cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The time-locked neurodynamics of semantic processing in autism spectrum disorder: an EEG study

Language processing is often an area of difficulty in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Semantic processing—the ability to add meaning to a stimulus—is thought to be especially affected in ASD. However, the neurological origin of these deficits, both structurally and temporally, have yet to be discovered. To further previous behavioral findings on language differences in ASD, the present study used an implicit semantic priming paradigm and electroencephalography (EEG) to compare the level of theta coherence throughout semantic processing, between typically developing (TD) and ASD participants. Theta coherence is an indication of synchronous EEG oscillations and was of particular interest due to its previous links with semantic processing. Theta coherence was analyzed in response to semantically related or unrelated pairs of words and pictures across bilateral short, medium, and long electrode connections. We found significant results across a variety of conditions, but most notably, we observed reduced coherence for language stimuli in the ASD group at a left fronto-parietal connection from 100 to 300 ms. This replicates previous findings of underconnectivity in left fronto-parietal language networks in ASD. Critically, the early time window of this underconnectivity, from 100 to 300 ms, suggests that impaired semantic processing of language in ASD may arise during pre-semantic processing, during the initial communication between lower-level linguistic processing and higher-level semantic processing. Our results suggest that language processing functions are unique in ASD compared to TD, and that subjects with ASD might rely on a temporally different language processing loop altogether.
Chemogenetic Activation of Cortical Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons Reverses Noise-Induced Impairments in Gap Detection.

Exposure to loud noises not only leads to trauma and loss of output from the ear, but also alters downstream central auditory circuits. A perceptual consequence of noise-induced central auditory disruption is impairment in gap-induced prepulse inhibition, also known as gap detection. Recent studies have implicated cortical parvalbumin-positive (PV) inhibitory interneurons in gap detection and prepulse inhibition. Here we show that exposure to loud noises specifically reduces the density of cortical PV but not somatostatin-positive (SOM) interneurons in the primary auditory cortex (AI) in mice (C57BL/6) of both sexes. Optogenetic activation of PV neurons produced less cortical inhibition in noise-exposed than sham-exposed animals, indicative of reduced PV neuron function. Activation of SOM neurons resulted in similar levels of cortical inhibition in noise- and sham-exposed groups. Furthermore, chemogenetic activation of PV neurons with the hM3-based DREADD (designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs) completely reversed the impairments in gap detection for noise-exposed animals. These results support the notions that cortical PV neurons encode gap-in-sound, and that PV neuron dysfunction contributes to noise-induced impairment in gap detection. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Noise induced hearing loss contributes to a range of central auditory processing deficits (CAPDs). The mechanisms underlying noise-induced CAPDs are still poorly understood. Here we show that exposure to loud noises results in dysfunction of parvalbumin-positive (PV), but not somatostatin-positive, inhibitory interneurons in the primary auditory cortex. In addition, cortical PV inhibitory neurons in noise exposed animals had reduced expression of glutamic acid decarboxylases and weakened inhibition on cortical activity. Noise exposure resulted in impaired gap detection, indicative of disrupted temporal sound processing and possibly tinnitus. We found that chemogenetic activation of cortical PV inhibitory interneurons alleviated the deficits in gap detection. These results implicate PV neuron dysfunction as a mechanism for noise-induced CAPDs.
Notes Toward an Evolutionary Biology of Nutrition

One of the most important foci for adaptation among animal species is their consumption, digestion, and utilization of food. Despite this centrality, the topic has not been a major focus for evolutionary biology, with a few salient exceptions. Here we raise fundamental evolutionary questions involving the biology of animal nutrition.
Virtual Component HW/SW Co-Design

As wireless, multimedia, communications, and other embedded systems converge and increase in capability, the task of system and implementation designers to efficiently design and verify embedded systems grows exponentially. Overall, the compounding complexities of chip design, silicon process, SoC system context and complete end to end verification are presenting new system design challenges. They have focused attention on tools supporting hardware-software co-design using Intellectual Property (IP) based design techniques at the system level Using methodologies and tools described in this paper, users will dramatically increase predictability and productivity of their SOC hardware/software design flows enabled by advanced reuse of system level IP. The techniques described in this paper will also enable efficient communication between system level and implementation level design teams
Crystalline Functional Oxide Growth Methods

Epitaxial thin film deposition methods are the principal means by which functional oxide-on-semiconductor heterostructures are achieved. By adapting the concepts once limited only to the semiconductor field to oxide materials systems, new experimental platforms for integrating the two types of materials into a single structure with cooperative functionality are now starting to become routine. In this chapter, we give a brief outline of five different thin film deposition methods that have been demonstrated to be capable of growing epitaxial oxide thin films on a semiconductor substrate. We describe physical vapor deposition methods such as molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, and sputtering, as well as chemical vapor deposition methods, including metal-organic chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition.
Special Feature: Learning Overshadows Teaching: Key Issues in the Preparation of Care and Social Workers

In the following lines I will attempt to cover applicable thoughts about learning in the teaching of effective interactive human work—that is, care work. Efforts to assist individuals with their learning in the field of applied sciences require focus, direction, and time commitment. Regardless of whether one is involved with an individual, a group, a single workshop, or a course sequence, the goals for the instructor or consultant are the same.
On the nature of super-resolution in inverse scattering

The paper studies the nature of super-resolution, the phenomenon of resolution beyond the diffraction limit, which has been experimentally and numerically verified for acoustic and electromagnetic waves. The prospect of subwavelength resolution at optically large observation distances is investigated. Two conjectures as to how super-resolution can be attained are evaluated and tested. The first conjecture underscores the unraveling of the phase accumulations during multiple scattering of propagating waves, whereas the second relies on the conversion of the evanescent spectrum to propagating waves that can be observed at the far-field.
ALT: a dynamic, flexible approach to configurations, maturity, and access control for manufacturing systems

The ALT system, which was developed to provide a highly dynamic configuration management system for use with object-oriented database technology, is discussed. In ALT, most aspects of design management are invisible to the design engineers. By utilizing basic data dependencies in common object-oriented data structures, ALT manages a set of simple rules which assure data integrity. It extends the concept of maturity in designs (e.g., level of sign-off) to a more expressive, dynamic paradigm. The overall management environment may be highly customized to meet the needs of any organization through the definition of policy. >
Feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant sunitinib before nephron‐sparing surgery

Study type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To investigate efficacy of neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase-inhibitor therapy (TKI) before imperative nephron-sparing surgery (NSS), as NSS in patients with large locally advanced or centrally located tumours can be challenging, and TKI therapy might result in a reduction of primary tumour burden and increase the feasibility of NSS. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a multicentre retrospective review and prospective pilot study of patients undergoing neoadjuvant sunitinib before planned NSS from February 2006 to February 2009. All patients underwent confirmatory biopsy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Patients received two 28-day cycles of sunitinib before NSS. Demographics/tumour characteristics, tumour response (by the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors), outcomes and complications were analysed. RESULTS Twelve patients (seven men and five women; mean age 60.1 years, tumours on 14 renal units) were given TKI before NSS for imperative indications. The mean pretreatment tumour diameter was 7.1 cm; all patients had a decrease in size of the primary tumour after TKI, with a mean reduction in maximum diameter of 1.5 cm (21.1%). Four of 14 and 10 of 14 primary tumours had a partial response and stable disease after TKI. NSS was achievable in all 14 kidneys. Four patients had a concurrent metastasectomy. The mean warm ischaemia time was 22.5 min; postoperative dialysis was not required in any patients. Final pathology revealed negative tumour margins in all 14 tumours. The mean creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (before/after NSS) were 1.34/1.40 mg/dL (P = 0.431) and 57.7/53.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P = 0.475), respectively. At a mean follow-up of 23.9 months, 10 of the 12 patients were alive, one died from metastatic RCC and none required dialysis. Three of the 14 renal units developed delayed urinary leaks, all in patients who also received postoperative sunitinib. All leaks resolved with conservative measures. CONCLUSIONS Neoadjuvant TKI followed by NSS is safe and feasible, with all patients achieving a reduction in maximum tumour diameter, and with NSS being achievable with negative margins and with no requirement for postoperative dialysis. Further investigation is required.
The Synergy between Minority Business Enterprises and Corporations: A Proposed Supplier Diversity Relationship Framework

Relationships between businesses as customers and suppliers have been an area of research for a long time (Hakansson, 1982; Hakansson & Snehota, 1995). Some of the interacting business relation entities include corporations, small businesses, consumers and minority business enterprises. Through the years the growth of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) movement in the United States can be traced from the 1970’s when President Nixon opened the first Office of the Minority Business Enterprise. Today Minority Business Enterprises in the United States are classified as businesses that are owned and controlled by individuals identified as minorities (National Minority Supplier Diversity Council, 2011; Shah & Ram, 2006). Growth is evident in underrepresented fields such as construction, industries and wholesale (Bates, 2001). This growth has led to stronger relationships between more corporate partners and MBEs (National Minority Supplier Diversity Council, 2011). Through the National Minority Supply Development Council Network (NMSDC), MBEs are connected to 3,500 corporate members including America’s top publicly-owned, privately-owned and foreign-owned companies, as well as universities, hospitals and other buying institutions (National Minority Supplier Diversity Council, 2011). To sustain this growth, the relationships between the corporate member participants and the MBEs require cultivation. Yet, no documented framework describes the relationships which are crucial to this growth. Therefore, this paper proposes to enhance the discussion on MBE-Corporation relationship. The paper explores the importance of MBE-Corporation relationship in expanding MBEs. In addition the paper develops an initial conceptual MBE-Corporation relationship framework that explains the different conceptual levels that lead to attaining and maintaining such a relationship.
NEWBORN MICE DEVELOP BALANCED TH1/TH2 PRIMARY EFFECTOR RESPONSES IN VIVO BUT ARE BIASED TO TH2 SECONDARY RESPONSES

Newborn mice are impaired in their abilities to mount protective immune responses. For decades, it was generally held that the poor responses of newborns were largely due to the developmentally immature state of the T cells. In vitro studies showing that neonatal T cells were deficient in Th1 cytokine production, proliferation, and secondary responsiveness strongly supported this idea. Recently, several studies have challenged this view; animals exposed to Ag as neonates were shown to have mature Th1 responses in adulthood. However, it is not clear whether the mature immune responses were actually mounted by T cells generated after the neonatal stage. We have reexamined this issue by analyzing the capabilities of neonatal lymph node T cells to develop into Ag-specific effector cells during the actual neonatal period. Our results demonstrate that the capacity to develop a balanced Th1/Th2 primary effector response is fully mature within the first week of life. However, while neonatal and adult primary cytokine profiles were very similar, Th2 secondary responses predominated in animals first immunized as newborns. Moreover, we have observed other differences between adults and neonatal responses, including 1) the kinetics of cytokine production and responsiveness to adjuvant during the primary response, and 2) the contribution of spleen and lymph node to secondary responses. We propose that these differences reflect developmental regulation of effector cell function that has important consequences to neonatal immune function.
Apples to Apples: The Economic Benefit of Corporate Diversification

Valuation differences between focused and diversified firms calculated in the conventional manner are misleading due to comparing smaller, younger, and more volatile focused firms with larger, older and less volatile diversified firms. The largest diversified firms are also the most valuable and as a consequence the value-weighted diversification “discount” is actually a premium. We highlight this issue by showing that diversified firms have a value-weighted average economy-wide gain of $644 billion annually relative to imputed firm values based on focused firms. Also diversified firms comprise 75% on average of the market value of the S&P 500, so among large firms, they are considered more valuable. We show that the diversification “discount” is an artifact of comparing focused and diversified firms that differ substantially on dimensions related to the uncertainty of their growth rates. After accounting for firm differences using both propensity score methods and coarsened exact matching, we show that diversified firms have higher or equal market values to similar focused firms. We construct a new excess value measure that controls directly for characteristics associated with growth rate uncertainty and show that under this measure there is no diversification discount.
Making a B-line for transplantation tolerance.

aDivision of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA bSection of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL *Corresponding author: K. A. Newell, kanewel@emory.edu †K. A. Newell is a co-inventor on a patent application filed by the University of California, San Francisco that describes the expression of B lymphocyte genes in human tolerant renal transplant recipients.
Multicenter Evaluation of Current Knowledge of Intestinal Transplantation and Rehabilitation Among Trainee Physicians

Abstract Background The management of intestinal failure has evolved dramatically over the last 2 decades. In addition, improved management of patients requiring parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease is creating a paradigm shift in both intestinal failure management and in the evolving indications for intestinal transplantation. Objectives We conducted an evaluation measuring current awareness among house officers (HO) regarding nutritional and transplant principles in the management of intestinal disease. Our goal was to use board-style questions with a single correct response to measure current knowledge level between HO. Methods A survey was distributed to HO via email to measure knowledge regarding 3 areas: principles of intestinal failure (PI), medical management of intestinal disease (MI), and transplantation for intestinal disease (TI). This was evaluated at 3 busy nontransplant centers (NTC) and a tertiary care intestine transplant center (TC). Statistical analysis was conducted using the independent samples t test and multiple linear regression analysis. Results Surveys were distributed to a total of 1068 HO; 208 (19.47%) responded. We received 139 responses (67%) from NTC and 69 (33%) from TC. 82% were postgraduate year (PGY) 1–3 and 18% were PGY 4–7. Of the respondents, 27% correctly answered questions regarding PI, 40% about MI, and 21% on TI. HO in NTC demonstrated more knowledge regarding PI than those in TC (P = .000). There was, otherwise, no difference between PGY 1–3 and PGY 4–7 (P > .05). Conclusions This evaluation demonstrates potential deficiencies in the basic understanding of issues surrounding intestinal disease that can be used for implementation of an educational program regarding intestinal disease and transplantation.
Scenario planning for Norwegian oil and gas

Abstract The authors describe a case study of scenario-based decision-making to develop a research and development strategy for oil and gas exploration and production. They develop decision-focused scenarios having established the ‘decision-focus’ and assessed the dynamics of the external environment. Having identified the strategy alternatives and interpreted the scenarios for R & D implications, a flexible strategy is developed and the process is reviewed.
Is it Time to Change State and Regional Dental Licensure Board Exams in Response to Evidence from Caries Research

State and regional board exams represent the final gateway to dental licensure. One would expect that the requirements for licensure would reflect procedures that are beneficial to each patient's oral health and that are consistent with the teachings of most dental schools. We conducted an Internet survey to determine whether Class 2 tooth preparations based on caries lesions whose radiolucencies were confined to enamel were allowed for state and regional exams. Information obtained for 46 of the 50 states revealed that 33 of the states (72%) allowed teeth with either an E1 or E2 lesion to be restored. Seventeen of these states allowed teeth with an E1 lesion to be restored. Only 12 of the 46 states (26%) covered by these boards did not allow teeth with E1 or E2 lesions to be surgically treated. In contrast, a recent report indicates that only 30% of dental schools permit teeth with enamel lesions to be restored to satisfy clinical requirements and competencies.
Serotonin and pituitary-adrenal function

An investigation is conducted to evaluate the response of the pituitary-adrenal system to a stress stimulus in the rat. In the investigation brain serotonin synthesis was inhibited with p-chlorophenylalanine. In other tests the concentration of serotonin was enhanced with precursors such as tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan. On the basis of the results obtained in the study it is speculated that in some disease states there is a defect in serotonergic neuronal processes which impairs pituitary-adrenal feedback mechanisms.
The families of the child research council

Summary A majority of Child Research Council families are living outside ofthe undesirable areas of the city as revealed by relief reports, delinquency records, infant mortality rates, and building zone regulations. Our families are well above average for Denver or for the generalpopulation of the country in income levels, in per cent of native-born parents, and in the following items as scored on the Minnesota Home Index scale: occupational status, education, social and cultural status in the community. In size of family and in facilities for the children, they are near theaverage for the community. Although there are individual differences in practice, or in the cityin which a given pediatrician may be working, he may find in this study a base line from which to start. It is hoped that the data presented may be of some value as well to the general practitioner and other professional people treating or studying a series similar to ours. It is also to be hoped that this brief cross-sectional type of analysis may stimulate others to study these social and economic factors throughout the growth span of the child. Such information is essential if we are to understand individuals well enough to appraise adequately the problems they so often present.
Roughening transition of surfaces

Abstract We study the roughening of a model crystal surface, by a transfer-matrix method. We find that the transfer operators nearly map onto the anisotropic Heisenberg linear antiferromagnet, and confirm, as a consequence, that the free energy has an essential singularity at T R .
Hormonal Influences on Cognition and Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

Research increasingly suggests that changes in estrogen levels during aging may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. This update reviews the newest information about estrogen and cognitive aging, including information regarding the role of bioavailable estrogen in older women and men, use of selective estrogen receptor modulators to improve cognition, and studies of genetic risk factors to elucidate the effects of endogenous estrogen on aging and cognition. Future trials are needed to determine whether alternate timing, dosage, formulation, or method of administration of hormone replacement can reduce the risk of dementia.
The effect of mating on the afternoon of proestrus on serum LH (and FSH) and ovulation in the rat.

Possible relationships between coitus and serum gonadotrophin levels and ovulation in the rat were investigated. Female rats were mated betw een 1700 and 1730 or between 1800 and 1830 hours. 1.3 ml of blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture 30 minutes postcoitus for luteinizing hormone (LH) analysis. After autopsy on the morning of estrus counts were made of tubal ova and LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in terminal blood from all animals. Those mated at 1700-1730 with no cardiac puncture showed significantly more ova than those with cardiac puncture (p less than .05) and those which were neither mated nor received cardiac puncture (p les than .05). No differences were found between those mated at 1800-1830 hours because of the large variance in each group. Coitus during the time of normal mating did not increase LH levels 30 minutes postmating or terminal LH and FSH levels. Terminal LH levels were significantly increased in the no cardiac puncture-no mate animals (p less than .05) in comparison with the cardiac puncture-no mate animals.
Moving Ahead: Evaluation of a Work-Skills Training Program for Homeless Adults

This study examines the impact of a work-skills program grounded in an integrated services approach on both employment and related life domains among homeless individuals. Six hundred thirty-eight participants in a 14-week work-skills program at a large day center in New England completed assessments at intake between 1999 and 2007; a subsample of 333 also completed assessments at graduation from the program; a smaller subsample of 55 participants were re-assessed 6 months after graduation. These assessments measured work and related life skills, employment, housing status, general health status, substance use, self-esteem and self-efficacy, and legal involvement. Results revealed improvement in all types of work and related life skills, employment and income, and multiple other life domains from baseline to graduation and follow-up. Exploratory analyses suggested that improvements in work and related life skills were associated with improvement in self-esteem and self-efficacy, and that these improvements predicted stable housing situations at follow-up. Overall, these findings indicate that, for individuals struggling with the challenges of homelessness, completion of a work-skills program has a positive impact on skills and employment, and on a diverse set of life domains.
Revascularization of the freely grafted extensor digitorum longus muscle in the rat

The process of revascularization of free grafts of the extensor digitorum longus muscle in rats has been studied by gross, histological and electron microscopic methods. During the first day after transplantation the muscle is entirely avascular, and it consists of a thin peripheral zone of surviving muscle fibers and a large central area of ischemic muscle. The original blood vessels of the graft undergo a sequence of intrinsic and cell-mediated destruction. Scattered sinusoidal vessels begin to grow into the graft starting on the second day, and ingrowing blood vessels progressively invade the deeper tissues of the graft. Most new vessels form in the connective tissues, but some vessels, especially larger ones, grow into persisting basal laminae from preexisting vessels and, occasionally, even into basal laminae from degenerated muscle fibers and nerves. The differentiation of new arterioles and venules in free muscle grafts is described. By the end of the first week, the entire graft is revascularized, and ultimately a fairly normal relationship between new capil- laries and regenerating muscle fibers is established. In mature grafts, however, irregularities are sometimes found in the organization of smooth muscle cells associated with larger vessels. In a free muscle graft, a skeletal muscle is placed into a host site without any direct connection between the vascular beds of the graft and host. The outer few layers of muscle fibers in the graft survive, apparently through the diffusion of oxygen and nutrients, but the remainder of the muscle fibers in the interior of the graft fall into a state of ischemic necro- sis (Hansen-Smith and Carlson, '79). The spa- tiotemporal pattern of the phagocytic removal of ischemic muscle fibers and their replace- ment by muscle fibers regenerating from myo- blasts and myotubes depends upon the revas- cularization of the graft. The degeneration of the microcirculatory vessels in ischemic or injured skeletal muscle has been described at the light- and electron- microscopic levels (Clark and Blomfield, '45; Hurley and Edwards, '69 Strock, '69; Dahl- back, '70; Vracko and Benditt, '72; Makitie, '77). Prolonged ischemia leads to the disrup- tion and fragmentation of the endothelial cells, with the basal laminae remaining (Hur- ley and Edwards, '69; Strock, '69; Vracko and Benditt, '72; Makitie, '77). The basal laminae are thought to provide a "scaffold' for the regeneration of muscle fibers and for the re- placement of endothelial cells as injured or
The corn wound metabolite DIMBOA causes cell death in tobacco and corn

DIMBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4(2H)-benzoxazin-3-one), a corn (maize) secondary metabolite, is lethal to the cells of tobacco, carrot root slices and to both DIMBOA-producing (B73) and non-producing (bxbx) varieties of corn. Application of DIMBOA to wounded tobacco leaf petioles causes a black lesion and shrivelling of the whole leaf, presumably resulting from death of DIMBOA-treated cells and subsequently uneven growth of the leaf blade. Microscopic examination reveals that DIMBOA treatment causes plasmolysis, cell collapse and disruption of cells. DIMBOA also causes browning and necrosis in the leaf-spot assay on tobacco and on high- and low-DIMBOA varieties of corn. MBOA, a degradation product of DIMBOA, does not cause significant damage to the corn leaf.
Two types of orientation-sensitive responses of amacrine cells in the mammalian retina

Neurons sensitive to the orientation of light stimuli exist throughout the mammalian visual system, suggesting that this spatial feature is a fundamental cue used by the brain to decipher visual information. The most peripheral neurons known to show orientation sensitivity are the retinal ganglion cells. Considerable morphological and pharmacological data suggest that the orientation sensitivity of ganglion cells is formed, at least partly, by the amacrine cells, which are laterally oriented interneurons presynaptic to the ganglion cells in the inner plexiform layer. So far there have been few studies of the responses of amacrine cells to oriented visual stimuli and their role in forming orientation-sensitive responses in the retina remains unclear. Here I report the novel finding of a population of amacrine cells in the rabbit retina which are orientation-sensitive. These amacrine cells can be divided into two subtypes, whose orientation sensitivity is manufactured by two distinct mechanisms. The orientation sensitivity of the first subtype of amacrine cell is formed from the interactions of excitatory, centre-receptive field synaptic inputs and inhibitory inputs of opposite polarity, whereas that for cells of the second subtype seems to be the product of a marked asymmetry in their dendritic arbors.
Anyonic symmetries and topological defects in Abelian topological phases: An application to the A D E classification

We study symmetries and defects of a wide class of two-dimensional Abelian topological phases characterized by Lie algebras. We formulate the symmetry group of all Abelian topological field theories. The symmetries relabel quasiparticles (or anyons) but leave exchange and braiding statistics unchanged. Within the class of $ADE$ phases, in particular, these anyonic symmetries have a natural origin from the Lie algebra. We classify one-dimensional gapped phases along the interface between identical topological states according to symmetries. This classification also applies to gapped edges of a wide range of fractional quantum spin Hall (QSH) states. We show that the edge states of the $ADE$ QSH systems can be gapped even in the presence of time-reversal and charge-conservation symmetries. We distinguish topological point defects according to anyonic symmetries and bound quasiparticles. Although in an Abelian system, they surprisingly exhibit non-Abelian fractional Majorana-like characteristics from their fusion behavior.
Risk profiling patients for selective use of drug-eluting stents is warranted.

Recent intensification of the controversy surrounding drug-eluting stents (DESs) has polarized opinion on how best to manage patients referred for percutaneous coronary intervention. In this Viewpoint, Farkouh et al. advocate a strategy of profiling patients to determine their suitability for DES implantation, based on their individual risk of developing late-stent thrombosis or bleeding associated with prolonged antiplatelet therapy.
Quasi-core-shell TiO2/WO3 and WO3/TiO2 nanorod arrays fabricated by glancing angle deposition for solar water splitting

Unique quasi-core-shell nanorod arrays of TiO2/WO3 and WO3/TiO2 are fabricated on indium tin oxide coated glass substrates by dynamic shadowing growth using glancing angle deposition. The resulting heterostructures are characterized by X-Ray diffraction, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and photoelectrochemical measurements. The incident-photon-to-current-efficiency and absorbance measurements show that the TiO2-core/WO3-shell structures have a distinct photoresponse in the UV range, with wavelength λ ≤ 400 nm, while the WO3-core/TiO2-shell structures show stronger visible light absorption and photocurrent out to λ ∼ 600 nm. Mott-Schottky measurements give a flat-band potential of −0.28 V, a carrier density of 1.47 × 1020 cm−3, and a space charge layer of 100 nm for the WO3-core/TiO2-shell samples. These results suggest that the quasi-core-shell nanorods preserves the optical properties and water splitting performance of the core while the surface properties such as the flat band potential of the nanorods are modified by the shell. This approach affords a simple and powerful method for designing nanostructures with improved photoelectrochemical properties.
MODEL BIAS IN BAYESIAN IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FROM X-RAY FIBER DIFFRACTION DATA

An image-reconstruction problem in x-ray fiber diffraction analysis (which is used to determine the atomic structure of biopolymers) is considered. The problem is to reconstruct an image (the electron density function) given data that are squared sums of the Fourier coefficients of the image as well as partial information (the model) on the image. A Bayesian estimation approach based on a prior for the missing part of the image is considered. Current (heuristic) approaches to this problem correspond to certain maximum a posteriori estimates. These estimates exhibit bias toward the model, and current methods to reduce the bias are based on scaling of the Fourier coefficients. A new procedure to remove bias, based on orthogonalization, is derived and shown by simulations to be superior to scaling. Bias and unbiasing are compared for the different maximum a posteriori estimates, for different amounts of missing information. These results are also compared with a new minimum mean-square-error estimate for this problem that has the form of weighted maximum a posteriori Fourier coefficients. The minimum mean-square-error estimate is free from bias and gives results superior to the unbiased maximum a posteriori estimates.
Heat shock protein induction blocks hormone-sensitive steroidogenesis in rat luteal cells

A variety of agents induce heat shock proteins (HSPs) in addition to heat shock. The heat shock response and its effects on luteal function have not been investigated, but provocatively, many of the agents known to induce HSPs impair progesterone synthesis in luteal cells. We therefore investigated whether HSP induction might influence luteal function. Rat luteal cells exposed to a commonly used heat shock paradigm (45°C; 10 min) were shown to induce HSP of 70 kDa (HSP-70). Heat shock also caused a complete abrogation of LH-sensitive progesterone and 20α-dihydroprogesterone secretion, and blocked steroidogenesis in response to 8-bromo-cAMP and forskolin. In contrast, heat shock had no effect on cAMP accumulation in response to LH or forskolin, or on basal progestin secretion. Heat shock inhibition of steroidogenesis was fully reversed by 22R-hydroxycholesterol (22-OH cholesterol), a cell- and mitochondria-permeant cholesterol analog. Inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D blocked HSP-70 induction and significantly reversed the inhibition of steroidogenesis by heat shock treatment. The antisteroidogenic response of heat shock was coincident with induction of HPSs and both events were transcription dependent. These findings provide strong evidence that HSP induction inhibits steroidogenesis. The mechanism of the antisteroidogenic action of HSP induction appears to be due to interference with translocation of cholesterol to mitochondrial cytochrome P450scc, a conclusion based on reversal of inhibition by 22-OH cholesterol. Because functional luteolysis shows elements similar to a stress response, HSP induction may be heretofore unrecognized early mediator of luteal regression.
Mechanisms of Ductility in CoTi and CoZr B2 Intermetallics

The present research is conducted in order to elucidate the operative deformation mechanisms allowing ductility in the B2 (CsCl) intermetallics CoTi and CoZr. A twofold approach combines in-situ neutron diffraction during uniaxial compression with elastoplastic self-consistent (EPSC) polycrystal modeling. Tensile and compression tests of CoZr and CoTi confirm that both intermetallics are ductile at room temperature. Low compressive yield points of −62 and −50 MPa are identified for CoTi and CoZr, respectively. Analysis of stress-strain curves, in-situ neutron diffraction internal strain measurements, and EPSC modeling confirm that the initial plasticity is accommodated via the established $$ \left\langle { 100} \right\rangle \left\{ {0 1 1} \right\} $$ slip mode. However, a sudden decrease in the hardening rate observed in the macroscopic stress-strain curve and apparent in the internal stress developments signals the activation of a secondary mechanism, which helps to explain the anomalous ductility. The EPSC simulations involving either $$ \left\langle { 1 10} \right\rangle \left\{ {\overline{1} 10} \right\} $$ or $$ \left\langle { 1 1 1} \right\rangle \left\{ {1\overline{1} 0} \right\} $$ slip mechanisms coupled with $$ \left\langle { 1 0 0} \right\rangle $$ slip can reproduce the observed transitions at −350 and −250 MPa for CoTi and CoZr, respectively. Implications related to previous observations of a yield strength anomaly and the possible influence of kink banding are discussed.
Towards trust-based recommender systems for online software services

Unlike physical products, which have tangible features, software services are described using a functional specification and a time-variable set of features such as their QoS (Quality of Service) parameters. Due to the recent proliferation of recommendation systems, it is tempting to apply these recommenders for selecting software services needed to create a distributed application. As there are subtle differences (e.g., time sensitive features and periodic updates in the case of software services) between physical products and software services, care must be taken in applying any prevalent recommendation techniques to the domain of software services. Hence, this paper suggests an approach towards answering two critical questions -- "are the prevalent product-based recommendation techniques suitable for recommending software services or not?" and "are the trust-based recommendations more suitable for online software services than the product-based recommendation techniques"? These two questions are addressed in the context of a software marketplace and the preliminary results are discussed in this paper.
Performance of a prototype for a large-aperture multipass Nd:glass laser for inertial confinement fusion

The Beamlet is a single-beam prototype of future multibeam megajoule-class Nd:glass laser drivers for inertial confinement fusion. It uses a multipass main amplifier, adaptive optics, and efficient, high-fluence frequency conversion to the third harmonic. The Beamlet amplifier contains Brewster-angle glass slabs with a clear aperture of 39 cm × 39 cm and a full-aperture plasma-electrode Pockels cell switch. It has been successfully tested over a range of pulse lengths from 1–10 ns up to energies at 1.053 µm of 5.8 kJ at 1 ns and 17.3 kJ at 10 ns. A 39-actuator deformable mirror corrects the beam quality to a Strehl ratio of as much as 0.4. The 1.053-µm output has been converted to the third harmonic at efficiencies as high as 80% and fluences as high as 8.7 J/cm2 for 3-ns pulses.
Impact of sexual and physical abuse dimensions on health status: development of an abuse severity measure

Objective: Despite the abundant literature showing a relationship of sexual and/or physical abuse history with poor health status, few studies provide evidence about which dimensions of abuse may have a worse impact on health. In female patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, the present study aims to identify which dimensions of abuse history (eg, number of perpetrators, injury) might predict poor current health status, in order to develop an empirically based severity of abuse measure. Methods: Of a sample of 239 female patients from a referral gastroenterology clinic, this paper primarily focuses on 121 women with a past history of contact sexual abuse {N = 99), and/or life threatening physical abuse (N = 68). Results: Among those with a sexual abuse history, 24% of current health status was explained by serious injury during abuse [p = .0006), victimization by multiple perpetrators (p = .03), and being raped (p = .09). Among the physically abused, rape (in addition to life threat) (p = .0001), and multiple life-threatening incidents (p = .002) explained 39% of the variance in overall health. Among the women with a sexual and/or physical abuse history, the experience of rape, serious injury during sexual abuse, and multiple lifethreatening incidents explained one fourth of the variance in current health status. Based on these three dimensions of abuse, we created an abuse severity measure which explained about one fourth of the variance in health status among the subgroup with abuse history, and among the entire clinic sample. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of abuse in referral practice, and the potential health impact of previous abuse, it is important that history taking include details concerning the abuse experience. The severity of abuse measure developed in this paper should prove useful for both research and clinical practice.
EFFECTS OF ALLOXAN INBIRDS

SINCE the discovery by Dunn and his associates (1943) that alloxan produces a selective necrosis of pancreatic islet cells, this remarkable compound has been intensively studied. The literature to the present time has been thoroughly reviewed by Joslin (1945) and Chen (1945). Aside from the reports by Goldner and Gomori (1945) on pigeons, and Garcia Ramos (1944) on turtles, studies of alloxan action have been conducted only in mammals. This is explainable partly on the basis that experimental diabetes mellitus can be produced readily by pancreatectomy in mammals, but results of this operation in birds have been uncertain or conflicting. The work of Koppanyi and co-workers (1926) in fowls, and Mirsky and associates (1941) in ducks attests to the temporary and benign effect of pancreatectomy on carbohydrate metabolism in these species. Recently, however, Nelson, Elgart, and Mirsky (1942) found that depancreatized owls present a fairly typical picture of diabetes. As a whole, birds are less susceptible to in...
X-ray double crystal and X-ray topographic characterization of silicon carbide thin films on silicon, titanium carbide, 6H-silicon carbide, and aluminum nitride/sapphire substrates

Abstract The structure, strain and defects in epitaxial silicon carbide (SiC) thin films on aluminum nitride/sapphire ( AlN Al 2 O 3 ), silicon (Si), titanium carbide (TiC) and 6H-SiC substrates were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray double crystal diffractometry and X-ray topographic techniques. The SiC thin films were confirmed to be epitaxials with a zinc blende structure when grown on Si, TiC and vicinal 6H-SiC, and a wurtzite 6H polytype structure when grown on AlN Ai 2 O 3 . The dislocation densities in the SiC films are in the order of 10 8 to 10 11 and are comparable. The experimental stress agrees well with the theoretical one calculated from the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the film and the substrate. X-ray rocking curves and X-ray topographs suggest that considerable amount of defects were generated in the Si substrates during the thin film growth process whereas the sapphire substrates remain defect free.
Aptitude Complexes and Trait Complexes

The origins and development of the concept of aptitude complexes are reviewed. Initial empirical success in demonstrating interactions between aptitude complexes and instructional complexes by Richard E. Snow and his students is followed by an inductive approach to finding broader trait complexes. Three empirical studies of college students and adults up to age 62 are described, where trait complexes were correlated with domain knowledge and ability measures. Differentiated profiles of trait complex-knowledge-ability correlations were found and replicated across the 3 studies. Evidence for trait complexes that are supportive or impeding for the development of domain knowledge is reviewed. The aptitude complex-trait complex approach is viewed as an important means toward researching and reevaluating the nature of aptitude-treatment interactions.
Plate 395. Fritillaria affinis

Fritillaria affinis (Schult.) Sealy (Liliaceae) is one of the most widespread and variable of the western North American species. Its taxonomic history, relationships, distribution and cultural requirements are discussed; a full description and an illustration are provided.
Justices as Representatives Elections and Judicial Politics in the American States

This study demonstrates that state supreme court justices are influenced by their specific electoral backgrounds and experiences, as well as general electoral conditions, when voting to uphold or overturn death sentences in the capital murder cases before their courts. Although previous research has established that electoral forces affect justices' decisions not to dissent, this article suggests that electoral variables also influence justices' decisions about who actually wins or loses the cases. On the basis of a probit analysis of death penalty votes in four supreme courts (Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas) from 1983 through 1988, this study finds that single-member districts, narrow vote margins, being at the end of a term, and experience with electoral politics are associated with support for the death penalty, the position favored by the voters in these states. In addition, the model reveals that prosecutorial experience, term length, and murder rates within states also affect support...
Methyl Bromide Fumigation of Shelled Peanuts in Bulk Containers

Methyl bromide fumigations of 1-ton units of shelled peanuts in bulk containers made of corrugated paper and of a 1-ton stack in burlap bags were compared at a fumigant dosage of 32 mg/liter (2 lb/1000 ft3). Penetration of the fumigant into containers was slower than into bags but the resulting concentration of gas was adequate to kill larvae of the almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker), and Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), adults of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the merchant grain beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), and 0- to 3-day-old eggs of the red flour beetle exposed near the center of each container and of the stack of peanuts. Samples of peanuts taken after fumigation from the containers had lower total bromide residues and a higher percentage of germination than samples taken from the bags. The amount of residue and the reduction in the germination were directly related to the concentration of fumigant to which the peanuts were exposed.