cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multirobot Data Gathering Under Buffer Constraints and Intermittent Communication

We consider a team of heterogeneous robots, which are deployed within a common workspace to gather different types of data. The robots have different roles due to different capabilities: some gather data from the workspace (source robots) and others receive data from source robots and upload them to a data center (relay robots). The data-gathering tasks are specified locally to each source robot as high-level linear temporal logic formulas, which capture the different types of data that need to be gathered at different regions of interest. All robots have a limited buffer to store the data. Thus, the data gathered by source robots should be transferred to relay robots before their buffers overflow, respecting at the same time a limited communication range for all robots. The main contribution of this work is a distributed motion coordination and intermittent communication scheme that guarantees the satisfaction of all local tasks, while obeying the above constraints. The robot motion and interrobot communication are closely coupled and coordinated during runtime by scheduling intermittent meeting events to facilitate the local plan execution. We present both numerical simulations and experimental studies to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method over existing approaches that predominantly require all-time network connectivity.
Understanding Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease through Therapeutic Trials

In the era before antifibrotic therapy, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, had a survival rate of 20 to 30% at 5 years,1 a poorer outcom...
Valuing Carryforwards for the Small Cap Biotechnology Subindustry

Under the 2017 tax law, carryforward rules for net operating losses (NOLs) allow corporations to apply these losses forward for up to twenty years of taxable income. Startup corporations primarily engaged in basic research or that require rapid growth to be sustainable can go a number years with no positive earnings and thus accumulate net operating losses. These losses can be used to reduce tax obligations in the future. This paper estimates the value of NOLs across firms in a specific subindustry: small cap biotechnology. A valuation method based on ARIMA estimates of future income is used to calculate the value of the NOLs that can be carried forward. The results indicate that even for a subindustry which typically has net operating losses for many years in a startup phase, the expected value of the future benefit of a reduction in taxes is actually fairly modest.
Numerical study of anomalous diffusion of light in semi-crystalline polymer structures

From the spread of pollutants in the atmosphere to the transmission of nutrients across cell membranes, anomalous diffusion processes are ubiquitous in natural systems. The ability to understand and control the mechanisms guiding such processes across various scales has important application to research in materials science, finance, medicine, and energetics. Here we present a numerical study of anomalous diffusion of light through a semi-crystalline polymer structure where transport is guided by random disorder and nonlocal interactions. The numerical technique examines diffusion properties in one-dimensional (1D) space via the spectrum of an Anderson-type Hamiltonian with a discrete fractional Laplacian operator (-{\Delta})^s, 0 1 (sub-diffusion) for most examined cases. An important finding of the present study is that transport can be enhanced at key spatial scales in the sub-diffusive case, where all states are normally expected to be localized for a (1D) disordered system.
Hereditary Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Piedmont Type Mutation (2560)

Objective: To perform a targeted pathological examination aided by ex vivo MRI in the second reported case of the Piedmont form of hereditary cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Background: Patients with CAA often present with hemorrhagic lesions, including symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages and silent cortical microbleeds, and microinfarcts. However, mechanisms of small and large blood vessel rupture remain largely undetermined. Hereditary forms of CAA associated with mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP) have provided important insights into mechanisms underlying deposition of β-amyloid in cerebral vessels and mechanisms of brain injury. Design/Methods: A 62-year-old woman with a family history of intracerebral hemorrhages presented with multiple large lobar hemorrhages in rapid succession. She had no cognitive impairment and quickly returned to her baseline after each intracerebral hemorrhage until her terminal event. She was found to have a mutation in the β-amyloid coding sequence of APP (Leu705Val), termed the Piedmont type mutation. Results: Pathological examination revealed severe CAA mainly involving the leptomeningeal vessels and, to a far lesser extent, cortical vessels, with no amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles. Ex vivo MRI scans of an intact hemisphere revealed 51 cortical microbleeds, and targeted pathological examination of these regions demonstrated that vessels associated with cortical microbleeds did not contain β-amyloid, similar to findings in prior studies of sporadic CAA. Our examination also suggested the presence of fewer chronic microinfarcts than in sporadic CAA. Each identified microinfarct had an associated feeding vessel with severe β-amyloid deposition. Conclusions: The leptomeningeal pattern of β-amyloid deposition coupled with multiple large hemorrhages demonstrated by this individual with Piedmont type hereditary CAA suggest an association between leptomeningeal CAA and larger intracerebral hemorrhages. The finding of fewer microinfarcts than in sporadic CAA appeared to result from the relative lack of β-amyloid within cortical vessels. We hypothesize that this pattern may contribute to cognitive sparing in Piedmont type hereditary CAA. Disclosure: Dr. Kozberg has nothing to disclose. Dr. van Veluw has nothing to disclose. Dr. Frosch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Greenberg has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Biogen, Hoffman-Laroche, and Washington University/IQVIA.
Barriers to Kidney Transplantation in Racial/Ethnic Minorities.

Culture and the conditions in which one is born, grows, lives, works, and ages affect many areas of life, including health and health care. In this issue of CJASN , the article “Social Determinates of Health and Race Disparities in Kidney Transplant” ([1][1]) encourages transplant centers to
Implementation of nurse navigation for behavioral health inpatient services to divert early readmissions: A pilot program.

Objective Inpatient behavioral health units across the United States have high readmission rates. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as healthcare organizations are focused on reducing readmission rates, especially those readmissions that occur within 30-90 days. Behavioral Health Nurse Navigation was implemented at St. Luke's University Health Network's Sacred Heart Campus to investigate, address, and divert early behavioral health readmissions through evidence-based discharge calls and problem-solving methods. Method Following approval for Behavioral Health Nurse Navigation, workflow and discharge call screens were developed for behavioral health discharge calls. Discharge call screens populated at specific intervals and calls were made at those times. Data was maintained on those patients who participated in calls. Increased collaboration and dissemination of information ensued. Results 613 patients participated in discharge calls from March 2020 to October 2020 as 98% of patients liked receiving calls. 56% of participants used substances; the most commonly used substance was THC. MDD was the most common diagnosis among participants and most patients utilized St. Luke's Psychiatric Associates for outpatient mental health care. Participants most often required assistance in the areas of medication, community coordination, and support/reassurance. The Behavioral Health Nurse Navigation diversion rate ranged from 81% to 96%. Conclusion Behavioral Health Nurse Navigation promotes patients' successful adherence to discharge plans through increased collaboration, communication, and skillful problem-solving in the areas of medication, community coordination, and therapeutic reassurance/support. The outcome of Behavioral Health Nurse Navigation is increased patient satisfaction, compliance with treatment, and diversion of patients at high risk for early readmission.
Additive Manufacturing of High-Entropy Alloys: Microstructural Metastability and Mechanical Behavior

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have received considerable interest over the past decade due to their intriguing structural, chemical, and physical properties. Additive manufacturing (AM), also termed three-dimensional (3D) printing, generates parts with complex geometries and internal features layer-upon-layer from a computer-aided design (CAD) 3D file. In recent years, explosive research on AM of HEAs has been inspired. This paper performs a comprehensive and critical review on the recent progress in additively manufactured (AM-ed) HEAs, with a special focus placed on the similarities and differences in the microstructure and mechanical behavior between the AM-ed HEAs and the as-cast or thermo-mechanically processed (TMP-ed) counterparts. To gain a better understanding of the formation of the AM microstructure, the working principles, rapid solidification effects, and subsequent thermal cycling effects of various metal AM techniques, e.g., directed energy deposition (DED), selective laser melting (SLM), and electron beam melting (EBM), are also introduced. In the end, several future research directions are suggested towards the design of advanced HEAs with the superior strength-ductility synergy via 3D printing.
Brain responses to anticipatory cues and milkshake taste in obesity, and their relationship to bariatric surgery outcome

There is substantial variability in percent total weight loss (%TWL) following bariatric surgery. Functional brain imaging may explain more variance in post-surgical weight loss than psychological or metabolic information. Here we examined the neuronal responses during anticipatory cues and receipt of drops of milkshake in 52 pre-bariatric surgery men and women with severe obesity (OW, BMI=35-60 kg/m2) (23 sleeve gastrectomy (SG), 24 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 3 laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), 2 did not undergo surgery) and 21 healthy-weight (HW) controls (BMI=19-27 kg/m2). One-year post-surgery weight loss ranged from 3.1-44.0 TWL%. Compared to HW, OW had a stronger response to milkshake cues (compared to water) in frontal and motor, somatosensory, occipital, and cerebellar regions. Responses to milkshake taste receipt (compared to water) differed from HW in frontal, motor, and supramarginal regions where OW showed more similar response to water. One year post-surgery, responses to high-fat milkshake cues normalized in frontal, motor, and somatosensory regions. This change in brain response was related to scores on a composite health index. We found no correlation between baseline response to milkshake cues or tastes and %TWL at 1-yr post-surgery. In RYGB participants only, a stronger response to low-fat milkshake and water cues (compared to high-fat) in supramarginal and cuneal regions respectively was associated with more weight loss. A stronger cerebellar response to high-fat vs low-fat milkshake receipt was also associated with more weight loss. We confirm differential responses to anticipatory milkshake cues in participants with severe obesity and HW in the largest adult cohort to date. Our brain wide results emphasizes the need to look beyond reward and cognitive control regions. Despite the lack of a correlation with post-surgical weight loss in the entire surgical group, participants who underwent RYGB showed predictive power in several regions and contrasts. Our findings may help in understanding the neuronal mechanisms associated with obesity.
Simple and Efficient Collision-Free Channel Access in Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

Key-Activation Multiple Access (KAMA) is introduced. KAMA organizes the channel into a sequence of equal time slots, uses a distributed election algorithm to determine which of the known nodes have the priority to transmit during each time slot, and uses transmission keys to eliminate the need for special signaling packets or the use of special time slots dedicated for signaling packets. Simulation results in multi-hop networks shown that KAMA is more efficient than TDMA, CSMA, and CSMA/CA.
Cellular skeletons and RNA messages.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the experimental results that suggest an interrelation between cellular topology and nucleic acid metabolism. Gentle lysis of HeLa cells with a nonionic detergent reveals an elaborate remnant structure that retains much of the cellular morphology. Electron micrographs and biochemical studies show that a majority of the protein synthetic apparatus remains affixed to this “cytoskeleton.” It discusses that the skeleton structure possibly plays an important role in cytoplasmic RNA metabolism. Two of the small RNA species found in mammalian cells, ScK and ScL, are intimately associated with the cytoskeleton, and ScL is, in part, associated with membranes. The function of these molecules is unknown, but there is the possibility that they serve a structural role and may help determine the architecture of the cytoskeleton. If so, then RNA metabolism could play a direct role in determining cellular topology. The nucleus also has a “skeletal” structure, although much less can be visualized in this case. Many of the small RNA species are found localized in this nuclear skeleton, suggesting that they also may play a role in either structure or function determination. The chapter reviews that the experiments indicates an aspect of the metazoan cell with no obvious counterpart in bacteria—that is, an interrelation between spatial organization and RNA metabolism.
Die Wahl der Anaesthesie für alte Menschen: Regionale oder allgemeine Betäubung

An ein Anaesthesieverfahren werden folgende Anforderungen gestellt: a) Analgesie, b) Abschwachung der Reflexerregbarkeit, c) Muskelrelaxation, d) Schlaf oder Amnesie.
Reliability-based design for slopes reinforced with a row of drilled shafts

SUMMARY In this paper, a reliability-based computational algorithm was developed and coded into a computer program, P-UASLOPE, for design of a row of equally spaced drilled shafts to stabilize an unstable slope while achieving the required target reliability index with minimum volume of drilled shafts. The Monte Carlo simulation technique was used in the previously developed deterministic computational program, in which the limiting equilibrium method of slices was modified to incorporate the arching effects of the drilled shafts in a slope. Uncertainties of soil parameters in the slope were considered by statistical descriptors, including mean, coefficient of variance, and distribution function. Model errors of the semi-empirical predictive equation for the load transfer factor for characterizing the soil arching effects were considered by statistics of bias. A total of 41 cases of 3-D finite element simulation results were used to determine the statistics of bias. Two design examples, one is a two-layer slope and the other one is an actual failed slope, were given to demonstrate the use of P-UASLOPE program for optimized design of drilled shafts reinforced slope system to achieve the most economic combination of design variables (i.e., location, spacing, diameter, and length of drilled shafts) to satisfy the design requirements in terms of target reliability index and the structural performance of the drilled shafts. A single value of factor of safety chosen in the deterministic approach may not yield the desired level of reliability as uncertainties of soil parameters and model errors cannot be accounted for systematically. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation and characterization of a SIVmac239 clone corrected at four suboptimal nucleotides.

SIVmac239 is a commonly used virus in non-human primate models of HIV transmission and pathogenesis. Previous studies identified four suboptimal nucleotides in the SIVmac239 genome, which putatively inhibit its replicative capacity. Since all four suboptimal changes revert to the optimal nucleotide consensus sequence during viral replication in vitro and in vivo, we sought to eliminate the variability of generating these mutations de novo and increase the overall consistency of viral replication by introducing the optimal nucleotides directly to the infectious molecular clone. Using site directed mutagenesis of the full-length/nef-open SIVmac239 clone, we reverted all four nucleotides to the consensus/optimal base to generate SIVmac239Opt and subsequently tested its infectivity and replicative capacity in vitro and in vivo. In primary and cell line cultures, we observed that the optimized virus displayed consistent modest but not statistically significant increases in replicative kinetics compared to wild type. In vivo, SIVmac239Opt replicated to high peak titers with an average of 1.2 × 108 viral RNA copies/ml at day 12 following intrarectal challenge, reaching set-point viremia of 1.2 × 106 viral RNA copies/ml by day 28. Although the peak and set point viremia means were not statistically different from the original “wild type” SIVmac239, viral load variation at set point was greater for SIVmac239WT compared to SIVmac239Opt (p = 0.0015) demonstrating a greater consistency of the optimized virus. Synonymous mutations were added to the integrase gene of SIVmac239Opt to generate a molecular tag consisting of ten genetically distinguishable viral variants referred to as SIVmac239OptX (Del Prete et al., J Virol. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01026-14 , 2014). Replication dynamics in vitro of these optimized clones were not statistically different from the parental clones. Interestingly, the consistently observed rapid reversion of the primer binding site suboptimal nucleotide is not due to viral RT error but is changed post-integration of a mismatched base via host proofreading mechanisms. Overall, our results demonstrate that SIVmac239Opt is a functional alternative to parental SIVmac239 with marginally faster replication dynamics and with increased replication uniformity providing a more consistent and reproducible infection model in nonhuman primates.
Insulin allergy and insulin resistance: Report of a case

Abstract A case is presented of a patient who exhibited local and generalized urticarial reactions, presumably due to insulin, associated with increasing insulin requirements and a delayed hypoglycemic response to intravenously administered insulin. The presence of skin-sensitizing antibodies to insulin of various animal species was demonstrated. Insulin-binding (blocking?) antibody was also demonstrated. Administered labeled insulin was largely retained intravascularly, the insulin space approximating the plasma volume. The role of insulin-binding antibody in retaining insulin within the vascular space was related to the diminished physiologic response to insulin. The significance of these immune phenomena in the genesis of frequently observed cases of relative insulin resistance is discussed.
Learning classifier systems and evolutionary robotics

My research has been in the domain of mobile robots with Learning Classifier System (LCS) controllers. LCSs[1] utilize reinforcement learning and a genetic algorithm to evolve a set of condition-action rules, or classifiers. If a particular condition matches the state of the environment, then the action is executed. In a robot system, sensors monitor the environment, while actions commonly correspond to wheel velocities. Rule sets are initialized with random elements, and, in a process mimicking natural selection, the best sets are carried forward to the next generation. Genetic operators, such as crossover and mutation, create changes within the rule sets, creating a dynamic learning system. To test our LCS implementation we conducted several experiments in the pursuit domain.
Detecting covert timing channels using non-parametric statistical approaches

Extensive availability and development of Internet applications and services open up the opportunity for abusing network and Internet resources to distribute malicious data and leak sensitive information. One of the prevalent information-hiding approaches suitable for such activities is known as Covert Timing Channel (CTC), which utilizes the modulation of Inter-Packet Delays (IPDs) to embed secret data and transfers that to designated receivers. In this paper, we propose two different non-parametric statistical tests that can be employed to detect this type of covert communication activities over a network. The new detection metrics are evaluated and verified against four different and highly recognized CTC algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed detection metrics can reliably and effectively distinguish between the covert and overt traffic flows, thus significantly supporting our research toward an accurate blind and comprehensive CTC detection. This is a capability vital to cyber security in today's information society.
Incidence of cannabinoids in medical examiner urine specimens.

Cannabinoid use was studied in a nonspecific population of postmortem urine specimens in the State of Maryland. Of 500 sequential specimens screened for cannabinoids by enzyme multiplied immunoassay EMIT®, 63 (13%) were initially positive and 58 (12%) were confirmed positive (92%). It was observed that geographic location and race did not correlate with cannabinoid prevalence. Cannabinoid use was observed to be strongly age related, with peak use by the 21- to 25-year-old age group where 22% of the cases were positive. Use of cannabinoids was also closely linked to homicides, which represented nearly half of the positive cases but only 13% of the total cases. When comparing manner of death, the greatest percent of confirmed positives was seen in homicide (26%) and drug-related (17%) deaths. The incidence of cannabinoid use was found to be more than 3 times as great in drug-related (17%) as compared to natural deaths (5%). The percent of cannabinoid-positive cases from vehicle-related accidents was low (6%) and that from nonvehicle-related accidents somewhat higher (10%). Other drugs appeared in cannabinoid-positive cases. Most prevalent was ethanol N = 18, followed by morphine (from heroin, N = 11), quinine N = 11, and cocaine N = 11. Phencyclidine (PCP) occurred twice and several other drugs were reported only once. Of the 25 homicide cases screened for drugs, 64% were positive for some drug including ethyl alcohol. Thus it appears that a high percentage of homicide cases are drug related. Males greatly outnumbered females (56:2) in positive cases, but the number of female specimens received was small.
William Fenton: Selected Writings

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: William N. Fenton Year: 2009 Pages: 368 Publisher: University of Nebraska Press ISBN: 978-0-8032-1607-5 (soft cover). Prices: $40.00 USD(soft cover).
A class of quasilinear degenerate elliptic problems

Abstract We establish the existence of solutions for a class of quasilinear degenerate elliptic equations. The equations in this class satisfy a structure condition which provides ellipticity in the interior of the domain, and degeneracy only on the boundary. Equations of transonic gas dynamics, for example, satisfy this property in the region of subsonic flow and are degenerate across the sonic surface. We prove that the solution is smooth in the interior of the domain but may exhibit singular behavior at the degenerate boundary. The maximal rate of blow-up at the degenerate boundary is bounded by the “degree of degeneracy” in the principal coefficients of the quasilinear elliptic operator. Our methods and results apply to the problems recently studied by several authors which include the unsteady transonic small disturbance equation, the pressure-gradient equations of the compressible Euler equations, and the singular quasilinear anisotropic elliptic problems, and extend to the class of equations which satisfy the structure condition, such as the shallow water equation, compressible isentropic two-dimensional Euler equations, and general two-dimensional nonlinear wave equations. Our study provides a general framework to analyze degenerate elliptic problems arising in the self-similar reduction of a broad class of two-dimensional Cauchy problems.
Women journalists in the Chinese enlightenment, 1915–1923

May Fourth women journalists appropriated the discourse of women’s emancipation advocated by New Culturalists to shape their discussions of women’s suffrage, labor movement, and legal rights. The rhetoric of emancipation enabled women writers to redefine gender norms and legitimized women’s presence in coeducational schools, modern professions, and public spaces. The interplay between the discourse and practices associated with new women enabled women activists to embrace the subject positions opened by the ideal of the “new woman” and to appropriate the rhetoric of human rights to advocate the sharing of male power and privilege, while seriously exploring how to be women in the political and social landscape of an emerging modern China.
Dual-Tasking Effects on Outcomes of Mobile Communication Technologies

Doing something else while conversing on a mobile phone, known as dual-tasking, has been shown to impact both task performance and communication quality. The current study presents a pilot test and an experiment that together extend previous research on mobile communication technologies by scrutinizing dual-tasking and channel selection impacts on a variety of communication variables. Taken together, over 200 subjects were asked to perform a cognitively taxing task while interacting by phone, text, or face-to-face. Results showed significantly diminished task ability, and significant channel differences emerged in participants' perceptions of the other conversant, conversational comfort, communication satisfaction, message complexity, conversational recall, and task recall. Results discuss dual-tasking's impact on communicative and task performances.
Pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole inhibit oxidation of ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide by hydroxyl radicals generated from ascorbate, xanthine oxidase, and rat liver microsomes☆

Abstract Pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole, which are potent inhibitors of alcohol dehydrogenase, inhibited the oxidation of ethanol and of dimethyl sulfoxide by two model hydroxyl radical-generating systems. The systems used were the iron-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbic acid and the coupled oxidation of xanthine by xanthine oxidase. Pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole were more effective inhibitors at lower substrate concentrations than at higher substrate concentrations; the oxidation of ethanol was inhibited to a greater extent than the oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide. These results are consistent with competition between pyrazole or 4-methylpyrazole with the substrates for the generated hydroxyl radicals. Pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole appear to be equally effective in reacting with hydroxyl radicals. An approximate rate constant of about 8 × 10 9 m −1 s −1 was calculated from the inhibition curves, indicating that pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole are potent scavengers of the hydroxyl radical. Previous studies have implicated a role for hydroxyl radicals in the microsomal pathway of ethanol oxidation. In the presence of azide (to inhibit catalase), pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole inhibited the NADPH-dependent microsomal oxidation of ethanol, as well as several other hydroxyl radical-scavenging agents. This inhibition by pyrazole and by 4-methylpyrazole may reflect a mechanism involving competition for hydroxyl radicals generated by the microsomes. However, the kinetics of inhibition by pyrazole were mixed, not competitive, and pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole also inhibited aminopyrine demethylase activity. Pyrazole has been shown by others to interact with cytochrome P -450. It is suggested that pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole affect microsomal oxidation of ethanol via effects on the mixed-function oxidase system and via competition for the generated hydroxyl radicals. In view of these results, low concentrations of pyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole should be used in studies on pathways of alcohol metabolism, and caution should be made in interpreting the actions of these compounds when used at high concentrations.
Equity Analysis of the Houston, Texas, QuickRide Project

The equity considerations involved with the QuickRide program along the Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas, are examined. QuickRide allows two-person carpools to use the Katy Freeway high-occupancy vehicle lane during peak periods for a $2 fee. Survey data gathered on QuickRide enrollees, along with 1998 QuickRide usage data, were analyzed for potential equity issues that might exist with the QuickRide program. QuickRide usage did not vary significantly by respondent income, occupation, age, or household size. Additionally, the difference between respondents' stated and actual use of QuickRide did not vary significantly by the respondents' income, occupation, age, or household size. However, QuickRide enrollees had significantly higher incomes and were significantly younger than drivers on the Katy Freeway main lanes. Therefore, although income was not an indicator of the amount of QuickRide use among enrollees, it was a significant indicator of whether an individual enrolled in the program. This result raises some equity concerns about the ability or interest of low-income individuals to enroll in the program. However, no drivers were made worse off as a result of the program. Additionally, once enrolled, the QuickRide program is a benefit to most travelers, as long as the occupants of the vehicle value their travel time at a rate that exceeds $3 per hour each.
The influence of triaxial stress on the ideal tensile strength of iron

Abstract The effect of a superimposed hydrostatic tension or compression on the ideal tensile strength of Fe has been computed ab initio using the Projector Augmented Wave method. Interestingly, a superimposed hydrostatic tension increases the ideal tensile strength while hydrostatic compression decreases it. This result can be explained by a simple crystallographic model.
The inverse of a matrix polynomial

Abstract An explicit representation is obtained for P(z)−1 when P(z) is a complex n×n matrix polynomial in z whose coefficient of the highest power of z is the identity matrix. The representation is a sum of terms involving negative powers of z−λ for each λ such that P(λ) is singular. The coefficients of these terms are generated by sequences uk, vk of 1×n and n×1 vectors, respectively, which satisfy u1≠0, v1≠0, ∑k−1h=0(1⧸h!)uk−hP(h)(λ)=0, ∑k−1h=0(1⧸h!)P(h)(λ)vk−h=0, and certain orthogonality relations. In more general cases, including that when P(z) is analytic at λ but not necessarily a polynomial, the terms in the representation involving negative powers of z−λ provide the principal part of the Laurent expansion for P(z)−1 in a punctured neighborhood of z=λ.
Cellular Plasticity Cascades: Targets for the Development of Novel Therapeutics for Bipolar Disorder

For a number of patients with bipolar disorder, current pharmacotherapy is generally insufficient. Despite adequate treatment, patients continue to have recurrent mood episodes, residual symptoms, functional impairment, psychosocial disability, and significant medical and psychiatric comorbidity. Drug development for bipolar disorder may occur through one of two approaches: the first is by understanding the therapeutically relevant biochemical targets of currently effective medications. Two promising direct targets of lithium and valproate are glycogen synthase kinase-3 and histone deacetylase. The second path results from our understanding that severe mood disorders, although not classical neurodegenerative disorders, are associated with regional impairments of structural plasticity and cellular resilience. This suggests that effective treatments will need to provide both trophic and neurochemical support, which serves to enhance and maintain normal synaptic connectivity, thereby allowing the chemical signal to reinstate the optimal functioning of critical circuits necessary for normal affective functioning. For many refractory patients, drugs mimicking "traditional" strategies, which directly or indirectly alter monoaminergic levels, may be of limited benefit. Newer "plasticity enhancing" strategies that may have utility in the treatment of mood disorders include inhibitors of glutamate release, N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid potentiators, cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists.
Visual perception in women during the menstrual cycle

Abstract Twelve females were tested at four times during the menstrual cycle with a visual detection task and a visual pattern discrimination task. Mood levels and confidence ratings were evaluated for each session. In addition to the behavioral testing, plasma samples were collected and radioimmunoassayed for estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone levels. Visual detection fluctuated significantly during the menstrual cycle with impaired performance occurring at the premenstrual session. In contrast to previous reports, the impaired performance was not related to lowered confidence ratings or to mood levels.
OXIDATION STUDIES OF THE Be (0001) SURFACE

Les premieres etapes de l'oxydation de la surface (0001) de Be sont etudiees en ultravide par ellipsometrie, spectrometrie Auger et diffraction d'electrons lents
Étude des spectres de résonance magnétique nucléaire de 19F et 1H des (p-fluorophenyl)chlorostannane

Abstract The 19 F and 1 H high resolution NMR spectra of the ( p -fluorophenyl)chlorostannanes (FC 6 H 4 ) n SnCl 4 -n have been observed at room temperature. The NMR parameters have been compared with the molecular structures and are in accord with the view that p {π}- d {π} interaction occurs between the phenyl ring π-orbital and the empty 4 d tin orbital when n > 2.
The Impact of Industry Characteristics and IPR Policy on Foreign Direct Investment

This paper investigates the interaction of industry characteristics and intellectual property rights (IPRs) on multinational firm behavior. The results suggest that firms in industries with high capital costs are more likely to maintain control over production knowledge in countries with less intellectual property protection by engaging in foreign direct investment (FDI). Moreover, when IPRs are strong, firms in industries with high investment in research and development (R&D) are more likely to enter a market by licensing to an unaffiliated host firm.
Towards a Better Raft Model: Modulated Phases in the 4-Component Bilayer Mixture, DSPC/DOPC/POPC/CHOL

Liquid-liquid coexistence (Ld+Lo) within the DSPC/DOPC/POPC/CHOL mixture displays a nanoscopic-to-macroscopic transition of the phase domains as POPC is replaced by DOPC. Previously, we have shown that the nano-to-macro transition goes through a modulated phase regime, where patterned liquid-liquid phase morphologies were observed on giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Here, we provide a more detailed investigation of the modulated phase regime along two different thermodynamic tielines within the Ld+Lo region of this 4-component mixture. Using fluorescence microscopy on GUVs, we found that modulated phases occur at relatively narrow DOPC/(DOPC+POPC) ratios along one tieline. This “modulated phase window” is greatly altered when cholesterol concentration is increased. Furthermore, when phase connectivity (percolation) changes, domain patterns also change. Monte Carlo simulations using a competing interactions model of line tension and curvature energies reproduced the patterns observed on GUVs. Sufficiently low line tension and sufficiently high bending moduli are required to generate stable modulated phases in the system examined. By tuning lipid composition, both domain size and morphology can be altered drastically within a narrow composition space. A possible mechanism for cells to reorganize plasma membrane compartmentalization is by tuning local membrane composition.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Probing carrier dynamics in ZnCdSe/ZnSe quantum wells with a synchroscan streak camera

We present the results of steady state and time dependent photoluminescence measurements on ZnSe/Zn0.83Cd0.17Se multiple quantum wells from which the dominant recombination mechanisms are identified. Our experiments show that excitons rather than free carriers are the players in the recombination dynamics. Exciton localization is found to be an important factor competing with nonradiative recombination and enhancing the radiative efficiency in the multiple quantum wells investigated.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Association of SOD2, a mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme, with gray matter volume shrinkage in alcoholics.

Chronic alcoholism leads to gray matter shrinkage and induces the formation of superoxide anions (O2−) that can cause neuronal cell death. The mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) enzyme is critical in the metabolism of superoxide. An Ala16Val polymorphism putatively affects SOD2 enzyme activity in vivo. Brain volumes of 76 treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals were measured with a 1.5T MRI. Intracranial tissue margins were manually outlined on coronal sections. Gray matter, white matter, sulcal, and ventricular CSF volumes were estimated using intensity-based K-means clustering. Ala16Val (rs4880) and a second haplotype tagging SNP, rs10370, were genotyped. The q-value package was used to correct for multiple comparisons. In the alcoholics, cerebrospinal fluid and intra-cranial volumes showed significant differences across the six diplotype categories. The homozygous Ala16-containing diplotype rs10370TT-rs4880GG was associated with lowest gray matter ratio (greater shrinkage; p=0.005). Presence of one or two copies of the low activity Ala16 allele was a risk factor for lower gray matter volume in alcoholics below the median alcohol consumption (p=0.03) but not in alcoholics above this level. White matter ratio was associated with sex (p=0.002) and lifetime total alcohol consumption (p=0.01) but not with diplotypes. In this exploratory analysis, a putative functional missense variant of SOD2 appears to influence gray matter loss in alcoholics. This may be due to impaired clearance of reactive oxygen species formed as a result of alcohol exposure. The risk/protective effect was observed in alcoholics with lower levels of lifetime alcohol consumption. Highest levels of exposure may overwhelm the protective action of the SOD2 enzyme.
The hairpin ribozyme: Structure, assembly and catalysis

Abstract Recent studies of the hairpin riboxyme have revealed a distinct catalytic mechanism for this small RNA motif. Inner-sphere coordinated metal ions are not required, as the inert metal ion complex cobalt hexammine promotes catalysis. Detailed kinetic analyses have defined rates of individual steps in the catalytic cycle. Functional group modification, NMR studies of subdomains and cross-linking experiments, in combination with computer modeling, have led to a proposal for domain interactions in the substrate—ribozyme complex.
Cerambycidae Bycatch from Asian Longhorned Beetle Survey Traps Placed in Forested Environs

During the summer of 2012, 1500 semiochemical-baited detection traps targeting Anoplophora glabripennis (Asian Longhorned Beetle [ALB]) were deployed on the periphery of a large quarantine area in central Massachusetts. This large-scale survey effort provided an opportunity to investigate cerambycids other than ALB that were captured from a subset of these traps as bycatch. We captured a total of 278 cerambycids (long-horned beetles) representing 39 species during 3 months of trapping; Graphisurus fasciatus, Brachyleptura rubrica, Astylopsis macula, Aegomorphus modestus, and Elaphidion mucronatum (long-horned beetles) were the most abundant. The data presented here indicate that pest-detection activities involving semioehemieal-baited traps provide an important opportunity to survey non-target insects.
Review of Expert Systems for the Management Science Practitioner

In defining some of the most common terms and topics associated with expert or knowledge-based systems, we include knowledge base, knowledge representation, inference engine, forward chaining, backward chaining, logic programming, and frames. We intend in this introduction to provide MS/OR practitioners with a starting point for investigating the applicability of knowledge-based techniques to their work.
Thermal expansion behavior of through-silicon-via structures in three-dimensional microelectronic packaging

Abstract Thermo-mechanical reliability is an important issue for the development and deployment of the through-silicon-via (TSV) technology in three-dimensional (3D) microelectronic packaging. The mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the array of copper (Cu) lines and the surrounding silicon (Si), upon temperature variation, affects the overall thermal expansion behavior of the whole TSV structure itself and generates an internal stress state. In this work we use the finite element method to numerically study the effective in-plane CTE of the Si/Cu composite structure. A 3D unit-cell approach is undertaken, which takes into account uniformly distributed TSVs in the Si chip. Results of the temperature-dependent effective CTE can be used as model input for simulating larger-scale 3D packages where the Si/Cu TSV structure is treated as a homogeneous material. We also examine the evolution of stress and deformation fields, and identify potential reliability concerns associated with the thermal loading.
Reversion from mild cognitive impairment to normal or near-normal cognition Risk factors and prognosis

Objectives: We sought to identify characteristics of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that are associated with a relatively high probability of reverting back to normal cognition, and to estimate the risk of future cognitive decline among those who revert. Methods: We first studied 3,020 individuals diagnosed with MCI on at least 1 visit to an Alzheimer9s Disease Center in the United States. All underwent standardized Uniform Data Set evaluations at their first visit with an MCI diagnosis and on a subsequent visit, about 1 year later, at which cognitive status was reassessed. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors of reverting from MCI back to normal cognition. We then estimated the risk of developing MCI or dementia over the next 3 years among those who had reverted, compared with individuals who had not had a study visit with MCI. Results: About 16% of subjects diagnosed with MCI reverted back to normal or near-normal cognition approximately 1 year later. Five characteristics assessed at the first MCI visit contributed significantly to a model predicting a return to normal cognition: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score, MCI type, Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) score, and APOE ϵ4 status. Survival analysis showed that the risk of retransitioning to MCI or dementia over the next 3 years was sharply elevated among those who had MCI and then improved, compared with individuals with no history of MCI. Conclusions: Even in a cohort of patients seen at dementia research centers, reversion from MCI was fairly common. Nonetheless, those who reverted remained at increased risk for future cognitive decline.
Solute migration through polypropylene blend films

The migration of several low molecular weight model solutes through a polypropylene/polyolefin blend was examined via a permeation-cell experimental design. Diffusion coefficients and permeation rates are obtained for the model solutes. The permeation rates exhibit Arrenhius-type behavior. A bimodal permeation model is proposed wherein the permeation rate is correlated with the linear combination of a solute's Permicor constant and solute/polymer equilibrium interaction constant. The model effectively predicts the behavior of the polymer and solutes studied. The implication of the observed behavior to container compatibility assessment is discussed.
Localized double-quantum-filtered 1H NMR spectroscopy

Abstract The image-guided in vivo spectroscopic (ISIS) pulse sequence has been combined with a double-quantum-filter scheme in order to obtain localized and water-suppressed 1 H NMR spectra of J -coupled metabolites. The coherence-transfer efficiency associated with the DQ filter for AX and A 3 X spin systems is described. Phantom results of carnosine, alanine, and ethanol in aqueous solution are presented. For comparison, the 1 H NMR spectrum of alanine in aqueous solution with the binomial (1331, 2662) spin-echo sequence is also shown.
Globalization, culture, and information: Towards global knowledge transparency

In this paper, I seek to intertwine the IS research on globalization with IS research on culture. I first discuss various perspectives of globalization - cultural imperialism, interconnected businesses, and a global village - and the accompanying role of information technologies. I then present a brief overview of three waves of IS culture research: identifying differences, explaining differences, managing differences. Based upon the gaps identified in the overview, I suggest some propositions for future IS culture research. Finally, I seek to identify important future research that lies at the intersection of globalization and culture research, namely research into global knowledge transparency. Global knowledge transparency involves the dual objectives of providing more detailed product and service information to the consumer and gathering more detailed knowledge about the individual. The former helps individuals make more responsible choices in their purchase decisions, enabling them to understand the consequences of their choices on the well-being of others. The latter helps individuals make more informed decisions concerning their own well-being, enabling them to better understand the consequences of their choices for their own life and health. Taken together, the two objectives of global knowledge transparency can help societies promote better use of resources and more individual accountability.
Comparison of behavioral effects of systemic L-DOPA and intracranial dopamine in mesolimbic forebrain of nonhuman primates.

Abstract The systemic administration of L-DOPA and carbidopa to six rhesus and four squirrel monkeys produced an initial period of depressed activity followed by increased locomotion, hypervigilance, involuntary oral-facial movements and a gnawing syndrome. The squirrel monkey exhibited a depressed phase, locomotor stimulation, searching behavior, stereotypic grooming and gnawing syndrome. Most of these activities were prevented by pretreatment with 0.1 mg/kg haloperidol. Bilateral injection of 100 μg dopamine into the mesolimbic forebrain of four squirrel monkeys also produced an initial depression followed by hyperactivity similar to that produced by L-DOPA, but without gnawing. A stereotyped submissive or juvenile posturing occurred in three animals. These DA-induced activities were blocked by 0.1 mg/kg haloperidol. Similar injection of 100 μg L-norepinephrine produced a profound depression followed by moderate activity coupled with loss of extensor muscle strength in the legs. Bilateral injection of 300 μg dopamine into the nucleus accumbens of a rhesus monkey produced stereotypic pacing. These data confirm in primates the importance of dopaminergic mechanisms of the mesolimbic forebrain in locomotor activity and behavior.