cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molybdenum Metabolism and Nitrogen Fixation

Molybdenum is an essential element for nitrogen fixation. No nitrogen fixation can occur in its absence in Klebsiella pneumoniae and no other metal can replace it. However, this is difficult to prove under normal experimental conditions due to the high affinity of nitrogen-fixing cells for molybdenum. Traces present in media or glassware are usually enough to support nitrogen fixation. We devised a method to remove these traces from the medium taking advantage of the high affinity Mo-binding protein of Azotobacter vinelandii. The addition of 10 nM MoO42− to A. vinelandii- treated medium is sufficient for maximum nitrogenase activity in K. pneumoniae. Other sources of Mo, either Mo(VI), Mo(V), or Mo(IV), are also efficiently utilized. In particular, MoS2, the insoluble major natural reservoir, could satisfy the requirements for both Mo and S.
Relative Leistungsbewertung im dynamischen Kontext — Eine Analyse der Kollusionsproblematik bei wiederholter Delegation

The suitability of relative performance evaluation to achieve better solutions to multiple agent problems is widely known in economic literature. But, unfortunately, relative performance evaluation is susceptible to collusion. Colluding agents can cause considerable damage to the principal. Most authors hence conclude the inappropriateness of relative performance evaluation when collusion is possible. Such an argumentation implicitly assumes that if collusion can occur, collusion will occur. But, as Budde/Gox/Luhmer (1998) have demonstrated using Groves mechanisms, this assertion is not true in general. One goal of this paper is to extend these results to relative performance evaluation. It turns out that in one period models collusion is in fact an unlikely phenomenon. On the other hand, Kunz/Pfeiffer (1999) recently pointed out that the results of Budde/Gox/Luhmer (1998) are no longer valid if a dynamic context is under consideration. In order to get some insight into what conditions then favour collusion, a simulation study was conducted. The results of this study suggest collusion to be in many cases a rational behaviour of the agents. Especially, if the agents manage to have ‘good’ (i.e. collusive) reputation and if their planning horizons are sufficiently large, collusion is indeed a winner strategy.
Reading and E-reading for Academic Work: Patterns and Preferences in Theological Studies and Religion

This article reports on a 2012 survey of library patrons at ATLA-affiliated libraries regarding academic reading habits and preferences. The research questions for the study were: [1] To what extent is academic reading done as e-reading?; [2] What features do participants value in e-books?; [3] What library sources do patrons want made available to them electronically? The method used in the study was an online survey. A total of 2,578 individuals took the survey in the spring of 2012. Key findings were that half of respondents regularly read journal articles on a computer screen and one in five regularly reads or listens to e-books in their academic work. Participants wanted e-books to enable them to perform keyword searches, move around quickly within the text, and annotate the text electronically. Seven out of ten participants stated that they would like libraries to provide reference works, Bible commentaries, circulating titles, and textbooks in electronic format. It appeared that the distinction between library-owned resources and those owned by an individual disappeared in the minds of many respondents. The author concludes that theological library directors should consider spending a significant proportion of their collection budget on electronic resources now, despite ongoing difficulties that academic publishers face in making a transition to digital publishing. The author also interprets findings in light of Fred Davis’ model of technology acceptance.
Inhibition of sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling ameliorates murine nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

There are no approved pharmacologic therapies for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study describes the use of FTY720, a novel small mo...
Rodent age‐related impairments in discriminating perceptually similar objects parallel those observed in humans

The ability to accurately remember distinct episodes is supported by high-level sensory discrimination. Performance on mnemonic similarity tasks, which test high-level discrimination, declines with advancing age in humans and these deficits have been linked to altered activity in hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus. Lesion studies in animal models, however, point to the perirhinal cortex as a brain region critical for sensory discriminations that serve memory. Reconciliation of the contributions of different regions within the cortical-hippocampal circuit requires the development of a discrimination paradigm comparable to the human mnemonic similarity task that can be used in rodents. In the present experiments, young and aged rats were cross-characterized on a spatial water maze task and two variants of an object discrimination task: one in which rats incrementally learned which object of a pair was rewarded and different pairs varied in their similarity (Experiment 1), and a second in which rats were tested on their ability to discriminate a learned target object from multiple lure objects with an increasing degree of feature overlap (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, aged rats required more training than young to correctly discriminate between similar objects. Comparably, in Experiment 2, aged rats were impaired in discriminating a target object from lures when the pair shared more features. Discrimination deficits across experiments were correlated within individual aged rats, though, for the cohort tested, aged rats were not impaired overall in spatial learning and memory. This could suggest discrimination deficits emerging with age precede declines in spatial or episodic memory, an observation that has been made in humans. Findings of robust impairments in object discrimination abilities in the aged rats parallel results from human studies, supporting use of the developed tasks for mechanistic investigation of cortical-hippocampal circuit dysfunction in aging and disease.
Does Personality Matter?: A Study of Personality and Situational Effects on Consumer Behavior

Personality traits have long been shown to contribute to consumer behaviors. Besides the main effect of personality, it seems also plausible that other factors may impact this relationship. To understand such situational effects, in this study we analyze two possible variables, namely, income and needs. We conduct extensive analysis on a large industry dataset across over 100 product categories. For each category, we build a prediction model for consumption decision based on the derived personality features. We experiment with our prediction models under different conditions segmented by both situational factors. Our results suggest that personality's decisive power on consumer behavior varies significantly among different income levels, but non-significantly between consumer needs. Together, income and needs also have significant effect on the association between individual's personality and consumption behavior. We conclude this work by discussing the implications of our experiments and how our finding can benefit the design of more personalized recommender systems in real-world settings.
Self-cleaning superhydrophobic epoxy coating based on fibrous silica-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles

Inspired by the self-cleaning lotus leaf, a facile method of fabricating superhydrophobic silica coated magnetite nanoparticles using a cost-effective process is presented in this work. The structural characterizations and magnetic properties of the obtained core-shell magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). TEM analysis revealed that the particles present flower-like dendrimeric fibers morphology. The particles were uniformly dispersed on the surface of an epoxy resin coating with the purpose to increase the roughness and reduce the surface energy of the surface. The resulting superhydrophobic surface provides robust water-repellent surface under harsh conditions, thanks to its self-cleaning characteristic. The superhydrophobicity of this surface was confirmed based on the measurements of a water contact angle around 175°, which surpasses the theoretical limit of the superhydrophobicity. The simplicity and the cost-effectiveness of the process developed in this study appears to be a promising route for the preparation of other magnetic superhydrophobic organic-inorganic hybrid materials that would be beneficial in a wide variety of applications.
Somatic-Cell Mutation Monitoring System Based on Human Hemoglobin Mutants

The system described in this chapter was developed as a means of detecting rare red cells, in genetically normal (HbA/HbA) individuals, that are heterozygous for an abnormal hemoglobin. It is assumed, first, that mutations arise spontaneously in human hemopoietic stem cells, as they do in gametal stem cells, and second, that somatic mutations of globin-chain genes do not diminish the viability of affected stem cells. The latter assumption is a reasonable one, since phenotypic expression of such mutations occurs very late in hemopoietic cell differentiation. It is expected that as a result of these stem cell mutations, lines of stem cells containing the mutant globin genes are established and produce erythrocytes heterozygous for structurally abnormal globin chains. Development of appropriate methods of screening blood samples should then permit detection and enumeration of red cells that contain an abnormal hemoglobin as a result of somatic mutation in a stem cell.
Counting essential surfaces in a closed hyperbolic three-manifold

Let M^3 be a closed hyperbolic three-manifold. We show that the number of genus g surface subgroups of π_1(M^3) grows like g^(2g).
Power-Series Methods

We have studied linear differential equations with constant coefficients and have solved such equations using exponential functions. In general, a linear differential equation with variable coefficients cannot be solved by the use of exponential functions. We did, however, solve a special equation with variable coefficients, the Cauchy equation, by assuming a simple power solution.
Actin filaments partition primary cilia membranes into distinct fluid corrals.

Physical properties of primary cilia membranes in living cells were examined using two independent, high-spatiotemporal-resolution approaches: fast tracking of single quantum dot-labeled G protein-coupled receptors and a novel two-photon super-resolution fluorescence recovery after photobleaching of protein ensemble. Both approaches demonstrated the cilium membrane to be partitioned into corralled domains spanning 274 ± 20 nm, within which the receptors are transiently confined for 0.71 ± 0.09 s. The mean membrane diffusion coefficient within the corrals, Dm1 = 2.9 ± 0.41 µm2/s, showed that the ciliary membranes were among the most fluid encountered. At longer times, the apparent membrane diffusion coefficient, Dm2 = 0.23 ± 0.05 µm2/s, showed that corral boundaries impeded receptor diffusion 13-fold. Mathematical simulations predict the probability of G protein-coupled receptors crossing corral boundaries to be 1 in 472. Remarkably, latrunculin A, cytochalasin D, and jasplakinolide treatments altered the corral permeability. Ciliary membranes are thus partitioned into highly fluid membrane nanodomains that are delimited by filamentous actin.
Computer Games as Preparation for Future Learning

After 2 years of working on a design research project looking at the development of student thinking about negative numbers in the context of a computer game, I arrived at a critical problem. The game was designed such that the principles of working with adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers were integrated into the game play so that students could only achieve best scores across the game levels by utilizing these principles to make decisions during play. In as little as two sessions of 30 min of play, almost all students were able to master the basic principles as demonstrated by their success across all four game levels. When it came to measuring learning gains on a traditional pencil and paper posttest, however, students showed significant but limited gains. It was hypothesized that the factor limiting posttest scores was that students’ learning had been encoded in such a way as to reflect the purposes and goals of the game and that this encoding didn’t readily transfer to a traditional worksheet filled with addition and subtraction problems. In order to test this hypothesis, we borrowed a theoretical framework to see if students’ game playing could be conceptualized as a form of “preparation for future learning.” The results give strong support for this conceptualization of transfer in supporting game-based learning and suggest interesting possibilities for bridging game-based learning activities with the reality of more traditional school-based models of assessment.
Competition, Colonization, and Temporal Niche Partitioning

In this chapter, we will explore and compare models in which transient dynamics at one spatial or temporal scale result in long-term coexistence at another. All these models assume that species coexist because there exists at least a brief window in time during which each species has an advantage.
Residency orientation: what we present and its effect on our residents.

Background and objectives This study describes the content of family practice residency orientation programs, presents data about resident satisfaction with orientation, and determines if residents feel prepared for residency duties. Methods We surveyed program directors and first-year residents at 100 family practice residency programs. We used questionnaires to collect data about orientation activities; program demographics; and resident characteristics, satisfaction, and preparation. Results Sixty-nine percent of directors and 68% of their residents responded. The activity most frequently presented was a social event with faculty, while the least frequently presented was an assessment of cognitive knowledge. Even though residents desire orientation to clinical programs, and directors wish to promote group cohesion, the greatest number of orientation activities were presented to introduce hospital services and administration. Eighty-seven percent of residents were at least "somewhat satisfied," and 83% felt at least "somewhat prepared" for clinical duties after completing orientations. Residents from military programs were more likely not to be satisfied with their orientations. Extreme satisfaction was associated with residents in community-based programs. Being totally prepared was associated with having had prior graduate medical education. Conclusions While residents had previously reported having clinical needs from an orientation, the most frequently reported activities were nonclinical. Most residents reported having been satisfied with their orientations and having felt prepared for their new duties. Directors should consider increasing the clinical content of their orientations, including an assessment of residents' knowledge and clinical skills.
The effect of selective reporting on estimates of weaning weight parameters in beef cattle.

The effect of selective reporting on estimates of weaning weight parameters in beef cattle was evaluated by comparing REML estimates from unaltered and altered simulated data. Selective reporting reduced estimates of weaning weight direct (WWD), maternal milk (MAT), and error variances. However, heritability estimates were not greatly affected because the reductions in variance estimates were relatively proportionate. When the true value for the direct-maternal (DM) correlation was zero or negative, selective reporting caused estimates of DM to be less positive or more negative in 50 of 62 comparisons, with an average change of -.136. When the true value for DM was positive, selective reporting increased the positive magnitude of DM estimates in 12 of 20 comparisons, with an average change of +.040. In BLUP of unaltered data with a true DM value of -.09, using a -.28 and a zero DM correlation reduced the correlation of MAT EPD with true values .065 and .041, respectively. These results suggest that the reliability of parameter estimates (and BLUPs) would be improved by estimating parameters from representative subsets of data free of reporting bias.
Mode of anesthesia and major perioperative outcomes associated with vaginal surgery.

The primary aim was to compare the incidence of major perioperative complications in women undergoing vaginal reconstructive surgery with general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care using a national database. The secondary aim was to compare length of hospital stay, 30-day readmission rates, urinary tract infections, and reoperation rates between anesthesia types. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to study women undergoing vaginal surgery for pelvic floor disorders from 2006 to 2015 via Current Procedural Terminology codes. Demographic and clinical variables were abstracted. The incidence of major perioperative complications was defined as the occurrence of any of the following within 30 days of surgery: death, surgical-site infection, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, intensive care unit admission, stroke, transfusion, sepsis, and myocardial infarction. Regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risks (RR) associated with anesthesia type for each outcome. From the database, we gathered data on 37,426 women who underwent vaginal reconstructive surgery between 2006 and 2015; 87.2% (n = 32,623) underwent general, 6.9% (n = 2565) regional, and 5.9% (n = 2238) monitored anesthesia care. Major perioperative complications occurred in 560 women (1.5%). Relative to general anesthesia, the adjusted risk of major perioperative complications was not significantly different in those receiving monitored or regional anesthesia [monitored vs. general, adjusted RR 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45–1.20; regional vs. general, adjusted RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.92–1.65]. Major perioperative complications in vaginal reconstructive surgery were uncommon, and no differences were observed between monitored, regional, and general anesthesia outcomes.
A Longitudinal Model for Tau Aggregation in Alzheimer’s Disease Based on Structural Connectivity

Tau tangles are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with strong correlations existing between tau aggregation and cognitive decline. Studies in mouse models have shown that the characteristic patterns of tau spatial spread associated with AD progression are determined by neural connectivity rather than physical proximity between different brain regions. We present here a network diffusion model for tau aggregation based on longitudinal tau measures from positron emission tomography (PET) and structural connectivity graphs from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). White matter fiber bundles reconstructed via tractography from the DTI data were used to compute normalized graph Laplacians which served as graph diffusion kernels for tau spread. By linearizing this model and using sparse source localization, we were able to identify distinct patterns of propagative and generative buildup of tau at a population level. A gradient descent approach was used to solve the sparsity-constrained optimization problem. Model fitting was performed on subjects from the Harvard Aging Brain Study cohort. The fitted model parameters include a scalar factor controlling the network-based tau spread and a network-independent seed vector representing seeding in different regions-of-interest. This parametric model was validated on an independent group of subjects from the same cohort. We were able to predict with reasonably high accuracy the tau buildup at a future time-point. The network diffusion model, therefore, successfully identifies two distinct mechanisms for tau buildup in the aging brain and offers a macroscopic perspective on tau spread.
Partisan Gerrymandering: Weeds in the Political Thicket

Objective To highlight the extent of the partisan gerrymandering problem in the United States. Methods Bring both original and secondary sources to bear on the problem of partisan gerrymandering, through the examination of election results under them, and federal and state court reactions to them. Results Evidence shows that gerrymandering in seven states accounted for the Republican Party's manufactured majority in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2012 election, and that it took judicial intervention by courts in some states and the Democratic wave election of 2018 to loosen the grip of those gerrymanders to undo that “spurious” majority. Conclusion The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2019 to withdraw federal courts from partisan gerrymandering litigation, just as the district courts were proving themselves able to deal with the issue in a nonpartisan and effective manner, is likely to result in another decade of extensive and excessive gerrymandering in the United States.
A Comparative Human-Centric Analysis of Virtual Reality and Dry Lab Training Tasks on the da Vinci Surgical Platform

There is a growing, widespread trend of adopting robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RMIS) in clinical care. Dry lab robot training and virtual reality simulation are commonly used to train ...
“You’re still an angry man”: Parole boards and logics of criminalized masculinity:

Scholars have theorized “criminalized masculinity” as performances of criminalized men. We refigure the concept to identify narratives that facilitate and legitimize control of criminalized populat...
Teaching Geometry to Students With Learning Disabilities: Introduction to the Special Series:

This article introduces and contextualizes the four articles that constitute the thematic special series on geometry instruction for students with learning disabilities or difficulties. The four ar...
Intersectionality in psychology: Translational science for social justice

Intersectionality is an analytic tool for studying and challenging complex social inequalities at the nexus of multiple systems of oppression and privilege, including race, gender, sexuality, social class, nation, age, religion, and ability Although the term has become widely used in psychology, debates continue and confusion persists about what intersectionality actually is and how best to take an intersectional approach to psychological science This special issue of Translational Issues in Psychological Science on intersectionality includes a range of methodological tools and theoretical perspectives that advance psychological research on intersectionality In particular, these projects constitute psychological research that takes intersectionality's political aspirations seriously and envisions psychology as a tool for social justice The articles model responsible use of intersectionality through citation practices that reflect intersectionality's origins in Black feminist thought and women of color scholar-activism, as well as through analyses that reflect intersectionality's commitment to reflexivity, structural critique, and complexity In this introduction, the editors reflect on intersectionality's challenge to psychology and consider the place of translational science amid global crises and what critical psychologist Michelle Fine calls "revolting times " (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement What is the significance of this article for the general public?-This paper introduces a special issue on the topic of intersectionality and situates this social justice-oriented scholarship in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the racial justice uprisings of 2020, and ongoing debates about psychologists' role in addressing social problems (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Virtual Power Plant Platforms and Their Applications in Practice: a Brief Review

VPP (Virtual power plant) is a new generation of power operation technology that aggregates and optimizes power generation, power networks, energy storages and power loads. It can greatly improve the flexibility of power system, help better utilize the distributed user side resources and promote the development of the electricity market. To facilitate the application and deployment of VPP, powerful and reliable VPP platforms are essential. However, at present, VPP is still at its early development stage. There still lacks systematic and comprehensive participation mechanism, control methods, and supporting software for VPP. In this work, current emerging VPP platforms and applications are investigated. The practices, functions and application scenarios of mainstream VPP platforms in China and abroad are reported in detail. The VPP operation modes, platform architecture design and key development purposes are also analyzed. Specially, the summary and inspirations for VPP platform development are introduced. It is expected that, with this review, the VPP platform practices can provide a reference for VPP platform construction, business model application, and key technology development.
Fast neutron computed tomography of multi-material complex objects

Fast neutron Computed Tomography (nCT) is a powerful and non-invasive imaging modality that can be used to examine features and defects within low Z elements (such as plastic) hidden or shielded by high Z elements (such as tungsten, lead, or even stainless steel). This study built a fast neutron radiography and nCT system and explored various multi-material complex objects utilizing a fast neutron beam at The Ohio State University Research Reactor (OSURR), which provides ~5.4 x 10^7 n·cm-2·s-1 neutron flux at 1.6 MeV (median energy). The lens-based system includes an Electron Multiplying (EM) CCD camera, a light-tight enclosure, and a high light yield 1 cm thick Polyvinyl Toluene (PVT) scintillator provided by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). A variety of test exemplars were scanned, with the number of projections for each scan ranging from 90 to 180, covering either 180 or 360 degrees. The exposure time for each projection ranged down to one minute, enabling a full nCT scan within a few hours of operation at a 500-kW low power research reactor. 3D tomograms were constructed using Octopus reconstruction software. Results showed that not only could nCT projection data be successfully constructed into volume data, but good contrast between HDPE and a millimeter-sized tungsten ball could be obtained. The 3D tomography presents high contrast to clearly discern HDPE features and voids inside tungsten shielding that are not discernable using 2D radiography.
Antibody effects on membrane antigen expression.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the antibody effects on membrane antigen expression. Antibody formation is initiated after antigenic materials interact with preexistent immunoglobulin-like receptors on suitably differentiated lymphoid cells. In this instance, the extraordinarily large number and diversity of foreign substances capable of eliciting a specific immune response serves to emphasize the wide variety of membrane-bound receptor molecules formed by the cells of the organism. The quantity of immunoglobulin-like receptors for the antigen present on the cells treated with antiimmunoglobulin sera is reduced. Suppression of antibody synthesis may be specific for particular antigens if the immunoglobulin antibodies used are directed toward the antigencombining regions of the receptor. Thymus–leukemia (TL) antigens are membrane-associated glycoproteins present on the surface membranes of thymocytes of certain mouse strains and on mouse leukemia cells. The quantities of TL antigens expressed by ASL-1 and RADA-1 cells, independently arising murine leukemia cell lines, diminish after they are exposed to TL antibodies; the cells ordinarily sensitive convert to TL antibody and complement resistance. The reduction in the quantities of TL antigens expressed by the cells is an outgrowth of antigen metabolism.
SFAS No. 159: An examination of early electors, late electors and non‐electors in the banking industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the timing and the determinants of electing Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 159 in the banking industry.Design/methodology/approach – The authors hypothesize certain factors that will potentially affect banks' election decisions and separate banks into three groups: early electors, late electors and non‐electors by hand‐collecting the election decisions and the timing of the election decisions. Univariate and logit rank regressions are used to identify the determining factors between electors (vs non‐electors) and between early electors (vs late electors).Findings – The authors find that compared to banks not electing SFAS No. 159 (non‐electors), banks electing SFAS No. 159 (early electors as well as late electors) face greater earnings pressures, have less volatile earnings and larger size, and are active in hedging activities. In addition, compared to banks electing SFAS No. 159 at required election date (late electors), banks elect...
The Impact of Potential Private Information on REIT Liquidity

This article is the winner of the Real Estate Investment Trusts manuscript prize (sponsored by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts) presented at the 1999 American Real Estate ...
Pion production from nuclei bombarded by protons of 1, 2 and 3 GeV

The differential production cross-section for pions above 0.2 GeV/c has been found for targets of Be, C, Cu and Pb bombarded by 1, 2 and 3 GeV protons at one or more of the angles 0°, 17° and 32°, using a magnetic spectrometer and time-of-flight telescope. The spectral shapes show some agreement with Monte Carlo calculations of Bertini. Isobar decay adequately explains the production cross-section, except at 0°.
Goal-free learning by analogy

The design of a learning architecture in an information-rich world (IRW) is essentially that of a system able to filter information. Traditional AI systems from the production system paradigm are knowledge intensive and thus have a built-in bias in restricting information from the outside world. The issue there is to define the most adequate way of processing knowledge, which may be obtained by the original design of heuristic methods or by various learning capacities. Furthermore, those systems are not interactive, nor do they usually evolve in a changing environment.
Childhood maltreatment, 9/11 exposure, and latent dimensions of psychopathology: A test of stress sensitization

On September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack occurred in the U.S. (9/11). Research on 9/11 and psychiatric outcomes has focused on individual disorders rather than the broader internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT) domains of psychopathology, leaving unknown whether direct and indirect 9/11 exposure differentially impacted these domains rather than individual disorders. Further, whether such effects were exacerbated by earlier childhood maltreatment (i.e. stress sensitization) is unknown. 18,713 participants from a U.S. national sample with no history of psychiatric disorders prior to 9/11 were assessed using a structured in-person interview. Structural equation modeling conducted in a sample who endorsed no psychiatric history prior to 9/11, indicated that indirect exposure to 9/11 (i.e. media, friends/family) was related to both EXT (alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis dependence, and antisocial personality disorder) and INT (major depression, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) dimensions of psychopathology (EXT: β = 0.10, p < 0.001; INT: β = 0.11, p < 0.001) whereas direct exposure was associated with the INT dimension only (β = 0.11, p < 0.001). For individuals who had experienced childhood maltreatment, the risk for EXT and INT dimensions associated with 9/11 was exacerbated (Interactions: β = 0.06, p < 0.01; β = 0.07, p < 0.001, respectively). These findings indicate that 9/11 impacted latent liability to broad domains of psychopathology in the US general population rather than specific disorders with the exception of PTSD, which had independent effects beyond INT (as indicated by a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in modification indices). Findings also indicated that childhood maltreatment increases the risk associated with adult trauma exposure, providing further evidence for the concept of stress sensitization.
The co-evolution of model parameters and control programs in evolutionary robotics

Evolutionary robotics is a research area that makes use of the various forms of evolutionary computation to provide a means of designing robot control systems. In this paper, we introduce a new way of integrating the actual robot and its model during evolutionary computation. This method, which involves the co-evolution of model parameters, is applied to the problem of learning gaits for hexapod robots. The form of evolutionary computation used is the cyclic genetic algorithm (CGA), which was introduced in previous work (Parker et al. (1996)) to deal with the issue of evolving controllers for cyclic behaviors. Tests done in simulation show that the CGA operating on the co-evolving model of the robot can adapt to changes in the robot's capabilities to provide a system of any-time learning.
Comparing Through-Silicon-Via (TSV) Void/Pinhole Defect Self-Test Methods

Three methods have been proposed to test Through-Silicon-Vias (TSV) electrically prior to 3D integration. These test methods are (1) sense amplification; (2) leakage current monitor; and (3) capacitance bridge methods. These tests are aimed at detecting one or both of two failure types, pin-holes and voids. The test circuits measure capacitance and leakage current of the TSVs, and generate a 1 bit pass/fail signal. The outputs are streamed out through a scan chain. The test time is 10 μs for the leakage test and the sense amplification methods, and is 15 μs for the capacitive bridge method. All these methods can be implemented for test-before-stacking, which will increase assembled yield. Resolution, power and area of these TSV test circuits were compared. The performance of each circuit was studied at PVT corners. The IMEC TSV technology was assumed, and the designs were simulated using the 32 nm predicted device model. Without any failure, the TSV capacitance's mean value is 37 fF, and its leakage resistance is higher than 850 M?. With respect to 37 fF standard capacitance, resolution for the sense amplification method is 3.3 fF (8.9%); it is 0.16 fF (0.4%) for the capacitance bridge method. Although the capacitance bridge method has relatively better resolution, it takes 4x area and 10x power than the other two, and is also more sensitive to PVT variation. Resolution of the leakage current monitor method is 10 M? (1.1%) with respect to its threshold 850 M?, and use 42.5aJ power in normal case. Sense amplification circuit can be modified to detect equivalent leakage resistance under 2K?.
Sequence Variability in Viral Genome Non-coding Regions Likely Contribute to Observed Differences in Viral Replication Amongst MARV Strains

Abstract The Marburg viruses Musoke (MARV-Mus) and Angola (MARV-Ang) have highly similar genomic sequences. Analysis of viral replication using various assays consistently identified MARV-Ang as the faster replicating virus. Non-coding genomic regions of negative sense RNA viruses are known to play a role in viral gene expression. A comparison of the six non-coding regions using bicistronic minigenomes revealed that the first two non-coding regions (NP/VP35 and VP35/VP40) differed significantly in their transcriptional regulation. Deletion mutation analysis of the MARV-Mus NP/VP35 region further revealed that the MARV polymerase (L) is able to initiate production of the downstream gene without the presence of highly conserved regulatory signals. Bicistronic minigenome assays also identified the VP30 mRNA 5′ untranslated region as an rZAP-targeted RNA motif. Overall, our studies indicate that the high variation of MARV non-coding regions may play a significant role in observed differences in transcription and/or replication.
Association between single-slice measurements of visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue with volumetric measurements: the Framingham Heart Study

Volumetric visceral abdominal adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT) as measured by computed tomography (CT) are associated with metabolic risk factors. We sought to identify the correlations of VAT and SAT between area-based measures at different anatomic locations with volumetric measurements to identify the optimal anatomic site, and to relate measurements at this site with metabolic risk factors. We measured SAT and VAT volumes across the total imaging volume, whereas we measured SAT and VAT area at seven predefined anatomic landmarks in 200 participants from the Framingham Heart Study (mean age 54 years, 50% women) who underwent abdominal multi-detector CT. Correlation coefficients were used to assess the association between area measurements and volumes as well as metabolic risk factors stratified by gender. Area-based measurements of SAT and VAT obtained at all anatomic landmarks were strongly associated with SAT and VAT volumes (all r>0.93, P 0.87, P<0.0001, for women and men; respectively). Consistently, area-based measurements of SAT and VAT obtained at L3/4 were most strongly associated with volumetric measured VAT and SAT independent of age (both r=0.99 in men, r=0.96 for SAT and r=0.99 for VAT in women, all P-value <0.0001) and were similarly correlated with risk factors compared with SAT and VAT volumes (all P<0.05 for fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, systolic blood pressure). Among area-based measurements of SAT and VAT, those obtained at the level of L3/4 were strongly associated with SAT and VAT volumes and cardio-metabolic risk factors in both men and women.
SHOCK PROBATION IN OHIO: A Reexamination of Factors Influencing the Use of an Early Release Program

Abstract Previous research on the judicial decision-making process to grant early release on shack probation in Ohio has suggested that race is the primary factor in this process. Using a research design that includes a segnimit of persons actually denied release from one metropolitan Ohio county, the present study has discovered that probation officer recommendation, and not race, is the most important factor in the judicial decision to grant shock probation.
Abortion and parental responsibility.

Standard approaches to the morality of abortion typically founder on the question of the “personhood” of the fetus. This paper attempts to avoid this problem by developing an alternative approach in which philosophical positions are derived not from a presumed right to life but from the special moral obligations of parents to nurture their immature children. After a discussion of the notion of parental responsibility, three leading accounts of the acquisition of parental responsibilities are examined: one based on biological relationship, one based on consent, and one based on causal responsibility. The consequences of each of these positions for the morality of abortion are examined and each is considered in relation to cases involving nonstandard methods of procreation, e.g. surrogate mothering, artificial insemination by donor, and embryo transfer. On the basis of these cases, I argue that the model based on causal responsibility provides the most adequate criterion for the ascription of parental responsibility. While some discussion is devoted to the question of implementing this model as social policy, the main thrust of the paper is not so much to defend a particular policy on the morality of abortion as it is to argue for the approach to the problem based on the notion of parental responsibility over the more familiar approach relying on the right to life.
Multidimensionality and Structural Coefficient Bias in Structural Equation Modeling: A Bifactor Perspective

In this study, the authors consider several indices to indicate whether multidimensional data are “unidimensional enough” to fit with a unidimensional measurement model, especially when the goal is to avoid excessive bias in structural parameter estimates. They examine two factor strength indices (the explained common variance and omega hierarchical) and several model fit indices (root mean square error of approximation, comparative fit index, and standardized root mean square residual). These statistics are compared in population correlation matrices determined by known bifactor structures that vary on the (a) relative strength of general and group factor loadings, (b) number of group factors, and (c) number of items or indicators. When fit with a unidimensional measurement model, the degree of structural coefficient bias depends strongly and inversely on explained common variance, but its effects are moderated by the percentage of correlations uncontaminated by multidimensionality, a statistic that rise...
Effect of surface modifications on the layered solid solution cathodes (1 − z) Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2 − (z) Li[Mn0.5 − yNi0.5 − yCo2y]O2

Abstract Layered (1 − z ) Li[Li 1/3 Mn 2/3 ]O 2 − ( z ) Li[Mn 0.5 − y Ni 0.5 − y Co 2 y ]O 2 ( y = 1/12, 1/6, 1/3 and 0.25 ≤ z ≤ 0.75) solid solutions have been surface modified with 3 wt.% Al 2 O 3 , CeO 2 , ZrO 2 , SiO 2 , ZnO, and AlPO 4 and 0.05 atom F − per formula unit and characterized by X-ray diffraction and charge–discharge measurements in lithium cells. The surface modified cathodes show lower irreversible capacity (IRC) loss in the first cycle and higher discharge capacity than the unmodified samples. An analysis of the first charge and discharge capacity values suggests that part of the oxide ion vacancies resulting from the irreversible loss of oxygen during the first charge is retained in the lattice. Surface modification leads to the retention of even more number of oxide ion vacancies in the lattice after the first charge. Surface modification with Al 2 O 3 and AlPO 4 are particularly found to be effective in retaining more number of oxide ion vacancies and suppressing the IRC values.
Scalable similarity search with optimized kernel hashing

Scalable similarity search is the core of many large scale learning or data mining applications. Recently, many research results demonstrate that one promising approach is creating compact and efficient hash codes that preserve data similarity. By efficient, we refer to the low correlation (and thus low redundancy) among generated codes. However, most existing hash methods are designed only for vector data. In this paper, we develop a new hashing algorithm to create efficient codes for large scale data of general formats with any kernel function, including kernels on vectors, graphs, sequences, sets and so on. Starting with the idea analogous to spectral hashing, novel formulations and solutions are proposed such that a kernel based hash function can be explicitly represented and optimized, and directly applied to compute compact hash codes for new samples of general formats. Moreover, we incorporate efficient techniques, such as Nystrom approximation, to further reduce time and space complexity for indexing and search, making our algorithm scalable to huge data sets. Another important advantage of our method is the ability to handle diverse types of similarities according to actual task requirements, including both feature similarities and semantic similarities like label consistency. We evaluate our method using both vector and non-vector data sets at a large scale up to 1 million samples. Our comprehensive results show the proposed method outperforms several state-of-the-art approaches for all the tasks, with a significant gain for most tasks.
Potassium and Magnesium Changes Associated with Programmed Electrical Stimulation

Serum potassium and magnesium concentrations decrease secondary to an increase in catecholamine concentrations. We hypothesized that during programmed electrical stimulation (PES), where stress of the procedure may elevate catecholamine levels, potassium and magnesium concentrations would decrease. To test this hypothesis, potassium and magnesium concentrations were measured at baseline, during, and after PES in 16 patients. Potassium concentrations (mean ± standard deviation) decreased from 4.5 ± 0.3 (mEq/L) at baseline to 3.9 ± 0.2 during PES (P 0.05 compared to baseline). Mean magnesium concentrations (mmol/L) decreased from 0.84 ± 0.07 at baseline to 0.81 ± 0.07 at the end of PES (P < 0.05) but did not decrease significantly during PES. In conclusion, potassium concentrations decreased significantly during PES, whereas magnesium concentrations decreased slightly but significantly at the end of PES. These changes in electrolyte concentrations may be due to catecholamine influence secondary to the PES procedure. In light of these observations, serum concentrations of potassium and magnesium should be normalized prior to PES procedure in order to prevent hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia.
Pharmacological antagonism of lethal effects induced by O-isobutyl S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioate.

ABSTRACTO-Isobutyl S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioate (VR) is a structural isomer of a more widely known chemical warfare agent O-ethyl S-[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioate (VX). VR has the potential of being used as military threat/sabotage/terrorist agent. The development of a sound medical countermeasure will undoubtedly enhance not only our medical readiness and ability in VR casualty management, but also our defense posture against the deployment of VR in both combat and politically volatile environments. Acute exposure to a lethal dose of VR has been shown to cause cholinergic hyperfunction, incapacitation, seizures, convulsions, cardiorespiratory depression and death. In this study, pharmacological antagonism of VR-induced cardiorespiratory failure and lethality was investigated in guinea pigs chronically instrumented for concurrent recordings of electrocorticogram, diaphragmatic EMG, Lead II ECG, heart rate and neck skeletal muscle EMG. Thirty (30) min prior to intoxicat...
DETERMINATION OF ZIDOVUDINE AND LEVOFLOXACIN IN HUMAN PLASMA BY REVERSED PHASE HPLC AND SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION

ABSTRACT A new high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was developed for the simultaneous determination of zidovudine (AZT) and levofloxacin in human plasma. Plasma samples were treated with a solid-phase extraction procedure. The compounds were separated using a mobile phase of 86 : 14 v/v 25 mM sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (pH 2.4) – acetonitrile on an octadecylsilane column (150 × 4.6 mm i.d.) with UV detection at 266 nm. Ciprofloxacin was used as the internal standard (IS). The method was validated over the range of 26.3–2600 ng/mL for AZT, and 51.2–5069 ng/mL for levofloxacin. The method proved to be accurate (percent bias for all calibration samples varied from −6.2 to 5.6%) and precise (within-run precision ranged from 0.9 to 9.7% and between-run precision ranged from 1.3 to 7.5%). The mean absolute recoveries were 94.1% for AZT, 91.2% for levofloxacin, and 84.7% for the internal standard. The assay should be suitable for use in pharmacokinetic st...