cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Parenting and Community Violence on Aggression-Related Social Goals: a Monozygotic Twin Differences Study

Community violence exposure and harsh parenting have been linked to maladaptive outcomes, possibly via their effects on social cognition. The Social Information Processing (SIP) model has been used to study distinct socio-cognitive processes, demonstrating links between community violence exposure, harsh parenting, and maladaptive SIP. Though much of this research assumes these associations are causal, genetic confounds have made this assumption difficult to rigorously test. Comparisons of discordant monozygotic (MZ) twins provide one empirical test of possible causality, as differences between MZ twins must be environmental in origin. The present study examined effects of parenting and community violence exposure on SIP - specifically aggressive and avoidant social goals - in a sample of 426 MZ twin dyads (N = 852 twins, 48% female). Phenotypically, we found that lower positive parenting and greater harsh parenting were associated with greater endorsement of dominance and revenge goals. We also found that indirect and direct community violence exposure was associated with greater endorsement of avoidance goals. Using an MZ difference design, we found that the relationships between lower levels of positive parenting and endorsement of dominance and revenge goals were due, in part, to environmental processes. Moreover, the relationships between the impact of indirect and direct community violence exposure and avoidance goals, as well as between the impact of indirect community violence exposure and revenge goals, appeared to be due to non-shared environmental processes. Our results establish social and contextual experiences as important environmental influences on children’s social goals, which may increase risk for later psychopathology.
Abstract # 3113 The role of estrogen in tumor-induced cognitive performance and neuroinflammation

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Though a large percentage of the population survives, many patients report persistent lethargy, depression and cognitive impairments accompanied by alterations in immune function. Estrogen enhances the development and growth of many breast tumors, which most frequently develop in postmenopausal women, who are then treated with long-term estrogen modulators. Estrogen also influences cognition. However, the extent to which estrogen influences cancer-related cognitive deficits and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., neuroinflammation) are not well understood. To test the potential interaction between tumors/ tumor survival and estrogen on cognition and neuroinflammation, female Balb/c mice were either ovariectomized (ovx) or remained intact (intact). Non-metastatic mammary cancer cells were then induced in two-thirds of the mice. Some tumors were resected (“tumor resect”), whereas others remained intact (“tumor”); controls received sham surgery. Two weeks after treatments, mice were tested using a battery of standardized behavioral tests for cognitive performance (novel object recognition and fear conditioning). Ovx tumor and tumor resect mice spent less time freezing and have fewer freezing episodes at the initial presentation of a cue during fear conditioning than ovx control. qRT-PCR is underway to assess neuroinflammation. Overall, these results suggest that estrogen modulates cancer-related cognitive performance. Future work will determine the sites and mechanisms of estrogen in the brain related to cognitive function. .
Longitudinal matching of in vivo adaptive optics images of fluorescent cells in the human eye using stochastically consistent superpixels

Fluorescence microscopy has transformed our understanding of modern biology. Recently, this technology was translated to the clinic using adaptive optics enhanced indocyanine green ophthalmoscopy, which enables retinal pigment epithelial cells to be fluorescently-labeled and imaged in the living human eye. Monitoring these cells across longitudinal images on the time scale of months is important for understanding blinding diseases, but remains challenging due to inherent eye-motion-caused distortions, substantial visit-to-visit image displacements, and weak cell boundaries due to the nature of fluorescence data. This paper introduces a stochastically consistent superpixel method to address these issues. First, large displacement optical flow is estimated by embedding global image displacements from a set of maximal stable extremal regions into a variational framework. Next, optical flow is utilized to initialize bilateral Gaussian processes that model superpixel movements. Finally, a generative probabilistic framework is developed to create consistent superpixels constrained with maximal likelihood criterion. Consistent superpixels were evaluated on images from 11 eyes which were longitudinally imaged over 3-12 months. Validation datasets revealed high accuracy across time points despite the presence of visit-to-visit changes.
Molecular Tools to Generate Reactive Oxygen Species in Biological Systems

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) not only are byproducts of aerobic respiration, but also play vital roles in metabolism regulation and signal transductions. It is important to understand the functions of ROS in biological systems. In addition, scientists have made use of ROS to kill bacteria and tumors through a process known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). This paper provides a concise review of current molecular tools that can generate ROS in biological systems via either nongenetic or genetically encoded way. Challenges and perspectives are further discussed with the hope of broadening the applications of ROS generators in research and clinical settings.
Defining nutritionally and environmentally healthy dietary choices of omega-3 fatty acids

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a primary cause of death in the U.S.; diet is a modifiable risk factor in the prevention and treatment of CVD. Omega-3 fatty acids are one dietary component that may reduce CVD-related risks. While oily fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA), enriched foods have been developed as alternatives for those who do not consume fish, for example, n-3 enriched eggs. Despite the health benefits of n-3 FA-rich foods, their production has substantial environmental impacts occurring over their production life cycle. In this study, life cycle assessment was conducted to compare the environmental characteristics of two common n-3 FA dietary sources, salmon and n-3 enriched eggs, and to evaluate the potential effects of increasing the n-3 FA intake from current daily consumption to the recommended amount equivalent to consuming two fatty fish meals per week (i.e., 300 mg of n-3 FA). The product systems included all the main stages of the life cycle from feed production to final disposal. Results showed that although salmon presented higher midpoint (acidification, eutrophication and global warming potentials) and endpoint (disability-adjusted life year) impacts on a mass basis, it was a more sustainable option than n-3 eggs when the n-3 FA concentration was considered. Increasing the n-3 FA intake to fulfill the 300 mg target nearly doubled the associated environmental burdens. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses indicated that both the origin of salmon and supplement source for n-3 enriched eggs had significant effects on their environmental performance. This study can help make recommendations about healthy and sustainable choices of n-3 FA sources in the U.S. diet at reduced environmental costs, allowing the public to understand the associated impacts and take action to improve their eating habits.
Lesson Study in a Mathematics Methods Course: Overcoming Cultural Barriers

In order to support the development of deeper mathematical understanding of preservice teachers, we have two main goals in our university mathematics methods course. They are for secondary preservice teachers to have rich conversations about (1) the mathematics of their lessons and (2) how students think about that mathematics. This paper describes our application of modified Japanese lesson study to meet these goals and how the US cultural views of teaching and mathematics were barriers to achieving those goals. Reflecting on 15 years of using lesson study to meet our methods course goals, we describe specific course revisions and changes necessary to overcome these cultural barriers and, thus, further improve the quality and quantity of preservice teacher candidates’ conversations about the mathematics of their lessons and how students think about that mathematics.
Environmental exposure to traffic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and risk of breast cancer

2183 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important component of air pollution and potential human carcinogens. While they have been shown to cause mammary cancer in animal studies, the association between PAH exposure and breast cancer risk is not well understood. Traffic emissions are one of the major sources of PAH exposure in cities. Further, growing evidence suggests that there may be critical time periods of exposure in breast cancer initiation and development. In this study, we examined the association between breast cancer risk and exposure to PAHs from traffic emissions estimated for each woman at menarche, at the time when she had her first pregnancy and birth, and at 20 and 10 years prior to interview, using data collected from the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) study, a population based case control study in western New York. All participants were women, aged 35-79, residents of Erie and Niagara Counties. Cases had incident, primary, histologically-confirmed breast cancer. Controls were randomly selected and frequency-matched to cases on age, race and county. In-person interviews were used to collect data on potential breast cancer risk factors including self-reported lifetime residential history. Traffic volumes on roads were obtained from historical records for the years from 1960-2002. Tailpipe emission data were based on previous reports, including measurements carried out in tunnels or on individual vehicles run in place on test beds. A geographic model, developed by Dr. Beyea and colleagues from the Long Island Breast Cancer project, was used to reconstruct historical traffic PAHs, using BaP as a surrogate for total PAH exposure. Cruise emissions, cold engine emissions and intersection emissions were used to estimate total traffic PAH emissions. Meteorological information was also utilized in the geographic dispersion model to assign PAH exposure at each residence. The model was validated using data collected from both Long Island and our study area. We found evidence that higher exposure to traffic PAH emissions at menarche was associated with increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer (OR 2.07, 95% CI 0.91-4.72, p for trend 0.03) and emissions at the time of a woman’s first birth was associated with postmenopausal breast cancer (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.15-5.83, p for trend 0.19). Both associations were limited to lifetime non-smokers. There was no association of traffic emissions with risk for any of the other time periods. These findings provide evidence for both the potential importance of early exposures and the potential importance of an environmental agent in risk of breast cancer.
Super-Resolution Imaging of Competitive Unlabeled DNA Hybridization Reveals the Influence of Fluorescent Labels on Duplex Formation and Dissociation Kinetics.

Single-molecule fluorescence imaging is a powerful method to measure reversible reaction kinetics, allowing one to monitor the bound state of individual probe molecules with fluorescently labeled t...
The Chemistry and Cancer program at the University of California San Francisco.

The Chemistry and Cancer program is focussed on facilitating the interaction and collaboration of chemists and biologists at UCSF to address problems of early cancer diagnosis, tumorigenesis and progression, target identification and validation via chemical approaches, as well as chemoprevention. The three main activities are 1) To develop new chemical approaches for studying cancer, 2) To facilitate the use of chemical reagents in Cancer Center laboratories, 3) To develop and test new therapeutic strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. These efforts provide a rich environment for essential graduate student and post-doctoral training programs that are key to the success of these efforts. The Chemistry and Cancer program members are currently concentrating on three classes of protein targets that represent a wide range of active therapeutic targets for treatment of cancer. The three classes are: proteases, kinases, and nuclear hormones. We have leaders in the chemistry, structural biology and cell biology of each of these protein classes involved in the Chemistry and Cancer Program. Productive collaborations have been established between members of the Chemistry and Cancer Program with other Cancer Center Programs and examples of progress in these areas will be presented.
Neural Predictive Coding Using Convolutional Neural Networks Toward Unsupervised Learning of Speaker Characteristics

Learning speaker-specific features is vital in many applications like speaker recognition, diarization, and speech recognition. This paper provides a novel approach, we term neural predictive coding (NPC), to learn speaker-specific characteristics in a completely unsupervised manner from large amounts of unlabeled training data that even contain many non-speech events and multi-speaker audio streams. The NPC framework exploits the proposed short-term active-speaker stationarity hypothesis which assumes two temporally close short speech segments belong to the same speaker, and thus a common representation that can encode the commonalities of both the segments, should capture the vocal characteristics of that speaker. We train a convolutional deep siamese network to produce “speaker embeddings” by learning to separate “same” versus “different” speaker pairs which are generated from an unlabeled data of audio streams. Two sets of experiments are done in different scenarios to evaluate the strength of NPC embeddings and compare with state-of-the-art in-domain supervised methods. First, two speaker identification experiments with different context lengths are performed in a scenario with comparatively limited within-speaker channel variability. NPC embeddings are found to perform the best at short duration experiment, and they provide complementary information to i-vectors for full utterance experiments. Second, a large-scale speaker verification task having a wide range of within-speaker channel variability is adopted as an upper-bound experiment where comparisons are drawn with in-domain supervised methods.
Can google glass™ technology improve freezing of gait in parkinsonism? A pilot study

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling phenomenon defined by the periodic absence or reduction of forward progression of the feet despite the intention to walk. We sought to understand whether Googl...
Making the Best of a Bad Situation: Clinician’s Perspectives on Ethics Rounds

Working in a Pediatric Medicine Intensive Care Unit (MICU) brings together two ethically fraught populations: the critically ill and the chronically ill. As a result, moral distress, along with ethical concerns, is prevalent amongst the health care professionals. In an effort to address moral distress, we have trialed numerous methods aimed at improving understanding of ethical principles. Ethics Rounds are one way to support healthcare personnel in handling ethically difficult situations. Ethics …
Exposure to formaldehyde and asthma outcomes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and economic assessment.

Author(s): Lam, Juleen; Koustas, Erica; Sutton, Patrice; Padula, Amy M; Cabana, Michael D; Vesterinen, Hanna; Griffiths, Charles; Dickie, Mark; Daniels, Natalyn; Whitaker, Evans; Woodruff, Tracey J | Abstract: BackgroundEvery major federal regulation in the United States requires an economic analysis estimating its benefits and costs. Benefit-cost analyses related to regulations on formaldehyde exposure have not included asthma in part due to lack of clarity in the strength of the evidence.Objectives1) To conduct a systematic review of evidence regarding human exposure to formaldehyde and diagnosis, signs, symptoms, exacerbations, or other measures of asthma in humans; and 2) quantify the annual economic benefit for decreases in formaldehyde exposure.MethodsWe developed and registered a protocol in PROSPERO (Record ID #38766, CRD 42016038766). We conducted a comprehensive search of articles published up to April 1, 2020. We evaluated potential risk of bias for included studies, identified a subset of studies to combine in a meta-analysis, and rated the overall quality and strength of the evidence. We quantified economics benefit to children from a decrease in formaldehyde exposure using assumptions consistent with EPA's proposed formaldehyde rule.ResultsWe screened 4,821 total references and identified 150 human studies that met inclusion criteria; of these, we focused on 90 studies reporting asthma status of all participants with quantified measures of formaldehyde directly relevant to our study question. Ten studies were combinable in a meta-analysis for childhood asthma diagnosis and five combinable for exacerbation of childhood asthma (wheezing and shortness of breath). Studies had low to probably-low risk of bias across most domains. A 10-μg/m3 increase in formaldehyde exposure was associated with increased childhood asthma diagnosis (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: [1.02, 1.41]). We also found a positive association with exacerbation of childhood asthma (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: [0.92, 1.28]). The overall quality and strength of the evidence was rated as "moderate" quality and "sufficient" for asthma diagnosis and asthma symptom exacerbation in both children and adults. We estimated that EPA's proposed rule on pressed wood products would result in 2,805 fewer asthma cases and total economic benefit of $210 million annually.ConclusionWe concluded there was "sufficient evidence of toxicity" for associations between exposure to formaldehyde and asthma diagnosis and asthma symptoms in both children and adults. Our research documented that when exposures are ubiquitous, excluding health outcomes from benefit-cost analysis can underestimate the true benefits to health from environmental regulations.
Analyzing the Effects of Particle Diameter in Cold Spraying of Thermoplastic Polymers

Cold spray deposition is a process in which bonding between solid microscale particles and a substrate occurs due to high energy impact. In this process, adhesion forms between the impacted particle and the substrate within a certain multi-parameter (material, temperature, particle size, etc.)-dependent impact velocity range. The present work analyzes the effects of particle diameter (for a range of 10-60 µm) on the adhesion of thermoplastic PEEK particles on PEEK substrates using a combined numerical-analytical approach. Our findings indicate that a maximum critical velocity (i.e., impact velocity required for a successful bond formation) of ~360 m/s is required for cold spraying of 10 µm PEEK particles at room temperature. The critical velocity decreases at higher temperatures and for particle diameters in the range of 10 to 40 µm. The predicted critical velocity is shown to increase again for particles with 60 µm diameter. For PEEK particles with diameters from 10 to 60 µm, the critical velocity window is determined to be in the range of 277-360 m/s. The velocity window decreases to 208-270 m/s if the spray temperature is increased to 150°C, i.e., slightly above the nominal glass transition temperature of PEEK.
Direct patterning of TiO2 and TiN based sol-gel using laser interference and nanospheres UV lithography

In this paper, a direct and cost-effective sol-gel method enables to produce stable titanium dioxide and titanium oxynitride photoresists is described. This approach is compatible with many photolithographic techniques. We show that laser interference lithography and nanosphere lithography can be used, respectively, to obtain homogeneous TiO2 diffraction gratings and periodic nanopillars over large areas. Further developments permit to transform TiO2 microstructured based sol-gel to TiN metallic microstructured layer, with good optical properties, by using an innovative rapid thermal nitridation process, which opens the way towards plasmonics and NIR filters based on periodic metallic microstructured layers.
Improving Astronomy Image Quality Through Real-time Wavefront Estimation

We present a new framework for detecting telescope optics aberrations in real-time. The framework divides the problem into two subproblems that are highly amenable to machine learning and optimization. The first involves making local wavefront estimates with a convolutional neural network. The second involves interpolating the optics wavefront from all the local estimates by minimizing a convex loss function. We test our framework with simulations of the Vera Rubin Observatory. In a realistic mini-survey, the algorithm reduces the total magnitude of the optics wavefront by 66%, the optics PSF FWHM by 27%, and increases the Strehl ratio by a factor of 6. The resulting sharper images have the potential to boost the scientific payload for astrophysics and cosmology.
Breakdown of will

Preface Part I. Breakdowns of Will: The Puzzle of Akrasia: 1. Introduction 2. The dichotomy at the root of decision science: do we make choices by destres or by judgments? 3. The warp in how we evaluate the future 4. The warp can create involuntary behaviors: pains, hungers, emotions Part II. A Breakdown of the Will: The Components of Intertemporal Bargaining: 5. The elementary interaction of interests 6. Sophisticated bargaining among internal interests 7. The subjective experience of intertemporal bargaining 8. Getting evidence about a nonlinear motivational system Part III. The Ultimate Breakdown of Will: Nothing Fails Like Success: 9. The downside of willpower 10. An efficient will undermines appetite 11. The need to maintain appetite eclipses the will 12. Conclusions Notes References Indexes.
Some Geometrical Properties of Linear Systems with Implications in Identification

Abstract Some geometrical properties of minimal and non-minimal systems are examined which are of interest in identification and adaptive control and in their own right. The following question is considered: "Given a parametrization of a linear dynamical system, that may represent both minimal and nonminimal systems, does the set of non-minimal systems separate the minimal systems into unconnected regions?" It is shown that the answer is generally yes in the single-input/single -output case, and generally no in the multivariable case. Implications of these results in identification are discussed and a simulation example is given.
Emerging Patterns in Transferring Assessment Practices from F2f to Online Environments.

This study explores the transfer of assessment practices from f2f to online environments by college instructors, with a particular interest in the factors influencing assessment in online learning settings. Assessment is a critical aspect of the learning environment, and considerable research has suggested various methods of formative and summative assessment for the f2f classroom. However, there has been less research into the ways in which these traditional forms of assessment are being incorporated into the online learning environment, or whether they may even be appropriate. This study investigated the perceptions of seven higher education faculty, with experience teaching courses in both the f2f and online environments, regarding the transfer of assessment practices between the two delivery formats. Specifically, this study explored the transfer of assessment practices from f2f to online environments by college instructors in two higher education institutions: a four‑year college and a two‑year community college. The authors propose that an understanding of both assessment for learning and of learning is needed to support effective faculty practices and enhanced student learning in online courses. Consequently, it is important to study the impact of assessment strategies and techniques faculty employ to better understand various instructional practices that effectively centre on enhanced student learning. A phenomenological approach was employed for the analysis of data involving seven online course instructors at two higher education institutions, a four‑year college and a two‑year community college. Findings indicate several factors that influence the transfer of assessment practices from f2f to online environments. Data analysis points to several areas of interest related to the design of online assessment: time management, complexity of content, structure of online medium, student responsibility and initiative, and informal assessment. Authors suggest the incorporation of tradition classroom assessment techniques in the online learning environment should be considered in light of the factors described above. In particular, assessments for continuous and improved learning are important for the development of an engaged community of learners in the online environment. As technologies continue to evolve, a pedagogical framework that considers the learning environment differences between traditional and face to face classes becomes increasing imperative, both in terms of understanding the delivery and mediation of instruction. Such a framework will need to address both aspects of process and product in assessment. Consequently, future research needs to examine what strategies of techniques are effective in the assessment for learning in online instruction.
Abstract 87: Targeting androgen receptor acetylation as a treatment for castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA The goal of our studies is to determine the potential of targeting androgen receptor (AR) acetylation as a means to counter androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa). AR lysine residues 630/632/633 are acetylated in response to androgen-binding. This AR modification has been shown to enhance the transcriptional function of AR and to contribute to prostate tumorigenesis. These observations are supported by the discovery of an AR mutation that mimics this modification in a subset of prostate cancer patients (K630T), as well as increased levels of AR acetyltransferases in some advanced cases. We are specifically interested in the role of this modification in castrate-resistant prostate cancer, and we hypothesize that acetylation contributes to aberrant AR activation in castrate-resistant prostate cancer and possibly in androgen receptor antagonist resistant disease. We are utilizing genetic and pharmacological approaches to determine the function of AR acetylation in PCa, both in cell culture and in in vivo models. We have generated C4-2 cell lines within which we have stably knocked down endogenous AR (shRNA) and replaced it with acetylation-mutant AR (acetylation-null, acetylation-mimic, or lysine-intact controls). We have been performing growth and transcription assays to assess the effect of AR acetylation on these attributes of castrate-resistant PCa. Cells expressing acetylation-mimic AR have increased expression of select AR target gene transcripts, compared to cells expressing AR, null for acetylation. Enhanced AR transcriptional activity corresponds with a growth advantage of acetylation-mimic AR-expressing cells, whereas acetylation-null AR expressing cells undergo a substantial growth inhibition. Studies in mouse xenografts will further clarify whether AR acetylation is a driver of castrate-resistant disease and whether targeting AR acetylation is a rational strategy to treat this advanced disease state. Continued studies will also validate the potential of targeting AR acetylation as a means to combat AR antagonist resistant disease. The growth inhibition of cells expressing acetylation-null AR suggests that reducing AR acetylation may be a means to treat castrate-resistant PCa. Citation Format: Erin Heine, Diane E. Merry, Scott Dehm, Karen E. Knudsen, Heather L. Montie. Targeting androgen receptor acetylation as a treatment for castrate-resistant prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 87. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-87
Culture and the Explanation of Choice behavior

This paper shows how alternative, culturally-determined motivational forces can be substituted for self-interest or rationality in the theory of choice. Several possibilities are considered, including the replacement of preference optimization by such propellants as the selection of the `second best' or the `central' option. It is argued that although all choice behavior, even that consistent with the alternatives considered, can ultimately be understood as satisfying the criterion of rationality, richer and more meaningful explanation is obtained by focusing on culturally significant alternative motivations when the latter turn out, in particular environments, to be more important than self-interest.
Integrated primary health care: Finnish solutions and experiences

Background: Finland has since 1972 had a primary health care system based on health centres run and funded by the local public authorities called ‘municipalities’. On the world map of primary health care systems, the Finnish solution claims to be the most health centre oriented and also the widest, both in terms of the numbers of staff and also of different professions employed. Offering integrated care through multi-professional health centres has been overshadowed by exceptional difficulties in guaranteeing a reasonable access to the population at times when they need primary medical or dental services. Solutions to the problems of access have been found, but they do not seem durable. Description of policy practice: During the past 10 years, the health centres have become a ground of active development structural change, for which no end is in sight. Broader issues of municipal and public administration structures are being solved through rearranging primary health services. In these rearrangements, integration with specialist services and with social services together with mergers of health centres and municipalities are occurring at an accelerated pace. This leads into fundamental questions of the benefits of integration, especially if extensive integration leads into the threat of the loss of identity for primary health care. Discussion: This article ends with some lessons to be learned from the situation in Finland for other countries.
Multibit oversampled Sigma - Delta A/D convertor with nonuniform quantisation

Nonuniformly quantized multibit oversampled Sigma-Delta A/D convertors are proposed which achieve high SNR over a wide dynamic range. Simulation results are presented for first- and second-order 4 bit Sigma-Delta A/D convertors with companding internal quantizers.
Storage of sparse-coded hetero-associations with the competitive synaptic growth network

The authors apply the competitive synaptic growth network (SGN) to the storage and recall of sparse coded binary heteroassociations. The SGN is a two-layer, feedforward neural network utilizing complex neurons having finite extent and active dendritic structures. The performance measure for the SGN is the number of connections needed to store noiseless sparse coded heteroassociations and perfectly recall these associations when given a (perhaps noisy) input vector. Using the same number of network connections, the SGN clearly outperforms the benchmark nonholographic associative memory applied to the same problem. >
Rostrocaudal variation in targeting of N-methyl-D-aspartate and mu-opioid receptors in the rat medial nucleus of the solitary tract.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and mu-opioid receptors (MOR) have been implicated in gustatory and cardiorespiratory visceral reflexes, respectively involving second order sensory neurons in rostral and intermediate portions of the medial nucleus of the solitary tract (mNTS). To determine whether there are cellular sites suggesting functional interaction involving NMDA receptors and MOR in these regions, we examined their ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization by using antisera recognizing the functional subunit of NMDA receptors (NR1) or MOR in rat brain. In both mNTS subdivisions, NR1 labeling was prominently seen along membranes of cytoplasmic organelles in somata and large dendrites, as well as on asymmetric postsynaptic densities in small dendrites and dendritic spines. Many of these profiles also contained MOR immunoreactivity that was mainly distributed along extrasynaptic plasma membranes. Quantitative regional comparison showed that dendrites composed 64% (167 of 261) and 35% (137 of 390) of the dually labeled structures in the rostral and intermediate mNTS, respectively. In contrast, only 11% (28 of 261) of the total dually labeled profiles in the rostral, but 46% (180 of 390) of those in the intermediate mNTS were axon terminals. Many of the terminals containing NR1 and/or MOR were large and formed asymmetric synapses with multiple targets, resembling those features of known visceral afferents. Our results suggest that opioids, active at MOR in mNTS, modulate excitatory visceral reflexes involving mainly postsynaptic NMDA receptors in the rostral region. In addition, they suggest that similar mechanisms exist in the intermediate mNTS, where both NMDA receptors and MOR may differentially regulate the presynaptic release of glutamate from the visceral afferents.
Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Nanoclay Incorporated Room Temperature Vulcanized (RTV) Silicone Foams

Room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone foams (SFs) have unique thermal and chemical properties due to the presence of inorganic Si-O backbones with organic methyl side groups. However, their low mechanical strength and low tear resistance are major drawbacks for many applications. We have incorporated Nanoclay as reinforcing filler to improve mechanical properties of silicone foams. A three step blending process was used to disperse Nanoclay in silicone elastomers. Initially, Nanoclay in the concentration range of 0.5%–1% by weight were mixed to silicone polymer using a mechanical mixer at 1200 rpm for 10 min followed by a tip sonication at 20% amplitude for 1 hr. Finally, a high speed mechanical mixer was used at 2000 rpm for 2 hours. Two different types of Nanoclays with different sizes were investigated. Both compression and tear properties were found to improve with addition of 0.5 wt% Nanoclay. It was found that the smaller Nanoclay particle size showed the best compressive property while the Nanoclay with larger particle size improved tear strength the greatest.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Airborne vertical magnetic gradient for near-surface applications

Many specialized applications in near-surface geophysics require greater spatial and amplitude sensitivity than conventional geophysical systems can provide. Recently developed boom-mounted airborne magnetometer and electromagnetic systems are designed to map unexploded ordnance or other small metallic objects over large tracts of government land. These systems operate at altitudes of 1.5–2.0 m to detect ferrous objects with a mass as small as 2 kg. In this low-altitude environment, factors controlling the applicability of a vertical gradient configuration must be reassessed. Our results demonstrate the superiority of measured vertical gradient over calculated gradient (from total field configurations) for data acquired at these low altitudes. We believe the effectiveness is related to reduction of secondary gridding effects associated with several types of positioning errors, and reduction of correlated rotor and compensation noise.
Some comments on computer simulators for plant growth—1975

Abstract The status of plant growth modeling activities is reviewed for a general audience. Recently, excellent textbooks and review papers have been published which summarize past efforts in modeling plant physiological processes. Anyone interested in plant-growth modeling should be aware of this background material which describes the modeling tradition in the plant sciences. Presently, we need better critical evaluations of such models, including experimental techniques necessary for generating associated data. Such critiques should be aimed at users of large plant-growth models in other disciplines. Recent developments in the construction of cotton growth models are described. Modeling philosophy is discussed in relation to the above.
Canine conceptus appearance and de novo protein synthesis in relation to the time of implantation

Abstract Characterization of proteins secreted by the endometrium and the conceptus, and timing of the secretion relative to endocrine patterns, ovulation and implantation is essential for understanding mechanisms in maternal recognition of pregnancy. Plasma estradiol-17β, progesterone and serum LH were assayed in samples taken daily during proestrus, estrus and diestrus in 8 adult bitches. The day of the LH peak (DL 1) was accepted as the first day on which LH concentrations exceeded the preceding day's value by 2 SD. Embryos were flushed from uteri collected on DL 16 to 20, and incubated with ( 35 S) methionine in MEM; nascent polypeptides in the medium were characterized by 2-dimensional SDS-PAGE. Some attached embryos were first observed on DL 20, and all embryos were attached on DL 22. Major radiolabeled proteins recognized on fluorograms were canine protein 1 (cP1) (Mr = 86,000, pI 5), cP2 (Mr = 42–44,000, pI 5.5−5), cP4 (Mr = 30−28,000, pI 5), cP6 (Mr = 20–25,000 pI 5.5minus;5) and the canine conceptus protein 7 (cCP7) (Mr = 18,000, pI 4). All the proteins were found in samples taken from DL 19 to 20. Proteins cP1 through cP6 were identified as produced by the embryos in this study. They were found to migrate on 2D-SDS-PAGE in a manner judged to be identical to proteins that had been produced by the endometrium. Canine Conceptus Protein 7 was found to be secreted prior to implantation, only by blastocysts.
Transoral robotic reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects: a case series.

Background Large resections of oropharyngeal tumors in the absence of a mandibulotomy create a reconstructive challenge, because flaps are often necessary, and inset requires contouring and suturing in a confined space with limited line of sight. Transoral robotically assisted reconstruction is the logical solution. Methods The DaVinci Surgical System was used in five cases of oropharyngeal reconstruction. All oropharyngeal tumors were resected without a mandibulotomy, using either a transoral robotic approach or a lateral pharyngotomy. Robotic reconstruction was performed using a radial forearm, an anterolateral thigh flap, a facial artery myomucosal flap, and primary closure. The robot was also used to perform an arterial anastomosis. Results All cases were performed with an intact mandible. This resulted in complex oropharyngeal defects with limited access. The robot was used to inset free flaps or local flaps, or to close primarily by improving access and precision in the oropharynx. The robot was used to perform a microvascular anastomosis between two, 2-mm arteries without hand-sewn revision. There were no surgical complications, flap failures, take-backs, or fistulas. All patients have been decannulated and are tolerating an oral diet without tube feeding. Conclusions Minimally invasive resections provide locoregional control without the morbidity of mandibulotomy or high-dose chemoradiation. Transoral robotic reconstruction allows access and precision within the oropharynx. It is safe and effective, and may expand minimally invasive resections where reconstruction is not possible through traditional approaches.
The Power of Teacher Leaders: Their Roles, Influence and Impact

Edited by Nathan Bond. New York, NY: Routledge. © 2015. 226 pages. ISBN: 978-0-415-74165-1.The Power of Teacher Leaders: Their Roles, Influence, and Impact captures what teacher leaders are current...
Eyapaha for today: American Indian radio in the Dakotas

American Indian radio serves the role of “eyapaha,”; the voice in the community that ties people together across the vast prairies of North and South Dakota. Local news, tribal council meetings, public service announcements, birth and death notices, and indigenous music are essential programming on the reservations, where Indian people seek to maintain and enhance their tribal cultures and languages. This article compares the six American Indian radio stations in the Dakotas, examining their facilities, budgets, programming, and governance.
Travels along the viral-immunobiology highway.

Summary: Michael Oldstone began his biomedical research career over three decades ago, showing contrary to established scientific dogma, the host was not tolerant but made a specific antiviral immune response during persistent virus infections. Further, the immune response to the virus actually caused tissue damage and disease, the first observation that several manifestations ordinarily accompanying infections were due to the host's antiviral immune response. These observations made originally with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and murine retroviruses were extended to other microbial infections including those in humans. Buildings on this work, he showed that antibodies to virus could recognize similar amino acid sequences or motifs found in host/cell proteins and cause disease. This cross-reactivity, referred to as molecular mimicry, has and is now been extensively studied by many laboratories. Another mechanism by which persistent virus infection produced disease was uncovered by cocumenting that viruses could alter the differentiation or “luxury” function of cells with causing cell destruction, thereby altering homeostasis. Finally, Oldstone was one of the first to show that viruses caused immunosuppression, abrogated immunologic surveillance resulting in viral persistence, work carried out long before HIV was discovered. He has also defined host-cell receptors for several viruses. In recent studies, host-cell receptor used by LCMV strains or variants that cause persistence have been identified. This led to observations that a single amino acid on the viral glycoprotein provides the infectious agent a selective ability ot displace extra-cellular matrix molecule, bind to and infect dendritic cells leading to their inability to act as antigen presenting cells thereby aborting the host's ability to generate the antiviral immune response required to clean the infection.
Real-time DSP for adaptive filters: A teaching opportunity

Engineering educators have found that well-chosen demonstrations of digital signal processing (DSP) can result in improved comprehension and better retention of topics for the majority of our students. In this paper, we discuss the use of a demonstration using real-time DSP to implement a basic adaptive filter for noise cancellation, utilizing newly-available DSP hardware from Texas Instruments. A description of the new hardware platform, the demonstration used, and results from a short survey administered to the students regarding the demonstration are provided.
Bulk magnetic susceptibility measurements for determination of fly ash presence in concrete

Abstract Reproducible measurements of magnetic susceptibility χm of laboratory and field extracted concrete core samples were achieved with simple instrumentation. There was a nearly linear relationship between χm and the mass of fly ash per unit volume, or its volume fraction. The magnetic response of a given FA was not significantly affected by the process of curing and subsequent evolution of the concrete over two years, or by carbonation of the concrete. Field extracted concrete cores exhibited a wide range of χm values. The group of specimens with the highest values of χm also had the lowest chloride ion diffusivity, consistent with the presence of admixed FA. Conversely, specimens with nil magnetic response included those from concrete with the highest chloride diffusivity. The magnetic measurements provided reasonable order-of-magnitude indications of FA presence in field extracted cores. However, precise determination of FA content from magnetic measurements of field cores does not appear feasible in the absence of additional information.
Semiclassical description of scattering

Abstract The quantum-mechanical scattering amplitude can be simply related to the classical deflection function when the conditions for a semiclassical analysis of the quantum-mechanical scattering are met. Various interesting characteristic features of the scattering are related to special features of the classical deflection function. The characteristic types of scattering discussed are: interference, when the deflection function possesses more than one branch at a given angle; rainbow scattering, when the deflection function has a relative maximum or minimum; glory scattering, when the deflection function passes smoothly through 0° or through an integral multiple of ± π; and orbiting, when the deflection function possesses a singularity. The consideration of the characteristic features of semiclassical scattering makes possible the analysis of an observed differential cross section to yield the classical deflection function, which in turn may be used to construct the potential.
Correlating Speaker Gestures in Political Debates with Audience Engagement Measured via EEG

We hypothesize that certain speaker gestures can convey significant information that are correlated to audience engagement. We propose gesture attributes, derived from speakers' tracked hand motions to automatically quantify these gestures from video. Then, we demonstrate a correlation between gesture attributes and an objective method of measuring audience engagement: electroencephalography (EEG) in the domain of political debates. We collect 47 minutes of EEG recordings from each of 20 subjects watching clips of the 2012 U.S. Presidential debates. The subjects are examined in aggregate and in subgroups according to gender and political affiliation. We find statistically significant correlations between gesture attributes (particularly extremal pose) and our feature of engagement derived from EEG both with and without audio. For some stratifications, the Spearman rank correlation reaches as high as rho = 0.283 with p
A recurrent pattern in the list of quadratic residues mod a prime and in the values of the liouville λ function

Abstract Certain patterns of values of totally multiplicative functions are studied. The main theorem is that if λ is totally multiplicative and assumes only the values ±1 then the pattern λ(x) = λ(x − 1) = λ(x − 4) = 1 occurs infinitely often. In fact, given S there is a positive B, depending only on S, so that this pattern occurs with S ≤ x ≤ S + B, for every choice of λ.
Vigabatrin can enhance electroretinographic responses in pigmented and albino rats

Purpose To evaluate the effects of the antiepileptic medication vigabatrin (VGB) on the retina of pigmented rats.