cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing adaptive passive personal mobile sensing methods using reinforcement learning framework

Smartphone embedded sensors have created unprecedented opportunities to study human behavior in natural conditions through continuous mobile sensing. However, continuous mobile sensing poses critical energy challenge to smartphone’s daily usage. There is an urgent need to enhance energy efficiency of mobile sensing applications while capture sufficient data to accurately predict user state. In this work, we propose an adaptive passive sensing framework to control low-level sensing cycles using an off-policy reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm namely Q-learning with linear approximation and decaying exploration. We propose two different formulations to meet different energy efficiency demands with various designs in their state spaces, action spaces, and reward signals. Using real continuous mobile sensing data from 220 participants for more than 2 weeks, we show consistently better performances on energy saving for our proposed RL strategies when compared to four different baseline methods. To verify the impacts of our proposed strategies on data utility, we predict social anxiety and daily negative affect using active data collected during the same study window. Our proposed RL strategies show equivalent prediction performance when compared to the baseline strategies and continuous sensing.
Sexual Functions in Respirator-Dependent Quadriplegics

The most severely spinal injured person is the respiratory-dependent quadriplegic. This person has sensation only on the face and part of the scalp in C2, and an area of the neck in C3. Motor function allows only head movement. The high quadriplegic is totally dependent on other people for care, which includes: (a) respirator care—suctioning, tracheal care changes, respirator management, pacemaker antenna, transmitter and battery care; (b) daily living activities—dressing, bathing, brushing teeth, shaving, combing hair, eating, and taking medications; (c) personal care—bowel and bladder care, skin care, turning, getting up, getting back to bed. Once the patient is in the sophisticated electric recline sip’n puff wheelchair, he/she can move about independently and do his/her own weight shifts. With a mouth-stick, he/she can operate various electronic equipment, including a telephone, electric typewriter, computer, environmental controls, and others.
Protoplanetary material around nearby stars.

A statistical analysis of IRAS observations indicates that about 20% of the nearby main sequence stars, and probably a similar fraction of main sequence stars not detectable by IRAS, shows evidence of significant infrared excess beyond 12 microns. Spectral type A dwarfs are predominant, but not exclusive in showing large 60 micron excesses. Our solar system, when viewed from sufficient distance, appears to have, in contrast to this, less than 1% of cool infrared excess. These observational facts are consistent with the working hypothesis that cold infrared excess in stable main sequence stars is due to proto-planetary material, observable during the accretion phase in the evolution of a solar system.
Virginia Vehicle-Related Revenue Forecasts

An econometric model is developed to forecast the impacts of alternative future scenarios on the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicle revenue potentials. The model consists of 12 basic components, the major components being population and economy. The tested scenarios relate to possible social, political, economic and demographic future conditions, such as, high price of gasoline, President Carter's energy proposal, persons per household, shifts in population density, the impact of Virginia's participation in the International Truck Registration Plan (IRP), etc. The results, in general, show that gasoline tax and sales and use tax revenues will decline under adverse economic conditions, while registration fee revenues will remain fairly stable under most scenarios.
Cosmic Dawn: Studies of the Earliest Galaxies and Their Role in Cosmic Reionization

I review recent progress and challenges in studies of the earliest galaxies, seen when the Universe was less than 1 billion years old. Can they be used as reliable tracers of the physics of cosmic reionization thereby complementing other, more direct, probes of the evolving neutrality of the intergalactic medium? Were star-forming galaxies the primary agent in the reionization process and what are the future prospects for identifying the earliest systems devoid of chemical enrichment? Ambitious future facilities are under construction for exploring galaxies and the intergalactic medium in the redshift range 6 to 20, corresponding to what we now consider the heart of the reionization era. I review what we can infer about this period from current observations and in the near-future with existing facilities, and conclude with a list of key issues where future work is required.
On Hybrid Systems and the Modal µ-calculus

We start from a basic and fruitful idea in current work on the formal analysis and verification of hybrid and real-time systems: the uniform representation of both sorts of state dynamics - both continuous evolution within a control mode, and the effect of discrete jumps between control modes - as abstract transition relations over a hybrid space X ⊆ Q × Rn, where Q is a finite set of control modes. The resulting "machine" or transition system model is currently analyzed using the resources of concurrent and reactive systems theory and temporal logic verification, abstracted from their original setting of finite state spaces and purely discrete transitions. One such resource is the propositional µ-calculus: a richly expressive formal logic of transition system models (of arbitrary cardinality), which subsumes virtually all temporal and modal l ogics. The key move here is to view the transition system models of hybrid automata not merely as some form of "discrete abstraction", but rather as a skeleton which can be fleshed out by imbuing the state space with topological, metric tolerance or other structure. Drawing on the resources of modal logics, we give explicit symbolic representation to such structure in polymodal logics extending the modal µ-calculus. The result is a logical formalism in which we can directly and simply express continuity properties of transition relations and metric tolerance properties such as "being within distance ∈" of a set. Moreover, the logics have sound and complete deductive proof systems, so assumptions of continuity or tolerance can be used as hypotheses in deductive verification. By also viewing transition relations in their equivalent form as set-valued functions, and drawing on the resources of set-valued analysis and dynamical systems theory, we open the way to a richer formal analysis of robustness and stability for hybrid automata and related classes of systems.
Neuroglobin expression in human arteriovenous malformation and intracerebral hemorrhage.

We reported previously that Notch signaling is activated in human arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and that intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in humans is accompanied by increased neurogenesis. The former phenomenon may be involved in AVM pathogenesis and the latter in the brain’s response to ICH-induced injury. Here we describe increased expression of the hypoxia-inducible neuroprotective protein, neuroglobin (Ngb), in neurons surrounding unruptured AVMs and in the perihematomal region adjacent to ICH. In these disorders, as in other clinical settings, such as ischemic stroke, AVM- and ICH-induced overexpression of Ngb may be stimulated by ischemic hypoxia and may help to constrain brain injury.
Noninvasive Risk Stratification Techniques in Pediatric Patients with Ventricular Preexcitation

Background: Individuals with ventricular preexcitation (VP) are known to have an increased risk of sudden death. This risk has been associated with conduction properties of the accessory pathway. Methods: Patients with VP underwent risk stratification through the use of exercise and transesophageal testing. All patients were initially screened with exercise testing and those with preexcitation throughout exercise went on to have transesophageal testing. Patients who demonstrated high-risk pathway characteristics by transesophageal testing or developed clinical indications for an electrophysiology (EP) study underwent ablation. This stepwise risk stratification technique was evaluated for the ability to avoid the need for intracardiac EP study. Patients stratified as low risk were contacted for follow-up. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine exercise studies were performed in 127 patients. Thirty-five of 129 exercise studies demonstrated accessory pathway block during exercise. Twenty-seven of 35 underwent no additional testing. Sixty-six patients underwent transesophageal testing. Forty-nine of 66 patients demonstrated low-risk pathway characteristics and 40 of 49 underwent no further testing. In total, 68 of 129 (53%) patients avoided the need for intracardiac EP study and ablation. A noncardiac indication for the initial diagnostic electrocardiogram was associated with lower likelihood of intracardiac EP study. None of the patients stratified as low risk had additional invasive procedures or life-threatening arrhythmias upon follow-up. Conclusions: Successful risk stratification of pediatric patients with VP is possible through the use of exercise and transesophageal testing. In this patient population, half of the patients were able to avoid an intracardiac EP study. (PACE 2011; 34:555–562)
A typology of education ballot issues: 1906 to 2009

Almost half of the states in the United States allow citizens to make educational policy through ballot issues, a mechanism of direct democracy. Yet, no study has attempted analyze the educational ballot issue landscape, meaning little systematic attention has been paid to this important and increasingly influential form of educational policy making. This study identifies and classifies the types of state ballot issues considered by voters in the 24 states that allow for the creation of educational policy through direct democracy. Between 1906 and 2009, citizens voted on 206 education-related ballot issues. Among these, six types emerged: curriculum and instruction, equity, fiscal, infrastructure, morality, and reform. Ballot issues have been used most often for fiscal issues, followed by infrastructure, reform, morality, and curriculum and instruction. Across all types of ballot issues, voters rejected education initiatives by a wide margin: A little more than 66% failed at the ballot box. Nevertheless, it remains a popular method of grassroots educational policymaking—2000 to 2009 saw the most frequent consideration of education ballot issues
Layer-by-layer growth of superparamagnetic, fluorescent barcode nanospheres

We report a novel stepwise layer-by-layer synthesis strategy to achieve multi-component barcode nanospheres that contain magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as the core and quantum dots (QDs) of different emission colors in spatially separated silica layers as the shells, with QD-free silica layers as the insulation layers. This strategy offers the following unique features: (1) the location of the MNPs and the QDs in the silica spheres are separated spatially, so that no interference of the QD photoluminescence (PL) by the magnetic particles is observed; (2) the PL spectra of barcode nanospheres can be easily tuned through the ratio of different QDs loaded in each layer; (3) the size of the silica nanospheres can range from submicron (∼100 nm) to micrometers depending on the number of layers and the thickness of each layer; (4) QD stability is preserved by embedding the QDs covalently in the silica matrix; (5) fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between different colored QDs is avoided by isolating them into separated layers with a silica spacer layer.
Variable Tracheal Stenosis Related to Body Position

We demonstrated a variable extrathoracic tracheal stenosis which developed after technically adequate tracheostomy and was worsened by changes in body position. When the patient's arms were above his head, minimal airway diameter was reduced 31 percent, and maximal inspiratory flow rate 37 percent below values measured with arms down, but expiratory flow rates were preserved. Tracheostomy may disrupt the integrity of tracheal support and allow airway collapse under circumstances of increased extratracheal or decreased intratracheal pressure.
Influence of calcium chloride on the chymosin-initiated coagulation of casein micelles

Coagulation of para-casein micelles was monitored using a Platelet Aggregometer at 37·8 °C and pH 6·7. The macropeptide released by chymosin was determined quantitatively with fluorescamine. The aggregatability of para-casein micelles integrated over the complete hydrolysis of κ-casein was calculated from the amount of κ-casein hydrolysed during the clotting time (Tc). Low concentrations of CaCl2 enhanced the rate of κ-casein hydrolysis but increases in CaCl2 concentration above 8 mM caused marked decreases in this rate. Calcium chloride enhanced the ability of para-casein micelles to aggregate. Little aggregation of para-casein micelles occurred at 0·6 mM-CaCl2 even after all of the κ-casein was hydrolysed. As the concentration of CaCl2 was increased from 3 to 60 mM, aggregation of para-casein micelles took place at progressively lower levels of κ-casein hydrolysis and the percentage hydrolysis at the Tc decreased markedly from 71±7% to 26±8%. The combined influence of CaCl2 on the velocity of the chymosin-catalysed reaction and on para-casein micelle aggregatability accounted for its effect on the average rate of coagulation (calculated by the reciprocal of the Tc). Results are consistent with the hypothesis that electrostatic repulsions and ionic bonding are involved in the interaction between chymosin and κ-casein.
Antibiotic combinations for infections in neutropenic patients. Evaluation of carbenicillin plus either cephalothin or kanamycin

The combination of carbenicillin plus cephalothin (carb-ceph) was compared to the combination of carbenicillin plus kanamycin (carb-kan) as therapy during 179 episodes of presumed infection in 113 cancer patients with neutropenia. The overall response rate was similar for both treatment groups (48% vs. 49%). Among the episodes of identified infection, 30 of 50 (60%) responded to carb-ceph and 28 of 48 (58%) responded to carb-kan. In patients with persistent severe neutropenia, the response rate was better with carb-kan than with carb-ceph (45% vs. 15%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Neither combination was routinely effective for the treatment of infections in neutropenic patients, and no major advantages were observed with either combination.
Increased synaptic input to gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in aged, virgin, male sprague-dawley rats

Abstract Using double-label ultrastructural immunocytochemistry, we found the synaptic input to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the preoptic area of aged (20 months old), virgin, male Sprague-Dawley rats to be denser than that in young adults (3 months old). These results confirmed earlier observations on F-344 virgin male rats. The aging F-344 rat, however, is prone to testicular tumor and so it was essential to see if the phenomenon was reproducible in another rat strain. In the first study, a portion of the increase in synaptic density was due to an increase in the proportion of synapses containing pleimorphic vesicles, frequently associated with the neurotransmitter GABA. We tested the possibility directly using a double-label protocol for GnRH and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). However, in the present study the density of input by GABA did not change with age. This inhibitory amino acid represented about 10% of the total innervation in young animals; but, in aged animals, because the total synaptic input was greater, GABA represented only about 4% of the innervation. Synaptic vesicles within GAD-immunoreactive terminals were uniformly clear and spherical, suggesting that pleiomorphic vesicle shape is not an appropriate criterion for GABAergic innervation.
Augmented stepwise discriminant analysis applied to two classification problems in the biomedical field

Abstract Stepwise discriminant analysis is applied to the machine karyotyping of chromosomes using arm-length measurements and functions of these as the basis for classification, and machine differential diagnosis of gynecological diseases based on a set of twenty-six signs and symptoms. When the karyo-typing procedure is augmented by a reordering scheme which takes advantage of the required number of objects per class, a reproduction of human performance with approximately 6% error is achieved. For the gynecological diseases, under certain circumstances, an error rate of 15% is achieved. This is an error rate of least equivalent and probably lower than that realized by humans.
Target Localization and Toxicity in Dose-Escalated Prostate Radiotherapy with Image-Guided Approach using Daily Planar Kilovoltage Imaging:

Dose escalation with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for carcinoma of the prostate has augmented the need for accurate prostate localization prior to dose delivery. Daily planar kilovoltage (kV) imaging is a low-dose image-guidance technique that is prevalent among radiation oncologists. However, clinical outcomes evaluating the benefit of daily kV imaging are lacking. The purpose of this study was to report our clinical experience, including prostate motion and gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities, using this modality. A retrospective analysis of 100 patients treated consecutively between December 2005 and March 2008 with definitive external beam IMRT for T1c-T4 disease were included in this analysis. Prescription doses ranged from 74-78 Gy (median, 76) in 2 Gy fractions and were delivered following daily prostate localization using on-board kV imaging (OBI) to localize gold seed fiducial markers within the prostate. Acute and late toxicities were graded as per the NCI CTCAEv3.0. The median follow-up was 22 months. The magnitude and direction of prostate displacement and daily shifts in three axes are reported. Of note, 9.1% and 12.9% of prostate displacements were ≥ 5 mm in the anterior-posterior and superior-inferior directions, respectively. Acute grade 2 GI and GU events occurred in 11% and 39% of patients, respectively, however no grade 3 or higher acute GI or GU events were observed. Regarding late toxicity, 2% and 17% of patients developed grade 2 toxicities, and similarly no grade 3 or higher events had occurred by last follow-up. Thus, kV imaging detected a substantial amount of inter-fractional displacement and may help reduce toxicity profiles, especially high grade events, by improving the accuracy of dose delivery.
Migration error in transversely isotropic media

Most migration algorithms today are based on the assumption that the earth is isotropic, an approximation that is often not valid and thus can lead to position errors on migrated images. Here, we compute curves of such position error as a function of reflector dip for transversely isotropic (TI) media characterized by Thomsen’s anisotropy parameters δ and e. Depending on whether the migration velocity is derived from stacking velocity or vertical root‐mean‐square (rms) velocity, we find quite contrary sensitivities of the error behavior to the values of δ and e. Likewise error‐versus‐dip behavior depends in a complicated way on vertical velocity gradient and vertical time, as well as orientation of the symmetry axis. Moreover, error behavior is dependent on just how δ and e vary with depth. In addition to presenting such error curves, we show migrations of synthetic data that exemplify the mispositioning that results from ignoring anisotropy for P‐wave data. When migration is done using velocities derived...
Structure of the U.S. soybean processing industry in the 1990s

A transshipment model was used to derive the existing and projected optimal structure of the US soybean processing industry. Analyses of model results for various time periods indicate that the potential exists for significant cost reductions on a national basis, if processing plants could be more optimally sized and located. It was also found that present processing capacity was in excess of present needs in most regions of the US; however, by the year 2000, almost all regions would need more plants or greater capacities than currently exist.
Expectation Inequalities Associated With Prophet Problems

Applications of the original prophet inequalities of Krengel and Sucheston are made to problems of order selection, non–measurable stop rules, look–ahead stop rules, and iterated maps of random variables. Also, proofs are given of two results of Hill and Hordijk concerning optimal orderings of uniform and exponential distributions
Expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein C/EBPα, β and δ in rat adipose stromal-vascular cells in vitro

Abstract Stromal-vascular (S-V) cells from rat inguinal fat depots were isolated and cultured in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS) and differentiated in defined medium until lipid accumulation was apparent. C/EBPα, β and δ levels were evaluated for different growth conditions and at different times using Western blots. Immediately after isolation C/EBPα, β and δ could not be detected in S-V cells. After seeding for 24 h in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) with FBS, C/EBPα, β and δ could all be detected. Cells at day 1 of culture in insulin, transferrin, triiodothyronine and selenium (ITTS) had increased levels of C/EBPα and continued steady high levels to day 6 of culture. Cultures grown in DMEM alone, with no ITTS, showed C/EBPα levels similar to ITTS cultures at day 1 and day 3; however, levels diminished after day 3. DMEM cultures also showed lipid accumulation at day 6; however, the number of cells and the amount of lipid cell were reduced from levels observed in ITTS cultures. C/EBPβ was expressed uniformly throughout the culture period in either DMEM or ITTS cultures while C/EBPδ expression was higher with DMEM treatment than with ITTS. Treatment of 2 day DMEM cultures with FBS increased levels of C/EBPβ and δ but significantly reduced levels of C/EBPα. Immunocytochemical analysis of S-V cells at day 1 of culture showed a similar percentage of cells stained in DMEM cultures and ITTS cultures. However, by day 6 of culture the percentage of cells staining positively for C/EBPα in DMEM had been reduced by one half while in ITTS the percent positive cells remained about the same. Our results indicate that ITTS is not necessary for the induction of C/EBPα and accumulation of lipid in S-V cells. However, ITTS is responsible for maintaining C/EBPα and enhanced lipid accumulation. Because C/EBPα, β and δ expression occurs very early in cell culture and C/EBPα and δ expression continues to increase in DMEM without any apparent inducing agents, our results suggest that these factors may be expressed by the same cells in vivo before being placed in culture. Thus, a large fraction of S-V cells may be further along in the differentiation program than 3T3 cells are when they begin differentiation.
La encrucijada bilingüe en la literatura. Reflexiones sociolingüísticas y literarias en torno a "L’últim home que parlava català" de Carles Casajuana

Taking the Catalan case as an example, this article analyses the impact of language choice of writers who live and write between languages and cultures. After a first part in which the linguistic dilemma is depicted by offering a general view of the frontier authors in the Catalan context, this essay focuses on the study of L’ultim home que parlava catala (Carles Casajuana 2009), a novel in which the construct of fiction and metafiction serves both to analyse the question of literary bilingualism –the bilingual crossroad in literature– and to highlight certain controversial aspects of Catalonia’s particular sociolinguistic map, its language policies and the underlying ideological tensions.
Beyond Conflict Monitoring: Cognitive Control and the Neural Basis of Thinking Before You Act

Cognitive control refers to the processes by which individual cognitive functions are coordinated in the service of higher level goals. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the middle front of the brain monitors performance, and it is activated when the need for control is greater, as in difficult situations or when errors occur. Since the late 1990s, the ACC has been thought to signal when there is internal conflict between competing action plans, so that the conflict can be resolved. More recently, an alternative model has reconceptualized the computational role of ACC as predicting and evaluating the likely outcomes of a planned action before actions are made. This new predicted response outcome (PRO) model accounts for a broader range of findings and suggests that the ACC might support the cognitive operations by which individuals can "think before you act" in order to avoid risky or otherwise poor choices.
Two-dimensional material nanophotonics

The optical properties of graphene and emerging two-dimensional materials including transition metal dichalcogenides are reviewed with an emphasis on nanophotonic applications. Two-dimensional materials exhibit diverse electronic properties, ranging from insulating hexagonal boron nitride and semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides such as molybdenum disulphide, to semimetallic graphene. In this Review, we first discuss the optical properties and applications of various two-dimensional materials, and then cover two different approaches for enhancing their interactions with light: through their integration with external photonic structures, and through intrinsic polaritonic resonances. Finally, we present a narrow-bandgap layered material — black phosphorus — that serendipitously bridges the energy gap between the zero-bandgap graphene and the relatively large-bandgap transition metal dichalcogenides. The plethora of two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures, together with the array of available approaches for enhancing the light–matter interaction, offers the promise of scientific discoveries and nanophotonics technologies across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The penetration and metabolism of H3-dimethoate in insects.

The toxicity, penetration, and metabolism of dimethoate in the house fly, Musca domestica L.; American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.); Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) ; and house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L.), were examined. There were large variations in all these factors, including a 5-fold variation in net production of oxygen analog and a 100-fold difference in cholinesterase sensitivity. Differences in penetration were seen during the initial 30 min, but thereafter the speed was almost the same for all species. The highly sensitive house fly showed particularly rapid penetration, extensive production of oxygen analog, and sensitive cholinesterase. However, variations in these factors could not explain all the variations in toxicity to the 5 species.
Seismicity of California's north coast

At least three moment magnitude (M) 7 earthquakes occurred along California9s north coast in the second half of the nineteenth century. The M 7.3 earthquake on 23 November 1873 occurred near the California-Oregon coast and likely was located on the Cascadia subduction zone or within the North American plate. The M 7.0+ earthquake on 9 May 1878 was located about 75 km offshore near the Mendocino fault. The surface-wave magnitude ( M S ) 7.0 earthquake on 16 April 1899 was located about 150 km offshore within the Gorda plate. There were at least three M 7 north-coast earthquakes in the 35 years before 1906, two M 7 earthquakes in the 20 years after 1906, no M 7 earthquakes from 1923 until 1980, and four M 7 earthquakes since 1980. The relative seismic quiescence after 1906 for M 7 earthquakes along California9s north coast mimics the post-1906 seismic quiescence in the San Francisco Bay area for M 6 earthquakes. The post-1906 relative quiescence did not extend to lower magnitudes in either area. The 18 April 1906 earthquake apparently influenced the rate of occurrence of M 7 north-coast earthquakes as it apparently influenced the rate of M 6 earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay area. The relative seismic quiescence along the California north-coast region after 1906 should be taken into account when evaluating seismic hazards in northwest California.
Addressing Mississippi's HIV/AIDS crisis

We appreciate Talha Burki’s World Report (June 11, p 1994)1 regarding the Human Rights Watch report2 on Mississippi’s HIV/AIDS policies. Although Mississippi’s AIDS rates plateaued in recent years, racial disparities in HIV infection widened: African Americans represent 37% of the population, but account for 78% of new infections.3 Mississippi’s HIV/AIDS and reproductive health policies warrant scrutiny and improvement. However, we note that individuals who qualify for treatment generally receive it; unlike many other American states, Mississippi currently has no waiting list for its AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Complex social and structural factors that contribute to Mississippi’s racial disparities in HIV infection also deserve more nuanced discussion. Many individuals, particularly African Americans, underestimate their risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. This phenomenon is compounded by the overwhelming stigma associated with HIV/AIDS among African Americans in southern USA; many individuals forego testing not only because of limited access to health services, but because of paralysing stigma.4 Additionally, complex sexual networks and a high prevalence of HIV within networks perpetuate high rates of HIV infection;5 50% of those who tested positive in 2010 had no identified risk behaviours.3 A comprehensive, culturally appropriate response to HIV/AIDS in Mississippi should focus not only on fully funding Medicaid and providing comprehensive testing and treatment services, but on social marketing and media campaigns designed to address HIV/AIDS stigma and raise awareness about the risks of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. These steps would help normalise and stimulate more demand for HIV testing and treatment services and are crucial components of any policy to address racial disparities in HIV infection.
Markovian inputs and the Hurst phenomenon

Abstract Studies of storage capacity of reservoirs lead to the problem of discussing the Hurst phenomenon. In this paper, Hurst's theoretical argument is extended to the case of Markovian inputs. It is shown that processes with a Markovian correlation structure preserve the Hurst phenomenon as a long-term transient effect. Other works on the Hurst phenomenon are briefly discussed. The exact distribution of Hurst's conditioned range is also presented.
Household Travel Data Simulation Tool: Software and Its Applications for Impact Analysis

Data transferability is seen as an alternative solution to costly travel surveys for urban areas where regular travel data are difficult to collect, especially in small and mid-sized communities. A comprehensive travel data transferability model and a software tool that can facilitate travel data transferability and simulate synthetic household-level disaggregate travel data have been developed. The model is built on earlier transferability studies by a significant enhancement of the approach and resolution of many limitations of previous studies. The software tool has been tested on two case studies in Des Moines, Iowa, and New York State. Nine household-level travel attributes are simulated for the synthetic population of these regions. A comparison of the simulated travel data with the actual observed data, obtained from the National Household Travel Survey add-on samples, proves the accuracy of the model. It is also shown that updating the parameters of the distributions of travel attributes can further improve the results. The model is then used for some basic policy evaluations and a sensitivity analysis that includes scenarios such as changes to the demographics, aging population, and investments in the education system. The result of the sensitivity analysis also confirmed the wide capabilities of the model.
A Multinomial Model for Identifying Significant Pure-Tone Threshold Shifts

Purpose Significant threshold differences on retest for pure-tone audiometry are often evaluated by application of ad hoc rules, such as a shift in a pure-tone average or in 2 adjacent frequencies that exceeds a predefined amount. Rules that are so derived do not consider the probability of observing a particular audiogram. Methods A general solution for evaluating threshold differences on retest was developed on the basis of multinomial probabilities. The model uses the standard deviation of inter-test differences for 1 frequency as a parameter of the underlying Gaussian distribution of test results. The number of test frequencies, the categories of threshold change, and the probability of each category’s occurrence are used to calculate the probability that a given pattern of threshold differences on retest (or 1 rarer) could occur by chance. Results The multinomial model was compared with 2 other methods for identifying threshold shifts in persons exposed to high sound pressure levels during concerts. ...
A new family of iron-dependent halogenases acts on freestanding substrates

Regio- and stereospecific incorporation of a halogen atom to an unactivated sp(3) carbon in a freestanding molecule is a challenging transformation that is currently missing in the inventory of enzyme-mediated reactions. Here we report what is to our knowledge the first example of a nonheme iron enzyme (WelO5) in the welwitindolinone biosynthetic pathway that can monochlorinate an aliphatic carbon in 12-epi-fischerindole U and 12-epi-hapalindole C, substrates that are free from peptidyl or acyl carrier protein.
Growth and hepatic lesions of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets containing aflatoxin B1

Abstract Responses of Nile tilapia to varying concentrations of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB) were investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Nile tilapia (2.7 g) were fed semipurified diets containing 0, 0.25, 2.5, 10, or 100 mg AFB/kg of diet for 8 weeks. Weight gain and hematocrit of fish fed with 0.25 mg AFB/kg were not significantly different from that of the control; however, diets containing higher levels of AFB had significantly ( P
The correlation between excitatory amino acid-induced current responses and excitotoxicity in striatal cultures

Neuronal excitotoxic injury is initiated by activation of specific excitatory amino acid receptors and is mediated by ion flow through associated ion channels. In a companion paper we defined the age dependence of glutamate toxicity in striatal cultures. In this study we examined the correlation between age-dependent changes in the electrophysiologic responses to glutamate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and the development of excitotoxicity. Currents were recorded in voltage-clamped neurons in response to the pressure application of glutamate or NMDA. We found that 1-week-old cultures were resistant to excitotoxic effects of 1 or 3 mM glutamate (Freese et al., companion paper). Neurons from cultures of this age often did not exhibit current responses when exposed to NMDA (10 microM or 100 microM). However, most neurons were responsive to 10 microM glutamate. After 12 days in culture the current responses induced by NMDA were more prevalent and shifted toward higher amplitudes. These changes in NMDA current responses coincided temporally with major increases in excitotoxic sensitivity. However, we then found that excitotoxic susceptibility doubled between 12 and 18 days in culture without any parallel increase in glutamate- or NMDA-induced currents. Additionally, neurons which survived 1 mM glutamate exposure for 3 h were found to exhibit glutamate and NMDA responses. These data show that the expression of excitatory amino acid-induced currents is a prerequisite for excitotoxicity, but that additional factors must also contribute to the full maturation of in vitro neuronal vulnerability.
The effect of orthographic depth on reliance upon semantic context for oral reading in English and Hebrew

This paper examines the relationship between orthographic depth and reliance upon context for oral reading in English and Hebrew. Research on context effects in English has indicated that the decoding ability of adequate readers is only minimally affected by context. The effect of context may be greater in Hebrew because of its deeper orthography – context may help readers phonologically and semantically disambiguate words whose letters do not provide enough information for grapheme-to-phoneme conversion. It is hypothesised that bilingual English-Hebrew participants would rely more upon context for oral reading of Hebrew than English and that in Hebrew, reading words which are more phonologically ambiguous (high degree of freedom words) would be more affected by context than reading of words which are less phonologically ambiguous (low degree of freedom words). Results support both hypotheses. The findings are consistent with the Orthographic Depth Hypothesis.
Chemical sensing of DNT by engineered olfactory yeast strain

With the increasing threat of environmental toxicants including biological and chemical warfare agents, fabricating innovative biomimetic systems to detect these harmful agents is critically important. With the broad objective of developing such a biosensor, here we report the construction of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain containing the primary components of the mammalian olfactory signaling pathway. In this engineered yeast strain, WIF-1alpha, olfactory receptor signaling is coupled to green fluorescent protein expression. Using this 'olfactory yeast', we screened for olfactory receptors that could report the presence of the odorant 2,4-dinitrotoluene, an explosive residue mimic. With this approach, we have identified the novel rat olfactory receptor Olfr226, which is closely related to the mouse olfactory receptors Olfr2 and MOR226-1, as a 2,4-dinitrotoluene-responsive receptor.
Catalytic reduction of 4,4′-(2,2,2-trichloroethane-1,1-diyl)bis(chlorobenzene) (DDT) with nickel(I) salen electrogenerated at vitreous carbon cathodes in dimethylformamide

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry, controlled-potential (bulk) electrolysis, gas chromatography, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry have been utilized to investigate the catalytic reduction of 4,4′-(2,2,2-trichloroethane-1,1-diyl)bis(chlorobenzene) (DDT) by nickel(I) salen electrogenerated at a carbon cathode in dimethylformamide (DMF) containing 0.050 M tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TMABF4). Cyclic voltammograms for reduction of nickel(II) salen in the presence of DDT provide evidence for catalytic reduction such as enhanced cathodic current for the nickel(II) salen–nickel(I) salen redox couple and a decrease in the anodic current associated with oxidation of nickel(I) salen. Bulk electrolysis of nickel(II) salen–DDT solutions at reticulated vitreous carbon cathodes leads to a mixture of products that includes 1,1-diphenylethene, 1-chloro-4-(1-phenylvinyl)benzene, 4,4′-(ethene-1,1-diyl)bis(chlorobenzene) (DDNU), 4,4′-(2-chloroethene-1,1-diyl)bis(chlorobenzene) (DDMU), 4,4′-(2-chloroethane-1,1-diyl)bis(chlorobenzene) (DDMS), 4,4′-(2,2-dichloroethane-1,1-diyl)bis(chlorobenzene) (DDD), and 4,4′-(2,2-dichloroethene-1,1-diyl)bis(chlorobenzene) (DDE). In addition, we have detected adducts formed from a fragment of DMF and radical intermediates arising from reduction of DDT, along with nickel salen species for which the imino (C N) bond of the ligand is modified with different intermediates derived from catalytic reduction of DDT. A mechanistic scheme is proposed to account for the formation of products.
Effects of 2,3-butanedione monoxime on atrial-atrioventricular nodal conduction in isolated rabbit heart.

BDM Effects on AVN Conduction. Introduction: 2,3-Butanedione monoxime (BDM) has been found to reversibly block cardiac contraction, without blocking electrical conduction. This study characterizes the dose-dependent effects of BDM on the conduction through the atrioventricular node (AVN) of rabbit heart. Methods and Results: Thirteen isolated atrial-AVN preparations were used in control, during and after exposure to 5, 10, and 20 mM BDM. Anterograde and retrograde pacing protocols were used to obtain the Wenckebach cycle length, effective and functional refractory periods of the AVN, index of AVN conduction delay (the area under the AVN conduction curve), as well as index of intra-atrial conduction delay between the AVN inputs. Compared to control, 5 and 10 mM BDM produced either shortening or no effect on all of the above parameters except a slight (6% and 14%, respectively) increase in the intra-atrial delay. At 20 mM, BDM produced a further increase in the intra-atrial delay (up to 50%) as well as in the retrograde AVN conduction delay (up to 16%), while the characteristics of the anterograde conduction were still improved. The effects of perfusion with BDM on these parameters were reversible after washout. Conclusions: Aside from its known effect as an electromechanical uncoupler, BDM reversibly altered some of the electrical responses of the AVN. Most of these alterations, however, did not impede but rather improved AVN conduction. Since a dose of 10 mM is sufficient to fully eliminate undesirable motion, BDM should be considered a safe and valuable tool in AVN studies in vitro requiring a mechanically quiescent preparation.
Regional ontogeny of a unique glutamate recognition site in rat brain: an autoradiographic study.

Abstract The developmental pattern of l -[3H]glutamate binding to rat brain in the presence of saturating concentrations of unlabeled N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), kainate (KA) and quisqualate (OQA) was examined in an autoradiographic assay. The unique glutamate binding site defined by this assay displayed four distinct, regionally specific patterns of development. 1. (1) In reticular nucleus of thalamus there was an initial very high level of binding at postnatal day 1 (PND1) followed by a progressive 80% decline in binding during maturation. 2. (2) In entorhinal cortex, a progressive 500–1100% increase in binding was seen during development. 3. (3) In ventral posterior medial nucleus of thalamus, there was an initial transient 200–300% increase in binding, peaking at PND10, followed by a steady decline in binding. 4. (4) In frontal cortex, binding remained relatively stable throughout development. At all stages of development, the distribution of these recognition sites was different from NMDA, KA or QQA receptors. The function of this glutamate binding site remains to be determined, but the distinct regional and temporal patterns of binding suggest that it may be important in normal development of the central nervous system.
Cloning of yeast glycolysis genes by complementation.

Abstract The following glycolysis genes have been obtained by complementation in the appropriate yeast mutant from a pool of yeast DNA in the multicopy plasmid YEp13: PGI 1 (phosphoglucose isomerase), TPI 1 (triose-P isomerase), PGK 1 (phosphoglycerate kinase), GPM 1 (phosphoglycerate mutase), PYK 1 (pyruvate kinase), and GCR 1 (glycolysis regulation). The glycolysis enzymes include some of the major proteins of yeast, and in the clones (other than GCR 1) their levels, for the particular one, are 5–10 times normal.
Light-front partons and dimensional reduction in relativistic field theory

We present a simple discussion of the appearance of light-front partons in local field theory. The description in terms of partons provides a dimensional reduction which relates a (2+1)- with a (3+1)-dimensional theory, for example. The possibility for the existence of Lorentz symmetry and a connection to the relativistic membrane is described. It is shown how the reconstruction of the full relativistic field theory is possible with a proper treatment of the parton configuration space. Compared with the case of identical particles, this involves keeping configurations, where the partons are at the same points.
The T-Form Organization: Using Technology to Design Organizations for the 21st Century

The article reviews the book ‘The T-Form Organization: Using Technology to Design Organizations for the 21st Century,’ by Henry Lucas.
Soil boron and soybean leaf boron in relation to soybean yield 1

Abstract Boron applied in 2 soybean field experiments at rates up to 2.12 kg/ha was not detectable in Ap or B2 horizon soil extracts approximately 6 weeks after B addition, although leaf B contents reflected added B. There was a measurable difference between the 2 fields in extractable B. Where the Ap horizon averaged 0.05 ppm B, soybean leaf content ranged 14 to 40 ppm B and no yield response was obtained with 0.56 to 2.24 kg/ha of added B. Where the Ap horizon averaged 0.11 ppm B, and leaf content reached 63 ppm B, soybean yield was reduced approximately two‐thirds by 2.24 kg/ha of added B. Data from these 2 field experiments and previous micronutrient field studies, where yield response to B fertilization was obtained when leaf B was 9 to 10 ppm in soybean leaves, suggest that plant tissue analyses for B can be used to evaluate B fertilization needs. Soil tests may not be useful for detecting B deficiency in coarse‐textured soils, but may aid in detection of areas where B levels are high.
THE INFLUENCE OF TESTICLE EXTRACT ON THE INTRADERMAL SPREAD OF INJECTED FLUIDS AND PARTICLES

The experiments in this paper show that testicle extract causes India ink particles and those of Prussian blue to spread much more extensively through the intercellular spaces than similar suspensions made with Ringer's solution. Methylene blue inoculated intravenously localizes more extensively in areas previously injected with testicle extracts than in control areas receiving injections of tissue extracts without enhancing power. Kidney extracts have this property to a less degree, whereas spleen extracts and blood serum are devoid of it. The spreading power of extracts is destroyed by heating at 60°C. for 30 minutes, as is also the power to enhance infections. The precise mode of action of the Reynals factor is not known, but the results of the experiments here presented suggest that it may depend at least in part on the property whereby testicle extract increases the spread of injected material and alters the permeability of tissue cells. It is not inconceivable that changes in permeability facilitate the passage of vaccine virus through the endothelial cells of the blood and lymph vessels, and lead to the generalized vaccinia which is of frequent occurrence in the reported results (20). It has been shown that fluids and suspensions of inert particles are spread by the extract.B. tetanus and B. coli exotoxins and trypsin were not enhanced at all in their action despite the fact that they were spread through a more extensive area in the tissues. Viruses, on the other hand, are markedly influenced and in this respect resemble bacteria, not toxins and enzymes. It appears probable that a definite capacity for multiplication on the part of an injected substance is required if its pathogenic effects are to be enhanced. It may be concluded tentatively that the enhancing power of the testicle extract may depend on that property which not only spreads the injected material through a larger area but renders the tissue cells more easily penetrable by the agents.