cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding water uptake in bioaerosols using laboratory measurements, field tests, and modeling

Uptake of water by biological aerosols can impact their physical and chemical characteristics. The water content in a bioaerosol can affect the backscatter cross-section as measured by LIDAR systems. Better understanding of the water content in controlled-release clouds of bioaerosols can aid in the development of improved standoff detection systems. This study includes three methods to improve understanding of how bioaerosols take up water. The laboratory method measures hygroscopic growth of biological material after it is aerosolized and dried. Hygroscopicity curves are created as the humidity is increased in small increments to observe the deliquescence point, then the humidity is decreased to observe the efflorescence point. The field component of the study measures particle size distributions of biological material disseminated into a large humidified chamber. Measurements are made with a Twin-Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS, TSI, Inc), -Relative Humidity apparatus where two APS units measure the same aerosol cloud side-by-side. The first operated under dry conditions by sampling downstream of desiccant dryers, the second operated under ambient conditions. Relative humidity was measured within the sampling systems to determine the difference in the aerosol water content between the two sampling trains. The water content of the bioaerosols was calculated from the twin APS units following Khlystov et al. 2005 [1]. Biological material is measured dried and wet and compared to laboratory curves of the same material. Lastly, theoretical curves are constructed from literature values for components of the bioaerosol material.
Scheduling with queue length guarantees for shared resource systems

We develop a class of schemes called GMWM that guarantee optimal throughput for queuing systems with arbitrary constraints on the set of jobs that can be served simultaneously. We obtain an analytical upper bound on the expected queue length. To further tighten the upper bound, we formulate it as a convex optimization problem. We also show that whenever the arrival process is stabilizable, the scheme is guaranteed to achieve an expected queue length that is no larger than the expected queue length of any stationary randomized policy.
Derivative-based closed Newton–Cotes numerical quadrature

Abstract A new family of numerical integration formula of closed Newton–Cotes-type is presented, that uses both the function value and the derivative value on uniformly spaced intervals. Since there are more unknowns when using including derivative values in addition to function values, the order of accuracy of these numerical integration formula are higher than the standard closed Newton–Cotes formula. These new formula are derived via the method of undetermined coefficients, based on the concept of the precision of the quadrature formula. The error terms are found in three different ways, using the concept of precision, using Taylor series expansions about the interval midpoint and using polynomial approximating functions, which is how the error terms for the standard closed Newton–Cotes formula were obtained. The concept of precision and the Taylor series methods yield the same error terms as the polynomial-based method, but there are certain unverifiable assumptions in their use. Quadrature formula using first derivatives at all points throughout the interval increase the order of accuracy to 2 n + 2. Quadrature formula using the first derivatives at the endpoints of the interval obtain an increase of two orders of accuracy over the closed Newton–Cotes formula; while quadrature formula involving higher order derivatives result in substantially higher orders of accuracy, being ( D + 1)( n + 1) where D is the number of derivatives involved in the formula. The computational cost for these methods are analyzed for two different examples, showing the number of function and derivative evaluations necessary to reduce the error below a certain level. These two numerical examples are used to demonstrate that the theoretical order of accuracy is achieved by the numerical implementation of these formula. Additionally, a Generalized Rolle’s Theorem with Derivatives and a theorem for the error in the general interpolating polynomial including derivatives are provided in the appendix, which leads to the proof of some of the error terms in the derivative-based closed Newton–Cotes-type quadrature formula.
Millikelvin Scanning Force Microscope for the Study of Mesoscopic Systems

A scanning force microscope capable of operating at temperatures down to 15 mK has been designed and built for studies of disorder in mesoscopic transport. The compact microscope fits into the mixing chamber of a dilution refrigerator/high field magnet system. Coarse approach of the tip to the sample is achieved with a specially designed piezoelectrically driven linear motor which can reliably step the tip as little as 10 nm both with and against gravity. Deflection of the Si3N4 cantilever is detected with an optical fiber interferometer. A standard piezo-tube scans the tip over a 2 μm range, while a separate sample translation stage allows the location of small samples over a 4 mm2 area. The vertical resolution of the microscope at 4.2 K is of order 1 A.
BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT OF PAIN DETECTION AND TOLERANCE IN MONKEYS1

Cebus albifrons monkeys received electrical stimulation of the hindlimbs over a wide range of intensities. On trials signalled by a blue light, the animals were permitted to escape shock by pressing a disc, or shock was terminated after 8 sec (free escape). Escape force (disc pressure) was found to increase as stimulation intensity increased well beyond escape threshold, while shock duration curves reached plateau at the mid-range of intensities. The shock duration curves generated by free escape responses should be comparable to pain detection functions obtained by similar operations in humans, and the curves were stable over months of testing, as is generally found in pain-detection studies. On trials signalled by a red light, the animals received intense tail shock immediately after escape responses (punished escape), or, if they endured leg shock for 8 sec without escaping, then they could avoid tail shock with a panel press. The shock duration curves generated by punished escape responses should be comparable to pain tolerance functions as defined for human subjects, and the escape thresholds were considerably higher on red-light trials. As in human studies, the tolerance curves were not stable over repeated testing sessions, and some feature of the paradigm forced a progression toward extremely high levels of tolerance.
Understanding provenance black boxes

Current provenance stores associated with workflow management systems (WfMSs) capture enough coarse-grained information to describe which datasets were used and which processes were run. While this information is enough to rebuild a workflow run, it is not enough to facilitate user understanding. Because the data is manipulated via a series of black boxes, it is often impossible for a human to understand what happened to the data. In this work, we highlight the missing information that can assist user understanding. Unfortunately, provenance information is already very complex and difficult for a user to comprehend, which can be exacerbated by adding the extra information needed for deeper blackbox understanding. In order to alleviate this, we develop a model of provenance answers that follow a "roll up", "drill down" strategy. We evaluate these techniques to determine if users have better understanding of provenance information. We show how this information can be captured by workflow management systems, and that the structures and information needed for this model are a negligible addition to standard provenance stores. Finally, we implement these techniques in a real provenance system, and evaluate implementation feasibility.
FOOT PERFORMANCE OF RIGHT- AND LEFT-HANDERS: A QUESTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE '

Prior research has shown that right-handed adults perform better on a speed-tapping task with the right hand and right foot, while left-handers execute more rapidly with the left hand and right foot. Speculation is that environmental influence, most likely driving experience, may account for the right-foot bias. To examine this hypothesis further, 48 young right- and left-handed children were tested on a similar protocol. Analyses indicated no significant differences in foot performance within hand-preference groups. Since these findings do not complement reports for adults, factors such as experience or maturation might contribute to the difference. Were patterns similar, the effect of environmental influence would be assumed to be small. However, much more evidence is needed before an adequate explanation can be developed. The issue of possible environmental influence is discussed from various theoretical perspectives.
Effect of oral cadmium exposure during pregnancy on maternal and fetal zinc metabolism in the rat

To study the effect of cadmium exposure on maternal and fetal zinc metabolism, rats were exposed to 0, 5, 50, or 100 ppm Cd in the drinking water on Days 6 through 20 of pregnancy. In comparison to controls, fetal and maternal weights were slightly reduced in the 50- and 100-ppm groups, but not the 5-ppm group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that in the 50-ppm group, but not in the 100-ppm group, the decrease in fetal weight was not solely a consequence of decreased maternal weight. Cd accumulated in a dose-dependent manner in both maternal organs and fetuses, although the absolute concentrations in fetuses were very low as compared to those of maternal tissues. In the 50- and 100-ppm groups, zinc concentrations were significantly increased in maternal liver and kidney, and significantly decreased in fetal liver. The changes in tissue Zn concentrations were accompanied by altered Zn-metalloenzyme activities in both maternal and fetal tissues. These findings support the hypothesis that Cd-induced maternal zinc retention is responsible for fetal Zn deprivation and impaired fetal growth.
Lateralization of Sounds at the Unstimulated Ear Opposite a Noise-Adapted Ear

We have discovered conditions of monaural stimulation under which a sound image can be located toward the contralateral, unstimulated ear; the phenomenon helps to clarify divergent experimental results. A tentative model is presented, together with some testable psychophysiological consequences.
Drawbacks in the use of unconventional hydrophobic anhydrides for histone derivatization in bottom‐up proteomics PTM analysis

MS-based proteomics has become the most utilized tool to characterize histone PTMs. Since histones are highly enriched in lysine and arginine residues, lysine derivatization has been developed to prevent the generation of short peptides (<6 residues) during trypsin digestion. One of the most adopted protocols applies propionic anhydride for derivatization. However, the propionyl group is not sufficiently hydrophobic to fully retain the shortest histone peptides in RP LC, and such procedure also hampers the discovery of natural propionylation events. In this work we tested 12 commercially available anhydrides, selected based on their safety and hydrophobicity. Performance was evaluated in terms of yield of the reaction, MS/MS fragmentation efficiency, and drift in retention time using the following samples: (i) a synthetic unmodified histone H3 tail, (ii) synthetic modified histone peptides, and (iii) a histone extract from cell lysate. Results highlighted that seven of the selected anhydrides increased peptide retention time as compared to propionic, and several anhydrides such as benzoic and valeric led to high MS/MS spectra quality. However, propionic anhydride derivatization still resulted, in our opinion, as the best protocol to achieve high MS sensitivity and even ionization efficiency among the analyzed peptides.
Academic procrastination and the role of hope as a coping strategy

This study examined, we believe for the first time, the relationship between hope and academic procrastination. One hundred and sixteen graduate students enrolled in an introductory-level educational research course at a mid-southern university were administered the Procrastination Assessment Scale-Students (PASS), and the Adult Hope Scale that operationalizes hope as a reciprocal combination of pathways and agency thinking. Findings suggest that both hope factors helped predict academic procrastination with respect to fear of failure, but not task aversiveness. Suggestions for a deeper understanding of the role of hope in mitigating procrastination are offered.
Sexual Orientation and Sex in Women's Lives: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

Use of such categorical terms as heterosexual, bisexual, and lesbian is widespread, yet research indicates that sexuality is a multidimensional phenomenon. Sexual behavior, identity, and desire are not highly intercorrelated for women, and this has implications for new ways of conceptualizing sexual orientation. Furthermore, the multifaceted nature of sexual orientation has implications for conceptualizing sexual activity and sexual desire for women. Some methodological issues are presented for future research on female sexual orientation, including a better understanding of gender and a more multifaceted approach to sexual orientation.
White Chicks on Dope: Heroin and Identity Dynamics in New York in the 1990s:

We examined heroin use among 15 White middle-class women using data from in-depth qualitative interviews and ethnographic observation between May 1996 and April 1999. These women represent a subsample of a diverse group of 550 in an ethnographic study of heroin use and dealing in New York City. Our analysis is organized into four sections: (1) a demographic sketch, (2) the first time, (3) mode of administration and patterns of use, and (4) heroin in the medicine cabinet. Heroin use among these women was not related to poverty or lack of opportunity, social disenfranchisement, defective or addictive personalities, childhood trauma, or seeking membership into deviant subcultures. While some of these discourses of adversity and thrill seeking may have surfaced in individual stories, the dominant theme that emerged from the data was that of active struggles around identity, struggles over who and how one does and does not want to be.
Swarm robot materials handling paradigm for a manufacturing workcell

A manufacturing workcell model employing behavior-based swarm robots, i.e. groups of autonomous mobile robots whose sensory-driven state behavior produces emergent group functionality not characteristic of the individual robots is considered. The robots' emergent behavior successfully performs the workcell's required materials handling without central planning. Processing machines within the workcell broadcast load and unload request signals. Robots cannot communicate with each other, but will respond to any detected machine's broadcast signal, which allows the robot to determine the type of service requested and the requesting machine's heading. If the robot's state indicates that the request can be satisfied, it moves along the heading seeking to dock with the calling machine and satisfying the machine's request. A software simulation of this materials handling paradigm illustrates feasibility and establishes a constructive lower bound for autonomous materials handling performance. >
The Sacred Self: Suffering Narratives in Old Age

This article is based on ongoing qualitative research that explores elders' (80+) experiences of suffering. We show how respondents link the subject of suffering to a personal sense of the sacred in order to find meaning for suffering. We describe the major concepts of this article: the sacred, suffering, aging identity, and narrative. Through case studies, we show how an individual's sense of the sacred and experiences of suffering are revealed through the use of metaphors and symbols in the narrative. A key finding of this article is that concepts and experiences of suffering and a personal sacred emerge contextually from an elder's individual biography and communal history, as well as from present life circumstances.
Complex adaptive compensation of nonlinear piezoelectric sensoriactuators

A method of adaptively compensating for the electrical response of nonlinear, piezoelectric sensoriactuators is presented. Hysteretic phase errors between an 'ideal' reference capacitor and the piezoelectric patch which are typically on the order or a few tenths of a degree can significantly degrade the open-loop system response, thus compomising closed-loop perfomance. The new compensation scheme presented herein uses an artificial neural network in conjunction with the back-propagation learning rule to compensate for the nonlinear magnitude response of the piezoelectric dielectric constant. This enabling technology results in an autonomous, model-insensitive technique for compensating piezoelectric sensoriactuators to be used in a number of applications, including control and system identification. (Author)
Quantitative imaging of neuroreceptors in the living human brain.

Positron emission tomography (PET) makes it possible for the first time to examine in living humans the chemistry of the brain, which relates the structures of the brain to the functions of the mind. PET scans make it possible to assess the state of neurotransmitter receptors, such as the dopamine, serotonin, muscarinic cholinergic, opiate, and benzodiazapine receptors, in different regions in normal persons and patients with neuropsychiatric diseases. One of the most striking findings to date is that dopamine receptors fall significantly between the ages of 19 and 73 years, to a greater degree in men than in women. The effects of neurotropic drugs, such as haloperidol and methadone, can be assessed in an individual patient, providing for the first time an objective indicator of the specific desired effects of such drugs in the treatment of nervous or mental disease. Studies of patients with diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disease, and schizophrenia are in progress. At present, the patients are being examined as part of research protocols, but it is likely that clinical trials will not be far off.
Solute-atom segregation/structure relations at high-angle (002) twist boundaries in dilute Ni-Pt alloys

Monte Carlo simulations, utilizing embedded atom method (EAM) potentials, are employed to investigate in detail solute-atom segregation behavior at high-angle symmetrical (002) twist boundaries, at T=850 K, in Pt-3 at.% Ni and Ni-3 at.% Pt alloys. Solute enhancement in those alloys occurs on both sides of the phase diagram, although it is considerably higher on the Ni-rich side. The distributions of solute concentrations within the first and the second planes are very inhomogeneous, with the sites highly enhanced in solute being in the minority. The remaining sites exhibit little or no enhancement. The highest level of solute concentrations at individual sites continues to increase with the value of the rotations angle, θ, until saturation occurs at about the Σ=5 misorientation. The large differences in concentrations between different types of sites suggest the possibility of an ordered grain-boundary phase. The correlation between the structure and solute species concentrations in most cases follows the trends observed for low-angle boundaries: Pt as a solute prefers the structural units of the perfect crystal type, while Ni as a solute tends to segregate at the filler units associated with the cores of the primary grain boundary dislocations. A strong correlation is observed between the position of a site in the first or second (002) plane and the plane of the interface. Rigid-body translations are detected for two boundaries on the Pt-rich side of the phase diagram. Roughening and possible structural multiplicity occur in the Σ=5 boundary on the Ni-rich side. The same boundary on the Pt-rich side of the phase diagram exhibits a considerable amount of structural and chemical disorder.
Neuregulin1 signaling targets SRF and CREB and activates the muscle spindle-specific gene Egr3 through a composite SRF-CREB-binding site.

Muscle spindles are sensory receptors embedded within muscle that detect changes in muscle length. Each spindle is composed of specialized muscle fibers, known as intrafusal muscle fibers, along with the endings of axons from sensory neurons that innervate these muscle fibers. Formation of muscle spindles requires neuregulin1 (NRG1), which is released by sensory axons, activating ErbB receptors in muscle cells that are contacted. In muscle cells, the transcription factor Egr3 is transcriptionally induced by NRG1, which in turn activates various target genes involved in forming the intrafusal fibers of muscle spindles. The signaling relay within the NRG1–ErbB pathway that acts to induce Egr3 is presumably critical for muscle spindle formation but for the most part has not been determined. In the current studies, we examined, using cultured muscle cells, transcriptional regulatory mechanisms by which Egr3 responds to NRG1. We identified a composite regulatory element for the Egr3 gene, consisting adjacent sites that bind cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and serum response factor (SRF), with a role in NRG1 responsiveness. The SRF element also influences Egr3 basal expression in unstimulated myotubes, and in the absence of the SRF element, the CREB element influences basal expression. We show that NRG1 signaling, to target SRF, acts on the SRF coactivators myocardian-related transcription factor (MRTF)-A and MRTF-B, which are known to activate SRF-mediated transcription, by stimulating their translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. CREB is phosphorylated, which is known to contribute to its activation, in response to NRG1. These results suggest that NRG1 induces expression of the muscle spindle-specific gene Egr3 by stimulating the transcriptional activity of CREB and SRF.
Biosynthesis and regulation of expression of the HNK-1 epitope on myelin-associated glycoprotein in a transfected cell model system

The HNK-1 antibody recognizes a carbohydrate epitope expressed by many cell adhesion molecules in the nervous system that has been proposed to be an important adhesive determinant. This epitope is particularly prominent on the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and is related to the antigenic target in an autoimmune mediated demyelinating neuropathy. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis and regulation of expression of the HNK-1 epitope is therefore likely to have important functional and clinical implications. In order to investigate its biosynthesis and the regulation of its expression, we have expressed both human and rat MAG in several different cell lines by retroviral infection. These studies indicate that the cellular milieu determines whether the HNK-1 epitope is expressed on the MAG polypeptide and provide an explanation for the significant variation in HNK-1 levels that has been noted in different species. Using a transfected human neuroblastoma line, we have determined that this epitope is present on the fourth and/or fifth immunoglobulin-like domain of rat MAG and that it is added intracellularly, probably in the trans Golgi. Finally we have found that expression of the HNK-1 epitope is increased by activation of different second messenger systems, providing direct evidence that its expression can be regulated independently from that of the MAG polypeptide.
A simulation analysis of the fate of phytoplankton within the Mid-Atlantic Bight

A time-dependent, three-dimensional simulation model of wind-induced changes of the circulation field, of light and nutrient regulation of photosynthesis, of vertical mixing as well as algal sinking, and of herbivore grazing stress, is used to analyze the seasonal production, consumption, and transport of the spring bloom within the mid-Atlantic Bight. The particular case (c) of a 58-day period in February-April 1979, simulated primary production, based on both nitrate and recycled nitrogen, with a mean of 0.62 g C sq m/day over the whole model domain, and an export at the shelf-break off Long Island of 2.60 g ch1 sq m/day within the lower third of the water column. About 57% of the carbon fixation was removed by herbivores, with 21% lost as export, either downshelf or offshore to slope waters, after the first 58 days of the spring bloom. Extension of the model for another 22 days of case (c) increased the mean export to 27%, while variation of the model's parameters in 8 other cases led to a range in export from 8% to 38% of the average primary production. Spatial and temporal variations of the simulated albal biomass, left behind in the shelf water column, reproduced chlorophyll fields sensed by satellite, shipboard, and in situ instruments.
A study of waveband switching with multilayer multigranular optical cross-connects

Waveband switching (WBS) has attracted attention from the optical networking industry for its practical importance in reducing port count, the associated control complexity, and cost of optical cross-connects (OXCs). However, WBS-related problems of theoretical interest have not been addressed thoroughly by the research community and many issues are still wide open. In particular, WBS is different from wavelength routing and, thus, techniques developed for wavelength-routed networks (including for example, those for traffic grooming) cannot be directly applied to effectively address WBS-related problems. In this paper, we first develop an integer linear programming (ILP) model, which for a given set of lightpath requests, determines the routes and assigns wavelengths to the lightpaths so as to minimize the number of ports needed. Since the optimal WBS problem of minimizing the port count in WBS networks contains an instance of routing and wavelength assignment (RWA), which is NP-complete, we adopt a powerful waveband assignment strategy and develop an efficient heuristic algorithm called balanced path routing with heavy-traffic first waveband assignment (BPHT). Both the ILP and the heuristic algorithm can handle the case with multiple fibers per link. We conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the benefits of WBS through detailed analysis and simulations. For small networks, our results indicate that the performance of the BPHT heuristic is close to that achievable by using the ILP model and, hence verifying its near-optimality. We show that for larger networks, BPHT can perform better than its variation called balanced traffic routing with maximum-hop first waveband assignment and much better than another heuristic based on optimal (but waveband oblivious) RWA that minimizes wavelength resources. We also show that WBS using BPHT is even more beneficial in multifiber networks than in single-fiber networks in terms of reducing the port count. Our analytical and simulation results provide valuable insights into the effect of wavelength band granularity, as well as the tradeoffs between the wavelength-hop and the port count required in WBS networks.
Spectrum of Clinical and Radiographic Findings in Pediatric Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Clinical symptoms in mycoplasma infection are nonspecific. Pulmonary involvement may be widespread or focal and segmental and is accompanied by signs including rales, rhonchi, and decreased breath sounds. Although manifestations of mycoplasma infection are usually confined to the respiratory tract, a wide variety of extrarespiratory manifestations can also occur, including more severe associated diseases such as myocarditis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and cerebral arteriovenous occlusion. The radiographic findings in mycoplasma pneumonia are also nonspecific and in some cases closely resemble those seen in children with viral infections of the lower respiratory tract. Focal reticulonodular opacification confined to a single lobe is a radiographic pattern that seems to be more closely associated with mycoplasma infection than with other types of pediatric respiratory illnesses, and the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia should be considered whenever focal or bilateral reticulonodular opacification is seen. Hazy or ground-glass consolidations frequently occur, but dense homogeneous consolidations like those seen with bacterial pneumonias are uncommon. Atelectasis or transient pseudoconsolidations due to confluent interstitial shadows are often seen. Radiographic findings alone are not sufficient for the definitive diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia, but in combination with clinical findings they can significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosis in this disease.
Improving business process models with reference models in business-driven development

Reference models capture best-practice solutions for a specific industry such as retail, banking, or insurance. The models usually cover the whole range of solution components such as product models, business rules, data models, and service models. Over the past years, business process reference models have gained increasing attention. Process merging is a technique that brings together several process models to create a new process model. In this paper, we introduce process merging for a scenario which focuses on the improvement of an existing AS-IS business process by using a reference process model. We describe an approach that enables a business architect to establish correspondences between two process models in a systematic way and show how these correspondences define concrete refactoring operations that serve to improve the AS-IS model. Category: Industry paper.
Interstrain Variation of the Polysaccharide B Biosynthesis Locus of Bacteroides fragilis: Characterization of the Region from Strain 638R

The sequence and analysis of the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis locus, PS B2, of Bacteroides fragilis 638R are described, and the sequence is compared with that of the PS B1 biosynthesis locus of B. fragilis NCTC 9343. Two genes of the region, wcgD and wcgC, are shown by complementation to encode a UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase and a UDP-N-acetylmannosamine dehydrogenase, respectively.
Parietal Lobe Volume Deficits in Adolescents With Schizophrenia and Adolescents With Cannabis Use Disorders

Objective In early-onset schizophrenia (EOS), the earliest structural brain volumetric abnormalities appear in the parietal cortices. Early exposure to cannabis may represent an environmental risk factor for developing schizophrenia. This study characterized cerebral cortical gray matter structure in adolescents in regions of interest (ROIs) that have been implicated in EOS and cannabis use disorders (CUD). Method T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired from adolescents with EOS (n = 35), CUD (n = 16), EOS + CUD (n = 13), and healthy controls (HC) (n = 51). Using FreeSurfer, brain volume was examined within frontal, temporal, parietal and subcortical ROIs by a 2 (EOS versus no EOS) × 2 (CUD versus no CUD) design using multivariate analysis of covariance. In ROIs in which volumetric differences were identified, additional analyses of cortical thickness and surface area were conducted. Results A significant EOS-by-CUD interaction was observed. In the left superior parietal region, both "pure" EOS and "pure" CUD had smaller gray matter volumes that were associated with lower surface area compared with HC. A similar alteration was observed in the comorbid group compared with HC, but there was no additive volumetric deficit found in the comorbid group compared with the separate groups. In the left thalamus, the comorbid group had smaller gray matter volumes compared with the CUD and HC groups. Conclusions These preliminary data indicate that the presence of a CUD may moderate the relationship between EOS and cerebral cortical gray matter structure in the left superior parietal lobe. Future research will follow this cohort over adolescence to further examine the impact of cannabis use on neurodevelopment.
Growth of human paragangliomas in the subrenal capsule of the nude mouse

Paragangliomas are generally benign, highly vascular, and slowly growing tumors of neural crest lineage that occur disproportionately in women. Surgery can manage small tumors expeditiously, but extirpation of large tumors is associated with morbidity and even mortality. Radiation therapy offers relatively good tumor control but also presents development of a secondary malignant neoplasm as a possible consequence. Cancer chemotherapeutic agents have been used only in rare metastasizing paragangliomas because they also are associated with considerable morbidity. A better understanding of the biology of human paragangliomas, to encompass the molecular biology of these tumors, is essential for the development of a less morbid, tumor-targeted therapy. This preliminary investigation is aimed at testing the hypothesis that the subrenal capsule of the nude mouse is a viable model for in vivo study of the molecular biology of human paragangliomas. None of the five tumors implanted survived for the duration of the study period. Accordingly, the nude mouse subrenal capsule does not appear to be useful in the study of human paragangliomas.
Genetic association study of adiposity and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) common variants: replication and functional characterization of non-coding regions.

Common genetic variants 3′ of MC4R within two large linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks spanning 288 kb have been associated with common and rare forms of obesity. This large association region has not been refined and the relevant DNA segments within the association region have not been identified. In this study, we investigated whether common variants in the MC4R gene region were associated with adiposity-related traits in a biracial population-based study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MC4R region were genotyped with a custom array and a genome-wide array and associations between SNPs and five adiposity-related traits were determined using race-stratified linear regression. Previously reported associations between lower BMI and the minor alleles of rs2229616/Val103Ile and rs52820871/Ile251Leu were replicated in white female participants. Among white participants, rs11152221 in a proximal 3′ LD block (closer to MC4R) was significantly associated with multiple adiposity traits, but SNPs in a distal 3′ LD block (farther from MC4R) were not. In a case-control study of severe obesity, rs11152221 was significantly associated. The association results directed our follow-up studies to the proximal LD block downstream of MC4R. By considering nucleotide conservation, the significance of association, and proximity to the MC4R gene, we identified a candidate MC4R regulatory region. This candidate region was sequenced in 20 individuals from a study of severe obesity in an attempt to identify additional variants, and the candidate region was tested for enhancer activity using in vivo enhancer assays in zebrafish and mice. Novel variants were not identified by sequencing and the candidate region did not drive reporter gene expression in zebrafish or mice. The identification of a putative insulator in this region could help to explain the challenges faced in this study and others to link SNPs associated with adiposity to altered MC4R expression.
Oligotrophs versus copiotrophs

Bacteria can grow rapidly, yet there are some that grow slowly under apparent optimal conditions. These organisms are usually present in environments with low levels of nutrients, and are not found in conditions of more plentiful nutrients. They are known as “oligotrophs”in contrast to “copiotrophs”, which are common in environments with greater nutritional opportunities. This essay asks why do the oligotrophs not occupy richer environments, and why are copiotrophs not more prevalent in chronic starvation environments? BioEssays 23:657–661, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Toward a Theory of Emotive Performance: With Lessons from How Politicians Do Anger

This article treats the public display of emotion as social performance. The concept of “emotive performance” is developed to highlight the overlooked quality of performativity in the social use of emotion. We argue that emotive performance is reflexive, cultural, and communicative. As an active social act, emotive performance draws from the cultural repertoire of interpretative frameworks and dominant narratives. We illustrate the utility of the concept by analyzing two episodes of unrehearsed emotive performances by two well-known politicians, Bill Clinton and Jiang Zemin. The two cases demonstrate how emotion can be analyzed as a domain in which culturally specific narratives and rhetorics are used to advance the situational agenda of actors. The concept opens up a more expansive research agenda for sociology. It pushes sociologists to pay greater attention to people's experiences, interpretations, and deployments of emotions in social life.
Comparing the Status of Two Sympatric Amphibians in the Sierra Nevada, California: Insights on Ecological Risk and Monitoring Common Species

Abstract Basic information on species distribution and abundance is often lacking, even for common species. The historically abundant Mountain Yellow-legged (Rana sp.) and Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris sp.) species complexes occur sympatrically and are exposed to similar threats. We evaluated the status of these species complexes on national forest lands in the Sierra Nevada, California as part of a long-term bioregional amphibian monitoring program. To determine occupancy and abundance indices, we surveyed all lentic and a sample of lotic habitats in 208 small watersheds (2–4 km2) selected using an unequal probability design where watersheds occupied previously had a higher likelihood of being selected. For Rana sp., results corroborated other assessments that the taxon has declined substantially. We found breeding activity in an estimated 0.04 (SE = 0.01) of watersheds rangewide, 0.47 (SE = 0.04) of watersheds with locality data from 1990–2001, and 0.02 (SE = 0.03) of watersheds with locality data prior ...
On Artifacts and Truth-Preservation

In Saving Truth from Paradox, Hartry Field presents and defends a theory of truth with a new conditional. In this paper, I present two criticisms of this theory, one concerning its assessments of validity and one concerning its treatment of truth-preservation claims. One way of adjusting the theory adequately responds to the truth-preservation criticism, at the cost of making the validity criticism worse. I show that in a restricted setting, Field has a way to respond to the validity criticism. I close with some general considerations on the use of revision-theoretic methods in theories of truth. In his recent Saving Truth from Paradox, Hartry Field presents and defends a theory of truth that rejects the validity of the law of excluded middle. A key aspect of the theory is the introduction of a new conditional. The truth predicate of Field’s theory obeys the Intersubstitutivity Principle, which says that the substitution of A with T (‘A ’), or the converse, in any extensional context does not alter semantic value. 1 Field argues that his theory has many virtues, such as validating all of the T-sentences, sentences of the form T (‘A ’)$A: One particular virtue for which he argues is that his theory is more satisfactory than any other approach with respect to so-called truth-preservation claims, conditionals which say that if the premises of a rule are true, then the conclusion is true. Other theories must deny, in the sense of assert the negation of, a truth-preservation claim for some rule the theory endorses, but, Field claims, his approach does not. Rather, Field’s approach fails to 1 Here ‘A’ is a quotation name of the sentence A. I will explain quotation names inx1. For more on quotation names in the study of truth, see Gupta (1982), Belnap (1982), and Kremer (1988).
Maximizing the functional lifetime of sensor networks

The functional lifetime of a sensor network is defined as the maximum number of times a certain data collection function or task can be carried out without any node running out of energy. The specific task considered in this paper is that of communicating a specified quantity of information from each sensor to a collector node. The problem of finding the communication scheme which maximizes functional lifetime can be formulated as a linear program, under "fluid-like" assumptions on information bits. This paper focuses on analytically solving the linear program for some simple regular network topologies. The two topologies considered are a regular linear array, and a regular two-dimensional network. In the linear case, an upper bound on functional lifetime is derived, as a function of the initial energies and quantities of data held by the sensors. Under some assumptions on the relative amounts of the energies and data, this upper bound is shown to be achievable, and the exact form of the optimal communication strategy is derived. For the regular planar network, upper and lower bounds on functional lifetime, differing only by a constant factor, are obtained. Finally, it is shown that the simple collection scheme of transmitting only to nearest neighbors, yields a nearly optimal lifetime in a scaling sense.
The Uniformity of Surface Passivation After (NH 4 ) 2 S Treatment Studied by Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy

We have achieved spatially resolved room temperature photoluminescence (PL) from MOVPE GaAs (001) surfaces by Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM). The PL intensity variation was related to the change of surface state density. Using this technique, the uniformity of surface passivation after (NH4)2S treatment has been studied. We have performed the topography, reflection and PL measurements by NSOM as well as the topography measurements by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) on the as grown, etched and sulfur passivated GaAs samples. The uniformity of GaAs with a thin Al0.65Ga0.35As cap layer has also been studied and compared with the (NH4)2S treatment. We found the sub-micron scale variations in PL intensity which were not correlated to the topographic features. Theoretical modeling has been used to obtain semi-quantitative analysis of the experimental results.
Wood—A Reliable Engineering Material

The reliability of wood as an engineering material depends on sound information and enlightened usage. Efficient structural design must recognize wood's unique structural properties and use them correctly. The way in which results of standard tests on wood arc transformed into safe working stresses for structural design is summarized, and the factor of safety is considered. Reference is made to the structural grading of wood, emphasizing the importance of variability, and how this is accounted for in both visual and machining grading. In designing with wood, the designer needs to know about such inherent properties as strength with or across the grain, and about the place of fastenings. Structural reliability of wood depends on sound construction standards and discriminating use.
Thruster evaluation in the MadHex helicon source

Summary form only given. The MadHex experimental thruster consists of a 150 cm long, 10 cm inner diameter Pyrex tube connected to a stainless steel expansion chamber 60 cm long and 45 cm in diameter (expansion ratio RE = 4.5) with an axial magnetic field, variable up to 1 kG at the source region that can be operated in nozzle or flat field configurations. An 18 cm long, 12 cm diameter half-turn double-helix antenna is used to excite helicon waves in the source. Ion beams of have been observed at RF power levels of 100-1,000 W in a flowing argon helicon plasma formed in the expanding region of the MadHex helicon source using a magnetic nozzle (RM = 1.44). The effect of flow rate/pressure, RF power and magnetic field strength dependence on the ion beam acceleration, plasma potential, electron density and temperature are explored. The ion energy distribution function (IEDF) is obtained by a two-grid Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA). The plasma potential is determined by a floating emissive probe. The electron and ion beam distributions and plasma potential variation correspond to a plasma double layer. Additionally, the axial ion velocities and temperatures are observed via argon 668 nm Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) and density via a mm wave interferometer at higher RF power levels. The results of fast and slow argon ion beams at lower flow rates (~1.3-2 sccm) with different RF powers are reported in the transition between Pyrex and expanding exhaust regions. The variation of the IEDF in the expansion chamber is also confirmed with RPA results. The specific impulse, Isp(s), force/watt (mN/kW) and efficiency of the thruster will be discussed for the range of RF power, flow rate and magnetic field examined utilizing collisionless plasma theoretical models.
What Does the Reasonable Man Believe

The “reasonable man” standard pervades the field of criminal procedure. The centrality of that standard has led many to ask, “Who is the reasonable man?” This Article begins with slightly a different question: What does this man, whom we expect to act reasonably, believe? What are his values and his preconceptions? Whether someone acts reasonably in a given situation, after all, is at least somewhat dependent upon his pre-existing view of the world. This article suggests that in any case there are at least three possible ways to describe the reasonable man’s values: (1) subjective, based upon what the defendant himself believed; (2) objective and average, based upon what the average person in the community would believe; and (3) objective and aspirational, based not upon what the average person does believe but upon what the court thinks the average person should believe. The Supreme Court’s cases suggest the court believes the right standard is (3), and commentators who have addressed those cases have spilt much ink debating the relative merits of (1) and (3), as well as considering exactly what (3) means. Few have considered the differences between (2) and (3), a difference the growing body of empirical evidence about how the average person thinks highlights.After elaborating upon these three types, this Article considers the relative merits of a reasonable man who believes (2) and one who believes (3). As it becomes clearer that courts are expecting a level of honor and morality from citizens that few possess or display, having a frank discussion about what the reasonable man believes becomes increasingly necessary in order to maintain a jurisprudence of criminal procedure that is transparent and workable.
Giraphx: parallel yet serializable large-scale graph processing

Bulk Synchronous Parallelism (BSP) provides a good model for parallel processing of many large-scale graph applications, however it is unsuitable/inefficient for graph applications that require coordination, such as graph-coloring, subcoloring, and clustering. To address this problem, we present an efficient modification to the BSP model to implement serializability (sequential consistency) without reducing the highly-parallel nature of BSP. Our modification bypasses the message queues in BSP and reads directly from the worker's memory for the internal vertex executions. To ensure serializability, coordination is performed--implemented via dining philosophers or token ring-- only for border vertices partitioned across workers. We implement our modifications to BSP on Giraph, an open-source clone of Google's Pregel. We show through a graph-coloring application that our modified framework, Giraphx, provides much better performance than implementing the application using dining-philosophers over Giraph. In fact, Giraphx outperforms Giraph even for embarrassingly parallel applications that do not require coordination, e.g., PageRank.