cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast and Accurate Sparse Coding of Visual Stimuli With a Simple, Ultralow-Energy Spiking Architecture

Memristive crossbars have become a popular means for realizing unsupervised and supervised learning techniques. In previous neuromorphic architectures with leaky integrate-and-fire neurons, the crossbar itself has been separated from the neuron capacitors to preserve mathematical rigor. In this paper, we sought to design a simplified sparse coding circuit without this restriction, resulting in a fast circuit that approximated a sparse coding operation at a minimal loss in accuracy. We showed that connecting the neurons directly to the crossbar resulted in a more energy-efficient sparse coding architecture and alleviated the need to prenormalize receptive fields. This paper provides derivations for the design of such a network, named the simple spiking locally competitive algorithm, as well as CMOS designs and results on the CIFAR and MNIST data sets. Compared to a nonspiking, nonapproximate model which scored 33% on CIFAR-10 with a single-layer classifier, this hardware scored 32% accuracy. When used with a state-of-the-art deep learning classifier, the nonspiking model achieved 82% and our simplified, spiking model achieved 80% while compressing the input data by 92%. Compared to a previously proposed spiking model, our proposed hardware consumed 99% less energy to do the same work at 21 $\times $ the throughput. Accuracy held out with online learning to a write variance of 3%, suitable for the often reported 4-bit resolution required for neuromorphic algorithms, with offline learning to a write variance of 27%, and with read variance to 40%. The proposed architecture’s excellent accuracy, throughput, and significantly lower energy usage demonstrate the utility of our innovations.
Stabilization of uncertain systems in the presence of finite data-rate feedback

Abstract In this paper, we address the stabilizability of uncertain systems in the presence of finite data-rate feedback. In our formulation, a finite data-rate link is used to transmit state measurements between the plant and the controller. We determine sufficient conditions for internal and external stabilizability of the feedback loop. Stability in the presence of uncertainty in the plant is analyzed using a small-gain argument. We show that larger uncertainty can be tolerated at the expense of higher transmission rates. A comparison is established between the sufficient conditions for robust stabilizability and the necessary conditions for the stability of the nominal model. We also suggest how our results can be used to determine the stabilizability of a class of non-linear systems.
Smart University: Conceptual Modeling and Systems’ Design

The development of Smart University concepts started just several years ago. Despite obvious progress in this area, the concepts and principles of this new trend are not clarified in full yet. This can be attributed to the obvious novelty of the concept and numerous types of smart systems, technologies and devices available to students, learners, faculty and academic institutions. This paper presents the outcomes of a research project aimed at conceptual modeling of smart universities as a system based on smartness levels of a smart system, smart classrooms, smart faculty, smart pedagogy, smart software and hardware systems, smart technology, smart curriculum, smart campus technologies and services, and other distinctive components. The ultimate goal of this ongoing research project is to develop smart university concepts and models, and identify the main distinctive features, components, technologies and systems of a smart university—those that go well beyond features, components and systems used in a traditional university with predominantly face-to-face classes and learning activities. This paper presents the up-to-date outcomes and findings of conceptual modeling of smart university.
Partisanship, Social Identity, and American Government: Reality and Reflections

On the conventional account of American voter behavior, voters assess policy options in a range of areas, they develop preferences among those options, and then they bring those preferences to bear when casting their ballots on Election Day. In this symposium contribution, I begin by pointing out ways in which this conventional belief in a policy-driven electorate undergirds important constitutional doctrines in the areas of voting, speech, and federalism. I then examine the substantial body of evidence indicating that electoral behavior often has little to do with voters' autonomous evaluation of policy options, and has much to do with the belief- and behavior-shaping power of voters' social identifications, particularly those of a politically partisan variety. I close by reflecting on ways in which those of us who teach and write about the law might respond to this continually growing body of empirical work.
Nitrogen (N) Dynamics in the Mineral Soil of a Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest During a Quarter Century of Whole-Watershed N Additions

The structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems are maintained by processes that vary with temporal and spatial scale. This study examined temporal and spatial patterns of net nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification in mineral soil of three watersheds at the Fernow Experimental Forest, WV: 2 untreated watersheds and 1 watershed receiving aerial applications of N over a 25-year period. Soil was sampled to 5 cm from each of seven plots per watershed and placed in two polyethylene bags—one bag brought to the laboratory for extraction/analysis, and the other bag incubated in situ at a 5 cm depth monthly during growing seasons of 1993–1995, 2002, 2005, 2007–2014. Spatial patterns of net N mineralization and nitrification changed in all watersheds, but were especially evident in the treated watershed, with spatial variability changing non-monotonically, increasing then decreasing markedly. These results support a prediction of the N homogeneity hypothesis that increasing N loads will increase spatial homogeneity in N processing. Temporal patterns for net N mineralization and nitrification were similar for all watersheds, with rates increasing about 25–30% from 1993 to 1995, decreasing by more than 50% by 2005, and then increasing significantly to 2014. The best predictor of these synchronous temporal patterns across all watersheds was number of degree days below 19°C, a value similar to published temperature maxima for net rates of N mineralization and nitrification for these soils. The lack of persistent, detectable differences in net nitrification between watersheds is surprising because fertilization has maintained higher stream-water nitrate concentrations than in the reference watersheds. Lack of differences in net nitrification among watersheds suggests that N-enhanced stream-water nitrate following N fertilization may be the result of a reduced biotic demand for nitrate following fertilization with ammonium sulfate.
Linear energy stable methods for an epitaxial growth model with slope selection

We consider a phase field model for molecular beam epitaxial growth with slope selection with the goal of determining linear energy stable time integration methods for the dynamics. Stable methods ...
Why do I need a Certificate of Analysis

One of the indispensable pieces of information a compounder needs with every pharmaceutical ingredient chemical is the Certificate of Analysis. In fact, it is needed with every different lot of the material, since variations from lot to lot in chemicals can be significant. This article briefly explains what a Certificate of Analysis contains, how to use it in compounding, and provides several examples to illustrate areas where errors in compounding could occur if it were not used.
AN EARLY PHASE IN DICTYOSTELIUM CELL DIFFERENTIATION REVEALED BY 3H-L-FUCOSE INCORPORATION

Abstract A study of the incorporation of 3H-fucose was conducted during the development of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum 1-H. Autoradiographs revealed that pulse labeled vegetative amoebae incorporated 3H-fucose intracytoplasmically within 15 min. The majority of the cells had randomly scattered silver grains but the remainder were distinguished by a dense localized labeling which suggested that oligo or polysaccharide synthesis was occurring. The localized pattern of labeling attributed to active synthesis declines at aggregation and early conus formation. As the pseudoplasmodium makes the developmental transition from the conus to the culmination stages the localized pattern of 3H-fucose labeling was restricted to the prespore cells while the prestalk cells were devoid of label. Prespore vacuoles were not present at the onset of this transition and consequently 3H-fucose incorporation occurred in the cells prior to their differentiation into prespore cells. In contrast to cells composing earlier stages, mature spores exhibited 3H-fucose-containing substances at the cell surface. Prestalk isolates were obtained by transecting migrating slugs. 3H-fucose was incorporated within 10 min among the basal cells of the isolate in the localized pattern typically found in prespore cells. The incorporation of 3H-fucose occurred prior to prespore differentiation as certain preparations were devoid of prespore vacuoles. Prespore isolates differentiate prestalk cells which have lost the capacity to incorporate 3H-fucose. This investigation suggests that cell contacts and interactions may effect the incorporation of 3H-fucose.
Electron Drift Velocities and Electron Attachment Coefficients in Pure CHF3 and its Mixtures with Argon

Measurements are reported of (i) the electron drift velocity in pure trifluoromethane (CHF3) gas and in its mixtures with argon, and (ii) electron attachment in pure CHF3. the electric field-to-gas density ratio (E/N) dependence of the electron drift velocity in the mixtures exhibits regions of distinct negative differential conductivity. the values of the electron attachment coefficients in pure CHF3 are small and decrease with E/N. the measurements were made at room temperature and cover the E/N range from 0.05 x 10-17 V cm2 to 60 x 10-17V cm2 (0.05 Td to 60 Td, 1 Td = 10-17 V cm2). the electron attachment rate constant is virtually independent of E/N below about 50 x 1017 V cm2 and equal to ∼ 13 x 10-14 cm3 s-1. This small attachment rate constant may be due to impurities.
Commercial assay systems for detecting foodborne Salmonella: a review

Recent advances in diagnostic technology have dramatically altered testing methods for foodborne Salmonella . Many commercial assay systems and kits that use newer technologies are now available to facilitate the identification of Salmonella in foods. These systems include miniaturized biochemical tests, new media formulations, automated instrumentation, DNA probe- and antibody-dependent assays. The technologies used for each system, except miniaturized biochemical tests, are described, and the various assay kit formats are compared. A selected number of comparative studies using foods are discussed. Most commercial assay systems are rapid, simple, and equally as sensitive as standard methods for the detection of Salmonella species.
Estimating Risk of Pneumonia in a Prospective Emergency Department Cohort.

Objective To improve the prediction of pediatric pneumonia by developing a series of models based on clinically distinct subgroups. We hypothesized that these subgroup models would provide superior estimates of pneumonia risk compared with a single pediatric model. Study design We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort being evaluated for radiographic pneumonia in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED). Using multivariate modeling, we created 4 models across subgroups stratified by age and presence of wheezing to predict the risk of pneumonia. Results A total of 2351 patients were included in the study. In this series, the prevalence of pneumonia was 8.5%, and 21.6% were hospitalized. The highest prevalence of pneumonia was in children aged >2 years without wheezing (13.3%). Children aged Conclusions Using 4 complementary prediction models for pediatric pneumonia, an accurate risk of pneumonia can be calculated. These models can provide the basis for clinical decision making support to guide the use of chest radiographs and promote antibiotic stewardship.
Selection Methods to Relax Strict Acceptance Condition in Test-Based Coevolution

The Population-based Pareto Hill Climber (P-PHC) algorithm exemplifies coevolutionary computation approaches that manage a group of candidate solutions both used as a population to explore the underlying search space as well as an archive preserving solutions that meet the adopted solution concept. In some circumstances when parsimonious evaluations are desired, inefficiencies can arise from using the same group of candidate solutions for both purposes. The reliance, in such algorithms, on the otherwise beneficial Pareto dominance concept can create bottlenecks on search progress as most newly generated solutions are non-dominated, and thus appear equally qualified to selection, when compared to the current ones they should eventually replace. We propose new selection conditions that include both Pareto dominated and Pareto non-dominated solutions, as well as other factors to help provide distinctions for selection. The potential benefits of also considering Pareto non-dominated solutions are illustrated by a visualization of the underlying interaction space in terms of levels. In addition, we define some new performance metrics that allow one to compare our various selection methods in terms of ideal evaluation of coevolution. Fewer duplicate solutions are retained in the final generation, thus allowing for more efficient usage of the fixed population size.
Mindfulness Training Enhances Self-Regulation and Facilitates Health Behavior Change for Primary Care Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Self-management of health is important for improving health outcomes among primary care patients with chronic disease. Anxiety and depressive disorders are common and interfere with self-regulation, which is required for disease self-management. An insurance-reimbursable mindfulness intervention integrated within primary care may be effective for enhancing chronic disease self-management behaviors among primary care patients with anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related and adjustment disorders compared with the increasingly standard practice of referring patients to outside mindfulness resources. Mindfulness Training for Primary Care (MTPC) is an 8-week, referral-based, insurance-reimbursable program integrated into safety-net health system patient-centered medical homes. We hypothesized that MTPC would be more effective for catalyzing chronic disease self-management action plan initiation within 2 weeks, versus a low-dose comparator (LDC) consisting of a 60-min mindfulness introduction, referral to community and digital resources, and addition to a 6-month waitlist for MTPC. Primary care providers (PCPs) and mental health clinicians referred 465 patients over 12 months. All participants had a DSM-V diagnosis. Participants (N = 136) were randomized in a 2:1 allocation to MTPC (n = 92) or LDC (n = 44) in a randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial. MTPC incorporates mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindfulness-oriented behavior change skills and is delivered as insurance-reimbursable visits within primary care. Participants took part in a chronic disease self-management action planning protocol at week 7. Level of self-reported action plan initiation on the action plan initiation survey by week 9. Participants randomized to MTPC, relative to LDC, had significantly higher adjusted odds of self-management action plan initiation in an intention-to-treat analysis (OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.02 to 5.06, p = 0.025). An 8-week dose of mindfulness training is more effective than a low-dose mindfulness comparator in facilitating chronic disease self-management behavior change among primary care patients.
Re-evaluating the utility of routine postoperative laboratory tests after primary total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Background While advancements in surgery and reduced complication rates have made total knee arthroplasty (TKA) one of the most successful and cost-effective procedures in orthopaedic surgery, routine postoperative laboratory tests are still being ordered without evidence as to their necessity. With expansion of the bundled payment models, there may exist an opportunity to cut overall costs while maintaining quality of care by eliminating unnecessary interventions. The objective of this study was to examine the utility of routine postoperative laboratory tests in TKA. Methods A retrospective review of 319 TKAs performed at a single institution over a 2-year period was performed. The primary outcomes were the rates of acute blood loss anemia requiring transfusion, acute kidney injury (AKI), electrolyte abnormalities, and 90-day emergency department visits and readmissions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed to identify the risk factors associated with abnormal laboratory values. Results 89 patients (27.9%) had abnormal postoperative laboratory results, of which 78% were exclusively due to electrolyte (sodium or potassium) abnormalities. The rates of AKI and blood transfusion were 3.8% and 1% respectively. Factors associated with electrolyte abnormalities were abnormal baseline electrolyte levels (p = 0.002 and = 0.006 for sodium and potassium respectively) and anemia (p = 0.049). Factors associated with blood transfusion were ASA score ≥3, preoperative anemia, and no tranexamic acid use. Factors associated with AKI were chronic kidney disease or having at least two of the following: age >65 years, BMI> 35, ASA score ≥3, diabetes, heart disease, and/or anemia. Laboratory results did not change the course of care in 305 of 319 patients (95.6%). There was no increased risk for 90-days ED visits or readmissions with abnormal laboratory values (p = 0.356). Conclusion With increasing pressure for cost containment in an era of bundled payment models, the very low rate of laboratory associated interventions suggest that routine postoperative laboratory tests is not justified. Obtaining laboratory after primary, unilateral TKA should be driven by patients’ risk factors.
Mitochondrial and calcium perturbations in rat CNS neurons induce calpain-cleavage of Parkin: Phosphatase inhibition stabilizes pSer65Parkin reducing its calpain-cleavage

Abstract Mitochondrial impairment and calcium (Ca++) dyshomeostasis are associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). When intracellular ATP levels are lowered, Ca++-ATPase pumps are impaired causing cytoplasmic Ca++ to be elevated and calpain activation. Little is known about the effect of calpain activation on Parkin integrity. To address this gap, we examined the effects of mitochondrial inhibitors [oligomycin (Oligo), antimycin and rotenone] on endogenous Parkin integrity in rat midbrain and cerebral cortical cultures. All drugs induced calpain-cleavage of Parkin to ~36.9/43.6 kDa fragments. In contrast, treatment with the proinflammatory prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2) and the proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin induced caspase-cleavage of Parkin to fragments of a different size, previously shown by others to be triggered by apoptosis. Calpain-cleaved Parkin was enriched in neuronal mitochondrial fractions. Pre-treatment with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid prior to Oligo-treatment, stabilized full-length Parkin phosphorylated at Ser65, and reduced calpain-cleavage of Parkin. Treatment with the Ca++ ionophore A23187, which facilitates Ca++ transport across the plasma membrane, mimicked the effect of Oligo by inducing calpain-cleavage of Parkin. Removing extracellular Ca++ from the media prevented oligomycin- and ionophore-induced calpain-cleavage of Parkin. Computational analysis predicted that calpain-cleavage of Parkin liberates its UbL domain. The phosphagen cyclocreatine moderately mitigated Parkin cleavage by calpain. Moreover, the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP27), which stimulates cAMP production, prevented caspase but not calpain-cleavage of Parkin. Overall, our data support a link between Parkin phosphorylation and its cleavage by calpain. This mechanism reflects the impact of mitochondrial impairment and Ca++-dyshomeostasis on Parkin integrity and could influence PD pathogenesis.
Percutaneous Mitral Valve Replacement Using a Transvenous, Transseptal Approach: Transvenous Mitral Valve Replacement

Abstract Objectives The aim of this paper is to describe the feasibility of a novel transcatheter approach for mitral valve replacement using only venous access. Background Failure of mitral valve prostheses necessitating reoperation can represent a high-risk clinical scenario. Although repeat cardiac surgery remains the standard of care for most failed mitral valve operations, nascent transcatheter options are under development for patients at high or extremely risk of surgery. Most often, this is performed via a transapical approach in the operating room, with associated risk of complications as well as extended length of hospital stay. Methods We describe a case series of 4 consecutive patients at high risk of reoperation with degenerative mitral prostheses (bioprosthetic valves or rings) who successfully underwent transvenous, transseptal mitral valve replacement with a commercially available transcatheter heart valve. Results From April to May 2014, 4 consecutive patients underwent transvenous, transseptal mitral valve replacement with a transcatheter heart valve. The mean age was 72 ± 9.9 years, and the average Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score was 12.5 ± 7.2%. All patients had severe, life-limiting dyspnea. The 4 procedures were successful without intra- or post-procedural complications; echocardiography indicated a well-seated and functioning mitral valve-in-valve or valve-in-ring. Patients were discharged within 2 days after valve replacement with marked improvement in dyspnea. Conclusions We describe an innovative technique of transcatheter mitral valve replacement. This case series demonstrates the feasibility of transcatheter mitral valve replacement using only femoral venous access, with a marked reduction in complications and length of hospital stay compared with transapical access or redo surgery.
Estimating the effect of Prenatal Care Coordination in Wisconsin: A sibling fixed effects analysis.

OBJECTIVE To estimate Prenatal Care Coordination's (PNCC) effect on birth outcomes for Wisconsin Medicaid-covered deliveries. DATA SOURCE A longitudinal cohort of linked Wisconsin birth records (2008-2012), Medicaid claims, and state-administered social services. STUDY DESIGN We defined PNCC treatment dichotomously (none vs. any) and by service level (none vs. assessment/care plan only vs. service uptake). Outcomes were birthweight (grams), low birthweight (<2500 g), gestational age (completed weeks), and preterm birth (<37 weeks). We estimated PNCC's effect on birth outcomes, adjusting for maternal characteristics, using inverse-probability of treatment weighted and sibling fixed effects regressions. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We identified 136 224 Medicaid-paid deliveries, of which 33 073 (24.3 percent) linked to any PNCC claim and 22 563 (16.6 percent) linked to claims for PNCC service uptake. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Sibling fixed effects models-which best adjust for unobserved confounding and treatment selection-produced the largest estimates for all outcomes. For example, in these models, PNCC service uptake was associated with a 1.3 percentage point (14 percent) reduction and a 1.8 percentage point (17 percent) reduction in the probabilities of low birthweight and preterm birth, respectively (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS PNCC's modest but significant improvement of birth outcomes should motivate stronger PNCC outreach and implementation of similar programs elsewhere.
The challenges of working with “real” teams: Challenges, needs, and opportunities:

Teams are ubiquitous in organizations, yet work contexts now make traditional teams—those that have identifiable boundaries, stable membership, and members who belong only to that single team—a rar...
Redesigning primary care in an academic medical center: lessons, challenges, and opportunities.

Purpose To evaluate patient access, provider productivity, and patient satisfaction during a 24-month redesign process of an academic medical center, which requires balance between clinical and educational missions. Methods A series of activities were conducted to optimize primary care across 17 attending physicians, 6 Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), and 39 residents. Patient access was defined as the next available appointment for either existing/established patients or new patients. Productivity was measured using panel sizes for each provider. Patient satisfaction was based on the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CGCAHPS). Results Despite decreasing clinical effort to allow faculty and APPs to participate in education and research, there was an overall increase in access for both new and established patients, and an increase the percent of each providers' panel that was full from 78.89% in 2017 to 115.29% in 2019. When comparing panel sizes for the 11 faculty present before and after strategic changes, we found significant increase in both overall panel size, and actual to expected ratios between 2017 and 2019. In addition, throughout the time period, patient satisfaction remained high with no significant changes. Conclusions While this project was limited to one site, the inclusion of a set of well-planned metrics, and tracking of processes over time can provide insight for ongoing primary care redesign efforts at similar sites seeking to balance the academic mission with clinical productivity and high patient satisfaction.
‘This is me’: Expressions of intersecting identity in an LGBTQ+ ethnic studies course

Abstract This case study considers how one public high school in Northern California offered a yearlong course that combined a semester-long LGBTQ+ studies class with a semester-long ethnic studies class, taught by the same teacher and attended by the same cohort of 26 students. Through a combination of identity maps, student interviews, and a transfer task (i.e., a digital textbook project), we explored students’ experiences and efforts to discern how their awareness of LGBTQ+ and ethnic studies issues, particularly the intersectionality of those issues, may have influenced their own identities. This research offers a model for educators and policymakers, as well as lessons learned and inspiration, for incorporating intersectional LGBTQ+ content and curriculum into social studies classrooms. It presents ways, both big and small, for K-12 educators to connect LGBTQ+ issues and rights with those from communities of color. Findings illustrate that queer theory and historical thinking can indeed offer a valuable guide for encouraging social studies educators and students to expand their understanding of the intersecting experiences of people of color and the LGBTQ+ community.
Brief announcement: The cache-oblivious Gaussian elimination paradigm -Theoretical framework and experimental evaluation

Cache-efficient algorithms improve execution time by exploiting data parallelism inherent in the transfer of blocks of useful data between adjacent memory levels. By increasing locality in their memory access patterns, these algorithms try to keep the number of block transfers small. The cache-oblivious model [1] is a further refinement that enables the development of system-independent cache-efficient algorithms that simultaneously adapt to all levels of a multi-level memory hierarchy. This leads to fuller use of data parallelism and also produces portable code. The cache-oblivious model represents the memory hierarchy with two memory levels — an ideal cache of size M and an unlimited main memory partitioned into blocks of size B. The cache complexity of an algorithm is the number of I/Os (i.e., block transfers) performed between these two levels. In [2] we introduced the Gaussian Elimination Paradigm (GEP) — a cache-oblivious framework for several important problems solvable using a construct similar to the computation in Gaussian elimination without pivoting (see Fig. 1). The traditional GEP code in Fig. 1 runs in O n time and incurs O n 3
For Black Scientists, the Sorrow Is Also Personal

I have tried to live in a world that does not see color but have only succeeded in living in a world that does not see me.
An unusual case of PAP-related eye dryness.

Citation:Ryals S, Sharma S, HAdigal S, Wagner M, Berry R. An unusual case of PAP-related eye dryness. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(9):1619–1621.
Engineered Barrier System Research Activities at LBNL: FY20 Progress Report

Author(s): Zheng, LianGe; Lammers, Laura; Fox, Patricia; Chang, chun; Xu, hao; Borglin, sharon; Whittaker, michael; Chou, chunwei; Tournassat, Christophe; Subramanian, Nithya; Wu, Yuxin; Nico, Peter; Gilbert, Benjamin; Kneafsey, tim
Acceptances, Second Looks, and Matriculation

Being accepted into MD/PhD programs is very exciting! However, it can leave applicants with a tough and very important decision to make. This chapter is dedicated to helping applicants in making that decision. The AAMC stipulates how many acceptances an applicant may hold at one time, so it is important to understand these rules and policies, including the difference between planning to enroll and committing to enroll at an MD/PhD program. When it comes to making a decision, MD/PhD programs offer opportunities to revisit their campuses and meet with program leaders and faculty in a more relaxed context than interviews. These revisit trips are instrumental for many applicants in making their decisions, but there are many factors that should be considered, ranging from the program’s research strengths to the costs of living in the city, each of which will be explored in this chapter.
Characterizing Family Contextual Factors and Relationships with Child Behavior and Sleep Across the Buffering Toxic Stress Consortium

The Buffering Toxic Stress (BTS) consortium included six sites in locations that varied widely in racial/ethnic composition and population density. Each site tested a promising parent-child intervention designed to supplement Early Head Start (EHS) services and prevent "toxic stress." To better understand family risk in a large and diverse EHS sample, studies gathered extensive data on family risk exposure, including demographic risk factors (single mother, unemployed, less than high school education or its equivalent, and neighborhood safety), income-to-needs ratio, household resource constraints, perceptions of economic hardship and pressure, caregiver mental health, and caregiver-reported dysfunctional parent-child interactions. Results presented here for all six sites offer context for the more targeted studies in this special issue. Average levels of family characteristics and child behavior varied by site. We also characterized associations between family characteristics, observer-rated child temperament, and child outcomes (i.e., caregiver-reported child behavior problems and behavioral sleep quality), controlling for child age; these relationships were similar across sites. Demographic risk and caregiver mental health problems were positively associated with child behavior problems, with low income-to-needs ratio and increased financial strain relating to behavioral problems in infancy and toddlerhood. Caregiver mental health problems, financial strain, and social and affect temperament dimensions were related to increased behavioral sleep problems. Dysfunctional parent-child interactions and household resource constraints did not demonstrate statistically significant associations. Findings suggest helpful targets to increase effectiveness of parent-child interventions in early childhood on behavior and sleep outcomes.
Living with high potassium: how plants balance nutrient acquisition during K-induced salt stress

K is more toxic than Na at similar concentrations but the molecular mechanisms governing excess K-induced salt stress responses, including excess K+ signaling and major cellular functions interrupted during K toxicity in plants are unknown. We used Arabidopsis thaliana and its extremophyte relative Schrenkiella parvula, to explore this interesting but vastly unexplored question using comparative physiological, ionomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic approaches aimed at understanding how plants can develop resilience to excess K toxicity. Our results showed that the stress responses exhibited by the two plants diverged at a decisive step where the stress-sensitive A. thaliana could not limit excess K influx and suffered severe nutrient depletion. The stress adapted model, S. parvula, was able to independently regulate reduction in K uptake while sustaining uptake of other major nutrients including N. Upheld N uptake and uninterrupted assimilation into primary metabolites allowed S. parvula to sustain growth and concurrently boost its antioxidant capacity and osmolyte pools, facilitated by a targeted transcriptomic response. In contrast, A. thaliana descended into mismanaged transcriptional cascades including induction of both biotic and abiotic stress responses and autophagy accompanied by inhibited growth, photosynthesis, and induced accumulation of ROS. This study provides a basic framework to select key pathways to target in the development of building plant resilience towards non-canonical salt stress induced by excess K+.
Application of Prony signal analysis to recurrent neural networks

Recurrent neural networks are highly nonlinear dynamic systems, and therefore it is not an easy task to analyze their dynamic behavior. The primary goal of this paper is to apply Prony signal analysis and a modified root locus technique to recurrent neural networks. The Prony method is compared with other linearization methods to analyze recurrent neural networks, and their performances are demonstrated using simulated examples. >
Hemolytic anemia associated with low erythrocyte ATP.

Studies have been carried out on erythrocytes of a young girl with a severe hemolytic anemia. Biochemically, these cells were characterized by a very high glycolytic rate, a low ATP level, an elevated ADP:ATP ratio, and a markedly increased rate of catabolism of adenine nucleotides to hypoxanthine during incubation in vitro. Specific enzyme assays of the patient’s cells revealed normal or elevated values for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, glutathione reductase, enolase, adenosine triphosphatase, and adenine phosphoribosyl transferase. In in vitro incubation studies, addition of adenine to the blood brought about an increase in the ATP level and in total adenine nucleotides. These data suggest that the low ATP level in the patient’s blood was due to increased catabolism of adenine nucleotides, probably as a consequence of markedly increased utilization of ATP by the cell.
Agent software comprehension: explaining agent behavior

It is important for designers, developers, and end-users to comprehend (or explain) why a software agent acts in a particular way when situated in its operating environment. Comprehending agent behaviors in an agent-based system is a challenging task due to environmental uncertainty and the dynamics and multitude of agent interactions, which must be captured, processed, and analyzed by the human user. While traditional software comprehension answers "what is happening in the implementation?", this research takes a step further to facilitate comprehension by answering "why is the behavior happening in the implementation?". To explain agent behaviors in the implemented system, this research takes the model-checking approach for representing abstracted software behavior and the reverse engineering approach for verifying the expected behavior model against the implementation's actual behavior, while assimilating the terminology and framework from abductive reasoning. This research empirically shows that maintaining accurate background knowledge of how the implementation is expected to behave is crucial in generating accurate explanations of agent behavior. The resulting Tracing Method and accompanying Tracer Tool build on ideas from existing approaches and extend the state-of-the-art to better assist human users (of various skill levels) in comprehending agent-based software by automating many reasoning tasks. The Tracing Method is applied to two domains to demonstrate the capabilities of the Tracer Tool in (1) suggesting background knowledge updates, (2) interpreting actual behaviors from implementation executions, and (3) explaining observed agent behaviors. This research aims to help designers who want to improve agent behavior; developers who need to debug and verify agent behavior; and end-users who want to comprehend agent behaviors.
Thallium(III) Trifluoroacetate

[23586-53-0] C6F9O6Tl (MW 543.44) InChI = 1S/3C2HF3O2.Tl/c3*3-2(4,5)1(6)7;/h3*(H,6,7);/q;;;+3/p-3 InChIKey = PSHNNUKOUQCMSG-UHFFFAOYSA-K (oxidizing agent; thallating agent; Lewis acid; reagent for dethioacetalization) Alternate Name: TTFA. Physical Data: mp 100 °C (dec). Solubility: sol water, organic solvents. Form Supplied in: moist white crystals, hygroscopic; widely available. Drying: decomposes on heating. Preparative Method: readily prepared by refluxing a suspension of thallium(III) oxide with Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA).2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: water sensitive solid. All thallium compounds are extremely toxic to inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion. Toxicity is cumulative. Extreme caution should be used when handling these materials. Use in a fume hood.
COMPENSATORY ADAPTATION TO REDUCED RENAL MASS IN THE NEWBORN GUINEA PIG (GP)

In order to identify the physiologic adaptation to compensatory renal hypertrophy in the newborn, right uninephrectomy (NX)or sham (S) operation was performed in GP within the first 36 hrs. of life. At 3 wks. of age, they were studied using clearance and micropuncture techniques. Body weight (BW), left kidney weight (LKW), and arterial blood pressure (ABP) were measured. Left kidney glomerular filtration rate (LKGFR) and single nephron GFR (SNGFR) were measured by clearance of 14C inulin. Proximal tubula pressure (PT) and stop flow pressure (SFP) were measured using a servonulling device. Glomerular capillary pressure (PGC) was estimated from the sum of SFP and colloid oncotic pressure. Results (mean±SE, n = Number of animals, NS = not significant): Conclusions: 1) Growth in the neonatal GP is unaffected by NX, 2) 3wks. following NX, there is a 41% increase in mass and a 68% increase in GFR of the renoprival kidney, 3) There is a parallel increase in SNGFR, indicating a significant contribution of immature superficial cortical nephrons to the adaptive process, 4) The increased SNGFR is not due to changes in ABP, PGC, or PT.
Herpes simplex virus serotype and entry receptor availability alter CNS disease in a mouse model of neonatal HSV

Herpes simplex virus serotype and entry receptor availability alter CNS disease in a mouse model of neonatal HSV
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 activity is a critical determinant of pre-replication complex assembly

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are important in regulating cell cycle transitions, particularly in coordinating DNA replication. Although the role of CDK2 activity on the replication apparatus has been extensively studied, the role of CDK4/6 in DNA replication control is less understood. Through targeted inhibition of CDK4/6 activity, we demonstrate that CDK4/6 kinase activity promotes cdc6 and cdt1 expression, and pre-replication complex (pre-RC) assembly in cycling cells. Conversely, CDK2 inhibition had no effect on the pre-RC assembly. The inhibition of pre-RC assembly is dependent on a functional retinoblastoma (RB) protein, which mediates downstream effects. As such, CDK4/6 inhibition has minimal effect on the replication apparatus in the absence of RB. The requirement of CDK4/6 was further interrogated using cells lacking D-type cyclins, in which replication complexes form normally, and correspondingly CDK4/6 inhibition had no effect on cell cycle or replication control. However, in the absence of D-type cyclins, CDK2 inhibition resulted in the attenuation of cdc6 and cdt1 levels, suggesting overlapping roles for CDK4/6 and CDK2 in regulating replication protein activity. Finally, CDK4/6 inhibition prevented the accumulation of cdc6 and cdt1 as cells progressed from mitosis through the subsequent G(1). Combined, these studies indicate that CDK4/6 activity is important in regulating the expression of these critical mediators of DNA replication.
How American Public Schools Using Down-Linked News Media Shape American Indian Identity

This article examines how some inaccurate news media perceptions commonly found in down-linked American news media may be reinforced in American public schools. After describing how American Indians are addressed in the educational news media that is down-linked to a large number of public school classrooms, this essay examines a number of issues related to the potential consequences of such programming on American Indian cultures, especially on the identity and self-esteem of American Indian children. These issues are examined from a more traditional American Indian perspective. American Indian identity public schools
Hematological studies on the two-toed sloth, Choloepus didactylus

Abstract 1. 1. Maximal erythrocyte survival times of 130 and 135 days were obtained using the Cr 51 method. 2. 2. Compared with other mammals, sloths have: higher values for blood urea nitrogen and cholesterol; comparable values for calcium, creatinine, potassium, phosphorus and bicarbonate; and lower values for glucose, chloride, sodium and iodine. 3. 3. Erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin and catalase values are also given.
SQUARE FUNCTION INEQUALITIES FOR NON-COMMUTATIVE MARTINGALES

We prove a non-commutative version of the weak-type (1,1) boundedness of square functions of martingales. More precisely, we prove that there is an absolute constantK with the following property: ifM is a semifinite von Neumann algebra with a faithful normal traceτ and (M n ) n=1 ∞ is an increasing filtration of von Neumann subalgebras of (M then for any martingalex= n=1 ∞ inL 1(M,τ), adapted to (M n ) n=1 ∞ , there is a decomposition into two sequences (x n ) n=1 ∞ and (z n ) n=1 ∞ withx n=y n+z nfor everyn≥1 and such that\(\left\| {\left( {\sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty {\left| {dy_n } \right|^2 } } \right)^{1/2} } \right\|_{1,\infty } + \left\| {\left( {\sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty {\left| {dz_n^ * } \right|^2 } } \right)^{1/2} } \right\|_{1,\infty } \leqslant K\left\| x \right\|_1 \). This generalizes a result of Burkholder from classical martingale theory to non-commutative martingales. We also include some applications to martingale Hardy spaces.
Displacement Damage Effects in AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors

We present the results of a radiation damage experiment on AlxGa1-xN/GaN high electron mobility transistors. The basic mechanism underlying the observed high radiation tolerance appears to be a strong internal piezoelectric field near the two-dimensional electron gas that causes scattered carriers to be reinjected.
Photochemical stability of CO2 in the Martian atmosphere - Reevaluation of the eddy diffusion coefficient and the role of water vapor

Theoretical models of CO2 photodissociation in the atmosphere of Mars are developed and analyzed, with a focus on the conditions prevailing during the Mariner 6/7 experiments. The aeronomy of Martian CO2 is reviewed; the atomic O distribution in the upper atmosphere is characterized; the construction of the basic model is described; and simulation results are presented in extensive tables and graphs and discussed in detail. The vertical eddy-diffusion coefficient corresponding to the estimated upper-atmosphere O density (1-2 percent at 135 km) is found to be about 5 x 10 to the 7th sq cm/sec, and HO(x) is found to play a significant role in catalyzing the recombination of CO and O to form CO2. The reasons why the model overpredicts the production of HO(x) and hence of CO2 are explored.
Foreign and Undocumented Workers in California Agriculture.

In November 1986, the United States Congress passed the most sweeping reform of federal immigration laws in more than two decades. The major objective of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 is to curtail the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States. But the Act contains controversial provisions to assure agricultural producers who rely most heavily on illegal immigrants to harvest perishable crops that they will not suffer unfairly from changes in U.S. immigration laws. These special provisions for agriculture rest on two assumptions that heretofore have received little attention from researchers: (1) that agriculture now relies heavily on undocumented workers to harvest perishable crops, and (2) that growers hire undocumented labor because legal farmworkers are not available to work at wages growers can afford to pay. This paper presents preliminary findings from a study of the role of undocumented workers in California agriculture. The findings cast some doubt on the assumptions that undocumented workers are employed mostly in harvesting perishable crops and that growers hire illegal aliens because legal workers are not available. The analysis focuses on California because one-half of all undocumented immigrants in the United States are believed to live in this state.
A review of clinical trials of anti-VEGF agents for diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in the working-age population worldwide. Many observational and preclinical studies have implicated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of DR, and recent successes with anti-VEGF therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have prompted research into the application of anti-VEGF drugs to DR. Here we review the numerous early studies that suggest an important potential role for anti-VEGF agents in the management of diabetic retinopathy. For diabetic macular edema, phase II trials of intravitreal pegaptanib and intravitreal ranibizumab have shown short-term benefit in visual acuity. Intravitreal bevacizumab also has been shown to have beneficial short-term effects on both visual acuity and retinal thickness. For proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), early studies suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab temporarily decreases leakage from diabetic neovascular lesions, but this treatment may be associated with tractional retinal detachment (TRD). Furthermore, several studies indicate that bevacizumab is likely to prove a helpful adjunct to diabetic pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for TRD. Finally, three small series suggest a potential beneficial effect of a single dose of bevacizumab to prevent worsening of DME after cataract surgery. Use of anti-VEGF medications for any of these indications is off-label. Despite promising early reports on the safety of these medications, we eagerly await the results of large, controlled trials to substantiate the safety and efficacy of anti-VEGF drugs for diabetic retinopathy.
Frequency stabilization of an extended cavity semiconductor diode laser for chirp cooling

We present a technique to stabilize in an atomic transition the chirping frequency of a narrow-band semiconductor diode laser. The technique is demonstrated to chirp-cool 85Rb atoms used for loading a magneto-optical trap. The stabilization process eliminates long-term fluctuations and drifts in the number of atoms caught in the trap. This is a simple, easy-to-implement, and robust method for wide range of laser cooling experiments employing frequency chirping.