cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tobacco use during cannabis cessation: Use patterns and impact on abstinence in a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network study

Abstract Background It is common for cannabis users to also use tobacco. While data suggest that tobacco users have more difficulty achieving cannabis cessation, secondary analyses of clinical trial data sets may provide insight into the moderating variables contributing to this relationship, as well as changes in tobacco use during cannabis treatment. Those were the aims of this secondary analysis. Methods The parent study was a multi-site trial of N-acetylcysteine for cannabis dependence conducted within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. Participants were treatment-seeking adults (ages 18–50) who met criteria for cannabis dependence (N = 302). For cigarette smokers (n = 117), tobacco use was assessed via timeline follow-back and nicotine dependence was assessed via the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Outcome measures included: 1) changes in tobacco use based on treatment assignment, nicotine dependence, and concurrent cannabis reduction/abstinence, and 2) independent associations between nicotine dependence and cannabis abstinence. Results Cigarette smokers accounted for 39% of the sample (117/302), with a median FTND score of 3.0 (10-point scale). Among those with lower baseline nicotine dependence scores, cigarette smoking was reduced in the active treatment group compared to placebo. Those with moderate/high levels of nicotine dependence showed slight increases in smoking following active treatment. Nicotine dependence did not affect cannabis cessation. Conclusions Cigarette smoking during cannabis treatment was affected, but depended on baseline nicotine dependence severity, though dependence levels did not impact cannabis abstinence. Interventions that address both tobacco and cannabis are needed, especially due to an increasing prevalence of cannabis use.
Permafrost nitrous oxide emissions observed on a landscape scale using the airborne eddy-covariance method

Abstract. The microbial by-product nitrous oxide ( N2O ), a potent greenhouse gas and ozone depleting substance, has conventionally been assumed to have minimal emissions in permafrost regions. This assumption has been questioned by recent in situ studies which have demonstrated that some geologic features in permafrost may, in fact, have elevated emissions comparable to those of tropical soils. However, these recent studies, along with every known in situ study focused on permafrost N2O fluxes, have used chambers to examine small areas ( m 2 ). In late August 2013, we used the airborne eddy-covariance technique to make in situ N2O flux measurements over the North Slope of Alaska from a low-flying aircraft spanning a much larger area: around 310 km 2 . We observed large variability of N2O fluxes with many areas exhibiting negligible emissions. Still, the daily mean averaged over our flight campaign was 3.8 (2.2–4.7) mg N2O m −2 d −1 with the 90 % confidence interval shown in parentheses. If these measurements are representative of the whole month, then the permafrost areas we observed emitted a total of around 0.04–0.09 g m −2 for August, which is comparable to what is typically assumed to be the upper limit of yearly emissions for these regions.
Permanent densification of silica glass for pressure calibration between 9 and 20 GPa at ambient temperature

Permanent density increase of silica glass was used to calibrate pressure generation delivered by cupped sintered diamond anvils (‘dimple anvils’) [Haberl B, Molaison JJ, Neuefeind JC, et al. Simpl...
A Pixel-Parallel Virtual-Image Architecture for High Performance and Power Efficient Graph Cuts Inference

A Pixel-Parallel Virtual-Image Architecture for High Performance and Power Efficient Graph Cuts Inference Tianqi Gao, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Rob A. Rutenbar, University of Pittsburgh Contact: gao19@illinois.edu Graph Cuts is a popular technique for Maximum A Posteriori inference in computer vision. It transforms a Markov Random Field problem into a network flow problem, solved via the Push-Relabel algorithm. While attractively simple, the large size of a typical image and the large number of necessary pixel-level iterations render the technique computationally expensive. Prior accelerator attempts have been reported with GPUs and FPGAs. In [1], the first pixel-parallel architecture was demonstrated in FPGA, but limited to only 256-pixel images. This paper extends this pixel-parallel concept and makes following contributions: a "Virtual Image" architecture solves the size limitation: large images are decomposed into "tiles", and "stacked" on the physical processor array; appropriate addressing mechanisms handle virtual pixels and a range of tile edge effects; scaling up the processor array to 1536 pixels; a novel and hardware-friendly heuristic shortens the convergence. We demonstrate the first working virtual-image Graph Cuts accelerator, applied to standard 640x480 images. Scaling up the hardware and the new heuristic bring 6.5x and 1.65x speedups respectively compared with [1]. The design is 7-20x faster than prior FPGA designs, and roughly comparable in speed to a modern GPU benchmark. However, the architecture also offers significant performance-per-unit-power advantages. Formulating a figure of merit particularly for Graph Cuts inference - Graph Cuts per second per Watt - our architecture is about 4 times better than other implementations. Keywords: FPGA; Machine learning; Hardware Acceleration; Computer Vision DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3289602.3293948
El Secreto de sus Ojos: Vicisitudes de la inhibición, el duelo y la elaboración

(2017). El Secreto de sus Ojos: Vicisitudes de la inhibicion, el duelo y la elaboracion. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis (en espanol): Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 934-942.
Achalasia and obesity: patient outcomes and impressions following laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication

The optimal management of achalasia in obese patients is unclear. For those who have undergone Heller myotomy and fundoplication, the long-term outcomes and their impressions following surgery are largely unknown. A retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication (LHMDF) for achalasia was performed. From this cohort, Class 2 and 3 obese (BMI > 35 kg/m2) patients were identified for short- and long-term outcome analysis. Between 2003 and 2015, 252 patients underwent LHMDF for achalasia, and 17 (7%) patients had BMI > 35 kg/m2. Pre-operative Eckardt scores varied from 2 to 9, and at short-term (2–4 week) follow-up, scores were 0 or 1. Ten (58%) patients had available long-term (2–144 months) follow-up data. Eckardt scores at this time ranged from 0 to 6. Symptom recurrence was worse for patients with BMI > 40 kg/m2 compared to patients with BMI < 40 kg/m2. BMI was largely unchanged at long-term follow-up regardless of pre-intervention BMI. Most patients were satisfied with surgery but would have considered a combined LHMDF and weight-loss procedure had it been offered. LHMDF for achalasia in obese patients is safe and effective in the short term. At long-term follow-up, many patients had symptom recurrence and experienced minimal weight loss. Discussing weight-loss surgery at the time LHMDF may be appropriate to ensure long-term achalasia symptom relief.
Clustering Methods for Identification of Attacks in IoT Based Traffic Signal System

The traffic signal system plays an important role in smooth ongoing of traffic. The working of signal system will be based on the amount of traffic coming towards or passing across the junction. There must be some sort of communication needed to let the signal system know about the number of vehicles driving towards the signal point. Whenever there is a communication especially wireless, the chances of an attacker in the middle of communication can be more. To avoid attacks of the kind like same signal lasting for more time or same signal on right and left turns at the same time which might leads to vehicle crashes are to be detected and rectified for better working of the road systems. In this paper, we focus on detecting those attacks using different machine learning concepts and analyzed the results for better understanding of algorithms and their role in detecting attacks. We are applying the models on a real-time dataset and results are analyzed. Finally, the paper results out the best clustering algorithm to detect the attacks in traffic signal system data and models are compared under 4 different parameters.
Retrospective analysis of ocular disease in a population of captive pteropodid bats, 2003–2020

Objective To perform retrospective analysis of captive pteropodid bats presented to the University of Florida for ocular or adnexal disease from 2003-2020. Animals studied Twenty-four individuals from seven species were included. Procedures Records were analyzed for disease process, methods of treatment, and surgical techniques and complications. Results The most frequently reported abnormality was corneal disease (79%), followed by cataracts (54%), and uveitis (42%). Corneal disease was primarily attributed to either trauma or exposure keratitis secondary to buphthalmia. The majority of uveitis appeared to be lens-induced. Five cases (21%) of glaucoma were reported, all of which accompanied lens luxation. Of the seven enucleations performed, six had post-operative complications (85.7%), including swelling at the surgical site, seroma formation, and bacterial infection. There was no significant relationship between age and trauma, age and cataract formation, sex and trauma, or species and cataract formation. Conclusions The most common underlying cause of ocular pathology in these cases was trauma. While the bats tolerated topical and systemic treatment well, individual temperament must be taken into account when developing treatment plans, and prevention of injury is the most effective management strategy.
Fibre-based composites from the integration of metal–organic frameworks and polymers

The integration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with polymer fibres enables the formation of fibrous composite materials with advantages over traditional single-component polymer films and mixed-matrix membranes. In comparison with mixed-matrix membranes, MOF–polymer fibrous composites offer improved molecular transport through the material and easier access to the active sites of MOFs. These attributes make fibrous composites appealing for clothing, personal protective equipment, air purification and filtration, biomedical equipment and delivery of therapeutics, along with detection and sensing applications. In this Review, we outline approaches for the incorporation of MOFs into, or onto, polymer fibres and present some applications for MOF–polymer fabrics. The integration of MOFs and polymers can either occur prior to fibre formation (namely, MOF-first), via particle deposition (resulting in either covalent or non-covalent attachment) of MOFs to the fibre or by in situ MOF growth after fibre formation (namely, fibre-first). We focus on the structure–processing–activity relationships — for example, MOF loading, MOF crystal size, polymer concentration and processing parameters — that impact the behaviour of fibrous composites. We conclude with a discussion of research avenues that can advance this burgeoning field. Composites made from metal–organic frameworks and polymer fibres are gaining popularity in many applications because of their tailorable morphologies and properties. This Review summarizes various methods for fabricating these composites, explores structure–processing–activity relationships and discusses future research opportunities.
Screening for Hypertension in Adults: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.

Importance Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can be modified through lifestyle and pharmacological interventions to reduce cardiovascular events and mortality. Objective To systematically review the benefits and harms of screening and confirmatory blood pressure measurements in adults, to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. Data Sources MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL; surveillance through March 26, 2021. Study Selection Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized controlled intervention studies for effectiveness of screening; accuracy studies for screening and confirmatory measurements (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring as the reference standard); RCTs and nonrandomized controlled intervention studies and observational studies for harms of screening and confirmation. Data Extraction and Synthesis Independent critical appraisal and data abstraction; meta-analyses and qualitative syntheses. Main Outcomes and Measures Mortality; cardiovascular events; quality of life; sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values; harms of screening. Results A total of 52 studies (N = 215 534) were identified in this systematic review. One cluster RCT (n = 140 642) of a multicomponent intervention including hypertension screening reported fewer annual cardiovascular-related hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease in the intervention group compared with the control group (difference, 3.02 per 1000 people; rate ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86-0.97]). Meta-analysis of 15 studies (n = 11 309) of initial office-based blood pressure screening showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.54 (95% CI, 0.37-0.70) and specificity of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.84-0.95), with considerable clinical and statistical heterogeneity. Eighteen studies (n = 57 128) of various confirmatory blood pressure measurement modalities were heterogeneous. Meta-analysis of 8 office-based confirmation studies (n = 53 183) showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.68-0.88) and specificity of 0.55 (95% CI, 0.42-0.66). Meta-analysis of 4 home-based confirmation studies (n = 1001) showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.76-0.90) and a specificity of 0.60 (95% CI, 0.48-0.71). Thirteen studies (n = 5150) suggested that screening was associated with no decrement in quality of life or psychological distress; evidence on absenteeism was mixed. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement was associated with temporary sleep disturbance and bruising. Conclusions and Relevance Screening using office-based blood pressure measurement had major accuracy limitations, including misdiagnosis; however, direct harms of measurement were minimal. Research is needed to determine optimal screening and confirmatory algorithms for clinical practice.
The Aggregate Relation between Profits and Concentration is Consistent with Cournot Behavior

An important and controversial stylized fact inindustrial organization is the positive correlationbetween industry profit and concentration. Oneinterpretation of this finding is based on thetheories of Chamberlin and Stigler, which imply thatconcentrated industries facilitate collusion. Butnon-cooperative profit maximizing behavior can alsogenerate a positive correlation. This paperpresents an equilibrium model of oligopoly whichnests the behavioral assumptions of Bertrand,Cournot, and Chamberlin. Simulations of the modelunder the Cournot assumption yield regressioncoefficients for the profits-concentration relationthat are very close to the estimated coefficients inthe literature.
Transgender and Gender-Expansive Homeless Youth: Considerations for Empowerment Using a Narrative Approach

Transgender and gender-expansive homeless youth face challenges. These often begin at home where they receive messages that something is wrong with them, frequently continuing at school and for som...
Management of Hyperkalemia: An Update for the Internist

Hyperkalemia is a clinically important electrolyte abnormality that occurs most commonly in patients with chronic kidney disease. Due to its propensity to induce electrophysiological disturbances, severe hyperkalemia is considered a medical emergency. The management of acute and chronic hyperkalemia can be achieved through the implementation of various interventions, one of which is the elimination of medications that can raise serum potassium levels. Because many such medications (especially inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system) have shown beneficial effects in patients with cardiovascular and renal disease, their discontinuation for reasons of hyperkalemia represent an undesirable clinical compromise. The emergence of 2 new potassium-binding medications for acute and chronic therapy of hyperkalemia may soon allow the continued use of medications such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors even in patients who are prone to hyperkalemia. This review article provides an overview of the physiology and the pathophysiology of potassium metabolism and hyperkalemia, the epidemiology of hyperkalemia, and its acute and chronic management. We discuss in detail emerging data about new potassium-lowering therapies, and their potential future role in clinical practice.
SU-E-J-149: Secondary Emission Detection for Improved Proton Relative Stopping Power Identification

Purpose: This research investigates application of secondary prompt gamma (PG) emission spectra, resulting from nuclear reactions induced by protons, to characterize tissue composition along the particle path. The objective of utilizing the intensity of discrete high-energy peaks of PG is to improve the accuracy of relative stopping power (RSP) values available for proton therapy treatment planning on a patient specific basis and to reduce uncertainty in dose depth calculations. Methods: In this research, MCNP6 was used to simulate PG emission spectra generated from proton induced nuclear reactions in medium of varying composition of carbon, oxygen, calcium and nitrogen, the predominant elements found in human tissue. The relative peak intensities at discrete energies predicted by MCNP6 were compared to the corresponding atomic composition of the medium. Results: The results have shown a good general agreement with experimentally measured values reported by other investigators. Unexpected divergence from experimental spectra was noted in the peak intensities for some cases depending on the source of the cross-section data when using compiled proton table libraries vs. physics models built into MCNP6. While the use of proton cross-section libraries is generally recommended when available, these libraries lack data for several less abundant isotopes. This limits themore » range of their applicability and forces the simulations to rely on physics models for reactions with natural atomic compositions. Conclusion: Current end-of-range proton imaging provides an average RSP for the total estimated track length. The accurate identification of tissue composition along the incident particle path using PG detection and characterization allows for improved determination of the tissue RSP on the local level. While this would allow for more accurate depth calculations resulting in tighter treatment margins, precise understanding of proton beam behavior in tissue of various compositions is necessary requiring detailed simulations with a high degree of accuracy.« less
Detection of Nuclease Activity in Semisolid and Broth Cultures

A method for the detection of deoxyribonuclease activity in semisolid agar cultures was investigated. When cultures were overlaid with an acridine orangedeoxyribonucleate-agar (ADA) mixture, incubated for 1 to 3 hr, and observed under ultraviolet light, clear halos developed around colonies that produced deoxyribonuclease. A variation of the method for use with broth cultures involved impregnation of filter-paper discs with a small portion of the culture and overlaying the discs with the ADA mixture. This alteration has the advantage that the test tube cultures are easily heat-treated prior to assay to determine the heat resistance of the enzyme.
Simultaneous security of bits in the discrete log

We show that c log log P simultaneously secure bits can be extracted from the discrete log function. These bits satisfy the next-bit unpredictability condition of Blum and Micali. Therefore we can construct a cryptographically secure pseudo random number generator which produces c log log P bits per modular exponentiation under the assumption that the discrete log is hard.
Sheep Fed Grain Prefer Foods and Solutions That Attenuate Acidosis

We conducted experiments to determine whether lambs fed grain prefer foods and solutions containing sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) and lasalocid, compounds capable of attenuating acidosis. In Exp. 1, we determined whether lambs fed barley preferred flavored rabbit pellets (RP) containing NaHCO 3 and lasalocid. Lambs in two groups (n = 10/group) were fed increasing amounts of barley on d 1 to 12 (300 to 1,100 g) and again on d 23 to 34 (300 to 1,350 g). After ingesting barley on d 1 to 12, lambs were fed ground RP containing lasalocid and NaHCO 3 (i.e., medicated) and flavored with either 2% onion (group 1) or 2% oregano (group 2). During d 23 to 34, lambs were fed unmedicated RP containing NaCl and flavored with either 2% oregano (group 1) or 2% onion (group 2). During preference tests on d 35 to 40, lambs fed grain preferred RP with NaHCO 3 to RP with NaCl (151 vs. 96 g; P .10). In trial 2, lambs in treatments 3 and 4 were offered a solution containing 1.4% NaCl. For 13 d from 0800 to 0830, lambs in treatments 1 and 3 were fed 500 g of wheat and lambs in treatments 2 and 4 were fed up to 1,700 g of wheat. Lambs had access to fluids from 0800 to 1200 daily. Lambs drank nearly twice as much NaHCO 3 solution on the high- than on the low-wheat diet (1,066 vs 572 g), whereas they drank only 1.4 times more NaCl solution on the high- than on the low-wheat diet (888 vs. 634 g; P <.001). Fewer lambs showed signs of acidosis in treatment 2 than in treatment 4 in trials 1 (2 vs 9) and 2 (7 vs 17). Collectively, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that lambs fed grain prefer substances that attenuate acidosis.
Thermoplastic coil forms and encapsulations-an overview

In this overview, it is noted that needs for higher productivity, more compact coils with higher operating temperatures, and better liability protection are causing the coil winding industry to move rapidly into thermoplastic coil forms and encapsulations. The authors examine the global trends in thermoplastic materials and manufacturing and the implications for the future as seen from the material supplier viewpoint. Issues discussed are product liability, the use of flame-retardant plastics, and the implications of the electronic car. >
O18O16 of feldspars in carbonate rocks

Abstract Six authigenic feldspars and three detrital feldspars in limestones and dolostones of Eocene to Preeambrian ages were analyzed for their O 18 O 16 content. The difference in δO 18 between the authigenic feldspars ( δO 18 range = + 18.2 to + 24.7%.) and carbonate host rocks, both limestones and dolostones, was found to be −0.5 to −1.4%. Detrital feldspars ( δO 18 = + 11.2, + 22.5 and + 17.0%.) exhibit Δ feldspar carbonate values of −12.0, −2.4 and −1.6‰, respectively, and appear to have undergone increased isotopic exchange as a function of decreased grain size under solid-state conditions.
Use of artificial neural network as a risk assessment tool in preventing child abuse

Every year Child Protection Services (CPS) in the US receive millions of reports of incidences of children being abused. CPS, by law, is required to investigate these reports and if necessary to intervene to protect the children at risk. Since resources are limited, some kind of triage is taking place. Various CPS offices use different risk assessment tools. The purpose of the paper is to report on a preliminary effort to explore the feasibility of utilizing artificial neural network technology as a risk assessment tool.
Teaching Religious Studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia

This essay is part of a collection of short essays solicited from authors around the globe who teach religion courses at the college level (not for professional religious training). They are published together with an introduction in Teaching Theology and Religion 18:3 (July 2015). The authors were asked to provide a brief overview of the curriculum, student learning goals, and pedagogical techniques employed in their courses.
Judicious use of simulation technology in continuing medical education

Use of simulation-based training is fast becoming a vital source of experiential learning in medical education. Although simulation is a common tool for undergraduate and graduate medical education curricula, the utilization of simulation in continuing medical education (CME) is still an area of growth. As more CME programs turn to simulation to address their training needs, it is important to highlight concepts of simulation technology that can help to optimize learning outcomes. This article discusses the role of fidelity in medical simulation. It provides support from a cross section of simulation training domains for determining the appropriate levels of fidelity, and it offers guidelines for creating an optimal balance of skill practice and realism for efficient training outcomes. After defining fidelity, 3 dimensions of fidelity, drawn from the human factors literature, are discussed in terms of their relevance to medical simulation. From this, research-based guidelines are provided to inform CME providers regarding the use of simulation in CME training.
Structured Light Scatteroscopy of Intraoperative Breast Lumpectomy Specimens: Imaging through Blood and Ink

Structured light scatteroscopy resolves subtle morphological changes in tissue using high-spatial frequency illumination. Lumpectomy specimens were imaged immediately after resection demonstrating feasibility for intraoperative margin assessment.
Business community views

Abstract Three tasks must be included when considering the broad topic of urban security. The first is to define the term “critical infrastructure.” Second, security must be viewed from a systems perspective when looking at cities and the infrastructure that serves them. Third, careful scrutiny must be given to heretofore not-considered vulnerabilities that exist in every major city. In the hours and days immediately following the attacks on September 11, everything from foot bridges to tall buildings were considered to be critical infrastructure. But, clearly, not everything in such a broad definition can be defended. So then, what is today’s definition of critical infrastructure? One might be a new version of the “3 R’s”—resist, respond, recover. In those terms, “critical infrastructure” could be defined as: (a) systems whose rapid failure would lead to a catastrophic loss of life; (b) systems whose failure or significant degradation would lead to unacceptable economic consequences; (c) systems whose rapid failure would significantly impact rescue and response efforts; and (d) systems whose significant degradation sev erely impact recovery efforts. Resist? It would be impossible for a city to resist everything, everywhere. The ability to respond to some events would require efforts that are above and beyond the realistic capa bility of any city. That moves the scenario to recovery and rebuilding.
Operando studies of desorption, reaction and carbonate formation during CO oxidation by Au/TiO2 catalysts

Abstract Gas transient methods have been used to probe reaction pathways in catalytic CO oxidation under operando conditions. A low dead volume reactor is described, which permits monitoring of surface reaction species by repetitive FTIR while using mass spectrometry to continuously monitor reaction products and conversion throughout transient gas switching. CO desorption rates are measured from an active Au/TiO 2 catalyst under He and CO 2 and are consistent with literature values for CO desorption from Au single crystals and Au films on TiO 2 . The rate of the reactive removal of adsorbed surface CO (a) was used to determine a turnover frequency of about 0.043 s −1 for CO oxidation on the Au particles, comparable to the rate obtained in a steady state flow reactor. Gas switching is used to investigate the storage of oxygen on the catalyst. It is found that following O 2 exposure, the amount of adsorbed active oxygen is either undetectably small, less than 3.1 μmoles O/g catal , or it desorbs very rapidly at 298 K. Although storage of oxygen is very ineffective on this catalyst, CO 2 is stored by its dynamic interaction with the support to form carbonates or bicarbonates causing slow removal of product CO 2 from the reactor bed. These results are summarized by a scheme describing the pathways for CO oxidation.
Effect of Si Addition on the Reaction Growth and Morphology of an Aluminide Compound in Al-Cu-Si/Ti-W Bilayers

The effect of the addition of Si to an Al alloy on the reaction morphology of Al 12 W in Al-Cu-Si/Ti-W bilayers was studied with plan-view and cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The addition of 0.5 wt.% Si to an Al-0.5Cu alloy film increases multiple spiked growths of the Al 12 W compound by the reaction of the Al-0.5Cu-0.5Si film with the Ti-W sublayer after heat treatment at 450°C for 30 min. Increasing the Cu and Si content from 0.5 to 1.5% significantly reduced the spiked growth of Al 12 W into the Al-1.5Cu-1.5Si film. However the spike number density remained high compared to the reaction of a binary Al-1.5Cu film with the Ti-W layers. The result indicates that the addition of Si to form a ternary Al-Cu-Si film results in a more irregular, less planar Al 12 W morphology. This morphology can have a detrimental effect on thermal stability and electromigration resistance.
Dopaminergic involvement in withdrawal hypothermia and thermoregulatory behavior in morphine dependent rats

Abstract Thermoregulatory behavior was assessed in the rat by measuring the time taken to escape from a radiant heat source. The time to escape and the rise in core temperature accompanying exposure to heat were greater in morphine dependent (1 × 75 mg SC pellet implant for 72 hr) than in control rats. Injection of naloxone (1 mg/kg) into dependent rats produced a withdrawal hypothermia and decreased the time taken to escape from the heat source. Since rats undergoing withdrawal avoided heat at the same time that their core temperature was falling, the hypothermia is most likely due to a downward setting of the central thermostats rather than a direct activation of heat loss pathways. Both the withdrawal hypothermia and the behavioral changes were blocked by pimozide pretreatment (0.5 mg/kg) implicating a dopaminergic mechanism in the downward setting of the thermostats. Administration of naloxone 144 hr after pellet implantation produced similar effects to those in the 72 hr implanted group. Injection of morphine sulfate (4 mg/kg) 144 hr after implantation increased both the core temperature and the time taken to escape from heat suggesting that the effect of morphine in the dependent rat is to produce an upward setting of the thermostats.
Radiative lifetimes in Si i from laser-induced fluorescence in the visible, ultraviolet, and vacuum ultraviolet

Radiative lifetimes for 47 levels in neutral silicon are reported. Lifetimes are measured using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) on a beam of silicon atoms. The transitions studied span the spectral range 160--410 nm. The experimental methods used are broadly applicable for measuring lifetimes in almost any neutral or singly ionized element using LIF in the visible, ultraviolet, and vacuum-ultraviolet spectral regions. Lifetimes are combined with previously reported branching fractions or branching ratios to generate 36 absolute transition probabilities, most with total uncertainty of 5--10 %.
INTERGROUP ATTITUDES TOWARDS COOPERATIVE VS COMPETITIVE OPPONENTS IN A MODIFIED PRISONER'S DILEMMA GAME

In non-zero-sum games such as the one used in this study, S has a moral dilemma which he must resolve by making either cooperative or competitive responses. Interest has arisen in what kind of strategy promotes the most cooperation. One might expect that cooperation would encourage cooperation and that competition would encourage competition. Such an effect does not, however, occur as strongly as might be expected. Bixenstine, Potash, and Wilson (1963) and McClintock, Harrison, Strand, and Gallo (1963) found that variations in the amount of cooperation had little effect on the choices of the other player. Bixenstine and Wilson ( 1963), did, however, find that more cooperative players received more cooperation in return. They found also that even more cooperation resulted following a switch from competition to cooperation. Rapoport, et al. (1964) used a reciprocating or tit-for-tat strategy, involving switching back and forth in response to the opponents' choices. He reported that this strategy produced more cooperation than any of the others he tried. The present study compared the tit-for-tat strategy with cooperative and competitive strategies. The present study also introduced an ingroup and an outgroup dimension by having two teams rather than two individuals in each session and by having the same game played within as well as between teams. In addition, an attempt was made to learn something about the attitudes that developed during the game by having the participants rate each other on a number of traits before and after the session. METHOD
Pathways of removal of free DNA vector ends in normal and DNA-PKcs-deficient SCID mouse hepatocytes transduced with rAAV vectors

Elucidation of the mechanisms of transformation of single-stranded (ss) recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector genomes into a variety of stable double-stranded (ds) forms is key to a complete understanding of rAAV vector transduction in vivo. Ds monomer genome formation and cellular ds DNA break (DSB) repair pathways that remove free vector ends toxic to cells, presumably play a central role in this process. By delivering rAAV and naked ds linear DNA vectors into livers of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs)-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and wild-type mice, we demonstrate the presence of three major pathways for free ds vector end removal: (1) DNA-PKcs-dependent self-circularization, (2) DNA-PKcs-independent self-circularization, and (3) DNA-PKcs-independent concatemerization. By using the DNA-PKcs-independent pathways, mouse hepatocytes efficiently removed free ds rAAV vector ends even in the absence of DNA-PKcs. Our studies suggest a hierarchical organization of these processes; self-circularization is the preferred pathway over concatemerization, although the former has a limited capacity to remove free vector ends. These studies shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of rAAV vector transduction in vivo.
On-line optimal control of induced foreign protein production by recombinant bacteria in fed-batch reactors

Near-optimal control strategies for maximizing the production of induced foreign protein by recombinant bacteria, which were determined from optimal control simulation studies, were implemented using a two-liter bioreactor. A proportional-integral feedback controller with anticipatory action and a self-tuning controller with anticipatory action were simulated and compared for regulation of glucose concentration along an optimal singular arc production strategy. The proportional-integral feedback control algorithm was implemented to suppress disturbances and model uncertainties while the anticipatory controller followed the computed singular arc trajectories. Both simulation and experimental work proved that optimal control of the fed-batch system for induced foreign protein production can be carried out on-line.
Self-trapping of traveling-wave pulses in binary mixture convection.

Localized traveling-wave trains (LTW) have been observed in various experiments on binary mixture convection. I show that the commonly used complex Ginzburg-Landau equations, which fail to describe a characteristic feature of LTW---their extremely slow drift---break down in these systems and I derive a new set of coupled equations which takes into account the slow dynamics of the concentration field. It possesses slow LTW over a wide range of parameters. In addition, it supports LTW even if it has only real coefficients and is therefore far from the nonlinear Schr\"odinger limit.
HEAT INACTIVATION OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A IN SOME CONVENIENCE FOODS AFTER FROZEN STORAGE

Crystalline type A toxin from the Hall Strain of Clostridium botulinum was added to beef pie fillings (pH 5.9), 0.05M phosphate buffer (pH 5.9), cream of mushroom soup (pH 6.2) or tomato soup (pH 4.1) and 1 ml placed in 2-ml thin glass ampules. These were frozen and stored at -20°C for 180 days. At timed intervals a few ampules were thawed and the contents tested for toxicity and for the rate of heat inactivation of the toxin. The toxicity of type A in the contents remained the same throughout the frozen storage. Although the literature reports show a decrease in the heat stability of type E toxin after frozen storage, the heat inactivation rates for type A remained the same. pH is one of the important variables affecting the heat stability of type A toxin dissolved in various buffers.
Hail in Northeast Italy: A Neural Network Ensemble Forecast Using Sounding-Derived Indices

AbstractIn a previous work, the hailpad data collected over the plain of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeast Italy during the April–September 1992–2009 period were studied through a bivariate analysis with 52 sounding-derived indices from the Udine–Campoformido station (WMO code 16044). The results showed statistically significant relations but, nevertheless, were not completely satisfactory from a practical point of view. In the current work, a prognostic multivariate analysis is performed, using linear and nonlinear approaches, finding the best results with an ensemble of neural networks. For the hail occurrence–classification problem, a novel method for combining binary classifiers (a variant of the Mojirsheibani major voting algorithm) is introduced. For the hail extension–regression problem the ensemble is built by choosing the members with a bagging algorithm, but combining them with a linear multiregression, in order to increase the forecast variability.
Cell kinetics: Mathematical models and experimental bases

This paper reviews some of the important mathematical and experimental methods used to obtain information on the movement of cells through their reproductive cycle. The growth of a cell population results in part from the progression through specific phases between birth and subsequent division. But the total growth is also controlled both by cells dying and by cells remaining indefinitely in a given phase of the cell cycle. Different experimental procedures have been used to measure the cell cycle progression of cells and different mathematical procedures have been of use in interpreting that experimental data. In this paper, some of the major experimental methods and the techniques used to describe those methods are described.
Prediction Models in Urology: Are They Any Good, and How Would We Know Anyway?

Prediction models constitute one of the most common categories of research papers in urology. Indeed, a review of literature published in July 2007 found >100 different prediction tools for prostate cancer (PCa) alone [1]. Even within the very narrow research area of Lughezzani et al’s paper [2] on outcomes after radical prostatectomy, models have been published to predict recurrence based on preoperative [3] and postoperative [4] data; recurrence at 2 yr [5]; recurrence at 5 yr incorporating transforming growth factor-b1 [6]; recurrence at 5 yr including surgeon experience in the model [7]; the trifecta of continence, potency, and freedom from recurrence [8]; PCa-specific death at 10 yr [9]; and so on and so forth. PCa prediction modeling has become so complex that a ‘‘meta-literature’’ has developed around choosing appropriate prediction tools [10,11]. My guess is that few of the published prediction models are much good, and even if they were, we wouldn’t know it.
Analysis of zebrafish sidetracked mutants reveals a novel role for Plexin A3 in intraspinal motor axon guidance.

One of the earliest guidance decisions for spinal cord motoneurons occurs when pools of motoneurons orient their growth cones towards a common, segmental exit point. In contrast to later events, remarkably little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying intraspinal motor axon guidance. In zebrafish sidetracked ( set ) mutants, motor axons exit from the spinal cord at ectopic positions. By single-cell labeling and time-lapse analysis we show that motoneurons with cell bodies adjacent to the segmental exit point properly exit from the spinal cord, whereas those farther away display pathfinding errors. Misguided growth cones either orient away from the endogenous exit point, extend towards the endogenous exit point but bypass it or exit at non-segmental, ectopic locations. Furthermore, we show that sidetracked acts cell autonomously in motoneurons. Positional cloning reveals that sidetracked encodes Plexin A3, a semaphorin guidance receptor for repulsive guidance. Finally, we show that sidetracked ( plexin A3 ) plays an additional role in motor axonal morphogenesis. Together, our data genetically identify the first guidance receptor required for intraspinal migration of pioneering motor axons and implicate the well-described semaphorin/plexin signaling pathway in this poorly understood process. We propose that axonal repulsion via Plexin A3 is a major driving force for intraspinal motor growth cone guidance.
Modelling hygroscopic particle growth in human lung airways

An inhaled particle deposition program has been modified to take hygroscopic aerosol growth into account. The new model uses empirical or theoretical growth curves to calculate aerosol particle deposition in each airway generation. A substantial body of research on hygroscopic growth of particles has evolved which uses thermodynamic modelling to relate postulated temperature and humidity conditions in the lung to particle growth rate as a function of time (Ferron and Busch, 1996). Our approach differs from these models by simply using empirical or theoretical aerosol growth curves. Using this approach, we show that predicted inhaled particle growth and regional deposition patterns are similar to those predicted by other models.
Renormalization group theory and variational calculations for propagating fronts

We study the propagation of uniformly translating fronts into a linearly unstable state, both analytically and numerically. We introduce a perturbative renormalization group (RG) approach to compute the change in the propagation speed when the fronts are perturbed by structural modification of their governing equations. This approach is successful when the fronts are structurally stable, and allows us to select uniquely the (numerical) experimentally observable propagation speed. For convenience and completeness, the structural stability argument is also briefly described. We point out that the solvability condition widely used in studying dynamics of nonequilibrium systems is equivalent to the assumption of physical renormalizability. We also implement a variational principle, due to Hadeler and Rothe, which provides a very good upper bound and, in some cases, even exact results on the propagation speeds, and which identifies the transition from ` linear'- to ` nonlinear-marginal-stability' as parameters in the governing equation are varied.
Contextualizing Asian American education through critical race theory: An example of U.S. Pilipino college student experiences

Critical race theory can be an important tool for developing a deeper understanding of the experiences of specific Asian American ethnic groups and individuals.
Survivable Stereotaxic Surgery in Rodents

The ability to measure extracellular basal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain of awake animals allows for the determination of effects of different systemic challenges (pharmacological or physiological) to the CNS. For example, one can directly measure how the animal's midbrain dopamine projections respond to dopamine-releasing drugs like d-amphetamine or natural stimuli like food. In this video, we show you how to implant guide cannulas targeting specific sites in the rat brain, how to insert and implant a microdialysis probe and how to use high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) to measure extracellular levels of oxidizable neurotransmitters and metabolites. Local precise introduction of drugs through the microdialysis probe allows for refined work on site specificity in a compound s mechanism of action. This technique has excellent anatomical and chemical resolution but only modest time resolution as microdialysis samples are usually processed every 20-30 minutes to ensure detectable neurotransmitter levels. Complementary ex vivo tools (i.e., slice and cell culture electrophysiology) can assist with monitoring real-time neurotransmission.
Recruitment of institutional psychiatrists for the 50 states

Abstract We studied institutional recruitment of non-federal psychiatrists in 1979 as measured by national advertisements. Vacant positions in state mental hospitals and CMHCs are over-represented in the adverts compared to the current institutional distribution of physicians practicing psychiatry. States' per capita recruitment rates vary widely, but do not decrease linearly or exponentially with increasing abundance of psychiatrists. The percentage increase sought in institutional psychiatrists (‘recruitment intensity’), however, does decrease exponentially as institutional psychiatrists/100,000 population increase. Recruitment rates and recruitment intensity are not highly correlated with states' sociodemographic characteristics or with characteristics of their health care systems. Private sector recruitment, however, is significantly higher in states that have mandated psychiatric benefit packages in private insurance. Studies relating institutional recruitment or vacancy rates to measures of local demand for psychiatric services are needed, as well as comparisons of successful versus unsuccessful institutions. Institutional vacancies are undoubtedly affecting the quality of care, compliance with standards for reimbursement and ability to generate third-party revenues. Greater understanding of institutional recruitment is needed.
Dynamical source of mass splitting in an SU(3) bag model.

The cloudy bag model of baryons is extended to include coupling to the kaons according to SU(3)/sub L-italic/xSU(3)/sub R-italic/ symmetry. The breaking of chiral symmetry is imposed solely by allowing the pseudoscalar mesons to acquire their physical masses. The bare masses of the up, down, and strange quarks are therefore taken to be degenerate. Assuming that a single set of bag parameters describes both the baryon octet and decimet, self-energy corrections to the baryon masses are calculated to the level of virtual states containing two mesons (..pi.., K-italic, and K-bar). The four model parameters are fixed by fitting the N-italicN-italic..pi.. coupling constant, N-italic mass, ..delta.. mass, and ..pi..N-italic scattering phase shifts in the P-italic/sub 33/ channel. These parameters give an excellent prediction for the baryon masses in the )8) and )10). A consistent picture is thereby obtained in which the mass splitting between baryon isomultiplets arises exclusively from mesonic self-energy corrections, while the u-italic, d-italic, and s-italic quarks are degenerate in mass.