cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking nucleic acid nanocapsule assembly, cellular uptake and disassembly using a novel fluorescently labeled surfactant

Intracellular trafficking and delivery of nucleic acids is an area of growing interest, particularly as it relates to therapeutic applications. Spectroscopic methods have been used to observe and quantitatively measure the delivery of oligonucleotides both in vitro and in vivo. Herein we demonstrate the use of a new fluorophore labeled surfactant presenting a solvatochromatic chromophore for tracking the assembly and degradation of a hybrid biomaterial we refer to as a nucleic acid nanocapsule (NAN). We show that the surfactant enables critical micelle concentration determination, monitoring of NAN disassembly in vitro, and the ability to track the cellular movement and activity of surfactant–oligonucleotide conjugates in cells when coupled with quantitative PCR analysis.
Slave sacrifices in the Upemba Depression? Reinterpreting Classic Kisalian graves in the light of new linguistic evidence

The current state of archaeological research about slavery in Africa faces the challenge of recognising the existence and grasping the meanings of slaving practices from times without written recor...
Designing For Diversity: Implications for Research and Practice:

The Diversity Committee of HFES has led sessions at the Annual Meeting for the past three years focused on improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the society as well as providing support to h...
Sharing Care with Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners

Increasing numbers of dermatology practices are employing non-physician providers (NPPs), such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Ethical principles of consequentialism, deontology, and professional practice codes offer guidelines for the appropriate integration of NPPs in dermatology. Closely collaborating qualified dermatologists, well-trained NPPs, and clear benefits to patients are some of the important features of ethical integration of NPPs. It is not clear how well current practice meets these basic standards.
Ohmic-Contact-Gated Carbon Nanotube Transistors for High-Performance Analog Amplifiers

The growing demand for ubiquitous data collection has driven the development of sensing technologies with local data processing. As a result, solution-processed semiconductors are widely employed due to their compatibility with low-cost additive manufacturing on a wide range of substrates. However, to fully realize their potential in sensing applications, high-performance scalable analog amplifiers must be realized. Here, ohmic-contact-gated transistors (OCGTs) based on solution-processed semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes are introduced to address this unmet need. This new device concept enables output current saturation in the short-channel limit without compromising output current drive. The resulting OCGTs are used in common-source amplifiers to achieve the highest width-normalized output current (≈30 µA µm-1 ) and length-scaled signal gain (≈230 µm-1 ) to date for solution-processed semiconductors. The utility of these amplifiers for emerging sensing technologies is demonstrated by the amplification of complex millivolt-scale analog biological signals including the outputs of electromyography, photoplethysmogram, and accelerometer sensors. Since the OCGT design is compatible with other solution-processed semiconducting materials, this work establishes a general route to high-performance, solution-processed analog electronics.
Hyper-X Research Vehicle Experimental Aerodynamics Test Program Overview

An overview is provided of the experimental aerodynamics test program to ensure mission success for the autonomous flight of the Hyper-X research vehicle, a 12-ft-long, 2700-lb lifting body technology demonstrator designed to flight demonstrate for the first time a fully airframe-integrated scramjet propulsion system. Three flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10. The research vehicles will be boosted to the prescribed scramjet engine test point, where they will separate from the booster, stabilize, and initiate engine test. Following more than 5 s of powered flight and 15 s of cowl-open tares, the cowl will close, and the vehicle will fly a controlled deceleration trajectory, which includes numerous control doublets for in-flight aerodynamic parameter identification. The preflight testing activities, wind-tunnel models, test rationale, risk reduction activities, and sample results from wind-tunnel tests supporting the flight trajectory from hypersonic engine test point through subsonic flight termination are reviewed.
Traditional Somali Diaspora Medical Practices in the USA: A Scoping Review.

Minnesota has the largest Somali diaspora in the world. Uniquely, the Minnesotan Somali diaspora utilizes traditional healing practices along with Western medicine. Therefore, medical providers who regularly interact with Somali patients must be aware of traditional healing practices. A scoping review inclusive of three databases (Embase Classic + Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO) was conducted. Fifty-eight studies met established criteria. Traditional medicine is performed with conventional medicine. Illnesses are acknowledged to be caused by a malfunctioning body, evil eye, and/or zar (possession). Examples of the utilization of dawo dhaqmeed (traditional practices) included ilko dacowo (dental enucleation), khat (catha edulis), guboow (use of a fire-heated object), cupping, xoq (scraping), xidhayn (female genital mutilation), duugto (massage), baan (nutrition), herbs, caano geel (camel milk), Qur'anic healing, prayer, zam zam (holy water), tahliil liquid (blessed water), and amulets. Practices ranged from benign to harmful. Identifying Somali traditional healing practices is the first step in understanding the health of the Somali community in Minnesota.
Pseudocyst Drainage in Chronic Pancreatitis

Since pancreatic pseudocysts and chronic pancreatitis are both problems caused by alcohol abuse, it is not surprising that they can occur simultaneously in the same patient. The question arises as to whether pseudocyst disease is the same insofar as presentation, natural history, and results of treatment when it occurs in patients with chronic pancreatitis. To evaluate this, we have reviewed our experience and that of other investigators to determine the incidence of pseudocyst in patients with chronic pancreatitis, the likelihood of pseudocyst regression in these patients, the incidence of cyst recurrence and persistent abdominal pain after simple internal drainage, and the efficacy of combined pseudocyst and pancreatic duct drainage for their management.
Aerodynamic shape optimization of civil structures: A CFD-enabled Kriging-based approach

In the case of mega-structures such as tall buildings and long-span bridges, the mitigation of the intensity of the wind excitation through aerodynamic tailoring of the external shape can be fundamental for meeting the performance goals. The search for the best performing shape through an automatic CFD-enabled optimization methodology is potentially less expensive, less time-consuming and more thorough than the common trial-and-error approach based on wind tunnel test results, therefore very attractive. This paper investigates the possibility of carrying out the multi-objective aerodynamic shape optimization of civil structures through an approach in which evolutionary algorithms are used in synergy with ordinary Kriging surrogates. A specifically developed strategy is adopted to update the Kriging models making efficient use of additional CFD runs. Shell scripting, parallelized computations and mesh morphing algorithms are exploited for enhancing the framework's efficiency and consistency. As a case study, the optimization of the shape of a tall building cross-section in terms of both the lift and the drag coefficient is considered.
On the Availability of Non-strict Quorum Systems

Allowing read operations to return stale data with low probability has been proposed as a means to increase availability in quorums systems. Existing solutions that allow stale reads cannot tolerate an adversarial scheduler that can maliciously delay messages between servers and clients in the system and for such a scheduler existing solutions cannot enforce a bound on the staleness of data read. This paper considers the possibility of increasing system availability while at the same time tolerating a malicious scheduler and guaranteeing an upper bound on the staleness of data. We characterize the conditions under which this increase is possible and show that it depends on the ratio of the write frequency to the servers’ failure frequency. For environments with a relatively large failure frequency compared to write frequency, we propose K-quorums that can provide higher availability than the strict quorum systems and also guarantee bounded staleness. We also propose a definition of k-atomicity and present a protocol to implement a k-atomic register using k-quorums.
Reliability of finger blood pressures with simultaneous ipsilateral radial applanation tonometry (1156.11)

Important measurements in the field of autonomic physiology include assessment of continuous blood pressure via finger photoplethysmography (Finometer) and estimates of central blood pressure and a...
Alternative splicing and endoproteolytic processing generate tissue-specific forms of pituitary peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM).

The pituitary is a rich source of peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). This bifunctional protein contains peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and peptidyl-alpha-hydroxyglycine alpha-amidating lyase (PAL) catalytic domains necessary for the two-step formation of alpha-amidated peptides from their peptidylglycine precursors. In addition to the four forms of PAM mRNA identified previously, three novel forms of PAM mRNA were identified by examining anterior and neurointermediate pituitary cDNA libraries. None of the PAM cDNAs found in pituitary cDNA libraries contained exon A, the 315-nucleotide (nt) segment situated between the PHM and PAL domains and present in rPAM-1 but absent from rPAM-2. Although mRNAs of the rPAM-3a and -3b type encode bifunctional PAM precursors, the proteins differ significantly. rPAM-3b lacks a 54-nt segment encoding an 18-amino acid peptide predicted to occur in the cytoplasmic domain of this integral membrane protein; rPAM-3a lacks a 204-nt segment including the transmembrane domain and encodes a soluble protein. rPAM-5 is identical to rPAM-1 through nt 1217 in the PHM domain; alternative splicing generates a novel 3‘-region encoding a COOH-terminal pentapeptide followed by 1.1 kb of 3‘-untranslated region. The soluble rPAM-5 protein lacks PAL, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains. These three forms of PAM mRNA can be generated by alternative splicing. The major forms of PAM mRNA in both lobes of the pituitary are rPAM-3b and rPAM-2. Despite the fact that anterior and neurointermediate pituitary contain a similar distribution of forms of PAM mRNA, the distribution of PAM proteins in the two lobes of the pituitary is quite different. Although integral membrane proteins similar to rPAM-2 and rPAM-3b are major components of anterior pituitary granules, the PAM proteins in the neurointermediate lobe have undergone more extensive endoproteolytic processing, and a 75-kDa protein containing both PHM and PAL domains predominates. The bifunctional PAM precursor undergoes tissue-specific endoproteolytic cleavage reminiscent of the processing of prohormones.
Sovereignty, Territory and Fluidity: Lessons from Hoganas

Throughout its history, debate has swirled around the impact of the European Union on sovereignty, territorial control, and state impact. Typically, such debates have centered on the impacts of these issues on member states and member populations. Indeed, these debates – and related debates – are still very much alive in legal and political circles today.However, little attention has been paid to the impact of the European Union on sovereignty, territorial control, and state impact in areas other than member states. A recent decision by Hoganas, a town in Sweden, suggests that more attention should be paid to such impacts. Sweden is not a part of the European Union’s Eurozone and, as such, does not use or accept the Euro as a state currency. This is national legal policy. Hoganas has an economy which is heavily dependent upon tourism, especially tourism from states which are part of the European Union and which use the Euro. In an effort to protest the Swedish legal position and to increase its tourism trade, Hoganas had declared that it will accept the Euro as a valid means of payment within its borders. This paper will address the legal issues raised by Hoganas’ actions as they relate to the concept of territory and sovereignty in modern international law. The paper will argue that, more than just an act of defiance or financial pragmatism, Hoganas exemplifies a sense of territorial fluidity under which small political units may elect to take their own course of action, even against their own state. The cultivation of this fluidity raises important questions for law and also for society in general in terms of its impact on the concept of belonging and statehood.
Multiple myeloma: Report of a case involving the mandible

Abstract Multiple myeloma is a malignant tumor of bone which may involve the jaws initially or in the more advanced stages of the disease. Positive laboratory findings, particularly Bence-Jones proteinuria and reversal of the albumin-globulin ratio, do not invariably accompany the disease, as was previously believed. Diagnosis is best established by bone marrow studies. Because of the frequency with which multiple myeloma involves the jaws, any unusual or irregular radiolucency of the mandible or maxilla should be thoroughly investigated.
Research in the delivery of health care: Changing reproductive trends☆

Abstract A three-year analysis of changing reproductive trends in a rural low-income population is described. There is a decline in the number of patients with high parity. Associated with this finding is the increasing proportion of primigravid deliveries, in particular among young teenagers. The implications of these observations suggest the future direction for population control efforts.
Multicentennial variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and its climatic influence in a 4000 year simulation of the GFDL CM2.1 climate model

[1] We investigate decadal to multicentennial variability of Northern Hemisphere surface air temperature in a 4000-year control simulation of the GFDL CM2.1 climate model. Spectral analysis shows the presence of a distinct multicentennial timescale of temperature variability. The associated spatial pattern is broad, covering the entire Northern Hemisphere extratropics, but with enhanced amplitude in the Atlantic and Arctic sectors. This variability appears to be driven by interhemispheric fluctuations in oceanic heat transport associated with the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The AMOC variability is associated with century-scale propagation of salinity anomalies from the Southern Ocean to the subpolar North Atlantic, with out of phase transport variations between the upper ocean and deeper layers of the Atlantic. When positive (negative) upper ocean salinity anomalies reach the subpolar North Atlantic they strengthen (weaken) the AMOC by modulating upper ocean density and vertical stratification. The large-scale warming also appears to be enhanced by reductions in surface albedo associated with reduced sea-ice and low-level cloudiness, thereby increasing the absorption of shortwave radiation and amplifying the warming from AMOC changes. We speculate that such multicentennial variations in the AMOC could contribute to long-time scale climate fluctuations in the observed paleo record. This could arise purely as internal variability of the climate system, or through radiatively-induced changes to atmospheric circulation patterns, such as the NAO, that would in turn influence the AMOC.
Drug Therapy and Physical Function in the Elderly Rehabilitation Patient

Physical function can be affected by drug therapy and, in turn, affect the assessment and progress of rehabilitation. Drug therapy can be used, intentionally, to try to improve functional status. However, many drugs can adversely affect physical function. Furthermore, adverse drug effects are unintended, secondary effects of drug therapy and, therefore, often unrecognized.The elderly are at greater risk of experiencing an adverse drug reaction compared to younger patients. Therefore, it is particularly important for the practitioner involved in the rehabilitation of elderly patients to be aware of potential effects of drug therapy on physical function.Several classes of drugs, likely to be encountered by the geriatric rehabilitation practitioner, are examined with regard to physical function.
Stress tolerance and reactive oxygen metabolism in the intertidal red seaweeds Mastocarpus stellatus and Chondrus crispus

Mastocarpus stellatus and Chondrus crispus are morphologically similar red seaweeds that co-occur on rocky intertidal seashores in the Northern Atlantic. Mastocarpus stellatus grows higher on the shore and is more tolerant of environmental stress, caused by factors such as freezing and desiccation, than C. crispus. Here we report a correlation between reactive oxygen metabolism and stress tolerance, which suggests that reactive oxygen metabolism may play a role in stress tolerance of intertidal red seaweeds. Mastocarpus stellatus scavenged added H 2 O 2 slightly faster, and was more resistant to oxidative stress induced by addition of H 2 O 2 and Rose Bengal, than C. crispus. These data were consistent with higher levels of ascorbate and β-carotene and higher activities of catalase and glutathione reductase, in M. stellatus. Tocopherol content and activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase were similar in both species. Activities of reactive oxygen scavenging enzymes generally increased with tidal height in M. stellatus; this was, however, not a consistent trend in C. crispus.
Footprint of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle

Background:We describe the topographic anatomy of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle using 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) imaging.Methods:Dissection of the anterior talofibular ...
Dilated pupils and brain death.

Excerpt To the Editor:In their interesting and important study, Fraser and Arieff (1) thrice mention that the finding of fixed, dilated pupils suggested the diagnosis of brain death, and they furth...
Cytogenetic and molecular studies in the Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes: an overview.

The majority of patients with Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome have a cytogenetic and molecular deletion of chromosome 15q11q13 with the primary difference being in the parental origin of deletion. Our current understanding of the cytogenetics and molecular genetics of these 2 clinically distinct syndromes will be discussed in this review
Virtual prototyping of adhesively restored, endodontically treated molars.

Statement of problem Teeth and dental restorations are difficult to model because of their complex anatomical shape and layered structure. Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to describe the use of an efficient virtual prototyping method for the comparison of bonded porcelain and composite resin onlays to restore endodontically treated molars. Material and methods An intact mandibular molar was digitized with a micro-CT scanner. Surface contours of enamel and dentin were fitted following tooth segmentation based on pixel density using an interactive medical image processing software (Mimics). Standard triangle language files of enamel and dentin surfaces were then exported to a design and meshing software (3-matic). The root filling, base material, and a 3.0-mm-thick onlay were created by merging primitive shapes. Surface splitting, removal of unwanted surfaces, and remeshing allowed generation of an assembly with optimized interfacial mesh congruence and T-junctions. Solid 3-dimensional (3-D) models obtained in a finite element software (Marc/Mentat) were subjected to nonlinear contact analysis to simulate occlusal loading at 200 N and 700 N. Maximum principal stress values were used to calculate the risk of fracture and for validation with existing experimental data. Results There were similar stress distributions at 200 N (maximum peak values of 24 to 26 MPa) for both restorative materials, but marked differences at 700 N, with the porcelain onlay showing occlusal stress peaks more than 30% higher than composite resin. High stress concentrations were found at 700 N at the root level of the porcelain-restored tooth (95 MPa). For the composite resin onlay, secondary peaks of stress at the 700-N load were found above the cemento-enamel junction (47 MPa) with only minor effects at the root. The risk of fracture was increased for porcelain onlays, which correlated with the existing validation data and the decreased risk of fracture below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) observed for composite resin onlays. Conclusions The virtual prototyping method can generate detailed and valid 3-D finite element models of a restored, endodontically treated molar. The decreased risk of fracture and more favorable stress distribution of adhesive composite resin onlays compared to porcelain onlays were confirmed. This method is efficient and may be used for other medical and dental applications. (J Prosthet Dent 2010;103:343–351)
Licensing Requirements as a Coordination Mechanism for Entry

Cheap talk, side payments, and arbitration are limited in their ability tocoordinate asymmetric entry among symmetric potential entrants.Externally imposed licensing requirements may provide a viablemechanism to attain the desired asymmetric outcome in equilibrium.
A general precompiler for algebraic manipulation

A generalized precompiler for systems performing algebraic manipulation of Poisson series has been written. It accepts a trigonometric superset of FORTRAN IV similar to Jefferys' TRIGRUN language (Jefferys, 1972) and generates a valid FORTRAN IV program which drives an abstract formula manipulation machine. This machine is designed to be generally compatible with any manipulation system, and has been implemented with two such systems. The precompiler is written in standard FORTRAN IV and was designed to allow simple conversion for use on most computers.
A three-dimensional computational method for blood flow in the heart. II. contractile fibers

Abstract This paper is the second in a series that describes the development of a 3-dimensional computer model of the heart. The problem studied here is that of a contractile fiber-wound toroidal tube immersed in a viscous incompressible fluid. A wave of contraction propagates around the tube, and this results in peristaltic pumping of the internal fluid in the direction of the wave. When the contraction is sufficiently strong, there is a small region of entrained fluid that is convected along at the speed of the wave.
Intersection Properties of Subsets of Integers

LetNkbe the maximal integer such that there exist subsetsA1,. . . ,ANk? {1, 2,? ,n} for whichAi?Ajis an arithmetic progression of length at leastkfor every 1 ?i
Chemical Vapor Deposition of MoS2 and TiS2 Films from the Metal-Organic Precursors Mo(S-t-Bu)4 and Ti(S-t-Bu)4

The deposition of MoS2 and TiS2 thin films from the metal-organic precursors Mo(S-t-Bu)4 and Ti(S-t-Bu)4 has been investigated. Stoichiometric films with low levels of oxygen and carbon contaminants can be grown at temperatures between 110 and 350 °C and low pressure. The films are amorphous when grown at these low temperatures and have granular morphologies in which the grains are 30−90 nm in diameter, the larger grain sizes being observed at higher deposition temperatures. For the MoS2 deposits, the electrical conductivity was ∼1 Ω-1cm-1. For both precursors, the organic byproducts generated during deposition consist principally of isobutylene and tert-butylthiol; smaller amounts of hydrogen sulfide, isobutane, di-tert-butyl sulfide, and di-tert-butyl disulfide are also generated. A β-hydrogen abstraction/proton-transfer mechanism accounts for the distributions of the organic byproducts seen during the deposition of MoS2 and TiS2 films. Our results differ in some respects from those of a previous study ...
'Déjà vu all over again': the similar structures of bacteriophage PRD1 and adenovirus.

We thank Stacy Benson, Sarah Butcher and Carmen San Martin for help with graphics. The title quote is by Yogi Berra11xThe Yogi Book: ‘I Really Didn’t Say Everything I Said’. Berra, Y. See all References11.
Experimentally informed optimization of turbulent diffusivity for a discrete hole film cooling geometry

Abstract A process has been developed by which mean velocity and concentration measurements can be used to determine optimal turbulent diffusivity values for an angled jet in cross-flow configuration. This configuration has applications in film cooling for gas turbine blades. The measurements, obtained by magnetic resonance imaging techniques, provide 3D time-averaged velocity and concentration fields. The mean velocity field is fed into a Reynolds-Averaged Advection Diffusion solver, which uses a turbulent diffusivity model to solve for the mean coolant concentration distribution. This distribution can be compared to the experimentally-obtained concentration field by means of an error metric that quantifies the difference between the computational and experimental concentration fields. By minimizing this error, an optimal value of the turbulent diffusivity can be determined. This optimized distribution is then compared to a RANS simulation to evaluate the relative contribution to error of the turbulent momentum flux model versus the turbulent scalar flux model.
Genomic Pangea: coordinate gene regulation and cell-specific chromosomal topologies

The eukaryotic nucleus is functionally organized. Gene loci, for example, often reveal altered localization patterns according to their developmental regulation. Whole chromosomes also demonstrate non-random nuclear positions, correlated with inherent characteristics such as gene density or size. Given that hundreds to thousands of genes are coordinately regulated in any given cell type, interest has grown in whether chromosomes may be specifically localized according to gene regulation. A synthesis of the evidence for preferential chromosomal organization suggests that, beyond basic characteristics, chromosomes can assume positions functionally related to gene expression. Moreover, analysis of total chromosome organization during cellular differentiation indicates that unique chromosome topologies, albeit probabilistic, in effect define a cell lineage. Future work with new techniques, including the advanced forms of the chromosome conformation capture (3C), and the development of next-generation whole-genome imaging approaches, will help to refine our view of chromosomal organization. We suggest that genomic organization during cellular differentiation should be viewed as a dynamic process, with gene expression patterns leading to chromosome associations that feed back on themselves, leading to the self-organization of the genome according to coordinate gene regulation.
Pre-Screening Age African-American Males: What Do They Know About Prostate Cancer Screening, Knowledge, and Risk Perceptions?

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the second most common cause of cancer mortality among men in America. African-American men have a mortality rate from prostate cancer twice that of Caucasian men. Although prostate screening remains controversial, it provides an opportunity for the cancer to be detected early when treatment is most effective. Limited research has been conducted regarding prostate cancer awareness and knowledge among African-American men under 50. This article highlights a pilot study assessing the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and reasons for participating in prostate cancer screening among African-American males between the ages of 30-45. Study findings suggest these participants recognized an awareness of risk factors associated with the disease, yet underestimated their risk of developing the disease. Additionally they present uneven knowledge of the prostate and its function and possess positive perceptions of their general health beliefs and practices. Practice implications and directions for future research regarding prostate cancer among this population are highlighted.
RGD-mediated adhesion in fungal pathogens of humans, plants and insects

Progress in the understanding of fungal adhesion has led to the identification of novel proteins recognizing the RGD tripeptide in matrix proteins and to the characterization of what appears to be an emerging subset of fungal adhesins that themselves contain an RGD sequence.
Differential risk for late adolescent conduct problems and mood dysregulation among children with early externalizing behavior problems

To investigate the differential emergence of antisocial behaviors and mood dysregulation among children with externalizing problems, the present study prospectively followed 317 high-risk children with early externalizing problems from school entry (ages 5–7) to late adolescence (ages 17–19). Latent class analysis conducted on their conduct and mood symptoms in late adolescence revealed three distinct patterns of symptoms, characterized by: 1) criminal offenses, conduct disorder symptoms, and elevated anger (“conduct problems”), 2) elevated anger, dysphoric mood, and suicidal ideation (“mood dysregulation”), and 3) low levels of severe conduct and mood symptoms. A diathesis-stress model predicting the first two outcomes was tested. Elevated overt aggression at school entry uniquely predicted conduct problems in late adolescence, whereas elevated emotion dysregulation at school entry uniquely predicted mood dysregulation in late adolescence. Experiences of low parental warmth and peer rejection in middle childhood moderated the link between early emotion dysregulation and later mood dysregulation but did not moderate the link between early overt aggression and later conduct problems. Thus, among children with early externalizing behavior problems, increased risk for later antisocial behavior or mood dysfunction may be identifiable in early childhood based on levels of overt aggression and emotion dysregulation. For children with early emotion dysregulation, however, increased risk for mood dysregulation characterized by anger, dysphoric mood, and suicidality – possibly indicative of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder – emerges only in the presence of low parental warmth and/or peer rejection during middle childhood.
Simulations of a graphene excitable laser for spike processing

We propose and simulate a novel excitable laser employing passively $$Q$$ -switching with a graphene saturable absorber for spike processing. Our approach combines the picosecond processing and switching capabilities of both linear and nonlinear optical device technologies to integrate both analog and digital optical processing into a single hardware architecture capable of computation without the need for analog-to-digital conversion. We simulate the laser using the Yamada model—a three-dimensional dynamical system of rate equations—and show behavior that is typical of spiking processing algorithms simulated in small circuits of excitable lasers.
Utilizing a mixed model approach to compare the lactating rat transcriptome against age-matched control virgins

s - A single PDF containing all abstracts in this Supplement is available h ere . http://www. biomedcentral.co m/content/pdf/14 71-2105-10-S7-i nfo.pdf
Discussion on “Effect of Seawater Biofilms on Corrosion Potential and Oxygen Reduction of Stainless Steel”

Abstract The following article discusses “Effect of Seawater Biofilms on Corrosion Potential and Oxygen Reduction of Stainless Steel,” by S.C. Dexter and G.Y. Gao, which was published in Corrosion 44,10(1988): p. 717. A reply from Dexter follows.
Longitudinal trends in obesity in the United States from adolescence to the third decade of life.

No longitudinal analyses using national data have evaluated the increase in obesity from adolescence into early adulthood. We examined obesity incidence, persistence, and reversal in a nationally representative cohort of US teens followed into their early 30s, using measured height and weight data, in individuals enrolled in wave II (1996; 12-21 years), wave III (2001; 17-26 years), and wave IV (2008 early release data; 24-32 years) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 8,675). Obesity was defined as a BMI >or=95th percentile of the 2000 Centers for Disease Control/National Center for Health Statistics growth charts or >or=30 kg/m(2) for individuals or=30 kg/m(2) in individuals >or=20 years. In 1996, 13.3% of adolescents were obese. By 2008, obesity prevalence increased to 36.1%, and was highest among non-Hispanic black females (54.8%). Ninety percent of the obese adolescents remained obese in 2008. While annual obesity incidence did not decline in the total sample across the two study intervals (2.3% per year 1996-2001 vs. 2.2% per year 2001-2008), rates among white females declined (2.7 to 1.9% per year) and were highest among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic females (3.8 and 2.7% per year, 1996-2001 vs. 3.0 and 2.6% per year, 2002-2008, respectively). Obesity prevalence doubled from adolescence to the early 20s, and doubled again from the early to late 20s or early 30s, with strong tracking from adolescence into adulthood. This trend is likely to continue owing to high rates of pediatric obesity. Effective preventive and treatment efforts are critically needed.
Presidents and the Diversionary Use of Force: A Research Note

This study represents an attempt at further developing the diversionary theory of force. The analysis covers the period 1949 to 1994 using a simultaneous system of equations that treat presidential approval and force as endogenous variables. After controlling for opportunities and Soviet/Russian crisis behavior, the model reveals a rally effect and that unemployment has a positive effect on force levels. I discuss how presidential decisions to divert are made in the context of poliheuristic decision processing.
Transport and fate of dieldrin in poplar and willow trees analyzed by SPME.

Dieldrin is a hydrophobic organochlorine insecticide that is persistent in the environment. The fate and transport of dieldrin in trees is important both in the context of potential remediation, as well as food chain impacts through dieldrin transport to shoots and leaves. Experiments were conducted to measure the degree of dieldrin partitioning to plant tissue and the potential for biodegradation of dieldrin in the microbe rich tree rhizosphere. Dieldrin was analyzed in water and plant tissue using headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography. Poplar and willow saplings planted in soil and watered with 10 l gl 1 dieldrin for up to 9 months showed no adverse effects due to dieldrin exposure and no dieldrin was observed in plant shoots with a method detection limit (MDL) of 7 ng g 1 . One-week hydroponic tests of poplar saplings exposed to aqueous dieldrin also showed no detection of dieldrin in shoots, with an average of 66% of the dieldrin partitioned to the plant roots and an overall mass balance recovery of 76% in the plant–water system. The root concentration factor (RCF) was found to be 30 ± 3 ml water g 1 root. Biodegradation of dieldrin was not observed in an aqueous batch bioreactor containing 8 l gl 1 dieldrin, nutrients and bacteria from the root zone of a poplar sapling that had been exposed to dieldrin for 9 months. These results show that planting trees is likely to be safe and potentially useful at sites containing low-levels of dieldrin in groundwater. � 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Field-induced phase transitions and dielectric energy density in poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) terpolymer

Field-induced polarization, dielectric response and dielectric energy density of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) terpolymer were investigated. In charging and discharging circles, two dielectric peaks exist at 70 MV/m and 35 MV/m, showing two field-induced phase transitions. The giant electrical energy densities of the terpolymer should be attributed to the rapid change of polarization in the field-induced ferroelectric phase.
Electric sector investments under technological and policy-related uncertainties: a stochastic programming approach

Although emerging technologies like carbon capture and storage and advanced nuclear are expected to play leading roles in greenhouse gas mitigation efforts, many engineering and policy-related uncertainties will influence their deployment. Capital-intensive infrastructure decisions depend on understanding the likelihoods and impacts of uncertainties such as the timing and stringency of climate policy as well as the technological availability of carbon capture systems. This paper demonstrates the utility of stochastic programming approaches to uncertainty analysis within a practical policy setting, using uncertainties in the US electric sector as motivating examples. We describe the potential utility of this framework for energy-environmental decision making and use a modeling example to reinforce these points and to stress the need for new tools to better exploit the full range of benefits the stochastic programming approach can provide. Model results illustrate how this framework can give important insights about hedging strategies to reduce risks associated with high compliance costs for tight CO2 caps and low CCS availability. Metrics for evaluating uncertainties like the expected value of perfect information and the value of the stochastic solution quantify the importance of including uncertainties in capacity planning, of making precautionary low-carbon investments, and of conducting research and gathering information to reduce risk.
Intraocular Lenses Should Block UV Radiation and Violet but Not Blue Light

B LUE LIGHT–BLOCKING intraocular lenses (IOLs) trade off rodm e d i a t e d v i s u a l function for limited protection against acute retinal phototoxicity. Twenty-five years ago, I cautioned ophthalmologists and manufacturers that clear IOLs transmitted potentially harmful 330to 400-nm UV radiation (UVR) to the retina. Within a few years, most manufacturers incorporated UVRblocking chromophores into IOLs. Eighteen years ago, I suggested blocking violet light in addition to UVR. Violet light has substantial potential retinal phototoxicity but little effect on scotopic (nighttime) or photopic (daytime) vision. Nonetheless, visible light–blocking IOLs have been introduced only recently in the United States. The term blue is often used for the broad range of optical radiation between 400 and 500 nm. There are significant differences in retinal phototoxicity and scotopic luminous efficiency between shorterand longerwavelength “blue” light, so it is valuable to use the terms violet for shorter-wavelength, 400to 440-nm light and blue for longer-wavelength, 440to 500-nm light. In comparison with a conventional UV only–blocking IOL the AcrySof Natural IOL (Alcon Inc, Dallas, Tex) blocks UVR and violet, blue, and even some green light, as shown in Figure1. Blue light has significant retinal phototoxicity, but it is essential for vision in dim light and perhaps other important biological functions. I believe that IOLs should block UVR and violet light but not blue or green light. Here are my reasons.
The economic policy proposals of the joint economic committee of the 94th and 95th U.S. congresses, 1975 through September of 1978

The economic policy propcsals of the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress from 19’3 through September 1978 are a mixed bag. They have not changed a great deal since those of 1971 through 1974.’ They contain excellent proposals for reform of inequities in our Federal tax system, for reduction of barriers to international trade, for floating exchange rates with a float that is clean at least in the long run, for revising the income tax so that its real burden is independent of inflation, for the use of temporary budget stimulus during depressions, for including the off-budget agencies in the Federal budget, against international agreements to put a floor under the price of gold or of oil, and against another bout of wage and/or price controls. They contain unworkable proposals intended to reduce inflation and unemployment, whose effect at best would be the continuation of our present rate of inflation with no improvement in unemployment, and at worst would be only a temporary improvement in unemployment followed by stepped-up inflation. This review of the recent economic policy proposals of the Committee is organized as follows. The remainder of this section lists the members of the Committee and some of its senior staff during the period, and describes the format of the Joint Economic Reports and the Midyear Reviews of the Economy. Section 2 discusses the Committee’s macroeconomic policy proposals. Section 3 discusses the Committee’s other economic policy proposals. Section 4 is a brief summary and conclusion. Table 1 lists the Committee membership, by house of Congress and by party, for 1975-78. It also lists, some of the senior staff members.
An algorithm for generating abstract syntax trees

The notion of an abstract syntax is discussed. An algorithm is presented for automatically deriving an abstract syntax directly from a BNF grammar. The implementation of this algorithm and its application to the grammar for Modula are discussed.
The hadronic structure of the photon and the space-time behavior of its interactions

Abstract The study of hadron-mediated high-energy photon interactions is continued, with emphasis on their space-time development. A formalism is developed which distinguishes these from direct photon interactions, and the concept of formation time is discussed. It is shown that hadron-mediated interactions have the appropriate long-range behavior required by the usual space-time treatment in accounting for the diffractive region. It is described how hadron-mediated interactions can lead to scaling (outside the context of specific models), and the relationship to the parton model is indicated.
Development and use of a wetlands information system for assessing wetland functions

A wetlands information management system was developed to assess various wetland functions and values in two townships in Michigan, USA. The goals of the study were to determine the effectiveness of a wetland-assessment method integrated with a geographical information system (GIS) to assess appropriate environmental criteria, potential effects of wetland size and type on function, and to develop a user–friendly interface that local officials might use in decision-making related to wetland preservation and land-use planning. In order to assess seven wetland functions and two values, quantitative measures were incorporated using GIS techniques to derive some of the needed information from existing spatial databases. However, on-site investigation was required for all assessments. Of 65 wetlands evaluated through the system, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between wetland size and its ability to perform a given function. No single wetland type (e.g. forested, shrub/scrub, emergent, open water) had a higher probability of performing all wetland functions or values significantly more than another type. However, the combined application of on-site evaluation and GIS technology might offer a more efficient method to assess wetland functions and values, with the latter providing an educational tool for local wetland planning and management.
A distributed-&#181; implementation of the LMS algorithm

This paper describes the effects of component nonidealities upon the performance of analog and sampled data adaptive noise cancellers. It is shown that the effects of analog implementation differ significantly from those encountered in ideal cases or those in which the added circuit noise is assumed to have a zero-mean distribution. It is also shown that the effects of nonzero mean errors, such as offset voltages and nonlinearities of the input multipliers contribute an excess mean-square error (MSE) which is inversely proportional to the parameter which controls the stability and the rate of convergence of the algorithm. An implementation configuration is presented which minimizes these deleterious effects by distributing the gain of the adaptive system around the signal path.
Low fat cheese technology

Low fat cheeses are usually characterized as having poor body, flavor, and functional properties because of high moisture and low salt. Procedures developed for manufacturing low fat cheeses include processing techniques, starter culture selection, and use of additives. Fat removed in manufacturing low fat cheese is largely replaced with moisture and the ratio of moisture in fat free substance of cheese is similar to that of a full fat cheese. Lower cook temperatures and times, high draining and milling pH, and washing of curd are used. Considerations include use of slow cultures (to prevent excessive acid formation and bitter flavors), adjunct cultures, and enzymes. Homogenization of cream improves body and texture and functional properties of low fat cheeses, and increases yield when used for up to 50% reduction in fat. Stabilizers, fat-replacers, and sweet buttermilk have also been used to improve the quality of low fat cheeses.
First‐year survival of infants born with congenital heart defects in Arkansas (1993‐1998): A survival analysis using registry data

BACKGROUND In the United States and other developed nations, birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most prevalent and fatal of all birth defects. Here we report the survival probability of infants born with CHDs in Arkansas and examine the impact of multiple malformations on survival. METHODS Birth and death certificate records were linked to birth defects registry data for infants born with CHDs from January 1993 through December 1998 in Arkansas. Both neonatal and first-year survival probabilities were estimated. These were computed non-parametrically using Kaplan-Meier's product limit method. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to evaluate the relative importance of additional malformations on survival. RESULTS A total of 1,983 infants with CHDs were included in this study. The neonatal survival probability for this cohort was 94.0% (95% CI: 93.0%, 95.1%), and the first-year survival probability was 88.2% (95% CI: 86.8%, 89.6%). The presence of hypoplastic left heart syndrome conferred the greatest reduction in survival, whereas infants with pulmonic valve stenosis and infants with ventricular septal defects had the highest first-year survival. Infants with multiple CHDs had decreased survival compared to those with isolated heart defects. Survival was also adversely affected by the presence of congenital abnormalities in other body systems. CONCLUSIONS Neonatal and first-year survival of infants with CHDs varies by both the type of cardiac malformation and the presence of additional cardiac and non-cardiac malformations. Further work will focus on the effects of maternal and infant characteristics on survival. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67:662–668, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.