes-2 antibody recognizes an antigen which is transiently expressed on the surface of only 4 out of approximately 1,000 neurones in each metathoracic hemisegment during a short period of embryogenesis. The growth cones of two of these neurones fasciculate in the periphery and innervate the same target. Moreover, they transiently express the Mes-2 surface antigen while doing so.