cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grit, self-efficacy, achievement orientation goals, and academic performance in University students

The current study investigated the relationships between grit, self-efficacy, achievement orientation goals, and academic performance in parallel and serial mediation models. University student par...
Headteachers in Catholic schools in England: contemporary challenges. A follow-up research study: part 1

Headteachers of Catholic schools in England in the early twenty-first century are facing unprecedented challenges in exercising their role. In addition to concerns about funding and recruitment, le...
Mission possible: redefining a successful biomedical research career.

As scientists, we develop technical expertise and design experiments to support (or refute) our hypotheses. With experience, we appreciate that science can be conducted in a variety of ways — each with different key questions. All are critical for advancing biomedical research.
Examining Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Planning for Culturally Relevant Disciplinary Literacy:

This qualitative multiple case study examined four preservice teachers’ planning and perceptions of planning for culturally and socially relevant disciplinary literacy instruction in secondary disc...
Robots Are Moral Actors: Unpacking Current Moral HRI Research Through a Moral Foundations Lens

Even with the increasing frequency of robot experiences in our daily lives, relatively little research has been done to explore the moral implications of these human-robot interactions (HRI). Of the existing moral HRI research, much of it assumes a moral dimension without clearly defining what moral framework is being applied. To research such a framework, it is crucial to evaluate current research for a communicable moral framework, that is also in dialogue with key moral frameworks in social science spaces. This work uses a narrative literature review to analyze moral HRI research through the lens of the Moral Foundations Theory. The analysis will situate moral HRI work in the seminal moral theory within social science spaces and show where current gaps in HRI research might exist. Evaluating research through the lens of the moral foundations theory framework will strengthen the existence of a ‘Moral HRI’ field that is related but distinct from general HRI.
Electrical synapses and transient signals in feedforward canonical circuits

Abstract As information about the world traverses the brain, the signals exchanged between neurons are passed and modulated by synapses, or specialized contacts between neurons. While neurotransmitter-based synapses tend to be either relay excitatory or inhibitory pulses of influence on the postsynaptic neuron, electrical synapses, composed of plaques of gap junction channels, are always-on transmitters that can either excite or inhibit a coupled neighbor. A growing body of evidence indicates that electrical synapses, similar to their chemical counterparts, are modified in strength during physiological neuronal activity. The synchronizing role of electrical synapses in neuronal oscillations has been well established, but their impact on transient signal processing in the brain is much less understood. Here we constructed computational models based on the canonical feedforward neuronal circuit, and included electrical synapses between inhibitory interneurons. We provided discrete closely-timed inputs to the circuits, and characterize the influence of electrical synapses on both the subthreshold summation and spike trains in the output neuron. Our simulations highlight the diverse and powerful roles that electrical synapses play even in simple circuits. Because these canonical circuits are represented widely throughout the brain, we expect that these are general principles for the influence of electrical synapses on transient signal processing across the brain. Author Summary The role that electrical synapses play in neural oscillations, network synchronization and rhythmicity is well established, but their role neuronal processing of transient inputs is much less understood. Here we used computational models of canonical feedforward circuits and networks to investigate how the strength of electrical synapses regulates the flow of transient signals passing through those circuits. We show that because the influence of electrical synapses on coupled neighbors can be either inhibitory or excitatory, their role in network information processing is heterogeneous.. Because of the widespread existence of electrical synapses between interneurons as well as a growing body of evidence for their plasticity, we expect such effects play a significant role in how the brain processes transient inputs.
The Role of Siglec-G on Immune Cells in Sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening clinical syndrome that results from an overwhelming immune response to infection. During sepsis, immune cells are activated by sensing pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) through pattern recognizing receptors (PRRs). Regulation of the immune response is essential to preventing or managing sepsis. Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin-G (Siglec-G), a CD33 group of Siglec expressed in B-1a cells and other hematopoietic cells, plays an important immunoregulatory role. B-1a cells, a subtype of B lymphocytes, spontaneously produce natural IgM which confers protection against infection. B-1a cells also produce IL-10, GM-CSF, and IL-35 to control inflammation. Sialic acids are present on cell membranes, receptors, and glycoproteins. Siglec-G binds to the sialic acid residues on the B cell receptor (BCR) and controls BCR-mediated signal transduction, thereby maintaining homeostasis of Ca++ influx and NFATc1 expression. Siglec-G inhibits NF-κB activation in B-1a cells and regulates B-1a cell proliferation. In myeloid cells, Siglec-G inhibits DAMP-mediated inflammation by forming a ternary complex with DAMP and CD24. Thus, preserving Siglec-G’s function could be a novel therapeutic approach in sepsis. Here, we review the immunoregulatory functions of Siglec-G in B-1a cells and myeloid cells in sepsis. A clear understanding of Siglec-G is important to developing novel therapeutics in treating sepsis.
Adjacent vs. separated placement of preposition and noun as a factor in noun inflection: The cases of Bosnian- Croatian-Serbian pazuho ‘armpit’

The alternations k~c, g~z, and x~s occurring before i in Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian (BCS) noun declension stem from the Second Palatalization of Velars, but are no longer phonologically conditioned. In the dative-locative singular of nouns with nominative in -a, they are favored or hindered by a combination of morphological criteria. In the dative-instrumental-locative plural of masculine nouns, they are almost exceptionless. In the same three cases of neuter nouns they occur more when the noun is directly after a preposition, less when other words intervene between the preposition and the noun, a phenomenon that has not previously been remarked in the literature. We exemplify it with the noun pazuho ‘armpit’.
Examining differences between mass, multiple, and single-victim homicides to inform prevention: findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System.

Background Multi-victim homicides are a persistent public health problem confronting the United States. Previous research shows that homicide rates in the U.S. are approximately seven times higher than those of other high-income countries, driven by firearm homicide rates that are 25 times higher; 31% of public mass shootings in the world also occur in the U.S.. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the characteristics of mass, multiple, and single homicides to help identify prevention points that may lead to a reduction in different types of homicides. Methods We used all available years (2003-2017) and U.S. states/jurisdictions (35 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) included in CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), a public health surveillance system which combines death certificate, coroner/medical examiner, and law enforcement reports into victim- and incident-level data on violent deaths. NVDRS includes up to 600 standard variables per incident; further information on types of mental illness among suspected perpetrators and incident resolution was qualitatively coded from case narratives. Data regarding number of persons nonfatally shot within incidents were cross-validated when possible with several other resources, including government reports and the Gun Violence Archive. Mass homicides (4+ victims), multiple homicides (2-3 victims) and single homicides were analyzed to assess group differences using Chi-square tests with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc comparisons. Results Mass homicides more often had female, child, and non-Hispanic white victims than other homicide types. Compared with victims of other homicide types, victims of mass homicides were more often killed by strangers or someone else they did not know well, or by family members. More than a third were related to intimate partner violence. Approximately one-third of mass homicide perpetrators had suicidal thoughts/behaviors noted in the time leading up to the incident. Multi-victim homicides were more often perpetrated with semi-automatic firearms than single homicides. When accounting for nonfatally shot victims, over 4 times as many incidents could have resulted in mass homicide. Conclusions These findings underscore the important interconnections among multiple forms of violence. Primary prevention strategies addressing shared risk and protective factors are key to reducing these incidents.
Parental Policy in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Programs Is Necessary but Not Available: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents' Attitudes Toward Parental Leave.

Purpose Guidelines regarding parental leave in oral and maxillofacial surgery do not exist. This inconsistency may contribute to gender disparities and an increase in resident burnout. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions and attitudes of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents toward parental leave. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which an anonymous 26-item questionnaire was electronically mailed to all current oral and maxillofacial surgery residents in the United States during August 2020. The survey consisted of 5 sections: 1) resident information, 2) residency program information, 3) parental policy information, 4) attitudes regarding parental leave, and 5) attitudes regarding early parenthood. Results Surveys were sent to 860 oral and maxillofacial surgery residents; 220 completed the questionnaire (25.6%). Majority of respondents were male between the ages of 26 and 30. Half of the respondents did not know whether their oral and maxillofacial surgery program had a formal parental leave policy. Almost a third of residents reported that their program did not have a policy regarding parental leave. Only some programs had a policy regarding parental leave. Most programs allotted 2 days to 2 weeks for parental leave. Parenthood did not prevent pursuit of fellowship training. The majority of co-residents indicated that parenthood had a neutral impact on the performance of their colleagues. Lactation facilities and/or childcare services were not present in all programs. Conclusions Most oral and maxillofacial surgery residents support parental leave despite the lack of a formal policy in their residency program. Residents who had a child during residency received up to 2 weeks as parental leave. Residents felt that their programs were supportive of parental leave. Parenthood did not prevent the pursuit of fellowship training.
Array measurements of P velocities in the lower mantle

The extended array at the Tonto Forest Seismological Observatory in central Arizona has been used to measure dT/dΔ of direct P waves from 212 earthquakes in the distance range between 30 and 100°, and these data have been inverted to obtain a velocity model for the lower mantle. Travel times calculated for this model are in good agreement with empirical travel times. The dT/dΔ data from different azimuths and from different focal depths are all in reasonably good agreement with the exception of anomalously large values from earthquakes on the mid-Atlantic ridge. The effect of the core on the measured values of dT/dΔ at distances greater than 90° is shown to be significant, and a correction is made for this effect. A curve fit to the dT/dΔ data contains anomalous regions near the epicentral distances of 34.5, 40.5, 49.5, 59.5, 70.5, and 81.5° which may correspond to increased velocity gradients near the depths of 830, 1000, 1230, 1540, 1910, and 2370 km. PcP times were used to estimate a core radius of 3481 km.
Solvothermal depolymerization and recrystallization of imine-linked two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks

Mechanistic understanding into the formation and growth of imine-linked two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is needed to improve their materials quality and access larger crystallite sizes, both of which limit the promise of 2D COFs and 2D polymerization techniques. Here we report a previously unknown temperature-dependent depolymerization of colloidal 2D imine-linked COFs, which offers a new means to improve their crystallinity. 2D COF colloids form at room temperature but then depolymerize when their reaction mixtures are heated to 90 °C. As the solutions are cooled back to room temperature, the 2D COFs repolymerize and crystallize with improved crystallinity and porosity, as characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and N2 porosimetry. The evolution of COF crystallinity during the solvothermal depolymerization and repolymerization processes was characterized by in situ wide angle X-ray scattering, and the concentrations of free COF monomers as a function of temperature were quantified by variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. The ability of a 2D COF to depolymerize under these conditions depends on both the identity of the COF and its initial materials quality. For one network formed at room temperature (TAPB-PDA COF), a first depolymerization process is nearly complete, and the repolymerization yields materials with dramatically enhanced crystallinity and surface area. Already recrystallized materials partially depolymerize upon heating their reaction mixtures a second time. A related 2D COF (TAPB-DMTA COF) forms initially with improved crystallinity compared to TAPB-PDA COF and then partially depolymerizes upon heating. These results suggest that both high materials quality and network-dependent properties, such as interlayer interaction strength, influence the extent to which 2D COFs resist depolymerization. These findings offer a new means to recrystallize or solvent anneal 2D COFs and may ultimately inform crystallization conditions for obtaining large-area imine-linked two-dimensional polymers from solution.
hnRNPH1, A differentially expressed African American prostate cancer gene induces mitogenic response via a ligand-independent activation of androgen receptor

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4173 Introduction and Objective: The causes of high incidence and mortality of prostate cancer (CaP) in African Americans (AA) as opposed to Caucasians (CS) and other ethnic groups are not well understood. We hypothesized that certain gene(s) are crucial for such ethnic disparity of CaP. Using laser capture-microdissected (LCM), suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) and custom array chips in tandem(SSH) on age-matched (55–60 years) and tumor grade-matched (Gleason score 6) flash-frozen specimens, we identified for the first time differential expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribnucleoprotein H1 (hnRNPH1) in 90% of tumor specimens of AA in comparison to CS patients. This study characterizes the functional significance of hnRNPH-1 in progression of CaP using AA-derived (MDA-PCa-2b), and CS-derived (PC-3) CaP cells. Methods: We employed quantitative RT-PCR (QtPCR) and immunocytochemical analysis (ICA) to measure the constitutive expression level and identify localization of hnRNPH1 in PC-3 and MDA-PCa-2b cells. The growth stimulatory effect of hnRNPH1 in both cell lines was assessed using siRNA silencing and overexpression strategies AA and CS patients. The ability of hnRNPH1 to activate androgen receptor (AR) was examined in presence or absence of the androgen (R1881) using luciferase reporter assays. Results: As opposed to CS-derived PC-3 cells, QtPCR analysis revealed a 7-fold increase in the basal level of hnRNPH1 in the AA-derived MDA-PCa-2b cells hnRNPH1 protein in MDA-PCa-2b cells was primarily localized in the nucleus as determined by ICA. Furthermore, siRNA silencing of hnRNPH1 resulted growth arrest of MDA-PCa-2b cells, but not PC-3 cells. In contrast, overexpression of hnRNPH1 stimulated a mitogenic response in CaP cells. Based on luciferase reporter assays, hnRNPH-1 overexpression caused significant transactivation of the AR in a ligand-independent manner. Conclusions: We here report for the first time the differential expression of hnRNPH1 gene in AA prostate cancer. We further demonstrate that hnRNPH1 is localized to the nucleus and is critical for stimulation of growth of AA-derived, but not CS-derived, CaP cells. Our study implicates a role for hnRNPH1 in AA prostate cancer progression and provides a new frontier for identifying relevant preventive and/or therapeutic targets for CaP in AA patients.
A linear, highly-efficient, class-J handset power amplifier utilizing GaAs HBT technology

This paper reports design techniques for a linear handset PA with high efficiency, representing a novel solution for the converged PA module architecture, allowing it to achieve a better performance than the hybrid architecture while reducing the cost and size. The techniques enable a single PA to operate in multiple modes (2G/GSM, 2.5G/EDGE, 3G/W-CDMA and 4G/LTE) with no reconfiguration, combining the operation of at least two PAs from the hybrid architecture (one for 2G/2.5G and another for 3G/4G). The solution applies class-J, to achieve higher efficiency and maintain linearity at the linear modes (2.5G/EDGE, 3G/W-CDMA and 4G/LTE), integrated with the utilization of GaAs HBT technology to allow more linearity enhancements. This work introduces the first application of class-J using GaAs HBT in a handset PA.
Experimental ligamentous relaxation in the guinea pig pelvis

Abstract Castrated adult female guinea pigs were artificially brought into estrum with theelin and then injected with serum obtained from women in various stages of pregnancy. In about 75 per cent of the cases, the animals injected with serum obtained from women in the early months of pregnancy developed perceptible relaxation of the symphysis pubis. As pregnancy progressed, the proportion of animals reacting positively to the test grew smaller. Serum from women in the last three months of pregnancy produced positive reactions only in 5.7 per cent of the animals. We don not feel that this test alone offers a reliable means of determining pregnancy in woman.
A synthetic peptide containing the IKVAV sequence from the A chain of laminin mediates cell attachment, migration, and neurite outgrowth.

Laminin is a basement membrane glycoprotein which consists of A, Bl, and B2 chains. Laminin has diverse biological activities including promoting cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, growth, and neurite extension. Synthetic peptides from the active region of the A chain were prepared and tested for their biological activity. A 19-mer peptide (designated PA22–2), from just above the carboxyl globule on the long arm of the A chain, was found to promote cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and neurite outgrowth. By testing smaller sequences within the 19-mer peptide, a constituent pentapeptide, IKVAV (Ile-Lys-Val-Ala-Val), was identified as the active site for cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth. These data suggest that this sequence is one of the principle sites in laminin which regulate cellular behavior.
Coronary plaque imaging using PET-MR

1672 Objectives Cardiac and respiratory motions make PET detection of coronary plaque extremely challenging. Fat surrounding coronary arteries makes it highly advantageous to use MRI to track fat and plaque motion. We assess the feasibility of coronary plaque imaging using fat MR-based motion correction in simultaneous PET-MR. Methods Cardiac MR of a CAD subject was acquired using a turbo field echo sequence with fat-water separation and respiratory/cardiac gating. Two 2.5x2.5x3mm plaques were digitally inserted within coronary vessels in the fat volume. Respiratory and cardiac motion fields corresponding to 6 and 8 phases, respectively, were generated using the XCAT torso phantom and used to obtain patient water/fat MR volumes in all 48 gates. The original MR volume was transformed into tissue activity maps (myocardium:blood=2:1) and inserted into XCAT for PET Monte Carlo simulations using GATE and the WB Siemens mMR geometry. Sixteen noise realizations of lesion-absent (1:1) as well as 3 plaque-to-blood activity ratios (PBR) of 10, 15 and 25:1 were simulated for all 48 cardio-respiratory phases. Cardio-respiratory vessel motion fields were obtained using non-rigid registration of transformed fat MR volumes and incorporated into the PET system matrix for iterative reconstruction along with motion-dependent attenuation maps. Reconstruction was performed with (MC) and w/o motion correction (nMC). Channelized-Hotelling observer (CHO) SNR was used to objectively quantify plaque detectability. Results Fat MR-based MC yielded PBR>1.2, which is the marginal lesion visual detectability threshold in our study. Compared to nMC, MC significantly improved plaque-to-blood contrast by 76-79%, 84-98% and 87-159% for PBR of 10, 15 and 25, respectively (p Conclusions Fat MR-based motion correction greatly improves plaque contrast and detectability and has great potential for coronary plaque imaging using simultaneous PET-MR. Research Support R21-EB012326, R01-CA165221
D-MEKK1, the Drosophila orthologue of mammalian MEKK4/MTK1, and Hemipterous /D-MKK7 mediate the activation of D-JNK by cadmium and arsenite in Schneider cells

The family of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK) plays important roles in embryonic development and in cellular responses to stress. Toxic metals and their compounds are potent activators of JNK in mammalian cells. The mechanism of mammalian JNK activation by cadmium and sodium arsenite involves toxicant-induced oxidative stress. The study of mammalian signaling pathways to JNK is complicated by the significant degree of redundancy among upstream JNK regulators, especially at the level of JNK kinase kinases (JNKKK). Using Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells, we demonstrate here that cadmium and arsenite activate Drosophila JNK (D-JNK) via oxidative stress as well, thus providing a simpler model system to study JNK signaling. To elucidate the signaling pathways that lead to activation of D-JNK in response to cadmium or arsenite, we employed RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down thirteen upstream regulators of D-JNK, either singly or in combinations of up to seven at a time. D-MEKK1, the fly orthologue of mammalian MEKK4/MTK1, and Hemipterous/D-MKK7 mediates the activation of D-JNK by cadmium and arsenite.
Carbamazepine-induced leukocytosis

An apparent case of carbamazepine-induced leukocytosis in a 26-year-old woman is presented. When admitted for psychiatric evaluation, the patient had been receiving carbamazepine for seizures for some time. A hemogram revealed a white blood cell (WBC) count of 21.2 x 10(3)/cu mm. Five days after the patient's medication was changed from carbamazepine (600 mg/day) to phenytoin (400 mg/day) and phenobarbital (120 mg/day), her WBC count was within normal range. When she experienced dizziness and ataxia, the phenytoin and phenobarbital were replaced with carbamazepine (600 mg/day). WBC counts performed 11 and 13 days after resumption of carbamazepine therapy again were significantly elevated. Other drugs administered during hospitalization included chlorpromazine, acetaminophen, and codeine. The possible causes of and pathophysiology of leukocytosis are reviewed. The changes in WBC that occurred with the rechallenge of carbamazepine indicate that the drug was the probable cause of the leukocytosis.
Demographic network and multi-season occupancy modeling of Rana sylvatica reveal spatial and temporal patterns of population connectivity and persistence

Many populations are spatially structured with frequent extinction–colonization events. A clear understanding of these processes is necessary for making informed and effective management decisions. Due to the spatially and temporally dynamic nature of many systems, population connectivity and local extinction–colonization processes can be difficult to assess, but graph theoretic and occupancy modeling approaches are increasingly being utilized to answer such vital ecological questions. In our study, we used 6 years of egg mass counts from 34 ponds for Rana sylvatica to parameterize spatially explicit demographic network models. Our models revealed that the studied populations have spatial structure with strong source–sink dynamics. We also assessed the colonization and persistence probability of each pond using multi-season occupancy modeling. We observed extreme fluctuation in reproductive effort among years, resulting in variable levels of connectivity across the landscape. Pond colonization and persistence were most influenced by local population dynamics, but colonization was also affected by precipitation. Our demographic network model had moderate ability to predict reproductive effort, but accuracy was hindered by variation in annual precipitation. Source populations had higher colonization and persistence rates as well as a greater proportion of ravine habitat within 1,000 m than sink populations. By linking a spatially explicit connectivity model with a temporal occupancy/persistence model, we provide a framework for interpreting patterns of occupancy and dispersal that can serve as an initial guide for future habitat management and restoration.
Children's physiological indices of empathy and their socioemotional adjustment: does caregivers' expressivity matter?

Relations of heart rate and skin conductance reactions to mildly evocative empathy-inducing slides with socioemotional functioning were examined for 154 children (mean age = 9 years, 5 months). In addition, maternal expressivity was tested as a moderator of these relations. Parents and teachers rated children's socioemotional functioning, and a behavioral measure of children's regulation was obtained. Boys who exhibited higher skin conductance and higher heart rate to slides depicting negative emotions were better regulated, less emotionally intense, and better adjusted than their peers. Furthermore, boys' regulation and adjustment were positively related to such physiological responding to negative slides if maternal negative expressivity was relatively low or moderate, but not high. Fewer findings were obtained for girls or for positive slides.
Calculation of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism in Gd.

An approximate theory for x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) is presented for the special case of half-filled shells, e.g., Gd. The ${\mathit{L}}_{2}$ and ${\mathit{L}}_{3}$ XMCD structure arises primarily from the exchange interaction of the photoelectron and provides a test of various exchange models. The XMCD signal can be interpreted in terms of an effective magnetic scattering amplitude that depends on the spin of the absorber and of the scattering atoms. Ab initio curved-wave multiple-scattering calculations for the ${\mathit{L}}_{2}$ and ${\mathit{L}}_{3}$ edges of Gd are found to be in satisfactory agreement with experiment.
Suppression of human tumor cell proliferation by Smurf2-induced senescence

The limitation of proliferative potential in human somatic cells imposed by replicative senescence has been proposed as a mechanism of tumor suppression. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 is up-regulated during replicative senescence in response to telomere shortening, and induces senescence when expressed adventitiously in early passage or telomerase-immortalized human fibroblasts. To investigate the generality of Smurf2's control of cell proliferation, we have studied the effects of Smurf2 up-regulation on cell proliferation in early passage human mammary epithelial cells which normally do not show elevated expression of Smurf2 during senescence, and in 16 human cancer cell lines derived from both sarcomas and carcinomas. Here we report that Smurf2 up-regulation induced senescence in a wide variety of human cell types, including highly neoplastic cell lines. Consistent with our previous findings, the ability of Smurf2 to arrest cell proliferation did not require its ubiquitin ligase activity. Furthermore, expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 was increased in tumor cells undergoing Smurf2-induced senescence, and such increase occurred independently of the transactivation function of p53. Our results, which reveal a previously unsuspected tumor suppression function for Smurf2-induced senescence, suggest that modulation of Smurf2 action may be a useful strategy for inhibition of cancer cell growth.
Pulse shape discrimination using EJ-299-33 plastic scintillator coupled with a Silicon Photomultiplier array

Abstract Recent developments in organic plastic scintillators capable of pulse shape discrimination (PSD) have gained much interest. Novel photon detectors, such as Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs), offer numerous advantages and can be used as an alternative to conventional photo multiplier tubes (PMTs) in many applications. In this work, we evaluate the PSD performance of the EJ-299-33 plastic scintillator coupled with a SiPM array. 2D PSD plots as well as the Figure of Merit (FOM) parameters are presented to demonstrate the PSD capability of EJ-299-33 using a SiPM as the light sensor. The best FOM of 0.76 was observed with a 1.0 MeVee (MeV-electron-equivalent) energy threshold, despite the high noise level of the SiPM array. A high-speed digital oscilloscope was used to acquire data, which was then processed offline in MATLAB. A performance comparison between two different PSD algorithms was carried out. The dependence of PSD quality on the sampling rate was also evaluated, stimulated by the interest to implement this setup for handheld applications where power consumption is crucial.
Structure of Salted and Discharged Globules of Hydrophobic Polyelectrolytes Adsorbed from Aqueous Solutions

In this article, we compare structures of protonated poly(2-vinylpyridine) globules (2D compact coils on the surface) adsorbed on the mica surface from aqueous solution when the shrinking is brought about either by discharging the molecules at an elevated pH or by adding monovalent and polyvalent salts. We study the structure of the PE coils using in situ atomic force microscopy experiments in aqueous solutions in a liquid cell. The abrupt coil-to-globule transition caused by pH changes and the discharge of polymer chains resulted in compact globules. If the pH corresponding to extended coil conformation remains unchanged, the coil shrinks due to the added salt. The size of the globule in the latter case corresponds to the unperturbed dimension of the polymer coil. There is no essential difference in the dimensions of the globules as obtained in the presence of monovalent and multivalent counterions for the studied ionic strength. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1623–1627, 2010
Restoration and recognition of distant, blurry irises

Raw iris images collected outdoors at standoff distances exceeding 25 m are susceptible to noise and atmospheric blur and even under ideal imaging conditions are too degraded to carry out recognition with high accuracy. Traditionally, atmospherically distorted images have been corrected through the use of unique hardware components such as adaptive optics. Here we apply a pure digital image restoration approach to correct for optical aberrations. Image restoration was applied to both single images and image sequences. We propose both a single-frame denoising and deblurring approach, and a multiframe fusion and deblurring approach. To compare performance of the proposed methods, iris recognitions were carried out using the approach of Daugman. Hamming distances (HDs) of computed binary iris codes were measured before and after the restoration. We found the HD decreased from >0.46 prior to a mean value of <0.39 for random single images. The multiframe fusion approach produced the most robust restoration and achieved a mean HD for all subjects in our data set of 0.33 while known false matches remained at 0.44. These results show that, when used properly, image restoration approaches do significantly increase recognition performance for known true positives with low increase in false positive detections, and irises can be recognized in turbulent atmospheric conditions.
Accumulation of resident and peripheral dendritic cells in the aging CNS

Dendritic cells (DC) are specialized antigen-presenting cells, responsible for peripheral immune responses. Recently, resident brain dendritic cells (bDC) were identified and functionally characterized in the young adult Itgax (CD11c) EYFP+ transgenic mouse brain. In the present study, we describe changes in number, phenotype, and source of bDC in the aging mouse brain. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis revealed an age-related increase in bDC with a concomitant rise in the expression of immune activation markers MHCII, CD80, and CD86. Quantification of immunolabeled bDC in the cortex, corpus callosum, and cerebellum of the aged brain revealed a 2- to 5-fold increase. In contrast, either no change or a decrease in bDC was noted in regions of adult neurogenesis. Chimeras (wild type host/EYFP+ bone marrow) suggest that the increase of EYFP+ cells in the aging brain is in part due to an accumulation of peripherally derived cells. Collectively, the numerical and phenotypic changes in bDC indicate these cells may serve as an important immune component in the functional and anatomic alterations associated with aging.
Digital Video Encryption Algorithms Based on Correlation-Preserving Permutations

A novel encryption model for digital videos is presented. The model relies on the encryption-compression duality of certain types of permutations acting on video frames. In essence, the proposed encryption process preserves the spatial correlation and, as such, can be applied prior to the compression stage of a spatial-only video encoder. Several algorithmic modes of the proposed model targeted for different application requirements are presented and analyzed in terms of security and performance. Experimental results are generated for a number of standard benchmark sequences showing that the proposed method, in addition to providing confidentiality, preserves or improves the compression ratio.
Acute Renal Failure: Unusual complication of Epstein-Barr Virus—Induced Infectious Mononucleosis

A 17-year-old boy with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis presented with jaundice, confusion, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure secondary to titer-confirmed acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Renal biopsy specimen revealed interstitial nephritis with an inflammatory infiltrate composed of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, and interstitial mononuclear cell nuclei expressed EBV encoded RNA-1 (EBER-1) mRNA. Methylprednisolone treatment resulted in rapid improvement.
Mapping the rectum: Spatial analysis of transanal endoscopic microsurgical outcomes using GIS technology

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a technically challenging procedure hindered by rectal anatomic constraints. To study the relationship of lesion position with performance of TEM, a novel approach of spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was developed. A retrospective review was conducted on 144 consecutive TEMs, analyzing clinical, pathologic, and positional characteristics. Two- and three-dimensional maps of rectal topology were developed. GIS was used for spatial analysis, accounting for regional position and clustering of lesions. Lesions were located at a mean distance of 9.3 ± 4.9 (SD) cm from the dentate line, with an average size of 3.1 ± 1.4 cm. Proximal regions were associated with prolonged operative time. Regions between the rectosigmoid junction and the peritoneal reflection were associated with peritoneal breach. In spatial regression analysis, regional characteristics that were significantly associated with operative time included distance, presence of cancers, and positive margins; peritoneal breach was significantly associated with lesion size and location; conversions were associated with distance (P < 0.05). Specific knowledge of lesion size and location in the context of anatomic relationships is important for optimizing operative intervention. GIS provides a valuable tool in organizing spatial information and can be extended into clinical research topics involving the distinction of anatomic relationships.
Addressing flood insurance affordability

The U.S. National Flood Insurance Program should address affordability, but not through discounted premiums, argue two researchers in the inaugural issue of Journal of Extreme Events.
Biochemical changes in the larvae of the variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia, after infection with a nuclear-polyhedrosis virus

Abstract Nuclear-polyhedrosis-virus infection causes a decrease in total solids contents of the hemolymph of larvae of the variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia. This decrease is partially caused by a decrease in hemolymph protein concentration and in free amino acids during the disease. An increase was found in the concentration of certain keto acids after infection. Nuclear polyhedrosis also causes an increase in transaminase activity in the fat body and in the intact organism. The amino-acid composition of the combined inclusion-body and virus-particle proteins was determined and found to be very similar to that reported in the literature by other workers.
Characterization of properly efficient solutions by generalized scalarization methods

A general class of scalarization methods for multiple-objective optimization is presented. It is then shown how the optimal solutions characterize the properly efficient points.
On eliminating peak load auxiliary energy consumption in passive solar residences during winter

Abstract This paper uses simulation analysis with Albuquerque, NM and Madison, WI weather data to address the following four questions: o 1. Assuming a properly designed and controlled passive house, how does total electrical auxiliary energy consumption depend on the choice of peak load blackout periods? 2. What comfort penalties arise from properly coping with a variety of peak load blackout periods? 3. Where should off-peak energy be introduced into the thermal masses of the house? 4. What are the effects of imprecise information on short term future weather? Using a combination of linear programming and gradient techniques, the following conclusions are obtained: During the worst days of the heating season, passive solar houses built above ground use a substantial amount of peak backup energy even if they are well designed. Even relatively crude off-peak controls provide reasonable comfort provided the energy is introduced in thermal masses well coupled to the room [e.g. 0.05 m (2 inches) beneath the inside face of the Trombe wall or 0.05 m (2 inches) below the top of the slab floor]. Introducing off-peak energy in thermal masses poorly coupled to the room (e.g. deep in the floor slab) makes proper control very difficult without very accurate weather prediction. Reducing backup use to zero from 7 am to 10 pm requires a doubling of daily backup use in Albuquerque and Madison. Excluding backup for shorter periods (e.g. 5 pm to 9 pm ) requires an increase of about 25% in daily backup consumption. Even if off-peak energy is stored at points reasonably well coupled to the room, significant backup and comfort penalties are incurred with erroneous weather forecasts. Even in two adjacent days in Madison, reversing the weather patterns while maintaining the same off peak control strategies resulted in either wasting half the backup energy or severely under heating the house. The effects of faulty weather forecasts are more severe when poorly coupled storage sites are used.
The Interaction of Race/Ethnicity and Mental Health Problems on Visitation in State Correctional Facilities

This paper explores the relationship between mental health problems and visitation for prison inmates. Logistic regression analyses indicated that inmates with mental health problems have lower odds of visitation. Interaction effects indicated that visitation for Hispanic inmates differed depending upon whether inmates reported mental health problems. Hispanic males reporting a history of mental health problems had increased probabilities of visitation compared to Blacks and Whites. Hispanic females who reported symptoms of psychotic disorder had decreased probabilities of visitation compared to Blacks and Whites. Disparities in visitation by mental health status for Hispanic inmates are partly explained by cultural expectations and gender roles.
Development of species identification in ducklings. XI. Embryonic critical period for species-typical perception in the hatchling

In the embryonic stages prior to hatching, the contact-contentment call of the Peking duck (domesticated Anas platyrhynchos) is more highly variable (2–6 notes/s) than it is after hatching (4–6 notes/s). The embryos must be exposed to the normally wide range of repetition rates of their contact-contentment call (2, 4, 6 notes/s) if their preference for the species maternal call is to be normal at 24 h after hatching. Exposure of muted embryos to the higher (4, 6 notes/s) or lower (2, 4 notes/s) portions of the normal range was ineffective. Thus the normally highly variable nature of the embryo's vocalizations fits the requirements of its developing auditory system. An embryonic critical period was also demonstrated: when muted hatchlings were exposed to the rates typical of the postnatal period (4, 6 notes/s), or even the more widely variable rates of the embryonic period (2, 4, 6 notes/s), they failed to show a preference for the normal maternal call at 24 or 48 h after hatching. Thus the precise developmental linkage involves maturational stage as well as the representativeness of the stimulation.
Design-Based and Model-Based Inference in Surveys of Freshwater Mollusks

Well-known concepts in statistical inference and sampling theory are used to develop recommendations for planning and analyzing the results of quantitative surveys of freshwater mollusks. Two methods of inference commonly used in survey sampling (design-based and model-based) are described and illustrated using examples relevant in surveys of freshwater mollusks. The particular objectives of a survey and the type of information observed in each unit of sampling can be used to help select the sampling design and the method of inference. For example, the mean density of a sparsely distributed population of mollusks can be estimated with higher precision by using model-based inference or by using design-based inference with adaptive cluster sampling than by using design-based inference with conventional sampling. More experience with quantitative surveys of natural assemblages of freshwater mollusks is needed to determine the actual benefits of different sampling designs and inferential procedures.
Support of the endosperm balance number hypothesis utilizing some tuber-bearing Solanum species.

The normal development of the endosperm appears to depend on a ratio of two female genomes to one male genome in most angiosperms. However, successful crosses between some tuber-bearingSolarium species do not conform to this ratio. An endosperm balance number (EBN) hypothesis has been proposed to reconcile the two female genomes: one male genome ratio proposal and the anomalous crossing behavior of some species. Crosses performed to test the EBN hypothesis are reported in this paper. The results support the hypothesis and demonstrate its usefulness in predicting the success or failure of a cross and the ploidy of the offspring. A format for conducting and reporting crossing experiments is proposed that facilitates the comparison of results of different experiments.
A machine independent assembler course

The development over the years of a topical outline and course notes for a second course in Computer Science is described. The adaption of this courseware to several machines and several textbooks is chronicled. An experiment in using the material to teach a truly machine independent course in assembly programming and machine organization is described. Results of the successful experiment are presented. The newest course is related to the new A.C.M. Curriculum. Conclusions are drawn.
Effect of minor groove binding drugs on mammalian topoisomerase I activity.

Three minor groove binding drugs, distamycin A, bisbenzimide (Hoechst 33258) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), were examined for their abilities to modulate the activity of topoisomerase I purified from L1210 cells. At 0.5 and 1.0 microM, distamycin stimulated topoisomerase I relaxation of supercoiled DNA by 38 and 13%, respectively, while increasing the drug concentration above 2.0 microM resulted in inhibition. Inhibition was reversible. Complete relaxation could be achieved even in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of distamycin if the incubation time with topoisomerase I was increased from 7.5 to 120 min. The velocity of topoisomerase I mediated relaxation was reduced by 2 microM distamycin at DNA levels ranging from 350 to 2000 ng/reaction. Hoechst 33258 and DAPI inhibited topoisomerase I relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. Hoechst 33258 and distamycin were equivalent in their abilities to inhibit topoisomerase I, whereas DAPI had a lesser effect (e.g. relaxation was reduced by 50% with 2.7 microM distamycin and 2.8 microM Hoechst 33258 compared to 5 microM DAPI). This study suggests that ligand binding in the minor groove can be a factor in the regulation of topoisomerase I activity.
Release of tension-free vaginal tape for the treatment of refractory postoperative voiding dysfunction

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with surgical release of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) for the treatment of persistent post-TVT voiding dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 1175 women underwent TVT placement for treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence and/or intrinsic sphincter deficiency over a 2-year period. Additional procedures and vaginal repairs were performed as indicated. Among these patients, 23 women (1.9%) had persistent voiding dysfunction (urinary retention, incomplete bladder emptying, or severe urgency or urge incontinence) refractory to conservative management. This cohort underwent a simple vaginal TVT release procedure, performed on an outpatient basis. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative, and postoperative details were assessed by review of operative notes, medical records, and office notes. Continence status was assessed using subjective and objective information. RESULTS: Mean age was 67 years (range 46–86 years), and the mean interval between TVT placement and release was 17.3 weeks (range 2–69 weeks; median 8.6 weeks). For the release procedure, there were no intraoperative complications, and all patients were discharged on the day of surgery. All cases of impaired emptying were completely resolved, and all cases of irritative symptoms were resolved (30%) or improved (70%) by 6 weeks. Fourteen (61%) patients remained continent 6 weeks after the release procedure, six (26%) were improved over baseline, and three patients (13%) had recurrence of stress incontinence. CONCLUSION: Refractory voiding dysfunction after TVT is a relatively uncommon situation and can be successfully managed with a simple midline release procedure. In most cases, the release procedure does not compromise overall improvement in symptoms of stress incontinence.