cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A characterization of partial 3-trees

A k-tree is defined recursively as follows: The complete graph Kk on k points is a k-tree. Given a k-tree G on n ≤ k points, a k-tree on n + 1 points is obtained by adding a new point u and edges connecting u to every point of a Kk in G. A graph is a partial k-tree if it is a subgraph of some k-tree. In this paper, we establish some interesting properties of partial 3-trees and show that a graph is a partial 3-tree if and only if it has no subgraph contractible to K5, K2.2.2C8(1, 4), or K2 ≤ C5. A graph G is said to be contractible to a graph H if H can be obtained from G by a sequence of edge contractions. hitherto, such a characterization of partial k-trees was known only for the values of k ≤ 2.
Mitochondrial functional impairment in response to environmental toxins in the cardiorenal metabolic syndrome

Environmental toxins can promote cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal abnormalities, which characterize the cardiorenal metabolic syndrome (CRS). Heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic, represent two of the most toxic pollutants. Exposure to these toxins is increasing due to increased industrialization throughout much of the world. Studies conducted to understand the impact of environmental toxins have shown a major impact on mitochondrial structure and function. The maladaptive stress products caused by these toxins, including aggregated proteins, damaged organelles, and intracellular pathogens, can be removed through autophagy, which is also known as mitophagy in mitochondria. Although the underlying mechanisms involved in the regulation of mitophagy in response to pollution are not well understood, accumulating evidence supports a role for maladaptive mitochondrial responses to environmental pollution in the pathogenesis of the CRS. In this review, we discuss the ongoing research, which explores the mechanisms by which these toxins promote abnormalities in mitophagy and associated mitochondrial dysfunction and the CRS.
Phase Field Simulations of Elastic Deformation-Driven Grain Growth in 2D Copper Polycrystals

In this work, a phase field grain growth model coupled with a spectral stress calculation method is used to investigate the effect of applied elastic deformation on grain growth in 2D copper polycrystals with isotropic grain boundary properties. The applied deformation accelerates the grain growth compared to a relaxed polycrystal, though the effect of the deformation decreases rapidly with time. The softest grain orientations with respect to the applied deformation grow at the expense of other orientations, though they have higher elastic energy density. Due to a rapid decrease in the elastic energy stored in the system, the GB energy eventually dominates the growth leading to a linear change in the average grain area with time. Increasing the magnitude of the applied deformation accelerates the growth, while increasing the temperature accelerates the growth but decreases the effect of the applied deformation.
Design and Characterization of a Zn2+-Binding Four-Helix Bundle Protein in the Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory

A biophysical chemistry laboratory project is described that combines classroom and laboratory experiences to design and characterize a Zn2+-binding four-helix bundle protein. The design phase involves re-examining principles of protein structure and function in the context of four-helix bundle literature and then using the online computer game Foldit to build and optimize a 35-residue helix-loop-helix peptide that would coordinate Zn2+. The designed peptide and a control peptide containing the same amino acids but in a random sequence are purchased commercially. The peptides are then characterized by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immobilized-metal affinity chromatography, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the designed peptide adopts a higher-order structure than the control peptide, although not conclusively a four-helix bundle, and that it also binds Zn2+.
Ecological considerations in reclaiming surface mined lands

The opportunities for, and ecological problems of, reclaiming surfaced-mined land are reviewed. It is suggested that existing methods permit the achievement of ecologically viable goals, although further research would be beneficial. However, an ecologically improved condition will only rarely reproduce the original condition and acceptance of this philosophy will entail compromise by both ecologists and mine operators.
Large deviations: from empirical mean and measure to partial sums process

The large deviation principle is known to hold for the empirical measures (occupation times) of Polish space valued random variables and for the empirical means of Banach space valued random variables under Markov dependence or mixing conditions, and subject to the appropriate exponential tail conditions. It is proved here that these conditions suffice for the large deviation principle to carry over to the partial sums process corresponding to these objects. As demonstrated, this result yields the large deviations of the cost-sampled empirical distribution and is also relevant in studying the buildup of delays in queuing networks.
An enzyme tracer study of the organization of the somatic motor center for the innervation of different muscles of the tongue: evidence for two sources.

The hypoglossal nucleus has been described as the sole ipsilateral source of somatic motor innervation of the lingual and geniohyoideus muscles (Streeter, 1940; Barnard, 1940; Crosby et al., 1962; Watkins, 1978; Jenkins, 1978). In this study microliter amounts of 30% solution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were injected into intact but surgically isolated canine genioglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, geniohyoideus, and intrinsic lingual muscles. All injections were confined to the left half of the tongue, and the right half served as control. The HRP injections resulted in ipsilateral labeling of hypoglossal neurons with the exception of the injections into the genioglossus muscle, which labeled this nucleus bilaterally. Surprisingly, a few neurons associated with the ventromedial aspect of the caudal pole of the ipsilateral facial motor nucleus also labeled after injections of lingual muscles. The somatotopic representation of the geniohyoideus and lingual muscles within the hypoglossal nucleus suggested that those muscles known to originate from the same or related primodia labeled in the same or closely related hypoglossal subnuclei. The presence of labeled neurons associated with facial motor nucleus supported the hypothesis (Langman, 1975) of a possible dual origin of lingual muscles.
Calibrating E-field probes with a tapered cell

Tapered cells can be used in E-filed probes calibration [1]. Nevertheless, few research documents on tapered cells are found presently. In our lab, we configured an E-field probe calibration system with a tapered cell. By using a reference probe as standard, we can determine the correction factors of E-field probes for frequency range from 200 MHz to 2.5 GHz. This paper describes the structure and characteristics of the tapered cell. The way to use it for probes calibration is also introduced.
Manufacturing controls and performance: An experiment

Abstract This paper reports the results of an experiment that tests the effects of three manufacturing controls—inventory and production (pull vs push), incentives (fixed vs contingent) and quality control (process vs output)— on performance effectiveness and efficiency. The results indicate that both incentive and quality control systems affect performance efficiency, and incentives also had a significant effect on performance effectiveness. We also hypothesized and found a significant interaction of the production/inventory control system and the quality control system on performance effectiveness and efficiency.
Photooxidation of Nucleic Acids on Metal Oxides: Physicochemical and Astrobiological Perspectives

Photocatalytic oxidation of nucleic acid components on aqueous metal oxides (TiO2, α-FeOOH, and α-Fe2O3) has been studied. The oxidation of purine nucleotides results in the formation of the purine radical cations and sugar−phosphate radicals, whereas the oxidation of pyrimidine nucleotides other than thymine results in the oxidation of only the sugar−phosphate. The oxidation of the thymine (and to a far less extent for the 5-methylcytosine) derivatives results in deprotonation from the methyl group of the base. Some single-stranded (ss) oligoribonucleotides and wild-type ss RNA were oxidized at purine sites. In contrast, double-stranded (ds) oligoribonucleotides and DNA were not oxidized. These results account for observations suggesting that cellular ds DNA is not damaged by exposure to photoirradiated TiO2 nanoparticles inserted into the cell, whereas ss RNA is extensively damaged. The astrobiological import of our observations is that the rapid degradation of monomer nucleotides makes them poor target...
Letting People Off the Hook: When Do Good Deeds Excuse Transgressions?:

Three studies examined when and why an actor’s prior good deeds make observers more willing to excuse—or license—his or her subsequent, morally dubious behavior. In a pilot study, actors’ good deeds made participants more forgiving of the actors’ subsequent transgressions. In Study 1, participants only licensed blatant transgressions that were in a different domain than actors’ good deeds; blatant transgressions in the same domain appeared hypocritical and suppressed licensing (e.g., fighting adolescent drug use excused sexual harassment, but fighting sexual harassment did not). Study 2 replicated these effects and showed that good deeds made observers license ambiguous transgressions (e.g., behavior that might or might not represent sexual harassment) regardless of whether the good deeds and the transgression were in the same or in a different domain—but only same-domain good deeds did so by changing participants’ construal of the transgressions. Discussion integrates two models of why licensing occurs.
Text-independent speaker verification using discriminant neural networks classifier

In this paper, an evaluation of various discriminant neural networks classifiers for text- independent speaker verification problem is presented. Each person to be verified has a personalized neural network model. A new classifier called neural tree network (NTN) is also examined for this application. The memoryless feedforward neural network architecture makes decisions based on static features. Time delay neural network (TDNNs) have proved to be an efficient way to handle the dynamic nature of speech. Furthermore, a model called recurrent time delay neural networks (RTDNNs), obtained through a local feedback connection at the first hidden layer level of TDNNs is investigated. The training is carried out by backpropagation for sequence algorithm. The database used is a subset of the TIMIT database consisting of 38 speakers from the same dialect region. The NTN is compared with the MLP, TDNN, and RTDNN. It is shown that NTN is found to perform better than the other neural networks classifiers. Also, a little bit performance improvement was achieved due to the addition of temporal information for text-independent speaker verification problem using TDNNs and RTDNNs. Finally, we described the experimental results obtained using different neural network models.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Taxes and the division of foreign operating income among royalties, interest, dividends and retained earnings

Abstract How do taxes influence the way U.S. corporations divide foreign affiliate operating income among royalties, dividends, interest, and retained earnings? The paper goes beyond previous work that focused largely on dividend repatriation behavior, and provides a comprehensive analysis of the disposition of foreign subsidiary operating income. The empirical results show that taxes have a large and statistically significant effect on the composition of payments. Own tax prices discourage the payment of dividends, royalties and interest. But dividend and other repatriation taxes do not increase retained earnings, they only alter the composition of payments. The results are, therefore, consistent with a generalized Hartman–Sinn model of the mature controlled foreign corporation that has various alternative repatriation vehicles. Finally, this paper integrates the choice of payments with income shifting among countries because the latter may be part of a low-tax strategy for repatriations. In this general framework, conventional composite tax prices are not appropriate because the response to a change in a composite tax price depends on which components changed.
Modification of 'SPICE' for simulation of coupled packaging interconnections

A modification of SPICE program, version 2G.6, that allows simulation of networks with multiconductor, lossless transmission lines is dealt with. Terminating networks may contain nonlinear active devices defined in the SPICE format. All SPICE 2G.6 transient analysis features and transistor models are supported. The authors describe the computational procedure based on the transmission line equivalent circuit, explain the principle of SPICE implementation, and give examples of application. The simulator developed is also useful in determining the upper limit for crosstalk in systems with lossy lines. However, the simulator underestimates the transmission delays in such cases, and corrections might be needed. Such corrections are relatively easy to do in most practical cases, where DC losses are dominant. >
Development of an In Situ Surface Deformation and Temperature Measurement Technique for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Button Cell

A novel experimental technique is developed to measure the in situ surface deformation and temperature of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode surface along with the cell electrochemical performance. The experimental setup consists of a NexTech Probostat™ SOFC button cell test apparatus integrated with a Sagnac interferometric optical method and an infrared sensor for in situ surface deformation and temperature measurements, respectively. The button cell is fed with hydrogen or simulated coal syngas under SOFC operating conditions. The surface deformation is measured over time to estimate the anode structural degradation. The cell surface transient temperature is also monitored with different applied current densities under hydrogen and simulated coal syngas. The experimental results are useful to validate and develop SOFC structural durability and electrochemical models.
PAT1, an evolutionarily conserved acetyltransferase homologue, is required for multiple steps in the cell cycle

Background: Acetylation has been implicated in many biological processes. Mutations in N-terminal acetyltransferases have been shown to cause a variety of phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae including activation of heterochromatin, inability to enter G0, and lethality. Histone acetylation has been shown to play a role in transcription regulation, histone deposition and histone displacement during spermatogenesis, although no known histone acetyltransferase is essential. Results: Studies aimed at revealing a role for histone H1 in yeast have uncovered a mutation in a putative acetyltransferase, PAT1. The mutant (pat1-1) cells can live only in the presence of vertebrate H1. PAT1 is essential for mitotic growth in S. cerevisiae; mutant cells depleted of the Pat1p show aberrant cellular and nuclear morphology. PAT1 is required for multiple cell cycle events, including passage through Start, DNA synthesis, and proper mitosis through a microtubule-mediated process. The S. pombe PAT1 gene was cloned by complementation and shown to exist as part of a larger protein, the unique portion of which is homologous to a second S. cerevisiae gene. pat1 mutants show a variety of mitotic defects including enhanced chromosome loss, accumulation of multiple nuclei, generation of giant cells, and displays classical cut phenotypes in which cytokinesis occurs in the absence of proper nuclear division and segregation. Conclusion: PAT1 controls multiple processes in cell cycle progression which suggests an essential role for the acetylation of yet unknown substrate(s).
Design of spectrum database assisted cognitive radio vehicular networks

Recent FCC rulings in the US, mandating spectrum databases for white spaces unlicensed access, raise interesting challenges on the placement of road-side base stations (BS) connected to spectrum databases distributing spectrum knowledge to cognitive radios embedded in passing by vehicles. This paper takes the first step towards developing an analytical framework for determining the topology of such a vehicular network, where the network components are the spectrum database, multiple BSs and moving vehicles in different traffic conditions. Our framework not only adheres to the FCC specifications, but it also provides a cost-revenue analysis given the environmental parameters such as vehicular density, BS road coverage and the tradeoffs between local vs. database assisted sensing, thereby making this a potential tool for future network design. A comprehensive simulation study is undertaken using real traffic traces to show the application and benefit of our method in a practical setting.
Experiments with computer vision methods for fall detection

The goal of a fall detection system is to automatically detect cases where a human falls and may have been injured. A natural application of such a system is in home monitoring of patients and elderly persons, so as to automatically alert relatives and/or authorities in case of an injury caused by a fall. This paper describes experiments with three computer vision methods for fall detection in a simulated home environment. The first method makes a decision based on a single frame, simply based on the vertical position of the image centroid of the person. The second method makes a threshold-based decision based on the last few frames, by considering the number of frames during which the person has been falling, the magnitude (in pixels) of the fall, and the maximum velocity of the fall. The third method is a statistical method that makes a decision based on the same features as the previous two methods, but using probabilistic models as opposed to thresholds for making the decision. Preliminary experimental results are promising, with the statistical method attaining relatively high accuracy in detecting falls while at the same time producing a relatively small number of false positives.
VARIABLE GEOMETRY DIES FOR POLYMER EXTRUSION

This paper presents the development of variable geometry dies that enable the extrusion of plastic parts with a varying cross section. Extrusion accounts for 40% of all manufactured plastic parts because it is a relatively low-cost and high-production-rate process. Conventional polymer extrusion technology, however, is limited to fixed dies that produce continuous plastic products of constant cross section defined by the die exit profile. A shape-changing die allows the cross section of the extruded part to change over its length, thereby introducing the capacity to manufacture plastic faster and with lower tooling costs than injection molding. This paper discusses design guidelines that were developed for movable die features including revolute and prismatic joint details, land length, and the management of die leakage. To assess these guidelines, multiple dies have been designed and constructed to include an arbitrary four-sided exit profile where changes were made to the internal angles and length of sides as the extruder was operating. Experimental studies were conducted by using different extruder line settings and time between die movements. Test results are presented that include shape repeatability and the relationship between extrudate profile and die exit geometry.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Students' predictions about the sensory properties of chemical compounds: Additive versus emergent frameworks

We investigated general chemistry students' intuitive ideas about the expected properties of the products of a chemical reaction. In particular, we analyzed college chemistry students' predictions about the color, smell, and taste of the products of chemical reactions represented at the molecular level. The study was designed to explore the extent to which novice learners intuitively use an additive framework to predict the properties of the product, rather than an approach that recognizes the emergent nature of the properties of chemical compounds. To this end, we used a mixed-methods research approach based on answers to multiple-choice questions and individual interviews with students enrolled in the first year of an introductory general chemistry course for science and engineering majors. Our results indicate that most students at this level rely on an additive heuristic to predict the properties of chemical compounds, overlooking the possibility of emergent properties resulting from the interaction of the atoms that compose the system. Chemistry instructors and chemical educators thus need to intentionally design learning opportunities for students to recognize and differentiate additive and emergent properties in a variety of contexts. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci. Ed92:96–114, 2008
Resource-Constrained Workflow Modeling

Business processes are often constrained by resource availability. This is particularly true in an emergency response system where large quantity of resources, including emergency responders, ambulances, fire trucks, medications, food, clothing, etc., are required. In our previous work, we introduced WIFA model to meet the needs of incident command systems workflow modeling and analysis. In this paper, we extend WIFA to take resources into account when modeling and enacting workflows. A formal resource-constrained workflow model is defined and the state transitions rules are established to support workflow analysis. An example is given to illustrate the use of the model.
Implications of Woodrats and Other Scavengers for Avian Telemetry Studies

Abstract During 2 years of radiotelemetry research on chukars (Alectoris chukar) in western Utah, USA, we found 28% of retrieved radios (n = 78) in rubbish nests of woodrats (Neotoma spp.). Such movement and disturbance of carcasses and radios by woodrats and other species has implications for radiotelemetry studies. We evaluated spatio-temporal movement of 51 radiocollars attached to chukar carcasses in western Utah. Most (80%) carcasses were scavenged within one week and by the end of 3 weeks 25 (50%) had been retrieved from woodrat middens. Scavenging activity can both obscure important clues needed to identify causes of mortality and bias telemetry studies by delaying onset of mortality signals.
What Does “Local” Firewood Buy You? Managing the Risk of Invasive Species Introduction

Firewood can serve as a vector in the transport of non-native species, including wood-boring insects that feed within the wood and thus can be transported accidentally. Governments have enacted limitations on the movement of firewood in an effort to limit the anthropogenic movement of non-native species through, for example, recreational camping. Although the movement of invasive species through firewood is a documented invasion pathway, it is not trivial for governments to determine a "safe" allowable distance for moving firewood. We were motivated by this challenge and developed a theoretical simulation to determine the campgrounds that could be potentially exposed to infested firewood based upon the hypothetical distribution of an invasive species and the allowable distance for moving firewood. We extend this concept to the known distributions of emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). We illustrate, based upon theoretical and empirical observations, that as the distribution of an invasive species increases, more rigid constraints on the movement of firewood would be required relative to those species that are distributed over a smaller scale. Also, on the level of management within a state, smaller states have far less margin for error than larger ones, as even extremely rigid restrictions on the movement of firewood could have little management effect unless the infested area is spatially limited. These results collectively suggest the potential for a dynamic management strategy that adjusts allowable distances for firewood movement based upon the distribution of the non-native species.
Lateral caval flap repair of adult sinus venosus atrial septal defect: A natural novel approach

1. Urbanski PP. Carotid artery cannulation in acute aortic dissection with malperfu-sion. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2006;131:1398-9.2. Urbanski PP, Lenos A, Lindemann Y, Zacher M, Frank S, Diegeler A. Use ofa carotid artery for arterial cannulation: side-related differences. Thorac Cardio-vasc Surg. 2010;58:276-9.3. UrbanskiPP,LenosA,BougioukakisP,NeophytouI,ZacherM,DiegelerA.Mild-to-moderate hypothermia in aortic arch surgery using circulatory arrest: a changeof paradigm? Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012;41:185-91.4. Urbanski PP, Lenos A, Zacher M, Diegeler A. Unilateral cerebral perfusion: rightversus left. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2010;37:1322-36.5. OrihashiK,SuedaT,OkadaK,TakahashiS.Compressedtruelumenintheinnom-inate artery: a pitfall of right axillary arterial perfusion in acute aortic dissection.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009;137:242-3.6. Minatoya K, Ogino H, Matsuda H, Sasaki H. Rapid and safe establishment ofcardiopulmonary bypass in repair of acute aortic dissection: improved resultswith double cannulation. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008;7:951-3.
The Origins of Cortical Interneurons: Mouse versus Monkey and Human

The neocortex of primates, including humans, is thought to contain significantly higher numbers and more diverse forms of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) interneurons than that of rodents. The mouse cortex displays a number of other features that distinguish it from the cortex of primates and suggest a somewhat less complex pattern of organization. Nevertheless, dramatic findings on the origins and migratory patterns of newly specified GABAergic cortical interneurons in the embryonic mouse have led to a prevailing view that GABAergic cortical interneurons of all species are born in the ganglionic eminence and undergo the same long tangential migration toward the cortex that is seen in the mouse. Recent observations in fetal human and monkey brains, although clearly identifying GABAergic neurons that reach the neocortex via the tangential route, also demonstrate that substantial numbers of GABA neurons are generated in the lateral ventricular neuroepithelium and migrate into the cortex via the same radial route followed by glutamatergic neurons. In the course of evolution of the higher primate cortex, it is likely that new forms of cortical interneuron with origins in the ventricular neuroepithelium have been added to an older population derived from the ganglionic eminence.
Large system transient analysis of adaptive least squares filtering

The performance of adaptive least squares (LS) filtering is analyzed for the suppression of multiple-access interference. Both full-rank LS filters and reduced-rank LS filters, which reside in a lower dimensional Krylov space, are considered with training, and without training but with known signature for the desired user. We compute the large system limit of output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) as a function of normalized observations, load, and noise level. Specifically, the number of users K, the degrees of freedom N, and the number of training symbols or observations i all tend to infinity with fixed ratios K/N and i/N. Our results account for an arbitrary power distribution over the users, data windowing (e.g., recursive LS (RLS) with exponential windowing), and initial diagonal loading of the covariance matrix to prevent ill-conditioning. Numerical results show that the large system analysis accurately predicts the simulated convergence performance of the algorithms considered with moderate degrees of freedom (typically N=32). Given a fixed, short training length, the relative performance of full- and reduced-rank filters depends on the selected rank and diagonal loading. With an optimized diagonal loading factor, the performance of full- and reduced-rank filters are similar. However, full-rank performance is generally much more sensitive to the choice of diagonal loading factor than reduced-rank performance.
Benefits and requirements for interoperability in the electronic marketplace

Abstract Economic benefits of interoperability result in lowered production or transaction costs typically utilizing standardized parts or automated processes. In the networked economy, the need for interoperability extends into an entire commercial processes, market organizations and products. This article summarizes the nature of interoperability and requirements in maximizing its economic benefits when economies are networked. Interoperability among partnered organizations and customized products is emphasized. Interoperability in e-commerce layers and intermediate markets requires cooperation among hardware and software producers as well as governments in order to achieve a uniform commerce infrastructure.
Carry-Over Effects in Nature: Effects of Canopy Cover and Individual Pond on Size, Shape, and Locomotor Performance of Metamorphosing Wood Frogs

The conditions experienced early in development can have long-term effects on an organism's phenotype and performance. We tested whether variation in canopy cover over natural wetlands affected the metamorphic size, shape, and locomotor performance of Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) that had developed in those wetlands as larvae. Additionally, we tested if variation in locomotor performance was mediated through larval-environment effects on frog size and shape. We captured metamorphosing frogs as they emerged from open-canopy and closed-canopy ponds, and measured locomotor performance, body length, and hindlimb length. Frogs that had developed in closed canopy ponds tended to jump greater distances than those from open-canopy ponds. The difference in jumping performance was associated with differences in body size, but not limb length. This demonstrates that canopy cover does generate carryover effects in nature. However, these effects were driven entirely by environment-induced variation in size at metamorph...
Modafinil and Memory : Effects of Modafinil on Morris Water Maze Learning and Pavlovian Fear Conditioning

Modafinil has been shown to promote wakefulness and some studies suggest the drug can improve cognitive function. Because of many similarities, the mechanism of action may be comparable to classical psychostimulants, although the exact mechanisms of modafinil's actions in wakefulness and cognitive enhancement are unknown. The current study aims to further examine the effects of modafinil as a cognitive enhancer on hippocampus-dependent memory in mice. A high dose of modafinil (75 mg/kg ip) given before training improved acquisition on a Morris water maze. When given only before testing, modafinil did not affect water maze performance. We also examined modafinil (0.075 to 75 mg/kg) on Pavlovian fear conditioning. A low dose of pretraining modafinil (0.75 mg/kg) enhanced memory of contextual fear conditioning (tested off-drug 1 week later) whereas a high dose (75 mg/kg) disrupted memory. Pretraining modafinil did not affect cued conditioning at any dose tested, and immediate posttraining modafinil had no effect on either cued or contextual fear. These results suggest that modafinil's effects of memory are more selective than amphetamine or cocaine and specific to hippocampus-dependent memory.
A demonstration of a distributed software design sketching tool

Software designers frequently sketch when they design, particularly during the early phases of exploration of a design problem and its solution. In so doing, they shun formal design tools, the reason being that such tools impose conformity and precision prematurely. Sketching on the other hand is a highly fluid and flexible way of expressing oneself. In this paper, we present Calico, a sketch-based distributed software design tool that supports software designers with a variety of features that improve over the use of just pen-and-paper or a regular whiteboard, and are tailored specifically for software design. Calico is meant to be used on electronic whiteboards or tablets, and provides for rapid creation and manipulation of design content by sets of developers who can collaborate distributedly.
Pharmacogenetics and Stroke

Genetic variations have been shown to influence drug metabolism, risk of adverse drug events, and pharmacodynamic responses for many drugs routinely used to treat patients with stroke or at risk for stroke. Examples include clopidogrel, statins, antihypertensive medications, and coumadin. Further validation studies are needed to assess the clinical utility of selecting drugs and doses based on genetic tests. Physicians, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, and health insurers continue to grapple with how best to translate this burgeoning field into effective individualized medicine.
Measurements and models of synchronous growth of fission yeast induced by temperature oscillations.

Pulsing of temperature in a fermentor at intervals coincident with cell generation time was used to induce synchrony in a population of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Measurements of culture protein, RNA, and DNA during synchronous growth confirm continuous synthesis of protein and RNA and discontinuous synthesis of DNA as previously reported. Flow microfluorometry of populations at different times during the synchrony cycle was used to monitor the changes in single-cell protein, RNA, and DNA frequency functions. These measurements illustrate very clearly the degree of synchrony and patterns of macromolecular synthesis and also confirm previous estimates of the cellular protein contents characteristic of dividing cells. Additional insights into single-cell kinetics and division controls are provided by two-parameter flow microfluorometry measurements and by mathematical modeling of population dynamics. Such data are necessary foundations for robust population balance models of microbial processes. (Refs. 31).
The 23:19 aftershock of the 15 October 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake: More evidence for an asperity

The well-recorded strong ground motion data for the 23:19 aftershock of the 15 October 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake provide a good opportunity to study the high-frequency source characteristics and the path effects at near-source distances. The best-fitting point source model has a strike-slip mechanism, N40°W, which is nearly identical to the main event. The estimated stress drop is extremely high, roughly 500 bars, with a triangular time history (0.1, 0.1 sec) but with a moment of 1.0 × 10^(24) dyne-cm. A double-source model found by inversion fits the high-frequency data better but indicates complex faulting: the first source (with strike = N319°E, dip = 42°NE, and slip angle = 165°) has a moment of 0.7 × 10^(24) dyne-cm, the second source (with strike = N324°E, dip = 82°SW, and slip angle = 181°) lies about 0.5 km to the north and has a seismic moment twice that of the first source. Source dimensions appear very small for this amount of energy release. Many of the anomalous behaviors observed at certain stations for the main event are, also, present in the aftershock data. These features are examined in terms of path effects.
Time-Variant Risk Assessment of Bridges with Partially and Fully Closed Lanes due to Traffic Loading and Scour

This article presents an approach for assessing time-variant risk associated with the closure of bridge lanes due to traffic loading and scour. Scenarios of lane closure are identified for both traffic loading and scour. The time-variant failure probabilities of girders under traffic loading are evaluated using a deterioration model that accounts for the decrease in resistance and a live-load model that considers the increase in maximum load effects. The annual failure probabilities of pier columns due to scour are estimated by comparing pier depth and scour depth caused by the annual peak flow. The probabilities of occurrence of the identified closure scenarios are computed on the basis of the relations between these scenarios and the failure events of girders and pier columns, and the correlations among failure modes are considered. The consequences caused by the lane-closure scenarios are evaluated by considering repair, running, and time-loss costs. Finally, the time-variant risks associated with the identified scenarios are assessed. The proposed approach is illustrated using a highway bridge as an example.
Point Slope Approach for Reservoir Flood Routing

The point-slope method of routing floods through reservoirs uses equations and criteria for determining the outflow hydrograph slope and the inflection point of the rising limb of the outflow hydrograph on the basis of the inflow hydrograph, the topography of the reservoir, and the hydraulic characteristics of the outflow structure. The point-slope method is less broadly applicable than the traditional incremental-time methods, but within its limitations (simple single-peaked inflow hydrographs), it is fast, accurate, and adaptable for investigating alternate designs. A check and adjustment procedure provides assurance that the result is valid. This procedure and the criteria for determining the inflection point of the outflow hydrography are of general applicability with reservoir flood routing methods.
Decisions, Decisions The Countless Times Instructional Practice and Reality Meet

This article examines critical issues related to teacher decision-making in early childhood music classrooms. Through the story of one teacher’s experience, we take a closer look at specific criter...
Phosphorylation of dense-plaque proteins talin and paxillin during tracheal smooth muscle contraction

Reorganization of cytoskeletal-membrane interactions during contractile stimulation may contribute to the regulation of airway smooth muscle contraction. We investigated the effect of contractile s...
Pharmacist impact on drug use in an institution for the mentally retarded

Pharmacist involvement on a team developed to monitor drug use in an institution for the mentally retarded is described, and the results of the team's efforts are reported. The behavioral review committee consisted of a physician, pharmacist(s), nurses, psychologists, sociologists and therapists. The pharmacists reviewed the patients' charts and pharmacy records to compile a complete drug history on a special "drug calender" form. The pharmacist visited the patient to determine current problems, the effectiveness of therapy and the presence of adverse drug reactions. Recommendations were than made to the committee. During the two-year study period, the use of antipsychotic drugs was reduced 18%; antianxiety-antidepressant drugs, 50%; sedative-hypnotics, 58%; and miscellaneous agents, 65%. The net savings in drug expenditures was more than $10,000 per year, Maladaptive behaviorial test results implied that the decreased drug use did not change behavior significantly. The study shows that the pharmacist, through a team approach, can help reduce the overuse of medications in institutions for the mentally retarded.
Bacterial growth inhibition by amniotic fluid: VII. The effect of zinc supplementation on bacterial inhibitory activity of amniotic fluids from gestation of 20 weeks

Abstract Twenty human amniotic fluids obtained from gestations of 20 weeks' duration supported bacterial growth. Nine of the 20 fluids could be made inhibitory by adjusting the phosphate to zinc ratios of the fluids to less than 200 μg per milliliter. These fluids contained the phosphate-sensitive bacterial inhibitor described previously, but the fluids contained sufficient phosphate to inactivate the antibacterial system. The remaining 11 amniotic fluids did not contain the peptide component of the phosphate-sensitive bacterial inhibitor and could not be made inhibitory by adjusting the phosphate to zinc ratio to less than 200 μg per milliliter. The data obtained suggested synthesis of the peptide component may occur at a gestational age of approximately 20 weeks. The peptide may indirectly be detected in fluids by determining whether antibacterial activity is obtained when the phosphate to zinc ratio of the fluids is adjusted to less than 200 μg per milliliter.
The Council of Trent and the Papacy

On 13 October 1534, after a conclave of only two days, Cardinal Alessandro Farnese emerged as pope. As Paul III he governed the church until 1549, with one foot, as it were, in the Renaissance and the other in the movement for reform and renewal. Certainly his greatest achievement was the convocation and then the actual opening of the historic Council of Trent in 1545; this was a major step in the evolution of Catholic confessionalism. Born of a family of the Papal States, Farnese had been named a cardinal at the age of 23 by Pope Alexander VI way back in 1493, perhaps because of this pope’s liaison with his sister, the legendary beauty Giulia Farnese. Earlier popes legitimized several of his children. Even after his ordination to the priesthood in 1519, and a turn to a serious moral life, he continued to enjoy a Renaissance prelate’s style of life. His nepotism was flagrant. Shortly after his election he raised to the cardinalate two of his teen-age grandchildren, and a leading concern of his papacy was the acquisition of the Duchy of Parma in north Italy for his son Pierluigi, which in fact remained in the Farnese family for two centuries. His was the last successful effort of a pope to invest his family with a principality.
Pathways and Hidden Benefits of Healthcare Spending Growth in the U.S.

After a brief reprieve, healthcare spending in the United States is expected to once again rise rapidly, continuing the trend of the past half-century. To inform the debate about whether policymakers should take action to contain high and rising medical care costs, we use panel data on all 50 states for the period 1993 to 2009 to estimate a healthcare spending model. Our framework, which includes a structural spending equation and a health production function, identifies the pathways through which medical technology and income affect healthcare costs and the potential health benefits they produce. We find evidence that medical technology and income are important factors fueling rising healthcare costs in the United States. However, our results also indicate they generate large health benefits in the form of lower mortality that may outweigh the costs and increase social economic welfare.
Cabozantinib in patients with advanced RET-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer: an open-label, single-centre, phase 2, single-arm trial

Summary Background RET rearrangements are found in 1–2% of non-small-cell lung cancers. Cabozantinib is a multikinase inhibitor with activity against RET that produced a 10% overall response in unselected patients with lung cancers. To assess the activity of cabozantinib in patients with RET -rearranged lung cancers, we did a prospective phase 2 trial in this molecular subgroup. Methods We enrolled patients in this open-label, Simon two-stage, single-centre, phase 2, single-arm trial in the USA if they met the following criteria: metastatic or unresectable lung cancer harbouring a RET rearrangement, Karnofsky performance status higher than 70, and measurable disease. Patients were given 60 mg of cabozantinib orally per day. The primary objective was to determine the overall response (Response Criteria Evaluation in Solid Tumors version 1.1) in assessable patients; those who received at least one dose of cabozantinib, and had been given CT imaging at baseline and at least one protocol-specified follow-up timepoint. We did safety analyses in the modified intention-to-treat population who received at least one dose of cabozantinib. The accrual of patients with RET -rearranged lung cancer to this protocol has been completed but the trial is still ongoing because several patients remain on active treatment. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01639508. Findings Between July 13, 2012, and April 30, 2016, 26 patients with RET -rearranged lung adenocarcinomas were enrolled and given cabozantinib; 25 patients were assessable for a response. KIF5B-RET was the predominant fusion type identified in 16 (62%) patients. The study met its primary endpoint, with confirmed partial responses seen in seven of 25 response-assessable patients (overall response 28%, 95% CI 12–49). Of the 26 patients given cabozantinib, the most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse events were lipase elevation in four (15%) patients, increased alanine aminotransferase in two (8%) patients, increased aspartate aminotransferase in two (8%) patients, decreased platelet count in two (8%) patients, and hypophosphataemia in two (8%) patients. No drug-related deaths were recorded but 16 (62%) patients died during the course of follow-up. 19 (73%) patients required dose reductions due to drug-related adverse events. Interpretation The reported activity of cabozantinib in patients with RET -rearranged lung cancers defines RET rearrangements as actionable drivers in patients with lung cancers. An improved understanding of tumour biology and novel therapeutic approaches will be needed to improve outcomes with RET-directed targeted treatment. Funding Exelixis, National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA008748.
Metamaterial wave phenomena based on nonlinearities(Conference Presentation)

In this talk, we will discuss our recent efforts on nonlinearity-based wave interactions in metamaterials, including large isolation and non-reciprocal responses, giant harmonic generation, and nonlinearity-induced topological protection in suitably designed metamaterials. The large wave-matter interactions in metamaterials can be tailored to enhance the typically weak nonlinearities of optical materials to realize new devices and systems with unusual functionalities, of interest in nanophotonics, optical communications and sensing.
Pyruvate carboxylase of Rhizopus nigricans and its role in fumaric acid production.

Abstract The chief carbon dioxide-fixing system in a fumaric acid-producing strain of Rhizopus nigricans is an acetyl coenzyme A - dependent pyruvate carboxylase. This enzyme is produced in high levels during the period of rapid glucose utilization, and precedes fumarate accumulation. It is proposed that this system is the principal anaplerotic CO2 fixing mechanism in this organism, and its continued operation in high glucose media after biosynthesis has ceased results in production of fumaric acid.
Signals and Speciation: Anolis Dewlap Color as a Reproductive Barrier

Abstract The divergence of signals used in sexual selection and species recognition is thought to play an important role in speciation. As such, the striking diversity of dewlap color in Anolis lizards may have contributed to the diversification of this species-rich group. Whether the dewlap acts as a reproductive isolating barrier however remains unclear. We tested the prediction that the degree of dewlap divergence between the two closely related and highly polymorphic Hispaniolan trunk anoles Anolis distichus and Anolis brevirostris is correlated with genetic divergence and the frequency of hybridization in nature. We use integrative analyses of dewlap color variation and molecular genetics to investigate two pairs of localities where the species co-occur, including one pair of localities where the two species exhibit dissimilar dewlaps and a second pair of localities where they have similar dewlaps. At one site where species share similar dewlap coloration, we found evidence of hybridization and lower...