cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comorbid Social Anxiety Disorder in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Social anxiety symptoms are common among cognitively unimpaired youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Few studies have investigated the co-occurrence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adults with ASD, although identification may aid access to effective treatments and inform our scientific efforts to parse heterogeneity. In this preliminary study, we examined the clinical presentation of SAD in adults with ASD (n = 28), relative to SAD uncomplicated by ASD (n = 26). A large subset (50 %) of the adults with ASD met diagnostic criteria for SAD. The adults with ASD plus SAD differed from those with ASD without SAD on several characteristics. Findings demonstrate that many adults with ASD are aware of their social difficulties and experience impairing social anxiety.
Uniform dynamical bounds for the Fibonacci Hamiltonian

We prove quantum dynamical upper bounds for operators from the Fibonacci hull. These bounds hold for sufficiently large coupling and they are uniform in the phase. This extends recent work by Killip, Kiselev and Last who obtained these bounds for one particular phase. The main ingredient in our proof is a detailed combinatorial analysis of the sequences in the Fibonacci hull.
The Mauna Loa Carbon Dioxide Record: Lessons for Long-Term Earth Observations

The Mauna Loa carbon dioxide record is an iconic symbol of the human capacity to alter the planet. Yet this record would not have been possible without the remarkable work of one man, Charles David Keeling. We describe three emergent themes that characterized his work: (1) his desire to study and understand the processes that control atmospheric CO 2 and the global carbon cycle, (2) his campaign to identify and minimize systematic measurement error, and (3) his tenacious efforts to maintain continuous funding despite changing government priorities and institutions. In many ways, the story of the Mauna Loa record demonstrates that distinctions between research and "routine" measurements are not very useful in long-term monitoring of Earth properties and processes.
Measurable results: reducing staff injuries on a specialty psychiatric unit for patients with developmental disabilities

BACKGROUND: Quality improvement initiative focused on staff injury reduction on a specialized inpatient psychiatric unit which offers acute stabilization for children and adolescents with complex high-risk behaviors. OBJECTIVE: To utilize quality improvement principles and interventions to reduce staff injuries on a specialized inpatient child/adolescent psychiatric unit. PARTICIPANTS: Direct care clinical staff within an inpatient psychiatric unit for patients with co-occurring developmental disabilities and psychiatric illness were the focus of the initiative. Direct care clinical staff and clinical administrators were the active participants in the quality improvement initiative, focusing upon the interactions between staff and patients. METHODS: OSHA-recordable injuries were documented to guide initiatives and measure outcomes on weekly run charts with raw data measures of all staff injuries and the number of days elapsed between injuries. Rapid Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles were utilized to test interventions and guide decision making. RESULTS: Three months of a structured and systematic intervention trial produced the first adopted interventions in August 2011. The following six months reflected a 65% reduction of staff injuries (from 2.2 injuries per week to 0.77 injuries per week). Between January and August 2011, there were eight OSHA-recordable injuries with an average of 26.5 days between injuries. The average number of days between OSHA-recordable injuries has increased from 26.5 days at baseline to 124 days. CONCLUSIONS: An initiative utilizing quality improvement principles reduced staff injuries on an inpatient specialized psychiatric unit. Reliability principles, system adaption, and engagement of the frontline nursing clinicians have proven to be foundational and vital to guide the initiative. Language: en
Evaluation of methods to reduce bacteria concentrations in spray-dried animal plasma and its effects on nursery pig performance.

Four experiments with 1,040 weanling pigs (17 +/- 2 d of age at weaning) were conducted to evaluate the effects of spray-dried animal plasma source, drying technique, and methods of bacterial reduction on nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, 180 barrows and gilts (initial BW 5.9 +/- 1.8 kg) were used to compare effects of animal plasma, animal plasma source, drying technique (spray-dried or freeze-dried), and plasma irradiation in nursery pig diets. From d 0 to 10, pigs fed diets containing irradiated spray-dried animal plasma had increased ADG and ADFI (P 0.36) to pigs fed spray-dried animal plasma. Overall (d 0 to 24), pigs fed irradiated spray-dried animal plasma were heavier (P 0.12). These studies indicate that bacterial reduction of feed-grade, but not food-grade animal plasma, improves nursery pig performance.
USGS Goals for the Coming Decade

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) proposes six strategic directions for managing ecosystems along with modernization of observation networks of land, water, and biological resources.
Filamin translocation is an early endothelial cell inflammatory response to bradykinin: Regulation by calcium, protein kinases, and protein phosphatases

Endothelial cell (EC) cytoskeletal proteins are one of the earliest primary targets of second messenger cascades generated in response to inflammatory agonists. Actin binding proteins, by modulating actin gelation-solation state and membrane-cytoskeleton interactions, in part regulate cell motility and cell-cell apposition. This in turn can also modulate interendothelial junctional diameter and permeability. Nonmuscle filamin (ABP-280), a dimeric actin-crosslinking protein, promotes orthogonal branching of F-actin and links microfilaments to membrane glycoproteins. In the present study, immunoblot analysis demonstrates that filamin protein levels are low in sparse EC cultures, increase once cell-cell contact is initiated and then decrease slightly at post-confluency. Both bradykinin and ionomycin cause filamin redistribution from the peripheral cell border to the cytosol of confluent EC. Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, blocks filamin translocation. Bradykinin activation of EC is not accompanied by significant proteolytic cleavage of filamin. Instead, intact filamin is recycled back to the membrane within 5-10 min of bradykinin stimulation. Inhibitors of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase (KT-5926 and KN-62) attenuate bradykinin-induced filamin translocation. H-89, an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, causes translocation of filamin in unstimulated cells. Calyculin A, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, also causes translocation of filamin in the absence of an inflammatory agent. ML-7, an inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase and phorbol myristate acetate, an activator of protein kinase C, do not cause filamin movement into the cytosol, indicating that these pathways do not modulate the translocation. Pharmacological data suggest that filamin translocation is initiated by the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase whereas the cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway prevents translocation. Inflammatory agents therefore may increase vascular junctional permeability by increasing cytoplasmic calcium, which disassembles the microfilament dense peripheral band by releasing filamin from F-actin.
Nanoparticles and theory

This article provides an overview of recent work in the Schatz group concerned with using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) to study the optical properties of silver and gold nanoparticles and other nanostructures, with emphasis on the determination of extinction and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra, and on near-field imaging. Computational electromagnetic methods provide an immensely useful approach for interpreting a wide range of nanoscience experiments, including the capability to describe optical properties of particles and other nanostructures up to several hundred nm in dimension, allowing for arbitrary particle structures and a complex dielectric environment. While there are many different methods for doing computational electromagnetics, the DDA method is one of the most useful, due to its ability to describe particles in three dimensions with modest computational resources. After a brief description of the method, we show its utility through applications to a variety of nanostructures, including triangular bifrustums, rods, gapped rods with roughened surfaces, rod-sheath structures and rings, including new results for many of the rod-structures.
Gamma radiation sensitivity and risk of malignant and benign salivary gland tumors: a pilot case-control analysis.

BACKGROUND The salivary gland is a highly radiosensitive organ. Exposure to gamma radiation is a risk factor for both malignant (MSTs) and benign salivary gland tumors (BSTs), but the exact mechanisms remain unknown. The objectives of the current study were to determine whether gamma radiation–induced chromatid breaks increase the risk of MSTs and BSTs and whether there is any difference in risk between these two diseases. METHODS The authors performed a pilot case–control study of 57 patients with salivary gland diseases (45 patients with MSTs and 12 patients with BSTs) and 105 cancer-free controls. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from these participants were cultured and exposed to gamma radiation (1.5 grays). Five hours later, metaphase spread slides were evaluated. The chromatid breaks in 50 well-spread metaphase slides were counted to determine the average number of chromatid breaks per cell (b/c). RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that gamma radiation–induced b/c values greater than the median of the controls were a significant risk factor for salivary gland tumors (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 17.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.92–60.49). The risk remained significant for MSTs (adjusted OR, 40.45; 95% CI, 5.27–310.17) but was of borderline significance for BSTs (adjusted OR, 4.73; 95% CI, 0.94–23.87) when these tumors were analyzed separately. CONCLUSIONS In the current study, high levels of chromatid breaks in lymphocytes induced by gamma irradiation were associated with an independent risk for MSTs and were likely to increase the risk of BSTs. However, larger studies are needed to verify these findings. Cancer 2004. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Arsenic speciation analysis of human urine using ion exchange chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Abstract A sensitive and robust method for the determination of seven inorganic and organic arsenic species was developed using ion exchange chromatography combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS). Both anion and cation exchange columns were used in a complementary fashion. Arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) were selectively separated by an anion exchange column using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) gradient elution, while monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(III)), dimethylarsinous acid (DMA(III)) and arsenobetaine (AsB) were separated by a cation exchange column using 70 mM nitric acid as the mobile phase. Baseline separation, high repeatability and low detection limits (0.10–0.75 ng mL −1 ) were achieved. The spiked urine samples were analyzed with this method to evaluate the matrix effect on the method. The results suggest 1–10 dilutions should be made to urine samples before sample injection for the anion exchange analysis to minimize the matrix effect. To validate the method, a new standard reference material (NIST SRM-2670a) was also analyzed. The arsenic species in NIST SRM-2670a were determined by this method, and the sum of their concentrations agreed well with the total arsenic content certified for NIST SRM-2670a. Moreover, this method was applied to measure arsenic species in urine samples from one subject living in New Jersey who drank well water contaminated with arsenic. By this method, two key arsenic metabolites, MMA(III) and DMA(III), were found to be present in these urine samples, which has previously been rarely reported.
Computer-mediated assessment of intelligibility in aphasia and apraxia of speech

Background: Previous work indicates that single-word intelligibility tests developed for dysarthria are sensitive to segmental production errors in aphasic individuals with and without apraxia of s...
Reflex and reflectivity: Wuwei in the Zhuangzi

Abstract I will explicate Zhuangzi's conception of wuwei as it is articulated in the image of the ‘hinge of dao.’ First, I will discuss the few actual instances of the term “wuwei’ in the Zhuangzi. Second, I will show that the text uses this imagery to suggest an adaptive or reflective mode of conduct. Third, I will analyse the metaphor of the hinge, and show how this metaphor can illuminate Zhuangzi's notion of wuwei and the behaviour of the realised person. I will show that the hinge represents the way in which the ideal person responds to inevitability, and that Zhuangzi's ideal person could be described as “perfectly well‐adjusted”. Finally, I will demonstrate that this reading offers new meanings and textures to a text that has long been read in only certain ways, so that many of its subtleties have been overlooked.
Rule-based thermostat design for night setback of heat pumps

Abstract We introduce a computer model for testing heat-pump thermostat performance with regard to energy and cost savings due to night setback. Also introduced are two new control strategies for heat-pump night setback: 1. (i) an inexpensive variation of existing control strategies and 2. (ii) a rule-based control strategy using techniques of artificial intelligence. The computer model is based on a transient system model of the residence, heat-pump, and controller, in response to actual weather data. Seasonal energy usage and costs are computed for each control strategy, subject to the effects of variable heat-pump sizing, building thermal inertia, building heat loss, climatic region, and electric rate structure. Results show that night setback can reduce heating season costs in residential heat-pump systems if the control strategy takes into account the characteristics of both the heat-pump system and the building. If these factors are not considered, night setback can increase heat-pump operating costs. The rule-based control strategy consistently provides positive cost savings above other setback methods, and has the added potential of providing diagnostic information about both the heat-pump system and the residence.
Reconstruction of 3D affine and Euclidean mesh models from video

3D mesh modeling offers several advantages over 2D mesh modeling for object-based video manipulation including digital postprocessing and editing. This paper proposes a new method for automatic reconstruction of 3D affine and Euclidean mesh representations of objects from video sequences. Our approach is to first design a 2D mesh by selecting node points from a set of salient points followed by constrained Delaunay triangulation. Next, an improved 2D mesh tracking scheme is proposed that estimates motion vectors at the node points by global motion estimation followed by a local refinement scheme. A 3D mesh is then reconstructed by estimating the depth at these node points in an affine space using computer vision techniques. A Euclidean reconstruction is also computed by imposing additional constraints. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the accuracy of the reconstructions.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
K+p elastic scattering at 4.6 GeV/c

Abstract The elastic scattering of K + mesons by protons at 4.6 GeV/ c has been studied in a hydrogen bubble chamber experiment. The elastic cross section has been measured and found to be 3.85 ± 0.25 mb. The forward diffraction peak can be adequately fitted by a differential cross section of the form d σ /d t = (d σ /d t ) o e − B | t | , where (d σ /d t ) o = 16.0 ± 1.3 mb/(GeV/ c ) 2 and B = 4.2 ± 0.2 (GeV/ c ) −2 . From this fit the magnitude of the ratio of real forward amplitude to imaginary forward amplitude is estimated to be 0.25 −0.25 +0.14 . Comparison with results of other experiments indicates that B has a momentum dependence extremely similar to that observed in proton-proton elastic scattering.
Self consistent GW determination of the interaction strength: application to the iron arsenide superconductors

Many metals, semiconductors, and insulators are well described by the "standard model" of solid state physics. In this picture the excitations are band electrons, and their dispersion can be computed quantitatively in perturbation theory starting from the density functional theory using the GW method [1]. When this standard model fails, we talk about strongly correlated electron systems. The presence of strong correlations is debated with each new material discovery, as for example in the context of the iron pnictide superconductors. On the experimental side, controversies arose because optical experiments revealed signicant mass renormalizations [2{4] while Xray absorption, core level spectroscopies and resonant inelastic Xray scattering indicated the absence of satellite peaks [5, 6], which are standard ngerprints of strong correlations. Photoemission studies indicate that the overall bandwidth is narrowed by a factor of two [7, 8] but substantially larger mass renormalizations are present near the Fermi level [9]. Similar controversies arose within the rst principles approaches to the treatment of correlations with some theoretical studies supporting the notion of weak correlations [10{14], while others advocate a more correlated picture [15{18]. To make progress on this issues one needs to develop fully ab initio tools for addressing the problem of determining the strength of correlations and test their predictions against experiments. In this letter we introduce a new rst principles methodology for evaluating the strength of the correlations based on the self-consistent GW method. This approach has been shown to predict accurate total energy [19, 20], and we expect to obtain reliable estimates for the interaction strength since this quantity can be thought as a second derivative of the total energy with respect to the occupation of the correlated orbitals. We test successfully the method on the well studied example of a correlated material NiO, and then we apply it to a prototypical iron pnictide BaFe2As2. We nd that the correlations in iron pnictides are strong, as pointed out in Refs. [15{18] but unlike earlier studies our ab-initio method accounts for the absence of well dened Hubbard bands in the spectral functions. Our results are thus in excellent agreement with experiment and reconcile the results of apparently conicting spectroscopies. We start with the one-particle electron Green’s function in the solid,G, which is measurable in photoemission experiments. We split it into G 1 = G 0 1 + , where G 0 describes the non-interacting system of electrons, and is the frequency dependent self-energy. Both G and are matrices in r;r 0 . The electrons interact among themselves via the Coulomb interactionVc(r;r 0 ) = 1 jr r0j , however, the mobile electrons screen it and is therefore useful to reformulate the problem in terms of a screened Coulomb interaction W dened
Effects of serotonin and morphine on spontaneous and evoked firing of nociceptive neurons in the trigeminal spinal nucleus of rats

Spontaneously firing neurons that were responsive to noxious face pinch or noxious heat were studied in the trigeminal spinal nucleus of the rat brain. These neurons responded with either an increase or decrease in firing rate. In these neurons serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) apparently acts through two mechanisms to attenuate the response to a noxious stimulus. One mechanism is mimicked by morphine; these two drugs block the response to the noxious stimuli without having a consistent effect on spontaneous firing. The effects of the two drugs were somewhat selective depending on the noxious stimulus used and the effect of the noxious stimulus; morphine and 5-HT were more effective in blocking the increase in firing rate evoked by the face pinch but 5-HT and morphine were more effective in blocking the decrease in firing rate evoked by the noxious heat stimulus. Interestingly, the direction of the response to a particular noxious stimulus frequently predicted whether or not both morphine and 5-HT would act on the same or different neurons. A second mechanism by which 5-HT, but not morphine, acted was to change the spontaneous firing in a direction opposite that evoked by the noxious stimulus. This type of effect apparently modulated the response to a noxious stimulus by changing the spontaneous firing rate such that a noxious stimulus had to be more intense before it could significantly alter the neuronal firing in the opposite direction. Morphine occasionally produced a change in firing pattern in neurons; this effect remains to be documented more extensively.
Knowledge Sharing in a Third-Party-Governed Health and Human Services Network

The rapid growth of knowledge in disease diagnosis and treatment requires health service provider organizations to continuously learn and update their practices. However, little is known about knowledge sharing in service implementation networks governed by a network administrative organization (NAO). The author suggests that strong ties enhance knowledge sharing and that there is a contingent effect of third-party ties. Two provider agencies’ common ties with the NAO may undermine knowledge sharing because of resource competition. In contrast, a dyad's common ties with a peer agency may boost knowledge sharing as a result of social cohesion. Finally, the author posits that third-party ties moderate the relationship between strong ties and knowledge sharing. These hypotheses are examined in a mental health network. Quantitative network analysis confirms the strong tie and third-party tie hypotheses and provides partial support for the moderating effect of third-party ties. The implications for public management, including the implementation of HealthCare.gov, are discussed.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of the First Dual Tyrosyl-DNA Phosphodiesterase I (Tdp1)–Topoisomerase I (Top1) Inhibitors

Substances with dual tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase I - topoisomerase I inhibitory activity in one low molecular weight compound would constitute a unique class of anticancer agents that could potentially have significant advantages over drugs that work against the individual enzymes. The present study demonstrates the successful synthesis and evaluation of the first dual Top1-Tdp1 inhibitors, which are based on the indenoisoquinoline chemotype. One bis(indenoisoquinoline) had significant activity against human Tdp1 (IC50 = 1.52 ± 0.05 μM), and it was also equipotent to camptothecin as a Top1 inhibitor. Significant insights into enzyme-drug interactions were gained via structure-activity relationship studies of the series. The present results also document the failure of the previously reported sulfonyl ester pharmacophore to confer Tdp1 inhibition in this indenoisoquinoline class of inhibitors, even though it was demonstrated to work well for the steroid NSC 88915 (7). The current study will facilitate future efforts to optimize dual Top1-Tdp1 inhibitors.
A "Jigsaw Classroom" Technique for Undergraduate Statistics Courses

Undergraduate statistics students vary widely in performance, and many are passive learners. Worksheets (problem sets) help students to be more active and to learn by doing. Working individually, h...
Optical nanoantenna arrays loaded with nonlinear materials

Optical nanoantennas loaded by nanoparticles are used to provide large and controllable field enhancement at the nanoscale. Here we show how the introduction of nonlinearities at the nanoload may realize a whole set of all-optical nanoscale functionalities, such as memories, switches and transistors, as a function of whether the nanoantenna is excited ``below'' or ``above'' its resonance frequency. After discussing the main features of this nonlinear nanoantenna operation, we employ its bistable and self-tunable response in a planar array design, which may constitute different nonlinear devices and functionalities of significant interest for optical computing applications.
Two-stage Binding of SecA to the Bacterial Translocon Regulates Ribosome-Translocon Interaction

The bacterial translocon interacts with both SecA-bound preproteins and nascent chain-ribosome complexes during Sec and signal recognition particle-dependent protein translocation, respectively. In their inactive state, translocons are saturated with ribosomes and SecA protein, reflecting the inherent affinity of these components for one another. We found that SecA and ribosomes are bound simultaneously and noncompetitively to a common set of inactive translocons. Furthermore, we demonstrate that at a later stage in binding, SecA possesses a ribosome-translocon dissociation activity that is coupled to its ATP-dependent membrane insertion and retraction cycle that drives protein translocation. This novel activity is presumably important in the commitment of the translocon to the Sec-dependent pathway. These results also provide a rationale for the compatibility and regulation of multiple protein translocation pathways that each makes distinct demands on a common translocon core.
Malnutrition-Induced Wernicke’s Encephalopathy Following a Water-Only Fasting Diet

Background: Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a critical condition of neurological dysfunction resulting from a deficiency in thiamine. Chronic alcoholism is recognized as the most common cause of Wernicke’s encephalopathy, but other causes, including fasting/starvation and malnutrition, have been documented within the scientific literature. These causes may not be readily recognized by healthcare professionals and may lead to Wernicke’s encephalopathy being overlooked as a diagnosis when a nonalcoholic patient presents with classic signs and symptoms of the disorder. Materials and Methods: A narrative review of thiamine and its relationship to the development, diagnosis, and treatment of Wernicke’s encephalopathy is presented based on a review of evidence-based guidelines and published research. To heighten awareness of the development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy in fasted/starved and malnourished patients and to contribute to the scientific body of knowledge for the identification and management of Wernicke...
On the Detective Quantum Efficiency of Television Camera Tubes

The detective quantum efficiency of two RCA image orthicons (5820 and 6849) and one RCA vidicon (6326) is computed from unpublished signal, noise and resolution data generously supplied by the manufacturer. The concept of detective quantum efficiency used here is identical with the concept of quantum efficiency introduced by Rose in 1946, and is defined as the square of the ratio of the measured signal-to-noise ratio to the maximum possible signal-to-noise ratio under the same external conditions, where the maximum possible signal-to-noise ratio is set by the statistical fluctuations in the number of the photons in the background. The detective quantum efficiency Q is presented as a function of the wavelength of the photocathode radiation, of the irradiation of the cathode and of the line-number of the target. The maximum value of Q with respect to variation of the wavelength, irradiation and line-number is 2.65% for the 5820 and 4.35% for the 6849 image orthicons and only 0.084% for the 6326 vidicon.
Demixing of colloid-polymer mixtures in poor solvents.

Department of Physics, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5566, USA(Dated: 5 April 2002)The inﬂuence of poor solvent quality on ﬂuid demixing of a model mixture of colloids and nonad-sorbing polymers is investigated using density functional theory. The colloidal particles are modelledas hard spheres and the polymer coils as eﬀective interpenetrating spheres that have hard interac-tions with the colloids. The solvent is modelled as a two-component mixture of a primary solvent,regarded as a background theta-solvent for the polymer, and a cosolvent of point particles thatare excluded from both colloids and polymers. Cosolvent exclusion favors overlap of polymers,mimicking the eﬀect of a poor solvent by inducing an eﬀective attraction between polymers. Forthis model, a geometry-based density functional theory is derived and applied to bulk ﬂuid phasebehavior. With increasing cosolvent concentration (worsening solvent quality), the predicted colloid-polymer binodal shifts to lower colloid concentrations, promoting demixing. For suﬃciently poorsolvent, a reentrant demixing transition is predicted at low colloid concentrations.I. INTRODUCTION
p53-regulated increase in oxidative-stress--induced apoptosis in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: a native tissue model.

Purpose. This study compared susceptibility of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and normal corneal endothelial cells (CECs) to oxidative stress, and studied the mechanism of oxidative-stress–induced apoptosis in FECD-affected endothelium.
Effects of activity schedules on challenging behavior exhibited in children with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review

Abstract We reviewed studies implementing activity schedules to decrease challenging behavior of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Systematic searches of electronic databases, journals, and reference lists identified 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated in terms of the effectiveness of activity schedules to decrease challenging behavior on the basis of forms and purposes of activity schedules, various settings in which the activity schedule was applied, severity of ASD diagnosis, and communication abilities of the participants. Activity schedules were implemented to decrease challenging behavior in 43 participants aged three to 18 years. Activity schedules included photographs, line drawings, and videos intending to promote self-regulation, independence, transitions, or play skills. Regardless of the form and intended purpose of the activity schedule, they proved effective in reducing challenging behavior in each of the reviewed studies. There was some variation in effectiveness of the activity schedules across settings, severity of ASD diagnosis, and communication abilities. Included studies are summarized and evaluated in terms of effectiveness across the aforementioned variables. Implications and suggestions for future research on the use of activity schedules to decrease challenging behavior are discussed.
Changes in the activities of some respiratory and photosynthetic enzymes during the early leaf development of Antirrhinum majus L.

Abstract The activities of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate (RuDP) carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase, glycolate oxidase (GO) and NADP dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) have been studied in leaves at different node positions and during the early development of leaves at particular nodes. The most significant observation was the different behaviour of the two carboxylases. RuDP carboxylase activity increased and PEP carboxylase decreased from the youngest to the oldest tissue. A similar trend was observed as leaf expansion proceeded. The possibility of PEP carboxylase in young leaves of plants with C3 photosynthesis acting to reduce the loss of respired CO 2 and the possible significance of this system in the evolution of the C4 photosynthetic system are discussed.
A Structural Approach for Independent Domination of Regular Graphs

We consider bounds on the minimum cardinality of an independent dominating set in regular graphs with large degree (linear in the number of vertices). Better bounds are obtained for various ranges of the degree. This is done by working with a variant of the clique graph of the complement.
Then and Now: Examining How Consumer Communication and Attitudes of Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising Have Changed in the Last Decade.

This study examines changes over a 10-year period in consumer reports of communication with health care providers about direct-to-consumer advertised (DTCA) medications. Two rounds of survey data were collected in 2003 and 2012 using repeated cross-sectional procedures to examine consumer willingness to discuss DTCA medications, content and tone of those conversations, and attitudes about the advertisements. In total, 472 surveys were analyzed. Generally, we found physician–patient conversations, attitudes, and behaviors regarding DTCA have changed. Consumers in 2012 reported talking significantly less about the names of the advertised drug, comparing the advertised drug with their current medication, and sharing general information than consumers in 2003. Attitudes toward the advertisements were significantly more negative in 2012 compared to 2003. Of those who specifically asked for a prescription, the proportion of patients who received the prescription was significantly lower in 2012, despite research...
Patterns of molecular genetic variation among cat breeds

Genetic variation in cat breeds was assessed utilizing a panel of short tandem repeat (STR) loci genotyped in 38 cat breeds and 284 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped in 24 breeds. Population structure in cat breeds generally reflects their recent ancestry and absence of strong breed barriers between some breeds. There is a wide range in the robustness of population definition, from breeds demonstrating high definition to breeds with as little as a third of their genetic variation partitioning into a single population. Utilizing the STRUCTURE algorithm, there was no clear demarcation of the number of population subdivisions; 16 breeds could not be resolved into independent populations, the consequence of outcrossing in established breeds to recently developed breeds with common ancestry. These 16 breeds were divided into 6 populations. Ninety-six percent of cats in a sample set of 1040 were correctly assigned to their classified breed or breed group/population. Average breed STR heterozygosities ranged from moderate (0.53; Havana, Korat) to high (0.85; Norwegian Forest Cat, Manx). Most of the variation in cat breeds was observed within a breed population (83.7%), versus 16.3% of the variation observed between populations. The hierarchical relationships of cat breeds is poorly defined as demonstrated by phylogenetic trees generated from both STR and SNP data, though phylogeographic grouping of breeds derived completely or in part from Southeast Asian ancestors was apparent.
Pulsed rf breakdown studies

A series of experiments have been conducted to investigate the critical mechanisms involved in pulsed rf breakdown. This research has examined fundamental issues such as microparticle contamination, grain boundaries, residual gas, pulse duration, field emission, and the spatial distribution of plasma during a breakdown event. The motivation of this research is to gain a clearer understanding of the processes involved in breakdown and to determine methods to increase the breakdown threshold thereby increasing the available power in high power microwave sources and accelerator components.
Organization of the ER–Golgi interface for membrane traffic control

Coat protein complex I (COPI) and COPII are required for bidirectional membrane trafficking between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi. While these core coat machineries and other transport factors are highly conserved across species, high-resolution imaging studies indicate that the organization of the ER-Golgi interface is varied in eukaryotic cells. Regulation of COPII assembly, in some cases to manage distinct cellular cargo, is emerging as one important component in determining this structure. Comparison of the ER-Golgi interface across different systems, particularly mammalian and plant cells, reveals fundamental elements and distinct organization of this interface. A better understanding of how these interfaces are regulated to meet varying cellular secretory demands should provide key insights into the mechanisms that control efficient trafficking of proteins and lipids through the secretory pathway.
Finding Convex Sets Among Points in the Plane

Let g(n) denote the least value such that any g(n) points in the plane in general position contain the vertices of a convex n-gon. In 1935, Erdős and Szekeres showed that g(n) exists, and they obtained the bounds 2^(n−2) + 1 ≤ g(n) ≤ (^(2n−4)_(n−2)) + 1. Chung and Graham have recently improved the upper bound by 1; the first improvement since the original Erdős—Szekeres paper. We show that g(n) ≤ (^(2n−4)_(n−2)) + 7 − 2n.
Social trends and tourism futures

Abstract This article focuses on the impact of social factors on the leisure tourist. Shorter working hours, less physically demanding work and better education have resulted in demand for a higher quality tourism product and a much wider range of tourist destinations and activities. The main emphasis in leisure use has shifted from rest to entertainment with a recent further development towards activity and learning holidays. Activities, experiences, participation and learning will be key elements in the future. Entertainment and rest will still be important so destinations able to provide a mix of these elements will attract the tourists of the future.
Computer-aided detection of bladder mass within contrast-enhanced region of CTU

We are developing a computer-aided detection system for bladder cancer on CTU. The bladder was automatically segmented with our Conjoint Level set Analysis and Segmentation System (CLASS). In this preliminary study, we developed a system for detecting mass within the contrast-enhanced (C) region of the bladder. The C region was delineated from the segmented bladders using a method based on maximum intensity projection. The bladder wall of the C region was extracted using thresholding to remove the contrast material. The wall on each slice was transformed into a wall profile. Morphology and voxel intensity along the profile were analyzed and suspicious locations were labeled as lesion candidates. The candidates were segmented and 20 morphological features were extracted from each candidate. A data set of 35 patients with 45 biopsy-proven bladder lesions within the C region was used for system evaluation. Stepwise feature selection with simplex optimization and leave-one-case-out method was used for training and validation. For each partition in the leave-one-case-out method, features were selected from the training cases and a linear discriminant (LDA) classifier was designed to merge the selected features into a single score for classification of the lesion candidates into bladder lesions and normal findings in the left-out case. A single score was generated for each lesion candidate. The performance of the CAD system was evaluated by FROC analysis. At an FP rate of 2.5 FPs/case, the system achieved a sensitivity of 82%, while at 1.7 FPs/case, a sensitivity of 71%.
Prescription tillage: The concept and examples

Abstract Custom Prescribed Tillage (CPT), is a concept which focuses on the requirements of the crop, and is based on the premise that, to meet future needs of productivity, conservation, and efficiency, tillage systems will be described for specific crops or varieties, soil types, soil conditions and environmental conditions. CPT is a dynamic control system with feedback. Examples are given of the use of the CPT concept in research to enhance crop production.
Movement Protein of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Modifies Plasmodesmatal Size Exclusion Limit

The function of the 30-kilodalton movement protein (MP) of tobacco mosaic virus is to facilitate cell-to-cell movement of viral progeny in an infected plant. A novel method for delivering non-plasmalemma-permeable fluorescent probes to the cytosol of spongy mesophyll cells of tobacco leaves was used to study plasmodesmatal size exclusion limits in transgenic plants that express the MP gene. Movement of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (F-dextran) with an average molecular mass of 9400 daltons and an approximate Stokes radius of 2.4 nanometers was detected between cells of the transgenic plants, whereas the size exclusion limit for the control plants was 700 to 800 daltons. No evidence of F-dextran metabolism in the leaves of the transgenic plants was found. Thus, the tobacco mosaic virus movement protein has a direct effect on a plasmodesmatal function.
Negative effects of part-set cues: Are they reversible?

In a number of studies, it has been reported that the negative effect of part-set cues on recall disappears when a second recall test is administered without cues. The present experiments show that the removal of cues does not significantly increase the recall of new items on a second test over that obtained in two successive tests without cues, or in two successive tests with cues. The part-set cuing effect does not appear to be reversible by retesting without cues.
The Berkeley Spectrometer for ORFEUS: Laboratory and In-Flight Performance

The Berkeley spectrometer aboard the ORFEUS payload achieved a variety of “firsts” during its inaugural mission in September 1993. The instrument utilizes spherical gratings with mechanically ruled varied line-spacing, and curved microchannel plate detectors with delay-line anode readout systems, to cover the 390 – 1200 A band at a resolution of A/5000. The instrument will be discussed, and its performance illustrated with calibration and in-flight spectra. Science highlights from the ORFEUS-I mission will be presented (oral presentation only). The payload will be available for use by guest investigators during the ORFEUS-II mission currently scheduled for late 1996.
Mesoporous TiO2 spheres with a nitridated conducting layer for lithium-ion batteries

Nitridated TiO2 mesoporous spheres have been synthesized by hydrothermal processing followed by post-nitridation with NH3. Characterization data reveal a nitridated conducting layer, in addition to a mesoporous and nanosized building-block morphology resulting in a large surface area. The sample has an average pore size and surface area of, respectively, 10 nm and 87 m2/g. The nitridated TiO2 mesoporous spheres exhibit a high capacity of >200 mAh/g with good cyclability and high rate capability, as the nitridated conducting layer and favorable morphology of nanosized spheres provides good electrical contact, accommodates cycling induced strain smoothly, and facilitates lithium-ion diffusion.
An inside‐out insurgency: The Tukuyana Amazones of Suriname

(1993). An inside‐out insurgency: The Tukuyana Amazones of Suriname. The Journal of Commonwealth & Comparative Politics: Vol. 31, Size and Survival: The Politics of Security in the Caribbean and the Pacific, pp. 54-69.
Synthesis, characterization, and growth rates of germanium silicalite-1 grown from clear solutions.

The synthesis, characterization, and growth of Ge-silicalite-1 from optically clear solutions are reported. Ge-silicalite-1 is readily formed from optically clear solutions of TEOS, TPAOH, water, and a germanium source at 368 K. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is used to determine the Si/Ge ratio and indicates that germanium inclusion is typically 30−50% of that in the actual mixture. Adsorption, power X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and 29Si NMR indicate the materials are crystalline and microporous. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is applied to investigate the influences of germanium source (GeO2 and Ge(OC2H5)4) and content (Si/Ge 100:5) on the growth of Ge-silicalite-1 from clear solutions at 368 K. The in situ SAXS investigations show that for solutions with Si/Ge ratios of 100, 50, and 25 using Ge(OC2H5)4 the induction periods are approximately 6 h and the particle growth rates are 1.82 ± 0.04, 2.52 ± 0.13, and 2.85 ± 0.08 nm/h, respectively, at 368 K, compared to those of pure silicalite-1 (6 h induc...
Genomic and proteomic analysis of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant outcome. Seeking greater understanding the pathogenesis of GVHD and mortality.

Success following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT) is ultimately determined by the ability to achieve sustained engraftment and immune reconstitution, eradication of the abnormal or malignant cells responsible for the patient’s disease, and control of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD, an immune mediated reaction initiated by donor T cells in response to host alloantigen is the cause of significant morbidity and death in many patients. Genetic matching for HLA, the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) located on chromosome 6p21 has for several years become well established as a requirement for optimal HSCT outcome [1]. Despite complete matching for all variation spanning 4Mb of DNA across the MHC, acute GVHD, chronic GVHD and transplant related mortality (TRM) occurs in a significant number of HLA identical sibling donor transplants.
Scientific discovery: The larger problem situation

Abstract Present discussion of scientific discovery is in transition from a psychological idiom which reduced it from an irrational quasi-magical process to a more methodological idiom regarding it as a rational heuristic, if not a logic. The greatest obstacle to the latter endeavor is found to be a Romantic genre of introspective and anecdotal psychology. A more fruitful conceptual source is to be found in the classic tradition of ars inveniendi and its development into modern versions such as Dewey's pragmatic logic of inquiry and Gadamer's hermeneutic dialectic of question and answer. On this basis, a research program is sketched out for understanding scientific discovery as a rational heuristic in its ontological, psychological and methodological dimensions and for coming to terms with this phenomenon in the present cultural situation.
Potential health effects of global climatic and environmental changes.

THE subject of climatic and environmental changes that result from human activity has been much in the news recently. Discussions of the greenhouse effect, thinning of the ozone layer, rising level...
Neglecting parameter changes in GARCH models

If a GARCH model is estimated on a time series that contains parameter changes in the conditional volatility process and these parameter changes are not accounted for, a distinct error in the estimation occurs: The sum of the estimated autoregressive parameters of the conditional variance converges to one. In finite samples, the sum of the estimated autoregressive parameters is heavily biased towards one. This paper shows that this convergence holds for all common estimators of GARCH. Simulations of the GARCH model show that the effect occurs for realistic parameter changes and sample sizes for financial volatility data.
X-ray structures of the MgADP, MgATPgammaS, and MgAMPPNP complexes of the Dictyostelium discoideum myosin motor domain.

The three-dimensional structures of the truncated myosin head from Dictyostelium discoideum myosin II (S1dC) complexed with MgAMPPNP, MgATPγS, and MgADP are reported at 2.1, 1.9, and 2.1 A resolution, respectively. Crystals were obtained by cocrystallization and were isomorphous with respect to those of S1dC·MgADP·BeFx [Fisher, A. J., et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 8960−8972]. In all three structures, the electron density for the entire nucleotide was clearly discernible. The overall structures of all three complexes are very similar to that of the beryllium fluoride complex which suggests that the differences in the physiological effects of ATPγS and AMPPNP are due to the changes in the equilibrium between the actin-bound and actin-free states of myosin caused by the lower affinity of AMPPNP for myosin. In S1dC·MgAMPPNP, the presence of the bridging nitrogen prompts the side chain of Asn233 to rotate which disrupts the hydrogen bonding pattern in the nucleotide binding pocket and alters the water structu...