cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring exposure to Agent Orange and increased mortality due to bladder cancer

Abstract Background During the Vietnam War, many veterans were exposed to Agent Orange (AO), a chemical defoliant containing varying levels of the carcinogen dioxin. The health effects of AO exposure have been widely studied in the VA population. Here we review and interpret data regarding the association between AO exposure and bladder cancer (BC) mortality. Main findings Data evaluating the association between AO and BC is limited. Methods characterizing exposure have become more sophisticated over time. Several studies support the link between AO exposure and increased mortality due to BC, including the Korean Veterans Health Study. Conclusions Available data suggest an association with exposure to AO and increased mortality due to BC. In patients exposed to AO, increased frequency of cystoscopic surveillance and potentially more aggressive therapy for those with BC may be warranted but utility of these strategies remains to be proven. Additional research is required to better understand the relationship between AO and BC.
Cannabis use moderates the relationship between pain and negative affect in adults with opioid use disorder.

Abstract Introduction Adults in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction are at risk for substance use relapse and opioid overdose. They often have high rates of cannabis use and comorbid symptoms of pain, depression, and anxiety. Low levels of self-efficacy (confidence that one can self-manage symptoms) are linked to higher symptom burdens and increased substance use. The effects of cannabis use on symptom management among adults with MAT are currently unclear. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study is to examine whether cannabis use moderates the relationships between pain and negative affect (i.e., depression and anxiety) and whether self-efficacy influences these interactions. Methods A total of 150 adults receiving MAT and attending one of two opioid treatment program clinics were administered a survey containing measures of pain, depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and cannabis use. Results Cannabis use frequency moderated the relationships between pain and depression as well as pain and anxiety. Specifically, as cannabis use frequency increased, the positive relationships between pain and depression and pain and anxiety grew stronger. However, cannabis use was no longer a significant moderator after controlling for self-efficacy. Conclusions Results suggest that cannabis use strengthens, rather than weakens, the relationships between pain and depression and pain and anxiety. These effects appear to be driven by decreased self-efficacy in cannabis users. It is important to understand how self-efficacy can be improved through symptom self-management interventions and whether self-efficacy can improve distressing symptoms for people in MAT.
High power factor Z-source resonant wireless charger with soft switching

Wireless charger for Electric Vehicles (EVs) is an off-line application and it needs power factor correction (PFC) function, which usually consists of a front-end boost PFC and a cascaded DC/DC converter. Recently, Z-source resonant converter (ZSRC), a single-stage solution with low cost and high efficiency, was proposed for EV wireless charger. Combining with the Z-source network, the control scheme is more challenged and sophisticated. Traditional phase-shift control and pulse notch control have been applied to ZSRC performing PFC function and load regulation successfully. However, both aforementioned control schemes have hard switching characteristic which cannot be avoided when chopping the current for load regulation. The ZSRC has efficiency benefit over traditional two-stage structure in a narrow design window due to the large portion of switching loss. Hence, this paper presents a burst control method specific for ZSRC with soft switching. It can pass IEC61000-3-2 Class A criterion with double line frequency power absorbed in the Z-source network. The efficiency improvement is over 10% at half load. Experimental results based on a 1-kW prototype with 20-cm air gap between the primary and secondary side are presented to illustrate the proposed control scheme.
VariFunNet, an integrated multiscale modeling framework to study the effects of rare non-coding variants in genome-wide association studies: Applied to Alzheimer's disease

It is a grand challenge to reveal the causal effects of DNA variants in complex phenotypes. Although statistical techniques can establish correlations between genotypes and phenotypes in Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), they often fail when the variant is rare. The emerging Network-based Association Studies aim to address this shortcoming in statistical analysis, but are mainly applied to coding variations. Increasing evidences suggest that non-coding variants play critical roles in the etiology of complex diseases. However, few computational tools are available to study the effect of rare non-coding variants on phenotypes. Here we have developed a multiscale modeling variant-to-function-to-network framework VariFunNet to address these challenges. VariFunNet first predict the functional variations of molecular interactions, which result from the non-coding variants. Then we incorporate the genes associated with the functional variation into a tissue-specific gene network, and identify subnetworks that transmit the functional variation to molecular phenotypes. Finally, we quantify the functional implication of the subnetwork, and prioritize the association of the non-coding variants with the phenotype. We have applied VariFunNet to investigating the causal effect of rare non-coding variants on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among top 21 ranked causal non-coding variants, 16 of them are directly supported by existing evidences. The remaining 5 novel variants dysregulate multiple downstream biological processes, all of which are associated with the pathology of AD. Furthermore, we propose potential new drug targets that may modulate diverse pathways responsible for AD. These findings may shed new light on discovering new biomarkers and therapies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AD. Our results suggest that multiscale modeling is a potentially powerful approach to studying causal genotype-phenotype associations.
The effect of survey measurement on respondent behaviour: Research Articles

Although it is well known that measures obtained from surveyed samples may not perfectly match the true values in the population, surveys are generally thought to reflect but not to change opinion or subsequent behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to review a new, growing stream of research that demonstrates that merely responding to a marketing research survey alters subsequent behaviour. The papers in this stream of research compare the behaviour of an experimental group where individuals respond to a marketing research survey to a control group where individuals do not complete a survey. The results show that measuring intentions or satisfaction in a marketing research survey, changes the behaviour of respondents in the experimental group. For positively viewed products, overall, respondents in the experimental group have higher purchase incidence, buy more quickly, and are more profitable customers than those in the control group. Further, the results in some cases persist over time. Although research to determine why this mere measurement effect occurs is ongoing, to date, results suggest that measurement increases the accessibility of attitudes toward the product, which in turn makes the resulting behaviour more consistent with those attitudes than when measurement does not occur. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved formation of electrically-deposited enzyme-embedded chitosan coatings onto carbon fiber microelectrodes

A significant challenge in the preparation of enzyme modified electrodes is the immobilization of enzyme near the electrode surface. Traditionally, the polysaccharide chitosan can be electrodeposited around an electrode by the application of a moderately negative voltage, causing an increase in the local pH, triggering its precipitation onto the electrode and immobilizing enzyme in the process. Unfortunately, the production of hydrogen gas bubbles during film deposition is well known to result in the formation of incomplete or non-uniform coatings. In this technical note, the simple addition of a redox-active proton consumer into the chitosan deposition solution is shown to improve the uniformity, reproducibility, and throughput of glucose oxidase-embedded chitosan-coated carbon fiber microelectrodes (GOX/CHIT-CFMs) appropriate for fast scan cyclic voltammetry. GOX/CHIT-CFMs produced through the reduction of benzoquinone and chloramphenicol showed no significant difference in enzyme performance, sensitivity, limit of detection, or time response as compared to those produced through the traditional approach, though throughput was much higher and film morphology was more uniform and reproducible. Benzoquinone displayed some reactivity when added to the coating solution which resulted in slightly thicker coatings that were morphologically distinct from those produced by either the traditional approach or with chloramphenicol. The addition of the antibiotic chloramphenicol, however, showed no such effect and is amenable for preparing GOX/CHIT-CFMs with high throughput. Overall, this work enables the production of more robust enzyme-embedded chitosan electrode films onto carbon fiber microelectrodes without sacrificing their performance.
Machine learning further improving place and route QoR

Place and route at advanced process node is becoming much more complicated than ever, to meet both timing and DRC closure need multiple core engines to co-work seamlessly well. Traditionally it is very hard problem to decide a solution finally works or not along the flow, the machine learning method opens a door to give better correlated result in the flow. We have constantly seen the improvement trend in our product development.
Does Gratitude Enhance Coping Ability

In this chapter I investigate whether gratitude enhances well-being through promoting effective coping. New evidence suggests that positive emotion may be important in dealing with trauma. After reviewing the mechanisms by which positive emotion may benefit coping, I then turn to how gratitude may specifically provide benefits for coping. I first review literature showing that people often experience gratitude in the wake of trauma. Thus, if gratitude is an effective coping tool, it should be available to individuals in stressful situations. Research from a wide array of studies shows that effective coping is one of the most salient features of grateful people. I explore the “how” of grateful coping, and show that one reason that grateful people cope so effectively is because they positively reappraise negative events. I conclude by describing an experimental study showing how grateful processing of bad events helps bring closure, and decreases the negative affect and the intrusiveness associated with troubling memories.
Approximate Methods for Estimating Forces in Statically Indeterminate Structures

In this chapter, we describe some approximate methods for estimating the forces in indeterminate structures. We start with multi-span beams subjected to gravity loading. Next, we treat rigid frame structures under gravity loading. Then, we consider rigid frame structures under lateral loading. For this case, we distinguish between short and tall buildings. For short buildings, we first describe the portal method, an empirical procedure, for estimating the shear forces in the columns, and then present an approximate stiffness approach which is more exact but less convenient to apply. For tall buildings, we model them as beams and use beam theory to estimate the forces in the columns. With all the approximate methods, our goal is to use simple hand calculation-based methods to estimate the forces which are needed for preliminary design and also for checking computer-based analysis methods.
Building a community memory for intelligent tutoring systems

This article discusses the need for multiple experts to work together to develop knowledge representation systems for intelligent tutors. Three case studies are examined in which the need for a pragmatic approach to the problem of knowledge acquisition has become apparent. Example methodologies for building tools for the knowledge acquisition phase are described including specific tasks and criteria that might be used to transfer expertise from several experts to an intelligent tutoring system.
Detection of viable Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli by quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction.

With the use of Escherichia coli O157:H7 as a model, a procedure for the quantitative detection of viable Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in broth and cooked ground beef enrichments with multiple-time point quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (QC-PCR) was developed. The A subunit (a 401-bp fragment) of the stx2 gene was chosen as a target sequence. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) was used to isolate and concentrate cells from ground beef enrichments. Cell viability was confirmed on the basis of the quantitative increase in the signal of target bands from QC-PCR across multiple time points. The application of IMS increased detection limits relative to those for QC-PCR without IMS. E. coli 0157:H7 inoculated at 0.20 CFU/g of cooked ground beef (25 g of ground beef plus 225 ml of Bacto modified EC medium plus novobiocin) was detected and confirmed to be viable in <15 h. A DNA-based molecular approach can be used to determine cell viability.
Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Bladder: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Primary plasmacytoma of the bladder is extremely rare, with only 10 cases reported in the literature. We report on a patient who was treated unsuccessfully with radiation and subsequently underwent anterior exenteration with ileo-conduit construction.
EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES IN THE CORNELL PHOSPHATASE TEST

Summary The Cornell phosphatase test, with its single buffer for milk and all dairy products, has been adopted successfully and widely in the past 15 years. Recent changes in national and state regulations raising temperatures to high levels for acceptable pasteurization, and direct experience gained on the behavior of chemical reagents in phosphatase testing have suggested evolutionary revisions in the Cornell test, leading to greater simplicity without upsetting its demonstrated past high sensitivity and reproducibility. Changes include estabishing one hour as the incubation time for the standard test, simplifying color standard preparation, substituting CQC for BQC, reducing time of color development to 5 min, emphasizing butyl alcohol extraction and selecting a lower level phenol value for defining underpasteurization. The revised Cornell standard 1-hr phosphatase test detects 0.1% raw milk addition to pasteurized milk and a drop of between one and two degrees in HTST milk pasteurization processes. It...
Performance of Forearm FMG for Estimating Hand Gestures and Prosthetic Hand Control

This study is aimed at exploring the prediction of the various hand gestures based on Force Myography (FMG) signals generated through piezoelectric sensors banded around the forearm. In the study, the muscles extension and contraction during specific movements were mapped, interpreted, and a control algorithm has been established to allow predefined grips and individual finger movements. Decision Tree Learning (DTL) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) have been used for classification and model recognition. Both of these estimated models generated an averaged accuracy of more than 80.0%, for predicting grasping, pinching, left flexion, and wrist rotation. As the classification showed a distinct feature in the signal, a real-time control system based on the threshold value has been implemented in a prosthetic hand. The hand motion has also been recorded through Virtual Motion Glove (VMD) to establish dynamic relationship between the FMG data and the different hand gestures. The classification of the hand gestures based on FMG signal will provide a useful foundation for future research in the interfacing and utilization of medical devices.
The New Biobehavioral Developmental Science of Puberty

This special section is the product of a small-group meeting of those who study puberty and its relevance. Our aim was to gather information and write manuscripts to inform scientists of advances and continuing obstacles, as well as to stimulate interdisciplinary research on puberty relevant across the lifespan. The themes of the nine position or review papers (and commentary), range from cell to society. We hope this introduction will entice you to read all the papers and consider how they apply or expand your next steps in research or help you synthesize the literature on puberty. We anticipate the papers can embellish your adolescent courses, and, for junior scientists, we hope the many intriguing possibilities for future research on puberty will be apparent.
The Interactive Effects of Imagery Learning Strategy and Originality on Learning and Long-Term Retention

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of imagery learning strategies and students’ originality in learning and retention. Imagery learning strategies in this study were: experimenter-provided (EP), subject-generated (SG), and control group (CG). In the experimenter-provided imagery learning condition, the experimenter provided the students with linking images of the paired-associate list and were instructed to use such images to help them learn. Students in the self-generated imagery learning condition were instructed to form a linking image of their own to the stimulus and response term pairs of the paired-associate list. Students in the control group received no imagery instruction. They were simply told to study the paired-associate list for later recall.
Ligament of Treitz Release With Duodenal Lowering for Pediatric Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Abstract Background Operative approaches for superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) vary from Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy to the more conservative division of the ligament of Treitz with inferior duodenal derotation known as the Strong procedure. We sought to examine outcomes following a modified version of Strong procedure where the duodenum is lowered as opposed to derotated for the management of SMAS. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of children who underwent surgical management of SMAS between January 2008 and December 2017. An online survey regarding symptom resolution, feeding practices, and the need for additional procedures was distributed. Data are reported as medians with interquartile range (IQR) and proportions as percentages. Results Seven patients with a median age of 15 y (IQR 8, 16) and median body mass index of 16.9 (IQR, 12.6, 22.1) were included. Presenting symptoms included pain (71%), nausea (57%), and vomiting (43%). Six patients initially underwent duodenal lowering, whereas one patient underwent duodenoduodenostomy. One patient underwent adhesiolysis for bowel obstruction in the early postoperative period. All patients had symptom resolution at a postoperative follow-up of 22 d (IQR, 15, 45). Two patients had symptom recurrence, and one patient required reoperation. Six patients completed the survey at a median of 2.3 y (IQR, 1.7, 3.2) postoperatively, of which four underwent duodenal lowering. Of these, 75% (n = 3) were asymptomatic. One patient with recurrence reported occasional nausea and emesis but has not required additional surgery. Conclusions Release of the ligament of Treitz with duodenal lowering results in resolution of symptoms in 75% of patients. This operative approach may be considered before performing more complex operations for SMAS.
Modeling Disinformation and the Effort to Counter It: A Cautionary Tale of When the Treatment Can Be Worse Than the Disease

The problem of disinformation in online social networks has recently received a considerable amount of attention from the research community. It has been shown that online social networks are extensively getting exploited to alter public opinion and individuals' stance on a wide-range of topics. This study proposes an agent-based model that simulates a disinformation campaign by a group of organized users called conspirators, targeting a susceptible population, which are then opposed by a parallel organized group of users referred to as inouclators that try to act as a barrier to the spread of disinformation. The results of this study indicate that the process of inoculating a susceptible population against disinformation is mostly at the price of further polarizing the population.
Self-erasable and rewritable photonic platform for anti-tamper hardware

We demonstrate a self-erasable/rewritable photonic platform based on strain engineering of WSe2 monolayer. By utilizing underlying photoactivated organic molecules, we generate large (>1%) strain that results in dramatic shift in photoluminescence. Such reversible spectral shift has promising applications in self-destructible data and anti-tamper hardware.
Fiber Optic Accelerometer

At NRL the primary interest in optical fiber sensors has been the acoustic [1] and magnetic sensor [2]. However, the optical fiber sensor can be configured to act as a sensitive accelerometer with sensitivities of 1 μg or better for sinusoidal accelerations [3]. Although many different configurations of accelerometer are possible, the configurations tested so far have been in the form of a simple harmonic oscillator (sho) consisting of a mass suspended between two fibers as shown in Fig. la or a mass suspended from a single fiber as in Fig. 1b. These two configurations are attractive in the sense that they employ the standard fiber Mach Zehnder configuration used in the acoustic and magnetic sensors. Another possible configuration is that of a Michel son interferometer in which the mirrored ends of the fiber (replacing the two mirrors in the bulk device) are attached to the mass as shown in Fig. 1c. The success of the accelerometer is contingent on the following: a) an interferometer of rugged construction with μrad sensitivity, b) a fiber configuration to maximize sensitivity in one preferred direction with a crosstalk (to the other orthogonal directions) of better than 10–5, c) a large dynamic range (105 → 106) over which the accelerometer will respond linearly.
AI in Global Health: The View from the Front Lines

There has been growing interest in the application of AI for Social Good, motivated by scarce and unequal resources globally. We focus on the case of AI in frontline health, a Social Good domain that is increasingly a topic of significant attention. We offer a thematic discourse analysis of scientific and grey literature to identify prominent applications of AI in frontline health, motivations driving this work, stakeholders involved, and levels of engagement with the local context. We then uncover design considerations for these systems, drawing from data from three years of ethnographic fieldwork with women frontline health workers and women from marginalized communities in Delhi (India). Finally, we outline an agenda for AI systems that target Social Good, drawing from literature on HCI4D, post-development critique, and transnational feminist theory. Our paper thus offers a critical and ethnographic perspective to inform the design of AI systems that target social impact.
Energy based fracture initiation criterion for strain-crystallizing rubber-like materials with pre-existing cracks

Abstract Fracture prediction is indispensable for polymers, like rubbers, which have a broad range of applications mainly due to their high extensibility. The phenomenon known as strain-induced crystallization further contributes to the fracture toughness of certain rubbers. In this study, a criterion based on internal bond energy, incorporating the effects of crystallization, is proposed to predict fracture initiation in rubber-like materials with pre-existing cracks. First, a multi-scale mechanical model is developed for characterizing the behavior of rubber when subjected to both uniaxial and biaxial deformation states. At the microscale, both the amorphous and crystalline chain segments are modeled as elastic in order to consider the energy contribution by the molecular bond distortions. This internal energy is considered along with the entropic and crystalline free energy for each chain. In the chain model, the effects of loading condition and the relative orientation of a chain on its crystallinity are taken into account. At the macroscopic scale, an existing crystallinity distribution function is adapted and a mixed finite element formulation with an augmented Lagrangian multiplier is utilized to impose the incompressibility constraint. A non-affine maximal advance path constraint based homogenization model is utilized for bridging the two scales. Its potential to account for anisotropy in the stretched network compels the model to be preferable due to its physical significance, for the purpose of fracture modeling. The rigidity of the crystallites is accounted for by proposing a crystallite distortion energy in addition to the critical bond dissociation energy, for fracture initiation to occur. The model is validated by comparison with existing experimental results for both crystallizing and non-crystallizing rubbers. In addition to its potential to predict the material behavior when subjected to uniaxial and biaxial loading, the capability of the model to quantitatively estimate the effect of crystallization on fracture initiation is also verified.
Design of Power, Dynamic Range, Bandwidth and Noise Scalable ADCs

The proliferation of portable electronic devices with high data-rate wireless communication capabilities and the increasing emphasis on energy efficiency is continuously applying pressure on the performance and power consumption of ADCs and other mixed-signal systems. Power scalable designs enable an ADC core to be reusable under different input and sampling frequency conditions improving system efficiency. The power consumption of pipeline and ΣΔ ADCs scales approximately linearly with sampling rate and roughly quadruples for every additional bit resolved. Hence, increasing the performance requirements of an ADC in a system can significantly increase the power consumption to impractical levels especially in a battery powered environment. The approaches presented in this chapter focus on design techniques for power scalable and low power pipeline and bandwidth scalable continuous-time ΣΔ ADCs.
Women's Health Research: Progress, Pitfalls, and Promise

Women's Health Research (2010) is the most comprehensive summary of research that has been published over the past two decades regarding women's health and is a must-have resource for anyone intere...
Studies on Antigen-binding Activity of Macroglobulin Antibody Subunits and Their Enzymatic Fragments

Abstract To gain insight into reasons for the presence of only five combining sites in γM antibodies, studies were undertaken to determine the number of antigen-binding sites on γM subunits and on Fabµ fragments of a γM rheumatoid factor anti-γ-globulin from a patient with "mixed cryoglobulins." The rheumatoid factor contained both κ and λ light chains and reacted with human and rabbit γG. Combining ratios were determined by quantitatively determining the amount of complex formation by analytical ultracentrifugation. Each monomeric subunit had only one effective antigen-binding site, and there were no inactive subunits. All of the 3.7 S Fabµ fragments, prepared by trypsin digestion of the subunits, were active and each had at least one effective binding site per fragment. These results indicate that there are 10 potential combining sites in the intact molecule although only five are available for antigen binding. Studies were performed also on the nature of the cross-reaction of this antibody with rabbit γG. These experiments showed that the amount of complex formed with rheumatoid factor subunits and their antigen was the same whether the antigen consisted of rabbit γG alone, human γG alone, or a mixture of the two. Since there is no evidence for antibody subunits which combine with only one species of γG, the binding sites appear to resemble those in other cross-reacting systems in which each combining site may be occupied by either antigen. In contrast to the excellent binding activity of γM antibody subunits for rabbit γG, Fabµ fragments showed little or no binding activity for rabbit γG.
Characterization of Canine Renal Receptors for the Parathyroid Hormone-like Protein Associated with Humoral Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Abstract Parathyroid hormone-like proteins (PTHLP) display actions in the kidney which are similar to those of parathyroid hormone (PTH). We compared the binding properties of PTHLP and PTH in canine renal cortical membranes to determine if they interacted with the same or different receptors. Radioiodination to high specific activity (greater than 400 microCi/micrograms) of [Nle8,18,Tyr34]human PTH-(1-34)amide and [Tyr36]PTHLP-(1-36)amide was performed using the lactoperoxidase method. Complete enzymatic digestion of both radioligands demonstrated that the peptides were monoiodinated. Both radioligands retained full biological activity in the renal adenylate cyclase assay, and neither was significantly degraded during incubation with highly purified canine renal membranes under binding assays conditions. Specific binding reached equilibrium by 20 min at 20 degrees C. Competition binding studies using unlabeled [Nle8,18,Tyr34]human PTH-(1-34)amide, [Tyr36] PTHLP-(1-36)amide, and bovine PTH-(1-34) with either radioligand revealed similar binding affinities for all three peptides. Biologically inactive PTHLP fragments did not show significant displacement. In contrast to its similar binding affinity, [Tyr36]PTHLP-(1-36)amide was 6-15-fold less potent than bovine PTH-(1-34) in the renal adenylate cyclase assay, suggesting less efficient receptor-effector coupling. Photoaffinity cross-linking using either radioligand in canine renal membrane labeled indistinguishable 70,000-dalton proteins. In the presence of multiple protease inhibitors, binding to an 85-kDa component was observed. Labeling of both receptor forms was specifically abolished by an excess of either cold peptide and dose-response curves using affinity cross-linked membranes corroborated the apparent binding affinities determined by conventional radioligand binding assays. We conclude that PTHLP-(1-36) and amino-terminal PTH analogues bind to indistinguishable receptors in canine renal cortical membranes, but display differential coupling to post-receptor events.
Purification and properties of uroporphyrinogen I synthetase from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides.

Abstract Uroporphyrinogen I synthetase (porphobilinogen deaminase) from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides was purified 700-fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation, column chromatography, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme appeared as a single sharp protein band on analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein band corresponded to the enzymic activity. Electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and β-mercaptoethanol also revealed a single sharp band. The mobility of this band corresponded to a molecular weight of about 36,000 when compared with proteins of known molecular weight. Molecular weight determinations by means of gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and sucrose density gradient centrifugation gave values of 35,500 and 39,000, respectively. These data suggest that uroporphyrinogen I synthetase exists as a single polypeptide chain. No evidence for species larger than a molecular weight of 36,000 was found at any point during the studies. The purified enzyme is quite labile and may be somewhat stabilized by 25% glycerol and storage between pH 8 and 9. The enzyme is rapidly and irreversibly inactivated below pH 6. The purified enzyme is very sensitive to low ionic strengths or freezing. The pH optimum is 7.6 in both phosphate and Tris buffers. The enzyme is inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate, N-ethylmaleimide, and iodine.
Parallel object-oriented programming with multiple inheritance: language design issues

The transition from sequential object-oriented programming (OOP) to parallelism has been in the focus of active research. Experimental languages that try to integrate objects and parallelism are often seriously compromised in their capability to provide inheritance for parallel objects. Even languages that permit some amalgamation of parallelism and inheritance tend to support only single-class inheritance. The purpose of this paper is to specify a strongly typed language framework for parallel object-oriented programming which provides easy-to-use multiple inheritance for parallel objects, including inheritance for synchronization code. The proposed approach to parallelism is based on "separate" methods which generate processes and provide rendezvous-type coordination: it succeeds in cases where known languages fail to combine inheritance with parallelism. Or do it inefficiently and inconveniently. >
Pharyngo-Laryngo-Palatal Myoclonus: A Case Report and Assessment Tutorial for Clinicians

Although palatal myoclonus has been extensively described (Deuschl, Mischke, Schenck, Schulte-Monting, & Lucking, 1990), little is known about pharyngo-laryngo-palatal myoclonus (PLPM), a complex a...
Local brain connectivity across development in autism spectrum disorder: A cross-sectional investigation

There is a general consensus that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is accompanied by alterations in brain connectivity. Much of the neuroimaging work has focused on assessing long-range connectivity disruptions in ASD. However, evidence from both animal models and postmortem examination of the human brain suggests that local connections may also be disrupted in individuals with the disorder. Here, we investigated how regional homogeneity (ReHo), a measure of similarity of a voxel's timeseries to its nearest neighbors, varies across age in individuals with ASD and typically developing (TD) individuals using a cross-sectional design. Resting-state fMRI data obtained from a publicly available database were analyzed to determine group differences in ReHo between three age cohorts: children, adolescents, and adults. In typical development, ReHo across the entire brain was higher in children than in adolescents and adults. In contrast, children with ASD exhibited marginally lower ReHo than TD children, while adolescents and adults with ASD exhibited similar levels of local connectivity as age-matched neurotypical individuals. During all developmental stages, individuals with ASD exhibited lower local connectivity in sensory processing brain regions and higher local connectivity in complex information processing regions. Further, higher local connectivity in ASD corresponded to more severe ASD symptomatology. These results demonstrate that local connectivity is disrupted in ASD across development, with the most pronounced differences occurring in childhood. Developmental changes in ReHo do not mirror findings from fMRI studies of long-range connectivity in ASD, pointing to a need for more nuanced accounts of brain connectivity alterations in the disorder.
Conversational responsiveness of speech- and language-impaired preschoolers.

The purpose of this study was to describe preschoolers’ conversational responsiveness in an integrated classroom setting. Variables of primary interest were the types of responses as a function of ...
Electron spin resonance and optical spectroscopy of tubular aluminophosphate materials containing framework vanadium

bstract A series of aluminophosphate materials without (UHM-1) and with variable amounts of vanadium (VUHM-1) have been synthesized in the presence of a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and an organic base tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Powder X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis show that both UHM-1 and VUHM-1 with V/Al ratios up to 0.05 possess disordered arrays of tubular channels which mimic the hexagonal MCM-41 structure. The overall P/Al ratio is about half of the initial unity ratio in the gel mixture, especially for VUHM-1. This indicates incomplete condensation of phosphorus oxide and a non-ideal aluminophosphate framework; this seems associated with poorer thermal stability than microporous aluminophosphate and mesoporous aluminosilicate MCM-41. Electron spin resonance and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies reveal that in as-synthesized VUHM-1 the vanadium exists as monoatomically dispersed square pyramidal VO 2+ ions and as tetrahedral V 5+ ions which are consistent with a framework location for the vanadium.
Observation of atomic coherence in laser-excited uranium vapor

For the pair of /sup 238/U levels at 3868 and 26 558 cm/sup -1/, the upper-state population was measured as a function of the irradiance of a resonant exciting pulse of fixed duration. The observed damped Rabi flopping showed that the two-level system was partially coherently excited. The results were compared with the prediction of an exact solution of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation for two-level systems excited by a detuned rectangular pulse. The Schroedinger equation solution, after averaging over laser irradiance fluctuations, agrees well with the data.
Reactions of an amphoteric terminal tungsten methylidyne complex.

Treatment of [Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−PPh3][PF6] (Tp‘ = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate)) with Na[HBEt3] in THF forms the methylidyne complex Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−H via formyl and carbene intermediates Tp‘(CO)(C(O)H)W⋮C−PPh3 and Tp‘(CO)2WC(PPh3)(H), respectively. Spectroscopic features reported for Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−H include the W⋮C stretch (observed by both IR and Raman spectroscopy) and the 183W NMR signal (detected by a 1H, 183W 2D HMQC experiment). Protonation of the Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−H methylidyne complex with HBF4·Et2O yields the cationic α-agostic methylidene complex [Tp‘(CO)2WCH2][BF4]. The methylidyne complex Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−H can be deprotonated with alkyllithium reagents to provide the anionic terminal carbide Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−Li; a downfield resonance at 556 ppm in the 13C NMR spectrum has been assigned to the carbide carbon. The terminal carbide Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−Li adds electrophiles at the carbide carbon to generate Tp‘(CO)2W⋮C−R (R = CH3, SiMe3, I, C(OH)Ph2, CH(OH)Ph, and C(O)Ph) Fischer carbynes. A pKa of 28.7 was determined f...
Observation of Kosterlitz-Thouless-type melting of the disordered vortex lattice in thin films of a-MoGe.

Measurments of the ac penetration depth of a-MoGe films in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field reveal an anomaly in the ac response of the vortex lattice at a characteristic temperature below the ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{c}2}$(T) line. The field and frequency dependence of this anomaly is found to be consistent with a Kosterlitz-Thouless-type melting of the two-dimensional vortex lattice. Moreover, we observe a crossover in the frequency dependence which suggests that the vortex lattice remains disordered on long length scales below the melting temperature.
Error handling strategies in multiphase inverse modeling

Parameter estimation by inverse modeling involves the repeated evaluation of a function of residuals. These residuals represent both errors in the model and errors in the data. In practical applications of inverse modeling of multiphase flow and transport, the error structure of the final residuals often significantly deviates from the statistical assumptions that underlie standard maximum likelihood estimation using the least-squares method. Large random or systematic errors are likely to lead to convergence problems, biased parameter estimates, misleading uncertainty measures, or poor predictive capabilities of the calibrated model. The multiphase inverse modeling code iTOUGH2 supports strategies that identify and mitigate the impact of systematic or non-normal error structures. We discuss these approaches and provide an overview of the error handling features implemented in iTOUGH2.
Collagenolytic activities in methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcomas in mice.

Methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcomas in mice were found to possess two kinds of collagenolytic activities towards [3H]collagen, one having a pH- optimum of 4.2 and the other of pH 7.4. These two activities could be separated on a column of Celite 545 by a reverse ammonium sulfate gradient. Activity at pH 4.2 was enhanced by cysteine and EDTA and inhibited by the chloromethylketones of tosyllysine and tosyl-phenylalanine, iodoacetate, and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. Activity at pH 7.4 was inhibited by cysteine and EDTA and enhanced by Ca2+. Both enzymes were inhibited by α2-macroglobulin but neither one by α1-antitrypsin. An electrophoretic examination of the products produced from collagen by the pH 4.2 and pH 7.4-active enzymes revealed that the former caused extensive degradation of collagen, whereas the latter yielded products of limited cleavage (βA, αA and αB) characteristic of mammalian collagenases. When tumor cells were cultured in vitro, the pH 7.4 activity appeared in the medium, whereas the pH 4.2 activity remained bound to the tumor cells. An enzyme capable of hydrolyzing 4-phenylazobenzoyloxycarbonyl-L-Pro-L-leu-Gly-L-Pro-D-Arg (designated as Pz-peptide) was also present but could be seperated from the other two activities. Since all three of these activities were highest in the periphery or invasion zone of the tumor, they could play a role in the invasive property of the tumor.
The impact of perceived need for treatment on risk of arrest and violence among people with severe mental illness.

One clinical strategy for managing risk of arrest and violence among people with severe mental illness (SMI) involves targeting potentially treatable factors related to these risks. The current study examines the association between individuals' perceived need for psychiatric treatment and their risk of arrest and violence among people with SMI. Adults meeting criteria for psychotic and affective disorders receiving public mental health services in four states are interviewed (N = 907), with 26% reporting being arrested or violent in the past year. Participants in this group are more likely to deny needing psychiatric treatment. Multivariate analyses confirm this pattern for participants both arrested and violent, controlling for clinical and demographic covariates. As a result, clinical interventions that address a patient's perceived need for psychiatric treatment, such as compliance therapy and motivational interviewing, appear to hold promise as risk management strategies for clinicians providing services for individuals with SMI.
Quantitative observations on maximum static work efforts and associated pain of the human masseter muscle.

Summary The single case experimental design was used to study day-to-day variations in the onset (PL), tolerance (PT), and intensity (VAS) of masseter muscle pain. Pain was induced by maximum voluntary teeth clenching, with no artificial feedback-control of the level of isometric activity, and static work efforts were quantified by cumulative electromyography. A continual effort to produce maximum static work, about 40% increase from baseline work, elicited in 30–40s an initial sensation of muscular pain that had an intensity of about 25% of maximum possible score. A further increase in maximum static work effort, about 60% increase from baseline work, caused in about 2min an intolerable increase in the intensity of muscular pain, about 50% of maximum possible score. Whereas PL showed day-to-day variation, PT and the ratio PL:PT did not. Intensity (VAS) scores and maximum static work efforts showed no day-to-day variations. Onset (PL) and tolerance (PT) showed no linear associations with VAS scores, and VAS scores showed no linear associations with maximum static work efforts; if anything, the latter associations tended to resemble a cubic parabola. Two different central neural processes, not associated with maximum static work efforts in a simple linear manner, might have been instrumental in: (i) the establishment of criteria for onset and tolerance of pain, and (ii) the discrimination of variable levels of pain intensity.
Mechanisms of blueschist creation and preservation in an A-type subduction zone, Mount Olympos region, Greece

Deformation and metamorphism in the Mount Olympos region, Greece, are the result of subduction of continental crust (A-type subduction) during the Alpine orogeny. New structural and petrologic data from this region provide insight into the creation of low geothermal gradients in A-type subduction zones and the preservation of blueschist facies assemblages. Early convergent deformation was accompanied by greenschist-amphibolite facies metamorphism. Blueschist facies mineral assemblages overprinted higher grade assemblages during large-scale, episodic shortening that occurred during and after continental collision. Prehnite-pumpellyite facies assemblages are postkinematic with respect to contractional fabrics, but predate a prolonged period of extension that was not accompanied by metamorphism. Under-plating and extension permitted unroofing and preservation of the blueschists with no over-printing by greenschist facies assemblages.
Regulation of G proteins and adenylyl cyclase in brain regions of caffeine-tolerant and -dependent mice

Abstract Regulation of post-receptor signaling provides a mechanism of adaptation to chronic psychotropic drug treatment. In this study, the regulation of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) and G protein-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was examined in brain regions of caffeine-tolerant and -dependent mice. Chronic caffeine doses were administered via mini-osmotic pumps over 7 days at 0, 42, 85 and 125 mg kg −1 day −1 . These chronic caffeine doses were linearly correlated with plasma caffeine concentrations. In behavioral studies, the stimulant effects of acute caffeine on motor activity were significantly diminished in a dose-dependent manner after chronic caffeine, suggesting the development of tolerance. Abrupt discontinuation of chronic caffeine treatment (at 85 and 125 mg kg −1 day −1 ) produced a dose-dependent and reversible reduction in motor activity 24 h later, suggestive of a caffeine withdrawal syndrome. Utilizing quantitative immunoblotting methods, we found that hippocampal G iα1,2 and G iα3 subunits were significantly reduced by 20.2% and 11.1%, respectively, in caffeine tolerant/dependent mice (caffeine 125 mg kg −1 day −1 vs. vehicle controls). Decreases in inhibitory G protein subunit concentrations in hippocampus were accompanied by a significant increase (by 21%) in hippocampal G protein function, as measured by guanine nucleotide-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, in caffeine-treated mice. This same caffeine treatment also produced significant decreases in cortical G sα subunits of 14.0%. Since short-term caffeine treatment has been shown to reduce adenylyl cyclase activity, chronic caffeine treatment could produce adaptive increases in G protein-stimulated adenylyl cyclase to oppose this effect via G protein regulation.