cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endogenous SIRT3 activity is dispensable for normal hearing recovery after noise exposure in young adult mice

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) affects millions of people worldwide and presents a large social and personal burden. Some genetic variants in the mitochondrial oxidative stress response correlate strongly with susceptibility to NIHL in both humans and mice. Here we test the hypothesis that SIRT3, a regulator of the mitochondrial oxidative stress response, is required in mice for endogenous recovery of auditory thresholds after a sub-traumatic noise exposure. We expose homozygous Sirt3-KO mice and their wild-type littermates to a noise dose that confers a temporary threshold shift, but is not sufficient to permanently reduce cochlear function, compromise cell survival, or damage synaptic structures. We find no difference in hearing function after recovery from noise exposure between the two genotypes, when measured by either auditory brainstem response (ABR) or distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). We show that SIRT3-specific immunoreactivity is present in outer hair cells, around the post-synaptic regions of inner hair cells, and faintly within inner hair cells. Nonetheless, outer hair cells and auditory synapses show no increase in loss after noise exposure in the homozygous Sirt3-KO mouse. These data show that SIRT3-dependent processes are not necessary for endogenous hearing recovery after a single, sub-traumatic noise exposure. They demonstrate the existence of cellular mechanisms of cochlear homeostasis in addition to the mitochondrial oxidative stress response. We also present a novel statistical analysis for identifying differences between peak 1 amplitude progressions in ABR waveforms.
The Full Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Political Participation

This article examines the impact of both the Medicaid expansion and the private insurance-related components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on voter turnout and registration. We employ a difference-in-difference-in-differences identification strategy exploiting variation over time, state Medicaid expansion status, and within-state local area pre-ACA uninsured rates. Using data between 2006 and 2016 from the November Current Population Survey and the Census Bureau’s Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, our results suggest little effect of the ACA on voter turnout or registration.
Abstract 13897: Native T1-mapping by Cardiac MRI as a Biomarker of Remodeling in Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an important tool to assess cardiac disease progression in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with native (pre-contrast) myocardial T1-mapping consider...
The Spectral Sensitivity of Black and White

White light consists of all wavelengths of visible light, however, our perception of white has a spectral tuning defined by the responses of the univariant cone photoreceptors. The neurons mediating white and how they combine the three cone types remains controversial. Here, we investigate the neural substrates for black and white through their contribution to the variation in perceived saturation with wavelength. From classic saturation experiments, we identify experimental conditions where black-white can be isolated from hue. This enables directly comparing the spectral sensitivity of black-white to the spectral signatures of retinal ganglion cells. Paradoxically, we find cone-opponent neurons can account for black-white sensations.
Acetic Acid Production Using Calcium Ferrite-Assisted Chemical Looping Gasification of Petroleum Coke With In Situ Sulfur Capture

The global market size for acetic acid is expected to increase at a high compounded annual growth rate over the next few years due to an increased demand from the end-users such as the automobile, ...
Association of Interfacility Transfer and Patient and Hospital Characteristics With Thumb Replantation After Traumatic Amputation.

Importance Given that 40% of hand function is achieved with the thumb, replantation of traumatic thumb injuries is associated with substantial quality-of-life benefits. However, fewer replantations are being performed annually in the US, which has been associated with less surgical expertise and increased risk of future replantation failures. Thus, understanding how interfacility transfers and hospital characteristics are associated with outcomes warrants further investigation. Objective To assess the association of interfacility transfer, patient characteristics, and hospital factors with thumb replantation attempts and success. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used data from the US National Trauma Data Bank from 2009 to 2016 for adult patients with isolated traumatic thumb amputation injury who underwent revision amputation or replantation. Data analysis was performed from May 4, 2020, to July 20, 2020. Exposures Interfacility transfer, defined as transfer of a patient from 1 hospital to another to obtain care for traumatic thumb amputation. Main Outcomes and Measures Replantation attempt and replantation success, defined as having undergone a replantation without a subsequent revision amputation during the same hospitalization. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of interfacility transfer, patient characteristics, and hospital factors with replantation outcomes. Results Of 3670 patients included in this analysis, 3307 (90.1%) were male and 2713 (73.9%) were White; the mean (SD) age was 45.8 (16.5) years. A total of 1881 patients (51.2%) were transferred to another hospital; most of these patients were male (1720 [91.4%]) and White (1420 [75.5%]). After controlling for patient and hospital characteristics, uninsured patients were less likely to have thumb replantation attempted (odds ratio [OR], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47-0.78) or a successful replantation (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49-0.84). Interfacility transfer was associated with increased odds of replantation attempt (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13-1.59), with 13% of the variation at the hospital level. Interfacility transfer was also associated with increased replantation success (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03-1.47), with 14% of variation at the hospital level. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study, interfacility transfer and particularly hospital-level variation were associated with increased thumb replantation attempts and successes. These findings suggest a need for creating policies that incentivize hospitals with replantation expertise to provide treatment for traumatic thumb amputations, including promotion of centralization of replantation care.
Spanish Language Development and Support in a Bilingual Teacher Preparation Program.

This is a case study of supplementary support sessions for Spanish proficiency offered in a bilingual teacher preparation program in Texas throughout an academic year. The support sessions were cre...
Clinical prediction of bacteremia and early antibiotics therapy in patients with solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), early antibiotic use, and bacteremia in solid-tumor patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a retrospective observational study of adults with solid tumors admitted to a tertiary-care hospital through the emergency department over a 2-year period. Patients with neutropenic fever, organ transplant, trauma, or cardiopulmonary arrest were excluded. METHODS Rates of SIRS, bacteremia, and early antibiotics (initiation within 8 hours of presentation) were compared using the χ2 and Student t tests. Binomial regression and receiver operator curves were analyzed to assess predictors of bacteremia and early antibiotics. RESULTS Early antibiotics were administered in 507 (37%) of 1,344 SIRS-positive cases and 492 (22%) of 2,236 SIRS-negative cases (P < .0001). Of SIRS-positive cases, 70% had blood cultures drawn within 48 hours and 19% were positive; among SIRS negative cases, 35% had cultures and 13% were positive (19% vs 13%; P = .003). Bacteremic cases were more often SIRS positive than nonbacteremic cases (60% vs 50%; P =.003), but they received early antibiotics at similar rates (50% vs 49%, P = .72). Three SIRS components predicted early antibiotics: temperature (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.31-2.29; P = .0001), tachycardia (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.10-1.69; P < .0001), and white blood-cell count (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.56-2.14; P < .0001). Only temperature (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.09-2.41; P = .01) and tachycardia (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.09-2.06; P = .01) predicted bacteremia. SIRS criteria as a composite were poorly predictive of bacteremia (AUC, 0.57). CONCLUSIONS SIRS criteria are frequently used to determine the need for early antibiotics, but they are poor predictors of bacteremia in solid-tumor patients. More reliable models are needed to guide judicious use of antibiotics in this population.
Association of Sociodemographics with Out-of-Pocket Expenditure and Underinsurance in Skin Cancer Survivors

Background: The sociodemographic predictors of either out-of-pocket expenditure (OOP) or underinsurance among skin cancer survivors is not well reported in the literature. In this study we estimated all-cause healthcare related OOP expenditure and probability of underinsurance among insured skin cancer survivors and identified the sociodemographic predictors of these measures. Data and Method: We pooled Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2011 to 2015 and identified skin cancer using Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) code. Only adult (≥18 years) skin cancer survivors with full year insurance coverage were included in our study (n = 1825). We used a generalized linear model (GLM) with log link and gamma distribution to estimate OOP and a logit model to estimate the probability of underinsurance. We estimated the Average Marginal Effect (AME) to quantify the variations and their statistical significance between reference level and other levels of each predictor. Our analyses accounted for the complex survey design of MEPS. Results: The average all-cause OOP was $1766 per person per year for a skin cancer survivor. Among all skin cancer survivors, females, those aged 60-64 years, with some college education or a degree, with income ≥400% of federal poverty level (FPL) and with non-managed-care private insurance incurred significantly higher OOP expenditure compared to their respective counterparts. In terms of underinsurance, females and those aged 60-64 years had higher probability, whereas, survivors with non-white race/ethnicity and income 200% of FPL or higher had lower probability of being underinsured compared to their respective counterparts. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that OOP expenditure and underinsurance varies significantly by sociodemographic factors among skin cancer survivors.
Elder Abuse: Guidelines for Treatment

Publisher Summary Significant progress has been made in the past decades both in terms of acknowledging elder abuse as a social problem and in terms of understanding some of the possible causes and consequences of elder abuse. The excessive demands or “exhausted caregiver” theory proposes that the stress of providing care to an elderly person increases the risk that the caregiver will behave in an abusive manner. Ageism refers to attitudes toward the elderly that are characterized by a lack of valuing. Such prejudicial attitudes may lead to abusive behavior because the needs or rights of the elderly are seen as less important than the needs or rights of other people, particularly the caregiver. Elderly people who abuse substances are at greater risk for being abused than those who do not. Dependence of the caregiver on the care recipient, typically financial, has been associated with an increased probability of physical and psychological abuse. The purpose of screening is to determine whether an elderly person may be at risk for abuse. In addition to employing screening instruments, it is often useful to note the quality of interactions between the elderly person and the caregiver, if he or she is present.
Marvin Minsky: The Society of Mind

Abstract Artificial intelligence is fundamentally an engineering discipline; our collective goal of constructing an intelligent artifact is fundamentally an engineering one. Good engineering builds on good science. Good science, quite frequently, builds on good mathematics. The Society of Mind does not pretend to be good engineering or good mathematics. My aim in this review is to discuss the question of whether or not it is good science. I will do this by examining two separate but related issues. The first involves Minsky's abandonment of the usual methods of scientific inquiry and a discussion of the problems to which this leads; the second is an analysis of Minsky's criticisms of formal logic and its role in AI.
Multiplierless implementations of adaptive FIR filters

Implementations of adaptive filters using field programmable gate arrays require the ability to change the coefficient values of the filter based on the adaptation algorithm. Multiplierless filter designs rely on a priori knowledge of the coefficient values to implement the filter using hard-wired shifts and additions. We describe a multiplierless approach to adaptive filter implementation that reduces the complexity from quadratic to linear in the number of bits.
Sculpting behavior: a tangible language for hands-on play and learning

For over a century, educators and constructivist theorists have argued that children learn by actively forming and testing - constructing - theories about how the world works. Recent efforts in the design of "tangible user interfaces" (TUIs) for learning have sought to bring together interaction models like direct manipulation and pedagogical frameworks like constructivism to make new, often complex, ideas salient for young children. Tangible interfaces attempt to eliminate the distance between the computational and physical world by making behavior directly manipulable with one's hands. In the past, systems for children to model behavior have been either intuitive-but-simple (e.g. curlybot) or complex-but-abstract, (e.g. LEGO Mindstorms). In order to develop a system that supports a user's transition from intuitive-but-simple constructions to constructions that are complex-but-abstract, I draw upon constructivist educational theories, particularly Bruner's theories of how learning progresses through enactive then iconic and then symbolic representations. This thesis present an example system and set of design guidelines to create a class of tools that helps people transition from simple-but-intuitive exploration to abstract-and-flexible exploration. The Topobo system is designed to facilitate mental transitions between different representations of ideas, and between different tools. A modular approach, with an inherent grammar, helps people make such transitions. With Topobo, children use enactive knowledge, e.g. knowing how to walk, as the intellectual basis to understand a scientific domain, e.g. engineering and robot locomotion. Queens, backpacks, Remix and Robo add various abstractions to the system, and extend the tangible interface. Children use Topobo to transition from hands-on knowledge to theories that can be tested and reformulated, employing a combination of enactive, iconic and symbolic representations of ideas. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Improved MLP structures for data-driven feature extraction for ASR.

In this paper, we present our recent progress on multi-layer perceptron (MLP) based data-driven feature extraction using improved MLP structures. Four-layer MLPs are used in this study. Different signal processing methods are applied before the input layer of the MLP. We show that the first hidden layer of a four-layer MLP is able to detect some basic patterns from the time-frequency plane. KLT-based dimension reduction along time is applied as a modulation frequency filter. The new feature extraction was tested on a large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) task using the NIST 2001 evaluation set. We achieved 11.6% relative word error rate (WER) reduction compared to the traditional PLP-based baseline feature. This is also a significant improvement compared to our previously published results on the same task using MLP-based features with three-layer MLPs.
Developing a Theoretical Framework and Rationale for a Research Proposal

It is useful to recall that our work as scientists will be at its best when it simultaneously tackles real-world problems and enriches our understanding of basic biological, psychological, or social processes. A good theory can help us do both. All empirical research is based on assumptions. Even purely “descriptive” or “exploratory” studies necessarily involve choices about the phenomena and variables to observe and the level of detail at which to observe them. Researchers planning an empirical study confront the challenges of making these assumptions explicit, examining them critically, and designing the investigation to yield data that permit those assumptions to be evaluated and modified appropriately. This is the process of theory construction. Unfortunately, although all research is based on theory, many grant proposals lack a well-developed theoretical rationale. The theoretical framework often remains implicit in the proposal without being formally articulated. Consequently, even though the application may be based on a good idea, it is conceptually weak and receives a poor priority/impact score. This chapter will give you a useful strategy for developing a clearly articulated theoretical framework for your research project and using it to write your entire research plan.
Solar UV radiation enhances the toxicity of arsenic in Ceriodaphnia dubia.

Extensive research exists regarding the toxicity of metals (including arsenic) to aquatic invertebrates. However, there has been little consideration of potential synergies between metals and ultraviolet (UV) radiation–despite considerable debate on this topic in human health research. Ultraviolet radiation is nearly ubiquitous in the natural environment, but it is generally overlooked as a confounding variable in toxicological assessments. We evaluate synergies between arsenic and solar UV radiation using the crustacean, Ceriodaphnia dubia. Both laboratory (with simulated solar radiation) and outdoor (with natural solar radiation) factorial experiments were performed with two intensities of UV (low and high) and four arsenic concentrations (0, 1, 1.25 and 1.5mg/l). The laboratory experiment was multigenerational, examining survival and fecundity effects. The combination of high UV+1.5mg/l As adversely impacted survival; whereas, High UV+0mg/l As and Low UV+1.5mg/l As treatments did not. These results suggest synergism. This pattern was consistent for all three generations. Fecundity effects were not consistent across generations, and arsenic was demonstrated to have a greater impact than UV. Outdoor experiments were limited to assessing survival. Exposures in September 1999 resulted in a pattern similar to that in the laboratory exposure. High UV+1.5mg/l As treatment elicited diminished survival as compared to high UV+0mg/l As and low UV+1.5mg/l As. These results indicate that a synergistic effect between arsenic and UV exposure is possible under ambient conditions and within a relatively narrow dose range. The mechanism of this effect is unknown but could include synergistic genotoxic or oxidative stress. These findings point to the importance of using realistic UV exposures when determining criteria for protection of aquatic life.
Stepwise object-oriented system design

A structured method is presented for object-oriented system design, with special emphasis on discovering objects within the system and creating an object-oriented model of the system. First, a technique is introduced for decomposing an object into its components according to the actions required by the operations of that object. Next, system decomposition is presented as a coherent top-down process which progressively applies object decomposition principles through all the stages of system design. >
Lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in plasma after dietary supplementation with egg yolk

BACKGROUND The food matrix in which carotenoids are found affects their bioavailability. Lutein and zeaxanthin are abundant in egg yolks and accumulate in the macular region of the retina, where they may affect visual function. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether plasma lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations are elevated after dietary supplementation with egg yolk. DESIGN Eleven moderately hypercholesterolemic men and women consumed 2 separate baseline diets, which contained 29-33% of energy as total fat, with 20% of energy as either beef tallow or corn oil. These diets were supplemented with cooked chicken egg yolks (1.3 egg yolks/d for an intake of 10.4 MJ). Each subject consumed all 4 diets. Each diet was consumed for 4.5 wk, with a washout period of >/=2 wk between diet phases. At the end of each diet phase, fasting morning plasma samples were collected and stored for carotenoid analysis by HPLC. Commercial chicken egg yolks were analyzed for carotenoids and cholesterol. RESULTS Egg yolk supplementation of the beef tallow diet increased plasma lutein by 28% (P < 0.05) and zeaxanthin by 142% (P < 0.001); supplementation of the corn oil diet increased plasma lutein by 50% (P < 0.05) and zeaxanthin by 114% (P < 0.001). Changes in plasma lycopene and beta-carotene were variable, with no consistent trend. Egg yolk supplementation increased plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations by 8-11% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. The benefit of introducing these carotenoids into the diet with egg yolk is counterbalanced by potential LDL-cholesterol elevation from the added dietary cholesterol.
Naltrexone for treatment of impaired awareness of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Aims Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) is a limiting factor in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is a challenging condition to reverse. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that naltrexone therapy in subjects with T1D and IAH will improve counterregulatory hormone response and recognition of hypoglycemia symptoms during hypoglycemia. Methods We performed a pilot randomized double blind trial of 4weeks of naltrexone therapy (n=10) or placebo (n=12) given orally in subjects with T1D and IAH. Outcome measures included hypoglycemia symptom scores, counterregulatory hormone levels and thalamic activation as measured by cerebral blood flow using MRI during experimental hypoglycemia in all subjects before and after 4weeks of intervention. Results After 4weeks of therapy with naltrexone or placebo, no significant differences in response to hypoglycemia were seen in any outcomes of interest within each group. Conclusions In this small study, short-term treatment with naltrexone did not improve recognition of hypoglycemia symptoms or counterregulatory hormone response during experimental hypoglycemia in subjects with T1D and IAH. Whether this lack of effect is related to the small sample size or due to the dose, the advanced stage of study population or the drug itself should be the subject of future investigation.
Distinct binding modes specify the recognition of methylated histones H3K4 and H4K20 by JMJD2A-tudor

The lysine demethylase JMJD2A has the unique property of binding trimethylated peptides from two different histone sequences (H3K4me3 and H4K20me3) through its tudor domains. Here we show using X-ray crystallography and calorimetry that H3K4me3 and H4K20me3, which are recognized with similar affinities by JMJD2A, adopt radically different binding modes, to the extent that we were able to design single point mutations in JMJD2A that inhibited the recognition of H3K4me3 but not H4K20me3 and vice versa.
Effect of stimulator orientation on F‐wave persistence

Most electrodiagnosis texts advocate cathode distal stimulation (CDS) for nerve conduction, but suggest cathode proximal stimulation (CPS) for F waves, because of anodal block. We postulated that CDS and CPS elicit F waves of similar persistence. We studied 657 (207 median, 204 ulnar, 136 tibial, and 110 peroneal) nerves in 225 consecutive subjects. In the median nerve, CDS elicited F waves of slightly greater persistence than CPS. Stimulator orientation did not affect F-wave persistence in the remaining nerves.
STABILITY LIMITS IN EXTRASOLAR PLANETARY SYSTEMS

Two types of stability boundaries exist for any planetary system consisting of one star and two planets. Lagrange stability requires that the planets remain bound to the star, conserves the ordering of the distance from the star, and limits the variations of orbital elements like semimajor axis and eccentricity. Hill stability only requires that the ordering of the planets remain constant; the outer planet may escape to infinity. A simple formula defines a region in orbital element space that is guaranteed to be Hill-stable, although Hill-stable orbits may lie outside the region as well. No analytic criteria describe Lagrange stability. We compare the results of 1000 numerical simulations of planetary systems similar to 47 UMa and HD 12661 with these two types of boundaries. All cases are consistent with the analytic criterion for Hill stability. Moreover, the numerically determined Lagrange boundary lies close to the analytic boundary for Hill stability. This result suggests an analytic formulation that may describe the criterion for Lagrange stability.
Language style on trial: Effects of “powerful” and “powerless” speech upon judgments of victims and villains

Two studies are reported. The first examined consequences of “powerful”; and “powerless”; speech styles on attribution of fault to a defendant and plaintiff in a hypothetical courtroom context. A powerless style included hedges, intensifiers, polite forms, hesitation forms, and deictic phrases; a powerful style omitted these while including short or one‐word replies. Results suggested that subjects attributed greater fault to the high‐power style, regardless of whether the speaker was the plaintiff or defendant. Also, female subjects saw the alleged act as more serious when the speaker exhibited the high‐power style in the role of defendant. The second study included a high‐ or low‐power version of the testimony of a second speaker. In this case, subjects read two messages, contrasting in role (defendant vs. plaintiff) and power (high vs. low). Results for seriousness and fault were not replicated. In this case, power of style had a strong effect on judgments of communicator “internality.”; Results of bot...
Silicon photonic integration for high-speed applications

Photonic integration is one of the important ways to realize low cost and small form factor optical transceivers for future high-speed high capacity I/O applications in computing systems. The photonic integration on silicon platform is particularly attractive because of the CMOS photonics and electronics process compatibility. In this paper, we present design and fabrication of a silicon photonic integrated circuit that is capable of transmitting data at hundreds gigabits per second. In such an integrated chip, 8 high-speed silicon optical modulators with a 1:8 wavelength demultiplexer and an 8:1 wavelength multiplexer are fabricated on a single silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. We review the recent results of individual silicon modulator based on electric-field-induced carrier depletion in a SOI waveguide containing a reverse biased pn junction. We characterize the individual multiplexer/demultiplexer as well as the integrated chip. The basic functionality of the photonic integration is demonstrated.
A comparative study of two shovel designs

In the present study a modified shovel design with two perpendicular shafts is presented. This modified, two-shaft shovel was compared with a regular shovel. The modified shovel was evaluated and tested in a controlled laboratory environment using surface electromyography recorded from the lumbar paraspinal muscles. The new shovel design was also tested in a field study using ratings of perceived exertion. The results indicate that there was a significant reduction in EMG values of the lumbar paraspinal muscles and a consistent reduction in perceived exertion ratings while the modified shovel was being used for removing dirt in digging trenches up to 90 cm in depth.
EVIDENCE FOR PRESERVED READING IN ‘PURE ALEXIA’

We describe 4 patients who developed pure alexia after infarctions of the left cerebral hemisphere. All subjects employed a letter-by-letter strategy (with varying degrees of success) to explicitly identify visually presented words. Although all 4 subjects explicitly denied that they could identify briefly presented words, they all performed significantly better than chance on lexical decision and forced-choice semantic categorization tasks with briefly presented words which they could not explicitly identify. Three subjects regained the ability to explicitly identify briefly presented words; these subjects were more accurate with nouns than functors and words of high as compared with low imageability. Additionally, these subjects were impaired in the processing of suffixes. These data are not accommodated by the 'disconnection' account of pure alexia but are more consistent with the hypothesis that reading in these patients is mediated by the right hemisphere.
Optimizing a Semantic Comparator Using CUDA-enabled Graphics Hardware

Emerging semantic search techniques require fast comparison of large "concept trees". This paper addresses the challenges involved in fast computation of similarity between two large concept trees using a CUDA-enabled GPGPU co-processor. We propose efficient techniques for the same using fast hash computations, membership tests using Bloom Filters and parallel reduction. We show how a CUDA-enabled mass produced GPU can form the core of a semantic comparator for better semantic search. We experiment run-time, power and energy consumed for similarity computation on two platforms: (1) traditional sever class Intel x86 processor (2) CUDA enabled graphics hardware. Results show 4x speedup with 78% overall energy reduction over sequential processing approaches. Our design can significantly reduce the number of servers required in a distributed search engine data center and can bring an order of magnitude reduction in energy consumption, operational costs and floor area.
Total Synthesis of Natural (−)- and ent-(+)-4-Desacetoxy-6,7-dihydrovindorosine and Natural and ent-Minovine: Oxadiazole Tandem Intramolecular Diels−Alder/1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction

Efficient and unusually concise total syntheses of both enantiomers of the Aspidosperma alkaloids 4-desacetoxy-6,7-dihydrovindorosine (12) and minovine (1) are detailed. A tandem intramolecular Diels−Alder/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole 8, in which three new rings, four new C−C bonds, and five stereocenters are formed, is a key step in the sequence. The availability of optically active material permitted an assessment of the enantiomeric integrity of minovine and the source of its reported unusual optical rotation.
Is thin really beautiful and good? Relationship between waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and female attractiveness

Abstract Two studies were conducted to determine the relative role played by overall body fat and body fat distribution as indicated by the measure of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in determining female perceived attractiveness and associated personality attributes. Contrary to popular belief, thin female figures were neither perceived most attractive nor assigned many desirable personality traits, except youthfulness. The measure of body fat distribution, the WHR, was found to be the critical variable associated with attractiveness. Normal weight female figures with low WHR were judged to be most attractive and were assigned many desirable qualities.
TU-EE-A3-03: Performing Concurrent Kilovoltage Imaging While Delivering Megavoltage Treatment Beams

Purpose: To investigate the clinical feasibility of performing concurrent kilovoltage (kV) x‐ray imaging while the patient at the treatment position was irradiated by megavoltage (MV) beams. Method and Materials: Anatomical visibility and contrast details in kV images acquired with and without concurrent MV irradiations were compared. An on‐board imager (OBI) mounted to the gantry of a Varian 21EX Linac with an electronic portal imager (EPI) was used in this study. A pelvis (Rando) and a contrast (Vegas) phantoms were placed near the treatment isocenter with a detector‐to‐isocenter distance of 50 cm. The effect of MV beam and its dose rate on noise‐to‐signal ratio (NSR), defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean pixel value in a region‐of‐interest (ROI), and relative contrast, defined as the ratio of mean pixel values between the signal ROI and the background ROI, were studied based on Vegas phantom. Results: Scattering MV beams and electronic noises due to kV detector scanning rate and MV beam pulse rate are two major factors affect the concurrent kV image quality. The calculated NSR increases as dose rate increases. Compared to kV images without concurrent MV irradiation, the NSRs of the contrast phantom were increased by a factor of 2.6 with 300MU/min MV beams and 4.5 with 600MU/min MV beams. However, the relative contrasts were increased by a factor of 1.02 with 300MU/min MV beam and 1.06 with 600MU/min MV beam. Conclusion: It is clinically feasible to acquire concurrent kV images during treatment with MV beams. The kV image quality may be improved by minimizing MV scattering effect and by correcting electronic noises. The ability to take kV images with concurrent MV irradiation allows real‐time verification and tracking of moving target during the gated treatment. Partially supported by a research grant from Varian Medical Systems.
Watershed morphometry and time to hydrograph peak

Abstract Morphometric complexities often render geomorphic parameters ineffective in maintaining stable relationships over space with various aspects of hydrograph shape. Drainage density, for example, may relate either directly, or indirectly, with time-to-hydrograph peak depending upon environmental characteristics. Variations in climate, geology and degree of geomorphic development in large measure stimulate morphometric complexities. The suggestion is made in this research that the hypsometric curve (an expression of overall basin slope) be combined with basin area and/or relief to promote transferable hydrologic models. Three aspects of hypsometric curve form are compared to time-to-peak following intense storms in small agricultural experimental watersheds in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Vermont. A significant multiple regression-correlation relationship is forthcoming between time-to-peak and hypsometric form with no direct control for basin area, relief, relief ratio, or drainage density. Hypsometric skewness is related to headward drainage development, mid-basin slope is assessed through hypsometric density kurtosis, and the rate of change in upper and lower basin slope is quantified by hypsometric density skewness. While it is not suggested that hypsometry preclude the use of other important watershed parameters, like drainage area, it is proposed that hypsometric techniques might be employed along with basin area and/or relief to increase the predictive power and transferability of rainfall-runoff models.
.beta.-Carbolines: synthesis and neurochemical and pharmacological actions on brain benzodiazepine receptors

We have prepared a series of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines (TH beta C), beta-carbolines (beta-C), and other nitrogen heterocycles and evaluated them in vitro with respect to their ability to bind to benzodiazepine receptors. The fully aromatic beta-C's were more potent than their corresponding TH beta C derivatives. When substituents possessing a carbonyl (CO2Me, COCH3, CHO) were introduced at the beta-C 3-position the in vitro potency was augmented. Alcohol substituents (CH2OH, CHOHCH3) demonstrated decreased in vitro potency. The importance of the carbonyl moiety was further demonstrated when beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid was shown to bind tighter to benzodiazepine receptors at lower pH. A lower pH increases the concentration of the acid and decreases the concentration of the anion. 3-(Hydroxymethyl)-beta-carboline (24), 3-formyl-beta-carboline (25) and 3-acetyl-beta-carboline (27) were benzodiazepine antagonists in vivo. Methyl isoquinoline-3-carboxylate (31a) also had in vitro activity. The same structure-activity relationships seen in beta-C's were also observed for isoquinolines.
Sex-specific impact of maternal–fetal risk factors on depression and cardiovascular risk 40 years later

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) represent leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We tested the hypothesis that growth restriction and preeclampsia (referred to as fetal risk) are significant predictors of these conditions, with women at higher risk in adulthood. Adult offspring exposed to fetal risk factors and their discordant siblings were from two prenatal cohorts, whose mothers were followed through pregnancy and whom we recruited as adults 40 years later (n = 538; 250 males and 288 females). Subjects were psychiatrically diagnosed and underwent a stress challenge during which parasympathetic regulation was assessed by electrocardiogram, operationalized as high-frequency R-R interval variability (HF-RRV). Linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship of fetal risk on HF-RRV, MDD and comorbidity of low HF-RRV (lowest 25th percentile) and MDD, including interactions with sex and socioeconomic status (SES). Fetal risk was significantly associated with low HF-RRV response (F = 3.64, P = 0.05), particularly among low SES (interaction: F = 4.31, P < 0.04). When stratified by MDD, the fetal risk impact was three times greater among MDD compared with non-MDD subjects (effect size: 0.21 v. 0.06). Females had a significantly higher risk for the comorbidity of MDD and low HF-RRV than males (relative risk (RR) = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.07-1.73), an association only seen among those exposed to fetal risk (RR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.04-1.83). Findings suggest that these are shared fetal antecedents to the comorbidity of MDD and CVD risk 40 years later, an association stronger in females than in males.
Electron escape dynamics from a biased quantum well

In this paper, a theoretical model calculating the electron escape time form a biased quantum well is presented. To solve Schroedinger equation for a quantum well under the influence of an electric field, the method of the logarithmic derivative of the wave function is used in the Green's function approach. Electron escape time is calculated by accounting for the partitioning of the total current into the thermionic emission and tunneling components. The current components are evaluated by properly accounting for the electron's group velocity and the redistribution of the density of states in the presence of an applied electric field. A comparison between this model and previously reported experimental results of the electron escape time is made, demonstrating excellent agreement.
What Is Psychopathology? And So What?

The present article comprises five parts. First, some serious consequences of our historical failure to arrive at a consensus definition of psychopathology will be enumerated. Second, some general considerations regarding the nature of definitions will be reviewed. Third, a new definition of psychopathology will be presented and its adequacy justified in terms of its ability to discriminate consensus cases of psychopathology from consensus noncases. Fourth, some important advantages of this definition vis-a-vis its competitors will be noted; especially prominent here will be its provision of a straightforward entre into an integration of existing theoretical approaches to psychopathology and psychotherapy. Finally, some criticisms of other prominent definitions of psychopathology will be offered.
Contemporary MFT Theories and Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of Systemic Treatments

As specialists in couples’ dynamics, marriage and family therapists will inevitably be faced with issues of violence in the clients they serve. However, there has been criticism of treating partner violence systemically, and it is not clear whether MFT theories adequately conceptualize and treat violence. This article examines current issues that MFTs should be aware of when violence is an issue with clients. Also, we critique how four contemporary family therapy theories view and/or treat couple violence, both conjointly and individually. Specific implications for therapists who work from these current models are presented, as are suggestions for future research.
Assessment of Foreign Language Teachers: A Model for Shifting Evaluation Toward Growth and Learning

Although there is no consensus on how to assess teacher quality, scholars do agree that the improvement of teaching is the most important step that we can take toward improving the quality of education of our students and the one that directly affects learning outcomes (Perlman & McCann, 1998). Teacher assessment has become a cornerstone issue insofar as teaching improvement is concerned; yet, there is no consensus as to what constitutes an effective assessment method (Brent & Felder, 1997; Wood & Harding, 2007). This problem particularly affects foreign language teachers. In this conceptual article, we explore and argue for a model that situates peer evaluation at the center of teacher assessment. Further, we argue that foreign language teacher assessment: 1) should include multiple types of assessments, ranging from administrative evaluations to peer observations and feedback; and 2) should primarily serve as a platform for improvement of the quality of teaching and for the teacher’s growth and professional development. We conclude by identifying directions for future research examining the potential of this proposed model.
SU-FF-J-112: Design and Applications of a 4D Simulator for Respiratory Motion

Purpose: To design, construct, and evaluate a pneumatic respiratory‐motion simulator for 4D radiotherapy. The device should be able to operate in dynamic mode for real‐time simulation of patient breathing motion as well as snapshot mode for static dose measurement. Method and Materials: A simulator incorporating a cylindrical air reservoir with a piston was constructed as a tool in 4D radiotherapy studies. The piston movement is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) which is interfaced to custom software written in Visual Basic (VB). The air reservoir is connected to a lung phantom made of two pulmonary simulation balloons. The pressure inside the lung phantom is monitored by a detector whose input is feedback to the PLC. The lung phantom is immersed in a water‐filled box to simulate the normal tissue surrounding actual human lungs. The box is connected to a water reservoir to allow breathing of the lung phantom. A rubber ball is attached to the inner side of the phantom to simulate a lungtumor and gold seeds are implanted into it for seed‐tracking studies. Spirometer‐based patient respiratory waveform data in ASCII format were obtained from our department's breath‐hold clinical study. The waveform data are input to the VB program and sent to the simulator for controlling the simulation. Results: Preliminary evaluation of the simulator using several patient waveforms has been conducted. The respiratory motion of the lung phantom is found to be reproducible. Conclusion: A prototype respiratory‐motion simulator has been built which should prove valuable for 4D radiotherapy and related studies (gating, respiratory‐induced organ deformation). Its unique design of using pneumatic means to simulate breathing motion allows more realistic simulation studies including those involving animal lung models.
Reduced density of geniculocortical terminals in foveal layer 4A in the macaque primary visual cortex: relationship to S-cone density

The S-cone system is closely linked to the perception of blue/yellow. The trichromatic system of Old-World monkeys and humans has relatively few S-cones in the fovea. In this study, we investigated the distribution of putative S-cone afferents in macaques primary visual cortex (V1) which form a characteristic honeycomb arrangement in layer 4A. It was hypothesized that if there were a low number of S-cone opponent projecting neurons in central vision then this would be seen as a reduction in afferents in foveal layer 4A. Recent studies have shown that the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGlut2) is a marker for thalamic afferent terminals in cortex. The distribution of VGlut2-immunoreactive (-ir) terminals was studied in the foveal and perifoveal representation of V1. It was found that there was a substantial reduction in the terminal density in the foveal representation: the density was 5–6 times lower in the foveal V1 than in regions representing perifoveal eccentricities of 1°–2° and beyond. These findings may provide the cortical substrate of foveal tritanopia, the reduced blue perceptual ability for small fields in the center of gaze.
Why Hume's Counterexample is Insignificant and Why It is Not

The idea of the missing shade of blue presents a difficulty for Hume's first principle that ‘all our simple ideas in their first appearance are deriv'd from simple impressions, which are correspond...
Identification of calcium-dependent and -independent signaling pathways involved in polychlorinated biphenyl-induced cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein phosphorylation in developing cortical neurons

Abstract Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) is a transcription factor important in developing nervous system cells and is activated by a variety of signaling molecules. Aroclor 1254 (A1254), a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture, perturbs Ca 2+ homeostasis and increases CREB phosphorylation in rat neonatal cortical cell cultures in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The present experiments determined that the cell type responding to A1254 with Ca 2+ increases and phosphorylated CREB (phospho-CREB) was predominantly of neuronal morphology and microtubule-associated protein (MAP2)-positive phenotype. Similarly, glutamate (100 μM) increased phospho-CREB immunoreactivity selectively in MAP2-immunopositive cells. Using Western blotting and immunocytochemical techniques, we identified key signal transduction pathways operative in phosphorylating CREB in cortical cell cultures and examined their participation in 3 ppm A1254-induced CREB activation. Cortical cultures treated with glutamate, forskolin or the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate exhibited robust increases in phospho-CREB. Tetrodotoxin (1 μM) completely inhibited CREB phosphorylation by A1254, suggesting that synaptic activity is involved in A1254-induced CREB activation. Buffering [Ca 2+ ] i with bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- N , N , N ′, N ′-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl) ester in the absence of extracellular Ca 2+ partially inhibited A1254-induced CREB phosphorylation. Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (10 μM U0126) or protein kinase C (PKC; bisindoylmaleimide, 5 μM) activation did not inhibit A1254-induced CREB phosphorylation. By contrast, inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) with 100 μM PKA inhibitor peptide, PKI, blocked A1254-induced CREB phosphorylation. Thus, we examined whether A1254 activates PKA by increasing cAMP; 10 μM forskolin, but not A1254, elevated intracellular cAMP levels. These results indicate that in neocortical cells in culture, CREB phosphorylation occurs via Ca 2+ -, PKA-, and PKC-dependent pathways. Furthermore, A1254-induced CREB phosphorylation occurs predominantly in neurons, is dependent on synaptic activity and mediated by Ca 2+ - and PKA-dependent pathways.