cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Randomized neutron dose searching study for malignant gliomas of the brain: Results of an RTOG study

Abstract From September 1980 through January 1985, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) conducted a randomized, dose-searching study testing the efficacy of a concomitant neutron boost along with whole brain photon irradiation in the treatment of malignant gliomas of the brain. Patients had to have biopsy-proven, supratentorial, anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme (Nelson schema) to be eligible for the study. The whole brain photon irradiation was given at 1.5 Gy per treatment, 5 days-a-week to a total dose of 45 Gy. Two days-a-week the patients were to receive neutron boost irradiation to the tumor volume as determined on CT scans. The neutron irradiation was to be given prior to and within 3 hours of the photon irradiation on that day. The rationale for this particular treatment regime is discussed. A total of 190 evaluable patients were randomized among 6 different neutron dose levels: 3.6, 4.2, 4.8, 5.2, 5.6 and 6.0 Gyo nγ . There was no difference in overall survival among the 6 different dose levels, but for patients having less aggressive tumor histology (anaplastic astrocytoma), there was a suggestion that patients on the higher dose levels had poorer overall survival than patients on the lower dose levels and also did worse than historical photon controls. Important prognostic factors were identified using a Cox stepwise regression analysis. Tumor histology, Karnofsky performance status, and patient age were found to be related to survival while extent of surgery and neutron dose had no significant impact. Autopsies were performed on 35 patients and the results correlated with the actual neutron dose as determined by central-axis isodose calculations. At all dose levels there were some patients with both radiation damage to normal brain tissue and evidence of viable tumor. No evidence was found for a therapeutic window using this particular treatment regimen.
Neutrino mixing in a grand unified theory

We have investigated neutrino mixing in a grand unified theory in which the neutrino mass matrix is determined by the Gell-Mann--Ramond--Slansky mechanism. With an arbitrary real right-handed Majorana mass matrix which incorporates three neutrino mass scales, we find that the effects of the up-quark mass matrix are dominant and as a result no significant mixing of ..nu../sub e/ occurs, while ..nu../sub ..mu../-..nu../sub t/ mixing can be substantial.
Reasoning driven blackboard system for image understanding

Understanding objects in an image is a current problem in computer vision. This paper propose an image understanding system that recognizes complex objects based on geometric shapes and color. This system is based on a blackboard architecture that uses image processing algorithms as Knowledge Sources (KSs) to extract features in the image, and then infer the presence of certain objects based on the these features. The management of these KSs will be driven by a reasoning system like a belief network or a rule-based system.
Levels of Patient Interaction on Psychiatric Wards: Some Relevant Variables

Six properties of the psychiatric treatment setting have been examined for their effect on the amount of patient interaction. The evidence indicates that patient interaction is greater to the extent that (1) the need for patient interaction is stressed; (2) patients and staff are rewarded for interacting with patients; (3) the patient population is not disproportionately selected from among the aged, the very severely disturbed, or individuals just admitted; (4) nonpatients mingle with patients; and (5) differences in rank and authority between staff members and patients are minimized.Implications of these findings are discussed with relation to (1) the "disease entity" conception of mental illness and (2) Goffman's hypothesis that a deep staff-inmate schism exists in the mental hospital which is an example of a "total institution."
Molecular homology between prolactin and ovarian peptides: evidence for physiologic modification of the parent molecule by the target.

Abstract In recent years, prolactin has come to be recognized as an inhibitory gonadotrophin, with the ovarian follicular compartment as its target. In parallel with this, is evidence that granulosa cells give rise to substances secreted into follicular fluid that mimic the inhibitory actions of prolactin, but appear to be oligopeptides. The question that was examined here was whether these peptides are prolactin fragments. The endpoint was immunohistochemical reactivity in ovarian follicles of cycling rats. Antisera to homologous pituitary prolactin were used with and without modification by admixture either of highly purified rat pituitary prolactin or of follicular fluid enriched in prolactin-like bioactivities and depleted of peptides larger than 2000 MW. In growing follicles, immunohistochemical reactions, dependent upon unmodified anti-rat prolactins, occurred in all three follicular compartments but the microdistribution patterns and intensity of the reactions varied within follicles at different stages of development. These differences were compatible with the biological role of prolactin as an inhibitory gonadotrophin. Evidence that the reactions were dependent upon pituitary-like prolactin, present in the follicle, was obtained with highly purified rat prolactin which completely abolished reaction potential of the antisera in all follicles, at all stages. In contrast, the results with antisera to which oligopeptide follicular fluid had been added were end-point dependent: both partial and complete loss of antiserum potency, dependent upon cycle stage and sub-compartmentation of individual follicles were observed. These findings demonstrate molecular homology between pituitary prolactin and what appear to be small peptides of penultimate follicular origin and they lend support to the proposal that the mechanisms of action of prolactin involve modification of the parent molecule by the target.
Behavioral contrast in pigeons and rats: A comparative analysis

The effects of reinforcement rate on behavioral contrast were examined in pigeons and rats. Each species was exposed to a series of 12 multiple variable-interval schedules, divided into four 3-schedule series. Each series consisted of a standard contrast manipulation, and baseline schedules provided a different rate of reinforcement in each of the series. The functions relating reinforcement rate to the magnitude of contrast were different across species. Rats showed a U-shaped function, with reliable contrast occurring only at high reinforcement rates. Pigeons showed an inverted U-shaped function, with contrast occurring on all schedules except the schedule providing the lowest rate of reinforcement. Pigeons discriminated between schedule components better than rats did, although differences in discrimination were probably not responsible for the differences in contrast. The results suggest that behavioral contrast in rats may be a different phenomenon from behavioral contrast in pigeons. The results cannot be explained by current theories, which view contrast as the product of a single general process.
Transverse force on a quantized vortex in a superconductor

The total transverse force acting on a quantized vortex in a type-II superconductor determines the Hall response in the mixed state, yet a consensus as to its correct form is still lacking. In this paper we present an essentially exact expression for this force, valid in the superclean limit, which was obtained by generalizing the recent work by Thouless, Ao, and Niu [D. J. Thouless, P. Ao, and Q. Niu, Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 3758 (1996)] on the Magnus force in a neutral superfluid. We find the transverse force per unit length to be $\mathbf{f}=\ensuremath{\rho}\mathbf{K}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbf{V}$, where $\ensuremath{\rho}={\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{n}}+{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ is the sum of the mass densities of the normal and superconducting components, $\mathbf{K}$ is a vector parallel to the line vortex with a magnitude equal to the quantized circulation, and $\mathbf{V}$ is the vortex velocity.
Mechanism of human placental aromatase: A new active site model

Based on Akhtar's ferric peroxide mechanism and on recent studies in our own laboratory, we present a detailed proposal for aromatase action. This picture can account for the known stereochemical consequences at C-19 observed by others using isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen. The postulated process involves anchoring of the 19-hydroxymethyl and 19-oxo groups at the active site by a glutamate residue, which also serves to activate the 19-oxo group for attack by ferric peroxy species in the third oxidative step.
Azodipyrroles of unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin using diazotized ethyl anthranilate in dimethyl sulfoxide.

Abstract We have developed a diazotization technique in which both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin react completely. The method represents a crucial modification of the ethyl anthranilate diazo reaction originally described by K. P. M. Heirwegh, J. Fevery, J. A. T. P. Meuwissen, and J. de Groote (1974, Methods Biochem. Anal. 22, 205–250). In the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (2 ml/ml of sample and diazo reagent), conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in human serum and human, rat, and mouse bile reacted rapidly and completely. The azopigments were stable for at least 4 h. Addition of human serum to unconjugated bilirubin, bilirubin monoglucuronide, and human bile did not influence azopigment formation. Because the reaction solution was optically clear, total azopigments could be measured by spectrophotometry or separated and quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography without prior extraction into nonpolar solvents. Alternatively, the pigments could also be extracted into 2-pentanone for analysis by thin-layer or high-performance liquid chromatography. This method allows the quantitation of total bilirubin and analysis of individual ethyl anthranilate azopigments after a single diazotization step.
Bright and dark sides of nitric oxide in ischemic brain injury

There is increasing evidence that nitric oxide (NO), a free radical that can act both as a signaling molecule and a neurotoxin, is involved in the mechanisms of cerebral ischemia. Although early investigations yielded conflicting results, the introduction of more-selective pharmacological tools and the use of molecular approaches for deletion of genes encoding for NO synthase have provided a better understanding of the role of NO in the mechanisms of ischemic brain damage. The evidence reviewed in this article suggests that NO is protective or destructive depending on the stage of evolution of the ischemic process and on the cellular source of NO. Defining the role of NO in cerebral ischemia provides the rationale for new neuroprotective strategies based on modulation of NO production in the post-ischemic brain.
Immobilization, stabilization and patterning techniques for enzyme based sensor systems.

Sandia National Laboratories has recently opened the Chemical and Radiation Detection Laboratory (CRDL) in Livermore CA to address the detection needs of a variety of government agencies (e.g., Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture) as well as provide a fertile environment for the cooperative development of new industrial technologies. This laboratory consolidates a variety of existing chemical and radiation detection efforts and enables Sandia to expand into the novel area of biochemically based sensors. One aspect of this biosensor effort is further development and optimization of enzyme modified field effect transistors (EnFETs). Recent work has focused upon covalent attachment of enzymes to silicon dioxide and silicon nitride surfaces for EnFET fabrication. They are also investigating methods to pattern immobilized proteins; a critical component for development of array-based sensor systems. Novel enzyme stabilization procedures are key to patterning immobilized enzyme layers while maintaining enzyme activity. Results related to maximized enzyme loading, optimized enzyme activity and fluorescent imaging of patterned surfaces will be presented.
Patterns of emotional disturbance on the WISC‐R

Fourteen WISC subtest patterns that purport to differentiate behavioral disorders were applied to the WISC-R. Forty-one adolescent males referred as a result of conduct disorders were administered the WISC-R. In general, a group analysis showed a depression of verbal functions and satisfactory reliability. The majority of signs investigated were shown to be as effective with nonschizophrenic emotionally disturbed children as with the specific clinical picture they were designed to predict. Evidence pointed to a number of patterns of subtest scatter useful in the diagnosis of a generalized state of emotional disturbance. Implications for clinical practice were discussed.
Anesthesiology and Gastroenterology

A successful population-based colorectal cancer screening requires efficient colonoscopy practices that incorporate high throughput, safety, and patient satisfaction. There are several different modalities of nonanesthesiologist-administered sedation currently available and in development that may fulfill these requirements. Modern-day gastroenterology endoscopic procedures are complex and demand the full attention of the attending gastroenterologist and the complete cooperation of the patient. Many of these procedures will also require the anesthesiologist's knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience to ensure optimal procedure results and good patient outcomes. The goal of this review is (1) to provide a gastroenterology perspective on the use of propofol in gastroenterology endoscopic practice, and (2) to describe newer GI endoscopy procedures that gastroenterologists perform that might involve anesthesiologists.
Unified display of Arabidopsis thaliana physical maps from AtDB, the A.thaliana database

In the past several years, there has been a tremendous effort to construct physical maps and to sequence the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana. As a result, four of the five chromosomes are completely covered by overlapping clones except at the centromeric and nucleolus organizer regions (NOR). In addition, over 30% of the genome has been sequenced and completion is anticipated by the end of the year 2000. Despite these accomplishments, the physical maps are provided in many formats on laboratories’ Web sites. These data are thus difficult to obtain in a coherent manner for researchers. To alleviate this problem, AtDB (Arabidopsis thaliana DataBase, URL: http://genome-www. stanford.edu/Arabidopsis/ ) has constructed a unified display of the physical maps where all publicly available physical-map data for all chromosomes are presented through the Web in a clickable, ‘on-the-fly’ graphic, created by CGI programs that directly consult our relational database.
What nonresponse to intracavernous injection really indicates: a determination by quantitative analysis.

Purpose: In addition to its usefulness as a therapeutic modality, intracavernous injection may also be done in a diagnostic capacity. While a good response to an intracavernous injection test rules out venous leakage, a failed erectile response to the test in the office setting may not be completely representative of the patient erectile state. We determined by quantitative analysis the likely significance of failure to respond to intracavernous injection testing.Materials and Methods: Patients evaluated with the standard erectile dysfunction assessment at our andrology clinic between 1996 and 1999 were included in analysis. All 122 patients who did not meet study exclusion criteria underwent a test dose of intracavernous injection with papaverine, phentolamine and prostaglandin E1. Regardless of the response or lack of response to the test the men then underwent nocturnal penile tumescence testing, penile blood flow study and re-dose pharmacocavernosography. Results of these adjunctive tests were compare...
Determination of the conformation and stability of simple homopolypeptides using solid-state NMR.

Abstract 15 N CPMAS, 13 C CPMAS and 1 H CRAMPS spectra of several polypeptide samples were compared to determine the useful features of each technique. 13 C CPMAS is the most well-established technique and is useful for quick determination of secondary structure. The 15 N nucleus is more sensitive to exact hydrogen-bonding parameters, which complicates interpretation of the spectra. However, it is better for resolving end effects and structural types in short oligomers. 1 H CRAMPS spectra are similar to 13 C CPMAS in the information obtained, but the resolution is not as good. Using 13 C CPMAS, the conformation of polyglycine was investigated in detail. Precipitation from solvents such as DCA or TFA resulted in the rippled β -sheet structure (PG I), while 3 1 -helix (PG II) was formed by precipitation from aqueous solutions of LiBr. Grinding the sample resulted in an increase in the amount of PG I, indicating that this form is more stable in the solid state. These results agree with previous work on poly( l -alanine) showing that the β -sheet form is more stable in the solid state. Homopolypeptides with larger side chains did not change conformation upon grinding due to the greater difficulty in disrupting van der Waals interactions and inertia of the large side chains.
The annealing characteristics of a dynamically strain ageable aluminum alloy

Abstract The recrystallization kinetics of dynamically strain ageable aluminum alloys are in part determined by the intensity of dynamic strain aging that occurs during the cold working of these alloys. A reduction in the kinetics of recrystallization and softening is achieved by each of three appropriate ways of increasing the degree of dynamic strain aging. It is thought that this reduction in the kinetics is achieved by the locking of dislocations by certain solute configurations, an event that occurs during the dynamic strain aging of these alloys. The dislocation locking produces a thermally more stable dislocation structure which in turn leads to the reported increase in incubation times for primary recrystallization.
Forecasting and testing in co-integrated systems

Abstract This paper examines the behavior of forecasts made from a co-integrated system as introduced by Granger (1981), Granger and Weiss (1983) and Engle and Granger (1987). It is established that a multi-step forecast will satisfy the co-integrating relation exactly and that this particular linear combination of forecasts will have a finite limiting forecast error variance. A simulation study compares the multi-step forecast accuracy of unrestricted vector autoregression with the two-step estimation of the vector autoregression imposing the co-integration restriction. To test whether a system exhibits co-integration, the procedures introduced in Engle and Granger (1987) are extended to allow different sample sizes and numbers of variables.
The effects of testosterone deprivation and supplementation on proteasomal and autophagy activity in the skeletal muscle of the male mouse: differential effects on high-androgen responder and low-androgen responder muscle groups.

Men with prostate cancer who receive androgen deprivation therapy show profound skeletal muscle loss. We hypothesized that the androgen deficiency activates not only the ubiquitin-proteasome systems but also the autophagy and affects key aspects of the molecular cross talk between protein synthesis and degradation. Here, 2-month-old male mice were castrated and treated with either testosterone (T) propionate or vehicle for 7 days (short term) or 43 days (long term), and with and without hydroxyflutamide. Castrated mice showed rapid and profound atrophy of the levator ani muscle (high androgen responder) at short term and lesser atrophy of the triceps muscle (low androgen responder) at long term. Levator ani and triceps muscles of castrated mice showed increased level of autophagy markers and lysosome enzymatic activity; only the levator ani showed increased proteasomal enzymatic activity. The levator ani muscle of the castrated mice showed increased level and activation of forkhead box protein O3A, the inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamicyn, and the activation of tuberous sclerosis complex protein 2 and 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase. Similar results were obtained in the triceps muscle of castrated mice. T rescued the loss of muscle mass after orchiectomy and inhibited lysosome and proteasome pathways dose dependently and in a seemingly IGF-I-dependent manner. Hydroxyflutamide attenuated the effect of T in the levator ani muscle of castrated mice. In conclusion, androgen deprivation in adult mice induces muscle atrophy associated with proteasomal and lysosomal activity. T optimizes muscle protein balance by modulating the equilibrium between mechanistic target of rapamicyn and 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase pathways.
Quantitation in the Solid-State 13C NMR Analysis of Soil and Organic Soil Fractions

13C CP-MAS and DP-MAS spin-counting experiments have been carried out on an absolute basis for a specific whole soil and its humin, humic acid, and fulvic acid fractions, as well as a sample of the soil that was treated with 2% HF(aq). The results confirm previous conclusions that a substantial fraction of the carbon content indicated by classic elemental analysis is missed in some samples, especially whole soil and humin, by both CP-MAS and DP-MAS 13C NMR methods, and that the problem is more serious for CP-MAS than for DP-MAS. This study also confirms the fact that treatment of soil organic matter with 2% HF(aq) dramatically reduces this problem but may generate some structural uncertainties associated with significant structural alterations that accompany the HF(aq) treatment, as indicated by the 13C NMR data. The relationship between the “missing carbon” problem and the concentration of paramagnetic centers, especially Fe(III) centers, is explored in substantial detail.
Piecemeal cuts won't add up to radical reductions

To meet ambitious emissions targets will require systems thinking and massive breakthroughs in technology and fuels, says Jane C. S. Long.
Reframing Assessment Concepts

We question the utility of traditional conceptualizations of validity and reliability, developed in the context of large scale, external testing, and the psychology of individual differences, for the context of the classroom. We compare traditional views of validity and reliability to alternate frameworks that situate these constructs in teachers' work in classrooms. We describe how we used these frameworks to design an assessment course for preservice teachers, and present data that suggest students in the redesigned course not only saw the course as more valuable in their work as teachers, but developed deeper understandings of validity and reliability than did their counterparts in a traditional tests and measurement course. We close by discussing the implications of these data for the teaching of assessment, and for the use and interpretation of classroom assessment data for purposes of local and state accountability.
Simplified shape memory alloy (SMA) material model for vibration isolation

Advances in smart materials and structures technology, especially in applications of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) as actuators and vibration isolation devices require understanding of the nonlinear hysteretic response found in SMAs. SMA hysteresis can be modeled either through constitutive models based on physical material parameters or through models based on system identification. In this work, a simplified material model for the pseudoelastic response of SMAs is presented, suitable for vibration isolation applications. Response obtained from the simplified model is compared with the response obtained from an existing thermodynamic constitutive SMA model and the results from the two models are found to match well. The computation time required by the simplified model was approximately seven times faster compared with the thermodynamic constitutive model. The simplified model is utilized to simulate a single degree of freedom mass-SMA system where the SMA acts as a passive vibration isolation device, showing a substantial reduction in displacement transmissibility.
Remarks on the numerical solution of Poisson's equation for isolated charge distributions

Abstract A method is proposed to provide an efficient correction to the potential and field of an isolated charge distribution calculated by means of the Fourier transform technique. The method also applies to other problems involving Poisson's or Yukawa's equation for isolated sources.
Nuclear Environmental Effects on Space: Guidance and Control Systems

The guidance and control system that is considered for analysis is a programmed inertial guidance unit with an astro-tracker for space coordinate corrections. For most missions the effects of space radiations on systems will be trivial; however, Van Allen radiation and solar flares can increase the dark current on the astro-tracker sensing element. Reactor radiation from the main propulsion system will cause degradation of: electrical wiring in servo valves, semiconductor electronics in the computer system, seals in the hot gas actuators, and solid or liquid propellent gas generators. Combinations of judicious material selection, design modifications, relocation of systems, and shielding will alleviate problems associated with the guidance and control systems operating in a nuclear environment.
A Digital Tool Grows (and Keeps Growing) from the Work of a Community of Writers.

This article reports on a collaborative inquiry into the use of a researcher-designed digital tool for the support of writing instruction in elementary classrooms. The digital tool in question is an online collection of original writing samples produced by elementary children that was conceptualized as a resource for coaching new writers using easily retrievable samples of “gems” produced by other young writers. This article describes the teacher education context from which the design of this tool emerged as well as the evaluation of this tool by a group of Master Reading Teacher candidates. Grounded in the literature on the use of mentor texts in writing instruction, this article highlights the role that authentic child-authored texts can play in supporting teachers’ instructional moves. The article ends with a discussion of implications for enhancing teacher professional development through the use of digital tools that can be utilized to promote reflective inquiry into writing pedagogy.
Mechanistic insights into replication termination as revealed by investigations of the Reb1-Ter3 complex of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Relatively little is known about the interaction of eukaryotic replication terminator proteins with the cognate termini and the replication termination mechanism. Here, we report a biochemical analysis of the interaction of the Reb1 terminator protein of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which binds to the Ter3 site present in the nontranscribed spacers of ribosomal DNA, located in chromosome III. We show that Reb1 is a dimeric protein and that the N-terminal dimerization domain of the protein is dispensable for replication termination. Unlike its mammalian counterpart Ttf1, Reb1 did not need an accessory protein to bind to Ter3. The two myb/SANT domains and an adjacent, N-terminal 154-amino-acid-long segment (called the myb-associated domain) were both necessary and sufficient for optimal DNA binding in vitro and fork arrest in vivo. The protein and its binding site Ter3 were unable to arrest forks initiated in vivo from ars of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the cell milieu of the latter despite the facts that the protein retained the proper affinity of binding, was located in vivo at the Ter site, and apparently was not displaced by the “sweepase” Rrm3. These observations suggest that replication fork arrest is not an intrinsic property of the Reb1-Ter3 complex.
The dominant humoral epitope in phospholipase A2 receptor-1: presentation matters when serving up a slice of π.

Phospholipase A2 receptor-1 (PLA2R), the major autoimmune target in primary membranous nephropathy,[1][1] is one of four mammalian members of the mannose receptor (MR) family, which consists of the MR (encoded by the MRC1 gene), Endo180 ( MRC2 ), DEC205 ( LY75 ), and PLA2R itself.[2][2] An
Multi-loop buck regulator for wide programmable switching frequency

This paper presents a multi-loop voltage-controlled buck converter that operates at a wide range of programmable switching frequency and works over an input voltage range of 3.5V to 60V and load current up to 3A. The output voltage can be externally set between 0.9V and 20V. A major challenge was incorporating line feed-forward technique while having a programmable switching frequency between 200 KHz and 2 MHz. A design technique to implement this feature, low-power mode detection using zero-cross detector, and multi-loop control to improve transient response will be presented. The converter fabricated in 0.5µm process consumes 60µA in low-power mode.
Transcription of the Herpes Simplex Virus Genome in Human Cells

Abstract We have examined the details of the transcription of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) genome in HeLa cells using deoxyribonucleic acid-ribonucleic acid (DNA-RNA) hybridization. The following findings are reported. (i) Virus-specific RNA (vRNA) synthesized following onset of HSV-DNA replication (L-vRNA) is complementary to as much as 90% of the HSV genome. (ii) There is no significant class of virus-specific RNA synthesized later than L-vRNA. (iii) The vRNA synthesized prior to HSV-DNA replication (E-vRNA) is composed of two classes; one class comprising 75% of the total E-vRNA is found in large amounts as early as 45 min after infection, whereas the other class making up the other 25% of E-vRNA is found in only small amounts at 1.5 hr after infection. This second class of E-vRNA is found in amounts comparable to the first by 3.5 hr after infection. (iv) Inhibition of HSV-DNA synthesis results in the continued synthesis of E-vRNA, but there is no synthesis of L-vRNA. (v) Finally, there is no class of vRNA found in the nucleus that is not found associated with cytoplasmic polyribosomes either early or late after infection.
Responses of Young Adult Grandchildren to Grandparents’ Painful Self-Disclosures

This study examined grandchildren’s relational and communicative responses to grandparents’ painful self-disclosures (PSDs). From the perspective of young adult grandchildren (N = 297), discomfort with PSDs is more significant in differentiating positive and negative aspects of the grandparent—grandchild relationship than simply the occurrence of such disclosures. Furthermore, results reveal that the family communication environment and communicative responsiveness of the grandchild are important factors in predicting discomfort with PSDs as well as grandchildren’s communication with grandparents.
Improving flow analyses via ΓCFA: abstract garbage collection and counting

We present two independent and complementary improvements for flow-based analysis of higher-order languages: (1) abstract garbage collection and (2) abstract counting, collectively titled ΓCFA.Abstract garbage collection is an analog to its concrete counterpart: we determine when an abstract resource has become unreachable, and then reallocate it as fresh. This prevents flow sets from merging in the abstract, which has two immediate effects: (1) the precision of the analysis is increased, and (2) the running time of the analysis is frequently reduced. In some nontrivial cases, we achieve an order of magnitude improvement in precision and time simultaneously.In abstract counting, we track how many times an abstract resource has been allocated. A count of one implies that the abstract resource momentarily represents only one concrete resource. This, in turn, allows us to perform environment analysis and to expand the kinds (rather than just the degree) of optimizations available to the compiler.
Early Characterization of Blast-related Heterotopic Ossification in a Rat Model

Background Heterotopic ossification (HO) affects the majority of combat-related lower extremity wounds involving severe fracture and amputation. Defining the timing of early osteogenic-related genes may help identify candidate prophylactic agents and guide the timing of prophylactic therapy after blast and other combat-related extremity injuries.
The relationship of panic disorder to agoraphobia.

Abstract Twenty patients with agoraphobia or panic disorder were compared to each other using multiple variables of clinical illness. No differences were found. Only one of thirteen agoraphobic patients did not experience panic attacks. The agoraphobia symptoms never preceded the panic attacks in those twelve patients experiencing both agoraphobia and panic attacks. This study data and that of others is most consistent with the hypothesis that agoraphobia is a secondary manifestation of panic disorder.
Affect and Morality: A Cross-Cultural Examination of Moral Attribution

Principles of attribution do not always apply equally in all cultures. In the present research, we use the Kantian approach of perfect and imperfect duty violations to assess how attributions are made in the United States and Korea. Perfect duties are actions that moral people are required to do, whereas imperfect duties, although not required, are actions expected of moral people. In Experiment 1, we assessed whether there were cross-cultural differences in response to perfect and imperfect duty violations. In Experiment 2, we explored the mediating role of affect in these differences. In Experiment 3, we manipulated affect to test alternative explanations for the results of Experiment 2. Results show that the process of making moral attributions differs between Americans and Koreans, and this difference is due to Koreans requiring comparatively more negative affect before making a moral attribution. Implications for cross-cultural research are discussed.
Parsing epileptic events using a Markov switching process model for correlated time series

Patients with epilepsy can manifest short, sub-clinical epileptic \bursts" in addition to full-blown clinical seizures. We believe the relationship between these two classes of events|something not previously studied quantitatively|could yield important insights into the nature and intrinsic dynamics of seizures. A goal of our work is to parse these complex epileptic events into distinct dynamic regimes. A challenge posed by the intracranial EEG (iEEG) data we study is the fact that the number and placement of electrodes can vary between patients. We develop a Bayesian nonparametric Markov switching process that allows for (i) shared dynamic regimes between a variable numbers of channels, (ii) asynchronous regimeswitching, and (iii) an unknown dictionary of dynamic regimes. We encode a sparse and changing set of dependencies between the channels using a Markov-switching Gaussian graphical model for the innovations process driving the channel dynamics. We demonstrate the importance of this model in parsing and out-of-sample predictions of iEEG data. We show that our model produces intuitive state assignments that can help automate clinical analysis of seizures and enable the comparison of sub-clinical bursts and full clinical seizures.
Rapid adaptation of torso pointing movements to perturbations of the base of support.

We investigated whether pointing movements made with the torso would adapt to movement-contingent augmentation or attenuation of their spatial amplitude. The pointing task required subjects standing on a platform in the dark to orient the mid-sagittal plane of their torso to the remembered locations of just extinguished platform-fixed visual targets without moving their feet. Subjects alternated pointing at two chest-high targets, 60° apart, (1) in a baseline period with the stance platform stationary, (2) during exposure to concomitant contra or ipsiversive platform rotations that grew incrementally to 50% of the velocity of torso rotation, and (3) after return in one step to stationary platform conditions. The velocity and amplitude of torso movements relative to space decreased 25–50% during exposure to contraversive platform rotations and increased 20–50% during ipsiversive rotations. Torso rotation kinematics relative to the platform (as well as the platform-fixed targets and feet) remained virtually constant throughout the incremental exposure period. Subjects were unaware of the altered motion of their body in space imposed by the platform and did not perceive their motor adjustments. Upon return to stationary conditions, torso rotation movements were smaller and slower following adaptation to contraversive rotations and larger and faster after ipsiversive platform rotations. These results indicate a rapid sensory-motor recalibration to the altered relationship between spatial (inertial) torso motion and intended torso motion relative to the feet, and rapid re-adaptation to normal conditions. The adaptive system producing such robust torso regulation provides a critical basis for control of arm, head, and eye movements.
A Fuller Picture of Organ Markets

There is much to like in Koplin's (2014) article. In fact I have reviewed much of the same data and made similar arguments in my own work on transplant tourism (Cohen 2013; Cohen 2014), although I ...
Performance Analysis of High Data Rate MIMO Systems in Frequency-Selective Fading Channels

The performance of multicode direct-sequence spread-spectrum multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems in the presence of frequency-selective fading is evaluated. We derive the asymptotic distribution of the multiple-antenna interference when the processing gain is sufficiently large. The probability of error is derived for the conventional RAKE receiver, and its performance is compared for various system configurations. We consider system tradeoffs for both fixed rate and fixed diversity. For a fixed total data rate, we demonstrate the advantage of decreasing the number of transmit antennas while increasing the number of codes, and for a fixed total diversity order, we demonstrate the advantage of decreasing the number of RAKE taps while increasing the number of receive antennas.
Sucking behavior at breast during the early newborn period affects later breast‐feeding rate and duration of breast‐feeding

Background: One of the objectives of health-workers is to help increase the rate and duration of breast-feeding. It could become a helpful tool if babies sucking behavior at breast in the early neonatal period could predict babies at risk of short-term breast-feeding. The aims of this study are: to determine the prevalence of a range of sucking behaviors at breast in the early neonatal period in Japan; to determine if sucking behavior in the early neonatal period affects the later breast-feeding rate; and to clarify reasons for ceasing breast-feeding for each sucking behavior. Methods: A total of 1582 mothers of infants aged 6−12 months were surveyed. The questionnaire asked mothers their interpretation from memory of the sucking behavior of their infants in the early neonatal period. Mothers were asked to choose one out of five defined types (barracudas, excited ineffectives, procrastinators, gourmets and resters) and others. The study also included questions about the type of feeding (i.e. full, partial). Finally mothers were questioned about the time of and reasons for ceasing breast-feeding. Results: Sufficient responses to the questionnaires were given by 1474 mothers (93.2%). The remainder of mothers questioned (108, 6.8%) did not provide appropriate answers. The babies whose mothers selected ‘Barracudas’ as the sucking behavior which best described their babies breast-feeding showed the largest number of full breast-feeding. These babies also displayed the highest breast-feeding rate all the time. The ‘Procrastinators’ type showed the lowest overall rate of breast-feeding. The Chi-square test revealed that sucking behavior in the early neonatal period affects the breast-feeding rate at 3 and 6 months of age (P < 0.001). The reasons for ceasing breast-feeding observed in all subtypes were perceived shortage of milk volume and elder children's anger and jealousy. Conclusion: Based on the sucking behavior at breast in the early neonatal period, it is possible to predict babies at risk for short-term breast-feeding.
Experiments with perceptual grouping

Perceptual grouping of image features are groups of 2D image features which possess properties that reflect their 3D strucwres they are useful for matching 2D image features to 3D models. In this paper perceptual grouping experiments based on cyclically connected loops and partially out-of-view loops are performed. Results can be applied to separate individual objects in the scene filtering out noise and pruning the search space for matching the image features to model features.
Diagonal stability on cactus graphs

A square matrix E is said to be diagonally stable if there exists a diagonal matrix D > 0 satisfying DE + ETD &#60; 0. This notion has been instrumental in recent studies on stability of interconnected system models in communication and biological networks, in which the subsystems satisfy prescribed passivity properties and the matrix E combines this passivity information with the interconnection structure of the network. This paper presents a necessary and sufficient condition for diagonal stability when the digraph describing the structure of the matrix conforms to a “cactus” structure, which means that a pair of distinct simple circuits in the graph have at most one common vertex. In the special case of a single circuit, this diagonal stability test recovers the “secant criterion” that was recently derived for cyclic networks that commonly arise in biochemical reaction networks.
Revealing Student Thinking about Experimental Design and the Roles of Control Experiments

Well-designed “controls” distinguish experimental from non-experimental studies. Surprisingly, we found that a high percentage of students had difficulty identifying control experiments even after completing three university-level laboratory courses. To address this issue, we designed and ran a revised cell biology lab course in which students participated in weekly “experimental control exercises.” To measure student understanding of control experiments, we developed a set of assessment questions; these were given to students prior to and following completion of either a standard cell biology lab course or the revised cell biology lab course. Not unexpectedly, the results indicate that the revised course led to greater improvements in students’ ability to identify and explain the purpose of control experiments. Based on these observations, we recommend that explicit and detailed discussions designed to identify the design and purpose behind control experiments become a standard component of all laboratory courses.
The Improvement of Envelope Detector Performance Through the Use of a Nonlinear Transformation

In the design of many digital receiver systems, practical design considerations may dictate the use of envelope detectors and RC integrators. This paper analyzes the improvement which can be gained by the insertion of a nonlinear transformation between the envelope detector and the RC integrator. The characteristic curve of the optimum nonlinear transformation is determined and is found to yield an improvement of approximately 2.5 dB over the range of operating conditions analyzed. The form of the optimum transformation is y=\frac{K_{0}}{K_{2} + I_{0}\frac{x}{\sigma\sqrt{2_{\gamma}} + K_{1} where K 0 and K 1 are arbitrary constants and K 2 depends on the input signal-to-noise ratio γ and where σ2is the noise power at the input to the envelope detector. The performance of a suboptimum nonlinear transformation composed of a two-level quantizer (e.g., Schmitt circuit) is also analyzed and is found to yield a 1.5 dB improvement when adjusted to give the best performance. The best performance is achieved over a wide range of operating conditions when the threshold of the two-level quantizer is adjusted so that noise alone would cause a quantizer output of "one" 15 per cent of the time and "zero" 85 per cent of the time.
Multi-code multi-carrier CDMA systems for 4G wireless communications

A new system combining multi-code CDMA and multi-carrier CDMA denoted as multi-code multi-carrier CDMA (MC/MC-CDMA) is analyzed in this paper. The analytical framework is formulated and system performance is evaluated by means of signal-to-noise plus interference ratio and bit error rate under a slowly fading channel. The system is suitable for multi-rate services using multi-code schemes and multi-carrier services used for high rate transmission as required for the fourth-generation (4G) wireless systems. Results indicate that the performance of the system is superior to the conventional CDMA, multi-code CDMA and multi-carrier CDMA systems.
Testing the Effects of Regional, Ethnic, and International Dialects of English on Listening Comprehension

It is widely believed that listeners understand some dialects more easily than others, although there is very little research that has rigorously measured the effects. This study investigated whether listeners experience more difficulty with regional, ethnic, and international dialects of English than with Standard American English. The results demonstrated that speaker dialect had a significant effect for both English as a second language (ESL) listeners (n = 158) and native-English-speaking listeners (n = 58). ESL listeners scored lower on listening comprehension tests hearing ethnic and international dialects of English compared to Standard American English; however, there were no significant differences between the scores of those hearing regional dialect and Standard American English. These results suggest that regional dialects should be considered in listening comprehension tests such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
Soluble Transforming Growth Factor-β Type II Receptor Inhibits Negative Remodeling, Fibroblast Transdifferentiation, and Intimal Lesion Formation But Not Endothelial Growth

Using the rat balloon catheter denudation model, we examined the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms in vascular repair processes. By en face in situ hybridization, proliferating and quiescent smooth muscle cells in denuded vessels expressed high levels of mRNA for TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, TGF-beta3, and lower levels of TGF-beta receptor II (TGF-betaRII) mRNA. Compared with normal endothelium, TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2, as well as TGF-betaRII, mRNA were upregulated in endothelium at the wound edge. Injected recombinant soluble TGF-betaRII (TGF-betaR:Fc) localized preferentially to the adventitia and developing neointima in the injured carotid artery, causing a reduction in intimal lesion formation (up to 65%) and an increase in lumen area (up to 88%). The gain in lumen area was largely due to inhibition of negative remodeling, which coincided with reduced adventitial fibrosis and collagen deposition. Four days after injury, TGF-betaR:Fc treatment almost completely inhibited the induction of smooth muscle alpha-actin expression in adventitial cells. In the vessel wall, TGF-betaR:Fc caused a marked reduction in mRNA levels for collagens type I and III. TGF-betaR:Fc had no effect on endothelial proliferation as determined by reendothelialization of the denuded rat aorta. Together, these findings identify the TGF-beta isoforms as major factors mediating adventitial fibrosis and negative remodeling after vascular injury, a major cause of restenosis after angioplasty.
A pulse generation circuit for improved measurement of current transients in ferroelectric thin films

The design and construction of a circuit using Hg-wetted relays to deliver a high current (1 A) at high amplitude (+or-50 V) with short pulse rise and fall times ( >
Unsettling Ethnography: Tales of an ‘Ōiwi in the Anthropological Slot

When I entered the anthropology graduate program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) in 1998, I was dismayed to find that I was forced to justify my positionality as both an ‘Ōiwi (Indigeno...