cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The minimum span of L(2,1)-labelings of certain generalized Petersen graphs

In the classical channel assignment problem, transmitters that are sufficiently close together are assigned transmission frequencies that differ by prescribed amounts, with the goal of minimizing the span of frequencies required. This problem can be modeled through the use of an L(2,1)-labeling, which is a function f from the vertex set of a graph G to the non-negative integers such that |f(x)-f(y)|>= 2 if xand y are adjacent vertices and |f(x)-f(y)|>=1 if xand y are at distance two. The goal is to determine the @l-number of G, which is defined as the minimum span over all L(2,1)-labelings of G, or equivalently, the smallest number k such that G has an L(2,1)-labeling using integers from {0,1,...,k}. Recent work has focused on determining the @l-number of generalized Petersen graphs (GPGs) of order n. This paper provides exact values for the @l-numbers of GPGs of orders 5, 7, and 8, closing all remaining open cases for orders at most 8. It is also shown that there are no GPGs of order 4, 5, 8, or 11 with @l-number exactly equal to the known lower bound of 5, however, a construction is provided to obtain examples of GPGs with @l-number 5 for all other orders. This paper also provides an upper bound for the number of distinct isomorphism classes for GPGs of any given order. Finally, the exact values for the @l-number of n-stars, a subclass of the GPGs inspired by the classical Petersen graph, are also determined. These generalized stars have a useful representation on Moebius strips, which is fundamental in verifying our results.
MethLAB: A graphical user interface package for the analysis of array-based DNA methylation data

Recent evidence suggests that DNA methylation changes may underlie numerous complex traits and diseases. The advent of commercial, array-based methods to interrogate DNA methylation has led to a profusion of epigenetic studies in the literature. Array-based methods, such as the popular Illumina GoldenGate and Infinium platforms, estimate the proportion of DNA methylated at single-base resolution for thousands of CpG sites across the genome. These arrays generate enormous amounts of data, but few software resources exist for efficient and flexible analysis of these data. We developed a software package called MethLAB (http://genetics.emory.edu/conneely/MethLAB) using R, an open source statistical language that can be edited to suit the needs of the user. MethLAB features a graphical user interface (GUI) with a menu-driven format designed to efficiently read in and manipulate array-based methylation data in a user-friendly manner. MethLAB tests for association between methylation and relevant phenotypes by fitting a separate linear model for each CpG site. These models can incorporate both continuous and categorical phenotypes and covariates, as well as fixed or random batch or chip effects. MethLAB accounts for multiple testing by controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) at a user-specified level. Standard output includes a spreadsheet-ready text file and an array of publication-quality figures. Considering the growing interest in and availability of DNA methylation data, there is a great need for user-friendly open source analytical tools. With MethLAB, we present a timely resource that will allow users with no programming experience to implement flexible and powerful analyses of DNA methylation data.
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE STUDIES OF THE BINDING OF CAPTOPRIL AND PENICILLAMINE BY SERUM ALBUMIN

Abstract The metabolism of the thiol-containing drugs penicillamine (β,β-dimethylcysteine) and captopril ( d -3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl- l -proline) involves the formation of mixed disulfides, including mixed disulfides with serum albumin. The reactions of penicillamine and captopril with serum albumin in aqueous solution and in intact human blood plasma have been studied by 500 MHz 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Penicillamine was found to react rapidly at the albumin-cysteine mixed disulfide bond to form penicillamine-cysteine mixed disulfide and to react more slowly at other albumin disulfide bonds. The amino acid cysteine was found to react with albumin by the same two pathways. In contrast, captopril rapidly associates with albumin to form noncovalent albumin-captopril complexes. Exchange of captopril between its free and noncovalently bound forms takes place on the NMR time scale. On a longer time scale, captopril reacts with albumin by thiol/disulfide interchange reactions. Noncovalently bound captopril displaced lactate from its albumin binding sites, both in aqueous solution and in human plasma. The results demonstrate that 1 H NMR is a useful method for characterizing the state of drug molecules in human plasma and for detecting and monitoring perturbations by drugs of delicately balanced binding equilibria involving endogenous small molecules and macromolecules in plasma.
Respondent-driven sampling to recruit young adult non-medical users of pharmaceutical opioids: Problems and solutions

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) has been promoted as a superior method in recruiting hard-to-reach and hidden populations. Although its application has expanded enormously, there remains a need for empirical data evaluating the performance of RDS in different settings. This study describes the application of RDS to recruit a community sample (N=396) of young adults (18-23 years old) into a natural history study of non-medical pharmaceutical opioid use. Since recruitment targeted non-dependent pharmaceutical opioid users, and applied other eligibility restrictions, several modifications had to be made to make RDS work with this narrowly defined target population. RDS recruitment was less efficient than expected, and produced greater numbers of African American recruits than anticipated. Although the sampling quota was met, sample analysis revealed a lack of equilibrium in terms of ethnic composition and very strong in-group recruitment tendencies among White and African American respondents. This study contributes potentially helpful insights into the strengths and limitations of using RDS which may benefit future studies.
A new nonparametric bivariate test for two sample location problem

A strictly nonparametric bivariate test for two sample location problem is proposed. The proposed test is easy to apply and does not require the stringent condition of affine-symmetry or elliptical symmetry which is required by some of the major tests available for the same problem. The power function of the proposed test is calculated. The asymptotic distribution of the proposed test statistic is found to be normal. The power of proposed test is compared with some of the well-known tests under various distributions using Monte Carlo simulation technique. The power study shows that the proposed test statistic performs better than most of the test statistics for almost all the distributions considered here. As soon as the underlying population structure deviates from normality, the ability of the proposed test statistic to detect the smallest shift in location increases as compared to its competitors. The application of the test is shown by using a data set.
Twist-two matrix elements at finite and infinite volume

We present one-loop results for the forward twist-two matrix elements relevant to the unpolarized, helicity and transversity baryon structure functions, in partially-quenched (${N}_{f}=2$ and ${N}_{f}=2+1$) heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory. The full-QCD limit can be straightforwardly obtained from these results and we also consider SU$(2|2)$ quenched QCD. Our calculations are performed in finite volume as well as in infinite-volume. We discuss features of lattice simulations and investigate finite volume effects in detail. We find that volume effects are not negligible, typically around 5%--10% in current partially-quenched and full-QCD calculations, and are possibly larger in quenched QCD. Extensions to the off-forward matrix elements and potential difficulties that occur there are also discussed.
An implementation of reinforcement learning based on spike timing dependent plasticity

An explanatory model is developed to show how synaptic learning mechanisms modeled through spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) can result in long-term adaptations consistent with reinforcement learning models. In particular, the reinforcement learning model known as temporal difference (TD) learning has been used to model neuronal behavior in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of macaque monkey during reinforcement learning. While some research has observed, empirically, a connection between STDP and TD, there has not been an explanatory model directly connecting TD to STDP. Through analysis of the learning dynamics that results from a general form of a STDP learning rule, the connection between STDP and TD is explained. We further demonstrate that a STDP learning rule drives the spike probability of a reward predicting neuronal population to a stable equilibrium. The equilibrium solution has an increasing slope where the steepness of the slope predicts the probability of the reward, similar to the results from electrophysiological recordings suggesting a different slope that predicts the value of the anticipated reward of Montague and Berns [Neuron 36(2):265–284, 2002]. This connection begins to shed light into more recent data gathered from VTA and OFC which are not well modeled by TD. We suggest that STDP provides the underlying mechanism for explaining reinforcement learning and other higher level perceptual and cognitive function.
Growth Hormone Deficiency and Splicing Fidelity: TWO SERINE/ARGININE-RICH PROTEINS, ASF/SF2 AND SC35, ACT ANTAGONISTICALLY*

The majority of mutations that cause isolated growth hormone deficiency type II are the result of aberrant splicing of transcripts encoding human growth hormone. Such mutations increase skipping of exon 3 and encode a 17.5-kDa protein that acts as a dominant negative to block secretion of full-length protein produced from unaffected alleles. Previously, we identified a splicing regulatory element in exon 3 (exonic splicing enhancer 2 (ESE2)), but we had not determined the molecular mechanism by which this element prevents exon skipping. Here, we show that two members of the serine/arginine-rich (SR) protein superfamily (ASF/SF2 and SC35) act antagonistically to regulate exon 3 splicing. ASF/SF2 activates exon 3 inclusion, but SC35, acting through a region just downstream of ESE2, can block such activation. These findings explain the disease-causing mechanism of a patient mutation in ESE2 that creates a functional SC35-binding site that then acts synergistically with the downstream SC35 site to produce pathological levels of exon 3 skipping. Although the precedent for SR proteins acting as repressors is established, this is the first example of a patient mutation that creates a site through which an SR protein represses splicing.
Hormonal control of polymorphic and sexually dimorphic coloration in the lizard sceloporus undulatus erythrocheilus

This study investigated the influence of sex steroids on the expression of seasonally labile and sexually dimorphic coloration in the red-lipped plateau lizard. The responses of ventral blue and polymorphic facial coloration to exogenous steroid administration were assessed. Though facial color is usually dimorphic in nature, males and females did not differ in the degree to which they expressed facial coloration following administration of testosterone (T). Both sexes developed significantly more ventral blue coloration than controls, but a fundamental dimorphism in intensity, favoring males, was maintained throughout the experiment. These results indicate that facial coloration is under activational influence of T. The ventral blue coloration is probably organized at sexual maturation, thus manifesting the more vivid expression in males. Males of this subspecies are polymorphic for facial coloration. Administration of T did not cause any lizards to change hue, whether their color morph was yellow or orange or lacked the facial pigments altogether. The difference among color morphs is probably not controlled by differences in circulating steroid concentrations and is hypothesized to be under genetic control.
Effect of Duchenne muscular dystrophy on enzymes of energy metabolism in individual muscle fibers

Individual muscle fibers from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at an early stage in their disease, and from apparently normal boys of similar age, were analyzed for 13 enzymes of energy metabolism. This approach avoided the serious problems with muscle homogenate assays from increases in nonparenchymal components and permitted assessment of disease changes in different fiber types. Some enzymes of glycogenolysis (phosphorylase, phosphoglucomutase, and pyruvate kinase) were decreased in dystrophic fibers of all types. Phosphofructokinase was decreased in presumptive type II fibers. Lactate dehydrogenase was increased in type I fibers and essentially unchanged in type II. Phosphoglucoisomerase was near normal. Two enzymes of glucose metabolism not involved in glycogenolysis, hexokinase and glycogen synthase, were near normal, but a third, fructose bisphosphatase, was sharply reduced. Two enzymes of oxidative metabolism, citrate synthase, and beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase, were unchanged or increased. Two enzymes of high energy phosphate transfer, creatine kinase and adenylokinase, were only marginally affected. The net result is to leave the type II fibers, which normally exert the greatest force, with a severe deficit in the glycogenolytic enzyme machinery to maintain that force.
Dose characterization of the rad sourceTM 2400 X-ray irradiator for oyster pasteurization

Abstract The RS 2400's cylindrical X-ray source yields dose rates high enough to allow the irradiator to replace widely used gamma irradiators. Except for the leftmost 5 cm, beam uniformity is within 10% at the tube surface. At maximum operating parameters, the beam has HVL1=13.66 mm aluminum, HC=0.47, and hνeq=88.5 keV. Maximum dose rates to tissue are 65 Gy min−1±3.1% at tube surface, 37 Gy min−1±3.1% at center of canisters, 14.1 Gy min−1±6.5% for thin-shelled oysters, and 12.3 Gy min−1±6.2% for thick-shelled oysters.
Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome: current management

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare, sporadic, complex malformation characterized by the clinical triad of (1) capillary malformations (port wine stain); (2) soft tissue and bone hypertrophy or, occasionally, hypotrophy of usually one lower limb; and (3) atypical, mostly lateral varicosity. KTS is a mixed vascular malformation, with predominant capillary, venous and lymphatic components, without significant arteriovenous shunting. Management is largely conservative and the extent of diagnostic evaluation is determined by the planned treatment. Compression is the hallmark of conservative management; laser can be used to treat port wine stains. Imaging before vascular interventions must confirm venous anatomy and deep venous drainage. Techniques for ablation of superficial veins and malformations are individualized and may include sclerotherapy with alcohol or foam, endovenous thermal ablation or, as used most frequently in our practice, surgical stripping and phlebectomy. Intraoperative use of tourniquet will decrease bleeding, selective use of an inferior vena cava filter will prevent pulmonary embolism. A multidisciplinary approach to management of KTS is warranted.
Effects of Solvent Viscosity on Protein Dynamics: Infrared Vibrational Echo Experiments and Theory

The influence of solvent viscosity on the surface and internal structural dynamics of the protein myoglobin is studied using ultrafast infrared vibrational echo measurements of the pure dephasing of the A1 CO stretching mode of myoglobin−CO (Mb−CO). The dephasing reflects protein structural fluctuations as sensed by the CO ligand bound at the protein's active site. Measurements made as a function of solvent viscosity at 295 K show that the pure dephasing has a marked dependence on viscosity. In addition, the pure dephasing of Mb−CO in the solvents trehalose and 50:50 ethylene glycol:water are compared as a function of temperature T (10−295 K). The pure dephasing data in the two solvents have identical T1.3 temperature dependences at low temperatures, where both solvents are glassy solids. At higher temperatures, the Mb−CO pure dephasing has a much steeper temperature dependence in ethylene glycol:water, which is a liquid, than in trehalose, which is a glass at all temperatures studied. The steep temperatu...
Idea Generation Techniques among Creative Professionals

The creative process has been a key topic research over the past century, but it wasn’t until the last decade that creativity became a hot topic of research in the HCI. It is an important commodity to businesses and individuals alike spawning numerous research studies in business, psychology and design. However, it wasn’t until recently that researchers became interested in developing technologies to support creative behavior. This article outlines the role of creativity in design from the designer’s perspective, provides a model for the creative process and provides a foundation and direction for future creativity support research by identifying nineteen idea generation techniques utilized by creative professionals.
Conformational change of chaperone Hsc70 upon binding to a decapeptide: a circular dichroism study.

The conformation of bovine Hsc70, a 70-kDa heat shock cognate protein, and its conformational change upon binding to decapeptides, was studied by CD spectroscopy and secondary structure prediction (Chou, P.Y. & Fasman, G.D., 1974, Biochemistry 13, 222-245). The CD spectra were analyzed by the LINCOMB method, as well as by the convex constraint analysis (CCA) method (Perczel, A., Park, K., & Fasman, G.D., 1992, Anal. Biochem. 203, 83-93). The result of the CD analysis of Hsc70 (15% alpha-helix, 24% beta-sheet, 24% beta-turn, and 38% remainder) was very similar to the predicted secondary structure for the beta-sheet (24%) and the beta-turn (29%). However, there is disagreement between the alpha-helical content by CD analysis (15%) and the predicted structure (30%). In spite of the fact that the decapeptides contained a considerable amount of beta-sheet (22%), the interaction of the heat shock protein with the peptide resulted in an overall decrease in the content of beta-sheet conformation (-15%) of the complex. This may be due to induction of a molten globule state. The result of the CCA analysis indicated that the Hsc70 undergoes a conformational change upon binding the decapeptides.
Functional role of peripheral opioid receptors in the regulation of cardiac spinal afferent nerve activity during myocardial ischemia

Thinly myelinated Aδ-fiber and unmyelinated C-fiber cardiac sympathetic (spinal) sensory nerve fibers are activated during myocardial ischemia to transmit the sensation of angina pectoris. Although...
Melt Granulation and Heat Treatment for Wax Matrix-Controlled Drug Release

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sustained drug release after melt granulation and heat treatment. Theophylline (anhydrous) and phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA) were used as model drugs. Compritol 888 ATO (Glyceryl Behenate NF) was incorporated as the wax matrix material. Formulations with drug:wax in 3:1 and 1:1 ratios were evaluated. Tablets were made by dry blending or melt granulation; some of the tablets were heat treated at 80 degrees C for 30 min. Tablets with or without heat treatment were tested for drug release using in vitro drug dissolution. The results showed that melt granulation gave slower drug release than dry blending. Heat treatment further retarded drug release for both dry blending and melt granulation. The drug release rates for theophylline were slower than for PPA at the same wax level and processing method. The drug release profiles were linear using a square root of time scale. In conclusion, melt granulation and heat treatment slowed drug release for the wax matrix-controlled release tablets. Heat treatment of the tablets made by melt granulation further retarded drug release. Heat treatment redistributed the wax, forming a new matrix system with higher tortuosity. The application of melt granulation or heat treatment can successfully retard drug release.
The etiology of trachoma

In Supplement No. 2, issued with the August, 1928, number of The Journal of Experimental Medicine, on page 27, at the beginning of line 19, for the number 70 read 120.
Veterinary intensive care.

The term ‘intensive care’ is becoming increasingly popular in veterinary medicine to describe those techniques employed in caring for the critically ill animal. Application of the techniques required for intensive care is not difficult and can be employed in any veterinary practice. The purpose of intensive care is the uncomplicated conversion of a dramatic disease process into an uneventful one, not the performance of life-saving heroics. Critically ill patients share several common features, particularly the need for diligent monitoring and nursing. Regardless of the primary disease, the function of many organs is frequently impaired in these patients and they require total body care. Critically ill animals may have fluid, acid-base and electrolyte imbalances, increased caloric requirements and an increased susceptibility to infection. This paper describes the equipping and staffing of an intensive care unit and the various techniques for monitoring critically ill animals. It also reviews aspects of fluid and electrolyte disturbances and therapy, and the unusual respiratory problems and nutritional requirements of these patients.
Instructional Case: Lakeview Lumber, Inc.: A Study of Auditing Issues Related to Fraud, Materiality and Professional Judgment

Lakeview Lumber, Inc. involves several auditing and accounting issues, including concepts related to Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 82, Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit (AICPA 1997). The case highlights management's potential motivation to manipulate net income in response to a bonus compensation scheme. Lakeview Lumber also provides a framework for discussion of issues related to professional judgment, audit supervision and materiality. More specifically, the case emphasizes the professional judgment required in the estimation of selected account balances and in determining the accounting treatment of transactions related to unusual or extraordinary events. The concept of materiality, in conjunction with the interpretation and application of professional standards, is also discussed. In addition, the case gives students an opportunity to perform analytical review, prepare common‐size statements and use the Internet to find professional pronouncements and financial information.
Olfactory reciprocal synapses: Dendritic signaling in the CNS

Synaptic transmission between dendrites in the olfactory bulb is thought to play a major role in the processing of olfactory information. Glutamate released from mitral cell dendrites excites the dendrites of granule cells, which in turn mediate GABAergic dendrodendritic inhibition back onto mitral dendrites. We examined the mechanisms governing reciprocal dendritic transmission in rat olfactory bulb slices. We find that NMDA receptors play a critical role in this dendrodendritic inhibition. As with axonic synapses, the dendritic release of fast neurotransmitters relies on N- and P/Q-type calcium channels. The magnitude of dendrodendritic transmission is directly proportional to dendritic calcium influx. Furthermore, recordings from pairs of mitral cells show that dendrodendritic synapses can mediate lateral inhibition independently of axonal action potentials.
High Modulus, Low Surface Energy, Photochemically Cured Materials from Liquid Precursors

A new strategy has been developed to achieve durable, low surface tension fluorinated polymeric materials by copolymerizing a tetramethacryloxy-modified perfluoropolyether (PFPE) macro- monomer and a fluorinated difunctional cross-linker, 1H,1H,6H,6H-perfluoro-1,6-hexyl diacrylate (PFHDA), into very highly cross-linked materials that possess a very high modulus as well as a very low surface energy. The miscibility of the two fluorinated components has been studied by measuring the cloud- point temperatures. Partially miscible mixtures yielded optically transparent samples after curing at low PFHDA contents (e.g., <40 wt %), and cloudy samples were obtained at high PFHDA contents when cured at room temperature. However, it was possible to achieve optically transparent samples with high PFHDA contents by increasing the cure temperature. The miscibility of these materials has been further studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). By incorporating PFHDA into the cross-linked system, a low surface energy, very high modulus(upto458MPa)thermosetcould beachieved whichis importantformanyapplicationsincludingas hard, abrasion-resistant coating materials.
Leading Edge Jet Impingement Under High Rotation Numbers

The effect of rotation on jet impingement cooling is experimentally investigated in this study. Pressurized cooling air is supplied to a smooth, square channel in the radial outward direction. To model leading edge impingement in a gas turbine, jets are formed from a single row of discrete holes. The cooling air from the first pass is expelled through the holes, with the jets impinging on a semi-circular, concave surface. The inlet Reynolds number varied from 10000–40000 in the square supply channel. The rotation number and buoyancy parameter varied from 0–1.4 and 0–6.6 near the inlet of the channel, and as coolant is extracted for jet impingement, the rotation and buoyancy numbers can exceed 10 and 500 near the end of the passage. The average jet Reynolds number varied from 6000–24000, and the jet rotation number varied from 0–0.13. For all test cases, the jet-to-jet spacing (s/djet = 4), the jet-to-target surface spacing (l/djet = 3.2), and the impingement surface diameter-to-diameter (D/djet = 6.4) were held constant. A steady state technique was implemented to determine regionally averaged Nusselt numbers on the leading and trailing surfaces inside the supply channel and three spanwise locations on the concave target surface. It was observed that in all rotating test cases, the Nusselt numbers deviated from those measured in a non-rotating channel. The degree of separation between the leading and trailing surface increased with increasing rotation number. Near the inlet of the channel, heat transfer was dominated by entrance effects, however moving downstream, the local rotation number increased and the effect of rotation was more pronounced. The effect of rotation on the target surface was most clearly seen in the absence of crossflow. With pure jet impingement, the deflection of the impinging jet combined with the rotation induced secondary flows offered increased mixing within the impingement cavity and enhanced heat transfer. In the presence of strong crossflow of the spent air, the same level of heat transfer is measured in both the stationary and rotating channels.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Sensitivity of compliance-based continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring to changes in viscoelastic parameters

The apparent arterial compliance observed from noninvasive measurements of arterial blood pressure and cross-sectional area does not directly correspond to the static compliance curve or dynamic pressure-area loop. The accuracy of continuous, non-invasive blood pressure estimates based on calibrated arterial compliance models to convert area to pressure is affected by both changes in the viscoelastic properties of the artery and in the pressure waveform. The relationship of the apparent compliance curve to static compliance and to dynamic pressure-area loop is demonstrated using a simulated linear viscoelastic model, and the sensitivity of blood pressure estimates to changes in the viscoelastic parameters and pressure waveform is investigated. Changes in the elastic component of the viscoelastic model had the largest effect with a 25% change in the modulus of elasticity resulting in a 5.5% error in the systolic blood pressure estimate.
End‐of‐Life Decision‐Making, Decisional Conflict, and Enhanced Information: Race Effects

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of enhanced information regarding the risks, benefits, and life-sustaining treatment alternatives on hypothetical medical decisions and decisional conflict in older, community-dwelling Caucasian and African-American adults. DESIGN: Two-group (enhanced information; no information) between-subjects design. SETTING: Community-based dwellings, two assisted living facilities, and one senior citizen center. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-eight adults (aged 74.5 � 7.18) with a mean Telephone Interview for Cognitive StatusFModified (TICS-m) score of 31.5 � 4.7 were recruited through personal contacts and informational talks held at the recruitment sites. MEASUREMENTS: Measures included the Life Support Preferences/Predictions QuestionnaireFmodified (LSPQm); the Decisional Conflict Scale; and enhanced information, including detailed descriptions of life-sustaining treatment options for each LSPQ-m illness scenario, risks of the treatment, benefits of the treatment, and alternatives for each treatment (called medical information stimuli). RESULTS: Enhanced information (e.g., medical information stimuli) reduced decisional conflict (P 5.049,d 50.47) for hypothetical life-sustaining treatment decisions. A mixed analysis of variance with group and race as between-subjects variables and illness and treatment as within-subjects variables revealed significant main effects of race, illness, and treatment, as well as a significant raceby-illness-by-group interaction (Wilk’s lambda 50.923, F(2, 73) 53.05, P 5.05, partial Z 2 50.08). Enhanced information produced different patterns of desire for life-sustaining treatments in African Americans and Caucasians. CONCLUSION: Physicians and other healthcare professionals can reduce decisional conflict in patients by providing enhanced information regarding treatment risks, benefits, and alternatives. Such decision aids may provide new information or knowledge and thus reduce desire for treatment in African Americans.J Am Geriatr Soc 56:1904‐ 1909, 2008.
Clinical use of next-generation sequencing of TRG gene rearrangements has arrived.

In this issue of the Journal , Schumacher and colleagues1 describe important principles to consider when applying next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the identification of clonal sequences to support the diagnosis of T-cell neoplasms. NGS has been shown to be clinically useful in identifying germline mutations in hereditary conditions and somatic mutations in numerous cancers. In 2009, one of the first reports of the use of NGS methods to describe the repertoire of TRB gene rearrangements was published.2 Since then, it has been used to characterize the T-cell repertoire in patients with various diseases. The next application described was the identification of unique sequences of minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.3,4 It was a logical step to go from defining a T-cell repertoire to the application of NGS in clonality detection, whether at diagnosis1 or in follow-up.3,4 One must aim for certain goals in preparing unbiased libraries based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified products of any gene targets. The first desirable goal is to use primers that give proportional representation of the variable (V) and joining (J) region genes that are used in the TRG gene rearrangements. Second, the primers selected and the products produced must have equal amplification efficiencies. Proportional representation for each of the V and J gene groups is largely achieved by the primers selected, but it will be less than 100%, since specific primers for each of the individual group I variable genes were not designed in the set of primers that the …
The Current New York City Heroin Scene

This article discusses the use and distribution of heroin in New York City, both historically and especially currently. Data on the current situation derive in large measure from the Heroin Project, a recently completed five-year ethnographic study of heroin in New York City funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Findings about the new, young heroin user, particularly in regard to demographic characteristics, patterns of use, modes of ingestion, and involvement in crime, and some of the ways in which the new user is similar and different from the "old time" heroin user are presented. In addition changes in the New York City heroin markets over the years are discussed. We note the effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment in terms of its impact on heroin-related crime, make suggestions as to how methadone treatment could be expanded, and review current heroin policy and the War on Drugs, with a focus on the New York State Rockefeller drug laws and the need for policy reform in this area.
Parasitization by Edovum puttleri (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in relation to host density in the field

. 1 The relationship between parasitization by Edovum puttleri Grissell and density of eggs of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), was studied on two spatial scales (eggs mass and 6 m2 cage). 2 For both scales, rates of parasitism were generally inversely related to host density for periods ranging from 2 to 8 days after parasitoid release. Thereafter, parasitism became independent of host density. 3 The initial inverse-density relationship and subsequent shift to density independence may result from several factors: (1) ambient temperatures, (2) the parasitoid's limited egg production, (3) differential times of exposure of egg masses to parasitoids, and/or (4) the parasitoid's patterns of host feeding and oviposition. 4 Although overall levels of parasitism were relatively low, total mortality of L.decemlineata eggs (including nonviable and cannibalized eggs, and those killed by parasitoid feeding) in parasitized egg masses was consistently high (˜70–90%).
IBD: The Present Situation and a Glimpse of the Promised Land

The only excuse for my opening remarks on the present situation in IBD is that my memory of our field probably goes back further than anyone in this audience, save one. Like a more exalted predecessor who hoped to reach Canaan, I have been wandering for more than 40 years in the, at times, trackless desert and I think I have caught a glimpse of the promised land.
Preparation and characterization of ultra-thin iron oxide films on a Mo(100) surface

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of ultra-thin films of iron and iron oxides on a Mo(100) surface, have been carried out under ultrahigh vacuum conditions in the 100–1500 K substrate temperature range. The oxides were prepared by both post-oxidation of pure Fe ultra-thin films and by evaporating Fe onto the Mo surface in oxygen ambient (in situ oxidation). The characterization of the iron oxide films, with respect to the chemical states and composition, was made using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as temperature programmed desorption. By varying the molybdenum substrate temperature and the oxygen background pressure during either the post-or the in situ oxidation process, oxide films consisting of virtually pure phases of Fe 2 O 3 and FeO can be successfully obtained as well as intermediate phases including Fe 3 O 4 . In addition, discrete phase changes were found corresponding to the reduction of Fe 2 O 3 to Fe 3 O 4 at ∼ 550 K and Fe 3 O 4 to FeO at ∼ 750 K by means of thermally induced oxygen loss.
On the Parameter Estimation over Fading Channels with TBMA Wireless Sensor Networks

We study the parameter estimation problem over fading channels with type-based multiple access (TBMA [1], [3], [6]) sensor networks. The existing estimators in the literature require the knowledge of the mean of the channel coefficients which should be non-zero, and the number of alive sensors. In this paper, we propose a novel estimator for the non-zero mean fading channel when the mean of the channel coefficients and the number of alive sensors are unknown. We compute the asymptotic variance of our novel estimator and theoretically show that it is asymptotically optimal and its asymptotic performance is the same as the existing estimator. Furthermore, we study the estimation over a zero-mean Rayleigh fading channel, where the channel status information (CSI) is available at the sensor side [3]. We study different power control schemes over Rayleigh fading channels, and propose an algorithm to optimize the parameters for the power control scheme under both average power and peak power constraints. Simulation results corroborate our analysis.
An auditory-based measure for improved phone segment concatenation

This paper describes a new auditory-based distance measure intended for use in a concatenated synthesis technique wherein the time- and frequency-domain characteristics are used to perform natural-sounding speaker synthesis. Whereas most concatenation systems use large databases (often +100,000 units), we begin from a small, limited database (approx. 400 units) and use a new spectral distortion measure to aid in the selection of phones for optimal concatenation. At the transition between speech segments, the new auditory-based distance metric assesses perceived discontinuities in the frequency domain. The distortion measure, which employs the Carney (see J. Acoust. Soc. Am., vol.93, p.401-17, 1993) auditory model, is used to select phones which minimize the perceived distortion between concatenated segments. Moreover, time- and frequency-domain methods can shape the prosodic and spectral characteristics of each speech segment. The final results demonstrate improved performance over standard concatenation methods applied to small databases.
Dynamic modeling of production networks of autonomous work systems with local capacity control

In this paper, a dynamic model is presented for production networks with a potentially large number of autonomous work systems, each having local capacity control. The model allows fundamental dynamic properties to be predicted using control-theoretic methods, together with the response of variables such as work-in-progress and lead-time for the network and its individual work systems. This is illustrated using industrial data. The behavior of one of the work systems in this network is analyzed further, and the results are compared with results obtained using a discrete event simulation model.
Integrating Computation and Visualization to Enhance Learning IR Spectroscopy in the General Chemistry Laboratory: Computer-Assisted Learning of IR Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT An exercise to compute and visualize the IR spectra of small organic molecules was incorporated into a general chemistry laboratory module on the synthesis of aspirin. The effectiveness of the computation–visualization component was measured by pre- and postquizzes, a survey, and correct interpretation of experimental IR spectra. The assessment results showed that the students' conceptual understanding of IR spectroscopy was enhanced and that their ability to interpret IR spectra improved. Students learned the basics of the Scigress Explorer software package, gained invaluable introductory skills in molecular modeling and computational chemistry, and enjoyed the experience.
Generation of Controllable Gradients in Cell Density

Making the grad(ient): a gradient in cell density was generated on a substrate that was inserted into a homogeneous suspension of cells at a specific tilt angle by taking advantage of the gradual change in the number of cells available for sedimentation. Reverse gradients were also fabricated on the same substrate using multiple sedimentation procedures.
Design and Analysis of a Single-Camera Omnistereo Sensor for Quadrotor Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)

We describe the design and 3D sensing performance of an omnidirectional stereo-vision system (omnistereo) as applied to Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs). The proposed omnistereo model employs a monocular camera that is co-axially aligned with a pair of hyperboloidal mirrors (folded catadioptric configuration). We show that this arrangement is practical for performing stereo-vision when mounted on top of propeller-based MAVs characterized by low payloads. The theoretical single viewpoint (SVP) constraint helps us derive analytical solutions for the sensor's projective geometry and generate SVP-compliant panoramic images to compute 3D information from stereo correspondences (in a truly synchronous fashion). We perform an extensive analysis on various system characteristics such as its size, catadioptric spatial resolution, field-of-view. In addition, we pose a probabilistic model for uncertainty estimation of the depth from triangulation for skew back-projection rays. We expect to motivate the reproducibility of our solution since it can be adapted (optimally) to other catadioptric-based omnistereo vision applications.
Is Permitting Student Use of Laptops in Class a Good Idea? 'It Depends' - A Variety of Approaches is Best

This brief paper describes this writer's observations regarding the use of laptop PC's by law students in her classes. This professor decided to set some conditions on the use and non-use of laptops to test the waters, and to see if some conclusions could be drawn as to whether students' use of this technology helps or hinders the learning process. This paper describes what was learned.
Transient Impedance Measurements on Biological Membranes: Application to Red Blood Cells and Melanoma Cells

A technique has previously been described (1–5) by which the impedance of isolated cells can be evaluated over a wide frequency range (DC -20 MHz). The methodology centers about the use of a polycarbonate filter containing well defined and uniform cylindrical pores. A pseudo-epithelium is achieved by the entrapment of cells from a suspension in these pores using hydrostatic pressure. Data analysis by discrete Laplace transformation of the input and output waveforms allows electrochemical kinetic models to be tested via aperiodic equivalent circuit representation. In this study the effect of the state of the cell surface on the impedance parameters is examined. This is achieved by the use of the enzyme neuraminidase on the human red blood cell (HRBC) to reduce the surface charge and by melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) to alter the state of differentiation of melanoma cells.
Strange, Carolyn, Robert Cribb, and Christopher E. Forth, eds.Honour, Violence and Emotions in HistoryLondon: Bloomsbury Academic224 pp., $100.00 ISBN 978-1472519474 Publication Date: June 2014

It is hard not to be drawn to a volume that promises to tackle the themes of honor, violence, and emotions. Indeed, the persistence, or reappearance, of all three in modern societies has prompted h...
Evaluation of f -element borate chemistry

Abstract The synthesis, structure elucidation, and spectroscopic measurements of a myriad of new, f-element borates has revealed the unusual effects that this electron-rich oxoanion has on the electronic properties of lanthanides and actinides. One purpose of these studies was to provide models for actinide compounds that may exist in either vitrified nuclear waste or in repositories located within salt deposits that have significant borate content. In addition, the radiation-damage resilience of polyborate networks positions these materials as suitable candidates for probing coordination chemistry and physical properties much deeper into the actinide series than is normally possible, and compounds with actinides up to californium (Z = 98) have been successfully prepared and characterized in exquisite detail. Structural determination of these materials show that both the lanthanide and actinide series display previously unknown coordination chemistry, but, more importantly, that the two series have little overlap in terms of structure and composition, and have few parallels. In addition, some of these compounds display unique physico-chemical properties, one example of which is the selective trapping of radionuclides. The foremost discovery first identified in actinide borates is that the chemistry of californium represents an onset of unprecedented chemical behavior that compares better with high-oxidation state, early transition metal complexes than it does with earlier f-elements.
Investigation of Calcination and O2 Plasma Treatment Effects on TiO2-Supported Palladium Catalysts

This study focuses on investigating the effects of conventional calcination procedures and O2 plasma treatments on the metal precursor−support interaction (MPSI) of 1 wt % Pd/TiO2. MPSI is likely a...
Religious Orientation and the Influence of Nurture: The Examination of Environmental Influences in Critical Developmental Periods

Social psychologists are increasingly interested in the growth of irreligion, defined by Lugo (2015) as identification with no particular religious affiliation. Findings that suggest that religion is a product of evolution (For review see Wilson, 2002; Richerson, & Christiansen, 2013; Purzycki, Haque, & Sosis, 2014) have influenced this social psychological research, warranting the question: If religious tendencies were strictly a product of evolution, then how does one explain the phenomenon of irreligion? Current research on the topic indicates that there might be an overlap between heredity traits that influence underlying evolutionary community tendencies and the heritable influences behind religiosity (Lewis, 2013). However, in another recent study, Brandon Burr and colleagues found that most test subjects believed that their personal religious beliefs developed as a result of childhood exposure to a particular religion (Burr, Kuns, Atkins, Bertram, & Sears, 2015). While Lewis’s research examined the potential genetic influence that might underpin religiosity, I, like Burr, take the environmental nurture approach and examine the correlation between attendance of religious services during development and religious affiliation as an adult. After analyzing data collected by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life for their study, Faith in Flux: Change in Religious Affiliation in the U.S. (Lugo, 2008), I find significant mean differences in attendance of religious services across three groups of individuals: those who identified as religious during childhood and are now atheist, those who identified as religious during childhood and are now agnostic, and finally those who identified as religious during childhood and are now unaffiliated with any particular religion. I find that members of all groups of rare to occasional attendance of religious services, during adolescent development, have converted from their former religion to one of the three irreligious categories.