cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural organization of the defensive behavior system responsible for fear

This paper applies the behavior systems approach to fear and defensive behavior, examining the neural circuitry controlling fear and defensive behavior from this vantage point. The defensive behavior system is viewed as having three modes that are activated by different levels of fear. Low levels of fear promote pre-encounter defenses, such as meal-pattern reorganization. Moderate levels of fear activate post-encounter defenses. For the rat, freezing is the dominant post-encounter defensive response. Since this mode of defense is activated by learned fear, forebrain structures such as the amygdala play a critical role in its organization. Projections from the amygdala to the ventral periaqueductal gray activate freezing. Extremely high levels of fear, such as those provoked by physical contact, elicit the vigorous active defenses that compose the circa-strike mode. Midbrain structures such as the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray and the superior colliculus play a crucial role in organizing this mode of defense. Inhibitory interactions between the structures mediating circa-strike and post-encounter defense allow for the rapid switching between defensive modes as the threatening situation varies.
Quantitative fMRI and oxidative neuroenergetics.

The discovery of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has greatly impacted neuroscience. The blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal, using deoxyhemoglobin as an endogenous paramagnetic contrast agent, exposes regions of interest in task-based and resting-state paradigms. However the BOLD contrast is at best a partial measure of neuronal activity, because the functional maps obtained by differencing or correlations ignore the total neuronal activity in the baseline state. Here we describe how studies of brain energy metabolism at Yale, especially with 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy and related techniques, contributed to development of quantitative functional brain imaging with fMRI by providing a reliable measurement of baseline energy. This narrative takes us on a journey, from molecules to mind, with illuminating insights about neuronal–glial activities in relation to energy demand of synaptic activity. These results, along with key contributions from laboratories worldwide, comprise the energetic basis for quantitative interpretation of fMRI data.
Sensory Discrimination of Milk Salts, Lactose, Nondialyzable Constituents, and Algin Gum in Milk

Abstract A dual-standard, paired-comparison method was used by a trained panel to detect additions to milk of lactose, a milk salt mixture, a concentrate of nondialyzable constituents (NDC, mainly protein), and algin gum. To compare the additives on an equivalent basis, concentrations that could be detected two times out of three, as estimated by interpolation, were used. These values were milk salts, 0.03% in skimmilk (8.5 and 10.0% SNF) and 0.05% in milk with 2.0 and 3.5%, fat; lactose, 0.33%,; and NDC, 2.5% (2.2% protein). Criteria used most frequently to distinguish samples containing the additives were for milk salts, saltiness, tactile properties, and taste (quality unspecified); for lactose, sweetness and aftertaste; and for NDC, richness and tactile properties. In milks to which algin gum was added to increase viscosity, two-thirds correct response was obtained with 1.3 cp difference in whole milks (3.5% fat, and both 8.5 and 10.0%, SNF) and 2.3 cp difference in skimmilk. In comparing milk containing 2.0% fat with milk containing 3.5% fat, increasing the viscosity of the 2.0% milk (by adding gum) to equal that of the 3.5% milk did not influence detection of the difference in concentration of fat. Apparently, viscosity was not an important factor in this discrimination.
Association between groat protein percentage and certain plant and seed traits in interspecific oat crosses

Ten interspecific crosses of Avena sativa L. x A. sterilis L. were used to study associations of groat protein percentage with selected seed and agronomic traits. Each cross was grown in a replicated experiment, and the genetic material consisted of parents and F2-derived lines grown in the F4 generation. No close associations were found between groat protein percentage and plant height, heading date, or 10-groat weight. Individual crosses did show significant correlations, but none of the 3 traits was sufficiently associated with groat protein generally so as to be beneficial or inhibitory to combining high groat-protein percentage with the maturity, plant height, and 10-groat weight appropriate for good agronomic cultivars of oats. High groat-protein percentage was closely associated with abscission spikelet separation and jointed awn, both of which are A. sterilis traits. Shattering and dark seed color (A. sterilis traits) were also associated with high groat protein percentage, but kernel pubescence was not. Only a few segregates within each cross were A. sativa type for all 5 of the seed traits, but when A. sativa types from all crosses were grouped together, there was a large range for groat-protein percentages.
Determination of the Amounts of Protein-Synthesis Initiation-Factors Required for Translation of Rabbit α-Globin and β-Globin mRNAs

Abstract α-Globin mRNA was translated at 60-80% of the rate of β-globin mRNA in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, a wheat germ S30 and in a wheat germ partially purified system. The concentrations of the initiation factors (eIF-) required to obtain half-maximal rate of translation (C0.5) of these mRNAs were determined in the partially purified system from wheat germ. The C0.5s of eIF-3, eIF-2 and eIF-4F were found to be about the same. The C0.5s of eIF-4C and eIF-4A for α-globin mRNA were only slightly higher (1.5-fold) than those of β-globin mRNA. The C0.5 for eIF-4B was 2.5-fold higher for α-globin mRNA. Addition of saturating amounts of these initiation factors to either the S-30 system or the partially purified system did not increase the rate of translation of α-globin mRNA. These results indicate that the difference in the rate of translation of α and β-globin mRNAs is not due solely to the amounts of factors required.
Evidence for multistep processes in proton capture reactions

Proton capture populating the (7/2)/sup -/ second-excited state in /sup 7/Be, at an excitation energy of 4.57 MeV, is reported for the /sup 6/Li(p,..gamma..) /sup 7/Be reaction at a bombarding energy of 44.4 MeV. This state cannot be populated by either a conventional direct or semidirect process. Evidence is presented showing that this state could be populated via a multistep excitation in the entrance channel.
Initial relapses in previously treated Hodgkin's disease. I. Results of second treatment†

Two hundred forty-three consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease who relapsed after an initial course of treatment at the Stanford University Division of Radiation Therapy underwent subsequent systematic evaluation and retreatment. An analysis of the influence of numerous parameters, including sex, histopathology, original stage, relapse site, and original and second therapy, on actuarial survival and on relapse-free survival was undertaken. Most relapses (87%) occurred within 3 years of the initial treatment course. The 5-year relapse-free survival measured from the time of second treatment increased from 14% before to 39% after the introduction of multiple agent chemotherapy (MOPP) for relapsing disease. Patients treated with MOPP chemotherapy for nodal relapses showed increased subsequent relapse-free survival (61%) when compared with patients treated only with radiotherapy for nodal relapses. Based on the combined findings of this analysis, recommendations are made regarding the management of patients with Hodgkin's disease who have suffered a relapse.
PLEIOTROPIC EFFECTS OF AN ALLELE PRODUCING WHITE FLOWERS IN IPOMOEA PURPUREA

Although it is generally believed that pollinators are the primary selective agents driving flower-color evolution, it has recently been suggested that pleiotropic effects of mutations affecting flower color may serve as important constraints on floral evolution. We examined this hypothesis using white-flowered variants of the common morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea. Previous experiments indicate that the white-flowered a allele has a transmission advantage because of increased selfing and no detectable pollen discounting. We confirm this transmission advantage using a large field experiment in which both selfing rate and outcross success were measured for all three genotypes at the A locus. We also demonstrate that this transmission advantage is opposed by apparent pleiotropic effects in aa individuals manifested as reduced survival from germination to flowering. The magnitude of this effect, in combination with the known magnitude of inbreeding depression, more than compensates for the transmission advantage. Our results thus support the notion that deleterious pleiotropy may influence the evolutionary trajectory of flower-color mutants.
Should I buy this book? How we construct prospective value

People are able to form preferences for unfamiliar items, such as new books or foods, before experiencing them. A study in this issue of Nature Neuroscience finds that prospective evaluations of unfamiliar items can be based on stored neural representations of relevant, familiar items.
(Occurrence, Etiology, and Clinical Significance of Extreme Thrombocytosis: A Study of 280 Cases

Abstract purpose: To determine the etiology and to evaluate the clinical consequences of an extremely elevated platelet count. patients and methods: A review of the medical records was performed on all patients encountered during a 5 1/2-year period who had at least one platelet count of 1,000 × 10 9 /L or greater. results: Of the total of 280 patients with extreme thrombocytosis (EXT), 231 (82%) had reactive thrombocytosis (RT), 38 (14%) had a myeloproliferative disorder (MPD), and 11 (4%) had cases of uncertain etiology. RT was more common than MPD in all age groups except those in the eighth decade and older. Symptoms of bleeding and/or vaso-occlusive phenomena were noted in association with EXT in 21 (56%) of the MPD patients but in only 10 (4%) of the RT patients. Treatment to lower the platelet count and/or inhibit platelet function was employed in 36 MPD patients and 23 RT patients. Eight patients with MPD and 34 with RT are known to have died, but no patient in either group is known to have died of a thrombotic or bleeding event when the platelet count was greater than or equal to 1,000 × 10 9 /L. conclusions: Platelet counts greater than or equal to 1,000 × 10 9 /L should not be considered rare events in the general, acute-care hospital population, and usually represent a reactive phenomenon.
A Novel Mammalian Iron-regulated Protein Involved in Intracellular Iron Metabolism

We have isolated and characterized a novel iron-regulated gene that is homologous to the divalent metal transporter 1 family of metal transporters. This gene, termed metal transporter protein (mtp1), is expressed in tissues involved in body iron homeostasis including the developing and mature reticuloendothelial system, the duodenum, and the pregnant uterus. MTP1 is also expressed in muscle and central nervous system cells in the embryo. At the subcellular level, MTP1 is localized to the basolateral membrane of the duodenal epithelial cell and a cytoplasmic compartment of reticuloendothelial system cells. Overexpression of MTP1 in tissue culture cells results in intracellular iron depletion. In the adult mouse, MTP1 expression in the liver and duodenum are reciprocally regulated. Iron deficiency induces MTP1 expression in the duodenum but down-regulates expression in the liver. These data indicate that MTP1 is an iron-regulated membrane-spanning protein that is involved in intracellular iron metabolism.
Evaluation of Varicose Veins: What do the Clinical Signs and Symptoms Reveal about the Underlying Disease and Need for Intervention?

Varicose veins and associated venous insufficiency are among the most common vascular conditions requiring specialist evaluation and treatment. Over 80% of people studied in a population based evaluation were found to have visible evidence of venous disease. In this article, the epidemiology of venous disease will be reviewed with specific attention to the common symptom patterns displayed by patients with superficial venous disease. Based on physical examination, the clinician can determine the likely sites of venous insufficiency and efficiently direct use of various diagnostic modalities, such as duplex ultrasound. The importance of the CEAP clinical classification will be discussed as a guide to choosing therapy from the multitude of available options for patients with venous insufficiency.
The Electron-Positron Field Theory of Nuclear Forces

A simple, spin-independent interaction is assumed between heavy particles (neutrons and protons) and electrons. Saturation of resulting forces between heavy particles is assured by choosing a bounded interaction. The change in energy of electrons in negative levels which is caused by the presence of a heavy particle is calculated. Certain general restrictions on the choice of interactions between electrons and heavy particles are discussed.
A microwave antenna array with injection locked quantum dot laser sources

The combining of power of multiple quantum dot mode locked lasers functioning as microwave sources is studied in detail. By injection locking two or more of these devices together, the lasers can feed different elements of the same antenna array radiating at a single frequency. The procedure to determine the injection locking properties of the lasers as microwave sources and to use these lasers to feed a microwave antenna arrays is discussed.
Effect of palladium on the tarnishing of Cu-Ag-Au alloys

Abstract Tarnishing of ternary Cu-Ag-Au alloys was studied by the Tucillo-Nielson method. Both single-phase and two-phase alloys were investigated and it was found that susceptibility to tarnishing increases with silver content only for the single-phase alloys, i.e. alloys with high gold content. But for the two-phase alloys, susceptibility to tarnishing is a function of both the silver and copper content. The role of palladium in preventing tarnishing was also investigated using alloys which had 6 at.% Pd and Cu, Ag, Au in the same ratios as in the ternary alloys. It was found that palladium is effective only in the single-phase alloys where the mode of tarnishing is by silver sulphide formation.
Drug dosing in renal insufficiency

Drug dosing in renal insufficiency needs to be individualized whenever possible to optimize therapeutic outcomes and to minimize toxicity. Although a number of published tables that provide dosing guidelines and nomograms exist to assist in dose modification, individualization of therapy should be based on pharmacokinetic principles whenever possible. The basis equations to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters of clearance, volume of distribution, and half-life for intravenous drug administration of drugs with first-order kinetics are not difficult to understand and apply. Their use should be encouraged in patient care.
The Sampling Aperture For Linear Microdensitometry

In the development of modern linear microdensitometry, the trend of optical system design has been towards the condition of underfilling the efflux optics, with total collection of light after it passes through the sample. The system transfer function is therefore attributable to the influx optics, and the sampling aperture is the light distribution impinging on the sample, reduced from an illuminated slit or circular aperture through the influx optical system. The maximum frequency response of the system is obtained when the sample is illuminated with the impulse response of the influx optics. However, the theoretical impulse response can only be realized by imaging a delta-function and this is photometrically impossible. Similarly, because the system images an illuminated aperture onto the sample, scanning with a pure, geometrically-characterized slit or spot is not possible due to lens response and diffraction. These two problems are investigated, for both coherent and incoherent illumination. For both impulse response and slit image, the MTF is investigated, and its deviation from the ideal is calculated. The results are characterized in terms of RMS-MTF differences over the spectrum for 10, 5, 2 and 1% levels. The controlling parameter is the ratio N/R, where R is the reduction factor employed for the influx optics, and N is the number of resolution elements contained within the nominal object slit width. The study shows that there are significant differences in these values for the same RMS difference level, with coherent and incoherent illumination, and that there are compromises to be made with both kinds of illumination. The results of this study facilitate calculation of system response for any configuration of object slit and influx optics (within the linear microdensitometer system), and defines limits on slit sizes for operation with impulse response and geometrically characterized slit images for the sampling aperture. The effects expected with the linear polarization associated with laser illuminat
Vitamin C and Choline Content of Chlorella vulgaris and C. Pyrenoidosa

The choline content of Chlorella vulgaris and of C. pyrenoidosa (expressed as micrograms per milligram dry cell weight) remained relatively constant during a 3-week growth period. However, the concentration in the latter species exceeded slightly that of the former at all harvest times. In both species, after reaching a peak early in the culture period (5–7 days), the concentration of ascorbic acid decreased continuously. The total yield of both vitamins (micrograms per milliliter of culture) increased continuously because of the increment in cell mass.
Baby bottle steam sterilizers disinfect home nebulizers inoculated with bacterial respiratory pathogens

Abstract Background Contaminated nebulizers are a potential source of bacterial infection but no single method is universally accepted for disinfection. We hypothesized that baby-bottle steam sterilizers effectively disinfect home nebulizers. Methods Home nebulizers were inoculated with the common CF respiratory pathogens methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Burkholderia cepacia , Haemophilus influenzae , mucoid and non mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia . The nebulizers were swabbed for bacterial growth, treated with either the AVENT (Philips), the NUK Quick & Ready (Gerber) or DRY-POD (Camera Baby) baby bottle steam sterilizer and reswabbed for bacterial growth. Results All steam sterilizers were effective at disinfecting all home nebulizers. Viable bacteria were not recovered from any inoculated site after steam treatment, under any conditions tested. Conclusions Steam treatment is an effective disinfection method. Additional studies are needed to confirm whether these results are applicable to the clinical setting.
Signaling control of memory T cell generation and function

Memory T cells exhibit low activation thresholds and mediate rapid effector responses when recalled by antigen; contrasting the higher activation threshold, slower responses and predominant IL-2 production by naive T cells. While the sequence of intracellular events coupling the T cell-receptor (TCR) to naive T cell activation is well characterized, biochemical control of memory T cell differentiation and function remains undefined. In this review, we will discuss recent developments in T cell-receptor signal transduction as they pertain to memory T cells, and will discuss how signal dampening may drive memory generation, and more efficient spatial organization of signaling molecules may promote rapid recall responses.
Personal Space Requirements in Indoor Versus Outdoor Locations

Summary The personal space requirements of 96 undergraduates were measured under indoor (vacant room) and outdoor (empty soccer field) conditions. Two male and two female S s were tested by 24 undergraduate Es; the stop-distance technique was used for both conditions. There was a significant difference between the personal space distances in the two locations. Interpersonal closeness produced less discomfort in open spaces than in vertically restricted areas. These results support a spheroid model in which personal space extends in vertical as well as horizontal directions.
Semiempirical Model for Satellite Energy-Accommodation Coefficients

The energy-accommodation coefficient is an important parameter affecting satellite drag and orbit predictions. Previous estimates of this coefficient have been based on interpolation from values tabulated at several altitudes and solar conditions. In an effort to improve drag coefficient accuracy and to compute values of the accommodation coefficient that respond to the real variability of the atmosphere, a first-principles approach is desired. The present work combines the theory that gas–surface interactions in lowEarth orbit are driven byadsorption of atomic oxygen, with observations of satellite accommodation collected during solar cycle 22. The result is a semiempirical model based on Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm, which agrees with the data to within 3%. This model can be used to improve drag predictions during a wide range of space weather conditions, as well as to improve the accuracy for atmospheric densities derived from satellite drag.
DEALING WITH MEGAWATT BEAMS

The next generation of accelerators for MegaWatt proton, electron and heavy-ion beams puts unprecedented requirements on the accuracy of particle production predictions, the capability and reliability of the codes used in planning new accelerator facilities and experiments, the design of machine, target and collimation systems, detectors and radiation shielding and minimization of their impact on environment. Recent advances in code developments are described for the critical modules related to these challenges. Examples are given for the most demanding areas: targets, collimators, beam absorbers, radiation shielding, induced radioactivity and radiation damage.
Safeguarding Mutable Fields in AODV Route Discovery Process

Assuring cryptographic integrity of mutable fields in any on-demand ad hoc routing protocol is more challenging than that of non mutable fields. We propose an efficient authentication strategy for this purpose, which leverages a proposed broadcast encryption (BE) scheme. We investigate some shortcomings of SAODV, a popular secure extension of the ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) protocol and suggest some modifications to the protocol to overcome the shortcomings. The modifications include proactive maintenance of a secure reliable delivery neighborhood (RDN) by each node and the use of the BE based authentication strategy for mutable fields.
ST ELEVATION AS AN ECG ENDOPHENOTYPE FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS HARBORING RARE SODIUM CHANNEL SUBUNIT GENE VARIANTS

Background: Rare variants in cardiac sodium channel genes have been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and Brugada syndrome. Given the characteristic Brugada ECG, we tested the hypothesis that AF patients carrying rare variants encoding cardiac sodium channels are more likely to have right precordial ST-segment elevation than AF patients carrying wildtype alleles. Methods: ECG parameters were measured for 86 AF patients who harbored a rare variant (minor allele frequency o0.01) in a cardiac sodium channel gene (SCNA5, SCNB1, SCNB2, or SCN10A) and 102 AF patients who were sequenced but did not carry a rare variant (controls). A total of 508 sinus rhythm, ambulatory ECGs were analyzed using custom software. Results: Median age was 50.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 41–59 years), and 65% of patients were male. Median ST-segment elevation was significantly higher in variant carriers than in controls: 0.69 mm (IQR 0.31– 0.96 mm) vs 0.4 mm (0.21–0.8 mm) (P 1⁄4 .007). This difference remained highly significant after adjustment for age and sex (P 1⁄4 .0003). ST elevationZ1.5 mm was seen in 9.3% of carriers but in only 2% of controls (P 1⁄4 .05). ST-segment elevation Z1 mm was more common among rare variant carriers (22%) than in controls (14%), although the difference in proportions was not statistically significant (P 1⁄4 .18). The specificity of ST elevation Z1.5 mm as a marker for sodium channel subunit gene variants was 98%, although the sensitivity was only 9%. Conclusions: Among patients with AF, ST-segment elevation on routine, ambulatory 12-lead ECGs was more common and more pronounced in carriers of rare variants in genes encoding cardiac sodium channel subunits than in noncarriers. Marked ST elevation (Z1.5 mm) may serve as an ECG endophenotype for AF patients who harbor sodium channel subunit gene variants.
"Without money you're nothing": poverty and health in Mexico from women's perspective

The objective of this qualitative study was to get to know poor Mexican women's experience of poverty in relation to health care. Forty-nine interviews were carried out with poor adult women in Mexico (between 35 and 65 years old). Three central elements were detected in relation to the women's experience of poverty and health care: their socio-economic dependence on their family; the notion of social belonging in their experience with health care rights, reflected in the idea and acceptance that, due to their poverty, they can only be attended at philanthropic institutions; and the existence of survival mechanisms when facing an illness. In recovering the experience of poor women in relation to their health care, we identified that there is a clear idea that, if women had had economic resources, their health problem would have been solved differently. They are also convinced that, due to being poor, they have to content themselves with bad-quality medical care. This conformity finally makes them resign to the fact of either loosing a part of their own body, or even just waiting for death.
Licence-aware management of virtual machines

When managing dynamic virtual environments, a consideration that is often overlooked is that of licences. This consideration is particularly important when the environment contains expensive enterprise software with complex licensing terms: if the management system does not understand those terms, it is very likely that too many licences will be used, placing the administrator in an awkward position with the software vendors. We describe a licence management technique integrated with an existing virtual machine management system, and demonstrate its ability to adhere to a variety of licence rules. We also describe two sets of licence rules in sufficient detail to motivate the design and implementation of the system. We evaluate our technique through simulation.
Similarities in the disturbances in cortical information processing in alcoholism and aging: a pilot evoked potential study.

Objective: To examine the hypothesis that chronic alcohol use causes accelerated aging of the brain. Methods: The auditory evoked potentials (EPs) were compared in three groups of 10 subjects each: (a) middle-aged individuals meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence, (b) age- and gender-matched group of healthy individuals, and (c) an older (>65 years) group of gender-matched healthy individuals. Multiple levels of cortical information processing were examined using EPs. Early stages of information processing, related to sensory gating and stimulus classification (P50, N100/P200), were studied using a paired-click paradigm. Later stages of information processing associated with memory upgrading and identification of novel stimuli (P300) were studied using an oddball paradigm. Results: The amplitude and latency of the P300 of the alcoholic patients and the older healthy subjects differed significantly from those of the younger healthy group. Both groups showed changes that have been reported in association with aging. A tendency towards decreased sensory gating in later stages of information processing was noted in the aged healthy individuals. Conclusions: These data suggest that alcohol dependence may accelerate the aging process. The tendency towards a sensory gating deficit during the attentive phase of information processing in older healthy subjects requires further investigation because it may be a marker for an increased proneness to developing psychotic symptoms in that group.
Computing Green's Functions from Ambient Noise Recorded by Accelerometers and Analog, Broadband, and Narrow-Band Seismometers

The objective of our study is to supplement the regional P / S 3-D velocity model in the Reno basin with shear-wave velocity models derived from ambient noise interferometry (Aki 1957; Claerbout 1968; Shapiro et al. 2005; Sabra et al. 2005; Lin et al. 2008; Yang et al. 2008). We use a variety of seismic sensors in the Reno-Carson area (Figure 1). There is a gap for demonstrated extraction of Green's functions (GFs) from ambient noise between short and long interstation distances. The lateral resolution of existing tomographic models exceeds the dimensions of the Reno basin area (∼60 km2), and their depth resolution is larger than the Reno basin depth to basement (<3 km). GFs have been recently retrieved in the western United States from data recorded at broadband sensors, such as the EarthScope Transportable Array (TA) deployment (Figure 1C) with lateral resolution of 60–100 km (Yang et al. 2008; Lin et al. 2008) and for periods exceeding 8 s ( i.e. , sampling more than 8 km deep). Using the Re-Mi methods, noise-extracted Rayleigh waves for local shallow shear-wave velocity studies provided information on structure less than 0.2 km from the surface (Scott et al. 2004). In order to estimate P and S velocity models deeper than 3 km, earthquake tomography was until recently the only cost effective alternative to active source experiments (Frary et al. 2009). The body-wave tomographic studies in the Reno basin (Preston and von Seggern 2008) do not allow precise control of the velocity or depth of shallow structures in the basin, due to low resolution in the upper 3 km. Another disadvantage of body-wave tomography is the high level of uncertainty in the S -arrival time picks. GF extraction from noise cross-correlations at scales less than 60 …
Effect of dendrimeric composition on the removal of pyrene from water

Several closely related branched structures related to the well-established benzyl ether dendrimers were tested as hosts for the removal of pyrene from water. Fluorescence spectroscopy based complexation studies showed that the first generation benzyl ether dendrimers removed on average 94 % of pyrene from a saturated aqueous solution after 30 min. By contrast, branched systems containing modified benzyl ether or cyclohexane functional groups removed between 0 and 75 % of pyrene at the same time point while systems with benzyl amine resulted in a 77 % decrease in pyrene. This selectivity eroded over two days after which time all dendrimeric types removed pyrene to approximately the same extent. Inclusion constants of 109–1011 M−1 were calculated for the branched systems studied.
Algorithms for fast concurrent reconfiguration of hexagonal metamorphic robots

The problem addressed is the distributed reconfiguration of a system of hexagonal metamorphic robots (modules) from an initial straight chain to a goal configuration that satisfies a simple admissibility condition. Our reconfiguration strategy depends on finding a contiguous path of cells that spans the goal configuration and over which modules can move concurrently without collision or deadlock, called an admissible substrate path. A subset of modules first occupy the admissible substrate path, which is then traversed by other modules to fill in the remainder of the goal. We present a two-phase reconfiguration strategy, beginning with a centralized preprocessing phase that finds and heuristically ranks all admissible substrate paths in the goal configuration, according to which path is likely to result in fast parallel reconfiguration. We prove the correctness of our path-finding algorithm and demonstrate its effectiveness through simulation. The second phase of reconfiguration is accomplished by a deterministic, distributed algorithm that uses little or no intermodule message passing.
From Gut Knowing: Every Silver Cloud has a Black Lining Actor Reflections on “Ties That Bind”

Using the interpretive lens of Erving Goffman’s Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, this article makes sense of the performance of Steve Taylor’s play, “Ties That Bind”, from the perspective of the actors, 14 faculty members, and doctoral students from various universities in the United States. The article is based not only on actor reflections on their experiences as participants in the play but also on the author’s interpretation of these reflections and his observations of what transpired on the frontstage and backstage of the performance. Every actor experienced his or her participation in the play as energizing, liberating, and fun. Yet, paradoxically, although the play dissected and exposed the perils of academic roles and face, their subtle reproduction during rehearsals, between takes, and at lunch, that is, on the backstage of the performance, was initially a surprise to the author—and a cause for inquiry.
Weld Repair of Aged Cr-Mo Steel Piping—A Review of Literature

Power plant piping operating at elevated temperatures is subject to several types of service aging-related degradation, such as softening, spheroidization, embrittlement, and creep. When cracks are found in these components, weld repair is often employed to ensure continued operation. The efficacy of the weld repairs in terms of extending the life of the aged components has, however, not been documented quantitatively. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has recently undertaken a comprehensive study to evaluate weld repairs performed to aged piping. In connection with this study, results from other worldwide activities have been reviewed, leading to significant conclusions regarding weld repair. This review of results from several worldwide studies has confirmed that aged high-temperature piping can be successfully weld repaired to gain additional lives in excess of several decades. The key aspects of successful weld repair include excavation and removal of all prior creep cavitation damage, elimination of external bending stresses, and implementation of good welding practice. From merely a creep rupture point of view, postweld heat treatment (PWHT) has been concluded to be superfluous by several authors. Temperbead repairs appear to offer a promising alternative to PWHT repairs from a creep, tensile, and toughness standpoint. Choice of the repair process ultimately is dictated by many considerations such as toughness, notch sensitivity, residual stresses and hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility. Several reports suggest that gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) repairs may outperform shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) repairs with or without PWHT.
Obesity in men: the hypogonadal-estrogen receptor relationship and its effect on glucose homeostasis

Aromatase is important in men's health, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and aging. In males with increasing obesity there is increased aromatase activity, which irreversibly converts testosterone to estradiol resulting in decreased testosterone and elevated estrogen levels. Since androgens reduce the expression of ER beta activity, decreased testosterone levels release the normally suppressed ER beta expression and results in the down regulation of GLUT4 with resultant insulin resistance. The increased estradiol concentrations influence both of the estrogen receptors, but specifically intensify the metabolic effects of ER beta because of its released suppression, a consequence of diminished testosterone concentrations. These dual actions then combine to amplify the mechanisms that lead to disordered glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance under these conditions. An appreciation of the relationships between the hormonal products of aromatase activity and their direct effects on the estrogen receptors focuses on potential innovative therapeutic interventions. These include aromatase inhibitors, which correct the dual consequences of hypotestosteronemia and hyperestrogenemia and eventually ER beta antagonists when they become available.
Interpretation of design soil parameters from cone penetration tests A fuzzy set approach

Interpretation of soil parameters from cone penetration test (CPT) data is a complex process. The authors present an improved method based on fuzzy sets for estimation of design parameters of sands, such as relative density and drained angle from CPT data. Uncertainty is handled by the use of fuzzy numbers. The fuzzy number inputs are processed by fuzzy arithmetic, and in this way, uncertainty is allowed to propagate in the interpretation process. Knowledge extracted from the literature is used to determine proper fuzzy numbers that characterize uncertainties in the interpretation process. Results show that the method can reliably estimate design soil parameters from cone penetration tests. >
Complete Genome Sequence of the Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacterium and Obligate Chemolithoautotroph Nitrosomonas europaea

Nitrosomonas europaea (ATCC 19718) is a gram-negative obligate chemolithoautotroph that can derive all its energy and reductant for growth from the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite. Nitrosomonas europaea participates in the biogeochemical N cycle in the process of nitrification. Its genome consists of a single circular chromosome of 2,812,094 bp. The GC skew analysis indicates that the genome is divided into two unequal replichores. Genes are distributed evenly around the genome, with ∼47% transcribed from one strand and ∼53% transcribed from the complementary strand. A total of 2,460 protein-encoding genes emerged from the modeling effort, averaging 1,011 bp in length, with intergenic regions averaging 117 bp. Genes necessary for the catabolism of ammonia, energy and reductant generation, biosynthesis, and CO 2 and NH 3 assimilation were identified. In contrast, genes for catabolism of organic compounds are limited. Genes encoding transporters for inorganic ions were plentiful, whereas genes encoding transporters for organic molecules were scant. Complex repetitive elements constitute ca. 5% of the genome. Among these are 85 predicted insertion sequence elements in eight different families. The strategy of N. europaea to accumulate Fe from the environment involves several classes of Fe receptors with more than 20 genes devoted to these receptors. However, genes for the synthesis of only one siderophore, citrate, were identified in the genome. This genome has provided new insights into the growth and metabolism of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.
Task specificity and the influence of memory on visual search: comment on Võ and Wolfe (2012).

Recent results from Vo and Wolfe (2012b) suggest that the application of memory to visual search may be task specific: Previous experience searching for an object facilitated later search for that object, but object information acquired during a different task did not appear to transfer to search. The latter inference depended on evidence that a preview task did not improve later search, but Vo and Wolfe used a relatively insensitive, between-subjects design. Here, we replicated the Vo and Wolfe study using a within-subject manipulation of scene preview. A preview session (focused either on object location memory or on the assessment of object semantics) reliably facilitated later search. In addition, information acquired from distractors in a scene-facilitated search when the distractor later became the target. Instead of being strongly constrained by task, visual memory is applied flexibly to guide attention and gaze during visual search.
Anatomical transformation in mammals: developmental origin of aberrant cervical anatomy in tree sloths

Mammalian cervical count has been fixed at seven for more than 200 million years. The rare exceptions to this evolutionary constraint have intrigued anatomists since the time of Cuvier, but the developmental processes that generate them are unknown. Here we evaluate competing hypotheses for the evolutionary origin of cervical variants in Bradypus and Choloepus, tree sloths that have broken the seven cervical vertebrae barrier independently and in opposite directions. Transitional and mediolaterally disjunct anatomy characterizes the cervicothoracic vertebral boundary in each genus, although polarities are reversed. The thoracolumbar, lumbosacral, and sacrocaudal boundaries are also disrupted, and are more extreme in individuals with more extreme cervical counts. Hypotheses of homologous, homeotic, meristic, or associational transformations of traditional vertebral column anatomy are not supported by these data. We identify global homeotic repatterning of abaxial relative to primaxial mesodermal derivatives as the origin of the anomalous cervical counts of tree sloths. This interpretation emphasizes the strong resistance of the "rule of seven" to evolutionary change, as morphological stasis has been maintained primaxially coincident with the generation of a functionally longer (Bradypus) or shorter (Choloepus) neck.
A Signal Detection Analysis of Audio/Video Redundancy Effects in Television News Video

Using signal detection methods, this study found participants were better able to discriminate information from news stories with redundant visuals than from news stories with dissonant visuals. This finding, along with the absence of memory decision-criterion differences between the redundant and dissonant conditions, is further evidence that the robust audio/video redundancy effect in the literature reflects differences of memory strength and not simply a shift in decision criterion. More interesting, there were no significant differences when examining correct recognitions only, further pointing to the need for signal detection methods in media memory studies.
What is SINS

The goal of the NRL secure middleware project (SINS) is to develop infrastructure for the deployment and protection of time- and mission-critical applications on a distributed computing platform, in a hostile computing environment such as the Internet, while using unreliable or untrusted COTS components. In this project, we are rethinking basic ways in which distributed applications are developed, deployed, configured, and maintained. Such a methodology and infrastructure are crucial for the deployment of mission-critical applications in a collaborative environment spanning multiple sites, by multiple agencies, and across multiple enterprises.
Age effects upon the harmonic structure of human blood pressure in clinical health

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring of 180 clinically healthy adults of both genders is used to investigate and compare ultradian aspects of systolic and diastolic blood pressure as a function of age. Three age categories are considered: 20-40, 40-60, and over 60 years of age. results from least-squares spectra of each data series are further examined by analysis of variance. Gender and age effects are found to characterize the waveform of human blood pressure. These effects can be quantified by spectral analysis and may represent gauges of aging. >
Molecular model checking

This paper shows how to perform model checking, a technique for automatic program verification, by a DNA algorithm. Our method depends on two ideas. First, Kripke structures can be compactly represented in a DNA substrate, coding each state and each edge by a strand of DNA. Second, satisfaction of temporal eventualities can be achieved through a self-propagating molecular chain reaction.
Dynamic loop caching meets preloaded loop caching-a hybrid approach

Dynamically-loaded tagless loop caching reduces instruction fetch power for embedded software with small loops, but only supports simple loops without taken branches. Preloaded tagless loop caching supports complex loops with branches and thus can reduce power further, but has a limit on the total number of instructions cached. We show that each does well on particular benchmarks, but neither is best across all of those benchmarks. We present a new hybrid loop cache that only preloads the complex loops, while dynamically loading other loops, thus achieving the strengths of each approach. We demonstrate better power savings than either previous approach alone.
Paraspinal tumors: Techniques and results of brachytherapy

Because of their proximity to nerve roots and the spinal cord, it is frequently difficult to achieve complete resection of paraspinal tumors. We have used brachytherapy in an attempt to prevent local recurrence and its associated neurological sequelae. This report analyzes our experience with 35 patients to determine the feasibility, optimal techniques, and efficacy of this approach. The tumor types were non small-cell lung cancer (18), sarcomas (9), and other tumor types (8). Temporary, single plane implants using Ir-192 (median minimum peripheral dose 3000 cGy) were used in 21 patients, and permanent I-125 implants were used in 14 cases (median matched peripheral dose 12,500 cGy). Local control was achieved in 51% (18/35). However, local control was poor when lung cancers were implanted and in cases where the dura was exposed. Radiation myelitis did not occur despite the combined effects of previous external beam radiotherapy (N = 21) and brachytherapy. Our experience demonstrates that combined surgery and paraspinal brachytherapy can be performed with acceptable toxicity and is reasonably effective in preventing local relapse and its neurologic sequelae, particularly for tumors other than lung cancers.
Identifying and Cultivating Superforecasters as a Method of Improving Probabilistic Predictions

Across a wide range of tasks, research has shown that people make poor probabilistic predictions of future events. Recently, the U.S. Intelligence Community sponsored a series of forecasting tournaments designed to explore the best strategies for generating accurate subjective probability estimates of geopolitical events. In this article, we describe the winning strategy: culling off top performers each year and assigning them into elite teams of superforecasters. Defying expectations of regression toward the mean 2 years in a row, superforecasters maintained high accuracy across hundreds of questions and a wide array of topics. We find support for four mutually reinforcing explanations of superforecaster performance: (a) cognitive abilities and styles, (b) task-specific skills, (c) motivation and commitment, and (d) enriched environments. These findings suggest that superforecasters are partly discovered and partly created—and that the high-performance incentives of tournaments highlight aspects of human...
The Well-Being of Children Living With Interethnic Parents: Are They at a Disadvantage?

An increasing number of U.S. children are living with interethnic parents, yet we know relatively little about how they are faring. Using data from the first wave (1987-1988) of the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), this study examines differences in child well-being between children living with interethnic parents and those living with same-ethnic parents. Results provide only limited evidence that child well-being is lower among children living with interethnic parents. Compared with children in same-ethnic families, children living with interethnic parents exhibited higher levels of negative affect, and this difference could not be explained by differences in background or family characteristics, levels of parents relationship stressors, or parenting quality. At the same time, however, no differences were found in global well-being, positive affect, or behavior problems. Children living with interethnic parents may face some greater difficulties that warrant concern, but they do not appear to face pervasive disadvantages.