cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
School Spillover and College Student Health

This article uses a stress carryover perspective to examine the association between school spillover and mental and behavioral health outcomes among college undergraduates. School spillover occurs when the obligations and pressures of student life extend into other domains through shared behaviors or stress. The sample (N = 250) consisted of undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 29 enrolled at a midsized midwestern university. Findings showed that on average, students reported a moderate level of school spillover. Among mental health outcomes, school spillover was positively associated with feeling nervous, restless or fidgety, worthless, depressed, and hopeless. Among behavioral health outcomes, results showed that school spillover was negatively associated with sleep hours per night and positively associated with number of sex partners. Contrary to past empirical studies, school spillover was not significantly associated with drinking or binge drinking. Findings have implications for those who work in student support and campus mental health services.
Reduced-dose radiotherapy for human papillomavirus-associated squamous-cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: a single-arm, phase 2 study

Summary Background Head and neck cancers positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) are exquisitely radiosensitive. We investigated whether chemoradiotherapy with reduced-dose radiation would maintain survival outcomes while improving tolerability for patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma. Methods We did a single-arm, phase 2 trial at two academic hospitals in the USA, enrolling patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven stage III or IV squamous-cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, positive for HPV by p16 testing, and with Zubrod performance status scores of 0 or 1. Patients received two cycles of induction chemotherapy with 175 mg/m 2 paclitaxel and carboplatin (target area under the curve of 6) given 21 days apart, followed by intensity-modulated radiotherapy with daily image guidance plus 30 mg/m 2 paclitaxel per week concomitantly. Complete or partial responders to induction chemotherapy received 54 Gy in 27 fractions, and those with less than partial or no responses received 60 Gy in 30 fractions. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 2 years, assessed in all eligible patients who completed protocol treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02048020 and NCT01716195. Findings Between Oct 4, 2012, and March 3, 2015, 45 patients were enrolled with a median age of 60 years (IQR 54–67). One patient did not receive treatment and 44 were included in the analysis. 24 (55%) patients with complete or partial responses to induction chemotherapy received 54 Gy radiation, and 20 (45%) with less than partial responses received 60 Gy. Median follow-up was 30 months (IQR 26–37). Three (7%) patients had locoregional recurrence and one (2%) had distant metastasis; 2-year progression-free survival was 92% (95% CI 77–97). 26 (39%) of 44 patients had grade 3 adverse events, but no grade 4 events were reported. The most common grade 3 events during induction chemotherapy were leucopenia (17 [39%]) and neutropenia (five [11%]), and during chemoradiotherapy were dysphagia (four [9%]) and mucositis (four [9%]). One (2%) of 44 patients was dependent on a gastrostomy tube at 3 months and none was dependent 6 months after treatment. Interpretation Chemoradiotherapy with radiation doses reduced by 15–20% was associated with high progression-free survival and an improved toxicity profile compared with historical regimens using standard doses. Radiotherapy de-escalation has the potential to improve the therapeutic ratio and long-term function for these patients. Funding University of California.
Effects of propylene, methyl methacrylate and isopropanol poisoning on spatial performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract This paper studies the effects of propylene, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and isopropanol (IPA) in air on the spatial performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The introduction of 100 ppm C3H6 into the oxidant stream resulted in a performance decrease of 130 mV at 1.0 A cm−2, whereas 20 ppm MMA caused a voltage loss of 80 mV. A moderate performance decline of 60 mV was detected in the presence of 5.3⋅103 ppm IPA in air. Spatial electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data showed an increase in charge and mass transfer resistances under exposure to C3H6 and MMA, although IPA did not affect the impedance. The observed PEMFC performances, local current redistributions and EIS data can be explained by the adsorption of contaminants on the Pt surface, their subsequent transformations, and their impacts on the electrochemical surface area and oxygen reduction mechanism. It was assumed that the studied contaminants were oxidized mainly to CO2 via electrochemical and chemical pathways under the operating conditions and at the cathode potential. Self-recovery of PEMFC performance was observed for each contaminant after halting its introduction into the air. Possible contaminant oxidation/reduction mechanisms and their correlations with spatial performance and EIS are presented and discussed.
Interpretation of solution scattering data from lipid nanodiscs.

The structural information contained in solution scattering data from empty lipid nanodiscs is examined in the context of a multi-component geometric model. X-ray scattering data were collected on nanodiscs of different compositions at scattering vector magnitudes up to 2.0 A−1. Through the calculation of the partial form factor for each of the nanodisc components before the isotropic average, structural parameters in the model were correlated to the features observed in the X-ray scattering data and to the corresponding distance distribution function. It is shown that, in general, the features at ∼0.3–0.6 A−1 in the scattering data correlate to the bilayer structure. The data also support the argument that the elliptical shape of nanodiscs found in model fitting is physical, rather than an artefact due to the nanodisc size distribution. The lipid chain packing peak at ∼1.5 A−1 is visible in the data and reflects the lipid bilayer phase transition. The shape change in the distance distribution function across the phase transition suggests that the nanodiscs are more circular in the fluid phase. The implication of these findings for model fitting of empty and protein-loaded nanodiscs is discussed.
Behavioral assessments of BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mice by tests of object attention and elevated open platform: Implications for an animal model of psychiatric comorbidity in autism.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are diagnosed based on the behavioral criteria of impaired social interaction, defective communication and repetitive behaviors. Psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety and intellectual disability, are commonly present in ASD. The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice display a range of autistic phenotypes, yet whether this mouse model is appropriate to study psychiatric comorbidity in ASD remains unclear. We addressed this issue by subjecting the BTBR animals to three-chambered apparatus, open field, object attention test and elevated open platform. Compared to C57BL/6J control mice, the BTBR mice displayed hyperactivity in most of the tests. In the three-chamber assessment, they exhibited deficits in sociability. In the open field, more grooming and thigmotaxis and less rearing behaviors were observed. They also showed impaired object-based attention. On the elevated open platform, the BTBR animals stayed more to the edges than in the center of the platform. To further examine the properties of this test, naive C57BL/6J mice were randomly administrated with saline or an anxiogenic substance, caffeine. The caffeine group demonstrated a similar behavioral pattern as the BTBR mice. When the saline group was re-exposed to the same platform, the time they stayed in the center substantially increased, likely due to reduced anxiety by habituation. These results indicate that the BTBR were more anxious than control mice on the open platform. Taken together, the BTBR strain exhibit emotional and cognitive impairments in addition to autistic behaviors, suggesting that they can be a valid model for ASD with psychiatric comorbidity.
Function and dysfunction

In this issue of Blood , Grace et al characterize the clinical manifestations, disease complications, and response to treatment of 278 patients with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency from a 5-country longitudinal natural history study. 1 The availability of such a large genetic and clinical data set of patients with this rare red cell disorder will allow for more robust genotype–phenotype correlations and guide the development of future therapeutic strategies.
Sex Hormone Therapy for Dementia

The brain has receptors for steroid hormones, including estrogens, androgens, and progestogens. Many effects of sex hormones within the central nervous system are dependent on interactions with specific intracellular receptors. Pairs of hormone-receptor complexes, together with associated regulatory proteins, bind to portions of the genome known as hormone response elements in the promoter region of specific genes. Binding serves to enhance or inhibit downstream gene transcription and ultimately the synthesis of specific protein products within these target neurons (1).
Cost-sensitive reinforcement learning for adaptive classification and control

Stadard reinforcement learning methods assume they can identify each state distinctly before making an action decision. In reality, a robot agent only has a limited sensing capability and identifying each state by extensive sensing can be time consuming. This paper describes an approach that learns active perception strategies in reinforcement learning and considers sensing costs explicitly. The approach integrates cost-sensitive learning with reinforcement learning to learn an efficient internal state representation and a decision policy simultaneously in a finite, deterministic environment. It not only maximizes the long-term discounted reward per action but also reduces the average sensing cost per state. The initial experimental results in a simulated robot navigation domain are encouraging.
Alcohol-Related Diarrhea

Diarrhea related to alcohol abuse may be either acute or chronic. Acute diarrheas are the result of dietary indiscretion, transient anatomic or motility changes of the stomach or small intestine, impaired nutrient absorption, mucosal barrier function or pancreatic secretion as well as hormonal/cytokine abnormalities related to alcohol hangover. Chronic diarrheas may result from alcohol withdrawal, pancreatic or hepatobiliary dysfunction, morphologic or motility changes of the gastrointestinal tract, or macro- or micronutrient malabsorption with resulting deficiencies. Treatment of acute alcohol-related diarrhea includes ceasing alcohol ingestion, avoiding milk products, rehydration, and replacement of micronutrients, and use of antidiarrheals and NSAIDS. In addition to the above, treatment of chronic alcohol-related diarrheas includes assessing and treating for alcohol withdrawal, nutritional deficiencies, pancreatic or hepatobiliary dysfunction, as well as diagnosing and treating small bowel bacterial overgrowth.
The Anatomy of the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland consists of two lobes, a right and left, connected by an isthmus. The upper margin of the isthmus lies just below the cricoid cartilage. The lobes, which measure 4 cm in length and 2 to 2.5 cm in width and thickness, lie alongside the lateral aspects of the lower half of the thyroid cartilage. The entire gland, including the isthmus, is enveloped by connective tissue that is continuous with the thyrocervical fascia. Thus, the thyroid is affixed to the anterior and lateral surface of the trachea and, hence, moves with deglutition. The normal gland weighs approximately 20 g.
Mechanisms of Synapse Formation: Activity-Dependent Selection of Neurotransmitters and Receptors

Specification of the neurotransmitters and receptors involved in a synapse is a key feature of development of the nervous system. Multiple mechanisms govern these aspects of neuronal differentiation. Among them electrical activity appears to be an important factor, engaging the functionality of the nervous system right from the beginning of its formation. In the developing Xenopus neuromuscular junction, the specification of neurotransmitters and receptors responds to a selection process that depends on calcium-mediated neuronal activity. This mechanism may provide a level of plasticity that is responsive to changes in environmental cues at very early stages of development.
The volume of water required to carve the martian valley networks: Improved constraints using updated methods

Abstract The martian valley networks are a key piece of evidence for the presence of liquid water on early Mars, and understanding their formation conditions can provide valuable insight into the nature of the early climate. Previous studies have used various methods to estimate the volume of water required to carve the valley networks, with results ranging from 3–5000 m Global Equivalent Layer (GEL). In comparison, other workers have found that the surface/near-surface water inventory was likely to have been ∼24 m GEL at the Noachian-Hesperian boundary. Thus, 3 m GEL may be consistent with recycling in a cold and icy Late Noachian-Early Hesperian climate, while 5000 m GEL may require continuous warm and wet conditions. In this study, we use updated methods and datasets to better constrain the necessary volume of water, finding a conservative lower limit of 640 m GEL. Based on valley network formation timescales, we find that our results do not preclude a cold and icy Late Noachian-Early Hesperian climate. Thus, this updated estimate of the minimum volume of water required to carve the valley networks is consistent with both formation in a cold and icy and warm and wet climate.
A pilot study using electronic reminders for amblyopia treatment

Treatment compliance is the most important factor for predicting a successful outcome in amblyopia treatment. Electronic applications have been successfully employed in other medical conditions in ...
Feedbacks between nitrogen fixation and soil organic matter increase ecosystem functions in diversified agroecosystems.

Nitrogen (N) losses from intensified agriculture are a major cause of global change, due to nitrate (NO3 - ) export and the eutrophication of aquatic systems as well as emissions of nitrous oxide (N2 O) into the atmosphere. Diversified agroecosystems with legume cover crops couple N and carbon (C) inputs to soil and reduce N pollution, but there is a need to identify controls on legume N2 fixation across ecosystems with variable soil conditions. Here, I tested the hypothesis that N mineralization from turnover of soil organic matter (SOM) regulates legume N2 fixation across 10 farms that spanned a gradient of SOM levels. I separated soil samples into two SOM fractions, based on size and density, which are indicators of soil nutrient cycling and N availability (free particulate organic matter and intra-aggregate particulate organic matter [POM]). This study indicates downregulation of legume N2 fixation in diversified agroecosystems with increasing N availability in intra-aggregate POM and increasing N mineralization. Intercropping the legume with a grass weakened the relationship between N in POM and N2 fixation due to N assimilation by the grass. Further, mean rates of N and C mineralization across sites increased with two seasons of a legume-grass cover crop mixture, which could enhance this stabilizing feedback between soil N availability and N2 fixation over time. These results suggest a potential mechanism for the diversity-ecosystem-function relationships measured in long-term studies of agroecosystems, in which regular use of legume cover crops increases total soil organic C and N and reduces negative environmental impacts of crop production.
3D Columnar Phase of Stacked Short DNA Organized by Coherent Membrane Undulations

We report on the discovery of a new organized lipid-nucleic acid phase upon intercalation of blunt duplexes of short DNA (sDNA) within cationic multilayer fluid membranes. End-to-end interactions between sDNA leads to columnar stacks. At high membrane charge density, with the inter-sDNA column spacing (dsDNA) comparable but larger than the diameter of sDNA, a 2D columnar phase (i.e., a 2D smectic) is found similar to the phase in cationic liposome-DNA complexes with long lambda-phage DNA. Remarkably, with increasing dsDNA as the membrane charge density is lowered, a transition is observed to a 3D columnar phase of stacked sDNA. This occurs even though direct DNA-DNA electrostatic interactions across layers are screened by diffusing cationic lipids near the phosphate groups of sDNA. Softening of the membrane bending rigidity (κ), which further promotes membrane undulations, significantly enhances the 3D columnar phase. These observations are consistent with a model by Schiessel and Aranda-Espinoza where local membrane undulations, due to electrostatically induced membrane wrapping around sDNA columns, phase lock from layer-to-layer, thereby precipitating coherent "crystal-like" undulations coupled to sDNA columns with long-range position and orientation order. The finding that this new phase is stable at large dsDNA and enhanced with decreasing κ is further supportive of the model where the elastic cost of membrane deformation per unit area around sDNA columns (∝ κh2/dsDNA4, h2 = sum of square of amplitudes of the inner and outer monolayer undulations) is strongly reduced relative to the favorable electrostatic attractions of partially wrapped membrane around sDNA columns. The findings have broad implications in the design of membrane-mediated assembly of functional nanoparticles in 3D.
Enhancing Distribution System Monitoring and Resiliency: A Sensor Placement Optimization Tool (SPOT)

Optimal placement of new sensors is of great importance to enhancing distribution system monitoring and resiliency. Utilities are in need of a platform for an optimal sensor placement strategy other than the traditional experience-based strategy. In this paper, a sensor placement optimization tool (SPOT) is developed. It contains two selected modules based on industry priority: distribution system state estimation (DSE) and recloser placement (RP). The DSE module incorporates three-phase system functionality to reflect practical distribution systems with asymmetrical topology and unbalanced loading. In the RP module, the impact of microgrids is modeled. SPOT is timely since it can assist utilities in developing their own optimal sensor allocation strategies.
Addressing the Sex Abuse Crisis in Communities of Faith and Learning

This paper argues that educational communities of faith and learning (e.g. Catholic colleges and universities) are especially primed to face into the pain and reality of the sex abuse crisis in hon...
Recovery and Recovering in Older Adults with Schizophrenia: A 5-Tier Model.

Abstract Rationale There are little recent data on clinical recovery in older adults with schizophrenia. This exploratory study uses an empirically measurable construct to address this issue. Methods From an original sample of 248 community-dwelling persons aged 55 and over with early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorder, a subsample of 102 persons was reassessed at a mean of 52 months. Clinical recovery required meeting criteria for its two components: clinical remission and community integration. Results Prospective analysis generated a 5-tier taxonomy of recovery in which 12% remained persistently in clinical recovery at both baseline and follow-up (Tier 1) and 18% never met criteria of clinical recovery (Tier 5). The remaining 70% exhibited a variety of components of clinical recovery at baseline and follow-up (Tiers 2, 3, and 4). Conclusion The findings generated a dynamic picture of recovery, with most persons being in varying states of “recovering.” The 5-tier taxonomy of recovery adumbrated potential treatment strategies for each tier.
14 – Calcium sulfate

Publisher Summary Calcium Sulfate (CS) is a fascinating material with unique physical and chemical properties. Although it has been used as a bone graft material for more than a century, one is just beginning to understand its biologic properties and thus just beginning to understand its potential. This material exists in many forms and variations and materials intended for biomedical use must be well characterized and carefully produced. Thorough knowledge of the physical properties of this material and its biological mechanisms must be utilized to achieve optimum results when using it as a bone graft material. Recent studies indicate that it is fully soluble in vivo and causes significant bioactivity through calcium release, pH change, and local carbonate apatite precipitation. It can be used as cement or in preset granular form and it also has significant potential as an antibiotic/drug release material. Newer forms of CS, such as timed-release CS composites, have excellent potential as fully soluble bone repair biomaterials.
A Rare Cause of a Left Atrial Mass.

Intramyocardial hematomas are a rare complication of myocardial infarctions. Normally restricted to the left ventricle, in certain scenarios, such as after a percutaneous coronary intervention, intramyocardial hematomas also can occur in the left atrium. Herein, the case of a 74-year-old man who presented to the authors’ institution with a large inferior wall myocardial infarction refractory to multiple pressor therapy and thus necessitated venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support is described. Through the course of his hospital stay, the patient developed a large left atrial intramyocardial hematoma obstructing mitral inflow as seen on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. Ultimately, because of the patient's complex comorbid status, his case was managed conservatively. In this E-challenge, the reason for the conservative approach and the alternative approach of surgically draining the intramyocardial hematoma are discussed.
Construction Quality Control of Unbound Base Course using Light Weight Deflectometer where Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Aggregate is Used as an Example

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is already being recycled as a construction and building material. One of the commonly considered applications is to create an unbound aggregate from this material....
Small dispersion approximation of shock wave dynamics

We introduce a dispersion approximation of weak, entropy solutions of multidimensional scalar conservation laws using variational kinetic representation, where equilibrium densities satisfy the Gibb's entropy minimization principle for a piecewise linear, convex entropy. For such solutions, we show that small scale discontinuities, measured by the entropy increments, propagate with characteristic velocities, while the large scale, shock-type discontinuities propagate with speeds close to the speeds of classical shock waves. In the zero-limit of the scale parameter, approximate solutions converge to a unique, entropy solution of a scalar conservation law.
Introducing the Black Male Adult Learner Success Theory

Given the preponderance of deficit-oriented discourse about Black men and adult learners in higher education, there have not been theoretical frameworks put forth to explain the success of Black ma...
Incidence of hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea.

Citation:Budhiraja R, Quan SF. Incidence of hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(3):607.
Outcomes of Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients Stratified by Histologic Biopsy Findings.

Abstract Delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation is associated with an increased risk of graft failure. We studied the histologic findings among adult kidney transplant recipients transplanted between January 2000 and June 2015 who had DGF and had a kidney biopsy within 14 days of transplant. Death censored graft failure (DCGF) and death at 1 and 3 years after transplant were examined. A total of 269 transplant recipients fulfilled our selection criteria, of which 152 (56.51%) had acute tubular necrosis (ATN), 44 (16.4%) had acute rejection (AR), mainly T-cell mediated rejection (n = 31), 35 (13%) had ATN with AR (mainly T-cell mediated rejection, n = 26), and 38 (14.1%) had other pathology. Compared with those with ATN alone, kidney transplant recipients with AR alone had a significantly higher risk of DCGF at 1 year post transplant (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.70; 95% confidence interval 1.5-9.5; P = .006). Those with AR alone had an increased risk of DCGF at 3 years post transplant (hazard ratio = 3.10; 95% confidence interval 1.3-8.5; P = .01) in crude analyses. There was no association between DGF etiology and mortality. Early renal biopsy can be used to distinguish AR, which has protocolized treatments, from other etiologies. This could potentially alter allograft survival within 1 year of transplant complicated by DGF.
Early American Tax Havens

Claims to the contrary notwithstanding, tax havens existed long before the twentieth century. This paper explores one of them, mainland British North America. It shows that real estate tax capitalization/amortization was incomplete, so British investors could have engaged in tax arbitrage by exchanging landed estates in Britain for ones of equal value in the colonies, as several did.
Depressive symptoms as a predictor of memory decline in older adults: A longitudinal study using the dual change score model.

Abstract The directionality of the longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and memory remains a topic of intense debate. A unidirectional association where depression impacts the change in memory (or vice-versa) and a bidirectional association where the trajectories of both dimensions affect each other lead to different clinical implications. Method: This study investigated the depression-memory longitudinal association in a sample of 2057 older adults aged between 60 and 99 years old from the Virginia Cognitive Aging Project. The bivariate dual change score model was used to investigate the directionality of the association between episodic memory and three dimensions of depression (somatic symptoms, depressed affect, and positive affect) throughout ten years (five measurement points), controlling for education and sex. Results: the bidirectional model showed the best fit between somatic symptoms and memory, with a significant coupling effect observed from initial somatic symptoms to subsequent changes in memory. For depressed and positive affect, the unidirectional model with initial levels of depression predicting following changes in memory showed the best fit to the data, with significant coupling effects observed. Higher initial levels of somatic symptoms and depressed affect predicted a subsequent decline in memory, and higher initial levels of positive affect predicted subsequent better memory performance. Statistical adjustments for covariates (education and sex) had no significant influence on these associations. Conclusions: Our findings support a unidirectional association with higher depressive symptoms preceding a steeper decline in memory in older adults. We discuss the clinical implications for depressive symptoms as a predictor of subsequent memory decline.
Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma and ganglioglioma: a series of 12 patients treated at a single institution.

Desmoplastic infantile astrocytomas and gangliogliomas (DIA/DIG) usually present with a large size, large cystic component, large dural implant, encasement of big vessels, clinical presentation within 18 months of life, high incidence of seizures and overall good prognosis, even if tumour surgery can be very challenging at first procedure. We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiological data of patients diagnosed with desmoplastic infantile tumours who were surgically treated between 2008 and 2019. The series included 12 patients. The median age at surgery was 91 days. The average tumour volume was 212 cm3. Cystic components were predominant ranging from 0 to 295 cm3. Active hydrocephalus was pre-operatively evident in 5 cases. Eight patients (66.6%) received total or subtotal removal, three of them (25%) underwent partial removal, and one patient (8.3%) received a biopsy. One patient died within 24 h after surgery due to severe hypotension, as a consequence of significant intraoperative blood loss. Overall, seven (58.3%) patients were reoperated on the tumour after the first procedure: 4 patients were operated twice; 3 patients were operated 3 times. Two patients presented remote localizations and underwent chemotherapy. At last follow-up, 7 patients were tumour-free, 2 are alive with stable disease, and 2 are alive with progressive disease (leptomeningeal seeding). Desmoplastic infantile tumours are rare giant neonatal tumours. Total removal is the goal of treatment, but prognosis remains good even if total removal is not achieved. In case of tumour progression or epilepsy from residual tumour, reoperation is the first option, with chemotherapy reserved to unresectable or disseminated cases with mixed results, while, to date, radiotherapy still plays no role.
Tunable S-band Elliptic Bandpass Filter With Constant Absolute Bandwidth

This paper presents a tunable bandpass filter in the S band. The proposed design cascades a 5th order elliptic low-pass filter (LPF) and a 5th order elliptical high-pass filter (HPF) to achieve the desired bandpass behavior. The absolute bandwidth of this design is determined by the resonance frequencies (transmission zeros) of the shunt series LC resonators in the elliptic LPF and HPF, respectively. To tune the filter center frequency, the capacitor of each shunt series LC resonator is replaced with a bank of capacitors switched using PIN diodes. To maintain constant absolute bandwidths while tuning center frequency, the transmission zeros of the LPF and HPF branches are tuned simultaneously. At the same time, the impact of finite Q factor of the PIN diodes on filter insertion loss is minimized as a result of tuning the transmission zeros. In addition, the PIN diodes parasitic inductance, at the ON state, is absorbed by the inductance of the shunt series LC resonators. Therefore, wide range tuning can be achieved. The proposed design utilizes three PIN diodes for each shunt branch to achieve a tuning range from 2-3.5GHz with absolute 3dB-bandwidths of $\sim$500MHz. All three tuning states reveal insertion loss better than 2. 5dB over the entire tuning range with return loss better than 8dB.
The use of 3-D modeling and printing to teach the central dogma of molecular biology

Molecular processes are highly complex, and are frequently difficult for high school and college students to comprehend. Because of the importance of visualization in learning, along with formative...
Selective and Divided Attention for Vibrotactile Stimuli on Both Arms

The present study investigates how reliably one can selectively attend to vibrotactile stimuli, as well as what characteristics of the attended and unattended stimuli affect attention. Participants wore one tactile display on the forearm and another on the opposite upper arm. They were trained to identify nine stimuli varying in location and frequency and tested on stimulus identification under various conditions: attending to one arm when only one arm was stimulated, selectively attending to one arm when both were stimulated, or attending to both arms when both were stimulated. The results demonstrate 92% accuracy for the single-arm stimulated conditions, 82% accuracy for the selective attention conditions, and a significantly lower accuracy of 50% when attending to both arms. Accuracy was higher for the slightly delayed stimulus when selectively attending. Estimates of information transfer indicate that participants can selectively attend to three locations and two frequencies with high accuracy when attending to a single arm. About 24 combinations of stimulus alternatives on the left and right arms could be reliably identified when attending to both arms.
What Drivers Don't Know: or Don't Care

Many behaviors of drivers and passengers in automobiles are not safe practices. Three surveys were conducted to determine whether or not some of the behaviors examined previously by the authors and other investigators were currently occurring. In addition, the authors asked the respondents whether they knew their behaviors were unsafe and if they were aware of the possible risks, why did they continue to perform the behaviors? Information was also gathered about the extent to which having experienced a formal driving course affected the responses. With the exception of a few items, the participants indicated some awareness of the risks. However, they did not appreciate the relative levels of risk involved in some activities. There was little effect of having taken a formal driving course. Reasons for unsafe behaviors included lack of knowledge, presumption of low increased risk, and acceptance of risk for increased comfort.
In Vivo Studies in NCT with a Boronated Porphyrin and Tumor Growth Delay as an End Point

The robust carrying capacity of the porphyrin molecule and its propensity for localizing in tumor justified the pursuit of synthesizing a porphyrin labeled with boron for use in BNCT. However, problems associated with poor solubility impeded the utility of the molecule. Until BOPP was synthesized (1), porphyrins were promising, but impractical.
Delay hopped transmitted reference experimental results

This paper describes the experimental hardware design and implementation for a delay hopped transmitted reference communication system. The hardware is designed to generate the delay hopped transmitted reference signal for a number of experimental conditions. It can be used either in an ultra wideband pulse mode, ultra wideband noise mode, or in a narrowband mode. We use the experimental hardware setup to conduct link experiments with a delay hopped transmitted reference communication system. Experiments were conducted in an indoor multipath environment to test the viability of delay hopped transmitted reference for short-range indoor communications. The experimental results presented demonstrate that this modulation format is capable of transmitting data short range indoors without line of sight transmission path with minimal transmitted RF power.
Electronic Structure and Reactivity of Transition Metal Complexes

Transition metals are ever-present as reactive centers in biological and inorganic catalyticcycles.However, theopen-shell character thatgives3d transitionmetalsunique reactive properties also makes transition metal complexes challenging to study using first-principles approaches, especially when using local or semilocal approximations to density functional theory (DFT). We describe here an approach based on Hubbard U corrections—widely used in the solid-state community to describe strongly correlated systems—and show how it helps achieve predictive accuracy in DFT calculations of transition metal complexes. The success of this approach comes from counteracting the tendency of 3d electrons to delocalize, driven by the imperfect cancellation of electrostatic self-interactions in common exchange correlation approximations. Since the Hubbard term U is calculated through a linear response formulation—recently extendedbyus toallowfor self-consistency—it representsa fullyabinitio, nonempirical approach. We analyze the performance of the DFTþU formulations on a few paradigmatic test cases,with special attention to the structure, electronic structure, andpotential energy surface of Fe2 dimers and the addition–elimination reaction of hydrogen or methaneonFeOþ .Thankstonegligiblecomputationaloverheads,wealsoshowhowthe approachcanbeeffortlesslyapplied to large-scalesimulations,suchasthecasepresented here of functionalized cobalt porphyrins on a metal support.
Homograft Replacement of Mitral Valve in Children

Background. Recent reports have demonstrated successful early outcomes using mitral valve homografts in adults. We report our early results after homograft mitral valve replacement in 4 children with previous atrioventricular septal defects, previous placement of a prosthetic valve, and rheumatic valvular disease. Methods. Between May 1996 and June 1997, 4 children (ages 5, 11, 13, and 15 years) underwent mitral valve replacement with cryopreserved mitral valve homografts at our institution. Preoperative echocardiography confirmed moderately severe to severe mitral regurgitation, stenosis, or both in all 4 patients. Results. Successful homograft valve replacement was achieved in all 4 patients. Based on symptoms, physical examinations, and echocardiographic follow-up, all four homograft mitral valves are functioning well with normal hemodynamics. None of these patients are receiving warfarin. Follow-up has been limited to 10 months. Conclusions. In children requiring mitral valve replacement, the use of mitral valve homografts offers advantages over prosthetic valves, such as the avoidance of complications associated with thrombosis and anticoagulation. Homograft mitral valve replacement is technically feasible in children with congenital and rheumatic heart disease and previous prosthetic valves.
The State of North Borneo 1881–1946

Until June 26, 1946, the ihabitants of the State of North Borneo could claim the distinction of being the only population in the world still, subject to chartered company rule. On that date an area of nearly 30,000 square miles inhabited by over 300,000 people ceased to be governed by the British North Borneo Chartered Company and became a British Crown Colony. Not only was the British North Borneo Chartered Company the last of the chartered companies to survive, but it was distinct in character from its predecessors. It is the purpose of this article to describe within the limits of available information the unique political and economic pattern developed by the Company in North Borneo.
Diffusion in the amorphous phase of Pd-19-at.%-Si metallic alloy

Diffusion of ${\mathrm{Ag}}^{110m}$ radioactive tracer has been measured in amorphous Pd-19-at.%-Si specimens characterized by a Seeman-Bohlin x-ray diffractometer. The diffusion parameters in this metallic amorphous phase have been found to have a regime distinctly different from liquid and crystalline phases.
Pilot study of a behavioral medicine program in a community hospital setting

The authors designed and implemented a comprehensive behavioral medicine unit for a diagnostically mixed patient population in a community hospital setting. The unit emphasized behavioral adaptation rather than symptom relief. Behavioral adaptation for each patient was assessed by a 10 parameter Functional Analysis Questionnaire upon admission, at time of discharge and 6 months after discharge. Results of this pilot study indicated success for all treatment groups with greatest gains for patients suffering chronic pain. The study suggests that comprehensive application of behavioral medicine procedures and programs can be successful with a diagnostically mixed patient population and could provide an operational foundation for mixed medical-psychiatric units.
Perceptual training strongly improves visual motion perception in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia patients exhibit perceptual and cognitive deficits, including in visual motion processing. Given that cognitive systems depend upon perceptual inputs, improving patients’ perceptual abilities may be an effective means of cognitive intervention. In healthy people, motion perception can be enhanced through perceptual learning, but it is unknown whether this perceptual plasticity remains in schizophrenia patients. The present study examined the degree to which patients’ performance on visual motion discrimination can be improved, using a perceptual learning procedure. While both schizophrenia patients and healthy controls showed decreased direction discrimination thresholds (improved performance) with training, the magnitude of the improvement was greater in patients (47% improvement) than in controls (21% improvement). Both groups also improved moderately but non-significantly on an untrained task—speed discrimination. The large perceptual training effect in patients on the trained task suggests that perceptual plasticity is robust in schizophrenia and can be applied to develop bottom-up behavioral interventions.
An algorithm for a special case of a generalization of the Richardson extrapolation process

A special case of a generalization of the Richardson extrapolation process is considered, and its complete solution is given in closed form. Using this, an algorithm for implementing the extrapolation is devised. It is shown that this algorithm needs a very small amount of arithmetic operations and very little storage. Convergence and stability properties for some cases are also considered.
Application Specific Network-on-Chip Design with Guaranteed Quality Approximation Algorithms

Network-on-chip (NoC) architectures with optimized topologies have been shown to be superior to regular architectures (such as mesh) for application specific multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) devices. The application specific NoC design problem takes as input the system-level floorplan of the computation architecture, characterized library of NoC components, and the communication performance requirements. The objective is to generate an optimized NoC topology, and routes for the communication traces on the architecture such that the performance requirements are satisfied and power consumption is minimized. The paper discusses a two stage automated approach consisting of i) core to router mapping, and ii) topology and route generation for design of custom NoC architectures. In particular it presents an optimal technique for core to router mapping (stage i), and a factor 2 approximation algorithm for custom topology generation (stage ii). The superior quality of the techniques is established by experimentation with benchmark applications, and comparisons with integer linear programming (ILP) formulations, and heuristic techniques.
On the use of a random parameter in the theory of depolymerization of long‐chain molecules

Equations for the time course of depolymerization of long-chain polymers are derived by the method of randomization of a parameter for the case in which all bonds have equal probability of cleavage. This yields some gain in insight and avoids the necessity for solving systems of differential equations.
SOME ASPECTS OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION IN STEPHANODISCUS NIAGARAE (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) 1

Valves of S. niagarae var. niagarae Ehr. and S. niagarae var. magnifica Fricke from geographically dispersed sediment and plankton collections were observed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (LM and SEM). Measurements made by LM can be arranged so that means and ranges of diameter, areolar density, or strial density intergrade from one population into the next. Mean diameter is negatively related to increasing areolar and strial densities. No unique features observable by SEM distinguish the two described varieties. Thus, S. niagarae var. magnifica, having large diameter valves with low areolar and strial densities, may represent one end of a trend in overall variation in S. niagarae. At the opposite extreme are the populations with small valves and high areolar densities which are often erroneously referred to as S. astraea. Type material of S. niagarae lies intermediate to these forms. Three populations considered in this study have distinct morphological characteristics. Valves from Yellowstone Lake sediments have spine placements distinctly different from valves of all other populations. Specimens from Lake Superior have nearly flat central areas. Ribs of valves from Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan) are covered with granules.
Novel Nuclear Localization and Potential Function of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor/Insulin Receptor Hybrid in Corneal Epithelial Cells

Background Type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) and insulin receptor (INSR) are highly homologous molecules, which can heterodimerize to form an IGF-1R/INSR hybrid (Hybrid-R). The presence and biological significance of the Hybrid-R in human corneal epithelium has not yet been established. In addition, while nuclear localization of IGF-1R was recently reported in cancer cells and human corneal epithelial cells, the function and profile of nuclear IGF-1R is unknown. In this study, we characterized the nuclear localization and function of the Hybrid-R and the role of IGF-1/IGF-1R and Hybrid-R signaling in the human corneal epithelium. Methodology/Principle Findings IGF-1-mediated signaling and cell growth were examined in a human telomerized corneal epithelial (hTCEpi) cell line using co-immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and cell proliferation assays. The presence of Hybrid-R in hTCEpi and primary cultured human corneal epithelial cells was confirmed by immunofluorescence and reciprocal immunoprecipitation of whole cell lysates. We found that IGF-1 stimulated Akt and promoted cell growth through IGF-1R activation, which was independent of the Hybrid-R. The presence of Hybrid-R, but not IGF-1R/IGF-1R, was detected in nuclear extracts. Knockdown of INSR by small interfering RNA resulted in depletion of the INSR/INSR and preferential formation of Hybrid-R. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation sequencing assay with anti-IGF-1R or anti-INSR was subsequently performed to identify potential genomic targets responsible for critical homeostatic regulatory pathways. Conclusion/Significance In contrast to previous reports on nuclear localized IGF-1R, this is the first report identifying the nuclear localization of Hybrid-R in an epithelial cell line. The identification of a nuclear Hybrid-R and novel genomic targets suggests that IGF-1R traffics to the nucleus as an IGF-1R/INSR heterotetrameric complex to regulate corneal epithelial homeostatic pathways. The development of novel therapeutic strategies designed to target the IGF-1/IGF-1R pathway must take into account the modulatory roles IGF-1R/INSR play in the epithelial cell nucleus.
Maximum probabilistic shore load in multistorey R/C buildings

Abstract Recent surveys by the National Bureau of Standards indicate that a significant portion of concrete construction disasters were due to excessive loads applied to the falsework or to the supporting floors. Herein, a probabilistic study of the maximum shore load in R/C buildings during construction is presented. All the key parameters affecting the maximum shore load are considered as random variables. Comparisons of the numerical results using 2-D and 3-D computer models are also made. A sensitivity study of the key parameters is given. It is found that the variation of the live load influences the maximum shore load significantly and may cause overloading. The maximum shore load predicted by the simplified method used in the current practice could be exceeded by as much as 27%.
Collaborative learning at low cost: CoWeb use in English composition

CoWeb is a collaborative learning environment used in many classes at Georgia Institute of Technology; it is an extremely simple domain-independent collaboration tool. Our aim is to show that such a simple system can sustain useful peer-to-peer and instructor-to-student interaction that fosters better performance and learning, without incurring a high cost. In this paper, we present evidence of the success of this tool in supporting learning at low cost in one environment---freshman-level English classes.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis and relationships within the lizard genus Sceloporus (Sauria: Iguanidae)

Abstract 1. 1. Hemoglobin components of Sceloporus were species group specific, species specific or polymorphic, depending upon the particular species group examined. 2. 2. Relationships between certain species of the torquatus group are confirmed. 3. 3. Of the six species groups in which more than two individuals were examined, only the undulatus group was polymorphic. 4. 4. Intergroup relationships could not be determined.