cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smoothing Splines: Methods and Applications by WANG, Y.

EDITOR: GUILHERME J. M. ROSA Smoothing Splines: Methods and Applications (Y. Wang) Pang Du Statistics for Spatio-Temporal Data (N. Cressie and C. K. Wikle) Ole F. Christensen Bayesian Modeling in Bioinformatics (D. K. Dey, S. Ghosh, and B. K. Mallick, eds.) Hisashi Noma Randomized Response and Indirect Questioning Techniques in Surveys (A. Chaudhuri) Mariano R. Espejo Designs and Analysis of Experiments, Volume 3: Special Designs and Applications (K. Hinkelmann, ed.) Luzia Trinca
The androgenic anabolic steroid nandrolone decanoate prevents osteopenia and inhibits bone turnover in ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys

We examined the effects of nandrolone decanoate (25 mg im every 3 weeks) on bone mass, serum biomarkers, and bone histomorphometric endpoints in 52 female cynomolgus macaques randomized into four treatment groups: (1) sham-ovariectomized (sham); (2) ovariectomized + placebo for 2 years (ovx); (3) ovx + nandrolone decanoate for 2 years (Nan); and (4) ovx + nandrolone decanoate beginning 1 year after ovx (dNan). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were assayed every 3 months, and X-ray densitometry of the lumbar spine was done every 6 months. Fluorochrome-labeled iliac biopsies collected at baseline and 1 year, and lumbar vertebrae and midshaft femur collected at 2 years, were evaluated histomorphometrically. Body weight increased over 50% with administration of nandrolone. After 2 years, ovx animals had lower spinal BMC and BMD than all other groups. Ovx animals also had higher bone turnover rates than all other groups, as indicated by higher levels of the serum and urine biomarkers, and by at least twofold higher label-based bone formation rates in the femur diaphysis and in both cancellous and cortical bone of the ilium and vertebral bodies. Nandrolone-treated animals had similar serum estradiol levels as the sham animals, presumably due to conversion of endogenous or exogenous androgens. The effects of nandrolone on bone in this experiment are consistent with estradiol action and may be attributable to the increased serum estradiol. Despite >50% higher body weight, nandrolone-treated, ovariectomized animals did not have higher bone mass than sham animals.
Políticas preventivas globales. Estrategias a escala europea y mundial

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV), la mas frecuente de las cuales es la enfermedad coronaria, son las principales causas de muerte en los pacientes de mediana edad y de edad avanzada en la mayoria de los paises desarrollados y en muchos paises en desarrollo. La actuacion global para la prevencion de la ECV debe incluir: a) una estrategia «poblacional» para modificar los factores de estilo de vida y ambientales en toda la poblacion, y b) una estrategia de «alto riesgo» (identificar a las personas en riesgo cardiovascular elevado). Los principios de la prevencion de las ECV han sido descritos en varias conferencias internacionales sobre la salud cardiaca: Victoria Declaration (1992), Catalonia Declaration (1996), Singapore Declaration (1998), Osaka Declaration (2001), International Principles for National and Regional Guidelines on ECV Prevention (2004), Luxemburg Declaration (2005) y European Heart Health Charter (2006). Hay consenso internacional entre las diversas directrices respecto a las prioridades y los objetivos de la prevencion de las ECV, el control de los factores de riesgo y los estilos de vida y el uso de medicacion cardioprotectora. Se considera que los pacientes con una ECV establecida son la principal prioridad para la prevencion. En los individuos sanos, la decision de tratar la presion arterial o los lipidos depende del nivel absoluto de riesgo multifactorial de la aparicion de una ECV. Se puede usar graficos y tablas de riesgo para decidir la probabilidad de que se produzcan episodios cardiovasculares y la intensidad del tratamiento de los factores de riesgo. Las directrices proporcionan orientacion a los encargados de la toma de decisiones y a los profesionales de la asistencia sanitaria sobre como atender a las personas de alto riesgo en contextos con diferente disponibilidad de recursos, utilizando enfoques preventivos basados en la evidencia y con una relacion coste-efectividad favorable.
Organization and function of the cytoskeleton in polarized epithelial cells: a component of the protein sorting machinery

Abstract Development and maintenance of cell-surface polarity in epithelial cells requires specialized localization of proteins to functionally and structuraally distinct plasma membrane domains. The organization of these domains is dependent upon targeted delivery of transport vesicles between different membrane compartments, and upon protein sorting in the membranes of the Golgi complex and cell surface. Increasing evidence has been gathered in recent years that cytoskeletal components facilitate these processes.
Racial Differences in Effects of Religiosity and Mastery on Psychological Distress: Evidence from National Longitudinal Data

This research engages nationally representative longitudinal data and a multipopulation LISREL model to investigate variation among black and white Americans in the impact of religiosity and mastery on psychological distress. Guided by the stress and coping perspective and prominent theorizing about how religiosity influences mental health, the model assesses not only direct effects of religiosity and mastery on distress but also the possibility of religiosity and mastery inhibiting distress indirectly (via effects on other coping resources or stressors) and attenuating the distress-inducing properties of individual stressors. Findings solidly support the endorsed proposition of religiosity’s being particularly beneficial to blacks’ emotional well-being and moderately support the prediction of mastery’s being primarily helpful to whites’. Public religiosity substantially eclipses private and subjective religiosity as a facilitator of blacks’ emotional well-being, and although main effects dominate, there are significant mediation and moderation effects of religiosity or mastery within each race.
Influence of language barriers on outcomes of hospital care for general medicine inpatients

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined whether patients with language barriers receive worse hospital care in terms of quality or efficiency. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether patients' primary language influences hospital outcomes. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational cohort of urban university hospital general medical admissions between July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003. PATIENTS: Eighteen years old or older whose hospital data included information on their primary language, specifically English, Russian, Spanish or Chinese. MEASUREMENTS: Hospital costs, length of stay (LOS), and odds for 30-day readmission or 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Of 7023 admitted patients, 84% spoke English, 8% spoke Chinese, 4% Russian and 4% Spanish. In multivariable models, non-English and English speakers had statistically similar total cost, LOS, and odds for mortality. However, non-English speakers had higher adjusted odds of readmission (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.7). Higher odds for readmission persisted for Chinese and Spanish speakers when compared to all English speakers (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3 and OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.3 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: After accounting for socioeconomic variables and comorbidities, non-English speaking Latino and Chinese patients have higher risk for readmission. Whether language barriers produce differences in readmission or are a marker for less access to post-hospital care remains unclear. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:276–282. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
DISPERSIVE TREATMENT OF WEAK DECAYS AND FINAL-STATE INTERACTIONS IN MODEL THEORIES

A model, in which a heavy fermion $B$ is added to the Lee model and weakly coupled to $V$ and $\ensuremath{\theta}$ is considered. Decay amplitudes for $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}V+\ensuremath{\theta}$ and $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N+\ensuremath{\theta}+\ensuremath{\theta}$ are evaluated by dispersion theoretic methods. The absorptive part of these amplitudes incorporate contributions from one- and two-boson intermediate states. Attention is focused on the question of how well founded is the usual approximate treatment of absorptive amplitudes, which neglects the higher mass states (here the two-boson states) with respect to the lowest mass (here the one-boson) states. It is shown that in a dispersion scheme which involves sufficient subtraction to give completely finite results, and which involves as many arbitrary constants as the theory allows, the one-particle contributions to the absorptive parts of the $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N+\ensuremath{\theta}+{\ensuremath{\theta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ amplitude diverge logarithmically and that these logarithmic divergences are cancelled by the two-particle contributions to this amplitude.
Epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders

Epilepsy occurs frequently in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the mechanisms responsible for increased seizure susceptibility in ASDs are largely unknown. Clues to neural hyperexcitability in the autistic brain might be derived from disorders in which single gene mutations cause both epilepsy and an autistic phenotype, such as fragile X syndrome. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/books).
Fabrication of Fracture-Free Nanoglassified Substrates by Layer-by-Layer Deposition with a Paint Gun Technique for Real-Time Monitoring of Protein−Lipid Interactions

New sensing materials that are robust, biocompatible, and amenable to array fabrication are vital to the development of novel bioassays. Herein we report the fabrication of ultrathin (ca. 5−8 nm) glass (silicate) layers on top of a gold surface for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensing applications. The nanoglass layers are fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of poly(allylamine) hydrochloride (PAH) and sodium silicate (SiOx), followed by calcination at high temperature. To deposit these layers in a uniform and reproducible manner, we employed a high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) paint gun technique that offers high precision and better control through pressurized nitrogen gas. The new substrates are stable in solution for a long period of time, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirm that these films are nearly fracture-free. In addition, atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicates that the surface roughness of the silicate layers is low (rms = 2 to 3 nm), similar to that of bare gl...
Abstract A32: Do theoretical mediators differentiate adherent and nonadherent American Indian mammographic screeners? Preliminary results from one tribe.

Purpose: The study purpose is to learn whether theoretical mediators (Planned Behavior/Reasoned Action, Social Norms, Social Support, Social Networks, Health Beliefs, Health Literacy) can be used to distinguished American Indian women who are adherent with Indian Health Service (IHS) mammographic screening guidelines from those who are not adherent with these guidelines. Women in the Bemidji Area of the Indian Health Service have mammographic screening rates much lower than the IHS average for all IHS areas. Bemidji Area women are diagnosed at later stage and have higher mortality than is seen in the overall IHS. Our ultimate goal is to develop interventions to increase adherence among non-adherent screeners. Experimental procedures: In phase one, we have identified 64 women for interviews. Based on women's risk factors and screening histories, women were assigned to one of four groups: high risk/adherent, low risk/adherent, high risk/non-adherent, and low risk/non-adherent. Our goal is to have 16 women in each group. Currently, we have interviewed and conducted preliminary analysis of 19 women (4 higher risk/ adherent; 7 lower risk/non-adherent, 4 higher risk, non-adherent, 4 lower risk/adherent). Interview responses have been coded for themes, then categorized and descriptively quantified. Preliminary results: Adherent and non-adherent mammographic screeners can be differentiated by: 1) Theory of Planned Behavior (personal attitudes toward screening; perceived attitudes of family/friends and tribe toward annual screening; and past screening behavior). 2) Social Norms (perceptions of general health of respondents, family/friends, and tribe; health behaviors; barriers to screening; influences on attitudes and behaviors; healthy behaviors; health values; perceptions of common cancers among tribal members and women; the mammography experience; and influential members within social networks). 3) Social Support (emotional support for worry and fear and companionship. 4) Health Beliefs (susceptibility and severity of cancer). In other regards, these mediators and Health Literacy do not distinguish between adherent and non-adherent screeners. Conclusions: Theoretical mediators may be a useful way to distinguish between adherent and non-adherent screeners and point to potential avenues to intervene in the non-adherent population of American Indian women. Citation Format: Wesley Petersen, Ann M. Nicometo. Do theoretical mediators differentiate adherent and nonadherent American Indian mammographic screeners? Preliminary results from one tribe. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A32.
Effect of annealing atmosphere (Ar vs. air) and temperature on the electrical and optical properties of spin-coated colloidal indium tin oxide films

Colloidal indium tin oxide (ITO) ~6 nm nanoparticles synthesized in-house were deposited by spin coating on fused silica substrates, resulting in high resistivity films due to the presence of passivating organics. These films were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 150 to 750 °C in air and argon atmospheres. The films are very transparent in the as-coated form, and they retain high transparency upon annealing, except the films annealed at 300 °C in argon, which became brown due to incomplete pyrolysis of the organics. Thermogravimetric analysis and Raman characterization showed that the removal of organics increases with an increase in the annealing temperature, and that this removal is more efficient in the oxidizing atmosphere of air, especially in the 300–450 °C temperature range than in Ar. Although ITO defect chemistry suggests that argon annealing should result in higher carrier concentration than air annealing, the faster removal of insulating organics upon annealing in air resulted in significantly lower film resistivity at intermediate annealing temperatures for films annealed in air than in Ar. At higher annealing temperatures, both Ar and air annealing, resulted in comparable film resistivities (the lowest achieved was ~100 Ω cm).
Scaling behavior at the crumpling transition

Abstract Finite-size scaling is used to study the critical behavior at the crumpling transition in three dimensions. The correlation length critical exponent, ν, is estimated to be 0.78(2). The Hausdorff dimension just above the critical coupling is bounded within the range 2
Helical dual source cone-beam micro-CT

While helical scanning is well established in the clinical arena, most micro-CT scanners use circular cone beam trajectories and approximate reconstructions based on a filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithm. This may be sufficient for some applications, but in studies of larger animals, such as rats, the size of the detector can constrain the field of view and extend scan time. To address this problem, we have designed and implemented helical scanning and reconstruction procedures for an in-housedeveloped dual source cone-beam micro-CT system. The reconstruction uses a simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique combined with total variation regularization (SART-TV). We implemented this algorithm on a graphics processing unit (GPU) to reduce run time. The results demonstrate the speed and accuracy of the GPU-based SART-TV algorithm. The helical scan enables the reconstruction of volumes with extended field of view for whole body micro-CT imaging of large rodents.
How does online social networking enhance life satisfaction? The relationships among online supportive interaction, affect, perceived social support, sense of community, and life satisfaction

The purpose of this study is to examine whether supportive interactions on social networking sites mediate the influence of SNS use and the number of SNS friends on perceived social support, affect, sense of community, and life satisfaction. Employing momentary sampling, the current study also looked at the relationship between supportive interaction and immediate affect after the interaction over a period of 5days. An analysis of 339 adult participants revealed a positive relationship between supportive interaction and positive affect after the interaction. A path model revealed positive associations among the number of SNS friends, supportive interactions, affect, perceived social support, sense of community, and life satisfaction. Implications for the research of online social networking and social support are discussed.
On the problem of reconstructing the coefficients of convergent multiple function series

We prove a theorem on the reconstruction of the coefficients of rectangularly convergent multiple function series.
Effect of norepinephrine on inhibition of mouse brain (Na+ + K+)-stimulated, (Mg++)-dependent, and (Ca++)-dependent ATPase activities by ethanol.

Abstract Norepinephrine (0.1 mM) has been reported to “sensitize” (Na + + K + )-ATPase activity of rat brain homogenates to inhibition by ethanol. The present study extends these investigations to the mouse and includes other ATPase activities. We measured the effects of norepinephrine on the sensitivity of ethanol-induced inhibition of (Na + + K + )-stimulated (E.C. 3.6.1.3), (Mg ++ )-dependent (E.C. 3.6.1.4) and (Ca ++ )-dependent ATPase activities. Whole forebrains from C57BL/6J mice were homogenized and assayed in vitro for ATPase activity using standard conditions. Ethanol (0.125–2.0 M) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of all three ATPases. Norepinephrine (0.1 mM) had no appreciable effect on ethanol's inhibition of (Na + + K + )-stimulated or (Ca ++ )-dependent ATPase activities, but slightly antagonized ethanol's effect on (Mg ++ )-ATPase. These results suggest that norepinephrine has little effect on the sensitivities of specific ATPases to ethanol inhibition in mouse brain.
Application of a primarily deductive framework describing time consumption for hauling of logs to road-side

Forest management planning decisions are often based on the forest owner’s goals, which typically focus on economic criteria. Logging operation work productivity functions are used when costing forest operations. These functions affect the conclusions drawn during forest management analyses because different logging environments give rise to different harvesting costs. When evaluating new combinations of machines and environments, there is generally a shortage of field data on productivity that can be examined in advance. We applied a previously published deductive framework describing time consumption in forwarding to known environments, in which field studies on forwarding have been conducted and for which extensive data are available. We then adapted the deductive framework to better reproduce the results obtained in the time studies. The deductive framework accurately reproduced the observed forwarding productivities; on average, the adaptation process improved the accuracy of this reproduction. However, it may also have reduced the accuracy of individual predictions. We conclude that the deductive framework can be used as a basis for constructing work productivity functions for forest management analyses, and can serve as a foundation when constructing new productivity functions based on time study results to use when pricing forwarding.
Disposition of dapsone and monoacetyldapsone in rats.

SummaryFemale Buffalo and Lewis rats receiving 1.0 mg DDS/kg ip exhibited higher plasma levels of DDS and its monoacetylated metabolite, MADDS, than did male rats of each strain receiving the same dose. The fraction of the total measured drug in plasma as MADDS at 8 hr in female rats of both strains ranged from 43 to 62% compared with a range of 28-31% in male rats. Plasma half times of disappearance (T1/2) of DDS ranged from 5.0 to 6.8 hr and were not different among sexes and strains. Deacetylation of MADDS to DDS occurred when equimolar doses of MADDS were administered. An approach to a steady state of acetylation-deacetylation was indicated by comparing the percentage MADDS of the total drug in plasma in the respective sexes and strains receiving both drugs. T1/2 values of MADDS were significantly lower than values for DDS in Lewis rats. They were not different in Buffalo rats. Protein binding studies in plasma from rats receiving 5.0 mg DDS or 5.8 mg MADDS/kg showed 67-72% binding of DDS and 91% bind...
Governing international freshwater resources: an analysis of treaty design

International rivers create complex relationships between their riparian states, which can contribute to economic, political, and social losses. Treaties provide a means for states to coordinate their actions in managing international river disputes to minimize these losses. However, there is little knowledge about treaty content and the factors influencing treaty design. We test whether a relationship exists between the challenges of negotiating, complying, and distributing the gains in bilateral, multilateral, and basin-wide negotiation contexts and the depth of cooperation along with the degree of institutionalization. While the great challenges confronting multilateral or basin-wide negotiations can produce treaties that focus on joint gains and shallow cooperation to secure the signature of riparians, we find that they can also provide opportunities for deeper, more behavior-altering, cooperation. To manage the difficulties of maintaining multilateral cooperation, we find a higher degree of institutionalization. We also find that bilateral negotiations provide states with opportunities for deeper cooperation, but a lower degree of institutionalization.
Automatic Decoupling of Flexible Spacecraft Slewing Maneuvers

The capability for large angle slewing maneuvers with very demanding pointing accuracy and tracking speed is increasingly required for space-based systems. This is particularly the case for space-based directed energy beam pointing. A method is thus proposed in this paper for commanding general pointing and tracking maneuvers with automatic correction for slew-excited structural deformations. All existing rigid body multiaxial slewing algorithms and flexible body vibration damping algorithms can then be used simultaneously, without design iterations. In particular, an example is given of a retargeting maneuver with specified line-of-sight settling time and no torque saturation.
Constant-coke arrhenius plots: A diagnostic tool

The presence in coke of highly unsaturated hydrocarbons produced by unneeded side reactions and strongly adsorbed on the catalyst, is known to decrease the activity of the catalyst. If the coke molecule is adsorbed on a site hitherto active in the desired reaction, the catalyst loses activity because the site has been taken out of circulation. The presence of coke molecules adsorbed on pore walls increases the resistance to mass transfer inside the catalyst pellet, decreases the concentration of reactant in the fluid phase above an active site, and thereby decreases the rate of reaction. It is important to know which phenomenon is the predominant one in causing deactivation by coking. If both are important, it is important to know the time on stream and/or coke level at which the transition may be considered to occur. How modification of a technique recently reported can be used to evaluate separately (pseudo-) first-order intrinsic rate constants and effective diffusivities of the reactant under actual reaction conditions is shown.
The evolution of the paleomagnetic fold test as applied to complex geologic situations, illustrated by a case study from northern Spain

Abstract Paleomagnetic results are most useful if the age of the magnetization can be established with respect to the rock age or the age of specific structural or alteration events. The fold test is a particularly powerful tool; not only can it be used to determine whether magnetizations are pre-, syn- or post-folding, but it can also reassure us that structural corrections need (or need not) be applied to a given magnetization. This study traces the evolution of various fold and tilt tests developed in the 50-some years since the classical test of Graham was published. Syn-deformational magnetizations are a very special case, usually characterized as such by an incremental tilt test. In regions where rotations about (near-) vertical axes are to be expected, a strike test is the best tool for determining them. A case study of syn-deformational magnetizations in the Cantabria-Asturias Arc (CAA) of northern Spain is presented, which illustrates the application of the various tilt and strike tests. One ancient post-deformational and two syn-deformational magnetizations have been recorded in CAA Devonian carbonates, each characterized by different optimal (peak) percentages of unfolding in incremental fold tests. The structural corrections required to bring the individual site-mean magnetization directions into alignment can be used to restore the beds to their attitudes at the times when the magnetizations were acquired. Furthermore, these structural corrections provide robust constraints on the kinematics of the deformation phase that is being removed. In the CAA, removal of late-stage folding about steeply inclined fold axes, due to Permian oroclinal bending, restores the belt to its first folding and thrusting configuration, and produces north–south trending cylindrical folds that formed during the Late Carboniferous. The separate deformations, consisting of earlier folding and thrusting and later oroclinal bending, have implications for the final collisional movements between Gondwana and Laurussia during the end of the Variscan Orogeny. This case history of the use of multiple fold, tilt, and strike tests confirms their value, especially when combined with an understanding of the folding and faulting style in a region.
Problems associated with the determination of pulmonary vascular resistance.

The presence of critical pressures in the pulmonary circulation complicates the traditional use of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The recruitable nature of the pulmonary circulation violates a basic assumption of the PVR formula, that is, that the involved vessels arc rigid-walled. Flow through collapsible blood vessels is subject to the influence of critical opening pressures in addition to inflow and outflow pressures. As a result, PVR has a variable relationship to the Poiseuille resistance, approximating it better when zone 3 conditions predominate. In addition to being flow-dependent, PVR cannot easily distinguish among vasodilation, recruitment, and rheologie changes. PVR may be viewed as an index of steady-state power dissipation by the circulation, describing the relationship between power dissipation and flow, but it will still underestimate power dissipation by as much as 50%, since it cannot express oscillatory and kinetic power components. Laboratory data regarding the pulmonary circulation are predicted and explained by positing the existence of critical pressures in the pulmonary circulation and allow estimation of Poiseuille resistance. Unfortunately, clinical application of this approach is difficult owing to the necessity of generating pressure-flow plots under very stringent conditions. The clinical use of both pressure-flow and PVR-flow plots is impaired by shifting to different curves during hemodynamic manipulation. PVR must be interpreted in light of its considerable limitations.
Adaptive coded-modulation for the next-generation intelligent optical transport networks

We review adaptive modulation in optical communications and present a pragmatic implementation to simplify the transponder complexity. We reveal that when adaptive modulation is employed in the DWDM optical transmission system channel launch powers should be rearranged to optimize the whole system. In addition, we introduce adaptive trellis-coded modulation scheme as an extension of adaptive modulation and the combination of both can provide sufficient transmission flexibility, which is highly desired for the next-generation intelligent optical transport networks.
Chemically-formed buffer layers for growth of cubic silicon carbide on silicon single crystals

Abstract Buffer layers of cubic silicon carbide were formed by reaction of (100) Si substrates with propane in hydrogen at 1380–1400°C. Reaction times ranged from 5 to 600 s. Reproducibility was improved by wet etching of substrates. Even for buffer-layer thicknesses of less than 10 nm, their reflectance spectra were identical to that of SiC. Crystal layers of cubic SiC were deposited on buffers by reaction of silane and propane in hydrogen at 1400°C for 15 min. Reflectance spectra of these crystal layers suggest that short buffer-layer-formation times favor crystal layer perfection.
Adaptive teaching: reflective practice of two elementary teachers’ visions and adaptations during literacy instruction

Adaptive teachers are considered visionary and effective in their teaching. These teachers apply a flexible approach to instruction as they build upon students’ interests and inquiries. However, despite the intuitive and appealing nature of adaptive teaching, there is limited empirical data on teachers’ adaptations and rationales for adapting. Moreover, although adaptive teachers are considered visionary, there is little research that explores teacher visioning in relation to adaptive decisions. To meet this need, the current study provides an in-depth analysis of two teachers’ instructional visions, adaptations, and rationales for adapting their literacy instruction. Two upper elementary teachers were selected for this study based on teacher and principal recommendations. Classroom observations and interviews were used to gather data; qualitative methods were utilized to analyze the interviews and the field notes. Findings suggest teachers adapted their instruction to scaffold student understanding and t...
Alternation and repetition reaction times under three schedules of event sequencing

Choice RTs to two equally frequent events were measured under three event alternation-repetition ratios: 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3. The RTs to alternating events were found to be faster than to repeating events under the 3:1 condition, with this effect decreasing as the degree of repetition increased. Averaged RTs under each of the conditions indicated that Ss responded faster under the 1:1 condition, with comparable RTs under the remaining two conditions. These results are discussed in terms of the subjective event probabilities under the three alternation-repetition ratios.
An algebra of dimerization and its implications for G-protein coupled receptor signaling

Many species of receptors form dimers, but how can we use this information to make predictions about signal transduction? This problem is particularly difficult when receptors dimerize with many different species, leading to a combinatoric increase in the possible number of dimer pairs. As an example system, we focus on receptors in the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. GPCRs have been shown to reversibly form dimers, but this dimerization does not directly affect signal transduction. Here we present a new theoretical framework called a dimerization algebra. This algebra provides a systematic and rational way to represent, manipulate, and in some cases simplify large and often complicated networks of dimerization interactions. To compliment this algebra, Monte Carlo simulations are used to predict dimerization's effect on receptor organization on the membrane, signal transduction, and internalization. These simulation results are directly comparable to various experimental measures such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and as such provide a link between the dimerization algebra and experimental data. As an example, we show how the algebra and computational results can be used to predict the effects of dimerization on the dopamine D2 and somatastatin SSTR1 receptors. When these predictions were compared to experimental findings from the literature, good agreement was found, demonstrating the utility of our approach. Applications of this work to the development of a novel class of dimerization-modulating drugs are also discussed.
Conceptual graphs as a universal knowledge representation

Abstract Conceptual graphs are a knowledge representation language designed as a synthesis of several different traditions. First are the semantic networks, which have been used in machine translation and computational linguistics for over thirty years. Second are the logic-based techniques of unification, lambda calculus, and Peirce's existential graphs. Third is the linguistic research based on Tesniere's dependency graphs and various forms of case grammar and thematic relations. Fourth are the dataflow diagrams and Petri nets, which provide a computational mechanism for relating conceptual graphs to external procedures and databases. The result is a highly expressive system of logic with a direct mapping to and from natural languages. The lambda calculus supports the definitions for a taxonomic system and provides a general mechanism for restructuring knowledge bases. With the definitional mechanisms, conceptual graphs can be used an intermediate stage between natural languages and the rules and frames of expert systems—an important feature for knowledge acquisition and for help and explanations. During the past five years, conceptual graphs have been applied to almost every aspect of AI, ranging from expert systems and natural language to computer vision and neural networks. This paper surveys conceptual graphs, their development from each of these traditions, and the applications based on them.
Rods-cones and melanopsin detect light and dark to modulate sleep independent of image formation

Light detected in the retina modulates several physiological processes including circadian photo-entrainment and pupillary light reflex. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) convey rod-cone and melanopsin-driven light input to the brain. Using EEGs and electromyograms, we show that acute light induces sleep in mice during their nocturnal active phase whereas acute dark awakens mice during their diurnal sleep phase. We used retinal mutant mouse lines that lack (i) the ipRGCs, (ii) the photo-transduction pathways of rods and cones, or (iii) the melanopsin protein and showed that the influence of light and dark on sleep requires both rod-cone and melanopsin signaling through ipRGCs and is independent of image formation. We further show that, although acute light pulses overcome circadian and homeostatic drives for sleep, upon repeated light exposures using a 3.5 h/3.5 h light/dark cycle, the circadian and homeostatic drives override the light input. Thus, in addition to their known role in aligning circadian physiology with day and night, ipRGCs also relay light and dark information from both rod-cone and melanopsin-based pathways to modulate sleep and wakefulness.
An artificial immune system as a multi-agent decision support system

The paper proposes a general framework for building an intelligent decision support system based on immunological principles. We examine various recognition and response mechanisms of the immune system to develop a massively parallel adaptive decision support system. Such an integrated system can also be viewed as a multi-agent system where the functionalities and the capabilities of different types of agents vary. Moreover, the agents may move and interact freely in the environment with other agents. They can mutually recognize each others activities and can produce specific response based on pre-defined decision strategies. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate that such a collaborative multi-agent system can enhance the decision making process, and can solve complex tasks more precisely and efficiently. A prototype system is currently under implementation in an object-oriented software paradigm with visualization tools.
Positive Allosteric Modulation of AMPA Receptors from Efficacy to Toxicity: The Interspecies Exposure-Response Continuum of the Novel Potentiator PF-4778574

α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) positive allosteric modulation (i.e., "potentiation") has been proposed to overcome cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, but AMPAR overstimulation can be excitotoxic. Thus, it is critical to define carefully a potentiator's mechanism-based therapeutic index (TI) and to determine confidently its translatability from rodents to higher-order species. Accordingly, the novel AMPAR potentiator N-{(3R,4S)-3-[4-(5-cyano-2-thienyl)phenyl]tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl}propane-2-sulfonamide (PF-4778574) was characterized in a series of in vitro assays and single-dose animal studies evaluating AMPAR-mediated activities related to cognition and safety to afford an unbound brain compound concentration (Cb,u)-normalized interspecies exposure-response relationship. Because it is unknown which AMPAR subtype(s) may be selectively potentiated for an optimal TI, PF-4778574 binding affinity and functional potency were determined in rodent tissues expected to express a native mixture of AMPAR subunits and their associated proteins to afford composite pharmacological values. Functional activity was also quantified in recombinant cell lines stably expressing human GluA2 flip or flop homotetramers. Procognitive effects of PF-4778574 were evaluated in both rat electrophysiological and nonhuman primate (nhp) behavioral models of pharmacologically induced N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction. Safety studies assessed cerebellum-based AMPAR activation (mouse) and motor coordination disruptions (mouse, dog, and nhp), as well as convulsion (mouse, rat, and dog). The resulting empirically derived exposure-response continuum for PF-4778574 defines a single-dose-based TI of 8- to 16-fold for self-limiting tremor, a readily monitorable clinical adverse event. Importantly, the Cb,u mediating each physiological effect were highly consistent across species, with efficacy and convulsion occurring at just fractions of the in vitro-derived pharmacological values.
Extended mass range by multiple charge: Sampling quadruply charged quasimolecular ions of poly(ethylene glycol) 4000

Mass spectrometric sampling of quasimolecular ions with charge as high as 4+ has been achieved by Electrohydrodynamic Ionization Mass Spectrometry (EHMS). Triply and quadruply charged sodium ion adducts of poly(ethylene glycol) 4000 oligomers with mass exceeding 3500 u were sampled from glycerol solution without fragmentation. Although the mass of these ions exceeded the nomical mass range of the spectrometer, they were detected because of multiple charge which lowered their mass-to-charge ratio. From the mass spectral intensities of these oligomer ions, the number average molecular weight of the polymer was caculated, and found to be in good agreement with results of an ASTM standard method.
In search of the perfect fluid

Shear viscosity measures the amount of internal friction in a simple fluid. In kinetic theory shear viscosity is related to momentum transport by quasi‐particles, and the uncertainty relation implies that the ratio of shear viscosity η to entropy density s is bounded by a constant multiplied by ħ/kB, where ħ is Planck’s constant and kB is Boltzmann’s constant. A specific bound has been proposed on the basis of string theory. In a large class of theories that can be studied using string theory methods the constant is 1/(4π). Experiments at RHIC indicate that η/s of the quark gluon plasma is close to this prediction. We will refer to a fluid that saturates the string theory bound as a perfect fluid. In this contribution we summarizes the theoretical and experimental information on the fluidity of the main classes of strongly interacting quantum fluids.
Aqua: an Earth-Observing Satellite mission to examine water and other climate variables

Aqua is a major satellite mission of the Earth Observing System (EOS), an international program centered at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Aqua satellite carries six distinct Earth-observing instruments to measure numerous aspects of Earth's atmosphere, land, oceans, biosphere, and cryosphere, with a concentration on water in the Earth system. Launched on May 4, 2002, the satellite is in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 705 km, with a track that takes it north across the equator at 1:30 p.m. and south across the equator at 1:30 a.m. All of its Earth-observing instruments are operating, and all have the ability to obtain global measurements within two days. The Aqua data will be archived and available to the research community through four Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs).
Morphology of the subdermal connective tissue sheath of dolphins: a new fibre‐wound, thin‐walled, pressurized cylinder model for swimming vertebrates

The subdermal connective tissue sheath (SDS) of dolphins is a fibre-reinforced membrane connected to other locomotor tissues, including blubber, axial muscles and tendons, and vertebral column. The complicated connections between the SDS and other locomotor tissues suggest that the SDS acts as a peripheral skeletal element for the axial locomotor muscles and as an anchor for a de novo dermal appendage, the dorsal fin. The morphology of the SDS suggests that the dolphin can be modelled as a fibre-wound, thin-walled, pressurized cylinder. Existing cylinder models predict that the SDS functions to resist torsional forces, prevent aneurysms, and limit wrinkling when the dolphin bends in locomotion. I present a new functional model that more accurately represents the morphology of the dolphin cylinder wrapped by the SDS. The new model predicts that the SDS: (1) acts as a retinaculum for the terminal tendons of the axial locomotor muscles; and (2) plays a role in maintaining the laterally flattened cross-sectional shape of the caudal peduncle. The model is based on external morphological features of dolphins shared by other steady swimming aquatic vertebrates, such as carangiform and thunniform fishes. These features, which include a streamlined body shape and narrow necking of the caudal peduncle have been identified as adaptions to reduce drag. The new model offers insight into some of the structural features of the body wall required to maintain the hydrodynamicallytuned, external morphology of steady-swimming vertebrates.
The mouse specific-locus test with agents other than radiations: interpretation of data and recommendations for future work.

The mouse specific-locus test with visible markers (SLT) has been the only extensively used method for detecting and quantifying the induction of heritable point mutations (intragenic changes and small deficiencies) in mammals. Mutations are detected in first-generation offspring; and scoring is simple, objective, and rapid. Different germ-cell stages can be sampled, including those of greatest pertinence for genetic risk assessment. The differential probability of involving the various loci of the marked set makes the method capable of detecting qualitative (as well as quantitative) differences between the actions of mutagens. Control SLT frequencies for males reported by 4 sets of investigators are in excellent agreement and were summed as a "historical control" (801406 observations) for use in our calculations. Experimental results were classified as positive, negative, or inconclusive based upon a multiple-decision procedure produced by the testing of the following 2 hypotheses: (1) the mutation frequency (induced + spontaneous) of treated mice is not higher than the spontaneous mutation frequency, and (2) the induced mutation frequency of treated mice is no less than 4 times the historical-control mutation frequency. Each hypothesis was tested at the 5% significance level. Because of the low mutation frequency in a very large control, the SLT is capable of yielding positive results in relatively small samples. We reviewed 58 publications, SLT results have been reported for 25 chemical agents, of which 17 (representing 21 chemical classes) gave results that were positive or negative by our criteria. The frequency of positive agents was 6 of 14, 5 of 5, and 0 of 1 conclusively tested, respectively, in spermatogonia, post-spermatogonial stages, and unspecified male germ cells. Depending on the chemical used, post-spermatogonial stages can be of greater, less, or equal sensitivity relative to spermatogonia. The SLT was strongly positive for some chemicals that are not mutagenic (or only weakly so) in lower systems, and there are several examples of the reverse situation. Factors which presumably operated to cause these differences (e.g., metabolism, transport, repair in germ cells) are likely also to operate for transmitted point mutations in man.
Gene placement and competition control T cell receptor γ variable region gene rearrangement

The production of distinct sets of T cell receptor (TCR) γδ+ T cells occurs in an ordered fashion in thymic development. The Vγ3 and Vγ4 genes, located downstream in the TCRγ Cγ1 gene cluster, are expressed by the earliest waves of developing TCRγδ+ T cells in the fetal thymus, destined for intraepithelial locations. Upstream Vγ2 and Vγ5 genes are expressed in later waves in the adult and constitute most TCRγδ+ T cells in secondary lymphoid tissue. This developmental pattern is caused in part by a preference for rearrangements of the downstream Vγ3 and Vγ4 genes in the early fetal stage, which switches to a preference for rearrangements of the upstream Vγ2 and Vγ5 gene rearrangements in the adult. Our gene targeting studies show that the downstream Vγ genes rearrange preferentially in the early fetal thymus because of their downstream location, independent of promoter or recombination signal sequences and unrelated to the extent of germline transcription. Remarkably, gene deletion studies show that the downstream Vγ genes competitively inhibit upstream Vγ rearrangements at the fetal stage. These data provide a mechanism for specialization of the fetal thymus for the production of T cells expressing specific Vγ genes.
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma: tumor depth as a predictor of outcome.

Background The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for hilar cholangiocarcinoma may be inaccurate because the bile duct lacks discrete tissue boundaries. Objectives To examine the accuracy of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging schemes and to determine the prognostic implications of tumor depth. Design, Setting, and Patients From January 1, 1987, through December 31, 2009, there were 106 patients who underwent resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma who had pathologic slides available for re-review. Main Outcome Measures Tumor depth and overall survival. Results Overall median survival was 19.9 months. The 6th and 7th editions of the T-classification criteria were unable to discriminate among T1, T2, and T3 lesions (P > .05 for all). Median survival was associated with the invasion depth of the tumor (≥5 mm vs Conclusions The American Joint Committee on Cancer T-classification criteria did not stratify patients with regard to prognosis. Depth of tumor invasion is a better predictor of long-term outcome.