cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis and Management of Cognitive Concerns in the Oldest-Old.

The fastest-growing group of elderly individuals is the “oldest-old,” usually defined as those age 85 years and above. These individuals account for much of the rapid increase in cases of dementing illness throughout the world but remain underrepresented in the body of literature on this topic. The aim of this review is first to outline the unique contributing factors and complications that must be considered by clinicians in evaluating an oldest-old individual with cognitive complaints. Secondly, the evidence for management of these cognitive concerns is reviewed. In addition to well-established associations between impaired cognition and physical disability, falls, and frailty, there is now evidence that exercise performed decades earlier confers a cognitive benefit in the oldest-old. Moreover, though aggressive blood pressure control is critical earlier in life for prevention of strokes, renal disease, and other comorbidities, hypertension started after age 80 is in fact associated with a decreased risk of clinical dementia, carrying significant implications for the medical management of oldest-old individuals. The oldest-old are more likely to reside in care facilities, where social isolation might be exacerbated by a consistently lower rate of internet-connected device use. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only highlighted the increased mortality rate among the oldest-old but has also brought the increased social isolation in this group to the forte. Differing from the “younger-old” in a number of respects, the oldest-old is a unique population not just in their vulnerability to cognitive disorders but also in the diagnostic challenges they can pose. The oldest-old are more likely to be afflicted by sensory deficits, physical disability, poor nutrition, frailty, and depression, which must be accounted for in the assessment of cognitive complaints as they may confound or complicate the presentation. Social isolation and institutionalization are also associated with impaired cognition, perhaps as sequelae, precipitants, or both. Ante-mortem diagnostic tools remain particularly limited among the oldest-old, especially given the likelihood of these individuals to have multiple co-occurring types of neuropathology, and the presence of neuropathology in those who remain cognitively intact. In addition to the symptomatic treatments indicated for patients of all ages with dementia, management of cognitive impairment in the oldest-old may be further optimized by use of assistive devices, augmentation of dietary protein, and liberalization of medication regimens for risk factors such as hypertension.
Dynamic simulation of discrete fiber motion in fiber-reinforced composite materials processing

The prediction of fiber orientation is critical in short-fiber-reinforced composite systems. Fiber orientation during the manufacturing process largely determines the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the final product. For example, a product with aligned fibers, i.e. fibers mostly oriented in the same direction, has much better mechanical properties than that with random fiber orientation. In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element simulation tool is developed to study fiber suspensions in various viscous flows, including homogeneous flows and inhomogeneous flows (such as Poiseuille flows). Instead of using commercial finite element solver, we propose a finite element-based simulation package coupled with the analytical Jacobian matrix in the Newton–Raphson iteration in solving fiber’s velocities. The proposed method is extended to investigate the hydrodynamic interaction between fibers, and the change of fiber motion and fluid rheological properties.
Facelifts for Special Libraries: A Practical Guide to Revitalising Diverse Physical and Digital Spaces by Dawn Bassett, Brooke Ballantyne Scott, and Jenny Fry

This strong guide, filled with practical advice, will empower a librarian/manager to survive and flourish through every stage of a library renovation project. This book is written for the solo libr...
Brillouin Spectra of Liquids Using He–Ne Laser*

Brillouin spectra of six liquids (acetone, ethyl alcohol, water, carbon bisulfide, toluene, and carbon tetrachloride) have been obtained using a He–Ne laser as the light source and employing photoelectric detection. The velocity of sound has been measured with a precision of ±0.2% in most cases. The intensities of the central component and the Brillouin components have been measured. Since the liquid samples were prepared so that they were sensibly optically empty, a comparison of the intensities can be made with the theoretical predictions of Landau and Placzek.
Does Walkability Influence Housing Prices

Objective. We examine the effects of neighborhood walkability on house values. Recent research claims that walkability makes homes more valuable, ceteris paribus. We contend that some studies report a spurious effect of walkability because of differences between areas with high and low walkability. Methods. We replicate the positive effect of walkability on prices for single-family homes and condominiums in Miami, Florida, using a unique data set of house values and characteristics. We employ a fixed effects regression model instead of a traditional ordinary least squares regression model to account for the unobserved heterogeneity of neighborhoods. Results. We find that walkability’s impact on housing value becomes statistically insignificant at the margin after controlling for heteroscedasticity and neighborhood fixed effects. Conclusions. The significant impact of the fixed effects suggests that something other than walkability is affecting prices and that better specified models are needed to discern the real price effects of walkability. This research asks whether walkability is rewarded with higher house prices. A recent study of housing in the suburban Washington, D.C. DC, area concludes that walkability provides significant benefits in those communities, including better economic performance, than nonwalkable areas, lower transportation but higher housing costs than less walkable areas, more affluent citizens, and, most relevant for our purposes, walkable areas “exhibit higher rents and home values” than less densely populated walkable areas (Leinberger and Alfonso, 2012:1). Proponents of the New Urbanism movement place high value on neighborhoods that are walkable. The emphasis on walkability is prominent among critics of urban sprawl. Recent empirical research shows walkability to be associated with higher commercial real estate prices in some areas (Pivo and Fisher, 2010), higher land prices in some cases (Rauterkus and Miller, 2011), and higher housing prices in some Metropolitan Statistical
Two Distinct Gamma Interferon-Inducible Promoters of the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Transactivator Gene Are Differentially Regulated by STAT1, Interferon Regulatory Factor 1, and Transforming Growth Factor β

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transactivator (CIITA) is the master regulatory factor required for appropriate expression of class II MHC genes. Understanding the expression of CIITA is key to understanding the regulation of class II MHC genes. This report describes the independent regulation of two distinct CIITA promoters by cytokines with opposing functions, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). A functional analysis of deletion mutations of the upstream promoter (promoter III) identified an IFN-gamma-responsive region located approximately 5 kb from the transcriptional start site. An in vivo DNase I hypersensitivity analysis detected a hypersensitive site in this area which supports the relevance of this region. When the downstream promoter (promoter IV) was studied by in vivo genomic footprinting, IFN-gamma-induced changes at putative binding sites for STAT1, interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), and E-box proteins were seen. Gel shift and supershift analyses for IRF-1 confirmed the in vivo footprint results. The role of the IFN-gamma-inducible transcription factor STAT1 was examined functionally. Although both promoters were controlled by STAT1, promoter-specific regulation was exhibited. The IFN-gamma response of promoter III was completely dependent on STAT1 and not IRF-1, while promoter IV was partially activated by IRF-1 in the total absence of STAT1 expression. While both promoters were affected by TGF-beta, activation of promoter III by IFN-gamma was more severely diminished by TGF-beta treatment. The differential control of CIITA promoters by TGF-beta, IRF-1, and STAT1 may be important in refining regulation of class II MHC genes in different cell types and under different stimulatory conditions.
MR proton spectroscopy in multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE To elucidate the natural history of visualized MR abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis using proton spectroscopy. METHODS MR imaging and proton spectroscopy (1H spectroscopy) were performed on 16 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis. All patients received gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA). RESULTS Decreased levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) were demonstrated in 17 out of 21 lesions. No correlation was found between decreased NAA and Gd-DTPA enhancement. In five out of seven enhancing lesions, abnormal 1H spectra with extra peaks (termed marker peaks) at 2.1-2.6 ppm (ranging in absolute concentration from 10-50 mM protons) were observed. In nine out of 14 unenhancing lesions, no elevated marker peaks were observed. In the five other unenhancing lesions, the levels of these marker peaks were generally lower than the enhancing group. No correlation was found between the NAA levels and the levels of the marker peaks. We suggest two distinct biochemical processes: 1) decreased NAA reflecting neuronal cell loss, and 2) elevated marker peaks reflecting ongoing demyelination. CONCLUSIONS Based upon these observations we infer that 1) the majority of enhancing lesions are demyelinating with extra peaks at 2.1-2.6 ppm representing a marker of this process, 2) enhancing lesions without this marker most likely represent edematous regions without significant demyelination, and 3) demyelination may be long in duration compared with transient blood-brain barrier disruption manifested by Gd-DTPA enhancement. Our results suggest that 1H spectroscopy has the ability to further categorize MR-demonstrated enhancing and unenhancing lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis and that it may be more sensitive than contrast enhancement in revealing the true time course of demyelination.
Weak locally homogeneous turbulence and heat transfer with uniform normal strain

Turbulence and longitudinal heat transfer for accelerating and decelerating flow using Navier- Stokes, continuity and energy equations
Scintillators with silicon photomultiplier readouts for high-energy astrophysics and heliophysics

Space-based gamma-ray and neutron detectors face strict constraints of mass, volume, and power, and must endure harsh operating environments. Scintillator materials have a long history of successful operation under these conditions, and new materials offer greatly improved performance in terms of efficiency, time response, and energy resolution. The use of scintillators in space remains constrained, however, by the mass, volume, and fragility of the associated light readout device, typically a vacuum photomultiplier tube (PMT). Recently developed silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) offer gains and efficiencies similar to those of PMTs, but with greatly reduced mass and volume, high ruggedness, and no high-voltage requirements. We have therefore been investigating the use of SiPM readouts for scintillator gamma-ray and neutron detectors, with an emphasis on their suitability for space-based instruments for astrophysics and heliophysics. We present preliminary radiation hardness tests of two promising SiPM devices, and describe two concepts for SiPM-based instruments: an advanced scintillator-based Compton telescope, and a double-scatter neutron telescope suitable for measuring fast solar and magnetospheric neutrons. Supporting laboratory measurements are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of these telescope concepts.
Comparison of the RNA polymerase III transcription machinery in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human

Multi-subunit transcription factors (TF) direct RNA polymerase (pol) III to synthesize a variety of essential small transcripts such as tRNAs, 5S rRNA and U6 snRNA. Use by pol III of both TATA-less and TATA-containing promoters, together with progress in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human systems towards elucidating the mechanisms of actions of the pol III TFs, provides a paradigm for eukaryotic gene transcription. Human and S.cerevisiae pol III components reveal good general agreement in the arrangement of orthologous TFs that are distributed along tRNA gene control elements, beginning upstream of the transcription initiation site and extending through the 3′ terminator element, although some TF subunits have diverged beyond recognition. For this review we have surveyed the Schizosaccharomyces pombe database and identified 26 subunits of pol III and associated TFs that would appear to represent the complete core set of the pol III machinery. We also compile data that indicate in vivo expression and/or function of 18 of the fission yeast proteins. A high degree of homology occurs in pol III, TFIIIB, TFIIIA and the three initiation-related subunits of TFIIIC that are associated with the proximal promoter element, while markedly less homology is apparent in the downstream TFIIIC subunits. The idea that the divergence in downstream TFIIIC subunits is associated with differences in pol III termination-related mechanisms that have been noted in the yeast and human systems but not reviewed previously is also considered.
Backward conditioning of tumor necrosis factor-α in a single trial: changing intervals between exposures to lipopolysaccharide and saccharin taste.

The current study examined the effect of backward conditioning with three different time intervals between exposures to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as the unconditioned stimulus (US) and saccharin taste in water as the potential conditioned stimulus (CS). Forty-eight naive female BALB/c mice at three months of age served as subjects, divided into six groups. Four groups were assigned to Experiment 1 for the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) measure, and the remaining two groups were used in Experiment 2 to measure taste aversion behavior. Both experiments employed a single trial. The timing of introduction to the saccharin taste varied between 3 min, 7 h, and 24 h following an LPS injection in Experiment 1. Experiment 2 employed the three-minute interval only. These intervals correspond to distinct immunological, physiological, and behavioral events induced by LPS. On the day after re-exposure to the saccharin taste, the TNF-α groups were challenged with LPS to test the LPS tolerance response. While backward conditioning of taste aversion behavior was not observed, some evidence of conditioned TNF-α response and subsequent development of LPS tolerance was observed with backward conditioning in a single trial. This exploratory study demonstrated that the effect of backward conditioning on conditioned TNF-α response and LPS tolerance response in a single trial depended on the timing of when a CS is presented after LPS exposure.
Lower bounds for the quadratic assignment problem

We investigate the classical Gilmore-Lawler lower bound for the quadratic assignment problem. We provide evidence of the difficulty of improving the Gilmore-Lawler bound and develop new bounds by means of optimal reduction schemes. Computational results are reported indicating that the new lower bounds have advantages over previous bounds and can be used in a branch-and-bound type algorithm for the quadratic assignment problem.
Review of "One Illness Away: Why People Become Poor and How They Escape Poverty"

Afia B. Yamoah reviews One Illness Away: Why People Become Poor and How They Escape Poverty, by Anirudh Krishna. Krishna argues that poverty policy needs to address reasons why people become poor and how they can escape poverty.
Reactive Techniques for Controlling Software Speculation

Aggressive software speculation holds significant potential, because it enables program transformations to reduce the program's critical path. Like any form of speculation, however, the key to software speculation is employing it only where it is likely to succeed. While mechanisms for controlling hardware speculation (e.g., saturating counters updated after each instance) are well understood, these techniques do not translate directly to software techniques because changing a speculation requires changing the code. As it stands, the dominant software speculation control technique, non-reactive profile-guided optimization, lacks the robustness to support aggressive speculation. The primary thesis of this paper is that software speculation can be made to be robust by adding a reactive controller that can dynamically adjust the speculation. We make two primary observations about such systems: 1) reactive control systems can select behaviors on which to speculate with performance that equals or exceeds self-training, and 2) such control systems are remarkably latency tolerant. Although reactivity is required, it can be done at a low frequency; latencies of hundreds of thousands, or even millions of cycles, can be tolerated for most actions. Together these two characteristics imply that robust aggressive software speculation is a realistic goal.
On smooth norms and analytic sets

LetX be a Banach space which isn’t reflexive but has a separable dual. ThenX admits a smooth norm so that the set of norm-attaining functionals is a complete analytic set. A variant of Asplund’s average norms is used.
STABLE ISOTOPIC RECONSTRUCTION OF DIET AND RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY IN A POSTBELLUM AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN RURAL GEORGIA

AbstractDespite popular belief, the Great Migration following the Civil War was not a singular event but a long-term demographic phenomenon marked by freed African Americans returning to their natal communities or establishing new communities elsewhere and was presaged by smallerscale movements of African Americans between different regions of the Emancipation-era South. This study analyzes carbon and oxygen (δ13C, δ18O) stable isotope ratios in enamel carbonate from 34 individuals recovered from the Avondale Burial Place, an Emancipation-era cemetery, in Macon, Georgia, in order to reconstruct residential origin and early-life diet and examine whether these individuals immigrated to the site from elsewhere in the South. Carbon isotope results suggest mixed C3/C4 agro-pastoral subsistence rather than a reliance on C4 products such as corn and corn-fed livestock as suggested by historical accounts. Oxygen isotope results suggest that the majority of individuals buried in the Avondale Burial Place were like...
Implicit reconstruction of solids from cloud point sets

Chek T. Lirnl George M. Turkiyyah2 hark A. G’ante# Duane W. storti~ University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195 {ctlim@u, george@ce,ganter@u, storti@u}.Washington.edu This paper describes a new technique that combines numerical optimization methods with triangulation methods for generating mathematical representations of solids from 3D point data. The solid representation obtained takes the form of an algebraic function whose level surface closely approximates the surface described by the data, The algebraic function is obtained via Implicit Solid Modeling, a constructive scheme for approximating Boolean volume set operations on implicitly defined primitive volumes, and is comprised of a blended union of spherical primitives. The parameters of the algebraic function are the spatial locations and radii of the spheres as well as the parameters that describe the blending of these primitives, Fitting an implicit solid model to a data set is formulated as a sequence of non-linear optimization problems of an increasing number of variables. The cost function we employ in these optimizations is a weighted combination of discrepancies in location (distance from points to boundary of reconstructed object), discrepancies in surface normals, and desired curvature characteristics of the reconstructed solid. Since a set of trivariate data points without any connectivity information is ambiguous, an infinite number of solids, in principle, can be constructed to fit them. Different characteristics of the solid can be specified through the cost function to create the most desirable interpretation of the data. The starting point of the optimization—corresponding to the starting configuration of the primitives—is determined by performing a 3D Delaunay triangulation on the data set, and is based on the locations and sizes of the resulting tetrahedral. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated through the reconstruction of several sample data sets, including a molar and a femur. Tradeoffs between accuracy and compactness of the representations are also examined. 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, FU-10 ‘Department of Civil Engineering, FX-10. Permission to copy without fee all or part of this material is granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage, the ACM copyright notice and the title of the publication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Association of Computing Machinery.To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires a fee andlor specific permission. Solid Modeling ’95, Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Penetrating ureteral trauma at an urban trauma center: 10-year experience.

Abstract Objectives. To review the evaluation and management of patients with penetrating ureteral injuries not associated with iatrogenic etiology. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 20 patients with penetrating ureteral injuries during a 10-year period at a Level 1 trauma center was performed. Data were collected regarding the mechanism of injury, initial urinalysis and radiographic studies, operative procedure, associated injuries, postoperative complications, and outcome. Results. In general, patients were young (mean age 27.8 years) men (95%). All injuries were unilateral (14 left and 6 right), were primarily caused by gunshot wounds (95%), and were associated with other injuries (100%). Three injuries were to the proximal ureter, 7 to the middle, and 10 to the distal ureter. Admission urinalysis failed to show gross or microscopic hematuria in 25% of cases. Preoperative intravenous urography (IVU) was diagnostic in 25% of cases. Fifteen injuries were diagnosed intraoperatively, including 2 with diagnostic IVU. Delayed diagnoses were made in 4 cases at 3 to 11 days; two by IVU postoperatively and the other two by computed tomography. All patients were treated surgically by ureteroneocystostomy, ureteroureterostomy, or pyeloplasty. Every repair was stented for a mean of 38 days (range 10 to 72). All three major complications (ureteral stricture, persistent urinary leak, and ureterocutaneous fistula) were managed successfully. Thirteen patients with long-term follow-up demonstrated no evidence of obstruction. Conclusions. Ureteral injuries must be considered early during the evaluation of penetrating abdominal injuries. The admission urinalysis may be falsely normal and initial IVU may be nondiagnostic. The diagnosis may be made intraoperatively or be delayed. The surgical repair should be stented, and long-term success can be anticipated.
Effect of APOE genotype status on targeted clinical trials outcomes and efficiency in dementia and mild cognitive impairment resulting from Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 genotype has been recommended as a potential inclusion or exclusion criterion in targeted clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) resulting from AD, and has been implemented in trials of immunotherapeutic agents. Methods: We tested this recommendation with clinical trial simulations using participants from a meta-database of 19 studies to create trial samples with APOE e4 proportions ranging from 0% (all noncarriers) to 100% (all carriers). For each percentage of APOE e4 carriers, we resampled the database randomly for 1000 trials for each trial scenario, planning for 18- or 24-month trials with samples from 50 to 400 patients per treatment or placebo group, up to 40% dropouts, and outcomes on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) with effect sizes from 0.15 to 0.75, and calculated statistical power. Results: EnrichmentofclinicaltrialparticipantsbasedonAPOE e4carrierstatusresultedinminimal increases inpower comparedwithenrollingparticipants withtheAPOE e3genotypeonlyorenrolling patients without regard to APOE genotype. Increased screening requirements to enhance the sample would offset gains in power. Conclusions: Although samples enriched for APOE e4 carriers in AD or MCI clinical trials showed slightly more cognitive impairment and greater decline using the number APOE e4 alleles as an inclusion criterion most likely would not result in more efficient trials, and trials would take longer because fewer patients would be available. The APOE e4/eX (where X 5 2, 3 or 4) genotype could be useful, however, as an explanatory variable or covariate if warranted by a drug’s action. 2014 The Alzheimer’s Association. All rights reserved.
In-situ Er-doped GaN optical storage devices using high- resolution focused ion beam milling

High-density GaN:Er optical storage devices were fabricated with focused ion beam (FIB) milling techniques. In-situ Er-doped GaN films (1-1.5 μm thick) were grown on Si substrates. To "write" a bit, the GaN:Er film was selectively milled with a 30-keV Ga + FIB. Data retrieval is accomplished by upconversion emission at 535/556 nm upon 1-μm IR laser stimulation. Regions where the Er-doped GaN layer is completely removed (and do not emit) are defined as logic "0," while regions that are not milled (and do emit) are defined as logic "1." Data patterns with submicron bit size (or 100 Mb/cm 2 density) have been fabricated by FIB milling. Data written by this approach has a theoretical storage capacity approaching 10 Gbits/cm 2 .
Analysis and expression of the Candida albicans FAS2 gene

Abstract Candida albicans ( Ca ) FAS2 , the gene encoding the α-subunit of fatty acid synthase (FAS), has been isolated and characterized. Saccharomyces cerevisiae ( Sc ) FAS2 was used as a probe to screen genomic libraries of Ca , strain 4918. Clones were obtained that contained all but the first 1 kb of the gene. The 5′ end, as well as upstream sequences, were subsequently isolated by PCR. The Ca FAS2 gene is comprised of an open reading frame (ORF) of 5655 bp that is free of introns and encodes a 207 587-Da protein of 1885 amino acids. The Ca FAS2 gene and the encoded polypeptide exhibit 70 and 67% homology with the Sc FAS2 gene and protein, respectively. The gene specifies a single transcript of approx. 6 kb, and transcript levels are regulated independently of morphogenesis. Chromosome analysis localized the gene to chromosome 3. In addition, no differences were noted when comparing the FAS2 sequence, that encompasses the cerulenin-binding domain of FAS, between strain 4918 and two derived cerulenin-resistant (Cer R ) mutants. Thus, alteration within this region is not responsible for the increased Cer® of the mutant strains.
Targeted expression of c-Myc in the epidermis alters normal proliferation, differentiation and UV-B induced apoptosis.

c-Myc overexpression has been associated with several types of human cancers. To study the role of c-myc in epidermal differentiation and carcinogenesis, a transgenic mouse model was created to overexpress c-Myc in the epidermis. Human c-myc 2 cDNA was subcloned into a 6.5 kb mouse loricrin expression vector, ML.myc2. This loricrin promoter primarily directs expression in the epidermis in both proliferating and differentiated keratinocytes. On day 4, ML.myc2 transgenic pups develop a hyperkeratotic phenotype, which progressively worsens until day 7. Upon histological analysis, both hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis were evident. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation revealed that transgenic mice had a threefold increase in the number of proliferating cells as compared with a normal littermate. Proliferative cells in the ML.myc2 epidermis were also found to be suprabasal, suggesting an inhibition of terminal differentiation in keratinocytes. Inhibition of terminal differentiation by c-Myc overexpression was further suggested by aberrant expression of differentiation markers, keratin 1, keratin 6, loricrin, and filaggrin in ML.myc2 transgenic mice. Interestingly, ML.myc2 keratinocytes exhibit a reduced sensitivity to UV-B induced apoptosis, in vivo. In vitro studies reveal the reduced sensitivity of ML.myc2 keratinocytes to UV-B irradiation is growth factor dependent. These findings provide evidence that overexpression of c-Myc in the epidermis induces proliferation, inhibits terminal differentiation and decreases the sensitivity of keratinocytes to UV-B induced apoptosis.
Energy management of multi-zone buildings based on multi-agent control and particle swarm optimization

Intelligent buildings are a trend of next-generation's buildings, which facilitate intelligent control of the building in order to fulfill occupants' comfort demands. The primary objective in building control is to achieve a comfortable building environment with high energy efficiency. By dividing the whole building into several zones, a multi-zone building model is built for developing an effective energy and comfort management scheme. This study proposes a multi-agent control system coupled with an intelligent optimizer for intelligent building control. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is utilized to optimize the building energy management by enhancing the intelligence of the multi-zone building during its operations. A case study of multi-zone building control is carried out and the corresponding simulation results are presented in this paper.
Differential visual evoked cortical responses to direct and peripheral stimulation in man

Abstract Clearly defined differential summated cortical evoked responses are demonstrated for central and peripherally applied visual stimuli. Central vision is associated with a low amplitude positive peak at 75 msec and a prominent high voltage positive peak at around 100 msec; later relatively low amplitude positive peaks are generally also observed. With peripheral stimulation at 15° and greater the 75 msec positive peak is accentuated; the 100 msec positive peak becomes inconspicuous, and the later positive peaks at 165 msec and greater are strongly enhanced. These data support the hypothesis that the positive peaks are the cortical responses to the differential actions of the rod and cone cell components of the retina.
Chemical reactivity at an antibody binding site elicited by mechanistic design of a synthetic antigen

Monoaryl phosphonate esters, designated as analogs of the transition state in the hydrolysis of carboxylic esters, were synthesized and used as haptens to generate specific monoclonal antibodies. Some of these antibodies react with cognate aryl carboxylic esters to release a fluorescent alcohol. The reaction appears to be stoichiometric; however, the activity is slowly regenerated under alkaline conditions or by treatment with hydroxylamine. Specificity is rigorous for esters of p-trifluoroacetamidophenylacetic acid, demonstrating a structural correspondence with the phosphonate hapten. Saturation kinetics are observed and kinetic parameters (kmax, Vmax, and Km) are reported. The haptenic phosphonate is a competitive inhibitor of the reaction (Ki, 35 nM); whereas the carboxylate product of ester hydrolysis is a less effective inhibitor (Ki, ca. 7500 nM). Chemical modification of side chain groups in the protein show a partial reduction in activity on acylation of lysine or nitration of tyrosine and a dramatic quenching upon modification of histidine. The evidence is discussed in terms of a mechanism in which amino acids of the antibody combining site participate in nucleophilic and/or general base catalysis. The properties of this system suggest that it is an example of enzymic transacylation where a deacylation step is not catalyzed. The possibility of deriving enzymic function from immunological specificity through this approach is advanced.
Hot electron noise and g-r noise in short-channel JFETs

Abstract Hot electron noise in short-channel JFETs is measured above 150°K and generation-recombination noise due to donors is measured below 120°K, where it predominates over the first. The hot electron noise increases with increasing VGS - VP for a given temperature T and increasing with decreasing T at a given VGS - VP. The g-r noise in donors increases very rapidly with decreasing temperature and is found to be governed by an activation energy between E0 and 2E0, where E0 is the activation energy of the donors. The theories of these effects can qualitatively explain the data; for the g-r noise it must be taken into account that the activation energy of the donors decreases with increasing electric field (Poole-Frenkel effect).
myo-Inositol metabolism in rat testis in response to streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Abstract The effects of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia on de novo myo-inositol biosynthesis in rat testis was examined. Testicular glucose and glucose 6-phosphate levels increased significantly 10 and 12 h after stretozotocin injection, respectively. However, testis myo-inositol content did not increase appreciably until 24 h following injection of the drug. Seventy-two hours after streptozotocin administration, testis myo-inositol levels were 2.7-fold higher in diabetic rats than in controls injected with citrate buffer. No changes were observed in the Specific activities of myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (EC 5.5.1.4) and 1- l -myo-inositol-1-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.25). However, hyperglycemic rats displayed testicular glucose and glucose 6-phosphate levels approximately 4- and 2-fold in excess of control values, respectively. Insulin treatment of diabetic rats resulted in the lowering of plasma glucose, and testis glucose 6-phosphate to normal or below normal levels within hours. Inositol levels remained significantly elevated compared with control animals, although slightly lower than that observed for untreated diabetic rats. Streptozotocin diabetic rats had a significantly decreased testis cytosolic NAD + NADH ratio compared with control animals 72 h after injection. The potential role of testis hexokinase distribution in the regulation of glucose 6-phosphate and myo-inositol biosynthesis in normal and diabetic rats was investigated. No significant differences in testis hexokinase distribution or in the kinetic characteristics of the soluble and particulate hexokinase activities were observed. Testicular sperm counts in streptozotocin diabetic rats were not significantly different from control values.
The Cultural Revolution in Intelligence: Interim Report

A recent intelligence official argues that the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran reflects initial intelligence reform, but warns that a fundamental and thorough transformation of the intelligence community culture, with seven steps to achieve it, is still needed … and time is running out.
Prosperity, Region, and Institutions in Maritime China: The South Fukien Pattern, 946–1368 . By Billy K. L. So. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 2000. Pp. xxi, 469. $49.50.

Historians of China agree that the Chinese economy underwent a period of dramatic growth—some call it a commercial revolution—between AD 600 and 1400. As is so often the case, they have located all the causes within China: improved strains of rice, new technologies of water control, and the expansion of the market system. This book challenges the received wisdom by highlighting an important, but neglected, dimension of these economic changes: the effects of foreign trade on the city of Ch'uan-chou (also spelled Quanzhou).
Use of the wavelet transform to investigate differences in brain PET images between patient groups

Suitability of the wavelet transform was studied for the analysis of glucose utilization differences between subject groups as displayed in PET images. To strengthen statistical inference, it was of particular interest investigating the tradeoff between signal localization and image decomposition into uncorrelated components. This tradeoff is shown to be controlled by wavelet regularity, with the optimal compromise attained by third-order orthogonal spline wavelets. Testing of the ensuing wavelet coefficients identified only about 1.5% as statistically different (p < .05) from noise, which then served to resynthesize the difference images by the inverse wavelet transform. The resulting images displayed relatively uniform, noise-free regions of significant differences with, due to the good localization maintained by the wavelets, very little reconstruction artifacts.
Gain-scheduled controller for the suppression of convection at high Rayleigh number.

Recent studies in the feedback control of Rayleigh-B\'enard convection indicate that one can sustain the no-motion state at a moderate supercritical Rayleigh number (Ra) using only proportional compensation. However, stabilization occurs at a much higher Rayleigh number using linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) control synthesis. The restriction is that the convection model is linear. In this paper, we show that a comparable degree of stabilization is achievable for a fully nonlinear convection state. The process is demonstrated in two stages using a fully nonlinear, 3D Boussinseq model, compensated by a reduced-order LOQ controller and a gain-schedule table. In the first stage a fully-developed convective state is suppressed through the control action at a moderate supercritical Ra. After the residual convection decays to a sufficiently small amplitude, in the second stage, we increase the Ra by a large step and switch the compensator gains using the gain-schedule table. During this change the control action is in place. Our nonlinear simulation results suggest that the nonlinear system can be stabilized to the limit predicted by the linear analysis. The simulation shows that the large Ra jump induces a large transient temperature in the conductive component, which appears to have very small impact on the stabilization.
Efficient induction of protective anti-malaria immunity by recombinant adenovirus

The immunogenicity of a previously constructed replication-defective recombinant adenovirus expressing the CS protein of Plasmodium yoelii was compared with that of irradiated sporozoites. We found that immunization of BALB/c mice with a single dose of this recombinant adenovirus induced a much greater CS-specific T-cell response compared with immunization with irradiated sporozoites. More importantly, we found that this recombinant adenovirus induces similar or higher levels of protective immunity than those induced by irradiated sporozoites, eliciting an appreciable resistance to malaria infection.
Endogenous Opioids Do Not Mediate HCl- Induced Myocardial Dysfunction

ABSTRACT: We evaluated the hypothesis that increased endogenous opioid activity mediates part or all of the left ventricular contractile and pump dysfunction previously demonstrated in HCl-induced metabolic acidemia. Eighteen Western newborn lambs were catheterized and instrumented; pacing wires were sutured to the right atrial appendage; a catheter mounted micromanometer pressure transducer was inserted into the left ventricle; and a 2.5 F thermistor was inserted into the distal abdominal aorta. The lambs were studied 3 days after surgery. Metabolic acidemia was produced with an infusion of 0.5 N HCl into the inferior vena cava. Inhibition of endogenous opioids was achieved with a bolus of 2 mg/kg of intravenous naloxone, which was demonstrated to inhibit morphine sulfate-induced myocardial dysfunction. The effects of opioid inhibition were contrasted with our previously published results after restoration of a normal arterial pH with intravenous sodium bicarbonate. In agreement with our previous study, we found that reducing the arterial pH from 7.41 ± 0.01 to 6.97 ± 0.04 was associated with a 45% reduction in cardiac output which resulted from a 50% reduction in stroke volume. These changes in turn were mediated by a 35% reduction in the maximal first derivative of left ventricular pressure and/or a 63% increase in systemic vascular resistance which we used to estimate contractility and afterload, respectively. Left ventricular end diastolic pressure increased during acidemia. Although opioid inhibition produced a consistent increase in the maximal first derivative of left ventricular pressure, this increase was relatively small and was not associated with a significant change in cardiac output, stroke volume, or systemic vascular resistance. In contrast, restoration of a normal arterial pH was associated with increases in cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, and dP/dt to greater than control values, as well as a normalization of systemic vascular resistance. These hemodynamic changes were not attributable to direct effects of naloxone. Herein we suggest that although opioids may exert a small role in mediating the contractile dysfunction that occurs during HC- induced metabolic acidemia, there is no apparent influence of opioids on pump performance. Opioids participate very little in the myocardial dysfunction of this model of metabolic acidemia in lambs.
Disparities in the Clinical Encounter: Virginia's African American Children with Special Health Care Needs

This study analyzed Virginia data from the most recent National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. Logistic regression models were run for six Maternal and Child Health Bureau core outcomes and included demographics, child characteristics, health care providers, and health care access variables as predictors. Race/ethnicity disparities were judged to be present if the race/ethnicity variable was a significant predictor in the final model. Examining the components of disparate outcomes, African American children were found to be less likely than their white counterparts to have a usual source for sick and preventive care and to have a personal doctor or nurse. Their parents were less likely to say that doctors spent enough time, listened carefully, were sensitive to values and customs, and made them feel like a partner. These findings emphasize the need to examine health care disparities at a state level in order to guide efforts at remediation.
Pillar‐Deposition Particle Templating: A High‐Throughput Synthetic Route for Producing LithoParticles

We demonstrate “Pillar‐Deposition Particle Templating” (P‐DePT), a method for rapidly producing shape‐designed colloids, or LithoParticles. By contrast to previous approaches, P‐DePT is based on a ...
New insights into the role of mitochondria in aging: mitochondrial dynamics and more

A decline in mitochondrial function plays a key role in the aging process and increases the incidence of age-related disorders. A deeper understanding of the intricate nature of mitochondrial dynamics, which is described as the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission, has revealed that functional and structural alterations in mitochondrial morphology are important factors in several key pathologies associated with aging. Indeed, a recent wave of studies has demonstrated the pleiotropic role of fusion and fission proteins in numerous cellular processes, including mitochondrial metabolism, redox signaling, the maintenance of mitochondrial DNA and cell death. Additionally, mitochondrial fusion and fission, together with autophagy, have been proposed to form a quality-maintenance mechanism that facilitates the removal of damaged mitochondria from the cell, a process that is particularly important to forestall aging. Thus, dysfunctional regulation of mitochondrial dynamics might be one of the intrinsic causes of mitochondrial dysfunction, which contributes to oxidative stress and cell death during the aging process. In this Commentary, we discuss recent studies that have converged at a consensus regarding the involvement of mitochondrial dynamics in key cellular processes, and introduce a possible link between abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and aging.
In Search of a Theory of Shopping Value: The Case of Rural Consumers

Although the challenges facing rural retailers have been attributed to competition and decreasing population, this paper defines the problem from rural consumers' perspective. It argues that consumers select shopping location on its shopping value, determined by its attractiveness and accessibility. The results indicate that locations closest to the consumer's residence offer the highest shopping value for groceries and other low-order goods. They also show that increasing gasoline prices favor local retailers. Rural retailers may use these results to implement differentiating strategies that increase their attractiveness, accessibility, and consequently their competitiveness. Declining number of rural retail stores across the United States is creating policy concerns about maintaining access to services for rural residents. Many researchers have shown that when the local population falls below a particular threshold, marginal revenue from retail activities falls below marginal cost, leading to closures (Mulligan, Wallace, and Plane; Bresnahan and Reise; Shonkwiler and Harris). Additionally, it has been shown that the arrival of large retailers such as Wal-Mart stores in towns relatively close to small towns and rural communities often accelerate the demise of retailers in these communities (Goetz and Swaminathan; Artz and Stone; Parr and Denike). These perspectives attempt to explain the problem from the supply side, assuming the consumer as a given. This paper attempts to explain the challenges facing small town and rural retailers from consumers' perspective, arguing that consumers' decisions about shopping locations are defined by their search for value from the shopping experience. Therefore, the paper extends central place theory and gravitational law of retailing research by focusing not on why retailers locate in particular locations but on the factors that motivate consumers to shop at particular locations. By focusing on the demand side of the retail exchange, the paper seeks to develop a theory of shopping value that would help local policy makers and retailers
Trapping of Single Atoms in Cavity QED

By integrating the techniques of laser cooling and trapping with those of cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), single cesium atoms have been trapped within the mode of a small, high finesse optical cavity in a regime of strong coupling. The observed lifetime for individual atoms trapped within the cavity mode is τ≈28 ms, and is limited by fluctuations of light forces arising from the far-detuned intracavity field. This initial realization of trapped atoms in cavity QED should enable diverse protocols in quantum information science.
Lathe Craft: A Study in "Part" Appreciation

Craftsmanship on the engine lathe in the context of four small western Pennsylvania machine shops is examined in terms of behaviors associated with lathe operation, the technological specialization of machinists, and some cognitive and expressive qualities of parts produced on a lathe. A comparison of the categorizations and rankings of lathe produced parts for samples of machinists and non-machinists indicates that machinists judge parts primarily in terms of their complexity while non-machinists lack an integrated conceptual pattern. Part complexity, interpreted as a measure of virtuosity in lathe craft, is discussed in terms of how it may relate to job satisfaction, quality control and productivity.