cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of SARS-CoV-2 testing preferences in a national cohort in the United States

ABSTRACT In order to understand preferences about SARS-CoV-2 testing, we conducted a discrete choice experiment among 4793 participants in the Communities, Households, and SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology (CHASING COVID) Cohort Study from July 30-September 8, 2020. We used latent class analysis to identify distinct patterns of preferences related to testing and conducted a simulation to predict testing uptake if additional testing scenarios were offered. Five distinct patterns of SARS-CoV-2 testing emerged. “Comprehensive testers” (18.9%) ranked specimen type as most important and favored less invasive specimen types, with saliva most preferred, and also ranked venue and result turnaround time as highly important, with preferences for home testing and fast result turnaround time. “Fast track testers” (26.0%) ranked result turnaround time as most important and favored immediate and same day turnaround time. “Dual testers” (18.5%) ranked test type as most important and preferred both antibody and viral tests. “Non-invasive dual testers” (33.0%) ranked specimen type and test type as similarly most important, preferring cheek swab specimen type and both antibody and viral tests. “Home testers” (3.6%) ranked venue as most important and favored home-based testing. By offering less invasive (saliva specimen type), dual testing (both viral and antibody tests), and at home testing scenarios in addition to standard testing scenarios, simulation models predicted that testing uptake would increase from 81.7% to 98.1%. We identified substantial differences in preferences for SARS-CoV-2 testing and found that offering additional testing options, which consider this heterogeneity, would likely increase testing uptake. SIGNIFICANCE During the COVID-19 pandemic, diagnostic testing has allowed for early detection of cases and implementation of measures to reduce community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Understanding individuals’ preferences about testing and the service models that deliver tests are relevant in efforts to increase and sustain uptake of SARS-CoV-2 testing, which, despite vaccine availability, will be required for the foreseeable future. We identified substantial differences in preferences for SARS-CoV-2 testing in a discrete choice experiment among a large national cohort of adults in the US. Offering additional testing options that account for or anticipate this heterogeneity in preferences (e.g., both viral and antibody tests, at home testing), would likely increase testing uptake. Classification Biological Sciences (major); Psychological and Cognitive Sciences (minor)
LRRC8A homohexameric channels poorly recapitulate VRAC regulation and pharmacology

Swelling-activated volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) are heteromeric channels comprising LRRC8A and at least one other LRRC8 paralog. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of nonnative...
Flunixin Meglumine Residues and Injection Site Damage

Did you know that flunixin meglumine (FM) residues are the second leading violative residue reported by the USDA-FSIS? Flunixin meglumine residue violations are surpassed only by the residue violations from over the counter (OTC) procaine penicillin G and are the leading prescription (Rx) drug residues in all food animals. The FDA-CVM, in the FDA Veterinarian Newsletter 2007, Volume XXII, Number 2, reminded all veterinarians to use FM correctly. In that newsletter, the FDA-CVM noted investigations of several residue reports which led the agency to believe that unapproved routes of administration, such as intramuscular use, were traced to violative residues. The agency reminded veterinarians that the drug was only approved for intravenous use and that the convenience of an alternate route of administration, such as intramuscular, was not an AMDUCA acceptable reason for extralabel drug use.
The 24-hour average concentration of cortisol is elevated in obese African-American youth with type 2 diabetes

Abstract Introduction 24-h average (IC) plasma concentrations of cortisol and growth hormone are lower in obese youth and adults without Type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to lean subjects. Here we examined IC-cortisol and IC-growth hormone levels in obese youth with and without T2D. Methods We pooled ½-hourly samples from 20 to 24-hour sampling to create an IC for cortisol, cortisone, C-peptide, insulin, growth hormone and cortisol-binding-globulin in obese African-American youth with (n = 8) and without T2D (N = 9). Analytes were assayed by standard methods. Results The groups were similar in age and sex, all participants had BMI% ≥94. T2D patients had slightly lower BMI z-score (2.25 ± 0.36 versus 2.58 ± 0.16, p = 0.0429). IC-cortisol (5.70 ± 1.8 μg/dl vs 4.18 ± 1.07 μg/dl, p = 0.0481) was higher and IC-C-peptide (2.33 ± 0.89 ng/ml vs 4.36 ± 1.12 ng/ml, p = 0.001) lower in T2D. There were no differences in cortisone/cortisol or for other analytes between groups. IC-cortisol was correlated with IC-cortisone (r = 0.46, p = 0.0471) but not with ICs of insulin, C-peptide, cortisol-binding-globulin, or growth hormone. Conclusions IC-cortisol levels are higher and IC-C-peptide lower in obese African-American youth with T2D. Higher levels of IC-cortisol in obese youth with T2D may indicate a change in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal regulation which may exacerbate hyperglycemia and other metabolic complications of obesity.
Single-Image Super Resolution Using Convolutional Neural Network

Abstract Increasing threats to U.S. national security satellite constellations have resulted in an increased interest in constellation resilience and satellite redundancy. CubeSats have contributed to commercial, scientific and government applications in remote sensing, communications, navigation and research and have the potential to enhance satellite constellation resilience. However, the inherent size, weight and power limitations of CubeSats enforce constraints on imaging hardware; the small lenses and short focal lengths result in imagery with low spatial resolution. Low resolution limits the utility of CubeSat images for military planning purposes and national intelligence applications. This paper implements a super-resolution deep learning architecture and proposes potential applications to CubeSat imagery.
Three-level Interleaved Voltage Source Inverter Topology Employing Hybrid "Si+SiC" Switches

This paper presents a three-level interleaved voltage source inverter topology employing hybrid Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET devices. Using a new modulation strategy that creates a group of low frequency switches (realized with Si IGBTs) and high frequency switches (realized with SiC MOSFETs), it achieves a good tradeoff between semiconductor device power loss and cost. The semiconductor device power loss of the proposed inverter topology is estimated using PLECS thermal modeling. Compared to the conventional three-level interleaved voltage source inverter topology using phase shifted carrier modulation and employing Si IGBTs, the proposed inverter topology and modulation method achieves significantly lower semiconductor device power loss. It slightly increases the semiconductor devices cost but the overall cost of the inverter is on par with its silicon counterpart due to its lower passive component cost (higher switching frequency operation).
Effects of lead and cadmium exposure on oxygen respiration rates of individual Antarctic foraminifera during agglutinated shell formation

Abstract Heavy metal exposure from anthropogenic pollutants negatively affects many marine organisms, including foraminiferan protists. As such, foraminifera are often used as bioindicators of stressed environmental conditions. Primary research has commonly focused on how heavy metals affect foraminiferal assemblages, ultrastructure, and shell morphology; however, little if any data have been reported on how heavy metals affect their physiological functions. Here we measure respiration rates of individual foraminifera after acute exposure to three concentrations of toxic but sub-lethal levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). These experiments relied on the large cell size of an agglutinated Antarctic foraminifer, Astrammina rara. Cells were isolated from sediment collected by scuba divers in Explorers Cove, Antarctica. In the laboratory, individual, live cells were removed from their shells and placed in sealed respirometry chambers with either normal or Pb- or Cd-spiked artificial seawater. Cells in the process of shell formation were used to ensure that all individuals were aerobically active and in similar metabolic states. Noninvasive oxygen-sensing optode technology was used to measure oxygen consumption during the first 24–36 h of shell formation. The average respiration rate was 1.07 nmol O2 h−1 (range 0.78–1.84 nmol O2 h−1) for normal cells. We compared the results from each exposure group to this baseline rate and found that both Pb and Cd significantly suppressed the respiration rate of A. rara in all but the highest level of Pb exposure. This study provides a novel, powerful, and short-term way to measure foraminiferal physiological responses to heavy metal toxicants.
Salvage regional therapy using hepatic artery infusion pump in unresectable chemotherapy resistant colorectal liver metastases.

Abstract Background Little is known about the influence of hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP) therapy in the setting of chemotherapy resistant hepatic disease in the era of modern systemic therapies. Methods Patients who underwent HAIP therapy for chemotherapy resistant and unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) were reviewed retrospectively. Results A total of 25 patients met inclusion criteria. 52% had isolated CRLM and 92% had five or more metastatic lesions. Partial response was noted in 40% of patients. Median hepatic progression-free survival (PFS) was 7 months in those with extrahepatic disease versus 6 months in those with isolated CRLM at the time of HAIP placement (p = 0.75). Median overall survival was 8 months in patients with extrahepatic disease and 14 months in patients with isolated CRLM (p = 0.06). Conclusions Our findings are comparable to published data and augment the literature which supports HAIP use in chemotherapy-resistant, liver-predominant metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
Crystal-Structure Data for Simple Carbohydrates and Their Derivatives

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the subject of carbohydrate crystallography. Crystallography is recognized as the preferred method for deducing the complete details of molecular geometry in the solid state. It is noted that other physical and chemical methods generally provide only partial structural information. However, for crystallography to utilize its fullest potential, it should be used in conjunction with other methods to correlate the known information about a molecule, its behavior, and its properties. The first requirement for studying a crystal structure is to obtain a good single crystal, about 0.3 mm in each dimension. In context to crystal structure of carbohydrates, the occurrence of hydroxyl groups in carbohydrate molecules gives several potential sites for hydrogen bonding, the hydroxyl groups being capable of acting both as donors and as acceptors of hydrogen atoms in hydrogen-bond formation. The actual number of hydrogen bonds formed in crystals is the maximum number possible. The bond lengths and bond angles differ considerably from one sugar to another.
Single-chip femtosecond autocorrelator realized by surface-micromachined integrated optics

Autocorrelators are the most important tool for measuring the duration of femtosecond optical pulses.1
SU‐E‐T‐447: Growth of Metal Whiskers Under External Beam Irradiation: Experimental Evidence and Implications in Medical Electronic Devices for Radiation Therapy Treatments

Purpose: Thin metallic protrusions, termed “whiskers,” have been identified as a cause of failure in devices ranging from satellites to pacemakers. For decades, lead was used in tin-based soldering alloys to suppress whisker formation. With the adoption of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances act and the expiration of its exemption on medical devices, including implanted medical devices (IMDs), electronic circuits are required to be lead-free as of July 2014. The effect of radiation on such soldering components remains unknown. Methods: We have irradiated a thin (150 nm) tin metal layer, deposited on a 3 mm thick glass substrate, with a 6 MeV medical linac (Varian TrueBeam) electron beam in five 2-hour long sessions. After receiving ∼10 kGy, whisker growth on the sample was assessed with scanning electron microscopy and compared to a reference sample not exposed to radiation. Results: After 10 hours of irradiation, the sample was found to develop intense whisker infestation, while the reference sample remained in its pristine as-deposited condition. Repeating the same irradiation schedule generated more and longer whiskers. The observed phenomenon can be explained through charge accumulation in the glass substrate, generating an electric field that promotes whisker growth. The observed substrate glass darkening under irradiation points towards development of color centers related to charge trapping. Experiments on the same type of samples with direct application of the external field in a capacitor-like setting also resulted in intense whisker growth. Conclusion: Extreme care should be taken in dealing with all electronic devices, especially IMDs, produced with lead-free solder and components, subject to radiation exposure. While in our experiments strong electric fields were intentionally generated to accelerate whisker growth over hours, in everyday use the circuit soldering may cause problems in a matter of days or months. Designated reliability testing under radiation must be conducted. This work is partially supported by NRC grant No. NRC-HQ-12-G-38-0042
Molecular analysis of anti-DNA antibodies

There are two major reasons for interest in antibodies to DNA: autoantibodies to DNA are characteristic of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus and contribute to its pathology; and both autoantibodies and experimentally induced antibodies to nucleic acids serve as useful biochemical reagents. Physical biochemistry and molecular biology are applied increasingly to questions of the structure and origin of antibodies to DNA and how antibodies recognize specific structures in DNA. Cloning of cDNA for Ig V regions of anti-DNA antibodies reveals that some cells making IgG disease-related autoantibodies are derived from precursor cells that produce natural autoantibodies unrelated to disease. In addition, some immunization-induced antibodies to DNA use gene segments similar to those found in autoantibodies. Cloning and expression of recombinant V regions allow detailed analysis of antibody structures required for DNA binding. Domain swapping and mutagenesis with vectors for bacterial expression of...
Unraveling hepatitis B virus infection of mice and men (and woodchucks and ducks)

The development of liver diseases in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B infection is determined by the nature of the host immune response. Several factors have made this immune response difficult to study, but recently developed animal models will help clear the way.
Associations between the home and school environments and child body mass index

Abstract This paper examined associations between various aspects of home and school environments and child body mass index (BMI) in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten cohort, a panel dataset of US children collected from 1998 to 2004. Using three-level growth curve modeling with a sample of approximately 11,400 children, it assessed whether these aspects were related to initial BMI and to the rate of growth of BMI over the period from kindergarten to fifth grade, independent of a large number of controls. A number of home and school factors were associated with initial BMI and the growth of BMI. Greater hours of sleep by children, more lunches eaten at school, and the adequacy of their school cafeterias and the adequacy of their school gymnasiums were all significantly associated with lower initial levels of BMI. More breakfasts typically eaten per week with their families and greater minutes of recess (free time for activity at school) were each associated with decreases in the rate of BMI growth over time, while more television watched, greater average hours of weekly maternal employment, more school lunches and school breakfasts eaten, and the adequacy of children’s gymnasiums were associated with faster rates of BMI growth over the study period. The study adds to the existing literature on environmental influences on child BMI by illustrating the utility and necessity of examining multiple influences within a single analytic framework. Further research and policy efforts should continue to acknowledge the multi-etiological manner by which the environment can affect rates of child obesity.
Protein kinase C activation is necessary but not sufficient for induction of long-term potentiation at the synapse of mossy fiber-CA3 in the rat hippocampus.

Abstract The involvement of protein kinase C in long-term potentiation was investigated in the mossy fiber-CA3 pathway in anin vitro slice preparation of rat hippocampus. Tetanic stimulation induced stable long-term potentiation in the mossy fiber-CA3 pathway which was not affected byN-methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonists. Long-term potentiation was not induced in the presence of a protein kinase C inhibitor, sphingosine. Application of 1 μM phorbol-12,13-diacetate, an activator of protein kinase C, potentiated the synaptic response by about 400% and this potentiation was completely reversible upon washing. Sphingosine blocked the potentiation when it was applied before protein kinase C activation by phorbol-12,13-diacetate. However, sphingosine had no effect on the potentiation when it was applied after the synaptic response was potentiated to a plateau following phorbol-12,13-diacetate perfusion. Long-term potentiation and phorbol ester-induced potentiation were not additive when phorbol-12,13-diacetate was applied after induction of long-term potentiation, suggesting that long-term potentiation and phorbol-12,13-diacetate activate the same protein kinase C pool. The enhanced response caused by phorbol-12,13-diacetate returned to the long-term potentiation level after wash-out of phorbol-12,13-diacetate. Thus the cellular changes underlying long-term potentiation are long-lasting or permanent, while those caused by phorbol-12,13-diacetate are not. However, if tetanic stimulation was induced during prolonged phorbol-12,13-diacetate application (1 h), a potentiation similar in amplitude to long-term potentiation was induced but the population response returned to the control pre-long-term potentiation level after 2 h of washing. The potentiation following tetanic stimulation during prolonged application of phorbol-12,13-diacetate was blocked in the presence of d -2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, aN-methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonist. Thus, in the presence of phorbol esters theN-methyl- d -aspartate-independent long-term potentiation is occluded but a transient potentiation appears, presumably due to hyperexcitability and activation ofN-methyl- d -aspartate receptors in recurrent pathways of area CA3. NormalN-methyl- d -asparate-independent long-term potentiation could be induced after the 2 h washout period and now was maintained. In conclusion, protein kinase C activation is essential but not sufficient for long-term potentiation in the mossy fiber-CA3 pathway and when stimulated by application of phorbol esters produces a large and reversible synaptic potentiation. These investigations show that long-term potentiation in CA3 is a complex event involving several steps, and that activation of protein kinase C is only one of them.
Stimulation of 17ß-estradiol metabolism in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Abstract Pretreatment of MCF-7 breast-cancer cell cultures with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes a rapid depletion of active estrogens and highly elevated microsomal 17s-estradiol (E2) hydroxylase activity at the C-2, C-4, C-6α, and C-15α positions. After a brief (4-hr) exposure of TCDD-treated cells to medium containing 500 nM E2, levels of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOE2), 4-methoxyestradiol (4-MeOE2), 15α-hydroxyestradiol, and 6α-hydroxyestradiol in the medium were 20- to 40-fold higher than in the medium of control cultures. The methoxyestrogens were present largely in conjugated form(s). Conversion of E2 to estrone was not affected by pretreatment with TCDD. These results indicate that treatment with TCDD stimulates pathways of metabolism involving cytochrome P-450-catalyzed hydroxylations of E2, methylation of the catecholestrogens, and conjugation to form sulfates or glucuronides.
Inhibitory processing in the false belief task: Two conjectures

Although it is well established that four-year-olds outperform three-year-olds on predicting behavior from false beliefs, this is only true when the false belief is coupled with a positive desire. Four-year-olds perform poorly in an otherwise standard false belief task when the protagonist's desire is to avoid rather than to approach a target. We account for this by assuming that the attribution of a false belief involves inhibitory processing. We present two versions of an inhibition model of successful belief-desire reasoning.
Enhanced thermal and combustion resistance of cotton linked to natural inorganic salt components

A comparison of the thermal decomposition and combustion characteristics of raw and scoured cottons has demonstrated a mechanistic link caused by the presence of inorganic salts in raw cotton, which enhances resistance to heat and flame. Thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry, and microscale combustion calorimetry were used to examine the thermal decomposition kinetics and thermal stability of cotton. During pyrolysis, both raw cotton nonwoven and woven fabrics exhibited a slower decomposition with a larger initial weight loss and produced a greater char yield, as compared to the fabrics after scouring, which removes most inorganic components from cotton. The activation energy (E a ) values, calculated using the Kissinger method, the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method, and the modified Coats–Redfern method, were consistently determined to be smaller for raw cotton than for scoured cotton. The analyses of cotton fabrics heated at elevated temperatures by 13C CP/MAS NMR and ATR-FTIR showed that trace quantities of inorganic components promoted the formations of oxygenated moieties at low temperatures and aliphatic intermediate char. In the combustion, raw cotton exhibited a much smaller heat release capacity and a smaller total heat release than scoured cotton, indicating enhanced thermal stability when the inorganic components are intact.
Effect of multiple dorsal rhizotomies on calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in the lumbosacral dorsal spinal cord of the cat: a radioimmunoassay analysis.

Abstract Calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) was measured by radioimmunoassay in the cat lumbosacral dorsal spinal cord following unilateral dorsal rhizotomy of 5 consecutive dorsal roots. The dorsal rhizotomies greatly reduced but did not eliminate the CGRP-LI from the ipsilateral rhizotomized segments. The amount of CGRP-LI remaining in the rhizotomized segments was greatest in the most caudal segment ( 846±311 pmoles/g tissue ) and decreased below 300 pmoles/g tissue in the remaining segments. When these values were compared to the intact contralateral side, the percent CGRP remaining ranged from 65% in the sacral segments to less than 20% in the lumbar segments. Rostral to the rhizotomized segments there was a gradual return of CGRP-LI to control levels within 3 segments. Small diameter primary afferent fibers are the only known source of CGRP within the dorsal spinal cord. These results suggest that the most likely origin of the CGRP that remained in the rhizotomized lumbar segments was the rostrally and caudally projecting branches of ipsilateral primary afferents that entered the spinal cord through intact dorsal roots caudal and rostral to the transected roots. These results support the hypothesis that small diameter primary afferents project several segments in the cat spinal cord.
Adaptive Control of a Flexible Beam Using Least Square Lattice Filters

An indirect adaptive control scheme for the control of flexible structures using least square lattice filters for on-line identification of the number of modes, mode shapes, and modal amplitudes is presented. The control law is based on modal pole placement. The system requires on-line validation of the results of the identification scheme before allowing changes in control law parameters. Successful adaptive control is demonstrated using the simulations for the 12 ft free-free beam apparatus at NASA Langley Research Center.
Family Influences on the Use of Mental Health Services among African Americans

We examine how families influence mental health service (MHS) utilization among African Americans by drawing on the concept of family ambivalence, which encompasses both family support and stress, and by placing utilization within the context of family histories of psychiatric disorder and treatment. Data are from the 2001–2003 National Survey of American Life, a nationally representative sample of African American adults (n = 3,149), including a clinical need subsample (n = 605) of respondents with a disorder. Negative family interactions have indirect positive effects on use of any MHS through need for care, whereas family social support lacks any effect. Although poor self-rated mental health (SRMH) is associated with greater utilization of any and specialty MHS given family histories of no disorder or treated disorder, utilization is low given a family history of untreated disorder, irrespective of SRMH. Screening for family histories of psychiatric disorder in primary care is recommended.
Ribonucleoside uptake and phosphorylation during fertilization and early development of the sea-urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

Uptake of the four ribonucleosides normally present in RNA increases nearly 50-fold shortly after fertilization in eggs of the sea-urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Uridine, adenosine and cytidine are phosphorylated (>95%) to their mono-, di- and triphosphates immediately after transport into the fertilized egg. Although guanosine is transported to an extent equal to the other three ribonucleosides, less than 12% of it is phosphorylated after transport. In vitro nucleoside and nucleotide kinase assays of unfertilized egg homogenates indicate that the uridine, adenosine and cytidine kinases as well as the uridylate, adenylate, cytidylate and guanylate kinases are present in the egg prior to fertilization. Substrate competition measurements indicate that adenosine phosphorylation is catalyzed by a monospecific enzyme, while uridine and cytidine phosphorylations are catalyzed by a common kinase. Guanosine kinase activity was not detectable in unfertilized egg homogenates. Between 3 h and 5 h after fertilization the phosphorylation of transported guanosine begins to increase as it enters the embryo. By 7 h after fertilization, more than 95% of the guanosine entering the embryo is phosphorylated to the mono-, di-and triphosphates. More than 80% is phosphorylated to guanosine triphosphate. The timing of increased guanosine phosphorylation correlates with a decrease in the acid-soluble GTP pools in the embryo, suggesting that increased guanosine kinase activity is a response to increased GTP demand. These results, in view of the importance of GTP in many cellular processes, imply a crucial role for guanosine kinase activation in GTP pool maintenance and cellular metabolism during early sea-urchin development.
Coscheduling in Clusters: Is It a Viable Alternative?

In this paper, we conduct an in-depth evaluation of a broad spectrum of scheduling alternatives for clusters. These include the widely used batch scheduling, local scheduling, gang scheduling, all prior communication-driven coscheduling algorithms (Dynamic Coscheduling (DCS), Spin Block (SB), Periodic Boost (PB), and Co-ordinated Coscheduling (CC)) and a newly proposed HYBRID coscheduling algorithm on a 16-node, Myrinet-connected Linux cluster. Performance and energy measurements using several NAS, LLNL and ANL benchmarks on the Linux cluster provide several interesting conclusions. First, although batch scheduling is currently used in most clusters, all blocking-based coscheduling techniques such as SB, CC and HYBRID and the gang scheduling can provide much better performance even in a dedicated cluster platform. Second, in contrast to some of the prior studies, we observe that blocking-based schemes like SB and HYBRID can provide better performance than spin-based techniques like PB on a Linux platform. Third, the proposed HYBRID scheduling provides the best performance-energy behavior and can be implemented on any cluster with little effort. All these results suggest that blocking-based coscheduling techniques are viable candidates to be used in clusters for significant performance-energy benefits.
Must the physical environment be mediated by the social environment in order to influence development?: A further test

Abstract To test the validity of the prevailing assumption that physical environmental influences must be mediated by the social environment in order to have an impact upon development, the physical and social environments of 88 12-month-old infants were assessed. Significant physical and social environment predictors were combined into separate data sets. Using indices of infant play behavior as a criterion, hierarchical regressions were computed, varying order of entry of these data sets. Replicating prior research, the physical environment data set accounted for unique predictive variance, even after variance associated with the social environment was controlled for. Predictive variance associated with the social environment data set dropped to nonsignificance after the contributions of the physical environment were taken into account. Interactions between physical and social environmental influences upon play behavior tended to be nonsignificant. Implications of these results for theories of environmental action were discussed.
The Darkside of Courtship: Violence and Sexual Exploitation

This article reviews the literature on the "dark side of courtship," that is, the occurrence of physical violence and sexual exploitation between premarital partners. The basic premise of the article is that two features of dating and courtship both encourage the use of exploitative behavior and allow it to continue over time without necessarily causing the relationship to terminate. First, the different context of courtship for males versus females encourages male control of relationships and female compliance with that control. Second, the highly romanticized nature of courtship encourages partners to stay together despite highly negative interaction patterns. Implications for primary, secondary, and tertiary intervention are discussed.
Oligomeric States and Cooperative Gating in Clusters of Mechanosensitive Membrane Proteins

The mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) provides a paradigm for mechanosensation and mechanotransduction. It also provides a model system for how bilayer material properties regulate membrane protein function. The basic phenomenology of MscL gating as a function of membrane tension, and the dependence of MscL gating on bilayer material properties, can be understood by considering the difference in membrane deformation energy between open and closed states of MscL. However, even basic issues such as the physiologically relevant oligomeric states of MscL remain a matter of intense debate. Is MscL a tetramer or a pentamer under physiological conditions, or do both structures occur in cell membranes? Moreover, MscL proteins have recently been observed to form clusters, and the gating behavior of MscL in clusters was found to be different from the gating behavior of single MscL. What are the physical mechanisms behind the clustering of MscL, and what is the biological significance of MscL clusters? The complexity of the observed MscL structures and the large size of MscL clusters have so far prohibited a theoretical analysis of the relation between the oligomeric states of MscL and the properties of MscL clusters. Here we develop a mathematical approach capable of predicting the coupling between MscL shape and function. Combining this approach with the theory of regular lattices of polygons, we study the interplay between the oligomeric state of MscL, membrane-mediated interactions between MscL proteins, the structure of MscL clusters, and cooperative gating of MscL. We predict that the architecture of MscL clusters may provide a signature of MscL shape, with distinct molecular structures of MscL yielding distinct spatial and orientational organization patterns. Our work establishes a bridge between the oligomeric state of MscL and the self-assembly of MscL into clusters.
Is there a higher level genetic code that directs evolution

Because the genetic code is redundant for most amino acids, different codons can be used in a given position without altering the structure of the protein for which the gene codes. This flexibility permits information encoding structural, and therefore functional, properties of RNA and DNA to be transmitted simultaneously by a protein-coding sequence of DNA. Among the other messages that might be transmitted, it is proposed, is one modulating the evolution of the DNA itself.
Kink propagation in a highly discrete system: Observation of phase locking to linear waves.

We report the first observation of phase locking between a kink propagating in a highly discrete system and the linear waves excited in its wake. The current-voltage ($I\ensuremath{-}V$) characteristics of discrete rings of Josephson junctions have been measured. Resonant steps appear in the $I\ensuremath{-}V$ curve, due to phase locking between a propagating vortex and its induced radiation. Unexpectedly, mode numbers outside the first Brillouin zone are physically relevant, due to the nonlinearity of the system.
Bilateral tachistoscopic recognitions of verbal and nonverbal stimuli.

Summary Words or unfamiliar designs were presented simultaneously to both visual half-fields. The stimuli were presented tachistoscopically either alone or with an additional center digit at fixation. When the words were presented alone, slightly more were reported from the left of fixation. With an additional center digit, which subjects fixated and reported before the words on each trial, the asymmetry shifted dramatically to the right visual half-field. More designs were recognized from the right VHF under both conditions. Less designs were recognized when the center digit was present; however, the degree of right visual half-field asymmetry was essentially identical under both conditions.
Bone marrow findings on magnetic resonance images of the knee: accentuation by fat suppression.

Abstract Long TR/double spin-echo magnetic resonance images of the knee were obtained with and without the use of fat suppression techniques in seven patients with high signal intramedullary lesions. Comparison between images was performed qualitatively and quantitatively. Contrast-to-noise ratios between focal defects and surrounding fatty marrow were higher with fat suppression in all cases. The mean contrast-to-noise ratio for images obtained with fat suppression was 53.6, while for images obtained without fat suppression the mean contrast-to-noise ratio was 17.3 ( p
Aquatic botany — Aims and scope of a new journal

Abstract The new journal “Aquatic Botany” is introduced, and its scope and aims outlined.
Identification of risk categories for in pancreaticoduodenectomy based on diagnosis

Background Studies of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) frequently overlook diagnosis as a variable when evaluating postoperative outcomes or generically group patients according to whether they have ‘benign’ or ‘malignant’ disease. Large multicentre studies comparing postoperative outcomes in PD stratified by diagnosis are lacking. The present study was conducted to verify the hypothesis that postoperative morbidity and length of stay (LoS) following PD vary by diagnosis and that patients may be grouped into low- and high-risk categories.
Does a heme protein regulate hypoxia-mediated changes in neonatal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation? |[diams]| 1452

It has been postulated that an oxygen-sensing mechanism, probably a heme protein, is widespread in mammalian cells. We hypothesized that such a heme protein was involved in the regulation of neonatal porcine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation by hypoxia. Our initial experiments revealed best proliferation (cell counts by Coulter counter at 72 hours) of SMC at 5-10% O2, with a decreases at 2-3% O2. SMC proliferation was then evaluated after incubation of SMC at 20% O2 for 72 hours with different dilutions of desferrioxamine (Df), which inhibits heme synthesis, and Cobalt (Co), which mimics hypoxia by locking the heme protein in the deoxy configuration. Both compounds inhibited SMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with no additive effect when both were added in high (Df >20uM, Co>100uM) concentrations, indicating that they might act through a common pathway. The inhibition by Df (5uM), but not that by Co (200uM), could be reversed by the addition of hemoglobin (25uM) or methemoglobin (25uM), but not by the addition of equimolar Ferrous sulphate (data not shown). These results suggest that a heme protein in the oxy configuration might be required for SMC proliferation. This study suggests a possible new direction for research into the nature of pulmonary vascular remodeling. Figure
A phase diagram approach to study liquation cracking in alloy 718

The constitutional liquation of NbC wrought alloy 718 is discussed in terms of a diffusion couple between NbC and they matrix in a pseudo-ternary of γ-NbC-Laves. Theoretical arguments are presented to show that the diffusion path cannot be a straight line connecting the terminal compositions. Experimental results indicate the existence of the NbC-γ diffusion couple and also support the hypothesis that the diffusion path is not a straight line connecting NbC and γ. Consequently, the temperature at which carbide liquation can occur is below the equilibrium NbC solidus, and hence, carbide liquation is constitutional in nature. The lowest temperature at which carbide liquation initiates depends upon the extent of deviation of the diffusion path from the straight line path. The dependence of the relative volume fractions of carbide and Laves phase in cast alloys on Nb/C ratio is explained using the γ-NbC-Laves pseudo-ternary. The Laves phase present in cast alloys is shown to liquate at the terminal eutectic temperature of the alloy, which could be lower than the carbide liquation temperature.
Retrospective review of forefoot amputations at a Veterans Affairs hospital and evaluation of post-amputation follow-up.

Abstract Background Forefoot amputations in diabetic and vascular patients often are followed by subsequent amputations. We evaluated the outcomes of forefoot amputations and the efficacy of our care in preventing subsequent amputations. Material and Methods Charts of all patients undergoing forefoot amputations were reviewed. Comorbid conditions, subsequent amputations, and the nature of pre- and post-amputation care were noted. A subset of patients followed more than 2 years post-amputation was studied to evaluate post-amputation care. Results Of the 81 patients, 26% underwent subsequent forefoot amputations and 37% underwent subsequent proximal amputations. Forty-one patients followed more than 2 years were divided into 2 groups: those followed closely by foot-care specialists and those followed by primary care providers. The former group experienced fewer amputations, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions Previous forefoot amputation is a high-risk factor for repeat amputations. Our post-amputation care did not effectively reduce subsequent amputations.
Bayes estimates as expanders in one and two dimensions

Abstract Consider the problem of estimating a p-variate normal mean using squared error loss. We demonstrate that contrary to what one might expect, (a) sup E{||d( X )||/|| X ||}>1 for p⩽2 , where the supremum is over all priors G symmetric about 0 , E(·) denotes marginal expectation corresponding to G and d( X ) denotes Bayes rule with respect to G. (b) The above supremum is equal to 1 for all p⩾3 . Thus Bayes estimates corresponding to symmetric priors can be expanders only in one and two dimensions. For p=1,2, the numerical values of the supremum are obtained. We also prove that sup E{||d( X )||/|| X ||}=1 for every p>1 if one restricts to spherically symmetric priors. In the process, some closed form formulas of independent interest are also obtained.
Cluster reactions of surlfur trioxide and ammonia

Abstract Intra-cluster reactions in the sulfur trioxide—ammonia system are investigated using a time-of-flight reflection mass spectrometer. Mass spectra and results of metastable dissociation studies show that the products n=2m and n=2m+1 of (SO3)m(NH3)nH+ are especially stables, in accordance with expected structures arising from the chemical bonding between ammonia and sulfur trioxide. Based on the experimental results, possible structures for various mixed clusters are proposed and reaction mechanisms are suggested.
Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Precision Position Sensing and Motion Control Using Two-Axis Hall-Effect Sensors

This paper presents a novel precision position-sensing methodology using two-axis Hall-effect sensors, where the absolute multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) positioning of a device above any magnet matrix is possible. Magnet matrices have a periodic magnetic field about each of its orthogonal axes, which can be modeled using Fourier series. This position-sensing methodology was implemented on a Halbach-magnet-matrix-based magnetic-levitation (maglev) stage. It enables unrestricted translational and rotational ranges in planar motions with a potential 6-DOF motion-measuring capability. A Gaussian least-squares differential-correction (GLSDC) algorithm was developed and implemented to estimate the maglev stage's position and orientation in three planar DOFs from raw Hall-effect-sensor measurements. Experimental results show its position resolution of better than 10 μm in translation and 100 /trad in rotation. The maximum rotational range achieved so far is 16 deg, a factor of 100 improvement of a typical laser interferometers' rotational range of a few milliradians. Classical lead-lag compensators were designed and implemented on a digital signal processor (DSP) to close the control loop at a sampling frequency of 800 Hz for the three planar DOFs using the GLSDC outputs. Calibration was performed by comparing the Hall-effect sensors' outputs against the laser-interferometer readings, which improved the positioning accuracy by correcting the GLSDC error. The experimental results exhibit better than a micrometer repeatability. This multi-DOF sensing mechanism is an excellent cost-effective solution to planar micro-positioning applications with unrestricted three-axis travel ranges.
Field Oxide Inversion Effects in Irradiated CMOS Devices

The primary failure mechanism of CMOS devices in an ionizing radiation environment is a threshold voltage shift in both the p-channel and the n-channel devices due to a buildup of radiation-induced fixed charge in the silicon dioxide and the creation of surface states at the silicon-silicon dioxide interface. It has been observed that many CMOS device types exhibit milliampere range post-rad n-channel leakage for doses between 104 - 105 rad (Si) even though the gate oxide threshold shift is much less than that required for inversion in the channel region. This is caused by field oxide inversion under the gate metal due to improper or a lack of guardbanding of the n-channel device for a radiation environment. The solution to this problem in hardening CMOS devices involves guardbanding the n-channel devices and extending the gate oxide under the gate metallization over the guardband. Experimental results on devices which utilize this technique has shown it to be an effective solution to the problem. Data on several types of CMOS devices are presented to illustrate the n-channel leakage problem and the solution. Special guardbanding problems encountered with silicon gate on bulk Silicon devices are also described and possible solutions to these problems are discussed.
Ten Years in the Making: AUSM-Family

We begin by describing the motivations that gave birth to the original AUSM scheme and then focus on the ingredients that has spurred its growth and acceptance by the world of computational fluid dynamics. As it has played out more in the field, weaknesses have also surfaced. Hence, nutrients and supplements are prescribed to help it grow and stay strong and robust. In this paper, we will describe the saga of efforts owing to researchers who have contributed to building up the AUSM-family for the CFD community. It is hoped that a healthy scheme will contribute to the accurate and robust solution of problems encountered in a wide range of disciplines. We analyze numerical mass fluxes with an emphasis on their capability for accurately capturing shock and contact discontinuities. We will present a new scheme for the pressure flux, along with results for a host of test problems.
Frequency and velocity of rotational head perturbations during locomotion.

We used the magnetic search coil technique to record horizontal (yaw) and vertical (pitch) head rotations of 20 normal subjects during (1) walking in place, (2) running in place, (3) vigorous, voluntary, horizontal head rotation and (4) vigorous, voluntary, vertical head rotation. During walking or running, the predominant frequency of pitch rotations was at least twice that of yaw rotations. During running, the median, predominant pitch frequency from all subjects was 3.2 Hz, but significant harmonics were present up to 15-20 Hz in several subjects. Group median maximal head velocity during walking or running did not exceed 90 degrees/ second. During vigorous, voluntary head rotations median frequency for yaw and pitch was similar and did not exceed 2.6 Hz. However, group median maximal head velocity during vigorous voluntary yaw rotation was 780 degrees/second. Thus, (1) during locomotion, the head is stabilized in space incompletely but adequately so that the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is not saturated, (2) during vigorous, voluntary head rotations, the maximum head velocity exceeds the range where the VOR can stabilize gaze, (3) the frequencies of head rotations that occur during locomotion greatly exceed frequencies conventionally used in the laboratory for testing the VOR.
The thermal structure and thermal evolution of the continental lithosphere

The thermal structure and evolution of the continental lithosphere are examined. Surface heat flow data and the factors which modify them are addressed, and the diversity of thermal phenomena in the lithosphere is discussed in the framework of plate interactions. The lithosphere is divided into three sections for the purposes of discussion. In the upper, near-surface zone, temperatures can be strongly affected by near-surface processes, which must be taken into account in the measurement and evaluation of surface heat flow. The thermal structure of the middle, internal zone of the lithosphere responds to the heat balance and thermal properties of the lithosphere, which define its steady state thermal structure. Internal deformation and magmatic intrusion within this zone, and interaction between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere in the lower boundary zone of the lithosphere cause transient thermal disturbances in the lithosphere. The criteria for defining the base of the thermal lithosphere are briefly discussed.