cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enantioselective conjugate addition of silylketene acetals to beta-enamidomalonates. Synthesis of beta-amino acid derivatives.

Conjugate addition of silylketene acetals or enolsilanes to enamidomalonates proceeds with excellent chemical efficiency and good selectivity using Cu(OTf)2 and a chiral bisoxazoline. The effect of...
Supporting Parents in Early Literacy through Libraries (SPELL): An Evaluation of a Multi-Site Library Project

ABSTRACTThe Supporting Parents in Early Literacy through Libraries (SPELL) project was initiated to evaluate the effectiveness of early literacy programs in libraries. Eight Colorado libraries deve...
Prax330 reduces persistent and resurgent sodium channel currents and neuronal hyperexcitability of subiculum neurons in a mouse model of SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy.

Abstract SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy is a severe genetic epilepsy syndrome caused by de novo gain-of-function mutations of SCN8A encoding the voltage-gated sodium (Na) channel (VGSC) NaV1.6. Therapeutic management is difficult in many patients, leading to uncontrolled seizures and risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). There is a need to develop novel anticonvulsants that can specifically target aberrant VGSC activity associated with SCN8A gain-of-function mutations. In this study, we investigate the effects of Prax330, a novel VGSC inhibitor, on the biophysical properties of wild-type (WT) NaV1.6 and the patient mutation p.Asn1768Asp (N1768D) in ND7/23 cells. The effects of Prax330 on persistent (INaP) and resurgent (INaR) Na currents and neuronal excitability in subiculum neurons from a knock-in mouse model of the Scn8a-N1768D mutation (Scn8aD/+) were also examined. In ND7/23 cells, Prax330 reduced INaP currents recorded from cells expressing Scn8a-N1768D and hyperpolarized steady-state inactivation curves. Recordings from brain slices demonstrated elevated INaP and INaR in subiculum neurons from Scn8aD/+ mutant mice and abnormally large action potential (AP) burst-firing events in a subset of neurons. Prax330 (1 μM) reduced both INaP and INaR and suppressed AP bursts, with a smaller effect on AP waveforms that had similar morphology to WT neurons. Prax330 (1 μM) also reduced synaptically-evoked APs in Scn8aD/+ subiculum neurons but not in WT neurons. Our results highlight the efficacy of targeting INaP and INaR and inactivation parameters in controlling subiculum excitability and suggest Prax330 as a promising novel therapy for SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy.
Parenting Styles and Their Effects

Abstract Over 40 years ago, researchers identified four main types of parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and indifferent. We describe characteristics of each parenting style and its association with children's development. Little research attempts to link parenting styles and early parent-child relationship dynamics. As such, we include considerations of parenting unique to infancy and early childhood. We examine variations in the effects of parenting styles across cultures. We close with emerging research looking at greater heterogeneity in quantity and quality of parenting and child outcomes in more diverse family structures and across a broader span of development.
Комплексирование данных системы управления мобильным роботом с использованием расширенного фильтра Калмана

Purpose of research. The article deals with the adaptation of the algorithm of the extended Kalman filter for the integration of data from sensors of physical values of a mobile robot Methods. Integration of data is the process of information (data) fusion for determination or prediction of the state of an object. Integration provides increased robustness of robot control and accuracy of machine perception of information. This process is similar to repeated experiments in order to determine in direct and/or indirect ways the value of a physical quantity with the required accuracy. In the control system of a mobile robot, the integration of sensor data is carried out by one or more computing devices (for example, processors or microcontrollers) [1-5]. Results. Advances in digital signal processing and image processing are based on new algorithms, increasing the speed of data processing by computing devices and increasing the speed of access to data stored in storage (storage devices) and the capacity of the latter. Computing devices also perform averaging and filtering of signals of individual sensors and their further matching. The problem of sustainable integration and processing of information from different measuring devices can be solved with the help of the Kalman filter algorithm. The Kalman linear filter algorithm and, in particular, the extended Kalman filter algorithm perform a large amount of computation in the course of their work. In comparison with the linear Kalman filter, the extended Kalman filter significantly increases the requirements for the computing power of the onboard computer (computing device, computer) of amobile robot. Conclusion. The main effect of integration is to obtain fundamentally new information that cannot be obtained from individual sensors. This approach relieves data channels of large (excessive) data flows coming directly from the sensors, and reduces the requirements for computing power of the computing device of the upper level of the structure of the mobile robot control system.
Determining User Intent of Partly Dynamic Shoulder Tasks in Individuals With Chronic Stroke Using Pattern Recognition

Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability in the US. Although therapy can achieve limited improvement of paretic arm use and performance, weakness and abnormal muscle synergies—which cause unintentional elbow, wrist, and finger flexion during shoulder abduction—contribute significantly to limb disuse and compound rehabilitation efforts. Emerging wearable exoskeleton technology could provide powered abduction support for the paretic arm, but requires a clinically feasible, robust control scheme capable of differentiating multiple shoulder degrees-of-freedom. This study examines whether pattern recognition of sensor data can accurately identify user intent for 9 combinations of 1- and 2- degree-of-freedom shoulder tasks. Participants with stroke (n = 12) used their paretic and non-paretic arms, and healthy controls (n = 12) used their dominant arm to complete tasks on a lab-based robot involving combinations of abduction, adduction, and internal and external rotation of the shoulder. We examined the effect of arm (paretic, non-paretic), load level (25% vs 50% maximal voluntary torque), and dataset (electromyography, load cell, or combined) on classifier performance. Results suggest that paretic arm, lower load levels, and using load cell or EMG data alone reduced classifier accuracy. However, this method still shows promise. Further work will examine classifier–user interaction during active control of a robotic device and optimization/minimization of sensors.
Chapter 15 – Organ Printing

Organ printing encompasses bioadditive, digitally controlled manufacturing processes for layered, patterned deposition of complex 3D cell-bearing biological structures. This chapter discusses printing techniques that have evolved to process high-density biopolymer cell suspensions. A review of state-of-art technologies points to a need to address the competing requirements of manufacturing scalability with large-volume patterning for clinical translation with biological exigencies to present cells with an in vivo microscale niche. To instruct process design and development, computational models of printed micro-organ testbeds, in tandem with an integrated strategy of materials processing, process modeling, and metrology for benchmarking functional tissue, will be critical.
Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Is More Sensitive for Hydroxychloroquine-Related Structural Abnormalities Than Short-Wavelength and Near-Infrared Autofluorescence

Purpose To analyze the appearance of structural abnormalities due to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxicity by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and short-wavelength autofluorescence (SW-AF) and near-infrared fundus autofluorescence (NIR-AF) imaging. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 88 eyes from 44 patients who had a history of or were currently taking HCQ. SD-OCT, SW-AF, and NIR-AF images were analyzed by two independent graders for the detection of HCQ-associated abnormalities. Results Sixty eyes (30 patients, 68%) presented with no abnormalities for either imaging modality. Twenty eyes (10 patients, 23%) presented with parafoveal abnormalities (ellipsoid zone attenuation and/or interdigitation zone continuity loss) in SD-OCT scans but with qualitatively normal SW-AF and NIR-AF images. Eight eyes (four patients, 9%) presented with bull's-eye maculopathy in SW-AF and NIR-AF images, with corresponding outer retinal structures disrupted parafoveally in SD-OCT scans ("flying saucer" sign). No patients presented with normal SD-OCT scans and concurrent abnormalities in SW-AF or NIR-AF images. Conclusions SD-OCT was more sensitive in detecting structural abnormalities than either SW-AF or NIR-AF imaging, suggesting its superiority as a screening imaging modality for HCQ toxicity. Maculopathy and abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium from HCQ toxicity can be appreciated in both SW-AF and NIR-AF images. Translational relevance Although debate exists regarding the best imaging modalities for screening patients for potential HCQ toxicity, our study supports the use of SD-OCT over both SW-AF and NIR-AF imaging as a screening modality.
Radar Detection of Meteors and the International Space Station

Debris left over by the tails of comets is stuck in orbit around the Sun. Mixed in with these cometary remains are small particles that have come from other sources as well, such as the collision between asteroids within the asteroid belt or the rubble left over after the Solar System came into being. These small particles are drawn towards the inner Solar System by the Sun’s gravity and can get trapped within the debris left by comets. Together, this debris and particles are known as meteoroids and have been floating in space for many years. They are gravitationally attracted to each other and build up to form dense regions.
Sociodemographic disparities in energy insecurity among low-income households before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Energy insecurity is a growing public health threat among low-income populations in the United States. Prior research has shown that energy insecurity is associated with adverse health effects and can lead people to engage in risky coping strategies. Here we evaluate rates of energy insecurity, which factors contribute to it, and how the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem. We show that energy insecurity is highly prevalent among households at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. We further show that Black and Hispanic households are more likely to experience energy insecurity and face utility disconnection, as are households with young children, individuals that require electronic medical devices and those in dwellings with inefficient or poor conditions. These conditions exist under normal circumstances, and the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have exacerbated the overall incidence of energy insecurity. The inability of a household to meet basic energy needs is associated with adverse health consequences. This study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the prevalence of energy insecurity, and may have widened pre-existing racial disparities in the likelihood of being energy insecure.
Civil Rights Enforcement and Fair Housing at the Environmental Protection Agency

This article analyzes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within the broader history of federally sponsored residential segregation, as well as the criminalization of and disinvestment from u...
Flucht und Vertreibung

In jungerer Vergangenheit haben sich Flucht und Vertreibung als wichtige neue Herausforderungen sowohl fur liberale politische Ordnungen als auch fur liberales politisches Denken erwiesen. Dies ist nicht allein darauf zuruckzufuhren, dass die Zahl der Fluchtlinge und Vertriebenen weltweit auf uber 70 Mio. angestiegen ist und sich damit innerhalb der letzten Dekade verdoppelt hat. Zu diesem quantitativen Faktor kommt hinzu, dass sich selbst in vermeintlich gefestigten liberal-demokratischen Ordnungen gewisse qualitative Veranderungen beobachten lassen, die in Zusammenhang mit diesen Migrationsbewegungen stehen, ja sich in unmittelbarer Reaktion auf diese einstellen: So sind es zuwanderungsskeptische bzw. -feindliche Positionen, die z. B. in den Vereinigten Staaten, in Grosbritannien, Ungarn oder Italien im Zentrum neuer Populismen stehen und unter der Wahlerschaft erhebliche Resonanz erzeugen.
Socratic Moral Psychology: Educating the appetites and passions

EDUCATION AND MOTIVATIONAL INTELLECTUALISM Installing beliefs, or inculcating the right habits? In the last three chapters, we noted several passages in Plato's early or Socratic dialogues in which Socrates assigns an explanatory role to appetites and passions, and several others in which he proposes ways to manage these psychic forces properly. Such passages call for a complete re-evaluation of Socrates' moral psychology, we have argued, by which Socrates' intellectualism can be explained in such a way as to maintain some explanatory role for the appetites and passions. In this chapter, we propose to extend our reconstruction of Socrates' moral psychology by focusing on what it means for Socratic education. We begin with a review of how the traditional account of Socratic intellectualism is committed to viewing Socrates' conception of education strictly in terms of changes in belief, whether by inculcating the right beliefs in early education, or by forcing a re-evaluation of one's beliefs in the light of inconsistencies revealed by Socratic examination. We argue, on the contrary, that a complete account of Socratic education must also recognize a role for the proper management of appetites and passions, and we explicate how Socrates would understand that role. We go on to sketch what the more complete Socratic education would be like, in regard to the appetites and passions. The upshot of our study, we claim, is a new and more adequate picture of Socrates' conception of education.
Mass Spectroscopy Using RF Quadrupole Fields

Publisher Summary This chapter describes mass spectroscopy and the general theoretical background for charged particle motion in RF quadrupole fields and includes graphical illustrations of solutions to the Mathieu equations of motion of the particles. The evolution of mass spectrometers has been extremely rapid, reflecting inherent advantages such as their small size and weight and the absence of a magnetic field. The role of quadrupole mass spectroscopy has been greatest in the field of partial pressure analysis and in special applications. One limitation is that the RF power increases with the square of the ionic mass, and higher mass ranges can be obtained only by use of high power or low RF frequencies or very small radius instruments. Further evolution of the quadrupole and monopole may occur in different methods of utilizing the fields. The effective length of the instrument could be increased by multiple traverses of one or more devices. Alternatively the rods might be bent into a closed circle configuration. One might use to better advantage the focusing properties of quadrupole fields, as suggested by Lever in his exact focusing monopole.
Formation of a photoreversible phycocyanobilin-apophytochrome adduct in vitro.

Avena seedlings grown in the presence of the plant tetrapyrrole synthesis inhibitor 4-amino-5-hexynoic acid contain less than 10% of the spectrally detectable phytochrome levels found in untreated seedlings, but continue to accumulate phytochrome apoprotein (Elich, T. D., and Lagarias, J. C. (1988) Plant Physiol. 88, 747-761). Using such tetrapyrrole-deficient seedlings, we have previously reported that phycocyanobilin, the cleaved prosthetic group of C-phycocyanin, can be incorporated into phytochrome in vivo to yield spectrally active holoprotein (Elich, T. D., McDonagh, A. F., Palma, L. A., and Lagarias, J. C. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 183-189). Here we show that addition of phycocyanobilin to soluble extracts of inhibitortreated seedlings results in a rapid increase in spectrally active phytochrome holoprotein. The newly formed photoactive species displays a blue-shifted absorbance difference spectrum similar to that observed in the previous in vivo studies. The increase in spectral activity is consistent with conversion of all of the preexisting phytochrome apoprotein to functionally active holoprotein. The formation of a covalent phycocyanobilin-apophytochrome adduct is shown by an increase in Zn2+-dependent bilin fluorescence of the phytochrome polypeptide. A photoreversible, covalent adduct with a similar optical spectrum also forms when immunopurified apophytochrome is incubated with phycocyanobilin. ATP, reduced pyridine nucleotides, or other cofactors are not required for adduct formation. When biliverdin IXa is substituted for phycocyanobilin, no spectrally active covalent adduct is produced. These results indicate that an A-ring ethylidene-containing bilatriene is required for post-translational covalent attachment of bilin to apophytochrome and that apophytochrome may be the bilin C-S lyase which catalyzes bilin attachment. The growth and development of plants is profoundly influenced by light. The best characterized mediator of photomorphogenesis in plants is phytochrome, a soluble pigmented protein which can exist in two spectrally distinct, photointerconvertible forms: Pr,’ the red light-absorbing form; and Pfr,
Effect of age on regulation of human osteoclast differentiation.

Human skeletal aging is characterized as a gradual loss of bone mass due to an excess of bone resorption not balanced by new bone formation. Using human marrow cells, we tested the hypothesis that there is an age-dependent increase in osteoclastogenesis due to intrinsic changes in regulatory factors [macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG)] and their receptors [c-fms and RANK]. In bone marrow cells (BMCs), c-fms (r=0.61, p=0.006) and RANK expression (r=0.59, p=0.008) were increased with age (27-82 years, n=19). In vitro generation of osteoclasts was increased with age (r=0.89, p=0.007). In enriched marrow stromal cells (MSCs), constitutive expression of RANKL was increased with age (r=0.41, p=0.049) and expression of OPG was inversely correlated with age (r=-0.43, p=0.039). Accordingly, there was an age-related increase in RANKL/OPG (r=0.56, p=0.005). These data indicate an age-related increase in human osteoclastogenesis that is associated with an intrinsic increase in expression of c-fms and RANK in osteoclast progenitors, and, in the supporting MSCs, an increase in pro-osteoclastogenic RANKL expression and a decrease in anti-osteoclastogenic OPG. These findings support the hypothesis that human marrow cells and their products can contribute to skeletal aging by increasing the generation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. These findings help to explain underlying molecular mechanisms of progressive bone loss with advancing age in humans.
Slope of the superconducting gap function in Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 + δ measured by vacuum tunneling spectroscopy

Reproducible scanning tunneling microscope (STM) spectra of ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ consistently exhibit asymmetric tunneling characteristics, with the higher peak conductance corresponding to a negatively biased sample. We consider various possible sources of this asymmetry that are not intrinsic to the superconducting state, including energy dependence of the normal-state densities of states of sample and/or tip, existence of bandwidth cutoffs, unequal work functions of tip and sample, and energy-dependent transmission probability. It is concluded that none of these effects can explain the sign and temperature dependence of the observed asymmetry. This indicates that the observed asymmetry reflects an intrinsic property of the superconducting state: an energy-dependent superconducting gap function with nonzero slope at the Fermi energy. It is pointed out that such a sloped gap function will also give rise to a thermoelectric effect in STM experiments, resulting in a $\mathrm{positive}$ thermopower. We discuss the feasibility of observing this thermoelectric effect with an STM and conclude that it is easily observable. Again, contributions to this thermoelectric effect may also arise from energy dependence of normal-state densities of states and from energy-dependent transmission probability. However, because each of these features manifests itself differently in the thermoelectric effect and in the tunneling characteristics, an analysis of thermoelectric currents and voltages together with the tunneling spectra as a function of temperature and tip-sample distance would allow for accurate determination of the slope of the gap function. It is suggested that it would be very worthwhile to perform these experiments, because the slope of the gap function reflects a fundamental property of the superconducting state. In particular, the theory of hole superconductivity has predicted the existence of such a slope, of universal sign, in all superconductors. It is furthermore argued that recent experimental results on vortex lattice imaging provide further strong evidence for the existence of the gap slope discussed here.
The Normal Probability Plot as a Tool for Understanding Data: A Shape Analysis from the Perspective of Skewness, Kurtosis, and Variability

Continuous quality improvement is an effort to improve the quality of products, processes, or services. A program intended to effectively implement such efforts begins with the collection and analysis of data. The primary purpose of the normal probability plot, which is one of the most frequently used graphical tools by quality practitioners and researchers, is for normality testing; however, the plot offers other valuable insights into data analysis that have rarely been addressed in the research community. This article provides an overview of distributional characteristics in the context of the four sample moments and investigates how variations in these moments affect the normal probability plot, focusing primarily on the presence of skewness and kurtosis and the effects of variability. This article then lays out a comprehensive analysis of how various statistical characteristics within a data set can influence the shape and corresponding properties of a normal probability plot, demonstrating how variations in the characteristics of the data can reveal or mask the degree of concavity, convexity, or the S shape in the plot, as well as the spread of the data about the mean and in the tails. This can provide engineers with a better understanding of the ways in which data “communicate” through the plot, thereby providing a better basis for initial assumptions, as well as facilitating more accurate model estimation and optimization results thereafter. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Design Techniques for RNS Systolic VLSI Arrays

This paper presents novel design techniques for Residue Number System based systolic arrays for arithmetic computation useful in digital signal processing applications. Design of a 5-bit pipelined adder is explained with emphasis on the basic systolic cell design, use of clocks, pipeline techniques, simulation, and layout optimization. This pipelined adder can be used to build systolic multipliers, correlators, computational structures for DFT, etc.
The False Halo of Internationalization

Internationalization is more commonplace in university strategies and activities more than ever before. In the current arms race to internationalize, careful attention needs to be paid to the quality of internationalization efforts. This article describes two cases on the experiences of international scholars and students, followed by implications on how internationalization should be critically assessed and practiced as a social and educational responsibility.
Comparison of esophageal, tympanic, and forehead skin temperatures in adult patients.

Abstract Study Objective: To compare esophageal, tympanic membrane, and forehead skin temperatures in patients undergoing elective surgeries. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Operating room and postanesthesia care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients: 40 adult ASA status I, II and III patients requiring anesthesia and surgery. Intervention: Application of crystalline thermometry strips to the forehead of patients. Measurements and Main Results: Concurrent forehead skin, tympanic membrane, and lower esophageal temperatures were measured and compared. The overall bias between esophageal and skin temperatures was 0.3 °C, between tympanic membrane and skin was 0.5 °C, and between esophageal and tympanic membrane was −0.1 °C. The limits of agreement (precision) between esophageal and skin temperatures were: −1.64 °C to +2.32 °C, between esophageal and tympanic membrane were: −1.02 °C to +0.74 °C, and between tympanic membrane and skin were: −1.48 °C to +2.52 °C. There was no significant relation between the change in skin temperature and change in esophageal temperature, whereas there was a weak linear relation between change in skin temperature and change in tympanic membrane temperature (y = −0.03 + 0.09, r = 0.12). Conclusion: There was a lack of precision between the clinically accepted measurements (lower esophageal and tympanic membrane) and the skin temperature measurement. The data suggest that forehead skin temperature is not interchangeable with standard core temperature measurements, and that sole reliance on the forehead skin measurement in the perioperative setting could adversely affect patient care.
Lack of association of severe preeclampsia with maternal and fetal mutant alleles for tumor necrosis factor alpha and lymphotoxin alpha genes and plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha levels.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the increased frequency of mutant alleles of the gene for tumor necrosis factor α and elevated maternal and fetal plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α were associated with severe preeclampsia. Study Design: We performed a prospective cross-sectional study involving 112 patients with severe preeclampsia matched for gestational age with 106 normotensive pregnant women. Deoxyribonucleic acid for restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was extracted from maternal and fetal blood. Two mutations associated with the gene for tumor necrosis factor α were assayed by polymerase chain reaction. Polymerase chain reaction products were digested with the restriction enzyme Nco I and then fractionated by gel electrophoresis. Genotypic frequencies were calculated. Maternal and fetal plasma tumor necrosis factor α levels were assayed by the dual monoclonal antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The χ2 test, the Fisher exact test, the Student t test, and the Mann-Whitney test were performed to calculate statistical significance. Results: The differences in the genotypic frequencies of the two loci were not significant in either maternal or fetal samples between control women and women with pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia. There was no statistical difference in median maternal plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α between control subjects (0.0 pg/mL) and patients with severe preeclampsia (2.5 pg/mL; P =.36). Unexpectedly, fetal plasma tumor necrosis factor α levels were found to be significantly elevated in control women (18.4 pg/mL) relative to women with severe preeclampsia (9.1 pg/mL; P
Reformed County Government and Service Delivery Performance: An Integrated Study of Florida Counties

Abstract This study tested the proposition that reformed government positively correlates with cost-efficient service delivery. A county government reform index developed for this study is a form of government, home-rule status, method of election, number of government jurisdictions, and number of elected officials. The government reform index was used to assess the impact of reform on two measures of service output, (1) mean county road pavement conditions and, (2) per capita county road improvement and maintenance expenditures. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews of county officials, secondary archival sources, and a survey of 544 elected and appointed officials from Florida's 67 counties. The results converged in finding that reformed Florida counties are more likely than unreformed counties to provide better road service and to spend less on road expenditures. Because the county government reform index was operationalized acknowledging the reform theory as well as the public-choice mod...
Enhancing current treatments for anxiety disorders.

Although there continue to be new developments in cognitive behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders, most of these advances have focused on refining existing treatments, rather than on developing new techniques. Many of the fundamental strategies that are successfully used for treating anxiety disorders today (e.g., cognitive restructuring, in vivo exposure, interoceptive exposure, imaginal exposure, relaxation training, response prevention, skills training) have been established for some time now. Instead of developing novel treatments for anxiety disorders, the focus of recent research has been on improving existing treatments and disseminating empirically supported interventions. Examples of recent innovations have included (a) using existing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques for new anxiety-based problems, such as hypochondriasis (Clark et al., 1998; Visser & Bouman, 2001), (b) using CBT in new settings, such as primary care (Power, Simpson, Swanson, & Wallace, 1990; Price, Beck, Nimmer, & Bensen, 2000), (3) delivering existing treatments in new ways, such as incorporating new technology (Newman, Consoli, & Taylor, 1999; Rothbaum, Hodges, & Smith, 1999), (4) delivering treatments more quickly (e.g., Clark et al., 1999), and (5) broadening cognitive and behavioral treatments to include aspects of other approaches, such as family therapies (Daiuto, Baucom, Epstein, & Dutton, 1998; Van Noppen, Steketee, McCorkle, & Pato, 1997). Roemer and Orsillo’s proposed treatment (this issue) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an example of how traditional CBT can be modified and (ideally) improved upon for a particular problem. The treatment described by the authors is exciting for a number of reasons. First, GAD is often considered to be among the most treatment resistant of the anxiety disorders, suggesting that existing treatments are not as effective as they could be. Adding mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies to standard GAD treatments makes practical sense in light of the fact that these approaches appear to be useful for a number of other conditions previously thought to be resistant to long-term change (e.g., borderline personality disorder; substance use disorders). More important, as reviewed by Roemer and Orsillo, the proposed treatment makes theoretical sense in the context of recent research on the nature and treatment of worry and GAD. Still, Roemer and Orsillo’s article (this issue) gives rise to a number of important issues and questions regarding which strategies should be most helpful for treating anxiety disorders, based on current theory and research; what common and unique elements exist across various psychological treatments for anxiety-based problems; and what directions should be taken as existing treatments continue to be refined and improved upon. The remainder of this commentary provides a brief summary of these issues.
A convective mass transfer model for determining intestinal wall permeabilities: laminar flow in a circular tube

Abstract A convective mass transfer model as analyzed and developed for use in determining intestinal wall permeabilities from external perfusion experiments. Analysis of the model indicates that the ratio of the exit to inlet concentration C m C 0 is a function of only two dimensionless independent variables, the wall permeability, P w ∗ and Graetz number, Gz = πDL/2Q. The Graetz number contains the independent variables of interest, length, diflusivity, and flow rate. The radius of the intestine is included implicitly in the flow rate. Since C m C 0 and Gz are the experimental quantities, and the solution to the model system contains Pω∗ implicitly, a convenient approximate method is developed which allows a direct calculation of Pω∗. This method is in error by 10–20% in the worst cases. The approach is illustrated by application to the determination of the wall permeabilities for two non polar compounds.
Evidence for Heterogeneous Turnover of Iodine in Rat Thyroid Glands

The question of homogeneous vs. heterogeneous turnover of thyroidal iodine was tested in rats by comparing the fractional rates of loss of 127I and of 131I from thyroid glands labeled, each, with a single injection of the radioisotope and then depleted of iodine by chronic administration of propylthiouracil (PTU). Two experiments were done; in Experiment I rats were injected with 131I 4 hr (Group I) or 3 2/3 days (Group II) before initiation of the PTU regimen, and in Experiment II 4 hr (Group I) or 4 days (Group II) before PTU. Specific activities of thyroidal iodine determined at later times from 1 hr to 4 1/4 days (Experiment I) or from 1 hr to 7 3/4 days (Experiment II) decreased logarithmically with time; in each experiment, the slope of the line for Group I was significantly steeper (p < 0.001) than that for Group II, and the slope of each line was significantly different (p < 0.001) from zero. Thus, iodine (131I) which entered the thyroid during a 4-hr period immediately prior to chronic blockage o...
Mutations in the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase result in unregulated biological activity

Mutations were identified in the catalytic subunit (C) of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (EC 2.7.1.37) that block inactivation by regulatory subunit (R) without compromising catalytic activity. Randomly mutagenized mouse C expression vectors were screened functionally for clones that stimulated gene induction in the presence of excess R. Point mutations in the C coding sequence were identified that result in a His----Gln substitution at amino acid 87 (His87Gln) and a Trp----Arg change at amino acid 196 (Trp196Arg). In contrast to wild-type C, both mutants retained partial activity in the presence of excess R isoform RI alpha, although only Trp196Arg retained partial activity in the presence of excess R isoform RII alpha. A C expression vector that included both mutations was fully active in promoting gene induction and was virtually unaffected by an 80-fold excess of either RI alpha or RII alpha. These results demonstrate that mutations at His-87 and Trp-196 alter R interactions with C at a site that is not involved in substrate recognition or enzymatic activity. In contrast to these randomly generated mutations, a site-specific alteration of the autophosphorylated Thr-197 to an Ala resulted in an 80% loss of biological activity and partial resistance to R inhibition. The location and proximity of His-87 and Trp-196 in the crystal structure of C suggest a surface domain that may interact with a region of R that is outside of the substrate/pseudosubstrate site.
Modeling and Experimental Verification of the Contact Resistance of a Novel Anisotropic Conductive Adhesive

The need to eliminate lead-based materials as a means of interconnection has renewed the electronics industry’s interest in using conductive adhesives for component attach, especially Anisotropic Conductive Adhesives (ACA). Typical ACAs require the application of pressure during the curing process, to establish the electrical connection and also to capture a monolayer of conductive particles between the mating surfaces. The novel ACA discussed in this paper uses a magnetic field to align the particles in the Z-axis direction during curing and eliminates the need for pressure. The application of the magnetic field allows for the formation of conductive chains between the mating surfaces, thereby eliminating lateral conductivity. This uniqueness of the novel ACA also accommodates for any coplanarity error and the formation of effective Z-axis conductivity, with a variety of lead and bump shapes. The novel ACA also enables mass curing of the adhesive, eliminating the need for sequential assembly. As part of the study presented in this paper, the conductive chains were modeled as series and parallel resistor networks in an insulating adhesive matrix. The number of particles in the chain and hence the number of interfaces between the particles is found to influence the initial contact resistance of the joints. The interfacial resistance is derived from the experimental run. Area array packages with and without bumps, reveal varying contact resistances as indicated by the model and experiment. This paper will present a model for the conductive chain formation in the novel ACA, and discuss the experimental results obtained to verify the joint contact resistance.© 2007 ASME
Analog building block design in 14nm FinFET using inversion coefficient

This paper presents the characterization of inversion coefficient and technology current for 14nm FinFET. Analog performance parameters, their variability and controlability, including transconductance effieincy, intrinsic gain, gain-bandwidth product, flicker noise and current mismatching, are then characterized in terms of inversion coefficient. These characterized relations are used for sizing and dynamically compensating a set of analog building blocks including differential pairs, current mirrors, PTAT current generator, and re-generative structures. Post-layout simulation results using IBM's 14nm SOI FinFET process are presented.
Actin Crosslinking Proteins Recognize Distinct Arrangements of Actin Filaments

Self-assembly of complex structures is commonplace in biology but often poorly understood. In the case of the actin cytoskeleton, a great deal is known about the components that comprise higher order structures, such as lamellar meshes, filopodial bundles and stress fibers. Each of these cytoskeletal structures contains actin filaments and crosslinking proteins, but the role of crosslinking proteins in the initial steps of structure formation has not been clearly elucidated. We employ a novel optical trapping assay to investigate the behaviors of fascin and alpha-actinin during the first steps of structure assembly. Here we show that these proteins have distinct binding characteristics that cause them to recognize and crosslink filaments that are arranged with specific geometries. Alpha-actinin is a promiscuous crosslinker, linking filaments over a range of angles. These angles include parallel (00), anti-parallel (1800), and series of intermediate crossing angles (15-1650). It is also an extremely flexible crosslinker, maintaining connection even when the link is rotated. Conversely, fascin is extremely selective, only crosslinking filaments in a parallel orientation. This means that for fascin bundles to form the actin filaments must occupy a parallel orientation before the structure can be stabilized. In the case of alpha-actinin structures, crosslinks could form at any point during the process of structure assembly. We have shown that crosslinking proteins recognize specific orientations of actin filaments, which places constraints on how cytoskeletal structures assemble and organize.
Pharmacokinetics of etoposide in rats with uranyl nitrate (UN)-induced acute renal failure (ARF): optimization of the duration of UN dosing.

A uranyl nitrate-induced model of acute renal failure (UN-ARF) for various time periods was used to study its effect on the disposition of several drugs like chlorzoxazone, clarithromycin, vancomycin, methotrexate etc. An attempt to optimize the duration of UN dosing with respect to the pharmacokinetics of etoposide in rats was carried out after intravenous (i.v.) dosing of UN at 5 mg/kg for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. Irrespective of the duration of UN dosing apart from day 1, ARF was observed, with significantly increased serum levels of creatinine (0.36±0.11 for controls vs 2.44±0.72 [day 7] for UN-ARF rats) and urea (33.71±9.46 for controls vs 169.2±9.71 [day 5] for UN-ARF rats) in all the UN-treated groups. It has been reported that ARF may alter the pharmacokinetics (PK) and the exposure of renally eliminated drugs. Further, as exposure to etoposide has a correlation with toxicity, the need to investigate the possible alterations in etoposide pharmacokinetics in the UN-ARF model could be of significance. The PK of etoposide was therefore investigated in control and UN-ARF rats after a single i.v. dose of 25 mg/kg. The concentrations of etoposide in the plasma were determined by high- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with fluorescence detector set at excitation and emission wavelengths of 380 and 520 nm respectively. The metabolic stability of etoposide was investigated in rat liver micro-somes prepared from control and UN-ARF treated rats. The PK results showed increased plasma levels and systemic exposure to etoposide (19.97±2.12 for control vs 29.03±2.32, 34.45±3.37, 34.19±2.98 for 3, 5 and 7day UN-treated groups respectively), i.e. for all UN-ARF groups except for 1-day UN-ARF rats (20.06±1.53). Incubation with liver microsomes from UN-ARF rats treated for up to 5 days and control rats showed no significant difference in etoposide metabolism suggesting that the CYP3A4 isoenzyme respon-sible for the metabolism of etoposide was not considerably expressed thereby leading to the conclusion that 3 days UN dosing was sufficient to induce ARF in rats, and that the dose of etoposide required needs to be monitored due to altered PK.
Estimating prognosis in end-stage renal disease

Abstract Studies show that most patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are receiving dialysis want to talk about their life expectancy. Yet over half of patients have never had such a conversation. The three main reasons for this are: (i) staff's lack of training in communication; (ii) a mistaken belief that thoughtful discussion of poor prognosis will extinguish hope; and (iii) uncertainty about the accuracy of available prognostic tools. Current methods for formulating a prognosis include: (i) the Surprise Question (SQ); (ii) use of various actuarial indices such as the Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI); and (iii) a combination of these. In the SQ, clinical staff are asked whether they would be surprised if their patient died within the next 6 months to one year. A 'no' answer identifies a high-risk group with an odds ratio (OR) of dying of 3.5. Actuarial indices using such factors as age, gender, type of vascular access, serum albumin, and performance of activities of daily living have also i...
Influence of flaws on joint spacing and saturation: Results of one‐dimensional mechanical modeling

[1] In bedded sedimentary or mechanically anisotropic rocks, joints often occur in laterally persistent, parallel sets with distinctive spacing attributes. Three of those attributes include a positively skewed distribution of joint spacings, a positive correlation between median spacing and mechanical layer thickness, and the tendency for rocks to appear saturated with joints and to show a ratio of layer thickness to median joint spacing near one. We identify total applied strain, mechanical interaction, joint propagation velocity, and flaws as key variables in the progressive jointing process, and we use a one-dimensional model of mechanically interacting joints to characterize the specific influence on joint spacing, of the number, sizes, and size distributions of flaws in rock. For a given flaw size distribution, the mode flaw size has no effect on spacing distribution shape, median spacing, or saturation. Layers with fewer flaws approach saturation more slowly and reach it with fewer joints and larger median joint spacing. The joint spacing distributions in these layers have variance and skewness that may be 1–3 orders of magnitude larger than in layers with greater numbers of flaws. Flaw size range affects the rate at which a jointing layer approaches saturation but not the number of joints at saturation. Resulting spacing distributions are similar, although narrow flaw size ranges tend to promote greater numbers of closely spaced joints. The skewness of a flaw size distribution affects the rate at which layers approach saturation, as well as the shape of the resulting joint spacing distribution at saturation. Negatively skewed flaw size distributions promote close joint spacing and create spacing distributions with greater variance and skewness.
User interface design for older adults

Abstract The percentage of older adults is expected to increase to unprecedented levels within the next decade. Little attention has been devoted to understanding, organizing, and accommodating the needs of older adults with respect to interaction with computers. Indeed, most usability studies have focused on the needs of younger adults, to the neglect of the elderly. As computerized products increasingly appeal to broader audiences, the needs of older adults will become a concern for designers. This review focuses on the organization and presentation of characteristics of older adult learners, along with recommendations based on those characteristics, with the hope that their accessibility will enhance designer intuition and provide suitable information to guide user testing.
Digitalis. VIII. The Baljet Reaction, Digitoxm and Digitoxigenin

The Baljet reagent has been used in a quantitative study of the color reaction of digitoxigenin and digitoxin with that reagent. The results reported in this paper indicate the reactivity of the two substances with the Baljet reagent on a molar basis to be essentially the same. If extreme precision is required, however, correction must be made for the effect of the digitoxose portion of the digitoxin molecule.
Neural network applications for scheduling jobs on parallel machines

Consider n jobs ava~able for processing at time t : 0 and m identical machines in paxallel. Job j has a processing time pj, weight wj and due date dj. If job j is followed by job k, a setup time sjk, which is independent of the machine, is incurred. Such a setup time is assumed to be sequence-dependent. The completion time of job j depends on the schedule. If Cj denotes this completion time, then the tardiness Tj of job j is defined as max(Cj dj,0). The objective is to find a sequence of jobs that minimizes the sum of the weighted taxdinesses, i.e., ~ wjTj.
Path to Poverty Alleviation: Marriage or Postsecondary Education?

We examined the role of human capital in determining economic well-being and marital status of mothers with children. We analyzed 1996 data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a nationally representative survey of 36,700 American households conducted by the Census Bureau. The results indicate that among the human capital variables postsecondary education significantly improves the economic well-being of mothers irrespective of their marital status. Also, educated mothers are more likely to be married. These findings are especially relevant as we debate the importance of marriage in poverty alleviation.