cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postexperimental Inquiries: Assessing Demand Awareness and Treatment Effectiveness

The preceding chapter discusses debriefing procedures—postexperimental sessions during which experimenters attempt to disabuse their subjects of experimentally created misinformation and eliminate any negative aftereffects caused by the research. The focus in debriefing is on the experimenter’s telling subjects about the study. However, postexperimental sessions are also used to ask subjects about the study. Specifically, experimenters attempt to judge the degree to which the manipulations and measures were appropriate and effective, to determine the extent and accuracy of participants’ suspicions, and to verify that the participants construed the situation as intended (e.g., accepted the “cover story”) and were involved with it…(Tesch, 1977, p. 219)
Leydig cells: formation, function, and regulation.

Herein we summarize important discoveries made over many years about Leydig cell function and regulation. Fetal Leydig cells produce the high levels of androgen (testosterone or androstenedione, depending upon the species) required for differentiation of male genitalia and brain masculinization. Androgen production declines with loss of these cells, reaching a nadir at postpartum. Testosterone then gradually increases to high levels with adult Leydig cell development from stem cells. In the adult, luteinizing hormone (LH) binding to Leydig cell LH receptors stimulates cAMP production, increasing the rate of cholesterol translocation into the mitochondria. Cholesterol is metabolized to pregnenolone by the CYP11A1 enzyme at the inner mitochondrial membrane, and pregnenolone to testosterone by mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum enzymes. Cholesterol translocation to the inner mitochondrial membrane is mediated by a protein complex formed at mitochondrial contact sites that consists of the cholesterol binding translocator protein, voltage dependent anion channel, and other mitochondrial and cytosolic proteins. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein acts at this complex to enhance cholesterol movement across the membranes and thus increase testosterone formation. The 14-3-3γ and e adaptor proteins serve as negative regulators of steroidogenesis, controlling the maximal amount of steroid formed. Decline in testosterone production occurs in many aging and young men, resulting in metabolic and quality-of-life changes. Testosterone replacement therapy is widely used to elevate serum testosterone levels in hypogonadal men. With knowledge gained of the mechanisms involved in testosterone formation, it is also conceivable to use pharmacological means to increase serum testosterone by Leydig cell stimulation.
Plasmonic Core–Multishell Nanowire Phosphors for Light-Emitting Diodes

White LEDs have replaced traditional incandescent lamps in many places. They are extensively studied to increase the efficiency to even greater values. In this work, we proposed and studied theoretically core–shell metal–semiconductor nanowires as phosphor components in white LEDs. Due to the coupling of the optical density of states to the surface plasmon resonance in the metal, the emission in the core–shell nanowires studied demonstrated a 5-fold enhancement for red phosphors and a 120-fold enhancement for green phosphors, compared to the bare semiconductor nanowires. Due to the coupling of the plasmon resonance oscillations at the metal surface with the electric fields of the incident light, the studied core–shell nanowires also show an absorbance of 0.6–0.9 for blue light compared to the absorbance of 0.2–0.4 observed in the core–shell quantum dots. We have predicted that the external quantum efficiency (EQE) can be enhanced by almost 11 times for red phosphors, by 36 times for yellow phosphors, and ...
Cervicothoracic Metastatic Spine Disease

The most common spinal column tumor type is metastasis from a secondary site. Spinal metastasis involving the cervical and thoracic region can cause nerve root and spinal cord compression. Thus decision regarding the timing of decompression is critical in order to preserve function and prevent additional spinal cord injury. The indications for surgery include disabling neck or back pain, spinal column deformity, new neurological deficit, and/or the presence of spinal cord compression. Additional factors to consider in the decision to operate include patient life expectancy and tumor type. In the surgical treatment of cervicothoracic metastasis, tumor removal and direct decompression should be the goal, often requiring corpectomy or vertebral body resection. In the cervical spine, anterior-only or combined anterior-posterior approaches can be taken for decompression and stabilization. In the thoracic region, there has been a push to utilizing posterior-only approaches for corpectomy and spinal instrumentation. However, indications still exist, although it is the vast minority of cases, where an anterior or lateral approach is utilized to access the vertebral body for tumor resection. Complications to surgery for metastasis vary based on whether operating on the cervical or thoracic spine, with lower complication rates when treating the cervical region.
Localization of Serotonin-Like Immunoreactivity in the Central Nervous System and Pituitary of the Rat, with Special References to the Innervation of the Hypothalamus

The localization and distribution of serotonin (5-HT) has in the rat brain been studied with the indirect immunofluorescence technique of Coons (1958)using a newly developed, specific antibody to 5-HT. This paper contains a detailed description of the distribution of 5-HT in the hypothalamus and hypophyis and a brief report on the localization of 5-HT containing cell bodies. Principally, 5-HT perikarya were present in neuron systems with a distribution similar to that revealed by the mapping of Dahlstrom & Fuxe (1964) with the formaldehyde-induced-fluorescence technique (FIF). However, in addition to the nine areas originally described, several other areas in the mesencephalon and rhombencephalon appeared to contain 5-HT cell bodies. In the hypothalamus no 5-HT positive neuronal perikarya could be observed. However, in the infundibulum and in the median eminence some 5-HT positive tanycytes and mast cells were observed. Serotonergic fibers and terminals are present throughout the hypothalamus. Particularly dense plexus of the fibers and terminals have been observed in the lateral hypothalamic area, nucleus mamillaris medialis, the nucleus perifornicalis, the nucleus suprachiasmaticus and the nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami. All remaining hypothalamic areas demonstrate various densities of 5-HT immunoreactive nerve fibers. In the pituitary 5-HT-like immunoreactivity have been found in the pars nervosa.
Two-dimensional type-II Dirac fermions in a LaAl O 3 / LaNi O 3 / LaAl O 3 quantum well

The type-II Dirac fermions that are characterized by a tilted Dirac cone and anisotropic magnetotransport properties have been recently proposed theoretically and confirmed experimentally. Here, we predict the emergence of two-dimensional (2D) type-II Dirac fermions in $\mathrm{LaAl}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}/\mathrm{LaNi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}/\mathrm{LaAl}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ quantum-well structures. Using first-principles calculations and model analyses, we show that the Dirac points are formed at the crossing between the ${d}_{{x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{y}^{2}}$ and ${d}_{{z}^{2}}$ bands protected by the mirror symmetry. The energy position of the Dirac points can be tuned to appear at the Fermi energy by changing the quantum-well width. For the quantum-well structure with a two-unit-cell-thick $\mathrm{LaNi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ layer, we predict the coexistence of the type-II Dirac point and the closed nodal line. The results are analyzed and interpreted using a tight-binding model and symmetry arguments. Our findings offer a practical way to realize 2D type-II Dirac fermions in oxide heterostructures.
Abstract # 3186 Systemic inflammation mediates associations between DEXA-quantified body composition and fluid intelligence in 4666 middle-aged adults

Excess adiposity due to obesity causes macrophage infiltration into the gut and potentiates systemic and central inflammation via the gut-brain axis. Obese humans and rhesus monkeys show deficits in executive function that are related to increased systemic inflammation and ameliorated by weight loss. Despite these links, it is unknown if systemic inflammation mediates lean muscle vs. visceral fat mass composition and executive function associations over time. Here, among 2197 males and 2469 females (47–81 years), from the UK Biobank database, we utilized non-linear differential equations stratified by gender to model 6-year changes in fluid intelligence over the course of 3 examinations. A structural equation mediation model interrogated how long-term changes in fluid intelligence were influenced by body composition (assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; DEXA) and systemic inflammation (assessed by total white blood cell count). Age was covaried. Higher lean mass was strongly related to higher fluid intelligence scores in women (M = 4.95, β = 0.083, p
Thoughts on the present and future interrelation of theoretical and experimental mechanics

During the last five years, the long-overdue improvement in attitude of academic and other research people toward experimental mechanics has begun. This welcome change is attributed, in large measure, to their renewed interest in the behavior of real materials. Many have come to the realization that idealizations which served them so well for past problems are inadequate not only for living systems but for brittle and ductile fracture of metals, for sufficiently detailed prediction of behavior of composite materials, for incisive application of continuum mechanics on the microscale, and for thermodynamics. An attempt is made to bring out general aspects of a few of these problems of current interest and to show how careful experimentation has produced and interacted with new theoretical developments. A distinction is drawn between a true experiment and one which is no more than an analog computation. Illustrations of misleading analogs are given from both fluid and solid mechanics. Except for some remarks on possible difficulties in distinguishing constitutive relations and boundary conditions in living tissues and body fluids, however, thoughts for the future are restricted to the mechanics and the thermodynamics of solids. Emphasis is placed throughout on the fact that a good experiment and a good theory start at very much the same point and have a great deal in common.
Analysis of increased damping in arrays of attached resonators

Research has shown that arrays of small dynamic attachments on a larger, primary structure can be tuned to significantly alter the time and frequency response of the system. Such attachments can be used to increase the apparent damping of a primary structure by transferring energy into the substructure and dissipating the energy there. By selecting the properties of the attachments to obtain specific distributions of element mass and mode frequency, the response of the primary structure can be altered to obtain specific spectral outcomes. Unfortunately, small errors in the distributions of mass and stiffness of the individual attachments have been shown to produce a significant degradation of intended performance. Until recently, metals were the practical option that was easily manufactured to the tolerances required. New three-dimensional-printing advancements have made plastics available with sufficient tolerances. A serendipitous discovery was that the increased damping shown in the plastics decreased the system’s sensitivity to error. Previous analysis assumed low damping in the attached resonators. This work will show analysis with moderate to high damping levels for the attachments. Here, we will show experimental results using different plastic materials with moderate dimensional error.
Design and implementation of a noise radar tomographic system

A hardware system has been developed to perform ultrawideband (UWB) noise radar tomography over the 3–5 GHz frequency range. The system utilizes RF hardware to transmit multiple independent and identically distributed UWB random noise waveforms. A 3–5 GHz band-limited signal is generated using an arbitrary waveform generator and the waveform is then amplified and transmitted through a horn antenna. A linear scanner with a single antenna is used in place of an antenna array to collect backscatter. The backscatter is collected from the transmission of each waveform and reconstructed to form an image. The images that result from each scan are averaged to produce a single tomographic image of the target. After background subtraction, the scans are averaged to improve the image quality. The experimental results are compared to the theoretical predictions. The system is able to successfully image metallic and dielectric cylinders of different cross sections.
Differentiating Higher and Lower Job Performers in the Workplace Using Mobile Sensing

Assessing performance in the workplace typically relies on subjective evaluations, such as, peer ratings, supervisor ratings and self assessments, which are manual, burdensome and potentially biased. We use objective mobile sensing data from phones, wearables and beacons to study workplace performance and offer new insights into behavioral patterns that distinguish higher and lower performers when considering roles in companies (i.e., supervisors and non-supervisors) and different types of companies (i.e., high tech and consultancy). We present initial results from an ongoing year-long study of N=554 information workers collected over a period ranging from 2-8.5 months. We train a gradient boosting classifier that can classify workers as higher or lower performers with AUROC of 0.83. Our work opens the way to new forms of passive objective assessment and feedback to workers to potentially provide week by week or quarter by quarter guidance in the workplace.
The third Sandia Fracture Challenge: peridynamic blind prediction of ductile fracture characterization in additively manufactured metal

In the context of the third Sandia Fracture Challenge (SFC3), the details of the blind predictions performed by the University of Texas team are provided in this article. Over the past two decades, the peridynamic theory has shown great promise in modeling autonomous crack nucleation and growth in materials. While peridynamics has been commonly applied to simulate failure of brittle materials, its ability in predicting ductile fracture has remained mostly untested. This fracture challenge was seen as an opportunity to assess the state of the art of the peridynamic theory in predicting the response of an additively manufactured 316L stainless steel bar with a complex geometry under the dynamic tensile experiments performed by Sandia National Laboratories. The performance of a recently proposed, generalized, ordinary finite deformation constitutive correspondence model, coupled with a recent state-based damage correspondence model was explored over this problem. For finite deformation material modeling, the classical elastoplastic framework of Simo was implemented within the ordinary correspondence theory. Damage modeling was achieved by incorporating the Johnson-Cook failure criterion using the damage correspondence framework. An iterative inverse technique was applied to calibrate the model parameters using the longitudinal and notched tensile tests data provided by Sandia National Laboratories. A blind prediction of the deformation and failure behavior of the SFC3 geometry was performed by embedding the calibrated model in a peridynamic simulation. Uncertainty was introduced into the model parameters to quantify material variability. The results are compared to the experiments conducted at Sandia National Laboratories. While our modeling approach led to qualitatively good results and a correctly predicted crack path, it underpredicted the load-carrying capacity of the structure and simulated an early fracture. Our post-experiment analysis identifies material instability issues associated with the model as the primary sources of error.
Prevention of cervical and breast cancer mortality in low- and middle-income countries: a window of opportunity

Breast and cervical cancer are the two most common women's cancers worldwide. Countries have invested for decades in early detection programs for breast and cervical cancer through screening, community education, and opportunistic case detection by health professionals. However, effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been limited due to low coverage, insufficient laboratory capacities for diagnosis, health information systems (HIS) that are not designed to track patients or monitor program performance, barriers that inhibit women's uptake of services, and inadequate treatment options. Even where some screening activities exist, there has not been sufficient attention to ensuring completion of appropriate diagnosis and treatment after women receive a positive screening test result or report symptoms suggesting cervical or breast cancer. Because of this failure to provide adequate follow-up care, these women miss the potential benefit from early detection and have a higher than average risk to develop cancer or progress to more advanced cancer stages that could have been avoided. There are several critical steps in a woman's journey from good health to elevated cancer risk, then to cancer prevention or diagnosis, and finally to treatment. There is a window of opportunity that extends from the time a positive finding is identified-by a cervical or breast screening test or recognition of a breast abnormality-to the point when cervical precancer treatment is delivered or a treatment plan for diagnosed breast cancer is initiated. Building on existing health systems and adapting measurable, affordable, and culturally acceptable interventions can achieve a lasting impact. If women can successfully navigate this window of opportunity, they can avoid progression to cervical cancer or greatly reduce the need for invasive treatments for breast cancer and improve their chances for survival and improved quality of life. We propose several actions that can lead us on the path towards reduction of this cancer burden.
A Course on Applied AI and Data Science: Recommender Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) and data science have become one of the most popular curricula in the computing educations. Plenty of theories, optimizations and math are involved in these courses, which results in a higher degree of difficulty for students to learn, not to mention the students without specializations in computer science or information technology. Beyond the complicated knowledge and theories, students may prefer to learn and focus on applied AI or data science which refer to the knowledge or skills for practical problem-solving and real-world applications. For example, information retrieval has been listed as one of the curricula in several undergraduate and/or graduate programs in the AI or data science programs. This paper describes a course that focuses on the topic of recommender systems which is in high demand in both academia and industries. This course has been extremely successful at the authors' institutions. In this paper, we introduce the course's objectives, structure and methodologies, discuss possible ways to deliver hands-on practice, summarize the outcomes, and finally present the lessons learned, as well as the feedbacks from the students. These experience could be useful and may give advice to other educators looking to create a similar course in their program.
Nerves of Steel: How the Gut Nervous System Promotes a Strong Barrier

In this issue of Cell, Jarret et al., Lai et al., and Matheis et al. demonstrate the extensive interplay between the nervous system and immune and epithelial cells of the gut to orchestrate host defense in homeostasis and following Salmonella infection.
Differences in Reporting Child Health Needs and Status and Developmental Concerns between Mothers and Fathers: Findings from the National Survey of Children's Health.

Nationally representative data of 140 000 children in 2-parent households showed that fathers were more likely than mothers to report that a child was in good health and less likely to report the presence of a specific health condition, special health care needs, or unmet health service needs.
What Happened to Universal Education? In the West and in Asia

Higher education once viewed as an elite privilege has become more widely experienced. The early leader it its expansion was the US where by the late 70s about 80 % of the high school graduating class was entering some form of tertiary institution. In Asia, Japan was the leader with about 45 % of the late 70s high school cohort entering a tertiary institution, and nearly all who entered completed their degree program. Martin Trow (Reflections on the transition from elite to mass to universal access: forms and phases of higher education in modern societies since WWII. In: Forest JJF, Altbach PG (eds) International handbook of higher education. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 243–280, 2005) predicted that the US and Japan would continue to provide the lead towards Advanced Massification or even Universal Higher education. This study will review what has happened since then, why, and what are the implications for the academy and for youth? Special attention will be devoted to the Asian experience.
Comparing Computed Tomography–Derived Augmented Reality Holograms to a Standard Picture Archiving and Communication Systems Viewer for Presurgical Planning: Feasibility Study

Background: Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are ubiquitously used to store, share, and view radiological information for preoperative planning across surgical specialties. Although traditional PACS software has proven reliable in terms of display accuracy and ease of use, it remains limited by its inherent representation of medical imaging in 2 dimensions. Augmented reality (AR) systems present an exciting opportunity to complement traditional PACS capabilities. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the technical feasibility of using a novel AR platform, with holograms derived from computed tomography (CT) imaging, as a supplement to traditional PACS for presurgical planning in complex surgical procedures. Methods: Independent readers measured objects of predetermined, anthropomorphically correlated sizes using the circumference and angle tools of standard-of-care PACS software and a newly developed augmented reality presurgical planning system (ARPPS). Results: Measurements taken with the standard PACS and the ARPPS showed no statistically significant differences. Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of 0.08% (95% CI –4.20% to 4.36%) for measurements taken with PACS versus ARPPS’ circumference tools and –1.84% (95% CI –6.17% to 2.14%) for measurements with the systems’ angle tools. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients were 1.00 and 0.98 for the circumference and angle measurements, respectively, indicating almost perfect strength of agreement between ARPPS and PACS. Intraclass correlation showed no statistically significant difference between the readers for either measurement tool on each system. Conclusions: ARPPS can be an effective, accurate, and precise means of 3D visualization and measurement of CT-derived holograms in the presurgical care timeline.
Failure to replicate the benefit of approximate arithmetic training for symbolic arithmetic fluency in adults.

Abstract Previous research reported that college students' symbolic addition and subtraction fluency improved after training with non-symbolic, approximate addition and subtraction. These findings were widely interpreted as strong support for the hypothesis that the Approximate Number System (ANS) plays a causal role in symbolic mathematics, and that this relation holds into adulthood. Here we report four experiments that fail to find evidence for this causal relation. Experiment 1 examined whether the approximate arithmetic training effect exists within a shorter training period than originally reported (2 vs 6 days of training). Experiment 2 attempted to replicate and compare the approximate arithmetic training effect to a control training condition matched in working memory load. Experiments 3 and 4 replicated the original approximate arithmetic training experiments with a larger sample size. Across all four experiments (N = 318) approximate arithmetic training was no more effective at improving the arithmetic fluency of adults than training with control tasks. Results call into question any causal relationship between approximate, non-symbolic arithmetic and precise symbolic arithmetic.
Improved sensitivity roll-off in dual reference, buffered spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Significance: While spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is a preferred form of OCT imaging, sensitivity roll-off limits its applicability for certain biomedical imaging applications. Aim: The aim of this work is to extend the imaging range of conventional SD-OCT systems for imaging large luminal organs such as the gastrointestinal tract. Approach: We present an SD-OCT system operating at a center wavelength of 1300 nm that uses two delayed reference arms to reduce sensitivity roll-off and an optical switch and a fiber optic delay line to ensure that the interference spectra are acquired from the same sample time window. Result: The proposed system was used to image swine colon ex vivo and duodenum in vivo, demonstrating improved image quality due to a ∼14 dB increase in sensitivity at the edges of the ranging depth. Conclusion: The proposed system requires modest hardware implementation and is compatible with catheter-based endoscopic helical scanning with enhanced sensitivity for the samples at a distance of ∼6 mm from the zero delay point.
Three dimensional radial echo planar imaging for functional MRI

PURPOSE To demonstrate a novel 3D radial echo planar imaging (3D REPI) sequence for flexible, rapid, and motion-robust sampling in fMRI. METHODS The 3D REPI method expands on the recently described golden angle rotated EPI trajectory using radial batched internal navigator echoes (TURBINE) approach by exploiting the unused perpendicular direction in the EPI readout to form fast analogues of rotated stack of stars or spirals trajectories that cover all 3 dimensions of k-space. An iterative conjugate gradient algorithm with SENSE reconstruction and time-segmented non-uniform fast Fourier transform (FFT) was used for parallel imaging acceleration and to account for the effects of B0 inhomogeneity. The golden angle rotation allowed for sliding window reconstruction schemes to be applied in brain BOLD fMRI experiments. RESULTS Combined whole brain visual and motor fMRI experiments were successfully carried out on a clinical 3T scanner at 2 mm isotropic and 1 × 1 × 2 mm3 resolutions using the 3D REPI design. Improved sampling characteristics and image quality were observed for twisted trajectories at the expense of prolonged readout times and off-resonance effects. The ability to correct for rigid motion correction was also demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS 3D REPI presents a flexible approach for segmented volumetric fMRI with motion correction and high in-plane spatial resolutions. Improved BOLD fMRI brain activation maps were obtained using a sliding window reconstruction.
Advanced Power Rectifier Concepts

During the last decade, many new concepts have been proposed for improving the performance of power rectifiers and transistors. The results of this research are dispersed in the technical literature among journal articles and abstracts of conferences. Consequently, the information is not readily available to researchers and practicing engineers in the power device community. There is no cohesive treatment of the ideas to provide an assessment of the relative merits of the ideas. Advanced Power Rectifier Concepts provides an in-depth treatment of the physics of operation of advanced power rectifiers. Analytical models for explaining the operation of all the advanced power rectifier devices will be developed. The results off numerical simulations will be provided to provide additional insight into the device physics and validate the analytical models. The results of two-dimensional simulations will be provided to corroborate the analytical models and provide greater insight into the device operation.
Supervised Learning in an Adaptive DNA Strand Displacement Circuit

The development of DNA circuits capable of adaptive behavior is a key goal in DNA computing, as such systems would have potential applications in long-term monitoring and control of biological and chemical systems. In this paper, we present a framework for adaptive DNA circuits using buffered strand displacement gates, and demonstrate that this framework can implement supervised learning of linear functions. This work highlights the potential of buffered strand displacement as a powerful architecture for implementing adaptive molecular systems.
Bremsstrahlung in α Decay

We present the first fully quantum mechanical calculation of photon radiation accompanying charged particle decay from a barrier resonance. The soft-photon limit agrees with the classical results, but differences appear at next-to-leading order. Under the conditions of {alpha} decay of heavy nuclei, the main contribution to the photon emission stems from Coulomb acceleration and may be computed analytically. We find only a small contribution from the tunneling wave function under the barrier. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Van Kampen modes for bunch longitudinal motion

Conditions for existence, uniqueness and stability of bunch steady states are considered. For the existence uniqueness problem, simple algebraic equations are derived, showing the result both for the action and Hamiltonian domain distributions. For the stability problem, van Kampen theory is used. Emerging of discrete van Kampen modes show either loss of Landau damping, or instability. This method can be applied for an arbitrary impedance, RF shape and beam distribution function Available areas on intensity-emittance plane are shown for resistive wall wake and single harmonic, bunch shortening and bunch lengthening RF configurations. Language of van Kampen modes is a powerful tool for studying beam stability. Its unique efficiency reveals itself in those complicated cases, when the dielectric function cannot be obtained, as it is for the longitudinal bunch motion. Emergence of a discrete mode means either loss of Landau damping or instability. By definition, the discrete modes lie outside the continuous incoherent spectrum, but they still may stay within the bucket. In the last case, the discrete mode would disappear after a tiny portion of resonant particles would be added. However, if the discrete mode lie outside the bucket, the Landau damping cannot be restored by tiny perturbation of themore » particle distribution; LLD is called radical in that case. For a given bunch emittance and RF voltage, the intensity is limited either by reduction of the bucket acceptance or by (radical) LLD. In this paper, results are presented for longitudinal bunch stability in weak head-tail approximation and resistive wall impedance; three RF configurations are studied: single harmonic, bunch shortening and bunch lengthening. It is shown that every RF configuration may be preferable, depending on the bunch emittance and intensity.« less
Anomalous Diffusion in Quasi-geostrophic Flow

We review a series of experimental investigations of anomalous transport in quasi-geostrophic flow. Tracer particles are tracked for long periods of time in two-dimensional flows comprised of chains of vortices generated in a rapidly rotating annular tank. The tracer particles typically follow chaotic trajectories, alternately sticking in vortices and flying long distances in the jets surrounding the vortices. Probability distribution functions (PDFs) are measured for the sticking and flight times. The flight PDFs are found to be power laws for most time-dependent flows with coherent vortices. In many cases the PDFs have a divergent second moment, indicating the presence of Levy flights. The variance of an ensemble of particles is found to vary in time as σ 2∼t γ , with γ>1 (superdiffusion). The dependence of the variance exponent γ on the flight and sticking PDFs is studied and found to be consistent with calculations based on a continuous time random walk model.
Evaluating Temporal Consistency in Marine Biodiversity Hotspots.

With the ongoing crisis of biodiversity loss and limited resources for conservation, the concept of biodiversity hotspots has been useful in determining conservation priority areas. However, there has been limited research into how temporal variability in biodiversity may influence conservation area prioritization. To address this information gap, we present an approach to evaluate the temporal consistency of biodiversity hotspots in large marine ecosystems. Using a large scale, public monitoring dataset collected over an eight year period off the US Pacific Coast, we developed a methodological approach for avoiding biases associated with hotspot delineation. We aggregated benthic fish species data from research trawls and calculated mean hotspot thresholds for fish species richness and Shannon’s diversity indices over the eight year dataset. We used a spatial frequency distribution method to assign hotspot designations to the grid cells annually. We found no areas containing consistently high biodiversity through the entire study period based on the mean thresholds, and no grid cell was designated as a hotspot for greater than 50% of the time-series. To test if our approach was sensitive to sampling effort and the geographic extent of the survey, we followed a similar routine for the northern region of the survey area. Our finding of low consistency in benthic fish biodiversity hotspots over time was upheld, regardless of biodiversity metric used, whether thresholds were calculated per year or across all years, or the spatial extent for which we calculated thresholds and identified hotspots. Our results suggest that static measures of benthic fish biodiversity off the US West Coast are insufficient for identification of hotspots and that long-term data are required to appropriately identify patterns of high temporal variability in biodiversity for these highly mobile taxa. Given that ecological communities are responding to a changing climate and other environmental perturbations, our work highlights the need for scientists and conservation managers to consider both spatial and temporal dynamics when designating biodiversity hotspots.
Use of a diet supplement in Laennec's cirrhosis.

Summary Hospitalized patients with alcoholic liver disease were offered a nearly complete high calorie low sodium food supplement which, although quite concentrated, was still liquid. Nurses dispensed the formula supplement four times a day as a "medicine." The patients accepted the supplement moderately well. It did not depress consumption of food from the basic diet, and it doubled the previous caloric and protein intake.
The murine femoral bone graft model and a semiautomated histomorphometric analysis tool.

Preclinical studies on bone repair remain a high priority due to the unresolved clinical problems associated with treating critical segmental defects and complications of fracture healing. Over the last decade the murine femoral allograft model has gained popularity due to its standardized surgery and potential for examining a vast array of radiographic, biomechanical and histological outcome measures. Here, we describe these methods and a novel semi-automated histomorphometric approach to quantify the amount of bone, cartilage and undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue in demineralized paraffin sections of allografted murine femurs using the VisioPharm Image Analysis Software System.
In situ plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition half cycle study of Al2O3 on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors

A half cycle study of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposited (PEALD) Al2O3 on AlGaN is investigated using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, low energy ion scattering, and ex situ electrical characterizations. A faster nucleation or growth is detected from PEALD relative to purely thermal ALD using an H2O precursor. The remote O2 plasma oxidizes the AlGaN surface slightly at the initial stage, which passivates the surface and reduces the OFF-state leakage. This work demonstrates that PEALD is a useful strategy for Al2O3 growth on AlGaN/GaN devices.
Long-run limits on the US Federal debt

Abstract This letter distinguishes three nested long-run constraints on the U.S. Federal debt, tests and rejects the strongest of the three, and illustrates how hazardous it is to base inference regarding unit roots on misspecified test regressions.
Beyond Criticism: Lerman's “Critical Response Process” in the Dance Composition Classroom

Summary The Critical Response Process, developed by Liz Lerman, is a set of guidelines for providing and receiving constructive criticism on choreography. It is a system that encourages viewing dance on a deeper level and the full articulation of observations and aesthetic choices. When employed in the dance composition classroom it can foster enthusiasm for problem solving and decrease the traditional tension surrounding both giving and receiving choreographic criticism. The theoretical, philosophical, and practical applications of using this process in critical dialogues are discussed. Particular attention is give to the essential steps in the process, the optimal vocabulary for constructive criticism and response, the teacher as the facilitator of the process, the use of choreographic “fix-its,” and the creation of an environment for constructive, stimulating dialogue and creative work.
Simultaneous observation of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange during non-steady state photosynthesis.

A method is described for simultaneously recording carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations in suspensions of algae. This method has been applied to the study of transitory rates of gas exchange in Chlorella suspensions during intermittent illumination. A correlation was observed between high initial rates of oxygen evolution and partially anaerobic conditions. The photosynthetic quotient was found to deviate considerably from — 1 during non-steady state conditions.
Endogenous RNA Interference Provides a Somatic Defense against Drosophila Transposons

Summary Background Because of the mutagenic consequences of mobile genetic elements, elaborate defenses have evolved to restrict their activity. A major system that controls the activity of transposable elements (TEs) in flies and vertebrates is mediated by Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), which are ∼24–30 nucleotide RNAs that are bound by Piwi-class effectors. The piRNA system is thought to provide primarily a germline defense against TE activity. Results Here, we describe a second system that represses Drosophila TEs by using endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which are 21 nucleotide, 3′-end-modified RNAs that are dependent on Dicer-2 and Argonaute-2. In contrast to piRNAs, we find that the TE-siRNA system is active in somatic tissues, and particularly so in various immortalized cell lines. Analysis of the patterns and properties of TE-derived small RNAs reveals further distinctions between TE regions and genomic loci that are converted into piRNAs and siRNAs, respectively. Finally, functional tests show that many transposon transcripts accumulate to higher levels in cells and animal tissues that are deficient for Dicer-2 or Argonaute-2. Conclusions Drosophila utilizes two small-RNA systems to restrict transposon activity in the germline (mostly via piRNAs) and in the soma (mostly via siRNAs).
Serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels in invasive squamous vulvar cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen levels were studied in 34 patients with primary (N = 27) or recurrent (N = 7) SCC of the vulva. In primary disease, the SCC antigen level was greater than 2.5 ng/ml in only four patients (15%). Elevated antigen levels ranged from 2.7–18.0 ng/ml. All of these patients had advanced disease by either clinical or surgical staging systems. Four of twelve patients with inguinal metastasis had elevated SCC antigen levels. In two of these patients the inguinal nodes were abnormal to palpation. No association of the SCC level and the degree of tumor differentiation was observed. SCC antigen levels were increased slightly (2.7–4.5 ng/ml) in three of six patients with locally recurrent disease. In one patient with distant recurrence the SCC antigen was 15.3 ng/ml. In both primary and recurrent disease all elevated SCC antigen levels decreased with effective therapy. Vulvar cancer is primarily a local disease that is easily assessed by physical examination. An effective tumor marker in vulvar cancer would benefit only the rare patient with distant but not local disease. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Rest—redistribution thallium-201 scintigraphy to determine myocardial viability early after myocardial infarction

Objectives. This study attempted to determine the utility of early rest-redistribution thallium-201 imaging in detecting residual myocardial viability after myocardial infarction. Background. The early detection of myocardial viability after myocardial infarction would have clinical relevance. Methods. Thirty-one patients with acute myocardial infarction had early (mean [-+SD] 2 +- 1 day) rest-redistribution thallium201 imaging followed by radionuclide and coronary angiography. Late studies included stress-redistribution-reinjection thallium201 imaging or radionuclide angiography, or both. Viability was defined by the rest thallium-201 scan as an initial mild rest defect or any defect that demonstrated redistribution. Results. Group 1 (n = 15) was predicted to have viable and Group 2 (n = 16) nonviable myocardium in the infarct zone. Group 1 patients were more likely to have a patent infarct-related artery (15 of 15 vs. 10 of 16, p < 0.03), higher initial ejection fraction (61 -+ 12% vs. 53 -+ 9%, p < 0.05), higher infarct wall motion score (p < 0.0001) and fewer abnormal thallium-201 segments (p < 0.0001). On follow-up studies, ejection fraction improved in Group 1 (from 57 -+ 13% to 66 + 10%, p < 0.05, n = 9) and deteriorated in Group 2 (from 53 -+ 10% to 46 -+ 8%, p < 0.05, n = 13). On late stress testing with thallium-201 reinjection, Group 1 patients had fewer abnormal segments (p < 0.03) and higher infarct zone counts during exercise (p < 0.05) and after reinjection (p < 0.05) than Group 2 patients. Conclusions. If confirmed by larger studies, early restredistribution thallium-201 imaging may be a useful technique for identifying residual viability after myocardial infarction. (J Am CoU Cardiol 1995;25:210-7)
Earth science for sustainability

Human activities increasingly lead to climate change, overuse of water, hazards and the destruction of biodiversity — to name just a few. Earth scientists need to take on the challenge of serving society on these issues, in close collaboration with engineering, social sciences and the humanities.
Colchicine clearance is impaired in alcoholic cirrhosis

Colchicine may have benefit in primary biliary cirrhosis and alcoholic liver disease. It is currently used in patients with impaired liver function, yet little is known about its elimination in such patients. Colchicine clearance in the rat is significantly impaired in various models of liver disease. To study this in human beings, colchicine pharmacokinetics were compared in normal subjects and patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Colchicine clearance was impaired in the cirrhotic patients. Normal subjects had a mean clearance of 10.65 +/- 1.82 ml/min.kg, whereas cirrhotic patients had a mean clearance of 4.22 +/- 0.45 ml/min.kg (p less than 0.01). The half-life was 57.4 +/- 14.2 min in control subjects vs. 114.4 +/- 19.7 min in cirrhotic patients (p = 0.054). Volume of distribution was not different in the two groups (0.718 +/- 0.1 L/kg in control subjects; 0.716 +/- 0.158 L/kg in cirrhotic patients, p greater than 0.99). No correlation was seen between colchicine clearance and bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time or Child-Pugh classification, but this may be the result of the small number of patients studied. Based on the values measured, it is estimated that colchicine steady state would change from an average 1.12 ng/ml in normal individuals to 2.82 ng/ml in the cirrhotic patients if 0.6 mg were taken every 12 hr. It is unknown whether this change would be clinically significant. These data show that cirrhosis impairs colchicine clearance and demonstrates that the liver is a major route of colchicine elimination.
Money demand interest elasticity and monetary policy effectiveness

Abstract This paper provides a theoretical basis for discretionary monetary policies being less effective as money demand is more sensitive to interest rates and less effective in checking recession than inflation. It cites speed of response as an important dimension of effectiveness in the policies, arguing that lagged responses diminish effectiveness by increasing prospects for destabilizing performances. It then illustrates how responses can be less rapid as money demand is more sensitive to interest rates and, providing that money demand interest sensitivity exceeds a threshold value, less rapid when the economy is short of full employment.
Dietary obesity: effects of drugs on food intake in S 5B/P1 and Osborne-Mendel rats.

Abstract The effect of several drugs on food intake has been examined in two strains of rats, one (S 5B/P1) which is resistant to developing obesity when eating a high fat diet, and one (Osborne-Mendel) which readily develops obesity when eating the same diet. Insulin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose increased food intake in a dose dependent manner in both S 5B/P1 and Osborne-Mendel rats. However, the S 5B/P1 rats showed a greater response, with a shorter latency period, to both agents than did the Osborne-Mendel rats. Conversely, d-amphetamine at the higher doses produced a dose dependent suppression of food intake with maximal suppression being similar for both strains. At a lower dose, however, d-amphetamine significantly increased food intake in the Osborne-Mendel rats, but not in the S 5B/P1 rats. The S 5B/P1 rats were also slightly more sensitive to the anorexic effects of lower dose adenosine than were the Osborne-Mendel rats whereas the reverse was true following higher dose adenosine. Naloxone suppresseed food intake equally in both strains and D-glucose did not alter food intake in either strain. These studies identify three drugs, all stimulatory, to which the two strains of rat respond differently.
Collegiate alcohol consumption and academic performance.

Objective: Although studies consistently have found a negative bivariate association between alcohol use and academic performance among college students, some research suggests that this association largely results from student differences at matriculation. The present study examines this relationship while controlling for key background factors. Method: Personal interview surveys were conducted for four consecutive semesters with random samples of students at a small, liberal arts college, resulting in a combined sample of 754 (392 women). The interviews measured alcohol consumption, gender, race, athletic status, academic class, parents' education and income, and frequency of attending off-campus parties; and 94% of the sample granted permission to obtain grade point average (GPA), high school class rank, and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores from official college records. Results: The amount of alcohol consumed correlated significantly with GPA (r = −.26). Ordinary least squares regressions showed ...