cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Independent Learning in Cooperative Markov Games.

Independent agents learning by reinforcement must overcome several difficulties, including non-stationarity, miscoordination, and relative overgeneralization. An independent learner may receive different rewards for the same state and action at different time steps, depending on the actions of the other agents in that state. Existing multi-agent learning methods try to overcome these issues by using various techniques, such as hysteresis or leniency. However, they all use the latest reward signal to update the Q function. Instead, we propose to keep track of the rewards received for each state-action pair, and use a hybrid approach for updating the Q values: the agents initially adopt an optimistic disposition by using the maximum reward observed, and then transform into average reward learners. We show both analytically and empirically that this technique can improve the convergence and stability of the learning, and is able to deal robustly with overgeneralization, miscoordination, and high degree of stochasticity in the reward and transition functions. Our method outperforms state-of-the-art multi-agent learning algorithms across a spectrum of stochastic and partially observable games, while requiring little parameter tuning.
Prescription opioid misusers exhibit blunted parasympathetic regulation during inhibitory control challenge.

Among opioid-treated chronic pain patients, response inhibition deficits in emotional contexts may contribute to opioid misuse. Using high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) to index-impaired response inhibition, we examined associations between opioid misuse and response inhibition in emotional and neutral contexts in a sample of opioid-treated chronic pain patients. Chronic pain patients taking opioid analgesics (N = 97) for ≥ 90 days completed an Emotional Go/NoGo task that presented an inhibitory control challenge in the context of neutral, opioid, negative affective, and positive affective background images while HF-HRV was computed. Opioid misuse and craving were assessed. Using a validated cut-point on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure, participants were classified as opioid misusers or non-misusers. Opioid misuse was examined as a predictor of behavioral and HF-HRV metrics of response inhibition. Negative affective and opioid images elicited more errors of commission (p = .002, η2partial = .16) and slowed reaction times (p = .045, η2partial = .09) compared to neutral and positive affective images, respectively. Though no between-group behavioral differences were observed on the task, opioid misusers exhibited significantly blunted phasic HF-HRV during the task relative to non-misusers (p = .027, η2partial = .11). HF-HRV during the task was significantly inversely associated with opioid craving. It was not clear whether these autonomic findings reflected a durable phenotypic difference between groups or between-group differences in opioid dosing and withdrawal. Reduced parasympathetic regulation during inhibitory control challenge may indicate heightened opioid misuse risk among opioid-treated chronic pain patients.
Flexible UVC wrap for sanitization of carry-home items

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns on public health and household safety. Contamination of carry-home items by the SARS-CoV2 virus represents a potential risk to households. The common method of manual wipedown of carry-home items using liquid-form disinfectants is not a controlled and standardized process due to differences in operator performance and various surface types and topology. This project aims to develop a cost-effective and convenient UVC sanitization device that accommodates carry-home items of different surface topologies. The device is designed in the form of a flexible wrap and can be manually fabricated using readily available off-the-shelf components. Preliminary testing has shown that the device is capable of producing minimum UVC intensity of 27.17µW/cm2 at 275nm wavelength which exceeds the minimum value of 19.97µW/cm2 required to deactivate the coronavirus in 30 seconds. © 2021 by ASME.
Abstract 1301: Real-time single-cell drug response assay in metastatic breast cancer cell lines using quantitative phase imaging

Introduction: The ability for oncologists to predict a cancer9s response to therapy is limited to a few biomarkers used for histologic diagnosis and targeted therapy. Often, in advanced and metastatic disease these biomarkers provide no alternative options for next step systemic treatments. There is a need in oncology for functional assays that can determine a tumor9s response to a drug, regardless of its tissue of origin, previous treatments, or mutation status. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) can measure changes in single cell mass in response to drug treatment in vitro and ex vivo. This platform offers advantages over other functional/metabolic assays in that it monitors changes in real-time and on a single cell basis, revealing heterogeneity in drug response. Methods: Here, we describe the validation of QPI for the measurement of breast cancer cell response to therapy versus CellTiterGlo (CTG), an endpoint ATP assay. We ran a series of 3-day drug response assays using QPI alongside CTG. We used a 96 well plate with a 6-point dose response between 1.6 nM and 20 μM for multiple cell lines spanning a range of receptor statuses (MCF7, MDA-MB-231, BT-474) with two controls in triplicate. We analyzed single-cell data to measure the heterogeneity of response and assessed how cell-to-cell heterogeneity is affected by dose. Our response data were fitted to a four-parameter Hill equation to compute the IC50 and depth of response. Results: We found that QPI can determine IC50s for effective treatments as validated by concordance to CTG. As measured by QPI, doxorubicin has a substantial depth of response, indicating cytotoxic effects. Doxorubicin data also show a tighter range of growth rates at high concentration than control, which implies low heterogeneity of response. As expected, ER positive MCF7 cells responded to hydroxy-tamoxifen. This response shows a similar reduction in heterogeneity to doxorubicin but with a reduced depth of response indicating a cytostatic effect. MDA-MB-231 response to palbociclib exhibits a wide range of growth rates, indicating an increase in heterogeneity as measured by QPI. Fluorouracil response shows no significant difference in heterogeneity from control. Conclusion: In summary, QPI is a useful tool for functional assays that can capture IC50, depth of response, and single-cell heterogeneity of response. In particular, this additional information about single-cell behavior and heterogeneity cannot be measured using a typical endpoint assay. Future work is needed to prove the clinical utility of functional assays from QPI. Citation Format: Tarek E. Moustafa, Edward R. Polanco, Andrew Butterfield, Sandra D. Scherer, Bryan E. Welm, Philip S. Bernard, Thomas A. Zangle. Real-time single-cell drug response assay in metastatic breast cancer cell lines using quantitative phase imaging [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1301.
Geographically targeted COVID-19 vaccination is more equitable and averts more deaths than age-based thresholds alone.

Author(s): Wrigley-Field, Elizabeth; Kiang, Mathew V; Riley, Alicia R; Barbieri, Magali; Chen, Yea-Hung; Duchowny, Kate A; Matthay, Ellicott C; Van Riper, David; Jegathesan, Kirrthana; Bibbins-Domingo, Kirsten; Leider, Jonathon P | Abstract: [Figure: see text].
The formulary process for biosimilar additions at a comprehensive cancer center

Biological products may be used to diagnose, prevent, treat, and cure diseases and medical conditions, including cancer. Biosimilar agents, approved under an abbreviated 351(k) pathway, continue to...
Work Ethic and Work Incentives: Values and Income Maintenance Reform

Although the American belief system surrounding the concept of work has been analyzed and challenged by social scientists seeking solutions to the problem of poverty, the strength of the work ethic philosophy is still evident in public resistence to welfare reform which would support adequate income maintenance and government efforts at job creation. This paper discusses the relationship between the work ethic philosophy, job creation programming and welfare reform. It reviews relevant theoretical and empirical literature and identifies some misconceptions which continue to hamper policy formulation and program development in welfare reform.
Beyond the Door

comes upon a janitor's closet. A mother closing herself in a small room with a basin, for no reason, except that neither faucet will rinse her out of this narrowing corridor to old age: both have cold water. She stands there sweating. When she started college, the world was a bright, unfolding idea between her and something like God? full of ramifications; her nipples had led her around the green, trimmed lawns as though she were music. Tomorrow night she will drive two hundred miles to another dead end, hot and cold running water and three channels between four walls and a husband not on fire, and the music behind her nipples shrunk into her cellulites and weary clitoris ...
Conflicts in Bankruptcy and the Sequence of Debt Issues

We present a model that shows how interactions between creditor groups in bankruptcy can affect the debt issuance decisions of firms. In particular, we suggest that deviations from APR should be priced and can affect the issuing decisions of junior and senior debt. Our model suggests that once firms issue debt with one level of seniority, they have an incentive to alternate, and subsequent issues will have a different seniority level. When we introduce explicit costs of conflict in our model, we find that as these costs increase, firms will tend to stay with one class of debt. The empirical implications of our model are consistent with the somewhat surprising fact that most firms issue debt at one seniority level only, and quite a few of them never issue any senior debt. We also find that companies that issue only senior subordinated debt are much smaller than those that issue senior debt, while those that issue at both levels are intermediate on most financial measures. This is broadly consistent with our theoretical analysis. Our model is also supported by the fact that companies that issue only senior debt pay lower spreads than companies that issue at both levels. Finally, we study a sample of firms in bankruptcy and again find significant relationships between corporate characteristics and the types of debts that they issue, as predicted by the model.
CTLA-4 Blockade Enhances the CTL Responses to the p53 Self-Tumor Antigen

p53 is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy because it is overexpressed in a high proportion of many different types of tumors. However, it is also expressed in normal tissues and acts as a toleragen in vivo. Previously, detailed examination of the repertoire specific for the murine p53(261-269) epitope in conventional and p53-deficient mice demonstrated that because of expression of p53, the CD8(+) T cells that respond to this epitope express low-affinity TCRs. It has been reported that tolerance to tumor Ags can be broken by in vivo administration of anti-CTLA-4 mAb. With the goal of overriding tolerance and achieving optimal activation of p53-specific CTL, the current study has assessed the effect of anti-CTLA-4 mAb on the p53-specific repertoire. It was found that blockade of CTLA-4 engagement at the time of antigenic stimulation induced a vigorous amplification of the CTL responses to p53 as well as proportionate expansion of the memory T cell pool. This effect was dependent on the presence of CD4(+) T cell help and correlated with an enhancement of helper function. However, anti-CTLA-4 treatment did not enhance the avidity of the resultant p53-specific CTL populations and, therefore, could not reverse this important consequence of tolerance.
Atomistic details of disordering processes in superheated polymethylene crystals

Atomistic details of disordering in superheated polymethylene crystals have been studied using molecular dynamics simulations. Superheating causes a quick development of large-scale disorder throughout the crystal, including reorientation, translation, and the destruction of crystal symmetry, followed ultimately by surface melting. Crystallization-centers with hexagonal packing are found in the superheated, unconstrained crystals. On cooling during the simulation, a recrystallization process competes with the disordering resulting in a reorientation of the molecular chains and reorganization of the crystal.
Synthesis and structural studies of bridgehead dienes: 3-oxobicyclo[6.3.1]dodeca-1(11),8(9)-diene-(ZZ)-11-carboxylic acid and 3-oxobicyclo[7.3.1]trideca-1(12),9(10)-diene-(ZZ)-12-carboxylic acid

Abstract Single crystal X-ray structures of two bridgehead dienes are reported. The bridgehead double bonds of diene 7 show only modest deviation from strain-free tetrasubstituted double bonds. The double bonds in bridgehead diene 6, however, exhibit an average deviation of the C—CC—C torsion angle (φ + χ) of 14°.
Design and Implementation of Decision Support Systems in the Public Sector

This article examines the implications of utilizing decision support systems (DSS) in the public sector based on a DSS developed and implemented for a community mental health system. The DSS includes a multiple objective (goal programming) allocation model and encompasses a multiple party decision process. The experiences and insights acquired during the development and implementation of this DSS are relevant to public sector decision support in general. The importance of a DSS as a process-support aid rather than a product-oriented aid (i.e., simply providing answers) and the interaction of system architecture and the chosen design strategy are key insights. In particular, the distinction between model-oriented and data-oriented DSS does not appear to be appropriate. The public sector decision maker's concern with issues of equity requires the ability to operate in a higher dimensional framework than the typical spreadsheet model and there is a critical need for communication support.
Outcomes after colon trauma in the 21st century: an analysis of the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank.

Introduction Most colon trauma data arise from institutional series that provide descriptive analysis. We investigated the outcome of these patients by analyzing a nationwide database. Methods We queried the U.S. National Trauma Data Bank (2007–2009) using primary International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, Clinical Modification codes to identify colon injuries. Outcomes were stratified by injury mechanism (blunt versus penetrating), segment of colon injured, and management strategy (diversion versus in continuity). Results There were 6,817 patients who suffered primary colon injuries; 82% were male and 48% experienced blunt injuries. Blunt colon trauma patients were older, had lengthier intensive care stays, and greater rates of morbidity and mortality than those with penetrating injuries (all P P Conclusion Sigmoid colon injuries seem to be managed with fecal diversion more often than other segmental injuries. Neither blunt mechanism nor fecal diversion were independently associated with adverse outcomes in colon trauma.
Distribution of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Guinea Pig Tissues Following Parenteral Lipid Emulsion Infusion

Background: Tocopherols and tocotrienols possess vitamin E activity and function as the major lipid-soluble antioxidants in the human body. Commercial lipid emulsions are composed of different oils and supply different amounts of vitamin E. The objective of this study was to measure all 8 vitamin E homologs within 4 different commercial lipid emulsions and evaluate their distribution in guinea pig tissues. Materials and Methods: The distribution of vitamin E homologs within plasma and guinea pig tissues was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Lipid hydroperoxides in lipid emulsions were determined using a commercial kit (Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI), and malondialdehyde tissue levels were determined using an HPLC system. Results: The lipid emulsions contained variable amounts of tocopherols, which were significantly different between emulsions. Tocotrienols were present at very low concentrations (≤0.3%). We found no correlation between the amount of vitamin...
Pulmonary hypertension survival effects and treatment options in cystic fibrosis.

Purpose of review This review discusses the current impact of pulmonary hypertension on the outcome and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). Recent findings Pulmonary hypertension is commonly encountered in advanced lung diseases such as CF. The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in CF patients varies based on disease severity and methodology used for diagnosis. Chronic alveolar hypoxia is the most likely cause. The majority of recent studies have shown worse survival in CF patients who develop pulmonary hypertension. The impact of pulmonary hypertension-specific therapies on symptomatology and outcomes in CF patients has not been well studied. Summary Pulmonary hypertension is common in patients with CF and it occurs largely because of hypoxemia. The presence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with CF is likely associated with worse outcome; however, it remains unknown whether treatment with pulmonary hypertension-specific therapies would be beneficial.
Modulation of epidermal growth factor receptors in psoriatic lesions during treatment with topical EGF

Active psoriatic lesions have increased EGF/TGF alpha receptors, historically known as the EGF-R. This increase is due to their persistence into the outer parakeratotic layers as measured by autoradiography, immunohistochemistry, and mRNA assays. When psoriatic lesions in patients resolve due to therapy with different modalities, the EGF-R persistently expressed in the outer layers of the epidermis either disappear or resume a basal location presumably due to receptor downregulation. To test whether EGF could downregulate EGF-R and biologically affect psoriatic epidermis, split-thickness skin grafts of active psoriatic lesions were sutured onto the dorsal surface of nude mice. After 3 weeks, the mice were treated daily for a 6-week period with placebo, or 10 or 50 micrograms/ml EGF. Immunostaining showed persistent EGF-R in all epidermal layers in the untreated, placebo-, and 10 micrograms/ml EGF-treated groups. Those grafts receiving a high dose of EGF (50 micrograms/ml) showed either no immunoreactive EGF-R or faint basilar staining. As an additional check for functional activity of the EGF-R, an abundant substrate for this receptor, PLC-gamma 1 was also evaluated following EGF treatment. A similar distribution and modulation pattern following treatment were observed in the grafts immunostained for PLC-gamma 1, suggesting that exogenous EGF treatment affected metabolic pathways subsequent to ligand receptor binding. Morphologic alterations characteristic of a regressing psoriatic phenotype (a decrease in acanthosis, thickness, and the resumption of the orthokeratotic mode of differentiation) were noted in those lesions receiving the 50 micrograms/ml EGF treatment. This study indicates that persistent EGF-R in psoriasis vulgaris are biologically active in vivo and may serve a pivotal role in the regulation of psoriatic lesions.
Ocean thermal energy conversion: a general introduction

Abstract The ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) concept is discussed with emphasis on the closed Rankine cycle using ammonia as a working fluid. The main features of OTEC, such as low efficiency high flow rates, and high capital cost are put in perspective in terms of energy cost at the bus bar. Sensitivity analyses of net output power to key design variables and to performance uncertainty are performed. It is concluded that even with a large error in estimating performance conditions, the plant produces net output power. This indicates the robust nature of current designs. Finally, cost figures of major system components are given and electricity cost based on a hypothetical capital cost is computed.
Diagnostic difficulties in the interpretation of needle aspiration material from large renal cysts

In recent years, fine-needle-aspiration biopsies (FNA) have been widely used in the evaluation of renal masses, with false-positive FNA data being very uncommon. We present a case report of a 76-yr-old man with a 16-cm renal cyst and what was interpreted as an isolated calcified mural nodule. Following drainage of the main cyst fluid, FNA biopsy showed atypical cell clusters thought to be positive for malignancy. Subsequent surgery failed to disclose either a residual mural nodule or evidence of malignancy. Immunoperoxidase studies performed on both the cell block and actual cyst wall suggested that the abnormal cells were histiocytes. The diagnostic pitfalls of this case, along with a review of pertinent literature, are discussed. Diagn Cytopathol 1994; 11:380–384. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Senile hypophyseal syndromes.

Abstract Disordered internal secretions influence not only the outward appearance of the patients but also various functions of the organism. This statement applies to internal disturbances of pituitary origin as exemplified by two opposite pathological syndromes, namely Cushing 's syndrome and Glinski-Simmonds disease. Analysis of senile signs occurring in the above syndromes makes it possible, based upon the Kretschmer types of physical constitution, to establish 2 types of physiological senescence: an asthenic (leptosome) type corresponding with Glinski-Simmonds disease, and a pyknic type analogous to Cushing 's syndrome.
Lessons for Historical Archaeology from the Career of W. Raymond Wood

When I first expressed interest in presenting a paper at the 2004 Society for American Archae ology symposium honoring W. Raymond Wood, I struggled with selecting a paper topic. I certainly did not have anything new to contribute to Plains archaeology or ethnohistory or in any of the other geographic or topical areas in which he has worked (to illustrate how I have followed successfully in his footsteps). After much introspection into how my own career as an anthropologically trained his torical archaeologist has developed, I decided to share some of my ideas about Ray Wood's impact on historical archaeology. It is partly a personal story, but I think it is much more. I imagine that most of those who have been influenced by Ray Wood have similar stories. Many of his students went on to specialize in the anthropology and ar chaeology of the Plains, but his impact has gone beyond one geographic region.
The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) functional

The mathematical structure of the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) functional is described. Necessary conditions for the extremal solution of the HIC functional are presented, along with results characterizing the critical points of the functional. A program written in Borland C is developed to construct the HIC functional, and various characteristics of the HIC are determined from the constructed functional, including the average HIC value, HIC variance, and higher-order HIC moments. By investigating the form of the HIC functional, it is possible to extract structural information by the computation of the moments of the functional. Sample functional plots for experimental acceleration pulses are also provided.
Loss of Heterozygosity in the MXI1 Gene Is a Frequent Occurrence in Melanoma

Melanoma development and progression is thought to be the result of a multi-step accumulation of genetic damage, with loss of heterozygosity in chromosome 9p (MTS1) frequently described. In addition, chromosome 10q allelic loss has been reported, implicating the tumor suppressor gene PTEN/MMAC1 on 10q23.3. The MXI1 gene at 10q24–25 is another candidate tumor suppressor that has only rarely been studied in melanomas, with conflicting results. We used microdissection-based genotyping to investigate 29 melanomas from 20 patients for loss of heterozygosity in intragenic and flanking microsatellite markers for this latter gene. Concurrently, the MTS1 gene was similarly studied using two flanking microsatellites. Fifty-four percent (15 of 28) of the informative cases showed loss of heterozygosity for one or both MXI1 markers, as compared with 67% (16 of 24) of the informative cases for MTS1. MXI1 allelic loss was seen more frequently in recurrent/metastatic tumors (59%), as compared with in primary (33%) lesions. Eighty percent of the primary tumors showed loss of heterozygosity for MTS1, as well as 63% of recurrent/metastatic ones. We studied more than one tumor in eight patients, with those from three patients showing discordant genetic patterns. One patient showed a metastatic tumor with allelic loss for MXI1 that was not identified in the primary melanoma or a local recurrence. The other two patients showed clonal heterogeneity in MXI1 at synchronous and metachronous metastatic foci. These findings support MXI1 as a putative tumor suppressor gene involved in conventional melanoma progression. Genetic heterogeneity seen in different metastases from the same primary suggests a nonlinear pattern of chromosomal damage, with the development of multiple clones within the primary tumor, each acquiring its own metastatic potential.
A comparison of receptive-field and tracer-coupling size of amacrine and ganglion cells in the rabbit retina

Recent studies have shown that amacrine and ganglion cells in the mammalian retina are extensively coupled as revealed by the intercellular movement of the biotinylated tracers biocytin and Neurobiotin. These demonstrations of tracer coupling suggest that electrical networks formed by proximal neurons (i.e. amacrine and ganglion cells) may underlie the lateral propagation of signals across the inner retina. We studied this question by comparing the receptive-field size, dendritic-field size, and extent of tracer coupling of amacrine and ganglion cells in the dark-adapted, superfused, isolated retina eyecup of the rabbit. Our results indicate that while the center-receptive fields of proximal neurons are approximately 15% larger than their corresponding dendritic diameters, this slight difference can be explained by factors other than electrical coupling such as tissue shrinkage associated with histological processing. However, the extent of tracer coupling of amacrine and ganglion cells was, on average, about twice the size of the corresponding receptive fields. Thus, the receptive field of an individual proximal neuron matched far more closely to its dendritic diameter than to the size of the tracer-coupled network of cells to which it belonged. The exception to this rule was the AII amacrine cells for which center-receptive fields were 2-3 times the size of their dendritic diameters but matched closely to the size of the tracer-coupled arrays. Thus, with the exception of AII cells, our data indicate that tracer coupling between proximal neurons is not associated with an enlargement of their receptive fields. Our results, then, provide no evidence for electrical coupling or, at least, indicate that extensive lateral spread of visual signals does not occur in the proximal mammalian retina.
Group processes in cult affiliation and recruitment

Cult affiliation and the maintenance of cult affiliation is a multidimensional process. It may reflect individual psychopathology, familial dysfunction or the use of intense group experiences to create a context in which major personality change may occur. This paper discusses cult affiliation within the context of group dynamics and the formation of group fantasies.
A systolic array processor for biological information signal processing

The Biological Information Signal Processing (BISP) is a system for high speed sequence comparisons designed to support the computation requirements for mapping and sequencing the human and other genomes. The heart of a BISP system is a versatile processor chip that can conduct the most time consuming sequence comparison functions, establishing both global and local relationships between two DNA or protein sequences. Because of the application’s strong computation and communication requirements, a programmable systolic array architecture was developed. A BISP system can include a large number of processing elements; the initial BISP demonstration system consists of 768 BISP elements, capable of delivering more than 6.25 x 10^9 integer operations per second. The system can be expanded to include over 4,000 elements, This paper describes the comparison algorithm and outlines the BISP chip and system designs. Estimated performance of the BISP system is compared with several different computer architectures.
Pressure flow studies for prostatism.

In retrospect, it should be obvious that we do not know much about the natural history of BPH and obstruction because we do not know for certain if the patients who have been studied actually were obstructed. We do not know if patients who were better after some treatment became so as a result of the treatment or as a result of spontaneous improvement. Until we are able to establish these reasons scientifically we will not be able to establish which patient needs treatment and which does not. That is part of our charge as urologists. We have the tools to do this in our clinics and we should get on with it.
Effect of polysilicon-emitter shape on dopant diffusion in polysilicon-emitter transistors

The shape of the polysilicon region of a polysilicon-emitter transistor fabricated with a single layer of polysilicon depends on the processing conditions and can vary considerably. When the boundary between the polysilicon and the adjacent oxide is not vertical, the anisotropic dopant diffusivity in polysilicon can limit the ability of the dopant to diffuse to the corner, restricting the effectiveness of the polysilicon as a diffusion source in this region. In the extreme case, the junction may be located in the polysilicon, rather than in the underlying single-crystal silicon, causing large leakage currents and degrading the transistor gain. >
Experimental evaluation of a partitioning algorithm for the steiner tree problem in R2 and R3

We experimentally evaluate sequential and distributed implementations of an approximation partitioning algorithm by Kalpakis and Sherman for the Geometric Steiner Minimum Tree Problem (GSMT) in Rd for d = 2,3. Our implementations incorporate an improved method for combining the subproblems, and single-and double-edge reduction techniques to eliminate unnecessary Steiner points created by the partitioning process. Results show that these refinements are crucial in practice to produce high-quality results. Moreover, with these refinements, the partitioning algorithm is an effective practical heuristic, which in less time finds solutions roughly comparable with those computed by Smith's Algorithm. The partitioning algorithm depends on a parameter t through which the user can trade off time for solution quality. To solve each of the subproblems of size at most t, we apply Smith's Algorithm, the only other Steiner tree algorithm known for R3 under the Euclidean norm. Using uniformly generated point sets in the d-cube [0, 100]d, we compare the running time and solution quality for the partitioning algorithm for various values of t against that of Smith's Algorithm applied to the entire input. We also estimate the constant factor in the 1 + O(t−1/d(d-1)) asymptotic performance bound proven by Kalpakis and Sherman and find that it is less than one. With d = 2 on input sets of 25 points, our sequential implementation with t = 7 typically found within 6 seconds a Steiner tree within 1% of the cost (342) of that computed by Smith's Algorithm in 20 seconds. At t = 13 and using approximately 15 seconds, our sequential implementation typically found Steiner trees within 0.1% of this cost. Similarly, with d = 3 on input sets of 60 points, our distributed implementation with t = 10 typically found within 22 seconds a Steiner tree within 1% of the cost (1059) of that computed by Smith's Algorithm in 200 seconds. At t = 31 and using approximately 108 seconds, our distributed implementation usually found slightly better Steiner trees than did Smith's Algorithm. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
You've got mail: Using e-mail to examine the effect of prejudiced attitudes on discrimination against Arabs

Abstract This study examined subtle forms of discrimination directed towards Arabs. Participants were sent a “lost” e-mail intended for someone else. The surname of the intended recipient was either of Arab or European descent. The e-mail stated the recipient was or was not awarded a prestigious 4-year scholarship, and that a response was required within 48 h. Participants had completed a measure of prejudiced attitudes toward Arab-Americans two weeks before they received the lost e-mail. In comparison to less prejudiced individuals, more prejudiced individuals were less likely to return a lost e-mail stating that an Arab had won a scholarship and were more likely to return a lost e-mail stating that an Arab had not won a scholarship.
Cortisol increases plasma insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in humans.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) modulates the metabolic and mitogenic actions of the IGF peptides. Previous studies have established insulin as the major regulator of plasma IGFBP-1 in humans, acting to suppress hepatic IGFBP-1 synthesis. In this study, we investigated the regulation of plasma IGFBP-1 by cortisol in humans, independent of insulin. Following an overnight fast, six healthy adult volunteers received a euglycemic pancreatic clamp (somatostatin, 0.12 microgram.kg-1.min-1; GH, 3 ng.kg-1.min-1; insulin, 0.05 mU.kg-1.min-1) to block endogenous insulin secretion and to control glucose and plasma hormone concentrations at desired levels. Three hours after the initiation of the pancreatic clamp, each subject received an additional 360 min infusion of either cortisol (2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) or saline on separate occasions and in random order. Plasma cortisol concentrations increased from 220 to 970 nmol/l during the cortisol infusion. Insulin concentrations were maintained at approximately 30 pmol/l throughout saline and cortisol infusions. Plasma IGFBP-1 concentrations increased threefold in response to hypoinsulinemia, reaching plateau values of approximately 140 micrograms/l with saline infusion. During cortisol infusion, IGFBP-1 levels increased to approximately 300 micrograms/l. Over the 360 min study period, the integrated response of plasma IGFBP-1 to cortisol infusion was 314% greater than to saline infusion (p < 0.01). Our data confirm that, under conditions of hypoinsulinemia, cortisol is a significant modulator of plasma IGFBP-1 in humans.
Pharmacological rate control of atrial fibrillation

To control ventricular rate in patients with AF, physicians should seek to control heart rate at rest and with exertion. The goal has to be achieved while minimizing costs and adverse effects. For emergency use, i.v. diltiazem or esmolol are drugs useful because of their rapid onset of action. They have to be used with caution in patients with concomitant left ventricular failure symptoms, however. For most patients with AF, chronic control of the ventricular rate can be achieved with one drug. For the chronic control of ventricular rate in patients with AF and normal ventricular function, diltiazem, atenolol, are metoprolol are probably the drugs of choice. For patients with AF and structurally abnormal hearts, atenolol, metoprolol, or carvedilol are appropriate choices. Adequate ventricular rate control by pharmacological agents should be evaluated by either 24-hour Holter monitoring or a submaximal stress test to determine the resting and exercise ventricular rate. If the mean ventricular rate is not close to 80 beats per minute, or the heart rate on moderate exertion is not between 90 to 115 beats per minute, a second agent to control the rate should be added. Excessive reductions in ventricular rates that could limit exercise tolerance should be avoided.
A revised and unified pressure-clamp/relaxation theory for studying plant cell water relations with pressure probes: In-situ determination of cell volume for calculation of volumetric elastic modulus and hydraulic conductivity

� Accurate estimates of plant cell volume (νo) can be determined in-situ using cell-pressure-probes. � A revised νo-theory was developed that is valid for the pressure-clamp and pressure-relaxation methods. � For the same cell, the pressure-clamp method gave a systematically lower (21%) νo as compared to the pressure-relaxation method. � Effects of solute mixing could only explain a potential error in calculated νo of o3%. � The results suggest that both methods are differentially affected by cell osmotic behavior (i.e. solute reflection coefficient, s) in response to turgor changes. abstract The cell-pressure-probe is a unique tool to study plant water relations in-situ. Inaccuracy in the estimation of cell volume (νo) is the major source of error in the calculation of both cell volumetric elastic modulus (e) and cell hydraulic conductivity (Lp). Estimates of νo and Lp can be obtained with the pressure-clamp (PC) and pressure-relaxation (PR) methods. In theory, both methods should result in comparable νo and Lp estimates, but this has not been the case. In this study, the existing νo-theories for PC and PR methods were reviewed and clarified. A revised νo-theory was developed that is equally valid for the PC and PR methods. The revised theory was used to determine νo for two extreme scenarios of solute mixing between the experimental cell and sap in the pressure probe microcapillary. Using a fully automated cell-pressure-probe (ACPP) on leaf epidermal cells of Tradescantia virginiana, the validity of the revised theory was tested with experimental data. Calculated νo values from both methods were in the range of optically determined νo (¼1.1-5.0 nL) for T. virginiana. However, the PC method produced a systematically lower (21%) calculated νo compared to the PR method. Effects of solute mixing could only explain a potential error in calculated νo of o3%. For both methods, this discrepancy in νo was almost identical to the discrepancy in the measured ratio of ΔV/ΔP (total change in microcapillary sap volume versus corresponding change in cell turgor) of 19%, which is a fundamental parameter in calculating νo .I t followed from the revised theory that the ratio of ΔV/ΔP was inversely related to the solute reflection coefficient. This highlighted that treating the experimental cell as an ideal osmometer in both methods is potentially not correct. Effects of non-ideal osmotic behavior by transmembrane solute movement may be minimized in the PR as compared to the PC method.
An experimental and modeling study of engine knock

Raman and emission spectroscopy, laser induced fluorescence, schlieren photography and gas sampling have been used in a single-cylinder, spark-ignition engine to study preflame conditions and reactions that lead to autoignition and knock. The intake manifold temperature and pressure were used to control the fraction of fuel autoigniting in a 5.1 compression-ratio engine. N-butane, isobutane and propane were studied, but only n -butane and isobutane would knock within the available experimental conditions. Preflame reactions were observed which involved OH and CH radicals, and produced carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and weak blue light emission. Detailed kinetics modeling correctly predicted the trends in the autoignition delay times, but computed results showed little sensitivity to low-temperature reactions.
Hopf bifurcation with broken reflection symmetry in rotating Rayleigh-Bénard convection

Experimental observations of azimuthally traveling waves in rotating Rayleigh-B?nard convection in a circular container are presented and described in terms of the theory of bifurcation with symmetry. The amplitude of the convective states varies as ?? and the traveling-wave frequency depends linearly on ? with a finite value at onset. Here ? = R/Rc - 1, where Rc is the critical Rayleigh number. The onset value of the frequency decreases to zero as the dimensionless rotation rate ? decreases to zero. These experimental observations are consistent with the presence of a Hopf bifurcation from the conduction state expected to arise when rotation breaks the reflection symmetry in vertical planes of the nonrotating apparatus.
Lovastatin ameliorates α-synuclein accumulation and oxidation in transgenic mouse models of α-synucleinopathies

Alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) aggregation is a neuropathological hallmark of many diseases including Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's Disease (PD), collectively termed the alpha-synucleinopathies. The mechanisms underlying alpha-syn aggregation remain elusive though emerging science has hypothesized that the interaction between cholesterol and alpha-syn may play a role. Cholesterol has been linked to alpha-synucleinopathies by recent work suggesting cholesterol metabolites appear to accelerate alpha-syn fibrillization. Consistent with these findings, cholesterol-lowering agents have been demonstrated to reduce alpha-syn accumulation and the associated neuronal pathology in vitro. In this context, this study sought to investigate the in vivo effects of the cholesterol synthesis inhibitor lovastatin on alpha-syn aggregation in two different transgenic (Tg) mouse models that neuronally overexpress human alpha-syn. Lovastatin-treated mice displayed significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels and levels of oxidized cholesterol metabolites in the brain in comparison to saline-treated controls. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a significant reduction of neuronal alpha-syn aggregates and alpha-syn immunoreactive neuropil in the temporal cortex of lovastatin-treated Tg mice in comparison to saline-treated alpha-syn Tg controls. Consistently, immunoblot analysis of mouse brain homogenates showed a reduction in levels of total and oxidized alpha-syn in lovastatin-treated alpha-syn Tg mice in comparison to saline-treated alpha-syn Tg controls. The reduced alpha-syn accumulation in lovastatin-treated mice was associated with abrogation of neuronal pathology. The results from this study demonstrate that lovastatin administration can reduce alpha-syn aggregation and associated neuropathology and support the possibility that treatment with cholesterol-lowering agents may be beneficial for patients with PD and/or DLB.
Factorization of the scattering matrix and the location of the eigenvalues of the Manakov–Zakharov–Shabat system

Abstract We show the scattering matrix associated to the Manakov–Zakharov–Shabat (MZS) system can be factorized as the product of two scattering matrices associated to the Zakharov–Shabat (ZS) system of the Nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation, whenever the initial conditions of the Manakov system have disjoint support. Moreover, if these initial conditions are assumed to be single-lobe, the eigenvalues of the MZS system are purely imaginary.
PECVD growth of Six:Ge1−x films for high speed devices and MEMS

Abstract Thin films of Silicon–Germanium (SiGe) were deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) for use in high speed devices, Micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) and bolometric infrared detectors. SiGe films grown by PECVD typically have lower stress, lower deposition temperatures and higher growth rates (200 A/min) compared with other deposition techniques. The samples were deposited at temperatures from 500 °C to 580 °C and doped using either diborane (B 2 H 6 ) or phosphine (PH 3 ). As-deposited films had predominantly (1 1 1) and (2 2 0) texture determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Annealing produced crystalline material with no evidence of cracking as determined by resistivity measurements. It also produced variations of crystallite orientations with predominantly (1 1 1) texture. As-grown films exhibited compressive stresses as low as 18 MPa. Stress in annealed samples increased with increasing annealing temperature and time.
Correlation of Infectivity and Concanavalin A Agglutinability of Algae Exsymbiotic from Paramecium bursaria

SYNOPSIS. Eighteen strains of algae, including 17 exsymbiotic from Paramecium bursaria, were tested for infectivity for P. bursaria, syngen 2 aposymbiotes, and Concanavalin A (Con A) agglutinability. All 6 infective algal strains were relatively resistant to agglutination by Con A, suggesting that algal surface characteristics are correlated with infectivity. Among the noninfective strains, high and low agglutinability were about equally represented, indicating that the Con A titer alone is not a sufficient indicator of infectivity. It is suggested that noninfective algal strains are the progeny of mutations occurring within the endozoic population and fortuitously selected by the external culture medium.
Dynamics of ultrathin metal films on amorphous substrates under fast thermal processing

A mathematical model is developed to analyze the growth/decay rate of surface perturbations of an ultrathin metal film on an amorphous substrate (SiO2). The formulation combines the approach of Mullins [W. W. Mullins, J. Appl. Phys. 30, 77 (1959)] for bulk surfaces, in which curvature-driven mass transport and surface deformation can occur by surface/volume diffusion and evaporation-condensation processes, with that of Spencer etal. [B. J. Spencer, P. W. Voorhees, and S. H. Davis, Phys. Rev. Lett. 67, 26 (1991)] to describe solid-state transport in thin films under epitaxial strain. Modifications of the Mullins model to account for thin-film boundary conditions result in qualitatively different dispersion relationships especially in the limit as kho≪1, where k is the wavenumber of the perturbation and ho is the unperturbed film height. The model is applied to study the relative rate of solid-state mass transport as compared to that of liquid phase dewetting in a thin film subjected to a fast thermal pulse...
Role of PKCα in linking MAP kinase to caspase‐3 in 5‐HT1A receptor mediated signalling

Activation of caspases is a key step in initiation and execution of neuronal apoptosis following injury. Our earlier studies showed that the 5-HT1A agonist (8-OH-DPAT) stimulates a PI-3K-independent mode of inhibition of caspase-3. This results in an inhibition of anoxia-induced apoptosis in the hippocampal neuron-derived HN2-5 cells through the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). Moreover, 5-HT1A agonist treatment also blocks caspase-3 activation in an ERK-dependent manner during hydrogen peroxide mediated oxidative stress. This protective ERK activation involves Ca/Calmodulin (CaM) dependent endocytosis, since Fluphenazine, W-7 (Ca/CaM inhibitors) and Monodansylcadaverine (an endocytosis inhibitor) effectively block the 8-OH-DPAT-triggered ERK1/2 phosphorylation. A focal adhesion kinase (e.g. Pyk2) participates in this signal transduction pathway, since 8-OH-DPAT–mediated ERK1/2 activation is blocked in the presence of Cytochalasin D (a focal adhesion kinase inhibitor). Both a general inhibitor of PKCs (GFX) and a selective inhibitor of the calcium-sensitive PKCs (Go6976) reversed agonist-induced suppresion of caspase-3 activity, although GFX has no effect on the 5-HT1A-R-mediated activation of ERK1/2. PKCα, but not PKCβ, immunoprecipitated from 8-OH-DPAT-treated cells showed ERK1/2-dependent stimulation, indicating the involvement of the PKCα isozyme. Transient expression of kinase-negative PKCα in HN2-5 cells caused elimination of the agonist-evoked caspase-3 inhibition, confirming that PKCα links the 5-HT1A-R-MAPK pathway to the inhibition of caspase-3. A study of this 5-HT1A-R-mediated signalling cascade in other neuronal cells will demonstrate the generality of this novel pathway.