cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insight into Cross-Amyloid Interactions and Morphologies: Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Model Peptide Fragments of Amyloid-β (Aβ16-22) and Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP20-29)

Amyloid-beta (A{beta}) and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) are small peptides, classified as amyloids, that have the potential to self-assemble and form cytotoxic species, such as small soluble oligomers and large insoluble fibrils. The formation of A{beta} aggregates facilitates the progression of Alzheimers disease (AD), while IAPP aggregates induce pancreatic {beta}-cell apoptosis, leading to exacerbation of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Cross-amyloid interactions between A{beta} and IAPP have been described both in vivo and in vitro, implying the role of A{beta} or IAPP as modulators of cytotoxic self-aggregation of each peptide, and suggesting that A{beta}-IAPP interactions are a potential molecular link between AD and T2D. Using molecular dynamics simulations, "hot spot" regions of the two peptides were studied to understand the formation of hexamers in a heterogenous and homogenous peptide-containing environment. Systems of only A{beta}(16-22) peptides formed antiparallel, {beta}-barrel-like structures, while systems of only IAPP(20-29) peptides formed stacked, parallel beta strands and had relatively unstable aggregation structures after 2 s of simulation time. Systems containing both A{beta} and IAPP (1:1 ratio) hexamers showed antiparallel, {beta}-barrel-like structures, with an interdigitated arrangement of A{beta}(16-22) and IAPP(20-29). These {beta}-barrel structures have features of cytotoxic amyloid species identified in previous literature. Ultimately, this work seeks to provide atomistic insight into both the mechanism behind cross-amyloid interactions and structural morphologies of these toxic amyloid species. Statement of SignificanceMolecular knowledge, biophysical characterization, structural morphologies, and formation pathways of amyloid oligomers - specifically low-molecular weight, cross-amyloid oligomers - remain preliminary and undefined. Characterizing interactions between homogenous and heterogenous amyloid oligomers is of great interest given that certain oligomer morphologies contribute to cytotoxicity, eventually resulting in comorbid diseases such as Alzheimers disease (AD) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Utilizing model systems (e.g., fragments of full-length peptides) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to probe the biophysical underpinnings of cross-amyloid oligomer structures is the first step in understanding the dynamics, stability, and potential modes of cytotoxicity of these species, providing important insights into targetable biomolecular structures.
A Single-Cell Approach Reveals Variation in Cellular Phage-Producing Capacities

Virus burst size, a component of viral fitness, is the average number of viral particles released from a single infected cell. In this study, we estimated bacteriophage lambda ({lambda}) burst size mean and distribution at different lysis times. To estimate phage {lambda} burst sizes at single-cell level, we employed a lysis-deficient E. coli lysogen, which allowed chemical lysis at desired times after the induction of lytic cycle. Induced cultures of E. coli lysogen were diluted and aliquoted into the wells of 96-well plates. A high dilution rate results in mostly empty wells and minimizes the probability of having multiple cells in wells that do receive cells. Burst size was estimated by titering single-cell lysates obtained after chemical lysis at desired times. Our data shows that the viral burst size initially increases exponentially with the lysis time, and then saturates at longer lysis times. We also demonstrate that cell-to-cell variation or "noise" in lysis timing does not significantly contribute to the burst size noise. The burst size noise remains constant with increasing mean burst size. The most likely explanation for the experimentally observed constant burst size noise is that cell-to-cell differences in burst size originate from differences in cellular capacity to produce phages. The mean burst size measured at different lysis times is positively correlated to cell volume, which may determine the cellular phage production capacity. However, experiments controlling for cell size indicates that there are other factors in addition to cell size that determine this cellular capacity. ARTICLE IMPORTANCEPhages produce offspring by hijacking a cells replicative machinery. Previously, it was noted that the variation in the number of phages produced by single infected cells far exceeded cell size variation. It has been hypothesized that this variation is a consequence of variation in the timing of host cell lysis. Here we show that cell-to-cell variation in lysis timing does not significantly contribute to the burst size variation. We suggest that the constant burst size variation across different host lysis times results from cell-to-cell differences in capacity to produce phages. We find that the mean burst size measured at different lysis times is positively correlated to cell volume, which may determine the cellular phage production capacity. However, experiments controlling for cell size indicates that there are other factors in addition to cell size that determine this cellular capacity.
A riparian conservation network for ecological resilience

A crucial gap exists between the static nature of the United States' existing protected areas and the dynamic impacts of 21st century stressors, such as habitat loss and fragmentation and climate change. Connectivity is a valuable element for bridging that gap and building the ecological resilience of existing protected areas. However, creating terrestrial connectivity by designing individual migration corridors across fragmented landscapes is arguably untenable at a national scale. We explore the potential for use of riverine corridors in a Riparian Connectivity Network (RCN) as a potential contributor to a more resilient network of protected areas. There is ample scientific support for the conservation value of riparian areas, including their habitat, their potential to connect environments, and their ecosystem services. Our spatial analysis suggests that they could connect protected areas and have a higher rate of conservation management than terrestrial lands. Our results illustrate that the spatial backbone for an RCN is already in place, and existing policies favor riparian area protection. Furthermore, existing legal and regulatory goals may be better served if governance requirements and incentives are aligned with conservation efforts focused on riparian connectivity, as part of a larger landscape connectivity strategy. While much research on the effectiveness of riparian corridors remains to be done, the RCN concept provides a way to improve connectivity among currently protected areas. With focused attention, increased institutional collaboration, and improved incentives, these pieces could coalesce into a network of areas for biological conservation.
Leading students through the management theory jungle by following the path of the seminal theorists: A paradigmatic approach

The “management theory jungle” described by Koontz appears to be overrun with even more theoretical undergrowth than when he wrote his seminal critiques of the state of this body of knowledge more than 40 years ago. This article endeavors to provide a clear and fairly narrow path through that jungle, using the seminal thinkers in management as our guides. It recommends adopting a paradigm‐based approach to the management discipline rather than struggling through the jungle of multiple theories and “schools of thought”. This approach satisfies the criteria set forth by Koontz to bring much needed clarification to the discipline of management. Specifically this approach: restricts the discipline to a manageable size; uses its simple and straightforward terminology; and gives direction to teaching and research. The article concludes with a discussion of some ideas on how to teach management using this paradigmatic approach.
Integrating tools and resources: a case study in building educational groupware for collaborative programming

This paper presents design implications for educational groupware as revealed by GHT (Group Homework Tool), a same time different place groupware tool built to support synchronous, collaborative coding among novice programmers. We detail the design, implementation, evaluation, and redesign of GHT, focusing on the issues of awareness, control, evaluation and scaffolding. GHT capitalizes on trends of technology and collaboration in the traditional learning environment by supporting distance learning, remote access to TAs and tutors, and facilitating co-located and remote group work. Constructing such software for a computer science curriculum provides unique challenges as one must integrate the tools used by a programmer, the resources used by a learner, and the widgets used to support group interaction. By combining common groupware components with our own shared editor we were able to exploit the educational benefits in a modified version of extreme programming [1]. Our research informs future design efforts by building upon previous investigations of integrated, cooperative software in a learning environment [11, 13, 12].
Intracranial schwannoma as atypical facial pain

Abstract Facial pain is a common complaint that leads those who have it to seek professional help. Oftentimes, the general dentist is the first clinician that a patient consults because of a presumed odontogenic origin of the pain. Occasionally a small number of these patients will be found to have an intracranial tumor. The case reported here is one such patient who was diagnosed and treated for a seventh nerve schwannoma.
Alienation: Social relations as subject matter

The only extensive discussion of Marx's concepts (or categories) and the conception of social reality which finds expression in them appears in his unfinished Introduction to the Critique of Political Economy . This seminal work, which was first published by Karl Kautsky in 1903, has been unjustly ignored by most Anglo-Saxon writers on Marxism. Here we learn that ‘In the study of economic categories, as in the case of every historical and social science, it must be borne in mind that as in reality so in our mind the subject, in this case modern bourgeois society, is given and that the categories are therefore but forms of expression, manifestations of existence, and frequently but one-sided aspects of this subject, this definite society.’ This distinction between subject and categories is simple recognition of the fact that our knowledge of the real world is mediated through the construction of concepts in which to think about it; our contact with reality, in so far as we become aware of it, is contact with a conceptualized reality. What is unusual in Marx's statement is the special relation he posits between categories and society. Instead of being simply a means for describing capitalism (neutral vehicles to carry a partial story), these categories are declared to be ‘forms’, ‘manifestations’ and ‘aspects’ of their own subject matter. Or, as he says elsewhere in this Introduction, the categories of bourgeois society ‘serve as the expression of its conditions and the comprehension of its own organization’.
I Put You There: User-Generated Content and Anticircumvention

This Article discusses recent rulemaking proceedings before the Copyright Office concerning the anticircumvention provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). During these proceedings, non-institutionally affiliated artists organized to assert their interests in making fair use of existing works, adding new voices to the debate. A proposed exemption for noncommercial remix video is justified to address the in terrorem effect of anticircumvention law on fair use. Without an exemption, fair users are subjected to a digital literacy test combined with a digital poll tax, and this regime suppresses fair use. The experience of artists (vidders) confronting the law illustrates both the perils of modern copyright lawmaking and the promise of greater artistic involvement and advocacy. Vidders and other fair users can use the rulemaking process to achieve at least partial access to the power of the law by forcing policymakers to confront the people whose speech is threatened by ever-greater copyright protection.
Cytokine Response Is Determined by Duration of Receptor and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 3 (STAT3) Activation

Paradoxically, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 both activate STAT3, yet generate nearly opposing cellular responses. Here, we show that the temporal pattern of STAT3 activation codes for the specific cytokine response. A computational model of IL-6 and IL-10 signaling predicted that IL-6 stimulation results in transient activation of STAT3, with a rapid decline in phosphorylation and nuclear localization. In contrast, simulated IL-10 signaling resulted in sustained STAT3 activation. The predicted STAT3 patterns produced by each cytokine were confirmed experimentally in human dendritic cells. Time course microarray studies further showed that the dynamic genome-wide transcriptional responses were nearly identical at early time points following stimulation (when STAT3 is active in response to both IL-6 and IL-10) but divergent at later times (when STAT3 is active only in response to IL-10). Truncating STAT3 activation after IL-10 stimulation caused IL-10 to elicit an IL-6–like transcriptional and secretory response. That the duration of IL-10 receptor and STAT3 activation can direct distinct responses reveals a complex cellular information-coding mechanism that may be relevant to improving the prediction of the effects of drug candidates using this mechanism. Background: Interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 both activate the same signaling mediator, STAT3, yet generate nearly opposing responses. Results: Interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 signaling lead to different durations of STAT3 activation and consequently distinct responses. Conclusion: The duration of receptor and STAT3 activation determines the specific cytokine response. Significance: This work reveals a signaling coding mechanism that relieves a cellular information bottleneck.
Taking the long view of deterrence

One of the most interesting aspects of deterrence during the Cold War is how East – West, particularly superpower, deterrence gradually took on many of the trappings of a resource for international...
Molecular Dynamics Study of Explosive Crystallization of SiGe and Boron-Doped SiGe Alloys

Explosive crystallization of SiGe alloys and boron-doped SiGe alloys is studied using a special molecular dynamics construction developed by the authors. For the case of Si1-xGex alloys, the simulations indicate that explosive crystallization should occur over the entire compositional range of Si1-xGex alloys at velocities high enough to prevent Ge segregation. The results show qualitative agreement with experimental results for Si-rich systems: Over a range of 0−25% germanium, the simulations predicted a nonlinear decrease in velocity that roughly matches the slope and extent of the rapid drop in interface velocity observed experimentally. An analogous investigation of boron-doped Si1-xGex alloys showed that the limit of incorporation of boron during explosive crystallization is strongly dependent on the amount of germanium present and that explosive crystallization is capable of limiting transient enhanced diffusion throughout the crystallization process.
Enhanced bulk catalyst dissolution for self-healing materials

A model was developed to aid in the selection of healing monomers that can rapidly dissolve catalysts in self-healing materials. Predictions are made regarding dissolution rates of Grubbs' catalyst in a small library of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)-active norbornenyl-based healing monomers. The Grubbs' catalyst and the healing monomers were experimentally assigned sets of Hansen parameters, and it was observed that healing monomers and blends of monomers with parameters similar to the catalyst were able to rapidly dissolve the catalyst. The model is limited in its ability to predict dissolution trends of healing monomers with substantially different viscosities.
Prevention of permanent arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction alone or combined with associated procedures: a prospective study in 443 knees.

We prospectively determined the effectiveness of an immediate knee motion and early intervention program to prevent permanent motion limitations in a consecutive series of patients who had anterior cruciate ligament autogenous patellar tendon reconstruction for isolated rupture (219 knees) or combined with other procedures (224 knees). The subjects were placed into either a progressive or delayed rehabilitation program and were followed for at least 12 months postoperatively. At follow-up a normal range of motion (0° to at least 135°) was found in 436 knees (98%), and mild losses of extension (–5°) were found in 7 knees. Twenty-three knees (5%) required interventions; 9 had extension casts, 9 had gentle manipulations under anesthesia, 3 had arthroscopic debridements, and 2 had continuous epidural anesthetic and inpatient therapy. All of these 23 knees regained full motion. The 7 patients with mild losses of extension had refused treatment intervention. The 0% incidence rate of permanent arthrofibrosis, and 0.7% reoperation rate for knee motion limitations, demonstrated the effectiveness of our program.
Chlamydospore formation in ‘Phytophthora palmivora’ MF4

Six of the 29 isolates of ‘P. palmivora’ MF4 examined formed abundant chlamydospores in agar media and/or on mycelial mats submerged in water. Our data revealed the hitherto unreported formation of chlamydospores in the macadamia isolate which was named P. capsici by Kunimoto et al. The mean chlamydospore diam of the six isolates ranged from 27 to 29 μm. Viability of chlamydospores ranged from 92 to 97%, but germination of viable spores was low in most media tested. The postgrowth incubation temperatures greatly affected chlamydospore production, with 15°C being the optimum. Like the majority of the ‘P. palmivora’ MF4 isolates examined, none of the 25 P. capsici isolates tested produced chlamydospores. If ‘P. palmivora’ MF4 is indeed P. capsici as considered by some workers, our data constitute the first report of chlamydospore formation in this species and the species description of P. capsici should be revised. It also suggests that the absence of chlamydospores can no longer be viewed as an important criterion for merging ‘P. palmivora’ MF4 with P. capsici, for positive identification of P. capsici, or for distinguishing it from other morphologically similar species.
THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON MAINTENANCE HÆMODIALYSIS

Abstract Eighteen haemodialysis patients were interviewed in order to rate their quality of life. The data revealed a striking change in the life of most patients compared with the period before illness. Most patients had severe loss in income and for many family life deteriorated. Emotional adaptation tended to be successful in those patients who had flexible psychosocial support systems before their illness. Ratings of quality of life of "good" were given to only six patients, "fair" to five, and " poor " to seven. Women seemed to enjoy a better adaptation to life maintained by haemodialysis than men.
Statistics and Causal Inference

Abstract Problems involving causal inference have dogged at the heels of statistics since its earliest days. Correlation does not imply causation, and yet causal conclusions drawn from a carefully designed experiment are often valid. What can a statistical model say about causation? This question is addressed by using a particular model for causal inference (Holland and Rubin 1983; Rubin 1974) to critique the discussions of other writers on causation and causal inference. These include selected philosophers, medical researchers, statisticians, econometricians, and proponents of causal modeling.
Outpatient follow-up versus 30-day readmission among general and vascular surgery patients: A case for redesigning transitional care

Background The association between early outpatient follow-up and 30-day readmission has not been evaluated in any surgical population. Our study characterizes the relationship between outpatient follow-up and early readmissions among surgical patients. Methods We queried the medical record at a large, tertiary care institution (July 2008–December 2012) to determine rates of 30-day outpatient follow-up and readmission for general or vascular operative procedures. Results The majority of discharges for general (84% of 7,552) and vascular (75% of 2,362) surgery had a follow-up visit before readmission or within 30 days of discharge. General surgery patients who were not readmitted had high rates of follow-up (88%) and received follow-up at approximately 2 weeks postdischarge (median, 11 days after discharge). In contrast, readmitted general surgery patients received first follow-up at 1 week (median, 8 days); 49% had follow-up. Vascular surgery patients showed a similar trend. More than one half of patients readmitted after follow-up were readmitted within 24 hours of their most recent outpatient visit. Conclusion Current routine follow-up does not occur early enough to detect adverse events and prevent readmission. Early outpatient care may prevent readmission in some patients, but often serves as a conduit for readmission among patients already experiencing complications.
The packing density of binary powder mixtures

Abstract The maximum particle packing density in a binary powder system can be predicted by the Furnas model. The packing density is lower when the size ratio of coarse particles to fine particles decreases, and is also governed by the volume fraction of coarse or fine particles. Here an empirical equation is derived which describes the packing density as a function of the initial packing efficiencies of particles, the particle size ratio, and the volume fraction variations of the system.
The Physical Properties of Crystalline Cesium Iodide

Data are given on some of the physical properties of cesium iodide; they indicate that this new infrared-transmitting crystal compares favorably with cesium bromide and thallium bromide-iodide.
Future directions in bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery is a field in rapid evolution, and the speed of this evolution has been accelerating over the last several decades. Predicting the future is always fraught with difficulties, but a thorough understanding of past developments is crucial to anticipating the future intelligently. The trends that have driven evolution historically often persist, and continue to be influential in the future. With this in mind, this article outlines the historical and current trends in bariatric surgery, and follows the trajectory of these trends into the future to anticipate the technologies and techniques that will be most important to the field in the coming years.
Separation of common environment and dominance effects with classic kinship correlation models.

Abstract Common family environmental effect (γ2) and dominance effect (d2 ) are usually confounded; either or both may make the sib‐sib correlation larger than the parent‐child correlation. The classic three kinship correlations (parent‐parent, parent‐offspring, sib‐sib) can accommodate either dominance (Model D) or common family environment effects (Model C), but not both. The relationship between the various components of the three correlations of Models D and C are given. In order to include both dominance and common family environment effects, a fourth correlation, that between half‐sibs, is added to the system which enables us to separate the dominance effects from the common family environments effects. Half‐sibs may constitute a potentially new source material for study of quantitative inheritance. The principle of the constant heredity/environment ratio is discussed.
Hemangioma of the Male Breast: A Case Report

Hemangioma of the breast was first described by Hake and Image in 1847 and J. Bland Sutton reported a case upon which he operated in 1889. Deaver and McFarland reviewed the literature in 1917 and found reports of only 13 intramammillary hemangiomas. The rarity of the growth is also evidenced by the work of Menville, who discovered 8 cases in the study of 3000 breast tumors. Our series of 666 breast neoplasms collected during the past fifteen years included only one hemangioma. From a study of the literature it may be concluded that these tumors are usually found in the second to the fourth decades of life, although neither the young nor the old are exempt. They occur twelve times more often in women than men. In about 90 per cent of the cases the tumor is benign and of the cavernous type. Menville reported one capillary hemangioma in his series of 8 cases; the remainder were cavernous. Only one of the tumors in his series was malignant.
Massless fermions on random lattices

Abstract The massless fermion field in two dimensions is studied on random lattices. By averaging over an ensemble of random lattices, it is shown that the chiral fermion propagators with or without an external abelian gauge field agree well with the continuum limit. Using the point-splitting definition, the composite boson propagators agree roughly with the continuum limit. The chiral symmetry and relevant anomalies are discussed.
ANALYTIC SOLUTIONS OF SIMPLE FLOWS AND ANALYSIS OF NONSLIP BOUNDARY CONDITIONS FOR THE LATTICE BOLTZMANN BGK MODEL

In this paper we analytically solve the velocity of the lattice Boltzmann BGK equation (LBGK) for several simple flows. The analysis provides a framework to theoretically analyze various boundary conditions. In particular, the analysis is used to derive the slip velocities generated by various schemes for the nonslip boundary condition. We find that the slip velocity is zero as long as Σαfαeα=0 at boundaries, no matter what combination of distributions is chosen. The schemes proposed by Nobleet al. and by Inamuroet al. yield the correct zeroslip velocity, while some other schemes, such as the bounce-back scheme and the equilibrium distribution scheme, would inevitably generate a nonzero slip velocity. The bounce-back scheme with the wall located halfway between a flow node and a bounce-back node is also studied for the simple flows considered and is shown to produce results of second-order accuracy. The momentum exchange at boundaries seems to be highly related to the slip velocity at boundaries. To be specific, the slip velocity is zero only when the momentum dissipated by boundaries is equal to the stress provided by fluids.
Dynamical simulation of electrostatic striped colloidal particles

The static and dynamic properties of striped colloidal particles are obtained using molecular dynamics computer simulations. Striped particles with n = 2 to n = 7 stripes of alternating electric charge are modeled at a high level of detail through a pointwise (PW) representation of the particle surface. We also consider the extent to which striped particles are similar to comparable isotropically attractive particles—such as depletion attracting colloids—by modeling striped particles with an isotropic pair interaction computed by coarse-graining (CG) over orientations at a pair level. Surprisingly, the CG models reproduce the static structure of the PW models for a range of volume fractions and interaction strengths consistent with the fluid region of the phase diagram for all n. As a corollary, different n-striped particle systems with comparable pair affinities (e.g., dimer equilibrium constant) have similar static structure. Stronger pair interactions lead to a collapsed structure in simulation as consistent with a glass-like phase. Different n-striped particle systems are found to have different phase boundaries and for certain n's no glass-like state is observed in any of our simulations. The CG model is found to have accelerated dynamics relative to the PW model for the same range of fluid conditions for which the models have identical static structure. This suggests striped electrostatic particles have slower dynamics than comparable isotropically attractive colloids. The slower dynamics result from a larger number of long-duration reversible bonds between pairs of striped particles than seen in isotropically attractive systems. We also found that higher n-striped particles systems generally have slower dynamics than lower n-striped systems with comparable pair affinities.
Soil microbial dynamics and biogeochemistry in tropical forests and pastures, southwestern Costa Rica

Tropical rain forest ecosystems are currently undergoing unprecedented rates of land conversion and land use change. Recent research suggests these activities profoundly influence nutrient cycling, but the principal mechanisms driving variation in nutrient status following land conversion are still not well understood. In this study, we used soils of varying fertility (oxisols and mollisols) in Costa Rica to investigate how conversion of tropical rain forest to cattle pasture affects the size and function of the microbial community, and to explore possible relationships between microbial dynamics and biogeochemistry. Our pasture sites are relatively lightly managed, and total pools of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) were not significantly different from their forest counterparts. However, pools of available elements were different; most notably, plant available forms of P were significantly lower in the oxisol pasture than in the oxisol forest site. In addition, we found that land conversion led to fundamental changes in the size and activity of the soil microbial community. Microbial biomass was consistently higher in forests than in pastures, particularly in the oxisol sites, where it was more than twice the pasture value. Forest sites were also characterized by a microbial community that was more active, re- sponded more rapidly to carbon substrate additions, and showed strong seasonal variation. Our results provide evidence that changes in biogeochemical cycling following land con- version observed here and elsewhere may be directly related to changes in microbial com- munity structure and function.
A Case Study Using Modeling and Simulation to Predict Logistics Supply Chain Issues

Optimization of critical supply chains to deliver thousands of parts, materials, sub-assemblies, and vehicle structures as needed is vital to the success of the Constellation Program. Thorough analysis needs to be performed on the integrated supply chain processes to plan, source, make, deliver, and return critical items efficiently. Process modeling provides simulation technology-based, predictive solutions for supply chain problems which enable decision makers to reduce costs, accelerate cycle time and improve business performance. For example, United Space Alliance, LLC utilized this approach in late 2006 to build simulation models that recreated shuttle orbiter thruster failures and predicted the potential impact of thruster removals on logistics spare assets. The main objective was the early identification of possible problems in providing thruster spares for the remainder of the Shuttle Flight Manifest. After extensive analysis the model results were used to quantify potential problems and led to improvement actions in the supply chain. Similarly the proper modeling and analysis of Constellation parts, materials, operations, and information flows will help ensure the efficiency of the critical logistics supply chains and the overall success of the program.
Fusion of radar images: rectification without the flat earth assumption

A multisensor suite that consists of a forward looking infrared camera, a radar, and a low light television camera is likely to be a useful component of enhanced and synthetic vision systems. We examine several aspects of signal processing needed to combine effectively the individual sensor outputs. First we discuss transformations of individual sensor image data to a common representation. Our focus is on rectification of radar data without relying on a flat-earth assumption. We then describe a novel approach to image representation that minimizes loss of information in the transformation process. Finally, we discuss na optimal algorithm for fusion of radar and infrared images.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Serotonin–Glutamate Interactions: A New Target for Antipsychotic Drugs

Interest in the role of serotonin (5-HT) in the therapeutic effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs originated from the observations that: (1) clozapine and other atypical drugs have a high affinity for 5-HT2A relative to D2 receptors; and (2) 5-HT2A receptors mediate the central effects of psychedelic hallucinogens. Recently, we found that 5-HT evokes a focal release of glutamate in the apical dendritic field of layer V pyramidal cells in prefrontal cortex, measured electrophysiologically by an increased frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials/currents (EPSPs/EPSCs). An atypical mode of transmitter release (termed asynchronous release) seems to be involved because EPSC induction is tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive but is not dependent on impulse flow and is supported by Sr2+ in the absence of external Ca2+. The 5-HT-induced increase in spontaneous EPSCs is blocked completely by the selective 5-HT2A antagonist M100907 (MDL 100,907). M100907 also blocks the enhancement by hallucinogens of a late, asynchronous component of electrically evoked EPSPs/EPSCs. Group II/III metabotropic glutamate agonists, which act downstream from 5-HT2A receptors at presynaptic inhibitory autoreceptors, markedly suppress the 5-HT-induced release of glutamate. Subtype-selective group II/III agonists, such as the group II metabotropic agonist LY354740, are particularly interesting in terms of therapeutic potential, because they are able to suppress the 5-HT2A-induced EPSCs while sparing overall glutamatergic transmission. An analysis of the mechanisms by which 5-HT2A receptors induce glutamate release suggests new targets for the design of novel treatments for schizophrenia.
Particle population model for a fluidized bed with attrition

Abstract For a steady-state fluidized process, a population model for particle mixtures undergoing both attrition and reaction is developed. Populations of different materials affect each other through ways such as attrition. The evolution of the attrited fines is more realistically assessed so that the differential solid balance is consistent with the overall mass balance. The possible effects of fines on the attrition and reaction are considered too. Effects of several input and operational conditions on the process performance are discussed and demonstrated by a simulating program. Many particle population models in the literature can be seen as special cases of the present model. The model represents a more realistic approach to the simulation of the fluidized-bed process.
The geropsychiatric clinical nurse specialist in home health care: A case presentation

The purpose of this article is to describe the role and foci of care of the geropsychiatric clinical nurse specialist (GCNS) through a case example representative of the aged mentally ill who receive care at home. A historical look at the evolution of home health care of mentally ill elderly reveals the recognition of need in these persons as early as the 1960s. As the aged popu lation increases and grows older there is a critical need for health care professionals who are educated in gerontology as well as psychiatry, and the GCNS is that key professional. Key words: geropsychiatric clinical nurse specialist, home health care
The Dean's Squeeze: The Myths and Realities of Academic Leadership in the Middle

The article discusses the myths and realities that underpin the understanding of the deanship in the modern U.S. university. Deans juggle multiple roles and a myriad of expectations from diverse co...
Atmospheric concentrations and dry deposition rates of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for Tampa Bay, Florida, USA

Abstract Sampling of 16 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at the Gandy Bridge monitoring site between May and August 2002 provided preliminary ambient air concentrations and dry deposition rates for Tampa Bay. The HiC-IOGAPS dramatically improved the recovery of lower molecular weight gas and particle PAHs, as evidenced by the recoveries of PAHs in back-up denuders and filter packs. Total PAH (gas+particle) concentrations ranged from 80 to 190 ng m −3 . Concentrations of naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene were consistently higher than concentrations of the remaining 10 PAHs. Assuming an unidirectional flux of these compounds from air to water, the estimated total (gas+particle) dry deposition flux was 11.5 μg m −2 d −1 , or 6.7 μg m −2 d −1 if naphthalene is excluded.
Time for Absenteeism: A 20-Year Review of Origins, Offshoots, and Outcomes:

We use a time-based system to help organize, summarize, and analyze research on employee absenteeism published in the last 20 years (1977-1996). Although what is known about some mid-term (4-12 month) origins of absence-taking has been greatly clarified and expanded, less is known about long-term (> 12 months) and short-term (I day-3 months) origins, or about how causes in different time frames relate to each other. Poor performance and “neglectful” behaviors serve as reliable offshoots of absenteeism. The long- and short-term etiology of the latter behaviors is unclear, but their shared variance in the mid-term reflects negative job attitudes. Outcomes of absenteeism have received much less research attention. Although mid-term consequences such as reduced performance, turnover, and organizational expense are well-established, little is known about short- and long-term effects of absence-taking on individuals and their social environments. We conclude with suggestions for more explicit consideration of t...
Parental nutrient intake and risk of retinoblastoma resulting from new germline RB1 mutation.

Purpose We conducted a case–control study to examine the role of parents’ nutrient intake before their child’s conception in the child’s risk of sporadic bilateral retinoblastoma, which results from a new germline RB1 mutation.
Effect of dexamethasone on reactive oxygen species generation by leukocytes and plasma interleukin‐10 concentrations: A pharmacodynamic study

After the demonstration that hydrocortisone inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by leukocytes in vivo in a highly predictable manner, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone at a dose of 4 mg, which is thought to be roughly equivalent to 100 mg hydrocortisone. We also tested the hypothesis that dexamethasone may increase the plasma concentration of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an immunomodulatory cytokine that inhibits T(H)1 cells. Dexamethasone (4 mg given intravenously) markedly inhibited ROS generation by mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The onset of the effect on polymorphonuclear leukocytes occurred at 1 hour (76.3% +/- 9.3% of basal value), and the peak effect occurred at 4 hours (22.9% +/- 6.4% of basal value), with a significant inhibition still persistent at 8 hours (51.3% +/- 14.3% of basal value; F = 66.7; P < .001). ROS generation was restored to baseline at 24 hours (97.6% +/- 9.5%). The inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on mononuclear cells was 78.3% +/- 9.5% of baseline at 1 hour, 11.4% +/- 6.6% at 4 hours, 30.3% +/- 14.1% at 8 hours, and 102.3% +/- 18% at 24 hours (F = 66.5; P < .001). The peak inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on mononuclear cells (11.4% +/- 6.6%) was significantly greater (P < .05) than that on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (22.9% +/- 6.4%). Plasma IL-10 concentrations increased consistently from 4.8 +/- 1.8 pg/mL within 1 hour of dexamethasone injection and peaked at 4 hours (8.8 +/- 2.3 pg/mL), declining to baseline at 8 hours (F = 4.26; P < .004). Dexamethasone (and possibly other glucocorticoids) therefore exerts its immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting ROS generation by leukocytes and by increasing the plasma concentrations of IL-10.
Fluctuation test for two-stage mutations: application to gene amplification.

The determination of mutation rates is an important experimental procedure for characterizing mutation processes. The accepted method of determining mutation rates, the fluctuation test, was introduced by Luria and Delbruck in 1943. Since then it has been applied to various microorganisms and cells. The Luria-Delbruck test is based on a restrictive hypothesis of mutations being due to single irreversible events. However, some inherited changes in phenotype, like gene amplification, may be due to two or more genetic changes, some of which may be reversible. The Luria-Delbruck model of mutation was compared to other models which included reversibility and more than one mutation stage. The Luria-Delbruck model has been confirmed to be consistent with the original bacteriophage resistance data. However, for gene amplification this model gives incompatible estimates of mutation rates by the P0 and r methods. Relaxing the hypotheses of the single-stage models did not improve the fit. In contrast, a two-stage reversible model provided a fit. Analysis of gene amplification data by the two-stage reversible model provides new information, including estimates of rates for each of the two forward stages and of the reverse step.
BRST cohomology of the superstring at arbitrary ghost number

Abstract We investigate the cohomology of the BRST operator of the NSR superstring. No restriction is placed on the ghost number of the states. It is shown that every cohomology class can be written as a picture changed version of one of the known cohomology classes at a fixed ghost number. A generalization of this result is also found for the cohomology in the large algebra of a new bosonization of the superconformal ghosts.
Rank tests of association for exchangeable paired data

We describe two rank tests of association for paired exchangeable data motivated by the study of lifespans in twins. The pooled sample is ranked. The nonparametric test of association is based on R+, the sum of the smaller within-pair ranks. A second measure L+ is the sum of within-pair rank products. Under the null hypothesis of within-pair independence, the two test statistics are approximately normally distributed. Expressions for the exact means and variances of R+ and L÷ are given. We describe the power of these two statistics under a close alternative hypothesis to that of independence. Both the R+ and L+ tests indicate nonparametric statistical evidence of positive association of longevity in identical twins and a negligible relationship between the lifespans of fraternal twins listed in the Danish twin registry. The statistics are also applied to the analysis of a clinical trial studying the time to failure of ventilation tubes in children with bilateral otitis media.
Assessment of vital status in Department of Veterans Affairs national databases. comparison with state death certificates.

Abstract PURPOSE: To determine the extent to which Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) database vital status information agrees with Washington state death certificates. METHODS: Using each data source, vital status was determined for 19,481 Washington state resident veterans hospitalized in Washington VA hospitals from 1994 to 1997, and for 33,602 Washington state resident veterans who were seen as outpatients during 1997. RESULTS: The agreement between VA and Washington state records was excellent for hospitalized veterans (kappa = 0.91, p CONCLUSIONS: The VA death files are a valid source of vital status information for veterans hospitalized in recent years. For veterans having exclusively outpatient visits, however, the VA files miss a substantial proportion of deaths. For these patients, alternative means of vital status ascertainment are warranted.
Channel migration and meander-bend curvature in the lower Mississippi River prior to major human modification

Channel migration and meander-bend morphology are examined for the lower Mississippi River between 1877 and 1924, prior to channel cutoffs, revetments, and change in sediment regime. The spatial pattern of meander-bend migration coincides with differences in flood-plain deposits. Migration of meander bends averaged 45.2 m/yr in the upper alluvial valley, where there are numerous clay plugs, but increased to 59.1 m/yr in the lower alluvial valley, where there are fewer clay plugs in contact with the channel. The highest migration rates occurred with meander bends having a curvature, r m / W m (ratio between meander-bend radius to channel width) between 1.0 and 2.0, which is a departure from previous models. Results from this study suggest that rivers with complex flood-plain deposits exhibit patterns and relationships that deviate from models derived in homogeneous flood-plain deposits.
High-speed 1.3 mu m GaInAs detectors fabricated on GaAs substrates

High-speed interdigitated metal-semiconductor-metal detectors have been fabricated on non-lattice-matched, semi-insulating, GaAs substrates using two GaInAs layers of differing indium concentrations to accommodate most of the lattice mismatch by interface misfit dislocations. Bandwidths as high as 3 GHz were measured with none of the detrimental low-frequency gain usually observed in this type of device. This is attributed to the inhibition of the surface trapping of photoinduced carriers by a graded pseudomorphic layer at the surface. >
Sporadic E‐region ionization at Watheroo Magnetic Observatory

Characteristics of sporadic E-region ionization (Es) at the Watheroo Magnetic Observatory, Watheroo, Western Australia, have been determined from continuous ionospheric recordings since June, 1938. Average diurnal curves show prevalence at night with maximum occurrence near midnight local time. The seasonal features of Es already established for the Northern Hemisphere have been confirmed for the Southern Hemisphere with maximum occurrence of Es in local summer months. Annual trends show increasing values for the period 1938 to 1941 suggestive of an inverse relationship with solar activity. Tests for recurrence-tendencies of Es with the 27-day solar-rotation period have not produced any positive correlation.
The Hearts of Boys

Five experts, Niobe Way, C.J. Pascoe, Mark McCormack, Amy Schalet, and Freeden Ouer shed light on the everyday lives of teenage boys and their relationships.
Analysis of the Nature of IRB Contingencies Required for Informed Consent Document Approval

The University of Michigan Human Research Protection Program formed a six-member committee to analyze the nature of Institutional Review Board (IRB) staff and board contingencies for the approval of informed consent documents. Of the 100 studies examined, 87% had one or more informed consent contingencies. "Omissions" in documentation (40%) and "better clarity" (24%) accounted for the majority, while "word-smithing" accounted for only 10%. This is one of the first studies to examine the nature of IRB contingencies as they relate to informed consent documents. Educational efforts targeting completeness in documentation and clarity on the part of study teams, and discouraging "word-smithing" on the part of IRBs, could reduce the number of informed consent contingencies and expedite the IRB approval process.