cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recovery from adaptation to stimuli varying in voice onset time

Abstract: The nature of the process of recovery from adaptation was studied with a set of 11 synthesized CV stimuli which varied in voice onset time in 5-ms steps between 5 and 55 ms. Subjects identified these stimuli as /p/ or /b/ during a baseline condition and after adaptation produced by repetitions of the 55 ms stimulus. Degree of recovery was determined by having the subjects identify the stimuli again after intervals of 1-, 4-, 7- and 28 min. The major findings were as follows: (1) mean percent recovery was 51, 67, 70, and 90 for the 1-, 4-, 7- and 28-minute recovery conditions, respectively; (2) subject variability in percent recovery was considerable for the 1-, 4- and 7-min recovery conditions; and (3) correlations between boundary shift and percent recovery were non-significant. It was concluded that the finding of rapid recovery during the first minute was compatible with a neurophysiological model of adaptation but that the findings of considerable subject variability and the lack of correlation between recovery and boundary shift were not. These findings suggest the possibility of a cognitive component of the adaptation recovery function and the importance of an understanding of the recovery process to the development of models of adaptation.
"Radiotherapy for older women (ROW)": A risk calculator for women with early-stage breast cancer.

Abstract Objective Among older adult women with early-stage breast cancer who undergo lumpectomy, the benefits of radiotherapy vary according to tumor characteristics and life expectancy. We aimed to develop a risk calculator to predict individualized probability of long-term survival and local recurrence, accounting for these factors. Methods We developed a simulation model to estimate an individual patient's risk of local recurrence and all-cause mortality according to age, comorbidities, functional status, tumor characteristics, and radiotherapy status. We integrated two existing prediction models, the Early Breast Cancer Trialist's Collaborative Group prediction model for breast cancer specific outcomes and ePrognosis for life expectancy. An online risk calculator “Radiotherapy for Older Women (ROW)” was developed through an iterative multi-stage process, that included individual consultation and group meetings with an advisory committee (AC) comprised of patients, advocates, clinicians, and researchers. Results We developed the tool over 40 months and had 15 group meetings. The risk calculator developed as a simulation model with 16 factors (5 tumor-related, 3 demographic, 4 comorbidities, and 4 functional statuses). Across 56,700 simulated scenarios, the benefit of RT in terms of absolute 10-year local recurrence reduction, ranged from 0% to 34%, depending on individual characteristics. Based on feedback from the AC, overall survival and local recurrence were chosen as the output for ROW, with these outcomes displayed numerically (percentages and natural frequencies) and graphically (pictographs). Conclusions This tool “ROW” could facilitate shared decision making regarding receipt of radiotherapy for older women with early breast cancer. Additional studies to examine usability testing are underway.
A Nest for Art and Science

Forming part of the campus-wide Grand Challenge initiative, the Nature, Environment, Science & Technology (NEST) Studio for the Arts is a new endeavor at the University of Colorado Boulder that exp...
Use of the Premix of Atrazine, Bicyclopyrone, S-Metolachlor, and Mesotrione for Weed Control in Corn (Zea mays L.): Herbicides used in corn production in Texas

Field studies were conducted under conventional tillage from 2014 through the 2018 growing seasons in central, south-central, and the Panhandle regions of Texas to determine corn tolerance and weed efficacy of the four-way premix of atrazine plus bicyclopyrone plus mesotrione plus S-metolachlor (hereafter referred to as ABMS). No corn injury was noted at any location with any ABMS dose or application timing. Preemergence (PRE) applications of ABMS at 2.41 kg ha-1 controlled Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.) 73 to 100% while smellmelon (Cucumis melo L.) control was 100%. Annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) control with ABMS at 2.41 kg ha-1 was 86% while a split application applied PRE followed by a postemergence (POST) application provided 99% control. Texas millet (Urochloa texana Buckl.) control with ABMS applied PRE ranged from 12 to 35% while broadleaf signalgrass (Brachiaria platyphylla [Griseb.] Nash) control was 100%. Browntop panicum [Urochloa fasciculate (Sw.) R. Webster] control with a PRE application of ABMS at 2.41 kg ai ha-1 was < 82% while jungle rice [Echinochloa colona (L.) Link] control was 98%. Control of a kochia (Kochia scoparia L.) with PRE applications of ABMS at 2.41 kg ha-1 was 95% while the split rate of 1.2 kg ha-1 applied PRE and POST provided 99% control. Corn yields were variable but in most instances all herbicide treatments improved yield over the untreated check. Excellent control of broadleaf weeds was observed with ABMS; however, annual grass control can be variable, especially with large-seeded annual grasses such as Texas millet.
Chapter 3 – Transcription

Publisher Summary Mechanisms of transcription are analyzed in great detail in a few model organisms such as the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiaey, mouse and human. This chapter discusses that the DNA transfection has now been established for several important parasites, and in vitro transcription systems have been developed for trypanosomatid and nematode species. This technology has enabled structural analysis of gene promoters. The chapter characterizes the specific promoter element/protein complexes and a few proteins of the transcription machinery. The trypanosomatid species are thefocus of this chapter. The chapter describes that the existing drugs against parasite infection do not interfere with gene transcription, although inhibitors such as a-amanitin, tagetitoxin, or rifampicin indicate that this is a possibility. The prospects of learning more about transcriptional processes are excellent. DNA transfection technology, in vitro transcription systems, and growing genome databases of parasitic organisms may facilitate the identification and functional characterization of such factors in the future.
Chapter 50 – Peacekeeping

The role of peacekeeping in a military context has shifted over time since the inception of the United Nations in 1945. Over the last few decades, peacekeepers have increasingly been deployed to areas with active hostilities. As a result of this shift, peacekeepers are at high risk for exposure to typical warzone stressors such as life threat, as well as stressors unique to peacekeeping missions, such as role conflicts. Despite these risks, most service members deployed on peace enforcement missions tend to adapt well and report positive outcomes. However, some peacekeepers develop mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Moving forward, it is important to appreciate and attend to the mental health needs of service members deployed to peacekeeping missions.
An Out of Memory tSVD for Big-Data Factorization

Singular value decomposition (SVD) is a matrix factorization method widely used for dimension reduction, data analytics, information retrieval, and unsupervised learning. In general, only singular values of SVD are needed for most big-data applications. Methods such as tensor networks require an accurate computation of a substantial number of singular vectors, which can be accomplished through truncated SVD (tSVD). Additionally, many real-world datasets are too big to fit into the available memory, which mandates the development of out of memory algorithms that assume that most of the data resides on an external disk during the entire computation. These algorithms reduce communication to disk and hide part of the communication by overlapping it with communication on blocks of work. Here, building upon previous works on SVD for dense matrices, we present a method for computation of a predetermined number, $K$ , of SVD singular vectors, and the corresponding $K$ singular values, of a matrix that cannot fit in the memory. Our out of memory tSVD can be used for tensor networks algorithms. We describe ways for reducing the communication during the computation of the left and right reflectors, needed to compute the singular vectors, and introduce a method for estimating the block-sizes needed to hide the communication on parallel file systems.
High Tunneling Magnetoresistance in Magnetic Tunnel Junctions with Subnanometer Thick Al2O3 Tunnel Barriers Fabricated Using Atomic Layer Deposition.

Pinhole-free and defect-free ultrathin dielectric tunnel barriers (TBs) are a key to obtaining high-tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) and efficient switching in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). Among others, atomic layer deposition (ALD) provides a unique approach for the fabrication of ultrathin TBs with several advantages including atomic-scale control over the TB thickness, conformal coating, and a low defect density. Motivated by this, this work explores the fabrication and characterization of spin-valve Fe/ALD-Al2O3/Fe MTJs with an ALD-Al2O3 TB thickness of 0.55 nm using in situ ALD. Remarkably, high TMR values of ∼77 and ∼90% have been obtained, respectively, at room temperature and at 100 K, which are comparable to the best reported values on MTJs having thermal AlOx TBs with optimized device structures. In situ scanning tunneling spectroscopy characterization of the ALD-Al2O3 TBs has revealed a higher TB height (Eb) of 1.33 ± 0.06 eV, in contrast to Eb ∼ 0.3-0.6 eV for their AlOx TB counterparts, indicative of significantly lower defect concentrations in the former. This first success of the MTJs with subnanometer thick ALD-Al2O3 TBs demonstrates the feasibility of in situ ALD for the fabrication of pinhole-free and low-defect ultrathin TBs for practical applications, and the performance could be further improved through device optimization.
Validation of Time-Dependent Repair Recovery of the Building Stock Following the 2011 Joplin Tornado

AbstractThis paper seeks to calibrate an existing analytical framework to develop building repair fragility models using a restoration dataset collected through a longitudinal field study in the ci...
Impact of Pregnancy on Ventricular Strain in Women with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Increasing numbers of women with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) are reaching reproductive age and seek counseling regarding their cardiovascular risks related to pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize changes in left ventricular (LV) strain in women with rTOF during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Seventeen pregnancies in women with rTOF were included (mean age at repair = 3.2 years ± 5.5 years; mean age at delivery = 32.7 ± 4 years). Echocardiograms from three time periods were analyzed; baseline (prior to conception or in the first trimester), third trimester, and 4–6 weeks postpartum. Sixty-five percent of the patients had at least mild pulmonary regurgitation. Eight patients (47%) had undergone at least one pulmonary valve replacement. There were no changes in LV ejection fraction (EF) or circumferential strain across the three time periods. Significant differences were present in longitudinal strain within the three time points (p = 0.01). Postpartum strain decreased in magnitude compared to the third trimester value (− 17.7 ± 4.1 vs. − 21 ± 5, p-value = 0.003) but was not different when compared to baseline strain (− 17.7 ± 4.1 vs. − 19.4 ± 3.4; p-value = 0.15). In conclusion, in women with rTOF, changes in longitudinal strain were observed during pregnancy with a return to baseline after delivery; EF did not change. These findings provide evidence that pregnancy does not adversely impact LV mechanics in the short term in this potentially vulnerable patient population.
Spaces with Vanishing ℓ2-Homology and their Fundamental Groups (after Farber and Weinberger)

We characterize those groups which can occur as the fundamental groups of finite CW-complexes with vanishing l2-homology (the first examples of such groups were obtained by Farber and Weinberger).
Artificial Intelligence-based Remote Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea using Instantaneous Heart Rates

Prolonged Sleep Apnea is a sleeping disorder that can cause arrhythmia, hypertension, and other serious health conditions leading to cardiovascular diseases and fatal strokes. Most widely used current clinical techniques for sleep apnea diagnosis are expensive, time-consuming, and cannot be performed remotely. Wearable watch-style health trackers continuously track sleep behavior, physiological data, and physical activity that can enable real-time remote diagnosis of sleep apnea. Recently, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques within the field of medicine and remote diagnosis is gaining popularity. In this paper, several Artificial Intelligence (AI) models have been trained and tested to classify sleep apnea condition in real-time using sequential data of Instantaneous Heart Rates (IHR). Using the confusion matrix, the accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, FI Score, sensitivity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of each model are computed and compared. The Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) was found to be the best AI technique for classifying sleep apnea. The approach depicted in this study for diagnosing sleep apnea can allow the telemedicine, telehealth, and mHealth applications to detect several health risk factors in real-time using data streaming from the health trackers.
Maternal and neonatal health care worker well-being and patient safety climate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To assess maternal and neonatal healthcare workers (HCWs) perspectives on well-being and patient safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: Anonymous survey of HCW well-being, burnout, and patient safety over the prior conducted in June 2020. Results were analyzed by job position and burnout status. RESULT: We analyzed 288 fully completed surveys. In total, 66% of respondents reported symptoms of burnout and 73% felt burnout among their co-workers had significantly increased. Workplace strategies to address HCW well-being were judged by 34% as sufficient. HCWs who were "burned out" reported significantly worse well-being and patient safety attributes. Compared to physicians, nurses reported higher rates of unprofessional behavior (37% vs. 14%, p = 0.027) and difficulty focusing on work (59% vs. 36%, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, HCW well-being was substantially compromised, with negative ramifications for patient safety.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation and organization in urban and rural song sparrows.

Abstract Urban habitats present animals with persistent disturbances and acute stressors not present in rural habitats or present at significantly lower levels. Differences in the glucocorticoid stress response could underlie colonization of these novel habitats. Despite urban habitats characterization as more stressful, previous comparisons of urban and rural birds have failed to find consistent differences in baseline and stress induced glucocorticoid levels. Another aspect of glucocorticoid regulation that could underlie an animal’s ability to inhabit novel habitats, but has yet to be well examined, is more efficient termination of the glucocorticoid stress response which would allow birds in urban habitats to recover more quickly after a disturbance. The glucocorticoid stress response is terminated by negative feedback achieved primarily through their binding of receptors in the hippocampus and hypothalamus and subsequent decreased synthesis and release from the adrenals. We investigated if male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) in urban habitats show more efficient termination of the glucocorticoid stress response than their rural counterparts using two approaches. First, we measured glucocorticoid receptor, mineralocorticoid receptor and 11β-HSD2 (an enzyme that inactivates corticosterone) mRNA expression in negative feedback targets of the brain (the hippocampus and hypothalamus) as a proxy measure of sensitivity to negative feedback. Second, we measured plasma corticosterone levels after standardized restraint and again following a challenge with the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, as a means of assessing how quickly birds decreased glucocorticoid synthesis and release. Though there were no differences in the hypothalamus of urban and rural song sparrows, urban birds had lower glucocorticoid receptor and 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression in the hippocampus. Further, urban and rural birds had similar reductions in corticosterone following the dexamethasone challenge, suggesting that they do not differ in how quickly they decrease glucocorticoid synthesis and release. Thus, urban and rural song sparrows display similar termination of the glucocorticoid stress response even though urban birds have decreased hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor and 11β-HSD2 abundance.
Capturing the Development of Internal Representations in a High-Performing Deep Network for Sleep Stage Classification

Deep neural networks can provide accurate automated classification of human sleep signals into sleep stages that enables more effective diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. We develop a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) that attains state-of-the-art sleep stage classification performance on input data consisting of human sleep EEG and EOG signals. Nested cross-validation is used for optimal model selection and reliable estimation of out-of-sample classification performance. The resulting network attains a classification accuracy of $$84.50 \pm 0.13\%$$ ; its performance exceeds human expert inter-scorer agreement, even on single-channel EEG input data, therefore providing more objective and consistent labeling than human experts demonstrate as a group. We focus on analyzing the learned internal data representations of our network, with the aim of understanding the development of class differentiation ability across the layers of processing units, as a function of layer depth. We approach this problem visually, using t-Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE), and propose a pooling variant of Centered Kernel Alignment (CKA) that provides an objective quantitative measure of the development of sleep stage specialization and differentiation with layer depth. The results reveal a monotonic progression of both of these sleep stage modeling abilities as layer depth increases.
Aluminum nanoparticle deposition for scalable plasmonic metasurface fabrication

Large-area plasmonic metasurfaces have attracted interest as potential tools for a wide range of applications, from colorchanging glass to improved efficiency of solar cells. These potential applications necessitate the capability to fabricate such surfaces at scale. One potential approach to resolve this issue is to use nanoimprint lithography to mold a metasurface structure and then use chemically synthesized nanoparticles as the metallic elements. By combining aluminum nanoparticles with electrophoretic deposition, a low-cost method of scalable fabrication could be achieved.
Viscosity Analysis of Battery Electrode Slurry

We report the effects of component ratios and mixing time on electrode slurry viscosity. Three component quantities were varied: active material (graphite), conductive material (carbon black), and polymer binder (carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC). The slurries demonstrated shear-thinning behavior, and suspension properties stabilized after a relatively short mixing duration. However, micrographs of the slurries suggested their internal structures did not stabilize after the same mixing time. Increasing the content of polymer binder CMC caused the greatest viscosity increase compared to that of carbon black and graphite.
Training the cyber warrior

This paper suggests the major educational components of a curriculum that is designed to educate individuals for job assignments as Information Assurance professionals - also known as: cyber warriors. It suggests a minimum common body of knowledge for all cyber warriors along with two major specialization categories: cyber tacticians and cyber strategists. The paper describes the distinction between tactician and strategist and offers a rough outline of the education each should receive.
Adopted Children’s Outcomes as Young Adults in Regards to Educational Attainment and Income

Adopting a child is not an easy undertaking. In fact, adopting a child requires a lot of thought and effort as very specific procedures must be followed in order to obtain a child through adoption. According to the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (2007), an adoption can cost anywhere between $4,000 and $30,000 assuming the adopted child is not from foster care. Also, an average adoption takes approximately eighteen months during which the family looking to adopt must pass certain criteria put forth by agencies. Thus, it is not a process to be taken lightly and is often taken on by families of higher than average socioeconomic status due to the expense. While adoption is an old practice, recently its popularity has increased despite all of the difficulties in having a successful adoption process because of the push for international adoption. The National Council for Adoption (2007) reports that there were 4,323 international adoptions in 1973. This figure has dramatically increased as there were 22,911 inter-country adoptions in 2004. There was approximately the same amount of unrelated domestic adoptions in 2004. So there are approximately 46,000 adoptions each year in the United States.
Characterization of solid oxide fuel cell layers by computed x-ray microtomography and small-angle scattering

A combination of advanced x-ray synchrotron-based research tools is presented that shows promise in providing an improved understanding of how solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) microstructure and chemistry may be controlled through processing, and how their evolution or degradation during service life changes SOFC performance properties. Results are discussed to show how the representative void microstructures may be characterized and quantified through the anode, electrolyte and cathode layers for generic SOFC systems. Structural phase analysis is also demonstrated for sample volumes closely corresponding to those for which the void microstructures are quantified. This paper both summarizes results and elucidates how continued development of such methods could benefit SOFC design.
THE INDEXICAL CHARACTER OF NAMES

Indexicals are unique among expressions in that they depend for their literal content upon extra-semantic features of the contexts in which they are uttered. Taking this peculiarity of indexicals into account yields solutions to variants of Frege's Puzzle involving objects of attitude-bearing of an indexical nature. If names are indexicals, then the classical versions of Frege's Puzzle can be solved in the same way. Taking names to be indexicals also yields solutions to tougher, more recently-discovered puzzles such as Kripke's well-known case involving Paderewski. We argue that names are in fact rigidly designating indexicals. We also argue that fully developed, the direct reference theory's best strategy for solving the puzzles amounts to the adoption of the indexical theory of names – a move that we argue should be thought of as a natural development of the direct reference theory, and not as antagonistic to it.
The Primitives of Linguistic Meaning

Semantics: Primes and Universals. Anna Wierzbicka. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1996. 500 pp.
A study of cobalt catalysis and copper modification in the coupled decompositions of hydrogen peroxide and peroxomonosulfate ion

The decompositions of HOOH and HOOSO3− in a mixture are mechanistivally linked when cobalt(II) near pH 0 is the catalyst. This linkage, here termed coupling, is seen in the facts that HOOH is an inhibitor of the free radical decomposition of HOOSO3− and the two peroxides are lost in close to a one-to-one ratio. The kinetics of the coupled decompositions have been investigated, and the rate law is −d[HOOSO3−]dtkH[Co2+][HOOSO3−][H+] which holds when [HOOH]≧2×10−2 M. The constant kH is about one-sixth of the value that has been found for the identical rate law for cabalt catalysis of HOOSO3− decomposition in the absence of HOOH. Inhibition is attributed to the trapping of the intermediate Co(III) and possibly also of SO4.− and .OOSO3− by HOOH with consequent formation of HOO. which then reacts by termination only. The presence of the peroxoradical HOO. has been proven through its being trapped by Cu2+, which thereby starts a new and more complicated free radical chain decomposition. The stoichiometry and kinetics of the cobalt-catalyzed, coupled decompositions have been investigated and a tentative set of steps proposed. Some data on copper promotion are reported.
Unprofessional behavior by specialty: a qualitative analysis of six years of student perceptions of medical school faculty.

AbstractBackground: Unprofessional behavior has well documented negative effects both on the clinical care environment and on the learning environment. If unprofessional behavior varies by department or specialty, this has implications both for faculty development and for undergraduate and graduate level training.Aims: We sought to learn which unprofessional behaviors were endemic in our school, and which were unique to particular departments.Methods: Students graduating from medical school between 2007 and 2012 were asked to complete a questionnaire naming the most professional and least professional faculty members they encountered in during school. For the least professional faculty members, they were also asked to provide information about the unprofessional behavior.Results: Students noted several types of unprofessional behavior regardless of the department faculty were in; however, there were some behaviors only noted in individual departments. The unprofessional behavior profiles for Surgery and O...
Islam and the Economy of the Senses in Renaissance English Literature

ABSTRACTEnglish literature of the early modern period generally portrays Islam as a sensual religion, and Muslims are often depicted as idolaters. This is strange, because English people of the period were, in fact, keenly aware of Islam's iconoclastic credentials. “Puritans” in particular were often interested in, and sometimes sympathetic to, Islam for this reason. However, it would have been culturally and legally unacceptable to represent Islam as superior to Protestant Christianity in any religious regard. Consequently, early modern English writers often displace Islamic iconoclasm onto spheres such as the economy. The fact that they were able to do this shows that they conceived of the economic and religious spheres as parts of an interdependent social totality, each element of which affects all the others. This kind of totalizing approach can be useful even in the modern world, as it helps to understand the ethical implications of usury and exchange-value.
Corneal Penetration Behavior of β-Blocking Agents I: Physicochemical Factors

Rabbit corneas were excised and mounted in a chamber to determine the permeability characteristics of a group of beta-blocking agents which varied in octanol-water partitioning over a fourfold logarithmic range. From the permeability rate at steady state, permeability coefficients (pH 7.65) were determined. For each drug the distribution coefficient and pKa were measured, permitting the partition coefficients to be estimated. Various correlations were determined for the log permeability coefficient as a sum of log functions of the partition (or distribution) coefficient, molecular weight, and/or degree of ionization. The best fit, as judged by a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.9756) and lack of systematic deviation, was represented by: log PT = 0.623 log DC - 0.108(log DC)2 - 5.0268.
A molecular basis for the selectivity of thiadiazole urea inhibitors with stromelysin-1 and gelatinase-A from generalized born molecular dynamics simulations.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) represent a potentially important class of therapeutic targets for the treatment of diseases such as cancer. Selective inhibition of MMPs will be required given the...
A rapid and simple method for DNA engineering using cycled ligation assembly.

DNA assembly techniques have developed rapidly, enabling efficient construction of complex constructs that would be prohibitively difficult using traditional restriction-digest based methods. Most of the recent methods for assembling multiple DNA fragments in vitro suffer from high costs, complex set-ups, and diminishing efficiency when used for more than a few DNA segments. Here we present a cycled ligation-based DNA assembly protocol that is simple, cheap, efficient, and powerful. The method employs a thermostable ligase and short Scaffold Oligonucleotide Connectors (SOCs) that are homologous to the ends and beginnings of two adjacent DNA sequences. These SOCs direct an exponential increase in the amount of correctly assembled product during a reaction that cycles between denaturing and annealing/ligating temperatures. Products of early cycles serve as templates for later cycles, allowing the assembly of many sequences in a single reaction. To demonstrate the method’s utility, we directed the assembly of twelve inserts, in one reaction, into a transformable plasmid. All the joints were precise, and assembly was scarless in the sense that no nucleotides were added or missing at junctions. Simple, efficient, and low-cost cycled ligation assemblies will facilitate wider use of complex genetic constructs in biomedical research.
Induction of cytochrome P-450 by methylenedioxyphenyl compounds: importance of the methylene carbon.

Abstract Induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P -450 in Dub:ICR male mice treated with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, safrole, isosafrole, 5- tert. -butyl-1,3-benzodioxole (BBD), 2-methyl-5- tert. -butyl-1,3-benzodioxole (MBBD), and 2,2-dimethyl-5- tert. -butyl-1,3-benzodiozole (DBBD) was evaluated by measuring the cytochrome P -450 content, Type II:Type 1 binding ratio, ethylisocyanide pH equilibrium point, biphenyl 2- and 4-hydroxylase, ethylmorphine N -demethylase, ethoxyresorufin O -deethylase, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Safrole and isosafrole treatment of mice produced a phenobarbitaltype induction. BBD, but not MBBD and DBBD, induced cytochrome P -450 and formed a Type III metabolite-cytochrome P -450 complex, in vitro and in vivo . SDS-PAGE revealed that DBBD does induce proteins other than cytochrome P -450. These data suggest that the methylene carbon plays an important role in cytochrome P -450 induction.
Multiagent Q-learning for aloha-like spectrum access in cognitive radio systems

An Aloha-like spectrum access scheme without negotiation is considered for multiuser and multichannel cognitive radio systems. To avoid collisions incurred by the lack of coordination, each secondary user learns how to select channels according to its experience. Multiagent reinforcement leaning (MARL) is applied for the secondary users to learn good strategies of channel selection. Specifically, the framework of Q-learning is extended from single user case to multiagent case by considering other secondary users as a part of the environment. The dynamics of the Q-learning are illustrated using a Metrick-Polak plot, which shows the traces of Q-values in the two-user case. For both complete and partial observation cases, rigorous proofs of the convergence of multiagent Q-learning without communications, under certain conditions, are provided using the Robins-Monro algorithm and contraction mapping, respectively. The learning performance (speed and gain in utility) is evaluated by numerical simulations.
Graphite-like surface reconstructions on C{111} and their implication for n -type diamond

Surface reconstructions involving curved graphitic overlayer are proposed to be the missing transition state between the clean (2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)- and fully hydrogenated (1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)-diamond {111} surfaces. First-principles calculations show that surface graphitization causes changes in the H vibration frequency, in good agreement with experiment. Localized graphitization may also introduce voidlike planar defects that increase the surface-to-bulk ratio. We find that phosphorus solubility is significantly enhanced near the surface region. This provides an explanation for the recent experimental success on n-type diamond.
Radioimmune assay of tubulin applied to oligomers, synaptic membranes, and plants.

Abstract A radioimmune assay for microtubule protein, tubulin, is described, in which unknown amounts of native or denatured tubulin can be quantitated by the ability to compete with pure [125I]tubulin for rabbit antibodies produced against purified bovine brain tubulin. The assay is used to demonstrate that crude extracts of mouse brain contain negligible amounts of 30–36S tubulin oligomers under conditions where purified tubulin forms substantial amounts of such structures. Also, the particulate fraction of osmotically shocked and sonicated brain synaptosomes contains negligible tubulin antigenic activity. By contrast, soluble extracts of soybean, especially rapidly dividing regions of the plant, were found to contain significant amounts of cross-reacting material, providing further evidence for the conservative evolutionary nature of this ubiquitous and important protein.
Persistence of Cognitive Impairment After Resolution of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy

Background & Aims In patients with cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) has acute but reversible as well as chronic components. We investigated the extent of residual cognitive impairment following clinical resolution of overt HE (OHE). Methods Cognitive function of cirrhotic patients was evaluated using psychometric tests (digit symbol, block design, and number connection [NCT-A and B]) and the inhibitory control test (ICT). Improvement (reduction) in ICT lures and first minus second halves (ΔL1–2) were used to determine learning of response inhibition. Two cross-sectional studies (A and B) compared data from stable cirrhotic patients with or without prior OHE. We then prospectively assessed cognitive performance, before and after the first episode of OHE. Results In study A (226 cirrhotic patients), 54 had experienced OHE, 120 had minimal HE, and 52 with no minimal HE. Despite normal mental status on lactulose after OHE, cirrhotic patients were cognitively impaired, based on results from all tests. Learning of response inhibition (ΔL1–2 ≥1) was evident in patients with minimal HE and no minimal HE but was lost after OHE. In study B (50 additional patients who developed ≥1 documented OHE episode during follow-up), the number of OHE hospitalizations correlated with severity of residual impairment, indicated by ICT lures (r = 0.5, P = .0001), digit symbol test (r = −0.39, P = .002), and number connection test-B (r = 0.33, P = .04). In the prospective study (59 cirrhotic patients without OHE), 15 developed OHE; ICT lure response worsened significantly after OHE (12 before vs 18 after, P = .0003), and learning of response inhibition was lost. The 44 patients who did not experience OHE did not have deteriorations in cognitive function in serial testing. Conclusions In cirrhosis, episodes of OHE are associated with persistent and cumulative deficits in working memory, response inhibition, and learning.
Water Management Trade-offs between Agriculture and the Environment: A Multiobjective Approach and Application

AbstractPractical plans for agricultural water use within multiobjective frameworks require feasible solutions that meet the objectives of competing interests and this is the root of common decision problems that plague water resources systems. To find the best solutions among the set of feasible solutions, decision-makers can analyze their worth functions, which is the goal of the surrogate worth trade-off (SWT) method, which enables assessment of the worth functions after solutions that are optimal to separate groups are analyzed. The SWT method uses Lagrange multipliers to determine the set of Pareto optimal solutions and requires the exact equation of each objective function and its derivative or gradient. This is normally impractical in watershed scale problems because each objective function comprises a set of interactive physical and hydrological equations, but the problem can be partially overcome by incorporating a genetic algorithm. This approach was applied to a case study of California’s San J...
Identification of transforming genes of subgroup A and C strains of Herpesvirus saimiri.

Abstract Herpesvirus saimiri is an oncogenic herpesvirus that induces rapidly progressing lymphomas in New World primates. Using retrovirus vectors for gene transfer, specific open reading frames of H. saimiri were tested for their ability to transform rodent cells in culture. One open reading frame, designated STP-C488 (for saimiri-transformation-associated protein of the subgroup C strain 488), phenotypically transformed Rat-1 cells, resulting in formation of foci, growth at reduced serum concentration, and growth to higher cell densities. Cells transformed by STP-C488 formed invasive tumors in nude mice. The STP-A11 reading frame of strain 11 (subgroup A) was much less potent in its transforming ability than STP-C488. These results demonstrate the oncogene nature of these two open reading frames and provide a means for studying their transforming functions independent of the rest of the H. saimiri genome.
Brief Report: Developmental Neurobiological Aspects of Autism

Impairment in social functioning is generally accepted as one of the central features of autism. From a neurological perspective, social behaviors consist of signals, generated by the motor system, processed by perceptual systems, and regulated by an elaborate cognitive system. These processes are subserved by a hard-wired, widely distributed network that has evolved in parallel with the complex social-cultural milieu of Homo sapiens. There is evidence that this system is impaired, in some unknown way, in autistic individuals. This paper explores some of the neural systems underlying social behaviors. Social-emotional information is transmitted through three major channels. The auditory-vocal channel conveys this information through vocalizations (cries, coos, and grunts) as well as prosody (subtle modulations of the tone, rate, and fundamental frequency of language). The emotional significance of these incoming signals is then extracted and computed by specialized brain areas. Normal neonates show a remarkable ability to use these vocal signals to communicate their emotional states, and these vocal signals are entwined with other social behaviors virtually from the beginning. The rate of vocalization increases during periods in which eye contact is maintained. By 5 months, infants can distinguish affective vocalizations independent of visual information. The visual-facial-gestural channel conveys social-emotional information through facial expressions, gesture, and gaze. These motor programs are in place at birth: newborns smile, and show disgust and pain to their caregivers (Izard, Huebner, Risser, McGinnes, & Dougherty, 1980). By 7
Transgene expression in hypertrophied and aged skeletal muscle in vivo by lentivirus delivery

Background Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-based lentiviral vectors can infect dividing and non-dividing cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of lentiviral transfer of the green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene into post-mitotic quail skeletal muscle and into fibers undergoing hypertrophy and hyperplasia via addition of satellite cell nuclei. Methods A vesicular stomatitis virus G-protein (pMFG)-pseudotyped lentiviral vector encoding the eGFP gene coding sequence, flanked by two long terminal repeats (LTRs) (pHR-CMV-eGFP-Wsin-18) and an optional plasmid (pRSVrev), was generated in 293T cells by means of the three-plasmid system. The resulting lentiviral vector, LtV/eGFP, was injected in vivo into the patagialis muscles of young (6 weeks of age) and senescent (100 weeks of age) Japanese quail. Polybrene (10 µg/muscle) was injected in the right patagialis muscles of some birds. A weight was attached to the left wing of birds immediately following LtV/eGFP injection for 7, 14 or 21 days to induce hypertrophy in the patagialis muscle via satellite cell activation. A time-released bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pellet was implanted in some birds to identify satellite cells that had proliferated during stretch-overload. Control and experimental muscles were examined 7, 14 or 21 days following injection and wing loading. Results Seven days post-injection proved to be insufficient to visualize and quantify the eGFP signal. EGFP-positive fibers were evident 14 and 21 days after injection of LtV/eGFP. As expected, wing weighting resulted in hypertrophy of the patagialis of senescent and young birds and an increase in collagen and other connective tissue in muscles of old birds. Nevertheless, this did not interfere with expression levels or intensity of the eGFP vector because the area of eGFP-positive fibers normalized to total muscle area was similar in control and overloaded muscles, and in muscles that were injected with the lentivirus vector but not loaded. Polybrene improved eGFP expression by 41% as compared with muscles that received only the lentivirus. Conclusions These findings provide the first evidence that this lentivirus vector is an efficient tool for gene transfer and expression in mature (non-growing) fibers of adult birds, sarcopenic fibers of senescent birds and hypertrophying skeletal muscle fibers of both young adult and old birds. This system could be useful for tissue engineering, or treating aging-associated muscle-wasting diseases such as sarcopenia, especially when exercise/overload are added to gene therapy approaches to combat muscle loss with aging. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solvent swelling influences the electrochemical behavior and stability of thin films of nitrated poly (styrene)

Abstract The electrochemical behavior and stability of thin films of poly(nitrostyrene) (PNS) and a partially dinitrated derivative of PNS (PDNS) have been examined in acetonitrile. Qualitative information regarding the extent of solvent swelling of these polyelectrolyte films in non-aqueous solvents is obtained using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique, both by measuring the frequency changes due to solvent swelling and by measuring the conductance (impedance) spectra of the quartz crystal/polymer film composite resonator in the different oxidation states. Extensive solvent swelling as a function of the number of reductive scans is correlated with instability of the films toward dissolution or delamination and with subtle changes in electrochemical behavior. The effectiveness of thermal pretreatments (which presumably induce crosslinks of some type) for enhancing film stability by slowing the rate of swelling is examined. For certain types of films, it is shown that the transport processes which serve to achieve electroneutrality at high scan rates may occur on a different time scale (i.e. faster) than those which serve to attain thermodynamic equilibrium. The implication is that transient, non-equilibrium states may be prepared during switching whose composition is not necessarily that dictated by the equilibrium state, and that manipulation of these transient states to achieve faster switching rates may be done independently of equilibrium considerations, at least in some cases.
A Problem-Solving Therapy Intervention for Low-Income, Pregnant Women at Risk for Postpartum Depression:

Postpartum Depression (PPD) occurs at higher rates among impoverished mothers than the general population. Depression during pregnancy is one of the strongest predictors of developing PPD. Research indicates that non-pharmacological interventions are effective in reducing depressive symptoms but engaging and retaining low-income mothers remains a challenge. A brief, educational intervention delivered through home visits may be an ideal setting for low-income pregnant mothers at risk for PPD. Problem Solving Therapy (PST) is an effective treatment for depression. However, its effectiveness has not been tested among low-income mothers at risk of postpartum depression. This research tests the feasibility and pretest to posttest outcome of an adaptation of PST among a sample of low-income, expectant mothers. This research used a pre-post pilot study. Fourteen pregnant women at risk for postpartum depression were provided 5 home visits of motivational interviewing introduction for engagement and PST for sympto...
Growing, storing and selecting potatoes for chips

Potato processing in U.S.A. comprises about 30% of all potatoes consumed as food. About one-half of the total amount processed is poyato chips. Much research on the various phases of processing has improved the chip quality considerably (colour, flavour, attractiveness and shelf life).
Comparative Study on Optimal Stiffener Placement for Curvilinearly Stiffened Panels

Recent studies have shown that curved stiffeners offer potential for structural tailoring of metallic panels. However, the optimal placement of the stiffener curves has remained a challenge, due to both the presence ofmultiple localminima in the design space as well as the associated CPU cost to solve the problem. This paper presents two new approaches to design the stiffener curves by decomposition of the design space into size and shape variables. The approaches are built on a heuristic concept of effectiveness of a stiffener configuration, which argues that the most effective configuration will also provide the lowest optimized panel mass. The first approach estimates the best stiffener configuration, based purely on the first buckling mode of the unstiffened panel. The approach defines a heuristic metric for the effectiveness of a stiffener in increasing the buckling load capacity of a panel. The second approach uses optimization methods on both the sizing and shape variable subspaces. Mass is minimized over the sizing variable subspace, with constraint on buckling, while the buckling eigenvalue is maximized over the shape design variable subspace by varying the stiffener curves. The results are compared with optimization over a unified design space using a global optimization procedure, and it is shown that the proposedmethods lead to better designs at lower CPU cost.
Biological Characterization of Neurokinin Antagonists Discovered Through Screening of a Combinatorial Library

Recent advances in combinatorial chemistry have resulted in the rapid screening of libraries against biological targets. Another advance in biological screening is the ability to design and utilize novel, automated, nonradioactive assays for targets of pharmaceutical interest. Using encoding technology and europium time-resolved fluorescence, we have designed primary receptor binding assays to define active compounds against the neurokinin-1 and neurokinin-2 receptor subtypes. In addition, a secondary, cell-based, functional assay measuring intracellular calcium flux with calcium sensitive fluorophores was used to determine receptor agonist or antagonist activities. We adapted a cuvette based assay to a CCD camera and digital imaging system that allowed us to demonstrate functional receptor antagonist activity in all 96 wells of a microtiter plate simultaneously. The screening of a 20,000 member library using europium labeled neurokinin ligands resulted in the identification of 43 active compounds for neu...