cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty Propagation in a Hybrid Data-Driven and Physics-Based Submodeling Method for Refined Response Estimation

Higher accuracy in estimation of stress distribution, especially in the critical locations with stress variation, is important for a more reliable prediction of possible damage or prognosis of the structure. A structure can have several such locations and it is not economically feasible to monitor all of them with traditional sensing methods. Moreover, these methods often provide response measurements at a few localized points and demand deployment in large numbers to get a distributed response. Hybrid submodeling is a data-driven physics-based submodeling method to achieve a refined estimate of distributed structural response in and around the critical locations or other locations of interest. This method uses measured response on the pre-meditated boundaries around the location of interest to drive the corresponding submodel of the structural component or connection to achieve a more spatially refined response. The method accumulates and propagates uncertainty in different stages of response estimation such as uncertainty in sensor location, measurement noise, uncertainty in submodel geometry, material properties, and boundary condition uncertainty at submodel boundaries. This article demonstrates uncertainty propagation in the hybrid-submodeling method, considering uncertainty in the submodel boundary conditions as the only source of uncertainty. This is demonstrated by using DIC digital image correlation (DIC) to measurements to drive the submodel region around a critical location on a structural component. Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) is used to study the uncertainty propagated to the response in the hybrid-submodeling method. The study observed lower variability in the distribution of response in each location obtained through hybrid submodeling compared to its corresponding distribution from DIC measurements on the plate under the same loading conditions.
Toward a Formalization of Policy Analytics

A relatively new field within economics, policy analytics has experienced rapid growth and yielded insights in many disciplines within the profession. Nonetheless, a theoretical framework from which to conceptualize this nascent field has yet to emerge in the literature. This paper introduces a few concepts that should be useful in establishing a formal policy analytics framework.
Clarification and Filtration

After maturation, the brewer may wish to further clarify the beer. This can be accomplished using a number of different processes. One important method used to clarify the beer is filtration. In this chapter, we’ll explore the theory and practice of clarification. Then, we’ll dive into the different filtration methods and how they impact the finished product. The resulting bright beer will have an improved shelf life and flavor stability after this process.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme governs endogenous opioid signaling and synaptic plasticity in nucleus accumbens

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) regulates blood pressure by cleaving angiotensin I to produce angiotensin II. In the brain, ACE is expressed at uniquely high levels in the striatonigral pathway, but its central function remains poorly understood. We find that ACE degrades an unconventional enkephalin heptapeptide, Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe, in the nucleus accumbens of mice. ACE inhibition enhanced mu opioid receptor activation by Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe, causing a cell type-specific long-term depression of glutamate release onto medium spiny projection neurons expressing the Drd1 dopamine receptor. Systemic ACE inhibition was not intrinsically rewarding, but decreased the conditioned place preference caused by fentanyl administration, and enhanced reciprocal social interaction. Our results raise the enticing prospect that central ACE inhibition can boost endogenous opioid signaling for clinical benefit, while mitigating risk of addiction.
Prevalence and performance of private equity-affiliated fertility practices in the United States

Objective To quantify the proportion of annual assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles performed at private equity-affiliated fertility practices and to test for differences in services and success rates between private equity-affiliated and nonaffiliated practices. Design Cross-sectional analysis of national data set. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) None. Intervention(s) Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s) The primary outcome measures were the volume of ART cycles performed, the percentage of retrievals resulting in live births, and the percentage of transfers resulting in live births. The secondary outcomes included the median income of the practice location, the use of preimplantation genetic testing, the clinical service availability, and the patient reasons for seeking treatment. Result(s) Of the practices listed on the Centers for Disease Control’s 2018 Fertility Clinic Success Rates Report, 14.7% had a private equity affiliation. Of the 305,883 ART cycles performed in 2018, 29.3% (89,535) occurred at private equity-affiliated practices. Patients at private equity-affiliated practices were 6.75% (95% confidence interval [CI], −10.15%, −3.36%) less likely to initiate a cycle due to male factor infertility, and 10.60% (95% CI, 3.49, 17.76) more likely to use preimplantation genetic testing before embryo transfer. No statistically significant differences were found in success rates among women aged Conclusion(s) A major portion of fertility practices in the United States are private equity-affiliated, and these practices perform an even greater portion of ART cycles in the United States each year. Fertility appears to be the medical specialty with the greatest market share owned by private equity. Our findings corroborate preliminary research, which forecasts the increasing involvement and consolidation by private equity in fertility. Future research should continue monitoring for differences in outcomes, financing, case mix, service use, and accessibility.
Comparison of flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing in minimal residual disease monitoring of acute myeloid leukemia: One institute's practical clinical experience.

Introduction Monitoring patients with acute myeloid leukemia can be implemented through various techniques such as multiparameter flow cytometry, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and next-generation sequencing. However, there is scarce studies when comparing the data of next-generation sequencing and flow cytometry for monitoring disease progression, particularly how they might supplement one another when used in tandem. Methods We investigated 107 patients via retrospective analysis using follow-up MFC and NGS data with a total of 717 MFC and 247 NGS studies to compare these methods in monitoring minimal/measurable residual disease. Results 197 instances were MFC+ /NGS+ , 3 were MFC- /NGS- , 44 were MFC- /NGS+ , and 3 are MFC+ /NGS- . The majority of the MFC- /NGS+ cases occurred within 6 months during the post-treatment phase (64%). Among 44 MFC- /NGS+ instances, 13 had similar NGS profiles to their original day 0 diagnosis. The remaining cases showed preleukemic clonal hematopoiesis mutations, "likely pathogenic mutations," or "variants of uncertain significance." Conclusion Our findings show that flow cytometry has its advantages with comparable sensitivity in detecting minimal/measurable residual disease. Next-generation sequencing could be used in an increased and more regular capacity in conjunction with flow cytometry to achieve a more comprehensive surveillance of these patients, resulting in improved outcomes.
A representative sampling plan for auditing health insurance claims

A stratified sampling plan to audit health insurance claims is of- fered. The stratification is by dollar amount of the claim. The plan is represen- tative in the sense that with high probability for each stratum, the difference in the average dollar amount of the claim in the sample and the average dollar amount in the population, is "small." Several notions of "small" are presented. The plan then yields a relatively small total sample size with the property that the overall average dollar amount in the sample is close to the average dollar amount in the population. Three different estimators and corresponding lower confidence bounds for over (under) payments are studied. Auditing health insurance claims is of necessity, extensively practiced. Statistical sampling plans and analysis of data from such plans is also extensive and diverse. One recent bibliography is Sampling for Financial and Internal Audits compiled by Yancey (5). An annotated bibliography is given in Statistical Models and Analysis in Auditing (SMAA) (3) compiled by the Panel on Nonstandard Mixtures of Distribu- tions, Committee on Applied and Theoretical Statistics of the Board on Mathemat- ical Sciences, National Research Council. Most standard sampling methodologies have been considered. Namely, simple random sampling, stratified random sam- pling, and dollar unit sampling. In addition a variety of estimators of overpayments (underpayments) have been considered. (See SMAA (3).) These include the mean- per-unit estimator, the difference estimator, two types of ratio estimators, weighted averages of the above three, dollar unit estimator based on estimating the pro- portion of items in which overpayment occurs and Stringer estimators based on an estimator of the above proportion and also the data corresponding to actual overpayments (underpayments). In this study we seek a stratified sampling plan whose main objective is to pro- duce a lower confidence bound for the amount of overpayments (underpayments). Stratification is done on dollar amount of the claim (book). It is envisioned that this lower bound could justify a repayment by a health care provider to a client whose employees are covered by the provider's health insurance plan. Desirable features sought include simplicity, representativeness, relatively small total sample size yet somewhat adequate sample size in each stratum, no samples from zero dollar claims and relatively larger samples from strata with high dollar claims. Furthermore the
A nomenclature solution to mouse MHC confusion.

We would like to suggest a nomenclatural solution to a confusion arising in the literature of the mouse MHC. There exists a family of class Ib genes distal of the H2-T region and designated by Klein et al. ([1][1]) as H2-Mn (where “n” refers to the particular locus). The “M” designation
Jewish Population in the United States, 2015

This chapter examines the size, geographic distribution, and selected characteristics of the Jewish population of the US. Section 5.1 addresses the procedures employed to estimate the Jewish population of more than 900 local Jewish communities and parts thereof. Section 5.2 presents the major changes in local Jewish population estimates since last year’s Year Book. Section 5.3 examines population estimates for the country as a whole, each state, the four US Census Regions, the nine US Census Divisions, the 20 largest US Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), the 20 largest US Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) and the 51 Jewish Federation service areas with 20,000 or more Jews. Section 5.4 examines changes in the size and geographic distribution of the Jewish population at national, state, and regional scales from 1971 to 2015. Section 5.5 presents a description of local Jewish community studies and vignettes on recently completed local Jewish community studies (Columbus, Miami, and St. Louis). Section 5.6 relates to chapters in the current volume, specifically Chap. 1 on immigrant groups, by presenting comparisons of Jewish communities on the percentage of adults who are foreign born, and to Chap. 2 on Jewish life on campus, by presenting comparisons of Jewish communities on levels of secular education. Section 5.7 presents an atlas of local American Jewish communities, including a national map of Jews by county and 14 regional and state maps of Jewish communities.
Dopamine Modulates Excitability of Spiny Neurons in the Avian Basal Ganglia

The neural substrate of vocal learning in songbirds is an accessible system for studying motor learning and motor control in vertebrates. In the so-called song system, the anterior forebrain pathway (AFP), which is essential for song learning, resembles the mammalian basal ganglia-thalamocortical loop in its macroscopic organization, neuronal intrinsic properties, and microcircuitry. Area X, the first station in the AFP, and the surrounding lobus parolfactorius (LPO), are both parts of the avian basal ganglia. Like their mammalian counterparts, they receive dense dopaminergic innervation from the midbrain, but the physiological functions of this projection remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of dopamine (DA) on excitability of spiny neurons in area X and LPO. We recorded from neurons in brain slices of adult zebra finches and Bengalese finches, using whole-cell and perforated-patch recording techniques in current-clamp configuration. We found that DA modulates excitability in spiny neurons; activation of D1- and D2-like DA receptors enhances and reduces excitability, respectively. These effects are similar to those observed in the mammalian neostriatum, with the main difference being that D1-like DA receptor activation enhances excitability in avian spiny neurons at hyperpolarized states. Our findings also indicate that some spiny neurons express both receptor types and suggest that receptor colocalization in the entire population can account for the spectrum of DA actions. The diversity of DA actions enables the DA system to fine-tune the dynamics of the song system and allows flexible control over song learning and production.
Recursive moment formulas for regenerative simulation

Let f be a real-valued function defined on the state space of a regenerative process \( \mathop X\limits_ \eqsim = \left\{ {X\left( t \right):t \geqslant 0} \right\}\) with regeneration times 0 = T0 < T1 <..., and suppose that $$ {r_t} = \frac{1}{t}\int_0^t {f\left( {X\left( s \right)} \right)ds \to r\quad a.s.} $$ (1.1) as t → ∞.
A study of detecting social interaction with sensors in a nursing home environment

Social interaction plays an important role in our daily lives. It is one of the most important indicators of physical or mental diseases of aging patients. In this paper, we present a Wizard of Oz study on the feasibility of detecting social interaction with sensors in skilled nursing facilities. Our study explores statistical models that can be constructed to monitor and analyze social interactions among aging patients and nurses. We are also interested in identifying sensors that might be most useful in interaction detection; and determining how robustly the detection can be performed with noisy sensors. We simulate a wide range of plausible sensors using human labeling of audio and visual data. Based on these simulated sensors, we build statistical models for both individual sensors and combinations of multiple sensors using various machine learning methods. Comparison experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the sensors and statistical models for detecting interactions.
Morphology of the Quiet Solar Upper Atmosphere in the 4 × 104 < Te < 1.4 × 106 K Temperature Regime

Studies on the morphology of the solar upper atmosphere began over three decades ago. Early models assumed that the temperature structure of the solar upper atmosphere was continuous with a thin transition region connecting the chromosphere with the corona. Over the years it became apparent that the original depiction of the solar upper atmosphere was too simplistic. In this paper we present a morphological study of the solar upper atmosphere over a wide range of temperatures (4 × 104 ≤ Te ≤ 1.4 × 106 K) using high-resolution images (1''-2'') taken by TRACE, the SUMER spectrometer on SOHO, and the NRL spectroheliograph on Skylab. The images clearly show that the 4 × 104 ≤ Te ≤ 1.4 × 106 K temperature domain of the solar upper atmosphere consists of a hierarchy of isothermal loop structures. While at the Te 9 × 105 K) no association between them and the chromospheric network is apparent. The hottest (Te ≈ 1.4 × 106 K), which are also the longest among the quiet-Sun loop structures, form a canopy over the lower temperature loop structures. We discuss in the paper possible relationships between the morphology of the solar upper atmosphere, its elemental abundance, and ideas regarding the origin of the slow-speed solar wind.
HVC/IVC Maps and HVC Distribution Functions

This chapter presents an overview of the basic sky, velocity, column density, volume density, area, and flux distributions of the high-velocity clouds (HVCs). All-sky maps are shown of their deviation and GSR velocities, and their column densities. A comparison is made between the HVCs defined by using a limit in the deviation velocity (logically preferred) versus using a limit in the LSR velocity (historically done). A comparison is also made between the HVC maps obtained using the Leiden-Dwingeloo Survey (Hartmann & Burton 1997) versus the maps obtained with the combined Hulsbosch & Wakker (1988) and Morras et al. (2000) surveys. The maps of the negative-velocity HVCs and IVCs in the northern galactic hemisphere are compared and it is shown that they are probably unrelated.
A preliminary investigation of a recursive asymmetrical adaptive filter for correcting asymmetrical distortions

The author develops the LMS algorithm for a recursive asymmetrical equalizer. By expressing the terms needed to update the equalizer coefficients in the Z-transform domain, he shows that a common recursive filter structure may be used both for the equalizer and to generate the terms needed to update the coefficients of the equalizer. Simulation confirms the algorithm and the implementation. >
Fast/area efficient 8-bit A/D and D/A designs in 0.8 /spl mu/m cmos technology using layout generators

High performance 8-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters are presented here. To realize the DAC, the advantages of voltage scaling and charge scaling techniques have been combined. For the ADC, a two step "ripple through" A/D architecture which achieves high conversion speeds and area efficiency is presented. Both the A/D and D/A designs were realized using the Mentor Graphics Generator Design Tools (GDT).
Effects of the stem cell factor, c-kit ligand, on human megakaryocytic cells

The kit ligand (KL), also termed stem cell factor (SCF), is a recently discovered hematopoietic growth factor that augments response of early progenitor cells to other growth factors and supports proliferation of continuous mast cell lines. Histological studies suggest that the receptor for SCF/KL, the c-kit proto-oncogene product, is present in bone marrow megakaryocytes. We studied the effects of SCF/KL on immortalized human megakaryocytic cell lines (CMK, CMK6, and CMK11–5) and on isolated human marrow megakaryocytes. Human SCF/KL alone or in combination with the hematopoietic growth factors, interleukin-3 (IL- 3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL- 6, stimulated proliferation of these megakaryocytic cell lines. SCF/KL treatment did not alter expression of gpIb, gpIIb/IIIa, LFA-1, ICAM-1, or GMP-140 in CMK cells. No effect on ploidy was observed. Furthermore, human SCF/KL induced expression of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL- 6 in CMK cells. In a fibrin clot system, SCF/KL modestly potentiated megakaryocyte colony formation when added alone to cultures containing CD34+, DR+ bone marrow cells. Addition of SCF/KL with IL-3 or GM-CSF to these cultures resulted in a more marked marrow megakaryocytic cells. SCF/KL may directly affect megakaryocytopoiesis, as well as secondarily modulate hematopoiesis through induction of cytokines in target cells.
Fast Parametric Transitions for Smooth Quadrupedal Motion

This paper describes a motion system for a quadruped robot that performs smooth transitions over requested body trajectories. It extends the generality of path based approaches by introducing geometric primitives that guarantee smoothness while decreasing (and in some cases entirely removing) constraints on when and what types of parameter transitions can be made. The overall motion system for the autonomous Sony legged robot that served as our test-bedis also described. This motion system served as a component in our entry in the RoboCup-2000 world robotic soccer championship, in which we placed third, losing only a single game.
Minimal graphs in R3 over convex domains

Krust established that all conjugate and associate surfaces of a minimal graph over a convex domain are also graphs. Using a convolution theorem from the theory of harmonic univalent mappings, we generalize Krust's theorem to include the family of convolution surfaces which are generated by taking the Hadamard product or convolution of mappings. Since this convolution involves convex univalent analytic mappings, this family of convolution surfaces is much larger than just the family of associated surfaces. Also, this generalization guarantees that all the resulting surfaces are over close-to-convex domains. In particular, all the associate surfaces and certain Goursat transformation surfaces of a minimal graph over a convex domain are over close-to-convex domains.
A case of new familiar genetic variant of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease -2: a case study

Abstract Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an autosomal dominant renal cyst disorder due to mutations in genes coding for polycystin1 [PKD1 (85%-90% of cases), on ch 16p13.3] and polycystin 2 [PKD2 (10%-15% of cases), on ch 4q13-23], and PKD3 gene (gene unmapped). It is also associated with TSC2/PKD1 contiguous gene syndrome. ADPKD is usually inherited but new mutations without a family history occur in approximately 10% of the cases. Case presentation: A 17 y.o. boy was followed since he was a 13 y.o. for bilateral cystic kidney disease, hypertension and obesity. The diagnosis was an accidental finding during abdominal CT at age 13 to rule out appendicitis. Performed a renal ultrasonogram also demonstrated a multiple bilateral cysts. Because of parental history of bilateral renal cysts, PKD1 and PKD2, genetic testing was ordered. Results showed, PKD2 variant 1:3 bp deletion of TGT; nucleotide position: 1602_1604; codon position: 512-513; mRNA reading frame maintained. The same mutation later was identified in father. Conclusion: A smaller number of patients have a defect in the PKD2 locus on chromosome 4 (resulting in PKD2 disease). There are not known published cases on this familiar genetic variant of ADPKD2 cystic kidney disease. In this
Unexpected Errors in Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Methane Production by Thermophilic Bacteria.

Unexpected errors in methane measurement by gas chromatography occurred when samples at thermophilic temperatures were analyzed. With a standard curve prepared at room temperature (25°C), stoppered bottles incubated and sampled at 37 to 85°C showed more methane upon analysis than bottles incubated at 25°C: values at 50, 63, and 85°C were 109, 126, and 125%, respectively, of the 25°C value. All variation between 4 and 50°C can be explained by the temperature difference between culture bottle and sampling syringe, and the variation of methane concentration can be predicted by the gas law. Between 50 and 63°C, there was a more dramatic rise than predicted by theory. These variations are important to consider if thermophilic methane production is to be measured accurately. Methods to avoid errors are discussed.
TH‐D‐224C‐08: Dose Variation Within Lung Tumor and in Its Fingerlike Extension as a Function of Incident Photon Angle

Purpose: Report the dose variation within a lungtumor and its finger‐like extension as a function of incident photon beam angle. Method and Materials: A phantom with 3‐cm diameter acrylic sphere (tumor) inside a cork medium was designed so that the sphere could be rotated. TLDs were placed at various locations within the sphere and just outside the sphere. The outer TLDS simulated the tumor's finger like extension. Two 2.8cm thick acrylic plates (chest wall) sandwiched the phantom. The TLDS were exposed to a 6 MV beam of 10×10 cm2 with the sphere centered at isocenter (100 SAD). The field size was such that the dose at the periphery of the acrylic sphere was not influenced by the beam penumbra. The exposures were repeated at every 30° of the fingerlike extension with respect to the incident beam angle. The doses at the TLDs were also calculated using MCNPXMonte Carlo codes and CC convolution algorithm. Results: The measured and calculated doses were normalized to the dose at the center of the sphere. Then ratios of MC and convolution values to measured values were calculated and plotted as a histogram. The standard deviations for MC and convolution to TLD ratios were 3.5% and 1.1% respectively. The standard deviations of random error in TLD,MC and convolution methods were 2, 3 and 1.5% respectively. Conclusions:MC and CC convolution values agreed well with measured data. The data would be presented as function of incident beam angle. In addition, analysis of a PB algorithm and an 18 MV beam data would be presented.
A new high-speed beam chopper for time-resolved X-ray studies.

A new high-speed X-ray beam chopper, which can be phase locked to the temporal structure of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) storage ring, has been developed and tested. The open window time of the chopper is 2450 ns, which corresponds to ∼67% of the revolution time of the APS storage ring. By phase locking the rotation of the beam chopper to the storage-ring orbital frequency, any portion of the storage-ring fill pattern can be positioned within the beam-chopper transmission-time window.
Current Management Strategies for Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer originates in the layer of cells that covers the surface of the ovaries. The disease spreads readily throughout the peritoneal cavity and to the lymphatics, often before causing symptoms. Of the cancers unique to women, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate. Most women are diagnosed as having advanced stage disease, and efforts to develop new screening approaches for ovarian cancer are a high priority. Optimal treatment of ovarian cancer begins with optimal cytoreductive surgery followed by combination chemotherapy. Ovarian cancer, even in advanced stages, is sensitive to a variety of chemotherapeutics. Although improved chemotherapy has increased 5-year survival rates, overall survival gains have been limited because of our inability to eradicate all disease. Technologic advances that allow us to examine the molecular machinery that drives ovarian cancer cells have helped to identify numerous therapeutic targets within these cells. In this review, we provide an overview of ovarian cancer with particular emphasis on recent advances in operative management and systemic therapies.
Adsorption and coprecipitation of divalent metals with mackinawite (FeS)

Abstract The interactions of divalent metal ions with the common metastable sedimentary iron monosulfide mineral mackinawite were investigated in dilute solutions and seawater. The surface affinities of metals whose sulfide phases are more soluble than mackinawite are similar, whereas those metals whose sulfide phases are less soluble than mackinawite exhibit an increasing surface affinity with decreasing solubility. Adsorption of metals from dilute solutions and seawater was the same, within our experimental uncertainty, and not strongly sensitive to temperature. The partition coefficients of metals in mackinawite strongly increase with decreasing metal solubility and are very temperature sensitive. These results are interpreted as indicating that mackinawite is potentially a major temporary sink for many trace metals during early diagenesis in anoxic sediments.
Devices, Structures, and Processesfor Optical MEMS

New processes and devices in the area of optical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) as researched in the Berkeley Sensor & Actuator Center (BASC) are described. A technique and fabrication procedure is presented to produce high-quality microlenses at selected locations in a micro-optical system. Polarization beam splitters are produced by another process, and their performance is measured and described. A new, much simplified process to fabricate vertically offset comb actuating structures is applied in the design of high-performance scanners, which are in turn used to control a laser ablation system. Very favorable performance comparisons are demonstrated between the researched system and a conventional commercial laser ablation system. A second system demonstration is a prototype Shack–Hartmann (SH) sensor, in which microlenses are mounted in carriages that can be individually addressed using the selectivity of their mechanically resonant mountings. This design is shown to increase markedly the dynamic range in wave aberration to which the SH sensor can be applied. A final application of optical MEMS design is to a reduced-size, enhanced-performance, phase shifting interferometer.
The Development of Cognitive Skills and Gains in Academic School Readiness for Children from Low-Income Families.

This study examined developmental associations between growth in domain-general cognitive processes (working memory and attention control) and growth in domain-specific skills (emergent literacy and numeracy) across the prekindergarten year and their relative contributions to kindergarten reading and math achievement. One hundred sixty-four Head Start children (44% African American or Latino; 57% female) were followed longitudinally. Path analyses revealed that working memory and attention control predicted growth in emergent literacy and numeracy skills during the prekindergarten year and that growth in these domain-general cognitive skills made unique contributions to the prediction of kindergarten math and reading achievement, controlling for growth in domain-specific skills. These findings extend research highlighting the importance of working memory and attention control for academic learning, demonstrating the effects in early childhood, prior to school entry. Implications of these findings for prekindergarten programs are discussed, particularly those designed to reduce the school readiness gaps associated with socioeconomic disadvantage.
Latino Parent Home-based Practices That Bolster Student Academic Persistence:

Home-based parental involvement practices (i.e., educational encouragement, monitoring, and support) and their impact on students’ academic persistence were investigated with a sample of 137, ninth...
Hedychium gardnerianum invasion into Hawaiian montane rainforest: interactions among litter quality, decomposition rate, and soil nitrogen availability

Few studies have examined the invasion of understory species into closed-canopy forests and, despite inter-specific differences in litter quality and quantity between understory and dominant canopy trees, the influence of understory invasions on soil nitrogen (N) cycling remains unknown. This paper examines litter quality and decomposition of kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum), an invasive understory herb, to determine the influence of this species on N cycling in a Hawaiian montane rainforest. To examine the potential feedback between increased soil N availability and litter decomposition, litter from the invasive ginger, a native tree, and native tree fern was collected from unfertilized and fertilized plots and decomposed in a reciprocal transplant design. Hedychium litter decomposed faster than litter from the two native species. Across species, decomposition rates were negatively correlated with litter lignin content. Despite rapid decomposition rates of Hedychium litter, soil nitrogen availability and rates of net mineralization in the soil were similar in invaded and uninvaded plots. Nitrogen cycling at this site may be more strongly influenced by native species, which contribute the most to overall stand biomass. A negative effect of fertilization on the decomposition of Hedychium litter suggests that a negative feedback between litter quality and soil N availability may exist over longer timescales.
ZO-1 is required for Protein Kinase C Gamma-driven Disassembly of Connexin 43

Abstract We have previously reported that protein kinase C gamma (PKC-γ) is activated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) and that this causes PKC-γ translocation to membranes and phosphorylation of the gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43). This phosphorylation, on S368 of Cx43, causes disassembly of Cx43 out of cell junctional plaques resulting in the inhibition of dye transfer. The purpose of this study is to identify the specific role of zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1), a tight junction protein with recently established effects on gap junctions, in this PKC-γ-driven Cx43 disassembly. For this purpose, ZO-1 levels in lens epithelial cells in culture were decreased by up to 70% using specific siRNA. The down-regulation of ZO-1 caused a stable interaction of PKC-γ with Cx43 even without normal enzyme activation by TPA. However, after TPA activation of the PKC-γ, the Cx43 did not disassemble out of plaques even though the PKC-γ enzyme was activated and the Cx43 was phosphorylated on S368. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that the siRNA treatment caused a loss of ZO-1 from borders of large junctional Cx43 cell-to-cell plaques and resulted in the accumulation of Cx43 aggregates inside of cells. Loss of the specific “plaquetosome” arrangement of large Cx43 plaques surrounded by ZO-1 was accompanied by a complete loss of functional dye transfer. These results suggest that ZO-1 is required for Cx43 control, both for dye transfer, and, for the PKC-γ-driven disassembly response.
Marital fertility in Lebanon: a study based on the population and housing survey

This study tested the general economic theory of fertility within the contextual setting of the Lebanese society, by using the 1996 Population and Housing Database Survey. The theory argues that the household's demand for a child is closely related to different services and utilities ascribed to that child. It also claims that fertility as such is income-inelastic, but becomes positively associated with the household's income when the notion of child-quality is added to the model. Findings confirm the baseline inverse association between an index of the household's socioeconomic status (HSES) and the cumulative fertility level. However, when women's education was added to the model, an interaction was observed whereby the illiterate subgroup--unlike the educated--was at higher risk of having a large number of children with improvement in their economic conditions. A similar interaction was found between women's and husband's education. It was concluded that in response to higher socioeconomic status, illiterate women end up supplying an excess number of children, an effect mediated by the shortening of lactation period, which is in turn triggered by a higher access to breast milk substitutes. On the other hand, their educated husbands demand 'child quantity' since this educational gap grants them more power to decide their family size. In contrast, educated women demand child 'quality' as they expect both material and opportunity costs of having a child to coincide with the norms and values of their social class. Their lower supply of births with increased economic well-being is primarily attributed to a higher use of modern contraceptive methods. Other factors investigated in this study included the potential effect of family structure on fertility, and control was done on a number of other sociocultural and demographic variables, such as women's work status, husband's occupation, age at marriage and area of residence.
Storage ring design for x-ray lithography

The design of an electron storage ring for Industrial X-ray Lithography is examined and a parameter optimization carried out based on a model lithography system in use at the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. In this optimization the potential use of superconducting or permanent magnet wigglers is considered. The basic parameters and geometry of a number of "t(exposure) = 5 sec., X (operating) = 8.26 A" devices are presented.
Effects of cholera and E. coli enterotoxins on cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels and intermediary metabolism in the thyroid.

The effects of cholera enterotoxin on dog thyroid cyclic adenosine 3',5'–monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels and intermediary metabolism were studied and compared to those of thyrotropin (TSH) and E. coli enterotoxin. Although TSH stimulates cyclic AMP and 14CO2 formation within minutes, both crude and purified cholera enterotoxin (choleragen) required 25 min to stimulate cyclic AMP and 45 min to increase l–14C—glucose oxidation. E. coli enterotoxin stimulated 14CO2 formation during a 45–min incubation without producing any change in cyclic AMP. However, E. coli enterotoxin did increase cyclic AMP levels during a two—hr incubation. Choleragen and cholera enterotoxin increased adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates prepared from thyroid slices which had been previously incubated with the enterotoxins. Unlike TSH, they had no effect when added directly to the homogenate. The effect of choleragen on cyclic AMP formation occurred in the absence of, but was potentiated by, 10-2M theophylline. Despite the dela...
Characterization of the S272A,D Site-Directed Mutations of O-Acetylserine Sulfhydrylase: Involvement of the Pyridine Ring in the α,β-Elimination Reaction†

O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase catalyzes the synthesis of l-cysteine from O-acetyl-l-serine (OAS) and inorganic bisulfide. An anti-E2 mechanism has been proposed for the OASS-catalyzed elimination of acetate from OAS (Tai, C.-H., and Cook, P. F. (2001) Acc. Chem. Res. 34, 49−59). Site-directed mutagenesis was used to change S272 to alanine, which would be expected to eliminate the hydrogen bond to N1 of PLP or to aspartate, which would be expected to enhance the hydrogen-bonding interaction. Both mutant enzymes catalyze the overall reaction and are in fact still good enzymes, consistent with the proposed anti-E2 mechanism. Data suggest that hydrogen bonding to the pyridine ring does not play a significant role in the α,β-elimination reaction catalyzed by OASS-A. The V/KOAS, which reflects the first half-reaction, is identical to the wild-type enzyme in the case of the S272D mutant enzyme and is decreased by only a factor of 3 in the case of the S272A mutant enzyme. In the case of the alanine mutation, and t...
Contrast Sonography, Video Densitometry and Intervillous Blood Flow: A Pilot Project

Purpose To examine the feasibility of constructing time-intensity (TI) curves from the intervillous space with an intravascular ultrasound contrast agent and computer assisted video densitometry. Study design We sedated nine pregnant baboons, optimized the grey scale and color Doppler images of their placentas, and then fixed the transducers in place. For each injection of contrast, we recorded images on videotape without changing the ultrasound image processing functions. Video images were captured using a Macintosh personal computer equipped with a video-capture board using image analysis software (Image 1.4, W Rasband, NIH). For each injection, we sampled digitized images of a fixed region of interest at regular intervals. After computing the mean video density of each image, we used the sampling frequency to construct TI curves depicting any change over time as the contrast agents washed into and out of the intervillous space. Results Three of four agents tested produced changes in the video density of the placenta. TI curves were established using both grey scale and color Doppler signal augmentation. As expected, intra-arterial agents produced rapid accumulation and decay. Intravenous agents produced more protracted effects secondary to bolus dilution and transit through the right heart and pulmonary vascular bed. Conclusion TI curves may be generated from the intervillous space with the use of a transpulmonary ultrasound contrast agent and video densitometry. If validated by further study, this may allow investigators to apply ultrasound and indicator-dilution theory to intervillous blood flow.
What Do We Teach Psychiatric Residents About Suicide? A National Survey of Chief Residents

Objective Because of the clinical significance of patient suicide for trainees and current limited information on this essential educational subject, the authors sought to determine what topics involving the care of suicidal patients were taught to residents in psychiatry training programs.
Morphology and tensile properties of PMMA carbon nanotubes nanocomposites and nanocomposites foams

Abstract Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were synthesized and foamed by supercritical carbon dioxide. Morphology and tensile properties of both solid and foamed nanocomposites were investigated. Moderate improvement in the tensile properties was observed in the solid nanocomposites, which depended on carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion and polymer–CNT interaction. The CNTs had significant influences on the foam cell morphology. Moreover, the convoluted effects of CNT dispersion, polymer–CNT interaction and foam structure differences led to significant difference in foam properties. Nanocomposite foam with concurrent increases in tensile strength (∼40%), tensile modulus (∼60%) and strain at break (∼70%) was successfully prepared with the use of 0.5% functionalized CNTs that were well dispersed. The foam showed a ductile failure under tension that involved extensive pore deformation and collapsing, and formation and coalescence of microvoids that were largely responsible for the significantly improved tensile toughness. By contrast, foam properties were reduced in the presence of poorly dispersed CNTs that weakly adhered to the matrix.
Demethylation of imipramine by enteric bacteria

The ability of a number of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to N-demethylate imipramine (I) to desipramine (II) has been investigated. Of the bacteria investigated, almost half were known inhabitants of the human GI tract. More than half of the enteric bacteria studied were capable of N-demethylating imipramine (I) to desipramine (II) to some extent in at least one medium. It was found that the medium in which the organism was grown had a significant effect on the N-demethylase activity observed.
Test Vector Omission for Fault Coverage Improvement of Functional Test Sequences

Test vector omission was introduced as a static test compaction procedure for functional test sequences. Experimental results indicated that it can also increase the fault coverage accidentally when it is applied to a sequence that does not detect all the detectable target faults. However, this capability was not explored directly. It is important since test vector omission provides a smaller search space for functional test sequences than any existing approach to sequential test generation. This paper describes a branch-and-bound procedure for test vector omission whose goal is to find functional test sequences for faults that are not detected by a given sequence. Experimental results for benchmark circuits demonstrate that the procedure provides a cost-effective addition to a simulation-based sequential test generation procedure.
Fatigue Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber (SCL) T-Beam Bridge Girders

Structural Composite Lumber (SCL) was designed to achieve maximum strength, stiffness and efficient use of wood. Product variations of SCL are currently being used in transportation sector, especially for rural and other low traffic volume roads. Commercially available pre-built SCL bridge girders are gaining increased popularity. As these girders are repeatedly subjected to numerous cycles of wheel loads, their fatigue behavior becomes a serious concern. The current study tests 12 newly procured, 20 ft long SCL T-beam bridge girders for flexural fatigue under a stress controlled test setup. AASHTO LRFD loading was applied on the girders. The number of load application cycles was consistent with expected traffic volume for a sixty year time span. Transverse post-tension was applied to the girders to simulate the stress laminated deck effect as in an in-service girder. Results from the study indicate that the SCL T-beam bridge girders are capable of withstanding the repetitive loads. Most of the beams did not suffer any severe physical damage. Some girders experienced cracking and separation at the SCL-epoxy interface. The girders without any significant damage due to fatigue were loaded statically up to failure. The residual strengths of the fatigued girders were compared to the ultimate flexural strengths of fresh beams of similar material type.
Orchard floor management practices that maintain vegetative or biomass groundcover stimulate soil microbial activity and alter soil microbial community composition

Groundcover management systems (GMS) are important in managing fruit-tree orchards because of their effects on soil conditions, nutrient availability, tree growth and yields. We employed a polyphasic approach, incorporating measures of soil microbial abundance, activity and community composition, to study the long-term effects of different GMS on biotic and abiotic factors in an orchard soil. Four GMS treatments – Pre-emergence residual herbicides (Pre-H), post-emergence herbicide (Post-H), mowed-sod (Grass), and hardwood bark mulch (Mulch) – were established in 2-m-wide strips within tree rows in an apple orchard in 1992, and have been maintained and monitored annually until the present. We have measured soil water and nutrient availability, tree growth, and yields annually from 1993 to 2003. Soil nematode numbers and trophic groups were evaluated in July and Oct. 2001, and Sept. 2003. Numbers of culturable bacteria and fungi, soil respiratory activity, eubacterial and fungal community composition were determined in May and Sept. 2003. The Pre-H treatment soil had the fewest culturable bacteria, while the Grass treatment had the largest population of culturable fungi. Soil nematode population size and diversity were also affected by GMS treatments; the Pre-H treatment had the lowest ratio of (bacteriovores + fungivores) to plant parasitic nematodes. Soil respiration rates were higher in the Mulch than in other treatments during a 40-day incubation period. Hierarchical cluster dendrograms of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprints for eubacterial community 16S rRNA genes indicated that Post-H and Grass treatments clustered together and separately from the Pre-H and Mulch treatments, which were also grouped together. The influence of GMSs on the fungal community, as assessed by PCR-DGGE of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, was not as pronounced as that observed for bacteria. Soil fungal community composition under the Mulch differed from that under other treatments. The effects of GMS on soil microbial community abundance, activity, and composition were associated with observed differences in soil organic matter inputs and turnover, nutrient availability, and apple tree growth and yields under the different GMS treatments.