cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust Optimization for Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy to Redistribute High Linear Energy Transfer from Nearby Critical Organs to Tumors in Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose We propose linear energy transfer (LET)-guided robust optimization in intensity modulated proton therapy for head and neck cancer. This method simultaneously considers LET and physical dose distributions of tumors and organs at risk (OARs) with uncertainties. Methods and Materials Fourteen patients with head and neck cancer were included in this retrospective study. Cord, brain stem, brain, and oral cavity were considered. Two algorithms, voxel-wise worst-case robust optimization and LET-guided robust optimization (LETRO), were used to generate intensity modulated proton therapy plans for each patient. The latter method directly optimized LET distributions rather than indirectly as in previous methods. LET–volume histograms (LETVHs) were generated, and high LET was redistributed from nearby OARs to tumors in a user-defined way via LET–volume constraints. Dose–volume histogram indices, such as clinical target volume (CTV) D98% and D2%-D98%, cord Dmax, brain stem Dmax, brain Dmax, and oral cavity Dmean, were calculated. Plan robustness was quantified using the worst-case analysis method. LETVH indices analogous to dose–volume histogram indices were used to characterize LET distributions. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to measure statistical significance. Results In the nominal scenario, LETRO provided higher LET distributions in the CTV (unit: keV/μm; CTV LET98%: 1.18 vs 1.08, LETRO vs RO, P = .0031) while preserving comparable physical dose and plan robustness. LETRO achieved significantly reduced LET distributions in the cord, brain stem, and oral cavity compared with RO (cord LETmax: 7.20 vs 8.20, P = .0010; brain stem LETmax: 10.95 vs 12.05, P = .0007; oral cavity LETmean: 2.11 vs 3.12, P = .0052) and had comparable physical dose and plan robustness in all OARs. In the worst-case scenario, LETRO achieved significantly higher LETmean in the CTV, reduced LETmax in the brain, and was comparable to other LETVH indices (CTV LETmean: 3.26 vs 3.35, P = .0012; brain LETmax: 24.80 vs 22.00, P = .0016). Conclusions LETRO robustly optimized LET and physical dose distributions simultaneously. It redistributed high LET from OARs to targets with slightly modified physical dose and plan robustness.
Stable Carbenes, Nitrenes, Phosphinidenes, and Borylenes: Past and Future

Summary The different modes of stabilization for carbenes are briefly discussed in the context of the discovery of their first stable representatives. Largely because a diversity of stable carbenes are available today, their use has spanned across the chemical sciences, including medicinal and material applications. Much less is known about the isolobal group 15 cousins of carbenes, namely nitrenes and phosphinidenes, given that only one example of each has been isolated. The difficulties associated with their applications are discussed, and possible solutions are presented. As for group 13 element carbenoids, two types are considered: (1) mono(Lewis base)-stabilized borylenes that have been recently isolated and (2) borylenes, the only carbenoids discussed in this article that have eluded the synthetic skills of investigators. This Perspective describes potentially attainable targets, such as monocoordinated aminocarbanions, aminocarbynes, and aminocarbocations, which feature a carbon atom with six, five, and four valence electrons, respectively.
Sex-specific gut microbiota modulation of aversive conditioning and basolateral amygdala dendritic spine density

ABSTRACT Gut microbiota influence numerous aspects of host biology, including brain structure and function. Growing evidence implicates gut microbiota in aversive conditioning and anxiety-related behaviors, but research has focused almost exclusively on males. To investigate sex-specific effects of gut dysbiosis on aversive learning and memory, adult female and male C57BL/6N mice were orally administered a moderate dose of non-absorbable antimicrobial medications (ATMs; neomycin, bacitracin, pimaricin) or a control over 10 days. Changes in gut microbiome composition were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Open field behavior, cued aversive learning, context recall, and cued recall were assessed. Following behavioral testing, the morphology of basolateral amygdala (BLA) principal neuron dendrites and spines was characterized. Results revealed that ATMs induced distinct but overlapping patterns of gut dysbiosis across sex, with stronger effects in females. There were also sex-specific effects on behavior and neuroanatomy. Treated males but not females exhibited altered locomotor and anxiety-like behavior in the novel open field test. Treated females but not males showed impairments in aversive memory acquisition and cued recall. Context recall remained intact in both sexes, as did dendritic structure of BLA principal neurons. However, ATMs exerted sex-specific effects on spine density. A second experiment was conducted to isolate gut perturbation to cued recall. Results revealed no effect of ATMs on recall of a previously consolidated fear memory, suggesting that gut dysbiosis preferentially impacts aversive learning. These data shed new light on how gut microbiota interact with sex to influence aversive conditioning, anxiety-like behavior, and BLA dendritic spine architecture. Significance Gut microbiota can influence brain function and behavior, including trauma and anxiety-related disorders. Although these disorders disproportionately affect women, preclinical research has focused almost exclusively on male rodent models. We investigated the impact of antimicrobial administration on gut microbiome structure, aversive conditioning, open field behavior, and basolateral amygdala principal neuron morphology in female and male mice. Results showed that treatment exerted wide-ranging effects, many of which were sex-specific. Our findings underscore the importance of studying sex differences and support a role for microbial modulation of aversive learning, anxiety-like behavior, and amygdala spine patterning.
Functional Effects of WNT10A Rare Variants Associated with Tooth Agenesis

Mutations in WNT10A have frequently been reported as etiologic for tooth agenesis (TA). However, the effects of WNT10A variation on gene/protein function and contribution to TA phenotypes remain poorly understood. Here, we performed bioinformatic and functional characterization analysis of WNT10A variants. In silico prediction of variant function was performed with VIPUR for all WNT10A missense variants reported in the Exome Aggregation Consortium database. Functional characterization experiments were then performed for selected WNT10A variants previously associated with TA. Expression vectors for wild-type and mutant WNT10A were made and transfected into stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) for evaluation of gene/protein function, WNT signaling activity, and effects on expression of relevant genes. While 75% of WNT10A variants were predicted neutral, most of the TA-associated variants received deleterious scores by potentially destabilizing or preventing the disulfide bond formation required for proper protein function. WNT signaling was significantly decreased with 8 of 13 variants tested, whereas wild-type-like activity was retained with 4 of 13 variants. WNT10A-mutant cells (T357I, R360C, and R379C mutants) showed reduced or impaired binding affinity to FZD5, suggesting a potential mechanism for the decreased WNT signaling. Mutant cells also had decreased WNT10A protein expression in comparison to wild-type cells. mRNA expression of PAX9, MSX1, AXIN2, and RUNX2 (known tooth development genes) was perturbed in mutant cells and quite significantly for PAX9 and RUNX2. Transcriptome analysis of wild-type and T357I-mutant cells identified 36 differentially expressed genes (26 downregulated, 10 upregulated) involved in skeletal system development and morphogenesis and pattern specification. WNT10A variants deemed pathogenic for TA likely affect protein folding and/or stabilization, leading to decreased WNT signaling and concomitant dysregulated expression of relevant genes. These findings may allow for improved interpretation of TA phenotypes upon clinical diagnosis while providing important insights toward the development of future tooth replacement therapies.
Refugee Children and Interventions for Depression: A Review of Current Interventions and Implications of the Ecological Context:

As of 2018, over 25.4 million people worldwide meet the criteria to be considered refugees, the highest number on record. Over half of these individuals are under 18 years old, leaving approximatel...
Factors contributing to PTSD treatment dropout in veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: A systematic review.

Although treatment effectiveness among evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been well established, treatment dropout among veterans continues to be a concern within these treatments. Due to the uniqueness of the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation New Dawn (OND) veteran cohort, this article reviewed the literature examining factors contributing to treatment dropout from EBPs for PTSD among OEF/OIF/OND veterans. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature using PsycINFO, PubMed, and PTSDpubs with a restriction on year of publication beginning in 2007, following the first VA national initiative to roll-out EBPs for PTSD, through May 1st, 2020. Articles were retained if treatment dropout for EBPs was examined among OEF/OIF/OND veterans with PTSD, which yielded a total of 26 manuscripts. Common themes associated with treatment dropout were identified, including demographic, psychological, cognitive, practical, and treatment-related factors. Specifically, younger age, concurrent substance use, and practical concerns (e.g., balancing multiple life roles) emerged as factors that consistently contributed to treatment dropout. Other findings were mixed (e.g., pretreatment symptom severity and presence of traumatic brain injury). While factors contributing to dropout are complex and interact uniquely for each veteran, improved understanding of these factors in combination with innovative strategies for treating OEF/OIF/OND veterans utilizing EBPs is needed to enhance treatment engagement, retention, and outcomes. Implications for these factors are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
A Mixed-Signal Convolutional Neural Network Using Hybrid CMOS-RRAM Circuits

Hybrid integration of the resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) arrays with standard CMOS has gained recent attention for realization of neuromorphic computing hardware. Such architectures are expected to result in orders of magnitude higher energy-efficiency than their digital counterparts. While a few fully-connected neural networks have been realized using RRAM arrays, a parallel hardware implementation of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has lagged due to the sequential nature of processing. Prominent reasons include high device variability, lower yield of fabricated 1T1R RRAM devices, and the challenges associated with the retention of multi-levels states in RRAM synapses due to their resistance drift. In this work, we propose and analyze a hybrid solution where constant-g m CMOS-RRAM cells hold the kernel weights and CMOS mirrors are used for Spiking Neural Network (SNN) processing. This is in contrast with the approaches where all weights are implemented using individual 1T1R cells, or addressing is used to route spikes to an SNN that only implements the CNN kernel.
Seed Meals from Brassica nigra and Eruca sativa Control Artificial Nosema ceranae Infections in Apis mellifera

Nosema ceranae is a widespread parasite responsible for nosemosis Type C in Apis mellifera honey bees, reducing colony survival. The antibiotic fumagillin is the only commercial treatment available, but concerns are emerging about its persistence, safety, and pathogen resistance. The use of natural substances from Brassicaceae defatted seed meals (DSMs) with known antimicrobial and antioxidant properties was explored. Artificially infected bees were fed for 8 days with candies enriched with two concentrations, 2% and 4%, of two DSMs from Brassica nigra and Eruca sativa, containing a known amount of different glucosinolates (GSLs). The food palatability, GSL intake, bee survival, and treatment effects on N. ceranae spore counts were evaluated. Food consumption was higher for the two 2% DSM patties, for both B. nigra and E. sativa, but the GSL intake did not increase by increasing DSM to 4%, due to the resulting lower palatability. The 2% B. nigra patty decreased the bee mortality, while the higher concentration had a toxic effect. The N. ceranae control was significant for all formulates with respect to the untreated control (312,192.6 +/− 14,443.4 s.e.), and was higher for 4% B. nigra (120,366.3 +/− 13,307.1 s.e.). GSL hydrolysis products, the isothiocyanates, were detected and quantified in bee gut tissues. Brassicaceae DSMs showed promising results for their nutraceutical and protective effects on bees artificially infected with N. ceranae spores at the laboratory level. Trials in the field should confirm these results.
Reluctance-Based Dynamic Models for Multiphase Coupled Inductor Buck Converters

This article investigates reluctance-based dynamic models for multiphase coupled inductor buck converters. A reluctance-based state-space model is derived based on the inductance dual model of the coupled inductor. The physical core geometry is explicitly related to the circuit's dynamic properties to provide useful insights for coupled inductor design, especially if the number of phases is large. The transfer functions of multiphase coupled inductor buck converters with an arbitrary number of phases are derived based on the inductance dual model. It is shown that a symmetric multiphase coupled inductor buck converter can be modeled as a second-order dynamic system when perturbed with a common-mode duty cycle change, and the duty-cycle-to-output-voltage and duty-cycle-to-output-current transfer functions are determined by the leakage flux path of the coupled inductor. The differential-mode current balancing mechanisms of the multiphase coupled inductor buck converter are decoupled from other system dynamics and are determined only by the winding resistance and the magnetizing flux path. The applicability of the model in cases with structural asymmetry is discussed, with the results supporting the feasibility of scaling the coupled inductor structure to a large number of phases with tolerance for asymmetry. The dynamic models are verified by SPICE simulations and experimental results.
A Pressure-Drop Study of Freon-11, Near Saturation

Two-phase flow has been studied extensively over the past thirty years. The usual approach is an empirical one, since a theoretical analysis is extremely complex. Some theoretical studies have been made assuming a homogeneous fluid. An example of this approach is the work of Harvey and Foust [1].
Music of Latin America and the Caribbean

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Mark Brill Year: 2010 Pages: 402 Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall ISBN: 978-0-13-183944-1 (soft cover).
A Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Model of Habitat as a Predictor of Biodiversity

Conservation biologists need better methods for predicting species diversity. This research investigated some new methods to analyze biodiversity patterns through the use of Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing technologies. We tested the correlation between remotely sensed habitat types and species distributions. The goal was not to do away with ground-based fieldwork, but rather to optimize and focus fieldwork by using GIS and remotely sensed data as tools for making the work more accurate and specific. Our research was conducted at a fine (30 x30 m) landscape scale using on-the ground locations of birds, butterflies, and plants in the northwest portion of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Three remotely sensed forest types (distinguished by species density and coverage) and six remotely sensed meadow types (ranging from xeric to hydric) were surveyed and coverage data were collected for grasses, shrubs, forbs and trees. Presence/absence data were collected for birds and butterflies. The objectives of this research were: 1) to determine the extent of the correlation between spectral reflectance patterns and plant or animal species distribution patterns, and 2) to test the spatial correspondence of species diversity "hotspots" among taxonomic groups. Field surveys in 1993 and 1994 validated the vegetation density, cover, and moisture gradients expected from satellite data interpretation. Both tree species composition and diameter at breast height were significant in discriminating among forest types. Twenty-two species of grasses and forbs were significant in distinguishing among meadow types. However, a smaller percentage of the animal species was significantly correlated with one habitat type. In order to find a strong correlation between species distribution patterns and remotely sensed data, a species must be moderately common and show some habitat specificity. Hotspots of species diversity coincided for shrubs, grasses, forbs, birds, and butterflies and were found in mesic meadows.
Polarimetric Radar Signatures of Dendritic Growth Zones within Colorado Winter Storms

AbstractX-band polarimetric radar observations of winter storms in northeastern Colorado on 20–21 February, 9 March, and 9 April 2013 are examined. These observations were taken by the Colorado State University–University of Chicago–Illinois State Water Survey (CSU-CHILL) radar during the Front Range Orographic Storms (FROST) project. The polarimetric radar moments of reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization ZH, differential reflectivity ZDR, and specific differential phase KDP exhibited a range of signatures at different times near the −15°C temperature level favored for dendritic ice crystal growth. In general, KDP was enhanced in these regions with ZDR decreasing and ZH increasing toward the ground, suggestive of aggregation (or riming). The largest ZDR values (~3.5–5.5 dB) were observed during periods of significant low-level upslope flow. Convective features observed when the upslope flow was weaker had the highest KDP (>1.5° km−1) and ZH (>20 dBZ) values. Electromagnetic scattering calculation...
Towards cloud services marketplaces

When we think of Marketplaces we think of places where third parties bring their goods for consumers to find them and transact in some convenient way. When we take this idea to the cloud services space we think of third party services providers that bring their cloud services, and services consumers that expect to match the capabilities that best suit their needs with a service offering. Services as opposed to goods vary in the way they function, in the way that they get activated, and vary in the way they surface the requirements they fulfill. For the consumer the task does not get easier, and to find a solution tailored to their solution may be a trying task. In this paper we explore the landscape of cloud services marketplaces, where we are, a perspective of an architecture, and in particular some of the enablers that would help consumers engage with the marketplace in an easy to use and successful manner.
Performance of a radial vacuum insulator stack

Electrostatic breakdown (“flashover”) can limit the maximum delivered power in pulsed power systems. One problematic region is the solid-vacuum interface. The solid/vacuum interface surface is generally the component most likely to suffer undesired breakdown in a well-designed pulsed power system driving a load in vacuum. A relatively small (in total number) and localized amount of neutrals or plasma can be enough to allow a self-sustaining discharge. A discharge along the solid-vacuum interface can readily and quickly desorb ions and neutrals from the insulator material. The spurious discharge can carry almost unlimited current, generally constrained only by the current source or the inductance of the current path. Radial insulator assemblies, where power flows along the axis of the insulator (used in a coaxial power feed with concentric insulators of differing diameters, maintaining radial electric field direction) can be lower insertion inductance and smaller in total size than axial insulators. Radial insulators have additional electric field grading and mechanical stress issues compared to an axial insulator system. With an interest in quantifying and improving performance of a radial insulator system, we have built a prototype 60 cm diameter assembly with four series insulator rings and 0.23 m2 total stressed area. By driving the insulator with a ∼2 MV, 15 ns (effective time) negative pulse from a low energy system, we are able to study insulator performance of a multi-level stack with a reasonable data rate in a relevant regime (∼180 kV/cm). The prototype insulator assembly is designed to demonstrate key concepts important for a large system, including 1) improved electric field uniformity using equipotential redistribution, 2) mechanical assembly viability with reasonable machining tolerances, and 3) useful electric field hold-off. The system is scalable to larger size insulators with acceptable electric field uniformity and mechanical stress in the insulating plastic. Mated to a (generally optimal) 40Ω oil-insulated transmission line, the electric field uniformity on the plastic-vacuum interface tested here is better than ±1%. Without equipotential redistribution, the electric field non-uniformity would be of order ±46%. To facilitate future fabrication of larger insulator assemblies, the Rexolite® 1422 cross-linked polystyrene plastic rings are cut from sheet or individually cast, then machined; a large monolithic slab of insulator material is not needed. We will discuss basic properties of vacuum interfaces, discuss scaling formulae used to relate performance of different systems, and show results of testing.
Democracy, Solidarity and Post-Nationalism:

Nearly all democratizing states are also nationalizing, but this connection has not been adequately explained. A few scholars argue that nationality supplies democracy with a pre-political identity, while others maintain that nationality is often developed and manipulated by elites. I argue that national identity is a political identity, sustained by political institutions for political purposes, though this identity may contain some ethnic or abstract principles within it. The solidarity that national identity creates is most needed by democracies when they first emerge. Democratizing states need to build up institutions and create a culture of sacrifice, which they can do by creating a sense of solidarity among citizens. This solidarity is not only in the interests of the elites, but also benefits those in the dominant national group. The solidarity created by national identity is crucial to institution building, but it is also a source of inequality, since those not seen as members will often face discrimination or worse. The unfortunate side of nationalism has led some theorists to argue that liberal democracies need to move toward post-nationalism if they are to reach the promise of equality and individual rights for all. Doing so, however, means separating identity from the state. I doubt this is possible; and I argue that post-nationalism means forgetting about national memories. Yet to honor rightly the past victims of nationalism we must engage in acts of remembrance. We cannot both bear the legacy of the past and easily move toward post-nationalism. I work through these issues partly by way of Habermas who tries, unsuccessfully in my view, to reconcile post-nationalism with the retention of national memory.
Enhancing text-based chat with visuals for hazardous weather decision making

We created a visual chat application for use during hazardous weather events. The application, NWSChat2, allows National Weather Service forecasters, media members, and storm trackers to communicate with each other, basing their conversation on a common shared radar map of the storm. Users can additionally annotate the map with ‘pins’ or draw notes with a stylus. These annotations are automatically shared with all other users. The collaborative nature of NWSChat2 makes it well-suited for disseminating information to all users during weather emergencies.
cGMP enhances the sonic hedgehog response in neural plate cells.

The elaboration of distinct cell types during development is dependent on a small number of inductive molecules. Among these inducers is Sonic hedgehog (Shh), which, in combination with other factors, patterns the dorsoventral (DV) axis of the nervous system. The response of a cell is dependent in part on its complement of cyclic nucleotides. cAMP antagonizes Shh signaling, and we examined the influence of cGMP on the Shh response. Cells in chick neural plate explants respond to Shh by differentiating into ventral neural-cell types. Exposure of intermediate-zone explants to cGMP analogs enhanced their response to Shh in a dose-dependent manner. The Shh response was also enhanced in dorsal-zone explants exposed to chick natriuretic peptide (chNP), which stimulates cGMP production by membrane-bound guanylate cyclase (mGC). Addition of chNP to intermediate-zone explants did not enhance the Shh response, consistent with a reported lack of mGC in this region of the neural tube. Finally, the presence of a nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive guanylate cyclase (GC) was established by demonstrating cGMP immunoreactivity in neural tissue following NO stimulation of whole chick embryos. Intracellular levels of cGMP and cAMP may thus provide a mechanism through which other factors modulate the Shh response during neural development.
The Great Rights of Mankind: A History of the American Bill of Rights

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 English Antecedents Chapter 3 Colonial Charters and Laws Chapter 4 Revolutionary Declarations and Constitutions Chapter 5 Confederation and Constitution Chapter 6 State Ratifying Conventions Chapter 7 The Great Rights Secured Chapter 8 The Bill of Rights in Operation Chapter 9 Afterword Chapter 10 Appendix A: Amendments Proposed by Madison, June 8, 1789 Chapter 11 Appendix B: Amendments Reported by House Select Committee, July 28, 1789 Chapter 12 Appendix C: Amendments Passed by House of Representatives, August 24, 1789 Chapter 13 Appendix D: Amendments Passed by Senate, September 9, 1789 Chapter 14 Appendix E: Amendments Passed by Congress, September 25, 1789 Chapter 15 Notes Chapter 16 Index
Circadian variation of β-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in neurointermediate pituitary

Abstract Immunoreactive β-endorphin-like activity (-IR) and ACTH-IR were determined in rat pituitary lobes and plasma at 4-hr intervals over a 24-hr period. In addition, we measured β-endorphin-IR in discrete hypothalamic nuclei, and plasma corticosterone levels at the same time points. Significant and replicable circadian variation was detected only in concentrations of β-endorphin-IR in neurointer-mediate pituitary and in plasma corticosterone concentrations.
P04.43. Children with common neurological conditions use complementary and alternative medicine twice as frequently as those without

Results Children with common neurological conditions reported significantly more CAM use compared to the children without these symptoms (22.2% vs 11.0%, p<0.0001). Compared to other pediatric CAM users, children with neurological conditions report significantly higher use of mind-body techniques than those without (36.6% vs 20.5%, p<0.007). Of the mind-body techniques, deep breathing (33.7%), meditation (13.3%), and progressive relaxation (9.4%) were used most frequently.
Investigating the Efficacy of a Core Kindergarten Mathematics Curriculum to Improve Student Mathematics Learning Outcomes

This study examined the efficacy of a core kindergarten mathematics program, Early Learning in Mathematics (ELM), a 120-lesson program with four content strands: (a) number operations, (b) geometry, (c) measurement, and (d) vocabulary. The study utilized a randomized block design, with 129 classrooms randomly assigned within schools to treatment or control conditions. Measures of achievement were collected in the fall (pretest) and spring (posttest) in kindergarten and in the winter of first grade (follow-up). Although students in ELM classrooms did not differ significantly from students in control classrooms, we expected and found that the effects of ELM depended on students’ initial achievement. Initial achievement moderated condition effects for Test of Early Mathematics Ability (TEMA) scores (p =.0039), but not the Early Numeracy–Curriculum-Based Measurement (p =.1887). We found no effects on follow-up first-grade scores from the Stanford Achievement Test Tenth Edition Problem Solving subtest (p =.973...
MoO3 catalysts promoted by MnMoO4: I. Synthesis, characterization, and selectivity in oxidation of 1-butene and 1,3-butadiene to maleic anhydride

Abstract MoO3 catalysts impregnated with MnMoO4 are active for the selective oxidation of C4 hydrocarbons to maleic anhydride. Presence of MnMoO4 creates a significant “promoter” effect in catalytic behavior of MoO3. The pure phases and the impregnated catalysts have been characterized during various stages of their life history using characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, laser Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and BET surface area measurements, and their catalytic activity and selectivity in selective oxidation of 1-butene and 1,3-butadiene to maleic anhydride have been studied.
Bias of Nearest Neighbor Error Estimates

The bias of the finite-sample nearest neighbor (NN) error from its asymptotic value is examined. Expressions are obtained which relate the bias of the NN and 2-NN errors to sample size, dimensionality, metric, and distributions. These expressions isolate the effect of sample size from that of the distributions, giving an explicit relation showing how the bias changes as the sample size is increased. Experimental results are given which suggest that the expressions accurately predict the bias. It is shown that when the dimensionality of the data is high, it may not be possible to estimate the asymptotic error simply by increasing the sample size. A new procedure is suggested to alleviate this problem. This procedure involves measuring the mean NN errors at several sample sizes and using our derived relationship between the bias and the sample size to extrapolate an estimate of the asymptotic NN error. The results are extended to the multiclass problem. The choice of an optimal metric to minimize the bias is also discussed.
Separation of positional isomers of oxidation catalyst precursors.

A series of polypyridyl ruthenium complexes of the general formula [Ru(tpy)(bpy‘)Cl]+ where tpy is 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine and bpy‘ is 4-carboxy-4‘-methyl-2,2‘-bipyridine (4-CO2H-4‘-Mebpy), a proline derivative (4-CO-Pra(Boc)(OMe)-4‘-Mebpy), or 4-((diethoxyphosphinyl)methyl)-4‘-methyl-2,2‘-bipyridine (4-CH2PO3Et2-4‘-Mebpy) are prepared. For each complex, two isomers exist, and these are separated chromatographically. The structure of the hexafluorophosphate salt of cis-[Ru(tpy)(4-CO2H-4‘-Mebpy)Cl]+, cis-1, is determined by X-ray crystallography. The salt crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with a = 12.4778(6) A, b = 12.6086(6) A, c = 20.1215(9) A, β = 107.08200(1)°, Z = 4, R = 0.058, and Rw = 0.072. The structures of the remaining complexes are assigned by 1H NMR comparisons with cis-1. The complexes are potentially important precursors for the incorporation of RuIVO2+ oxidants into polymers or peptides or for their adsorption onto oxide surfaces. Preliminary electrochemical results for the iso...
The MS2DB ${++}$ Webserver: Disulfide Bond Determination Through Evidence Combination

MS2DB ++ is a web server for computationally determining disulfide connectivity in proteins by combining evidence from multiple methods. The constituent methods implemented as part of the MS2DB ++ webserver include a mass spectrometry-based method and two protein sequence-based predictive methods. The software also allows users to incorporate results from up to two other external methods of choice. The results from all these methods are combined using Dempster-Shafer theory through the use of four different formulations for evidence combination. In practice, MS2DB ++ can be especially helpful in obtaining the disulfide topology in cases where no single method performs consistently across a set of molecules due to complexity of the bonding topology, specificities of the fragmentation pattern, or limitations of computational models.
A budget of marine and terrigenous sediments, Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands

Abstract The sediment budget of Hanalei Bay on the north shore of Kauai was calculated using sedimentological and geophysical methods. The calculations of the budget subsequently allowed an interpretation of the Holocene history of the bay. The bay sediments are easily separated into marine (carbonate) and terrigenous (siliciclastic) grains. Surficial sediments are dominated by carbonate grains (∼70%) of coralline algae, coral, and mollusc fragments as well as foraminifera, Halimeda , bryozoa, and echinoderm tests. However, siliciclastic grains (e.g. olivine, plagioclase, volcanic lithics) from the Hanalei River watershed draining shield volcanic highlands are the most common individual grain type (∼27%) and form a zone of high concentration from the mouth of the Hanalei River into the center of the bay. Flooding in the bay by the post-glacial sea-level rise began soon after 11.7 kyears. The resulting marine environment caused the net deposition of 45.5±1.5×10 6 m 3 of sediment in the bay and approximately 33.7±11.2×10 6 m 3 of sediment on the Hanalei coastal plain. The total volume of carbonate sediment stored in the bay and coastal plain is greater than the volume likely to have been produced exclusively within the bay during the same time. Calculations indicate that approximately 2490 m 3 year −1 have been imported into the bay or coastal plain and deposited since 11,700 years ago. The majority of this sediment influx is likely delivered from the east by the strong tradewind-driven littoral currents that characterize Kauai's north shore. Net carbonate sediment deposition in Hanalei Bay peaked at a rate of 15,500 m 3 year −1 between 5000 and 3000 years ago (when sea level may have been 2 m above present) diminishing to 3890 m 3 year −1 from 1000 years ago to the present. This influx is likely to have played a significant role in the mid to late Holocene progradation of the Hanalei shoreline.
Diffusion, attraction and collapse

We study a parabolic-elliptic system of partial differential equations that arises in modelling the overdamped gravitational interaction of a cloud of particles or chemotaxis in bacteria. The system has a rich dynamics and the possible behaviours of the solutions include convergence to time-independent solutions and the formation of finite-time singularities. Our goal is to describe the different kinds of solutions that lead to these outcomes. We restrict our attention to radial solutions and find that the behaviour of the system depends strongly on the space dimension d. For 2<d<10 there are two stable blowup modalities (self-similar and Burgers-like) and one stable steady state. On unbounded domains, there exists a one-parameter family of unstable steady solutions and a countable number of unstable blowup behaviours. We document connections between one unstable blowup behaviour and both a stable steady state and a stable blowup, as well as connections between one unstable blowup and two different stable blowups. There is a topological and stability correspondence between the various asymptotic behaviours and this suggests the possibility of constructing a global phase portrait for the system that treats the global in time solutions and the blowing up solutions on an equal footing.
Oxidant system improvements for MHD energy conversion and industrial processes

Les ameliorations du systeme d'approvisionnement en oxidant peuvent conduire a une meilleure efficacite thermique et a une reduction des couts en electricite. Les resultats montrent que la consommation en energie du systeme d'oxidant a ete minimisee quand le procede est concu pour delivrer une concentration en O 2 de 70 mole%. L'etude a aussi conduit au developpement d'un nouveau procede de separation d'air
Difference in the centrosome duplication regulatory activity among p53 ‘hot spot’ mutants: potential role of Ser 315 phosphorylation-dependent centrosome binding of p53

The p53 tumor suppressor protein regulates centrosome duplication through multiple pathways, and p21(Waf1/Cip1) (Waf1), a major target of p53's transactivation function, has been shown to be one of the effectors. However, it had been unclear whether the p53's Waf1-independent centrosome duplication regulatory pathways require its transactivation function. In human cancers, specific residues of p53 are mutated at a high frequency. These 'hot spot' mutations abrogate p53's transactivation function. If p53 regulates centrosome duplication in a transactivation-independent manner, different 'hot spot' mutants may regulate centrosome duplication differently. To test this, we examined the effect of two 'hot spot' mutants (R175H and R249S) for their centrosome duplication regulatory activities. We found that R175H lost the ability to regulate centrosome duplication, while R249S partially retained it. Moreover, R249S associates with both unduplicated and duplicated centrosomes similar to wild-type p53, while R175H only associates with duplicated, but not unduplicated centrosomes. Since cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) triggers initiation of centrosome duplication, and p53 is phosphorylated on Ser 315 by CDK2, we examined the p53 mutants with a replacement of Ser 315 to Ala (A) and Asp (D), both of which retain the transactivation function. We found that S315D retained a complete centrosome duplication activity, while S315A only partially retained it. Moreover, S315D associates with both unduplicated and duplicated centrosomes, while S315A associates with only duplicated, but not unduplicated centrosomes. Thus, p53 controls the centrosome duplication cycle both in transactivation-dependent and transactivation-independent manners, and the ability to bind to unduplicated centrosomes, which is controlled by phosphorylation on Ser 315, may be important for the overall p53-mediated regulation of centrosome duplication.
Neural networks that learn to predict probabilities: global models of nuclear stability and decay

Abstract We present a case study in which multilayer feedforward networks are developed to compute probability distributions corresponding to given input patterns. Normalized squashing functions are used for the output neurons, and the Kullback-Leibler relative entropy is adopted as a measure of the departure of computed output distributions from their targets. The evolution of weights is governed by a stochastic back-propagation algorithm based on the entropic cost function. To improve generalization, cycles of pruning and retraining are implemented. The development is framed in terms of the concrete problem of learning and prediction of the systematics of stability and decay of nuclear ground states. For a given input nuclide, characterized by its proton and neutron numbers, a network is required to generate the associated probability distribution over the options of stability and four different modes of decay. With training and test sets provided by the Brookhaven nuclear data facility, a variety of feedforward architectures have been explored, yielding a number of models that demonstrate high quality of performance both in learning and prediction. The nature of the underlying physical problem is such that it would be very difficult to achieve this quality with a global model based on conventional nuclear theory. The work is introduced by a brief survey of other scientific applications of neural networks.
Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 Increases Osteoclast Intracellular pH and Promotes Survival via the Electroneutral Na/HCO3 Cotransporter NBCn1

Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) promotes the survival of osteoclasts, short-lived cells that resorb bone. Although a rise in intracellular pH (pHi) has been linked to inhibition of apoptosis, the effect of CSF-1 on pHi in osteoclasts has not been reported. The present study shows that, in the absence of CO2/HCO3−, CSF-1 causes little change in osteoclast pHi. In contrast, exposing these cells to CSF-1 in the presence of CO2/HCO3− causes a rapid and sustained cellular alkalinization. The CSF-1-induced rise in pHi is not blocked by 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, an inhibitor of HCO3− transporters but is abolished by removing extracellular sodium. This inhibition profile is similar to that of the electroneutral Na/HCO3 cotransporter NBCn1. By RT-PCR, NBCn1 transcripts are present in both osteoclasts and osteoclast-like cells (OCLs), and by immunoblotting, the protein is present in OCLs. Moreover, CSF-1 promotes osteoclast survival in the presence of CO2/HCO3− buffer but not in its ab...
Examining associations among factor-analytically derived components of mental health stigma, distress, and psychological flexibility

Mental health stigma can be detrimental not only for the recipient, but also for the stigmatizer. As mental health stigma is often conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, Study 1 first examined the factor structure of mental health stigma as assessed by the Stigmatizing Attitudes-Believability (SAB; Masuda, Price, Anderson, Schmertz, & Calamaras, 2009). Study 2 investigated differential relations between the factor-analytically derived components of mental health stigma and psychological distress and psychological flexibility. Results of Study 1 revealed that mental health stigma consisted of two related, yet separable components: Exclusion and Course/Origin. The Exclusion component was characterized by negative emotions and cognitions associated with an increased desire for social distance. Course/Origin was marked by pessimistic views toward treatment prognosis and recovery. Results of Study 2 suggested that these two components have differential associations with psychological distress and flexibility. The Course/Origin component of stigma, but not Exclusion, was associated with psychological distress of the stigmatizer. Furthermore, this association was fully mediated by lower levels of psychological flexibility. These findings suggest the importance of conceptualizing mental health stigma multidimensionally.
Uremic retention solutes: the free and the bound.

Many in the nephrology community were surprised when the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study, completed in 2002, supported the null hypothesis for each intervention, suggesting ceiling effects for both the dose of dialysis and membrane permeability ([1][1]). Neither increases in the dose (expressed as the
83Kr in solid krypton. II. Rotating-frame relaxation and spectral diffusion.

The magnetic field dependence of rotating-frame relaxation has been measured for $^{83}\mathrm{Kr}$ in solid krypton. ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}$ rates have been measured as a function of ${H}_{1}$ and off-resonance fields for both central and noncentral resonance components. The measurements have been made at four temperatures which cover the range from weak-collision relaxation to the rigid lattice. A field-dependent spectral diffusion rate is determined and analyzed for the central component.
Binding of an adatom to a simple metal surface

The density functional formalism of Hohenberg and Kohn is used to investigate the energies, charge densities and forces which hold an adatom on the surface of a simple metal. The valence wavefunction of the adatom is fitted to the Herman-Skillman solutions at large distance and is simplified somewhat in the core region. The field of the ion is represented by the Ashcroft pseudopotential. For the metal the jellium model is used. Detailed calculations are carried out for a sodium adatom on a sodium surface. Simply juxtaposing adatom and surface gives a binding energy of about 1/3 eV. This value is approximately twice the surface energy per atom in the close-packed plane. Charge redistributions as determined variationally increase the binding energy by about 10%. The equilibrium distance for the adatom turns out to be 1.66 A from the surface, as compared with 1.52 A, the observed value for one-half the distance between the close-packed planes.
Party-system collapse: the roots of crisis in Peru and Venezuela, by Jason Seawright

Jason Seawright has written a remarkable new book on what happens when voters lose confidence en masse in a hitherto stable party system. While individual parties may come and go, the cast of chara...
3D Microtomographic Study of Fluid Displacement in Berea Cores

We report on three dimensional pore scale medium characterization and fluid displacement in a Berea (water wet) core. X-ray computed microtomography combined with X-ray attenuating dopants is used to obtain three dimensional images of two phase distributions at residual fluid conditions in the pore space. Employing numerical image processing algorithms based upon computational geometry to identify individual pores, throats, and fluid “blobs”, we extract water and oil distributions at the level of individual pores in imbibition and drainage displacements. We present results on the pore space characterization including distributions for pore volume, pore surface area, throat surface area, and principal direction diameters for pores and throats. We present results on oil and water distribution in the pore space at residual oil and water conditions. We also consider the effects on residual fluid distribution due to the injection and gelation of a water-based gel. In extensive studies of Berea cores it has been observed that introducing water-based gels in the displacement process (for example, in water shut-off treatment of production wells) reduces permeability to water more than to oil. A number of micro-scale mechanisms [18] have been proposed for this disproportional permeability reduction. Our results provide supporting evidence for the involvement of gel dehydration and oil trapping while discounting gel blockage in throats as contributing mechanisms.
Ambulatory Monitoring of Arm Movement Using Accelerometry: An Objective Measure of Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation in Persons With Chronic Stroke

Abstract Uswatte G, Foo WL, Olmstead H, Lopez K, Holand A, Simms LB. Ambulatory monitoring of arm movement using accelerometry: an objective measure of upper-extremity rehabilitation in persons with chronic stroke. Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of accelerometry for measuring upper-extremity rehabilitation outcome. Design Validation study. Setting Data recorded in the community. Participants Consecutive Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CIMT) patients (n=10) and volunteer community residents with stroke (n=10). All participants were more than 1 year poststroke and had mild to moderate motor impairment of the more affected arm. Intervention All study participants were asked to wear accelerometers outside the laboratory for 3 days immediately before and after treatment, or for an approximately equivalent no-treatment period (controls). Main Outcome Measures Participants wore an accelerometer on each arm, the chest, and the more affected leg and completed the Motor Activity Log (MAL), which is a semistructured interview of real-world arm use. Results Test-retest reliability of transformed accelerometer recordings was greater than .86. There was also a large increase in the ratio of transformed more- to less-impaired arm recordings in CIMT therapy patients ( d ′=0.9, P P Conclusions Accelerometry provides an objective, real-world index of upper-extremity rehabilitation outcome and has good psychometric properties.
Narratives of Participation in Autism Genetics Research

This article provides empirical evidence of the social context and moral reasoning embedded within a parents’ decision to participate in autism genetics research. Based on in-depth interviews of pa...