cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes and Predictors of Response in Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease.

Abstract The prognosis of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is poor, and predictors of response and survival are unclear. In an exploratory analysis of 203 steroid-refractory aGVHD patients with prospectively collected GVHD data who received antithymocyte globulin, etanercept, or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as second-line treatment, we determined the predictors of day 28 response, 2-year overall survival, and 2-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM). To minimize the risk of finding false-positive results, we used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, aggressively eliminating variables that are unlikely to be associated with outcome. Day 28 response to second-line therapy was 38% (complete response, 23%), with a 2-year overall survival of 25% and a 2-year NRM of 62%. Factors associated with response were GVHD prophylaxis, organ involvement, and initial aGVHD to steroid-refractory aGVHD interval. Specifically, compared with cyclosporine/MMF as GVHD prophylaxis, the odds ratio (OR) for calcineurin inhibitor/methotrexate was .8 and for cyclosporine/prednisone .6. The OR for aGVHD to steroid-refractory aGVHD interval ≥ 14 versus
VeriSketch: Synthesizing Secure Hardware Designs with Timing-Sensitive Information Flow Properties

We present VeriSketch, a security-oriented program synthesis framework for developing hardware designs with formal guarantee of functional and security specifications. VeriSketch defines a synthesis language, a code instrumentation framework for specifying and inferring timing-sensitive information flow properties, and uses specialized constraint-based synthesis for generating HDL code that enforces the specifications. We show the power of VeriSketch through security-critical hardware design examples, including cache controllers, thread schedulers, and system-on-chip arbiters, with formal guarantee of security properties such as absence of timing side-channels, confidentiality, and isolation.
Adolescents’ experiences of mentor alliance and sense of belonging in a site-based mentoring intervention

Abstract Site-based youth mentoring programs provide a unique context for positive youth development. Conceptually, youth derive benefit not only from the mentor alliance (i.e., youths’ feelings of compatibility with the mentor and satisfaction with the mentoring relationship), but also from their sense of belonging within the program. Using an exploratory sequential design, the purpose of this study was to illustrate the lived experiences of youth engaged in a site-based mentoring program. To draw distinctions in youths’ experiences, we purposively sampled and interviewed 76 youth (ages 11–18; 60.5% male) in one of four subgroups based on self-reported survey data: high mentor alliance-high belonging, high mentor alliance-low belonging, low mentor alliance-high belonging, and low mentor alliance-low belonging. As anticipated, youth in the high mentor alliance-high belonging group described contributive experiences consistent with high-quality mentor characteristics (e.g., empathy, acceptance) and high-quality settings (e.g., positive social norms, support for efficacy and mattering). In contrast, youth in the low mentor alliance-low belonging group described mentors who were insensitive and noted difficulty connecting with peers. Difficulty connecting with peers was also a salient barrier for youth in the high mentor alliance-low belonging group. Finally, absent from the experiences of youth in the low mentor alliance-high belonging group was mentor empathy, acceptance, and authenticity. Our findings describe experiences that contribute to mentor alliance and sense of belonging in a site-based youth mentoring program, noting the challenge facing similar programs, which is to attend simultaneously to mentor and setting quality.
A developmental staging system and musculoskeletal development sequence of the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus).

BACKGROUND The extremely derived body plan of turtles has sparked a great interest in studying their developmental biology. Here, we describe the embryonic development of the Stinkpot, or common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), a small aquatic turtle from the family Kinosternidae. RESULTS We identify 20 distinct developmental stages, some comparable to stages described by previous studies on other turtles and some in between these, improving the resolution of the generalities of turtle development. We provide a detailed account of both the external morphology and skeletal development, as well as a general look at the early stages of muscular development until the attainment of the adult muscular anatomical pattern. CONCLUSIONS Several potential skeletal and muscular apomorphies of turtles are identified or elaborated. The musk turtle, with its small size and hard-shelled egg, could become an important species for the study of turtle evolution and development, suitable for in ovo experimentation and late stage imaging of well-advanced anatomical features.
Prenatal Metabolism Tracking: A Case Series Report of the Portable Breezing Device

BackgroundMetabolism changes significantly during pregnancy. Despite an increased need for calories, excessive gestational weight gain affects many women. This increase in weight often contributes ...
E-190 Determining the optimal timing of dual antiplatelet therapy for flow diversion

Introduction The flow diverter is a unique and important tool in the endovascular treatment of aneurysms. However, its use requires patients to be on dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent thromboembolic complications. The duration of dual antiplatelet therapy has not been standardized due to the relative risks of thromboembolic (too short) and hemorrhagic (too long) complications. The objective of this study is to compare the thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complication rates of patients on a shorter versus a longer course of dual antiplatelet therapy. Methods Patients undergoing flow diversion were prospectively enrolled in an institutional registry. After 3 to 6 months of dual antiplatelet therapy, patients were converted to aspirin 325 mg up to the 12 month period. Patients on dual antiplatelet therapy for Results A total of 110 cases were eligible (mean age: 56.7 years). The majority were female (81.8%) and received the Pipeline Embolization Device (83.6%). 7.3% of patients presented with ruptured aneurysms. More than 1 flow diverter was required in 7.3% of cases. The majority (90.9%) of the dual antiplatelet regimen involved aspirin 325 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg. Most patients were on dual antiplatelet therapy between 3–6 months in duration prior to transitioning to aspirin monotherapy (325 mg). In the shorter duration cohort, the thromboembolic complication rate was 9.3% compared to 12.5% in the longer duration cohort (p=0.76). Similarly, the hemorrhagic complication rate was 5.6% in the short duration cohort compared to 14.3% in the longer duration cohort (p=0.20). Conclusion A shorter duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after flow diversion was not associated with a higher thromboembolic complication rate. While the duration of antiplatelet therapy should be personalized for each patient, transitioning to monotherapy after 3 months is likely safe. Disclosures V. Ban: None. M. Pernik: None. T. Binyamin: None. J. Corona: None. Y. Kim: None. R. de Oliveira Sillero: None. R. Novakovic: None. G. Pride: None. J. Barr: None. J. White: None. H. Batjer: None. B. Welch: 2; C; Medtronic, Stryker, MicroVention. 6; C; Peter Lazic.
Examining Potential Barriers to mHealth Implementation and Engagement in Schizophrenia: Phone Ownership and Symptom Severity

Implementation of mobile health (mHealth) interventions remains limited among those with schizophrenia. This study examined several logistical barriers to the implementation of mHealth interventions, particularly text message interventions, for people with schizophrenia. This study examined the feasibility of leveraging personal mobile phones to deliver mHealth interventions by using data from a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a text message intervention delivered on personal mobile phones to 56 people with schizophrenia with motivation reductions. Among those screened for the RCT (n = 100), 91% had a mobile phone. For randomized participants (n = 56), 82.1% had a smartphone, with almost all (93.5%) having an Android processing system. Most randomized participants had unlimited text messages (96.4%) or voice calls (76.8%) with their mobile service plan, with 32.1% having unlimited data each month. At baseline, most used text messages (85.2%) and the internet (59.3%), while fewer participants used mobile applications (35.2%) at least once a week. Finally, there were no significant associations between engagement in the text message intervention and participant demographics, symptoms (positive, mood, negative), neurocognition, or mobile phone or plan characteristics, or phone changes made during the 8-week intervention. Even those with schizophrenia with perceived symptom barriers to mHealth engagement (i.e., motivation reductions) may have access to mobile phones and plans and familiarity with mobile features to engage meaningfully with a text message intervention. These results help to support future implementations of text message interventions, which may enhance the provision of care for those with schizophrenia.
Review of Past Energy Transitions

The past energy transitions from wood to coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy are briefly described, and examples of more recent energy transitions are given which indicate that accelerated energy transitions may become possible in the future.
Taking Note of Notes: Student Legal Scholarship in Theory and Practice

In recent decades, an inconclusive (even by the standards of academia!) debate has intermittently flared up within the legal academy, as professors, judges, and practitioners have gone back and forth as to what legal scholarship ought to be. This article makes no contribution whatsoever to that debate. Instead, it looks at student legal scholarship, which has gone unnoticed while the larger debate about legal scholarship simpliciter simmered on. The article does two things, neither of which appears to have been attempted by anyone hitherto. First, it offers an extensive critique of the leading guidebooks for aspiring student authors (e.g. Eugene Volokh’s Academic Legal Writing), which are taken to task for their narrow conceptions of student scholarship. Second, it provides an empirical analysis of recent student notes, enabling the reader to get an overview of the forms that student scholarship has actually taken over the past few years.
A non-linear dynamic model of the variance risk premium

Abstract We propose a new class of non-linear diffusion processes for modeling financial markets data. Our non-linear diffusions are obtained as transformations of affine processes. We show that asset-pricing and estimation is possible and likelihood estimation is straightforward. We estimate a non-linear diffusion model for the VIX index under both the objective measure and the risk-neutral measure where the latter is obtained from futures prices. We find evidence of significant non-linearity under both measures. We define the difference between the P and Q drift as a measure of the variance risk premium and show that it has strong predictive power for stock returns.
Ultrafast spectrally-selective photodetection with plasmonic metasurfaces

Thermal detectors are uniquely capable of sensing incident radiation for any electromagnetic frequency; however, the response times of practical devices are typically on the millisecond scale. By integrating a plasmonic metasurface with an aluminium nitride pyroelectric thin film, we demonstrate spectrally selective, room-temperature pyroelectric detectors from 660–2,000 nm with an instrument-limited 1.7 ns full width at half maximum and 700 ps rise time. Heat generated from light absorption diffuses through the subwavelength absorber into the pyroelectric film producing responsivities up to 0.18 V W−1 due to the temperature-dependent spontaneous polarization of the pyroelectric films. This design approach has the potential to realize large-area, inexpensive gigahertz pyroelectric detectors for wavelength-specific detection from the ultraviolet to short-wave infrared or beyond for, for example, high-speed hyperspectral imaging.
La alegoría del incesto como elemento de desestabilización del binarismo naturaleza y cultura en La madre Naturaleza de Emilia Pardo Bazán

El incesto ha sido un tema profundamente debatido en el siglo XIX. Este trabajo analiza la alegoria del incesto en La madre Naturaleza (1887) de Emilia Pardo Bazan como elemento desestabilizador del binarismo naturaleza y cultura. Esta narrativa alegorica se sustenta en la indeterminacion de los siguientes pares dicotomicos: naturaleza protectora (madre)/naturaleza enemiga (madrastra): vida (amor)/muerte, animalidad (materialidad)/espiritu (espiritualidad), acto sagrado/acto sexual. Este trabajo demuestra como el uso del incesto en su condicion alegorica no es algo casual, fruto de una moda, como elemento tematico caracteristico de la corriente realista-naturalista de final del siglo XIX.
Learned behaviors of multiple autonomous agents in smart grid markets

One proposed approach to managing a large complex Smart Grid is through Broker Agents who buy electrical power from distributed producers, and also sell power to consumers, via a Tariff Market—a new market mechanism where Broker Agents publish concurrent bid and ask prices. A key challenge is the specification of the market strategy that the Broker Agents should use in order to earn profits while maintaining the market's balance of supply and demand. Interestingly, previous work has shown that a Broker Agent can learn its strategy, using Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) and Q-learning, and outperform other Broker Agents that use predetermined or randomized strategies. In this work, we investigate the more representative scenario in which multiple Broker Agents, instead of a single one, are independently learning their strategies. Using a simulation environment based on real data, we find that Broker Agents who employ periodic increases in exploration achieve higher rewards. We also find that varying levels of market dominance in customer allocation models result in remarkably distinct outcomes in market prices and aggregate Broker Agent rewards. The latter set of results can be explained by established economic principles regarding the emergence of monopolies in market-based competition, further validating our approach.
Military Service Members’ and Veterans’ Preferred Approach to Mental Health Services

SERVICE MEMBERS’ AND VETERANS’ PREFERRED APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES By Lisa Goldberg Looney, BA A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014 Major Director: Steven Danish, Ph.D. Professor, Counseling Psychology Mental health services are greatly underutilized by military service members and veterans. Among the reasons for this underutilization is that the services offered may not be a good fit for the specific problems facing service members/veterans and/or their families. The current study presented service members with descriptions of several approaches to treatment and asked them to indicate the likelihood of using each. Service members indicated the highest likelihood for using self-directed services, followed by individual treatment with a professional. They reported being least likely to use group approaches. These results may inform decisions about the implementation and dissemination of information about existing and new services.
A low-noise low-voltage CT /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator with digital compensation of excess loop delay

The implementation of a 3/sup rd/-order 50MS/s CT /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator with 5 levels of quantization, for a CDMA2k receiver, is presented. Its 9nVrms//spl radic/Hz input referred noise produces 80dB of DR in a 600kHz BW for signals as low as 70mVrms. It draws 4mA from a single 1.5V supply, uses a 90nm CMOS process and occupies 0.25mm/sup 2/.
Contribuciones de la Neurociencia Cognitiva al diseño de políticas científicas y sociales para niños en situación de pobreza

Los procesos de globalizacion y sus demandas de competitividad incrementan en forma continua las presiones educativas y laborales, asi como las demandas familiares en el cuidado de ninos y ancianos. En paises con mayor incidencia de pobreza, ello incrementa la probabilidad de que diferentes factores de riesgo a nivel de la salud fisica y del desarrollo social, cognitivo y afectivo, impacten sobre el capital mental de sus poblaciones. Un aspecto critico para las politicas sociales y cientificas es que dado que la pobreza tiende a replicarse de forma intergeneracional, parte de lo que se transmite de padres a hijos son carencias en la estimulacion cognitiva y emocional. Durante la ultima decada la Neurociencia Cognitiva genero un cuerpo de informacion que propone contribuir al desarrollo de estrategias de intervencion orientadas a mejorar las oportunidades de desarrollo del capital mental de aquellas poblaciones en condiciones de riesgo social.
Loss of regulatory intestinal dendritic cell subsets during gut inflammation in humans and mice (MUC2P.830)

Background: Dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (Mϕ) mediate intestinal immune tolerance. Recent evidence suggests intestinal CD103+CD11b- DC are involved in generation of regulatory T cells (T-reg), with CD103+CD11b+ DC stimulating Th17 cell differentiation. Information regarding gut DC function during inflammation is scarce. Methods: We compared murine and human gut DC and Mϕ in the steady state and during intestinal inflammation, by flow cytometry. Results: Proportions of CD103-CD64+ Mϕ were enhanced in the inflamed IL-10 knockout (KO) murine colon compared to WT, alongside a loss of CD103+CD11b- DC. Proportions of CD4+FoxP3+ T-reg were reduced in the inflamed IL-10 KO colon, with enhanced production of IL-17A and TNFα by T cells but a loss of regulatory TGFβ production by CD103+ DC. Proportions of CD103-CD64+ Mϕ were also enhanced in the human Crohn’s disease colon compared to non-inflamed control tissue (diverticulitis), alongside a loss of CD103+ DC. CD103 was co-expressed with either CD141 or CD1c on human intestinal DC, corresponding to CD103+CD11b- and CD103+CD11b+ murine DC respectively. Proportions of all CD103+ gut DC subsets were reduced in human Crohn’s disease. Conclusions: Lack of IL-10 may skew DC and Mϕ differentiation in the gut, leading to loss of DC able to generate T-reg. Further experiments will determine the ability of intestinal DC and Mϕ subsets to stimulate specific T cell responses in vitro and the roles of IL-10 and TGFβ during this process.
Is pregnancy followed by relative hypothyroidism

Abstract The finding of lower serum protein-bound iodine values during the first year post partum raises the possibility that an interval of relative hypothyroidism follows upon normal pregnancy.
A model for identifying the underlying logical structure of natural language

This paper introduces a model for identifying the underlying logical arguments, such as logical subject, of predicates, namely verbs, in sentences. The model's features are selected based on lexico-syntactic and shallow semantic principles. Reported results are promising.
ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTION AND MEMORY DURING PETIT MAL (ABSENCE) SEIZURES

The authors reviewed videotape records of petit mal or absence seizures in order to examine psychologic components of the petit mal attack. Four patients are reported in detail and specific seizures from four other patients are mentioned. Many seizures were associated with the retention of visuomotor coordination. Some patients attended to an auditory cue and produced a verbal response during a seizure. The degree of memory loss for events occurring during a seizure varied from complete amnesia to total retention of memory. The authors conclude that most neurology textbooks oversimplify the complex mental changes which accompany a petit mal attack.
The Medicalization of Ethnicity in Vietnamese-American Women: Cosmetic Surgery and Hybridization

Within the growing proliferation of the cosmetic procedures in the United States and worldwide, the alteration of ethnic features dominate surgeries chosen by Asians. This study surveys a group of Vietnamese women who have undergone ethno-altering cosmetic surgery in the United States and Vietnam. The study utilized semi-structured interviews and participant observations to elicit the following information from participants and their families, friends, and coworkers: a) How does the cosmetic procedures affect their acculturation to the United States? b) How have their experiences affected their cultural identity? c) How have they experienced their surgeries in relation to the presence of western technology, images, and culture? d) How have their experiences with their surgeries affected their relationships with friends, families, and coworkers? Fifteen women between the ages of twenty-five and sixty-five participated in this study. All subjects immigrated to the United States after reaching fifteen years of age with 58% had their procedures in Vietnam. Major findings include the claim by all subjects that the surgery was motivated by a pursuit of Asian standards of beauty, but with the specification by them typical of a hybrid mix of Western and Asian features. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n22p92
The measurement of self-esteem, stress-related life events, and locus of control among unemployed and employed blue-collar workers.

The purpose of this study was to measure the self-esteem, stress of life events, and locus of control among unemployed and employed blue-collar workers. It was hypothesized that (a) being unemployed decreases an individual's self-esteem, (b) being unemployed increases an individual's stress level by experiencing significant life changes, and (c) being unemployed increases an individual's external locus of control orientation. The study was conducted in a production/manufacturing organization, utilizing a systematic random sampling procedure that yielded 562 subjects. The results from the collected data did not support Hypothesis A or C. A significant change with stress in conjunction with life events was found but was mediated by several factors, including age and a nonsignificant correlation between time laid-off and stress levels. The study suggests that an individual's reaction to unemployment does not appreciably affect their self-esteem and locus of control when compared to the employed.
A combinatorial enhancer recognized by Mad, TCF and Brinker first activates then represses dpp expression in the posterior spiracles of Drosophila

A previous genetic analysis of a reporter gene carrying a 375-bp region from a dpp intron (dppMX-lacZ) revealed that the Wingless and Dpp pathways are required to activate dpp expression in posterior spiracle formation. Here we report that within the dppMX region there is an enhancer with binding sites for TCF and Mad that are essential for activating dppMX expression in posterior spiracles. There is also a binding site for Brinker likely employed to repress dppMX expression. This combinatorial enhancer may be the first identified with the ability to integrate temporally distinct positive (TCF and Mad) and negative (Brinker) inputs in the same cells. Cuticle studies on a unique dpp mutant lacking this enhancer showed that it is required for viability and that the Filzkorper are U-shaped rather than straight. Together with gene expression data from these mutants and from brk mutants, our results suggest that there are two rounds of Dpp signaling in posterior spiracle development. The first round is associated with dorsal-ventral patterning and is necessary for designating the posterior spiracle field. The second is governed by the combinatorial enhancer and begins during germ band retraction. The second round appears necessary for proper spiracle internal morphology and fusion with the remainder of the tracheal system. Intriguingly, several aspects of dpp posterior spiracle expression and function are similar to demonstrated roles for Wnt and BMP signaling in proximal-distal outgrowth of the mammalian embryonic lung.
How do the basal ganglia and cerebellum gain access to the cortical motor areas

We have used retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase to examine the origin of the thalamic input to the two premotor areas with the densest projections to the motor cortex. These are: arcuate premotor area (APA) and the supplementary motor area (SMA). Retrograde transport demonstrated that the two premotor areas and the motor cortex each receive thalamic input from separate, cytoarchitectonically well-defined subdivisions of the ventrolateral thalamus. According to the nomenclature of Olszewski (1952), input to the APA originates largely from area X; input to the SMA originates largely from the pars oralis subdivision of the nucleus ventralis lateralis (VLo); and that to the motor cortex is largely from the pars oralis subdivision of the nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis (VPLo). These observations, when combined with prior studies on the termination of various subcortical efferents in the thalamus, lead to the following scheme of projections: rostral portions of the deep cerebellar nuclei project to motor cortex via VPLo, caudal portions of the deep cerebellar nuclei project to the APA via area X; and the globus pallidus projects to the SMA via VLo. Thus each thalamocortical pathway is associated with a distinct subcortical input.
The use of human lung slices in toxicology.

1 Successful use of agar-filled precision-cut rat lung slices in dynamic organ culture prompted the use of this technology with human lung.2 The larger tissue mass of a human lung required that the trachea be cannulated with a balloon catheter and subsequently inflated with 4 liters of warm agar/medium mixture and then cooled before being precision-cut into 500 μm thick slices.3 To characterize the human lung slices, viability and the effects of acrolein and nitrofurantoin were assessed over a period of 24 h using protein synthesis and nonprotein sulfhydryl content.4 Control human lung slices synthesized protein at a linear rate and maintained a stable nonprotein sulfhydryl content for 24 h.5 Slices incubated with acrolein exhibited no significant decrease in protein synthesis or nonprotein sulfhydryl levels until 24 h.6 Incubation with nitrofurantoin exhibited a definite time- and dose-dependent inhibition of protein synthesis, and depletion of the cellular thiol pool.7 These results indicate that this h...
“The medium is …”: Nontraditional approaches to counseling adult learners

Now that the counseling needs of nontraditional learners have been recognized, it is time to recognize that nontraditional counseling methods can help meet them.
The mysterious life and work of a nurse editor.

The ideas or opinions expressed in this editorial are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPAN, the Journal, or the Publisher. Jan Odom-Forren, MS, RN, CPAN, FAAN, is a Perianesthesia Nursing Consultant and works prn in Phase II Recovery at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, KY, and is a PhD candidate and an Instructor at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Address correspondence to Jan Odom-Forren, MS, RN, CPAN, FAAN, 800 Edenwood Circle, Louisville, KY 40243; e-mail address: jodom29373@aol.com. 2008 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. 1089-9472/08/2306-0001$34.00/0 doi:10.1016/j.jopan.2008.10.003 I OFTEN GET QUESTIONS from friends and other nursing colleagues who want to know just exactly what I do in my role as a nurse editor. Freda and Kearney have said about editors that ‘‘how editors work and how they make their decisions regarding manuscripts are somewhat mysterious to many people because the work of editors is solitary.’’ I thought I would use this editorial to talk about some issues that affect all nursing editors, and give you a glimpse behind the work involved in publication of the journal and some hints on how to publish successfully.
Historical trace element distribution in sediments from the Mississippi River delta

Five sediment cores were collected on the shelf of the inner Mississippi Bight in June 2003 for a suite of radionuclides to establish geochronologies and trace elements to examine patterns of contaminant deposition and accumulation. Core sites were chosen to reflect a matrix of variable water depths, proximity to the Mississippi River mouth as the primary source for terrigenous particles, and extent and duration of summertime water column hypoxia. The vertical distribution of239,240Pu and210Pbxs(=210Pbtotal−226Ra) provided reliable geochronological age constraints to develop models for mass accumulation rates and historic trace element inputs and variations. Mass accumulation rates ranged from 0.27 to 0.87 g cm−2yr−1 and were internally consistent using either210Pbxs or239,240Pu. Measured inventories of137Cs,239,240Pu, and210Pbxs were compared to atmospheric deposition rates to quantify potential sediment focusing or winnowing. Observed variability in calculated mass accumulation rates may be attributed foremost to site-specific proximity to the river mouth (i.e., sediment source), variability in water depth, and enhanced sediment focusing at the Mississippi River canyon site. Trace element concentrations were first normalized to Al, and then Al-normalized enrichment factors (ANEF) were calculated based on preanthropogenic and crustal trace element abundances. These ANEFs were typically >1 for V and Ba, while for most other elements studied, either no enrichment or depletion was observed. The enrichment of Ba may be related, in part, to the seasonal occurrence of oxygen-depleted subsurface waters off the Mississippi River delta, as well as being an ubiquitous byproduct of the petroleum industry.
Influence of gas mixture and primary ionization on the performance of limited streamer mode tubes

Abstract We report a study of the dependence of limited streamer mode operation on gas composition. Results are given for the plateau onset voltage, plateau length, charge versus voltage, charge spectra and pulse width for various fractions of (Ar, CO2, pentane) and (Ar, isobutane). In addition, a series of argon-free strong quenching gas mixtures has been studied which have very attractive characteristics. Chamber lifetime tests for these are also reported. As part of a study of the nature of the limited streamer mode mechanism, the response to X-rays and minimum ionizing particles are compared and differences noted. The character of the primary ionization is found to have a clear effect on the chamber response even in the streamer region.
Protein-Protein Crowding as a Driving Force for Membrane Bending during Endocytosis

Highly curved membranes are essential to many cellular functions, motivating an intense effort to discover the mechanisms that shape them. A conserved feature among many proteins that participate in membrane bending is an amphipathic alpha helix that inserts into one membrane leaflet, attaching the protein to the membrane. These insertions are thought to bend membranes by pushing lipid heads apart like a wedge. First reported for the Epsin 1 N-terminal Homology (ENTH) domain, a protein believed to drive curvature during clathrin-mediated endocytosis, this mechanism is thought to shape a wide range of membrane structures, from trafficking vesicles to viral envelopes. However, recent computational studies have questioned the efficiency of the insertion mechanism, predicting that proteins with amphipathic helices must cover nearly 100% of the membrane surface to generate high curvature, an improbable situation given that cellular membranes are densely populated with a diversity of proteins. How then do proteins with amphipathic helices drive efficient bending of cellular membranes? We show that Epsin1 bends membranes via protein-protein crowding rather than via helix insertion. By correlating membrane tubule formation with FRET (Forster Resonance Energy Transfer) lifetime-based measurements of ENTH density on membrane surfaces, we demonstrate that protein coverage above ∼20% is sufficient to bend membranes. Whether proteins attach by inserting a helix or by binding lipid heads with an engineered tag, lateral steric pressure generated by bound proteins drives bending. Our results suggest that Epsin1's helix insertion functions primarily to achieve high protein-membrane affinity, enabling binding in a crowded environment. These findings call for a reexamination of the insertion hypothesis and demonstrate a new and highly efficient alternative mechanism by which the crowded protein environment on the surface of cellular membranes can directly contribute to membrane shape change.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF RACIAL BIAS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Studies consistently show that racial bias develops early in life. The author discusses the source of bias, its implications, and the school's responsibility in combating it. Mr. Morland is chairman of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Randolph‐Macon Woman's College.
Dual LCD-based flat panel display

Stereo imagery has been a goal in optics research since the invention of the stereoscope in 1834. While the market has been inundated with displays of various types, sizes, and formats, no general purpose, easy to use, inexpensive method for the display of imagery in stereo has been developed. The benefits of stereo vision are numerous and quickly become apparent when attempting to perform simple tasks without the aid of stereo cues. The proliferation of remotely operated vehicles and indirect view applications has resulted in an increased need to see the operational environment in stereo. Numerous approaches to the display of stereo imagery have been demonstrated. Stereoscopic displays typically require the user to wear special headgear. Autostereoscopic displays, so named because they do not require the headgear, typically have tight limitations on the position of the viewer’s head. Previous papers have described the theoretical underpinnings for new type of stereoscopic displayed based on dual liquid crystal displays. The new display provides a stereo view without temporal or spatial multiplexing. This paper will present the results from experiments to characterize the display components and the resulting changes in the encoding algorithm.
Statistical Challenges in Functional Genomics

On February 12, 2001 the Human Genome Project announced the completion of a draft physical map of the human genome---the genetic blueprint for a human being. Now the challenge is to annotate this map by understanding the functions of genes and their interplay with proteins and the environment to create complex, dynamic living systems. This is the goal of functional genomics. Recent technological advances enable biomedical investigators to observe the genome of entire organisms in action by simultaneously measuring the level of activation of thousands of genes under the same experimental conditions. This technology, known as microarrays, today provides unparalleled discovery opportunities and is reshaping biomedical sciences. One of the main aspects of this revolution is the introduction of computationally intensive data analysis methods in biomedical research. This article reviews the foundations of this technology and describes the statistical challenges posed by the analysis of microarray data.
Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization using a zwitterionic surfactant.

The synthesis of nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization was investigated using methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, 10 wt % montmorillonite (MMT) clay, and a zwitterionic surfactant octadecyl dimethyl betaine (C18DMB). The particle size of the diluted polymer emulsion was about 550 nm, as determined by light scattering, while the sample without clay had a diameter of about 350 nm. The increase in the droplet size suggests that clay was present in the emulsion droplets. X-ray diffraction indicated no peak in the nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy showed that emulsion polymerization of MMA in the presence of C18DMB and MMT formed partially exfoliated nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry showed an increase of 18 °C in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites. A dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer also verified a similar Tg increase, 16 °C, for the partially exfoliated nanocomposites over poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a 3...
Existence of a codimension-2 point at the threshold of binary-fluid convection between rigid, impermeable boundaries.

Numerical calculation of the linear instability to oscillatory and stationary convection in binary-fluid mixtures between rigid, impermeable boundaries shows that the critical wave number and frequency of the oscillatory solution jump discontinuously as the threshold Rayleigh number is followed as a function of fluid parameters, contrary to a recent claim of B. J. A. Zielinska and H. R. Brand [Phys. Rev. A 35, 4349 (1987)]. A degenerate codimension-2 point is found only if the wave numbers of the onset solutions are constrained.
Mechanistic considerations for TMF life prediction of nickel-base superalloys

Abstract Typical gas turbine and jet engine hot-section components are subjected to severe environments along with variable thermal and mechanical loading histories. Nickel-base superalloys are often used in such applications because of their superior resistance to creep and strength at high temperatures. Most popular models for thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) life prediction are based on the creep-fatigue interactions exhibited by ductile metals and do not explicitly contain an environmental feature. Such models may be viewed as parametric damage approaches, in which the environmental effect is assumed to be incorporated in the time dependence of the formulation. In this paper, we briefly review some potential TMF life prediction models with special attention devoted to the consideration of oxidation effects for nickel-base superalloys.
Synthesis and purification of [1-32P]fructose-1,6-bisphosphate with high specific radioactivity

Abstract The straightforward, rapid synthesis and purification of radiochemically pure [1-32P]fructose-1,6-bisphosphate starting from radioactively labeled inorganic phosphate is described. The product has a relatively high specific radioactivity (2 × 105 Ci/mol). Using this method, carrier-free [1-32P]fructose-1,6-bisphosphate could be obtained. The use of [1-32P]fructose-1,6-bisphosphate in the assay of fructose bisphosphatase is illustrated.
The use of an active coded aperture for improved directional measurements in high energy γ-ray astronomy

The coded aperture, a refinement of the scatter-hole camera, offers a method for the improved measurement of γ-ray direction in γ-ray astronomy. Two prototype coded apertures have been built and tested. The more recent of these has 128 active elements of the heavy scintillator BGO. Results of tests for γ-rays in the range 50 - 500 MeV are reported and future application in space discussed.
Generation of gas-phase VO2+, VOOH+, and VO2+-nitrile complex ions by electrospray ionization and collision-induced dissociation.

Cationic metal species normally function as Lewis acids, accepting electron density from bound electron-donating ligands, but they can be induced to function as electron donors relative to dioxygen by careful control of the oxidation state and ligand field. In this study, cationic vanadium(IV) oxohydroxy complexes were induced to function as Lewis bases, as demonstrated by addition of O 2 to an undercoordinated metal center. Gas-phase complex ions containing the vanadyl (VO 2+ ), vanadyl hydroxide (VOOH + ), or vanadium-(V) dioxo (VO 2 + ) cation and nitrile (acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile, or benzonitrile) ligands were generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) for study by multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry. The principal species generated by ESI were complexes with the formula [VO(L) n ] 2+ , where L represents the respective nitrile ligands and n = 4 and 5. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of [VO(L) 5 ] 2+ eliminated a single nitrile ligand to produce [VO(L) 4 ] 2+ . Two distinct fragmentation pathways were observed for the subsequent dissociation of [VO(L) 4 ] 2+ . The first involved the elimination of a second nitrile ligand to generate [VO(L) 3 ] 2+ , which then added neutral H 2 O via an association reaction that occurred for all undercoordinated vanadium complexes. The second [UO(L) 4 ] 2+ fragmentation pathway led instead to the formation of [VOOH(L) 2 ] + through collisions with gas-phase H 2 O and concomitant losses of L and [L + H] + . CID of [VOOH(L) 2 ] + caused the elimination of a single nitrile ligand to generate [VOOH(L)] + , which rapidly added O 2 (in addition to H 2 O) by a gas-phase association reaction. CID of [VONO 3 (L) 2 ] + , generated from spray solutions created by mixing VOSO 4 and Ba(NO 3 ) 2 (and precipitation of BaSO 4 ), caused elimination of NO 2 to produce [VO 2 -(L) 2 ] + . CID of [VO 2 (L) 2 ] + produced elimination of a single nitrile ligand to form [VO 2 (L)] + , a V(V) analogue to the O 2 -reactive V(IV) species [VOOH(L)] + ; however, this V(V) complex was unreactive with 02, which indicates the requirement for an unpaired electron in the metal valence shell for 02 addition. In general, the [VO 2 (L) 2 ] + species required higher collisions energies to liberate the nitrile ligand, suggesting that they are more strongly bound than the [VOOH(L) 2 ] + counterparts.
Adaptive Critic Control of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Using Neural Networks

An adaptive critic neural network-based tracking autopilot design for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) will be proposed in this paper. The adaptive critic learning scheme consists of an associative search network (ASN), which is implemented by the three-layer neural network to approximate nonlinear and complex functions of autonomous underwater vehicles, and an adaptive critic network (ACN) generating the reinforcement signal to tune the ASN. A proportional gain controller, an ASN and an adaptive robust element, which can eliminate the approximation errors and disturbances, constitute the control law. The ASN and ACN have the same input and hidden layers, and different hidden-to-output weights. The stability of the closed-loop system can be proved by Lyapunov theory. Traditional adaptive critic controllers learn through trial-and-error interactions, however, the proposed tuning algorithm can significantly shorten the learning time by on-line tuning weights of ASN and ACN. The adaptive critic neural network-based controller is simulated for the tracking control of the AUV in 6 degrees of freedom to demonstrate the effectiveness.
Oxidation of the GaAs(110) surface

Abstract The principal absorption site of oxygen on the GaAs(110) surface has been deduced from scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements (for low oxygen coverages of the surface) to be in the interchain trough and above the surface. In contrast, photoemission measurements of Ga and As core-level shifts and of oxygen-derived energy levels led to the conclusion that absorption occurs on or below the surface (for high oxygen coverages), with Ga and As atoms about equally oxidised. To understand these observations, we have performed total-energy calculations using the first-principles pseudofunction method for a model with a periodic half-monolayer of oxygen, adsorbed to a few selected sites in the surface unit cell. Our results, although computed for models with half-monolayer coverages of oxygen, strongly suggest that the oxygen image observed in STM measurements indeed is due to an oxygen atom in the interchain trough, but with the oxygen atom located slightly below the surface and bonded to a Ga atom. For high coverages, our results imply in-surface-plane multi-coordinated adsorption of oxygen, which accounts for the observed oxygen-derived spectral features about 5 eV below the valence band maximum.
Susceptibility of surgical cobalt-base alloy to pitting corrosion.

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo susceptibilities of a surgical cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy to localized corrosion. In vitro cyclic anodic polarization curves were generated for the cobalt alloy under various surface and electrolyte conditions. Surfaces of the test specimens were examined before and after each polarization experiment. In vivo analyses involved macroscopic and microscopic examinations of cobalt alloy surfaces on retrieved total hip prostheses. The electrolyte selected for the in vitro polarization study was 0.9% saline at a pH of 7.00 ± 0.05 and temperature of 37 ± 1°C in both aerated and deaerated conditions. Surface conditions for the cobalt alloys included nonpassivated and passivated treatments. Hysteresis behavior was exhibited by the passivated alloy but not by the nonpassivated alloy. According to the protection potential theory, hysteresis behavior indicates a material should be susceptible to pitting corrosion. Therefore, based on polarization curves and theory, the results of the present study indicated the cobalt alloy was susceptible to pitting corrosion when in the passivated condition but not when in the nonpassivated condition. Examination of the surfaces before and after each polarization curve revealed no evidence of pitting corrosion. Also, the examination of nonwear cobalt surfaces of total hip prostheses with implantation times up to 6 years revealed no features uniquely identified as the result of pitting corrosion. Therefore, it was hypothesized that certain conditions inherent in the electrochemical phase of this study had caused the development of hysteresis behavior for the passivated alloy, and this hysteresis behavior should not be associated with pitting corrosion as is normally taken to be the case by application of the protection potential theory. Instead, it is postulated that the hysteresis behavior exhibited by the passivated alloy is due to processes involving a breakdown of the pre-established passive film followed by a repassivation characteristic of the saline electrolyte.
Limits to radiative neutrino decay from SN 1987A

We calculate limits to the properties of massive, unstable neutrinos using data from {gamma}-ray detectors on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) Spacecraft. The absence of a {gamma}-ray signal in the PVO detector constrains the branching ratio to photons (B{sub {gamma}}), mass (m{sub {nu}}), and radiative lifetime ({tau}{sub {gamma}}={tau}/B{sub {gamma}}). For low-mass (m{approx_lt}T{approximately}8MeV) neutrinos decaying {nu}{r_arrow}{nu}{sup {prime}}{gamma}, B{sub {gamma}}{lt}3{times}10{sup {minus}7} for m{sub {nu}}{tau}{approx_lt}10{sup 6}keVsec, and B{sub {gamma}}{lt}2{times}10{sup {minus}13}m{sub {nu}}{tau}/keVsec for m{sub {nu}}{tau}{approx_gt}10{sup 6}keVsec; limits for high-mass neutrinos are somewhat weaker due to Boltzmann suppression. We also calculate limits for decays that produce {gamma} rays through the bremsstrahlung channel, {nu}{r_arrow}{nu}{sup {prime}}e{sup +}e{sup {minus}}{gamma}. With one exception, the PVO limits are roughly comparable to those from an analysis of data from the Solar Max Mission (SMM) Satellite (which observed at higher {gamma}-ray energies but for a much shorter time). For neutrino mass states that are nearly degenerate, {delta}m{sup 2}/m{sup 2}{approximately}0.1{lt}1, our limits for the mode {nu}{r_arrow}{nu}{sup {prime}}{gamma} become more stringent by a factor as large as m{sup 2}/{delta}m{sup 2}, because more decay photons are shifted into the PVO energy window. For this same reason, SMM cannot constrain this case. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}