cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A scalable parallel algorithm for periodic symmetric Toeplitz tridiagonal systems

Symmetric Toeplitz tridiagonal systems arise in many scientific applications. An efficient algorithm, the Simple Parallel Prefix (SPP) algorithm, was previously proposed for solving symmetric Toeplitz tridiagonal systems on SIMD and vector computers. Based on the SPP algorithm, a scalable parallel algorithm is proposed for solving periodic symmetric Toeplitz tridiagonal systems in this study. The newly proposed algorithm has the same parallel computation count as that of the SPP algorithm for non-periodic systems, and it requires only shift communication.
Appellate Review of the Decision Whether or Not to Empanel a Three-Judge Federal Court

Revolutions, like screwdrivers, come in various sizes. The revolution I mean to discuss is one of the smaller ones, even by Supreme Court standards. Gradually and quite unobtrusively it has arrived just one step short of completion. Lawyers ought to be aware of it, yet the Court has done its best to pretend that nothing has happened. When Congress in 1910 required the convening of an extraordinary three-judge district court in suits to enjoin the enforcement of unconstitutional state laws, it provided a direct appeal to the Supreme Court from three-judge decisions granting or denying injunctions,' but it apparently gave no thought to the question of appellate review of the decision whether or not three judges were required. The statute having proved less than self-administering in this regard,2 the Court was soon confronted with a number of requests for relief against the decision of a single trial judge that three judges were not called for. The Court devised a clear remedy: If a single judge granted or denied an interlocutory injunction,3 entered a final judgment,4 or simply denied a request for three judges and held the case for future disposition,5 there was no appeal either to the Supreme Court or to the Court of Appeals, for the former was open only when three judges had heard the case and the latter only if three judges were not required. The frustrated litigant therefore was to seek a writ of mandamus from the Supreme Court.6
Conditional probability of long-term survival in glioblastoma: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Advances in glioblastoma care have resulted in a larger proportion of patients surviving beyond 2 years after diagnosis. It is not clear how long-term survivors should be counseled with respect to future prognosis, or what factors influence that prognosis. The conditional probability of survival was evaluated from multiple time points in patients with glioblastoma, using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma from 1998 to 2008 who were treated with radiation-containing regimens were identified within SEER data. Conditional survival probabilities from multiple survival points were calculated. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to identify predictors of survival from diagnosis and from 1 and 2 years after diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 10,022 patients with glioblastoma met study inclusion criteria; median survival was 12.61 months. Conditional probability of surviving an additional 2 years ranged from 19.8% at diagnosis to 65.9% at 5 years after diagnosis. The proportion of patients surviving 12 months from time of diagnosis as well as from 6, 12, and 18 months after diagnosis was significantly higher in patients diagnosed in 2005 through 2008 than those diagnosed in 1998 through 2004. Of demographic and treatment-related factors evaluated, only age was associated with hazard of death at diagnosis and 1 and 3 years after diagnosis (P < .0001 at each time point). CONCLUSIONS: Patients surviving past 2 years from diagnosis have a relatively favorable conditional probability of survival into the future compared to newly diagnosed patients. This effect becomes more pronounced with increasing time since diagnosis. These data will assist in the counseling of glioblastoma survivors. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Report of a new invasive alga in the Atlantic United States: "Heterosiphonia" japonica in Rhode Island.

Recent collections of tetrasporangiate “Heterosiphonia” japonica Yendo from Watch Hill to Point Judith, Rhode Island, represent the first report of this nonnative alga in the western Atlantic. Native to the Pacific Ocean, this species was unintentionally introduced into European waters by 1984 and has subsequently invaded the eastern Atlantic Ocean widely from France to Norway and south into the Mediterranean Sea. Thus far, all western Atlantic collections of this species are confined to the outer coast of Rhode Island, and at present are not found in Narragansett Bay or in Long Island Sound along the Connecticut coast. Molecular and morphological studies confirm the identity of this newly introduced invasive species.
Constellation shaping for the Gaussian channel

Constellation shaping is method of improving the effectiveness of digital communications over noisy, bandlimited channels. We present a new view to the problem of constellation shaping. Both a new procedure and information theoretic analysis are discussed. The article presents an approach to understanding constellation shaping that avoids the "continuous approximation" analysis of performance. A unique "type-mapping" approach to shaping is derived and related to monomial orderings on a ring of polynomials. The basic methods of constellation shaping can be roughly characterized as forms of coset coding (i.e., codes for which messages are associated with cosets of a subgroup such as a linear subspace) and enumerative coding (i.e., codes for which messages are enumerations of vectors).
A PRESUMPTIVE STANDARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW PROTECTION

The vast majority of the world's rivers are now being tapped for their water supplies, yet only a tiny fraction of these rivers are protected by any sort of environmental flow standard. While important advances have been made in reducing the cost and time required to determine the environmental flow needs of both individual rivers and types of rivers in specific geographies, it is highly unlikely that such approaches will be applied to all, or even most, rivers within the forseeable future. As a result, the vast majority of the planet's rivers remain vulnerable to exploitation without limits. Clearly, there is great need for adoption of a “presumptive standard” that can fill this gap. In this paper we present such a presumptive standard, based on the Sustainability Boundary Approach of Richter (2009) which involves restricting hydrologic alterations to within a percentage-based range around natural or historic flow variability. We also discuss water management implications in applying our standard. Our presumptive standard is intended for application only where detailed scientific assessments of environmental flow needs cannot be undertaken in the near term. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RETROPERITONEAL LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY

When removal of a kidney is indicated for symptomatic end-stage renal disease of benign etiology, laparoscopic nephrectomy by the retroperitoneal approach is increasingly being employed as the technique of choice at many centers. Emerging data indicate that, in select patients with T1-T3aN0M0 renal tumors < 8 cm, retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy may be a viable treatment option.
Tetracycline-regulated transactivators driven by the involucrin promoter to achieve epidermal conditional gene expression.

To achieve conditional gene expression in the differentiated layers of the epidermis, we generated transgenic micewith the tetracycline-regulated transactivator proteins, tTA (tetracycline transactivator) and rtTA (reverse tetracycline transactivator), expressed from the human involucrin promoter. Interaction with tetracycline turns off or turns on the tTA and rtTA molecules, respectively, allowing for regulation of downstream target genes during development and postnatally. These transactivator lines were crossed with reporter mice driving LacZ expression from a tetracycline response element to analyze the specificity and levels of target gene expression. Quantitative β-galactosidase experiments demonstrate a 30-fold induction, specific to epithelial tissues. Immunohistochemistry results illustrate that the β-galactosidase staining follows that of endogenous involucrin expression. Induction initiates at embryonic day 14.5 with expression over the entire epidermal surface by E16.5. Together with other driver lines, expressing tetracycline transactivators in the mitotically active layers of the epidermis, these mice willallow investigators to specifically modulate expression of target genes to specific stages of epidermal differentiation.
Isolated inferior mesenteric artery revascularization for chronic visceral ischemia.

Abstract Purpose: Complete visceral artery revascularization is recommended for the treatment of chronic visceral ischemia. However, in rare cases, it may not be possible to revascularize either the celiac or superior mesenteric (SMA) arteries. We have managed a series of patients with isolated revascularization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and now report our experience gained over a period of three decades. Methods: Records were reviewed from 11 patients with chronic visceral ischemia who underwent isolated IMA revascularization (n = 8) or who, because of failure of concomitant celiac or SMA repairs, were functionally left with an isolated IMA revascularization (n = 3). All the patients had symptomatic chronic visceral ischemia documented with arteriography. Five patients had recurrent visceral ischemia after failed visceral revascularization, and two patients had undergone resection of ischemic bowel. The celiac or the SMA was unsuitable for revascularization in five cases, and extensive adhesions precluded safe exposure of the celiac or the SMA in five cases. IMA revascularization techniques included: bypass grafting (n = 4), transaortic endarterectomy (n = 4), reimplantation (n = 2), and patch angioplasty (n = 1). Results: There was one perioperative death, and the remaining 10 patients had cured or improved conditions at discharge. One IMA repair thrombosed acutely but was successfully revascularized at reoperation. The median follow-up period was 6 years (range, 1 month to 13 years). Two patients had recurrent symptoms develop despite patent IMA repairs and required subsequent visceral revascularization; interruption of collateral circulation by prior bowel resection may have contributed to recurrence in both patients. Objective follow-up examination with arteriography or duplex scanning was available for eight patients at least 1 year after IMA revascularization, and all underwent patent IMA repairs. There were no late deaths as a result of bowel infarction. Conclusion: Isolated IMA revascularization may be useful when revascularization of other major visceral arteries cannot be performed and a well-developed, intact IMA collateral circulation is present. In this select subset of patients with chronic visceral ischemia, isolated IMA revascularization can achieve relief of symptoms and may be a lifesaving procedure. (J Vasc Surg 1999;30:51-8.)
A Microsporidan Hyperparasite of Strigeoid Trematodes, Nosema strigeoideae sp. n.

SYNOPSIS. Nosema sp. Cort, Hussey & Ameel, 1960, previously reported as a hyperparasite of strigeoid trematode larvae and apparently specific for strigeoids, is described as a new species, N. strigeoideae, with fresh spores averaging 4.7 by 3.1 μ. Primary infection appears to be in the wall of the trematode sporocyst, spreading from there to the developing embryos.
Does Nudging Squelch the Extremes in Regional Climate Modeling

AbstractAn important question in regional climate downscaling is whether to constrain (nudge) the interior of the limited-area domain toward the larger-scale driving fields. Prior research has demonstrated that interior nudging can increase the skill of regional climate predictions originating from historical data. However, there is concern that nudging may also inhibit the regional model’s ability to properly develop and simulate mesoscale features, which may reduce the value added from downscaling by altering the representation of local climate extremes. Extreme climate events can result in large economic losses and human casualties, and regional climate downscaling is one method for projecting how climate change scenarios will affect extreme events locally. In this study, the effects of interior nudging are explored on the downscaled simulation of temperature and precipitation extremes. Multidecadal, continuous Weather Research and Forecasting model simulations of the contiguous United States are perfo...
INFANT MENTAL DEVELOPMENT AND MOTHER'S RESPONSIVENESS

Studies in the U.S. have reported that maternal interaction is more important for early infant development than maternal education or economic status. To assess the influence of maternal behavior in a developing country, 30 poor urban Guatemalan mothers and their 1-year-old infants were observed. We dictated detailed narratives of mother-infant interaction in the home during 60 minutes of infant waking time, scheduled to avoid feeding and bathing. From these, episodes of crying and social interaction were quantitatively analyzed. A researcher who did not participate in home observations evaluated infant abilities with the Bayley Scales. Although from a poor section of a developing country, the children were not delayed; in fact, their mental development indices (MDI) were higher than published U.S. norms (MDI X, p<.001). Two important dimensions of maternal responsiveness were related to infant performance; infants with higher scores had mothers who 1) Initiated social exchange (p<.02), 2) responded to crying effectively and quickly (p<.05). Mothers who were successful in terminating crying ignored their babies' crying less (p<.001) and were less likely to end social interaction (p<.01). Residential stability (p<.05) and maternal working (p<.05) were also associated with higher scores, whereas maternal education, socioeconomic status, duration of nursing, and infant sex did not affect mental development testing. Thus, among the urban poor of Guatemala infant development related not to socioeconomic factors but to qualitative aspects of the mother-infant relationship.
Characteristics of sulfur aerosol in Florida as determined by pixe analysis

Abstract The particle size distribution of sulfur has been determined in Florida during two seasons, July–August and December 1976. Approximately 120 cascade impactor samples from 10 widely distributed urban and nonurban sites in the state, each sample consisting of 6 separate particle size fractions from 4 μm aerodynamic diameter, were analyzed by proton induced X-ray emission for elemental constituents in over 800 individual specimens, including blanks. Most of the sulfur occurred in a fine particle mode, 2 μm. The mass median aerodynamic diameter, MMAD, of sulfur in the fine mode was found to be greater for samples collected under higher average relative humidity r.h., conditions than samples from lower humidities. The trend of MMAD with r.h. indicates that ammonium sulfate, rather than sulfuric acid, is more likely to be the principal chemical form of sulfur in the fine mode.
Reconceptualizing classroom-based research in computers and composition

Abstract In this article, Webb maps out three dominant forms of research that have been undertaken in the field of computers and composition—theoretical, case studies, and limited quantitative. She then identifies a fourth mode that has begun to appear—a multimodal approach. Arguing for ways in which this method could help us answer research questions that have been previously unanswerable by other research methods, she calls for the field to reconsider incorporating this multimodal approach more within our research studies.
Interaction between the varicella zoster virus IE62 major transactivator and cellular transcription factor Sp1.

The varicella zoster virus (VZV) IE62 protein is involved in the activation of expression of all three kinetic classes of VZV proteins. Analysis of the viral promoter for VZV glycoprotein I has shown that the cellular factor Sp1 is involved in or required for the observed IE62 mediated activation. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments show that the two proteins are present in a complex in VZV-infected cells. Protein affinity pull-down assays using recombinant proteins showed that IE62 and Sp1 interact in the absence of any other viral and cellular proteins. Mapping studies using GST-fusion proteins containing truncations of IE62 and Sp1 have delimited the interacting regions to amino acids 612–778 in Sp1 and amino acids 226–299 in IE62. The region identified in Sp1 is involved in DNA-binding, synergistic Sp1 activation, and Sp1 interaction with cellular transcription factors. The interacting region identified in IE62 overlaps with or borders on sites involved in interactions with the VZV IE4 protein and the cellular factors TBP and TFIIB. Assays using wild-type and mutant promoter elements indicate that Sp1 is involved in recruitment of IE62 to the gI promoter and IE62 enhances Sp1 and TBP binding.
Evidence of decreased GA$Aergic influence on temporal integration in the inferior colliculus following acute noise exposure: a study of evoked potentials in the rat

Many investigations have shown that modulation of sensory input, either by over stimulation or sensory deprivation, can cause a reorganization of structures located high in the central nervous system (CNS). Although most of these studies had focused on studying changes in the function and tonotopic organization of the sensory cortex, recent evidence has suggested that plastic changes in specific subcortical nuclei of sensory systems may also occur in response to modulation of sensory input, and may be partially responsible for changes reflected at the level of the cortex. In the present study we investigated the effects of noise exposure (4-kHz continuous tone at 104 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for 30 min duration) on the processing of auditory information at the level of the inferior colliculus (IC). We studied how evoked potentials recorded from the surface of the IC changed as a function of the duration of the tone bursts used as stimuli. We measured the amplitude of a peak that is generated postsynaptically in the IC in response to tone bursts between 1 and 6 ms duration. In animals that were not exposed to the tone, the amplitude of this peak decreased with increasing stimulus duration, but after tone exposure, the decrease in the amplitude of this peak was significantly less than in the animals not exposed to the tone. A microinjection of the GABAA antagonist, bicucullene, into the IC in the animals not exposed to the tone caused the amplitude of the peak to be less dependent on tone burst duration, which indicates that the decrease in the amplitude of this component of the response from the IC with increasing stimulus duration is a result of GABAA mediated inhibition on IC neurons. The tone exposure caused a similar decrease in amplitude of this component of the response from the IC, thus indicating that noise exposure reduced the GABAA mediated component of this function. This is supported by the finding that microinjections of bicucullene into the IC of noise-exposed animals did not significantly change the relationship between the amplitude of this peak and the stimulus duration.
Schistosoma mansoni: Rapid isolation and purification of schistosomula of different developmental stages by centrifugation on discontinuous density gradients of Percoll

Abstract Step gradients of polyvinylpyrolidone-coated colloidal silica particles (Percoll) were used to isolate and purify early development stages of Schistosoma mansoni (cercariae, skin stage, and 5-day-old schistosomula). With this method, mechanically transformed schistosomula can be isolated in higher purity and yield than that obtained with conventional procedures. In addition, use of the method revealed that schistosomula undergo a dramatic change in density during the first hours after transformation from cercariae. In other experiments, 5-day-old schistosomula were effectively purified from contaminating lung tissue by means of the Percoll gradient procedure. After purification on Percoll, schistosomula display no evidence of damage when examined by light microscopy and no loss in viability as judged by recovery of adult worms from mice.
Conventional and unconventional superconductivity

Superconductivity has been one of the most fruitful areas of research in condensed matter physics, bringing together researchers with distinct interests in a collaborative effort to understand from its microscopic basis to its potential for unprecedented technological applications. The concepts, techniques, and methods developed along its centennial history have gone beyond the realm of condensed matter physics and influenced the development of other fascinating areas, such as particle physics and atomic physics. These notes, based on a set of lectures given at the 2011 Advanced Summer School of Cinvestav, aim to motivate the young undergraduate student in getting involved in the exciting world of conventional and unconventional superconductors.
Philosophy and religion: One central reflection

An excellent way to gain insight into the way in which religion and philosophy have been related in Western civilization is to make a large-scale comparison with how the two stand related to each other in Eastern civilizations. I believe it will be agreed that the traditions we associate with Hinduism and the religions of India, with Buddhism in its several forms, and with Confucianism and Taoism in China are not characterized by any clear distinction, not to say opposition, between philosophy and religion. The two interpenetrate to an extent that makes any radical distinction between them at best artificial and at worst false. And indeed there is added support for this view to be found in the suggestion made by some Eastern thinkers that a more pronounced distinction between the two forms of thought and experience might be desirable. The situation in the West is and has been quite the opposite; from the beginnings of Western civilization, the philosophical traditions have had a firm and autonomous footing, a fact that does much to explain the early development of Christianity in the ancient Classical world. In the early centuries, the Christian Gospel confronted the autonomous philosophical traditions of Platonism, Aristotelianism and Stoicism and, as is well known, while there was conflict between them, there was also the fruitful interplay that led to the formation of Christian theology, the conceptual and systematic expression of Christian doctrine made possible by the application of the principles and concepts of philosophy to the scriptures containing the biblical message. In time it became the custom to speak of two sources of insight — revelation, or faith, and reason — and from the period of the Church Fathers to the age of Enlightenment theologians and philosophers alike faced the continuing double task of making some sort of distinction between the two and then of relating them to each other in what was for the main tradition some positive and fruitful way. There was, of course, the countervailing undercurrent that began with Tertullian’s famous declaration that Jerusalem (revelation) has nothing to do with Athens (reason), and has continued into the present via the existential thought of Kierkegaard and the Christo-centric theology of Karl Barth.
Wanted:project teams with a blend of is professional orientations

Desired qualities include a strong technical orientation, end-user empathy, and organizational awareness.
A Class Of Iterative Thresholding Algorithms For Real-Time Image Segmentation

Thresholding algorithms are developed for segmenting gray-level images under nonuniform illumination. The algorithms are based on learning models generated from recursive digital filters which yield to continuously varying threshold tracking functions. A real-time region growing algorithm, which locates the objects in the image while thresholding, is developed and implemented. The algorithms work in a raster-scan format, thus making them attractive for real-time image segmentation in situations requiring fast data throughput such as robot vision and character recognition.
Secretagogue-induced proteolysis of lung spectrin in alveolar epithelial type II cells

Incubation of isolated rat alveolar epithelial type II cells with secretagogues (calcium ionophore, ATP or terbutaline) resulted in rapid proteolysis of lung spectrin and appearance of multiple proteolytic products which showed immunoreactivity with an antibody against human erythrocyte spectrin. These proteolytic products were similar to those generated from erythrocyte spectrin or cultured lung tumor cells (A549 cells) incubated with purified calpain. Furthermore, incubation of alveolar type II cells with a calpain-specific inhibitor modulated the secretagogue-induced proteolysis of lung spectrin. Thus, stimulation of secretion appeared to activate endogenous calpain in type II cells, suggesting that calpain-mediated proteolysis of a submembranous cytoskeletal protein could play an important role in the secretory process.
The Effects of Cycling Levels of 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone on the Magnitude of Temporomandibular Joint-Induced Nociception

A greater incidence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is reported in females, suggesting that gonadal hormones may play a role in this condition. However, the exact roles of 17beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in TMJ pain are not completely known. Two experiments were performed to determine the separate roles of E2 and P4 in TMJ nociception at various stages of the estrous cycle. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were cycled with physiological concentrations of E2 or P4. The E2-cycled rats then received bilateral TMJ injections of saline (SAL) or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) on the morning of diestrus-2 (low E2 condition) or proestrus (high E2 condition). As a control, OVX rats (no ovarian E2 and no replacement) were injected with SAL or CFA. The TMJ nociception was measured using a validated novel method in which an increase in meal duration directly correlated to the intensity of deep TMJ nociception. In the E2 experiment, CFA injection, but not SAL, increased TMJ nociception in the OVX group, but the effect was less pronounced in diestrus-2 and even less in proestrus. In the P4 experiment, the rats receiving TMJ CFA in diestrus-2 (end of minor P4 surge) did not show an increase in TMJ nociception, whereas the rats injected in proestrus (major P4 surge), estrus (low P4), and metestrus (low P4) had similar increases in TMJ nociception. The hormones' concentration did not affect TMJ IL-1beta, IL-6, C-C motif ligand 20, or C-X-C motif ligand 2 or the trigeminal ganglia calcitonin gene-related peptide. The high physiological concentrations of E2 observed at proestrus and the low P4 concentrations observed at diestrus-2 attenuated or eliminated CFA-induced TMJ nociception. The results suggest that the cyclic estrous cycle concentrations of E2 and P4 can influence CFA-induced TMJ nociception in the rat.
Identification of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel in layered manganese enriched electrode materials

article i nfo We report the synthesis and characterization of the composite materials Li1+x(Ni0.25Mn0.75)O2.25+x/2 and Li1+x(Ni0.25Co0.125Mn0.625)O2.19+x/2 (x=0.25, 0.375, 0.5, and 0.625) via a solid-state reaction. XRD patterns and electrochemical cycling of the materials in lithium cells revealed features consistent with the presence of the high voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 phase within the materials, which diminished with increasing relative lithium compositions. The cobalt-containing materials had less evidence of a spinel phase than the cobalt-free materials of equivalent relative lithium to transition metal compositions. The results presented herein provide evidencethattheadditionalXRDfeatureswerecorrelatedwiththepresenceoftheLiNi0.5Mn1.5O4phasewithin these materials.
A systematic review of validated methods to capture myopericarditis using administrative or claims data.

Abstract Purpose To identify algorithms that can capture incident cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in administrative and claims databases; these algorithms can eventually be used to identify cardiac inflammatory adverse events following vaccine administration. Methods We searched MEDLINE from 1991 to September 2012 using controlled vocabulary and key terms related to myocarditis. We also searched the reference lists of included studies. Two investigators independently assessed the full text of studies against pre-determined inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data regarding participant and algorithm characteristics as well as study conduct. Results Nine publications (including one study reported in two publications) met criteria for inclusion. Two studies performed medical record review in order to confirm that these coding algorithms actually captured patients with the disease of interest. One of these studies identified five potential cases, none of which were confirmed as acute myocarditis upon review. The other study, which employed a search algorithm based on diagnostic surveillance (using ICD-9 codes 420.90, 420.99, 422.90, 422.91 and 429.0) and sentinel reporting, identified 59 clinically confirmed cases of myopericarditis among 492,671 United States military service personnel who received smallpox vaccine between 2002 and 2003. Neither study provided algorithm validation statistics (positive predictive value, sensitivity, or specificity). Conclusions A validated search algorithm is currently unavailable for identifying incident cases of pericarditis or myocarditis. Several authors have published unvalidated ICD-9-based search algorithms that appear to capture myocarditis events occurring in the context of other underlying cardiac or autoimmune conditions.
Genetics and epigenetics of circadian rhythms and their potential roles in neuropsychiatric disorders

Circadian rhythm alterations have been implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly those of sleep, addiction, anxiety, and mood. Circadian rhythms are known to be maintained by a set of classic clock genes that form complex mutual and self-regulatory loops. While many other genes showing rhythmic expression have been identified by genome-wide studies, their roles in circadian regulation remain largely unknown. In attempts to directly connect circadian rhythms with neuropsychiatric disorders, genetic studies have identified gene mutations associated with several rare sleep disorders or sleep-related traits. Other than that, genetic studies of circadian genes in psychiatric disorders have had limited success. As an important mediator of environmental factors and regulators of circadian rhythms, the epigenetic system may hold the key to the etiology or pathology of psychiatric disorders, their subtypes or endophenotypes. Epigenomic regulation of the circadian system and the related changes have not been thoroughly explored in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders. We argue for systematic investigation of the circadian system, particularly epigenetic regulation, and its involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders to improve our understanding of human behavior and disease etiology.
Characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the black‐tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

We report the development of 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus. The number of alleles per locus ranges from three to 11, and the observed heterozygosity ranges from 0.37500 to 1.0000. These markers will benefit studies of landscape effects on prairie dog migration, disease dynamics, and conservation efforts.
A novel predictive approach to prosthetic control for digit amputations using grip classification

In this paper, the authors present a novel method of prosthetic control for amputees who are missing a subset of their digits. The core of the system is a personalized set of basic configurations of the human hand to facilitate given tasks, referred to as use-patterns. In the concept, the system first senses the positions of the remaining, healthy digits using resistive flex sensors mounted onto a glove. Then, an algorithm using a Z-score metric compares the flex sensor readings to a large set of training data to determine which of several use-patterns the current situation corresponds to. A control system can then move a bionic digit into the intended position corresponding to the use-pattern detected, completing the grip. MATLAB simulations were run to determine the accuracy of this concept on five exemplary use-patterns. The success rate with one amputated digit was 96.5% and the success rate with two amputated digits was 92.5%. This demonstrates the feasibility of a simple, intuitive, and low-cost prosthetic control system based on this premise that could deliver even higher success rates when personalized with self-learning algorithms.
Negotiating with angry mastodons: the wikipedia policy environment as genre ecology

Groups collaborating in online spaces on complex, extended projects develop behavioral conventions and agreed-upon practices to structure and regulate their interactions and work. Collaborators on Wikipedia have developed a multi-tiered policy environment to document a set of evolving principles, processes, and rules to facilitate productive group collaboration. Previous quantitative studies have noted this hierarchical structure, but have evaluated the policy environment as a singular entity rather than investigating potential differences between the three main regulatory genres that enable it. These studies also excluded essays, the least official regulatory genre, from their analyses. We perform a comparative content analysis of all three genres (policies, guidelines, and essays) and demonstrate that they focus on different areas of community regulation. Drawing on the theory of genre ecologies we discuss the possible role of unofficial genres such as essays in articulating and regulating work practices in online, organized collaborative work.
On the estimation of simultaneous‐equations error‐components models with an application to a model of developing country foreign trade

SUMMARY An empirical balance of payments model involving the demand and supply of imports and exports for 31 developing countries is estimated utilizing panel data over 1964-1987. In order to compute errorcomponents 3SLS estimates of this model, which requires different instruments for different equations, we propose a generalization of the Fuller-Battese transformation to obtain GMM estimates. Our empirical results suggest that very little of the short-run adjustment in external imbalances is likely to be achieved by exchange rate policies, and most of the burden must fall on aggregate demand management.
The Death Effector Domain-associated Factor Plays Distinct Regulatory Roles in the Nucleus and Cytoplasm

Homophilic interactions of death effector domains (DEDs) are crucial for the signaling pathways of death receptor-mediated apoptosis. The machinery that regulates proper oligomerization and autoactivation of procaspase-8 and/or procaspase-10 during T lymphocyte activation determines whether the cells will undergo caspase-mediated apoptosis or proliferation. We screened a yeast two-hybrid library by using the DEDs contained in the prodomains of procaspase-8 and procaspase-10 and isolated a DED-associated factor (DEDAF) that interacts with several DED-containing proteins but does not itself contain a DED. DEDAF is highly conserved between human and mouse (98% amino acid identity) and is homologous to a nuclear regulatory protein YAF-2. DEDAF is expressed at the highest levels in lymphoid tissues and placenta. DEDAF interacts with FADD, procaspase-8, and procaspase-10 in the cytosol as well as with the DED-containing DNA-binding protein (DEDD) in the nucleus. At the cell membrane, DEDAF augmented the formation of CD95-FADD-caspase-8 complexes and enhanced death receptor- as well as DED-mediated apoptosis. In the nucleus, DEDAF caused the DEDD protein to relocalize from subnuclear structures to a diffuse distribution in the nucleoplasm. Our data therefore suggest that DEDAF may be involved in the regulation of both cytoplasmic and nuclear events of apoptosis.
Intraconfigurational absorption spectroscopy of ReCl2−6 in various A2MCl6 host crystals

Abstract Low-temperature absorption and excitation spectra for Re 4+ in distorted substitutional sites in K 2 SnCl 6 , [N(CH 3 ) 4 ] 2 SnCl 6 , [N(C 2 H 5 ) 4 ] 2 SnCl 6 , [N(C 3 H 7 ) 4 ] 2 SnCl 6 , and K 2 SnBr 6 as well as in pure K 2 ReCl 6 are discussed in comparison with the absorption spectra of Re 4+ in cubic K 2 PtCl 6 , Cs 2 ZrCl 6 , and (NH 4 ) 2 SnCl 6 . Our data indicate that the effects of lowered symmetry are in general small and that the spectra can be interpreted in a manner paralleling earlier studies of Re 4+ in cubic environments. Effects of reduced host symmetry appear to be smaller for this Kramers' ion than was previously noted for Os 4+ , a d 4 system, but about equivalent to those noted for Ir 4+ , a d 5 system, in the same host crystals. Origin shifts do not vary monotonically with cation size but do parallel results seen in Ir 4+ . In the N(C 2 H 5 ) + 4 and N(C 3 H 7 ) + 4 containing host crystals a significant splitting was found that correlated to two substitutional sites with parallel vibronic patterns. Low-symmetry splitting of U′ g states tended, on the contrary, to yield two sets of vibronic side bands with different intensity patterns which is an aid to assignment of the electronic state component.
Recognition of Non-Cooperative Individuals at a Distance with 3D Face Modeling

We present an approach to identify non-cooperative individuals at a distance from a sequence of images using 3D face models. Most biometric features (such as fingerprints, hand shape, iris or retinal scans) require cooperative subjects in close proximity to the biometric system. Even top 2D face recognition systems today are only reliable at a distance when presented with frontal images. Our approach is accomplished by processing images acquired with an ultra-high resolution video camera, inferring the location of the subjects' head, using this information to crop the region of interest, building a 3D face model, and using this 3D model to perform biometric identification. To build the 3D model, we use an image sequence, as natural head and body motion provides enough viewpoint variation to perform stereo-motion for 3D face reconstruction. The 3D face model allows the use of true shape invariants for recognition against 3D galleries. Also the 3D model can assist in matching non-frontal faces against 2D galleries by rotating and rendering the 3D reconstruction into a 2D frontal image when only a 2D gallery is available. This approach constitutes a considerable step forward in solving the challenging problem of biometric identification at a distance.
Psychoanalysis and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

This report describes psychoanalytic advances in theory and practice as well as changes in knowledge about determinants of behavior from infancy through adolescence. These changes influence how dynamic psychotherapy is conducted. Mother-infant research, affect development, object relations separation-individuation theory, and newer concepts of regulation of self-esteem are explored as they affect treatment strategies. The authors also review countertransference transference and psychoanalytic reconstruing of adolescence as a stage and their influence on how therapy is conducted. Finally, the authors propose using a dynamic formulation as a means of determining where or when the therapist intervenes.
Stagonospora and Septoria diseases of barley, oat, and rye.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the foliar diseases caused by Stagonospora and Septoria fungi on barley, oat, and rye. The relationship of the pathogens to related species that cause disease on wheat is discussed. The diseases are more serious during periods of cool wet weather and are more prevalent in northern Europe and North America. They are frequently associated with the planting of highly susceptible cultivars. The biotype of Stagonospora nodorum that infects barley differs significantly from the biotype that attacks wheat and is occasionally important in the southeastern U.S.A. and northern Europe. Stagonospora avenae f. sp. triticea infects barley, rye, and wheat. It is usually a minor pathogen of barley and rye, but these hosts may serve as an inoculum reservoir for infection of wheat. Stagonospora avenae f. sp. avenaria causes stagonospora leaf blotch and black stem on oat. The black stem phase of the disease causes significant yield reduction and is frequently important in easter...
Lessons From La Maestra Miriam: Developing Literate Identities through Early Critical Literacy Teaching.

In the 1990s, teacher educators began to hear about the importance of studying and reporting on "best practices" in literacy learning to narrow the gap between high- and low-performing students. Of the studies produced, few of them looked to research in areas such as bilingual education for guidance on how to improve teaching reading for Spanish-dominant children. This year-long, qualitative study attempts to offer insight about how an exemplary Mexican bilingual teacher mobilizes her 1st-grade students' linguistic and cultural resources in Spanish to develop critical literacy skills that foster healthy literate identities and classroom communities for these Latino students.
Processing, Characterization, and Modeling of Room-Temperature-Vulcanized Silicone-Derived Ceramic Foams

A novel method was developed to produce ceramic foams from a silicone precursor which was foamed and vulcanized at room temperature. Silicone foams were prepared by platinum-catalyzed cross-linking and dehydrogenation of reactive polysiloxanes. Silicone foams were converted to ceramic foams after being pyrolyzed at 1200°C in argon. Near-net-shape polymer-to-ceramic conversion was achieved when SiC particles were added to the polymer as a solid filler. A simple physical model was created to describe the rising and pyrolysis of the silicone foam, and was validated by experimental data. Foam density was largely dependent on the content of ethanol, which was used as a chemical blowing agent. Up to 1.8 wt% ethanol was effective in driving foam rising without leading to foam collapse. SiC filler helped reduce weight loss and volumetric shrinkage during pyrolysis, and slightly increased foam density. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that although incorporating a solid filler helps to reduce the bulk shrinkage, it cannot prevent local microcracking and residual porosity.
Validation of Noninvasive Diagnosis of BK Virus Nephropathy and Identification of Prognostic Biomarkers

Background—BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) may cause renal allograft dysfunction and failure. The gold standard test is kidney biopsy, which is invasive and costly. A noninvasive, accurate biomarker for diagnosis of BKVN and prognostication of allograft function after BKVN infection may improve allograft survival.
A Multi-Channel Stopped-Flow Reactor for Measuring Ozone Decay Rate: Instrument Development and Application

The ability to accurately estimate ozone decay rate through empirical measurement is often fundamental to efficient reactor design and operation in ozone disinfection processes. Variations of ozone decay rates in natural waters and difficulty to estimate them through mechanistic approach highlight the need for reliable methodologies to measure these parameters. In this study, a novel, multi-channel stopped-flow reactor that allows for automatic, continuous analysis of ozone decay kinetics under controlled conditions was developed and verified. Data presented includes instrument design and operation parameter optimization, precision and accuracy verification, and applicability demonstrated with representative synthetic waters.
Characteristics of Tornado-Like Vortices as a Function of Swirl Ratio: A Laboratory Investigation

Abstract The investigation of tornado vortex dynamics by means of a laboratory simulation is described. Based on observations from nature and an examination of the Navier-Stokes equations, a laboratory simulator of the Ward type has been constructed. This simulator generates various vortex configurations as a function of swirl ratio, radial Reynolds number and aspect ratio. Configurations which are described are 1) a single laminar vortex; 2) a single vortex with breakdown bubble separating the upper turbulent region from the lower laminar region; 3) a fully developed turbulent core, where the breakdown bubble penetrates to the bottom of the experimental chamber; 4) vortex transition to two intertwined helical vortices; and 5) examples of higher order multiple-vortex configurations that form in the core region. Hot-film anemometry measurements of the magnitude of the velocity vector and inflow (swirl) angle have been obtained in a sequence of flows characterized by progressively increasing values of swirl...
Comment on “Climate control requires a dam at the Strait of Gibraltar”

While we appreciate the editor's desire to publish contributions of general scientific interest, societal relevance, and controversial nature, Eos should not sacrifice scientific rigor to achieve this. Publication of "Climate Control Requires a Dam at the Strait of Gibraltar" by R. G. Johnson (Eos, July 8,1997) was irresponsible. The connection between Mediterranean salinity and ice age initiation is only postulated but not substantiated through quantitative reasoning supported by data. Climate is complex because many competing feedbacks act simultaneously. Even if every single one of the hypothesized mechanisms were correct, there would always be competing effects, so quantitative analysis is needed to determine the net response. For example, it is hypothesized that a warming of the Labrador Sea would lead to additional land ice formation, but one could argue equally well that the extra ice would simply melt because the surroundings were warmer. Some of the postulated mechanisms are blatantly inconsistent with what is known about fluid mechanics (e.g., the existence of the “fluidic switch,” through which, apparently, a tiny current can deflect a large one) or about climate dynamics (if global warming could indeed lead to an ice age, i.e., global cooling, current climate would be unstable).
Frequency tunable fluidic annular slot antenna

A coplanar waveguide fed annular slot antenna with fluidic housing is investigated. The channels of the housing are filled either with air, acetone, or de-ionized (DI) water to dynamically change the resonant frequency of the antenna. Two channels are fabricated perpendicular to the feedline on the half of the annular slot opposite the feed. The outer channel is shown to control the first resonance of the antenna with a tunable frequency range from 3 GHz to 4.2 GHz. The second channel, which is closer to the center of the antenna, is shown to control the second resonance of the antenna with a tunable range of 4.4 to 7.9 GHz.