cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Carbonyl Stress in Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Summary The browning of proteins via the Maillard reaction in vivo involves nonenzymatic autoxidation and/or enzyme-catalysed oxidation of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids. Carbohydrates also contribute to non-oxidative browning of proteins by rearrangement and elimination pathways which generate deoxydicarbonyl compounds, such as deoxyglucosone and methylglyoxal. A common feature of both the oxidative and non-oxidative reactions is the formation of reactive carbonyl compounds, suggesting that carbonyl stress, as well as oxidative stress, is involved in chemical modifications of proteins during the Maillard reaction. Oxidative stress may enhance the damage produced by carbonyl stress, both by providing an additional source of carbonyls and by limiting the rate of their detoxification.
Linear Regression by Least Squares

We usually study more than one variable at a time. When the variables are continuous, and one is clearly a response variable and the others are predictor variables, we usually plot the variables and then attempt to fit a model to the plotted points. With one continuous predictor, the first model we attempt is a straight line; with two or more continuous predictors, we attempt a plane. We plot the model, the residuals from the model, and various diagnostics of the quality of the fit.
Moral binding: How emotions, convictions, and identity fusion shape progroup behavior

Past research suggests that some moral principles encourage prosocial behavior by binding people together into tight-knit groups. In the present research, we test (1) how – at the psychological pro...
LGBT bullying in school: a troubling relational story

School bullying is an oppressive mode of interpersonal conflict that rattles the bodies and beings of young people. While no youth is exempt from being bullied, some populations tend to be more vul...
Co-Occurring Symptoms Contribute to Persistent Fatigue in Prostate Cancer.

Purpose Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most debilitating side effects of cancer and cancer therapy. We aimed to investigate co-occurring symptoms associated with persistent fatigue in men receiving external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for nonmetastatic prostate cancer. Methods A sample of 47 men with prostate cancer scheduled to receive radiotherapy (RT) were followed at baseline and 1 year after RT. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from chart review. Symptom measurements included urinary dysfunction (American Urological Association symptoms score), fatigue (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Fatigue questionnaire), sleep disturbance (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - Sleep Disturbance form), pain (physical well-being domain pain item of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General), and depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale). Paired t tests, correlations, general linear models, and logistic regressions were used to determine associations between fatigue and other symptom scores. Results At 1 year after RT, 34% of subjects continued to experience fatigue. Urinary dysfunction was the best clinical predictor of persistent fatigue. Pain and depressive symptoms further improved the predictive power of the model. A multivariate linear regression model containing all these three clinical variables (urinary dysfunction, pain, and depressive symptoms) explained 74% of total variance associated with persistent fatigue after RT. Conclusions Persistent fatigue at 1 year after EBRT in prostate cancer survivors is likely related to a cluster of symptoms elicited by chronic inflammation. Therapies that target each of these symptoms will likely reduce fatigue in this patient population.
Multistate hybrid time-dependent density functional theory with surface hopping accurately captures ultrafast thymine photodeactivation

We report an efficient analytical implementation of first-order nonadiabatic derivative couplings between arbitrary Born-Oppenheimer states in the hybrid time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) framework using atom-centered basis functions. Our scheme is based on quadratic response theory and includes orbital relaxation terms neglected in previous approaches. Simultaneous computation of multiple derivative couplings and energy gradients enables efficient multistate nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with Tully's fewest switches surface hopping (SH) method. We benchmark the thus obtained multistate TDDFT-SH scheme by simulating ultrafast decay of UV-photoexcited thymine, for which accurate gas-phase data from ultrafast spectroscopy experiments are available. The calculations predict a fast 153 fs decay from the bright S2 to the dark S1 excited state, followed by a much slower 14 ps S1 deactivation to the ground state; statistical uncertainties were estimated using bootstrap sampling. These results agree well with the experimentally observed time constants of 100-200 fs and 5-7 ps, respectively, unlike previous multiconfigurational self-consistent field and second-order algebraic diagrammatic construction calculations. Furthermore, our results support the S1-trapping hypothesis [J. J. Szymczak et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, 2009, 113, 12686-12693]. For thymine, the computational cost of a single TDDFT-SH time-step including the lowest 3 states, all couplings and gradients, is ∼5 times larger than the cost of a single Born-Oppenheimer dynamics time step for the ground state in our implementation. Thus, ps nonadiabatic dynamics simulations using multistate hybrid TDDFT-SH for systems with up to ∼100 atoms are possible without drastic approximations on single workstation nodes. Our implementation will be made available through Turbomole.
The Need for Multi-Omics Biomarker Signatures in Precision Medicine.

Recent advances in omics technologies have led to unprecedented efforts characterizing the molecular changes that underlie the development and progression of a wide array of complex human diseases, including cancer. As a result, multi-omics analyses—which take advantage of these technologies in genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other omics areas—have been proposed and heralded as the key to advancing precision medicine in the clinic. In the field of precision oncology, genomics approaches, and, more recently, other omics analyses have helped reveal several key mechanisms in cancer development, treatment resistance, and recurrence risk, and several of these findings have been implemented in clinical oncology to help guide treatment decisions. However, truly integrated multi-omics analyses have not been applied widely, preventing further advances in precision medicine. Additional efforts are needed to develop the analytical infrastructure necessary to generate, analyze, and annotate multi-omics data effectively to inform precision medicine-based decision-making.
Reproductive hazards of space travel in women and men.

Extended travel in deep space poses potential hazards to the reproductive function of female and male astronauts, including exposure to cosmic radiation, microgravity, increased gravity (hypergravity), psychological stress, physical stress and circadian rhythm disruptions. This Review focuses on the effects of microgravity, hypergravity and cosmic radiation. Cosmic radiation contains protons, helium nuclei and high charge and energy (HZE) particles. Studies performed on Earth in which rodents were exposed to experimentally generated HZE particles have demonstrated a high sensitivity of ovarian follicles and spermatogenic cells to HZE particles. Exposure to microgravity during space flight and to simulated microgravity on Earth disrupts spermatogenesis and testicular testosterone synthesis in rodents, whereas the male reproductive system seems to adapt to exposure to moderate hypergravity. A few studies have investigated the effects of microgravity on female reproduction, with findings of disrupted oestrous cycling and in vitro follicle development being cause for concern. Many remaining data gaps need to be addressed, including the effects of microgravity, hypergravity and space radiation on the male and female reproductive tracts, hypothalamic–pituitary regulation of reproduction and prenatal development of the reproductive system as well as the combined effects of the multiple reproductive hazards encountered in space. This Review discusses the effects of space flight in low Earth orbit on reproductive end points in humans and experimental animals. The effects of simulated microgravity, hypergravity and experimentally generated space radiation on reproductive end points are also outlined.
Marrying Out: Socio-Cultural and Psychological Implications of Intermarriage

This paper has two aims. First of all, I have tried to offer a definition of intermarriage that takes into consideration the role played by the norms of exogamy and endogamy in specific social sett...
A Prospective Cohort Study of Neural Progenitor Cell-Sparing Radiation Therapy Plus Temozolomide for Newly Diagnosed Patients with Glioblastoma

Background In treating glioblastoma, irradiation of the neural progenitor cell (NPC) niches is controversial. Lower hippocampal doses may limit neurocognitive toxicity, but higher doses to the subventricular zones (SVZ) may improve survival. Objective To prospectively evaluate the impact of limiting radiation dose to the NPC niches on tumor progression, survival, and cognition in patients with glioblastoma. Methods Patients with glioblastoma received resection followed by standard chemoradiation. Radiation dose to the NPC niches, including the bilateral hippocampi and SVZ, was minimized without compromising tumor coverage. The primary outcome was tumor progression in the spared NPC niches. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was obtained bimonthly. Neurocognitive testing was performed before treatment and at 6- and 12-mo follow-up. Cox regression evaluated predictors of overall and progression-free survival. Linear regression evaluated predictors of neurocognitive decline. Results A total of 30 patients enrolled prospectively. The median age was 58 yr. Median mean doses to the hippocampi and SVZ were 49.1 and 41.8 gray (Gy) ipsilaterally, and 16.5 and 19.9 Gy contralaterally. Median times to death and tumor progression were 16.0 and 7.6 mo, and were not significantly different compared to a matched historical control. No patients experienced tumor progression in the spared NPC-containing regions. Overall survival was associated with neurocognitive function (P ≤ .03) but not dose to the NPC niches. Higher doses to the hippocampi and SVZ predicted greater decline in verbal memory (P ≤ .01). Conclusion In treating glioblastoma, limiting dose to the NPC niches may reduce cognitive toxicity while maintaining clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
دراسة تحليلية للموقف التنافسي للبصل المجفف في أهم الأسواق العالمية An Analytical Study of the Competitive Position of Dried Onion in the Most Important International Markets

ارتفاع الميزة النسبية لتصدير البصل المجفف خلال فترة الدراسة (2014 -2018) في تنزانيا، يليها مصر، ثم الهند، ثم باکستان حيث بلغت نحو (265.02، 56.06، 15.91، 10.40) لکل منهم علي الترتيب، بينما انخفض معامل الميزة النسبية في الصين، وهولندا، وألمانيا حيث بلغ نحو (0.50، 0.53، 0.66) لکل منهم علي الترتيب. يبين أن أهم الدول المستوردة للبصل المصري المجفف هي هولندا، والمانيا، واليابان، والمجر، وبلجيکا، والبرازيل، وکرواتيا، والسنغال، وتوکيو، حيث بلغت اجمالي الکمية المصدرة لهذه الدول من مصر نحو 7.95 ألف طن تمثل نحو 66.53% من اجمالي الکمية صادرات مصر من البصل المجفف والبالغة نحو 11.95 ألف طن خلال متوسط فترة الدراسة. يتضح انخفاض مرونة الطلب السعرية عن الواحد (طلب غير مرن) لدولتين اليابان، بلجيکا حيث أنه بزيادة سعر الواردات من البصل المجفف المصري بنسبة 1% يؤدي إلي انخفاض کمية الواردات بنسبة 0.908%، 0.688% لکل منهم علي الترتيب مما يعني أن البصل المصري المجفف لهذين الدولتين له أهمية کبيرة بحيث أن محاولة هذه الدول تخفيض کميات واردتها من مصر بزيادة سعر الواردات ضعيف، بينما يتبين ارتفاع مرونة الطلب السعرية عن الواحد (طلب مرن) لدولتين ألمانيا، وهولندا حيث أنه بزيادة سعر الواردات من البصل المجفف المصري بنسبة 1% يؤدي إلي انخفاض کمية الواردات بنسبة 2.13%، 1.25% لکل منهم علي الترتيب مما يعني أن هذين الدولتين لديهم القدرة علي تخفيض استيرادهما من البصل المجفف المصري والاستيراد من دول منافسة لمصر عند زيادة سعر الواردات المصرية، الأمر الذي يحتاج الاهتمام بتلک الدول ومحاولة رفع النصيب السوقي المصري لديهما.
Irrigation-Intensive Groundwater Modeling of Complex Aquifer Systems Through Integration of Big Geological Data

This study identifies hydrogeologic characteristics of complex aquifers based on constructing stratigraphic structure with large, non-uniform well log data. The approach was validated through a modeling study of the irrigation-intensive Chicot aquifer system, which is an important Pleistocene-Holocene aquifer of the Coastal Lowland Aquifer System in the southwestern Louisiana. Various well log types were unified into the same data structure, prioritized based on data sources, and interpolated to generate a detailed stratigraphic structure. More than 29,000 well logs were integrated to construct a stratigraphy model of 56 model layers for the Chicot aquifer system. The stratigraphy model revealed interconnections of various sands in the system, where 90% of the model domain is covered by fine-grained sediments. Although the groundwater model estimated a slight groundwater storage gain during 2005-2014 for the entire region, groundwater storage in the agricultural area was depleted. Nevertheless, the quick groundwater storage recovery during the non-irrigation seasons suggests that the Chicot aquifer system is a prolific aquifer system. The groundwater modeling result shows that the gulfward groundwater flow direction prior to pumping has been reversed towards inland pumping areas. The large upward vertical flow from the deeper sands indicates potential saltwater migration from the base of the Chicot aquifer system.
Better Etiquette for Effective Paging (B.E.E.P.)-Improving Daily In-hospital Communications in the Pediatric ICU.

Introduction Paging is a vital part of patient care that allows quick contact between physicians and other hospital personnel. There was no structured way to send a page to physicians at our institution. We hypothesized that by standardizing paging format, scheduling laboratory draw times, and using order clean-up sheets, through a bundle of interventions called Better Etiquette for Effective Paging, we would decrease the number of pages received on the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) resident pager by 15%. Methods This project was a quality improvement initiative in a 25-bed multidisciplinary PICU in a tertiary children's hospital. Baseline data collection was performed in December 2015, categorized by time of day received and type of page. Interventions were paging standards to include relevant information, scheduling laboratory draw times, and order clean-up sheets. We collected postintervention data over 3 years to monitor for sustained change. Results The average number of pages decreased from a baseline of 4.71 pages/patient/d in 2015 to 3.70 in 2016 (21% decrease), 3.32 in 2017 (30% decrease), and 2.74 in 2018 (42% decrease). The average PRISM 3 score remained similar in all sets (2.52, 2.50, 2.10, and 2.35). The standardized mortality ratio was not adversely affected by the decrease in pages (0.58, 1.07, 1.19, and 0). Conclusion Standardizing the format of pages and using scheduled laboratory times with order clean-up sheets has decreased the number of pages/patient/d in the PICU by 42% without adversely affecting patient care. We can continue to improve communication among the patient care team by emphasizing efficient, standardized communication using Better Etiquette for Effective Paging.
Farmland in U.S. Conservation Reserve Program has unique floral composition that promotes bee summer foraging

Abstract Bee conservation is a topic of global concern, particularly in agroecosystems where their contribution to crop pollination is highly valued. Over a decade ago, bees and other pollinators were made a priority of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a U.S. federal program that pays land owners to establish a conservation cover, typically grassland, on environmentally sensitive farmland. Despite large financial investment in this program, few studies have measured the benefit of CRP to bees, particularly in complex agroecosystems with abundant alternative forage. To determine if CRP land seeded with pollinator-attractive native flowers and/or introduced legumes provides distinct floral composition that attracts more foraging bees than non-CRP habitats, we compared CRP land to paired non-CRP fields and roadsides at 31 sites in Michigan, U.S.A.. We found CRP land had unique floral species community composition, higher floral abundance, greater species richness, more native floral species, and greater inflorescence coverage. Greater inflorescence coverage on CRP land was associated with a greater abundance of both honey bees and wild bees than either non-CRP fields or roadsides, as was native flower abundance for wild bees. Showy native plant species were important forage resources on CRP land: Monarda fistulosa was the most foraged upon species by both honey bees and wild bees, and goldenrod species were important late-summer forage resources for honey bees. These findings demonstrate the benefit of managing CRP land with herbaceous seed mixes to create dense, showy, native plant communities that provide summer-long resources to both bee groups. Insights from this study could be used to enhance the composition of future conservation program investments and management of non-CRP land to benefit pollinators.
Approximating Dispersive Materials with Parameter Distributions in the Lorentz Model

We seek to improve the accuracy of the Lorentz model by incorporating a distribution of dielectric parameters and introducing a microscopic quantity we call the random polarization. Thus the usual polarization is the macroscopic average, or expected value, of the random polarization. The forward problem in the frequency domain demonstrates the difference between the distributed and deterministic models. Using a least squares cost formulation and \(\chi ^2\) significance test, we explore the parameter identification problem for saltwater data. For analysis in the time domain, we use Polynomial Chaos and the Finite Difference Time Domain methods to discretize in one dimension. We then examine two time domain inverse problems that compare interrogation signals.
Laboratory Follow-Up of the Recurrent Stone Former

The laboratory evaluation for a recurrent stone former can be divided into serum tests, urine analysis/microscopy, stone analysis, and 24-h urine collection. Serum tests for all stone formers should include a basic metabolic panel in addition to serum phosphorus and uric acid and when applicable an intact parathyroid hormone level. Serum testing is also important to assess for adverse effects in the follow-up of patients on pharmacological therapy to help prevent urolithiasis. In the urinalysis, the urine pH, specific gravity along with microscopic analysis can further aid in the differential diagnosis for the etiology of urolithiasis. Extracted or passed stones should be sent for chemical analysis and examination of urine sediment for crystals may further aid in determining the type of stone formed if an intact stone is not available. Repeat stone analysis should be obtained in patients who do not respond to medical therapy and continue to have stone recurrence. The 24-h urine collection can further guide dietary and medical therapy to decrease the risks of recurrence and can also be used to judge the efficacy of treatment as well as provide patients with feedback regarding their treatment.
Fetal Spinal Cord Homografts Reduce Expected Hind Limb Deficits from Spinal Cervical Fasiculus Gracilis Lesion

Dorsal column (DC) lesion at T13 resulted in a reorganization of the synaptic circuitry in the rat DC-lemniscal system and somatomotor cortex. This lesion resulted in hind limb slips from a platform that appear 60–120 days after the lesion1. The present study explored the ability of fetal spinal cord grafts into C3 fasiculus gracilis (FG; similar to a T13 DC lesion) to influence hind limb performance.
An Integrated Broad Area Coverage Fusion Neutron/X-Ray Interrogation Unit

Homeland security has an urgent need for an advanced detecting system to accurately and quickly search for nuclear and explosive materials in a wide variety of situations. An integrated broad area coverage neutron/x-ray interrogation unit is proposed here to meet such needs. This system will use a unique cylindrical Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) device. This compact pulsed neutron/x-ray line source can produce ∼2x10 10 n/s 14.1-MeV D-T neutrons, ∼10 8 n/s 2.45-MeV D-D neutrons and 80 kVx-rays. Unlike prior neutron activation systems, this unit can provide a long line-like emission source to obtain broad coverage, providing very fast scan time for even large objects. The use of combined multi-energy neutron and x-ray sources, along with a 3-D detector array and fuzzy logic analysis system, are expected to provide high elemental identification accuracy, greatly decreasing false signals so commonly encountered in prior systems. Analysis techniques will employ both thermal neutron analysis (TNA) and pulsed fast neutron analysis (PFNA), accompanied by broad area x-ray imaging techniques.
N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists prevent interaction of binocular maps in Xenopus tectum

Glutamate receptors appear to play a key role in several forms of experience-dependent modification of both the strength of synapses and synaptic connectivity. In developing Xenopus frogs, the connections made by isthmotectal axons relaying visual input from the eye to the ipsilateral tectum are markedly influenced by the visual activity of contralateral retinotectal axons, and normal binocular visual input is necessary in order for the ipsilateral visuotectal map to come into register with the contralateral map. We have tested whether NMDA receptors play a role in establishment of the topographic matching of binocular maps during development. We have examined the effects of chronic treatment of tectum with either the receptor agonist NMDA or the antagonists APV or CPP applied throughout early postmetamorphic life using subpial implants of drug-impregnated elvax. Both antagonists blocked the matching of the ipsilateral map to the contralateral map, while NMDA permitted such matching. Our data therefore indicate that NMDA receptors are involved in the experience-dependent establishment of matching binocular maps during development.
Fast pulse techniques related to the X-ray laser project at PPPL

During the development of the PPPL X-ray laser, many techniques were used to provide low jitter, fast risetime pulses for the synchronization of various experimental equipment used on the laser systems. In many of these systems the optical pulses were in the range of several tens of nanoseconds to less than one nanosecond in duration, and the associated experimental equipment was required to perform dynamic measurements, on those optical signals. The author provides an overview of some of the various techniques available for fast risetime, low jitter pulse generation, including the use of krytrons, avalanche transistor chains, hydrogen thyratron, preionized spark gaps, and step-recovery diodes. He also presents some of the measurements made of these systems. >
Longitudinal analysis of bioaccumulative contaminants in freshwater fishes

The National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP) was initiated in 1967 as a component of the National Pesticide Monitoring program. It consists of periodic collection of freshwater fish and other samples and the analysis of the concentrations of persistent environmental contaminants in these samples. For the analysis, the common approach has been to apply the mixed two-way ANOVA model to combined data. A main disadvantage of this method is that it cannot give a detailed temporal trend of the concentrations since the data are grouped. In this paper, we present an alternative approach that performs a longitudinal analysis of the information using random effects models. In the new approach, no grouping is needed and the data are treated as samples from continuous stochastic processes, which seems more appropriate than ANOVA for the problem.
Studies on crystalline D-amino acid oxidase. V. Characterization of borohydride-reduced enzyme-subtrate intermediate. Synthesis of epsilon-N-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-lysine.

Abstract The radiolabeled protein derivative obtained after treatment with sodium borohydride of a suitable reaction mixture permitting interaction of crystallized d-amino acid oxidase and the substrate d-alanine-1-14C has been identified as a reduction product of an enzyme-substrate intermediate involving the e-amino group of a lysyl residue of the enzyme protein. Acid hydrolysis of the protein and appropriate resolution of the hydrolysate have provided evidence of the identity of the labeled fragment with e-N-(1-carboxyethyl)-l-lysine which has been synthesized and characterized in this work. Initial intermediate combination of the substrate with the isoalloxazine ring of the flavonucleotide had been postulated in interpretation of the results of studies leading to the current investigation. It is of interest that a stable linkage of the amino acid skeleton with flavin adenine dinucleotide was found to be absent as a component of the final reduced protein product when d-alanine had been used as substrate. Our earlier hypothesis concerning the mechanism of catalysis by d-amino acid oxidase has been amplified with suggestions regarding the possible role in the enzymatic process of a particular lysyl residue of the enzyme-protein.
From the "War on Poverty" to the "War on the Poor": Knowledge, Power, and Subject Positions in Anti-Poverty Discourses

Abstract : Anti-poverty discourses are interrogated through a case study of articles on the websites of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) and The Toronto Star covering a tenant activism campaign. An autonomous media article by OCAP on direct actions to “stop the war on the poor” is compared with an article in The Toronto Star depicting tenant-activists lobbying government in the “war on poverty.” Subjectivity and power relations are analyzed by deconstructing binaries, including deserving/undeserving poor, pride/shame, and dignity/stigmatization. I find productive interdiscursive relations emerging, whereby the two discourses are mutually implicated in creating possibilities for social transformation. I also argue that critical discourse analysis needs to become a more participatory engaged methodology, taking direction from and providing accountability to its research subjects. Resume : Dans cet article, j’interroge les discours contre la pauvrete au moyen d’une etude de cas portant sur des articles relatant une campagne effectuee par des locataires militants. Ces articles proviennent des sites de l’Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) et du Toronto Star. En effet, je compare un article de media autonome provenant de l’OCAP sur les actions directes pour « arreter la guerre contre les pauvres » a un article du Toronto Star decrivant des locataires militants faisant pression sur le gouvernement dans la « guerre contre la pauvrete. » J’analyse la subjectivite et les rapports de pouvoir decrits dans ces articles en deconstruisant des oppositions binaires telles que : pauvrete meritante/peu meritante, fierte/honte et dignite/stigmatisation. Je constate l’emergence de rapports interdiscursifs productifs ou les deux discours sont reciproquement impliques dans la creation d’un contexte qui faciliterait la transformation sociale. Je soutiens d’autre part que l’analyse critique du discours a besoin de devenir une methodologie plus participative et engagee, s’inspirant de ses sujets de recherche tout en etant plus responsable a leur egard.
Zero zeros after all these (20) years

We celebrate two birthdays connected with the radiation zero phenomenon. First, a striking dip in the theoretical angular distributions of radiative weak-boson production was discovered twenty years ago. The key experimental interest is that this will not occur in any deviation from the standard model. Second, the classical training of Stanley Brodsky began sixty years ago, which was instrumental in understanding why theoretical spin-independent radiation zeros appear in almost all Born amplitudes for the radiation of photons and gluons and other massless gauge bosons (but rarely in physical kinematic regions). And there are approximate zeros for massive bosons and ``Type II'' zeros that can also be studied. We discuss how the difficulties in observing the original Mikaelian-Samuel-Sahdev zero finally may be surmounted next year.
Optimization of Benefit from a Cochlear Implant by a Multi-disciplinary Team

The Clarion, Med-E 1 Combi 40 and Nucleus 22 or 24 Cochlear Implant Systems programmed with the Continuous Interleaved Sampler (CIS), Simultaneous Analog Strategy (SAS), or SPEAK speech coding strategies on the average enable postlinguistical-ly deaf adults to understand 70-80% of words in open-set sentences by sound alone. Congenitally deaf children who were implanted between 2 and 5 years of age, received intensive spoken language training over a period of years, and use the most recent speech coding strategies, on the average are able to understand 30-40% of one-syllable, open-set words by sound alone. Several key studies indicate that the earlier a deaf child is implanted, the less language delay there is, the more intelligible their own speech is, and the earlier they are ready to be mainstreamed in normal hearing schools. Adults and children must have appropriately fitted speech processor programs (that are changed as soon as hearing changes) to achieve these levels of success. Because cochlear implants do not provide normal hearing, habilitation for children and rehabilitation for adults are essential. Preoperative evaluation, implantation, and postoperative care can only be effectively provided by close collaboration of a multidisciplinary team.
Determination of diffusion length with bi-facial spectral response (solar cells)

A method has been developed to determine the minority carrier diffusion length in operating CuInSe/sub 2//(CdZn)S polycrystalline thin-film solar cells. The technique involves measuring the spectral responses through both the (CdZn)S front side of the device and the semitransparent molybdenum-glass back side. The simultaneous measurement of the quantum efficiency through both sides (bifacial) along with measurements of the optical transmission of the window layers and substrate allow the calculation of both the diffusion length and the absorption coefficient of the CuInSe/sub 2/. For a typical high-efficiency CuInSe/sub 2/ device, a diffusion length of 1.5 mu m is obtained. >
Finite-element folds of similar geometry

Abstract Model folds of similar geometry have been produced by using the finite-element method and the constitutive relations of a layer of wet quartzite embedded in a marble matrix with an initially sinusoidal configuration and a 10° limb dip. The power law for steady-state flow of Yule Marble (Heard and Raleigh, 1972) is used for the matrix and our new law for Canyon Creek quartzite deformed in the presence of water is used for the layer. The equiv- alent viscosity of the wet quartzite is highly temperature-sensitive, giving rise to a strong temperature dependence of the quartzite: marble viscosity ratio which, at a strain rate of 10 −14 /sec, drops from 543 at 200° to 0.13 at 800°C. At 375°C ( η q / η m = 10), concentric folds develop at all strains to 80% natural shortening and stress, finite strain and viscosity distributions are somewhat similar to those found previously. Raising the temperature to 550° C ( η q / η m = 1), at any stage of prior amplification, causes the folds to flatten with increasing strain, accompanied by attenuation of limbs and thickening of hinges, leading to folds with similar geometries and isoclinal folds at extreme strains. The effects are more pronounced at higher temperatures and at 700° C ( η q / η m = 0.3) limb attenuation is so severe as to give rise to unrealistic geometries. At temperatures below about 600° C ( η q / η m = 2), similar folds do not form. It thus appears as if a viscosity contrast near unity is required to produce similar folds in rocks, under the conditions simulated and different temperature dependencies of viscosities of materials in layered sequences is one important means of reducing viscosity contrasts.
Design of a General-Purpose MIMO Predictor with Neural Networks*

A new multi-step predictor for multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) systems is proposed. The output prediction of such a system is represented as a mapping from its historical data and future inputs to future outputs. A neural network is designed to learn the mapping without re- quiring a priori knowledge of the parameters and structure of the system. The major problem in de- veloping such a predictor is how to train the neural network. In case of the back propagation algorithm, the network is trained by using the network's output error which is not known due to the unknown predicted future system outputs. To overcome this problem, the concept of updating, in- stead of training, a neural network is introduced and verified with simulations. The predictor then uses only the system's historical data to update the configuration of the neural network and always works in a closed loop. If each node can only handle scalar operations, emulation of an MIMO mapping requires the neural network to be excessively large, and it is difficult to specify some known coupling effects of the predicted system. So, we propose a vector-structured, multilayer perceptron for the predictor design. MIMO linear, nonlinear, time-invariant, and time-varying systems are tested via simulation, and all showed very promising performances.
Explanatory anti-psychologism overturned by lay and scientific case classifications

Many philosophers of science follow Hempel in embracing both substantive and methodological anti-psychologism regarding the study of explanation. The former thesis denies that explanations are constituted by psychological events, and the latter denies that psychological research can contribute much to the philosophical investigation of the nature of explanation. Substantive anti-psychologism is commonly defended by citing cases, such as hyper-complex descriptions or vast computer simulations, which are reputedly generally agreed to constitute explanations but which defy human comprehension and, as a result, fail to engender any relevant psychological events. It is commonly held that the truth of the substantive thesis would lend support to the methodological thesis. However, the standard argument for the substantive thesis presumes that philosophers’ own judgments about the aforementioned cases issues from mastery of the lay or scientific norms regarding the use of ‘explanation.’ Here we challenge this presumption with a series of experiments indicating that both lay and scientific populations require of explanations that they actually render their targets intelligible. This research not only undermines a standard line of argument for substantive anti-psychologism, it demonstrates the utility of psychological research methods for answering meta-questions about the norms regarding the use of ‘explanation.’
Embryonic Fibroblasts Enable the Culture of Primary Ovarian Follicles Within Alginate Hydrogels

Hydrogel-encapsulating culture systems support the consistent growth of ovarian follicles from various species, such as mouse, non-human primate, and human; however, further innovations are required for the efficient production of quality oocytes from early-stage follicles. In this report, we investigated the coculture of mouse ovarian follicles with mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), commonly used as feeder cells to promote the undifferentiated growth of embryonic stem (ES) cells, as a means to provide the critical paracrine factors necessary for follicle survival and growth. Follicles were encapsulated within alginate hydrogels and cocultured with MEFs for 14 days. Coculture enabled the survival and growth of early secondary (average diameter of 90–100 μm) and primary (average diameter of 70–80 μm) follicles, which developed antral cavities and increased in diameter to 251–347 μm. After 14 days, follicle survival ranged from 70% for 100-μm follicles to 23% for 70-μm follicles. Without MEF coculture, al...
Europa Clipper Mission Concept: Exploring Jupiter's Ocean Moon

The ice-covered world Europa—one of the four large Galilean satellites of Jupiter—may be the best place in the solar system to look for currently existing life beyond Earth.
STYLES OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND COOPERATION BETWEEN DIVORCED PARENTS: Effects on Child Behavior and Adjustment

Findings from a study of family functioning following divorce suggest ways in which the parents' ongoing relationship-both as former spouse and as coparent-may moderate the effects of divorce on their children. Level of conflict in the "spouse" role was found to be less predictive of children's adjustment than were degree of cooperation and style of conflict resolution in the "coparent" role. Implications for intervention are considered.
Regulation of neuronal morphogenesis and synaptic function by Abl family kinases

Recent studies provide insights into the mechanisms by which Abelson non-receptor tyrosine kinases relay information from axon guidance and growth factor receptors to promote cytoskeletal rearrangements in developing neurons. Abelson non-receptor tyrosine kinases are also found in mature synapses, where their activities are required for optimal synaptic function.
School-Based Group Interventions for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

Children exposed to the trauma of domestic violence tend to experience difficulties with internalized and externalized behavior problems, social skills deficits, and academic functioning. Mental health practitioners in the school setting, including school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers, can address developmental concerns that impede development through group counseling interventions that include both structured activities and play therapy. The school environment offers an ideal setting in which to work with child survivors of trauma, as all students have accessibility to school mental health resources. This article outlines the primary objectives and corresponding procedures for a developmentally- appropriate group interventions for elementary-aged children who have been exposed to the trauma of domestic violence.
Minimal realizations and canonical forms for bilinear systems

Abstract The minimal realization theory for input–output maps that arise from finite- dimensional, continuous time, bilinear systems is discussed. It is shown that an observed bilinear system (i.e. a bilinear system together with an observation functional, but without a fixed initial state) is completely determined by its input–output correspondence, i.e. its multivalued input–output map. A precise formulation and proof of the result are given that continuous canonical forms for bilinear systems do not exist. This is done by adapting to the bilinear case an idea due to Hazewinkel and Kalman for the case of linear systems. In addition, the proof presented here has the advantage of not involving any algebraic geometry, which makes it considerably simpler than the original proof of the linear systems result.
Abstract 5200: Role of MLK3 in breast cancer cell migration and metastasis

Effectively treating breast cancer metastasis is one of the biggest challenges in breast cancer therapy. The overall poor prognosis associated with cancer cell migration to distal organs underscores the critical need to understand the biology of the disease in order to develop more effective therapies. Members of protein kinase family have often been targeted for therapeutic purposes in different types of cancer, including breast cancer, and several protein kinase inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for specific types of cancer. The members of Mixed Lineage Kinases (MLKs) are novel family of MAP3Ks and their physiological function is not known, however, we and others have shown that several of MLK family members activate Jun- N-terminal Kinases (JNKs) and MLK activation regulates survival in neuronal cells. Recently, we have seen that MLK3 is highly expressed in invasive breast cancer cell lines and in primary breast tumors, compared to the normal mammary tissue from same patient. Since MLK3 was initially identified from platelet cell line, CMK11-5, and association of venous thrombosis and occult cancer was recognized almost 140 years ago, we hypothesized that MLK3 or other MLKs are important in proteinase receptor-mediated signaling. Furthermore, the downstream effectors of proteinase receptors (PARs) that mediate the breast cancer cell growth, migration and metastasis to distal organs are currently unknown. We examined the role of MLK3 in thrombin mediated signaling in a highly invasive breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Thrombin treatment of these cells activated MLK3 kinase in a time dependent manner. MLK3 was activated within 2 minutes of thrombin treatment and the activity peaked at 5 minutes, and was associated with consequent activation of its downstream target JNK. Furthermore, pretreatment of MDA-MB-231 with an MLK inhibitor, CEP-11004 completely blocked thrombin-induced JNK activation. Importantly, we also discovered that thrombin induces MLK-dependent migration in MDA-MB-231 cell line was blocked by MLKs inhibitor, CEP-11004. These results collectively suggest that MLK3 is an important target of proteinase receptors-mediated migration/invasion/metastatic pathways, and help us to identify MLK family members’ inhibitors as viable drugs to treat metastatic breast cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5200.
Wilde and the Model of Homosexuality in Mann's Tod in Venedig

In his article "Wilde and the Model of Homosexuality in Mann's Der Tod in Venedig" James P. Wilper examines the influence of Oscar Wilde and the effeminate homosexual identity which cohered as a result of Wilde's trials for act of "gross indecency" in 1895, in Mann's classic homoerotic short novel. Drawing on Alan Sinfield's The Wilde Century (1994) and recent scholarship into the impact of Wilde on German-language writers, as well as German homosexual communities of the early twentieth century, Wilper explores Mann's ambivalent response to Wilde's homosexual legacy. Later in his career, Mann writes of Wilde with Nietzsche as "rebels in the name of beauty" against the hypocrisy of Victorian middle-class morality and that Mann's view is prefigured, although ambivalently, in his treatment of aestheticism, dandyism, effeminacy, and same-sex desire in Der Tod in Venedig.
The Men Who Would Not Be Amban and the One Who Would: Four Frontline Officials and Qing Tibet Policy, 1905—1911

On February 12, 1910, a Chinese expeditionary army marched into Lhasa and fired on unarmed civilians, overturned the Tibetan government, and forced the thirteenth Dalai Lama to flee to India. Many have condemned the invasion as a breaking point in Sino-Tibetan relations, but its origins remain murky. If it was not the handiwork of “Butcher” Zhao Erfeng, as many have supposed, then what happened on that fateful winter day, and why? This article examines late-Qing forward policy in Tibet through four key officials: Zhang Yintang, the diplomat who called for reforms and a Tibetan standing army; Zhao Erfeng, the ruthless frontier commissioner in Kham; Lianyu, the last amban of Tibet; and Zhong Ying, the neophyte who led the 1910 Lhasa expedition. Their stories reveal not a monolithic Qing policy but a contest of policy and personality that exploded into bloody strife, with aftershocks that are felt to this day.
Let's pretend: The role of motoric imagery in memory for sentences and words

Abstract A number of theories suggest that for young children, concepts should have an important motoric (or sensory-motor) component. A levels-of-processing theory is proposed which predicts that processing on motoric imagery should facilitate memory for both isolated words and for sentences. Experiment 1 examined the effects of motoric enactment (viz., pretend play) of sentences on memory for the sentences. Motoric imagery facilitated memory for both children (5 to 7 years of age) and adults, though, contrary to expectations, the effects were weaker for the children than for the adults. Further, it was found that motoric imagery affected the initial acquisition, but was not important as a retreival cue. Experiment 2 examined the effects of motoric imagery on free recall of lists of unrelated words. Under these conditions, motoric imagery facilitated memory for both children (7 to 9 years of age) and adults equally; in contrast, visual imagery instructions had no effect on memory. These results indicate that motoric imagery may facilitate memory under conditions in which visual imagery has no effect. Theoretical implications are explored for previous experiments on pretend play which suggest that training for pretent enactment can facilitate cognitive development.
Automatic identification of service phase for electric utility customers

Utility distribution systems are becoming increasingly intelligent, with continued advancements in sensors, monitoring, and controls. In some cases, these improvements make it possible for the utility to isolate faults and reenergize sections of line from alternative points of feed. Under normal circumstances, utilities may dynamically reconfigure their system to optimize overall operating efficiency. With these capabilities comes increased need for detailed three phase models of the distribution system that identify existing equipment and loads on a per-phase basis. This granularity is needed in order to make informed decisions regarding distribution switching, optimization, and control. This paper presents a technique and preliminary test results for a method of automatically identifying the phase of each customer by correlating voltage information from the utility's SCADA system with voltage information from customer electricity meters.
The aerospace industry: An impact assessment of the 1990 clean air act amendments

Abstract The aerospace air quality legislation described in this document will have a profound effect on most of the aerospace industry. By far the most significant impact will be the air toxics regulations in Title III. The aerospace industry agrees that technical solutions are available for all of the regulated materials and processes under all Titles; however, the major cost will be the development of in-house implementation programs to administer the regulatory requirements. Military programs will have to conduct yet another “bottoms up” review of the military specifications and standards that specifically require the use of materials that will now be regulated. The Department of Defense specification review is currently in progress to eliminate the requirements to use ozone depleting chemicals for the manufacture, maintenance, support, and repair of military weapon systems.