cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid assessments of non-pharmaceutical intervention uptake and population mobility patterns elucidate SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics

Background Current mitigation strategies for SARS-CoV-2 rely on population- wide adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) Monitoring NPI adoption, mobility patterns and their association with SARS-CoV-2 infection can provide key information for public health agencies and be used to calibrate transmission models Methods We used an online panel to accrue representative samples from Florida, Illinois, and Maryland (n=3,009, approximately 1,000 per state) from July 15-31, 2020 and capture socio-demographically and geographically resolved information about NPI adoption and mobility in the prior 2 weeks Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 2 weeks Results Overall, 96% reported traveling outside their home in the prior 2 weeks, the most common reason being to visit a grocery store/pharmacy (92%), followed by visiting friends/family (61%), and visiting a place of worship (23%);22% reporting public transportation use In total, 44% of respondents reported always practicing social distancing and 40% reported always using a mask indoors and outdoors Overall, 74 (2 5%) reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the prior 2 weeks, with strong dose-response relationships between several forms of movement frequency and SARS-CoV-2 positivity Variables capturing mobility were all highly correlated with one another, suggesting there are clusters of individuals who engage in multiple activities (Figure);41% of positive cases engaged in all forms of mobility captured compared to 1% of those who did not test positive within the prior 2 weeks Patterns of mobility and NPI uptake did not significantly differ by state;however, there were significant relationships with age, race/ethnicity, and gender In multivariable models including adjustment for NPIs, significant relationships remained with public transportation, visiting a place of worship, and participating in outdoor group fitness activities Conclusion NPI adoption and mobility did not vary across these three states with variable policies and SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates Rather, associations with recent positivity appear to be driven largely by mobility patterns and engagement in activities where NPI use may be challenging or inconsistent (Figure Presented)
RELIGIOSITY AND POLITICAL TOLERANCE: REASSESING THE RELATIONSHIP

Political tolerance ­­­–– the willingness to afford basic civil rights to individuals or groups that one finds disagreeable –– is fundamental to liberal democracy. For several decades, political scientists believed that widespread religious adherence in the United States threatened political tolerance. Recent research casts doubt on the direct relationship between religiosity and political tolerance. However, this research is based on decades-old data or a sample collected from a single county. My study tests the relationship between religiosity and political tolerance using more recent national survey data. It confirms that, although religiosity is related to dogmatism, no direct relationship exists between religiosity and political tolerance.
Simulator to Monitor Connectivity Simplified using a BASIC Software GUI

Background: Inter-manufacturer compatibility between manikins has consistently been an issue in healthcare simulation. Differences in scenario programming products, electronic communication protocols, and even in terminology create problems for simulation technical staff and simulation manikin users. One issue that has been especially problematic is the need for dedicated virtual patient monitors for each simulation manikin brand, and often for different simulators within the same brand. This causes additional work for setups, wear and tear on equipment and staff, and ongoing connectivity issues. Solution: Using freely available software, simulation technical staff created an easy to use software application that executed computer batch files to automatically connect manikins to the virtual patient monitor regardless of manikin brand or model. Discussion: Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) programming language was used to create an interface that reconfigured the computer to allow presentation of the manikin’s virtual patient monitor. The Graphic User Interface (GUI) allows simulation users without technical background to select the manikin being used and have that manikin’s vital signs and wave forms displayed. Creation of the application and GUI has eliminated the need for virtual patient monitors to be dedicated to specific manikins. Outcome: Implementation of the application and GUI has increased operational efficiencies in the simulation center by eliminating the need for dedicated monitors for specific manikins, created more stable connections with manikins, and reduced wear and tear on staff and equipment from moving monitors throughout the center.
Progression of aortic stenosis in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

BACKGROUND Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart defect and predisposes patients to developing aortic stenosis more frequently and at a younger age than the general population. However, the influence of bicuspid aortic valve on the rate of progression of aortic stenosis remains unclear. METHODS In 236 patients (177 tricuspid aortic valve and 59 bicuspid aortic valve) matched by initial severity of mild or moderate aortic stenosis, we retrospectively analyzed baseline echocardiogram at diagnosis with latest available follow-up echocardiogram. Baseline comorbidities, annualized progression rate of hemodynamic parameters, and hazard of aortic valve replacement were compared between valve phenotypes. RESULTS Median echocardiographic follow-up was 2.6 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.6-4.2) years. Patients with tricuspid aortic stenosis were significantly older with more frequent comorbid hypertension and congestive heart failure. Median annualized progression rate of mean gradient was 2.3 (IQR 0.6-5.0) mmHg/year versus 1.5 (IQR 0.5-4.1) mmHg/year (p = .5), and that of peak velocity was 0.14 (IQR 0-0.31) m/s/year versus 0.10 (IQR 0.04-0.26) m/s/year (p = .7) for tricuspid versus bicuspid aortic valve, respectively. On multivariate analyses, bicuspid aortic valve was not significantly associated with more rapid progression of aortic stenosis. In a stepwise Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for baseline mean gradient, bicuspid aortic valve was associated with increased hazard of aortic valve replacement (hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% confidence interval [1.0-3.0], p = .049). CONCLUSION Bicuspid aortic valve may not significantly predispose patients to more rapid progression of mild or moderate aortic stenosis. Guidelines for echocardiographic surveillance of aortic stenosis need not be influenced by valve phenotype.
Clinical Implications of Genetic Defects in G Proteins

Abstract Signal-transducing guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) couple extracellular receptor proteins to intracellular effector enzymes and ion channels, and therefore are critical mediators of cellular responses to external stimuli. G proteins are comprised of three subunits (α, β, γ), each encoded by many different genes. The multiplicity of G protein subunits facilitates great combinatorial variability, which, in part, accounts for the ability of G proteins to interact with many different receptor and effector proteins. Hundreds of G protein-coupled receptors have been identified, and their unique patterns of expression among a restricted number of cell types contributes greatly to the apparent specificity of hormone action. Mutations that either activate or inactivate some of these receptors account for a number of highly specific syndromes, which affect a limited number of target tissues. By contrast, most G proteins are widely expressed in many tissues. Accordingly, mutations in these signaling molecules would be expected to produce a more generalized pattern of hormone dysfunction. Activating mutations in the gene (GNAS1) that encode the α subunit of the G protein that stimulates adenylyl cyclase (AC) have been identified in many endocrine neoplasms and diverse tissues of patients with McCune-Albright syndrome. The McCune-Albright syndrome is characterized by autonomous endocrine function, hyperpigmented skin lesions, and fibrous dysplasia of bone—effects which reflect the ability of CAMP to stimulate cell function and proliferation in a wide variety of tissues. The unusual features of the McCune-Albright syndrome are explained by the mosaic distribution of cells bearing the mutant allele, an observation that is most consistent with postzygotic mutation of GNAS1. Experimental analysis of this syndrome has extended our understanding of the clinical and biochemical consequences of dysfunctional G protein action and has provided a bench-to-bedside demonstration of the critical role that G proteins play in transmembrane signal transduction in humans.
Response to Popov

My response reviews and extends slightly the work of Dr. Vladimir Popov on Russia’s unique transition to market economy. Using Russia as an example, my hope is also to shed light on important areas of economics in general, especially as they relate to the social and legal infrastructures that form the basis of what I term “pathological” economic systems. At the outset, it is important to note that I have no fundamental disagreements with the conclusions and basic viewpoints of Dr. Popov. As is typical of academics, however, I do not necessarily concur with the course he pursued to reach those conclusions. The following represents an alternative and, hopefully, illuminating path to arrive at a somewhat different diagnosis of Russian economic maladies, as well as a similar, but not identical, prescription. Dr. Popov begins by assessing the initial conditions inherited by the transition countries of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia, and finding that the countries of the former Soviet Union tended to have the worst performance, measured in terms of total decline in output, among the transition economies. He also measures, and then assesses, the role of the legacies of central planning in affecting variations in transition outcomes. Popov then makes the noteworthy conclusion that the institutional structure of transition economies appears better able to predict transition performance than the rate of liberalization. This important finding elevates the debate from the level of an overly simplistic and unproductive argument concerning the merits, or lack thereof, of shock therapy versus some undefined gradual alternative. Not only is this a valuable contribution, but the author also makes his point directly and clearly. In the second part of his essay, Popov links poor Russian economic performance during the transition to an inability to increase exports, pointing out that export-led growth — as demonstrated by the transition economies of China and Vietnam and earlier by the market economies of Japan, Korea, and other Asian economies — can place a country on the road to sustainable development. Additionally, Popov identifies the key role of exchange-rate policy, and explains how Russia’s decision to maintain its exchange rate at levels that were above purchasing power parity was a serious policy mistake. Also, he cites
Underestimated Sensitivity of Mammalian Cochlear Hair Cells Due to Splay between Stereociliary Columns

Current-displacement (I-X) and the force-displacement (F-X) relationships characterize hair-cell mechano-transduction in the inner ear. A common technique for measuring these relationships is to deliver mechanical stimulations to individual hair bundles with microprobes and measure whole cell transduction currents through patch pipette electrodes at the basolateral membrane. The sensitivity of hair-cell mechano-transduction is determined by two fundamental biophysical properties of the mechano-transduction channel, the stiffness of the putative gating spring and the gating swing, which are derived from the I-X and F-X relationships. Although the hair-cell stereocilia in vivo deflect 500 nm of stereocilia displacement to saturate hair-cell mechano-transduction in experiments with individual hair cells in vitro. Despite such discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro data, key biophysical properties of hair-cell mechano-transduction to define the transduction sensitivity have been estimated from in vitro experiments. Using three-dimensional finite-element methods, we modeled an inner hair-cell and an outer hair-cell stereocilia bundle and simulated the effect of probe stimulation. Unlike the natural situation where the tectorial membrane stimulates hair-cell stereocilia evenly, probes deflect stereocilia unevenly. Because of uneven stimulation, 1) the operating range (the 10-90% width of the I-X relationship) increases by a factor of 2-8 depending on probe shapes, 2) the I-X relationship changes from a symmetric to an asymmetric function, and 3) the bundle stiffness is underestimated. Our results indicate that the generally accepted assumption of parallel stimulation leads to an overestimation of the gating swing and underestimation of the gating spring stiffness by an order of magnitude.
Fermentable and Nonfermentable Fiber Supplements Did Not Alter Hunger, Satiety or Body Weight in a Pilot Study of Men and Women Consuming Self-Selected Diets

Little is known about the relative effects of fermentable fiber (FF) vs. nonfermentable fiber (NFF) on energy regulation in humans. We compared 27 +/- 0.6 g/d supplements of FF (pectin, beta-glucan) and NFF (methylcellulose) for their ability to decrease ad libitum energy intake (EI) and hunger, increase satiety and cause spontaneous body weight and fat losses. Men and women (n = 11) aged 23-46 y, BMI 20.0-34.4 kg/m2, consumed first NFF and then FF for 3 wk each, with a 4-wk washout period between phases. Daily satiety assessed with analog scales was higher with NFF than FF (60.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 57.7 +/- 0.8 mm, P = 0.01). However, there were no differences in reported EI (NFF < FF by 7%, P = 0.31, NFF < baseline by 9.5%, P = 0.11), body weight (NFF 0.13 kg, P = 0.73; FF 0.13 kg, P = 0.60) or fat percentage (NFF -0.3%, P = 0.56; FF -0.1%, P = 0.66) within either phase. In contrast to findings in animals, NFF was more, rather than less satiating than FF, and use of neither NFF nor FF preparations was associated with body weight or fat loss. These pilot results suggest no role for short-term use of FF and NFF supplements in promoting weight loss in humans consuming a diet ad libitum.
Temporal and spatial assessment of defense responses in resistant and susceptible cabbage varieties during infection with Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris

Abstract Five cabbage varieties were characterized in terms of their resistance to disease caused byXanthomonas campestris pv. campestris(XCC) strain FD91L, and of these two were found to be resistant (Hancock and Green Cup), one partially resistant (Cheers) and two susceptible (Strukton and Perfect Ball). These five cabbage varieties were analysed for peroxidase activity, presence of peroxidase isozymes, and lignin deposition. The most resistant variety (Hancock) and the most susceptible variety (Perfect Ball) also analysed for superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and hydrogen peroxide accumulation following inoculation with XCC strain FD91L. Superoxide dismutase isozyme analyses were also conducted for Hancock and Perfect Ball varieties. Four week old plants were petiole-inoculated with XCC strain FD91L, which contains the lux operon from Vibrio fischerii. Bacterial movementin planta was monitored in a non-destructive manner via the detection of bioluminescence. Upon symptom development, leaf samples from each variety were taken from three zones representing different stages of disease development (1 = non-bioluminescent, non-symptomatic, 2 = bioluminescent, non-symptomatic, 3 = bioluminescent, symptomatic). An increase in total peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, as well as the accumulation of peroxidases and lignin deposition, were observed in all tested varieties following inoculation with FD91L. These increases were greater and generally occurred earlier in resistant varieties when compared to susceptible ones. In contrast, catalase activity decreased in both varieties tested, with a greater decrease observed in the resistant variety (Hancock) than the susceptible one (Perfect Ball). Analysis of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase isozymes revealed the presence of unique isozymes in the resistant cabbage varieties that were not found in the susceptible ones. A peroxidase isozyme (pI 3.6) was observed to accumulate in conjunction with lignin deposition. These findings suggest a multilevel, coordinated resistance similar to a hypersensitive response (HR) in cabbage to X. campestris pv.campestris infection, although the onset of this response was delayed when compared to the occurrence of the classical HR.
On the use of sunspace for space heating/cooling in Europe

The heating/cooling potential of a typical sunspace has been investigated in the present study as a function of different climatic conditions in several locations throughout Europe. Passive solar design is mainly concentrated on providing space heating during winter as well as on avoiding overheating during the summer period. In the present paper the feasibility of a sunspace as a heating system was studied taking into account the climatic conditions. Simultaneously, various passive cooling techniques are proposed and examined in order to avoid overheating during summer. For this reason, a representative case study is presented and simulated for several climatic conditions. The simulated results showed that sunspaces can be an appropriate and effective system all over Europe during the cold period of the year. Thermal mass within buildings, shading devices, buried pipes and night ventilation techniques can be essential and effective methods to control overheating during summer.
Estimating a retailer's base stock level: an optimal distribution center order forecast policy

Errors in order forecasts are a salient source of inefficiencies in retail supply chains. Many operational decisions made by suppliers hinge on order forecasts, which typically are based solely on either order or point-of-sale (POS) history. Using a discrete-time formulation, this research demonstrates that if a supplier knows that a retailer is using a base stock policy, it should use that knowledge to forecast the retailer's orders, even if the supplier does not know the base stock level and/or have access to POS data.
Spectral theory of commuting self-adjoint partial differential operators

Let Ω denote a connected and open subset of Rn. The existence of n commuting self-adjoint operators H1,…, Hn on L2(Ω) such that each Hj is an extension of −i∂∂xj (acting on Cc∞(Ω)) is shown to be equivalent to the existence of a measure μ on Rn such that f → \tf (the Fourier transform of f) is unitary from L2(Ω) onto Ω. It is shown that the support of μ can be chosen as a subgroup of Rn iff H1,…, Hn can be chosen such that the unitary groups generated by H1,…, Hn act multiplicatively on L2(Ω). This happens iff Ω (after correction by a null set) forms a system of representatives for the quotient of Rn by some subgroup, i.e., iff Ω is essentially a fundamental domain.
The identification of serotonergic neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus by conduction velocity

Abstract Histochemical studies have described serotonergic neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus, and since their axons are small, they would be expected to have low conduction velocities. However, previous studies have reported few slow-conducting units in the nucleus. In these studies, raphe-spinal neurons, detected by antidromic activation, were found to exhibit a wide range of conduction velocities, including numbers of slow-conducting units. In a second set of experiments, the number of raphe-spinal units found in control rats and those treated with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, a serotonin neurotoxin, were compared. Two groups of slow-conducting units were reduced in treated animals and those units, conducting between 0.7–1.0 m/sec and 3.1–6.0 m/sec, were presumed to be serotonergic. These neurons comprised about 40% of the total found in the nucleus.
On self-diffusion in cubic metals

Abstract Based on the vacancy mechanism of diffusion, a method is given for correlating the frequency factors and activation energies of self-diffusion in cubic metals. The activation energy is shown to be proportional to an appropriate elastic constant and the cube of the lattice parameter, both referred to 0°K. Reasonable agreement is found among the more recent self-diffusion determinations, with the proportionality constant being 0.0514 for face-centered cubic metals and 0.0695 for body-centered cubic metals. The theory also yields values for the fraction (λ) of the activation energy that goes into lattice straining during the elementary diffusion act. For face-centered cubic metals, λ is 0.64. For body-center cubic metals, λ cannot be calculated with any assurance because of inadequate data, but a tentative value is 0.84. These quantities, together with the above proportionality constants, permit the calculation of the self-diffusion coefficients as a function of temperature in cubic metals.
Molecular-weight dependent Tg depression of silica-supported poly(α-methyl styrene) films

Abstract The glass transition temperature ( T g ) of poly(α-methyl styrene) (PαMS) films supported by silica is studied as a function of film thicknesses from ~ 17 to ~ 168 nm at three molecular weights of 1.3, 20 and 420 kg/mol. For the 20 and 420 kg/mol films, the glass transition temperature decreases with decreasing film thickness, consistent with previous results. But for the 1.3 kg/mol films, it becomes independent of the film thickness. We tentatively suggest the T g depression to be caused by free volume excess at the polymer–air interface and that its influence diminishes at low enough molecular weights because of a chain stiffness effect.
Predicting firm success from task motivation and attributional style: a longitudinal study

The main thrust of this longitudinal study was directed at providing empirical evidence for a model of entrepreneurial behaviour and firm success employed in recent research. The model, grounded on Miner's task role motivation theory and Weiner's approach to attribution theory, specifies the influence of role requirements on certain motivational patterns, and identifies the mediating effects of attributional processes for failure and success, and of perceived environmental uncertainty, on a type of entrepreneurial behaviour likely to spawn firm success. The findings of this study support, overall, the predictive feature of I he model.
Cell lineage in the cerebral cortex of the mouse studied in vivo and in vitro with a Recombinant Retrovirus

Abstract To analyze cell lineage in the murine cerebral cortex, we infected progenitor cells with a recombinant retrovirus, then used the retroviral gene product to identify the descendants of infected cells. Cortices were infected on E12-E14 either in vivo or following dissociation and culture. In both cases, nearly all clones contained either neurons or glia, but not both. Thus, neuronal and glial lineages appear to diverge early in cortical development. To analyze the distribution of clonally related cells in vivo, clonal boundaries were reconstructed from serial sections. Perinatally (E18-PN)), clonally related cells were radially arrayed as they migrated to the cortical plate. Thus, clonal cohorts traverse a similar radial path. Following migration (PN7-PN23), neuronal clones generally remained radially arrayed, while glial clones were variable in orientation, suggesting that these two cell types accumulate in different ways. Neuronal clones sometimes spanned the full thickness of the cortex. Thus, a single progenitor can contribute neurons to several laminae.
Integrated model for predicting the fate of organics in wastewater treatment plants

An integrated Fate Model has been developed for predicting the fate of organics in a wastewater treatment plant. The Fate Model has been validated using experimental data from a pilot-scale facility. The biodegradation kinetic constants for some compounds in the Fate Model were estimated using the group contribution approach. The Fate Model has been compared with other existing models in the literature. Potential applications of the Fate Model include assessment of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from a wastewater treatment plant, evaluate pretreatment requirements prior to discharge to the sewer system, predict concentrations of toxic compounds on sludges, and provide a general framework for estimating the removal of toxic compounds during activated sludge treatment.
Characterization of the ALP1 gene locus of Trichophyton tonsurans.

Trichophyton tonsurans is the primary etiologic agent of fungal infections in the pediatric population. Establishing techniques that facilitate strain discrimination offer the opportunity to investigate the relationship between fungal genotype, biochemical phenotype and disease presentation in the host. In the process of expanding efforts to elucidate intra-specific genetic variability in T. tonsurans, we have identified 2 genetic polymorphisms in the ALP1 gene: a fragment length polymorphism in the 5’UTR and a single SNP (G→A) within the 3′UTR. Full sequence data revealed that the length polymorphism was constituted by a 16 bp repeat element, present in tandem from 3 to 6 times depending on the strain. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated a clear association between the length polymorphism and ALP1 mRNA transcript levels. Not only do the sequence variations identified in this study increase our ability to discriminate T. tonsurans strains, but they also reveal the presence of a genetic variation with functional consequences at the transcript level that may play a role in regulating disease severity.
Causes and Control of Culture-Related Flavor Defects in Cultured Dairy Products

Abstract Research publications on culture-related flavor defects in fermented dairy products are reviewed. Bitterness and fruity off-flavor in Cheddar cheese, caused by the production of bitter peptides and ethyl esters of fatty acids respectively by starter bacteria, are discussed. Lack of diacetyl flavor in Cottage cheese, cultured buttermilk and sour cream is viewed as a major flavor defect in products being marketed today. Cultures may destroy diacetyl by converting it to acetoin and in the case of Cottage cheese, culturing of the dressing with flavor organisms is recommended to enhance flavor. Harsh or green flavors in fermented products caused by excessive acetaldehyde production may be controlled with starter strains high in alcohol dehydrogenase (aldehyde reductase) or by ensuring that high populations of Leuconostoc are present by adding them as concentrates. For yogurt, however, high acetaldehyde-producing cultures are desirable for typical flavor and testing of Lactobacillus bulgaricus strains for use in yogurt cultures for this property is suggested. Strain dominance as it may contribute to culture defects also is discussed.
Improved geometric Goppa codes. I. Basic theory

In this paper, we present a construction of improved geometric Goppa codes which, for the case of r<2g, are often more efficient than the current geometric Goppa codes derived from some varieties, which include algebraic curves, hyperplanes, surfaces, and other varieties. For the special case of a plane in a three-dimensional projective space, the improved geometric Goppa codes are reduced to linear multilevel codes. For these improved geometric Goppa codes, a designed minimum distance can be easily determined and a decoding procedure which corrects up to half the designed minimum distance is also given.
Coupled infrared extinction spectra and size distribution measurements for several non-clay components of mineral dust aerosol (quartz, calcite, and dolomite)

Abstract Simultaneous size distributions and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) extinction spectra have been measured for several representative components of mineral dust aerosol (quartz, calcite, and dolomite) in the fine particle size mode ( D =0.1–1 μm). Optical constants drawn from the published literature have been used in combination with the experimentally determined size distributions to simulate the extinction spectra. In general, Mie theory does not accurately reproduce the peak position or band shape for the prominent IR resonance features in the 800–1600 cm −1 spectral range. The resonance peaks in the Mie simulation are consistently blue shifted relative to the experimental spectra by ∼20–50 cm −1 . Spectral simulations, derived from a simple Rayleigh-based analytic theory for a “continuous distribution of ellipsoids” particle shape model, better reproduce the experimental spectra, despite the fact that the Rayleigh approximation is not strictly satisfied in these experiments. These results differ from our previous studies of particle shape effects in silicate clay mineral dust aerosols where a disk-shaped model for the particles was found to be more appropriate.
The effect of aging on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of the alumina-forming austenitic stainless steel Fe–20Cr–30Ni–2Nb–5Al

Abstract The effect of aging on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of an alumina-forming austenitic stainless steel, Fe–20Cr–30Ni–2Nb–5Al (at%) has been investigated. The alloy was fully solutionized after a 1250 °C, 24 h heat treatment, and the precipitation of B2 and Laves phases was studied after aging at 800 °C for up to 1325 h. While after 24 h the Laves phase precipitates in the matrix were 205 nm in diameter, they showed a further increase in diameter of only 50 nm even after aging for 1325 h. In contrast, the B2 precipitates in the matrix grew at a faster rate: after first being observed after aging for 24 h at an average diameter of 194 nm, they more than doubled in size from 330 to 734 nm as the aging time increased from 240 h to 1325 h. Both the Laves and B2 precipitates in the grain boundaries grew at a faster rate and were larger than matrix precipitates. The grain boundary coverage at 2.4 h (Laves 192 nm, NiAl 126 nm) was 56% with Laves phase initially making up the bulk of the precipitates, but after 2.4 h Laves phase and B2 precipitates alternated on the grain boundaries and total coverage reached 93% after 1325 h. An increase in the volume fraction of precipitates in the alloy was accompanied by an increase in the yield strength from 205 MPa after the solutionizing treatment up to 383 MPa after aging at 800 °C for 1325 h. After aging for 1325 h, even with extensive intermetallic grain boundary coverage, the alloy showed a room temperature elongation of 19%.
Twenty-First-Century Precipitation Changes over the Los Angeles Region

AbstractA new hybrid statistical–dynamical downscaling technique is described to project mid- and end-of-twenty-first-century local precipitation changes associated with 36 global climate models (GCMs) in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project archive over the greater Los Angeles region. Land-averaged precipitation changes, ensemble-mean changes, and the spread of those changes for both time slices are presented. It is demonstrated that the results are similar to what would be produced if expensive dynamical downscaling techniques were instead applied to all GCMs. Changes in land-averaged ensemble-mean precipitation are near zero for both time slices, reflecting the region’s typical position in the models at the node of oppositely signed large-scale precipitation changes. For both time slices, the intermodel spread of changes is only about 0.2–0.4 times as large as natural interannual variability in the baseline period. A caveat to these conclusions is that interannual variability in the tro...
Near-infrared fluorescing IR820-chitosan conjugate for multifunctional cancer theranostic applications.

Abstract This study reports the preparation and characterization of IR820-chitosan conjugates that have potential multifunctional imaging-hyperthermia applications in cancer. The conjugates were formulated by covalent coupling of chitosan to a carboxyl derivatized IR820, and studied for optical imaging and hyperthermia applications. IR820-chitosan conjugates were able to generate heat upon exposure to 808 nm laser and produce hyperthermic cell growth inhibition in cancer cell lines MES-SA, SKOV-3 and Dx5. The level of cell growth inhibition caused by hyperthermia was significantly higher for IR820-chitosan compared to IR820 in MES-SA and Dx5 cells. Fluorescent microscope images of these cancer cell lines after 3-h exposure to 5 μM IR820-chitosan showed that the conjugates can be used for in vitro near-infrared imaging. In an in vivo rat model, the conjugates accumulated in the liver after i.v. injection and were excreted through the gastrointestinal tract, demonstrating a different biodistribution when compared to the free dye. The accumulation of these conjugates in bile with subsequent gastrointestinal excretion allows for potential applications as gastrointestinal contrast agents and delivery vehicles. This formulation can potentially be used in multifunctional cancer theranostics.
Metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and its methyl-hydroxylated metabolites: Formation of phenolic metabolites at the 2-positions

Abstract The 1- and 2-positions of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) were thought not to be involved in biotransformation to 1,2-epoxide and 1,2-dihydrodiol because of steric hindrance from the 12-methyl group (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 85 : 357–362, 1978). However, we have identified four 2-phenols as rat liver microsomal metabolites of DMBA and its methyl-hydroxylated metabolites, 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene, 7-methyl-12-hydroxymethylbenz[a]-anthracene, and 7,12-dihydroxymethylbenz[a]anthracene. Our findings suggest that neither the 12-methyl group nor the 12-hydroxymethyl group blocks the microsomal oxygenations of the 1,2 positions of DMBA or its methyl-hydroxylated derivatives. The 2-phenols may be formed as nonenzymatic rearrangement products of the 1,2-epoxide intermediates, although their formations by a direct hydroxylation mechanism cannot be ruled out.
Reproductive health and blurred professional boundaries

We recognize that many of the issues raised are not simple. Our proposal calls for the same thoughtful deliberation applied in other settings to be brought to bear on reproductive health care. Some have already tried alternative approaches. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a university hospital neonatologist and the district attorney have collaborated to create an alternative to sentencing program for women who are arrested for drug-related crimes and found to be both pregnant and drug addicted. Rather than proceed with criminal sanctions, these women are offered entry into a drug treatment program that is geared to families with young children and run by the pediatrics department. Here, the physician and the district attorney collaboratively responded in ways congruent with the professional integrity of each. In another example in Portland, Oregon, physicians, drug treatment providers, and child protective social service representatives cooperatively defeated a legislative proposal to mandatorily test and report pregnant women for illicit drug use and, instead, formed a task force to jointly develop state policy regarding the issue. Drug use, HIV infection, child abuse, and poverty are all cause for alarm. Yet it is critical that our frustration about these difficult problems not be translated into blaming individuals for "deviance," or into short-term inadequate responses. In developing policy we should consider the impact on the legal and ethical rights and obligations of both patient and physician. For every course, we should evaluate both immediate and long-term efficacy, the consequences for the doctor-patient relationship, and the consequences for medical integrity. In the midst of the present regulatory and fiscal turmoil affecting health care, we urge physicians to be careful and deliberate in the policies they embrace and the actions they take.
West Meets East

PAJ 106 (2014), pp. 59–68.  59 doi:10.1162/PAJJ _a_00177 After decades of fascination with all things Japanese, in September 2012 I went to Tokyo on a Fulbright Fellowship. My teaching responsibilities left plenty of time to see theatre and dance, as well as visual art and architecture, both classic and contemporary. The formality, measured pace, and discipline of much of the traditional work led to some naptaking on the part of spectators — Japanese salarymen and women, who work long hours and commute long distances, sleep wherever they can, even standing on the subway. The audiences for new work were somewhat younger, but since tickets to theatre and dance are expensive in Japan, they tended to be older than in downtown NYC. I’d anticipated seeing radical new performance work, yet the most exciting events were an exhibition by visual artist Aida Makoto at the Mori Museum that included performance on video, and a concert by Noh flute player Yukihiro Isso, who innovatively incorporates contemporary experimentation into his compositions and improvisations. Makoto’s work referenced and transformed classic and traditional forms in an ironic way that critiqued contemporary Japanese culture and society. For example, he painted a monumental silver screen, in the tradition of rimpa style, but instead of delicate songbirds and tendrils and vines, there were big black crows and telephone wires — the contemporary natural landscape. He also constructed pagoda-like structures from cardboard in a subway station as housing for homeless people; the buildings were carted off by cleaners before anyone could move in. Isso, an extraordinary flute player from a traditional Noh musician family (since the sixteenth century), has performed Noh music since childhood but incorporates elements of Western and world music into his compositions — melodies, improvisation, minimalism — and casts West Meets east
Asymmetries in Cerebellar Plasticity and Motor Learning

Synaptic plasticity at the parallel fiber to Purkinje cell synapse has long been considered a cellular correlate for cerebellar motor learning. Functionally, long-term depression and long-term potentiation at these synapses seem to be the reverse of each other, with both pre- and post-synaptic expression occurring in both. However, different cerebellar motor learning paradigms have been shown to be asymmetric and not equally reversible. Here, we discuss the asymmetric reversibility shown in the vestibulo-ocular reflex and eyeblink conditioning and suggest that different cellular plasticity mechanisms might be recruited under different conditions leading to unequal reversibility.
Determining Prevalence and Correlates of Elder Abuse Using Promotores: Low-Income Immigrant Latinos Report High Rates of Abuse and Neglect

Low-income Latino immigrants are understudied in elder abuse research. Limited English proficiency, economic insecurity, neighborhood seclusion, a tradition of resolving conflicts within the family, and mistrust of authorities may impede survey research and suppress abuse reporting. To overcome these barriers, promotores, local Spanish-speaking Latinos, were recruited and trained to interview a sample of Latino adults aged 66 and older residing in low-income communities. The promotores conducted door-to-door interviews in randomly selected census tracts in Los Angeles to assess the frequency of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse; financial exploitation; and caregiver neglect. Overall, 40.4% of elderly Latino adults had experienced some form of abuse or neglect within the previous year. Nearly 25% reported psychological abuse, 10.7% physical assault, 9% sexual abuse, and 16.7% financial exploitation, and 11.7% were neglected by their caregivers. Younger age, higher education, and experiencing sexual or physical abuse before age 65 were significant risk factors for psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Years lived in the United States, younger age, and prior abuse were associated with greater risk of financial exploitation. Years spent living in the United States was a significant risk factor for caregiver neglect. Abuse prevalence was much higher in all mistreatment domains than findings from previous research on community-dwelling elderly adults, suggesting that low-income Latino immigrants are highly vulnerable to elder mistreatment or that respondents are more willing to disclose abuse to promotores who represent their culture and community.
Variability of subtropical upper tropospheric humidity

Analysis of Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) measurements for five years shows significant longitudinal variations in the winter subtropical upper tropospheric relative humidity (RH), not only in the climatological mean values but also in the local distributions and temporal variability. The largest climatological mean values occur over the central-eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans, where there is also large day-to-day variability. In contrast, there are smaller mean values, and smaller variability that occurs at lower frequency, over the Indian and western Pacific oceans. These differences in the distribution and variability of subtropical RH are related to differences in the key transport processes in the different sectors. The large variability and intermittent high and low RH over the central-eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans are due to intrusions of high potential vorticity air into the subtropics. Intrusions seldom occur over the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans, and here the subtropical RH is more closely linked to the location and strength of subtropical anticyclones. During northern winter there are eastward propagating features in the subtropical RH in this region that are out of phase with the tropical RH, and are caused by modulation of the subtropical anticyclones by the Madden-Julian Oscillation.
Re-Envisioning Reading and Writing through Combined-Text Picture Books.

Combined-text picture books unite multiple genres, providing nuanced information on a single topic from the unique lens of each genre. By providing guided practice in reading and writing a combined-text picture book, teachers can help students develop sensitivity to different types of texts, to what they do and how they do it. Such sensitivity can give students a foundation for selecting appropriate strategies for reading and writing effectively in a wider variety of genres. This article describes the process of explicit instruction, discussion, and guided practice with one such text, One Leaf Rides the Wind, that helped one class of seventh-grade students develop as strategic readers and writers when they created a class version of a combined-text picture book.
Liquid microlayer thickness in nucleate boiling on a heated surface

Abstract This paper presents the results of an analytical study of the hydrodynamics of formation of the liquid microlayer, in hemispherical bubble growth in nucleate boiling on a heated surface. The solution is general in that it applies to 1 2 ≤ n ≤1 , where n is the exponent in the standard empirical bubble-growth equation R= C o θ n Special reference is made to liquid metals, where n is often near the upper limit of its maximum range ( 1 2 to 1 ) and under certain conditions can equal 1. It is concluded that microlayer thicknesses at time of formation are considerably smaller for liquid metals than for ordinary liquids.
On Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Multiple Fault Undetectability

This correspondence states necessary and sufficient conditions for a multiple stuck-at fault in a combinational network to be undetected by a test set. The conditions are given in terms of fault masking relationships. It is shown that several other statements on this subject which have appeared in the literature are invalid.
Combined use of esmolol and digoxin in the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation or flutter

Safety and efficacy of simultaneous use of intravenous digoxin and esmolol in the control of rapid heart rate in 21 patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter was assessed. The mean age was 67 (range 40 to 90) years. Seven patients had class III congestive heart failure, with left ventricular ejection fraction between 18% and 61%. Baseline mean heart rate was 143 +/- 4. After 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg intravenous digoxin, esmolol was titrated with initial boluses from 2 mg/min to 16 mg/min in 25 minutes. A tolerated dose of esmolol infusion was adjusted for up to 48 hours. Rapid control of heart rate (29% decrease with heart rate 101 +/- 4) occurred at a mean interval of 21 minutes. Minimum heart rate was 87 +/- 4 at 90 minutes of treatment. Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in five patients (25%), and one patient experienced mild transient congestive heart failure. No symptomatic hypotension or bronchospasm occurred. In conclusion, simultaneous use of digoxin and esmolol is effective in safely and rapidly controlling heart rate in atrial fibrillation or flutter.
Use of the four parameter weibull function for fitting fatigue and compliance calibration data

Abstract The use of the four parameter Weibull function for fitting compliance calibration and fatigue crack growth data is proposed and validated. The fitting procedure is explained and its shortcomings identified in detail. The most serious problem of failing consistently to fit low end data is rectified through the use of an additional algorithm. Since the function is easily differentiated, it is convenient to use for obtaining a stress intensity calibration from a compliance calibration, and crack growth rate data from a crack length vs number of cycles plot.
Using pitch, amplitude modulation, and spatial cues for separation of harmonic instruments from stereo music recordings

Recent work in blind source separation applied to anechoic mixtures of speech allows for improved reconstruction of sources that rarely overlap in a time-frequency representation. While the assumption that speech mixtures do not overlap significantly in time-frequency is reasonable, music mixtures rarely meet this constraint, requiring new approaches. We introduce a method that uses spatial cues from anechoic, stereo music recordings and assumptions regarding the structure of musical source signals to effectively separate mixtures of tonal music. We discuss existing techniques to create partial source signal estimates from regions of the mixture where source signals do not overlap significantly. We use these partial signals within a new demixing framework, in which we estimate harmonic masks for each source, allowing the determination of the number of active sources in important time frequency frames of the mixture.We then propose a method for distributing energy from time-frequency frames of the mixture to multiple source signals. This allows dealing with mixtures that contain time-frequency frames in whichmultiple harmonic sources are active without requiring knowledge of source characteristics.
L-fucose blocks MIF/MAF priming of rabbit alveolar macrophages for a PMA-induced oxidative response.

Abstract The effect of l -fucose on the priming of AM from normal adult rabbits and their subsequent chemiluminescent (CL) responses to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was investigated. It was observed that 12.5 mM l -fucose, but not d -fucose, blocked the “spontaneous” priming of normal AM during an 18-hr incubation period in serum-free RPMI 1640 medium by about 40% (P l -fucose (12.5 mM) blocked MIF/MAF priming during the 3- or 18-hr incubaion period by 71 or 93% (P d -fucose was inactive. These results, together with previously published data, indicate that l -fucose (a) blocks priming of AM for an oxidative response, (b) stimulates random migration of AM, and (c) reverses migration inhibition produced by migration inhibition factor.
Constructing isospectral manifolds

(1988). Constructing Isospectral Manifolds. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 95, No. 9, pp. 823-839.