cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and Evaluation of a PVT Variation-Resistant TRNG Circuit

On-chip true random number generators (TRNGs) can be designed by using traditional CMOS technology or by using more recent nanoscale devices and technologies. In CMOS technology, TRNGs are designed by harnessing random physical variations (e.g., thermal/supply/telegraph noise, jitter, latch metastability, etc.). Since CMOS technologies are slowly saturating in development, more recently, nanoscale devices and technologies, such as memristor, magnetic tunnel junction, carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc., are being used to design TRNG circuits. An ideal TRNG circuit is expected to generate a sequence of random bits with very high bit-entropy and zero correlation among the generated bitstreams. However, increasing variations in the fabrication process and the sensitivity of transistors to operating conditions (e.g., voltage, and temperature (PVT)) have a significant impact on bit-entropy of TRNGs designed in deep nanometer technologies. Furthermore, PVT variations can be exploited by an adversary as effective tools to attack TRNGs. To mitigate these issues, we propose three probabilistic circuits: probability booster, probability dropper, and probability stabilizer. We use these circuits to build our proposed TRNG circuit. We also propose a stochastic model of our proposed TRNG circuit. To validate our proposed model, we have simulated our TRNG circuit using PSpice simulator using 65nm and 28nm processes. Results reveal that our proposed TRNG can generate random numbers with bit-entropy that always lies in the range [0.998, 1] at a data rate of 16 Mbps and is robust against PVT variations. Using the NIST SP 800-22 test suite for randomness, we demonstrate that the output of the proposed TRNG circuit is statistically random with 99% confidence levels.
Assisting Seismic Image Interpretations with Hyperknowledge

Seismic data interpretation process is a time consuming and knowledge intensive process. Recently, research community proposed machine learning techniques to extract information from seismic images, aiming at assisting this interpretation process. Although useful, these techniques solve just part of the seismic interpretation problem. They focus on identifying specific features (e.g. salt diapirs, reservoir facies, mini-basins) but they fail in identifying and analyzing the spatial correlation among them. In this work we propose the use of hyper knowledge specifications to address this issue. The main contribution of this work is not only to present hyper knowledge templates to this problem, but also the discussions about how to map hyperknowledge as a knowledge graph as well as creating a reasoning engine that exploits the knowledge graph representation.
Culture transformation by stealth: Leveraging incremental change to revamp the curriculum.

Reshaping an existing education program from traditional structures and processes into competency-based medical education (CBME) is formidable. Emory University School of Medicine applied organizat...
Agency theory and entrepreneurship: A cross-country analysis

Abstract Central to economic development is entrepreneurship. Using an agency theory lens, we seek to better understand how national policy can spur entrepreneurship. Guided by capitalist and socialist logic and ideals we investigate the direct and joint effects of market freedom and social spending national policies. In drawing from a sample of 19 countries spanning 2004–2010, we find that neither market freedom nor social spending alone positively impacts entrepreneurial activity; however, an interaction exists, as entrepreneurial activity is bolstered when enhancing market freedom and social spending complement one another. Findings suggest mixed national policies that combine market freedom and social spending are best positioned to spur entrepreneurship.
Trends in medication abortion and the role of low-volume and nonmetropolitan mifepristone purchasers: 2008-2011 and 2014-2017.

Objective The objective was to examine trends in the number of low-volume and nonmetropolitan mifepristone purchasers and their role in the expansion of medication abortion. Methods We use deidentified data from Danco Laboratories, the sole distributor of mifepristone during the study period, to examine trends in mifepristone distribution. We focus on customers who purchased < 100 doses a year and a subset of those who purchased < 10 doses for the periods of 2008-2011 and 2014-2017. We use data from the Guttmacher Institute Abortion Provider Census (APC) studies in 2008 and 2017 to examine the extent to which some facilities that purchased mifepristone may be missing from Guttmacher's APC. Results Between 2008 and 2017, the number of medication abortions increased 73%, though the number of mifepristone purchasers only increased 15%. The number of low-volume mifepristone customers, or those who purchased < 100 tablets of mifepristone per year, decreased 8% over the study period, while the number purchasing < 10 tablets per year decreased 14%. However, in recent years, low-volume customers were more likely to have purchased mifepristone in multiple years. In nonmetropolitan areas, the number of sites purchasing mifepristone increased slightly but the amount of mifepristone that was purchased more than doubled between 2008 and 2017. Conclusions While reliance on medication abortion increased substantially between 2008 and 2017, there is no evidence that this was due to an increase in the number of facilities that purchased low volumes of mifepristone. Implications While their numbers declined, abortion providers purchasing low volumes of mifepristone likely played an important role for the individuals they cared for. Access to abortion could increase if a wider network of health care practitioners, especially those in settings that do not currently provide abortions, was able to offer medication abortion.
Official English, Nationalism and Linguistic Terror: A French Lesson

Through the late 1990s, a movement in America towards an English Language Amendment, enshrining English as the official language of the United States, had been gathering steam. This article addresses the legal fallout such an amendment would implicate through a comparative look at French efforts to legally impose French as the official language of France in both public and private life. It outlines a rich history of French efforts in this regard, striving towards not just legally required French but something of a pure French language, unmarred by English words in so-called franglais. This tradition reaches back to Louis XIV, through the French Revolution, all the way to a 1992 constitutional amendment affirming French as the official language of France, although none of these measures have been particularly successful. The article then turns to an American tradition, different in substance but similar in effect, placing English as the de facto language of the public United States. However, in exploring the Meyer and Yniguez cases, this article highlights the legal protections the U.S. constitution provides against legally-imposed monolinguism lacking in the French constitution. Ultimately, the substantial drawbacks to liberty an English Language Amendment would bring with it, the protections afforded in the U.S. constituion, and the inefficacy such an amendment would surely display as illustrated by the French example, are used to argue against an English Language Amendment. So enshrining a language already spoken by some ninety-nine percent of the population would only limit free speech and other liberty interests without meaningfully promoting monolinguism, a dubious goal in and of itself.
A new genus of Apsilocephalidae (Diptera) in Mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

A new genus and species of apsilocephalid flies, Cascomixticus tubuliferous gen. et sp. nov. (Diptera: Asiloidea: Apsilocephalidae) is described from Burmese amber. Assignment to the Apsilocephalidae is based on the wing venation that is very similar to extant members of the family. The present fossil differs from known genera of this family by a long labellum bearing tactochemical papillae, a long tubular hypopharynx and a pointed labrum as well as the structure of the scape and pedicel. The long, tubular hypopharynx may have been used to obtain nectar from angiosperm flowers, however the function of the sharp-tipped labrum is unknown.
Surgical Management of Early Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide, and its incidence has been increasing over the past several decades. Esophagectomy currently is the standard of care for more advanced early esophageal cancer and should be performed at centers of excellence with high volumes, appropriate supportive staff, and multidisciplinary expertise.
The Relevance of Inequality Research in Sociology for Inequality Reduction

Social inequality is a central topic of research in the social sciences. Decades of research have deepened our understanding of the characteristics and causes of social inequality. At the same time...
Elevated temperature ductility dip in an additively manufactured Al-Cu-Ce alloy

Abstract The deformation and failure mechanisms of Al-9Cu-6Ce (wt%) based alloys fabricated with laser powder bed fusion were investigated from room temperature to 400°C. The yield and ultimate tensile strengths decreased monotonically with increase in temperature, but the tensile elongation dipped unexpectedly at elevated temperatures and exhibited a minimum at 300°C. The dip in tensile elongation occurred with a concomitant dip in strain-rate sensitivity (SRS) of deformation. The as-fabricated alloy microstructure was heterogeneous, and the heat affected zone (HAZ) underneath the melt pool boundary was prone to strain localization. At 300 °C, the reduced SRS promoted the progression of strain localization in the HAZ leading to failure initiation and the dip in tensile elongation. A higher SRS or strain-hardening rate at other temperatures improved the tensile elongation by slowing the progression of strain localization in the HAZ such that failure initiated by other mechanisms elsewhere in the microstructure. Notably, the tensile elongation was limited by the defect structure only in a narrow temperature range (150 - 200 °C) while at other temperatures it was limited by the inherent microstructural features. This investigation exemplifies unexpected deformation and failure mechanisms possible in heterogeneous microstructures that result from additive manufacturing.
Quality of Care and Contraceptive Use in Urban Kenya.

CONTEXT: Family planning is highly beneficial to womens overall health particularly in developing countries. Yet in much of Sub-Saharan Africa contraceptive prevalence remains low and unmet need for family planning remains high. It is hypothesized that the poor quality of family planning service provision in many low-income settings is a barrier to contraceptive use but this hypothesis has not been rigorously tested. METHODS: Survey data from 3990 women were used to investigate whether family planning service quality was associated with current modern contraceptive use in five cities in Kenya in 2010. In addition audits of selected facilities and service provider interviews were conducted in 260 facilities and exit interviews were conducted with family planning clients at 126 high-volume clinics. Individual- and facility-level data were linked according to the source of the womans current method or other health service. Binomial regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios and robust standard errors were used to account for clustering of observations within facilities. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of women reported currently using a modern contraceptive method. Providers solicitation of clients method preferences assistance with method selection provision of information on side effects and good treatment of clients were positively associated with current modern contraceptive use (prevalence ratios 1.1 each); associations were often stronger among younger and less educated women. CONCLUSION: Efforts to assist with method selection and to improve the content of contraceptive counseling and treatment of clients by providers have the potential to increase contraceptive use in urban Kenya.
THE USE OF ACTIVATED CARBON FOR CHROMIUM (VI) REMOVAL

The removal of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI) from dilute aqueous solution by an activated carbon process has been investigated. Hexavalent chromium species were removed by adsorption onto the carbon surface or by reduction to the trivalent state. The effects of hexavalent chromium concentration, carbon dosage, pH, and mixing on the rates of reduction and adsorption were studied in batch experiments. The rate of chromium removal was found :-d[Cr (VI)]/dt = 4.4 × 10 −3 [Cr (VI) ] 3/4[C][H + ] 1/6 + 2.3 × 10 −3 [Cr(VI)][C] ½ [H + ] ¼ . Pre-treatment of the solutions or the carbon surface to eliminate reaction and thereby to increase the magnitude of total chromium removal was also conducted. Three treatment schemes were suggested for the removal of hexavalent chromium by carbon adsorption.
Ultra Wide Band Millimeter Wave Holographic “3-D” Imaging of Concealed Targets on Mannequins

Ultra wide band (chirp frequency) millimeter wave “3-D” holography is a unique technique for imaging concealed targets on human subjects with extremely high lateral and depth resolution. Recent “3-D” holographic images of full size mannequins with concealed weapons illustrate the efficacy of this technique for airport security.
Members of congress websites: diffusion at the tip of the iceberg

How do Members of Congress manage the opportunities that the Internet offers? Here we present the initial results from interviews with 100 Congressional offices about their decisions regarding how to use official Member websites. Strikingly, we find that there are relatively few efforts by offices to evaluate what constituents want or like on their websites. Further, we find that diffusion occurs at the "tip of the iceberg": offices often look at each others' websites (which are publicly visible), but rarely talk to each other about their experiences or how they manage what is on their websites (which are not publicly visible). We also find that there are powerful extra-organizational influences on Member websites, most notably, vendors and the Congressional Management Foundation.
Stabilization of Horse Globin by Protoporphyrin IX and Hemin

Abstract When the kinetics of unmasking of certain inaccessible acid-binding groups in native horse ferrihemoglobin (Hb+) is measured in a pH-stat, the results are essentially identical with those obtained by spectrophotometric methods of following denaturation and regeneration. The pH-stat method has therefore been applied to determine the pH profile of the denaturation kinetics and equilibria of globin at a number of temperatures. The acid denaturation of globin is first order and has the same dependence on pH as Hb+, but globin reacts at any pH about 2000 times more rapidly than Hb+; the measurements are therefore made at about 1 pH unit higher than with Hb+. As with apomyoglobin, fewer groups in globin are unmasked than when intact ferrihemoglobin is acid-denatured; it appears that as many as 16 groups may be unmasked when hemin is removed from Hb+. Hb+ reconstituted from globin and hemin has the same absorption spectrum and kinetic properties as the initial material. When protoporphyrin IX (which contains no iron) rather than hemin is complexed with globin under certain narrowly critical conditions, the resulting complex approaches Hb+ in its kinetic stability. The conclusion is drawn that Hb+, unlike such ferrohemoglobins as COHb, derives little of its stability from the highly polar (ionic) iron-nitrogen bond in the ferric protein. Under other conditions of formation, protoporphyrin-globin may consist of more than one complex, each of which has a different stability. Globin and the most stable protoporphyrin-globin complexes behave differently from Hb+ with respect to the effects of temperature on their denaturation rates and equilibria. Two denaturation paths exist in the case of Hb+, one of which prevails at low temperatures and the other at temperatures above 15°. Globin appears to denature by the path characteristic of Hb+ at low temperatures, and protoporphyrin-globin by the reaction path characteristic of Hb+ above 15°.
Sharing Multicast Videos Using Patching Streams

The access patterns of most information systems follow the 80/20 rules. That is, 80% of the requests are for 20% of the data. A video server can take advantage of this property by waiting for requests and serving them together in one multicast. This simple strategy, however, incurs service delay. We address this drawback in this paper by allowing clients to receive the leading portion of a video on demand, and the rest of the video from an ongoing multicast. Since clients do not have to wait for the next multicast, the service latency is essentially zero. Furthermore, since most services require the server to deliver only a small leading portion of the video, the server can serve many more clients per time unit. We analyze the performance of this approach, and determine the optimal condition for when to use this strategy. We compare its performance to a hardware solution called Piggybacking. The results indicate that more than 200% improvement is achievable.
IEF‐based multidimensional applications in proteomics: Toward higher resolution

This review focuses on the alternative isoelectrofocusing methods and IEF-related techniques in protein analysis and characterization. The main emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the resolving power of new approaches, as well as potential advantages of IEF-related techniques for multidimensional analysis. In particular, the inverse 2D gel electrophoresis where the Mw separation stage precedes IEF mode is considered.
Risky decision-making is associated with residential choice in healthy older adults.

As our society becomes more mobile and people reside farther away from their immediate families, competent decision-making has become critical for the older adults wishing to maintain their independence. However, very little is known about the relationship between residential choice and decision making. Here we use the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) to examine risk-taking in two samples of older adults, one living in a retirement community and another living independently. We also used a cognitive model to gain insight into the cognitive factors underlying decision-making in these groups. We found that older adults living in a retirement community were more risk averse than their independent counterparts. Furthermore, this difference appeared to be motivated by group differences in initial perception of risk. This study suggests an intriguing difference between these two residential groups, and also points to the utility of using laboratory methods in research on real-world problems.
Chaperone Puts the Brakes On

A molecule controls both antigen processing and cell motility, ensuring that dendritic cells efficiently activate T cells to initiate protective immunity.
Chapter 12 Mass Spectrometry of Carbohydrates and Glycoconjugates

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses mass spectrometry (MS) of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates. All mass spectrometers contain three basic components: the ion source, the mass analyzer, and the detector. Ions are produced in the ion source by one of the many ionization methods, such as electron ionization (EI), field desorption (FD), and chemical ionization (CI). The mass analyzer separates the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), and then the ions strike the detector and are converted to electrons, thereby producing an ion current proportional to the number of incident ions. A plot of the relative abundances of each ion versus its m/z value is a mass spectrum. There are several methods of introducing a sample into a mass spectrometer, depending on the type of sample to be analyzed and the ionization method used. The complete analysis of a glycoprotein involves the identification of the entire array of oligosaccharide structures attached to the protein and the quantitative assignment of each structure to its site of attachment on the polypeptide chain.
Electron electron interaction and classical mesoscopic phenomena in semiconductors

I discuss the effect of electron-electron interaction on classical mesoscopic phenomena in semiconductor devices, as manifested by the well-known phonon conductivity oscillations in tunnel junctions. The central idea is the realization that the temperature dependence of the oscillation amplitude contains a direct and unambiguous information about the rate of electron-electron scattering in the material studied. Quantitative theory to be developed and device modeling based on this theory should enable a unique characterization of electron-electron interaction, extracting parameters relevant to the operation of important semiconductor devices.
Functional analysis of chicken vimentin distal promoter regions in cultured lens cells

Synthesis of the cytoskeletal intermediate filament protein vimentin (Vim) in the lens is unexpected due to the mesenchymal preference of Vim-encoding gene (Vim) expression and the epithelial origin of the lens. Previous studies indicated that chicken Vim gene expression in cultured lens cells is regulated by both positive- and negative-acting sequence elements within the first -767 nucleotides (nt) of its promoter. Here, we demonstrate the existence of additional upstream chicken Vim promoter elements which function in transfected lens cells. Sequences within the nt -1360/-1156 region repressed promoter activity in transfected lens cells to levels lower than that observed for the previously defined more proximal repressor elements. The -1612/-1360 region activated promoter activity to levels similar to those observed for the strongest previously defined proximal promoter. The nt sequence analysis of the upstream promoter region revealed the presence of multiple consensus repressor and activator transcription-factor-binding sites. Several of these sites have been implicated for lens expression of enzyme-crystallin-encoding genes (cry), suggesting that Vim expression may share features with the cry genes for recruitment and high-level expression in the lens.
Underlying assumptions of developmental models

These 10 obvious propositions make a model of the specification of form, intended to expose underlying assumptions of developmental biology for examination and future experimentation. (I) The control of development is by means of local interactions, rather than global control mechanisms. (II) A macromolecule near a specific site will bind by mass action. (III) Starting with a precursor cell, all cells are assembled automatically by specifically binding macromolecules. (IV) At the surface of cells are specific adhesion sites that determine how all cells bind to each other. (V) An organism will assemble automatically from parts (macromolecules, structures, and cells) specified by nuclear control factors. (VI) The nuclear control factors in each cell are from precursor cells and factors derived by signaling from other cells. (VII) The macromolecules that determine specific binding, cell adhesion, and signaling are controlled by nuclear control factors, and in a grand feedback the cell adhesion and signaling systems determine the nuclear factor patterns. (VIII) The embryonic precursor cells for organs, termed "precursor groups," are linked by adhesion and signaling relationships. (IX) The precursor groups include precursors for regions of an organ and boundary cells between regions having few cell types, growing without additional specific cell-to-cell relationships. (X) Organs are held together by cell adhesion in functional relationships. Thus the form and function of the organism is specified entirely by local control mechanisms. Without global control systems, information for form is in the genes for structural proteins, adhesion molecules, control factors, signaling molecules, and their control regions.
Hydrothermal plumes, hot springs, and conductive heat flow in the Southern Trough of Guaymas Basin

Abstract A 9 km length of one of the axial rift valleys of a Gulf of California spreading center was mapped by Deep Tow and examined on ten “Alvin” dives. The Deep Tow CTD towed 10–100 m above the seafloor sensed 20 thermal plumes with temperature anomalies of up to +0.39°C. Most plumes overlie deposits of hydrothermal minerals (mainly anhydrite and sulfides) that form columns and mounds rising up to 25 m above the muddy rift floor. About 130 such sites were mapped by side-scan sonar, and about 20 of them were photographed and sampled with “Alvin”. Two of the sites that had been raised tectonically above the trough floor have only inactive residual mounds, but all the others examined by submersible had active hydrothermal vents. Fluids discharge diffusely through the porous deposits, as relatively low-temperature ( 2 W/m2) adjacent to the thermal springs. The patterns of hydrothermal deposits and measured heat flow, interpreted in light of structural information from the Deep Tow profiler, suggest that shallow sills, some extending laterally from more massive hill-forming intrusions, act as cap rocks for intense, shallow hydrothermal circulations above a magma chamber. Hot discharges from this system occur mainly through tectonic fractures in the sills and around their peripheries; recharge probably occurs on a regional scale, from cooler parts of the rift valley. Some warm discharges, inactive barite deposits, and nonlinear thermal gradients probably mark continuing and past cooling of underlying shallow intrusions, by both recharging and temporary closed-system circulations.
Point: The New England Journal of Medicine article suggesting overdiagnosis from mammography screening is scientifically incorrect and should be withdrawn.

The publication of the recent New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) article [1] on the effectiveness of mammographic screening raises two major issues that I will try to address. The first is the lack of scientific rigor in the paper itself. The second is why a highly respected journal would publish such a flawed analysis. It should be clearly stated that mammography does not cause “overdiagnosis” or “overtreatment.” Pathologists cannot distinguish cancers that will be lethal from those that do not require treatment, and oncologists cannot determine who will be cured without systemic treatment and who will be “overtreated.” Palpable cancers are routinely “overtreated.” Thirty percent of women treated by mastectomy alone in the 1940s were alive 30 years later. Because there is still no way of identifying women with similar cancers today, all now receive systemic therapy. None of these women benefit from this therapy, and so are all “overtreated.” Unfortunately, approximately 40,000 women still die each year from breast cancer. Almost all receive systemic therapy that does not save them. Would opponents of screening argue to stop all treatment, sacrificing those who actually benefit? Women should not be denied access to screening and its potential to save lives simply because all of medicine (not just breast cancer treatment) is inexact. There is nearly universal agreement (including the US Preventive
Childhood obesity and future cardiac risk: what should physicians be looking for?

Obesity increases the risk for future health problems, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, certain forms of cancer, orthopedic issues, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, depression and psychosocial issues. Prevention and screening children should begin in infancy with parental education on the importance of healthy eating habits and daily physical activity. Early detection of at-risk behaviors, family risk factors and trends towards obesity should be assessed at every healthy-child visit by plotting height and weight in infants and toddlers and measuring BMI, starting at 2 years of age. Blood pressure monitoring should be a routine part of the physical examination in children over the age of 3 years. At-risk children with a BMI over the 85th percentile or with high-risk family histories should be screened for the potential health problems associated with childhood obesity. Early intervention and treatment using a staged approach with family involvement is important. Close monitoring with fre...
Apathy Towards Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Use in Hypertension: Is It Due to Cognitive Dissonance, Money, or Both?

See related article, pp 1258–1265 > The most damaging phrase in the language is: “We’ve always done it this way.” > > Grace Murray Hopper The US Preventive Services Task Force has issued a draft recommendation supporting the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) to confirm elevated office measurements before diagnosing hypertension based on a meta-analysis funded by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.1 The analysis revealed that 5% to 65% of patients with elevated office blood pressure could not be diagnosed with hypertension using ABPM. In this issue of the journal, Li et al convincingly demonstrate the perils of depending on office or home measurements of blood pressure for proper diagnosis and classification of hypertension.2 Importantly, home recordings of blood pressure missed the high-risk diagnosis of mild or severe hypertension in >25% of patients. Even though these recent landmark reports are startling, it has been known for decades that hypertension research and treatment have been the victim of misleading blood pressure data. Office blood pressure measurements have been used as practically the sole parameters for defining hypertension phenotypes ever since the first report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC I) was published in 1977. At that time, hypertension was primarily seen as a public health problem, and the entire focus was placed on the office visit values (note: the report uses the term High Blood Pressure rather than Hypertension). Subsequent JNC reports continued to define hypertension based on office data, although the evidence was accumulating that ABPM values are more reliable. ABPM had been introduced in 1962 …
Error bound analysis of the least-mean-squares algorithm in linear models

Time-varying formulation is pervasive in dynamic control systems, where tracking parameters characterizing dynamic properties is central task. General conditions for exponential stability of such systems have been fully discussed in prior work of others. In this paper we build practical (computable) error bound analysis of the stochastic gradient algorithm when the loss function is time-dependent and quadratic in the parameters, as arising from standard linear regression model. The long term goal is to address this problem in general nonlinear models. This paper is the first step towards this aim.
A new paradigm for hypothesis testing in medicine, with examination of the Neyman Pearson condition

In the past, hypothesis testing in medicine has employed the paradigm of the repeatable experiment. In statistical hypothesis testing, an unbiased sample is drawn from a larger source population, and a calculated statistic is compared to a preassigned critical region, on the assumption that the comparison could be repeated an indefinite number of times. However, repeated experiments often cannot be performed on human beings, due to ethical or economic constraints. We describe a new paradigm for hypothesis testing which uses only rearrangements of data present within the observed data set. The token swap test, based on this new paradigm, is applied to three data sets from cardiovascular pathology, and computational experiments suggest that the token swap test satisfies the Neyman Pearson condition.
Polyphenols from Camellia sinenesis prevent primary graft failure after transplantation of ethanol-induced fatty livers from rats.

Fatty liver caused by ethanol decreases survival after liver transplantation in rats. This study investigated if antioxidant polyphenols from Camellia sinenesis (green tea) prevent failure of fatty grafts from ethanol-treated rats. Donor rats were given ethanol intragastrically (6 g/kg). After 20 h, livers were explanted and stored in University of Wisconsin solution for 24 h. Prior to implantation, the explanted grafts were rinsed with lactated Ringer's solution containing 0 to 60 μg/ml polyphenols. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) release after liver transplantation was 4.5-fold higher in recipients receiving ethanol-induced fatty grafts than in those receiving normal grafts. Liver grafts from ethanol-treated donors also developed severe focal necrosis. Graft survival was 11% in the ethanol group versus 88% for normal grafts. Polyphenol treatment at 60 μg/ml blunted ALT release by 66%, decreased necrotic areas by 84%, and increased survival to 75%. Ethanol increased α-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert.-butylnitrone free radical adducts in bile by 2.5-fold, as measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, and caused accumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal in liver sections, effects blunted by polyphenols. Epicatechin gallate, a major polyphenol from C. sinenesis, also decreased enzyme release, minimized pathological changes, and decreased free radical adduct formation. In conclusion, polyphenols scavenged free radicals in ethanol-induced fatty livers and decreased injury after liver transplantation.
ASSOCIATION OF RAPIDLY METABOLIZED DNA AND RNA.

An association of rapidly metabolized DNA and RNA labeled with P32 has been found in peanut cotyledons by incorporation of either uridine-C14 or thymidine-C14 by peanut cotyledon slices. Chromatography of the extracted nucleic acids on methylated- albumin columns shows that the rapidly metabolized DNA and RNA are contained only in the first half of the DNA peak where RNA and DNA occur in equal amount. One-fourth of the radioactivity is recovered in ribonuc'eotides. Density-gradient centrifugation in cesium chloride indicates that the material containing the P32 has a higher density than most of the DNA.
IMAGING SURFACE STRUCTURES BY DIRECT PHASING

We report success in applying direct phasing methods to produce images of surface structures at the atomic scale from intensity data collected using transmission electron diffraction.
Influence of ozone pollution and climate variability on net primary productivity and carbon storage in China's grassland ecosystems from 1961 to 2000.

Our simulations with the Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM) indicate that the combined effect of ozone, climate, carbon dioxide and land use have caused China's grasslands to act as a weak carbon sink during 1961-2000. This combined effect on national grassland net primary productivity (NPP) and carbon storage was small, but changes in annual NPP and total carbon storage across China's grasslands showed substantial spatial variation, with the maximum total carbon uptake reduction of more than 400 g m -2 in some places of northeastern China. The grasslands in the central northeastern China were more sensitive and vulnerable to elevated ozone pollution than other regions. The combined effect excluding ozone could potentially lead to an increase of 14 Tg C in annual NPP and 0.11 Pg C in total carbon storage for the same time period. This implies that improvement in air quality could significantly increase productivity and carbon storage in China's grassland ecosystems. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Serotonergic involvement in the regulation of prolactin and vasoactive intestinal peptide mRNA expression in the rat anterior pituitary

Abstract These studies examined the contribution of serotonin (5-HT) to the control of prolactin (PRL) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) messenger RNA expression in rat anterior pituitary. Daily injection of rats with the biosynthetic precursor to serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP; 25 mg/kg q.i.d.), resulted on day 5 in a 50% increase in the expression of PRL mRNA in the pituitary while at the same time reducing the levels of both the 1.0 and 1.7kb VIP mRNA transcripts. Co-treatment of rats with 5-HTP plus the catecholamine biosynthesis inhibitor, α-methyl-tyrosine (α-MT; 150 mg/kg q.d. × 2 days), or the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol (1.25 mg/kg b.i.d. × 5 days), resulted in increases in pituitary PRL message levels that were greater than those observed with either anti-dopaminergic agent alone. In contrast, 5-HTP was unable to reverse the inhibition of PRL mRNA expression caused by treatment with the dopamine receptor agonist bromocriptine (2.5 mg/kg b.i.d. × 5 days). Neither α-MT, haloperidol nor bromocriptine had a significant effect on pituitary VIP mRNA expression. Administration of the direct-acting 5-HT receptor agonist quipazine (5 mg/kg, b.i.d.) for 14 consecutive days caused a significant increase in pituitary PRL mRNA levels on day 1 and reached a plateau of 90% above control levels on days 7 and 14. VIP mRNA levels rose significantly on day 1 of quipazine treatment but thereafter fell to a minimum of 22% (1.0 kb) and 52% (1.7 kb) of control by day 14. Both the 5-HT 1 receptor antagonist methiothepin (1 mg/kg t.i.d. × 3 days) and the 5-HT 2 receptor blocker ketanserin (8 mg/kg t.i.d. × 3 days) were unable to attenuate pituitary PRL mRNA levels. The presynaptic 5-HT autoreceptor agonist 5-MeODMT (6 mg/kg t.i.d. × 3 days) was equally ineffective. Each of these drugs, however, was able to produce marked reductions in VIP mRNA content in the anterior pituitary. This study indicates that the serotonergic system contributes to the regulation of anterior pituitary PRL and VIP mRNA expression.
Visibility-pollutant relationships in southern Arizona. II: A winter/summer field study

Abstract Previous analysis of historical air quality data for the southern Arizona region (Linak and Peterson, 1981 Atmospheric Environment 15, 2421–2432) suggested that sulfur containing aerosol species have a significant impact on local visibility. A field monitoring program was therefore undertaken to further characterize the particle size and chemical distribution of atmospheric aerosols in the area. Measurements of various gaseous pollutants, meteorological conditions and light-scattering coefficient were also included. Separate studies during winter and summer months were made to discern seasonal changes in aerosol behavior. In addition to detailed analysis of data for selected days, statistical analysis of the entire data set was performed. It was found that, while localized visibility correlated best with large-particle aerosol volume, regional haze was most affected by small-particle (sub μm) aerosol volume.
A compact, fast UV photometer for measurement of ozone from research aircraft

Abstract. In situ measurements of atmospheric ozone (O3) are performed routinely from many research aircraft platforms. The most common technique depends on the strong absorption of ultraviolet (UV) light by ozone. As atmospheric science advances to the widespread use of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), there is an increasing requirement for minimizing instrument space, weight, and power while maintaining instrument accuracy, precision and time response. The design and use of a new, dual-beam, UV photometer instrument for in situ O3 measurements is described. A polarization optical-isolator configuration is utilized to fold the UV beam inside the absorption cells, yielding a 60-cm absorption length with a 30-cm cell. The instrument has a fast sampling rate (2 Hz at
Critical role for perforin- and Fas-dependent killing of dendritic cells in the control of inflammation

After stimulation of antigen-specific T cells, dendritic cell (DCs) are susceptible to killing by these activated T cells that involve perforin and Fas-dependent mechanisms. Fas-dependent DC apoptosis has been shown to limit DC accumulation and prevent the development of autoimmunity. However, a role for perforin in the maintenance of DC homeostasis for immune regulation remains to be determined. Here we show that perforin deficiency in mice, together with the deletion of Fas in DCs (perforin−/−DC-Fas−/−), led to DC accumulation, uncontrolled T-cell activation, and IFN-γ production by CD8+ T cells, resulting in the development of lethal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Consistently, adoptive transfer of Fas−/− DCs induced over-activation and IFN-γ production in perforin−/− CD8+ T cells. Neutralization of IFN-γ prevented the spreading of inflammatory responses to different cell types and protected the survival of perforin−/−DC-Fas−/− mice. Our data suggest that perforin and Fas synergize in the maintenance of DC homeostasis to limit T cell activation, and prevent the initiation of an inflammatory cascade.
Stellar Coronal Abundances. V. Evidence for the First Ionization Potential Effect in α Centauri

We present an analysis of the EUV spectrum of the nearby binary α Cen AB (G2 V, K0 V), observed by the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite (EUVE). Emission measure curves are constructed for elements with high and low first ionization potential (FIP) in order to investigate the coronal composition and determine whether or not a solar-like compositional fractionation mechanism ("FIP effect") is operating in the corona of α Cen. As pointed out in the recent analysis of the α Cen EUVE spectra by Mewe et al., the emission measure distribution is very much like that of the Sun. It peaks at log T ~ 6.3, has a minimum near log T ~ 5.5, and has a slope between these points of approximately 1.75 (EM ∝ T7/4). The emission measure results for the different elements are not consistent with the underlying photospheric composition and indicate that the low-FIP elements are overabundant relative to the high-FIP elements by a factor of about 2. This result represents the first evidence of the FIP effect in solar-like stars with similar activity to that of the Sun. We also discuss the recently raised possibility that resonant scattering of line radiation might be important in EUV stellar spectra like that of α Cen. We conclude that this is unlikely and that the results of global plasma model-fitting techniques that have engendered this hypothesis have not taken into account the flux from spectral lines that are missing from current models of plasma radiative loss.
Thinking Like a Scientist About Real-World Problems: The Cornell Institute for Research on Children Science Education Program.

Abstract We describe a new educational program developed by the Cornell Institute for Research on Children (CIRC), a research and outreach center funded by the National Science Foundation. Thinking Life A Scientist targets students from groups historically underrepresented in science (i.e., girls, people of color, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds), and trains these individuals to reason scientifically about everyday problems. In contrast to programs that are content based and which rely on disciplinary concepts and vocabulary within a specific domain of science (e.g., biology), Thinking Like A Scientist is domain-general and attempts to promote the transfer of scientific reasoning. Although the full evaluation of Thinking Like A Scientist must await more data, this article introduces the conceptual basis for the program and provides descriptions of its core themes and implementation.
Nonpecuniary Job Preferences and Welfare Losses among Migrant Agricultural Workers

Effects of nonprovision of job benefits and desirable working conditions are examined empirically for a sample of Mexican-American and illegal alien migrant agricultural workers. Welfare losses are identified in that the monetary value to workers of some absent benefits is greater than the cost to farm employers of providing the benefits. Workers' preferences for nonpecuniary benefits are also examined by socioeconomic characteristics. Illegal aliens exhibit equal or greater preference for fourteen of the fifteen nonpecuniary items under consideration.
Associations Between Family and Interpersonal Processes and Emerging Adult Marital Paradigms: Does Adult Attachment Mediate?

Current research on predictors of marital attitudes highlights the importance of family and interpersonal processes, yet fails to identify which factors are more important and whether there are mediators that help to conceptually simplify the process by which such attitudes are influenced. We examine the influence of family-of-origin quality and past romantic relationships on three specific marital paradigms, as well as the mediating role adult attachment may play in these associations. We used a sample of 1,210 single heterosexual males (23 %) and females (77 %), age 18–30 years, who took the READY assessment. Results indicated that family-of-origin quality, attachment style, and past romantic relationships are all associated with emerging adult marital paradigms, with attachment avoidance having the most significant overall relationship with the outcomes. Results also indicated that adult attachment acts as a significant mediator between family/interpersonal processes and marital paradigm outcomes. Conclusions, limitations, and implications are discussed.
Scientific reading in Qatari preparatory independent schools

Qatar’s educational reform has been in progress for over ten years, and its many changes have affected reading programs and thus students’ reading achievement. One important change was the language of instruction in mathematics and science; students who were previously taught science in Arabic had to switch to English as the new language of instruction. Two years ago, another decision was taken by the Supreme Education Council to change the language of instruction from English back to Arabic for mathematics and science. The change in the language of instruction made scientific reading in both languages more challenging and less appealing for students. Students within Qatar’s public system are finding it difficult to read, and even those who do read are usually reading by sounding out words but not necessarily understanding the overall meaning of the passage they are reading. It is important to look at how students are being taught reading since the way they are taught has an important role in how students...
Rett syndrome: an eye-tracking study of attention and recognition memory.

Aim The aim of this study was to examine attention and recognition memory for faces and patterns in Rett syndrome, a severely disabling neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene. Method Because Rett syndrome impairs speech and hand use, precluding most neuropsychological testing, the visual paired-comparison paradigm (VPC) was used, together with eye tracking. In the VPC, two identical stimuli are presented for familiarization. On test, the familiar stimulus and a new one are paired, and recognition inferred from preferential looking to the novel target. Attention is measured by looking time, gaze dispersion, and number/length of fixations. Twenty-seven female patients with Rett syndrome (mean age 10y 6mo; SD 6y 8mo, age range 2–22y) from the Rett clinic at a children's hospital were assessed in this study, along with 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing participants (outpatients from the same hospital). Results Although patients with Rett syndrome showed recognition of both faces and patterns, with novelty scores greater than chance (50%), their performance was significantly poorer than that of the typically developing comparison group. Their attention to both was less mature and marked by a more narrowly focused gaze, with fewer and longer fixations. When inspecting faces, attention to the eyes was similar in both groups; however, patients with Rett syndrome tended to ignore the nose and mouth. Interpretation This is one of the first studies to characterize attention and memory in individuals with Rett syndrome. Visually based techniques, such as the VPC, open a new avenue for quantifying the cognitive phenotype associated with this syndrome.