cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping Cognitive Brain Functions at Scale

A fundamental set of cognitive abilities enable humans to efficiently process goal-relevant information, suppress irrelevant distractions, maintain information in working memory, and act flexibly in different behavioral contexts. Yet, studies of human cognition and their underlying neural mechanisms usually evaluate these cognitive constructs in silos, instead of comprehensively in-tandem within the same individual. Here, we developed a scalable, mobile platform that we refer to BrainE (short for Brain Engagement), to rapidly assay several essential aspects of cognition simultaneous with wireless electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Using BrainE, we rapidly assessed five aspects of cognition including (1) selective attention, (2) response inhibition, (3) working memory, (4) flanker interference and (5) emotion interference processing, in 102 healthy young adults. We evaluated stimulus encoding in all tasks using the EEG neural recordings, and isolated the cortical sources of the spectrotemporal EEG dynamics. Additionally, we used BrainE in a two-visit study in a subset of 25 young adults to investigate the reliability of the neuro-cognitive data as well as its plasticity to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We found that stimulus encoding on multiple cognitive tasks could be rapidly assessed, identifying common as well as distinct task processes in both sensory and cognitive control brain regions. Event related synchronization (ERS) in the theta (3-7 Hz) and alpha (8-12 Hz) frequencies as well as event related desynchronization (ERD) in the beta frequencies (13-30 Hz) were distinctly observed in each task. The observed ERS/ERD effects were overall anticorrelated. The two-visit study confirmed high test-retest reliability for both cognitive and neural data, and neural responses showed specific TMS protocol driven modulation. This first study with the BrainE platform showcases its utility in studying neuro-cognitive dynamics in a rapid and scalable fashion.
Mobile health applications in oncology.

e14115Background: Over 325,000 mobile health (mhealth) applications (apps) have been developed. There has been a substantial increase in mhealth investment, with over $8.1 billion invested in digit...
Longitudinal Decline on the Dichotic Digits Test.

Purpose The dichotic digits test (DDT) is commonly administered in clinical and research settings, but it is not well understood how performance changes in aging. The purpose of this study is to de...
Towards an Urban Disability Agenda

The overwhelming majority of Americans with disabilities live in metropolitan areas. Yet those areas continue to contain significant barriers that keep disabled people from fully participating in city life. Although political and social debate has periodically turned its attention to urban issues or problems — or even the so-called “urban crisis” — during the past several decades, it has too rarely attended to the issues of disability access. When political debate has focused on disability issues, it has tended to address them in a nationally uniform way, without paying attention to the particular concerns of disabled people in cities. Even when city leaders have focused attention directly on the impact of disability policy on their municipalities — for example, Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell’s attacks in the mid-1990s on the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) requirement to install curb cuts — they have done so as part of a more general attack on mandates on state and local governments, in and out of the disability context. This essay, written for a symposium on disability and the city, asks the question of what we should want from an urban disability agenda. It begins by setting out some principles that should guide such an agenda. It then highlights some of the key barriers, in existing law and politics, for achieving those principles. In the last section, a brief conclusion, it speculates on the prospects for addressing those barriers — and ask whether the COVID-19 pandemic has made effective action on this front more or less likely. This contribution is an exercise in issue-spotting. Its goal is not to set forth a detailed critique of any current urban policy, nor is it to offer any particular path forward. Rather, it is to identify some key considerations for policymakers to address as they construct a truly inclusive urban agenda.
Rapid Infliximab Infusion in the Pediatric Population.

Objectives To compare infusion reaction rates between rapid infliximab (REMICADE, Janssen Biotech Inc) infusions and previous standard 2- to 3-hour infusions; additionally, to assess patient satisfaction and reduction in chair time associated with rapid infliximab infusions. Methods Pediatric rheumatology and gastroenterology patients receiving maintenance infliximab therapy using a standard 2- to 3-hour titrated infusion had the opportunity to enroll in the non-titrated rapid 1-hour infusion protocol following tolerance of induction dosing at 0, 2, and 6 weeks. Patients were included from December 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018, via retrospective chart review and patient satisfaction surveys. Results Data were collected on 55 patients receiving a total of 160 rapid infliximab infusions. There were 2 infusion reactions during the enrollment and data collection period, resulting in an overall infusion reaction rate of 1.3%. The patient satisfaction survey results showed all patients were at minimum satisfied with the information provided regarding rapid infliximab, decreased time spent in clinic, ease of scheduling, and overall process. Conclusions Our data suggest rapid infliximab infusions are safe in pediatric rheumatology and gastroenterology patients receiving maintenance infliximab infusion therapy. The overall infusion reaction rate of 1.3% in this study is well below the accepted infusion reaction rate of standard-length infliximab infusions of 2% to 3%.
Increased fatty acid oxidation enzyme activity in the hearts of mice fed a high fat diet does not correlate with improved cardiac contractile function

Abstract Changes in the acetylation status of mitochondrial proteins have been linked to the development of metabolic dysfunction in a number of tissues. Increased lysine acetylation has been reported in the hearts of obese mice, and is associated with changes in fuel metabolism, redox status, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. In this study, we examined whether diet-induced changes in the acetylation of mitochondrial acyl-CoA dehydrogenases affected fatty acid oxidation enzyme activity and contractile function in the obese mouse heart. Exposure to a long-term high fat diet in wildtype mice led to the hyperacetylation of short- and long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases SCAD and LCAD, which correlated with their increased enzymatic activity in vitro. Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of the mitochondrial acetyltransferase-related protein GCN5L1 prevented both the hyperacetylation and increased activity of these enzymes under the same conditions of dietary excess. Despite the potential for increased cardiac fatty acid oxidation activity, wildtype mice did not display any increase in cardiac contractility following exposure to a high fat diet. We conclude that the potential energetic benefits of elevated fatty acid oxidation activity are not sufficient to counter the various deleterious effects of a high fat diet on cardiac function.
Evaluating Current and Future Sensor-Specific Biomass Calibration in the Tallest Mangrove Forest on Earth

High-resolution global-scale estimates of aboveground biomass density will soon be available from a suite of spaceborne LiDAR and radar missions. The 2016–2017 AfriSAR campaign was specifically designed to evaluate a suite of sensors for estimating biomass in a range of tropical forest environments. Here, we compare the calibration and biomass estimates from 5 different active sensors - ALOS Global Digital Surface Model (DSM), Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR), NASA Land Vegetation Ice Sensor (LVIS), and TanDEM-X (TDX) - in the tallest known mangrove forest on Earth - Pongara National Park, Gabon. We leverage this comparison to evaluate the implications for future satellite missions that are aimed at improving global estimates of forest carbon storage. Our findings are directly relevant for space-borne missions estimating terrestrial carbon storage - GEDI, ICESat-2, NISAR, BIOMASS, Tandem-X, and Tandem-L - highlighting the specific uncertainty and bias that can be expected in several global biomass products in mangrove ecosystems.
Influence of Intermittent Hypoxia/Hypercapnia on Atherosclerosis, Gut Microbiome, and Metabolome.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder characterized by intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia (IHC), increases atherosclerosis risk. However, the contribution of intermittent hypoxia (IH) or intermittent hypercapnia (IC) in promoting atherosclerosis remains unclear. Since gut microbiota and metabolites have been implicated in atherosclerosis, we examined whether IH or IC alters the microbiome and metabolome to induce a pro-atherosclerotic state. Apolipoprotein E deficient mice (ApoE-/- ), treated with IH or IC on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks, were compared to Air controls. Atherosclerotic lesions were examined, gut microbiome was profiled using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolome was assessed by untargeted mass spectrometry. In the aorta, IC-induced atherosclerosis was significantly greater than IH and Air controls (aorta, IC 11.1 ± 0.7% vs. IH 7.6 ± 0.4%, p < 0.05 vs. Air 8.1 ± 0.8%, p < 0.05). In the pulmonary artery (PA), however, IH, IC, and Air were significantly different from each other in atherosclerotic formation with the largest lesion observed under IH (PA, IH 40.9 ± 2.0% vs. IC 20.1 ± 2.6% vs. Air 12.2 ± 1.5%, p < 0.05). The most differentially abundant microbial families (p < 0.001) were Peptostreptococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae. The most differentially abundant metabolites (p < 0.001) were tauro-β-muricholic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, and lysophosphoethanolamine (18:0). We conclude that IH and IC (a) modulate atherosclerosis progression differently in distinct vascular beds with IC, unlike IH, facilitating atherosclerosis in both aorta and PA and (b) promote an atherosclerotic luminal gut environment that is more evident in IH than IC. We speculate that the resulting changes in the gut metabolome and microbiome interact differently with distinct vascular beds.
Effects of prescribed fire timing on vigor of the invasive forb sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), total forage biomass accumulation, plant-community composition, and native fauna on tallgrass prairie in the Kansas Flint Hills.

The predominant grazing-management practice of the Kansas Flint Hills involves annual prescribed burning in March or April with postfire grazing by yearling beef cattle at a high stocking density from April to August. There has been a dramatic increase in sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata [Dumont] G. Don) coincident with this temporally focused use of prescribed fire in the Flint Hills region. The species is an aggressive invader and a statewide noxious weed in Kansas. Control has generally been attempted using repeated herbicide applications. This approach has not limited proliferation of sericea lespedeza and resulted in collateral damage to nontarget flora and fauna. Alternative timing of prescribed fire has not been evaluated for its control. Our objectives for this 4-yr experiment were to (1) document the effects of prescribed burning during early April, early August, or early September on vigor of sericea lespedeza, standing forage biomass, and basal cover of native graminoids, forbs, and shrubs and (2) measure responses to fire regimes by grassland bird and butterfly communities. Whole-plant dry mass, basal cover, and seed production of sericea lespedeza were markedly less (P 0.10) by midsummer or late-summer fires relative to early-spring fires. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in densities of grassland-specialist butterfly species across fire regimes. Under the conditions of our experiment, prescribed burning during summer produced no detrimental effects on forage production, desirable nontarget plant species, grassland birds, or butterfly communities but had strong suppressive effects on sericea lespedeza. Additional research is warranted to investigate how to best incorporate late-summer prescribed fire into common grazing-management practices in the Kansas Flint Hills.
Functional Communication Training and Most-To-Least Prompting as Treatments for Problem Behavior:

Functional communication training (FCT) is a treatment for problem behavior in which the learner is taught a communicative behavior that fulfills the same function as the problem behavior. Although...
Changes in attitudes, nothing remains quite the same: Absentee voting and public health

Objective Methods Results Conclusion This article examines how the rapid spread of COVID‐19 and political discourse framed absentee ballots as a solution to keep voters safe or a threat to the election's integrity. Did the increased attention to the use of absentee ballots in our elections encourage more people to participate absentee and support changes in Texas's election code to allow no‐excuse absentee voting?Four surveys of Texas voters were conducted in April, June, September, and October to track voter attitudes about absentee voting during the election.Voters who were uncomfortable voting in person were more likely to vote absentee and support new reforms. However, voters exposed to messages by elected officials who negatively portrayed the use of absentee voting were less likely to vote absentee during the pandemic and more likely to oppose new reforms.Despite the predicted effects of political information, the public's consideration of the health of others create a significant and lasting effect favoring the acceptance of expanding absentee ballots in a state with no‐excuse absentee voting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Social Science Quarterly (Wiley-Blackwell) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Exact quantization and analytic continuation

In this paper we give a streamlined derivation of the exact quantization condition (EQC) on the quantum periods of the Schrodinger problem in one dimension with a general polynomial potential, based on Wronskian relations. We further generalize the EQC to potentials with a regular singularity, describing spherical symmetric quantum mechanical systems in a given angular momentum sector. We show that the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz (TBA) equations that govern the quantum periods undergo nontrivial monodromies as the angular momentum is analytically continued between integer values in the complex plane. The TBA equations together with the EQC are checked numerically against Hamiltonian truncation at real angular momenta and couplings, and are used to explore the analytic continuation of the spectrum on the complex angular momentum plane in examples.
Application of Variability Response Function to Cross Laminated Timber

Abstract Variation in material properties leads to variation in stiffness, or displacement response, of structural systems. This paper presents an efficient method to calculate the variability in stiffness of a three-layer Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panel as a result of heterogeneous elastic properties in the constituent lumber. Typically, problems involving stochastic material properties are solved by Monte Carlo simulations, which is computationally expensive for complex systems. The Variability Response Function is a well-established concept for efficient evaluation of the variance of stochastic systems where properties are modeled by random fields. A new method to study the variation in CLT panel stiffness is developed by applying the Variability Response Function to CLT geometry. Using this method, novel CLT panel layups can efficiently be studied, increasing opportunities for traditionally low-value species to be used in CLT panels. Three case studies are provided to demonstrate the application and utility of the developed method.
Coronary vasoconstrictor responses are attenuated in young women as compared with age-matched men

Recent work in humans suggests coronary vasoconstriction occurs with static handgrip with a time course that suggests a sympathetic constrictor mechanism. These findings are consistent with animal studies that suggest this effect helps maintain transmural myocardial perfusion. It is known that oestrogen can attenuate sympathetic responsiveness, however it is not known if sympathetic constrictor responses vary in men and women. To examine this issue we studied young men (n = 12; 28 ± 1 years) and women (n = 14; 30 ± 1 years). Coronary blood flow velocity (CBV; Duplex Ultrasound), heart rate (ECG) and blood pressure (BP; Finapres) were measured during static handgrip (20 s) at 10% and 70% of maximum voluntary contraction. Measurements were also obtained during graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP; activates baroreflex-mediated sympathetic system) and the cold pressor test (CPT; a non-specific sympathetic stimulus). A coronary vascular resistance index (CVR) was calculated as diastolic BP/CBV. Increases in CVR with handgrip were greater in men vs. women (1.25 ± 0.49 vs. 0.26 ± 0.38 units; P < 0.04) and CBV tended to fall in men but not in women (−0.9 ± 0.9 vs. 1.7 ± 0.8 cm s−1; P < 0.01). Changes in CBV with handgrip were linked to the myocardial oxygen consumption in women but not in men. CBV reductions were greater in men vs. women during graded LBNP (P < 0.04). Men and women had similar coronary responses to CPT (P = n.s.). We conclude that coronary vasoconstrictor tone is greater in men than women during static handgrip and LBNP.
Cross-reactivity of genetic probe for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with newly described species Mycobacterium celatum

An acridinium ester-labeled DNA probe (AccuProbe; Gen-Probe Inc., San Diego, Calif.) for the identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex gave discrepant results with the newly described species M. celatum. Examination of 20 strains of M. celatum showed that 8 were positive with the probe; the remaining 12 were negative.
Continuous-Flow Ultracentrifugation of Canine Distemper Virus and Infectious Canine Hepatitis Virus

The use of a Spinco L-4 zonal centrifuge with the B-XVI continuous-flow rotor for the purification of canine distemper and infectious canine hepatitis viruses is described. Up to 68 liters of virus was processed at one time. Infectious canine hepatitis virus was found to band at 39% sucrose and canine distemper virus banded between 32 and 48% sucrose. The virus was concentrated 10-fold, and the purity of the virus, as measured by protein concentration, was increased by 99%.
Novel receptor tyrosine kinase targeted combination therapies for imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

// Daruka Mahadevan 1 , Noah Theiss 2 , Carla Morales 1 , Amy E. Stejskal 2 , Laurence S. Cooke 1 , Min Zhu 2 , Drew Kurtzman 2 , Rachel Swart 2 , Evan Ong 2 and Wenqing Qi 1 1 West Cancer Center/University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Memphis, TN 2 University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ Correspondence: Daruka Mahadevan, email: // Keywords : GIST, c-Kit, HER-1, imatinib, amuvatinib, erlotinib Received : October 23, 2014 Accepted : December 09, 2014 Published : December 10, 2014 Abstract Background: c-Kit/α-PDGFR targeted therapies are effective for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but, >50% develop drug resistance. Methods: RTK expression (c-Kit, c-Met, AXL, HER-1, HER-2, IGF-1R) in pre-/post-imatinib (IM) GIST patient samples (n=16) and 4 GIST cell lines were examined for RTK inhibitor activity. GIST-882 cells were cultured in IM every other day, cells collected (1 week to 6 months) and analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: Immunohistochemistry pre-/post-IM demonstrated continued expression of c-Kit and HER1, while a subset expressed IGF-1R, c-Met and AXL. In GIST cells (GIST-882, GIST430/654, GIST48) c-Kit, HER1 and c-Met are co-expressed. Acute IM over-express c-Kit while chronic IM, lose c-Kit and HER-1 in GIST882 cells. GIST882 and GIST430/654 cells have an IC 50 0.077 and 0.59 µM to IM respectively. GIST48 have an IC 50 0.66 µM to IM, 0.91 µM to amuvatinib [AMU] and 0.67 µM to erlotinib (Erl). Synergistic combinations: GIST882, AMU + Erl (CI 0.20); IM + AMU (CI 0.50), GIST430/654, IM + afatinib (CI 0.39); IM + AMU (CI 0.42), GIST48, IM + afatinib (CI 0.03); IM + AMU (CI 0.04); AMU + afatinib (CI 0.36); IM + Erl (CI 0.63). Conclusion: Targeting c-Kit plus HER1 or AXL/c-Met abrogates IM resistance in GIST.
Tropical Cyclone Rainfall

A brief survey of the relevant research of tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall is presented here. The importance of TC rainfall in global and regional rainfall budgets is discussed, as is its mean characteristics as derived from airborne and satellite observational studies. Discussion is also presented on the physical processes that can modulate TC rainfall distributions, including topography, storm motion, vertical shear, and extratropical transition. Some tools that have been developed to predict and evaluate forecasts of TC rainfall are discussed. Finally, a summary and outlook for the future is presented, including a discussion of opportunities for improving TC rainfall forecasts and conducting research into the role of TC rainfall in intensity and structure changes in TCs. Keywords: tropical cyclone; rainfall; quantitative precipitation forcasting; eyewall; rainbands; stratiform rain
Malignant pheochromocytoma of the bladder: the late development of renal cell carcinoma.

AbstractA case of malignant pheochromocytoma of the bladder associated with renal cell carcinoma is described. The necessity for long-term followup in such cases is stressed. This case provides further documentation of the association of pheochromocytoma with renal cell carcinoma, an association which may occur more frequently than would be dictated by chance alone. It is suggested that these cases may represent von Hippel-Lindau disease with incomplete penetrance.
Theorizing deregulation: An exploration of the utility of the ‘broadcast policy‐making system’ model

Krasnow, Longley, and Terry have argued that deregulation is theoretically equivalent to regulation: both arose through the pluralistic political processes as described in their “Broadcast Policy‐Making System” model. This study explores this claim through a strategic case study of the rulemaking process for domestic DBS. Because some anomalous findings were uncovered, a revision to the model is suggested.
MUC4 (sialomucin complex) expression in salivary gland tumors and squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates MUC4 expression in normal squamous epithelia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), and in salivary gland neoplasms.STUDY DESIGN: MUC4 antigens in tumor and adjacent normal tissue are localized by immunocytochemical studies. Fresh frozen tissues from surgical resection specimens are further analyzed by Western blot.RESULTS: MUC4 is identified by immunocytochemical staining throughout the normal UADT mucosa, in 34 of 40 primary UADT SCC, and in 11 of 12 metastatic cervical lymph nodes. A trend toward decreased MUC4 staining in moderately and poorly differentiated tumors is noted. Immunoblots show MUC4 in 4 of 5 SCC analyzed. Immunocytochemical staining of MUC4 in 13 major and minor salivary gland neoplasms reveal variable staining of normal and neoplastic tissue. MUC4 is demonstrated in immunoblots of normal parotid tissue and in the single parotid malignancy analyzed, but is not demonstrated in one minor salivary gland malignancy. The...
Inference in a model with at most one slope-change point

In this paper the problem of slope-change point in linear regression model is discussed with the help of the theory of Gaussian process. The distribution of the estimators of the change point proposed in this paper can be approximated by the first type of extremal distribution. Based on this fact, the detection and interval estimation of a change-point in various situations are discussed.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of metal-coated biomolecules

We present a procedure for imaging metal-coated biomolecules with the scanning tunneling microscope. This procedure is simple, easy to implement and gives reproducible results. The biomolecules are adsorbed on glow discharged mica, then coated with a thin film of platinum- carbon. We have applied this method for visualizing two different kind of biomolecules: planar membranes and DNA molecules. The contrast and lateral resolution of the images are comparable to electron micrographs of the same molecules. The lateral resolution is limited by the grain size of the coating film while the vertical resolution seems to be unaffected for very small coating thickness (less than 3 nm).© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Photochemistry of 2,6‐dimethyl‐4‐pyrone in trifluoroethanol

Photolysis of 2,6-dimethyl-4-pyrone (1) in trifluoroethanol gave, in addition to the previously observed dimer 2, three volatile primary photoproducts 3, 4, and 5. Continued irradiation led to the disappearance of the three volatile products with formation of 6. This secondary photo-product was shown to arise from 3 and 4 while 5 was converted to non-volatile products. The formation of 3, 4, and 5 can be viewed as arising from an oxybicyclohexenyl zwitterion formed by electrocyclic ring closure of 1. This zwitterion can thus be trapped by solvent to yield 3 and 4 or rearrange to 5 via and epoxycyclopentenone intermediate. The conversion of 3 and 4 to 6 is explained in terms of a Norrish type II process.
Intermittent occlusion of the abdominal aorta: A conceptual approach in treating below-diaphragm tumors (a preliminary report)

A modified form of tumor strangulation as a possible treatment modality is considered. Intermittent intra-aortic occlusion by means of specially designed catheters and equipment is described. As a preliminary feasibility study, occlusion in non-tumor-bearing animals has begun, with projection for future human cases anticipated. Theoretical concepts of substances from the occlusion process resulting in cure and specific immunity in experimental animals are evaluated, and the belief in the development of modified antigens and antibodies as a consequence of restriction of a growing tumor's proliferating blood supply is discussed.
LH release following steroid administration in ovariectomized rats

The effect of time following ovariectomy on pituitary response to hypothalamic extractwas investigated in rats pre-treated with 50ug estradiol benzoate (EB) and 25 mg progesterone.The increment in circulating LH in response to administration of hypothalamic extract on thethird day after steroid treatment increased linearly up to 35 days following ovariectomy. The minimal dose of EB required to suppress plasma LH levels was examined in rats ovariectomized 12 to 20 weeks previously. There was no measurable change in plasma LH levels within 48 hrafter injection of 0.05 μ EB. Administration of0.5, 5, or 50 μg EB caused a decrease in circulating LH, the magnitude and duration of which increased with dose. Pituitary responsiveness to LRF following administration of EB (35 daysafter ovariectomy) was greater in rats treated with 50 μg EB than in those receiving 5 μg EB, a difference attributable to both lower pre-LRF plasma LH levels and higher post-LRF concentrationsof LH. In addition, injection of 50 μg EBalone...
The New York Citizens' Statewide Lake Assessment Program

ABSTRACT The New York Citizens' Statewide Lake Assessment Program is a cooperative effort between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York Federation of Lake Associations, Inc. In this program citizen volunteers from lake associations throughout the state monitor the water quality in their lakes. Water samples and lake observations are collected at a single designated site and depth, as outlined in a sampling protocol manual and in training sessions conducted by professional staff. Samples are taken on a weekly basis for 15 weeks from June through September. Water samples are collected from the deepest water column in each lake, and analyzed by the New York State Department of Health in Albany. Results from this study will be used to construct a data base from which the Department of Environmental Conservation hopes to devise and implement a management strategy for each lake.
Determination of the Shear Strength Parameters Associated with Mudflows

When a mudflow moves down a slope, the gravity induced shear stress, τ, is opposed by the combined effect of the undrained shear strength, cu, of the mud, and its viscosity, η, which is associated with the velocity gradient in the mudflow, dv/dy. In equation form this can be expressed as : τ= cu+η(dv/dy). The resistance provided by the mud involves the contribution of both cu and η. For an understanding of the mobilization mechanics of mudflows, one needs then these two parameters. This study describes two methods that can be used to determine these parameters. The cu of the muds is measured using a cylinder-strength meter devise. The technique associated with this devise consists in lowering a cylinder of known dimension and weight into a mud sample, measuring the depth of penetration of the cylinder into the mud, and calculating the strength, cu, of the mud required to support the solid cylinder at that depth. The cu of the mud is calculated using Sokolovski's theory designed to calculate the indentation pressures developed by a Tresca plastic when a cylinder penetrates it. The determination of the viscosity, η, of the mud is obtained from either the velocity measurements of the free surface of the mudflow, or from the difference between the velocity of the free surface of the mudflow and its velocity at the interface between the mudflow and the surface on which it moves. The viscosity η is obtained from a relationship that relates these velocities with η.
Judgments about collision in younger and older drivers

To travel safely, drivers must detect imminent collisions. Older drivers have more accidents per miles driven than younger drivers, potentially reflecting age differences in judgments about collision. Prior studies measured age differences in judgments about when a collision would occur (time to contact). Older adults made greater underestimations, but this would lower their risk for accidents. Judgments about when a collision would occur must be preceded by judgments about whether a collision would occur (Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (2001) Minneapolis). Results of the present study indicated that judgments about potential collision were less accurate for older drivers compared with younger drivers. This would increase their risk for accidents. Age differences in driver performance may be associated more with age differences in judgments about whether a collision would occur than with age differences in judgments about when a collision would occur. Age differences in judgments about potential collision suggest a new avenue to pursue in an account of differential accident rates in older and younger drivers.
Towards Dimensionalizing Warranty Information: The Role of Consumer Costs of Warranty Redemption

Firms routinely offer warranties, often as attempts to differentiate their offerings from those of competitors. Despite this practice common to virtually every consumer durable category, extant research has been inconclusive regarding the effect of warranties on quality judgments. One potential limitation of these prior investigations is the failure to model a key element of a product warranty—consumer-side transaction costs associated with warranty redemption. In this article, we introduce the role of consumer-side transaction costs associated with warranty redemption and examine the joint impact of warranty length and warranty redemption costs for brand names of varying strength on consumers’ judgments of product quality. Two experiments show that warranty length signals security but not quality, and that perceived quality increases as consumers’ warranty redemption costs decrease, provided that the warranty length is short. Different dimensions or aspects of warranties have different effects on perceived quality. The implications of the results for understanding conflicting findings in the warranty-quality literature are discussed.
Morphology of the human atrioventricular node, with remarks pertinent to its electrophysiology.

Abstract The morphology of the A-V node and its environs in man was studied in 81 hearts. Between the node and the endocardium of the right atrium are Purkinje fibers which may function as bypass tracts, allowing an impulse from the sinus node to circumvent the A-V node. This alternate pathway lends support to recent electrophysiologic studies which have suggested such a dual conduction system. Because of the profuse interconnections of the normal A-V node fibers, the suggestion is made that the slight delay in impulse conduction observed in this region may be a multiple cancellation effect within the node. The same morphologic feature may conceivably combine with focal nodal disease to produce dual conduction inside the A-V node.
Incorporating accountability into internet email

Email used to be the "number one killer application" of the Internet. However, misuse and abuse such as spam, phishing, and malware attacks have plagued the email systems. Considering deterrence as important as prevention and protection in countering misuse and abuse, we aim to improve the accountability in the email system beyond identification and non-repudiability. Full accountability should be an intrinsic condition for trust, and it constitutes the basis of deterrence against email misuse and abuse. Therefore, we propose to use a layered trust management framework to help email receivers eliminate their unwitting trust and provide them with accountability support. This helps systems to deter misuses and address wrongdoings. By describing and analyzing how our trust management facilitates email accountability, we also show that it can be used to improve the trustworthiness of the Internet services as a whole.
The effect of including secondary diagnoses on the description of the diagnostic content of family practice.

The diagnoses that physicians record are an important part of the mosaic that describes what they do. Various classifications are used to code the recorded diagnoses to permit the identification of specific conditions. The more specific the classification, the more readily this can be achieved, and for all its faults the International Classification of Diseases1 is the most widely used classification of both hospital and ambulatory diagnoses. For the purposes of describing and comparing the practices of individual or groups of physicians, it is desirable to aggregate diagnostic data in clinically meaningful ways. One dilemma facing researchers is whether to use only the primary diagnosis or to include all the diagnoses recorded for
Colonization constraints during primary succession on coastal Lake Michigan sand dunes

Summary 1 Primary succession on coastal sand dunes has generally been presumed to be driven by autogenic environmental change associated with dune stabilization and gradual soil development. 2 An extensive chronosequence of dune-capped beach ridges is found adjacent to northern Lake Michigan and the youngest 13 ridges (aged 30–440 years old) show a clear pattern of primary succession and development of a forest ecosystem. 3 Seed-addition and seedling-transplant experiments indicated that colonization of young sand dunes by late-successional Pinus and Quercus species is constrained by limited seed dispersal, seed and seedling desiccation, and seed predation rather than seedling success being constrained by low soil nitrogen availability. Their establishment may therefore depend on coincidence of chance seed dispersal, favourable weather conditions and low rodent densities. 4 In addition, episodic burial by sand prevents most species from colonizing young dune ridges, while burial of seedlings by litter limits recruitment on older dune ridges with developing forest. The intensity of competition increases during succession. 5 Dune succession is better described as the transient dynamics of colonization and competitive displacement rather than the result of gradual soil development and competitive displacement.
Use of Feedback in Reducing Television Watching

The present study investigated the use of several types of feedback (e.g., self-monitoring, alone, and in combination with meter recording) to reduce television watching in two individuals manifesting excessively high levels of television viewing. At the end of a self-recording phase, meters were placed in their television sets. For one participant, reductions in television viewing were found during both self-monitoring alone and in combination with meter recording; for the other participant, television watching was reduced only when self-monitoring was paired with monitoring the meter. At a 2-mo. follow-up, increases in television watching were noted by one individual and decreases by the other. Installation of a meter and daily recording once again reduced television watching in the individual whose rates had increased.
Binding properties of purified chicken antibody.

Abstract Quantitative precipitin tests with purified chicken antibody to the 2,4-dinitrophenyl group, indicated a dependence on NaCl concentration for maximum immune precipitation. An Optimum NaCl Molarity, based on an inverse relationship between molarity of NaCl and antibody concentration, resulted in 100 per cent precipitation of antibody and antigen. Flourescence quenching binding studies with a DNP-ligand showed no effect on binding by NaCl at various concentrations. Equilibrium dialysis studies with 3H-ϵ-DNP-L-lysine in 0 M NaCl (0· M PO4, pH 8·0) and Optimum NaCl Molarity both gave an average intrinsic association constant of 1·7 × 106M−1. The number of ligand binding sites per antibody molecule, based on a molecular weight of 178,000, was 2·0.
Minireview: The sodium-iodide symporter NIS and pendrin in iodide homeostasis of the thyroid

Thyroid hormones are essential for normal development and metabolism. Thyroid hormone biosynthesis requires iodide uptake into the thyrocytes and efflux into the follicular lumen, where it is organified on selected tyrosyls of thyroglobulin. Uptake of iodide into the thyrocytes is mediated by an intrinsic membrane glycoprotein, the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS), which actively cotransports two sodium cations per each iodide anion. NIS-mediated transport of iodide is driven by the electrochemical sodium gradient generated by the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. NIS is expressed in the thyroid, the salivary glands, gastric mucosa, and the lactating mammary gland. TSH and iodide regulate iodide accumulation by modulating NIS activity via transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. Biallelic mutations in the NIS gene lead to a congenital iodide transport defect, an autosomal recessive condition characterized by hypothyroidism, goiter, low thyroid iodide uptake, and a low saliva/plasma iodide ratio. Pendrin is an anion transporter that is predominantly expressed in the inner ear, the thyroid, and the kidney. Biallelic mutations in the SLC26A4 gene lead to Pendred syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural deafness, goiter, and impaired iodide organification. In thyroid follicular cells, pendrin is expressed at the apical membrane. Functional in vitro data and the impaired iodide organification observed in patients with Pendred syndrome support a role of pendrin as an apical iodide transporter.
Trends in obstetric and gynecologic residency education.

Abstract Residencies in obstetrics and gynecology are popular with graduating medical students, especially women, and positions are filled in excess of 100%. New Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education special requirements have focused on several clinical areas and require demonstration of scholarly activity by faculty and 24-hour in-house faculty coverage. Other issues of current concern are resident work hours, pregnancy among residents, and training of residents in induced abortion.
Increased tryptophan hydroxylase activity in serotonergic nerve terminals spared by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine

Adult rats received intraventricular injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) to destroy serotonin (5-HT)-containing nerve terminals throughout the brain. When the animals were killed 3 or 21 days later, we observed a marked decrease in 5-HT content in septum and hippocampus and a parallel decline in in vitro high affinity 5-HT uptake. 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations also were reduced but by a much smaller extent, resulting in significant increases in the ratio of 5-HIAA to 5-HT. These changes were accompanied by similar increases in the ratio of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity to 5-HT content. The relative increases in TPH activity resulted from two temporally distinct processes, the first of which appeared to be an activation that could be mimicked in vitro by Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation. We conclude that, after partial damage to 5-HT neurons, there is a compensatory increase in the synthesis and release of 5-HT from those terminals that remain.
SELLERS AND NONSELLERS OF LAND FOR NEW RURAL HOUSING

Landowners can choose either to sell or to hold their land in areas with active rural land markets. Sellers and nonsellers are both important because their decisions shape patterns of land use. Analysis of mail survey data from 286 landowners in the Rochester, MN SMSA isolates four characteristics that distinguish sellers from nonsellers: occupation, size of landholding, recent acquisition of land, and interest in selling land. Nonsellers are often farmers with a large landholding and no interest in selling. More information is needed about their non-economic motives for holding land.
An unusual photochemical rearrangement; mechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry☆

Abstract An unusual rearrangement of 1-benzoyl-2,2-dicyano-3-phenylcyclopropane is described and compared with the photochemistry of 1-benzoyl-2-phenylcyclopropane. Evidence is advanced for facile fission of the three-ring bond bearing benzoyl and cyano substituents.
5-AzaC Treatment Enhances Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptors through Down-regulation of Sp3

We have previously reported that Sp3 acts as a transcriptional repressor of transforming growth factor-β receptors type I (RI) and type II (RII). We now present data suggesting that treatment of MCF-7L breast and GEO colon cancer cells with 5-aza cytidine (5-azaC) leads to down-regulation of Sp3 and the concomitant induction of RI and RII. Western blot and gel shift analyses on 5-azaC-treated MCF-7L and GEO nuclear extracts indicated reduced Sp3 protein levels and decreased binding of Sp3 protein to radiolabeled consensus Sp1 oligonucleotide. Southwestern analysis detected decreased binding of Sp3 to RI and RII promoters in 5-azaC-treated MCF-7L and GEO cells, suggesting a correlation between decreased Sp3 binding and enhanced RI and RII expression in these cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and nuclear run-on data from 5-azaC-treated MCF-7L and GEO cells indicated down-regulation of Sp3 mRNA as a result of decreased transcription of Sp3. We reported earlier that 5-azaC treatment induces RI and RII expression through increased Sp1 protein levels/activities in these cells. These studies demonstrate that the effect of 5-azaC involves a combination of effects on Sp1 and Sp3.
Estimating Natural Mortality Rates of Juvenile White Shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus

Comparisons of natural mortality rates can be used to identify essential habitat and nursery areas for fishery species. We estimated and compared natural mortality rates of juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus setiferus using length-frequency and mark-recapture data and attempted to identify factors that may affect these mortality rates. Daily instantaneous natural mortality rates (95 % confidence interval (CI)) obtained from length-frequency data by following individual cohorts were 0.043 (0.031–0.054) and 0.014 (0.0–0.039). Combining all length-frequency data, converting to age-frequency data, and using two types of catch-curve analyses yielded estimates of 0.069 (0.042–0.095) and 0.060 (0.046–0.073). Mark-recapture estimates obtained in a separate study from two ponds were 0.129 (0.054–0.203) and 0.014 (−0.048–0.076). These estimates are comparable to previously reported values for this species, but we are the first to report a measure of precision with our estimates. In the mark-recapture study, mortality rates appeared to be related to predator abundance in ponds and flooding patterns of the surrounding marsh. The only mortality rate significantly different from any of the other estimates was the lower of the two length-frequency estimates, but this result should be interpreted with caution because of the uncertainty in that estimate, relative imprecision of our estimates, and confounding factors between the methods we used to estimate mortality. Despite this caveat, the results from our study can be used to improve population models for L. setiferus and our understanding of the role of marsh habitats as nursery areas.
Evaluation of sorbents and additives for dry SO2 removal

Bench scale studies of the reaction between sulfur dioxide and alkaline sorbents were performed in an integrated fixed bed reactor at low temperature, simulating the fabric filter dust layer of dry FGD systems with SO2 laden gas passing through it. Three major groups of sorbent were tested: calcitic and dolomitic hydrated lime, sodium bicarbonate, and limestone (calcite aragonite) with salt additives such as CaCl2, Ca(NO3)2, and NaNO3. Relative humidity significantly affected SO2 absorption by lime and limestone plus additives, but had less impact on NaHCO3 reactivity. Different reaction patterns for various sorbents were observed: the SO2/hydrated lime reaction rate was reduced with conversion of the sorbent, resulting in limited lime utilization, whereas the reactions between SO2 and NaHCO3 and SO2 and CaCO3 plus additives seem to proceed a constant rate, potentially leading to high sorbent utilizations. Results are discussed relating to sorbent screening for dry FGD systems.
High-speed photographic evaluation of intraocular lens movements.

Iridodonesis and pseudophakodonesis were examined in detail with a high-speed camera capable of picture rates up to 500/sec. Tilting, or "wobble," of iris-supported intraocular lenses was extreme, with a tilt of nearly 24 degrees with respect to the visual axis of the globe being documented, even with a moderate speed of globe rotation. Oscillations of the lens continued for several cycles after the globe stopped its rotation. Such lenses can, in some instances, tilt sufficiently to contact the endothelial surface of the cornea. In the case of some anterior chamber intraocular lenses, the iridodonesis is sufficient to cause constant rubbing of the iris on the posterior surface of the lens and its haptics , suggesting that vault, finish, haptic configuration, and placement of the lens may be critical factors in anterior chamber intraocular lens design.