cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive flow-field estimation

Abstract We are considering the problem of real-time prediction of 3D turbulent velocity fields based on a small number of scalar measurements. The method of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) allows for the decomposition of an ensemble of velocity fields into a set of spatial basis functions and a set of temporal coefficients. The computation of the temporal coefficients is by no means a trivial matter, especially when one is faced with a large number of modes. In this paper we discuss the use of radial basis function (RBF) models to capture the discrete time evolution and nonlinear dynamics of the POD coefficients. Further, we propose the use of regularized regression techniques to generate models that provide mappings between the POD coefficients and scalar measurements. As a final step towards real-time prediction, the state–space RBF models and regression measurement models are combined using unscented Kalman filters to produce optimal solutions such that a balance between the state models and measurement models is achieved. The proposed methods are tested for two specific cases. The classical Lorenz model is chosen to demonstrate the use and effectiveness of RBF models as a potential candidate for state models. Flow around a wall-mounted cube in a channel at R e = 20,000 is considered as the second case. The aim for the second case is to be able to accurately predict the POD coefficients outside the ensemble. It is shown that a large number of POD coefficients is required to approximate the velocity fields with sufficient accuracy. The RBF models are created based on only the temporal information available from the initial ensemble, and it is shown that the RBF model is able to correctly approximate the high-dimensional phase space. Combined with the unscented Kalman filter it is indeed possible to track the evolution of the POD coefficients for a long time. The robustness of the filter is demonstrated by considering the presence of noise in measurements and using measurement information at time steps greater than the evolution time step.
Changes in Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) concentration and Na,K-ATPase-dependent adenosine triphosphate turnover in human erythrocytes in diabetes.

Abstract The concentration of Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Na,K-ATPase-dependent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) turnover was measured in fasting blood samples of 20 subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 22 subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and 20 nondiabetic subjects. [ 3 H]ouabain binding was used to determine Na,K-ATPase concentration. There were 471 ± 70 (mean ± SD) ouabain binding sites per erythrocyte, normally distributed in the nondiabetic subjects. The number of ouabain sites per cell was lognormally distributed in the two populations of diabetic subjects. The mean of lognormal distributions of ouabain sites per cell was significantly lower in the IDDM group. The mean of the lognormal distribution for the NIDDM group was not significantly different from that of the nondiabetic subjects. Na,K-ATPase-dependent ATP turnover (molar activity) was 9,580 ± 742 mol/mol minute (mean ± SD) normally distributed in the nondiabetic population. A lognormal distribution was observed in the diabetic population. Means of the lognormal distributions were significantly different: 3.98 ± 0.05 for the nondiabetic population and 3.13 ± 0.48 for both diabetic populations. Changes in the concentration of Na,K-ATPase (ouabain sites per cell) and Na,K-ATPase-dependent ATP turnover did not correlate with hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) or with blood glucose. This would suggest that elevated glucose concentrations do not directly cause decreased Na,K-ATPase function in the diabetic erythrocyte.
Inhaled carbon monoxide abrogates pulmonary hypertension

Abstract Background: Pulmonary hypertension poses a significant clinical challenge. Our current therapies are limited and not efficacious. Carbon monoxide (CO), which is produced endogenously by heme oxygenases, has been shown to possess vasoregulatory properties. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhaled low dose CO would prevent and reverse pulmonary vascular hyperplasia and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) in an animal model of pulmonary hypertension. Methods: Monocrotaline (MCT)-treated rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 3–6 per group). Group A received MCT (50 mg/kg, s.c.) alone. Group B was treated with 1 hour daily of inhaled CO (250 ppm) days 1–14 after MCT administration. Group C received CO from days 15–28 and Group D received CO from days 29–42. All animals were sacrificed on day number 43 and their hearts and lungs harvested for morphometric and histologic evaluation. Body weight, right and left ventricular masses, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were evaluated. Results: MCT caused progressive pulmonary hypertension. By day 42, MCT-treated rats had a mPAP of 35 ± 3.3 compared to untreated controls whose mPAP was 16 ± 2.1 and CO-treated rats which had a mPAP of 20 ± 7.1 (p (Table) TABLE—ABSTRACT 45 . CO (days given) Body wt. (gm) RV wt. (mg) RV/BW (mg/g) Group A None 219 ± 3.6 414 ± 33.5 1.89 ± 0.19 Group B 1–14 275 ± 8.3 ∗ 157 ± 14.7 ∗ 0.57 ± 0.06 ∗ Group C 15–28 266 ± 9.7 ∗ 180 ± 30.1 ∗ 0.68 ± 0.14 ∗ Group D 29–42 236 ± 11.7 ∗ 193 ± 67.2 ∗ 0.82 ± 0.3 ∗ ∗ p > 0.05 v. Group A, Fisher’s Least Significant Difference, ANOVA. (p Conclusion: Our data show that low dose inhaled CO decreases mPAP, and prevents RVH and vascular changes in MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension. CO therapy was effective even after the development of cardiac and pulmonary disease. CO may be a useful adjunct in the treatment or prevention of pulmonary hypertension.
Propagation of Varicella-Zoster Virus in a Diploid Strain of Embryonic Thyroid Cells from the Rhesus Monkey

A strain of rhesus-monkey thyroid cells that maintained its diploid karyotype through at least 20 passages was found to support the growth of varicellazoster (V-Z) virus. V-Z virus was serially propagated in these cultures by passage of infected cells or cell-free virus. Cell-free virus and both complement-fixing and precipitin antigens were prepared from these cultures. Human embryonic-lung fibroblast (HELF) cultures have been the preferred host for the propagation of varicella zoster (V-Z) virus. This system is far from satisfactory, however, because of the difficulty in obtaining cell-free infectious virus for neutralization tests or for characterization of V-Z virus [1]. Several investigators have shown that simiancell cultures would support the growth of V-Z virus [2-4]. These findings suggested that cultures derived from simian embryonic tissues might provide a suitable host system for the propagation of V-Z virus. To explore this possibility, we developed cell strains from a variety of tissues which were obtained from a rhesus fetus. It was found that V-Z virus produced cytopathic changes in cells derived from thyroid, thymus, and liver but not in cells derived from lung. Since serial passage of cell-free V-Z virus could be accomplished only in thyroid cultures, this system was studied in detail. The results of these studies and their implications are discussed.
Complexities in decision making for persons with disabilities nearing end of life.

AbstractGood end-of-life care requires that clinicians, families, and ethicists be aware of biases that influence patient cases, particularly in the acute care setting where the aim is primarily cure and return to optimal functional level. Persons with disabilities may pose unique challenges; their potential for quality of life is viewed through the lens of highly functional clinicians who might have a biased view of the disabled person’s quality of life. The authors aim to present three categories of disability that do not claim to be absolute but rather offer clinicians and ethicists a lens through which to reflect on bias that unconsciously may influence their approach to the patient who is seriously ill and may be nearing the end of life. The categories include (a) a person who has lived with a disability from birth or early life, due to trauma or disease, and is now faced with a serious illness that requires that life-sustaining treatment; (b) the otherwise healthy person who acquires a disability th...
An Image Secret Sharing Method

This paper presents an image secret sharing method which essentially incorporates two k-out-of-n secret sharing schemes: i) Shamir's secret sharing scheme and ii) matrix projection secret sharing scheme. The technique allows a secret image to be divided as n image shares so that: i) any k image shares (k ? n) can be used to reconstruct the secret image in lossless manner and ii) any (k - 1) or fewer image shares cannot get sufficient information to reveal the secret image. It is an effective, reliable and secure method to prevent the secret image from being lost, stolen or corrupted. In comparison with other image secret sharing methods, this approach's advantages are its large compression rate on the size of the image shares, its strong protection of the secret image and its ability for realtime processing.
Nucleotide Binding and Conformational Switching in the Hexameric Ring of a AAA+ Machine.

SUMMARY ClpX, a AAA+ ring homohexamer, uses the energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis to power conformational changes that unfold and translocate target proteins into the ClpP peptidase for degradation. In multiple crystal structures, some ClpX subunits adopt nucleotide-loadable conformations, others adopt unloadable conformations, and each conformational class exhibits substantial variability. Using mutagenesis of individual subunits in covalently tethered hexamers together with fluorescence methods to assay the conformations and nucleotide-binding properties of these subunits, we demonstrate that dynamic interconversion between loadable and unloadable conformations is required to couple ATP hydrolysis by ClpX to mechanical work. ATP binding to different classes of subunits initially drives staged allosteric changes, which set the conformation of the ring to allow hydrolysis and linked mechanical steps. Subunit switching between loadable and unloadable conformations subsequently isomerizes or resets the configuration of the nucleotide-loaded ring and is required for mechanical function.
Directed migration of transplanted glial cells toward a spinal cord demyelinating lesion

Abstract To investigate the migration of transplanted glial cells in normal adult mice with a focal demyelinating lesion, we have used A2G mice which have the autosomal dominant Mx-1 allele as donor. Mx-1 protein expression is inducible by interferon and is detected in a dotted pattern in the nucleus of A2G cells. A/J mice were used as recipient animals as they express the same major histocompatibility antigens as A2G but cannot express the Mx-1 protein. An acute demyelinating lesion was produced in the A/J spinal cord by intraspinal injection of lysolecithin. Mixed glial cultures derived from newborn A2G brain were treated with α/β interferon for 24 hr. These Mx-1 expressing glial cells were then transplanted two intervertebral spaces away from the demyelinating lesion. The fate of the grafted cells was followed over the next 13 days, during which the induced Mx-1 protein can still be detected by immunocytochemistry. Grafted cells were found between the transplantation site and the lesion at 24 hr and some of the Mx-1+ cells reached the lesion at 4 days. The majority of the Mx-1+ migrating cells expressed GFAP and were located in the myelinated white matter and around the blood vessels. Scattered MBP+, Mx-1+ cells were detected in the lesion indicating that some of the transplanted cells may participate in the repair process. The Mx-1 is a useful marker to follow the migration events in the days after grafting and to determined what factors may attract transplanted cells toward a demyelinating lesion.
Welfare reform and child welfare outcomes: A multiple-cohort study

Abstract This article reports the results of a study of whether children placed in foster care prior to welfare reform return home more quickly than do children placed in foster care after reform. The study also examines whether specific factors such as a child's mother's loss of cash assistance show a stronger relationship to the speed with which a child returns home after reform than before. The study relies on administrative data; has a prospective multiple-cohort design; and includes a sample of 1560 children. The analysis shows that children who entered foster care after reform are reunified more slowly within 12 months of their placements than are children who entered foster care before reform and that family-income-related variables have a strong relationship to reunification speed.
Autoradiographic localization of 3Hdihyrotestosterone in the preoptic area, hypothalamus, and amygdala of a male rhesus monkey

In a preliminary study, autoradiography was used to localize target cells for 3Hdihydrotestosterone (DHT), a non-aromatizable androgen, in the brain of the rhesus monkey. One castrated male was injected intravenously with 2 mCi of 3HDHT (0.42 μg/kg), and was killed one hour later. Neurons that concentrated radioactivity in their nuclei were located in widespread areas of the brain, which included the medial and suprachiasmatic preoptic nuclei, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral septal nucleus, anterior hypothalamic area, ventromedial, arcuate, or dorsemedial, and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei, ventral premammillary nucleus, and medial, cortical, basal accessory, and lateral amygdaloid nuclei. These results indicate that the topographic distribution of androgen target neurons is considerably wider than that observed in a study using 3Htestosterone (T) in the male rhesus monkey (1). However, further work is needed to elucidate these differences before attempting correlations between behavioral activity and androgen receptors in the brain.
Electrochemistry and Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of (dppy)BTPAa Bipolar, Solvatochromic Boron Compound

We investigated the electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of the highly solvatochromic emitter (dppy)BTPA, which consists of a 2,6-diphenolpyridine (dppy) boron moiety linked to a triphenylamine moiety (BTPA). At 0.72 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE), in pure MeCN, the triphenylamine moiety of (dppy)BTPA is oxidized to form a stable radical cation. At -1.72 V versus SCE, in pure MeCN, the diphenolpyridine boron moiety is reduced to form a radical anion that dimerizes with kf ) 1.8 10 4 M -1 s -1 . Annihilation between the two radical ions generates an ECL spectrum in the same region as the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, but with an additional shoulder at a longer wavelength. Both the PL and the ECL exhibit a strong bathochromic shift and quenching as solvent polarizability increases (for different solvents or for mixtures of MeCN and benzene). This effect is enhanced by the presence of the supporting electrolyte, Bu4N + ClO4 - .
Investigating the relationships between gaze patterns, dynamic vehicle surround analysis, and driver intentions

Recent advances in driver behavior analysis for Active Safety have led to the ability to reliably predict certain driver intentions. Specifically, researchers have developed Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that produce an estimate of a driver's intention to change lanes, make an intersection turn, or brake, several seconds before the act itself. One integral feature in these systems is the analysis of driver visual search prior to a maneuver, using head pose and eye gaze as a proxy to determine focus of attention. However it is not clear whether visual distractions during a goal-oriented visual search could change the driver's behavior and thereby cause a degradation in the performance of the behavior analysis systems. In this paper we aim to determine whether it is feasible to use computer vision to determine whether a driver's visual search was affected by an external stimulus. A holistic ethnographic driving dataset is used as a basis to generate a motion-based visual saliency map of the scene. This map is correlated with predetermined eye gaze data in situations where a driver intends to change lanes. Results demonstrate the capability of this methodology to improve driver attention and behavior estimation, as well as intent prediction.
tRNA over-expression in breast cancer and functional consequences

Increased proliferation and elevated levels of protein synthesis are characteristics of transformed and tumor cells. Though components of the translation machinery are often misregulated in cancers, what role tRNA plays in cancer cells has not been explored. We compare genome-wide tRNA expression in cancer-derived versus non-cancer-derived breast cell lines, as well as tRNA expression in breast tumors versus normal breast tissues. In cancer-derived versus non-cancer-derived cell lines, nuclear-encoded tRNAs increase by up to 3-fold and mitochondrial-encoded tRNAs increase by up to 5-fold. In tumors versus normal breast tissues, both nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded tRNAs increase up to 10-fold. This tRNA over-expression is selective and coordinates with the properties of cognate amino acids. Nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded tRNAs exhibit distinct expression patterns, indicating that tRNAs can be used as biomarkers for breast cancer. We also performed association analysis for codon usage-tRNA expression for the cell lines. tRNA isoacceptor expression levels are not geared towards optimal translation of house-keeping or cell line specific genes. Instead, tRNA isoacceptor expression levels may favor the translation of cancer-related genes having regulatory roles. Our results suggest a functional consequence of tRNA over-expression in tumor cells. tRNA isoacceptor over-expression may increase the translational efficiency of genes relevant to cancer development and progression.
Steady-state quantile parameter estimation: an empirical comparison of stochastic kriging and quantile regression

The time required to execute simulation models of modern production systems remains high even with todays computing power, particularly when what-if analyses need to be performed to investigate the impact of controllable system input variables on an output performance measure. Compared to mean and variance which are frequently used in practice, quantiles provide a more complete picture of the performance of the underlying system. Nevertheless, quantiles are more difficult to estimate efficiently through stochastic simulation. Stochastic kriging (SK) and quantile regression (QR) are two promising metamodeling tools for addressing this challenge. Both approximate the functional relationship between the quantile parameter of a random output (e.g., cycle time) and multiple input variables (e.g., start rate, unloading times). In this paper, we compare performances of SK and QR on steady-state quantile parameter estimation. Results are presented from simulations of an M/M/1 queue and a more realistic model of a semiconductor manufacturing system.
Without Bias? Government Policy That Creates Fair and Equitable Property Tax Assessments:

Ensuring accurate, unbiased residential property tax assessments is an important, and contentious, issue facing communities today, particularly in this era of fiscal and economic crisis. Furthermore, this question is critical because it involves important social justice issues. Past studies have shown inequities by race, class, and location with some neighborhoods paying more of their fair share in property taxes. This study looks at the reliability of tax-assessment data in a medium-sized American city—Louisville, Kentucky. In an effort to compare various housing data sources, this study contrasts three measures of neighborhood median housing value for 170 census tracts in Louisville in the year 2000: self-reported values (U.S. Census); sales prices (MLS); and tax assessments from the county’s property valuation administrator. We find that the effects of various neighborhood characteristics on the three property measures do not vary by measure. Furthermore, an assessments-to-sale ratio does not vary by t...
Population-level responses to long-term cadmium exposure in two strains of the freshwater gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata: Results from a life-table response experiment

A life-table response experiment was conducted to ascertain the demographic effects of low-level cadmium exposure on two strains, BS90 and NMRI, of the freshwater gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata. Snails were exposed to cadmium continuously from the embryonic stage through adulthood. Results indicated that cadmium significantly affected a number of individual-based parameters, including %hatch, juvenile survival, and adult survival in both strains. Also, fecundity and time to maturity were significantly affected in the NMRI strain. A stage-based, deterministic, population model indicated that population growth rate (Λ) was significantly affected by cadmium. Elasticity analysis indicated that juvenile survival, in general, had the greatest contribution to Λ. Decomposition analysis indicated that the effects of cadmium on the juvenile stage in BS90 and the embryonic stage in NMRI contributed most to cadmium-induced changes in Λ. The BS90 strain was more sensitive to cadmium toxicity than NMRI. Moreover, the two strains differed in pattern of response with different aspects of their respective life histories contributing to cadmiuminduced changes in Λ. Comparisons were also made between the main model, based on a Z transformation of the life-cycle graph, and more commonly used matrix models.
Argot in a Therapeutic Correctional Milieu

Studies of inmate argot in traditional correctional institutions have generally concluded that it expresses hostility toward authority and the formal organization of institutional life. Such research has been conducted largely in prisons for adult males where security and custody are of primary concern. Analysis of a treatment oriented facility for juvenile delinquents indicates that the argot found there is neither anti-administration nor anti-therapeutic. Instead, argot appears to support treatment objectives and to be instrumental in carrying out treatment processes.
Reflective Redo From the Point of Error: Implications for After Action Review

Background. Training simulations provide opportunity for users to repeat actions in order to master a task. Once a mistake has been identified, however, difficulties may arise in replicating the exact sequence of previous actions, particularly in complex, open-ended environments. Technology. Alongside the advent of virtual 3D environments for learning, technology can more easily support a focus on the error in ways that were previously arduous. Purpose. This research represents an investigation of student learning, reflection, and metacognition when using a 3D simulation with built-in functionality that allows students to redo their actions by focusing on the point of error instead of restarting from the beginning. Methods. Interviews and observations were used to gather qualitative data, illustrating that starting at the point of failure within a complex, multiplayer simulation holds advantages and presents obstacles for student learning. Findings. Two key findings were identified: (a) the first relating to the influence of reflection on learning in that participants used reflection with varying degrees of complexity as a scaffolding mechanism; and (b) the second was that the students' abilities to orient themselves in the problem space contributed to the amount of contextual information they needed to be successful-in this case, either starting from the beginning or from the point of error.
Phase-Sensitive Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy

Phase-sensitive wave-mixing spectroscopy allows deduction of spectra for both real and imaginary parts of material response coefficients, and provides more complete information on the material properties, as will be illustrated by useful examples.
Mental health-related beliefs as a barrier to service use for military personnel and veterans: a review.

Objective:Although military personnel are at high risk of mental health problems, research findings indicate that many military personnel and veterans do not seek needed mental health care. Thus it is critical to identify factors that interfere with the use of mental health services for this population, and where possible, intervene to reduce barriers to care. The overarching goal of this review was to examine what is known with regard to concerns about public stigma and personal beliefs about mental illness and mental health treatment as potential barriers to service use in military and veteran populations and to provide recommendations for future research on this topic. Methods:Fifteen empirical articles on mental health beliefs and service use were identified via a review of the military and veteran literature included in PsycINFO and PubMed databases. Results:Although results suggest that mental health beliefs may be an important predictor of service use for this population, several gaps were identifi...
Regulation of DNA Pairing in Homologous Recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is a major mechanism for eliminating DNA double-strand breaks from chromosomes. In this process, the break termini are resected nucleolytically to form 3' ssDNA (single-strand DNA) overhangs. A recombinase (i.e., a protein that catalyzes homologous DNA pairing and strand exchange) assembles onto the ssDNA and promotes pairing with a homologous duplex. DNA synthesis then initiates from the 3' end of the invading strand, and the extended DNA joint is resolved via one of several pathways to restore the integrity of the injured chromosome. It is crucial that HR be carefully orchestrated because spurious events can create cytotoxic intermediates or cause genomic rearrangements and loss of gene heterozygosity, which can lead to cell death or contribute to the development of cancer. In this review, we will discuss how DNA motor proteins regulate HR via a dynamic balance of the recombination-promoting and -attenuating activities that they possess.
Image smoothing based on local image models

On the basis of an algorithm which identifies the neighborhood of a pixel as constant, oriented, or irregular based on the spatial relationship among the pixels inside this neighborhood, the use of different smoothing schemes according to the neighborhood surrounding each pixel is proposed. This approach is applied to images corrupted with additive Gaussian noise and impulse speckle noise. The flat regions of an image are smoothed sufficiently, while linear structures are enhanced. >
Improving the performance of OFDM-based vehicular systems through diversity coding

In this paper, we present diversity coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DC-OFDM), an approach to maximize the probability of successful reception and increase the reliability of OFDM-based systems through diversity coding. We focus on the application of DC-OFDM to vehicular networks based on IEEE 802.11p technology and analyze the performance improvement using this new technology. It is shown that DC-OFDM significantly improves the performance of vehicular ad hoc networks in terms of throughput and the expected number of correctly received symbols.
Design of a low-cost series elastic actuator for multi-robot manipulation

We describe a proof-of-concept design for a low-cost two-degree-of-freedom robotic arm that incorporates series elastic actuators (SEAs) with force sensing. The cost effectiveness of the design will enable the construction of compliant manipulators for multi-robot systems with large populations. The arm assembly attaches to a commercially available mobile robot chassis to perform multi-robot coordination. In this work, we present the design of a robot arm and data from experiments to characterize the accuracy and resolution of the force sensing. We describe a force-following manipulation experiment using two robots. The experiment measures strain on a rigid bar between two robots. The data shows the feasibility of using SEAs for force sensing to reduce the strain in the bar. This is the first step towards a distributed force controller for multi-robot object coordination with large numbers of robots.
SATELUTE AUTONOMY GENERIC EXPERT SYSTEMS (SAGES)

Satellite autonomy is a continuing goal for space systems, and has received increased interest in recent years. Continuing trends are towards more sophisticated systemswith additional functionality. These conditions are severely complicating satellite operations with the number of support personnel reaching up to 300 people per satellite system. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the phased development of autonomy, beginning with ground control, can provide a measurable growth path with limited risk. Our concept for this situation is built upon the basic model of an operational space system. The results thus far have been realized through the application of structured analysis and prototyping techniques. A framework has been established for spacecraft autonomy and various prototypes created for its verification.
Molecular genetics of human polymorphic N-acetyltransferase: enzymatic analysis of 15 recombinant wild-type, mutant, and chimeric NAT2 allozymes

Human polymorphic N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) catalyzes the N-acetylation of arylamine drugs and carcinogens. Human acetylator phenotype is regulated at the NAT2 locus and has been associated with differential risk to certain drug toxicities or cancer. We examined arylamine substrate and acetyl coenzyme A cofactor affinities, and the N-acetyltransferase catalytic activities of the wild-type and 14 different mutant or chimeric human NAT2 alleles expressed in an Escherichia coli JM105 expression system. NAT2 alleles contained nucleic acid substitutions at positions 191(G-->A; Arg64-->Gln), 282(C-->T; silent), 341(T-->C; Ile114-->Thr), 481(C-->T; silent), 590(G-->A; Arg197-->Gln), 803(A-->G; Lys268-->Arg), 857(G-->A; Gly286-->Glu) and various combinations (282/590; 282/803; 282/857; 341/481; 341/803; 341/481/803; 481/803) of the 870 base pair NAT2 coding region. Expression of all 15 NAT2 alleles produced immunoreactive NAT2 protein with N-acetylation activity. NAT2 proteins encoded by alleles with nucleic acid substitutions at positions 191, 341, 590, 282/590, 341/481, 341/803, and 341/481/803 exhibited arylamine N-acetyltransferase maximum velocities significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the wildtype NAT2. Thus, nucleic acid substitutions at positions 191, 341, and 590 either alone or in combination with other silent or conservative amino acid substitutions were sufficient to result in NAT2 proteins with significant reductions in N-acetylation activities. The recombinant NAT2 proteins also showed relative differences in intrinsic stability following incubation at 37 degrees C and 50 degrees C. NAT2 encoded by alleles with nucleotide substitutions at positions 191 and 857 were particularly unstable relative to the wild type.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Structure of Problem Behavior in a Sample of Maltreated Youths

Studies of adolescent community samples suggest that substance use, risky sexual behavior, delinquency, and other problem behaviors can be explained in part by a single, underlying factor or syndrome. Of current interest is the generalizability of these findings to subgroups or special populations of youths who may be at high risk for problem behavior. Studies suggest that maltreated youths are at significantly elevated risk for involvement in multiple problem behaviors, but little is known about the structure of problem behavior in this high-risk population. This study used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the structure of problem behavior (that is, delinquency, substance use, and risky sexual behavior) in a sample of 149 youths with a history of abuse and neglect. It also extended current research by including a measure of self-destructive behavior. Findings indicated that a single-factor model provided a close fit for these data and compared favorably with three competing two-factor models. The single factor explained 54% of the variance in the four measures of problem behavior. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis indicated that delinquency and substance use had consistently high loadings for both male and female youths, whereas the loadings for sexual and self-destructive behaviors differed by gender.
Using a touchscreen for simple tasks

Abstract This work was done in the context of an interdisciplinary project (called ITS) aimed at producing new tools for computer application development. One motivation is to provide designers with a computer-based toolkit from which they can select human-computer interaction techniques appropriate to various contexts and conditions. These experiments extend our work to touchscreens, and provide a basis of comparison with keyboards and arrow keys. Three human-computer interaction methods, including basic entry and autocompletion, were studied in two simple laboratory scenarios: participants specified dates and airlines reservations. Autocompletion was preferred over, and was faster than, basic entry. The a priori countable, minimum number of touches required to use a particular interaction method is a good predictor of how much time people will need to use that interaction method on a particular task. Similar results were found previously with keyboards and arrow keys.
Public Support for Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act Point-of-Sale Provisions: Results of a National Study.

Objectives. We assessed public and smoker support for enacted and potential point-of-sale (POS) tobacco-control policies under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.Methods. We surveyed a US nationally representative sample of 17 507 respondents (6595 smokers) in January through February 2013, and used linear regression to calculate weighted point estimates and identify factors associated with support for POS policies among adults and smokers.Results. Overall, nonsmokers were more supportive than were smokers. Regardless of smoking status, African Americans, Hispanics, women, and those of older ages were more supportive than White, male, and younger respondents, respectively. Policy support varied by provision. More than 80% of respondents supported minors’ access restrictions and more than 45% supported graphic warnings. Support was lowest for plain packaging (23%), black-and-white advertising (26%), and a ban on menthol cigarettes (36%).Conclusions. Public support for marketing and POS p...
Conceptual Mobility and Entrenchment in Introductory Geoscience Courses: New Questions Regarding Physics' and Chemistry's Role in Learning Earth Science Concepts

ABSTRACT Nationwide pre- and posttesting of introductory courses with the Geoscience Concept Inventory (GCI) shows little gain for many of its questions. Analysis of more than 3,500 tests shows that 22 of the 73 GCI questions had gains of <0.03, and nearly half of these focused on basic physics and chemistry. We also discovered through an assessment of nearly 500 matched pre- and posttests that students were less likely to change answers on basic physics and chemistry questions than they were on those for the geosciences, with many of the low-gain geoscience questions showing switch rates that were similar to that expected for guessing. These results also pertain to the high-scoring pretest students, suggesting that little geoscience conceptual entrenchment occurs for many students enrolled in entry-level courses. Switching rates for physics and chemistry questions were well below the rates associated with geosciences questions, suggesting greater entrenchment. We suggest that students may have difficulty...
Diagnostic evaluation of the Community Earth System Model in simulating mineral dust emission with insight into large-scale dust storm mobilization in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Abstract Large amounts of mineral dust are injected into the atmosphere during dust storms, which are common in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) where most of the global dust hotspots are located. In this work, we present simulations of dust emission using the Community Earth System Model Version 1.2.2 (CESM 1.2.2) and evaluate how well it captures the spatio-temporal characteristics of dust emission in the MENA region with a focus on large-scale dust storm mobilization. We explicitly focus our analysis on the model’s two major input parameters that affect the vertical mass flux of dust—surface winds and the soil erodibility factor. We analyze dust emissions in simulations with both prognostic CESM winds and with CESM winds that are nudged towards ERA-Interim reanalysis values. Simulations with three existing erodibility maps and a new observation-based erodibility map are also conducted. We compare the simulated results with MODIS satellite data, MACC reanalysis data, AERONET station data, and CALIPSO 3-d aerosol profile data. The dust emission simulated by CESM, when driven by nudged reanalysis winds, compares reasonably well with observations on daily to monthly time scales despite CESM being a global General Circulation Model. However, considerable bias exists around known high dust source locations in northwest/northeast Africa and over the Arabian Peninsula where recurring large-scale dust storms are common. The new observation-based erodibility map, which can represent anthropogenic dust sources that are not directly represented by existing erodibility maps, shows improved performance in terms of the simulated dust optical depth (DOD) and aerosol optical depth (AOD) compared to existing erodibility maps although the performance of different erodibility maps varies by region.
Quantitative evidence for organic peroxy radical photochemistry at 254 nm.

Quantitative evidence is presented for the importance of alkyl peroxy photochemistry in the formation of secondary organic aerosol at 254 nm. Particles were generated by extensively oxidizing dodec...
Utilizing Generalization Tactics to Promote Leisure-Time Physical Activity for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Research suggests that school-aged individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) tend to be less physically active than their typically developing peers (e.g., Shields, King, Corbett, & Imms, 2014). While these students can be successful in acquiring motor and sport-related skills during physical education, they tend not to use those skills in settings outside of school (Reid, 1993; Yang & Porretta, 1999). This can be due to difficulties with generalization. Generalization refers to the use of newly acquired skills or behaviors in non-training environments (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). Difficulties with generalization of motor skills may contribute to low levels of physical activity and sport participation by individuals with ID outside of physical education. Since the generalization of skills learned in physical education may not occur automatically, physical education teachers must plan and teach for generalized outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to describe how physical education te...
Amplified spontaneous emission at visible wavelengths in an infrared-pumped neodymium-doped optical fiber

Emission in the blue and red at 496 and 633 nm has been observed in a neodymium-doped single- mode silica fiber pumped by a 1064-nn mode- locked Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. We attribute this phenomenon to transitions fom the 2G9/2 stats of Nd, which is excited by a three-photon upconversion of the IR pump beam. A line at 723 nm exhibits similar characteristics and is suspected of being of the same origin.
Dielectric behavior of long-chain molecules in the solid state

The dielectric constants of pure samples of four normal long-chain bromides and four normal long-chain alcohols were measured as a function of temperature at 0.25, 0.5,5.0, 50 and, in one case, at 525 kc. to obtain information on the relationship between the molecular structure of solids and their dielectric properties. Long-chain molecules present the interesting possibility of rotation about the long molecular axis, in the solid state. If the rotating molecules contain dipoles, orientation polarization, and hence a high dielectric constant corresponding to rotation should be observed below the freezing point. This effect was observed in n-C 22 H45Br and n-C 14 H 29 OH, and n-C 18 H 37 OH. The dielectric constants of these compounds in the rotator phase were shown to be consistent with that expected for rotation about-the long molecular axes of all the molecules. Similar freedom of molecular rotation was not shown by the dielectric constants of n-C 12 H 25 OH, n-C 12 H 25 Br, n-C 16 H 33 Br and n-C 18 H 37 Br in the solid state. All the molecules with rotation in the solid phase showed a transition temperature where the dielectric constant dropped sharply indicating that much of the molecular rotation had disappeared. These dielectric transitions coincided with thermal transitions as observed by cooling curves.
BVRI OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSES OF THE SEMIDETACHED BINARY FF VULPECULA

High-precision light curves of FF Vul were taken during the fall of 2015 with the Dark Sky Observatory 0.81 m reflector of Appalachian State University, and the SARA north 0.91 m reflector at KPNO. FF Vul is an eclipsing binary with a period of 0.44 day. A Wilson–Devinney solution shows that the binary is a near-contact, semidetached binary, i.e., with a V1010 Oph-type configuration. Five eclipse timings (three primary and two secondary) were calculated. A quadratic ephemeris was determined indicating that the period is decreasing. A near-equatorial hot spot was modeled on the cooler, secondary star, possibly caused by matter impacting from the primary component via the inner Lagrangian point. The component temperature difference is more than 1500 K. The solution confirms a total secondary eclipse of 23 minutes duration. As expected in binaries of this type, there is a magnetic spot region.
Does racial prejudice affect black entrepreneurship?: evidence exploiting spatial differences in prejudicial attitudes

ABSTRACTThis article explores the relationship between racial prejudice towards blacks and the black-white self-employment rate gap and provides the first direct empirical evidence that racial prejudice negatively impacts black self-employment, particularly in high start-up cost industries. To perform this analysis, I construct a measure of prejudicial attitudes using responses from the General Social Survey and estimate the relationship between self-employment and this index using the American Community Survey. I find that an amount of prejudice equal to the difference in least and most prejudiced census divisions increases the black-white self-employment rate gap in high start-up cost industries by 10.4–16.8%, depending upon whether parental self-employment is controlled for, and represents the entire impact of racial prejudice on the black-white self-employment rate gap. Additionally, racial prejudice widens the black-white self-employment income gap by between 6.4% and 8.2% in my full specification, d...
Components Qualification for the Safe Operation of Nuclear Power Plants

AREVA operates a worldwide unique thermal hydraulic platform to ensure high safety standards in the nuclear industries. This platform is operated as an accredited test and inspection body according to ISO 17025 and 17020 to grant a high and independently confirmed quality standard. The accreditation also ensures the independency of the organization and confidentiality to the individual stakeholders, as for example research centers, utilities, components suppliers, engineering companies, and vendors. Especially for nuclear power plants it is very relevant to consider that reliability depends on the integrity of its components during its life time—from design through construction, operation, and maintenance. For example, a typical nuclear power plant (NPP) has 1000–2000 large valves and 7500–12,500 small valves, of which about 200–400 are designated Safety Class 1. These safety-related components require a higher level of diligence in ensuring that they function properly. The qualification of these Safety Class 1 components is relevant for reactor new builds but also for installed plants. Because replacing worn or malfunctioning safety-related components, especially those that were designed and manufactured decades ago by now-defunct manufacturers, is a challenge, qualification programs for new components have been developed. As regulations have changed over the years, so have the requirements for component qualification. This paper explains newly established qualification tasks, the corresponding testing infrastructure, and the state of the art of testing technology. By way of example, the paper describes the program and possible sequence of qualifying NPP safety-related valves. Depending on the design and operational conditions, such a qualification program may include testing containment environmental effects, sealing capability, end loading, seismic performance, and proper functioning under various conditions, such as high-energy pipe rupture, thermal shock, particle-loaded fluids, to name a few.
Plasmodium falciparum Maf1 confers survival upon amino acid starvation

The target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway across eukaryotes that integrates nutrient and stress signals to regulate the cellular growth rate and the transition into and maintenance of dormancy. The majority of the pathway's components, including the central TOR kinase, have been lost in the apicomplexan lineage, and it is unknown how these organisms detect and respond to nutrient starvation in its absence. Plasmodium falciparum encodes a putative ortholog of the RNA polymerase (Pol) III repressor Maf1, which has been demonstrated to modulate Pol III transcription in a TOR-dependent manner in a number of organisms. Here, we investigate the role of P. falciparum Maf1 (PfMaf1) in regulating RNA Pol III expression under conditions of nutrient starvation and other stresses. Using a transposon insertion mutant with an altered Maf1 expression profile, we demonstrated that proper Maf1 expression is necessary for survival of the dormancy-like state induced by prolonged amino acid starvation and is needed for full recovery from other stresses that slow or stall the parasite cell cycle. This Maf1 mutant is defective in the downregulation of pre-tRNA synthesis under nutrient-limiting conditions, indicating that the function of Maf1 as a stress-responsive regulator of structural RNA transcription is conserved in P. falciparum Recent work has demonstrated that parasites carrying artemisinin-resistant K13 alleles display an enhanced ability to recover from drug-induced growth retardation. We show that one such artemisinin-resistant line displays greater regulation of pre-tRNA expression and higher survival upon prolonged amino acid starvation, suggesting that overlapping, PfMaf1-associated pathways may regulate growth recovery from both artemisinin treatment and amino acid starvation.IMPORTANCE Eukaryote organisms sense changes in their environment and integrate this information through signaling pathways to activate response programs to ensure survival. The TOR pathway is a well-studied signaling pathway found throughout eukaryotes that is known to integrate a variety of signals to regulate organismal growth in response to starvation and other stresses. The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum appears to have lost the TOR pathway over the course of evolution, and it is unclear how the parasite modulates its growth in response to starvation and drug treatment. Here, we show that Maf1, a protein regulated by TOR in other eukaryotes, plays an important role in maintaining the parasite's viability in the face of starvation and other forms of stress. This suggests that PfMaf1 is a component of a yet-to-be-described nutrient and stress response pathway.