cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engineering performance improvement using a hybrid artificial intelligence system

Publisher Summary Industrial construction projects have been experiencing serious problems such as cost overrun and schedule delay. While seeking for the causes of the problems, people have come to realize the impacts of engineering activities on a successful project implementation. Improving engineering performance can lead to better project outcomes. This chapter proposes a generic model, which integrates genetic algorithms with artificial neural networks, for modeling engineering performance measurement, and improvement on industrial construction projects. Due to its robust and efficient search ability in complex situations, genetic algorithms are employed to search for solutions improving engineering performance with the searching criteria, and fitness function, being the neural networks that have been trained to predict performance for given engineering inputs. The chapter finally presents the research introducing the idea of self-comparison evaluation, which compares a project's actual engineering performance to its possible better performance searched by genetic algorithms in order to make suggestions for possible engineering performance improvement.
Normal Upper GI Findings and Normal Variants

Endoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a tubelike instrument called an endoscope. Current endoscopes are derived from a primitive system created in 1806, a tiny tube with a mirror and a wax candle. This instrument allowed us to view inside of the living body. The endoscope allows not only diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease but treatment as well. Endoscope using a charged coupled device (CCD) has been used since 1983. Recently, new technologies such as a magnifying endoscopy and a narrow band image (NBI), which make special image by processing the digital image, are under development. These endoscopes brought a great development in diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, usually called esophagogastroduodenoscopy, observes the mouth, pharyngolarynx, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The findings and normal variants of normal upper gastrointestinal tract are to be discussed in this chapter.
A protective role for glutathione-dependent reduction of dehydroascorbic acid in lens epithelium.

Purpose. In view of the antioxidant role of ascorbic acid and the glutathione redox cycle in the lens, the authors have studied the relationship of the cycle to reduction of the oxidized product of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), in lens epithelium. Methods. Cultured dog lens epithelial cells and intact rabbit lenses were exposed to various concentrations of DHA in experiments performed at 20°C to minimize hydrolysis of the compound (t 1/2 of 5 minutes at 37°C). Levels of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were measured in lens cells and whole lens epithelial by electrochemical detection. Results. Treatment of lens cells with 1 mM DHA for 0.5 to 3 hours in the absence of glucose (glucose is required for the reduction of GSSG through the glutathione redox cycle) produced from 60% to complete oxidation of GSH (controls contained negligible GSSG) and distinct morphologic changes (cell contraction and blebbing), as shown by scanning electron microscopy. Glucose prevented these effects and allowed nearly immediate recovery of GSH after DHA exposure in the absence of glucose. A dose-dependent response was observed for the formation of GSSG in cultured cells from 0.05 to 0.5 mM DHA in the absence of glucose. The results of experiments performed with DHA plus an inhibitor of glutathione reductase mimicked those obtained using DHA minus glucose. DHA produced a 3- to 10-fold stimulation of hexose monophosphate shunt activity in cultured lens cells and whole lenses, which was prevented by the inhibition of glutathione reductase. Treatment of whole lenses with DHA minus glucose also produced oxidation of epithelial GSH and was accompanied by the loss of lens transparency. No evidence was found for dehydroascorbate reductase activity in the lens epithelium. Conclusions. The exposure of lenses and lens epithelial cells to DHA under conditions in which the glutathione redox cycle was compromised resulted in the disappearance of GSH in the tissues and the appearance of GSSG. The reduction of DHA was shown to be linked to the glutathione redox cycle by a nonenzymatic interaction between GSH and DHA. Reduction of DHA in the lens is important because of the potential toxicity of this oxidant and/or its degradation products. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1995 ;36 :1804-1817.
TREX1 is expressed by microglia in normal human brain and increases in regions affected by ischemia.

BACKGROUND Mutations in the three-prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) gene have been associated with neurological diseases, including Retinal Vasculopathy with Cerebral Leukoencephalopathy (RVCL). However, the endogenous expression of TREX1 in human brain has not been studied. METHODS We produced a rabbit polyclonal antibody (pAb) to TREX1 to characterize TREX1 by Western blotting (WB) of cell lysates from normal controls and subjects carrying an RVCL frame-shift mutation. Dual staining was performed to determine cell types expressing TREX1 in human brain tissue. TREX1 distribution in human brain was further evaluated by immunohistochemical analyses of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples from normal controls and patients with RVCL and ischemic stroke. RESULTS After validating the specificity of our anti-TREX1 rabbit pAb, WB analysis was utilized to detect the endogenous wild-type and frame-shift mutant of TREX1 in cell lysates. Dual staining in human brain tissues from patients with RVCL and normal controls localized TREX1 to a subset of microglia and macrophages. Quantification of immunohistochemical staining of the cerebral cortex revealed that TREX1+ microglia were primarily in the gray matter of normal controls (22.7 ± 5.1% and 5.5 ± 1.9% of Iba1+ microglia in gray and white matter, respectively) and commonly in association with the microvasculature. In contrast, in subjects with RVCL, the TREX1+ microglia were predominantly located in the white matter of normal appearing cerebral cortex (11.8 ± 3.1% and 38.9 ± 5.8% of Iba1+ microglia in gray and white matter, respectively). The number of TREX1+ microglia was increased in ischemic brain lesions in central nervous system of RVCL and stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS TREX1 is expressed by a subset of microglia in normal human brain, often in close proximity to the microvasculature, and increases in the setting of ischemic lesions. These findings suggest a role for TREX1+ microglia in vessel homeostasis and response to ischemic injury.
Simple method to estimate residual displacement in concrete bridge columns under near-fault earthquake motions

Abstract The most direct method to estimate lateral residual displacement under earthquake loading is nonlinear response history analysis, which is time consuming and complicated. A simple method is highly desired to estimate residual displacement. Different simple methods that were based on earthquake and structural characteristics were explored. An empirical method using data from shake table testing of six bridge columns was developed and the results were compared with those from a method developed by the Applied Technology Council and the Japanese code. Compared to other methods, the proposed method was found to provide a more reasonable estimate of residual displacements under moderate and strong earthquakes.
Exploitation and International Clinical Research: The Disconnect Between Goals and Policy

A growing proportion of clinical research funded by pharmaceutical companies, high-income country research agencies, and not-for-profit funders is conducted in low- and middle-income settings. Disparities in wealth and access to healthcare between the populations where new interventions are often tested and those where many of them are ultimately marketed raise concerns about exploitation. This chapter examines several ethical requirements frequently advanced as mechanisms for protecting research subjects in underserved communities from exploitation and evaluates the effectiveness of those mechanisms as responses to exploitation worries. It goes on to highlight where the conceptual frameworks relied upon by research ethicists must be improved if we are to fully understand the nature of the moral claims and obligations that arise in research conducted in underserved communities.
The Caenorhabditis elegans SMOC-1 Protein Acts Cell Nonautonomously To Promote Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling regulates many different developmental and homeostatic processes in metazoans. The BMP pathway is conserved in Caenorhabditis elegans, and is known to regulate body size and mesoderm development. We have identified the C. elegans smoc-1 (Secreted MOdular Calcium-binding protein-1) gene as a new player in the BMP pathway. smoc-1(0) mutants have a small body size, while overexpression of smoc-1 leads to a long body size and increased expression of the RAD-SMAD (reporter acting downstream of SMAD) BMP reporter, suggesting that SMOC-1 acts as a positive modulator of BMP signaling. Using double-mutant analysis, we showed that SMOC-1 antagonizes the function of the glypican LON-2 and acts through the BMP ligand DBL-1 to regulate BMP signaling. Moreover, SMOC-1 appears to specifically regulate BMP signaling without significant involvement in a TGFβ-like pathway that regulates dauer development. We found that smoc-1 is expressed in multiple tissues, including cells of the pharynx, intestine, and posterior hypodermis, and that the expression of smoc-1 in the intestine is positively regulated by BMP signaling. We further established that SMOC-1 functions cell nonautonomously to regulate body size. Human SMOC1 and SMOC2 can each partially rescue the smoc-1(0) mutant phenotype, suggesting that SMOC-1's function in modulating BMP signaling is evolutionarily conserved. Together, our findings highlight a conserved role of SMOC proteins in modulating BMP signaling in metazoans.
An Analysis of Core Networks among First-Generation Immigrants

Examining core networks has implications for the ability of first-generation immigrants to build social capital and engage in upward mobility in future generations. Using data from the Greater Boston Social Survey, I examine core networks of Puerto Rican and Dominican immigrants to find determinants of having a non-household centered core network, its size, and racial diversity. Ethnicity, organizational membership, and having medium skin tone all had positive effects on core network size. Puerto Ricans fared better in terms of having a core network as well as racial heterogeneity in their networks. Education was an important determinant of network size and diversity for Dominican immigrants. Overall, organizational membership increased the likelihood of having a more racially diverse core network.
Causal inference explains the stimulus-level relationship between the McGurk Effect and auditory speech perception

The McGurk effect is widely used as a measure of multisensory integration during speech perception. Two observations have raised questions about the relationship between the effect and everyday speech perception. First, there is high variability in the strength of the McGurk effect across different stimuli and observers. Second, there is low correlation across observers between perception of the McGurk effect and measures of everyday speech perception, such as the ability to understand noisy audiovisual speech. Using the framework of the causal inference of multisensory speech (CIMS) model, we explored the relationship between the McGurk effect, syllable perception, and sentence perception in seven experiments with a total of 296 different participants. Perceptual reports revealed a relationship between the efficacy of different McGurk stimuli created from the same talker and perception of the auditory component of the McGurk stimuli presented in isolation, either with or without added noise. The CIMS model explained this high stimulus-level correlation using the principles of noisy sensory encoding followed by optimal cue combination within a representational space that was identical for McGurk and everyday speech. In other experiments, CIMS successfully modeled low observer-level correlation between McGurk and everyday speech. Variability in noisy speech perception was modeled using individual differences in noisy sensory encoding, while variability in McGurk perception involved additional differences in causal inference. Participants with all combinations of high and low sensory encoding noise and high and low causal inference disparity thresholds were identified. Perception of the McGurk effect and everyday speech can be explained by a common theoretical framework that includes causal inference.
Coherent Superposition of Electric- and Magnetic-Dipole Spin-Flip Transitions in Zinc Blende Semiconductors

Spin resonance (SR) studies offer an important and unique opportunity for investigating coherent superposition of electric-and magnetic-dipole spin-flip transitions in semiconductors. We will focus on far-infrared studies of conduction-electron spin-flip transitions in narrow-gap semiconductors, where this effect is most clearly evident. Although the SR transition is normally electric-dipole-forbidden, it is well known that there exist mechanisms (e.g., “nonparabolicity” and inversion asymmetry) that relax these selection rules. In comparing the relative importance of these mechanisms, it will be shown that the combination of spin–orbit coupling and inversion asymmetry (as developed by E. I. Rashba and V. I. Sheka) is the dominant process allowing electric-dipole-induced spin-flip transitions. In this review, special attention will be given to the interference of the electric- and magnetic-dipole matrix elements, which provide a unique opportunity for determining the inversion-asymmetry parameter (including its sign) in zinc blende narrow-gap semiconductors. This effect can also serve as a basis for observing spin-based electromagnetically induced transparency—a phenomenon of considerable contemporary interest from both fundamental and applied viewpoints.
Effects of Oceanic Crustal Thickness on Intermediate Depth Seismicity

The occurrence of intermediate depth seismicity (70 – 300 km) is commonly attributed to the dehydration of hydrous phases within the downgoing oceanic plate. While some water is incorporated into the oceanic crust at formation, a significant amount of water is introduced into the plate immediately before subduction along outer-rise faults. These faults have been shown to extend to depths of over 30 km and can channel water to depths of 20 km or more beneath the seafloor. However, the amount of water introduced into the oceanic mantle lithosphere, and the role of that water in the formation of intermediate depth seismicity, has been the topic of ongoing research. Here we compile evidence from areas where the subducted oceanic crust is likely thicker than the penetration depth of water into the downgoing plate. These regions comprise aseismic plateaus and ridges (hot spot tracks) that can be compared directly to adjacent segments of the oceanic plate where oceanic crust of normal thickness is subducted. Regions with thick oceanic crust show little to no seismicity at intermediate depths, whereas adjacent regions with normal oceanic crust (~6-8 km thick) have significant seismicity at similar depths and distances from the trench. We hypothesize that intermediate depth earthquakes observed in regions with thinner oceanic crust are caused by mantle dehydration reactions that are not possible in regions where the oceanic mantle was never hydrated because the thickness of the oceanic crust exceeded the penetration depth of water into the plate. We compare our observations to phase diagrams of hydrous basalt and depleted peridotite to determine pressures and temperatures that would be consistent with our observations. These can provide valuable constraints, not only on the degree of hydration and dehydration in the downgoing plate, but also as ground-truth for thermal models of these regions, all of which have complex, three-dimensional, time-variant subduction geometries and thermal histories.
Emerging therapeutic modalities against covid-19

The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has quickly spread worldwide, bringing the whole world as well as the economy to a standstill. As the world is struggling to minimize the transmission of this devastating disease, several strategies are being actively deployed to develop therapeutic interventions. Pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers are relentlessly working to investigate experimental, repurposed or FDA-approved drugs on a compassionate basis and novel biologics for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis and treatment. Presently, a tremendous surge of COVID-19 clinical trials are advancing through different stages. Among currently registered clinical efforts, ~86% are centered on testing small molecules or antibodies either alone or in combination with immunomodulators. The rest ~14% of clinical efforts are aimed at evaluating vaccines and convalescent plasma-based therapies to mitigate the disease's symptoms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current therapeutic modalities being evaluated against SARS-CoV-2 virus in clinical trials.
Models of Emergency Psychiatric Care

Decreases in hospital and residential treatment services coupled with an increase in the general population and its mental illness burden have created a public health crisis in emergency psychiatry. Various emergency mental healthcare models exist in different communities. Some reflect longstanding methods of consultation, others have launched innovative approaches to the changing landscape, and some have emergency departments functioning with minimal expertise as problems increase. The best solutions will anticipate the needs of a given community, mobilize multidisciplinary resources, and integrate systems of care all while attending to the unique aspects of mental health conditions and the patients who suffer them.
Very large array observations of the infrared dark cloud G19.30+0.07

We present Very Large Array observations of ammonia (NH{sub 3}) (1,1), (2,2), and dicarbon sulfide (CCS) (2{sub 1}-1{sub 0}) emission toward the infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G19.30+0.07 at {approx}22 GHz. The NH{sub 3} emission closely follows the 8 {mu}m extinction. The NH{sub 3} (1,1) and (2,2) lines provide diagnostics of the temperature and density structure within the IRDC, with typical rotation temperatures of {approx}10-20 K and NH{sub 3} column densities of {approx}10{sup 15} cm{sup -2}. The estimated total mass of G19.30+0.07 is {approx}1130 M{sub sun}. The cloud comprises four compact NH{sub 3} clumps of mass {approx}30-160 M{sub sun}. Two coincide with 24 {mu}m emission, indicating heating by protostars, and show evidence of outflow in the NH{sub 3} emission. We report a water maser associated with a third clump; the fourth clump is apparently starless. A non-detection of 8.4 GHz emission suggests that the IRDC contains no bright H II regions and places a limit on the spectral type of an embedded zero-age main-sequence star to early-B or later. From the NH{sub 3} emission, we find that G19.30+0.07 is composed of three distinct velocity components or 'subclouds'. One velocity component contains the two 24 {mu}m sources and the starless clump, anothermore » contains the clump with the water maser, while the third velocity component is diffuse, with no significant high-density peaks. The spatial distribution of NH{sub 3} and CCS emission from G19.30+0.07 is highly anti-correlated, with the NH{sub 3} predominantly in the high-density clumps and the CCS tracing lower-density envelopes around those clumps. This spatial distribution is consistent with theories of evolution for chemically young low-mass cores, in which CCS has not yet been processed to other species and/or depleted in high-density regions.« less
Errors in Estimating Accruals: Implications for Empirical Research

This paper examines the impact of measuring accruals as the change in successive balance sheet accounts, as opposed to measuring accruals directly from the statement of cash flows. Our primary finding is that studies using a balance sheet approach to test for earnings management are potentially contaminated by measurement error in accruals estimates. In particular, if the partitioning variable used to indicate the presence of earnings management is correlated with the occurrence of mergers and acquisitions or discontinued operations, tests are biased and researchers are likely to erroneously conclude that earnings management exists when there is none. Additional results show that the errors in balance sheet accruals estimation can confound returns regressions where discretionary and non-discretionary accruals are used as explanatory variables. Moreover, we demonstrate that tests of market mispricing of accruals will be understated due to erroneous classification of “extreme” accruals firms.
The Need for Systematic Training on Gun Rights and Mental Illness for Forensic Psychiatrists.

Individual ownership of firearms is common in the United States. According to the FBI, which oversees the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the annual number of background checks for firearm purchases surpassed 20 million for the first time in 2013 and has not fallen below
A Series of RET Fusion Spitz Neoplasms With Plaque-Like Silhouette and Dyscohesive Nesting of Epithelioid Melanocytes

ABSTRACT Two distinct studies have shown that RET fusions are found in 3%-4% of Spitz neoplasms. RET fusions have been well described in papillary thyroid cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and soft-tissue mesenchymal tumors as well as some other neoplasms. However, there are no comprehensive descriptions to date of the characteristic morphologic, clinical, or genomic findings in RET fusion Spitz neoplasms. In this study, we identified 5 cases of RET fusion Spitz neoplasms. These tumors showed characteristic morphologic features which included plaque-like silhouette and monotonous epithelioid cytology with expansile and dyscohesive nesting. Four of 5 patients including 1 diagnosed as Spitz melanoma had clinical follow-up all of which was uneventful. Furthermore, we describe the genomic sequences in 4 of these cases, 2 of which have previously described KIF5B-RET fusion and 2 of which had a novel LMNA-RET fusion. We believe this report significantly contributes to our current knowledge regarding Spitz neoplasms and describes characteristics features which can help with recognition of the RET subgroup of Spitz.
The role of sub-surface hydrogen on CO2 reduction and dynamics on Ni(110): An ab initio molecular dynamics study.

The catalytic reduction in carbon dioxide is a crucial step in many chemical industrial reactions, such as methanol synthesis, the reverse water–gas shift reaction, and formic acid synthesis. Here, we investigate the role of bulk hydrogen, where hydrogen atoms are found deep inside a metal surface as opposed to subsurface ones, upon CO2 reduction over a Ni(110) surface using density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. While it has previously been shown that subsurface hydrogen stabilizes CO2 and can aid in overcoming reaction barriers, the role of bulk hydrogen is less studied and thus unknown with regard to CO2 reduction. We find that the presence of bulk hydrogen can significantly alter the electronic structure of the Ni(110) surface, particularly the work function and d-band center, such that CO2 adsorbs more strongly to the surface and is more easily reduced. Our results show an enhanced CO2 dissociation in the presence of bulk hydrogen, shedding light on a hitherto underappreciated mechanistic pathway for CO2 reduction on metal surfaces.
Higgs Mass Limits from Electroweak Baryogenesis

The possibility of creating baryon asymmetry of the Universe has attracted a lot of attention lately. In my opinion, the main reason this has occurred is that from a simple experimental fact that almost all Universe we know consists of matter, instead of antimatter, it is possible to obtain very strong constraints upon parameters of various particle physics models. These constraints are experimentally verifiable or will be so in the near future.
Welcome to the Branch

.... ..... .. ... .... .... ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv List of Characters 1 Act One .... ... . .... . ... .. .. ...... . . .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Act Two 54 Literature Cited.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Vita 87
Modern Thermodynamics with Statistical Mechanics

Beginnings.- Formulation.- Mathematical Background.- Thermodynamic Potentials.- Structure of the Potentials.- Laboratory Measurements.- The Third Law.- Models of Matter.- Statistical Mechanics.- Quantum Statistical Mechanics.- Irreversibility.- Stability.- Equilibrium of Chemical Reactions.- Chemical Kinetics.- Solutions.- Heterogeneous Equilibrium.- Appendix.
A knowledge-based approach to computer-aided design of structures

A novel approach is presented for development of expert systems for structural design problems. This approach differs from the conventional expert systems in two fundamental respects. First, mathematical optimization is introduced into the design process. Second, computer is used to obtain parts of the knowledge necessary in the expert systems, in addition to heuristics and experiential knowledge obtained from documented materials and human experts. As an example of this approach, a prototype expert system is presented for optimum design of bridge trusses subjected to moving loads, called BTEXPERT. BTEXPERT has been developed by interfacing an interactive optimization program developed in FORTRAN to an expert system shell developed in Pascal. This new generation of expert systems embracing various advanced technologies such as artificial (machine) intelligence, numerical optimization technique, and interactive computer graphics should find enormous practical implications.
"Be it Ever So Humble: Understanding Housing Using Subjective Well-being Data"

This paper presents new evidence on the utility – or well-being – derived from housing. There are three areas of focus: 1) how people feel at home versus outside home and if there is a positive athome differential, especially with respect to housing as a complementary good to family life; 2) whether well-being related to housing consumption varies by home values and homeownership status; and 3) if and how neighborhood home prices relate to home related well-being measures.
Theocracy, Eschatology, and the Ephemeral Church: Graham Ward and the “Crisis of Democracy”

This article offers a critical assessment of Graham Ward’s political theology and critique of modern democracy. Ward argues that modern democracy expresses a nihilistic metaphysics and lacks an adequate account of the embodiment of sovereignty within the social, with the result that it tacitly harbors totalitarianism. As an alternative, Ward advances a theocratic model of the social, with the aim of providing an account of the social embodiment of sovereignty lacking in democracy. The article argues that Ward is ultimately unsuccessful in this attempt. His eschatological focus separates the church from the world, undermining his account of the embodiment of sovereignty and reinforcing the very emptiness at the heart of the social his theology is intended to counter.
Abstract P294: Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is a major risk factor for end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. There are scarce data on the effects of dietary sodium and potassium intake on the development and progression of chronic kidney disease. Hypothesis: We investigated the prospective association of urinary sodium and potassium excretion with the risk of chronic kidney disease progression and all-cause mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study among 3,939 patients with chronic kidney disease from 7 clinical centers in the US. Dietary sodium and potassium intake are accessed by averaging three 24-hour urinary measures and calibrating to sex-specific mean 24-hour urinary creatinine excretion. Estimated-glomerular filtration rate was obtained annually. Chronic kidney disease progression was defined as a composite end point of incident end-stage renal disease or halving o...
THE PATTERNS OF SUMMER DRYNESS AND WETNESS IN EASTERN CHINA

Seven distinct patterns of dryness and wetness over eastern China result from the application of a cluster analytical technique to evaluate the percentage departure from normal of summer precipitation (PDP). The area studied may also be divided into five separate regions on the basis of a comparison of the year-to-year variations in precipitation deviations at each station. The probability distribution of the departure of summer precipitation from normal in the northern and southern regions fits the normal distribution, while a Gamma distribution better explains the more skewed probability distribution of summer PDP in the other three regions.
FITTING THE HIGH ABILITY PROGRAM TO THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

As the number of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders grows, leaders are increasingly recognizing the limitations of the existing literature base to serve unique subsets of students on the spectrum. To date, there is a dearth of research regarding individuals who are both diagnosed on the spectrum and identified as gifted or high ability. This article provides a theoretical structure to guide professionals working with this population, as well as recommendations for further research. The High Ability/Autism puzzle includes three interlocking pieces that must be connected. First, this population must be appropriately defined, and then second, that definition must guide how professionals identify members of this population. Third, identification methods must inform the educational programming decisions to best serve the High Ability/Autism population. The definition, identification, and available programs must be interrelated to provide appropriate support and guidance for this unique population. This article will outline this process and make recommendations for both practitioners and researchers committed to gifted individuals on the spectrum.
Hypothalamic, other diencephalic, and telencephalic neurons that project to the dorsal midbrain

Neurons in the hypothalamus, other diencephalic regions, and the telencephalon which project to the mesencephalic central gray (CG) and the region lateral to it were demonstrated, in the rat, by the horseradish peroxidase retrograde neuroanatomical tracing method with diaminobenzidine and tetramethyl benzidine visualization reactions. The greatest concentrations of neurons that project to the dorsal mesencephalon were found in the ventromedial nucleus, particularly the anterior and ventrolateral subdivisions, in the dorsal premammillary nucleus, and in the zona incerta. Neurons that project to or lateral to the CG were also found in the laterocaudal hypothalamus, the dorsomedial hypothalamus, regions of the anterior hypothalamic area, specific areas of the cerebral cortex (32, 29, 8, 8A, 13, 14), and the central nucleus of the amygdala. Some neurons that project were also found in the preoptic area, septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminals, and the habenula. More neurons in the mediocaudal quadrant of the hypothalamus project to the mesencephalon than do those in laterocaudal, mediorostral, or laterorostral quadrants. More neurons in the medial than the lateral half, and more in the caudal than the rostral half of the hypothalamus project to the mesencephalon. More neurons project to the central gray, or the region lateral to it, at the levels of the superior colliculus, or intercollicular region, than at the level of the inferior colliculus. These descending connections to the midbrain, particularly from the hypothalamus and zona incerta, are probably components of neural networks that regulate nociception, certain neuroendocrine functions, sexual and other behaviors, and certain autonomic functions.
Effect of chronic ethanol consumption on central and peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites in the mouse brain

Following chronic exposure of C57/BL6 mice to ethanol the binding of [3H]Ro5-4864 and [3H]propyl-β-carboline-3-car☐ylate to benzodiazepine binding sites in the brain was studied. Peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites were measured using the probe [3H]Ro5-4864. Chronic ethanol treatment resulted in a significant increase in [3H]Ro5-4864 binding due to a 43% increase in receptor density. The affinity of [3H]Ro5-4864 for the receptor was not significantly affected. The binding of [3H]propyl- β-carboline-3-car☐ylate to central-type benzodiazepine receptors was not affected by chronic ethanol treatment.
Identification of microfilaments in marrow sinus endothelial cells: Their possible role in cell egress

Bands of microfilaments, 0.1–0.2 μ m in width were demonstrated in marrow sinus endothelial cells, using en bloc thiocarbohydrazide staining method. These bands were in submembranous location and contained filaments of 4–7 nm in diameter. Bands of filaments of this size are known to be contractile. These contractile bands may explain the rhythmic caliber changes reported in marrow sinuses and may be of functional significance in cell egress from marrow.
Experimental investigation of ortho-positronium-surface interactions

Abstract In an effort to measure absolute positronium formation cross-sections for positrons scattered by various target atoms and molecules, we detect coincidences of the two 511 keV γ rays produced by the decay of para-Ps and by the interaction of ortho-Ps with the walls of our scattering cell, and also coincidences of 2 of the 3 γ rays with energies between 300 and 460 keV produced by ortho-Ps decay. The ratio of the coincidence signals (3γ/2γ) plotted as a function of positron energy has a number of interesting features that we believe may provide useful information on ortho-positronium–surface interactions.
Routing algorithms: enhancing routability & enabling ECO (abstract only)

The routing channels of today's FPGAs consist of wire segments of various types. This routing architecture makes us capable of exploiting some new techniques to enhance the routability of net segments in channels in order to support engineering change order (ECO). In this paper we present an optimal greedy algorithm to switch the track, which each net segment is assigned to, in order to enhance the routability of newly added nets for enabling ECO. We used the routing architecture of Virtex II FPGAs from Xilinx as our target routing architecture and integrated our algorithm into VPR FPGA routing tool. The experimental result show that the algorithm reduces the number of Tracks by 9% in average. It allows 28.4% more rerouting than the existing router of VPR tool, which is based on Dijkestra's maze router algorithm.
Gilbert Gottlieb: intermediator between psychology and evolutionary biology.

This article describes and evaluates Gilbert Gottlieb's role as an intermediator between psychology and evolutionary biology. He proposed that altered developmental conditions gave rise to new behavioral phenotypes (behavioral neophenotypes) that could provide the basis for initiating speciation. As an example, Gottlieb cited sympatric speciation of two species of fruit flies (Rhageletis pomella), which he believed was based on an ontogenetic shift in pupal feeding on apples or hawthorn fruit which determined their adult selection of apple or hawthorn trees for ovipositing. Recent evidence has provided additional links in the process of speciation of these fruit flies. Unlike other efforts to incorporate evolution in psychology, Gottlieb's theoretical contribution was based on actual evolutionary processes including recent developments in the field of evo-devo. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 800–807, 2007.
Autophosphorylation of αCaMKII downregulates excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons following synaptic stimulation

It has been well documented that α-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (αCaMKII) is central to synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation, an activity-dependent strengthening of synapses that is thought to underlie certain types of learning and memory. However, the mechanisms by which αCaMKII may regulate neuronal excitability remain unclear. Here, we report that αCaMKII knock-in mice with a targeted T286A point mutation that prevents its autophosphorylation (αCaMKIIT286A) showed increased excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons compared with wild-type controls, as measured by a decrease in the slow component of post-burst afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) following high-frequency stimulation of Schaffer collateral afferent fibers. In contrast, AHP was indistinguishable between αCaMKIIT286A and wild-type mice when it was evoked by somatic current injections, indicating that the hyperexcitability is observed specifically in response to synaptic stimulation in this mutant. Taken together, our results suggest that αCaMKII functions to downregulate CA1 neuron excitability following synaptic stimulation, presumably supporting the functionally adaptive modulation of excitability during hippocampal learning or providing a negative feedback mechanism that would prevent neurons from becoming hyperexcitable and promote network stability.
Plasmids in Clostridium perfringens.

A review of plasmids in Clostridium perfringens is presented. The characterization of the caseinase mediating plasmid pHB101 based upon limited DNase treatment, restriction endonuclease treatment, and agarose gel electrophoresis is described. Antibiotic profiles for the wild type strain and the cured strain were determined. The plasmid pHB101 was non self-transferable. The curing procedure resulted in a stable morphological change from rod to coccoid or bacillary-coccoid shape. A screening of C. perfringens strains showed the general presence of a 9.4 Mdal plasmid which may have been overlooked in the past due to chromosomal DNA masking effects.
Spatiotemporal analytical model for coupled-cavity soliton fiber lasers

A closed-form analytical model for the spatiotemporal processes giving rise to soliton pulse formation and compression in an additive-pulse mode-locked coupled-cavity fiber laser systems is presented. The model is based on a modified nonlinear Schrodinger equation for solitons. Perturbation techniques coupled with Fourier transform methods are employed to simplify the solution to the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. The contributions of Gaussian white noise, random noise, group velocity dispersion, and self-phase modulation to the mode-locking process and system performance are described. The model is used to analyze the temporal and spectral characteristics of a 1.55-µm mode-locked soliton fiber laser with a pulse width of 25 ps and a pulse repetition rate of 4 ns, accurately.
Meanings of state hospital nursing. II: Coping and making meaning.

The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of work for nurses employed in two state psychiatric hospitals. A companion article, "Meanings of State Hospital Nursing I: Facing Challenges", ( Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 13 (1), 48–54), describes the study methods and the findings regarding the challenges in clinical decision making, personal control, and maintaining professional standards that nurses face in state hospital nursing. This article focuses on the ways that nurses meet the challenges, cope, and make meaning. These methods include taking pride in being able to cope with the challenges, maintaining watchfulness, narrowing of focus, valuing the ideal when it does occur, and constructing personal meanings. The article concludes with suggestions for supporting and enhancing the ways in which nurses cope and make meaning in their daily work in state hospitals.
The Role of Nuclear Energy in Mitigating Greenhouse Warming

A behavioral, top-down, forced-equilibrium market model of long-term ({approximately} 2,100) global energy-economics interactions has been modified with a bottom-up nuclear energy model and used to construct consistent scenarios describing future impacts of civil nuclear materials flows in an expanding, multi-regional (13) world economy. The relative measures and tradeoffs between economic (GNP, tax impacts, productivity, etc.), environmental (greenhouse gas accumulations, waste accumulation, proliferation risk), and energy (resources, energy mixes, supply-side versus demand-side attributes) interactions that emerge from these analyses are focused herein on advancing understanding of the role that nuclear energy (and other non-carbon energy sources) might play in mitigating greenhouse warming. Two ostensibly opposing scenario drivers are investigated: (a) demand-side improvements in (non-price-induced) autonomous energy efficiency improvements; and (b) supply-side carbon-tax inducements to shift energy mixes towards reduced- or non-carbon forms. In terms of stemming greenhouse warming for minimal cost of greenhouse-gas abatement, and with the limitations of the simplified taxing schedule used, a symbiotic combination of these two approaches may offer advantages not found if each is applied separately.
Private vs Public Expressions of Racial Prejudice

Abstract The present research examined the different processes that guide judgments of single group members in private vs anticipated public contexts. In each of three experiments, pro-Black or anti-Black participants were informed in advance either that their judgments of a Black individual were completely confidential (Private Context) or that they would be discussing their judgments with the other persons in the room (Anticipated Public Context). Experiment 1 showed that judgments of the target were more consistent with racial attitudes in the anticipated public than in the private condition. Experiment 2 replicated these findings and, moreover, showed nearly identical effects regardless of whether participants' attitudes were assessed by measures of modern vs “old-fashioned” racism. Experiment 3 again showed consistency between group attitudes and judgments of the target in anticipated public contexts, even when participants were given information about the likely “pro” or “anti” views of the audience and, hence, regardless of whether participants believed that the audience agreed with their own attitudes or not. Taken as a whole, results were consistent with a ‘bolstering’ framework first articulated in the cognitive dissonance domain (e.g., McGuire, 1964), which has shown that people become psychologically invested in their own positions when they anticipate debate with others, especially when their a priori commitment to their attitude is relatively high. The implications of the present results for theories of modern racism and the construct validity of the modern racism scale are discussed.
Changes in respiration of fresh-cut butterhead lettuce under controlled atmospheres using low and superatmospheric oxygen conditions with different carbon dioxide levels

Abstract The effect of different O 2 levels from 0 to 100 kPa in combination with 0, 10 and 20 kPa CO 2 on the respiration metabolism of greenhouse grown fresh-cut butter lettuce was studied. Controlled atmospheres of 20 or 75 kPa O 2 with 0 or 10 kPa CO 2 showed a constant respiration rate during the first 2–4 days at different temperatures (1, 5 and 9 °C). Therefore, constant respiration rates during a short period of 2–4 days could be considered as valid for a large part of the commercial life of, for instance, a modified atmosphere package development. The fresh-cut lettuce exposed to low O 2 levels (2–10 kPa) combined with moderate to high CO 2 levels (10 and 20 kPa) had a higher respiration rate than when 20–100 kPa O 2 were used. Moderate CO 2 levels (10 kPa) reduced the respiration rates of fresh-cut lettuce 20–40% at 9 °C. This effect was less noticed at lower temperatures. Gas composition with high CO 2 levels (20 kPa) probably caused a metabolic disorder increasing the respiration rate of fresh-cut butter lettuce. It was concluded that 80 kPa O 2 must be used in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to avoid fermentation of fresh-cut butter lettuce in combination with 10–20 kPa CO 2 for reducing their respiration rate.
Influence of ionizing irradiation in air and nitrogen for sterilization of surgical grade polyethylene for implants

Abstract The influence of the atmosphere and the applied dose during ionizing radiation treatment on selected properties of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) have been investigated. A linear correlation between extinction coefficient and applied dosis in air from 6 to 125 kGy was found, while oxidation was not linear with irradiation in nitrogen. Bacteria survival rate shows a necessary minimum dose of 15 kGy for assured sterility of the product. Post reaction of latent free radicals in UHMWPE created during irradiation, which react or recombine time- and environment dependent, has also been investigated after storage of UHMWPE-films in air and nitrogen at 21°C and in water at body temperature 37°C for up to nine months. Results show that the properties of UHMWPE after radiation-sterilization change depending on time, the absorbed dose, the atmosphere where irradiation took place and the environment of storage. UHMWPE, which mainly crosslinks during irradiation degrades by an oxidation process after sterilizing when stored in air and even more in water at body temperature. So irradiation and storage in nitrogen before implantation in the human body is beneficial.
Reaction of excited iodine atoms with methyl iodide: Rate constant determinations

The rate constant for the reaction I(2P1/2) + CH3I I2 + CH3 has been reevaluated taking into account both collisional deactivation of excited iodine atoms and loss of I2 by I2 + CH3 I + CH3I. The reevaluation is based upon data obtained (R. T. Meyer), J. Chem. Phys., 46, 4146 (1967) from the flash photolysis of CH3I using time-resolved mass spectrometry to measure the rate of I2 formation. Computer simulations of the complete kinetic system and a closed-form solution of a simplified set of the differential equations yielded a value of 6(± 4) × 106 1./mole-sec for the excited iodine atom reaction in the temperature region of 316 to 447 K. A slight temperature dependence was observed, but an activation energy could not be evaluated quantitatively due to the small temperature range studied. An upper limit for the collisional deactivation of I(2P1/2) with CH3I was also determined (2.4 × 107 1./mole-sec).