cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Parenting Intervention and Adverse Family Environments Affect Neural Function in Middle Childhood.

Abstract Background Growing work points to the negative impact of early adverse experiences on the developing brain. An outstanding question concerns the extent to which early intervention can normalize trajectories of brain development in at-risk children. We tested this within the context of a randomized clinical trial of an early parenting program, the Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), delivered to parents and infants monitored for maltreatment by Child Protective Services. Methods Families participated in the randomized clinical trial when children were 2.5 years of age or younger. Parenting and home adversity was measured at baseline. Children were followed longitudinally, and resting brain activity was measured electrophysiologically (n = 106) when children reached 8 years of age. Spectral power was quantified and compared across children assigned to the experimental intervention (ABC), a control intervention, and a low-risk comparison group (n = 76) recruited at the follow-up assessment. Results Higher early home adversity was associated with electrophysiological profiles indicative of cortical delays/immaturity in middle childhood, based on relatively greater power in lower frequency bands (theta, 4–6 Hz, and low alpha, 6–9 Hz) and lower power in a higher frequency band (high alpha, 9–12 Hz). Children assigned to ABC showed relatively greater high-frequency power (beta, 12–20 Hz) than children assigned to the control intervention. Beta power in the ABC did not differ from that of the low-risk comparison group. Conclusions Maltreatment risk and home adversity can affect indicators of middle childhood brain maturation. Early parenting programs can support more normative patterns of neural function during middle childhood.
The Role of Texture on the Strain-Rate Sensitivity of Mg and Mg Alloy AZ31B

In this study, the role of texture on the quasi-static and dynamic response of pure magnesium and magnesium alloy AZ31B is investigated. Texture is imparted through thermo-mechanical processes of hot-rolling or equal channel angular extrusion. Constant strain-rate, both dynamic and quasi-static, and strain-rate jump experiments, dynamic-quasi-static, quasi-static-dynamic and dynamic-dynamic, are used to examine plastic flow anisotropy and strain hardening response. Observations of the macroscopic material behavior, specifically the stress-trajectory, are supported by electron back-scatter diffraction analysis to gain insights of texture evolution and predominant deformation processes taking place during deformation increments.
Nox4 through mutant p53 induces a pro-inflammatory and pro-migratory secretome in the tumor microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex environment of tumor cells and resident stromal cells that are surrounded by secreted factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Recent studies suggestreactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in tumor progression and stromal cell activation.Previously, we showed wild-type (WT) and mutant (mt) forms of p53 differentially regulate ROS generation by NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX4). We found that WT-p53 suppresses TGF-β-induced NOX4, ROS production, and cell migration, whereas tumor-associated mt-p53 proteins enhance NOX4 expression and cell migration by TGF-β/SMAD3-dependent mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the role of mutant p53-induced NOX4 on the cancer cell secretome and the effect NOX4-derived ROS has on the TME. We found that conditioned media collected from H1299 lung epithelial cells stably expressing either mutant p53-R248Q or R273H promotes the migration and invasion of naive H1299 cells in scratch-wound repair and trans-well invasion assays, respectively. Furthermore, conditioned media from cells co-transfected with mutant p53 and dominant negative NOX4 (Nox4-DN) elicited diminished migratory behavior by naive H1299 cells. We utilized a Western blot-based cytokine array analysis to identify inflammatory factors in the H1299 mutant p53 CM that promote cell migration and invasion. We found CCL5 was significantly reduced in CM from H1299 cells expressing p53-R248Q and NOX4-DN. Collectively, our findings provide further insight into NOX4-based regulation of communication between cells in the tumor microenvironment and its potential as a therapeutic target affecting inflammation-driven metastatic disease.
The Role of Caregiver Psychopathology in the Treatment of Childhood Trauma with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Systematic Review

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is regarded as one of the most effective treatments for children who have experienced trauma and is rapidly being disseminated. To best ensure efficacy, even among treatment refractory symptoms, a better understanding of the factors that lead TF-CBT to be more or less effective for some children is warranted. One major factor that has not been systematically considered is the role of caregiver psychopathology. Therefore, this systematic review of 18 empirical studies examined how TF-CBT has incorporated caregiver psychopathology into the treatment of childhood trauma and how it is related to treatment outcomes. The results of this review provide preliminary support for TF-CBT decreasing caregiver psychopathology, in terms of symptoms of depression, PTSD, and emotional distress related to the child's experience of trauma, as well as partial support for caregiver depression, rather than caregiver PTSD or distress, influencing child treatment outcomes. It also illuminates the strong need for future TF-CBT studies to routinely measure caregiver psychopathology. Several recommendations are provided to ensure that the emerging research base can inform clinical practice guidelines on how to incorporate caregivers who exhibit psychopathology and potentially develop modifications to the existing treatment to address trauma and symptoms in both members of the caregiver-child dyad, when needed.
VECTOR LOOP CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BIPHASIC T-WAVE

First described by Wellens in 1982, biphasic T-waves are associated with critical proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis. This study aims to define T-wave vector loop characteristics that differentiate biphasic T-waves associated with critical LAD stenosis from other
Ramucirumab and irinotecan in patients with previously treated gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

TPS4150Background: Ramucirumab is used for treatment of metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma after disease progression on first-line chemotherapy. Superior survival outcome is expected when c...
On the Prospects of Signaling Theory for Criminological Research: A Comment on Potential Avenues for Future Research

The recent introduction of signaling theory (Spence, 1973) into criminological literature has generated interest in a novel understanding of the desistance process from the perspective of the desister. Namely, that desisters may be sending signals of their underlying intentions to prominent decision-makers in their lives with the goal of transmitting a message of their new crime-free status. Important though this contribution may be, crafting valid empirical tests of signaling theory outside of controlled laboratory environments has historically been quite difficult. Criminologists interested in examining the postulates of signaling theory are best served learning from the diverse body of economic literature on signaling, particularly the various articulations to the theory that better define its propositions and point toward predictable issues we will encounter when conducting empirical tests of signaling in the context of employment markets and criminal histories.
Robot-assisted enucleation of gigantic liver hemangiomas: Case series of 3 patients.

Abstract Introduction Liver hemangiomas are benign liver lesions that require surgical excision when large and symptomatic. Often, these tumors are removed through large anatomical resections which sacrifice more liver parenchyma than needed. Tumor enucleation, which takes advantage of a digitoclasia-like technique along the plane between the tumor pseudo-capsule and liver parenchyma, poses challenges when performed laparoscopically. We propose a parenchymal sparing, minimally invasive, robotic-assisted technique to remove liver hemangiomas. Presentation of cases Three male patients with symptomatic hemangiomas were treated in our center between 2015 and 2018. The lesions were located in segment II, III and segment IV-V respectively. Robotic-assisted hemangioma enucleation was accomplished successfully in all three patients. The procedures were performed with a parenchyma-sparing intent and a formal segmentectomy was not required. There were no conversions to open surgery. Discussion The robotic platform provides a powerful tool in the enucleation of liver hemangiomas. The enhanced vision and the superior suturing ability allow to develop safely the plane between the tumor pseudo-capsule and the liver parenchyma, with outstanding selective control of all the vascular supply and drainage encountered during the dissection. Furthermore, precision of the hilar dissection allows selective lobar or sectorial arterial control which helps minimize intraoperative bleeding. Conclusion In our experience, robot-assisted enucleation of liver hemangiomas offers low morbidity, fast recovery, excellent cosmetic results, and it could become a therapeutic option when the location of the hemangioma allows this approach.
Fulfillment of Expectations After Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Background:To date, no study has assessed fulfillment of patients’ expectations after foot and ankle surgery. This study aimed to validate a method of assessing expectation fulfillment in foot/ankl...
Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Appalachian Women: A Pilot Study

Appalachian women are disproportionately affected by insufficient sleep but live in a healthcare shortage area with prevalent prescription drug abuse. A self-administered, non-pharmacologic interve...
Interfacial mechanics and viscoelastic properties of patchy graphene oxide reinforced nanocomposites

Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising building block for nanocomposites due to its excellent mechanical properties and tunable interfacial interactions with polymers. While experiments have shown that GO sheets consist of graphitic regions clustering into patches and oxidized regions constituting the remaining areas, the role that these heterogeneous patches play on interfacial and mechanical properties of GO reinforced nanocomposites have not yet been investigated. To address this issue at spatiotemporal scales beyond atomistic simulations, we employ recently developed coarse-grained models of GO sheet and polybutadiene to model patchy GO sheets and a representative GO/polybutadiene nanocomposite with GO sheets serving as fillers. We quantify how interfacial adhesion energy and polymer conformations depend on the size of patches and corroborate these findings with the viscoelastic behaviors of the nanocomposite determined via oscillatory shear simulations conducted at multiple temperatures. We find that heterogeneous patchy structures on GO sheets are responsible for variations in interfacial and viscoelastic properties. Specifically, larger patches result in stronger filler-matrix adhesion or enhanced material stiffness with strong or weak oxidized region-polymer interactions, respectively. Our study provides fundamental insights into the interfacial mechanisms of GO-polymer nanocomposites and the influence of heterogeneous functionalized surfaces on the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites.
Smart City: Technologies and Challenges

To address the grand challenges brought about by urbanization, “smart city” has become a ubiquitous concept for sustaining urban and economic growthwhile addressing the environmental and social issues created by that growth. While numerous articles and reports have been written about smart cities, a universal definition of what constitutes a smart city has yet to emerge with widespread consensus. A common theme to most definitions is the utilization of information and communication technologies (ICT) as an enabler to support city development, enhance urban services, and increase stakeholder access to information. Using this theme as a defining element, smart cities are quickly emerging around the world with city-wide investments in ICT to drive technological innovation, to support the development of new industries, to spur a stronger economy, to maintain a sustainable environment, and to enhance the quality of life of citizens.
Novel MRI Measurements of Extensor Mechanism Containment Can Predict Recurrent Patellar Instability

Objectives:Identifying risk factors for recurrent patellar dislocation (PD) following the first dislocation may help guide treatment. Tools for assessing the relationship of the extensor mechanism ...
A SEIR-like model with a time-dependent contagion factor describes the dynamics of the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract I consider a simple, deterministic SEIR-like model without spatial or age structure, including a presymptomatic state and distinguishing between reported and nonreported infected individuals. Using a time-dependent contagion factor β(t) (in the form a piecewise constant function) and literature values for other epidemiological parameters, I obtain good fits to observational data for the cumulative number of confirmed cases in over 160 regions (103 countries, 24 Brazilian states and 34 U.S. counties). The evolution of β is useful for characterizing the state of the epidemic. The analysis provides insight into general trends associated with the pandemic, such as the tendency toward reduced contagion, and the fraction of the population exposed to the virus.
Response to Open Peer Commentaries for “There’s No Harm in Talking: Reestablishing the Relationship Between Theological and Secular Bioethics”

The global landscape in which we wrote this essay has fundamentally changed. Given how these changes have altered the rhythm of life, particularly the added responsibilities that many of you have a...
Examining Adherence and Dose Effect of an Early Palliative Care Intervention for Advanced Heart Failure Patients.

Abstract Context Research priority guidelines highlight the need for examining the “dose” components of palliative care (PC) interventions, such as intervention adherence and completion rates, that contribute to optimal outcomes. Objectives Examine the “dose” effect of PC intervention completion vs. noncompletion on quality of life (QoL) and healthcare use in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) over 32 weeks. Methods Secondary analysis of the ENABLE CHF-PC intervention trial for patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III/IV HF. “Completers” defined as completing a single, in-person outpatient palliative care consultation (OPCC) plus 6 weekly, PC nurse coach-led telehealth sessions. “Non-completers” were defined as either not attending the OPCC or completing Results Of 208 intervention group participants, 81 (38.9%) were classified as “completers” with a mean age of 64.6 years; 72.8% were urban-dwelling; 92.5% had NYHA Class III HF. ‘Completers’ vs. “non-completers”” groups were well-balanced at baseline; however “noncompleters” did report higher anxiety (6.0 vs 7.0, P Conclusion Higher intervention completion rates of an early PC intervention was associated with QoL improvements in patients with advanced HF. Future work should focus on identifying the most efficacious “dose” of intervention components and increasing adherence to them. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02505425
Appalachian youth e-cigarette harm perceptions and tobacco use.

INTRODUCTION E-cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among youth. Although harm perceptions have been linked to youth e-cigarette use, little research focuses on vulnerable populations, such as Appalachian youth. This study examines associations between e-cigarette harm perceptions and tobacco use among a sample of Appalachian youth. METHODS Using data from the 2014-2016 Youth Appalachian Tobacco Study (n=1074), distributions of six e-cigarette harm perceptions by tobacco use (never, ever non-e-cigarette, ever e-cigarette) were examined, and multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used. RESULTS Nearly one-fourth (23.4%) of the sample were ever e-cigarette users. More e-cigarette users were male (53.4%) and in high school (57.0%). Fewer e-cigarette users strongly agreed that e-cigarettes cause health problems (15.1%), breathing problems (20.3%), and oral health problems (18.7%) and that e-cigarettes are addictive (25.1%), compared to never and non-e-cigarette users. More e-cigarette users strongly agreed (32.3%) that e-cigarettes are healthier alternatives to cigarettes compared to never (24.1%) and non-e-cigarette (25.7%) users. Regression models indicate that e-cigarette users had greater odds of strongly disagreeing with e-cigarettes being harmful or addictive, compared to never users. E-cigarette users had approximately six-fold odds of strongly disagreeing with e-cigarettes causing health problems (OR=6.12; 95% CI: 3.16-11.90) and two times greater odds of disagreeing with e-cigarettes being addictive (OR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.07-4.08) compared to never users. CONCLUSIONS Appalachian youth ever e-cigarette users perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful and less addictive compared to never users. Better informing youth, especially youth tobacco users, of the harms associated with e-cigarettes is vital.
Competition, Innovation and Crises: Evidence from 20 Million Securitized Loans

This paper asks: why did innovation in securitized mortgages spike before the 2007-09 crisis? We propose that this innovation was driven by increased competition among sponsors who securitized and sold mortgages i.e., these sponsors demanded more innovative mortgages from originators who complied. We use a regulatory change in 2000 that generated plausibly exogenous variation in local sponsor competition, to empirically identify the effect of sponsor competition on loan innovation. By comparing cohorts of loans securitized during the same time, we show that sponsor-induced innovation led to riskier mortgages being packaged into Prime deals during the pre-crisis boom period. This evidence of riskier collateral backing lower-yielding MBS is consistent with the obfuscation motives of sponsors.
Mounted Archery and Firearms

David Ayalon’s classic and highly influential 1956 study of Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdomleft some surprising questions unexamined. He attributed Ottoman victory primarily to Ottoman firearms, while Mamluks stubbornly clung to the arms of the mounted archer. But despite the technological underpinnings of his thesis, Ayalon discussed the technology of neither the traditional warfare of mounted archery nor the newfangled warfare of gunpowder weapons. Was Mamluk mounted archery actually inferior to Ottoman firearms? This essay addresses the technical basis both for the mounted archery central to Mamluk military prowess and the characteristics of late-fifteenth and early-sixteenth century firearms adopted by the Ottomans, both in the context of the social technology of Muslim military slavery. By opening the black box of Mamluk and Ottoman military technology, this essay seeks to show more precisely in what ways military technology did and did not shape the outcome of the struggle.
The Broader Autism Phenotype

The broader autism phenotype (BAP) has been conceptualized as a constellation of subclinical traits that parallel the deficits observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The BAP is thought to represent an intermediate phenotype that is more frequently observed in family members of individuals with ASD. This chapter discusses methodological issues in the assessment of the BAP and describes the domains thought to characterize the BAP in family members and in the general population. It also provides a brief discussion of the etiological significance of the BAP. Keywords: autism; autism spectrum; BAP; broader autism phenotype
Fun for all: promoting engagement and participation in community programming projects

When we wrote this chapter in 2003, we were in the midst of a long-term engagement with residents of Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, as research participants in the Blacksburg Electronic Village project, the first Web-based community networking project in the U.S. (Carroll and Rosson 1996). During the ten years we lived in Blacksburg we continuously worked with a variety of community groups on various projects around the theme of integrating information and technology infrastructures into community life. Since that time, community informatics (the design and appropriation of computational systems in support of geo-located communities) has expanded and gained more prominence in HCI and CSCW research (Carroll and Rosson, AIS Trans Hum Comput Interact, 20, 2013). Through that same period, research on tools and methods for end-user programming and development has continued, though there has still been relatively little attention to community applications of novice programming (Paterno 2013).
A Long-Term Controlled Folate Feeding Study in Young Women Supports the Validity of the 1.7 Multiplier in the Dietary Folate Equivalency Equation

The presence of folic acid in enriched cereal grain products and the higher bioavailability of folic acid than food folate led to the expression of the 1998 folate RDA, 400 microg/d, as dietary folate equivalents (DFE). DFE are defined as: mug natural food folate + 1.7 x microg synthetic folic acid. The 1.7 multiplier was based on assumptions that added folic acid was 85% available and food folate was 50% available. The 85/50 ratio also inferred that the bioavailability of food folate was approximately 60% relative to added folic acid. The objective of this long-term controlled feeding study was to assess the dietary folate equivalency of folic acid. After a 2-wk period of folate restriction, women (n = 42, 18-45 y old) consumed either 400 or 800 microg DFE/d derived from various combinations of food folate and folic acid for 12 wk. Folic acid was converted to DFE using the 1.7 multiplier from the DFE calculation and was consumed with a meal throughout the treatment period. Folate status response to the various treatments was assessed during wk 12-14. Serum folate, RBC folate, and plasma total homocysteine did not differ among the 400 microg DFE/d groups or among the 800 microg DFE/d groups. In contrast, consumption of 800 microg DFE/d led to higher (P </= 0.05) serum and RBC folate than consumption of 400 microg DFE/d. These data support the validity of the 1.7 multiplier in the DFE equation and suggest that food folate bioavailability is approximately 60% that of added folic acid when consumed as part of a mixed diet.
The Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor Ethoxzolamide Inhibits the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PhoPR Regulon and Esx-1 Secretion and Attenuates Virulence

Mycobacterium tuberculosis must sense and adapt to host environmental cues to establish and maintain an infection. The two-component regulatory system PhoPR plays a central role in sensing and responding to acidic pH within the macrophage and is required for M. tuberculosis intracellular replication and growth in vivo. Therefore, the isolation of compounds that inhibit PhoPR-dependent adaptation may identify new antivirulence therapies to treat tuberculosis. Here, we report that the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ethoxzolamide inhibits the PhoPR regulon and reduces pathogen virulence. We show that treatment of M. tuberculosis with ethoxzolamide recapitulates phoPR mutant phenotypes, including downregulation of the core PhoPR regulon, altered accumulation of virulence-associated lipids, and inhibition of Esx-1 protein secretion. Quantitative single-cell imaging of a PhoPR-dependent fluorescent reporter strain demonstrates that ethoxzolamide inhibits PhoPR-regulated genes in infected macrophages and mouse lungs. Moreover, ethoxzolamide reduces M. tuberculosis growth in both macrophages and infected mice. Ethoxzolamide inhibits M. tuberculosis carbonic anhydrase activity, supporting a previously unrecognized link between carbonic anhydrase activity and PhoPR signaling. We propose that ethoxzolamide may be pursued as a new class of antivirulence therapy that functions by modulating expression of the PhoPR regulon and Esx-1-dependent virulence.
An acidic snowmelt event in a New Jersey stream : evidence of effects on an indigenous trout population

Van Campens Brook is a circumneutral stream in northwestern New Jersey that supports reproducing populations of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A short-term pH depression occurred in the stream following a snowmelt in the spring of 1984. A stream pH of 4.5 was recorded shortly after the onset of the snowmelt and the pH remained depressed (5.2) a week later. Stream pH did not fall below 6.2 following other rain and snowmelt events monitored during 1985–1987. An electrofishing survey conducted in 1985 revealed a near-total absence of 1984 year-class rainbow trout, spring spawners that are highly sensitive to acidity. Brook and brown trout spawning appeared to be unaffected. Rainbow trout reproductive success was good during 1985–87.
Predicting daughter milk production from dam index

Abstract First lactations in Dairy Herd Improvement Associations from 10,349 registered Holsteins in Iowa, Kanasa, and Missouri were used to evaluate the usefulness of Estimated Average Transmitting Ability of dams to predict milk production of their future duaghters where dam and daughter were in the same herd. This index estimates half the genetic worth of a cow from her records and records of her dam, daughters, paternal and maternal half sisters. Correlation of dam's index with daughter deviated first lactation milk yield was .18 where .20 was expected. Linear regression of daughter first lactation deviated yield on dam index was 1.15, which differed from 1.00. Quadratic and cubic regressions were not significant, but daughters of the lowest dams produced more milk than expected. Deviated yield of daughter first lactation was regressed simultaneously on groups of relatives in the dam's index. Weights for cow were larger than expected, and weights for dam were smaller than expected. Multiple correlations indicated dams and maternal sisters contributed less than expected to accuracy of predicting daughter yield.
Models for endemic infections with asymptomatic cases. I. One group

In many infectious diseases, a proportion of infected individuals do not develop symptoms sufficient to alert them to the fact of infection. They may, however, depending on the specific infectious agent involved, spread the infection to others. Infections that do not provoke symptoms are sometimes called silent infections or subclinical infections and the individuals so affected are called asymptomatic. The role of asymptomatic but infected individuals is thought to be very important in the spread of certain diseases. Kemper [I] has mentioned cholera and acute diarrhea1 fever in this connection. Another important example is gonorrhea. A high percentage of both males and females are known (see Constable [2]) to contact gonorrhea1 infection without pain or other symptoms, and therefore they do not seek medical treatment. Since recovery from gonorrhea apparently requires medical treatment, this leaves a significant reservoir of undetected spreaders to pass on the infection. As a consequence, a large effort has been devoted by public health officials to tracing and treating sexual contacts of individuals presenting themselves with symptoms, in hopes of locating and curing these asymptomatic but infectious persons. Kemper [l] has formulated a simple deterministic model for diseases that do not confer immunity and in which there are silent infections. In this model, the population is assumed to be divided into three subgroups, the susceptibles (S), the infectives with symptoms (I), and the infectives without symptoms (A). Kemper assumes the usual “mass action” law for contacts, but permits the contact rate for individuals in class I to differ from the contact rate for individuals in class A. The model that we formulate here is a generalization of Kemper’s in two ways. First, it permits the recovery rates to be different for the classes I and A. The restriction to equal recovery rates (or equivalently, equal mean infectious periods) seems unrealistic in a disease (such as gonorrhea) in which individuals with symptoms usually seek prompt
Benthos of the Gorda Ridge axial valley (NE Pacific Ocean): Taxonomic composition and trends in distribution

Abstract Distribution and relative abundance of invertebrate mega-epifauna and benthic fishes were studied in the Gorda Ridge central rift valley off southern Oregon and northern California, USA. Faunal distribution and relative abundance were correlated with location, geological setting, substrate type, and depth. Bottom photographs and videotapes were from 1985–1986 cruises by the US Geological Survey and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Voucher specimens were collected by rock dredge, fish trap, and the Deep Submergence Vehicle (DSV) Sea Cliff. Location rather than substrate appears to have more effect on the overall taxonomic composition of the mega-epifauna in the northern and southern parts of the rift valley. Within each location, substrate type, i.e. soft sediments and rock outcrops, and percentage cover of these substrates appear to influence the existing faunal composition. Characteristic fauna are associated with each substrate type, e.g. crinoids, gorgonians and sponges (Demospongiae) on rocky surfaces. In the southern sediment-filled Escanaba Trough, deposit-feeding organisms, particularly ophiuroids, asteroids and holothuroids, are interspersed with stalked suspension feeders, such as hexactinellid sponges and pennatulids. Epifaunal community structure in the northern and southern sectors differs, even on similar substrate combinations. Except for the ubiquitous macrourids, fish species distributions may be correlated with substrate type. Abundant particulate material in the bottom water layer probably accounts for large concentrations of suspension and detritus feeding epibenthos.
Survey of the computer-integrated manufacturing literature: a framework of strategy, implementation and innovation

A model of computer-integrated manufacturing as the integration of strategy, implementation and innovation is presented. Strategy emphasizes a clear understanding of the objectives and goals of the organization. Strategy can be understood in terms of the interaction between product and process strategies, critial success factors and product life-cycle. Implementation stresses an iterative incremental process based on strategy, user involvement and tolerance. Innovation is the result of a successfully implemented strategy. It is both organizational learning and change.
Fabrication of large-area twisted bilayer graphene for high-speed ultra-sensitive tunable photodetectors

Single layer graphene has shown promising applications in fast and sensitive optoelectronic applications such as optical modulators and photodetectors. Twisted bilayer graphene has the potential to further improve the performances of such graphene devices due to its modified electronic band structure. However, the lack of synthesis method for large-area isolated twisted bilayer graphene has limited device applications. After a brief review of recent development in single layer graphene optoelectronic property and photodetectors, we discuss unique optical properties of twisted bilayer graphene. We then show two methods that we have developed to fabricate large-size twisted bilayer graphene islands. The first method uses chemical vapor deposition; the other method utilizes mechanical stacking of two large-size single layer graphene hexagons. The realization of such twisted bilayer graphene samples enables new development of novel graphene-based devices.
RNA codons recognized by transfer RNA from amphibian embryos and adults.

Abstract Nucleotide sequences of thirty-seven RNA codons recognized by aminoacyl-transfer RNA from amphibian embryos were determined and were compared with codons recognized by transfer RNA from adult Xenopus liver and from Escherichia coli. The correspondence between RNA codons and amino acids, determined with aminoacyl-tRNA from embryos and adults, does not differ grossly for the twelve amino acids examined. However, both Xenopus embryo and adult aminoacyl-tRNA differ from E. coli aminoacyl-tRNA in relative response to certain synonym trinucleotides.
To think without abstraction: on the problem of standpoint in cultural criticism

Within the Marxist critical tradition, abstraction has figured as a reversible concept, designating two apparently contrary tendencies: dematerialisation and concretisation. Thus, for Adorno, ‘the extreme abstraction' represented by Hegel's thought consists in ‘its ideal of presentation, the negation of presentation’, while for Lukacs abstraction is a principle of reification, meaning concretisation. This essay begins by outlining the implications of this reversibility of abstraction, using Marx, Adorno, and Lukacs, as well as the recent work of Vivek Chibber, whose Postcolonial Theory and the Specter of Capital helps clarify some of the contemporary misuses of the term ‘abstraction’. The second half of the article turns to the question of the possibility of a thought without abstraction. The key figure for this discussion is the theoretician of new media Vilem Flusser, whose book Into the Universe of Technical Images outlines an account of technical images that, I argue, enables us to think both the reve...
The pineal gland and seasonal reproductive adjustments.

The pineal gland seems to play a major role in controlling and synchronizing circannual reproductive cycles in some mammals. The following scheme is based primarily on experimental evidence compiled using the golden hamster. However, it is probably applicable in one form or another to a number of long day breeding species. When hamsters are kept under natural photoperiodic conditions they exhibit a period of infertility followed by a period of fertility. The entire cycle encompasses approximately one year. The cycle has been divided into 4 distinctive phases: the inhibition phase, the sexually quiescent phase, the restoration phase, and the sexually active phase. During the inhibition phase the decreasing photoperiods in the fall of the year cause activation of the pineal gland and, as a consequence, gonadal regression. The sexually quiescent phase requires an intact pineal gland to maintain the gonads in a non-functional state. The restoration phase, which occurs in the spring of the year, allows the gonads to become recrudescent. This phase of the cycle seems to be light independent. The sexually active phase extends from spring until fall. During this phase the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis seems to be refractory to inhibition by the pineal gland. Some light is required during the summer months to interrupt the refractory period.
Comment on “Computation of Two-Center Coulomb Integrals over Slater-Type Orbitals Using Elliptical Coordinates”

In a recent article in this journal, Ozmen, Karakas, Atav, and Yakar gave formulas for the evaluation of two-center Coulomb integrals over Slater-type orbitals (STOs) in ellipsoidal coordinates Int J Quantum Chem 2003, 91, 13–19. The relation of this work to the rich literature on STO integral evaluation is reviewed, with focus on the important issues of speed of computation and numerical stability. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 332–334, 2003
A family of cloning vectors containing the lacUV5 promoter.

Abstract A family of plasmids containing short pieces of Escherichia coli lac promoter DNA has been constructed. DNA fragments from any source may be inserted directly into the unique Eco RI sites of some of these plasmids to achieve transcription under the control of the lac UV5 promoter. Alternatively, the plasmids serve as convenient sources of lac DNA fragments (‘portable promoters’) containing the ‘up’ promoter mutations UV5 or P s (super promoter) as well as the wild-type promoter. pOP95-2, pOP95-5, pOP203-1, pOP203-2 and pOP203-3 are derivatives of pMB9 while pOP95-15 and pOP203-13 are derivatives of pBR322. The pOP95 plasmids contain the 95-bp Alu I lac fragment. This fragment includes the UV5 promoter (minus the CAP binding site), the repressor binding site, and ends 2 bp before an ATG encoding the β-Gal start codon. The pOP203 plasmids contain the 203-bp Hae III lac fragment. This fragment contains the UV5 promoter (including the L8 mutation in the CAP binding site), the repressor binding site and sequences encoding the first 8 amino acids of β-Gal. To shorten and introduce reading frame heterogeneity in the β-Gal coding end of the pOP203 plasmids, the Eco RI site in pOP203-12 was moved upstream by digesting Eco RI cut plasmid DNA with T4 DNA polymerase and Sl nuclease followed by ligation in the presence of Eco RI linker. This produced the plasmids pOP203-24, pOP203-27, pOP203-28 and pOP203-29. pOP203-29 encodes essentially just that portion of the β-Gal mRNA sequence which is protected from nuclease digestion by the bound ribosomal complex (Maizels, 1974).
Desulfurization of gaseous fuels using activated carbons as catalysts for the selective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide

The removal of low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H{sub 2}S) from hydrogen-rich gaseous fuels by selective catalytic oxidation, using activated carbon as the catalyst, was studied. The capacities of four activated carbons for reducing the H{sub 2}S concentration down to the parts per billion (ppb) level were determined to be strongly related to their microstructures and impurities, even though their activity and selectivity were strongly dependent on the test conditions, such as reaction temperature, O{sub 2}:H{sub 2}S ratio, space velocity, and length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of the catalyst bed. Because the side reactions that form COS and SO{sub 2} are sometimes unavoidable under real fuel processing conditions, the complete and exclusive conversion of H{sub 2}S to elemental sulfur (S) requires that activated carbon has catalytic activities not only for the oxidation of H{sub 2}S, but also for the oxidation of COS and the reaction between H{sub 2}S and SO{sub 2}. Because one of the activated carbons (sample W-22) had such catalytic functions and a relatively large capacity of trapping sulfur in its micropores, this carbon showed a combination of excellent activity and selectivity on removing H{sub 2}S from both hydrogen and simulated reformate streams at a reaction temperature of {approximately} 150{supmore » o}C. 46 refs., 8 figs., 4 tabs.« less
Media Representation Of Nutrition Research

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: Participants will be able to apply a three-point strategy for interpreting nutrition reports in the newspaper. The researchers studied discrepancies between newspaper reports of nutrition-related scientific research and the actual research. The purpose was to answer the following: • Do newspaper headlines accurately represent scientific research? • What areas of the research are likely to be misrepresented? • Does the journalist state where to find the original study? • Is there a difference in accuracy among newspapers? • Is it possible to develop guidelines for discerning readers? The sample was obtained in two ways. First, Data Times was searched for all weekday articles appearing in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Seattle Times, USA Today , and Los Angeles Times using key words related to diet and nutrition from January 1, 1995 through June 30,1995. This was followed with manual searches of The New York Times for six months, The Wall Street Journal for two months and a six-month search of The Seattle Times using a CD-ROM to spot-check Data Times findings. Over 100 usable articles were matched with the appropriate journal report and rated on a 14-point scale. The results demonstrate a significant difference among newspapers and between signed and wire service articles. Additionally, news headlines tend to focus on partial study results, journalists usually ignore methodology and rarely discuss design flaws but seem to accurately report one of the study results. Journalists include practical applications of study results. The consumer (including the professional), on the other hand, might only see the news headline which focuses on a narrow aspect of the study. Results from this study can guide people in their evaluation of the news, identify areas where researchers can improve their communication skills and journalists can scrutinize the research about which they are reporting.
A predictive model for dehydration of a hydrogel contact lens in the eye

Abstract The clinically observed dehydration of hydrogel contact lenses in some eyes under certain conditions is explained here in terms of the blink characteristics and the physical properties of the hydrogel. The steady state water content of a hydrogel contact lens in the eye depends on the swelling pressure and water conductivity of the hydrogel, the lens thickness, and the characteristics of the blink. The depth to which dehydration penetrates from the anterior surface, a possible causative factor in punctate staining among some hydrogel contact lens wearers, is estimated from the analysis of lens properties and blink characteristics.
Changes in cytokine levels and NK cell activation associated with influenza.

Several studies have highlighted the important role played by murine natural killer (NK) cells in the control of influenza infection. However, human NK cell responses in acute influenza infection, including infection with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, are poorly documented. Here, we examined changes in NK cell phenotype and function and plasma cytokine levels associated with influenza infection and vaccination. We show that absolute numbers of peripheral blood NK cells, and particularly those of CD56bright NK cells, decreased upon acute influenza infection while this NK cell subset expanded following intramuscular influenza vaccination. NK cells exposed to influenza antigens were activated, with higher proportions of NK cells expressing CD69 in study subjects infected with seasonal influenza strains. Vaccination led to increased levels of CD25+ NK cells, and notably CD56bright CD25+ NK cells, whereas decreased amounts of this subset were present in the peripheral blood of influenza infected individuals, and predominantly in study subjects infected with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. Finally, acute influenza infection was associated with low plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, MIP-1β, IL-2 and IL-15, and high levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-1ra. Altogether, these data suggest a role for the CD56bright NK cell subset in the response to influenza, potentially involving their recruitment to infected tissues and a local production and/or uptake of inflammatory cytokines.
An adjustable oxide-free tunnel junction for vibrational spectroscopy of molecules

We describe an adjustable, oxide-free, tunnel junction with the stability necessary to observe the vibrational modes of molecules adsorbed on clean metal surfaces. We illustrate the capabilities of this device with inelastic tunneling data from junctions whose barriers are formed by neon/acetylene mixtures of varying concentration. From the concentration dependence of the inelastic spectra, we can distinguish between acetylene molecules chemisorbed on the metal electrodes and those that are either physisorbed or incorporated in the neon barrier.
Implementation of a context-addressed pipeline3 SIMD architecture

The context-addressed SIMD architecture is being examined as a means to provide suitable processing capabilities for non-numeric applications. This paper considers techniques which are being applied to realize this architecture in a segment sequential fashion.A fixed head disc provides a large amount of sequential storage already segmented into tracks. Economical bit-serial microprocessors are employed one per track to process the instructions and data sequentially as the disc rotates. A microprocessor and its track are here called a cell. A chain of cells can search a file consisting of fixed length words organized into variable length records in one revolution or cycle of the disc. Intercell communication in the chain as a pipeline allows files and records which overlap segment boundaries to be processed as an intact file or record, with all segments processed in parallel. Transfers of words and bits in pipeline fashion between cells allows the file to change size dynamically without regard for its cellular segmentation, as words may be either inserted or deleted within a record.Instruction execution in this architecture is also pipelined. The next instruction is preprocessed in one cycle along with its operand while the current instruction is executing, and the previous one is finishing up its operation or post-processing. This instruction pipelining is performed in order to minimize the execution time for a sequential instruction by overlapping the instruction fetch and execute of two consecutive cycles. The segment sequential organization also demands that the instruction execution continue into the next cycle in order to process the elements of a record that may overlap segments. Again by overlapping this instruction clean-up with the next instruction's execution, we may minimize the instruction execution time.A hardware realization of this pipeline of cells which pipelines its instruction execution becomes another pipeline. Each bit serial microprocessor is in fact a pipeline of modules each performing some phase of instruction execution or segment support such as garbage word deletion or new data insertion. The segment sequential architecture lends itself very nicely to this pipeline3 approach.Although they provide a powerful architecture, these three pipeline constructs also develope new problems in their control and timing. Such problems include that the words which are pipelined between cells are not processed twice, missed entirely, or only partially processed by the instruction pipeline. A solution to these and to other problems related to this architecture are presented in this paper.
Oxygenation of alcohol and sulphide substrates by a prototypical non-haem iron monooxygenase: catalysis and biotechnological potential

Abstract Since much industrial chemistry involves oxidation/reduction reactions, monooxygenases which incorporate molecular oxygen directly into simple, unactivated organic substrates - while exhibiting high stereo- and regioselectivity - have attracted much biotechnological interest. The hydrocarbon monooxygenase system from Pseudomonas oleovorans (POM) is prototypical of the non-haem metallo monooxygenases, a large group of enzymes whose oxyfunctionalization activities involve an essential active-site metal, commonly iron or copper. It is now demonstrated that the POM system readily catalyses the oxygenative formation of aldehydes from terminal alcohols and the oxygenation of thioether substrates leading to both sulphoxide and S -dealkylation products. Both reactions exhibit the enzymological characteristics of the normal oxygenation pathway of the POM system and are kinetically facile processes. From a biotechnological perspective, these results significantly expand the menu of possible applications which can be envisioned for non-haem metallo monooxygenase catalysis. As an example, preparative scale production of sulphoxide was successfully carried out, since enzymatically-generated sulphoxides may be useful as activating functionalities for carbon-carbon bond formation. We anticipate that the results reported here will stimulate efforts on this and other new directions for the biotechnological utilization of oxygenase enzyme systems.