cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systemic cell cycle activation is induced following complex tissue injury in axolotl

Activation of progenitor cells is crucial to promote tissue repair following injury in adult animals. In the context of successful limb regeneration following amputation, progenitor cells residing within the stump must re-enter the cell cycle to promote regrowth of the missing limb. We demonstrate that in axolotls, amputation is sufficient to induce cell-cycle activation in both the amputated limb and the intact, uninjured contralateral limb. Activated cells were found throughout all major tissue populations of the intact contralateral limb, with internal cellular populations (bone and soft tissue) the most affected. Further, activated cells were additionally found within the heart, liver, and spinal cord, suggesting that amputation induces a common global activation signal throughout the body. Among two other injury models, limb crush and skin excisional wound, only limb crush injuries were capable of inducing cellular responses in contralateral uninjured limbs but did not achieve activation levels seen following limb loss. We found this systemic activation response to injury is independent of formation of a wound epidermis over the amputation plane, suggesting that injury-induced signals alone can promote cellular activation. In mammals, mTOR signaling has been shown to promote activation of quiescent cells following injury, and we confirmed a subset of activated contralateral cells is positive for mTOR signaling within axolotl limbs. These findings suggest that conservation of an early systemic response to injury exists between mammals and axolotls, and propose that a distinguishing feature in species capable of full regeneration is converting this initial activation into sustained and productive growth at the site of regeneration.
Large ferroelectric polarization of TiN/Hf0.5Zr0.5O2/TiN capacitors due to stress-induced crystallization at low thermal budget

We report on atomic layer deposited Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO)-based capacitors which exhibit excellent ferroelectric (FE) characteristics featuring a large switching polarization (45 μC/cm2) and a low FE saturation voltage (∼1.5 V) as extracted from pulse write/read measurements. The large FE polarization in HZO is achieved by the formation of a non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic phase, which is enabled by the TiN top electrode (TE) having a thickness of at least 90 nm. The TiN films are deposited at room temperature and annealed at 400 °C in an inert environment for at least 1 min in a rapid thermal annealing system. The room-temperature deposited TiN TE acts as a tensile stressor on the HZO film during the annealing process. The stress-inducing TiN TE is shown to inhibit the formation of the monoclinic phase during HZO crystallization, forming an orthorhombic phase that generates a large FE polarization, even at low process temperatures.
Characterization of adipose compartments in mastectomy CT images

Anthropomorphic software breast phantoms are generated by simulating breast anatomy. Virtual Clinical Trial (VCT) tools are developed for evaluating novel imaging modalities, based on anthropomorphic breast phantoms. Simulation of breast anatomical structures requires informed selection of parameters, which is crucial for the simulation realism. Our goal is to optimize the parameter selection based upon the analysis of clinical images. Adipose compartments defined by Cooper’s ligaments significantly contribute to breast image texture (parenchymal pattern) which affects image interpretation and lesion detection. We have investigated the distribution and orientation of compartments segmented from CT images of a mastectomy specimen. Ellipsoidal fitting was applied to 205 segmented compartments, by matching the moments of inertia. The goodness-of-fit was measured by calculating Dice coefficients. Compartment size, shape, and orientation were characterized by estimating the volume, axis ratio, and Euler’s angles of fitted ellipsoids. Potential correlations between estimated parameters were tested. We found that the adipose compartments are well approximated with ellipsoids (average Dice coefficient of 0.79). The compartment size is correlated with the barycenter-chest wall distance (r=0.235, p-value<0.001). The goodness-of-fit to ellipsoids is correlated to the compartment shape (r=0.344, p-value<0.001). The shape is also correlated with barycenter coordinates. The compartment orientation is correlated to their size (Euler angle α: r=0.188, p-value=0.007; angle β: r=0.156, p-value=0.025) and the barycenter-chest wall distance (r=0.159, p-value=0.023). These results from the characterization of adipose compartments and the observed correlations could help improve the realism of simulated breast anatomy.
Control–Trust Dynamics in Organizations: Identifying Shared Perspectives and Charting Conceptual Fault Lines

Our review of control–trust research reveals that although scholars have advanced our understanding of these dynamics in significant ways, many important questions remain to be answered about these...
MKL-based sample enrichment and customized outcomes enable smaller AD clinical trials

Recently, the field of neuroimaging analysis has seen a large number of studies which use machine learning methods to make predictions about the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in mildly demented subjects. Among these, Multi-Kernel Learning (MKL) has emerged as a powerful tool for systematically aggregating diverse data views, and several groups have shown that MKL is uniquely suited to combining different imaging modalities into a single learned model. The next phase of this research is to employ these predictive abilities to design more efficient clinical trials. Two issues can hamper a trial's effectiveness: the presence of non-pathological subjects in a study, and the sensitivity of the chosen outcome measure to the pathology of interest. We offer two approaches for dealing with these issues: trial enrichment, in which MKL-derived predictions are used to screen out subjects unlikely to benefit from a treatment; and custom outcome measures which use an SVM to select a weighted voxel average for use as an outcome measure. We provide preliminary evidence that these two strategies can lead to significant reductions in sample sizes in hypothetical trials, which directly gives reduced costs and higher efficiency in the drug development cycle.
Science of Ocean Climate Models

The ocean is a forced dissipative system with an enormous range of dynamical phenomena occurring over a huge range of space timescales. Simulating the World Ocean for purposes of climate is a massive problem involving fundamental areas of physics, mathematics, computer science, and all areas of ocean and climate science. This article presents a broad overview of key physical issues that arise when posing the problem of ocean climate modeling.
Using integrated data analysis to extend measurement capability (invited).

The analysis approach called integrated data analysis (IDA) provides a means to exploit all information present in multiple streams of raw data to produce the best inference of a plasma parameter. This contrasts with the typical approach in which information (data) from a single diagnostic is used to measure a given parameter, e.g., visible bremsstrahlung → Zeff. Data from a given diagnostic usually contain information on many parameters. For example, a Thomson scattering diagnostic is sensitive to bremsstrahlung and line emission in addition to electron temperature. This background light is typically subtracted off and discarded but could be used to improve knowledge of Zeff. IDA encourages explicit awareness of such information and provides the quantitative framework to exploit it. This gives IDA the ability to increase spatial and temporal resolution, increase precision and accuracy of inferences, and measure plasma parameters that are difficult or impossible to measure using single diagnostic techniques. One example is the measurement of Zeff on Madison symmetric torus using IDA since no single diagnostic can provide a robust measurement. As we enter the burning plasma era, application of IDA will be critical to the measurement of certain parameters, as diagnostic access in the harsh fusion environment will be extremely limited.The analysis approach called integrated data analysis (IDA) provides a means to exploit all information present in multiple streams of raw data to produce the best inference of a plasma parameter. This contrasts with the typical approach in which information (data) from a single diagnostic is used to measure a given parameter, e.g., visible bremsstrahlung → Zeff. Data from a given diagnostic usually contain information on many parameters. For example, a Thomson scattering diagnostic is sensitive to bremsstrahlung and line emission in addition to electron temperature. This background light is typically subtracted off and discarded but could be used to improve knowledge of Zeff. IDA encourages explicit awareness of such information and provides the quantitative framework to exploit it. This gives IDA the ability to increase spatial and temporal resolution, increase precision and accuracy of inferences, and measure plasma parameters that are difficult or impossible to measure using single diagnostic techniqu...
Phase II study of pembrolizumab-based therapy in previously treated extrapulmonary poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas: Results of Part B (pembrolizumab + chemotherapy).

363Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) efficacy has not been established in extrapulmonary poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (EP-PDNECs). In small cell lung cancer, promisin...
Urethral Bulking and Salvage Techniques for Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence

Despite limited evidence and efficacy, urethral bulking remains a common treatment for post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence (PP-SUI). Herein we provide an overview of the existing evidence for synthetic bulking agents and emerging evidence for stem cell-based sphincter rejuvenation in this setting. We also touch upon salvage techniques for management of PP-SUI after failed anti-incontinence interventions. Autologous stem cell (ASC) therapies are currently undergoing phase III trials for use in female SUI and are poised to enter the market within the next decade. Early data suggests that they may have a future role in PP-SUI management as well. The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has emerged as the standard of care for salvage PP-SUI treatment. Treatment paradigms for PP-SUI continue to evolve. Synthetic bulking remains common while autologous bulking looms as a potential future therapy. The AUS remains the last line of defense.
Peer-Mediated Social Skill Generalization for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability

Many researchers and practitioners cite concerns with maintenance and generalization as a serious issue for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), although few studies explicitly target ...
Development of a Neighborhood Walkability Index for Studying Neighborhood Physical Activity Contexts in Communities across the U.S. over the Past Three Decades.

To examine how urban form shapes physical activity and health over time, a measure of neighborhood walkability is needed that can be linked to cohort studies with participants living across the United States (U.S.) that have been followed over the past decades. The Built Environment and Health-Neighborhood Walkability Index (BEH-NWI), a measure of neighborhood walkability that can be calculated for communities across the United States between 1990 and 2015, was conceptualized, developed, and tested using data from the New York City Tri-State Area. BEH-NWI measures were created for 1990 and 2010 using historical data on population density, street intersection density, density of rail stops, and density of pedestrian trip generating/supporting establishments. BEH-NWI scores were calculated for 1-km buffers around the 1990 residences of NYU Women’s Health Study (NYUWHS) participants and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Physical Activity and Transit (PAT) survey participants enrolled in 2011. Higher neighborhood BEH-NWI scores were significantly associated with greater self-reported walking per week (+ 0.31 MET-hours/week per unit BEH-NWI, 95% CI 0.23, 0.36) and lower body mass index (− 0.17 BMI units per unit BEH-NWI, 95% − 0.23, − 0.12) among NYUWHS participants. Higher neighborhood BEH-NWI scores were associated with significantly higher accelerometer-measured physical activity among PAT survey participants (39% more minutes of moderate-intensity equivalent activity/week across the interquartile range of BEH-NWI, 95% CI 21%, 60%). The BEH-NWI can be calculated using historical data going back to 1990, and BEH-NWI scores predict BMI, weekly walking, and physical activity in two NYC area datasets.
Bioactive hydrogel coatings of complex substrates using diffusion-mediated redox initiation

Hydrogels have long been established as materials with tunable stiffness and chemistry that enable controlled cellular interactions. When applied as coatings, hydrogels can be used to introduce biofunctionality to medical devices with minimal effect on bulk properties. However, it remains challenging to uniformly apply hydrogel coatings to three dimensional geometries without substantially changing the manufacturing process and potentially affecting device function. Herein, we report a new redox-based crosslinking method for applying conformable hydrogel coatings with tunable thickness and chemistry. This new diffusion-mediated strategy of redox initiation and hydrogel crosslinking enabled coating of a variety of three dimensional substrates without changing the primary fabrication process. Following adsorption of the reducing agent to the construct, hydrogel coating thickness was readily controlled by immersion time with desorption and diffusion of the reducing agent initiating hydrogel crosslinking from the surface. The process was used to generate a range of hydrogel properties by varying the macromer molecular weight and concentration. In addition, we demonstrated that these coatings can be applied sequentially to generate multilayered constructs with distinct features. Finally, incorporation of proteins into the bulk of the hydrogel coating or as a final surface layer permitted the controlled introduction of bioactivity that supported cell attachment. This work provides a versatile method for assembling bioactive coatings with a simple post-fabrication process that is amenable to diverse geometric substrates and chemistries.
Impact of obesity on male urethral sling outcomes.

Background:The impact of obesity on AdVance male urethral sling outcomes has been poorly evaluated. Anecdotally, male urethral sling placement can be more challenging due to body habitus in obese p...
Prevalence of Disordered Eating Among International Sport Lead Rock Climbers.

Disordered eating (DE) is characterized as a range of irregular eating patterns or behaviors, which may lead to pathological eating or a clinical eating disorder diagnosis. DE patterns are associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. The prevalence of DE is highest in female athletes who participate in aesthetic or weight dependent sports. Elite rock climbers tend to be strong, small and lean, but the prevalence of DE in rock climbers is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to assess DE prevalence in a large group of international rock climbers and to explore the relationship between sport rock climbing ability and DE. A web-based survey assessed both DE (Eating Attitudes Test-26) and climbing ability based on the International Rock Climbing Research Association's position statement on comparative grading scales. The survey was distributed to international climbing communities; 810 individuals attempted the survey; 604 completed all questions; 498 identified as sport lead climbers. The majority of sport lead climbers were lower grade/intermediate (57.8%), compared to advanced (30.7%) and elite/higher elite (11.4%), and male (76.9%). Forty-three sport lead climbers reported a score of 20 or above on the EAT-26 indicating an 8.6% prevalence of DE in this sample. Male climbers had a DE prevalence of 6.3% (24 of 383) and female climbers more than doubled that with 16.5% (19 of 115). Chi-square analysis revealed that DE was associated with climbing ability level [χ2 (2, n = 498, 8.076, p = 0.02)], and when analyzed by sex, only the female climbers had a significant relationship of DE with climbing ability [χ2 (2, n = 115, 15.640, p = 0.00)]. These findings suggest sport lead rock climbers are not immune to DE and that the risk is elevated in female climbers, particularly at the elite/high elite climbing ability level. Our research indicates further investigations are warranted to determine if and how disordered eating behaviors affect health and performance of adult rock climbers.
Approach to Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal is a commonly encountered condition in both hospitalized patients and the ambulatory setting. This teaching script leads the reader through a discussion of the physiology of alcohol withdrawal, the medications commonly used to treat withdrawal symptoms, and long-term maintenance therapy to support recovery from alcohol use disorder.
Liberibacter, A Preemptive Bacterium: Apoptotic Response Repression in the Host Gut at the Early Infection to Facilitate Its Acquisition and Transmission.

"Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso) is a phloem-limited Gram-negative bacterium that infects crops worldwide. In North America, two haplotypes of Lso (LsoA and LsoB) are transmitted by the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc), in a circulative and persistent manner. Both haplotypes cause damaging plant diseases (e.g., zebra chip in potatoes). The psyllid gut is the first organ Lso encounters and could be a barrier for its transmission. However, little is known about the psyllid gut immune responses triggered upon Lso infection. In this study, we focused on the apoptotic response in the gut of adult potato psyllids at the early stage of Lso infection. We found that there was no evidence of apoptosis induced in the gut of the adult potato psyllids upon infection with either Lso haplotype based on microscopic observations. However, the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis IAPP5.2 gene (survivin-like) was significantly upregulated during the period that Lso translocated into the gut cells. Interestingly, silencing of IAPP5.2 gene significantly upregulated the expression of two effector caspases and induced apoptosis in the psyllid gut cells. Moreover, RNA interference (RNAi) of IAPP5.2 significantly decreased the Lso titer in the gut of adult psyllids and reduced their transmission efficiency. Taken together, these observations suggest that Lso might repress the apoptotic response in the psyllid guts by inducing the anti-apoptotic gene IAPP5.2 at an early stage of the infection, which may favor Lso acquisition in the gut cells and facilitate its transmission by potato psyllid.
Response of peripheral blood basophils in subjects with chronic spontaneous urticaria during treatment with omalizumab.

Background Treatment of patients with asthma or food allergy with omalizumab results in several consistent changes in circulating basophils. The multiple basophil phenotypes observed in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) present some unique attributes that may not respond in a similar fashion to patients with asthma or food allergy. As part of a clinical study on the therapeutic outcomes of omalizumab treatment in CSU, the basophil compartment was examined for changes in characteristics predicted by prior studies. Objective This study sought to examine the changes in basophil function and its relationship to auto-antibodies in serum during treatment with omalizumab. Methods At multiple time points before and during omalizumab treatment of patients with CSU, basophil surface IgE and FceRI expression, cellular spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) expression, IgE-mediated histamine release (HR), and the presence of auto-antibodies in serum were determined. Results Three basophil phenotypes were enumerated in the clinical study and used to group results in this basophil study: subjects with (1) basopenia, (2) normal basophil numbers with normal IgE-mediated HR, and (3) normal basophil numbers with poor HR. Basopenia was highly associated with the presence of auto-antibodies to unoccupied FceRI and basophil numbers did not change during treatment. Likewise, subjects who are basopenic showed no changes in SYK expression or HR during treatment. In basophils of subjects who are nonbasopenic, increases in SYK expression and HR showed the expected inverse relationship to starting SYK and HR levels. Treatment with omalizumab resulted in similar kinetics for decreases in surface FceRI and IgE in all 3 groups. Conclusions A unifying interpretation of the results revolves around the presence of auto-antibodies to FceRI in CSU. If present, basopenia and an absence of changes in basophils during omalizumab treatment are observed. If auto-antibodies are absent, the changes in the basophil compartment are consistent with prior studies of asthma and food allergy. These group differences also are related to efficacy of the treatment for clinical outcomes, as found in the parent clinical study.
Organic Package Substrates Using Lithographic Via Technology for RF to THz Applications

RF substrate packages were built using organic dielectric layers with Copper (Cu) based interconnects employing lithographically defined vias as a new manufacturing paradigm for a semi-additive process flow. The package-based RF-to-THz structures enabled by lithographic vias in combination with advanced organic build-up dielectric materials have enabled us to demonstrate applications ranging from coaxial and coplanar waveguides, high-Q RF inductors and transformers to filters, triplexers and launcher structures for RF applications in the frequency range from 1 GHz to > 300 GHz. Measurement results for selected structures are presented and discussed in this paper.
The Mutational Landscape of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Opportunities for Detection and Monitoring Via Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA

The mutational landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been elucidated in the past decade. Even though HNSCC tumors are relatively accessible for sampling, the opportunity to determine the tumor mutation profile by interrogating circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood, saliva, and/or buccal cells represent approaches to realize the potential of precision medicine via less invasive diagnostic procedures. Patients who survive their initial HNSCC, especially cancers not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), remain at high risk for both recurrence and second primary tumor formation. Ideally, these surrogate tissues could be sampled periodically to detect early disease in high-risk individuals and/or monitor patients who are cured of their primary HNSCC. Prospective clinical studies are needed to determine if the genetic alterations detected in these surrogate tissues reflect the tumor profile and whether intervention based on these assays improve survival.
Kurzzeitverhaltenstherapie in Gruppen bei Patienten mit psychophysiologischer Insomnie

Epidemiologische Studien belegen, das Ein- und Durchschlafstorungen (Insomnien) sehr verbreitet sind: Etwa 1/5 bis 1/3 aller Erwachsenen leiden darunter (z. B. Weyerer und Dilling 1991, Hohagen et al. 1993). Ein- und Durchschlafstorungen lassen sich nach DSM-III-R untergliedern in Insomnien im Rahmen psychiatrischer Erkrankungen (z. B. Depression), Insomnien im Rahmen organischer Erkrankungen (z. B. Restless-legs-Syndrom) und die psychophysiologischen/primaren Insomnien. Die Verteilung der Insomnien auf diese drei Gruppen ist ungefahr gleich, d. h. die primaren Insomnien machen ca. ein Drittel aller Insomnien aus (Dressing und Riemann 1994). Chronische Insomnien bereiten den Betroffenen erheblichen Leidensdruck und stellen moglicherweise sogar einen Risikofaktor dar, spater an einer Depression zu erkranken (Ford und Kamerow 1989). Nebenwirkungen und Risiken der medicamentosen Behandlung, wie z. B. Wirkverlust und Abhangigkeitsentwicklung bei Benzodiazepinhypnotika, lassen es dringlich erscheinen, Patienten mit primarer Insomnie auch nicht-medikamentose Therapien anzubieten.
Chapter 46 – Squamous Cervix Carcinoma (Invasive)

Cervical cancer is mostly caused by infections, from certain kinds of human papillomaviruses. An important cause of this cancer is failure to be regularly screened by Pap smear. The source of the original infection is sexual activity, and is particularly related to exposure as early as in the teenage years. The likelihood of infection and cervical abnormalities is related to the number of early sexual partners, or the past sexual experience of each of those partners. Other viruses, such as herpes simplex virus-2, are also spread by sexual activity and are suspected of contributing to the development of cervical cancer. Smoking may enhance susceptibility to a causal virus, but the facts are as yet unclear. This malignancy occurs more often in Los Angeles County and especially in Denmark, than in Utah. Incidence begins to increase in young adulthood, and rates are highest among Latinas, and next highest among African-Americans. Older Asian-American, especially Korean-American, women also have rates higher than those of similarly aged whites. The geographical distribution of high-risk census tracts reflects the poverty and poor education that promote unprotected sexual activity and less access to screening.
3D video coding using redundant-wavelet multihypothesis and motion-compensated temporal filtering

A video coder is presented that combines mesh-based motion-compensated temporal filtering, phase-diversity multihypothesis motion compensation, and an embedded 3D wavelet-coefficient coder. The key contribution of this work is the introduction of the phase-diversity multihypothesis paradigm into motion-compensated temporal filtering, which is achieved by deploying temporal filtering in the domain of a spatially redundant wavelet transform. A regular triangle mesh is used to track motion between frames, and an affine transform between mesh triangles implements motion compensation within a lifting-based temporal transform. Experimental results reveal that the incorporation of pulse-diversity multihypothesis into mesh-based motion-compensated temporal filtering significantly improves the rate-distortion performance of the 3D video coder.
An Undergraduate Head-Start in Cost-Benefit Analysis of Public Programs: The Role of Service-Learning

This article is a description of how service-learning, as a form of teaching strategy, helpful in giving my undergraduate students a head-start in cost-benefit analysis as a decision tool in evaluating and implementing public programs. Service-learning helped to expose the students to the applicability of economic theories and concepts to real life activities. In evaluating the students' performance the author adopted the 'levels of cognitive mastery' developed by Benjamin Boom. The outcome was that this teaching strategy not only enhanced the students' understanding of cost-benefit analysis technique but also deepened their knowledge application and writing skills in economics. The community served came to a more understanding of the potential social and economic costs and benefits of block-watch program. The students' evaluation of the course is provided.
On the exclusion of assets from tests of the two-parameter model

Abstract This study investigates the sensitivity of tests of the CAPM to different sets of asset returns. Tests are conducted with market portfolios that include returns for bonds, real estate, and consumer durables in addition to common stocks. Even when stocks represent only 10% of the portfolio's value, inferences about the CAPM are virtually identical to those obtained with a stocks-only portfolio. In contrast, inferences are sensitive to the set of assets used in the tests.
Determination of Fat Content

The term “lipid” refers to a group of compounds that are sparingly soluble in water, but show variable solubility in a number of organic solvents (e.g., ethyl ether, petroleum ether, acetone, ethanol, methanol, benzene). The lipid content of a food determined by extraction with one solvent may be quite different from the lipid content as determined with another solvent of different polarity. Fat content is determined often by solvent extraction methods (e.g., Soxhlet, Goldfish, Mojonnier), but it also can be determined by nonsolvent wet extraction methods (e.g., Babcock, Gerber), and by instrumental methods that rely on the physical and chemical properties of lipids (e.g., infrared, density, X-ray absorption). The method of choice depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the sample (e.g., dry versus moist), the purpose of the analysis (e.g., official nutrition labeling or rapid quality control), and instrumentation available (e.g., Babcock uses simple glassware and equipment; infrared requires an expensive instrument).
Scale transformations, the energy-momentum tensor, and the equation of state

The Equation of State (EOS) relates diagonal elements of the energy-momentum tensor θ μv . The first moment of the energy-momentum tensor generates scale transformations. The virial theorem, a consequence of the behavior of the energy density under scale transformations, allows one to eliminate the kinetic energy in terms of the potential terms. The trace theorem for the energy-momentum tensor expresses ∊-3p in terms of ensemble averages of scale-breaking operators, allowing a new approach to the EOS.
Development of Intrinsic and Synaptic Properties in a Forebrain Nucleus Essential to Avian Song Learning

In male zebra finches, the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (LMAN) is necessary for the development of learned song but is not required for the production of acoustically stereotyped (crystallized) adult song. One hypothesis is that the physiological properties of LMAN neurons change over development and thus limit the ability of LMAN to affect song. To test this idea, we used in vitro intracellular recordings to characterize the intrinsic and synaptic properties of LMAN neurons in fledgling [posthatch days (PHD) 22–32] and juvenile zebra finches (PHD 40–51) when LMAN lesions disrupt normal song development, and in adults (>PHD 90) when LMAN lesions are without effect. In fledglings, depolarizing currents caused LMAN projection neurons to fire bursts of action potentials because of a putative low-threshold calcium spike (LTS). In contrast, juvenile and adult LMAN projection neurons fired accommodating trains of action potentials when depolarized but did not exhibit the burst mode of firing. Electrical stimulation of thalamic afferents elicited both monosynaptic EPSPs mediated by AMPA and NMDA receptors and polysynaptic IPSPs mediated by GABAA receptors from LMAN neurons at all ages studied here. In whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings, the EPSCs (NMDA-EPSCs) consisted of fast and slow components. Unlike juvenile and adult NMDA-EPSCs, those in fledglings were dominated by the slower component. Thus, both the intrinsic and synaptic properties of LMAN neurons change markedly during early song development (PHD 22–40) and achieve several adult-like properties during early sensorimotor learning and well before the time when LMAN lesions no longer disrupt song development.
Gold Investment Alternatives for Hedge Fund Managers

Hedge funds (and their clients) investing in gold should be aware of the differences among competing gold investment products. Gold appeals to different investors for different reasons, and different gold investment products can be more or less responsive to the investor's motivations. Hedge funds should be mindful of these differences, and may wish to balance the ultimate client's motivation for holding gold with the fund manager's motivation to buy gold in the form most amenable to the hedge fund's trading and investment practices. Due diligence goes beyond such abstractions as the gold price, particularly if gold as a "safe haven" is part of the investor's purchase motivation.
Future Directions for Research on Immigration

How does the international migration of talent affect the creation of knowledge, the organization of work, and the rate of economic growth across nations? In recent decades, much of the intellectual firepower in research on immigration has been aimed at estimating the impact of the inflow of low skilled foreign labor on the economic well being of native-born workers in the United States and other high income countries. For the United States, at least, it is not at all clear that low skilled immigration matters very much for national welfare. In coming decades, it is how the world allocates skilled labor that will help determine which countries advance economically and which do not. Currently, policy makers are setting immigration policy governing skilled labor flows largely in the dark. The literature is yet to produce compelling empirical evidence on the costs and benefits of skilled migration for either origin or destination countries. Future research on immigration should focus on the empirical analysis of how the inflow of skilled foreign labor affects productivity growth and innovation in receiving countries and how the outflow of talent affects prospects for growth and development in sending countries. Sound empirical analysis requires exploiting natural experiments or conducting experiments in the field. Recent events suggest prospects are favorable on both fronts.
Influence of glass microbeads on growth, activity and morphological changes of Bacillus megaterium.

Cells of Bacillus megaterium growing in the presence of glass microbeads with average diameters of 29 and 53 μm were frequently filamentous and sometimes reached lengths of 600 μm. Some of the filaments were nonseptate. The formation of filaments was prevented by magnesium but not by several other cations. In media with supplemental magnesium, the time required before active proliferation commenced was inversely related to the diameter of the particles. B. megaterium growing in media with the smaller size beads consumed oxygen and utilized glucose at greater rates than bacteria in media with the larger spheres or in bead-free solutions, and the uptake of oxygen was maintained for a longer period.
Exploring Pi Using the Computer in Middle School Mathematics

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in its Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics encourages a middle school curriculum that integrates technology. It recommends that students should be able to identify and use functional relationships and make connections among seemingly diverse concepts and topics. In this activity of exploring the derivation of Pi, students take a constructivist role by collecting data and making conjectures. Using the data they construct graphs and tables and discourse about appropriate algebraic representations. The computer is used as an instructional aid enabling the students to view the data in a variety of forms. They are encouraged to communicate about the connections among the various representations.
Comparison of the microstructural characterizations of GaN layers grown on Si (111) and on sapphire

Due to the large differences in the lattice constants and the thermal expansion coefficients between GaN and Si, GaN growth on a Si substrate usually leads initially to high defect densities and cracks. If high-quality GaN films on Si substrate are to be obtained, it is essential to understand the different growth characteristics of GaN layers grown on Si and on sapphire. In this study, the GaN specimens were grown on sapphire and Si (111) substrates with AlGaN and AlN buffer layers, respectively, by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro-Raman spectroscope, we carried out a comparative investigation of GaN growth by characterizing lattice coherency, defect density, and residual strain. These analyses revealed that the GaN layers grown on Si have much residual tensile strain and that strain has an effect on the formation of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) above the GaN layers.
High speed spectral estimation using an optical implementation of the discrete Hartley transform

An efficient method for optically obtaining the modulus of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of a real input is presented. The method involves performing the discrete Hartley transform (DHT) by way of a simple vector-matrix multiplication with an incoherent optical processor. The DFT is directly obtainable from the DHT and vice-versa. However, the Hartley transform of a real function is real. The kernel of the Hartley transform is real, which makes it more suitable for application in an incoherent optical processor than the complex Fourier kernel. High-speed spectral estimation of sinusoidal radar for electronic warfare purposes is a potential application. Experimental results that demonstrate the method are presented. >
The Synthesis of 2′-Deoxyguanosines Having an Arylamino Group At the C-8 Position

Abstract A general route is described for the synthesis of 8-arylamino derivatives of 2′-deoxyguanosine. the method takes advantage of (a) the far greater stability of the ribonucleoside series to acid conditions during the introduction of the aminoaryl group and (b) a modified form of Barton's radical deoxygenation procedure to remove the 2′-hydroxyl group. the synthetic pathway allows the preparation of the desired materials on a gram scale and avoids the use of an ultimate carcinogen as an intermediate.
Special section on understanding and improving quality in family child care: Introduction and commentary

Abstract This introduction to the special section on understanding and improving quality in family, child care gives an overview of the eight papers included in the special section with implications for, future research and policy directions.
Student Responses to Computers: A Longitudinal Study

The results of this study support critiques of the methodological limitations of the dominant approach to the study of computer effects in learning environments. That is, reports of short-term experimental applications of the technology have led to misleading generalizations about the computer's instructional potential. Using Clark's concept of media attributions, this study examines the evolution of students' (fourth through tenth grade) perceptions about computers on three dependent variables—preference, perceived learning, and perceived difficulty—over the course of three years. The findings demonstrate clear evidence of novelty effects. Students' judgments regarding preferences for computers declined significantly as did their perceptions of learning from the technology during the three years. Perceived difficulty of using computers, which was expected to decline, remained stable. In addition, both gender and age proved to be significantly related to all three dependent variables. Other students were ...
Image processing to locate corn plants

ABSTRACT This paper presents an image processing algorithm which uses a centripetal self-adaptive line trace approach to locatethe center of crn plants based on a detectable local feature of corn leaf. The experimental results show the usefulness ofthe algorithm for the machine vision applications related to corn plant identification and location. 1. INTRODUCTIONAn important task in many machine vision applications is to locate or find objects from detectable feawres of the object There are many popular algorithms which can be used for measurement, inspection or robot vision. Such as chaincode and crack code, two image processing methods, usually can be used to trace the contour of an object from a binary image to determine the boundary of the object This detected boundary information then can be used to measure shape parameters or features of the object, such as the perimeter or area, for evaluating the shape of the object (Dunkelberger andMitchell, 1985). However, for a specific application, an object oriented algorithm has to be developed to solve a particularproblem based on different features of the object of interest.In many machine vision applications in agriculture, different techniques were developed for individual problems. Parr-ish and Goksel (1977) conducted research on automatic apple harvesting using mbotics and vision systems. An algorithmwas developed for locating apples by checking the roundness of an apple based on the symmetry of horizontal and verticalextremas of the fruit, centroid location, and density region rather than using a chain code method to extract a contour to cal-culate the thinness ratio for evaluating the shape of an apple. In this way, calculations were reduced to speed up the algo-nthm execution. A method to detect a cucumber using image processing techniques embedded in a harvesting robot wasreported by Amaha, et a!. (1989). Considering the difference in shape between cucumbers and leaves, two illuminationlights were set to the left and right of a camera. Two images were sequentially taken from a scanned area of the canopy
Homology Modeling and Site-directed Mutagenesis to Identify Selective Inhibitors of Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-2

Endothelin-converting enzyme-2 (ECE-2), a member of M13 family of zinc metallopeptidases, has previously been shown to process a number of neuropeptides including those derived from prodynorphin, proenkephalin, proSAAS, and amyloid precursor protein. ECE-2, unlike ECE-1, exhibits restricted neuroendocrine distribution and acidic pH optimum; it is consistent with a role in the regulation of neuropeptide levels in vivo. Here, we report the generation of a three-dimensional (3D) molecular model of ECE-2 using the crystal structure of neprilysin (EC 3.4.24.11) as a template. On the basis of the predictions made from the molecular model, we mutated and tested two residues, Trp 148 and Tyr 563, in the catalytic site. The mutation of Tyr 563 was found to significantly affect the catalytic activity and inhibitor binding. The molecular model was used to virtually screen a small molecule library of 13 000 compounds. Among the top-scoring compounds three were found to inhibit ECE-2 with high affinity and exhibited specificity for ECE-2 compared to neprilysin. Thus, the model provides a new useful tool to probe the active site of ECE-2 and design additional selective inhibitors of this enzyme.
Formation of germ cells in Drosophila

In Drosophila, germ-cell formation is directed by the posterior pole plasm of the embryo. Genes acting to provide the germ-cell determinant have been identified and characterized, and some are now being manipulated to test their roles. Although recent results largely support the notion of a simple pathway for assembly of pole plasm, complexities are becoming apparent.
Tight bounds for the partial-sums problem

We close the gaps between known lower and upper bounds for the online partial-sums problem in the RAM and group models of computation. If elements are chosen from an abstract group, we prove an Ω(lg n) lower bound on the number of algebraic operations that must be performed, matching a well-known upper bound. In the RAM model with b-bit memory registers, we consider the well-studied case when the elements of the array can be changed additively by δ-bit integers. We give a RAM algorithm that achieves a running time of Θ(1 + lg n / lg(b / δ)) and prove a matching lower bound in the cell-probe model. Our lower bound is for the amortized complexity, and makes minimal assumptions about the relations between n, b, and δ. The best previous lower bound was Ω(lg n = (lg lg n+lg b)), and the best previous upper bound matched only in the special case b = Θ(lg n) and δ = O(lg lg n).
Media Selection and Managerial Characteristics in Organizational Communications

The media richness model and the symbolic interactionist perspective are the basis for hypotheses about managerial communication patterns. The hypothesized relationships are tested with data from 9...
Vasodilator therapy enhances neutrophil tissue migration

Very little is known about the effect of vasoactive substances on migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophilsin vivo. We evaluated the effect of oral treatment with isosorbide dinitrate on neutrophil migration into a sterile skin inflammatory focus in man with the use of “skin chamber technique”. Isosorbide dinitrate increased the number of neutrophils harvested in the chamber as well as the “granulocyte clearance”. Thus, vasoactive agent may increase neutrophil extravasation and subsequent tissue migration.
Auditing struggles with crisis of confidence

How is the auditing profession handling this crisis of confidence? The authors warn that new requirements will affect not just auditing firms, but also the way audits are done. Will this be a new era for auditors and their clients? © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serum-free culture of Japanese quail kidney cells. Regulation of vitamin D metabolism.

Abstract Cells obtained from male quail kidneys by digestion with collagenase and hyaluronidase were plated and maintained in a chemically defined, serum-free medium. Culture dishes (35 mm) were inoculated with 1.5 · 10 6 cells which became confluent in 5 days. The cells maintained an epithelial-like morphology over the entire culture period. During a 2 h incubation the cells metabolized 25–30% of the 10 nM 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 (25-OH-D-3) provided. Seven metabolites were chromotographically separated on Sephadex LH-20. Three have been identified as 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,25(OH) 2 D-3), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (24,25(OH) 2 D-3) and 1α,24,25-trihhydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,24,25(OH) 3 D-3). The activities of the 25-OH-D-3:1α- and 24-hydroxylases increased eight times faster than the cell number in 5 days. Preincubation of the cells with 10 nM 25-OH-D-3 or 1,25(OH) 2 D-3 decreased 1,25(OH) 2 D-3 synthesis, and increased both 24,25(OH) 2 D-3 and metabolite IV synthesis. The decrease in 25-OH-D-3:1α-hydroxylase activity required a 2 h preincubation with 25-OH-D-3, while stimulation of 25-OH-D-3:24-hydroxylase activity and metabolite IV production required a 6 h preincubation. Incubations of cells for 1 h with parathyroid hormone resulted in a 30-fold increase in cyclic AMP in the medium. A 6 h preincubation with parathyroid hormone decreased 24,25-(OH) 2 D-3 synthesis 50% relative to control cells. These results demonstrate the amenability of this system for studying the regulation of 25-OH-D-3 metabolism, as well as its use for other in vitro studies on renal cell function in a chemically defined culture system.
The Mu2e Experiment at Fermilab

The Mu2e experiment endeavors to search for the coherent decay of a muon to an electron in the Coulomb field of a nucleus with an expected sensitivity of R μ e 6 × 10 − 17 , at the 90% confidence level. This process is sensitive to many new physics scenarios beyond the standard model. Mu2e has received strong support from Fermilab and the US funding agencies, and is projected to begin data taking in 2017.