cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised Pedestrian Pose Prediction: A Deep Predictive Coding Network-Based Approach for Autonomous Vehicle Perception

Pedestrian pose prediction is an important topic, related closely to robotics and automation. Accurate predictions of human poses and motion can facilitate a more thorough understanding and analysis of human behavior, which benefits real-world applications such as human-robot interaction, humanoid and bipedal robot design, and safe navigation of mobile robots and autonomous vehicles. This article describes a deep predictive coding network (PredNet)-based approach for unsupervised pedestrian pose prediction from 2D camera imagery and provides experimental results of two real-world autonomous vehicle data sets. The article also discusses topics for future work in unsupervised and semisupervised pedestrian pose prediction and its potential applications in robotics and automation systems.
Navigating Relationship Norms: An Exploration of How Content Strategies Improve Brand Valuation over Time

Advertising both builds upon and benefits from the relationship between consumers and brands. In three longitudinal studies this research explores the cultivation and effects of this relationship a...
School-wide social emotional learning (SEL) and bullying victimization: Moderating role of school climate in elementary, middle, and high schools

Guided by the school-wide social-emotional learning framework and social-ecological model, in this study we examined the associations between students' perceptions of four core social emotional learning (SEL) competencies (i.e., responsible decision-making, social awareness, self-management, and relationship skills) and school climate and their experience with bullying victimization through a multilevel framework. We also examined the multilevel moderating effects of students' perceptions of school climate, gender, and school levels (elementary, middle, and high schools) on the association between SEL competencies and bullying victimization. Participants were 23,532 students (4th to 12th grade) from 90 schools in Delaware. Using hierarchical linear modeling and controlling for demographic factors and school climate at both student and school levels, we found that three of the four core SEL competencies (i.e., social awareness, relationship skills, and self-management) and student-level school climate perceptions had significant associations with students' bullying victimization experiences. Moreover, the positive association between social awareness and bullying victimization and the negative association between self-management and bullying victimization were both mitigated in schools with more positive school climate at the student level. The association between some of the SEL competencies and bullying victimization varied depending on students' gender and grade levels. The findings highlight the unique and differentiated relations among the four core SEL competencies and students' bullying victimization experiences; they also suggest the importance of including school climate assessment and applying gender- and grade-level-specific efforts in bullying prevention programs with an SEL focus.
Irritability Predicts Hyperactive/Impulsive Symptoms Across Adolescence for Females

Irritability is common in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but little is known about whether irritability predicts the course of ADHD symptoms over time. Adolescence is a dynamic period of emotional development as well as shifts in ADHD symptoms; an important goal is to identify youth at risk of increasing or persisting symptoms. We examined irritability as a longitudinal predictor of change in adolescents’ ADHD symptoms, as well as how this link may differ in females versus males. The sample included 108 youth (72 males) age 12–16 years (M = 14.21 years, SD = 1.44 years), 62 of whom met criteria for ADHD. Approximately 18 months later, 80 participants (48 males) were followed up at Time 2. A dimensional approach was used to examine changes over time in parent-reported inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Longitudinal path analysis revealed that irritability at Time 1 predicted higher relative hyperactive/impulsive symptoms at Time 2 after controlling for age and longitudinal stability in all variables. A multiple-group analysis examining moderation by sex/gender revealed that this association was significant only for females. These results suggest that irritability may play a key role in the persistence and worsening of hyperactive/impulsive symptoms across adolescence for females, with potential implications for the diagnosis and treatment of females with ADHD.
Set and Setting: A Randomized Study of Different Musical Genres in Supporting Psychedelic Therapy

Mounting evidence supports the serotonin 2A receptor agonist psilocybin as a psychiatric pharmacotherapy. Little research has experimentally examined how session "set and setting" impacts subjective and therapeutic effects. We analyzed the effects of the musical genre played during sessions of a psilocybin study for tobacco smoking cessation. Participants (N = 10) received psilocybin (20-30 mg/70 kg) in two sessions, each with a different musical genre (Western classical versus overtone-based), with the order counterbalanced. Participants chose one genre for a third session (30 mg/70 kg). Mystical experiences scores tended to be higher in overtone-based sessions than in Western classical sessions. Six of ten participants chose the overtone-based music for a third session. Biologically confirmed smoking abstinence was similar based on musical choice, with a slight benefit for participants choosing the overtone-based playlist (66.7% versus 50%). These data call into question whether Western classical music typically used in psychedelic therapy holds a unique benefit. Broadly, we call for experimentally examining session components toward optimizing psychedelic therapeutic protocols.
International development organisations and the localisation of human rights

International development organisations face a challenge to reconcile their commitments to universal human rights agendas with the growing expectation to localise and decolonise their approaches in...
Phosphorus as an integral component of global marine biogeochemistry

Phosphorus (P) is essential for life, but most of the global surface ocean is P depleted, which can limit marine productivity and affect ecosystem structure. Over recent decades, a wealth of new knowledge has revolutionized our understanding of the marine P cycle. With a revised residence time (~10–20 kyr) that is similar to nitrate and a growing awareness that P transformations are under tight and elaborate microbial control, the classic textbook version of a tectonically slow and biogeochemically simple marine P cycle has become outdated. P moves throughout the world’s oceans with a higher level of complexity than has ever been appreciated before, including a vast, yet poorly understood, P redox cycle. Here, we illustrate an oceanographically integral view of marine P by reviewing recent advances in the coupled cycles of P with carbon, nitrogen and metals in marine systems. Through this lens, P takes on a more dynamic and connected role in marine biogeochemistry than previously acknowledged, which points to unclear yet profound potential consequences for marine ecosystems, particularly under anthropogenic influence. Phosphorus plays a dynamic and complex role in marine biogeochemistry, which is closely connected to carbon, nitrogen and metal cycling, according to a literature synthesis on recent advances in understandings of the marine phosphorus cycle.
Abstract TP411: Improving Pediatric Stroke Recognition Among Pediatric Health Care Providers

Introduction: Pediatric acute ischemic stroke (P-AIS) is an under-recognized disease by pediatric healthcare providers, resulting in delay of its diagnosis. In spite of diagnostic tools such as the...
Go Big or Buy a Home: Student Debt, Career Choices and Wealth Accumulation

What is the impact of student loans on post baccalaureate choices? Using within-college variations in financial aid policies, we find that higher levels of debt induce a front loading of earnings, an underinvestment in human capital and an earlier entry into home ownership. We then estimate a life-cycle model using a representative panel of college graduates and analyze the mechanisms behind the interaction between student debt, career choices and housing. Our results indicate that lower net wealth generates a trade-off between career and housing choices for college graduates. Finally, we compare alternative policy proposals. Relative to the baseline 10-year fixed repayment plan, an income based repayment plan increases human capital accumulation and earnings growth, while postponing entry into home ownership. Importantly, linking repayments to income achieves outcomes that are close to what can be achieved by a more ambitious ”college for all” subsidy plan.
Slit2 Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastasis by Activating M1-Like Phagocytic and Antifibrotic Macrophages.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are heterogeneous in nature and comprise anti-tumor M1-like (M1-TAMs) or pro-tumor M2-like (M2-TAMs) TAMs. M2-TAMs are a major component of stroma in breast tumors and enhance metastasis by reducing their phagocytic ability and increasing tumor fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate phenotypic plasticity of TAMs are not well known. Here we report that a novel tumor suppressor Slit2 in breast cancer by regulating TAMs in the tumor microenvironment. Slit2 reduced the in vivo growth and metastasis of autochthonous and syngeneic mammary tumor and xenograft breast tumor models. Slit2 increased recruitment of M1-TAMs to the tumor and enhanced the ability of M1-TAMs to phagocytose tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. This Slit2-mediated increase in M1-TAM phagocytosis occurred via suppression of IL6. Slit2 was also shown to diminish fibrosis in breast cancer mouse models by increasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 in M1-TAMs. Analysis of patient samples showed high Slit2 expression strongly associated with better patient survival and inversely correlated with the abundance of CD163+ TAMs. Overall, these studies define the role of Slit2 in inhibiting metastasis by activating M1-TAMs and depleting tumor fibrosis. Furthermore, these findings suggest that Slit2 can be a promising immunotherapeutic agent to redirect TAMs to serve as tumor killers for aggressive and metastatic breast cancers. In addition, Slit2 expression along with CD163+ TAMs could be used as an improved prognostic biomarker in breast cancer patients.
Successful Control of Johne's Disease in Nine Wisconsin Dairy Herds

There is general consensus on how to control Johne's Disease (JD) but there are few longitudinal field studies to demonstrate that such recommendations actually work. The goal of the project was to fill this need by testing a single specific affordable control program in ten Wisconsin commercial dairy herds with diverse sizes and management styles.
Evaluation in Marketing Education: The Case of the Final Exam

In this age of increased interest in accountability, marketing educators would benefit from a judicious assessment of their instruction techniques. This paper focuses on the evaluation stage in the teaching-learning processes. More specifically, it evaluates the instructional role of final examinations in the teaching-learning processes, explores some of the difficulties inherent in final exams, and proposes some means to restore their instructional value to marketing educators.
Four Views of Complex Objects: A Sophisticate's Introduction

Four database modeling paradigms are compared along a number of dimensions, including their treatment of ‘object identity’; issues of redundant structure and/or data; the notions of ‘type’ and ‘class’; their treatment of sets and context-dependent data; and their treatment of ISA relationships. The modeling paradigms are: complex object types (including nested relations); semantic models; complex object models using object identifiers; and the model of the conceptual language Galileo. The presentation is largely informal, with a focus on philosophic issues.
Reproductive Toxicity and Endocrine Disruption of Potential Chemical Warfare Agents

Reproduction is a critical biological process in all living systems and is required for species survival. The entire scope of the effects of chemical warfare and acts of agricultural and industrial terrorism can involve severe emotional and financial distress and diminished prognosis for long-term survival of exposed human and animal populations arising from toxicant-induced spontaneous abortions, congenital defects, and infertility. This chapter describes the basic terminology with respect to reproduction, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption, as well as what is currently understood about the potential adverse effects of chemical warfare agents, ionizing radiation, and hazardous industrial and agricultural wastes on human and animal reproductive function.
The Joy of Cooking

AbstractPhilosophical discussions of Slow Food have been relatively non-existent. This paper will attempt to address this silence by exploring the contributions to Slow Food that can be made by the German-American philosopher Albert Borgmann's theory of technology. Of particular relevance here are Borgmann's notions of the “device” and the “culture of the table.” Relating these ideas to Slow Food may help it gain some theoretical rigor and address some of the criticisms made of the movement.
They Called Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish Childhood in Poland Before the Holocaust

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Mayer Kirshenblatt and Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett Year: 2007 Pages: 411 Publisher: University of California Press ISBN: 978-0-520-24961-5 (hard cover). Prices: $39.95 USD(hard cover).
Islam and Political Violence

The global threat of Al Qaeda post 9/11 and ISIL, increased Sunni-Shia conflicts, and violence in the Middle East and Pakistan dominate headlines and challenge governments in the region and globally. Both Muslim extremists and some Western experts and observers speak of a clash of civilizations or a culture war in Muslim-West relations. Both the discourse and violence yet again raise questions about the relationship of Islam to violence and terrorism: is Islam a particularly violent religion? Critics cite Quranic passages, doctrines like jihad and events in Muslim history as strong indicators and proof that Islam is the primary driver of Muslim extremism and terrorism. What do the Quran and Islamic law have to say about violence, jihad and warfare? What are the primary drivers of terrorism in the name of Islam today? This article will address these questions in the context of development of global jihadist movements, in particular Al Qaeda and ISIL, their roots, causes, ideology and agenda.
Λ < 0 quantum gravity in 2+1 dimensions: I. Quantum states and stringy S-matrix

We consider the theory of pure gravity in 2 + 1 dimensions, with negative cosmological constant. The theory contains simple matter in the form of point particles; the latter are classically described as lines of conical singularities. We propose a formalism in which quantum amplitudes for the process involving black holes and point particles are obtained as conformal field theory (CFT) correlation functions on Riemann surfaces X. Point particles are described by the CFT vertex operators; black holes (asymptotic regions) are in correspondence with boundaries of X. We consider two examples: the amplitude for emission of a particle by the BTZ black hole and the amplitude of black-hole creation by two point particles. We then define an inner product between quantum states. The value of this inner product can be interpreted as the amplitude for one set of point particles to go into another set producing black holes. The full particle S-matrix is then given by the sum of all such amplitudes. This S-matrix is that of a non-critical string theory, with the worldsheet CFT being essentially the Liouville theory. Λ < 0 quantum gravity in 2 + 1 dimensions is thus a string theory.
Strategies for thromboprophylaxis in Fontan circulation: a meta-analysis

Background The Fontan circulation is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events (TEs). As many as 25% of these thrombotic events result in fatality. More subtle adverse effects on the pulmonary circulation from embolic thrombi may further impair adequate functioning of the circuit. Despite these well-documented phenomena, the most optimal approaches to thromboprophylaxis are still not clearly defined. Objective A meta-analysis of published trials in English on PubMed and Cochrane libraries that evaluated the role of using TE prophylaxis in patients who underwent the Fontan procedure was conducted. Methods 10 studies with a total number of 1200 patients with an average follow-up time of 7.1 years were identified. A random effect model was used. Results The incidence of TE was significantly less in patients who received TE prophylaxis (using either aspirin or warfarin) compared with patients who did not receive TE prophylaxis (OR 0.425, 95% CI 0.194 to 0.929, p 2 =37%). The incidence of TE was significantly lower in patients who received aspirin compared with no TE prophylaxis (OR 0.363, 95% CI 0.177 to 0.744, p 2 =0%) and who received warfarin compared with no TE prophylaxis (OR 0.327, 95% CI 0.168 to 0.634, p 2 =2.5%). There was no significant difference in incidence of TE between warfarin and aspirin (OR 0.936, 95% CI 0.609 to 1.438, p=0.54, I 2 =0%). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in incidence of early TE (within 6 months of the operation) or late TE (>6 months) between patients receiving warfarin and aspirin (OR 0.784, 95% CI 0.310 to 1.982, p=0.37, I 2 =8%) and (OR 0.776, 95% CI 0.249 to 2.42, p=0.3, I 2 =45%), respectively. When only total cavopulmonary connection patients were included, there was again no difference between warfarin and aspirin in the incidence of TE (OR 0.813, 95% CI 0.471 to 1.401, p=0.34, I 2 =11%). Conclusions This study shows a significantly lower incidence of TE after Fontan procedure if either aspirin or warfarin is used. This meta-analysis suggests no significant difference in incidence of early or late TE in patients receiving aspirin compared with warfarin.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: A comprehensive review

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder in which left ventricular dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure occur in the peripartum period in previously healthy women. Incidence of PPCM ranges from 1 in 1300 to 1 in 15,000 pregnancies. The etiology of PPCM is unknown, but viral, autoimmune, and idiopathic causes may contribute. The diagnostic criteria are onset of heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or in first 5 months postpartum, absence of determinable cause for cardiac failure, and absence of a demonstrable heart disease before the last month of pregnancy. Risk factors for PPCM include advanced maternal age, multiparity, African race, twinning, gestational hypertension, and long-term tocolysis. The clinical presentation of patients with PPCM is similar to that of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are essential to optimize pregnancy outcome. Treatment is similar to medical therapy for other forms of dilated cardiomyopathy. About half the patients of PPCM recover without complications. The prognosis is poor in patients with persistent cardiomyopathy. Persistence of disease after 6 months indicates irreversible cardiomyopathy and portends worse survival.
Dehydration and acidosis with calcification at renal tubules

Summary We report a group of four infants and one child who showed a strikingly similar syndrome characterized by persistent dehydration, acidosis with hyperchloremia, and extensive diffuse deposits of calcium salts in and around the renal tubules.
Bimolecular DNA Triplexes: Duplex Extensions Show Implications for H-Form DNA Stability†

H-form DNA has recently been shown to be biologically relevant by its involvement in the process of homologous recombination [Kohwi, Y., and Panchenko, Y. (1993) Genes Dev. 7, 1766−1778]. A bimolecular DNA triple-stranded structure (triplex) is central to the formation of H-form DNA. Understanding the formation and factors governing the stability of such bimolecular triplexes is necessary to fully elucidate the structure/function relationship of H-form DNA. In this study, we extend known information on bimolecular triplexes by examining the effect of a variable CNC base triad (where N = A, C, T, or G) on a 10 base triad triplex that mimics the triplex motif in H-form DNA. We also examine the effect that a duplex extension of four base pairs has on triplex stability and selectivity for the base N. Results from thermal denaturation experiments indicate that the fully complementary triplex is more stable than its duplex counterpart (ΔTm = 13 °C) and is resistant to degradation by bovine spleen phosphodiester...
Modulation by dopamine of population spikes in area CA1 hippocampal neurons elicited by paired stimulus pulses

1. Extracellular recording techniques were used to study the effects of dopamine on postactivation excitability of rat area CA1 hippocampal neurons maintainedin vitro. Population spikes were elicited by delivery of conditioning and test stimulus pulses to afferent fibers. The interval between the conditioning and test volley was set to separate delivery of stimuli by 10 to 80 msec. The effect of superfusion or microtopical application of dopamine (DA) on population responses to test stimulus pulses was studied. 2. When paired stimulus volleys, separated by brief intervals (up to 40 msec), were delivered to afferent fibers, paired-pulse suppression (PPS) was indicated by the amplitude of the population spike elicited by the test volley being smaller than that elicited by the conditioning volley. When paired volleys were separated by longer intervals (40 to 80 msec), the response elicited by the test volley was larger in amplitude than that elicited by the conditioning volley, indicating paired-pulse facilitation (PPF). 3. Following exposure to DA, the amplitude of the population response elicited by the conditioning volley was larger than the amplitude before exposure to DA. This effect was long-lasting, enduring for tens of minutes. However, when the amplitude of the conditioning population response was held constant, the PPS was decreased, indicating disinhibition. 4. It is suggested that dopamine produces a long-lasting attenuation of an intervening inhibitory influence onto CA1 pyramidal neurons.
Using Nonesterified Fatty Acids and β-Hydroxybutyrate Concentrations During the Transition Period for Herd-Level Monitoring of Increased Risk of Disease and Decreased Reproductive and Milking Performance

Dairy cows visit a state of negative energy balance (NEB) as they transition from late gestation to early lactation. At the individual level, there are several metabolic adaptations to manage NEB, including mobilization of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) from body fat reserves and glucose sparing for lactogenesis. Based on current pen-level feeding and management practices, strategies to minimize excessive NEB in both the individual and herd should focus on herd-level testing and management. This article reviews strategies for testing and monitoring of excessive NEB at the herd level through individual testing of 2 energy markers: NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate.
The impact of next and back buttons on time to complete and measurement reliability in computer-based surveys

Purpose To assess the impact of including next and back buttons on response burden and measurement reliability of computer-based surveys.
First-order analysis of deformation of a thrust sheet moving over a ramp

Abstract John L. Rich introduced the revolutionary concept that many folds in the Appalachian Mountains can be explained as superficial structures formed by passive translation of thrust blocks over ramps in detachment surfaces. The amount of layer-parallel shortening can be negligible in the formation of these folds. Rich primarily was concerned with an explanation for the Powell Valley anticline, in the southern Appalachians, but the essential kinematic features of his model of folding have been verified in other folds in the Appalachians, in the Canadian Rockies, in the Idaho-Wyoming thrust belt, and in the Pyrenees. In this paper we solve the boundary-value problem for an idealized thrust block moving over a detachment surface and ramp with zero drag, and produce theoretical fold forms in the thrust block that closely resemble those in Rich's idealized model. The anticline is narrow and rounded if the translation is small, and broad and flat-topped if the translation is large. The limbs of the anticline are symmetric. We also incorporate drag along the ramp part of the detachment surface in order to derive a possible explanation for the asymmetry of dips of the two limbs of the Powell Valley anticline. We show that drag can explain the asymmetry, particularly if drag between relatively competent rocks in opposition at the ramp caused an initial anticline to form as the thrust block began to move, and then drag reduced markedly as relatively soft shales at the base of the block were thrust over competent rocks in the ramp. The existence of the initial anticline should be reflected in asymmetry of the two limbs and in a bulge at the distal edge of the broad anticline.
Individual treatment effects in randomized trials with binary outcomes

Abstract A potential outcomes framework is used to define individual treatment effects in a randomized design comparing two treatments, T and C. When the outcome variable is binary, individual effects may take on one of three values, 0, 1, −1, at any given point in time, but these “individual effects” cannot be measured in practice. Often, in clinical trials, an average effect of the treatment is estimated and a superior treatment is determined from this estimate. However, there may be a proportion of the population that responds favorably to T and another proportion that responds more favorably to C if individual treatment effects vary widely in the population. These proportions are nonidentifiable using data from a two sample completely randomized design, but knowledge regarding their potential magnitude is crucial for assessing the risk involved in administering a treatment to an individual. We produce identifiable bounds for these proportions using data from an unmatched 2×2 table and then demonstrate the advantages to matching in a matched-pairs design. The advantages hinge on the quality of the matching criteria. We present an extended matched-pairs design that allows estimation of refined bounds. A constructed data example is used to compare the information about individual treatment heterogeneity, and its consequences, that can be gleaned from the different designs.
Families and the Sepsis Work-up: Considering their Fears

The neonatal patient is at significant risk for sepsis sometime during initial hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These risks include: an immature immune system; a skin barrier that is fragile and/or often penetrated to obtain needed lab testing or intravenous access; and poor nutritional status. Neonatal patients routinely require central venous access to provide long term nutrition and delivery of medications. Invasive lines as well as other foreign bodies like endotracheal tubes increase the incidence of sepsis in this population. 1 According to Kugelman, et al (2008) 2 the incidence of iatrogenic infections of the neonate during hospitalization is 18.2%. There is a significant inverse relationship between gestational age, birth weight and infection rates. That is with decreasing gestational ages and birth weights, preterm infants are at increased risk for development of infection. Infants who weigh less than 1000 grams and are 24 to 27 weeks gestation have an expected infection rate of 57% before hospital discharge. 3 Thus, sepsis is an issue of concern to both health
Functional Analysis of a Recombinant Glycoprotein Ia/IIa (Integrin α2β1) I Domain That Inhibits Platelet Adhesion to Collagen and Endothelial Matrix under Flow Conditions

The interaction of platelets with collagen plays an important role in primary hemostasis. Glycoprotein Ia/IIa (GPIa/IIa, integrin alpha(2)beta(1)) is a major platelet receptor for collagen. The binding site for collagen has been mapped to the I domain within the alpha(2) subunit (GPIa). In order to assess the role of the alpha(2)-I domain structure in GPIa/IIa binding to collagen, a recombinant I domain (amino acids 126-337) was expressed in Escherichia coli. The alpha(2)-I protein bound human types I and III collagen in a saturable and divalent cation-dependent manner and was blocked by the alpha(2)beta(1) function blocking antibody 6F1. The alpha(2)-I protein inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation (IC(50) = 600 nM). Unexpectedly, 6F1, an antibody that fails to inhibit platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma, blocked the inhibitory effect of the alpha(2)-I protein. The alpha(2)-I protein was able to prevent platelet adhesion to a collagen surface exposed to flowing blood under low shear stress. Interestingly, it inhibited platelet adhesion to extracellular matrix at high shear stress. These results, taken together, provide firm evidence that GPIa/IIa directly mediates the first contact of platelets with collagen under both stirring and flow conditions.
Expression Turnover Profiling To Monitor the Antifungal Activities of Amphotericin B, Voriconazole, and Micafungin against Aspergillus fumigatus

Eight highly expressed candidate genes were selected for mRNA profiling to monitor the transcriptome kinetics of Aspergillus fumigatus strains exposed to antifungal drugs as potential biomarkers of live cells to assess treatment efficacy. Mycelia were treated with fungicidal drugs amphotericin B and voriconazole, as well as the fungistatic drug micafungin. Transcription was monitored at 0, 4, 8, and 24 h posttreatment. The expression turnover profile provides a possible tool to assess antifungal therapy effects.
A Precision Rotating Standard for the Measurement of kilowatt-Hours

THE accuracy with which electrical energy is metered is dependent upon the apparent measured value of the kilowatt-hour used. Quite independent of the electrical operating characteristics of the watt-hour meters used or the accuracy limits within which they are adjusted, the average accuracy of a group of watt-hour meters is directly affected by the difference between the value of the kilowatt-hour used and the true value.
Three-dimensional conducting oxide nanoarchitectures: morphology-controllable synthesis, characterization, and applications in lithium-ion batteries.

We report the synthesis, characterization and applications in Li-ion batteries of a set of 3-dimensional (3-D) nanostructured conducting oxides including fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO). The morphology of these 3-D conducting oxide nanoarchitectures can be directed towards either mono-dispersed hollow nanobead matrix or mono-dispersed sponge-like nanoporous matrix by controlling the surface charge of the templating polystyrene (PS) nanobeads, the steric hindrance and hydrolysis rates of the precursors, pH of the solvents etc. during the evaporative co-assembly of the PS beads. These 3-D nanostructured conducting oxide matrices possess high surface area (over 100 m2 g−1) and accessible interconnected pores extending in all three spatial dimensions. By optimizing the temperature profile during calcination, we can obtain large area (of a few cm2) and crack-free nanoarchitectured films with thickness over 60 μm. As such, the sheet resistance of these nanoarchitectured films on FTO glass can reach below 20 Ω per square. The nanoarchitectured FTO electrodes were used as anodes in Li-ion batteries, and they showed an enhanced cycling performance and stability over pure SnO2.
Values and Evolutionary Psychology

Scholars suggest that evolutionary psychology may provide a foundation for assumptions regarding human values. I explore this suggestion by developing two arguments regarding the permissiveness of norms regulating male and female sexual activity. The first relies on the standard rational choice assumption that people value resources, and the second relies on an assumption suggested by evolutionary psychology that actors value seeing their children successfully reach adulthood. These two assumptions produce contrasting predictions regarding sex norms. I describe the implications of these predictions for explaining cross-cultural variation and present evidence that supports the evolutionary psychology-based predictions in this context. I also suggest implications of the two approaches for explaining norms cross-nationally and within the United States. The article provides support for the utility of evolutionary psychology in developing assumptions about values.
Finite-Horizon Near-Optimal Output Feedback Neural Network Control of Quantized Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Input Constraint

The output feedback-based near-optimal regulation of uncertain and quantized nonlinear discrete-time systems in affine form with control constraint over finite horizon is addressed in this paper. First, the effect of input constraint is handled using a nonquadratic cost functional. Next, a neural network (NN)-based Luenberger observer is proposed to reconstruct both the system states and the control coefficient matrix so that a separate identifier is not needed. Then, approximate dynamic programming-based actor-critic framework is utilized to approximate the time-varying solution of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman using NNs with constant weights and time-dependent activation functions. A new error term is defined and incorporated in the NN update law so that the terminal constraint error is also minimized over time. Finally, a novel dynamic quantizer for the control inputs with adaptive step size is designed to eliminate the quantization error overtime, thus overcoming the drawback of the traditional uniform quantizer. The proposed scheme functions in a forward-in-time manner without offline training phase. Lyapunov analysis is used to investigate the stability. Simulation results are given to show the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.
DEVELOPING AND TESTING AN INTRA-REGIONAL MODEL

Putman S. H. (1970) Developing and testing an intra-regional model, Reg. Studies 4, 473–490. As part of the evaluation of the economic impact of alternative transport systems proposed for the Northeast Corridor region of the United States it was necessary to develop a model to forecast these impacts. The model described here was developed by integrating portions of the concepts of economic-base, intersectoral input-output, and spatial accessibility. Forecasts are developed, by the model, of employment (by ten sectors), population, personal income (by six classes), land value, and land use, for 131 county-size areas. The theoretical development, parameter estimation, and some testing, of the model are described, and directions for future work are suggested.
PM data analysis: a comparison of two urban areas: Fresno and Atlanta

Abstract Urban speciated fine particulate data from the Speciation Trends Network from January 2001 to February 2002 were studied in both eastern and western locations of the United States. The seasonal variability of PM2.5 mass, organic carbon, elemental carbon, sulfate ion, nitrate ion, and ammonium cation concentrations were analyzed. Their relationships with ozone and meteorology were also examined. The results reveal that differences in meteorology and emissions have a significant impact on the observed seasonality in species concentrations in Fresno and Atlanta. Based on a parallel analysis of regional PM2.5 episodic events, this influence appears to be general and may typify the difference between eastern and western cities in the United States. In Atlanta, ozone, sulfate, and ammonium were high in the summer when temperatures and humidities were high, whereas organic carbon concentrations were relatively flat year-round. In Fresno, however, ozone concentrations were high but sulfate concentrations were very low even in the summer, whereas PM2.5 concentrations were much higher in the winter and dominated by organics. Meteorologically, in Fresno, it was hot and dry in the summer but cool and humid in the winter. Organic carbon, nitrate, and ammonium ion concentrations were observed to be the highest in late fall and winter when the average relative humidity was the highest (above ∼60%). Much lower mixing heights and frequent stagnations in the winter in Fresno were the major factors influencing the observed high concentrations of various species. The wintertime organic aerosols in Fresno were predominately primary in origin. However, on some very high organic concentration days, up to 30% of the observed organic aerosols could be attributed to secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). These very high organic aerosol concentration days in the winter typically had mild temperatures, high humidities, low dilution rates, and an abundance of nitrate particles. These conditions were favorable for additional SOA formation through the acid catalyzed heterogeneous reactions at night on top of the already high primary organic emissions.
Enhanced plasma DHEAS, brain acetylcholine and memory mediated by steroid sulfatase inhibition

Steroid sulfatase inhibitors can alter the metabolism of neurosteroids which modulate brain function. Administration of the non-steroidal steroid sulfatase inhibitor (p-O-sulfamoyl)-N-tetradecanoyl tyramine (DU-14) to rats for 15 days increased plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations by 88.2%, decreased plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations by 84.6%, increased hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) release determined via in vivo microdialysis by almost 3-fold, and produced a significant blockade of scopolamine-induced amnesia as measured by a passive avoidance test. These results suggest DHEAS rather than DHEA enhances brain cholinergic function and that steroid sulfatase inhibition may become an important tool for enhancing neuronal functions, such as memory, mediated by excitatory neurosteroids.
Computational adjustable autonomy for NASA Personal Satellite Assistants

We will describe a simulator and simulated teamwork among a number of Personal Satellite Assistants (PSA) onboard the simulated space station patrolling for problem detection and isolation. PSAs reason about autonomies of potential helpers while helpers reason about their autonomies for deciding to help or to break away from prior commitments to help. We describe algorithms for computing PSA autonomies when there are concurrent and conflicting situations. We also offer empirical results about qualities of help a recruiting PSA receives when there are multiple, concurrent problems.
CHFR-associated early G2/M checkpoint defects in breast cancer cells.

Cell division is a highly regulated process. Checkpoints can halt cell-cycle progression due to adverse conditions such as misalignment of chromosomes to prevent missegregation. The search for new regulators of the cell cycle revealed the mitotic checkpoint gene CHFR (checkpoint with forkhead-associated and ring finger). CHFR coordinates an early mitotic phase by delaying chromosome condensation in response to a mitotic stress. Because aneuploidy and chromosome instability are common in malignant breast tumors, we screened 24 breast cancer cell lines for CHFR expression and demonstrated that 50% (12 of 24) of breast cancer cell lines had low CHFR levels. Expression of CHFR was reactivated with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2 0 -deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) in two low-CHFR–expressing cell lines. Eleven of these 12 (92%) low-CHFR–expressing cell lines had an unusually high number of condensed chromosomes and high mitotic indices in response to nocodazole treatment. Transfection of CHFR in one of these cancer cell lines lowered the mitotic index after nocodazole treatment. In conclusion, our data suggested that low CHFR expression associated with high mitotic indices in response to nocodazole treatment were common in the breast cancer cell lines studied. Additional flow cytometry studies and analysis of a protein that interacts with CHFR in vitro, polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), suggests that this CHFR-associated early G2/M checkpoint is complex, involving additional, as yet unidentified, proteins. Further analysis of CHFR in breast cancer cells will be important for understanding the complex mechanisms leading to aneuploidy and chromosomal instability observed in breast cancer. 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Exchange through a Barrier Island Inlet: Additional Evidence of Upwelling off the Northeast Coast of North Carolina

Abstract During the period 20 June-2 July 1973, hydrographic data were collected at Oregon Inlet, N. C. An examination of the water temperature time-history record at three stations in and near the inlet show 1) that in two periods with predominately southerly winds, the temperature fluctuated in the range from 13.7° to 27.5°C with an apparent tidal periodicity; 2) that for nearly 48 h between these two periods and with northeasterly winds, a nearly constant temperature of 22.0° to 22.5°C was maintained in spite of normal tidal fluctuations; and 3) this constant temperature period is bracketed by two 24 h transitional periods that are initiated almost coincidently with wind directional changes. It appears that the sequence and relationship of these wind and water temperature data may be explained by and provide additional evidence and documentation of wind-induced upwelling along the northeastern North Carolina coast previously reported by Wells and Gray (1960), Carter, Pritchard and Carpenter (1966) and ...
Intrinsic thermal response, thermotolerance development and stepdown heating in murine bone marrow progenitor cells

Thermal response, thermotolerance development and stepdown heating (SDH) in the murine bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors were determined in vitro. Marrow was removed from femora and tibia, heated in McCoy's 5A medium plus 15% FBS and cultured in soft agar in the presence of three different sources of colony stimulating factor. D0's (+/- SE) for survival curves of CFU-GM heated in vitro were 147 +/- 13, 71 +/- 9, 37 +/- 2, 19 +/- 0.7, 11 +/- 1, and 4.3 +/- 0.3 min, for temperatures of 41.8, 42, 42.3, 42.5, 43 and 44 degrees C, respectively. Arrhenius analysis showed inactivation enthalpies of 812 +/- 9 KJoules/mole (193 +/- 2 Kcal/mole) above, and 2142 +/- 157 KJoules/mole (509 +/- 37 Kcal/mole) below, an inflection at 42.5 degrees C. Thermotolerance development was evident during prolonged hyperthermia exposure at temperatures below 42.5 degrees C (chronic hyperthermia) as a change in the slope of the survival curves after approximately 110 min of heating. Thermotolerance development at 37 degrees C after exposure to temperatures of 43 degrees C or greater (acute hyperthermia) was assessed by fractionated heat treatments consisting of an initial heat treatment (15 min at 44 degrees C) followed by incubation at 37 degrees C and challenge with 15 min or 25 min at 44 degrees C. Maximum thermotolerance occurred after 210 and 330 min at 37 degrees C, respectively. The half-time for maximum thermotolerance development was 36 min. Depending on the amount of heat damage and the maximum amount of thermotolerance development, the decay of thermotolerance was complete after approximately 48-72 h at 37 degrees C. An exposure of 10 min at 44 degrees C before incubation at 40 or 41 degrees C (stepdown heating) reduced the slope of the 40 or 41 degrees C survival curves by inhibiting thermotolerance development that would have otherwise occurred. D0's were 100 +/- 19 and 45 +/- 5 min for 40 and 41 degrees C incubation preceded by 10 min at 44 degrees C, respectively. These studies indicate that whole-body or regional hyperthermia protocols designed either to treat solid tumours or to purge leukemic stem cells from marrow ex vivo should avoid inadvertent temperature elevations to large volumes of marrow. Although, marrow progenitors are capable of thermotolerance development during exposure to temperatures up to 42.3 degrees C, results suggest that conditions of stepdown heating may prevent thermotolerance development.
ACADEMIC PEDIATRICS AND THE HEALTH OF MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED CHILDREN IN AMERICA

How is it that we have such great hospitals—and such poor public health," the Philadelphia Inquirer (August 22, 1989:14-A) asked the academic medical community of Philadelphia. Instead of just "cranking out specialists," the editorial said,"academic medicine ought to be taking stock of its broader vision—preventing sickness, making care more easily available, and figuring ways to improve the state of public health.... On matters of public health, academic medicine has been embarrassingly slow to show leadership." On the one hand, it is certainly not fair to blame the university medical centers for the fact that too many of this country's people do not receive basic medical care. In fact, these centers spend a great deal of time and expertise dealing with the consequences of this society's failures in public health. On the other hand, who is better prepared to attack these problems than the academic medical community? It seems hard to
Cognitive style performance and form discrimination

Forty-two male and 42 female college students were subdivided into field independent, medium, and field dependent identity groups and matched for sex. Each participant was given 24 active and 24 passive touch form discrimination trials. The results showed that active touch form discrimination yielded fewer errors than passive touch and that females were better form discriminators than males. The interaction between field dependence, form discrimination, and sex showed that in contrast to field independent participants, field dependent males made more form discrimination errors while females improved. This interaction is discussed in relation to the field dependence literature.
Carbon dioxide variability during cold front passages and fair weather days at a forested mountaintop site

Abstract This study describes temporal carbon dioxide (CO2) changes at a new meteorological site on a mountaintop in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains during the first year of measurements. Continental mountaintop locations are increasingly being used for CO2 monitoring, and investigations are needed to better understand measurements made at these locations. We focus on CO2 mixing ratio changes on days with cold front passages and on fair weather days. Changes in CO2 mixing ratios are largest during cold front passages outside the growing season and on clear, fair weather days in the growing season. 67% (60%) of the frontal passages during the non-growing (growing) season have larger postfrontal than prefrontal CO2 mixing ratios. The increase in CO2 mixing ratio around the frontal passage is short-lived and coincides with changes in CO and O3. The CO2 increase can therefore be used as an additional criterion to determine the timing of frontal passages at the mountaintop station. The CO2 increase can be explained by an accumulation of trace gases along frontal boundaries. The magnitude and duration of the CO2 increase is affected by the wind speed and direction that determine the source region of the postfrontal air. Southward-moving fronts result in the largest prolonged period of elevated CO2, consistent with the postfrontal advection of air from the Northeastern United States where anthropogenic contributions are relatively large compared to other areas in the footprint of the mountaintop station. These anthropogenic contributions to the CO2 changes are confirmed through concurrent CO measurements and output from NOAA’s CarbonTracker model.