cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct electrical heating of metal tape substrates for coated conductor deposition

A novel resistance heater, in which electrical current flowing directly through the metallic tape substrate induces the heating, was designed for the growth of high temperature superconductor tapes by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// (YBCO) films grown on RABiTS (rolling assisted bi-axially textured substrates) show properties similar to those of PLD-grown films on substrates that were mounted on a heater block using silver paint. The advantages of this electrical heating method are presented, including the easily adjustable angle between the substrate surface and the plume direction. No physical contact to the back of the substrate is required in the deposition area, eliminating problems related to thermal conductivity, heater block roughness, or the use of silver paint.
Quantitative integration of genetic factors in the learning and production of canary song

Learned bird song is influenced by inherited predispositions. The canary is a model system for the interaction of genes and learning on behaviour, especially because some strains have undergone artificial selection for song. In this study, roller canaries (bred for low-pitched songs) and border canaries (whose song is higher pitched, similar to the wild-type) were interbred and backcrossed to produce 58 males that sorted into seven genetically distinct groups. All males were tutored with the same set of songs, which included both low- and high-pitched syllables. Individuals were consistent within genetic groups but differed between groups in the proportion of low- versus high-pitched syllables they learned and sang. Both sex-linked and autosomal factors affected song learning and song production, in an additive manner. Dominant Z-chromosome factors facilitated high-pitched syllable learning and production, whereas the sex-linked alleles associated with the switch to low-pitched syllables under artificial selection were largely recessive. With respect to autosomal effects, the most surprising result is that males in the same genetic group had almost identical repertoires. This result challenges two common preconceptions: that genetic changes at different loci lead to distinct phenotypic changes, and that genetic predispositions affect learning in simple and general ways. Rather, different combinations of genetic changes can be associated with the same phenotypic effect; and predispositions can be remarkably specific, such as a tendency to learn and sing one song element rather than another.
Establishment and Seedling Growth of Big Bluestem and Switchgrass Populations Divergently Selected for Seedling Tiller Number

Selection at the seedling stage in grass breeding would be extremely useful if seedling traits are correlated to desired agronomic traits. The objective of this study was to evaluate seedling morphological development, plant growth, and field establishment of big blue stem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) populations that were developed by divergent selection for seedling tiller number while selecting for high shoot weight. Six populations were evaluated: (i) 'Pawnee' big bluestem base, (ii) 'Pathfinder' switchgrass base, (iii) big bluestem multiple tiller, (iv) big bluestem single tiller, (v) switchgrass multiple tiller, and (vi) switchgrass single tiller. Field plots were seeded in spring 1999 and 2000 in a Kennebec silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Cumulic Hapludolls). Plants were excavated and evaluated during the growing season for shoot weight, root weight, and morphological stage of shoot and root systems. There were no major population differences in shoot weight, root weight, and morphological root stage. Shoot stage was higher for multiple tiller populations than single tiller populations 6 wk after emergence. Stand counts for all populations exceeded 10 seedlings per linear m of row, which is considered an acceptable stand density, and there were no consistent differences among populations. Populations divergently selected for seedling tiller number did not differ in ability to become established under field conditions because root systems apparently were not altered by the selection for seedling tiller number and weight. These results suggest that selection for high shoot weight did not improve seedling vigor in the field.
A dynamic expression survey identifies transcription factors relevant in mouse digestive tract development

Tissue-restricted transcription factors (TFs), which confer specialized cellular properties, are usually identified through sequence homology or cis-element analysis of lineage-specific genes; conventional modes of mRNA profiling often fail to report non-abundant TF transcripts. We evaluated the dynamic expression during mouse gut organogenesis of 1381 transcripts, covering nearly every known and predicted TF, and documented the expression of approximately 1000 TF genes in gastrointestinal development. Despite distinctive structures and functions, the stomach and intestine exhibit limited differences in TF genes. Among differentially expressed transcripts, a few are virtually restricted to the digestive tract, including Nr2e3, previously regarded as a photoreceptor-specific product. TFs that are enriched in digestive organs commonly serve essential tissue-specific functions, hence justifying a search for other tissue-restricted TFs. Computational data mining and experimental investigation focused interest on a novel homeobox TF, Isx, which appears selectively in gut epithelium and mirrors expression of the intestinal TF Cdx2. Isx-deficient mice carry a specific defect in intestinal gene expression: dysregulation of the high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor and cholesterol transporter scavenger receptor class B, type I (Scarb1). Thus, integration of developmental gene expression with biological assessment, as described here for TFs, represents a powerful tool to investigate control of tissue differentiation.
Role of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Objective:To examine the role of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).Data Sources:A MEDLINE search (1966–April 2008) of the English-language literature was performed using the search terms carnitine, diabetes, nerve, and neuropathy. Studies identified were then cross-referenced for their citations.Study Selection and Data Extraction:The search was limited to clinical trials, meta-analyses, and reviews addressing the use of ALC for the treatment of DPN. Studies that included other disease states that could cause peripheral neuropathy were excluded. Two large clinical studies that used ALC for the treatment of DPN were identified. No case studies were identified.Data Synthesis:The results from 2 published clinical trials Involving 1679 subjects were included. Subjects who received at least 2 g daily of ALC showed decreases in pain scores. One study showed improvements in electrophysiologic factors such as nerve conduction velocities, while the other did not. Pat...
Trunk Flexion in Healthy Children Aged 3 to 7 Years

I tested 80 male and 80 female subjects between the ages of 3 and 7 years on two exercises of isometric trunk flexor muscle strength (half-hold hooklying position and supine flexion position) and one exercise of isotonic trunk flexor muscle strength (hooklying sit-ups) to establish normative data for trunk flexor musculature capabilities. Measurements included the length of time the half-hold hooklying and supine flexion positions were maintained and the number of repetitions of sit-ups. I found no significant differences between the sexes in performance of the isometric tests. I did find, however, a significant difference between age groups for half-hold hooklying and supine flexion tests ( p < .0001), indicating that the ability to perform isometric trunk flexion improves with age. Height was another significant variable contributing to test results ( p < .0001). Children were able to perform sit-ups consistently at age 6 years only; the male subjects performed an average of 20 more sit-ups than the female subjects ( p < .04). I discuss in this article the possible contribution of neuromuscular maturation and physical growth to the development of normal trunk flexion. The results may be useful to clinicians to assess abnormal trunk flexion accurately in children aged 3 to 7 years.
hPDI: a database of experimental human protein-DNA interactions

Summary: The human protein DNA Interactome (hPDI) database holds experimental protein–DNA interaction data for humans identified by protein microarray assays. The unique characteristics of hPDI are that it contains consensus DNA-binding sequences not only for nearly 500 human transcription factors but also for >500 unconventional DNA-binding proteins, which are completely uncharacterized previously. Users can browse, search and download a subset or the entire data via a web interface. This database is freely accessible for any academic purposes. Availability: http://bioinfo.wilmer.jhu.edu/PDI/
Bacteriostatic, Fungistatic, and Algistatic Activity of Fatty Nitrogen Compounds

A total of 164 fatty nitrogen compounds, consisting of quaternary ammonium compounds, alkylamines, N-alkyl-1, 3-propylene diamines, substituted amino hydroxystearonitriles, substituted amino hydroxystearyl amines, and nitrogen-containing surfactants, were screened for bacteriostatic, fungistatic, and algistatic activity. The most active compounds were dodecylamine and dodecylamine acetate. A number of compounds were very active against gram-negative bacteria. Most of the surfactants were virtually nontoxic to all of the test organisms.
Older adults, computers, and the internet: Future directions

This article reviews existing literature on older adults’ interactions with computers and the Internet, and proposes questions and directions for future gerontechnology research. The first section of this paper briefly reviews existing human factors research on older adults’ interactions with computers and the Internet. The next two sections review research on barriers to and aids of older adults’ learning and use of computers and the Internet, and older adults’ attitudes toward, perceptions, and general usage of computers and the Internet, respectively. The fourth section summarizes available research on older adults’ interactions in computerized community networks. Finally, based on existing literature on this topic and informed by general theories of the interdisciplinary field of science and technology studies (STS), the fifth section proposes new questions and directions for future gerontechnology research.
Direct and correlated responses to artificial selection on acute thermal stress tolerance in a livebearing fish.

Tradeoffs in performance or fitness across environments have important implications regarding the nature of evolutionary constraints. It remains controversial whether tradeoffs such as these reflect genetic correlations that are genuine evolutionary constraints. However, if such long-term genetic constraints do exist, they must be due to underlying pleiotropy such that alleles that confer high performance in one environment invariably confer low per- formance in another. The distribution of genetic correlations within and among populations can provide insight about the existence of such pleiotropic tradeoffs. The long-term association of certain teleost fish taxa with particular abiotic environments suggests that tradeoffs in performance across environments have constrained the geographic distribution of those taxa. Here we report the results of an experiment in which we artificially selected on acute heat- and cold-stress tolerance in two stocks of the poeciliid fishHeterandria formosafrom source populations with different thermal histories. Unexpectedly, we observed no direct responses to selection. Under certain conditions, fish from the different source populations differed signif- icantly in cold tolerance, but not in heat tolerance. The results suggest there are no strong pleiotropic tradeoffs between heat- and cold-stress tolerance in these populations.
Accessory Slip of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris: A Cadaveric Assessment.

Background An accessory slip arising from the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon that inserts on the fifth metacarpal bone has been identified. We describe the frequency of this accessory slip arising from the ECU tendon and provide both qualitative and quantitative description of the slip via cadaveric examination. Methods Fifty (28 males and 22 females) cadaveric upper extremity specimens were examined after loupe-aided dissection of the dorsoulnar wrist and hand with identification of the ECU tendon. The presence of an accessory slip arising from the ECU tendon was noted. The insertion and morphology of the accessory slip was also described. Results An accessory slip arising from the ECU tendon at the level of the radiocarpal joint was found to insert on the fifth metacarpal bone in 11 (22%) specimens. Nine accessory slips inserted at the base of the fifth metacarpal (Nakashima Type A) and two inserted at the fifth metacarpal head (Nakashima Type C). Mean width of the accessory slip was 1.2 ± 0.4 mm. No evidence of sexual dimorphism was found regarding the morphology of the accessory slip. Conclusion The current study demonstrates the relative frequency and morphology of the accessory slip arising from the ECU tendon. This variant should be of diagnostic consideration in ailments of the dorsoulnar wrist and hand. Hand surgeons should be aware of this anatomic variant and its potential for clinical manifestation.
A synaptic signature for ON- and OFF-center parasol ganglion cells of the primate retina

In the primate retina, parasol ganglion cells contribute to the primary visual pathway via the magnocellular division of the lateral geniculate nucleus, display ON and OFF concentric receptive field structure, nonlinear spatial summation, and high achromatic temporal–contrast sensitivity. Parasol cells may be homologous to the alpha-Y cells of nonprimate mammals where evidence suggests that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated synaptic excitation as well as glycinergic disinhibition play critical roles in contrast sensitivity, acting asymmetrically in OFF- but not ON-pathways. Here, light-evoked synaptic currents were recorded in the macaque monkey retina in vitro to examine the circuitry underlying parasol cell receptive field properties. Synaptic excitation in both ON and OFF types was mediated by NMDA as well as α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)/kainate glutamate receptors. The NMDA-mediated current–voltage relationship suggested high Mg2+ affinity such that at physiological potentials, NMDA receptors contributed ~20% of the total excitatory conductance evoked by moderate stimulus contrasts and temporal frequencies. Postsynaptic inhibition in both ON and OFF cells was dominated by a large glycinergic “crossover” conductance, with a relatively small contribution from GABAergic feedforward inhibition. However, crossover inhibition was largely rectified, greatly diminished at low stimulus contrasts, and did not contribute, via disinhibition, to contrast sensitivity. In addition, attenuation of GABAergic and glycinergic synaptic inhibition left center–surround and Y-type receptive field structure and high temporal sensitivity fundamentally intact and clearly derived from modulation of excitatory bipolar cell output. Thus, the characteristic spatial and temporal–contrast sensitivity of the primate parasol cell arises presynaptically and is governed primarily by modulation of the large AMPA/kainate receptor-mediated excitatory conductance. Moreover, the negative feedback responsible for the receptive field surround must derive from a nonGABAergic mechanism.
NEST-SITE CHARACTERISTICS AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN MAGELLANIC PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS MAGELLANICUS)

We used cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental data to investigate the effects of habitat at the smallest spatial scale-the nest site-on reproductive success of Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Over an eight-year period, the amount of nest cover was positively correlated with fledging success. The same pairs tended to be more successful when they had more nest cover, and experimental increases and decreases in cov- er significantly affected survival of nest contents. Other characteristics of nest sites, such as nest type and type of vegetation over the nest, did not affect success. The positive effect of cover resulted mainly from reduced exposure of nest contents to predators during incuba- tion and to high temperatures when chicks were young. Roof cover was positively correlated with fledging success in nests from all areas. Cover on the sides of the nest giving the most protection from the sun was positively correlated with fledging success in warmer sites and with survival of young chicks in all areas. Young chicks at nests with less cover were more likely to move from their nests and to die on hot days. Experimental results indicated that the likelihood of egg detection by predators decreased with increasing nest cover. Height of nest entrance was a significant predictor of egg loss, suggesting that accessibility of nest contents to predators was an important component of predation risk. Thermal properties of nests and risk of predation were related; predation of nest contents was more likely when adults were absent, and during hot weather adults were more often absent from nests with little cover. Although the effect of cover on success was small relative to the large yearly variation in success due to food conditions, cover is likely to influence lifetime reproductive success substantially. Large and long-term data sets and experimental approaches may be necessary to identify subtle but biologically important factors among long-lived organisms that inhabit variable environments. Received 18 November 1996, accepted 29 May 1997.
Design and Synthesis of Nanoparticle Contrast Agents for Spectral (color) X-Ray Imaging

Computed tomography (CT) is an important tool in clinical diagnostic imaging enabling three-dimensional anatomic imaging at high spatial resolution with short scan times. However, X-ray attenuation differences in physiological fluids and soft tissues are relatively small, requiring the use of contrast agents to achieve sufficient imaging contrast. Recent advances in energy-sensitive X-ray detectors have made spectral (color) CT commercially feasible by unmixing the energy-dependent attenuation profile of different materials and will potentially enable molecular imaging in CT. In order to leverage these capabilities for diagnostic imaging, we are developing a spectral library of nanoparticle contrast agents with K-shell absorption edges spaced at least 10 keV apart. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the ability of spectral CT to simultaneously detect up to three different contrast agents and unmixed their signals to create color images. Gadolinium oxide (Gd), hafnium oxide (Hf) and gold (Au) were chosen due to exhibiting K-edges spaced 10–20 keV apart. Core-shell nanoparticles of each composition were synthesized by various methods to have a core diameter of 15–20 nm and were coated with a silica shell at least 2–4 nm in thickness to create a common platform for surface functionalization. The contrast agents were imaged in a soft tissue equivalent phantom using source-side method for spectral CT imaging. The source-side approach utilized monochromatic synchrotron radiation at the Argonne National Laboratory which, while not clinically applicable, served as a gold standard due to providing the highest spectral resolution. The nanoparticles designed for this study have broad applications in biomedical imaging due to their modular assembly, potential for enabling multi-modal detection, and surface functionalization with biomolecules (e.g., antibodies, peptides or enzymes) for active targeting.
Design of a Novel Si-Based Bionic Vector Hydrophone Based on Piezoresistive Effect

According to principle of piezoresistive effect, a novel bionic vector hydrophone based on silicon is designed. The design method of the vector hydrophone is introduced. The modality analysis has been used to the structure by ANSYS. The properties of the vector hydrophones has been measured both by vibration table and in calibration device at low-frequency. The measurement results on vibration table, the acceleration frequency response and sound pressure sensitivity are showed. In addition, the receiving sensitivity and directional pattern calibrated in the special device are also listed. By means of the measurement,the results not only prove the design method is justifiable, but also verify the vector hydrophone will be used to low-frequency acoustic measurement is feasible. It is proved that the receiving sensitivity of the vector hydrophone is -189.6 dB(0 dB=1 V/μPa) when it is tested at 500 Hz, which process directional pattern in form of "8"-shape.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Auxiliary Therapy Ameliorating Postoperative Dermal Wound Healing of Hypospadias

Objective To explore the effect of hyperbaric oxygen auxiliary therapy on postoperative hypospadias(post type) by promoting survival of transferred foreskin flap and preventing of urinary fistula.Methods Selecting hypospadias(post type) children(Dukett urethra angioplasty) whose age were 1-4 years in Wuhan Children′s Hospital from Jan.2006 to Dec.2010,200 cases treated with hyperbaric oxygen auxiliary therapy after surgery were the group of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the basis of using same antibiotics.The group of hyperba-ric oxygen therapy was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the 2nd day after surgery,and the course of treatment was 5 days,and pressure was 2.3 ATA(absolute pressure).This group was pressurized 20 min,with mask inhalation of pure oxygen 40 min(oxygen concentration of air in chamber 250 mL·L-1),interval inhaled air 10 min,and then inhaled pure oxygen 40 min,decompressed 33 min.The treatment was once a day,and every treating time was 143 min.Two hundred cases were selected without postoperative hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a control group.The children were detected with blood gas analysis on the 2nd day,and the 7th day after surgery,while observing survival condition of transferred foreskin flap and possibility of urinary fistula.Index included partial pressure of oxygen [pa(O2)],oxygen saturation [Sa(O2)] in finger peripheral blood,survival condition of transferred foreskin flap and possibility of urinary fistula.Results pa(O2) on the 2nd day and the 7th day after surgery were(93.33±2.50)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),(95.22±1.77) mmHg,and Sa(O2) were(94.86±1.61)%,(96.08±1.60)%.They were higher than those in control group(Pa0.05).Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promoted survival of transferred foreskin flap(cases of significant utility were 157 vs 136,P0.05),and reduced the possibility of occurrence of urinary fistula(14.0% vs 22.5%,P0.05).Conclusions Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly improve blood supply of ischemia,hypoxia tissue and enhance micro circulation by increasing blood oxygen content and pa(O2).Thereby it can contribute to survival of postoperative transferred foreskin flap and reduce possibility of urinary fistula.
Static and Dynamic Characterizaton of Interfacial Anisotropy in Magnetic Superlattices

We have observed large discrepancies between the DC magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) magnetic anisotropy in Mo/Ni superlattices. We show that higher order anisotropy is present in both measurements and develop an analysis by which the first order and second order energies can be treated independently. The low temperature results show a systematic divergence of the first order FMR and DC anisotropy as the Ni layer thickness decreases. It is shown that the source of the divergence is an enhanced surface anisotropy measured by FMR. Possible sources of this enhancement are discussed.
Terrorism Finance: Understanding the Financial Foundations of Contemporary Terrorism

On September 23, 2001, President George W. Bush issued an executive order on terrorist financing designed to—in the words of the White House—give the U.S. Government the tools needed to “reach the means by which terrorists and terrorist networks finance themselves.”1 In a Rose Garden ceremony held on the day of the order, President Bush stated that “we have launched a strike on the financial foundation of the global terror network.”2 He further warned that “we will starve the terrorists of funding, turn them against each other, rout them out of their safe hiding places and bring them to justice.”3 Among other things, the order prohibited U.S. transactions with at least 11 terrorist organizations, a dozen individuals (including Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri), 3 charitable organizations, and 1 corporate front organization.
Media use predictors of online political efficacy among Internet users in five Arab countries

Informed by research on the uses and gratifications of the Internet for political activity, this study examines predictors of online political efficacy among Internet users in five Arab countries (...
LArSoft: Toolkit for Simulation, Reconstruction and Analysis of Liquid Argon TPC Neutrino Detectors

LArSoft is a set of detector-independent software tools for the simulation, reconstruction and analysis of data from liquid argon (LAr) neutrino experiments The common features of LAr time projection chambers (TPCs) enable sharing of algorithm code across detectors of very different size and configuration. LArSoft is currently used in production simulation and reconstruction by the ArgoNeuT, DUNE, LArlAT, MicroBooNE, and SBND experiments. The software suite offers a wide selection of algorithms and utilities, including those for associated photo-detectors and the handling of auxiliary detectors outside the TPCs. Available algorithms cover the full range of simulation and reconstruction, from raw waveforms to high-level reconstructed objects, event topologies and classification. The common code within LArSoft is contributed by adopting experiments, which also provide detector-specific geometry descriptions, and code for the treatment of electronic signals. LArSoft is also a collaboration of experiments, Fermilab and associated software projects which cooperate in setting requirements, priorities, and schedules. In this talk, we outline the general architecture of the software and the interaction with external libraries and detector-specific code. We also describe the dynamics of LArSoft software development between the contributing experiments, the projects supporting the software infrastructure LArSoft relies on, and the core LArSoft support project.
Correlation of Total Bacterial and Vibrio spp. Populations between Fish and Water in the Aquaculture System

Fish-borne illness is associated with pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio spp., transmitted from contaminated aquaculture water to fish. But little is known about the correlation between water quality in aquaculture and subsequent bacterial contamination in fish products. The degree of bacterial transmission from Vibrio spp. contaminated aquaculture water to fish was investigated. V. anguillarum, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus were administered to aquaculture water and the amounts of Vibrio spp. and total bacteria in the aquaculture water and fish fillets were assessed using a multiplex real-time PCR assay. Following the challenge, the counts of total bacteria and Vibrio spp. simultaneously increased in both the water and fish fillets with levels of bacteria in the fish directly proportional to that in the water. The total bacterial population in the water decreased to pre-challenge levels over time. However, Vibrio spp. counts in fish fillets were nearly unchanged during the same time period. There is a strong correlation between the amount of bacteria that are present in aquaculture waters and those that can be observed in the subsequent fish muscle tissue. In addition, the numbers of Vibrio spp. in the random sampled aquaculture fish fillets were highly associated with the levels in the aquaculture water. Consequently, populations of total bacteria and Vibrio spp. in aquaculture water is highly correlated with bacterial number of aquacultured fish product, therefore the surveillance of Vibrio populations in the aquaculture water could be an indicator of the microbial contaminations of fish fillets.
Where's the Grass? Disappearing Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and Declining Water Quality in Lake Mattamuskeet

Abstract Major threats to aquatic systems such as shallow lakes can include declining water quality, the loss of macrophyte beds, and the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. Often, these changes go...
High-Reynolds-number flow

Having discussed viscous flow at low Reynolds numbers in Chapter 9, now we turn our attention to the diametrically opposite limit of inertia-dominated flow at high Reynolds numbers. Inspecting the changes in the structure of a flow with increasing Reynolds number, we encounter a rich phenomenology and a variety of transition protocols. In all cases, when the Reynolds number exceeds a critical threshold, flow instability sets in and a smallscale turbulent motion is established. The study of the structure and dynamics of flow at high Reynolds numbers encompasses several complementary topics including potential flow theory, boundary-layer analysis, hydrodynamic stability, turbulent flow, and vortex motion. Potential flow was discussed earlier in this book; boundary-layer theory, hydrodynamic stability, and turbulent motion are discussed in this chapter; vortex motion is the exclusive topic of Chapter 11.
NOT Gate Genetic Circuits to Control Gene Expression in Cyanobacteria

To downregulate gene expression in cyanobacteria, we constructed NOT gate genetic circuits using orthogonal promoters and their cognate repressors regulated translationally by synthetic riboswitches. Four NOT gates were tested and characterized in five cyanobacterial strains using fluorescent reporter-gene assays. In comparison to alternative systems used to downregulate gene expression in cyanobacteria, these NOT gates performed well, reducing YFP reporter expression by 4 to 50-fold. We further evaluated these NOT gates by controlling the expression of the ftsZ gene, which encodes a prokaryotic tubulin homologue that is required for cell division and is essential for Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. These NOT gates would facilitate cyanobacterial genetic engineering or the study of essential cellular processes.
Cyanthiwigin Natural Product Core as a Complex Molecular Scaffold for Comparative Late-Stage C-H Functionalization Studies.

The desire for maximally efficient transformations in complex molecule synthesis has contributed to a surge of interest in C–H functionalization methods development in recent years. In contrast to the steady stream of methodological reports, however, there are noticeably fewer studies comparing the efficacies of different C–H functionalization protocols on a single structurally intricate substrate. Recognizing the importance of heteroatom incorporation in complex molecule synthesis, this report discloses a comparative examination of diverse strategies for C–O, C–N, and C–X bond formation through late-stage C–H oxidation of the tricyclic cyanthiwigin natural product core. Methods for allylic C–H acetoxylation, tertiary C–H hydroxylation, tertiary C–H amination, tertiary C–H azidation, and secondary C–H halogenation are explored. These efforts highlight the robustness and selectivities of many well-established protocols for C–H oxidation when applied to a complex molecular framework, and the findings are re...
Distribution and predictors of urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and phenols among pregnant women in the Healthy Start Study

Abstract Background Phthalates and phenols are suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals that may adversely impact fetal outcomes following in utero exposure. Understanding predictors of exposure to phthalates and phenols during the prenatal period is important. Methods We measured urinary concentrations of 15 phthalate metabolites and 11 phenols in 446 pregnant women enrolled in the Healthy Start pre-birth cohort. Creatinine-adjusted geometric means (GM) for each urinary biomarker were compared across categories of potential sociodemographic and dietary predictors. To assess the independent relationship between each significant food group predictor and biomarker we used multivariable models, adjusted for sociodemographic predictors. Results The phthalate metabolites with the highest concentrations were monoethyl phthalate (GM: 41.1 µg/g creatinine) and monocarboxyisooctyl phthalate (GM: 20.5 µg/g creatinine). Benzophenone-3 (GM: 124.6 µg/g creatinine) and methyl paraben (GM: 119.9 µg/g creatinine) were the phenols with the highest concentrations. Concentrations of the metabolites of di-n-butyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were significantly higher in younger, unmarried or unemployed mothers, those who were overweight or obese, those with lower educational attainment, or those of minority race/ethnicity (p-values Conclusions We observed differences in urinary concentrations of phthalates and phenol biomarkers by sociodemographic predictors in an ethnically diverse cohort of pregnant women. These results and future analyses from this prospective cohort will help inform targeted interventions to reduce exposure to these potential endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy.
Polar Questions, Response Preference, and the Tasks of Political Positioning in Journalism

Polar questions encode grammatical and sometimes social preferences for a particular answer. This article examines the use of such preferences in journalism and in particular within political posit...
NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS FOR ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS: SURVEY AND SOME RECENT RESULTS ON DIFFERENCE METHODS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the numerical solution of boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations. It also presents a few recent results on differencemethods. A thorough study of truncated Chebyshev series approximations to the solution of subject to linear multi-points boundary conditions is given by Urabe. For isolated solutions, he has shown existence of a unique approximating polynomial and obtains error estimates. The point of smooth approximation is frequently made by advocates of projection, collocation, or series methods that shooting and difference methods yield only approximate solutions at discrete points as opposed to some piecewise smooth approximating solution defined over the entire interval [a, b]. It is not difficult to show that various shooting and finite difference schemesfor linear two point problems are, in principal, identical, that is, if various linear systems occurring in either procedure are solved exactly, the same numerical approximation results. In such cases, the basic problem is that of determining the most efficient stable procedure for solving the linear system. As regards to the operations in solving the linear systems, the collocation method gets worse, relative to the Box-scheme, as the order of the system increases and as the accuracy increases. Different estimates seem to show that shooting is more efficient than finite differences with the Box-scheme.
Simultaneous Identification and Quantification of Anthraquinones, Polydatin, and Resveratrol in Polygonum multiflorum, Various Polygonum Species, and Dietary Supplements by Liquid Chromatography and Microscopic Study of Polygonum Species

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with ultraviolet absorption detection was developed to determine the presence of anthraquinones, polydatin, and resveratrol in Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. as well as other medicinal Polygonum species, viz., P. cuspidatum, P. oriental, P. aviculare, and P. vulgare, as well as commercial products that claim to contain P. multiflorum. The best results were obtained with a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column using gradient mobile phase composed of water (0.1% acetic acid) and acetonitrile (0.1% acetic acid). Elution was at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was 280 nm for anthraquinones and 320 nm for polydatin and resveratrol. The main anthraquinones identified were emodin and physcion. The HPLC pattern of P. multiflorum was also compared with 5 other species of Polygonum. The method was validated for precision, repeatability, and accuracy. The relative standard deviation was between 0.9 and 1.6%. The method was sensitive, quick, and accurate for determination of anthraquinones, polydatin, and resveratrol in 6 different species of Polygonum and can be used for quality control of P. multiflorum. The commercial samples and the 6 Polygonum species were compared microscopically, and a detailed description is provided for P. multiflorum.
Non-REM (Thalamocortical) Sleep

The type of sleep traditionally called ‘Non-REM sleep’ has major thalamocortical sleep (TCS) pathway activities that explain TCS waveforms on the polysomnogram (PSG). As currently scored, normative TCS comprises 80% of human sleep, and appears to be complex in its structure and functions, across health and illness. The nature of neural network interactions during TCS serves to explain how TCS can be considered as an essential mode of consciousness distinct from coma or seizures.
MicroRNA (miR) 203a as a biomarker of response to immunotherapy of HPV related cervical cancer.

e17508Background: After demonstrating therapeutic potential of anti-HPV E6 monoclonal antibody (mAb C1P5) compared to isotype control mAb (MopC21) in a murine model of HPV cervical cancer, we sough...
Successful ageing or resilient ageing: perceptions from elderly Chinese in Hawai’i

Increasing studies document the discrepancy between scholarly criteria of successful ageing versus subjective perceptions of successful ageing among older adults. To address this gap, this study ai...
Integrating mixed methods approaches in counseling outcome research

Mixed methods research has the ability to help explore the complex contexts and experiences of individuals within counseling, which in turn will enhance our understanding of evidence-based treatments. Mixed methods research can answer the what, when, and how questions that are important in implementing effective interventions. Yet, given the complexity of mixed methods research, it can easily be implemented incorrectly, limiting its application. Integral steps to conducting mixed methods research include determining a theoretical lens, selecting methodologies, and determining integration procedures in sampling strategies, data analysis, or interpretation of results. Using mixed methods research to better understand the impact mental health professionals have with the clients and students they serve can surpass using quantitative or qualitative methodologies in isolation.
Ecological correlates of adolescent attempted suicide

Rates of adolescent attempted suicide were correlated with social indicators over the electoral wards of Edinburgh (Scotland). Rates were found to be higher in wards where child neglect and misbehavior were more common. Rates of attempted suicide in the total population also were related to the housing pattern/social class of the wards. The importance of identifying similarities and differences in the patterns of suicidal behavior of adolescents and adults was noted. Language: en
VeDebug: regression debugging tool for Java

Developers spend substantial time debugging their programs, yet debugging is still one of the most tedious activities. Interactive debuggers have been around for as long as computing, but the way they are used---set a breakpoint, reason about the state, step into/over---has not substantially changed. The last big discoveries, which happened decades ago, include visual debugging (e.g., DDD) and time-travel debugging. Although existing interactive debugging tools provide useful and powerful features, they are limited to a single program execution, e.g., a developer can only see data values and navigate the control flow of a single program execution at a time. We present VeDebug, the first video-based time-travel regression debugging tool to advance users' debugging experience. VeDebug introduces two unique features: (1) regression debugging, i.e., setting a "divergence breakpoint" (which "breaks" the execution whenever the control flow of the current execution diverges from the flow of a previously captured execution), and (2) video debugging, which provides features similar to those of a video player (e.g., speed up/slow down the replay). The demo video for VeDebug can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOiGrE_sc10.
TuD2.2 - Multi Tone Continuous Wave Lidar (Invited)

Multi-tone continuous wave LIDAR with interferometric detection will be presented. Experimental demonstrations of range finding and velocimetry measurements will be shown. Potential AI methods that can optimize the number of RF tones and provide high resolution ranging will be discussed.
Uterine Blood Flow during Early Pregnancy in Ewes: Interaction between the Conceptus and the Ovary Bearing the Corpus Luteum

To determine if a transient increase in uterine blood flow (BF) and estradiol-17 beta (E2 beta) secretion occurs during maternal recognition of pregnancy in ewes (as previously observed for sows and cows), 40 nonpregnant (NP) ewes were assigned in equal numbers to surgery on d 9, 11, 13 or 15 postestrus (d 0 = day of estrus). For 20 NP ewes (five/day), each uterine horn (UH) was flushed with saline and uterine flushings (UF) collected. For the remaining 20 ewes, BF was determined for each UH using electromagnetic transducers, and samples of uterine arterial (UA) and uterine venous (UV) blood were obtained from each UH. After an intervening cycle, each ewe was mated, subjected to surgery on the same day postmating as during her previous nonmated cycle, and BF measurements and UA and UV samples were obtained. In addition, each UH of pregnant (P) ewes was flushed and the location of conceptuses was determined. Concentrations of E2 beta and progesterone (P4) in UA and E2 beta in UV and UF were determined by radioimmunoassay. For NP ewes, BF (ml/min) was not different for UH ipsilateral or contralateral to the ovary bearing the corpus luteum (CL), and did not differ across days, averaging 6.5 +/- .4. For P ewes, BF to UH contralateral to the ovary bearing the CL on all days and BF to UH ipsilateral to ovaries bearing CL on d 9 was similar to BF of either UH of NP ewes, averaging 6.8 +/- .6. On d 11, 13 and 15 of pregnancy, BF to UH ipsilateral to the ovary bearing CL was elevated (P less than .01) twofold (13.3 +/- .9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Transitioning youth with autism spectrum disorders and other special health care needs into adult primary care: A provider survey:

Health care continuity during the transition from pediatric to adult care is critical to helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders manage complex medical and psychiatric co-morbidities tha...
Ease of use, feasibility and inter-rater reliability of the refined Cue Utilization and Engagement in Dementia (CUED) mealtime video-coding scheme.

Aims To refine the Cue Utilization and Engagement in Dementia mealtime video-coding scheme and examine its ease of use, feasibility, and inter-rater reliability in assessing the food intake process and dyadic verbal and nonverbal interactions. Design This study was a secondary analysis of 110 videotaped observations of mealtime interactions collected under usual care conditions from a dementia communication trial during 2011-2014. Methods The videos involved 29 staff and 25 residents with dementia (42 unique staff-resident dyads) in nine nursing homes. Data coding and analysis were performed in 2018-2019. Logs of coding challenges with matched solutions and coding time were collected. Inter-rater reliability was examined through rating of randomly selected 22 videos across four trained coders. Results It took a mean of 10.81 hr to code a one-hour video using the refined coding scheme. Coding challenges, including identification of key intake process characteristics and differentiation of similar verbal or nonverbal behaviours, were identified with appropriate solutions. The refined coding scheme had good inter-rater reliability (Cohen's Kappa range = 0.93 - 0.99, 95% CI = 0.92 - 0.99). Conclusion Findings supported preliminary evidence on feasibility, usability and inter-rater reliability of the refined coding scheme. Future psychometric testing is needed in diverse populations with dementia across different care settings. Impact Existing tools assessing the food intake process and dyadic interactions are few and have limited feasibility and/or reliability and fail to capture the complexity and dynamics of mealtime care. The refined coding scheme showed preliminary feasibility, usability, and inter-rater reliability. In consideration of the balance between time intensity and the richness of data obtained, the tool may be appropriate and useful in addressing certain research inquires (e.g., characterizing and clustering dyadic behaviours, temporal relationship between behaviours and intake) pertaining older adults with or without dementia and their formal or informal caregivers.
Disproportionate Need as a Factor Explaining Racial Disproportionality in the CW System

This chapter explores the close association between poverty and child maltreatment. We review evidence demonstrating that this is a real association, and is not substantially attributable to confounding issues such as surveillance bias. An overwhelming body of literature has established that child maltreatment is far more common among the poor individuals and in geographically poor areas. Recent work using more advanced methods such as propensity score matching and randomized controlled trials suggests that this association may be partly causal in nature. We then look closely at issues of racial disproportionality both with and without income or poverty controls. The research is generally consistent in showing that the nearly two to one disproportionality in overreporting of Black children compared to White children disappears or even reverses when income and other risk factors are controlled for. So long as Black families are disproportionately poor, it is likely that Black children will be reported to the child welfare system at higher base rates than White children.
Induced Innovation and Social Inequality: Evidence from Infant Medical Care

We develop a model of induced innovation where research effort is a function of the death rate, and thus the potential to reduce deaths in the population. We also consider potential social consequences that arise from this form of induced innovation based on differences in disease prevalence across population subgroups (i.e. race). Our model yields three empirical predictions. First, initial death rates and subsequent research effort should be positively correlated. Second, research effort should be associated with more rapid mortality declines. Third, as a byproduct of targeting the most common conditions in the population as a whole, induced innovation leads to growth in mortality disparities between minority and majority groups. Using information on infant deaths in the U.S. between 1983 and 1998, we find support for all three empirical predictions. We estimate that induced innovation predicts about 20 percent of declines in infant mortality over this period. At the same time, innovation that occurred in response to the most common causes of death favored the majority racial group in the U.S., whites. We estimate that induced innovation contributed about one third of the rise in the black-white infant mortality ratio during our period of study.