cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimally Greedy Control of Team Dispatching Systems

We introduce the team dispatching (TD) problem arising in cooperative control of multiagent systems, such as spacecraft constellations and UAV fleets. The problem is formulated as an optimal control problem similar in structure to queuing problems modeled by restless bandits. A near-optimality result is derived for greedy dispatching under oversubscription conditions, and used to formulate an approximate deterministic model of greedy scheduling dynamics. Necessary conditions for optimal team configuration switching are then derived for restricted TD problems using this deterministic model. Explicit construction is provided for a special case, showing that the most-oversubscribed-first (MOF) switching sequence is optimal when team configurations have low overlap in their processing capabilities. Simulation results for TD problems in multi-spacecraft interferometric imaging are summarized.
Conducting the National Lesbian Health Care Survey: First of Its Kind

The authors of the National Lesbian Health Care Survey (NLHCS) describe the process, challenges, and experiences in planning and conducting the first and largest lesbian health survey, which helped define lesbian health and mental health issues. Challenges include lack of funding, lack of awareness that sexual orientation may affect access to care and health outcomes, sexism, homophobia, fear of AIDS, and lack of guidelines for conducting survey research with lesbians. The methodology was designed to reach a broad range of lesbians throughout the United States, including low-income lesbians, nonurban lesbians, lesbians of color, and lesbians with less formal education. Planning the survey took several years and helped frame how lesbians conceptualize health. Planning began in the late 1970s and data were collected during the fall of 1984 and spring of 1985, at a time when AIDS was emerging as a major focus for community services, research, and funding, and this is reflected in the history of conducting the survey. The process of questionnaire distribution and data collection made broad use of lesbian networks throughout the country, creating for respondents a sense of participation in a larger movement with special significance for lesbians. The National Lesbian Health Care Survey resulted in demographic, health, mental health, and community life experiences from 1925 lesbians from all 50 U.S. states and several territories, and is still the most extensive study of lesbians published to date.
Thermal radiation effects and their determinations room fires

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the importance of the adequate inclusion of radiation calculations in fire models highlighting the physical role and effects of thermal radiation in room fires and reviewing the theoretical basis for radiation calculations. For room fires, the domain for radiation heat transfer covers basically the wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces, the surfaces of all material contents, and the volume of gas and particulate medium bounded by the solid surfaces. Also, doorways and windows, either closed or open, all play a role in the radiation heat transfer process. Once ignited, the evolving fire becomes a part of the medium in the room, where the temperature rises due to the combustion process, and heat is imparted to the rest of the room by direct radiation exchange and natural convection. In room fires, radiation exchange occurs between surface and surface, gas (including flame) and surface, and gas (including flame) and gas, and is governed by different independent physics known as radiative transfer. The easiest way to consider the propagation of radiation in a fire room is to simply look along a specific ray of radiation in a specific direction that traverses the room medium from one surface to another. While optimum methods for the general radiation calculations are still being sought, promising approximate calculations suitable for use in fire-safety engineering analyses can be delineated with reasonable accuracy.
Monitoring Architecture for a 76-81GHz Radar Front End

This paper proposes architectures to comprehensively monitor the functionality of a 76-to-81GHz Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar front end, for safety critical automotive applications. These on-chip monitors periodically measure critical performance parameters and internal voltages of the radar transmitters (TX), receivers (RX) and local oscillator (LO), to detect failures in the field. They are implemented as a combination of mm-wave, analog, digital and firmware components in a radar IC in 45nm CMOS technology.
kT-Scale Interactions and Stability of Colloids with Adsorbed Zwitterionic and Ethylene Oxide Copolymers

We report synthesis of novel zwitterionic triblock copolymers and direct measurements of their interactions when adsorbed to colloids and surfaces. We investigate triblock copolymers with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine) (PMPC) end blocks separated by a poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) center block, with comparison to poly(ethylene oxide) PEO–PPO–PEO analogues. Interaction potentials are measured for a molecular weight series of PMPC and PEO copolymers adsorbed to hydrophobic colloids of varying diameter and planar surfaces. Findings indicate that, for the same number of repeat units, PMPC brushes generate repulsion at several times the distance of PEO brushes. PEO brush dimensions and interactions show good agreement with polymer brush models, whereas PMPC interactions suggest layer architectures with chain extensions approaching the PMPC block contour length. While PEO blocks must have 2–3 times as many repeat units to generate the same thickness as PMPC blocks, PMPC and PEO layers of the same t...
Mixed methods in educational psychology inquiry

Abstract Mixed methods research has the potential to advance theory and enhance the usefulness of research findings. However, the success of a mixed methods research inquiry is tied to how well researchers integrate the quantitative and qualitative strands, and to how well researchers address the standards for quality in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. In this introduction article, we define mixed methods research and discuss what mixed methods research can offer to the field of educational psychology. Then we consider what constitutes integration and rigor in mixed methods research and describe three core mixed methods research designs. Following this overview, we briefly introduce each article to this special issue, along with the commentary by Vicki Plano Clark. We also discuss how the use of mixed methods can help address common educational problems including: (a) identifying and exploring socially-situated and contextualized learning processes; (b) providing insights into differences across individuals with respect to educational outcomes; and, (c) building instruments that reflect the experiences of individuals who will be assessed by these instruments. Finally, we close with thoughts on the future of mixed methods research.
Grade-Level Distinctions in Student Threats of Violence

Virginia law mandates the use of threat assessment in all public schools, yet there is little research on grade-level differences. This study investigated a statewide sample of 3,282 threats from 1...
Toward Empirical Thinking and Creative Inquiry

Here I summarize the main points covered in the book, discuss important limitations, and make suggestions for future research. Throughout this work, I have promoted inquiry into the process of animal-assisted intervention. Human–animal interaction (HAI) analysis was introduced as a potential practice to better understand interventions with animals and tie the animal to measured outcomes. Basic and applied studies provide examples of just how we can think empirically about the process of incorporating animals in interventions. After a brief summary of major points, this chapter discusses limitations of the research discussed and provides suggestions for improved investigation moving forward. Suggestions include operationalizing variables in a variety of ways, emphasizing sociocultural variables, considering animal autonomy and welfare, and reporting activities and findings responsibly.
Translational inhibition of HIF-1α by 2ME2

5428 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is a small molecule that exerts antitumor and antiangiogenic activity and is currently in clinical trials. 2ME2 binds to and destabilizes microtubules in vitro and in cells. We have recently shown that 2ME2 inhibits the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) both in cells and in xenograft models, most likely downstream of the drug’s microtubule destabilizing effects. HIF-1α is a pro-angiogenic transcription factor induced primarily by tumor hypoxia that is critically involved in tumor progression, metastasis and overall tumor survival. The 2ME2-mediated HIF-1α downregulation does not result from decreased HIF-1α protein stability or increased HIF-1α proteasomal degradation, but it rather results from inhibition of new HIF-1α protein synthesis. To investigate the molecular mechanism by which 2ME2 inhibits HIF-1α protein translation we analyzed the polysomal profiles of untreated and 2ME2 treated human prostate and breast cancer cells by linear sucrose gradient fractionation. Our results showed that 2ME2 treatment increased the proportion of inactively translating ribonucleoproteins and ribosomal subunits compared to untreated control cells. Twelve 1 ml fractions were isolated from untreated and 2ME2 treated cells and Northern blot analysis for HIF-1α was performed. We observed a dramatic shift of HIF-1α mRNA from the actively-translating fraction 8 in untreated cells to the inactively-translating fraction 1 in the 2ME2-treated cells. This result was specific for HIF-1α mRNA as no shift towards inactive translation was observed for the actin mRNA species following 2ME2 treatment. These data support and extend our previous observations that 2ME2 downregulates HIF-1α at the translation level. We are currently investigating the association of the translational machinery to the microtubule network as well as the potential association of HIF-1α mRNA species with microtubules in living cells. It remains to be determined whether inhibition of HIF-1α translation is a property shared by other microtubule-targeting drugs or if it is specific for 2ME2.
Iron Fenton oxidation of 2′-deoxyguanosine in physiological bicarbonate buffer yields products consistent with the reactive oxygen species carbonate radical anion not the hydroxyl radical

Product analysis from the iron Fenton oxidation of 2′-deoxyguanosine found reactions in bicarbonate buffer yield 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine and spiroiminodihyantoin consistent with CO3˙−. Reactions in phosphate buffer furnished high yields of sugar oxidation products consistent with HO˙. These observations change the view of DNA oxidation products from the iron-Fenton reaction.
Potential impact on coagulopathy of gene variants of coagulation related proteins that interact with SARS-CoV-2

Abstract Thrombosis has been one of the complications of the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), often associated with poor prognosis. There is a well-recognized link between coagulation and inflammation, however, the extent of thrombotic events associated with COVID-19 warrants further investigation. Poly(A) Binding Protein Cytoplasmic 4 (PABPC4), Serine/Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitor Clade G Member 1 (SERPING1) and Vitamin K epOxide Reductase Complex subunit 1 (VKORC1), which are all proteins linked to coagulation, have been shown to interact with SARS proteins. We computationally examined the interaction of these with SARS-CoV-2 proteins and, in the case of VKORC1, we describe its binding to ORF7a in detail. We examined the occurrence of variants of each of these proteins across populations and interrogated their potential contribution to COVID-19 severity. Potential mechanisms by which some of these variants may contribute to disease are proposed. Some of these variants are prevalent in minority groups that are disproportionally affected by severe COVID-19. Therefore, we are proposing that further investigation around these variants may lead to better understanding of disease pathogenesis in minority groups and more informed therapeutic approaches. Author summary Increased blood clotting, especially in the lungs, is a common complication of COVID-19. Infectious diseases cause inflammation which in turn can contribute to increased blood clotting. However, the extent of clot formation that is seen in the lungs of COVID-19 patients suggests that there may be a more direct link. We identified three human proteins that are involved indirectly in the blood clotting cascade and have been shown to interact with proteins of SARS virus, which is closely related to the novel coronavirus. We examined computationally the interaction of these human proteins with the viral proteins. We looked for genetic variants of these proteins and examined how these variants are distributed across populations. We investigated whether variants of these genes could impact severity of COVID-19. Further investigation around these variants may provide clues for the pathogenesis of COVID-19 particularly in minority groups.
The effects of augmented reality mobile app advertising: Viral marketing via shared social experience

Abstract Augmented reality (AR) tools can increase the effectiveness of traditional marketing approaches. This study tests the effectiveness of AR advertising in the specific context of holiday mobile app marketing. Applying the experience economy framework to the AR marketing response process, this study investigates consumer responses to AR mobile app advertising by measuring shared social experience (which is associated with user-generated viral marketing behavior) and purchase intentions. Results show that immersive new brand experiences enabled by AR positively influence consumer responses. These findings suggest that practitioners should consider combining AR marketing tools with existing marketing approaches to facilitate shared social experience (i.e., unpaid brand endorsement) and increase purchase intentions. Doing so could help marketing campaigns stand out, particularly during competitive holiday marketing periods.
Identifying Musculoskeletal Pain Generators Using Clinical PET

Identifying the source of a person's pain is a significant clinical challenge because the physical sensation of pain is believed to be subjective and difficult to quantify. The experience of pain is not only modulated by the individual's threshold to painful stimuli but also a product of the person's affective contributions, such as fear, anxiety, and previous experiences. Perhaps then to quantify pain is to examine the degree of nociception and pro-nociceptive inflammation, that is, the extent of cellular, chemical, and molecular changes that occur in pain-generating processes. Measuring changes in the local density of receptors, ion channels, mediators, and inflammatory/immune cells that are involved in the painful phenotype using targeted, highly sensitive, and specific positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers is therefore a promising approach toward objectively identifying peripheral pain generators. Although several preclinical radiotracer candidates are being developed, a growing number of ongoing clinical PET imaging approaches can measure the degree of target concentration and thus serve as a readout for sites of pain generation. Further, when PET is combined with the spatial and contrast resolution afforded by magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists can potentially identify pain drivers with greater accuracy and confidence. Clinical PET imaging approaches with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose, fluorine-18 sodium fluoride, and sigma-1 receptor PET radioligand and translocator protein radioligands to isolate the source of pain are described here.
Sorting under Forbidden Comparisons

In this paper we study the problem of sorting under forbidden comparisons where some pairs of elements may not be compared (forbidden pairs). Along with the set of elements V the input to our problem is a graph G(V, E), whose edges represents the pairs that we can compare in constant time. Given a graph with n vertices and m = binom(n)(2) - q edges we propose the first non-trivial deterministic algorithm which makes O((q + n)*log(n)) comparisons with a total complexity of O(n^2 + q^(omega/2)), where omega is the exponent in the complexity of matrix multiplication. We also propose a simple randomized algorithm for the problem which makes widetilde O(n^2/sqrt(q+n) + nsqrt(q)) probes with high probability. When the input graph is random we show that widetilde O(min(n^(3/2), pn^2)) probes suffice, where p is the edge probability.
Who Needs Intubation

Tracheal intubation is frequently performed in the ED and ICU for a multitude of reasons. Nevertheless, making the decision to intubate is not something to be taken lightly. Any intubation attempt could lead to a failed airway and nobody wants to make it to that point on the algorithm. The reason your patient needs an airway should dictate how you approach that airway. Understanding your patient and the pathophysiology behind their situation will allow a skilled approach for first-pass success.
The Firm's Financing and Dividend Policies, and the Cost of External Financing Under Information Asymmetry: A Generalized Analysis

Extant Information Asymmetry (IA) theories in corporate finance apply, not to all but, only to that subset of firms satisfying the theories` assumptions about: a) the nature of the manager`s private information, and b) the set of securities that can be issued. The research has noted that the conflicting empirical results in the literature my stem from the fact that the firms under study may not satisfy these assumptions. We therefore examine, in this paper, the implications of IA for the firm`s optimal financing and dividend policies, and the cost of external financing, in a framework that accommodates all natures of the manager`s private information and that places only parsimonious restrictions on the set of securities that the firm can issue. We show, using a screening model, that irrespective of the assumptions one makes about the nature of the manager`s private information, and the set of securities that can be issued, a firm will belong to one of three IA Groups, and that IA has similar implications for all firms within a Group. This surprising finding, not only yields extant IA results as special cases of our generalized framework, but it also generates new results for the firm`s optimal financing /dividend policies and reverses some standard debt-equity intuitions. For example, we find, contrary to the implications of the extant theory, that: a) firms can issue equity and, in some cases, issuing equity can be optimal when even it is accompanied by a drop in stock prices, b) equity issuance may be optimal even there is IA only about firm value and not variance, c) an increase in IA, even about value, can lead to an increase in equity issuance, and d) firms can optimally pay dividends and issue risky securities, even equity. These new results also help us reconcile some conflicting findings of the extant IA empirical research. Finally, our approach provides a rich agenda for future research. It provides suggestions for : i) conducting more powerful empirical tests on the impact of IA on the firm`s optimal policies, ii) identifying new securities (security design) that while reducing external financing costs are also likely to attract a broad-based demand from firms and iii) identifying the firm`s optimal financing/dividend policies when it can issue securities such as convertibles.
GSE Reform: The Path Forward

Having parachuted into housing finance as Chief Executive Officer of Freddie Mac in 2012, I have since followed the writings, speeches, and testimony of the policy community. Although many were ins...
Microwave balloon angioplasty

Experimental studies have led to the conclusion that microwave balloon angioplasty (MBA) is effective in enhancing the primary result of angioplasty. The feasibility and efficacy of a microwave system to enhance the result of the primary angioplasty procedure were demonstrated for normal and atherosclerotic rabbit models. The result at four weeks was also enhanced by microwave energy. Clinical trials are planned to explore the clinical utility of this modality. The addition of microwave energy is effective in increasing the diameter of the vessel post angioplasty and in sealing dissections, and seems to be effective in aiding the resolution of thrombus. The role of microwave angioplasty in reducing the incidence of restenosis is a complex question. The current results, although encouraging are too preliminary to offer definitive answers. >
Family Medicine Physicians’ Perspectives Regarding Rural Behavioral Health Care: Informing Ideas for Increasing Access to High-Quality Services

Primary care settings often function as the front lines for behavioral health services in rural areas. The lack of formal behavioral health care in rural areas is also well documented. Rural family practice physicians were interviewed regarding the state of behavioral health care in their communities and their ideas for increasing access to quality care. Thirteen family practice physicians in rural locations participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed following a phenomenological design. Physicians described a lack of quality behavioral health services and challenges for integrating and collaborating with those that do exist. Participants also described the changing role of stigma, service delivery strategies that are currently working, and the unique role primary care plays in rural behavioral health care. Several ideas for increasing access to and efficacy of services are discussed; these ideas are informative for future research and interventions.
White-Matter Repair as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Early Adversity

Early adversity (EA) impairs myelin development in a manner that persists later in life across diverse mammalian species including humans, non-human primates, and rodents. These observations, coupled with the highly conserved nature of myelin development suggest that animal models can provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms by which EA impairs myelin development later in life and the impact of these changes on network connectivity, cognition, and behavior. However, this area of translational research has received relatively little attention and no comprehensive review is currently available to address these issues. This is particularly important given some recent mechanistic studies in rodents and the availability of new agents to increase myelination. The goals of this review are to highlight the need for additional pre-clinical work in this area and to provide specific examples that demonstrate the potential of this work to generate novel therapeutic interventions that are highly needed.
Comparing reliabilities of centralized and distributed switching architectures for reconfigurable 2D arrays

Whether used as main processing engines or as special-purpose adjuncts, processor arrays are capable of boosting performance for a variety of computation-intensive applications. For large processor arrays, needed to achieve the required performance level in the age of big data, processor malfunctions, resulting in loss of computational capabilities, form a primary concern. There is no shortage of alternative reconfiguration architectures and associated algorithms for building robust processor arrays. However, a commensurately extensive body of knowledge about the reliability modeling aspects of such arrays is lacking. We study differences between 2D arrays with centralized and distributed switching, pointing out the advantages of the latter in terms of reliability, regularity, modularity, and VLSI realizability. Notions of reliability inversion (modeling uncertainties that might lead us to choose a less-reliable system over one with higher reliability) and modelability (system property that makes the derivation of tight reliability bounds possible, thus making reliability inversion much less likely) follow as important byproducts of our study.
Toward an accommodation account of deaccenting under nonidentity

Two competing models attempt to explain the deaccentuation of antecedent-nonidentical discourse-inferable material (e.g., Bach wrote many pieces for viola. He must have LOVED string instruments ). One uses a single grammatical constraint to license deaccenting for identical and nonidentical material. The second licenses deaccenting grammatically only for identical constituents, whereas deaccented nonidentical material requires accommodation of an alternative antecedent. In three experiments, we tested listeners’ preferences for accentuation or deaccentuation on nonidentical inferable material in out-of-the-blue contexts, supportive discourse contexts, and in the presence of the presupposition trigger too . The results indicate that listeners by default prefer for inferable material to be accented, but that this preference can be mitigated or even reversed with the help of manipulations in the broader discourse context. By contrast, listeners reliably preferred for repeated material to be deaccented. We argue that these results are more compatible with the accommodation model of deaccenting licensing, which allows for differential licensing of deaccentuation on inferable versus repeated constituents and provides a principled account of the sensitivity of accentuation preferences on inferable material to broader contextual manipulations.
The Role of Psychiatry and Social Services in the Hospital Response to Bioterrorism

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the psychological sequelae and interventions that hospitals can provide to prevent or ameliorate the posttraumatic stress psychosocial impairment due to terrorism. Terrorism is particularly traumatic because the agent or its mechanism of action is invisible. Another harm that it can cause is a pernicious and pervasive violation of the integrity of people's bodies, such as poisoning, disfiguration, and amputation. This effect can be mitigated by communicating information that helps patients understand what is happening to their body in an open and transparent manner. Most victims of terrorism are not severely physically injured or harmed. Physical injury increases the risk of subsequent psychological impairment such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. However, others are also at risk for PTSD if they could have been severely harmed but were not or if they witnessed devastating incidents in which others were harmed. The first job for hospital-based psychiatry and social-service providers in the wake of terrorist incidents is to identify and manage the acute traumatic stress and grief reactions of the patients and staff.
A redesigned DCAL controller without velocity measurements: theory and experimentation

In this paper, a link position tracking controller is formulated for an n-link, rigid, revolute robot. The controller generates torque commands to the individual robot links based on adaptive estimates of the system parameters and measurements of link positions only. A filtering technique, based on the link position signals, is used to remove the need for velocity measurements. A complete development of the controller is presented along with a proof of semi-global asymptotic link position-velocity tracking performance. Experimental validation of the proposed controller on the Integrated Motion Inc. (IMI) two-link direct drive robot is also presented. >
Superinfection exclusion (sieB) genes of bacteriophages P22 and lambda

The superinfection exclusion gene (sieB) of Salmonella phage P22 was mapped with phage deletion mutants. The DNA sequence in the region was reexamined in order to find an open reading frame consistent with the deletion mapping. Several discrepancies with the previously published sequence were discovered. The revised sequence revealed a single open reading frame of 242 codons with six likely translation initiation codons. On the basis of deletion and amber mutant phenotypes, the second of these six sites was inferred to be the translation initiation site of the sieB gene. The sieB gene encodes a polypeptide with 192 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 22,442, which is in reasonable agreement with that estimated from polyacrylamide gels. The transcription start site of sieB was identified by the use of an RNase protection assay. The sieB promoter thus identified was inactivated by a 2-base substitution in its -10 hexamer. The sieB gene of coliphage lambda was also identified. The promoter for lambda sieB was identified by homology to that of P22 sieB.
Transport, space, entropy, diffusion and flow : Elements underlying separation by electrophoresis, chromatography, field-flow fractionation and related methods

We describe here some elements common among separation methods, including the requirement for separative transport, the sensitive utilization of space, and the dissipative (band broadening) roles of entropy, diffusion, and flow. We focus on the need to carefully manage the unceasing competition between separative and dissipative transport in all high resolution methods. We then examine the more specific roles these elements play in influencing separation in several important analytical separation techniques. We begin with electrophoresis and sedimentation, which are conceptually among the simplest of systems because they require no flow and only a single dimension of space. The conflict between separative and dissipative transport is examined closely for these systems and it is shown that the outcome is a theoretical plate number which can be expressed as a ratio of two energies: a structuring energy--delta mu ext, which organizes the separation, and thermal energy RT, which is responsible for its dissipation. It is explained why optimal separation is most often achieved in thin layers or in capillary tubes. Chromatography and field-flow fractionation are then described as two closely related methods in which flow is powerfully coupled with a simple enrichment process occurring at right angles to flow. Unlike electrophoresis, these systems are intrinsically two-dimensional. It is shown how flow and diffusion processes both assume two diametrically opposite roles: those of aiding separation and simultaneously causing its dissipation. With a few equations it is demonstrated that the dissipative role is best contained by reducing the thickness (diameter) of the system or of certain elements within the system.
Theories of Vigilance: A Modern Perspective:

The principal and most influential theories of vigilance, categorized as learning theories, neurological models, psychophysical models, and information processing models, are reviewed and evaluated. It is pointed out that often their differences are more real than apparent and that no one of them accounts for all of the current data.
Hereditary 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets.

Abstract Multiple different mutations in various domains along the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene are the basis of hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin -resistant rickets (HVDRR), also known as vitamin D-dependent rickets type II. HVDRR is characterized by early onset hypocalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism and elevated serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations and unresponsiveness (resistance) to endogenous or exogenous 1,25(OH)2D in infants. Parents, often heterozygote carriers, are essentially normal and the recessive disease is often found in the setting of consanguinity. The disease may also be characterized by the presence of alopecia in some children depending on the location of the mutation. Treatment of HVDRR often requires high doses of calcium administered either intravenously or orally to bypass the defect in VDR signaling. Calcium therapy can successfully reverse the metabolic abnormalities and heal the rachitic changes in the bones. However, it is now clear that many children “outgrow” the metabolic abnormalities in their teens or as adults and eventually no longer require therapy. The alopecia, if present, remains permanently despite normalization of calcium and bone.
Effects of anionic xenobiotics on rat kidney: I—tissue and mitochondrial respiration

Abstract The polar 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis( p -chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) metabolite, 2,2-bis p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid ( DDA ), and the phenoxyacetic acid herbicides, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), were previously shown to be accumulated to high levels in liver and kidney via the organic acid transport system, raising the possibility of organ-specific toxicity secondary to transport. In these studies, accumulation of DDA was shown to depress oxygen consumption by renal cortical slices at high doses (0.1 and 1 mM). Isolated renal and hepatic mitochondria were uncoupled by low doses of DDA (5–10 nmoles/mg mitochondrial protein). Maximal uncoupling was seen at 50–70 nmoles/mg. 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T also produced uncoupling, but at doses of 70 nmoles/mg or higher. All agents were more effective with α-ketoglutarate or pyruvatemalate as substrate than with succinate. With succinate as substrate (but not α-ketoglutarate or pyruvate-malate), all three agents also depressed State 3 (ADP-stimulated) respiration. Again. DDA was more effective than 2,4-D or 2,4,5-T. These results suggest that accumulation of these or other anionic xenobiotics may lead to toxicity in those tissues possessing the organic anion transport system.
Learning styles and technical communication: improving communication and teamwork skills

This paper presents a rationale and methods for teaching Kolb learning style theory in the technical communication classroom. Specifically, the author presents Kolb learning style theory and examples of applying it in two different courses, a technical communication course for engineering majors and a combined chemical engineering lab/technical communication course. In these courses, students use learning style theory to devise communication strategies and analyze lab group interaction.
Tunable delivery of bioactive peptides from hydroxyapatite biomaterials and allograft bone using variable-length polyglutamate domains.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) biomaterials and allograft bone are common alternatives to autogenous grafts, however these materials lack the strong osteoinductive potential of autologous bone. Previous studies have established that polyglutamate domains, which bind selectively to HA, can be engineered onto bioactive peptides as a mechanism for coupling osteoinductive signals onto HA and allograft. In the current investigation, we adapted the polyglutamate approach to tailor delivery of a model collagen-derived peptide, DGEA, by manipulating the number of glutamates in the HA binding domain. Specifically, DGEA was modified with diglutamate (E2-DGEA), tetraglutamate (E4-DGEA) or heptaglutamate (E7-DGEA), and it was found that initial peptide binding to HA and allograft was significantly enhanced as the number of glutamates increased. We also determined that the rate of release of polyglutamate-DGEA from substrates over a 5-day interval increased proportionally as the number of glutamate residues was decreased. Additionally, we tuned the peptide release rate by creating mixtures of E2-DGEA, E4-DGEA and E7-DGEA, and observed that release kinetics of the mixtures were distinct from pure solutions of each respective peptide. These collective results suggest that variable length polyglutamate domains provide an effective mechanism for controlled delivery of osteoregenerative peptides on HA-containing bone graft materials.
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and narcolepsy: A series of three cases

Abstract Objective This paper sets out to demonstrate the coexistence of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and narcolepsy that raises the possibility of a shared genetic predisposition to both conditions. Methods The electronic medical records (EMRs) were searched for narcolepsy and JME over 10 years. Results We identified three young adult women diagnosed with JME in their teenage years, with myoclonic, generalized tonic–clonic, and absence seizure semiologies, along with psychiatric comorbidity, well managed on lamotrigine and/or levetiracetam. Our patients were also found to have disturbed sleep preceding the diagnosis of JME by many years, including excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), fragmented nocturnal sleep, hypnagogic vivid hallucinations, and REM behavior disorder along with daytime cataplexy. They were ultimately diagnosed with coexisting narcolepsy, confirmed by sleep studies and multiple sleep latency testing, along with positive genetic testing for HLA-DQB1*0602 in all three patients. Stimulants, selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, and/or sodium oxybate were used to successfully treat their narcolepsy. Significance The coexistence of JME and narcolepsy has not been well recognized and may be clinically relevant. In addition, it raises the possibility of a shared genetic predisposition to both conditions.
Vitamin E and K interactions - a 50-year-old problem

The mechanisms by which vitamin E interferes with vitamin K activity, especially blood clotting, are not known, but hypothetically this interference may involve metabolic pathways. Phylloquinone (K1) must be converted to menaquinone (MK-4, the most potent extrahepatic tissue vitamin K) by truncation of the K1 side chain and replacement with geranylgeranyl. Possible mechanisms for the vitamin E and K interaction include: 1) vitamin E competes for the yet undiscovered enzyme that truncates the K1 side chain; 2) vitamin E competes with K1 for the hypothetical cytochrome P450 enzyme that ω-hydroxylates the K1 side chain, thereby preventing its β-oxidation and its removal for MK-4 formation; or 3) vitamin E increases xenobiotic pathways that increase hepatic metabolism and excretion of all vitamin K forms. Currently, the pathway for K1 conversion to MK-4 is unknown, the process for regulating vitamin K metabolism to urinary excretion products is unknown, and why vitamin E supplements have such a dramatic effect, causing bleeding in some individuals and not in others, remains a mystery.
Silent Partners Uncovering Middle School and High School Students’ Perceptions of Their Roles in Two School–University Partnerships

The purpose of this study was to explore middle school and high school band students’ perceptions of two ongoing school–university partnerships. Interviews and focus group interviews were conducted...
Geographic and Seasonal Distributions of Brunt–Väisälä Frequency and Rossby Radii in the North Pacific and North Atlantic

Abstract Long-term mean temperature and salinity profiles, computed from an edited set of historical hydrographic data, have been used to calculate mean profiles of density and Brunt–Vaisala seasonal variations in internal Rossby radii are everywhere surprisingly small.
Tutorial T4: All You Need to Know about Hardware Trojans and Counterfeit ICs

The migration from a vertical to horizontal business model has made it easier to introduce hardware Trojans and counterfeit electronic parts into the electronic component supply chain. Hardware Trojans are malicious modifications made to original IC designs that reduce system integrity (change functionality, leak private data, etc.). Counterfeit parts are often below specification and/or of substandard quality. The existence of Trojans and counterfeit parts creates risks for the life-critical systems and infrastructures that incorporate them including automotive, aerospace, military, and medical systems. In this tutorial, we will cover: (i) Background and motivation for hardware Trojan and counterfeit prevention/detection; (ii) Taxonomies related to both topics; (iii) Existing solutions; (iv) Open challenges; (v) New and unified solutions to address these challenges.
Developmental delays in Williams ("Elfin facies") syndrome.

This study reports the results of psychological and physical characteristics of seven children with Williams syndrome. All subjects were found to be borderline to severely mentally retarded. The previously reported pattern of superior verbal abilities over motor abilities was not supported, nor was there any evidence of an “unusual command” of language, usually considered a marker of the syndrome. The early development profiles of these children are important for parental counseling and planning of early intervention stimulation programs.
Uptake and binding of β-ecdysone in imaginal discs of Drosophila melanogaster☆

Abstract The kinetics of uptake and retention of β-ecdysone by imaginal discs from late third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster correspond well with those of the first synthetic response of discs to hormone, an increase in RNA synthesis. Competition studies indicate the presence of two types of hormone binding sites, specific and non-specific. The specific sites are saturated at hormone concentrations which fully induce morphogenesis. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that analogs which induce morphogenesis at differing concentrations bind to the same sites. Experiments with the inhibitors N -ethylmaleimide, actinomycin d , and cycloheximide suggest that the binding sites are pre-existing in the cell and require functional sulfhydryl groups for binding. Specific binding, binding that is competed by excess unlabeled β-ecdysone, is saturable (70–80 n M ). Kinetic rate constants for this specific binding were estimated to be k a = 1.5 × 10 5 M −1 min −1 , k d = 3 × 10 −2 min −1 . The equilibrium dissociation constant calculated from the kinetic rate constants was K eq = 2 × 10 −7 M compared to 1.7 × 10 −7 M β-ecdysone required to induce morphogenesis in vitro and 2.5 × 10 −7 M determined to be the in vivo concentration at the time of induction of morphogenesis.
Response Surface Methods for Upscaling Heterogeneous Geologic Models

Experimental design and response surface methods provide a framework for evaluating sensitivities and estimating uncertainties in key reservoir responses. In this study, the approach is extended to model upscaled properties such as pseudorelative penneability. Pseudofunctions usually require fine grid simulations for every different reservoir description. Response surfaces can be used to generate pseudofunctions for different reservoir descriptions without expensive fine grid simulations. The response surface technique is simpler and cheaper than fine grid simulations and is more reasonable than using the same pseudofunction for different scenarios. This paper applied the response surface approach to waterflooding studies for models based on outcrop exposures of the Frewens Sandstone in central Wyoming. The study quantified the effects of different parameters of the reservoir model on the recovery responses and upscaled properties.
Inhibition of colonization by a native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community via Populus trichocarpa litter, litter extract, and soluble phenolic compounds

Abstract Controls on the colonization and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in ecosystems are little understood and may be related to host factors, the fungal community, and soil physio-chemical properties; and changes in these variables during soil development may affect succession between mycorrhizal groups. Here we investigated the effects of litter, litter leachates, and common soluble phenolic compounds on AMF colonization of roots. In previous studies, we observed a negative correlation between increases in black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) litter and AMF abundance and inoculum potential along a riparian chronosequence in northwest Montana. From this, we hypothesized that litter inputs negatively affect the native AMF community and may contribute to the shift between AMF and ectomycorrhizas. We tested the effects of cottonwood foliage and litter extract additions on the colonization of AMF of both cottonwood and Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanese) seedlings. Addition of 5% (v/v) dried cottonwood leaves completely inhibited AMF colonization of S. sudanese. AMF colonization of S. sudanese was significantly reduced by litter extract of P. trichocarpa foliage, and colonization was negatively correlated with litter extract concentrations. Additions of aqueous litter extract significantly reduced AMF colonization of cottonwood seedlings as well. The effect of the litter extract on AMF colonization of S. sudanese did not appear to be mediated by changes in soil pH or plant biomass. Available phosphorus was higher in soil receiving highest concentration of litter extract, but not at a level expected to be inhibitory to AMF colonization. Litter additions significantly increased total soil phenolics, but with a range similar to natural soils of the Nyack floodplain. We tested pure soluble phenolic compounds common to Populus for their effect on AMF colonization by native fungi from the Nyack floodplain. All tested compounds significantly reduced AMF colonization but did not affect colonization by non-AMF root-colonizing fungi. This suggests secondary compounds present in cottonwood litter can affect colonization ability of a native AMF community. The potential mechanisms of inhibition and the relevance of these findings to AMF succession within both a single host and soil are discussed.
Inhibition by riluzole of glycinergic postsynaptic currents in rat hypoglossal motoneurones

1. Riluzole has been shown to have beneficial effects in motoneurone disease, yet its effect on motoneurones is not known. To address this question, we investigated synaptic modulation by riluzole in hypoglossal motoneurones by recording glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents evoked by stimulation of nearby single interneurones. 2. Glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents were evoked by electrical stimulation of single interneurones and were recorded from visually identified hypoglossal motoneurones. Riluzole (10 microM) inhibited mean amplitude of evoked glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents by 87%. 3. We found that riluzole suppressed sodium currents in brainstem interneurones by 23.8%. Riluzole did not modulate barium currents through voltage-activated calcium channels (98% of control). Therefore, the effect of riluzole on synaptic transmission may be mediated, in part, by stabilizing presynaptic neurones through inhibition of voltage-activated sodium currents. 4. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (0.5 microM), riluzole reduced the frequency (1.2 Hz in control to 0.6 Hz in riluzole) of spontaneous transmitter release recorded in motoneurones. 5. Riluzole was found to have no effect on mean miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude, therefore the reduction in spontaneous transmitter release cannot be due to an action on postsynaptic glycine receptors. 6. We conclude that riluzole inhibits synaptic transmission presynaptically, independent of a reduction in the excitation of presynaptic neurones.