cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethics, the Law, and Prisoners: Protecting Society, Changing Human Behavior, and Protecting Human Rights

Restricting a person’s liberty presents society with many inherent ethical challenges. The historical purposes of confinement have included punishment, penitence, containment, rehabilitation, and habilitation. While the purposes are indeed complex, multifaceted, and at times ambiguous or contradictory, the fact of incarceration intrinsically creates many ethical challenges for psychiatrists working in correctional settings. Role definition of a psychiatrist may be ambiguous, with potential tensions between forensic and therapeutic demands. Privacy may be limited or absent and confidentiality may be compromised. Patient autonomy may be threatened to address real or perceived security concerns. Care delivery may actually have harmful consequences in court cases for pretrial detainees or lethal consequences for those under a death sentence. An absence of data and targeted research hampers the development of evidence-based care delivery for the disenfranchised, understudied, and disproportionately ill prisoner population. In this review paper, I discuss a few of the challenges and dilemmas routinely faced and present a series of questions. Where feasible, proposed resolutions are offered.
Genetic analysis of barrel field size in the first somatosensory area (SI) in inbred and recombinant inbred strains of mice

We measured the combined area of posterior medial barrel subfield (PMBSF) and anterior lateral barrel subfield (ALBSF) areas in four common inbred strains (C3H/HeJ, A /J, C57BL /6J, DBA/2J), B6D2F1, and ten recombinant inbred (RI) strains generated from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J progenitors (BXD) as an initial attempt to examine the genetic influences underlying natural variation in barrel field size in adult mice. These two subfields are associated with the representation of the whisker pad and sinus hairs on the contralateral face. Using cytochrome oxidase labeling to visualize the barrel field, we measured the size of the combined subfields in each mouse strain. We also measured body weight and brain weight in each strain. We report that DBA/2J mice have a larger combined PMBSF/ALBSF area (6.15 +/- 0.10 mm(2), n = 7) than C57BL /6J (5.48 +/- 0.13 mm(2), n = 10), C3H/HeJ (5.37 +/- 0.16 mm(2), n = 10), and A/J mice (5.04 +/- 0.09 mm(2), n = 15), despite the fact that DBA/2J mice have smaller average brain and body sizes. This finding may reflect dissociation between systems that control brain size with those that regulate barrel field area. In addition, BXD strains (average n = 4) and parental strains showed considerable and continuous variation in PMBSF/ALBSF area, suggesting that this trait is polygenic. Furthermore, brain, body, and cortex weights have heritable differences between inbred strains and among BXD strains. PMBSF/ALBSF pattern appears similar among inbred and BXD strains, suggesting that somatosensory patterning reflects a common plan of organization. This data is an important first step in the quantitative genetic analysis of the parcellation of neocortex into diverse cytoarchitectonic zones that vary widely within and between species, and in identifying the genetic factors underlying barrel field size using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses.
Paramedic ethics for computer professionals

Abstract Most computer professionals know that difficult ethical issues may arise in their work. We believe that these professionals want to “do the right thing.” They accept their responsibilities as moral agents and they recognize that their special technical skills give them power and responsibilities. However, the will to act ethically is not sufficient; computer professionals also need skills to arrive at reasonable, ethical decisions. In this article we suggest a set of guidelines to help computer professionals consider the ethical dimensions of technical decisions and offer practical advice to individuals who need to make timely decisions in an ethical manner. We call our guidelines a paramedic method to suggest a medical analogy. We use our method on two realistic ethical dilemmas facing computer professionals. We gather and analyze the data and reach conclusions much as the principals in our cases might. Our paramedic method is not a replacement for considered analysis by professional ethicists. It is a method by which computer professionals can quickly organize and view the facts of an ethical dilemma in a systematic and practical fashion.
BXMAS1 identifies a cluster of homologous genes differentially expressed in B cells.

Characterization of genes activated by anti-IgM crosslinking of BL2 cells identified one gene, designated BXMAS1, that is predicted to be a novel cell surface receptor. The time course of activation indicates maximal transcriptional induction after 24 h. The predicted protein contains 977 aa residues, with a cytoplasmic domain containing 2 ITIM motifs. The ectodomain of the protein contains 6 repeats of characteristic 93 aa sequences which we have designated BXMAS1 domains. These domains correspond to 6 out of 8 Ig-like domains in BXMAS1. A search of the human genome revealed 5 additional closely linked homologous genes many of which contain BXMAS1 domains as well. Analysis of expression in cell lines and tissues suggests a general restriction of expression of these genes to B cells. These genes may be involved in B cell development and differentiation in peripheral lymphoid organs and may be useful markers of B cell stages.
The "circle sign": a new sonographic sign of pneumatosis intestinalis - clinical, pathologic and experimental findings.

Background. Pneumatosis intestinals (PI) represents gas in the bowel wall. The appearance of PI using high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) has not been well described. Objective. The purpose of this report is to describe a new ultrasound sign of pneumatosis seen in three patients. This sign, called the “circle sign”, is indicative of bubbles of gas within the circumference of the bowel, producing an appearance of a continuous echogenic ring on ultrasound. Further studies of the sonographic characteristics of pneumatosis were performed with an in vitro model. Materials and methods. HRUS was performed prospectively in three patients demonstrating extensive PI radiographically. The appearance of the gas was characterized and the behavior of the intramural bubbles was studied when the bowel was compressed with the ultrasound transducer. Either CT scan or pathologic correlation was obtained in all patients. Experimental models of PI using air injected into the wall of sausage casing were developed. Results. The presence of echogenic gas bubbles within the circumference of the wall of the bowel seen with HRUS was shown to represent pneumatosis intestinalis at histologic examination or by CT scanning in the three study patients. In vitro studies confirmed the clinical impression that the use of compression is helpful in distinguishing intramural from intraluminal air. Conclusion. The presence of echogenic gas bubbles in the wall of the bowel, often seen as a circle within the circumference of the bowel, may be helpful in diagnosing PI on ultrasound using HRUS.
Surface reconstructions of GaAs(100) observed by scanning tunneling microscopy.

We present atomic-resolution images, obtained with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), of the various reconstructions of smooth, in situ grown GaAs(100) surfaces. The outermost layer of the c(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4) reconstruction consists of three As-As adatom dimers parallel to [011]. Cells containing two or three As-As dimers have been observed on the 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4 surface. The ``1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6'' surface seen in low-energy electron diffraction has a 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6 unit cell containing two As-As dimers. Diffraction patterns implying 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6 symmetry are seen to arise from the coexistence of 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6 and 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 units. The c(8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2) surface is made up of two Ga-Ga dimers and two missing dimers per 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 cell. Atomic models, which are consistent with both the STM images and electron-counting heuristics, are also shown.
The development of children’s early memory skills

A multitask battery tapping nonverbal memory and language skills was used to assess 60 children at 18, 24, and 30 months of age. Analyses focused on the degree to which language, working memory, and deliberate memory skills were linked concurrently to children's Elicited Imitation task performance and whether the patterns of association varied across the different ages. Language ability emerged as a predictor of immediate Elicited Imitation performance by 24 months of age and predicted delayed performance at each age. In addition to the contributions of language, children's abilities to search for and retrieve toys in the deliberate memory task were associated with their immediate Elicited Imitation performance at each age. In addition to language, working memory was positively associated with aspects of both immediate and delayed performance at all ages. The extent to which it was possible to replicate and extend previous cross-sectional work in this longitudinal study is discussed.
Baryon Star Models.

Star model consisting of identical baryons whose mass is equal to neutron, considering mass and radii for various interactions
High-affinity interaction of vinculin with actin filaments in vitro.

Abstract Immunofluorescence and microinjection experiments have shown that vinculin (molecular weight 130,000) is localized at adhesion plaques of fibroblasts spread on a solid substrate. We found that this protein affects actin filament assembly and interactions in vitro at substoichiometric levels. Vinculin inhibits the rate of actin polymerization under conditions that limit nuclei formation, indicating an effect on the filament elongation step of the reaction. Vinculin also reduces actin filament-filament interaction measured with a low-shear viscometer. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding of 3 H-labeled vinculin to actin filaments showed that there is one high-affinity binding site (dissociation constant=20 nM) for every 1,500–2,000 actin monomers. These results suggest that vinculin interacts with a specific site located at the growing ends of actin filaments in a cytochalasin-like manner, a property consistent with its proposed function as a linkage protein between filaments and the plasma membrane.
Nutritional studies of hydroxyzine and Rauwolfia in cattle and lambs.

Summary1. Rauwolfia vomitoria root fed to cattle at levels of 5, 25 and 125 mg per head per day improved growth rate and feed efficiency. Best results were obtained with the 25 mg level. Hydroxyzine fed to cattle at levels of 1.25, 2.5, 10, 50 and 500 mg per head per day improved growth with best results at 1.25 and 10 mg per head per day.2. Wether lambs fed rations containing hydroxyzine at levels of 0.24, 1.2, 6.0 and 30.0 g per ton, or Rauwolfia, 3.0 g per ton, responded to all supplements. Optimum growth was obtained with a level of as low as 1.2 g per ton of hydroxyzine and 3.0 g per ton of Rauwolfia.
Corrosion behaviors and contact resistances of the low-carbon steel bipolar plate with a chromized coating containing carbides and nitrides

Abstract This work improved the surface performance of low-carbon steel AISI 1020 by a reforming pack chromization process at low temperature (700 °C) and investigated the possibility that the modified steels are used as metal bipolar plates (BPP) of PEMFCs. The steel surface was activated by electrical discharge machining (EDM) with different currents before the chromizing procedure. Experimental results indicate that a dense and homogenous Cr-rich layer is formed on the EDM carbon steels by pack chromization. The chromized coating pretreated with electrical discharge currents of 2 A has the lowest corrosion current density, 5.78 × 10 −8 Acm −2 , evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization in a 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution and the smallest interfacial contact resistance (ICR), 11.8 mΩ-cm 2 , at 140 N/cm 2 . The carbon steel with a coating containing carbides and nitrides is promising for application as metal BPPs, and this report presents the first research in producing BPPs with carbon steels.
Iterative performance of various formulations of the SP N equations

In this paper, the Standard, Composite, and Canonical forms of the Simplified P N ( SP N ) equations are reviewed and their corresponding iterative properties are compared. The Gauss-Seidel (FLIP), Explicit, and preconditioned Source Iteration iterative schemes have been analyzed for both isotropic and highly anisotropic (Fokker-Planck) scattering. The iterative performance of the various SP N forms is assessed using Fourier analysis, corroborated with numerical experiments.
Analysis of cytokine production by inflammatory mouse macrophages at the single-cell level: selective impairment of IL-12 induction in Leishmania-infected cells.

Intracellular staining for cytokines and parasites, combined with two-color flow cytometric analyses, were used to examine the frequencies of IL-12-, TNF-α- and IL-6-producing macrophages in response to Leishmania major infection and/or activation with IFN-γ/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Inflammatory macrophages were obtained from nonimmune granulomas, initiated by the injection of polyacrylamide microbeads (Bio-gel P-100) into subcutaneous pouches of different mouse strains. Infection of inflammatory macrophages in vitro using metacyclic promastigotes produced identical effects on cytokine responses regardless of whether cells from genetically resistant or susceptible mouse strains were used: IL-12 was not produced in response to infection itself, virtually every infected cell lost its ability to produce IL-12 in response to IFN-γ/LPS, and the IL-6 response was partially inhibited, while the TNF-α response of infected cells was unimpaired. Low-multiplicity infection of inflammatory macrophages in vivo using either metacyclic promastigotes or tissue amastigotes also resulted in the complete and selective inhibition of IL-12 responses in infected cells. These data establish the physiologic relevance of prior observations regarding the selective impairment of IL-12 induction pathways in infected macrophages, and suggest a mechanisms for the delayed onset of cell-mediated control mechanisms that is typical of even self-limiting forms of leishmanial disease.
Functional Rectification of the Newly Described African Henipavirus Fusion Glycoprotein (Gh-M74a)

Recent evidence identified multiple Henipavirus species in Africa distinct from those in Southeast Asia and Australia. The reported fusion glycoprotein (F) sequence of the African Gh-M74a strain (GhV-F) is likely incorrect: a single base pair deletion near the N terminus results in multiple aberrancies. Rectifying this by adding single nucleotide insertions results in a GhV-F that now possesses a signal peptide, is efficiently cell surface expressed, exhibits syncytium formation when coexpressed with GhV-G protein, and mediates pseudotyped viral particle entry.
The Geographic Awareness Tool: Techniques for geo-encoding digital library content

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore motivations for libraries to build location aware services.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines various techniques for generating geo‐referenced metadata, including converting placenames to coordinates and using entity extraction to discover places in unstructured text, such as abstracts. It describes several prototype services developed, which deliver geo‐referenced data in different ways – as search results overlaid onto a map, as location specific data delivered to location aware mobile devices just in time, and as raw structured metadata supplied by web services, which could be combined with other data sets in support of e‐science.Findings – Although library metadata standards can accommodate location, catalogers rarely provide location information related to the content of the intellectual product. Entity extraction services can find location information in free text contents, such as abstracts, and even provide the appropriate coordinates...
Blocking CCR7 at the Ocular Surface Impairs the Pathogenic Contribution of Dendritic Cells in Allergic Conjunctivitis

CCR7 plays a key role in mobilizing tissue dendritic cells (DCs) to the lymphoid compartment for consequent elicitation of adaptive immunity. Interfering with CCR7 function therapeutically would therefore be anticipated to inhibit the progression of atopic conditions, for example, allergic conjunctivitis (AC). However, the CCR7-CCL19/CCL21 system in the ocular surface is poorly understood as is the precise role of DCs in AC immunopathogenesis. T cells from ovalbumin (OVA)–primed mice were adoptively transferred into wild-type (WT) hosts. Exogenous WT (eGFP + ) versus CCR7 −/− DCs were engrafted subconjunctivally (SCJ), and hosts were challenged with OVA (Texas-Red+) eye drops. AC immunopathogenesis was evaluated via clinical examinations, infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils, Th2 reactivity, and serum IgE levels. AC was also assessed in actively immunized mice challenged with OVA eye drops containing 1% anti-CCR7 antibody or isotype control. In eye-draining lymph nodes (LNs), OVA + SCJ engrafted WT DCs conferred upregulated CCR7 and caused augmentation of clinical signs. This result was corroborated by increased conjunctival infiltration, Th2 cytokines in LNs, and serum OVA-specific IgE. Strikingly, this was completely reversed with SCJ engrafted CCR7 −/− DCs in all parameters tested. Furthermore, topical antibody blockade of CCR7 in actively immunized mice significantly inhibited AC. Ocular surface DCs via CCR7 expression contribute to the immunopathogenesis of AC, thereby allowing significant inhibition of this experimental condition via topical CCR7 antibody blockade.
Temporal, spatial, and morphologic features of hair cell regeneration in the avian basilar papilla

Hair cell-selective antibodies were used in combination with the nucleotide bromode-oxyuridine (BrdU) to examine the temporal, spatial, and morphologic progression of auditory hair cell regeneration in chicks after a single gentamicin injection. New hair cells are first identifiable with an antibody to class III beta (beta) tubulin (TuJ1) by 14 hours after BrdU incorporation, but progenitor cells in S phase and M phase are TuJ1-negative. TuJ1 labeling reveals that new hair cells are first detected at 3 days after gentamicin, in the base, and the emergence and maturation of regenerating hair cells spreads apically over time. Differentiation of regenerating hair cells consists of a progressive series of morphologic changes. During early differentiation (14 hours to 1 day after BrdU), regenerating hair cells are round or fusiform and remain near the lumen, where they are generated. During intermediate differentiation (2-4 days after BrdU), regenerating hair cells resemble support cells; their somata are elongated, their nuclei are in the support cell layer, and they appear to contact both the lumenal surface and the basal lamina. The 275-kDa hair cell antigen is first expressed in regenerating hair cells during this period. During late differentiation (7 days after BrdU and later), TuJ1-positive cells acquire the globose shape of mature hair cells. Labeling with antibodies to hair cell antigen, calmodulin, and ribosomal RNA confirms this morphologic progression. Examination of sister cells born at 3 days post-gentamicin reveals that there is equal likelihood that they will assume the hair cell or support cell fate (i.e., both asymmetric and symmetric differentiation occur).
ATTITUDE CHANGE IN HIERARCHICAL BELIEF SYSTEMS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PERSUASIBILITY, DOGMATISM, AND RIGIDITY

This paper explores the implications of the fact that most attitudes are embedded in a hierarchy of beliefs about concepts that are either more abstract or less abstract than the attitude being considered. Attempts to change attitudes can be made by sending messages at any or all levels of abstraction. An information processing model is proposed: (a) to provide a description of the changes in the multi-level system over time when messages are sent at various levels, and (b) to explain the generalization of attitude change, delayed attitude change effects, and the fact that attitude change may or may not decay over time. Individual differences in the external parameter are shown to be related to persuasibility while differences in the internal parameter are related to dogmatism. Thus, persuasibility and dogmatism are sharply differentiated in this model.
Coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality in hypercholesterolemic men predicted from an exercise test: The lipid research clinics coronary primary prevention trial

Abstract A positive exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) has been proved to predict cardiovascular events in asymptomatic normolipidemic men. To study whether it is also predictive for hypercholesterolemic men, data from 3,806 asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic men in the Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial were analyzed. All the men had performed a submaximal treadmill exercise test at baseline, before they were assigned to the cholestyramine or placebo treatment group. Because of missing or inconclusive data, 31 men were excluded from the analyses. A test was positive if the ST segment was displaced by ≥1 mm (visual code) or there was ≥10 μV-s change in the ST integral (computer code), or both. The prevalence of a positive test was 8.3%. During the 7 to 10 year (mean 7.4) follow-up period, the mortality rate from coronary heart disease was 6.7% (21 of 315) in men with a positive test and 1.3% (46 of 3,460) in men with a negative test (placebo and cholestyramine groups combined). The age-adjusted rate ratio for a positive test, compared with a negative test, was 6.7 in the placebo group and 4.8 in the cholestyramine group. With use of Cox's proportional hazards models, it was found that the risk of death from coronary heart disease associated with a positive test was 5.7 times higher in the placebo group and 4.9 times higher in the cholestyramine group after adjustment for age, smoking history, systolic blood pressure, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. A positive test was not significantly associated with nonfatal myocardial infarction. Thus, the results indicate that the exercise ECG response is a valuable and independent predictor of the risk of death from coronary heart disease in hypercholesterolemic men.
Calorimetric Study of Immersion Freezing of Poultry

Abstract Rates of heat transfer and ice formation during immersion freezing were determined for a range of sizes of chickens and turkeys using a new method based on measurement of heat flow during freezing rather than during subsequent thawing. The relation between heat removed and freezing time, both expressed as per cent of total, was independent of bird weight; for example, 90% of the heat was removed in 50% of the time during immersion at 0°F (−18°C). Freezing rate, in terms of rate of ice formation, varied widely with time, depth in the breast muscle, and bird size. Maximum overall variation was about 20:1 for small birds and 50:1 for large birds.
Ventricular Size in Patients With Presenile Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type

• The computed tomograms (CTs) of eight mild to moderately impaired patients with presenile dementia of Alzheimer's type (aged 53 to 64 years) were compared with scans of ten healthy age-matched controls. Two computer programs and a variety of linear measurements were used to analyze the CTs. A single computerized measure of fluid volume on the slice at the maximum width of the bodies of the lateral ventricles correctly predicts the group membership of 88.89% of the subjects. Computerized measures on other CT slices do not increase discrimination between the groups. Easily performed linear measures correctly predict the group membership of 78.9% of the subjects. Computerized measures of ventricular size may provide highly valuable information for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in the presenile age range.
Influence of metal–support interactions on the kinetics of liquid-phase citral hydrogenation

Abstract The kinetics of liquid-phase hydrogenation of citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal) on Pt/TiO 2 catalysts were studied between 298–423 K and 7–21 atm H 2 and compared to those reported earlier for Pt/SiO 2 catalysts. The kinetic data were shown to be free of transport limitations by application of the Madon–Boudart test and the Weisz–Prater criterion. Near zero- and first-order kinetics were observed for the initial rate of citral hydrogenation over the Pt/TiO 2 -LTR ( T red =473 K ) and Pt/SiO 2 catalysts with respect to citral concentration and hydrogen pressure, respectively. In contrast, each dependency dropped by about one order with Pt/TiO 2 -HTR ( T red =773 K ) catalysts as they were negative first-order on citral concentration and near zero-order on hydrogen pressure. Furthermore, the initial rates over Pt/TiO 2 -LTR and Pt/SiO 2 exhibited an activity minimum as temperature increased whereas conventional Arrhenius behavior was exhibited by Pt/TiO 2 -HTR with an activation energy of 18 kcal/mol. Pt/TiO 2 -LTR and HTR catalysts initially exhibited 90% selectivity to the unsaturated alcohol as compared to 40% for hydrogenation over Pt/SiO 2 . Metal–support interactions (MSI) resulted in a dramatic enhancement in specific activity at 373 K, 20 atm H 2 and 1 M citral in hexane as Pt/TiO 2 -HTR exhibited a turnover frequency of 1.0 compared to 0.02 s −1 for Pt/TiO 2 -LTR and 0.004 s −1 for Pt/SiO 2 . The reaction kinetics with Pt/TiO 2 -HTR in the differential conversion regime were described by a conventional Langmuir–Hinshelwood model assuming quasi-equilibrium for reactant adsorption, competitive adsorption between citral and hydrogen, and addition of the first H atom as the rate determining step. The reaction rate at higher conversions was modeled by invoking a decarbonylation reaction similar to that proposed earlier for this reaction over Pt/SiO 2 catalysts to explain any observed deactivation.
On the stable growth of segregated ice in freezing soil under negligible overburden pressure

Abstract The stable growth condition of a segregated ice layer is studied by the use of the principle of mass and heat conservation. This condition evidently depends upon the properties of a thin transitional zone, which is believed to exist between the boundary of an ice layer and a 0[°C] isotherm. All probable models of the transitional zone are classified and the conditions for each model is derived. The effect of the small amount of soil minerals contained in an ice layer is also studied.
Adam Smith and the Problem of the External World

How does the mind attribute external causes to internal sensory experiences? Adam Smith addresses this question in his little known essay ‘Of the External Senses.’ I closely examine Smith's various formulations of this problem and then argue for an interpretation of his solution: that inborn perceptual mechanisms automatically generate external attributions of internal experiences. I conclude by speculating that these mechanisms are best understood to operate by simulating tactile environments.
Identification of satellite peaks in injection luminescence from gallium arsenide transistors

The spectral distribution and spatial-distribution-of-origin of injection luminescence from epitaxial gallium arsenide n-p-n mesa transistors was studied between 77 and 320°K. The technique used allowed identification of the satellite spectral peaks without special modification of the transistor to eliminate selective transmission ghosts. The highest energy peak (1·509 eV at 77°K and 1·417 eV at 297°K) was correlated with band-to-band recombination radiation generated at the base-collector junction and emanating from the top of the mesa after passing through the 2-μ thick base region. A lower energy satellite peak which was observed with this transistor construction was shown to emanate from a region not on the transistor mesa and to vary in energy of separation from the band-to-band peak. This intense satellite was correlated with an artifact caused by selective absorption of radiation existing via a longer, indirect path in gallium arsenide. Near 100°K, a second satellite peak was observed 0·02 eV lower than the band-to-band spectral peak and emanating from the surface of this mesa and with the same spatial-distribution-of-origin as the band-to-band peak. This latter satellite peak was correlated with cadmium-induced band-to-acceptor recombination in the cadmium-doped epitaxial base.
Polysilicon sensors for CMOS-MEMS electrothermal probes

We describe multiple embedded polysilicon resistive sensors in CMOS-MEMS electrothermal probes as a step toward creating probe arrays for passing current on ICs to reconfigure resistance change (RC) vias. When not in contact, a low-resistivity unsilicided polysilicon (LP) resistor detects probe displacement indirectly through the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) effect. When in contact with a load force, the difference of two LP resistors, one under stress in the flexure and the other cantilevered, cancels the TCR and extracts the piezoresistive (PZR) change, thus working as a force sensor. With a 10 V, 37.15 mW drive, at loads less than 10 µN, the achieved force sensitivity is constant and matches within 3.1% to the sensitivity extracted by mechanically pushing on the tip. The sensitivity decreases at large loads due to the unequal thermal boundary conditions of the two LP resistors. A third silicided polysilicon (SP) resistor having near zero piezoresistance is added to detect the thermal boundary condition change thereby extending the maximum detectable load.
Inhibitor-κB kinase-β regulates LPS-induced TNF-α production in cardiac myocytes through modulation of NF-κB p65 subunit phosphorylation

TNF-alpha is recognized as a significant contributor to myocardial dysfunction. Although several studies suggest that members of the NF-kappaB family of transcription factors are essential regulators of myocardial TNF-alpha gene expression, recent developments in our understanding of the modulation of NF-kappaB activity through posttranslational modification of NF-kappaB subunits suggest that the present view of NF-kappaB-dependent cytokine expression in heart is incomplete. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the role of p65 subunit phosphorylation in the regulation of TNF-alpha production in cultured neonatal ventricular myocytes. Bacterial LPS-induced TNF-alpha production is accompanied by a 12-fold increase in phosphorylation of p65 at Ser536, a modification associated with enhancement of p65 transactivation potential. Pharmacological inhibition of IKK-beta reduced LPS-induced TNF-alpha production 38-fold, TNF-alpha mRNA levels 6-fold, and IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation 5-fold and degraded IkappaB-alpha 2-fold and p65 phosphorylation 6-fold. Overexpression of dominant-negative p65 reduced TNF-alpha production 3.5-fold, whereas overexpression of dominant-negative IKK-beta reduced LPS-induced TNF-alpha production 2-fold and p65 phosphorylation 2-fold. Overexpression of dominant-negative IKK-alpha had no effect on p65 phosphorylation or TNF-alpha production, revealing that IKK-beta, not IKK-alpha, plays a central role in regulation of p65 phosphorylation at Ser536 and TNF-alpha production in heart. Finally, we demonstrated, using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, that LPS stimulates recruitment of Ser536-phosphorylated p65 to the TNF-alpha gene promoter in cardiac myocytes. Taken together, these data provide compelling evidence for the role of NF-kappaB signaling in TNF-alpha gene expression in heart and highlight the importance of this proinflammatory gene-regulatory pathway as a potential therapeutic target in the management of cytokine-induced myocardial dysfunction.
Recovering Subversion: Feminist Politics Beyond the Law. By Nivedita Menon. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press. 2004. 288 pp. $60.00 cloth, $25.00 paper

In this intriguing, multilayered, and eloquent work situated in the Indian landscape, Nivedita Menon argues that “rights,” when bound up with law, are not in the service of emancipatory politics but rather of hegemonic projects, such as patriarchy and capitalist modernity, that legitimize only particular ways of being and doing. Rights are socially constructed and contextualized within particular moral universes, yet they lose their transformative potential when encapsulated in and institutionalized by the law, which is an exacting, universalizing discourse that fixes meanings and identities. Although feminists are increasingly invested in legal redress, any appeals to democracy, equality, and justice through the law, may have reached their discursive limits, requiring a renewed feminist emphasis on political struggle.
Young Adult Relationship Values at the Intersection of Gender and Sexuality.

Recent decades have brought significant social changes in the industrialized West that may influence young adults' attitudes about intimate relationships, including changes in gender expectations and behaviors and changes in sexual attitudes and practices. We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 14,121) to compare men to women and sexual minorities to heterosexuals on ratings of the importance of love, faithfulness, commitment, financial security, and racial homogamy for successful relationships. We found that nearly all young adults adhere to dominant relationship values inherent in the romantic love ideology; we found, however, modest but significant differences by gender and sexual identity in relationship values. Significant interactions demonstrated that gender and sexual identity intersect to uniquely influence relationship views.
Receding horizon trajectory optimization with a finite-state value function approximation

This paper describes a finite-horizon receding horizon trajectory optimization scheme which uses an approximation of the value function to provide cost-to-go (CTG) and associated state information. The value function approximation is computed using a finite-state, motion primitive automaton approximation of the vehicle dynamics. Using an actual value function approximation instead of heuristic CTG allows a tighter integration between the planning and control layers needed for vehicles operating in challenging spatial environments. It also enables a more rigorous use of the receding horizon control framework for autonomous control applications. The paper describes the finite-state value function approximation and its integration into the receding horizon scheme. Simulation examples illustrate the scheme's capabilities and highlight interesting open issues that will need to be addressed to take full advantage of the approach.
Comparative anatomy and morphology of Vitis vinifera (Vitaceae) somatic embryos from solid- and liquid-culture-derived proembryogenic masses

Ontogeny of somatic embryos of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) produced from solid- and liquid-culture-derived proembryogenic masses (PEM) was compared using light and scanning electron microscopy. Somatic embryos produced from solid-medium-derived PEM (SPEM) had large cotyledons, little or no visible suspensor structure, and a relatively undeveloped concave shoot apical meristem, whereas those from liquid-medium-derived PEM (LPEM) had smaller cotyledons, a distinct suspensor, and a flat-to-convex shoot apical meristem. The convex shoot apical meristem in LPEM-derived somatic embryos formed as early as the heart stage of development; it was 4-6 cell layers deep and rich in protein. Suspensors persisted in fully developed and mature LPEM-derived somatic embryos. The SPEM-derived somatic embryos exhibited dormancy, as do mature zygotic embryos, which also have a rudimentary suspensor, whereas LPEM-derived embryos were not dormant. We hypothesize that the presence of a persistent suspensor in LPEM-derived somatic embryos modulates development, ultimately resulting in rapid germination and a high plant-regeneration rate.
A mixture model approach to the tests of concordance and discordance between two large-scale experiments with two-sample groups

Motivation: Due to advances in experimental technologies, such as microarray, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, it is feasible to obtain large-scale data sets, in which measurements for a large number of features can be simultaneously collected. However, the sample sizes of these data sets are usually small due to their relatively high costs, which leads to the issue of concordance among different data sets collected for the same study: features should have consistent behavior in different data sets. There is a lack of rigorous statistical methods for evaluating this concordance or discordance. Methods: Based on a three-component normal-mixture model, we propose two likelihood ratio tests for evaluating the concordance and discordance between two large-scale data sets with two sample groups. The parameter estimation is achieved through the expectation-maximization (E-M) algorithm. A normal-distribution-quantile-based method is used for data transformation. Results: To evaluate the proposed tests, we conducted some simulation studies, which suggested their satisfactory performances. As applications, the proposed tests were applied to three SELDI-MS data sets with replicates. One data set has replicates from different platforms and the other two have replicates from the same platform. We found that data generated by SELDI-MS showed satisfactory concordance between replicates from the same platform but unsatisfactory concordance between replicates from different platforms. Availability: The R codes are freely available at http://home.gwu.edu/~ylai/research/Concordance Contact: ylai@gwu.edu
Symptom accommodation, trichotillomania-by-proxy, and interpersonal functioning in trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder).

Abstract Objective This study investigated relationship functioning in trichotillomania (TTM) as well as specific interpersonal behaviors that have received little attention in TTM research, including by-proxy pulling, symptom accommodation, and self-disclosure. The objective was to contribute data for future development of components of treatment that focus on interpersonal functioning. Methods Data were collected through survey about relationships and related difficulties among adults who endorsed criteria consistent with DSM-5 criteria for TTM ( n =670). Results Consistent with our hypotheses, TTM symptom severity was correlated negatively with relationship satisfaction and perceived social support, positively with perceived criticism, perceived risk in intimacy, and social interaction anxiety, though these correlations were small (absolute values r =.08 to .17). Approximately one-quarter of survey respondents had not told their closest friend about their trichotillomania, and one-fifth had not told their spouse or long-term romantic partner. TTM-by-proxy urges were reported by 54% of participants, and 37% of participants reported having actually pulled hair from other people, with the most common proxies specified as significant others (51%), parents (13%), friends (8%), siblings (8%), children (7%) and pets (5%). Higher levels of TTM-by-proxy urges were associated with "focused" pulling ( d =.37) and perfectionistic thinking ( d =.16 to .20), yet current by-proxy urges were not associated with, functional impairment. A small minority of individuals (7%) reported having asked other people to pull hair for them (78% of these requests were granted); there was increased endorsement of "focused" pulling among these individuals. The people who participants asked to pull hairs for them included significant others (66%), mothers (20%), siblings (11%), friends (9%) and one's children (9%). Conclusion More than one-third of respondents had pulled hair from others, 7% had asked others to pull their hair, and sizable minorities kept TTM secret from their closest friends or even spouse/partners. Clinical levels of social interaction anxiety were endorsed by 51% of the sample. Understanding these interpersonal experiences more fully could improve our understanding of relationship functioning in TTM and guide efforts to individualize treatment for adults with TTM.
Predictors and contextual factors in prostate cancer screening service utilization among African-American men in an urban sample in Mississippi, USA

This study seeks to determine predictors of prostate cancer screening service utilization among an African urban sample (N = 292) drawn from George Town, Mississippi in the USA. Participants' knowledge of prostate gland functions, prostate cancer symptoms, risk factors and his/her educational level are the strongest predictors of prostate cancer screening behavior. Knowledge of existing resources and self-care become significantly associated with screening seeking behavior only when combined with knowledge of disease conditions and risk factors as well as demographic factors. Demographic domains, when combined with knowledge type domains, provide a strong context that increases the intensity and significance of both self-care attitudes and knowledge of existing resources as predictors of prostate cancer screening seeking behavior. In addition, educational channel preferences begin to show a negative but significant association with screening services utilization when considered in combination with knowled...
Generating near-spherical range panoramas by fusing optical flow and stereo from a single-camera folded catadioptric rig

We design a novel “folded” spherical catadioptric rig (formed by two coaxially-aligned spherical mirrors of distinct radii and a single perspective camera) to recover near-spherical range panoramas (about 360° × 153°) from the fusion of depth given by optical flow and stereoscopy. We observe that for rigid motion that is parallel to a plane, optical flow and stereo generate nearly complementary distributions of depth resolution. While optical flow provides strong depth cues in the periphery and near the poles of the view-sphere, stereo generates reliable depth in a narrow band about the equator instead. We exploit this dual-modality principle by modeling (separately) the depth resolution of optical flow and stereo in order to fuse them later on a probabilistic spherical panorama. We achieve a desired vertical field-of-view and optical resolution by deriving a linearized model of the rig in terms of three parameters (radii of the two mirrors plus axial distance between the mirrors’ centers). We analyze the error due to the violation of the single viewpoint constraint and formulate additional constraints on the design to minimize this error. We evaluate our proposed method via a synthetic model and with real-world prototypes by computing dense spherical panoramas of depth from cluttered indoor environments after fusing the two modalities (stereo and optical flow).
Angle selective fiber coupler

Angle selective input coupling through the side of a slightly tapered section of Corning highly multimode fiber has been experimentally demonstrated for the first time. This coupling technique allows the possibility of fabricating bidirectional (duplex) couplers for systems employing single strands of multimode, low loss fiber.
Addressing below proficient information literacy skills: Evaluating the efficacy of an evidence-based educational intervention

Abstract Over the course of three years, an educational intervention was developed to teach information literacy (IL) skills, change perceptions of IL, and to recalibrate self views of the abilities of first year college students who demonstrate below proficient information literacy skills. The intervention is a modular workshop designed around the three-step analyze, search, evaluate (ASE) model of information literacy, which is easy to remember, easy to adapt to multiple instructional situations, and can provide a foundation for building information literacy skills. Summative evaluation of the intervention demonstrates that students who attend the workshop see an increase in skills and awareness of information literacy as a skill set. Increases in skills, however, were not sufficient to move participants into the proficient range. While workshop participants were able to reassess preworkshop skills, skills gained in the workshop did not result in recalibrated self-views of ability. Like the development of skills, the recalibration of self-assessments may require multiple exposures to information literacy instruction.
Models and Training for Unsupervised Preposition Sense Disambiguation

We present a preliminary study on unsu-pervised preposition sense disambiguation (PSD), comparing different models and training techniques (EM, MAP-EM with L0 norm, Bayesian inference using Gibbs sampling). To our knowledge, this is the first attempt at un-supervised preposition sense disambiguation. Our best accuracy reaches 56%, a significant improvement (at p <.001) of 16% over the most-frequent-sense baseline.
Inactivation of E. coli 8739 in Enriched Soymilk Using Pulsed Electric Fields

ABSTRACT: Soymilk enriched with dairy proteins was subjected to pulsed electric fields (PEF) to evaluate the inactivation of Escherichia coli 8739 and the extension of microbial shelf-life. The maximum thermal exposure level of sample was 60 °C for 1.6 s during a PEF treatment. A 5.7-log reduction was achieved using PEF at 41.1 kV/cm for 54 μs. PEF inactivation of E. coli 8739 followed a 1st-order kinetic model. D-values of E. coli 8739 were 31.9,18.6, and 11.0 μs at 30,35, and 40 kV/cm, respectively. PEF treatment at 41.1 kV/cm for 54 μs significantly extended the microbial shelf-life at 4 °C (P < 0.05). No significant change in brightness and viscosity of PEF-treated samples was observed during a 30-d storage at 4 °C. PEF was found effective in inactivation of E. coli in and extension of microbial shelf-life of enriched soymilk.
High precision alignment of cryo-electron subtomograms through gradient-based parallel optimization

Background: Cryo-electron tomography emerges as an important component for structural system biology. It not only allows the structural characterization of macromolecular complexes, but also the detection of their cellular localizations in near living conditions. However, the method is hampered by low resolution, missing data and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To overcome some of these difficulties and enhance the nominal resolution one can align and average a large set of subtomograms. Existing methods for obtaining the optimal alignments are mostly based on an exhaustive scanning of all but discrete relative rigid transformations (i.e. rotations and translations) of one subtomogram with respect to the other. Results: In this paper, we propose gradient-guided alignment methods based on two popular subtomogram similarity measures, a real space as well as a Fourier-space constrained score. We also propose a stochastic parallel refinement method that increases significantly the efficiency for the simultaneous refinement of a set of alignment candidates. We estimate that our stochastic parallel refinement is on average about 20 to 40 fold faster in comparison to the standard independent refinement approach. Results on simulated data of model complexes and experimental structures of protein complexes show that even for highly distorted subtomograms and with only a small number of very sparsely distributed initial alignment seeds, our combined methods can accurately recover true transformations with a substantially higher precision than the scanning based alignment methods. Conclusions: Our methods increase significantly the efficiency and accuracy for subtomogram alignments, which is a key factor for the systematic classification of macromolecular complexes in cryo-electron tomograms of whole cells.