cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XEROSTOMIA : DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common complaint that may be caused by several conditions, which include side effects of a wide variety of drugs, such as antidepressants, therapeutic radiation to the head and neck, dehydration, diabetes, and diseases involving salivary glands, such as Sjogren's syndrome. The complaint of dry mouth may or may not be associated with decreased salivary gland function. Individuals with xerostomia complain of problems with eating, speaking, swallowing, and wearing dentures. Some people also complain of salivary gland enlargement or changes in taste. Lack of saliva may predispose one to oral infections, such as candidiasis, and increase the risk of dental caries. Management of the individual patient with xerostomia includes assessment of salivary gland function, replacement therapy, and prevention of caries and oral candidiasis. Early recognition and management of xerostomia may prevent devastating dental disease and help to improve the quality of life.
LV systolic point-cloud model to quantify accuracy of CT derived regional strain

We present an analytical LV systolic model derived from human CT data to serve as the ground truth for optimization and validation of a previously published CT-derived regional strain metric called SQUEEZ. Physiologically-accurate strains were applied to each vertex of a clinically derived end-diastolic LV mesh to create analytical end-systolic poses exhibiting normal function as well as regional hypokinesia of four sizes (17.5mm, 14mm, 10.5mm, and 7mm in diameter), each with a programmed severe, medium, and subtle dysfunction. Regional strain estimates were obtained by registering the end-diastolic mesh to each end-systolic mesh condition using a non-rigid registration algorithm. Ground-truth models of normal function and of severe hypokinesia were used to identify the optimal parameters in the registration algorithm, and to measure the accuracy of detecting regional dysfunction of varying sizes and severities. We found that for normal LV systolic contraction, SQUEEZ values in all 16 AHA segments of the LV were accurately measured (within ±0.05). For cases with regional dysfunction, the errors in SQUEEZ in the region around the dysfunction increased with decreasing size of regional dysfunction. The mean SQUEEZ values of the 17.5mm and 14mm diameter dysfunctional regions, which we hypothesize are the most clinically relevant, were accurate to within 0.05.
“I Couldn’t See a Downside”: Decision-Making About Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Abstract Purpose The aim of the article was to understand adolescents' and parents' decision-making process related to gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Methods We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with transgender adolescents who began testosterone for GAHT in the prior year and the parents of such adolescents. Questions focused on decision-making roles, steps in the decision process, and factors considered in the decision. Participants used pie charts to describe the division of responsibility for the decision. All interviews were coded by at least two members of the research team with disagreements resolved through discussion. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Seventeen adolescents and 13 parents were interviewed (12 dyads). The process of deciding about GAHT involves a series of small conversations, typically with the adolescent advocating to start treatment and the parent feeling hesitant. In most cases, after seeking information from the Internet, healthcare providers and personal contacts move toward acceptance and agree to start treatment. Although adolescents have some short-term concerns, such as about needles, parents’ concerns relate more to long-term risks. Ultimately, for both parents and adolescents, the benefits of treatment outweigh any concerns, and they are in agreement about the goals of personal confidence, comfort in one's body and happiness. Conclusions To the extent that the decision about GAHT is a medical decision, the decision process is similar to others. However, decisions about GAHT are much more about gender identity than medical risks, suggesting that interventions based in a medical framework may not aid in supporting decision-making.
Back to the Future: Library Book Clubs for Individuals with Intellectual Disability (ID)

This article provides context for library services for individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and then provides a case study and preliminary data on new efforts in the field for public libraries, school media centers, and academic libraries connected with the educational system. While many libraries are dedicated to serving diverse populations, they have done little to support individuals with ID who have difficulty using library services and accessing their collections. Efforts to advertise, to develop specialized collections, and to utilize assistive technology have floundered on high costs and low returns. These shortcomings are especially critical for adults with ID. While the law mandates the inclusion of individuals with ID in the public school system, there are few opportunities for education, employment, or socializing for those who age out; the library, as a fundamental public institution, is one of the few resources available to them. For the benefit of both libraries and adults with ID, it is critical that libraries develop improved services for this group of patrons. The case study in this article provides data on a book club for persons with ID held at an academic library and based on the model of the Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) organization. By comparing data between the case study and 30 similar book clubs at public libraries throughout the nation, the article develops a profile of what these book clubs do and how to measure their successes. We conclude that such clubs represent a low-cost, effective way for libraries to support persons with ID that helps libraries fulfill their mission of serving diverse groups and provides critical support to this particular population.
Web Exclusive. Annals On Call - Making Sense of Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines.

In this episode of Annals On Call, Dr. Centor discusses screening for breast cancer with Dr. Reem A. Mustafa of the University of Kansas.
Implications of the New 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines for Hypertension.

Automated validated devices should be used for measuring blood pressure (BP). The 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) hypertension guidelines recommend that a systolic BP between 120-129 mmHg with a diastolic BP less than 80 mmHg should be treated with lifestyle measures. These guidelines recommend treatment with lifestyle measures plus BP lowering drugs for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in persons with clinical cardiovascular disease and an average systolic BP of ≥130 mmHg or an average diastolic BP≥80 mmHg. These guidelines recommend treatment with lifestyle measures plus BP lowering drugs for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in persons with an estimated 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ≥ 10% and an average systolic BP ≥130 mmHg or an average diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg. These guidelines recommend treatment with lifestyle measures plus BP lowering drugs for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in persons with an estimated 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease of 20/10 mmHg above their BP target. White coat hypertension must be excluded before starting treatment with antihypertensive drugs in persons with hypertension at low risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Antihypertensive drug treatment for different disorders is discussed.
Melanocortin 4 Receptor Gene Sequence Analyses in Diverse Populations

Background: Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a G-protein-coupled receptor involved in appetite regulation. Mutations in the MC4R gene are the most common cause of monogenic obesity. More than 200 sequence variants in the MC4R gene have been associated with obesity, although the vast majority of these data have been obtained from populations of European ancestry. The prevalence and mutation profile of MC4R is thus poorly characterized in other ancestries/ethnicities. Materials and Methods: We surveyed the allele frequencies of the MC4R variants of multiple racial/ethnic populations represented in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and sequenced the MC4R gene in a diverse population of 60 individuals with extreme obesity. Results: Allele frequencies were similar for most classes of variants except for a higher rate of synonymous substitutions in the African gnomAD population. We also identified two apparently novel MC4R variants and two variants with much higher allele frequencies in African populations whose functional impacts are not yet known. Conclusion: These results highlight the need for characterizing MC4R variants in diverse populations with extreme obesity.
Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Era of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

No abstract available Keywords: COVID-19; cardiovascular diseases; primary prevention; secondary prevention.
Abstract 177: Brain-Wide Circuit Dynamics of Post-Stroke Recovery After Optogenetic Stimulation

Background: Post-stroke optogenetic stimulations have been shown to promote functional recovery. However, the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying such recovery remain unclear. Elucidating ke...
Spatiotemporal Diversifications of Urban Activities and Travels in Egaleo Municipality, Attica Region

This paper presents diversifications of systematic activities and correlated systematic travels, within 12 years a period. As systematic activities and correlated ssystematic travels are defined those urban activities and travels that are frequently repeated, have same start and end time, travels have same origin and destination, using same transport means and activities take place in the same spatial location. Data derive from qualitative questionnaire survey, Systematic Activities – Travels (SAT) Survey, specifically designed for easy and fast implementation, resulting to large volumes of data on systematic activities and correlated systematic travels characteristics. As 2004–2005 initial SAT Survey covered the Greater Athens Metropolitan Area and for the 2018 survey Egaleo was selected as a low income, high population density. Municipality facing the outcomes of Greece’s recent economic crisis. Egaleo is also a typical example of Metropolitan’s Area deprived western region. Research results indicate significant changes in transport mode choices, travels’ length and duration, as well as changes to activities’ participation, due to the economic recession. At the same time, the Metro Line 3 expansion and the operation of the new Egaleo Metro Station has a significantly positive impact in systematic activities participation choices, especially in the economic recession period.
Who Outlives Whom

A and B are life partners. A is exactly age x and B is exactly age y. Let ω be the youngest age at which everyone in the general population, regardless of gender, is dead (about age 120). The Unite...
Treating Moderate Aortic Stenosis: Too Early or Too Late?

It is well established that symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) carries a poor prognosis and requires valvular replacement for definitive treatment. While moderate AS has traditionally been thought of as a benign prelude to the aforementioned, recent data suggests that it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This article will consider treatment strategies for moderate AS, including early surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement and medical therapy. There are few randomized controlled trials dedicated to medical and surgical therapies for moderate AS. Statins, antihypertensive agents and bisphosphonates have not consistently demonstrated an effect on AS progression, timing of aortic valve replacement, or improvement in patient outcomes. Early surgical intervention for patients with concomitant left ventricular dysfunction has been studied in a retrospective manner and appears promising. Aside from the routine management of comorbidities (i.e., coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia), no specific treatment is recommended that is exclusively directed towards moderate AS. Clinicians should maintain a high vigilance for AS progression and the development of symptoms. Given the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a randomized controlled trial is underway to evaluate its benefits in patients with moderate AS and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
The Impact of Graduate Education on the Mental Complexity of Mid-Career Military Officers

This paper empirically explores baseline levels of mental complexity among military graduate students as defined by constructive-developmental theory, reports changes in baseline scores during their year-long enrollment in a professional graduate degree program, and, through the use of quasi-experimental design and comparison groups, examines the efficacy of developmental interventions. We used the subject-object interview with a 16-item scale for pretesting and posttesting. This study shows that professional graduate education can have a significant impact on the development of one’s self-authoring capacity. Growth rates exceeded expectations; 69% of participants increasing mental complexity by one level and half of participants changed at rates unanticipated by the previous research. Growth rates were higher for participants entering graduate school with a socialized form of mind versus a self-authoring form of mind with 88% of dominant socialized experiencing growth versus 46% of dominant self-authoring. Findings suggest that graduate education programs can accelerate developmental growth toward self-authorship.
The Battle Over Rights is the Problem but Judges are not the Solution Forthcoming Constitutional Commentary

In his new book, How Rights Went Wrong, Professor Jamal Greene takes apart much of American constitutional law in a detailed and beautifully written account of how the Supreme Court's approach to rights has made us more polarized and more divided. But Professor Greene, who wants the Court to take a more detailed, fact specific, and contextual approach to rights cases is looking for answers in the wrong place. The solution to the Court's inability to provide some measure of balance to our great divides over rights is to return most of those issues to the political process where, absent clear text or history, they belong.
At the heart of microbial conversations: endocannabinoids and the microbiome in cardiometabolic risk

Cardiometabolic syndrome encompasses intertwined risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, elevated triglycerides, abdominal obesity, and other maladaptive metabolic and inflammatory aberrat...
Nonlinearly Shaped Pulses in the LCLS-II Photoinjector

We present a novel nonlinear laser shaping technique to increase X-ray Free Electron Laser brightness and preliminary results estimate an improvement of 25% in emittance relative to the standard configuration of the LCLS-II.
Subsidies, quality, and regulation in the U.S. nursing home industry

In the nursing home industry, government regulators are concerned with assuring a high standard of quality, providing the poor with access to care, and controlling the expansion of the industry. To this end, the government has created the Medicaid (and Medicare) patient subsidy programs and the Certificate of Need (CON) cost containment program. This paper theoretically and empirically analyzes the impact of Medicaid and CON policy on nursing home behavior. The theoretical analysis is complicated by the fact that both proprietary and ‘not for profit’ nursing homes exist, and the empirical work is complicated by the problem that quality is not directly observed.
Kinetic analysis of the aerobic degradation of chlorinated ethenes by the mycobacterium ELW-1 and chlorinated ethanes and ethenes by rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC® 21198™

approved: ______________________________________________________ Lewis Semprini Bioremediation of chlorinated ethenes by the augmentation of contaminated soils with microorganisms is a proposed method of reducing contaminant concentrations in groundwater. To determine the viability of using ELW-1 or R. rhodochrous for groundwater remediation, kinetic analyses of transformation rates must be performed. The focus of this research was to determine: 1) the specific rates of contaminant transformation when ELW-1 was exposed to chlorinated ethenes, 2) if R. rhodochrous has the ability to transform chlorinated ethenes and ethanes and 3) kinetic parameters of cometabolic processes using a modified Monod model to account for decrease in cell activity over time. Degradation rates for ELW-1 include 5.1 μmol/mg TSS-d for vinyl chloride (VC), 0.2 μmol/mg TSS-d for cis-Dichloroethene (c-DCE), and 4.1 μmol/mg TSS-d for trichloroethene (TCE). Chlorinated ethenes and ethanes were successfully degraded by R. rhodochrous with rates for VC, c-DCE, and TCE at 19.5 μmol/mg TSS-d 3.1 μmol/mg TSS-d and 0.1 μmol/mg TSS-d respectively. Transformation capacity analyses were performed with ELW-1 and TCE giving an estimated capacity of 0.04 mg TCE/mg TSS. A cometabolic transformation capacity model was also successfully fit to experimental data for the transformation of c-DCE by ELW-1.
The View from Above and Below: The Effects of Power and Interdependence Asymmetries on Conflict Dynamics and Outcomes in Organizations

Deutsch’s theory of conflict resolution is a vital model for understanding the fundamental dynamics of conflict and its constructive resolution. However, the original formulation of the theory assumed equal power and equal degrees of interdependence between the parties in conflict. Although subsequent research has investigated the effects of relative power and interdependence differences on negotiations and conflict, they have yet to be integrated into one model that can account for interactions between the dimensions. This article presents research investigating propositions from a new, integrated model of power, interdependence, and conflict, which extends Deutsch’s theory into situations of asymmetrical power and interdependence. First, two exploratory studies are described that set the foundation for our model. Then, an experiment is presented that induced differences in relative power and interdependence through different versions of a work conflict scenario. The findings supported our model. Different combinations of relative power (high, equal, or low), types of interdependence (cooperative, competitive, or mixed), and degrees of interdependence (high or low) led to significantly different conflict orientations—which affected perceptions, experiences, and responses to conflict. Implications for future research are discussed.
Compositional Methods for Probabilistic Systems

We present a compositional trace-based model for probabilistic systems. The behavior of a system with probabilistic choice is a stochastic process, namely, a probability distribution on traces, or "bundle." Consequently, the semantics of a system with both nondeterministic and probabilistic choice is a set of bundles. The bundles of a composite system can be obtained by combining the bundles of the components in a simple mathematical way. Refinement between systems is bundle containment. We achieve assume-guarantee compositionality for bundle semantics by introducing two scoping mechanisms. The first mechanism, which is standard in compositional modeling, distinguishes inputs from outputs and hidden state. The second mechanism, which arises in probabilistic systems, partitions the state into probabilistically independent regions.
Flavin and pyridine nucleotide oxidation-reduction changes in perfused rat liver. I. Anoxia and subcellular localization of fluorescent flavoproteins.

Flavin and pyridine nucleotide fluorescence was continuously monitored from the surface of the hemoglobin-free, perfused rat liver with the use of a new double fluorometer. In response to anoxia or after addition of inhibitors of the respiratory chain, the fluorescence intensity excited at 436 mµ decreased, while that excited at 366 mµ increased, representing reduction of flavin and pyridine nucleotides, respectively. Subsequent reoxidation of pyridine nucleotides in the cytosol by the addition of pyruvate was not accompanied by a change in flavin fluorescence. Maximal flavin reduction could be achieved by complete inhibition of the respiratory chain in the presence of oxygen. Titration with acetoacetate showed that mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides were in equilibrium with the fluorescent flavoproteins. Microsomal oxidation-reduction reactions appeared to be reflected by small changes in pyridine nucleotide fluorescence, but not by changes of flavin fluorescence. It is concluded, therefore, that the flavin signal is predominantly due to mitochondrial flavoproteins with approximately equal contributions from flavin pools located on both the substrate and the oxygen side of the rotenone block. The continuous monitoring of flavin and pyridine nucleotide fluorescence as an experimental approach for studies of compartmentation of oxidation-reduction systems is discussed.
Rapid evolution of male reproductive genes in the descent of man

A diverse body of morphological and genetic evidence has suggested that traits pertaining to male reproduction may have evolved much more rapidly than other types of character1,2,3. Recently, DNA sequence comparisons have also shown a very high level of divergence in male reproductive proteins between closely related Drosophila species4,5,6, among marine invertebrates7,8 and between mouse and rat9. Here we show that rapid evolution of male reproductive genes is observable in primates and is quite notable in the lineages to human and chimpanzee. Nevertheless, rapid evolution by itself is not necessarily an indication of positive darwinian selection; relaxation of negative selection is often equally compatible with the DNA sequence data. By taking three statistical approaches, we show that positive darwinian selection is often the driving force behind this rapid evolution. These results open up opportunities to test the hypothesis that sexual selection plays some role in the molecular evolution of higher primates.
La United Fruit Company en Colombia

El articulo discute los antecedentes de las companias bananeras en America Central y el Caribe en el siglo XIX. En el contexto de las fusiones de finales de siglo que dieron lugar a los trusts norteamericanos tuvo lugar la fundacion de la United Fruit Company. El autor discute el caracter "dual" de la inversion norteamericana en la region: de una parte, desarrollo economico, de otra, corrupcion y presiones politicas. Narra los origenes de los cultivos de banano en el Departamento del Magdalena, la instalacion de la multinacional norteamericana en la region, lo mismo que las estrategias de la compania para monopolizar el cultivo y la exportacion del fruto. Termina con los hechos de la Masacre de las Bananeras en 1928 y sus repercusiones en la politica nacional de la epoca.
Excitons in a quantum wire subjected to a magnetic field

We present variational calculations of the ground-state exciton binding energy and exciton radius in a quantum wire subjected to an external magnetic field. The magnetic field squeezes the exciton wave function, causing the binding energy to become very large and increase superlinearly with the field; at the same time, the exciton radius shrinks. The squeezing is more effective in wider wires, where the exciton wave function is ``softer.'' These results are consistent with recently reported experimental observations.
Investigation of the structure of Au(110) using angle resolved low energy K+ ion backscattering

Abstract The reconstructed Au(110) surface has been studied by angle resolved low energy ion scattering using 600 eV K + as a probe ion. The backscattered intensities and strong multiple scattering features are consistent with very low neutralization probability and indicate the relatively higher sensitivity of alkali ion compared to inert gas ion scattering. The strong dependence upon incidence azimuthal angle attests to sensitivity of the technique as a probe of surface structure. Energy distributions are obtained for the clean and annealed Au(110) surface as a function of polar and azimuthal angles of incidence and of in-plane total scattering angle. The energies and the intensities of the single and multiple scattering features are characterized. Initial analysis of the data indicates that the distorted hexagonal overlayer and the disordered missing row models are unlikely descriptions of the surface. Comparison with computer simulation results indicates that an unrelaxed missing row model is also improbable.
A tiger behind many doors : multiple genetic pathways to malignant glioma

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary human brain tumours, but their classification remains controversial and effective therapies remain elusive. As a result, malignant gliomas have come under intense scientific scrutiny, in the hope of elucidating the molecular basis of glial tumourigenesis. These studies have yielded insights into the genetic events that underlie glioma formation and progression, and have shown multiple distinct genetic pathways that lead to the common malignant endpoint of glioblastoma multiforme. Such genetic pathways mirror clinicopathological avenues of glioma progression and suggest that molecular genetic approaches might have clinical utility in the coming years.
Statistical mechanics of black holes.

We analyze the statistical mechanics of a gas of neutral and charged black holes. The microcanonical ensemble is the only possible approach to this system, and the equilibrium configuration is the one for which most of the energy is carried by a single black hole. Schwarzschild black holes are found to obey the statistical bootstrap condition. In all cases, the microcanonical temperature is identical to the Hawking temperature of the most massive black hole in the gas. U(1) charges in general break the bootstrap property. The problems of black-hole decay and of quantum coherence are also addressed.
Familial Correlates of Overt and Relational Aggression between Young Adolescent Siblings

Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group structural equation modeling were used to test correlates of overt and relational aggression between young adolescent siblings across four groups (i.e., male/male, male/female, female/male, and female/female sibling pairs), using 433 predominately European American families. Similar patterns of associations were found across groups when distinguished by gender composition. Family environment emerged as an important factor in explaining internalizing problems as well as overt/relational aggression for both younger and older siblings. While perceived maternal psychological control was significantly positively related to overt/relational aggression and internalizing problems for younger siblings, it was significantly positively associated with only relational aggression for older siblings. Findings also provided partial support for the positive linkages between young adolescents’ aggression and their own and siblings’ internalizing problems above and beyond the aforementioned family and maternal variables. Results of the current study extend the understanding of adolescent aggression to a new relational context, or among siblings, and highlight the role of family factors in promoting or buffering the impact of aggression on internalizing behaviors.
A chimeric fusion protein engineered with disparate functionalities-enzymatic activity and self-assembly.

The fusion of protein domains is an important mechanism in molecular evolution and a valuable strategy for protein engineering. We are interested in creating fusion proteins containing both globular and structural domains so that the final chimeric protein can be utilized to create novel bioactive biomaterials. Interactions between fused domains can be desirable in some fusion protein applications, but in this case the optimal configuration will enable the bioactivity to be unaffected by the structural cross-linking. To explore this concept, we have created a fusion consisting of a thermostable aldo-keto reductase, two α-helical leucine zipper domains, and a randomly coiled domain. The resulting protein is bifunctional in that (1) it can self-assemble into a hydrogel material as the terminal leucine zipper domains form interprotein coiled-coil cross-links, and (2) it expresses alcohol dehydrogenase and aldo-keto reductase activity native to AdhD from Pyrococcus furiosus. The kinetic parameters of the enzyme are minimally affected by the addition of the helical appendages, and rheological studies demonstrate that a supramolecular assembly of the bifunctional protein building blocks forms a hydrogel. An active hydrogel is produced at temperatures up to 60 °C, and we demonstrate the functionality of the biomaterial by monitoring the oxidation and reduction of the native substrates by the gel. The design of chimeric fusion proteins with both globular and structural domains is an important advancement for the creation of bioactive biomaterials for biotechnology applications such as tissue engineering, bioelectrocatalysis, and biosensing and for the study of native assembled enzyme structures and clustered enzyme systems such as metabolons.
Design and correlation of the cepa test: an in vitro ocular irritation test

AbstractAn in vitro ocular irritation test, the corneal epithelial plasminogen activator (CEPA) test, is proposed as an alternative to the in vivo Draize eye irritan-cy test. The scientific rationale and basis, the test protocol, and the score system of this test are described. The results of two correlation studies in which 15 chemicals and products were evaluated are summarized. The advantages, disadvantages, and areas for refinement of the CEPA test are discussed.
Corrigendum to "Probabilistic calibration of a Greenland Ice Sheet model using spatially resolved synthetic observations: toward projections of ice mass loss with uncertainties" published in Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 1933–1943, 2014

W. Chang1, P. J. Applegate2, M. Haran3, and K. Keller4 1Department of Statistics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA 2Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA 3Department of Statistics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA 4Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Response Patterning in a Repeated Acquisition Baseline with Rats

Sumwry.-A response-pattern analysis was performed on data obtained from rats trained on a baseline of repeated acquisition of behavioral chains. The response patterns identified and analyzed were perseverative responses to a single lever (runs) and a response to eich lever in either a left-to-right or rightto-left direction (traverses). The analysis indicated that runs and traverses accounted for between 50 and 70% of all error response and between 80 and 100% of all timeout responses. In addition, the number of traverses varied according to the composition of a sequence: higher frequencies occurred when the sequence required a traverse for completion, e.g., LRCL, than when it did not, e.g., LRLC. The differentiation of sequence type, however, was not systematically related to the level of error or timeout responding. The results suggest that the generation and maintenance of response patterns influences control of the repeated-acquisition process. The procedure of repeated acquisition of behavioral chains was devised by Boren ( 1963) to investigate behavior in transition. Boren ( 1969) described the within-session acquisition process as showing progressive reduction in random incorrect responding which resulted in a semi-stable mixture of correct and incorrect responses emitted during each trial. Boren and Devine (1968) reported the repetitive inclusion of incorrect responses during sequence completions when there was no tirneout (TO) stirnulas contingent on their occurrence. They concluded that the errors were maintained by adventitious reinforcement. This finding represents the first observation of repetitive response patterns during repeated acquisition. Thompson (1970) modified Boren's procedure for use with pigeons. He generated four-member response sequences in a three-key box for pigeons by illuminating all keys with the same color and having a different color associated with each member of the chain. Key colors were presented in the same order each session, i.e., yellow, green, red, white, but the correct sequence of responses changed each session, e.g., left, right, center, right (LRCR) , followed by center, left, right, left (CLRL). With this method Thompson (1971) obtained pat
Parallel, real-time monocular visual odometry

We present a real-time, accurate, large-scale monocular visual odometry system for real-world autonomous outdoor driving applications. The key contributions of our work are a series of architectural innovations that address the challenge of robust multithreading even for scenes with large motions and rapidly changing imagery. Our design is extensible for three or more parallel CPU threads. The system uses 3D-2D correspondences for robust pose estimation across all threads, followed by local bundle adjustment in the primary thread. In contrast to prior work, epipolar search operates in parallel in other threads to generate new 3D points at every frame. This significantly boosts robustness and accuracy, since only extensively validated 3D points with long tracks are inserted at keyframes. Fast-moving vehicles also necessitate immediate global bundle adjustment, which is triggered by our novel keyframe design in parallel with pose estimation in a thread-safe architecture. To handle inevitable tracking failures, a recovery method is provided. Scale drift is corrected only occasionally, using a novel mechanism that detects (rather than assumes) local planarity of the road by combining information from triangulated 3D points and the inter-image planar homography. Our system is optimized to output pose within 50 ms in the worst case, while average case operation is over 30 fps. Evaluations are presented on the challenging KITTI dataset for autonomous driving, where we achieve better rotation and translation accuracy than other state-of-the-art systems.
On Vinogradov's Constant in Goldbach's Ternary Problem

Abstract This paper shows that under the assumption of the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis, every odd integer greater than 10 20 can be written as a sum of three primes. Using the computational results it may be possible to check the Ternary Conjecture for all odd numbers
Differential sensitivity to mutagens by Photobacterium phosphoreum

Abstract The in vivo luminescence responses to eight different mutagenic chemicals were assessed in Photobacterium phosphoreum . The mutagenic effects of these compounds were determined with an N -methyl- N ′-nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced dark mutant. Treatment of this mutant with compounds known to attack the guanine sites in DA (4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, mitomycin C and MNNG) stimulated in vivo bioluminescence by a factor of 1×10 3 above control levels after a 10 h exposure period. Bioluminescence was induced by the intercalating agents, ethidium bromide (detectable after 12 h treatment) and 9-aminoacridine (detectable only after streaking treated cultures onto agar plates). No significant induction of bioluminescence was found for hydrazine, novobiocin or 2-aminobiphenyl. Cytotoxic concentrations of these chemicals were measured by the diminution of light output in a bioluminescent strain of P. phosphoreum .
Synapsin maintains the reserve vesicle pool and spatial segregation of the recycling pool in Drosophila presynaptic boutons

We employed optical detection of the lipophylic dye FM1-43 and focal recordings of quantal release to investigate how synapsin affects vesicle cycling at the neuromuscular junction of synapsin knockout (Syn KO) Drosophila. Loading the dye employing high K+ stimulation, which presumably involves the recycling pool of vesicles in exo/endocytosis, stained the periphery of wild type (WT) boutons, while in Syn KO the dye was redistributed towards the center of the bouton. When endocytosis was promoted by cyclosporin A pretreatment, the dye uptake was significantly enhanced in WT boutons, and the entire boutons were stained, suggesting staining of the reserve vesicle pool. In Syn KO boutons, the same loading paradigm produced fainter staining and significantly faster destaining. When the axon was stimulated electrically, a distinct difference in dye loading patterns was observed in WT boutons at different stimulation frequencies: a low stimulation frequency (3 Hz) produced a ring-shaped staining pattern, while at a higher frequency (10 Hz) the dye was redistributed towards the center of the bouton and the fluorescence intensity was significantly increased. This difference in staining patterns was essentially disrupted in Syn KO boutons, although synapsin did not affect the rate of quantal release. Stimulation of the nerve in the presence of bafilomycin, the blocker of the transmitter uptake, produced significantly stronger depression in Syn KO boutons. These results, taken together, suggest that synapsin maintains the reserve pool of vesicles and segregation between the recycling and reserve pools, and that it mediates mobilization of the reserve pool during intense stimulation.
Tourism in India: Growth and opportunity

India presents a great window of opportunity for hotel operators seeking to expand into Asia. Although the government wants to encourage tourism, the challenges of operating hotels in India can still be daunting for an international hotel company. Here are the opportunities, the challenges, and some advice
Abstract IA13: Recurrent SPOP mutations define a distinct molecular subclass of prostate cancer

Abstract Prostate cancer is a clinically heterogeneous disease with marked variability in outcomes. To identify somatic mutations that may drive prostate cancer and aid in molecular characterization, we sequenced the exomes of 112 tumor/normal pairs obtained from men with localized disease. SPOP (Speckled Type POZ) was the most frequently mutated gene, with mutations involving the SPOP substrate binding cleft in 6-15% of tumors from multiple independent cohorts. SPOP-mutant prostate cancers lacked ETS rearrangements and exhibited a distinct pattern of genomic alterations. Thus, SPOP mutations may define a new molecular subtype of prostate cancer. Citation Format: Christopher E. Barbieri, Sylvan C. Baca, Michael S. Lawrence, Gad Getz, Mark A. Rubin, Levi A. Garraway, On the behalf of the Broad Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College Prostate Cancer Sequencing Group. Recurrent SPOP mutations define a distinct molecular subclass of prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IA13.
TDDFT studies of absorption and SERS spectra of pyridine interacting with Au20.

We present time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations for a tetrahedral Au20 complex interacting with pyridine for the purpose of modeling absorption and surface enhanced Raman s...
The Preschool Stuttering Screen for Health Care Professionals

Healthcare professionals require a thorough understanding of stuttering since they frequently play an important role in the identification and differential diagnosis of stuttering for preschool chi...
Reconfiguration algorithm for minimizing losses in radial electric distribution systems

Abstract An algorithm, suitable for real time operation, is presented that utilizes multiple switch pairs to reconfigure an entire radial distribution system for minimizing system losses. The distribution system is modeled by a quadratic loss function with constraints on the currents in the system. The switching of voltage dependent loads is included in the model. Circuit component traces are introduced in describing the topology of the distribution system for reconfiguration. Example problems illustrating the reconfiguration algorithm for a three-circuit distribution system are included.
Order parameter and density of states in superconducting structures

Abstract We study superconducting films and layered superconducting-normal metal structures using a purely microscopic, Gor'kov equations based method. We emphasize the case where the coherence length is short. We obtain self-consistent results for the order parameter and the density of states as a function of temperature and geometry.
SYSTEM INTEGRATION AND TEST IN INTEGRATED PRODUCT AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT (IPPD): ENGINEERING OUT THE SURPRISES{PRIVATE}

System integration is the process of assembling and evaluating a product after component design and development has been completed. This consists of interfacing and integrating the subassemblies and verifying that they perform according to the top-level specifications. Since system integration is where the system comes together, its significance and importance should be readily apparent to the systems engineer, who must work the interfaces diligently during component development and establish lines of communication among the development teams to ensure that the finished product works as planned when tested against the system requirements.
Inhibitory effects of α1-antitrypsin derived asialooligosaccharides on the liver uptake of the asialoglycoprotein

Abstract 1. 1. Oligosaccharides were prepared from the glycopeptides derived from human plasma 2,-antitrypsin (α 1 -AT)∗ by alkaline-borohydride cleavage of asparagine-oligosaccharide bond. 2. 2. After intravenous injection into rats the asialooligosaccharides and asialoglycopeptides, but not the undesialylated materials, were rapidly taken up by liver. 3. 3. Competitive inhibition of liver uptake was shown by the injection of labeled asialo- α 1 -AT with either asialooligosaccharides or asialoglycopeptides, while the fully sialylated derivatives did not inhibit the uptake. 4. 4. Periodate oxidation experiment with the asialooligosaccharide demonstrated that the integrity of the exposed galactose residue is required for recognition and uptake by the liver.
Nanotechnology for CNS delivery of bio-therapeutic agents.

The current therapeutic strategies are not efficient in treating disorders related to the central nervous system (CNS) and have only shown partial alleviation of symptoms, as opposed to disease-modifying effects. With change in population demographics, incidence of CNS disorders, especially neurodegenerative diseases, is expected to rise dramatically. Current treatment regimens are associated with severe side-effects, especially given that most of these are chronic therapies and involve elderly population. In this review, we highlight the challenges and opportunities in delivering newer and more effective bio-therapeutic agents for the treatment of CNS disorders. Bio-therapeutics like proteins, peptides, monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and nucleic acids are thought to have a profound effect on halting the progression of neurodegenerative disorders and also provide a unique function of restoring damaged cells. We provide a review of the nano-sized formulation-based drug delivery systems and alternate modes of delivery, like the intranasal route, to carry bio-therapeutics effectively to the brain.
Dephosphorylation of histone fractions of cultured mammalian cells

Abstract The dephosphorylation rates of labeled histone phosphate groups were determined in both random and synchronized mammalian cell cultures. In random cultures with doubling times of 16 hr, the half-lives of the phosphate contents of histone fractions F1 and F2b were found to be 7 and 13 hr, respectively. In synchronized cultures, little or no phosphate turnover was observed in G 1 for either fraction. The phosphate-specific activities of both fractions dropped to approximately half their G 1 values during S, presumably as a result of the biosynthesis of histone during this period. Dephosphorylation of histone F 1 continued at a reduced rate during G 2 -M, while dephosphorylation of histone F2b ceased during this period. The relationship of these observations to postulated biological roles for histones is discussed.
Enhanced Two-Photon In Vivo Flow Cytometry with an Extended Cavity Laser

We use multiphoton in vivo flow cytometry to monitor multiple cell lines. With a reduced-repetition-rate (20-MHz) mode-locked oscillator, the signal is enhanced four-fold, enabling detection in blood of multiple cell lines expressing different GFP variants.
Molecular phase separation in stoichiometric chalcogenide glasses

(GeS2)1−x(SnS2)x alloy melts form bulk glasses over a wide composition range 0 < x < 0.65. The structure of the glasses has been probed by density measurements, scanning calorimetry, Raman and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The results provide, in general, striking evidence of a heterogeneous network consisting of at least three distinct molecular clusters. Phase separation on a molecular scale provides a basis not only to understand the linear decrease of Tg(x) but also the extensive glass forming range with a cation (Sn) that is known to be a poor glass former. It is found that GeS2 glass network depolymerises progressively as x increases in the range 0.10 < x < 0.25. At still higher x and particularly near the composition x = 0.4, the alloy network exhibits a tendency to re-polymerize. This unusual reversal in role played by SnS2upon alloying with GeS2 is understood in terms of a universal structural phase transition in covalent materials.
POWER-SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF HEAD MOTION SIGNAL FOR BEHAVIORAL MODELING IN HUMAN INTERACTION

We examine whether head motion can be used for predicting human expert's judgments of behavioral characteristics relevant to the couples therapy domain. Specifically we predict “high” or “low” presence of several behavioral characteristics such as “Blame” that are discerned by human experts, through data-driven clustering of the head motion signal based on power-spectral features. We employ the distribution of motion samples in each cluster for behavior judgment prediction. We find clustering horizontal and vertical motion separately is superior to combined clustering in predicting behavior. The performance of gender-specific and gender-independent clustering of head motion is comparable in average while different for each gender. The proposed power-spectral features outperform linear prediction features in average. Using data from a clinical study of distressed couples, we empirically show that the derived clusters quantize head motion into meaningful types that relate to interpretable behavior characteristics. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of inferring behavior characteristics from head motion signals.