cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Correlation Functions and Power Spectra in Clouds Using the NRL WARLOC Radar

The Naval Research Laboratory W-band Advanced Radar for Low Observable Control (WARLOC) is a high-power 94-GHz radar, with 3-10-kW average and 80-kW peak power, now set up on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. It has three orders of magnitude more power and sensitivity than other W-band radar systems. This enables cloud reflectivity to be measured with high signal-to-noise ratios and a resolution of about 15 m over a two (or three)-dimensional region, which can be as large as tens of kilometers on a side. This allows imaging of the internal structure of clouds over great distances in very great detail. At the shortest scale lengths, the structure has a speckle pattern indicating that it is governed at least in part by stochastic processes. The WARLOC data allow the reflectivity correlation function and its Fourier transform, which is the power spectrum, to be computed for scale lengths ranging from 30 m to 10 km. For measurements taken of cirrus clouds on several occasions as well as one case of a precipitating cloud, it was found that for small correlation distance r, the correlation function usually decreases as r2/3, or, equivalently, the wavenumber spectrum scales as k-5/3, where k is the wavenumber. This suggests that fluid turbulence in the inertial range is playing a role; however, unlike classical fluid turbulence, the results suggest that the turbulence here is generally quite anisotropic. Furthermore, for longer scale lengths (the outer range according to the Kolmogorov theory), the reflectivity fluctuations usually show a wavelike behavior in the vertical direction but only occasionally in the horizontal direction
Plastic responses to temporal variation in moisture availability: consequences for water use efficiency and plant performance

The ability to appropriately modify physiological and morphological traits in response to temporal variation should increase fitness. We used recombinant hybrid plants generated by crossing taxa in the Piriqueta caroliniana complex to assess the effects of individual leaf traits and trait plasticities on growth in a temporally variable environment. Recombinant hybrids were used to provide a wide range of trait expression and to allow an assessment of the independent effects of individual traits across a range of genetic backgrounds. Hybrid genotypes were replicated through vegetative propagation and planted in common gardens at Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida, where they were monitored for growth, leaf morphological characters, and integrated water use efficiency (WUE) (C isotope ratio; delta(13)C) for two successive seasons. Under wet conditions only leaf area had significant effects on plant growth, but as conditions became drier, growth rates were greatest in plants with narrow leaves and higher trichome densities. Plants with higher WUE exhibited increased growth during the dry season but not during the wet season. WUE during the dry season was increased for plants with smaller, narrower leaves that had higher trichome densities and increased reflectance. Examination of alternative path models revealed that during the dry season leaf traits had significant effects on plant growth only through their direct effects on WUE, as estimated from delta(13)C. Over the entire growing season, plants with a greater ability to produce smaller and narrower leaves with higher trichome densities in response to reduced water availability had the greatest growth rate. These findings suggest that plants making appropriate changes to leaf morphology as conditions became dry had increased WUE, and that the ability to adjust leaf phenotypes in response to environmental variation is a mechanism by which plants increase fitness.
New fossil nematodes in Dominican and Baltic amber

Four new species of fossil mermithids (Nematoda: Mermithidae) are described from amber: Heydenius arachnius n. sp. from a spider (Arachnida: Araneae) in Dominican amber, H. phasmatophilus n. sp., from a walking stick (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae) in Baltic amber, H. podenasae n. sp. from a moth (Lepidoptera) in Baltic amber and H. trichorosus n. sp. from a caddis fly (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) in Baltic amber. With previous descriptions of fossil mermithids from Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera, there are now representatives of seven insect orders as hosts of fossil mermithids. With these additional four fossils, the total number of described nematode fossils is now 95, with 70 occurring in amber.
A Room with a Viewpoint: Using Social Norms to Motivate Environmental Conservation in Hotels

Two field experiments examined the effectiveness of signs requesting hotel guests’ participation in an environmental conservation program. Appeals employing descriptive norms (e.g., “the majority of guests reuse their towels”) proved superior to a traditional appeal widely used by hotels that focused solely on environmental protection. Moreover, normative appeals were most effective when describing group behavior that occurred in the setting that most closely matched individuals’ immediate situational circumstances (e.g., “the majority of guests in this room reuse their towels”), which we refer to as provincial norms. Theoretical and practical implications for managing proenvironmental efforts are discussed.
DrunkardMob: billions of random walks on just a PC

Random walks on graphs are a staple of many ranking and recommendation algorithms. Simulating random walks on a graph which fits in memory is trivial, but massive graphs pose a problem: the latency of following walks across network in a cluster or loading nodes from disk on-demand renders basic random walk simulation unbearably inefficient. In this work we propose DrunkardMob, a new algorithm for simulating hundreds of millions, or even billions, of random walks on massive graphs, on just a single PC or laptop. Instead of simulating one walk a time it processes millions of them in parallel, in a batch. Based on DrunkardMob and GraphChi we further propose a framework for easily expressing scalable algorithms based on graph walks.
GABA transporter function, oligomerization state, and anchoring: correlates with subcellularly resolved FRET

The mouse γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter mGAT1 was expressed in neuroblastoma 2a cells. 19 mGAT1 designs incorporating fluorescent proteins were functionally characterized by [3H]GABA uptake in assays that responded to several experimental variables, including the mutations and pharmacological manipulation of the cytoskeleton. Oligomerization and subsequent trafficking of mGAT1 were studied in several subcellular regions of live cells using localized fluorescence, acceptor photobleach Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), and pixel-by-pixel analysis of normalized FRET (NFRET) images. Nine constructs were functionally indistinguishable from wild-type mGAT1 and provided information about normal mGAT1 assembly and trafficking. The remainder had compromised [3H]GABA uptake due to observable oligomerization and/or trafficking deficits; the data help to determine regions of mGAT1 sequence involved in these processes. Acceptor photobleach FRET detected mGAT1 oligomerization, but richer information was obtained from analyzing the distribution of all-pixel NFRET amplitudes. We also analyzed such distributions restricted to cellular subregions. Distributions were fit to either two or three Gaussian components. Two of the components, present for all mGAT1 constructs that oligomerized, may represent dimers and high-order oligomers (probably tetramers), respectively. Only wild-type functioning constructs displayed three components; the additional component apparently had the highest mean NFRET amplitude. Near the cell periphery, wild-type functioning constructs displayed the highest NFRET. In this subregion, the highest NFRET component represented ∼30% of all pixels, similar to the percentage of mGAT1 from the acutely recycling pool resident in the plasma membrane in the basal state. Blocking the mGAT1 C terminus postsynaptic density 95/discs large/zona occludens 1 (PDZ)-interacting domain abolished the highest amplitude component from the NFRET distributions. Disrupting the actin cytoskeleton in cells expressing wild-type functioning transporters moved the highest amplitude component from the cell periphery to perinuclear regions. Thus, pixel-by-pixel NFRET analysis resolved three distinct forms of GAT1: dimers, high-order oligomers, and transporters associated via PDZ-mediated interactions with the actin cytoskeleton and/or with the exocyst.
Brain-Stem Auditory Response in Ondine's Syndrome

Brain-stem auditory evoked responses were measured during sleep in four infants with congenital central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome (Ondine's syndrome) and four controls matched for age and sex. Delays in peak latencies p III and interpeak latencies p I-III were consistently seen in these patients but not in the control children. These abnormalities were reproducible and suggested disruption in the normal auditory pathways at the level of the mid to upper brain stem through which fibers pass close to the area of respiratory control. These abnormalities, both electrophysiologic and metabolic, imply a functional disturbance of brain-stem control of ventilation during sleep in infants and children suffering from Ondine's syndrome.
Strain sensing using carbon fiber

Carbon fiber provides strain sensing through change in electrical resistance upon strain. Due to piezoresistivity of various origins, a single carbon fiber in epoxy, an epoxy-matrix composite with short carbon fibers (5.5 vol%), a cement-matrix composite with short carbon fibers (0.2–0.5 vol%), and an epoxy-matrix composite with continuous carbon fibers (58 vol%) are strain sensors with fractional change in resistance per unit strain up to 625. A single bare carbon fiber is not piezoresistive, but just resistive.
PROPERTIES OF THE TYPE SPECIFIC PROTEINS OF ANTIPNEUMOCOCCUS SERA : III. IMMUNOCHEMICAL FRACTIONATION OF TYPE I ANTIPNEUMOCOCCUS HORSE AND RABBIT SERA

Immunological and immunochemical fractionation of Type I antipneumococcus horse and rabbit sera have demonstrated the existence of several forms of immune protein, each fraction behaving as a type specific antibody, but differing from the others in chemical and immunological properties.
Performance of VAR controls for distribution lines with photovoltaic cells and batteries

The addition of renewable generation, such as PV's, throughout a distribution circuit, create significant unprecedented challenges for the electric grid. The real power injections to the system can cause problems such as loss of proper voltage regulation when the PV penetration level gets high enough. Moreover, the uncertainty and rapid fluctuation of renewable power generators, such as PV's requires the design of more advanced VAR control schemes on a fast timescale. This paper presents a model that employs the storage device (battery) in the optimal power flow equations with global and local dynamic VAR controls algorithms. The reactive power is controlled through the inverter on the PV cells. The control signals are determined based on local instantaneous measurements of the real and reactive power at each node. We use the example of a single branch radial distribution circuit to demonstrate the ability of both the global and local dynamic VAR control schemes to effectively reduce voltage variations while simultaneously minimizing the total power loss in the studied cases. Simulations verify that both schemes work well in a fast time scale (20-minutes).
Acetylene-terminated low-stress polyimide oligomer for interlayer dielectric applications

The authors describe a novel low-stress, acetylene-terminated polyimide well suited as the interlayer dielectric for MCMs (multichip modules). For successful application as an interlayer dielectric in a high-density microelectronic package, organic polymers must possess a variety of demanding properties, e.g. processibility, mechanical strength, adhesion, low dielectric constant, low water absorption, minimal outgassing, low thermal expansion, etc. The appropriate balance of properties depend upon the specific application. The authors describe a unique, oligomeric approach toward providing these balanced properties with the ability to customize the final product performance. It is shown how the thermal expansion and resulting residual film stress can be controlled by the proper choice of oligomeric structure. Acetylene end-capped polyisoimide oligomers with low thermal expansion from which low-stress dielectric films can be prepared are demonstrated. The properties and processing of these films are discussed and compared to conventional acetylene end-capped polyimide films. >
Peel Stress Distributions between Adherends with Varying Curvature Mismatch

Abstract Previously-derived, closed-form solutions for the residual peel stresses developed between adherends with a slight but constant curvature mismatch are extended to the cases of two or more discrete curvatures and continuously varying curvatures. This beam on elastic foundation solution is now used to predict, for example, the peel stresses which develop when a molding strip is bonded to conform to a substrate with varying curvatures. Diagrams of typical stress distributions are given along with plots which allow the designer to estimate or minimize the resulting peel stresses for specific applications.
Imaging antenna arrays

Many millimeter and far-infrared imaging systems are limited in sensitivity and speed because they depend on a single scanned element. Because of recent advances in planar detectors such as Schottky diodes, superconducting tunnel junctions, and micro-boiometers, an attractive approach to this problem is a planar antenna array with integrated detectors. A planar line antenna array and optical system for imaging has been developed by the authors. The significant advances are a "reverse-microscope" optical configuration and a modified bow-tie antenna design. In the "reverse-microscope" configuration, a lens is attached to the bottom of the substrate containing the antennas. Imaging is done through the substrate. This configuration eliminates the troublesome effects of substrate surface waves. The substrate lens has only a single refracting surface, making possible a virtually aplanatic system, with little spherical aberration or coma. The array is characterized by an optical transfer function that is easily measured. An array with 19 dB crosstalk levels between adjacent antennas has been tested and it was found that the array captured 50 percent of the available power. This imaging system was diffraction limited.
The Impact of Low Socioeconomic Status and Perceived Discrimination on Parental Perceptions of the Well-Being of Latino Children

This exploratory study examined the impact of low socioeconomic status (SES) and perceived discrimination on Latino parents’ perceptions of their children’s mental health issues. Anti-immigrant policies and negative public discourse lead to perceived discrimination among Latinos, which may impact mental health. Participants (106), surveyed in 2011, were Latino, predominantly female, had a mean of 14 years living in the United States, and less than 9 years of education. The results of multivariate ordinary-least-squares regressions indicated that participants with lower levels of SES had significantly greater (p < .05) perceptions that their children were angry, had separation anxiety from parents, were fearful, and avoided social situations. Higher levels of perceived discrimination were significantly related (p < .05) to participants’ perceptions of fear among their children. Social service providers must assess for possible mental health issues and develop culturally appropriate intervention strategies ...
Completion of adjuvant radiation therapy among women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND. Optimal treatment for breast cancer often involves lengthy multimodality care including 5 to 6 weeks of radiotherapy, but few studies have evaluated adherence to radiotherapy outside the context of a therapeutic clinical trial. METHODS. Using a SEER-Medicare database, the authors identified women age 66 years or older with Stage I to III breast cancer diagnosed between 1992 and 2002. They evaluated rates of completion of radiotherapy, defined as a minimum of 25 sessions. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with completion of radiotherapy, and Cox multivariate models were used to determine the impact of radiotherapy completion on local recurrence. RESULTS. Some 24,510 patients were included in the study. Eighty-seven percent of patients completed 25 or more radiotherapy sessions. In multivariate logistic regression models, mastectomy (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.43), hospitalization during treatment (2.87, 2.49-3.31), earlier year of diagnosis, and black race (1.36, 1.14-1.63) were associated with increased risk of non-completion of radiotherapy. Among 21,269 patients treated with breast conservation, incomplete radiotherapy was associated with higher risk of local recurrence. A total of 98.7% of patients who did not complete radiation therapy were free of recurrence at 5 years vs. 97.5% of patients who completed radiation therapy (HR 1.46, CI 1.09-1.95). CONCLUSION. This study demonstrates relatively high rates of completion of radiation therapy among a population of older woman with breast cancer. However, those who did not complete a full course of radiotherapy had small but statistically significant higher risk of breast cancer recurrence. Future efforts should focus on intervening with women at high risk of not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy and increasing rates of radiotherapy completion. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Two‐dimensional gel analysis of urine proteins after acidified‐acetone extraction

An effective, reproducible and simple method for separating proteins from other urine constituents is described. Approximately 95 % of detectable urine protein is collected in the void volume peak from a single molecular exclusion gel column following an acidified acetone extraction of lyophilized urine. Analysis of the final urine protein preparation, using two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis and staining with silver showed patterns comparable to those reported by others. An estimated 700 individual proteins were discernible in 2-D electropherograms of 75 μg of urine proteins. This is a reliable procedure that makes possible the isolation of proteins excreted in urine, which can then be used in other types of analysis or in further purification of urinary antigens.
Microstructural tunability of co-continuous bijel-derived electrodes to provide high energy and power densities

Emerging demands for national security, transportation, distributed power, and portable systems call for energy storage and conversion technologies that can simultaneously deliver large power and energy densities. To this end, here we report three-dimensional Ni/Ni(OH)2 composite electrodes derived from a new class of multi-phase soft materials with uniform, co-continuous, and tunable internal microdomains. These remarkable morphological attributes combined with our facile chemical processing techniques allow the electrode's salient morphological parameters to be independently tuned for rapid ion transport and a large volumetric energy storage capacity. Through microstructural design and optimization, our composite electrodes can simultaneously deliver energy densities equal to that of batteries and power densities equivalent to or greater than that of the best supercapacitors, bridging the gap between these modern technologies. Our synthesis procedure is robust and can be extended to a myriad of other chemistries for next generation energy storage materials.
Generating More Specific Questions

Question ambiguity is one major factor that affects question quality. Less ambiguous questions can be produced by using more specific question words. We attack the problem of how to ask more specific questions by supplementing question words with the hypernyms for answer phrases. This dramatically increases the coverage of generated "which" questions. Evaluation results show improved question quality when the question words are disambiguated correctly given the context.
Surveillant and Counselor: A Reorientation in Compliance for Financial Firms

This Article argues that the compliance officer should play a major role in the ongoing reform of financial firms because compliance is now well established and accepted and compliance officers are close to decision-making at all levels of a firm. The contention is that the role of compliance must be rethought and reoriented if it is to contribute fully to the reform. Compliance officers now ensure that the firms and their employees comply with the numerous laws and regulations governing them and their activities, primarily by producing detailed compliance procedures and policies and then revising, and monitoring compliance with, them. The policies and procedures direct the conduct of employees by surrounding them with a web of detailed instructions, procedures, supervisory review, reporting, oversight and investigation, where necessary. This approach, which is based on a well-established “external” model of direction, discipline and surveillance, is necessary to prevent self-interested and opportunistic conduct by financial firm employees. However, there is a risk that employees follow only the letter of compliance and even at times ignore it because they understand that the rules are different from, and necessarily secondary to, the actual securities business. Moreover, the external approach “crowds out” another model that is necessary to achieve the most effective compliance. Ideal financial firm compliance would promote “internal,” in addition to external, compliance. The goal of the internal approach is to have firm employees internalize the policies of the laws and regulations and the professional and ethical standards so that they come into the foreground when the employees are making business decisions. In psychological terms, the internal model of compliance would ensure that the policies and standards do not “fade” in employee decision-making. Thus, rather than being only a transcriber of rules and monitor of their enforcement, a compliance officer would be an educator about policies, standards and the appropriate firm and industry culture and an adviser and counselor concerning how they should inform daily employee decisions.
200 Potent inhibition of HIV replication by RNA-binding peptide mimetics with unprecedented specificity

RNA provides an inviting target for pharmaceutical intervention in both infectious and chronic diseases, but it has so far been impossible to identify drug-like molecules with sufficient potency to lead to the successful clinical applications. We have developed a new class of structurally constrained cyclic peptides to target the interaction between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) transactivator protein Tat and its response element TAR (1,2), which plays an essential role in viral replication. Many previous attempts to inhibit this interaction have failed to yield molecules with sufficient potency and specificity to warrant pharmaceutical development. The peptidic mimics of Tat that are pM inhibitors of the Tat-TAR interaction and discriminate > 1000 fold between closely related RNAs. They are potent inhibitors of viral replication (tens of nM) with no cytotoxicity and efficient cell penetration which specifically inhibit TAR-dependent reverse transcription as well as activation of transcription,...
Pharmacologic dissociation of behavior and EEG "sleep patterns" in dogs; morphine, n-allylnormorphine, and atropine.

Summary1. In unanesthetized, uncurarized dogs certain dose of morphine, N-allylnormorphine or atropine produce similar changes in the EEG, which are identical with, or resemble closely, the “burst-slow wave” patterns which occur in natural sleep or during pentobarbital anesthesia. 2. The synchronizing mechanisms which regulate the electroencephalogram are distinct from those which regulate the state of consciousness, although frequently, they are functionally interlocked. 3. The significance of these findings is discussed with reference to the possible functions of the spontaneous electrical activity of the cerebral cortex.
On Using Flows to Visualize Functions of a Complex Variable

Introduction Braden in [2] used Polya-Latta vector fields [8] to provide a new geometric interpretation of functions of a complex variable. For a given function F of a complex variable z, Polya and Latta associated with each z in the domain of F the vector whose components are the real and imaginary parts of the complex conjugate F( z). This technique yields a divergence-free and curl-free vector field when F is analytic. Moreover, it follows from the Cauchy-Riemann equations that the zeros of multiplicity one of F(z) are saddles for the flow associated with F( z,). Gluchoff in [4] used this technique to illustrate complex power series. By further investigating the concept of vector fields associated with F( z), we obtain some interesting computer graphics that give a dynamic interpretation of functions of a complex variable. Moreover, these phase portraits can be interpreted in much the same manner as the P6lya-Latta vector fields of F( z). They illustrate both the index of a zero or pole of F as discussed by Braden and the properties of power series as presented by Gluchoff. When applied to series expansions, these graphics give us visual examples of the approximation properties of truncated series and associated limitations. The behavior of analytic functions at infinity is also illustrated. These features are at a level to be appreciated by the undergraduate student when he or she is first introduced to functions of a complex variable.
Operative treatment of acute cholecystitis.

Deterioration of the patient with acute cholecystitis as an indication for emergency operation is associated with a high mortality. Earlier operation in such patients may effectively reduce this mortality and the complications consequent to progressive acute obstructive cholecystitis.
Competition and extrinsic rewards: effect on intrinsic motivation and attribution.

Abstract The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effect of monetary rewards and success/failure on intrinsic motivation and causal attributions of males and females competing on a motor task. Multivariate analysis of variance produced a significant overall main effect for feedback, with subjects exhibiting more intrinsic motivation after success than after failure. The Sex × Feedback interaction (p < .09) indicated that males exhibited more intrinsic motivation than females after success, whereas females displayed more intrinsic motivation than males after failure. Attribution results showed that success was primarily attributed to high ability, high effort, and good luck while failure was attributed to low ability, low effort, and bad luck. Correlational analysis revealed that success was related to high ability, high effort, good luck, and high intrinsic motivation. Conversely, failure was associated with low ability, low effort, bad luck, and low intrinsic motivation. In addition,...
Pictorial Vagueness as Scientific Practice: Picture-Making and the Mathematical Practice of Fuzzy Categorization

Vagueness is practice and is in mathematical practice too. In this chapter I take stock of assumptions and conclusions I have presented in previous chapters and I examine them further. To place fuzziness at the center of a philosophical account of vagueness is to place more than subjective uncertainty or an objective property in an alternative to epistemic accounts; it is to place also an objective activity and a practice of mathematics and of human and machine categorization. Fuzziness represents them and its empirical and technical applications aim to control and exploit it. If vagueness is best understood objectively, from the standpoint of fuzziness, objectivity must be understood more broadly than an ontic commitment to the reality of autonomous preexisting properties in the world. This extends to the case defended here of vagueness or uncertainty in pictures.
The NLR (NBD-LRR containing) Family of Intracellular Sensors in Inflammation and Immune Response.

Abstract Abstract SCI-22 The NLR gene family encodes proteins that are comprised of conserved nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and leucine rich-repeats (LRR). These genes are conserved from plants, lower animals to mammals. Family members include CIITA, NOD1, NOD2, and NLRP3. Several of these genes are genetically linked to immunodeficiency, inflammatory and immune diseases. This large gene family controls a number of innate responses, including inflammasome function leading to IL-1b/IL-18 production, cell death and type I IFN production. This talk will discuss the broad function of this family of genes, with emphasis on their regulation of inflammation and innate immunity, and their divergent roles in pathogen responses. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Self-Stigma, Identity, and Co-Occurring Disorders.

Abstract BACKGROUND: A four stage regressive model that links public stigma to self-stigma is applied to mental illness and substance use disorder. We assess this four stage model in those with co-occurring disorders versus those who have mental illness or substance use disorder alone. METHOD: 366 people who self-identified as having either a mental illness or co-occurring mental illness with substance use disorder were recruited from MTurk and completed measures on identity and self-stigma. RESULTS: Higher group identity predicted lower selfstigma in those with mental illness while this effect was not present for participants with co-occurring disorders. Limitations include that this study only looked at mental illness identity for those with both mental illness and substance use disorder; sample limitations are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Those with co-occurring disorders may identify more with certain groups over others.
CB1-Dependent Long-Term Depression in Ventral Tegmental Area GABA Neurons: A Novel Target for Marijuana

The VTA is necessary for reward behavior with dopamine cells critically involved in reward signaling. Dopamine cells in turn are innervated and regulated by neighboring inhibitory GABA cells. Using whole-cell electrophysiology in juvenile-adolescent GAD67-GFP male mice, we examined excitatory plasticity in fluorescent VTA GABA cells. A novel CB1-dependent LTD was induced in GABA cells that was dependent on metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1). LTD was absent in CB1 knock-out mice but preserved in heterozygous littermates. Bath applied Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol depressed GABA cell activity, therefore downstream dopamine cells will be disinhibited; and thus, this could potentially result in increased reward. Chronic injections of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol occluded LTD compared with vehicle injections; however, a single exposure was insufficient to do so. As synaptic modifications by drugs of abuse are often tied to addiction, these data suggest a possible mechanism for the addictive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in juvenile-adolescents, by potentially altering reward behavioral outcomes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The present study identifies a novel form of glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in VTA GABA neurons, a currently understudied cell type that is critical for the brain's reward circuit, and how Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol occludes this plasticity. This study specifically addresses a potential unifying mechanism whereby marijuana could exert rewarding and addictive/withdrawal effects. Marijuana use and legalization are a pressing issue for many states in the United States. Although marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug, the implications of legalized, widespread, or continued usage are speculative. This study in juvenile-adolescent aged mice identifies a novel form of synaptic plasticity in VTA GABA cells, and the synaptic remodeling that can occur after Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol use.
Cholesterol-Binding Sites in GIRK Channels: The Devil is in the Details:

In recent years, it has become evident that cholesterol plays a direct role in the modulation of a variety of ion channels. In most cases, cholesterol downregulates channel activity. In contrast, our earlier studies have demonstrated that atrial G protein inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels are upregulated by cholesterol. Recently, we have shown that hippocampal GIRK currents are also upregulated by cholesterol. A combined computational-experimental approach pointed to putative cholesterol-binding sites in the transmembrane domain of the GIRK2 channel, the primary subunit in hippocampal GIRK channels. In particular, the principal cholesterol-binding site was located in the center of the transmembrane domain in between the inner and outer α-helices of 2 adjacent subunits. Further studies pointed to a similar cholesterol-binding site in GIRK4, a major subunit in atrial GIRK channels. However, a close look at a sequence alignment of the transmembrane helices of the 2 channels reveals surprising differences among the residues that interact with the cholesterol molecule in these 2 channels. Here, we compare the residues that form putative cholesterol-binding sites in GIRK2 and GIRK4 and discuss the similarities and differences among them.
Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors.

Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms that share a common histology and biochemical features yet differ widely in their natural histories. Recent advances in our understanding of the biology of these tumors have been helpful in designing diagnostic localization strategies, selecting patients for appropriate treatment, and developing novel therapeutic approaches. Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors constitute approximately 2% of all malignant gastrointestinal tumors [1]. They are classically divided into the carcinoid tumors and the pancreatic islet cell tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors have been described as being comprised of APUD (amine-precursor uptake and decarboxylation) cells [2,3]
Vocabulary development in English and Chinese: A comparative study with self-organizing neural networks

In this paper we present a self-organizing neural network model to simulate the early vocabulary development in English and Chinese. We focus on how the different lexical composition patterns in the two languages can emerge, develop and change when the learner acquires an increasing number of words. Our results suggest that certain lexical characteristics in the linguistic input (e.g., word frequency and length) play significant roles in the presence or absence of given patterns. Our study presents a dynamic developmental picture for early lexical acquisition, which is dependent on the joint contributions of mechanisms of learning and characteristics of the learning environment.
Patrick Fischer: Programming Turing Machines

In this chapter we will discuss two central results of complexity theory that we know something about, thanks to the foundational work of Patrick Fischer. Yet these results have not been improved for decades, and perhaps now is the time, finally, to make some progress on them.
A multiple case study of professional development and perspective change within the Cooperative Extensive Service

This multi-case study explored individual and organizational perspective change by analyzing two long-term, management-supported professional development courses within the Cooperative Extension Service (CES). Data sources consisted of a survey of course participants, and interviews of selected participants and course designers. More than one half of the participants in both courses self-reported a perspective change, although only 5 of the 16 participant interviews revealed premise reflection—a necessary condition in this study for a perspective change. Seven learning themes were identified, five of which were similar to the transformational learning phases identified by Mezirow (1991). The two themes not similar to Mezirow’s findings were affirmation and common language/shared meaning. These themes have implications for making perspective changes within organizations. Learning supports most frequently identified by participants were self-motivation, peer support, and instructor support. Learning was found to be insufficiently supported before and after the PD experience. A finding that emerged from cross-analysis was a process called liminality—a period of ambiguity where learners are caught between rejecting the introduced learning concepts and transforming their perspective. Recommendations based on the findings provide may guidance to future CES professional development managers and practitioners on how to affectively design professional development for perspective change in future courses.
Analysis and Research on Power Flow Entropy Index of Power System

In order to meet the optimization of power distribution throughout the country, China will build an UHV AC/DC hybrid power grid with UHV AC and DC backbone grids and coordinated development of power grids at all levels. This paper is based on the characteristics of the complex system of power system, and the entropy theory is applicable to analyze the nature of the orderliness of complex systems. The entropy index is applied to the evaluation system of power system operation status, and the existing entropy index is summarized and analyzed. The weighted power flow entropy weighted by the regional average load rate corrected by the mean squared coefficient is used as the mathematical representation of the self-organized criticality of the power system. Finally, a comparative analysis of the example results shows that the index can accurately and effectively reflect the degree of order distribution of the system power flow.
255-Gbps PAM-8 Transmission under 20-GHz Bandwidth Limitation using NL-MLSE Based on Volterra Filter

85-Gbaud PAM-8 transmission with BER below HD-FEC limit under 20-GHz bandwidth limitation is achieved applying NL-MLSE based on Volterra filter. NL-MLSE also achieves 3.84-Tbps O-band transmission using 4-λ LAN-WDM and SDM over 2-km 4-core fiber.
Acute Care Patient Portal Intervention: Portal Use and Patient Activation.

Background: Patient-facing health information technology (HIT) tools, such as patient portals, are recognized as a potential mechanism to facilitate patient engagement and patient-centered care, yet the use of these tools remains limited in the hospital setting. Although research in this area is growing, it is unclear how the use of acute care patient portals might affect outcomes, such as patient activation. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the use of an acute care patient portal and investigate its association with patient and care partner activation in the hospital setting. Methods: We implemented an acute care patient portal on 6 acute care units over an 18-month period. We investigated the characteristics of the users (patients and their care partners) of the patient portal, as well as their use of the portal. This included the number of visits to each page, the number of days used, the length of the user’s access period, and the average percent of days used during the access period. Patient and care partner activation was assessed using the short form of the patient activation measure (PAM-13) and the caregiver patient activation measure (CG-PAM). Comparisons of the activation scores were performed using propensity weighting and robust weighted linear regression. Results: Of the 2974 randomly sampled patients, 59.01% (1755/2974) agreed to use the acute care patient portal. Acute care patient portal enrollees were younger, less sick, less likely to have Medicare as their insurer, and more likely to use the Partners Healthcare enterprise ambulatory patient portal (Patient Gateway). The most used features of the acute care patient portal were the laboratory test results, care team information, and medication list. Most users accessed the portal between 1 to 4 days during their hospitalization, and the average number of days used (logged in at least once per day) was 1.8 days. On average, users accessed the portal 42.69% of the hospital days during which it was available. There was significant association with patient activation on the neurology service (P<.001) and medicine service (P=.01), after the introduction of HIT tools and the acute care patient portal, but not on the oncology service. Conclusions: Portal users most often accessed the portal to view their clinical information, though portal usage was limited to only the first few days of enrollment. We found an association between the use of the portal and HIT tools with improved levels of patient activation. These tools may help facilitate patient engagement and improve outcomes when fully utilized by patients and care partners. Future study should leverage usage metrics to describe portal use and assess the impact of HIT tools on specific outcome measures in the hospital setting.
Imagination and the Soul—Body Problem in Arabic Philosophy

Al-Ghazali’s picturesque Middle-East analogy on the relation between soul and body would fit nicely with other analogies, famous in the history of Western philosophy, e.g., that (1) the soul is bound fast in a body as an oyster in its shell (Plato, Phaedrus);2 and (2) the soul is not present to the body in the way a seaman is present to his ship (Descartes, Meditations, VI,3 answering in some fashion Aristotle’s query in On the Soul, II, 1).4
Bending with slip.

Bending of few-layer graphene leads to interlayer slip, and slipping lowers the bending stiffness. Beyond a critical bending angle, the graphene layers bend like a stack of paper, with a state of superlubricity for interlayer slip.
Examining Impacts of Cumulative Risk on Military-Connected Youth and the Role of Family in Coping

Youth in military families are confronted with stressors that are normative (e.g., racial or ethnic minority status, non-married family structure, social isolation) and context-specific in relation to a parent’s military career (e.g., parental deployment, school transitions, parent rank, dual military parents, living outside of the continental United States, living 30+ min from a military base). This study applied a stress process and cumulative risk lens to examine the impact of cumulative risk on military-connected youth outcomes accounting for contextual factors such as gender, age, and family. First, this study examined the relationship between cumulative risk and two outcomes, self-efficacy and depressive symptomology. Then, gender differences, developmental considerations, and the role of family were examined to determine whether any of these factors buffered or exacerbated the relationship between risk and adverse outcomes. Data were collected from military-connected youth (N = 1036) between the ages of 11 and 18. Multiple regression and moderation analyses were conducted. Higher levels of cumulative risk were associated with lower levels of self-efficacy and higher levels of depressive symptomology. Few differences were found based on gender or age; however, a trend in which older youth reported higher levels of depressive symptomology than younger youth in the context of risk emerged. Turning to family as a coping resource buffered the effects of risk on self-efficacy, but this finding did not exist for depressive symptomology. Youth who are able to turn to their family when they are overwhelmed by stressors are more likely to experience a protective or buffering effect, especially with regard to self-efficacy.
Complex Litigation: Mortgage Rescission

Commentary and analysis of the possibility of classwide litigation over bad subprime mortgage loans under the federal Truth in Lending Act. This article discusses TILA’s various provisions as they intersect with class action procedure, and TILA’s limitations on remedies and monetary recoveries. The article focuses on various federal court decisions holding that the Truth in Lending Act’s provision for a rescission remedy does not authorize bad mortgage claims to be maintained in a class action. The Seventh Circuit additionally has staked out the extreme position that such claims are not suitable for certification either as a Rule 23(b)(2) action for declaratory relief, or alternatively under Rule 23(b)(3) in an action for damages. Finally, the article examines two federal court decisions where claimants have permitted TILA rescission cases.
Amorphous codoped SnS/CNTs nanocomposite with improved capacity retention as an advanced sodium-ion battery anode

Tin-based chalcogenides are considered as a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries yet they suffer from poor electronic conductivity, initial coulombic efficiency and capacity retention. Herein, using facile solvothermal route, cauliflower-like SnS/CNTs and codoped SnS/CNTs nanocomposites were synthesized. Heteroatom dopants in codoped SnS/CNTs create an amorphous structure which provides sufficient space to release volumetric strains induced during sodiation/desodiation, resulting in superior capacity retention and initial coulombic efficiency of 44% as compared to 39.4% for SnS/CNTs and 36% for SnS. Carbon nanotubes create a framework by connecting cauliflower-like SnS together and at 0.1 A g−1, it delivers a reversible capacity of 183.3 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles in SnS/CNTs, which is more than twice as high as is delivered by pure SnS, and also with a very small resistance to charge transfer. Therefore, these novel nanocomposites provide a robust platform for application in sodium-ion batteries.
Predicting the risk of cardiac myxoma in Carney complex.

Carney complex (CNC), is an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia and lentiginosis syndrome. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence and recurrence of cardiac myxomas, the predominant cause of death in CNC patients. Patients with CNC were monitored prospectively between 1995 and 2020 for the development of cardiac myxomas. Of the 319 patients studied, 136 (42.6%) developed myxomas. The mean age at diagnosis was 28.7 ± 16.6 years in females and 25.0 ± 16.4 years in males. By age 30, 35% of females and 45% of males had at least one myxoma. The CNC-related lesions, lentigines, cutaneous, mucosal, or breast myxomas, thyroid nodules, pituitary adenoma, and schwannoma were significantly more frequent (all p < 0.05) among patients with myxomas. Forty-four percent of patients had recurrences; nearly all within the first 8 and 16 years for males and females, respectively. Recurrences were more common in females. This is the largest study to date and provides the first-time risk estimates by age and gender for cardiac myxomas in CNC patients. Cardiac myxomas are common by age 30 and often recur, especially in women, but the risk drops in 10 to 20 years. These findings may guide patient counseling, screening intervals, and surgical approaches. Clinical Trial Registration: Defining the Genetic Basis for the Development of Primary Pigmented Nodular Adrenocortical Disease and the Carney complex, Registration number: NCT00001452 URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00001452.