cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signals in human striatum are appropriate for policy update rather than value prediction

Influential reinforcement learning theories propose that prediction error signals in the brain's nigrostriatal system guide learning for trial-and-error decision-making. However, since different decision variables can be learned from quantitatively similar error signals, a critical question is: what is the content of decision representations trained by the error signals? We used fMRI to monitor neural activity in a two-armed bandit counterfactual decision task that provided human subjects with information about forgone and obtained monetary outcomes so as to dissociate teaching signals that update expected values for each action, versus signals that train relative preferences between actions (a policy). The reward probabilities of both choices varied independently from each other. This specific design allowed us to test whether subjects' choice behavior was guided by policy-based methods, which directly map states to advantageous actions, or value-based methods such as Q-learning, where choice policies are instead generated by learning an intermediate representation (reward expectancy). Behaviorally, we found human participants' choices were significantly influenced by obtained as well as forgone rewards from the previous trial. We also found subjects' blood oxygen level-dependent responses in striatum were modulated in opposite directions by the experienced and forgone rewards but not by reward expectancy. This neural pattern, as well as subjects' choice behavior, is consistent with a teaching signal for developing habits or relative action preferences, rather than prediction errors for updating separate action values.
Evaluations of combined premotor and supplementary motor cortex lesions on a visually guided arm movement

Abstract The kinematics of a visually guided, multi-joint arm movement were examined before and after combined bilateral premotor and supplementary motor cortex lesions. Two rhesus monkeys were trained to move a manipulandum from a start zone to one of three equally spaced target zones and then return to the initial start zone. Various features of the movement trajectory including space error, time error, peak velocity and turnaround time were quantified and analyzed before and after the premotor and supplementary motor cortex ablations. Statistical analysis showed no major differences in the trajectories toward or away from the target between the pre- and postlesion state. The major difference following the ablation was increase in the time spent in the target zone, reflecting an increase in time spent in redirecting the trajectory. Normalization of the movement duration revealed a slight delay in the initial part of the movement. These results suggest the premotor and supplementary motor cortex are involved in redirecting the trajectory and/or obtaining the target zone during the execution of a complex movement.
By What Process Do Young Children Solve Small Number Conservation Problems

Abstract The present research evaluated the possibility that 3-year-olds solve small-number conservation problems by an empirical procedure whereby the sets are quantified each time they are presented. The task used to test this possibility was a procedure in which the child chose the more numerous of two arrays, one containing two elements and the other three elements. Following a visible displacement, either one or two elements in the more numerous array were screened. Results showed that 3-year-olds performed above chance when one element was covered but only at chance when two elements were covered. The superior performance when one element was covered was explained by a model wherein the child attempts to quantify the partially covered array by adding the number in the uncovered portion to the number in the covered portion. Failure to discriminate the more numerous array when two elements were covered was taken as evidence disconfirming the claim that 3-year-olds are able to conserve small numbers.
Synthesis of gem-difluorosaccharides

R.A. Sharma, I. Kavai, Y .L. Fu%nd M. Bobek* Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Grace Cancer Drug Center, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263. (Received ir. TJS& 17 Juzze 1977; received ir. m for >IlbliCati@n 11 k:l:Xt 15’77) The biological properties of fluorinated saccharides and nucleosides have, in recent years, prompted the development of several useful methods for their synthesis l-3 . In contrast to the considerable interest directed towards the synthesis and chemistry of fluorosugars in which a single fluorine atom becomes attached to carbon, the synthesis of e-diflurosugars has not been extensively investigated. The first e-difluorosaccharide, 2-deoxy-2, 2-difluoro-D-arabino-hexose4, has recently -been prepared by addition of fluoroxytrifluromethane to 3,4,6-tri-g-acetyl-2-fluoro-I&glucal, followed by hydrolysis. Some B-difluoromethylene sugar derivatives have been prepared 596 by treatment of sugar aldehydes and ketones with (difluoromethylene) triphenylphosphorane . In connection with our efforts towards the synthesis of potential antitumor nucleosides, it became apparent that a general procedure for the preparation of gem-difluorosaccharides would be of considerable value. We now wish to report such a method based on the fluorination of sugar carbonyl groups. Sugar aldehydes and ketones can readily be prepared by oxidation7 of the corresponding alcohols. While aromatic and aliphatlc gem-difluorides have been prepared by fluorination of the corresponding carbonyl derivatives, using reagents such as, SF 8 4 ’ Se F4 * pyridineg , and dialkylaminosulfur trifluoride 10,ll , an earlier attempt to replace the carbonyl oxygen in a sugar derivative, 1,6anhydro-2,4-dideoxy-2,4-difluoro-P-D-rib0 -hexopyranos-3-ulose, by fluorination with PhSF3 failed=. We have found that diethylaminosuliiz trifluoride 10,11,.15 IS a useful reagent for the replacement of the carbonyl oxygen in sugars and glycosides protected with the isopropylidene groups. The reaction appears to be general for sugar aldehydes and ketones in the pyranosyl form.
Implantable central venous access ports for minimally invasive repetitive drainage of pleural effusions.

Summary Background Pleurodesis can often eliminate recurrence of malignant pleural effusions and perhaps even pleural effusions from congestive heart failure. However, for patients with recurrent pleural effusions resistant to pleurodesis or patients unable or unwilling to undergo pleurodesis, thoracentesis is currently the only means for removing a pleural effusion. Presentation of the hypothesis Central venous access ports used for cancer chemotherapy could be implanted with the lumens placed in the pleural space, allowing on demand drainage of pleural effusions by percutaneous access to the port. Testing the hypothesis Initial trials with a swine model of pleural effusions could demonstrate proof-of-principle and determine the caliber of catheter lumen optimal for pleural effusion drainage. Subsequently, there could be clinical trials in humans. Significance of the hypothesis This could be a useful part of palliative care of patients with cancer and end-stage heart failure and might increase heart failure survival by improving hemodynamics and respiratory function. This technique would create a non-diuretic modality for treatment of congestive heart failure volume overload. Patients could potentially drain pleural effusions at home by accessing ports placed in the anterior chest or abdomen. The proposed technique might also have application for treatment of recurrent ascites.
Fault kinematics in supradetachment basin formation, Menderes core complex of western Turkey

Abstract The Neogene Alasehir supradetachment basin in western Turkey occurs in the footwall of the modern Alasehir–Gediz graben and is a major component of the Aegean extensional province in Anatolia that developed during the late Cenozoic exhumation of the Menderes core complex. The size, geometry, accommodation space and internal structure–stratigraphy of this basin were strongly controlled by the kinematics and interplay of four different fault generations throughout its early Miocene-Pleistocene evolution. The ~ E − W-striking, NNE-dipping (10°–30°) Alasehir detachment fault separates the high-grade crystalline rocks of the core complex below from the Neogene deposits of the basin in the hanging wall above. The basin-parallel, synthetic and antithetic high-angle normal faults represent a block-faulting stage of the continued horizontal extension that terminated the northerly slip along the detachment surface and produced horst-graben structures in and across the basin. These faults were also responsible for the back-tilting of the basinal strata into steeper dips and the rotation of the previously formed faults into gently dipping planes. The mutually crosscutting relationships between the intra-basinal low-angle and basement-involved high-angle and normal faults indicate their contemporaneous development and operation. The NNE-striking, basin-perpendicular oblique–slip hinge faults are reminiscent of transfer (cross) faults in both continental and oceanic extension, and divide the supradetachment basin into a series of fault blocks with their own internal structure and stratigraphy. Differential uplift and exhumation of the core complex rocks along these hinge faults and the varied displacement and slip along and across them within the basinal strata caused differential extension and block-uplift, leading to the formation of local unconformities in the supradetachment basin. Significant changes in the dip directions and strike orientations of the sedimentary beds and the observed deviations from the inferred direction of maximum extension in the adjacent fault blocks resulted from rotational deformation due to hinge faulting. Fault segmentation of the Alasehir basin as a result of extension-parallel hinge-faulting is a characteristic feature of its supradetachment basin evolution.
Bone-Crack Detection, Targeting, and Repair Using Ion Gradients

Bone cracks can be detected by utilizing the damaged matrix itself as both the trigger and the fuel. A crack in a material with a high mineral content such as bone generates ion gradients, which can be utilized for active targeting and treatment. This approach to targeting a biological structure augments current methods, which are focused on biomacromolecular interactions involving proteins and nucleic acids.
Fatty acid composition of human erythrocyte membranes by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Capillary gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic--mass spectrometric methods were employed for profiling total fatty acid content of human erythrocyte membranes. The protocol was designed to efficiently separate, identify, and accurately quantify the fatty acid composition in human erythrocyte membranes. Washed erythrocyte "ghosts" were saponified in aqueous methanolic sodium hydroxide solution and methylated with boron trichloride and acid catalysis. Extracted total fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were analyzed using a highly polar cyanopropylsiloxane SP 2560 fused-silica capillary column. Total run time was 55 min, and 45 FAMEs were tentatively identified by relative retention times compared to those of known FAMEs. Confirmation of identities by mass spectral structure elucidation revealed saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated, and branched-chain FAMEs. The presence of four fatty aldehydes was also confirmed as dimethyl acetal derivatives. Identification of cis/trans isomers was based on relative retention times and characteristic profile of the cis/trans FAME standard. Quantification of FAMEs for normal subjects showed some variation in relative amounts, consistent with expectations based on literature reports on total or phospholipid FAMEs from human erythrocytes. Separation of individual components of fatty acid families (n-3), (n-6), and (n-9) is demonstrated. Losses in relative amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids upon storing samples were also detectable by this rapid method.
Apparent kinetic differences between brain and liver ornithine decarboxylase.

Abstract Kinetic studies of ornithine decarboxylase activity in homogenates of rat brain and liver indicate that rat brain ornithine decarboxylase has a higher affinity for substrate L-ornithine and competitive inhibitor putrescine. These data suggest different forms of ornithine decarboxylase may exist in these tissues.
Ocular Alignment after Craniofacial Reconstruction

We undertook a retrospective study of 160 patients to ascertain if craniofacial reconstruction affected ocular alignment. In most patientspre-existing alignment and binocularity were unaffected by craniofacial surgery; thus, correction of any strabismus can be performed on a child without concern for disruption of muscle tissue by later craniofacial surgery.
Ovarian secretion of progesterone in relation to the Golgi apparatus in lutein cells during the estrous cycle of the rat.

To relate changes in structure to variations in hormonal secretion by rat ovary corpora lutea, cyclic modifications in the Golgi apparatus (GA) of luteal cells were observed and compared with rates of ovarian production of progesterone. After ovaries from rats in the various stages of the estrous cycle were fixed in acidified, glycine-buffered formalin, they were impregnated with silver to demonstrate the GA for light microscopy. The concentration of progesterone in ovarian venous plasma from a similar group of animals was determined by gasliquid chromatography and the secretory rate of this steroid was calculated. Although the GA of cells in the theca interna was enlarged prior to ovulation, that of granulosal cells was small and compact. After ovulation, as the cells of the granulosa became luteinized and formed a corpus luteum, their GA increased in size and in late diestrus was fine, filamentous and perinuclear. In proestrus, generally the network began to fragment and degeneration followed. Soon afte...
Solitons in polarized double layer quantum Hall systems

A new manifestation of interlayer coherence in strongly polarized double-layer quantum Hall systems with total filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$ in the presence of a small or zero tunneling is theoretically predicted. It is shown that moving (for small tunneling) and spatially localized (for zero tunneling) stable pseudospin solitons develop which could be interpreted as mobile or static charge-density excitations. The possibility of their experimental observation is also discussed.
Naturalistic Observation of Health-Relevant Social Processes: The Electronically Activated Recorder Methodology in Psychosomatics

This article introduces a novel observational ambulatory monitoring method called the electronically activated recorder (EAR). The EAR is a digital audio recorder that runs on a handheld computer and periodically and unobtrusively records snippets of ambient sounds from participants' momentary environments. In tracking moment-to-moment ambient sounds, it yields acoustic logs of people's days as they naturally unfold. In sampling only a fraction of the time, it protects participants' privacy and makes large observational studies feasible. As a naturalistic observation method, it provides an observer's account of daily life and is optimized for the objective assessment of audible aspects of social environments, behaviors, and interactions (e.g., habitual preferences for social settings, idiosyncratic interaction styles, subtle emotional expressions). This article discusses the EAR method conceptually and methodologically, reviews prior research with it, and identifies three concrete ways in which it can enrich psychosomatic research. Specifically, it can (a) calibrate psychosocial effects on health against frequencies of real-world behavior; (b) provide ecological observational measures of health-related social processes that are independent of self-report; and (c) help with the assessment of subtle and habitual social behaviors that evade self-report but have important health implications. An important avenue for future research lies in merging traditional self-report-based ambulatory monitoring methods with observational approaches such as the EAR to allow for the simultaneous yet methodologically independent assessment of inner, experiential aspects (e.g., loneliness) and outer, observable aspects (e.g., social isolation) of real-world social processes to reveal their unique effects on health.
Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting from Technology

The article reviews the book “Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting From Technology,” by Henry Chesbrough.
Market Oscillations Induced by the Competition between Value-based and Trend-based Investment Strategies

We consider financial market using mathematical models which incorporate an excess demand function that depends not only upon the price but on the price derivative. The classical (value-based) motivation for purchasing the equity is augmented with a trend-based strategy of buying due to rising prices. An analysis (based on money flow and the finiteness of assets) of the supply, demand and price as a function of time leads to a system of ordinary differential equations which is mathematically complete. The numerical study of our equations exhibits overshooting, abrupt reversals and oscillations in prices. We examine our models with the context of real markets and economic laboratory experiments by comparing its predictions with a set of Porter and Smith experiments and with all US stock market crashes since 1929.
AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors for power applications: issues of thermal effect and reliability

Abstract AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) has the advantages of superior switching speed, wide linearity, and high current handling capability. As a result, the device has gained popularity in designing power amplifiers for RF and microwave applications. However, the high power in the HBT, together with the poor thermal conductivity of GaAs, gives rise to significant thermal effect and reduced reliability in such a device. This paper presents an overview on the simulation, modeling, and reliability of AlGaAs/GaAs HBTs. Emphasis will be placed on the effects of thermal–electrical interacting behavior on the dc and ac performance of the HBT. The thermal-induced degradation process in the HBT will also be addressed and analyzed.
Repair of a Large Wound of the Back, Post‐Mohs Micrographical Excision, Using Chronic Skin Expansion

Background. Large defects not otherwise closed primarily may be closed after chronic skin expansion. Objective. If chronic expansion were deemed indicated for the closure of a proposed defect expected to result from Mohs micrographic surgery, can it be performed before Mohs surgery, avoiding the increased chance of expander extrusion via the defect when done postoperatively? Methods. A team approach of a Mohs surgeon and a plastic surgeon coordinated scheduling an insertion of and staged infiltration of a tissue expander before Mohs surgical removal of a large basal cell carcinoma on the back of a young woman. The reconstruction after Mohs surgery was scheduled for the immediate postoperative period. Results. The Mohs surgery completed removed the carcinoma, and the expander was removed, enabling the surgeon to perform a side-to-side closure. Conclusion. Provided that there is not a great probability of the neoplasm extending significantly deeper or wider than expected and that the skin expander is placed so as not to disturb the plane of Mohs excision, this is a useful technique to close large Mohs defects.
The Architecture of Intelligence Converging Evidence From Studies of Humans and Animals

A person’s performance across multiple cognitive tests tends to covary. This ubiquitous observation suggests that various cognitive domains are regulated in common, and this covariance underlies the interpretation of many quantitative tests of “intelligence.” We find that, as in humans, differences in intelligence exist across genetically heterogeneous mice. Specifically, we have observed a covariance in the performance of mice across diverse tests of learning, reasoning, and attention. As in humans, the processing efficacy of working memory is both correlated with animals’ general cognitive abilities and may in some instances serve to regulate behaviors indicative of intelligence. Beyond its axiomatic significance in demonstrating the evolutionary conservation of a cognitive trait, studies of mice may provide unique opportunities to assess the molecular (e.g., brain-specific RNA expression; transgenics) and neuroanatomic substrates for intelligence. One such approach is briefly described here. Using this...
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: natural history and long term treatment effects

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a lifetime, probably systemic condition of unknown cause, resulting in a spinal curve or curves of ten degrees or more in about 2.5% of most populations. However, in only about 0.25% does the curve progress to the point that treatment is warranted. Untreated, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis does not increase mortality rate, even though on rare occasions it can progress to the >100° range and cause premature death. The rate of shortness of breath is not increased, although patients with 50° curves at maturity or 80° curves during adulthood are at increased risk of developing shortness of breath. Compared to non-scoliotic controls, most patients with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis function at or near normal levels. They do have increased pain prevalence and may or may not have increased pain severity. Self-image is often decreased. Mental health is usually not affected. Social function, including marriage and childbearing may be affected, but only at the threshold of relatively larger curves. Non-operative treatment consists of bracing for curves of 25° to 35° or 40° in patients with one to two years or more of growth remaining. Curve progression of ≥ 6° is 20 to 40% more likely with observation than with bracing. Operative treatment consists of instrumentation and arthrodesis to realign and stabilize the most affected portion of the spine. Lasting curve improvement of approximately 40% is usually achieved. In the most completely studied series to date, at 20 to 28 years follow-up both braced and operated patients had similar, significant, and clinically meaningful reduced function and increased pain compared to non-scoliotic controls. However, their function and pain scores were much closer to normal than patient groups with other, more serious conditions. Risks associated with treatment include temporary decrease in self-image in braced patients. Operated patients face the usual risks of major surgery, a 6 to 29% chance of requiring reoperation, and the remote possibility of developing a pain management problem. Knowledge of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis natural history and long-term treatment effects is and will always remain somewhat incomplete. However, enough is know to provide patients and parents the information needed to make informed decisions about management options.
OTCS, Switch, and the Impact of Dietary Supplements:

As recently as five years ago, ‘consumer self-care’ was almost exclusively the province of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Today, with the advent of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, dietary supplements provide expanded consumer self-care opportunities. Foods are also claiming health benefits. Sensible health care policy requires that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take account of this new self-care product continuum in its prescription (Rx)-to-OTC switch decision making. It is well recognized that consumers want to be and can be educated to care for themselves in a variety of health care situations using foods or dietary supplements. The same principle should be presumed to hold true for an OTC drug in parallel health care situations, where the drug is properly tested and labeled for consumer use through FDA’s comprehensive drug review process.
Evaluation of 10Base-T and 100Base-T Ethernets carrying video, audio and data traffic

Multimedia applications integrate a variety of media, namely, audio, video, images, graphics, text, and data. These media have different bandwidth, delay, and loss requirements. Data traffic is predominantly bursty and it requires reliable service from the network, but it can tolerate delay. In contrast, audio and video traffic is stream-oriented, it can tolerate some loss of data, but it requires delivery within a bounded delay. To support multimedia communications, it is desirable to use existing network infrastructures, which are designed specifically for data applications. In such existing network infrastructures, Ethernet is the most popular LAN scheme used. The authors have simulated 10Base-T and 100Base-T Ethernet segments carrying constant bit rate audio/video streams and data traffic (bursty and non-bursty). Given the stream rate, stream delay and loss constraints, as well as the date load and burst size, they have determined the number of streams supportable. >
An unexpected cause of pericardial effusion

We present a case of pericardial effusion due to embolization of a fragment of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, with subsequent perforation of the right ventricle. This is a rare and unexpected cause of pericardial effusion. Fracture or embolization of IVC filters is a relatively uncommon complication, but these events may have serious clinical implications. Although IVC filters are often placed with the intent of removal, the device in many patients is never removed. The long-term implications of IVC filter placement must be kept in mind when making decisions about device placement and subsequent removal.
Output Networks for Radio-Frequency Power Amplifiers

At high frequencies a transformer consisting of primary, secondary, and mutual inductances cannot be constructed to match a generator effectively to a resistive load. By introducing capacitative elements, such a match can be obtained. The design of reactance networks to connect a resistive load efficiently to a source of power can be carried out most conveniently by the theory of image impedances. Such reactance networks can provide not only for high efficiency but can also attenuate undesired harmonics. A variety of configurations can be designed to accomplish the desired result. The network can also be arranged to provide extremely high attenuation at design ated frequencies. The most efficient network is one designed for critical coupling, assuming a constant Q for the inductances. The efficiency also depends on the impedance ratio.
Localization of objects using stochastic tunneling

This paper presents a novel wireless localization scheme in the three dimensional domain that employs stochastic optimization with tunneling transformation to recursively estimate the location of wireless tags in a network from pair wise signal strength measurements. Spatially co-located wireless tags, receiving signals from a common transmitter, exhibit correlation in their Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values. Hence in a network of wireless tags, with pair wise correlation coefficients available, posterior distribution of the unknown tag separation is used to relatively localize them using maximum a posteriori (MAP) Estimator. However, due to the non-convex/non-tractable nature of this posterior distribution, deterministic optimization methods will end in one of the many local maxima unless the initial guess is close to the region of attraction of the global maximum. In this paper, a novel stochastic localization method called LOCalization Using Stochastic Tunneling (LOCUST) is proposed which utilizes constrained simulated annealing with tunneling transformation to solve this non-tractable posterior distribution. The tunneling transformation allows the optimization search operation to circumvent or “tunnel” through ill-shaped regions in the posterior distribution resulting in faster convergence to global maximum. Finally, simulation results of our localization method are presented.
Contributions of estrogen receptor-α and estrogen receptor-β to the regulation of behavior

Studies of the mechanisms by which estrogens influence brain function and behavior have advanced from the explication of individual hormone receptors, neural circuitry and individual gene expression. Now, we can report patterns of estrogen receptor subtype contributions to patterns of behavior. Moreover, new work demonstrates important contributions of nuclear receptor coactivator expression in the central nervous system. In this paper, our current state of knowledge is reviewed.
Potential electronic transition chemical laser: parametric evaluation.

Through the utilization of a generalized computer code that calculates the minimum reactive branching ratio required for a species to display optical gain, a parametric study was performed to ascertain which properties of the electronic potential curves of a heteronuclear diatomic molecule have the greatest effect on the suitability of that molecule as a potential electronic transition laser. The results of this study demonstrate that diatomic systems separate into different classes when the question of the minimum required reactive branching ratio is confronted. This separation of molecular systems was translated through the use of compiled molecular constants into a determination of which vibrational-level distribution class is most favorable for specific heteronuclear diatomic molecules to display optical gain; potential laser candidates were pointed out. In addition, a generalized gain equation for electronic transitions heteronuclear diatomic molecules that takes into account both rotational and vibrational partitioning was derived.
Combination Therapy for Treatment of Infections with Gram-Negative Bacteria

Combination antibiotic therapy for invasive infections with Gram-negative bacteria is employed in many health care facilities, especially for certain subgroups of patients, including those with neutropenia, those with infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, those with ventilator-associated pneumonia, and the severely ill. An argument can be made for empiric combination therapy, as we are witnessing a rise in infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms. The wisdom of continued combination therapy after an organism is isolated and antimicrobial susceptibility data are known, however, is more controversial. The available evidence suggests that the greatest benefit of combination antibiotic therapy stems from the increased likelihood of choosing an effective agent during empiric therapy, rather than exploitation of in vitro synergy or the prevention of resistance during definitive treatment. In this review, we summarize the available data comparing monotherapy versus combination antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of infections with Gram-negative bacteria.
Retrospective genomic analysis of sorghum adaptation to temperate-zone grain production

Background Sorghum is a tropical C4 cereal that recently adapted to temperate latitudes and mechanized grain harvest through selection for dwarfism and photoperiod-insensitivity. Quantitative trait loci for these traits have been introgressed from a dwarf temperate donor into hundreds of diverse sorghum landraces to yield the Sorghum Conversion lines. Here, we report the first comprehensive genomic analysis of the molecular changes underlying this adaptation.
Utilizing Extracted Fungal Pigments for Wood Spalting: A Comparison of Induced Fungal Pigmentation to Fungal Dyeing

The lengthy time periods required by current spalting methods prohibit the economically viable commercialization of spalted wood on a large scale. This work aimed to compare the effects of induced spalting in 16 Pacific Northwest woods using three common spalting fungi, Chlorociboria aeruginosa, Scytalidium cuboideum, and Scytalidium ganodermophthorum, with the significantly less time-consuming treatment of these woods using dichloromethane-extracted green, red, and yellow pigments from the same fungi. For pigment extracts, the dosage required for a pigment to internally color various wood species to 30% internal coverage was investigated. With few exceptions, treatment with pigment extracts outperformed induced spalting in terms of percent internal color coverage. Cottonwood consistently performed best with all three pigment solutions, although chinkapin performed as well as cottonwood with the red pigment, and Port Orford cedar performed as well with the yellow pigment. While no wood species showed 30% internal color coverage with the green pigment solution, a number of additional species, including pacific silver fir, madrone, dogwood, and mountain hemlock showed internal color coverage on the order of 20–30% for red and/or yellow. Cottonwood was determined to be the best suited wood species for this type of spalting application.
On the use of phasing experiments to measure helical repeat and bulge loop-associated twist in RNA

In a phasing experiment, two bends are introduced into a long duplex RNA or DNA and the number of base pairs between them varied. When electrophoresed in a gel, the set of molecules may show a periodic variation in mobility that contains information about the twist associated with the bends and the intervening helix. We show how a set of three phasing experiments can be used to extract this information, and apply it to an RNA helix bend at the bulge sequence A2. The bulge introduces a negative (left-handed) twist of approximately 30 degrees; at low temperatures, it is mostly confined to the 5' side of the bulge. The apparent helical repeat of random sequence RNA measured in these experiments was 10.2 +/- 0.1 base pairs, an unexpectedly low value. It is likely that moderate curvative of the RNA helix axis (30-40 degrees over 80 bp) has affected the measurement.
Development of a model for marburgvirus based on severe-combined immunodeficiency mice

The filoviruses, Ebola (EBOV) and Marburg (MARV), cause a lethal hemorrhagic fever. Human isolates of MARV are not lethal to immmunocompetent adult mice and, to date, there are no reports of a mouse-adapted MARV model. Previously, a uniformly lethal EBOV-Zaire mouse-adapted virus was developed by performing 9 sequential passages in progressively older mice (suckling to adult). Evaluation of this model identified many similarities between infection in mice and nonhuman primates, including viral tropism for antigen-presenting cells, high viral titers in the spleen and liver, and an equivalent mean time to death. Existence of the EBOV mouse model has increased our understanding of host responses to filovirus infections and likely has accelerated the development of countermeasures, as it is one of the only hemorrhagic fever viruses that has multiple candidate vaccines and therapeutics. Here, we demonstrate that serially passaging liver homogenates from MARV-infected severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice was highly successful in reducing the time to death in scid mice from 50–70 days to 7–10 days after MARV-Ci67, -Musoke, or -Ravn challenge. We performed serial sampling studies to characterize the pathology of these scid mouse-adapted MARV strains. These scid mouse-adapted MARV models appear to have many similar properties as the MARV models previously developed in guinea pigs and nonhuman primates. Also, as shown here, the scid-adapted MARV mouse models can be used to evaluate the efficacy of candidate antiviral therapeutic molecules, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers or antibodies.
Defect structure, nonstoichiometry, and phase stability of Ca-doped YCrO3

The dependence of the defect structure of Ca-doped YCrO{sub 3} on oxygen activity and temperature was investigated by high temperature thermogravimetric measurements. Defect models developed from electrical conductivity data obtained in a previous study were used to interpret the thermogravimetric data. A correlation was found between the electrical conductivity and the thermogravimetric data which suggested that these data were concomitantly dependent on the acceptor dopant and oxygen vacancy dependence of the thermodynamic parameters. Kroeger-Vink type diagrams showing the regions of stability with respect to oxygen activity and temperature were constructed. The TGA data show that Ca-doped YCrO{sub 3} is even more stable toward reduction than doped LaCrO{sub 3}.
Mass Transfer Kinetics of Phosphorus to Filter Media from Wastewater, Storm Water, and Surrogate Matrices

AbstractGranular media are increasingly utilized for control of phosphorus (P), frequently indexed as total P (TP), which represents the sum of particulate (PP) and dissolved P (DP) fractions. The fate of PP notwithstanding, when such media are deployed for control of DP, the mass transfer kinetics from an aqueous matrix to the media is important for design and modeling tools. In this paper, the mass transfer of DP for a suite of common media are monitored and modeled with a focus on comparing the behavior of Al-oxide coated media (AOCM) subjected to synthetic and actual runoff (wet weather) as well as wastewater (dry weather) matrices. The media employed were AOCMc (clay based), AOCMp (pumice based), and AOCMpcc (Portland cement concrete based), and their corresponding media (UCM) substrates. A 2nd-order potential driving model is utilized for the overall total phosphorus (TP) transfer rate from aqueous solution to AOCM, whereas an intramedia diffusion model illustrates diffusion rates. In comparison wit...
The Influence of Family Expressiveness, Individuals’ Own Emotionality, and Self-Expressiveness on Perceptions of Others’ Facial Expressions

To examine individual differences in decoding facial expressions, college students judged type and emotional intensity of emotional faces at five intensity levels and completed questionnaires on family expressiveness, emotionality, and self-expressiveness. For decoding accuracy, family expressiveness was negatively related, with strongest effects for more prototypical faces, and self-expressiveness was positively related. For perceptions of emotional intensity, family expressiveness was positively related, emotionality tended to be positively related, and self-expressiveness tended to be negatively related; these findings were all qualified by level of ambiguity/clarity of the facial expressions. Decoding accuracy and perceived emotional intensity also related positively with each other. Results suggest that even simple facial judgments are made through an interpretive lens partially created by family expressiveness, individuals’ own emotionality, and self-expressiveness.
Pauli blocking and final-state interaction in electron-nucleus quasielastic scattering

The nucleon final-state interaction in inclusive electron-nucleus quasielastic scattering is studied. Based on the unitarity equation satisfied by the scattering-wave operators, a doorway model is developed to take into account the final-state interaction including the Pauli blocking of nucleon knockout. The model uses only experimental form factors as the input and can be readily applied to light- and medium-mass nuclei. Pauli blocking effects in these latter nuclei are illustrated with the case of the Coulomb interaction. Significant effects are noted for beam energies below {approx}350 MeV/c and for low momentum transfers.
The Alteration of Enzymes in Aging Animals

The earliest experiments dealing with the effect of aging on enzymes consisted of simple comparisons of activity in crude homogenates from various young and old tissues. In general, the results from different laboratories through the 1950’s and 1960’s could not profitably be compared because they were carried out with crude preparations, a variety of assays and undoubtedly there were differences between the old animals raised in different laboratories. Most of the reported changes in activity were relatively small, few being more than 30%. Some results were even contradictory - a few enzyme activities were reported both to increase and decrease. However, even if the early work had been carried out in more sophisticated fashion, it is doubtful that any insight into aging phenomena would have resulted. In fact, more recent work with carefully matched animals which measured a spectrum of enzymes from various tissues failed to show any consistent behavior which could be interpreted as being a mark of the aging process (Lindena et al, 1980). There does appear to be a generalized decline in the enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in soleus muscle and diaphragm in 24 compared with 6 month old rats and a decline in the former parameter in heart (Hansford and Castro, 1982)
Norway maple {Acer platanoides) and other non-native trees in urban woodlands of central Massachusetts1

Abstract Bertin, R. I., M. E. Manner, B. F. Larrow, T. W. Cantwell, and E. M. Berstene (Biology Department, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA 01610). Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and other non-native trees in urban woodlands of central Massachusetts. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 132: 225–235. 2005.—We investigated the contribution of non-native tree species to woodlands in and near Worcester, a city of 170,000 residents in central Massachusetts. We sampled species composition of canopy, sapling and seedling layers in 32 woodlands. At three additional sites, we collected additional information on Norway maple, including size/age data, abundance with respect to distance from woodland edge, and apparent mortality compared to that of other species. In all, we encountered 66 tree species, of which 28 were introduced. The most common non-native trees were Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle). The last two are shade-...
Health Care in Transition: Primary Prevention and Health Disparities in Focus.

![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and cardiovascular specialists around the world have long focused on secondary prevention. However, with the burden of cardiovascular disease set to increase 57% worldwide by 2020 and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)
Not a typical case of bilateral knee osteoarthritis

A 64 year old woman presented to our clinic with intermittent bilateral knee pain for several years. She described her pain as mild, diffuse, both improved and worsened with walking, and occasionally associated with a sensation of instability. Although she had no history of trauma, mechanical symptoms such as locking, interference with daily activities, or pain in other joints, she did have osteoarthritis of the knee and osteoporosis. Several years earlier she had received a corticosteroid injection in her left knee but had never undergone imaging of her knees. Recently, she had been using paracetamol (acetaminophen) and naproxen as needed for the pain. Physical examination showed bilateral genu valgum with bilateral diffuse tenderness to palpation along her joint lines and patellar facets. Bilateral patellar movement caused considerable crepitus and discomfort. She had a small joint effusion in her left knee but not on the right. She had decreased flexion of the knees—110o on the left and 100o on the right. Her gait was mildly antalgic bilaterally. Plain radiography was performed (fig 1⇓). Fig 1 Anterioposterior plain radiograph of bilateral knees ### 1. What do the radiographs show? #### Short answer Multiple calcified bodies of various sizes distributed throughout the knee joint and severe bilateral tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis. #### Discussion The multiple calcified bodies of various sizes probably developed at different times. These …
Brief of Amicus Curiae Wesley MacNeil Oliver in Support of the Petition for Writ of Certiorari in John Ashcroft v. Abdullah Al-Kidd

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently held that a lawsuit could proceed against John Ashcroft in his individual capacity for the way he detained material witnesses after the Terror of September 11, 2001. Ashcroft allegedly used those he believed to be terrorist suspects as material witnesses when he lacked adequate suspicion to bring formal charges. All of these “witnesses” otherwise qualified for detention under the federal material witness detention statute. The Ninth Circuit concluded that this “pretextual” use of the material witness detention statute clearly violated the Fourth Amendment as it circumvented the probable cause threshold required to hold suspects. The court reasoned that no court had previous held this pretextual use of the statute to be unlawful because Ashcroft’s use of the statute was “novel” and “unprecedented.”This historical claim is false. From 1850 to 1930, material witness detentions were used quite frequently – most often to hold those whom law enforcement officials suspected of criminal activity. In fact, reformers during the era objected to the use of the detentions to hold innocent persons, but seemed to have little or no problem with the use of the power to temporarily hold those suspected of criminal activity. In New York, a law in 1883 forbid the detention of any “witness” whom law enforcement officials did not also suspect of criminal activity. In short, the public was tolerant of the way Ashcroft is alleged to have used the material witness detention statute in this case. The public was outraged when it was used in the only way the Ninth Circuit claims it can be used consistent with the Constitution. This brief in support of John Ashcroft’s petition for a writ of certiorari was filed on July 23, 2010.
CMHC: a structural anachronism

eth-century's therapeutic response to the needs of the mentally ill. It represents a shift to the community as the more ap propriate base of treatment, away from the large mental institution that liad been the main treatment base during tlie nineteenth century. Through the mid-1950s mental illness was perceived as a medical problem to be treated in a hospital setting by medical personnel. With the breakthrough accom plished by psychotropic drugs and the change in public attitudes toward mental illness, a new model in mental health care emerged. The need for new forms was widely recognized and the launching of the CMHC program enthusiastically hailed. Why did it fail to live up to its promise? In 1963 Congress enacted the Mental Re tardation and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act (PL 88-164).1 This act set a precedent for broader federal involvement and stimulated the "third rev olution" in the field of mental health.2 The
AT-101, a small molecule Bcl-2 antagonist, in treatment naïve CLL patients (pts) with high risk features; Preliminary results from an ongoing phase I trial

6605 Background: CLL pts with early stage disease are often observed under a “watch and wait” approach. Unmutated immunoglobulin variable-region gene (IgVH); expression of zeta chain associated kin...
Dimension polynomials of difference local algebras

We extend the concept of the difference dimension polynomial of a difference field extension to difference local algebras. The main theorem of the paper establishes the existence and form of the dimension polynomial associated with the localization of a finitely generated well-mixed difference algebra at a prime reflexive difference ideal.