cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphological algorithm for ridge extraction in fingerprint images

A common challenge in many image analysis applications is the segmentation of the data into objects of interest (foreground) and background. Typically, the contrast of the data and the background greylevel varies across the image, thereby requiring some form of normalization prior to a threshold step. Previous morphological techniques for data normalization have been quite successful. These approaches include the `rolling ball' of Sternberg and the `top hat' of Serra. These techniques are particularly effective for patterns of interest that are spaced relatively far apart compared to their width. In contrast, the algorithm introduced in this paper is applicable to closely spaced thin broken lines on a highly variable background. Using a combination of greyscale morphology and conditional masking of image data, the approach is shown to be highly robust for closely spaced foreground/background patterns.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Direct Atomic Force Microscopy Observation of DNA Tile Crystal Growth at the Single-Molecule Level

While the theoretical implications of models of DNA tile self-assembly have been extensively researched and such models have been used to design DNA tile systems for use in experiments, there has been little research testing the fundamental assumptions of those models. In this paper, we use direct observation of individual tile attachments and detachments of two DNA tile systems on a mica surface imaged with an atomic force microscope (AFM) to compile statistics of tile attachments and detachments. We show that these statistics fit the widely used kinetic Tile Assembly Model and demonstrate AFM movies as a viable technique for directly investigating DNA tile systems during growth rather than after assembly.
The acid-active hemolysin of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Determination du role membranolytique et du mecanisme d'action d'une proteine secretee par T. cruzi, active a pH acide
Computing the Hausdorff dimension of subshifts using matrices

Abstract On a subshift of finite type (SFT) we introduce a pseudometric d given by a nonnegative matrix B satisfying the cycle condition. We show that the Hausdorff dimension of this SFT with respect to d is given by the Mauldin-Williams formula. If the ratio of the logarithms of any two nonzero entries of B is rational, we show that this Hausdorff dimension can be expressed essentially in terms of the logarithm of the spectral radius of a certain digraph. We apply our results to the Hausdorff dimension of the limit set of finitely generated free groups of isometrics of infinite trees. To each finitely generated subgroup G of a given finitely generated free group F , we attach an invariant p ( G ), which gives the rate of growth of all words G of length l at most with respect to a fixed set of minimal generators of F . We show that p ( G ) is the spectral radius of a digraph Δ( G ) induced by G . Then H ⩽ G ⩽ F ⇏ p ( G ) ⩾ p ( H ). Moreover, p ( G ) = p ( H ) ⇔ [ G : H ]
The swollen micelle—microemulsion transition

Abstract A rather abrupt transition takes place in the properties of a nonionic microemulsion at a certain value of hexadecane uptake, Wo (the weight fraction of oil plus surfactant that is oil). When Wo is greater than 0.06, the microemulsion behaves as spherical particles that can be diluted with water without change in their properties. The intrinsic viscosity, Huggins coefficient, and 4A2Mw have values close to those observed for the globular proteins. When Wo is less than 0.06 the particles are anisotropic in shape, as shown by classical light scattering. Moreover, the anisotropic particles are undergoing open association so that dilution decreases their average size. When diluted, the rate of oil uptake by the microemulsion is orders of magnitude smaller than for the swollen micelles.
The inclusion of correlation in the calculation of phosphorus NMR chemical shieldings

The effects of including correlation in the calculation of phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shielding has been investigated for a variety of molecules in the Hartree-Fock, second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2), and estimated infinite-order Moller-Plesset theory ab initio approaches in the gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) scheme. The inclusion of correlation in the shielding calculations often leads to significant changes from the Hartree-Fock theory and provides results that are in improved agreement with experiment. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The relationship between A-type granites and residual magmas from anorthosite: evidence from the northern Sherman batholith, Laramie Mountains, Wyoming, USA

Abstract Anorthosite complexes commonly are spatially and temporally associated with A-type granite batholiths, but their genetic relationship, if any, has been difficult to determine. This study focuses on the northern portion of the 1.43–1.44 Ga Sherman batholith, which is located adjacent to the 1.44 Ga Laramie anorthosite complex, Laramie Mountains, Wyoming, USA. The northern Sherman batholith is an ideal place to resolve the relationship of A-type granite with anorthosite because of the age of the crust into which it is emplaced. Most A-type granites are intruded into crust only slightly older than the granites themselves, and there is little isotopic contrast between potential mantle and crustal source rocks. The northern Sherman batholith intrudes Archean crust that by 1.44 Ga had developed Nd, Sr and Pb isotopic compositions that differed greatly from contemporaneous mantle. The northern Sherman batholith is an iron-enriched, metaluminous, alkalic to alkali-calcic batholith. Most of the batholith is composed of fayalite granite, with minor volumes of monzodiorite and olivine gabbro. Hypabyssal dikes of these compositions crop out in the highest structural levels exposed in the area. The northern Sherman batholith is less differentiated and has assimilated less felsic crust than the southern portions, which intrude more fertile Proterozoic crust. Northern Sherman batholith rocks are compositionally and isotopically very similar to monzonitic and dioritic rocks of the Laramie anorthosite complex. None of these rocks have isotopic compositions similar to their Archean host rocks, precluding derivation solely from such sources. Instead, northern Sherman batholith granites, like Laramie anorthosite complex rocks, are related to mantle-derived tholeiitic magmas emplaced at the base of the crust. The tectonic environment and magmatic processes that lead to the formation of massif anorthosite are also conducive to the formation of voluminous A-type granite, of which the northern Sherman granite is a prime example.
A simplified method for analyzing mold filling dynamics. Part II: Extensions and comparisons with experiment

A dimensional analysis based on four parameters has been developed previously to predict injection pressure; clamp force, and bulk temperature for the injection molding of amorphous materials in center-gated disk-shaped cavities. In this paper geometric and semicrystalline-materials approximations are introduced and tested for extending the previous analysis to include multigated thin cavities and semicrystalline materials. The combination of these approximations and the previous analysis, known hereafter as the Radial Flow Method (RFM), greatly simplifies the analysis of mold filling. The geometric approximation, which is based on a simple model for the axial stress distribution in the cavity, is shown to give reasonable predictions when compared with experimental data and a numerical two-directional flow simulation for the filling of an off-center-gated rectangular cavity with acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS). The semicrystallinematerials approximation, in which heat capacity and viscosity changes during crystallization are neglected, is shown to give good agreement with experimental data for the filling of a center-gated disk-shaped cavity with polypropylene. As an illustration, the Radial Flow Method is used to analyze the molding of a large, thin-wall automobile interior trim panel. The inlet melt temperature, mold-wall temperature, part thickness, injection rate, viscosity and gate locations are varied in a series of calculations to determine the relative effectiveness of these variables in lowering the injection pressure and Clamp force. The results obtained with the Radial Flow Method are in good agreement with those obtained by a finiteelement simulation of two-directional flow.
Public Expenditures & Social Change in Mexico: A Methodological Critique

During the three years since its publication, The Mexican Revolution Federal Expenditure and Social Change Since 1910 has gained an important place on the bookshelves not only of Mexicanists but also of students of social change in general. The appearance of a revised edition in paperback which proudly announces that it won the Bolton Prize as the best book in the field of Latin American history in 1967 is further testimony to the esteem in which this work is held by James Wilkie's colleagues. It seems appropriate at this juncture to re-examine the analysis to determine whether the test of time confirms the eulogies of a few years ago.
Transfer function analysis of cardiovascular regulation in an open-loop animal model

Cardiovascular regulation involves feedback and feedforward limbs of a control loop. In order to understand the behavior of this control system, it is desirable, although difficult to disentangle the dynamical properties of the feedback and feedforward limbs. The authors have developed a conscious animal model in which the control loop is functionally opened by interruption of atrioventricular conduction, thereby dissociating fluctuations in cardiac output and arterial pressure from reflexogenic changes in atrial rate. Cross-spectral techniques are used to comput the frequency response of the mechanical system that couples ventricular activity to arterial pressure and of the baroreflex system that governs sinoatrial rate. The infusion of various pharmacologic agents is used to study the behavior of the system under conditions of selective autonomic blockade. Results from this work will enable validation of analysis techniques that attempt to derive open-loop system properties from data collected in closed-loop preparations. >
Hispanic Women Managers and Professionals: Reflections on Life and Work

Much of the research on professional and managerial women actually describes the experiences of White women, excluding those of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. This exploratory qualitative study focuses on the life and work experiences of Hispanic women in managerial and professional positions and how those experiences influence their career possibilities. Data from individual interviews of first-, second- and thirdgeneration Hispanic women in the USA are used to illustrate a framework of career possibilities that reflects both cultural and personal perspectives. Implications for further study are addressed.
The rural ideal in American society and its influence on attitudes towards population limitation.

A prevalent feature of American society is the strong desire to live in areas of low population density and close to nature, a phenomenon which can perhaps be most appropriately termed a ‘rural ideal’.* It is paradoxical that this phenomenon has been little studied and totally disregarded in quantitative research, for it apparently has a long-standing and central place in American history (Schmitt, 1969; White & White, 1962). The ideal, which some would argue conforms to a basic biological need of the human species (e.g. Iltis, Loucks & Andrews, 1970), may help to explain and predict such social phenomena as migration to the suburbs (Schmitt, 1969; Strauss, 1961), the growth and prevalence of recreational activities which bring the individual into closer contact with nature and/or into lesser contact with other people (e.g. camping, fishing, hunting, visits to national parks) (Schmitt, 1969), and rising rates of deviant behaviours such as neuroses and violence with increasing population density (Ehrlich & Ehrlich, 1970).
Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Intradermal, Intraparenchymal, and Subareolar Injection Routes for Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and Biopsy in Breast Cancer

Multiple injection routes, including intradermal (ID), intraparenchymal (IP), and subareolar (SA), are used for 99mTc-sulfur colloid administration for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and biopsy in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to compare localization by ID, IP, and SA injection routes based on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative identification. Four hundred prospectively randomized breast cancers underwent SLN mapping and biopsy. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy demonstrated localization to the axilla in 126/133 (95%) ID, 82/132 (62%) IP, and 96/133 (72%) SA (P < 0.001 ID vs. IP and ID vs. SA; P = 0.081 IP vs. SA), with a mean duration of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy of 139 ± 18 minutes. Mean time to first localization when localization was demonstrated on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was 8 ± 14 minutes for ID, 53 ± 49 for IP, and 22 ± 29 for SA (P < 0.001 ID vs. IP and ID vs. SA; P = 0.003 IP vs. SA). Intraoperative identification of a SLN at the time of SLN biopsy was successful in 133/133 (100%) ID, 121/134 (90%) IP, and 126/133 (95%) SA (P < 0.001 ID vs IP; P = 0.014 ID vs. SA; P = 0.168 IP vs. SA), with a mean time from injection of 99mTc-sulfur colloid to start of SLN biopsy of 288 ± 71 minutes. Mean intraoperative time to harvest the first SLN was 9 ± 4 minutes for ID, 13 ± 6 for IP, and 12 ± 6 for SA (P < 0.001 ID vs. IP and ID vs. SA; P = 0.410 IP vs. SA). The ID injection route demonstrated a significantly greater frequency of localization, decreased time to first localization on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, and decreased time to harvest the first SLN. This represents the first prospective randomized clinical trial to confirm superiority of the ID route for administration of 99mTc-sulfur colloid during SLN mapping and biopsy in breast cancer.
The relationship of heart function to temperature in Drosophila melanogaster and its heritability

We measured heart rate and rhythmicity (regularity) of heartbeat in Drosophila melanogaster at five different temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35, and 37 degrees C) for a Florida population and estimated the narrow-sense heritability of both traits. Heritability of heart rate ranged from 0.17 to 0.24, but was statistically significant only at 20 degrees (h(2)=0.24) and at 30 degrees (h(2)=0.23). The heritability of heartbeat rhythmicity ranged from -0.034 to 0.11, and was not significant at any temperature. Heart rate increased linearly with increasing temperature; the temperature-dependence of heart rate was itself heritable (h(2)=0.29). Heart rhythmicity varied curvilinearly and was well-represented by a parabolic function, peaking at about 27 degrees which suggests a temperature optimum. The regularity of the heartbeat did not covary with heart rate except at 20 degrees . Neither heart rate nor regularity covaried with the change in heart rate with temperature. For this population of D. melanogaster, we conclude that there is substantial genetic variation for the mechanism whereby the cardiac pacemaker reacts to changes in temperature, but not for the cardiac pacemaker's rhythmicity. The small values of h(2) for temperature-specific heart rate and heartbeat rhythmicity suggest that these traits have been subjected to natural selection.
An Early Effect of Estrogen on the tRNA- Methyltransferases of Rat Uterus

The nature of regulation by estrogen of tRNA-methyltransferases in the uterus was studied. The activity of the enzymes, their capacity to methylate tRNA and the amount of enzymes in extracts of uteri of ovariectomized rats were measured at various time intervals following intraperitoneal injection of 17 β-estradiol. A 10 to 20% increase in the total amount of enzyme was noted within 2 hr after estrogen treatment. It increased to 40 and 500% after 12 and 72 hr, respectively. Enhancement of tRNA-methyltransferases thus appears to be among the earliest biochemical effects of estrogen on the uterus. (Endocrinology 94:815, 1974)
One-step microlithography

Subject of this investigation is a one-step rapid machining process to create miniaturized 3D parts, using the original sample material. An experimental setup where metal powder is fed to the laser beam-material interaction region has been built. The powder is melted and forms planar, 2D geometries as the substrate is moved under the laser beam in XY- direction. After completing the geometry in the plane, the substrate is displaced in Z-direction, and a new layer of material is placed on top of the just completed deposit. By continuous repetition of this process, 3D parts wee created. In particular, the impact of the focal spot size of the high power laser beam on the smallest achievable structures was investigated. At a translation speed of 51 mm/s a minimum material thickness of 590 micrometers was achieved. Also, it was shown that a small Z-displacement has a negligible influence on the continuity of the material deposition over this power range. A high power CO2 laser was used as energy source, the material powder under investigation was stainless steel SS304L. Helium was used as shield gas at a flow rate of 15 1/min. The incident CO2 laser beam power was varied between 300 W and 400 W, with the laser beam intensity distribute in a donut mode. The laser beam was focused to a focal diameter of 600 (Mu) m.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Helping end-user programmers help themselves -- the idea garden approach

End-user programmers face many barriers in programming. Research has seen many programming environments that attempted to lower or remove the barriers but despite these efforts, empirical studies continue to report barriers users face. To investigate this issue, we took a theory-informed approach. Using theories from design, creativity, and problem solving as a lens, we examined end-user programmers’ programming obstacles to derive design implications. Synthesizing the implications, we proposed an Idea Garden approach for creating problem-solving support in existing end-user programming environments aimed at helping users help themselves. This approach focuses on delivering problem-solving strategies and programming knowledge in the context of users’ work to help them overcome barriers. We developed a proof-of-concept prototype of an Idea Garden for the CoScripter environment. Results from empirical studies of the prototype were encouraging: not only was the Idea Garden able to help users overcome barriers, learn relevant programming and strategies, but such learning persisted with users so that they were able to apply it toward problem-solving new tasks without further help from the Idea Garden. We conclude by providing recommendations to researchers who are interested in developing an Idea Garden for their end-user programming environments.
Rapid Deployment of Wireless Ad Hoc Backbone Networks for Public Safety Incident Management

In this paper, we study a problem of deploying wireless ad hoc relay devices in real time by public safety first responders at an incident scene without pre-planning so that a wireless communication backbone network can be rapidly established at the scene. A collaborative deployment method is proposed to enable mobile devices carried by first responders to exchange control information and make deployment decisions based on such information. Simulation results show that the proposed method efficiently establishes a reliable ad hoc backbone network at an incident scene.
Young Age at Diagnosis Correlates With Worse Prognosis and Defines a Subset of Breast Cancers With Shared Patterns of Gene Expression

Purpose Breast cancer arising in young women is correlated with inferior survival and higher incidence of negative clinicopathologic features. The biology driving this aggressive disease has yet to be defined.
The Future of Psychology: Connecting Mind to Brain

Psychological states such as thoughts and feelings are real. Brain states are real. The problem is that the two are not real in the same way, creating the mind-brain correspondence problem. In this article, I present a possible solution to this problem that involves two suggestions. First, complex psychological states such as emotion and cognition can be thought of as constructed events that can be causally reduced to a set of more basic, psychologically primitive ingredients that are more clearly respected by the brain. Second, complex psychological categories like emotion and cognition are the phenomena that require explanation in psychology, and, therefore, they cannot be abandoned by science. Describing the content and structure of these categories is a necessary and valuable scientific activity.
Community‐level consequences of a plant invasion: effects on three habitats in coastal california

Biological invasion by nonnative species is a global phenomenon that has the capacity to dramatically alter native communities. However, surprisingly few studies have quantified the effects of exotic plant species on the communities they invade, or have considered how these effects vary among habitat types or seasons. Here, we used both comparative and experimental field studies to investigate the influence of Cape ivy (Delairea odorata; Asteraceae), an invasive evergreen vine native to South Africa, on three habitat types in coastal regions of northern California (coastal scrub, willow riparian, and alder riparian). In the comparative study, plots invaded by Cape ivy contained 36% fewer native plant species and 37% fewer nonnative taxa, and this pattern persisted across habitat types and seasons. The richness of grass and forb species was lower in invaded plots, whereas fern and shrub richness did not vary among zones. Native species richness was significantly lower with increasing cover of Cape ivy, but this was not the case for nonnative species. In addition, invasion by Cape ivy was associated with a 31% decrease in species diversity as well as an 88% decrease in the abundance of native seedlings and a 92% decrease in nonnative seedlings compared to uninvaded areas. After 2 yr, a Cape-ivy reduction exper- iment yielded similar results, with a 10% increase in the richness of native species compared to control plots, and a 43% increase in the richness of nonnative taxa. Forb species richness increased significantly when Cape-ivy cover was reduced, whereas shrub richness decreased slightly and no effects were detected for ferns and grasses. We also found that Cape-ivy reduction led to a 32% increase in plant species diversity, an 86% increase in the abundance of native seedlings, and an 85% increase for nonnative seedlings. In all cases, the effects of Cape-ivy reduction were consistent across habitat types. Collectively, our results indicate that this invader has significantly changed the composition of three different habitat types, and its control should be a major priority. However, our data also indicate that Cape ivy had negative effects on the richness of both native and nonnative plant species. Such findings suggest that a consequence of removing Cape ivy from invaded areas may be to facilitate the proliferation of other nonnative species.
New Venture Performance

This note examines the pros and conss of two ways to build new ventures. The former is called causal or predictive, because it depends on accurate predictions and clear goals. The latter is effectual or nonpredictive, and it is extremely stakeholder-dependent and means-driven. It is very tempting to jump to the conclusion that the latter is the better way since it is overwhelmingly preferred by expert entrepreneurs. But is that really so?
Consistency of Quasi-Maximum Likelihood Estimators for Models with Conditional Heteroskedasticity

Virtually all empirical studies that assume a time-varying conditional variance use a quasi-maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE). If the density from which the likelihood is constructed is assumed to be Gaussian, the QMLE is known to be consistent under correct specification of both the conditional mean and conditional variance. We show that if both the assumed density and the true density are symmetric a QMLE remains consistent. If, however, either the assumed density or the true density is asymmetric, a QMLE is generally not consistent. To ensure that a QMLE is consistent under asymmetric densities, we include the conditional standard deviation as a regressor. We calculate the efficiency loss associated with the added regressor if the densities are symmetric and show that for a QMLE of the conditional variance parameters of a GARCH process there is no efficiency loss. Finally, we develop a test of consistency of a QMLE from the significance of the additional regressor.
Commentary on: Safety of Aesthetic Surgery in the Overweight Patient: Analysis of 127,961 Patients.

This report1 more than most, is truly deserving of a commentary. The authors are to be commended on their clever methodology with the harnessing of what one could call a perverse effect: snagging a cache of valuable, uniquely raw complication data from surgeons who, because of the cosmetic complication insurance coverage, willingly divulged information that would otherwise have remained predominantly unreported. Then with their painstaking analysis, the authors have successfully delivered what I would call a truly “red flag” paper. And the writing on this flag is at once unambiguous and daunting. To whit: the overall complication rate increased from almost double in the simply overweight patient (body mass index [BMI] 25-30), to close to thrice, in the obese candidate (BMI 30-40), to nearly quadruple in the extremely obese individual (BMI 40+). And these statistics, as the authors point out, are only reflective of the major complications that could be insurance covered and thus reported. The numbers would have been even more stark with the inclusion of the many, not so minor complications. Yet there is a danger that their primal conclusion could sound self-evident, almost superfluous. We've all been inculcated with the fateful equation: …
A c-Fos- and E1A-interacting component of the tissue factor basal promoter complex mediates synergistic activation of transcription by transforming growth factor-β1

Stimulation of quiescent mouse fibroblasts with TGF-beta1 and certain other growth factors result in cooperative activation of tissue factor (TF) gene transcription, an event accompanied by the rapid entry of c-Fos into specific AP-1 DNA-binding complexes (Felts et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 12355-12362). Here, we demonstrate that the ability of TGF-beta1 to synergistically activate TF transcription in serum-stimulated fibroblasts is dependent upon both c-Fos and a promoter-specific factor with functional properties characteristic of transcriptional coactivators. Inhibition of TF promoter activity by an adenovirus E1A mutant deleted in an essential CREB binding protein (CBP) interaction domain suggests that this factor is distinct from the CBP/p300 family of transcriptional coactivators. Importantly, the ability of this factor to mediate molecular interactions with c-Fos required for transcriptional synergism is directly linked to TGF-beta1 signaling. These data suggest a model in which a component of the TF basal transcription complex functions to integrate multiple signaling pathways required for full transcriptional activation of TF in fibroblasts.
The "third wave" laboratory.

Certain aspects of the future role, organization, and relationship of the clinical laboratory are evaluated based on the futurist concepts of Alvin. Toffler. These include the developing trends towards decentralization, customization, and increasing diversity within the laboratory. In order to facilitate these changes, the computer will play an increasingly important role, moving information into and but of the laboratory. Possible changes in the orientation and functions of medical technologists are proposed that could have significant implications in terms of their future training and relationships with the medical and nursing staff.
Catabolism of Glucose by Mammalian Tissues

SummaryA comparison has been made of radiochemical yields of C02 from glucose-6-C14 and glucose-1-C14 on incubation with various rabbit tissues. Brain slices appear to catabolize glucose practically entirely via the E. M. pathway. The other tissues studied, particularly testis and bone marrow, formed CO2 in greater yield from carbon-1 of glucose than from carbon-6 of glucose.
Precise Three-Dimensional Scan-Free Multiple-Particle Tracking over Large Axial Ranges with Tetrapod Point Spread Functions

We employ a novel framework for information-optimal microscopy to design a family of point spread functions (PSFs), the Tetrapod PSFs, which enable high-precision localization of nanoscale emitters in three dimensions over customizable axial (z) ranges of up to 20 μm with a high numerical aperture objective lens. To illustrate, we perform flow profiling in a microfluidic channel and show scan-free tracking of single quantum-dot-labeled phospholipid molecules on the surface of living, thick mammalian cells.
Cultured Human Endothelial Cells and Atherosclerosis

Until recently our knowledge of the endothelium and its cellular components has been incomplete. However, with present day methods for the culture and replication of these important cells, not only has our knowledge increased but the relationship to atherosclerosis is becoming more apparent1.
Localized amyloidosis of the ureter.

Abstract The deposition of amyloid fibril proteins as localized tumor-like masses (amyloid tumors) is a relatively rare phenomenon in the spectrum of amyloid-related disease. These tumors have a particular tendency to occur in the genitourinary tract and are often mistaken clinically for malignancies. We report a case of primary amyloidosis of the ureter. A cause for the amyloid deposition could not be identified.
The drug abusing adolescent: clinical issues.

This article is about adolescents and chemical behavior; it emphasizes clinical aspects of intervention with adolescent substance abusers, including alcohol and the other drugs of abuse. Intervention with this population is complicated by many factors; these include our societal milieu, the adolescent, the particular nature of the chemical behavior presented, the current treatment environment, and the treater.
Generalized Higher Order (Φ, η, ω, π, ρ, θ, m)-Invexities in Parametric Optimality Conditions for Discrete Minmax Fractional Programming

First several new classes of higher order ( Φ, η, ω, π, ρ, θ , m )-invexities are introduced, and then a set of higher-order parametric necessary optimality conditions and several sets of higher order sufficient optimality conditions for a discrete minmax fractional programming problem applying various higher order ( Φ, η, ω, π, ρ, θ , m )-invexity constraints are established. The obtained results are new and generalize a wide range of results in the literature.
Rac1-mediated membrane raft localization of PI3K/p110β is required for its activation by GPCRs or PTEN loss

We aimed to understand how spatial compartmentalization in the plasma membrane might contribute to the functions of the ubiquitous class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) isoforms, p110α and p110β. We found that p110β localizes to membrane rafts in a Rac1-dependent manner. This localization potentiates Akt activation by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Thus genetic targeting of a Rac1 binding-deficient allele of p110β to rafts alleviated the requirement for p110β-Rac1 association for GPCR signaling, cell growth and migration. In contrast, p110α, which does not play a physiological role in GPCR signaling, is found to reside in nonraft regions of the plasma membrane. Raft targeting of p110α allowed its EGFR-mediated activation by GPCRs. Notably, p110β dependent, PTEN null tumor cells critically rely upon raft-associated PI3K activity. Collectively, our findings provide a mechanistic account of how membrane raft localization regulates differential activation of distinct PI3K isoforms and offer insight into why PTEN-deficient cancers depend on p110β.
Top-Down Network Effective Connectivity in Abstinent Substance Dependent Individuals.

Objective We hypothesized that compared to healthy controls, long-term abstinent substance dependent individuals (SDI) will differ in their effective connectivity between large-scale brain networks and demonstrate increased directional information from executive control to interoception-, reward-, and habit-related networks. In addition, using graph theory to compare network efficiencies we predicted decreased small-worldness in SDI compared to controls. Methods 50 SDI and 50 controls of similar sex and age completed psychological surveys and resting state fMRI. fMRI results were analyzed using group independent component analysis; 14 networks-of-interest (NOI) were selected using template matching to a canonical set of resting state networks. The number, direction, and strength of connections between NOI were analyzed with Granger Causality. Within-group thresholds were p<0.005 using a bootstrap permutation. Between group thresholds were p<0.05, FDR-corrected for multiple comparisons. NOI were correlated with behavioral measures, and group-level graph theory measures were compared. Results Compared to controls, SDI showed significantly greater Granger causal connectivity from right executive control network (RECN) to dorsal default mode network (dDMN) and from dDMN to basal ganglia network (BGN). RECN was negatively correlated with impulsivity, behavioral approach, and negative affect; dDMN was positively correlated with impulsivity. Among the 14 NOI, SDI showed greater bidirectional connectivity; controls showed more unidirectional connectivity. SDI demonstrated greater global efficiency and lower local efficiency. Conclusions Increased effective connectivity in long-term abstinent drug users may reflect improved cognitive control over habit and reward processes. Higher global and lower local efficiency across all networks in SDI compared to controls may reflect connectivity changes associated with drug dependence or remission and requires future, longitudinal studies to confirm.
Organic Spin-Valves and Beyond: Spin Injection and Transport in Organic Semiconductors and the Effect of Interfacial Engineering

Since the first observation of the spin-valve effect through organic semiconductors, efforts to realize novel spintronic technologies based on organic semiconductors have been rapidly growing. However, a complete understanding of spin-polarized carrier injection and transport in organic semiconductors is still lacking and under debate. For example, there is still no clear understanding of major spin-flip mechanisms in organic semiconductors and the role of hybrid metal–organic interfaces in spin injection. Recent findings suggest that organic single crystals can provide spin-transport media with much less structural disorder relative to organic thin films, thus reducing momentum scattering. Additionally, modification of the band energetics, morphology, and even spin magnetic moment at the metal–organic interface by interface engineering can greatly impact the efficiency of spin-polarized carrier injection. Here, progress on efficient spin-polarized carrier injection into organic semiconductors from ferromagnetic metals by using various interface engineering techniques is presented, such as inserting a metallic interlayer, a molecular self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and a ballistic carrier emitter. In addition, efforts to realize long spin transport in single-crystalline organic semiconductors are discussed. The focus here is on understanding and maximizing spin-polarized carrier injection and transport in organic semiconductors and insight is provided for the realization of emerging organic spintronics technologies.
Benign Visual Hallucinations, or “Phantom Vision” in Visually Impaired and Blind Persons:

Benign visual hallucinations in adventitiously blind and sight-impaired persons occur frequently and are a normal response to this type of sensory loss. They correspond to aspects of the phantom-li...
Autonomy as a Behavioral Concept

This chapter concerns the concept of autonomy and its basic structure as understood from a psychological perspective. We will address the concept especially in the context of its meaning for health care. First we will present an overview of some specific elements to be derived from the general idea of autonomy, and their interrelatedness. These elements and relations are then worked out in more detail using some concrete case examples. The chapter concludes with the presentation of a preliminary typology of autonomous behaviors that will be the basis for a more refined description of both elements and their context in the chapters to follow.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an acute multifocal or diffuse inflammatory demyelinating disease of human central nervous system (CNS), which usually has a monophasic course. ADEM affects the white and gray matters of the brain and spinal cord and is more frequent in pediatric population than adults. It commonly occurs following systemic infections or vaccination but spontaneous cases exist and have been reported. Clinically, there are resemblances among ADEM, multiple sclerosis (MS), and neuromyelitis optica (NMO); however, the pathophysiology, although not fully understood, does differ in each of them. Since the ADEM lesions are widespread throughout the CNS, its clinical manifestations vary. Recently, clinical diagnostic criteria have been devised for pediatric ADEM but remain less clearly defined in adults. The authors review and present the most recent clinical features, diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology, and management of these patients.
Possible role of nitrite/nitrate redox cycles in N2O decomposition and light-off over Fe-ZSM-5

Surface nitrite/nitrate redox cycles were proposed to explain light-off behavior that was observed during the decomposition of N2O over Fe-ZSM-5. Further study has demonstrated that while the nitrite/nitrate model can explain the original observations as an isothermal, mechanistic phenomenon, the light-off behavior is thermal, and not a mechanistic effect. Nonetheless, a pathway involving nitrite/nitrate redox cycles appears to be more consistent with experimental observation than the simple two-step pathway involving cation redox cycles. In particular, the nitrite/nitrate pathway can explain the effect of added NO upon the reaction kinetics and the reported isotopic product composition when unlabeled N2O reacts over an oxygen-labeled catalyst. Further, a nitrite/nitrate pathway is consistent with the steady-state kinetics as well as published thermal desorption and infrared spectroscopic results.
On (R,NQ) Policies in Serial Inventory Systems

Supply chain management, which is about the management of the material and information flows in multi-stage production-distribution networks, has recently attracted much attention from academics and practitioners alike. Driven by fierce global competition and enabled by advanced information technology, many companies have taken initiatives to revamp their supply chains in order to reduce costs and at the same time increase responsiveness to changes in the marketplace. A remarkable success story is Wal-Mart, whose replenishment practices are hailed as the center piece of its competitive strategy.
Inland Sea Spray Aerosol Transport and Incomplete Chloride Depletion: Varying Degrees of Reactive Processing Observed during SOAS

Multiphase reactions involving sea spray aerosol (SSA) impact trace gas budgets in coastal regions by acting as a reservoir for oxidized nitrogen and sulfur species, as well as being a source of halogen gases (HCl, ClNO2, etc.). Whereas most studies of multiphase reactions on SSA have focused on marine environments, far less is known about SSA transported inland. Herein, single-particle measurements of SSA are reported at a site >320 km from the Gulf of Mexico, with transport times of 7–68 h. Samples were collected during the Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) in June–July 2013 near Centreville, Alabama. SSA was observed in 93% of 42 time periods analyzed. During two marine air mass periods, SSA represented significant number fractions of particles in the accumulation (0.2–1.0 μm, 11%) and coarse (1.0–10.0 μm, 35%) modes. Chloride content of SSA particles ranged from full to partial depletion, with 24% of SSA particles containing chloride (mole fraction of Cl/Na ≥ 0.1, 90% chloride depletion). Both...
Racial disparities in perceived social support and social service use: Associations with maternal depression and head start participation

Using the Head Start Impact Study data, this study examined racial disparities in maternal perceptions of social support and social service receipt, and their associations with depression. Associations between Head Start participation and these variables were also studied. A total of 3,269 mothers were included (n = 971 Black, 1,086 Hispanic, and 1,212 White). Compared to White mothers, Hispanic mothers indicated perceiving less assistance from social supports. Black and Hispanic mothers were less likely to use social services and reported lower levels of depression than White mothers. Head Start mothers perceived more helpfulness from social supports than non-Head Start mothers. Head Start, however, was not associated with social service use or maternal depression. Results suggest Head Start participation may be related to greater ability to reap benefits from relationships with friends and family among low-income mothers.
Blazes: Coordination Analysis and Placement for Distributed Programs

Distributed consistency is perhaps the most-discussed topic in distributed systems today. Coordination protocols can ensure consistency, but in practice they cause undesirable performance unless used judiciously. Scalable distributed architectures avoid coordination whenever possible, but under-coordinated systems can exhibit behavioral anomalies under fault, which are often extremely difficult to debug. This raises significant challenges for distributed system architects and developers.In this article, we present Blazes, a cross-platform program analysis framework that (a) identifies program locations that require coordination to ensure consistent executions, and (b) automatically synthesizes application-specific coordination code that can significantly outperform general-purpose techniques. We present two case studies, one using annotated programs in the Twitter Storm system and another using the Bloom declarative language.
Spectrally encoded confocal microscopy for comprehensive and low-cost in vivo cellular imaging

In spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM), spectral spread of the imaging light is used to conduct line confocal imaging. Here we present various SECM devices and their uses in clinical applications.
Synergistic effect of reirradiation and PD-1 inhibitors in recurrent high-grade gliomas.

105Background: To date, studies of single agent PD-1 or PDL-1 inhibitors in recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGG) have shown infrequent responses ( < 10%) and limited efficacy. Reirradiation is consid...
QoE-Driven Integrated Heterogeneous Traffic Resource Allocation Based on Cooperative Learning for 5G Cognitive Radio Networks

Since quality measurement of end user plays an ever increasing role in development of the wireless communications toward the 5G era, mean opinion score (MOS) has become a widely used metric, not only because it reflects the subjective quality experience of end users but it also provides a common quality assessment metric for traffic of different types. This paper presents a distributed underlay dynamic spectrum access (DSA) scheme based on MOS which performs integrated traffic management and resource allocation across traffics of dissimilar characteristics (real-time video and data traffic). The presented scheme maximizes the overall MOS through a reinforcement learning for a system where primary users coexist with secondary users accessing the same frequency band of interest, while satisfying a total interference constraint to the primary users. The use of MOS as a common metric allows teaching between nodes carrying different traffic without reducing performance. As a result, the docitive paradigm is applied to the presented scheme to investigate the impact of different docition scenarios on overall MOS where a new comer node being taught by experienced peers with similar and dissimilar traffics. Simulation results show that the docition will reduce the number of iterations required for convergence by approximately 65% while preserving the overall MOS more than acceptable level (MOS >3) for different secondary network loads. In terms of applying docition between nodes with similar and dissimilar traffic, simulation results show all different docition scenarios have the same performance in terms of MOS.
Filling an Information Gap in Preschool MTSS and RTI Decision Making

A tenet of multitiered systems of support and response to intervention (MTSS-RTI) is that lack of response to instructional intervention is explained by classroom experiences and behaviors given op...
Evaluation of rapid and sensitive DNA extraction methods for detection of cytomegalovirus in dried blood spots.

Abstract Background Dried blood spots (DBS), collected universally from newborns in the U.S., could be used as a matrix for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in infants. However, sensitivity to detect CMV in DBS as compared to saliva and urine is variable across studies largely due to the DNA extraction method. Thermal shock, a widely used DNA extraction method, is highly sensitive for the detection of CMV in DBS, however, the processing time required is not practical for high-throughput testing. Objective To determine if rapid and cost-effective DNA extraction methods amenable to newborn screening (NBS) could achieve the same sensitivity as the thermal shock method. Study design DBS were prepared from CMV positive blood samples from 20 organ transplant recipients. Three DNA extraction methods were compared for relative yield and sensitivity of detection of CMV DNA: thermal shock, KOH Tris buffer, and DNA Extract All. CMV DNA was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results The KOH Tris and DNA Extract All methods gave higher yields and sensitivity of CMV detection in DBS than thermal shock, which were significantly greater when viral loads were ≤ 10,000 copies/ml blood. Both methods gave faster turnaround times than thermal shock and would be better suited for NBS. Conclusions The choice of DNA extraction method greatly influences the ability to detect low levels of CMV DNA in DBS. Moreover, development of highly sensitive yet rapid methods for CMV detection could help facilitate future newborn screening of CMV in DBS.
UNIT 4.4 Skin Allograft Rejection

Skin allograft rejection is a test of the competence of T lymphocytes to mediate in vivo tissue destruction, which in turn reflects their role in critical functions such as anti-viral and tumor immunity. The tail-skin graft procedure described here is useful predominantly because of the ease of preparation and resistance to ischemic (nonspecific) necrosis. Additionally, it is not necessary to sacrifice the donor mouse. However, rejection of tail-skin grafts should not be used to test for genetic homogeneity in breeding experiments or to detect minor histocompatibility (minor-H) antigens because tail skin is less sensitive than trunk skin in detecting such differences. The trunk-skin graft procedure detailed here more difficult to perform than the tail-skin graft. It requires extensive tissue preparation and is more susceptible to ischemic necrosis. Trunk-skin grafts are especially useful for detecting minimal histocompatibility differences.