cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nigral diffusivity, but not free water, correlates with iron content in Parkinson's disease.

The loss of melanized neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta is a primary feature in Parkinson’s disease. Iron deposition occurs in conjunction with this loss. Loss of nigral neurons should remove barriers for diffusion and increase diffusivity of water molecules in regions undergoing this loss. In metrics from single-compartment diffusion tensor imaging models, these changes should manifest as increases in mean diffusivity and reductions in fractional anisotropy as well as increases in the free water compartment in metrics derived from bi-compartment models. However, studies examining nigral diffusivity changes from Parkinson’s disease with single-compartment models have yielded inconclusive results and emerging evidence in control subjects indicates that iron corrupts diffusivity metrics derived from single-compartment models. We aimed to examine Parkinson’s disease-related changes in nigral iron and diffusion measures from single- and bi-compartment models as well as assess the effect of iron on these diffusion measures in two separate Parkinson’s cohorts. Iron-sensitive data and diffusion data were analysed in two cohorts: First, a discovery cohort consisting of 71 participants (32 control participants and 39 Parkinson’s disease participants) was examined. Second, an external validation cohort, obtained from the Parkinson’s Progression Marker’s Initiative, consisting of 110 participants (58 control participants and 52 Parkinson’s disease participants) was examined. The effect of iron on diffusion measures from single- and bi-compartment models was assessed in both cohorts. Measures sensitive to the free water compartment (discovery cohort: P = 0.006; external cohort: P = 0.01) and iron content (discovery cohort: P < 0.001; validation cohort: P = 0.02) were found to increase in substantia nigra of the Parkinson’s disease group in both cohorts. However, diffusion markers derived from the single-compartment model (i.e. mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy) were not replicated across cohorts. Correlations were seen between single-compartment diffusion measures and iron markers in the discovery cohort (iron-mean diffusivity: r = −0.400, P = 0.006) and validation cohort (iron-mean diffusivity: r = −0.387, P = 0.003) but no correlation was observed between a measure from the bi-compartment model related to the free water compartment and iron markers in either cohort. In conclusion, the variability of nigral diffusion metrics derived from the single-compartment model in Parkinson’s disease may be attributed to competing influences of increased iron content, which tends to drive diffusivity down, and increases in the free water compartment, which tends to drive diffusivity up. In contrast to diffusion metrics derived from the single-compartment model, no relationship was seen between iron and the free water compartment in substantia nigra.
Natural Language Understanding with Privacy-Preserving BERT

Privacy preservation remains a key challenge in data mining and Natural Language Understanding (NLU). Previous research shows that the input text or even text embeddings can leak private information. This concern motivates our research on effective privacy preservation approaches for pretrained Language Models (LMs). We investigate the privacy and utility implications of applying dχ-privacy, a variant of Local Differential Privacy, to BERT fine-tuning in NLU applications. More importantly, we further propose privacy-adaptive LM pretraining methods and show that our approach can boost the utility of BERT dramatically while retaining the same level of privacy protection. We also quantify the level of privacy preservation and provide guidance on privacy configuration. Our experiments and findings lay the groundwork for future explorations of privacy-preserving NLU with pretrained LMs.
SLOE: A Faster Method for Statistical Inference in High-Dimensional Logistic Regression

Logistic regression remains one of the most widely used tools in applied statistics, machine learning and data science. However, in moderately high-dimensional problems, where the number of features $d$ is a non-negligible fraction of the sample size $n$, the logistic regression maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), and statistical procedures based the large-sample approximation of its distribution, behave poorly. Recently, Sur and Candes (2019) showed that these issues can be corrected by applying a new approximation of the MLE's sampling distribution in this high-dimensional regime. Unfortunately, these corrections are difficult to implement in practice, because they require an estimate of the \emph{signal strength}, which is a function of the underlying parameters $\beta$ of the logistic regression. To address this issue, we propose SLOE, a fast and straightforward approach to estimate the signal strength in logistic regression. The key insight of SLOE is that the Sur and Candes (2019) correction can be reparameterized in terms of the \emph{corrupted signal strength}, which is only a function of the estimated parameters $\widehat \beta$. We propose an estimator for this quantity, prove that it is consistent in the relevant high-dimensional regime, and show that dimensionality correction using SLOE is accurate in finite samples. Compared to the existing ProbeFrontier heuristic, SLOE is conceptually simpler and orders of magnitude faster, making it suitable for routine use. We demonstrate the importance of routine dimensionality correction in the Heart Disease dataset from the UCI repository, and a genomics application using data from the UK Biobank. We provide an open source package for this method, available at \url{this https URL}.
Systematic Enumeration and Identification of Unique Spatial Topologies of 3D Systems Using Spatial Graph Representations

Systematic enumeration and identification of unique 3D spatial topologies of complex engineering systems such as automotive cooling layouts, hybrid-electric power trains, and aero-engines are essential to search their exhaustive design spaces to identify spatial topologies that can satisfy challenging system requirements. However, efficient navigation through discrete 3D spatial topology options is a very challenging problem due to its combinatorial nature and can quickly exceed human cognitive abilities at even moderate complexity levels. Here we present a new, efficient, and generic design framework that utilizes mathematical spatial graph theory to represent, enumerate, and identify distinctive 3D topological classes for an abstract engineering system, given its system architecture (SA) -- its components and interconnections. Spatial graph diagrams (SGDs) are generated for a given SA from zero to a specified maximum crossing number. Corresponding Yamada polynomials for all the planar SGDs are then generated. SGDs are categorized into topological classes, each of which shares a unique Yamada polynomial. Finally, for each topological class, one 3D geometric model is generated for an SGD with the fewest interconnect crossings. Several case studies are shown to illustrate the different features of our proposed framework. Design guidelines are also provided for practicing engineers to aid the utilization of this framework for application to different types of real-world problems.
NEUTRINO OPACITY. I. NEUTRINO-LEPTON SCATTERING

The contribution of neutrino-lepton scattering to the total neutrino opacity of matter is investigated; it is found that, contrary to previous beliefs, neutrino scattering dominates the neutrino opacity for many astrophysically important conditions. The rates for neutrino-electron scattering and antineutrino-electron scattering are given for a variety of conditions, including both degenerate and nondegenerate gases; the rates for some related reactions are also presented. Formulas are given for the mean scattering angle and the mean energy loss in neutrino and antineutrino scattering. Applications are made to the following problems: (a) the detection of solar neutrinos; (b) the escape of neutrinos from stars; (c) neutrino scattering in cosmology; and (d) energy deposition in supernova explosions.
Magneto-Optical Sensing Beyond the Shot Noise Limit

Magneto-optical sensors including spin noise spectroscopies and magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopies are now ubiquitous tools for materials characterization that can provide new understanding of spin dynamics, hyperfine interactions, spin-orbit interactions, and charge-carrier g-factors. Both interferometric and intensity-difference measurements can provide photon shot-noise limited sensitivity, but further improvements in sensitivity with classical resources require either increased laser power that can induce unwanted heating and electronic perturbations or increased measurement times that can obscure out-of-equilibrium dynamics and radically slow experimental throughput. Proof-of-principle measurements have already demonstrated quantum enhanced spin noise measurements with a squeezed readout field that are likely to be critical to the non-perturbative characterization of spin excitations in quantum materials that emerge at low temperatures. Here, we propose a truncated nonlinear interferometric readout for low-temperature magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements that is accessible with today's quantum optical resources. We show that 10 $\text{nrad}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ sensitivity is achievable with optical power as small as 1 $\mu$W such that a realistic $T$ = 83 mK can be maintained in commercially available dilution refrigerators. The quantum advantage for the proposed measurements persists even in the limit of large loss and small squeezing parameters.
Conditionally Parameterized, Discretization-Aware Neural Networks for Mesh-Based Modeling of Physical Systems

The numerical simulations of physical systems are heavily dependent on mesh-based models. While neural networks have been extensively explored to assist such tasks, they often ignore the interactions or hierarchical relations between input features, and process them as concatenated mixtures. In this work, we generalize the idea of conditional parametrization -- using trainable functions of input parameters to generate the weights of a neural network, and extend them in a flexible way to encode information critical to the numerical simulations. Inspired by discretized numerical methods, choices of the parameters include physical quantities and mesh topology features. The functional relation between the modeled features and the parameters are built into the network architecture. The method is implemented on different networks, which are applied to several frontier scientific machine learning tasks, including the discovery of unmodeled physics, super-resolution of coarse fields, and the simulation of unsteady flows with chemical reactions. The results show that the conditionally parameterized networks provide superior performance compared to their traditional counterparts. A network architecture named CP-GNet is also proposed as the first deep learning model capable of standalone prediction of reacting flows on irregular meshes.
Embracing the Disharmony in Medical Imaging: A Simple and Effective Framework for Domain Adaptation

Abstract Domain shift, the mismatch between training and testing data characteristics, causes significant degradation in the predictive performance in multi-source imaging scenarios. In medical imaging, the heterogeneity of population, scanners and acquisition protocols at different sites presents a significant domain shift challenge and has limited the widespread clinical adoption of machine learning models. Harmonization methods, which aim to learn a representation of data invariant to these differences are the prevalent tools to address domain shift, but they typically result in degradation of predictive accuracy. This paper takes a different perspective of the problem: we embrace this disharmony in data and design a simple but effective framework for tackling domain shift. The key idea, based on our theoretical arguments, is to build a pretrained classifier on the source data and adapt this model to new data. The classifier can be fine-tuned for intra-study domain adaptation. We can also tackle situations where we do not have access to ground-truth labels on target data; we show how one can use auxiliary tasks for adaptation; these tasks employ covariates such as age, gender and race which are easy to obtain but nevertheless correlated to the main task. We demonstrate substantial improvements in both intra-study domain adaptation and inter-study domain generalization on large-scale real-world 3D brain MRI datasets for classifying Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
A separation theorem for simple theories

This paper builds model-theoretic tools to detect changes in complexity among the simple theories. We develop a generalization of dividing, called shearing, which depends on a so-called context c. This leads to defining c-superstability, a syntactical notion, which includes supersimplicity as a special case. We prove a separation theorem showing that for any countable context c and any two theories $T_1$, $T_2$ such that $T_1$ is c-superstable and $T_2$ is c-unsuperstable, and for arbitrarily large $\mu$, it is possible to build models of any theory interpreting both $T_1$ and $T_2$ whose restriction to $\tau(T_1)$ is $\mu$-saturated and whose restriction to $\tau(T_2)$ is not $\aleph_1$-saturated. (This suggests "c-superstable" is really a dividing line.) The proof uses generalized Ehrenfeucht-Mostowski models, and along the way, we clarify the use of these techniques to realize certain types while omitting others. In some sense, shearing allows us to study the interaction of complexity coming from the usual notion of dividing in simple theories and the more combinatorial complexity detected by the general definition. This work is inspired by our recent progress on Keisler's order, but does not use ultrafilters, rather aiming to build up the internal model theory of these classes.
Methods development for trace metal characterization of crude oil by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

This study was done to determine if the sensitivity and accuracy of the ICP analysis could be maintained while using direct injection of diluted oil. The first part of this study included compilation of a list of elements that could be of environmental and operational concern to refinery operators. The list contains not only naturally occurring metals normally considered to be major catalyst and/or product contaminants (i.e. Cu, V, Ni, Fe), but also those elements that may enter the system as a contamination from a source such as an inadequately cleaned tank that was used to transport the oil. The spectral wavelengths used for analyses of these selected elements were chosen by incorporating a scanning technique that identified any cross-element interferences. We were also able to monitor the sensitivity, peak profiles and baseline resolution of these candidate wavelengths. Other factors, such as the effects of viscosity and diluents, were also addressed. 7 refs., 1 fig., 5 tabs.
An analysis of nonpersistent CSMA with power capture in wireless star-like networks

Presents a model and analysis of asynchronous nonpersistent CSMA on a single-hop wireless network with a base station (e.g. the CDPD system), assuming power capture at the receiver. Power capture is a very important problem in wireless networks. A space-time model, which is more accurate than models in previous analyses, is used to track events in the network. Three capture models, yielding an upper and lower bounds on the throughput, are analyzed. Propagation loss and Rayleigh fading are assumed in capture models. Numerical and simulation results are obtained and discussed for different values of maximum normalized propagation delay and the capture ratio. In particular the authors show that the throughput for the lower bound model is very tight. In addition, they show that fading, combined with propagation loss, improves the network throughput.
Abstract P366: Promoter Methylation of the Monoamine Oxidase a Gene is Associated With Fasting Plasma Glucose: A Monozygotic Twin Study

Background: Epigenetic factors play an important role in complex diseases including diabetes. The monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene codes for the enzyme MAOA that plays a key role in the metabolism of neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes. No study has examined the association of MAOA methylation with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), independent of genetic factors. Objective: To examine whether MAOA promoter methylation variation is associated with FPG, independent of familiar factors. Methods: We studied 69 middle-aged, male-male monozygotic twin pairs drawn from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. All twins were free of overt diabetes. DNA methylation at seven CpG sites in the MAOA promoter region was quantified by bisulfite pyrosequencing using genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. To examine whether MAOA promoter methylation variation influences FPG, we first calculated the intra-pair difference, defined as the difference in DNA methylation level at each CpG site between members of a twin pair. The intra-pair differences in FPG and other potential confounding factors were similarly calculated. We then conducted a matched pair analysis by regressing the intra-pair difference in FPG (dependent variable) on the intra-pair difference in DNA methylation level at each CpG site (independent variable), adjusting for intra-pair differences in body mass index (BMI), smoking pack-years, physical activity and depressive symptoms assessed by beck depression inventory (BDI). Multiple testing was corrected by the FDR p-value (or q-value) with a significant threshold of q<0.05. Results: The mean age of the twins was 55 years old. DNA methylation at the seven examined CpG sites varied from 1.6% to 19.0% with a mean methylation level of 5.0%. Intra-pair difference in FPG was significantly and positively correlated with intra-pair difference in methylation level at 3 out of the 7 CpG sites (r2 ranges 0.10 to 0.18, all P<0.025) as well as the mean methylation level (r2=0.10, p=0.026). Matched-pair analysis showed that methylation variation at 3 CpG sites was significantly associated with FPG (β ranges 1.83 to 2.33, all P<0.015), independent of BMI, smoking, physical activity and depressive symptoms. On average, a 1% increase in the intra-pair difference in mean methylation level was associated with a 2.21 mg/dl increase in the intra-pair difference in FPG (P=0.015). Conclusion: Methylation variation in the MAOA gene promoter is associated with FPG, independent of genetic and other clinical factors. This finding suggests a novel mechanism through which MAOA methylation variation, and perhaps its resulting changes in neurotransmitters, may contribute to diabetes.
Noise and fluctuations in silicon photonics caused by free carrier and two-photon absorption

Non-linear optical losses result from convergence of wafer scale economics and information theory in silicon nanophotonics. We discuss new sources of noise and fluctuations that arise from two-photon and free carrier plasma effects.
The Political Geography of Distributive Politics

Distributive politics plays an integral role in theories of legislative politics because it represents a fundamental aspect of legislators' electoral connection to constituents. We argue that because distributive politics is at its core a constituency-centered process, it is essential to take geography into account in both substantive and statistical terms. Our analysis, which employs Geographic Weighted Regression, reveals substantial spatial heterogeneity in traditional models of pork-barreling. The results challenge the implicit assumption that one size fits all when modeling the behavior of members of Congress in the realm of distributive politics.
Dielectric Study of the Physical State of Electrolytes and Water Within Bacillus cereus Spores

Dielectric measurements revealed that dormant spores of Bacillus cereus have extremely low conductivities at high frequencies (50 MHz) and so must contain remarkably low concentrations of mobile ions both within the core and in the surrounding integuments. Activation, germination, and outgrowth were all accompanied by increases in conductivity of the cells and their suspending medium, and this result indicated that intracellular electrolytes had become ionized and leaked from the spores. High-frequency dielectric constants of spores were consistent with normal states for cell water. These values increased during successive stages of development from dormant spore to vegetative bacillus, and they could be directly related to increases in cell water content. In all, the results refuted a model of the dormant spore involving freely mobile, ionized electrolytes and supported a model involving electrostatically bound electrolytes.
Energy management strategy for a power-split hydraulic hybrid wheel loader

Energy management strategies for a power-split hydraulic hybrid wheel loader are studied in this paper. The differences between the powertrain and the energy management system for on-road vehicles and the powertrain and the energy management system for off-road vehicles are first identified. Unlike on-road vehicles where the engine powers only the drivetrain, the engine in a wheel loader powers both the drivetrain and the working hydraulic system. In a non-hybrid wheel loader, the two subsystems interfere with each other since they share the same engine shaft. By using a power-split powertrain, this not only allows for optimal engine operation and regenerative braking but also greatly reduces the interference between the drivetrain and the working functions. An energy management strategy based on dynamic programming is developed to give full system optimization including both the drivetrain and the working functions. Both a long loading cycle and a short loading cycle are studied in this paper. The dynami...
Tentacular and oral-disc regeneration in the sea anemone, Aiptasia diaphana: III. Autoradiographic analysis of patterns of tritiated thymidine uptake

Autoradiography with [ 3 H]thymidine and electron microscopy were used to determine ( a ) the patterns of cellular division exhibited by intact anemones, ( b ) if measurable increases in cellular proliferation accompany oral-disc regeneration, ( c ) whether interstitial cells are present in Aiptasia , and ( d ) if these cells could be responsible for the latter proliferative patterns. An oral-aboral gradient in cellular proliferation was exhibited by the epidermis of uncut anemones, with the highest levels in the tentacles. Wound healing did not require cell proliferation and did not immediately stimulatecellular division which was associated with subsequent morphogenetic events. Indices of presumptive oral-disc [ 3 H]thymidine uptake into nuclei increased tenfold with the outgrowth of the new tentacles. This increase occurred in the epidermis, while only small amounts of gastrodermal proliferation were detected. It is hypothesized that the epidermis contributes new cells to the expanding gastrodermis during tentacle budding. Most of the [ 3 H]thymidine-labeled nuclei were localized in the basal portions of the epidermis of intact anemones and 1- to 2-day-old regenerates; very few gastrodermal nuclei accumulated the label. Nests of interstitial cells and transforming interstitial cells were localized in the exact epidermal regions where nuclear labeling took place, suggesting that the proliferative patterns of intact and regenerating Aiptasia are a function of their interstitial cell distribution.
α-mutual information

Renyi entropy and Renyi divergence evidence a long track record of usefulness in information theory and its applications. Alfred Renyi never got around to generalizing mutual information in a similar way. In fact, in the literature there are several possible ways to accomplish such generalization, most notably those suggested by Suguru Arimoto, Imre Csiszar, and Robin Sibson. We collect several interesting properties and applications of the proposal by Sibson, hopefully making a case for its more widespread adoption.
Automated analytical systems for drug development studies part IV. A microdialysis system to study the partitioning of lomefloxacin across an erythrocyte membrane in vitro

An automated system utilizing microdialysis sampling, intermittent dosing, and liquid chromatographic analysis was assembled in order to study the partitioning of lomefloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial, into human erythrocytes in vitro. The apparent erythrocyte:buffer partition coefficient was found to be approximately 2.0 with this system and by a manual method. The value was concentration-dependent; lower partition coefficients were observed at lomefloxacin concentrations less than 1 microgram ml-1. At all concentrations, values obtained by microdialysis were statistically indistinguishable from those obtained by a conventional manual method. The results indicate that erythrocyte partition coefficients can be measured successfully with the microdialysis system. Furthermore, microdialysis sampling eliminates the tedious methodology associated with traditional erythrocyte partitioning studies, including sample clean-up. Due to automated intermittent dosing and on-line LC analysis, the system operates unattended.
Carbon gain, allocation and storage in rhizomes in response to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and nutrient supply in a perennial C3 grass, Phalaris arundinacea

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is a fast-growing, perennial, rhizomatous C3 grass considered as a model invasive species for its aggressive behaviour. The same traits make it a candidate for bioenergy feedstock. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) elevated atmospheric [CO2] and nutrient supply enhance photosynthetic carbon acquisition of this fructan-accumulating grass with little or no photosynthetic downregulation; (2) elevated [CO2] promotes carbon allocation to growth when nutrients are sufficient and to fructan storage in rhizomes when nutrients are low. Plants were grown at ambient or elevated (+320 μmol mol–1) [CO2], and fertilised using full or one-eighth strength modified Hoagland solution. We investigated leaf photosynthesis, whole-plant water use, biomass allocation, and nitrogen and carbon storage in rhizomes. Elevated [CO2] enhanced light-saturated net CO2 assimilation by 61%. It doubled whole-plant, stem and root biomass in summer. Plants grown in elevated [CO2] had a greater rate of CO2 assimilation at higher [CO2], indicating a shift in photosynthetic apparatus for enhanced carbon gain under elevated [CO2]. The majority of belowground biomass was allocated to rhizomes for storage rather than to roots in both seasons. In autumn, elevated [CO2] increased fructan concentration in rhizomes from 8.1 to 11.7% of biomass when nutrients were low (P = 0.023). Our results suggest that elevated [CO2] combined with sufficient nutrients is likely to enhance carbon gain and growth of P. arundinacea, and to increase its productivity and competitiveness in summer. Elevated [CO2] is likely to enhance long-term fructan storage in rhizomes, which may benefit overwintering and vegetative spread.
Perfluorodecanoic acid inactivation of a channel for 2-aminopurine in the L5178Y cell membrane and recovery of the channel.

Abstract Treatment of L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells with perfluoro-n-decanoic acid (PFDA) in growth medium for 24 hr at 30°C produces a dose-dependent inactivation of a channel in the cell membrane. Activity of the channel was estimated from the initial rate of efflux of a fluorescent purine, 2-aminopurine (AP). The L5178Y cells were preloaded with 100 μ m AP and excess AP was removed. The preloaded cells were put in a flow system, and AP efflux was estimated continuously at 21°C from the fluorescence emission of AP at 370 nm. The AP channel was markedly inactivated by a treatment with 150 μg/ml PFDA for 24 hr at 30°C. There was no significant recovery of AP flux after 3 days at 30°C in fresh growth medium; however, recovery was significant after 6 days. Recovery of activity of the AP channel occurs in 1 day at 37°C. The initial rate of AP efflux for control cells increases with AP concentration; the reaction is not saturated at 1000 μ m AP. The efflux of AP was inhibited by the presence of uric acid in the external buffer. An apparent inhibition constant value of 355 μ m was determined for urate inhibition of AP efflux. These observations suggest the presence of a urate-sensitive channel for AP in the membrane of L5178Y cells. The channel was inactivated by PFDA under conditions that had no significant effect on cell viability.
Logic of subtyping

We introduce new modal logical calculi that describe subtyping properties of Cartesian product and disjoint union type constructors as well as mutually recursive types defined using those type constructors.Basic logic of subtyping S extends classical propositional logic by two new binary modalities ⊗ and ⊕. An interpretation of S is a function that maps standard connectives into set-theoretical operations (intersection, union, and complement) and modalities into Cartesian product and disjoint union type constructors. This allows S to capture many subtyping properties of the above type constructors. We also consider logics Sρ and Sρω that incorporate into S mutually recursive types over arbitrary and well-founded universes correspondingly.The main results are completeness of the above three logics with respect to appropriate type universes. In addition, we prove Cut elimination theorem for S and establish decidability of S and Sρω.
Methodologies For Understanding And Evaluation Of Image Processing Algorithms

In recent years a critical need has surfaced for the development of methodologies on the evaluation and understanding of mature image processing algorithms. Effective and efficient algorithm evaluation can be accomplished through algorithm and image modeling. Algorithm performance models can be analytical, empirical or hybrid (a combination of the two). These models can determine the best operating points of an algorithm for optimum performance, as well as predict algorithm performance on non-available image data. This provides a very convenient and cost-effective way to evaluate algorithms on a wide range of scenarios, without actually collecting the imagery that represents these scenarios. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of analytical approaches to algorithm modeling.
Conformation as a Protecting Group: A Regioselective Aromatic Bromination En Route to Complex π-Electron Systems

A new strategy to achieve regioselective functionalization of a sterically congested aromatic system driven by conformational demands is described. Electrophilic substitution occurs at the more planarizable subunit without undesired chemistry at mutually reactive sites and without the need for protecting or masking groups that must be manipulated later. Model studies are described to understand this selectivity, and possibilities for the construction of orthogonal, differentially substituted pi-systems of relevance for molecular electronics are demonstrated.
Biofilm Formation and Contamination of Cheese by Nonstarter Lactic Acid Bacteria in The Dairy Environment

Defects in cheese, such as undesirable flavors, gas formation, or white surface haze from calcium lactate crystals, can result from growth of nonstarter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB). The potential for biofilm formation by NSLAB during cheese manufacturing, the effect of cleaning and sanitizing on the biofilm, and bacterial growth and formation of defects during ripening of the contaminated cheese were studied. Stirred-curd Cheddar cheese was made in the presence of stainless steel chips containing biofilms of either of two strains of erythromycin-resistant NSLAB (Lactobacillus curvatus strain JBL2126 or Lactobacillus fermentum strain AWL4001). During ripening, the cheese was assayed for total lactic acid bacteria, numbers of NSLAB, and percentage of lactic acid isomers. Biofilms of L. curvatus formed during cheese making survived the cleaning process and persisted in a subsequent batch of cheese. The starter culture also survived the cleaning process. Additionally, L. curvatus biofilms present in the vat dislodged, grew to high numbers, and caused a calcium lactate white haze defect in cheese during ripening. On the other hand, biofilms of L. fermentum sloughed off during cheese making but could not compete with other NSLAB present in cheese during ripening. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results verified the presence of the two biofilm strains during cheese making and in the ripening cheese. Probable contamination sites in the plant for other NSLAB isolated in the cheese were identified, thus supporting the hypothesis that resident NSLAB biofilms are a viable source of contamination in the dairy environment.
Reduced effect of impurities on the universal pairing scale in the cuprates

We consider the effect of nonmagnetic impurities on the onset temperature ${T\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}$ for the $d$-wave pairing in spin-fluctuation scenario for the cuprates. We analyze intermediate coupling regime when the magnetic correlation length $\ensuremath{\xi}/ag1$ and the dimensionless coupling $u$ is $O(1)$. In the clean limit, ${T\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.02{v}_{f}/a$ in this parameter range and weakly depends on $\ensuremath{\xi}$ and $u$. We found numerically that this universal pairing scale is also quite robust with respect to impurities: the scattering rate ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{cr}$ needed to bring ${T\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}}^{\ensuremath{\ast}}$ down to zero is about four times larger than in weak coupling, in good quantitative agreement with experiments. We provide analytical reasoning for this result.
Guilt by association?: network based propagation approaches for gold farmer detection

The term `Gold Farmer' refers to a class of players in massive online games (MOGs) involved in a set of inter-related activities which are considered to be deviant activities. Consequently these gold farmers are actively banned by game administrators.The task of gold farmer detection is to identify gold farmers in a population of players but just like other clandestine actors they not labeled as such. In this paper the problem of extending the label of gold farmers to players which are not labeled as such is considered. Two main classes of techniques are described and evaluated: Network-based approaches and similarity based approaches. It is also explored how dividing the problem further by relabeling the data based on behavioral patterns can further improve the results.
Interaction between longitudinal and circular muscle in intestine of cat

1. Slow waves recorded from isolated longitudinal muscle averaged 13 mV and had slow rate of rise (0.04 V/sec) whereas when recorded from intact segments the amplitude averaged 27 mV and the rate of rise was more rapid (0.09 V/sec), often with a notch between the initial peak and the plateau. Membrane potentials of longitudinal muscle were similar in isolated and intact preparations (- 66 mV). Resting potentials of circular muscle averaged - 67 mV. 2. Small bundles of circular muscle tested in the double sucrose gap produced activity, either spontaneously or in response to stimulation, which fell into three categories: fast spikes (50-200 msec duration), slow spikes (1-5 sec duration), and small graded responses. The duration of fast spikes could be increased severalfold by the addition of TEA; the graded responses were converted to full-sized spikes by TEA. 3. Treatment of circular muscle with Ca-free Krebs solution eliminated spikes, and in intact preparations reduced the amplitude and rate of rise of slow waves and eliminated the notch on slow waves. 4. Current—voltage curves of longitudinal muscle show delayed rectification in the depolarizing quadrant; similar curves of circular muscle show anomalous rectification, i.e. a region where a very small current causes a large voltage change. 5. Non-polarized electrotonic coupling between longitudinal and circular layers indicates low-resistance pathways. Apparent space constants of longitudinal muscle are greater when attached to circular muscle than when isolated. 6. It is concluded that small slow potentials originate rhythmically in longitudinal muscle, that these spread passively to circular muscle where a regenerative amplification occurs which depends on Ca conductance and the amplified slow waves spread back to the longitudinal layer. In the intact intestine pacemaking is, therefore, separate from propagation and the circular muscle provides the bulk of depolarizing current for propagation.
Concurrent Validity of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children in a Sample of Mexican-American Children.

Concurrent validity of the newly developed individually administered intelligence/achievement instrument, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), was investigated with 42 English-speaking Mexican-American Head Start children. The criterion test was the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). Correlation coefficients between the five K-ABC Global Scale Standard scores and the three WPPSI IQ Scale scores were found to be typically in the .50s and .60s (and .60s and .70s when corrected for range restriction). Thus some evidence was provided for the concurrent validity of the K-ABC. The findings are discussed in light of several concurrent validity studies reported in the K-ABC technical manual and in the context of language-related issues.
Predictability of slip events along a laboratory fault

A "long" sequence of stick-slip events generated along a laboratory fault, which consists of eight spring-connected masses that are elastically driven to slide on a frictional surface, has been examined to check whether the "large" events are predictable. The large events are found to recur at intervals of very different durations, although the elastic and frictional properties along the fault are quite uniform. The recurrence intervals are, however, approximately proportional to the displacements of the preceding events, but not of the following events. Thus the occurrence time of a large event is approximately predictable, whereas its displacement is not. The size (logarithmic energy release) distribution of all the events of different sizes can be fitted by a maximum-entropy model, which has an upper bound in size corresponding to the complete release of the maximum strain energy stored along the fault.
Using a community-based participatory research approach to evaluate resident predictors of involuntary exit from permanent supportive housing.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine an association between resident characteristics at time of entry to permanent supportive housing and exit status. Methods A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was the guiding framework for the design, implementation and evaluation of this project. This retrospective observational study used an administrative data source from a local permanent supportive housing provider to compare resident characteristics among those who left housing voluntarily or involuntarily. Results The population based sample ( n = 407) was comprised of 51% males and 47% African-Americans with a mean age of 40 years (SD = 11.8). Involuntary exits (IEs) occurred in 40% of the sample ( n = 166). IE was less likely with receipt of mainstream benefits, compared to employment income (O.R. = .546, p = .032). IE was more likely for residents self-identifying as African-American (O.R. = 1.56, p = .037) and when children resided in the household (O.R. = 2.03, p = .013). Conclusions Despite limitations of community-derived data, findings suggest that supportive housing providers consider income source and family status when designing interventions to decrease IEs. A CBPR approach is a promising framework to guide evaluation efforts for supportive housing programs.
Cloud Support for Latency-Sensitive Telephony Applications

Cloud computing is great for scaling applications but the latency in a guest VM can be unpredictable due to resource contention between neighbors. For telephony applications, which are latency-sensitive, we propose a system to monitor telephony server latencies and adapt the server load based on the measured latencies. We implemented the system and evaluated it on an Amazon EC2 test bed. We show indirectly by comparing our server on EC2 and on a local VM, that there may be contention between EC2 VMs in the wild that leads to higher server latency. While there is some overhead due to constant monitoring of the server, our system manages to lower latency by reducing the load to the server.
The Unique Relationship of Emotion Regulation and Alexithymia in Predicting Somatization Versus PTSD Symptoms

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has received considerable attention in the field of trauma studies. Yet trauma survivors suffer from other psychological and physical symptoms including somatic complaints, or somatization. The extent to which the same emotional processes that predict PTSD are implicated in somatization has remained relatively unexamined. We contend that emotion regulation difficulties and alexithymia are also implicated in somatization, and the way in which these factors interact differentially place one at risk for somatization or PTSD. Regression analyses revealed that emotion regulation difficulties were more highly correlated with somatization for individuals who also reported greater alexithymia. This interaction was not observed for PTSD symptoms where both alexithymia and emotion regulation difficulties uniquely predicted PTSD symptoms.
Quantitative Reasoning in the Contemporary World, 2: Focus Questions for the Numeracy Community

Numerous questions about student learning of quantitative reasoning arose as we developed, taught and assessed the Quantitative Reasoning in the Contemporary World course described in the companion paper in this issue of Numeracy. In this paper, we present some of those questions and describe the context in which they arose. They fall into eight general problem areas: learning that is context-bound and does not easily transfer (i.e., situated learning); the need for a productive disposition regarding mathematics; the connection between QL and mathematical proficiency; the persistence of students, despite our efforts, for using the wrong base for percents; the inconsistent and sometimes incorrect language in media articles on percent and percent change; the need for students to possess quantitative benchmarks in order to comprehend the size of large quantities and to know when their answers are unreasonable; students’ avoidance of using the algebra they learned in the prerequisite course; and conflation of “bigger” and “better”. We offer these questions as products of our experience with this course in order to encourage future research on issues that affect teaching similar courses that develop QR skills in undergraduate students.
Supercontinuum Fourier transform spectrometry with shot noise limited differential detection on a single photodiode

We have developed phase-sensitive signal detection and processing algorithms for Fourier transform spectrometers fitted with supercontinuum sources for applications requiring ultimate sensitivity.
Electro-optic detection of narrowband radiation tunable from the far-infrared through the mid-infrared

We demonstrate the coherent detection of tunable narrowband far-infrared and mid-infrared radiation. This radiation is produced using conventional difference frequency mixing and detected using the linear electro-optic effect.
DESIGN, MODELING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ACTIVE PHASE SHIFTER USING A FERROELECTRIC CAPACITOR

ABSTRACT This paper reports an active phase shifter circuit implemented with discrete components and which uses a ferroelectric capacitor as the tuning element. The circuit consists of two bipolar transistors coupled with a feedback network that has a voltage variable transfer function. The active nature of the circuit allows for signal gain, while the ferroelectric varactor provides a high-Q tuning element. Thus, the overall performance is improved by the advantages of both technologies. Computer simulations with measured results from the implemented system are presented and show that the network, even with markedly non-ideal transistors, can provide a true all-pass response over the frequency band of interest (100–500 MHz). The measurement results demonstrate an analog tunability of about 140° with a gain variation of about 1 dB at 300 MHz when using a Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 (BST) capacitor with a tunability of 2:1.
Current Perspectives on Dual-Career Families

In 1969, the Rapoports, working in England, first used the term dual career family to describe what they considered to be an unusual and "revolutionary" type of dual-wage heterosexual family that emerged as the result of complex social changes.1 Revolutionary from their perspective was the dual-career fam ily's apparent inconsistency with tra ditional notions of gender. In such a family, the woman and man both pursued lifelong careers, relatively uninterrupted, and also established and developed a family life that of ten included children. Contrary to tradition, the woman viewed her employment as salient to her self concept and life goals and pursued occupational work regardless of her family situation. The male partner, in turn, appeared less defined (rela tive to other married men) by the tra ditional "good provider" role long associated with male privilege and power.2 The notion of a two-career family was met with both excitement and skepticism. It promised to preserve the best of marriage?intimacy and enduring love?but freed partners from the harness of gender roles. True equality between women and men?social, economic, and politi cal equality?seemed highly possi ble, if not inevitable. Now, some 25 years later, both the excitement and the skepticism appear realistic. Al though increasing numbers of cou ples establish dual-career relation ships, the larger promise of true equality has yet to be achieved. From a theoretical perspective, role sharing in the private lives of heterosexual partners represents the elimination of gender-based role specialization and male power asso ciated with patriarchy. Because dual-career marriages still exist within a larger world of gender in equity, it is not yet possible for the role-sharing dual-career family to emerge as a normative societal mar ital pattern. Nonetheless, the sur prisingly high percentage of em ployed couples for whom role sharing is an interpersonal relational characteristic attests to this pattern's growing importance. This article provides an overview of research on dual-career family life. Before summarizing this re search, I review current facts on working women and men in the United States. These facts and fig ures describe the broad social con