cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon Fiber Electrodes for in Vivo Spinal Cord Recordings

Development of micro electrode arrays for neural recording is an active field that thrives on novel materials and fabrication techniques offered by micro fabrication technology. The material and mechanical properties of microelectrode arrays have a critical role on the quality and longevity of neural signals. In this study, carbon fiber microelectrode (CFME) bundles were developed and implanted in the spinal cord of experimental animals for textbf{\textit{in vivo{recording. Neural data analysis revealed that single spikes could successfully be recorded and sorted. Removal of approximately $75 \mu \mathrm{m}$ of the parylene-C coating at the tips of the fibers increased the signalto-noise ratio. Connecting multiple (three) carbon fiber filaments to the same recording channel did not deteriorate the signal quality compared to that of undesheathed fibers. Immunohistochemistry showed that electrode tips were splayed in tissue after implantation and CF bundles had a small footprint with mild encapsulation around them. These results are very promising for the use of CFME bundles for recordings of spinal cord signals in behaving animals.
The Role of Frontostriatal Systems in Instructed Reinforcement Learning: Evidence From Genetic and Experimentally-Induced Variation.

Instructions have a powerful effect on learning and decision-making, biasing choice even in the face of disconfirming feedback. Detrimental biasing effects have been reported in a number of studies in which instruction was given prior to trial-and-error learning. Previous work has attributed individual differences in instructional bias to variation in prefrontal and striatal dopaminergic genes, suggesting a role for prefrontally-mediated cognitive control processes in biasing learning. The current study replicates and extends these findings. Human subjects performed a probabilistic reinforcement learning task after receiving inaccurate instructions about the quality of one of the options. In order to establish a causal relationship between prefrontal cortical mechanisms and instructional bias, we applied transcranial direct current stimulation over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (anodal, cathodal, or sham) while subjects performed the task. We additionally genotyped subjects for the COMT Val158Met genetic polymorphism, which influences the breakdown of prefrontal dopamine, and for the DAT1/SLC6A3 variable number tandem repeat, which affects expression of striatal dopamine transporter. We replicated the finding that the COMT Met allele is associated with increased instructional bias and further demonstrated that variation in DAT1 has similar effects to variation in COMT, with 9-repeat carriers demonstrating increased bias relative to 10-repeat homozygotes. Consistent with increased top-down regulation of reinforcement learning, anodal subjects demonstrated greater bias relative to sham, though this effect was present only early in training. In contrast, there was no effect of cathodal stimulation. Finally, we fit computational models to subjects’ data to better characterize the mechanisms underlying instruction bias. A novel choice bias model, in which instructions influence decision-making rather than learning, was found to best account for subjects’ behavior. Overall, these data provide further evidence for the role of frontostriatal interactions in biasing instructed reinforcement learning, which adds to the growing literature documenting both costs and benefits of cognitive control.
Wet/Sono-Chemical Synthesis of Enzymatic Two-Dimensional MnO 2 Nanosheets for Synergistic Catalysis-Enhanced Phototheranostics.

2D nanomaterials have attracted broad interest in the field of biomedicine owing to their large surface area, high drug-loading capacity, and excellent photothermal conversion. However, few studies report their "enzyme-like" catalytic performance because it is difficult to prepare enzymatic nanosheets with small size and ultrathin thickness by current synthetic protocols. Herein, a novel one-step wet-chemical method is first proposed for protein-directed synthesis of 2D MnO2 nanosheets (M-NSs), in which the size and thickness can be easily adjusted by the protein dosage. Then, a unique sono-chemical approach is introduced for surface functionalization of the M-NSs with high dispersity/stability as well as metal-cation-chelating capacity, which can not only chelate 64 Cu radionuclides for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, but also capture the potentially released Mn2+ for enhanced biosafety. Interestingly, the resulting M-NS exhibits excellent enzyme-like activity to catalyze the oxidation of glucose, which represents an alternative paradigm of acute glucose oxidase for starving cancer cells and sensitizing them to thermal ablation. Featured with outstanding phototheranostic performance, the well-designed M-NS can achieve effective photoacoustic-imaging-guided synergistic starvation-enhanced photothermal therapy. This study is expected to establish a new enzymatic phototheranostic paradigm based on small-sized and ultrathin M-NSs, which will broaden the application of 2D nanomaterials.
Patterns of Genomic Differentiation in the Drosophila nasuta Species Complex.

The Drosophila nasuta species complex contains over a dozen recently diverged species that are distributed widely across South-East Asia, and which shows varying degrees of pre- and postzygotic isolation. Here, we assemble a high-quality genome for D. albomicans using single-molecule sequencing and chromatin conformation capture, and draft genomes for 11 additional species and 67 individuals across the clade, to infer the species phylogeny and patterns of genetic diversity in this group. Our assembly recovers entire chromosomes, and we date the origin of this radiation ∼2 Ma. Despite low levels of overall differentiation, most species or subspecies show clear clustering into their designated taxonomic groups using population genetics and phylogenetic methods. Local evolutionary history is heterogeneous across the genome, and differs between the autosomes and the X chromosome for species in the sulfurigaster subgroup, likely due to autosomal introgression. Our study establishes the nasuta species complex as a promising model system to further characterize the evolution of pre- and postzygotic isolation in this clade.
Magnetic fields in diffuse HI and molecular clouds

The diffuse interstellar H I is the matrix within which many molecular clouds reside and the medium that soaks up the energy injected by sources such as supernovae and stellar winds. This energy stimulates turbulence in the H I, which cascades up the turbulent wavenumber spectrum. The spectral wavelengths extend all the way down to scales most easily quoted in Astronomical Units. H I and molecular clouds enjoy a synergistic relationship, with turbulent energy, angular momentum, magnetic fields, and matter flowing across the boundaries in both directions. The molecular clouds form stars, which in turn act as energy sources to round the circle and make star formation a feedback process. Fortunately for us who study magnetic fields, the neutral medium isn’t really neutral and, as a consequence, flux freezing applies. In diffuse H I the minimum free electron fraction is, at minimum, equal to that of heavy elements that have ionization potential less than that of H I ( > ∼ 10−4) because even in the dark reaches of space there are plenty of starlight photons available to keep any such element ionized. As a crude approximation we can model a piece of the interstellar gas as a giant inductor, for which the timescale τ for decay of a current (and its associated magnetic field) is the inductance divided by the resistance; this, in turn, goes as τ ∝ L/η, where L is the length scale and η the resistivity. Even with the low fractional ionization, L dominates and timescales for decay are always long in diffuse H I. In dense molecular clouds starlight is excluded and the free electrons come from cosmic-ray ionization of H; the fractional ionization is small enough that slow leakage of frozen magnetic flux allows the clouds to gradually evolve. With flux freezing, the magnetic field becomes one of the four most important forces on the diffuse gas. The others are gas pressure, cosmic-ray pressure, and gravity. Gravity dominates on the largest scales, e.g. by keeping the gas pulled down as part of the Galactic plane; it also dominates during star formation, of course. On all other scales the gas responds only to the three pressure forces. The gas and cosmic rays are connected by the field, so they form a coupled system. The field is a – perhaps the – major player. One determines the field strength in the diffuse interstellar gas in several ways. Each method has its own idiosyncrasies and provides values that are biased either up or down. Beck et al. (2003) is required reading to understand these biases. Synchrotron emissivity provides a volume average of 〈B〉, where 1.9 < ∼ x < ∼ 3.9 depending on whether one assumes the electron cosmic-ray spectrum or energy equipartition (Beck, 2001). Comparing pulsar rotation and dispersion measures
Determinants of Non-oil Growth in the CFA-Zone Oil Producing Countries: How do they Differ?

Non-oil growth in the CFA oil exporting countries has been lackluster despite their great natural resource wealth. In this paper we study the key determinants of non-oil growth and explore to what extent these countries differ from countries with comparable levels of development that do not depend on nonrenewable resources. Using a panel of 38 countries comprising LICs and CFA zone oil exporters, we find that while real exchange rate appreciation negatively impacted growth in all countries over the period 1985-2008, what distinguishes the oil producers of the CFA zone is the failure of public and private investment to spur non-oil growth.
Spoofing in Equilibrium

We present a model of dynamic trading with exogenous and strategic cancellation of orders. We define spoofing as the strategic placing and canceling of orders in order to move prices and trade later in the opposite direction. We show that spoofing can occur in equilibrium. Consistent with regulator concerns, we show that spoofing slows price discovery, raises bid-ask spreads, and raises return volatility. A novel prediction is that the prevalence of equilibrium spoofing is single-peaked in the measure of informed traders, suggesting that spoofing should be more prevalent in markets of intermediate liquidity. We consider within-market and cross-market spoofing and discuss how regulators should allocate resources towards cross-market surveillance.
Comparison of adverse events between COVID-19 and Flu vaccines

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Among the various driving factors for vaccine hesitancy, confidence in the safety associated with the vaccine constitutes as one of the key factors. This study aimed at comparing the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines with the Flu vaccines. METHODS The VAERS data from 01/01/2020 to 08/20/2021 were used. The MedDRA terms coded by VAERS were further aggregated by a clinician into clinically meaningful broader terms. RESULTS Various common adverse events between Flu and COVID-19 vaccines have been identified. Adverse events such as headache and fever were very common across all age groups. Among the common adverse events between Flu and COVID-19 vaccine, the relative risk along with 95% CI indicated that such common adverse events were more likely to be experienced by COVID-19 vaccine users than Flu vaccine users. Our study also quantified the proportion of rare adverse events such as Guillain Barre Syndrome and Gynecological changes in the VAERS database for COVID-19 vaccines. CONCLUSIONS Based on the available data and results, it appears that there were some common adverse events between Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines. These identified common adverse events warrant further investigations based on the relative risk and 95% CI.
Crossreactive influenza A(IAV)-Specific CD4 memory cells enhance viral load during lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) infection (IRC5P.635)

IAV is a common human respiratory pathogen with a strong association with heterotypic and heterologous immunity. IAV-immune mice challenged with LCMV develop detrimental effects with both increased virus titers and immunopathology. Crossreactive CD8 T cell responses between these two viruses mediate the enhanced lung pathology. Here, we questioned whether crossreactive CD4 memory cells in IAV-immune mice could play a role in increasing viral titers during the subsequent LCMV infection. Preferential depletion of memory CD4 but not CD8 cells in IAV-immune mice prevented the increase in LCMV titers . In IAV+LCMV mice there was an early increase in CD4 cells with a shift in the CD4/CD8 ratio. Luminex cytokine assays suggested that there was an increase in Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-5, in the spleen of IAV+LCMV mice, which was IAV CD4 memory cell dependent, as IL-4 decreased in the CD4 depleted mice. Depleting IL-4 or IL-5 returned LCMV titers to naive levels while adding rIL-4 and rIL-5 together to naive mice increased virus titers. This suggests that the crossreactive heterologous response was more Th2-polarized and that since memory cytokines are produced early they may shift the normally strong Th1-type response to LCMV towards a more Th2-type response, inhibiting appropriate CD8 activation and impeding viral clearance. This shift to stronger Th2-type response would contribute to detrimental effects as LCMV requires a strong CD8 response and perforin to clear.
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

Context Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater are rare and confer a very poor prognosis despite aggressive therapy. There are few case reports of large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater in the literature and to date no studies have been done to establish optimal management. We describe a pooled case series from published reports of neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater including a case which presented to our institution. Methods A narrative review was undertaken including all published English case reports of large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater. Our primary outcome was to determine the overall survival. Results Twenty cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater were identified. Seventy-six percent of patients were reported to have died of disease with a mean survival of 11.8 months. Twenty percent of the tumours were associated with an adenoma. The approximate median survivals were 15 months for those with an associated adenoma and 11 months without. Conclusions This pooled analysis demonstrates both the rarity and poor prognosis of large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the ampulla of Vater. Although surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, we review common adjuvant chemotherapy regimes. Prognosis may be improved when these tumours are associated with adenomas, however, further studies are needed. Image: Circumferential fleshy ulcerated tumour.
On the process of cellular division in Escherichia coli. IV. Altered protein composition and turnover of the membranes of thermosensitive mutants defective in chromosomal replication.

Temperature-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli which are impaired in the process of chromosomal replication at 40 °C have alterations in their membrane composition at the restrictive temperature. Membrane preparations from three distinct mutants of the DnaB locus were found to have a relative deficiency of a protein component of molecular weight 60,000, and a relative increase in a component of molecular weight 30,000, in comparison with isogenic wild-type strains, when the membranes were disaggregated at 40 °C in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. These changes seen with DnaB mutants are qualitatively similar to those seen in the DnaA (“initiator”) mutants previously examined (Shapiro, Siccardi, Hirota & Jacob, 1970). However, when harsher conditions of disaggregation are used, by heating at 100 °C, the membrane preparations disaggregate further, and the DnaA and DnaB mutant preparations may be differentiated. The DnaA mutant now shows a relative deficiency of a component of molecular weight 35,000, and a relative increase of components of molecular weight below 25,000, suggesting that the altered protein complexes have dissociated to smaller molecular weight units. On the other hand, when the DnaB mutant is disaggregated at 100 °C the previously noted difference is almost obliterated, suggesting that the difference between mutant and wild type DnaB membrane preparations seen with disaggregation at 40 °C is due to a difference in the ability of the preparations to disaggregate. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that the membrane expression of the DnaA defect is in an alteration of the protein composition of the membranes, whereas the DnaB mutation affects the strength of the bonds holding certain membrane proteins together. The turnover of proteins in the membranes of the DnaB mutants, as measured under conditions of incomplete disaggregation (40 °C), was different from that of the wild type, with the major alteration being the slower turnover of the 60,000 molecular weight component. This difference was not seen in the presence of chloramphenicol, suggesting that protein synthesis is needed for the alteration to occur. The membrane changes seen with the DnaB mutants are primary effects of the mutation. That these were not secondary to the cessation of growth or DNA synthesis, or to cell death at the restrictive temperature, was shown by phenotypic suppression of the mutation by salt. The presence of 2% NaCl, previously shown (Ricard & Hirota, 1969) to permit normal growth of mutant DnaB-BT313 at 40 °C, does not reverse the appearance of the membrane protein alterations. Thus, the DnaB mutation, which is associated with a defect in chromosomal replication, appears to have its primary effect in altering the structure of the bacterial membrane; it is still not clear whether the DnaA mutation, which is associated with a defect in initiation of DNA synthesis, leads to primary or secondary membrane changes.
Design and analysis of fuzzy controllers for DC-DC converters

A successful implementation of fuzzy controllers for DC-DC converters is presented in this paper. Two different fuzzy logic control topologies are developed and implemented using different types of DC-DC converters such as the buck, the boost, the buck-boost, and the sepic converters. Issues of sudden changes in the load or parametric uncertainties control and communication interface, among many other issues, are discussed and presented. The fundamentals governing the design, control and performance of the DC-DC converters are also illustrated. Properties of the proposed controllers are: 1) robustness around the operating point, 2) good performance of transient responses under varying loading conditions and/or input voltage, and 3) invariant dynamic performance in the presence of varying operating conditions. Simulation results have been obtained using appropriate scaling factors associated with the input variables of the fuzzy controller.
Automatic Computation of Brain and Cerebellum Volumes in Normal Subjects and Chronic Alcoholics

Automatic volumetric measurements of brain structures and substructures is a prerequisite for longitudinal studies as well as studies aimed at measuring and quantifying differences between populations. This study tests the hypothesis that a fully automatic, atlas-based method can be used for the computation of the volume encompassed by the dura, the volume of the brain, and the volume of the cerebellum from which indices of atrophy are estimated. The method has been tested on normal volunteers and alcoholic patients. It has been validated both by comparing contours obtained manually and automatically and by repeating the measurements on serial acquisitions. Results demonstrate that the method is both robust and accurate, even in the presence of large morphological differences due to severe atrophy caused by chronic alcoholism.
Wisdom, Intelligence, and Creativity Synthesized: Background Work on Creativity

Creativity is the ability to produce work that is novel (that is, original, unexpected), high in quality, and appropriate (that is, useful, meets task constraints) (Lubart, 1994; Ochse, 1990; Sternberg, 1988b, 1999b; Sternberg & Lubart, 1995, 1996). Creativity is a topic of wide scope, important at both the individual and societal levels for a wide range of task domains. At an individual level, creativity is relevant, for example, when solving problems on the job and in daily life. At a societal level, creativity can lead to new scientific findings, new movements in art, new inventions, and new social programs. The economic importance of creativity is clear because new products or services create jobs. Furthermore, individuals, organizations, and societies must adapt existing resources to changing task demands to remain competitive. CREATIVITY AS A NEGLECTED RESEARCH TOPIC As the first half of the twentieth century gave way to the second half, J. P. Guilford (1950), in his APA presidential address, challenged psychologists to address what he found to be a neglected but extremely important attribute: creativity. Guilford reported that less than two-tenths of one percent of the entries in Psychological Abstracts up to 1950 focused on creativity. Interest in creativity research began to grow somewhat in the 1950s and a few research institutes concerned with creativity were founded. However, several indicators of work on creativity show that it remained a relatively marginal topic in psychology, at least until recently.
A Brief History of Sexual Perversion

The history of perversions essentially constitutes a subtext of the larger history of sexuality; the two are intimately intertwined. Despite the apparent impact of societal attitudes on sexuality throughout the ages, the study of human sexuality has been a subject largely ignored by historians. Only in recent years has sexuality become a subject of serious study.1 Historically, perversion has been the dark side of sexuality that was itself already shrouded in a repressive silence and taboo. Viewed as the unspeakable incarnation of evil, perverse sexual behavior has been considered sinful, blasphemous, immoral, corrupt, and illegal—in fact, as a crime calling for severe punitive measures. In more recent times, it has been perceived as incorrigibly abnormal, pathological, a loathsome disease unvarying in its relentless downward course. Even so respected a pioneer as Krafft-Ebing,2 in his work on perversion, initially published the descriptions of sexual acts in Latin, in part because of the likelihood of societal outrage at the time. Only in the past half-century or so has a slowly evolving change emerged in attitudes toward perverse sexuality.
Schizotypal personality disorder I: The clinical syndrome

Abstract This article reviews the major research in the area of schizotypal personality disorder since its appearance in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Disorders, (American Psychiatric Association, 1987). Validation studies examining the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of schizotypal symptoms, as well as studies examining its genetic relationship with schizophrenia, are reviewed. If the present prototypical classification system is to be maintained, then a refinement of the diagnostic criteria may be necessary in combination with a restructuring of the cluster A personality disorders. In addition, a differential weighting of the symptoms may increase the discriminant validity between schizotypal and borderline personality disorder. Establishment of diagnostic validity may benefit greatly by adopting a symptom-based approach in which the individual symptoms are examined instead of the entire syndrome. A symptom-based approach can also circumvent the problem of heterogeneity that emerges in most of the studies. Clearly, more work is needed using better defined populations and focusing on the individual symptoms that best describe the disorder.
Delayed awakening due to lidocaine overdose.

Abstract An 86-year-old man receiving antiarrhythmic treatment with an intravenous (IV) lidocaine infusion experienced a prolonged emergence from general anesthesia. A venous blood sample was sent for determination of the lidocaine concentration, the infusion was stopped, and the patient awakened 15 minutes later. The circulating lidocaine concentration was 15.6 μg/ml, three times the upper limit of therapeutic range for arrhythmia treatment. The overdose was the result of a miscalculated infusion rate, plus an underestimation of effects of age, cardiac disease, and general anesthesia on the rate of lidocaine biotransformation. Infusion of any drug during and after general anesthesia requires scrupulous attention to dosage determination and to the clinical condition of the patient receiving the infusion.
Whither the social network of Islam.

L'A. examine l'emergence d'une societe civile dans les pays islamiques du Proche-Orient arabe (Egypte, Palestine, Syrie, Jordanie). Les organismes d'initiative privee (hopitaux, ecoles, universites...) dans les pays musulmans ont tous ete fondes par des mouvements religieux (Freres musulmans, Hamas), sauf ou ils ont ete recuperes par le systeme gouvernemental. L'A. etudie les rapports de ses organismes islamistes avec les Etats.
Stark Effect in Ground-State Hyperfine Structure Calculated for Na and K Atoms

We have used perturbation theory to calculate the shift due to an electric field E in the frequency of the hfs transition $(F=I+\frac{1}{2},0)\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}(F=I\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2},0)$ for the ground states of the Na and K atoms. The frequency shift $\ensuremath{\delta}f=\ensuremath{-}k\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}{E}^{2}\frac{\mathrm{Hz}}{{(\frac{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{cm}})}^{2}}$, and we calculate $k$ to be 0.111 and 0.061 for Na and K, respectively. Electron correlations are not included. The corresponding experimental values measured by Mowat are 0.124 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.004 and 0.071 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.002.
Separating Speed from Automaticity in a Patient with Focal Brain Atrophy

Automatic processes are characterized as being rapid, as requiring little attentional effort, and as obligatory (once initiated, the activity cannot be inhibited or controlled) In contrast, controlled processes are slower, require attention, and are non-obligatory This distinction appears in the Stroop effect the interference that appears when a person tries to name the color of the ink in which a word is printed when the word spells the name of a different color This effect has historically been attributed to an automatic reading of the color name interfering with the slower, less automatic, naming of the ink color (MacLeod, 1991, Stroop, 1935) In this report, we describe a patient with focal brain atrophy whose speed of reading was no faster than his speed of naming colors, but who still showed the classic Stroop effect This finding critically challenges the traditional identification of automaticity with processing speed
The strand-separation transition of T2 bacteriophage DNA.

Strand separation of T2 DNA has been investigated in a helix-destabilizing solvent. Temperature-shift experiments in which the conformation of the DNA is monitored by its viscosity, sedimentation behavior, and kinetics of helix formation show that a well-defined strand-separation transition follows the helix–coil transition usually observed by changes in absorbance. For T2 DNA, this strand-separation transition is 70% as broad as the helix–coil transition, and is characterized by extremely slow kinetics of conformational change in the population. Strand separation requires the expansion of the two-stranded coil observed at the end of the helix–coil transition. This expansion is apparently coupled with the disurption of the last remaining base pairs in the molecule. The expansion process increases the viscosity, and can be readily followed as a function of time and/or temperature. Subsequent separation of the expanded form into complementary strands results in a viscosity decrease, the net result of a reduction in hydrodynamic volume and the halving of the molecular weight. Only under conditions where the driving force for strand separation is large are these events at all synchronous in the population. When the kinetics of conformational change are complete in the strand-separation transition, a mixture of expanded forms and separate strands is observed; the breadth of the transition reflects differences in stability with respect to strand separation among the molecules in the population. The transition exhibits hysteresis and is not a reversible equilibrium between double-stranded and single-stranded forms. It appears that renucleation is kinetically forbidden within the strand-separation region.
UDPG-GLYCOGEN TRANSGLUCOSYLASE AND A NATURAL INHIBITOR IN CRUSTACEAN TISSUES.

Abstract 1. 1. UDPG-glycogen transglycosylase has been demonstrated in the major tissues of a crab (Cancer magister) and in the muscles of crabs (C. magister, Hemigrapsus nudus), a crayfish (Astacus cambarus), molluskus (Mytilus californianus Tegula funebralis), fishes (Pomoxis annularis, Salmo gairdneri, Aequidens portalegrensis) and amphibians (Rana pipiens, Bufo marinus). 2. 2. The crab muscle enzyme requires glucose-6-phosphate (glc-6-p) and has a pH optimum at 8·3. It is unstable in crude preparations, but is stabilized by addition of fluoride and glc-6-p. 3. 3. The enzyme activity is not associated with any specific sedimentable fraction in homogenates. 4. 4. Mixtures of homogenates of muscle with homogenates of hepatopancreas or eyestalk have an enzyme activity lower than predicted from the activities of homogenates assayed separately. The inhibitory effect of hepatopancreas homogenates is attributed to presence of hydrolytic enzymes, but the inhibitory effect of eyestalk extracts is attributed to a specific inhibitory factor. 5. 5. The inhibitory factor in eyestalk extracts is non-dialyzable; it is partly but not wholly destroyed by boiling, or treatment with 95 per cent alcohol or 1 N HNl in the cold. The factor is not soluble in ether. 6. 6. The inhibitory effect of eyestalk extracts varies with the stage of the donor in the intermolt cycle. 7. 7. Eyestalk extracts of crabs inhibit transglucosylase activity in muscle extracts from crabs, crayfis, mollusks and vertebrates. 8. 8. The possible relation of the inhibitory factor to the diabetogenic hormone of crustaceans, and to the control of carbohydrate metabolism, is discussed.
Mechanisms supporting superior source memory for familiar items: A multi-voxel pattern analysis study

Abstract Recent cognitive research has revealed better source memory performance for familiar relative to novel stimuli. Here we consider two possible explanations for this finding. The source memory advantage for familiar stimuli could arise because stimulus novelty induces attention to stimulus features at the expense of contextual processing, resulting in diminished overall levels of contextual processing at study for novel (vs. familiar) stimuli. Another possibility is that stimulus information retrieved from long-term memory (LTM) provides scaffolding that facilitates the formation of item-context associations. If contextual features are indeed more effectively bound to familiar (vs. novel) items, the relationship between contextual processing at study and subsequent source memory should be stronger for familiar items. We tested these possibilities by applying multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to a recently collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset, with the goal of measuring contextual processing at study and relating it to subsequent source memory performance. Participants were scanned with fMRI while viewing novel proverbs, repeated proverbs (previously novel proverbs that were shown in a pre-study phase), and previously known proverbs in the context of one of two experimental tasks. After scanning was complete, we evaluated participants’ source memory for the task associated with each proverb. Drawing upon fMRI data from the study phase, we trained a classifier to detect on-task processing (i.e., how strongly was the correct task set activated). On-task processing was greater for previously known than novel proverbs and similar for repeated and novel proverbs. However, both within and across participants, the relationship between on-task processing and subsequent source memory was stronger for repeated than novel proverbs and similar for previously known and novel proverbs. Finally, focusing on the repeated condition, we found that higher levels of hippocampal activity during the pre-study phase, which we used as an index of episodic encoding, led to a stronger relationship between on-task processing at study and subsequent memory. Together, these findings suggest different mechanisms may be primarily responsible for superior source memory for repeated and previously known stimuli. Specifically, they suggest that prior stimulus knowledge enhances memory by boosting the overall level of contextual processing, whereas stimulus repetition enhances the probability that contextual features will be successfully bound to item features. Several possible theoretical explanations for this pattern are discussed.
Limitations of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of simple reactions: F + H2 as a prototype

Abstract We present the first use of ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) with correlated wavefunctions to study a gas phase reaction. Our benchmark system is the well-studied F + H2 reaction. The neutral, unstable species FH2 is created by removing an electron from an equilibrated anion (FH2)−, simulating the photoelectron spectroscopy experiments of Neumark and co-workers. These experiments attempt to probe the transition state (TS) region by creating a negative ion that may have a structure similar to the neutral reaction TS. We then follow the dynamics of the neutral system on its Born-Oppenheimer surface, both forward and backward in time, to see how close the anion equilibrium geometry truly is to the neutral TS for the F + H2 → HF + H reaction. We then perform AIMD from the actual neutral TS for comparison. All electronic energy and gradient calculations are at the complete active space self-consistent field level. We find for this system that our level of approximation leads only to a qualitatively correct description. It allows us, however, to show that at finite temperature the anion geometry is markedly different from the neutral TS structure in that instantaneous electron detachment forms an FH2 complex lying entirely in the reactants valley. We propose that analysis of the asymptotic fragments in the photodetachment experiment will almost invariably detect F + H2 and very rarely FH + H, and we also discuss which conditions would lead to a different conclusion.
The steric effect as a mechanistic tool in mass spectral decompositions. Comments on the activated complex for the loss of no from substituted nitrobenzenes

The effect of ortho substituents in nitrobenzence radical cation decompositions are discussed for non-interacting halogen substituents. These effects are distinct from those of the same substituents in the meta and para positions, and support previous indications that ring position identity is retained in nitrobenzene molecular ions. More importantly, the steric effect of the halo substituents may be gauged from these data; it indicates that several previously suggested mechanisms for the loss of NO must be reconsidered. The existence of steric effect in very well defined systems may be used as a structural tool in organic mass spectrometry.
On the relationship between propagating context-dependent lindenmayer systems and cellular automata systems

Abstract It is shown that any one-dimensional cellular automata system can be simulated in real time by a propagating context-dependent Lindenmayer system, PD(m, n)L. Further, any PD(m, n)L system can be simulated by a one-dimensional cellular system. Although real-time simulations exist, there are PD(m, n)L systems for which a linear-time simulation is impossible.
The polyp and immature medusa stages of Cladonema californicum, Hyman, 1947 (Anthomedusae: Cladonemidae) with biological notes and a discussion of the taxonomy of the genus Cladonema

Summary The polyp and immature medusa stages of Cladonema californicum Hyman, are described. The life cycle of the species was observed in the laboratory and took about 47 days to complete under laboratory conditions. Field collections from Bodega Harbor indicated that the medusae and reproductive polyp are present all year. A review of the taxonomy of the genus reveals that there are possibly only two valid species of Cladonema if one bases species separation on the medusa alone: C. radiatum and its ‘varieties’, and C. californicum. Additional work is needed to elucidate the relationships among the described varieties of the medusae of C. radiatum and the morphology of their respective polyps before further revision of the genus can be attempted.
The importance of optimal control for the practical engineer

For finding the optimal control for a certain process the practical engineer should find out which performance criterion is the most important one among several considered by him, then try to design a feedback control. This may only be a suboptimal control because the implementation of the exact optimal control may be too difficult.
Prevalence of tuberculin skin test positivity and conversions among healthcare workers in New York City during 1994 to 2001

Objective: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for tuberculin skin test positivity and conversion among New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene employees. Design: Point-prevalence survey and prospective cohort analysis. Sentinel surveillance was conducted from March 1,1994, to December 31, 2001. Participants: HCWs in high-risk and low-risk settings for occupational TB exposure. Results: Baseline tuberculin positivity was 36.2% (600 of 1,658), 15.5% (143 of 922) among HCWs born in the United States, and 48.5% (182 of 375) among HCWs not born in the United States. There were 36 tuberculin conversions during 2,754 observation-years (rate, 1.3 per 100 person-years). For HCWs born in the United States, the risk for tuberculin conversion was greater in high-risk occupational settings compared with low-risk settings (OR 5.7; CI95, 1.7–19.2; P < .01). HCWs not born in the United States and those employed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) were at high risk for baseline tuberculin positivity (OR, 3.2; CI95,1.7–5.8; P < .001); OCME HCWs (OR 4.7; CI95, 2.3–9.4; P < .001), those of Asian ethnicity (OR 4.3; CI95,1.4–13.5; P < .01), and older HCWs (OR, 1.0; CI95,1.0–1.1; p < .05) were at a higher risk for conversion. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of tuberculin positivity decreased after the peak of the recent TB epidemic in New York City, the conversion rate among HCWs in high-risk occupational settings for TB exposure was still greater than that among HCWs in low-risk settings. Continued surveillance of occupational TB infection is needed, especially among high-risk HCWs.
Limiting unwanted cues via random rove applied to the yes-no and multiple-alternative forced choice paradigms.

When a random rove is used in a perceptual task to control the influence of an unwanted cue that may confound the decision strategy of primary interest, the effectiveness of the rove is determined by its range. Green [Profile Analysis (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1988)] provided a formula which allows experimenters to determine the roving range required to ensure that the listeners relying on the unwanted cue cannot exceed a pre-defined percentage of correct responses in a two-interval, two-alternative forced-choice experiment. Here, Green’s analysis is extended to the yes-no and m-alternative, forced-choice paradigms (m>2).
A note on the nonlinear response of an elastic beam on a foundation to a moving load

Abstract The nonlinear response of an elastic beam to a moving transverse load is studied, using a special perturbation method. Solutions are obtained that remain valid throughout some neighborhood of the critical speed of the linear beam theory. It is found that in general, depending upon the type of dominant nonlinearity in the beam, either the subcritical response or the supercritical response may be continued up to the critical speed and even beyond. The solutions also show how the transitions from a subcritical response to a supercritical response and vice versa take place near the critical speed.
Up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression by cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate

In this study, the role of cyclic GMP, the end product of the NO-cyclic GMP signalling pathway, in the regulation of ecNOS was investigated. Bovine pulmonary endothelial cells were exposed to 8-bromo-cyclic GMP and its effect on NO production, ecNOS protein, and mRNA levels was analyzed. Endothelial cells on exposure to 8-bromo-cyclic GMP produced significantly increased amounts of NO, detected as increased cyclic GMP in cocultures with vascular smooth muscle cells both under basal conditions and with agonist stimulation. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP significantly increased the ecNOS protein and mRNA levels as detected on Western and Northern blots respectively. This 8-bromo-cyclic GMP mediated increase of NO production, ecNOS protein and mRNA levels suggests that cyclic GMP up-regulates the expression of ecNOS. Thus, there may be an intercellular feedback mechanism involved at the molecular level in the expression of the NO-cyclic GMP signalling pathway in blood vessels.
Workplace Contamination with Antineoplastic Agents in a New Cancer Hospital Using a Closed-System Drug Transfer Device

Objective: To determine levels of environmental chemotherapy contamination in a new cancer hospital that has exclusively used a closed-system drug transfer device (PhaSeal) for preparing and administering all compatible antineoplastics.Methods: After 6 months of operation, surface samples were collected from pharmacy and nursing areas to determine levels of contamination with cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. In addition, urine samples were collected from pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurses to determine employee exposure to these agents. All samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.Results: Twenty-one percent (7/34) of surface samples collected tested positive for cyclophosphamide contamination. Twelve percent (4/34) of surface samples tested positive for ifosfamide. To place this into perspective, historical data collected at our outpatient oncology infusion clinic 6 months after converting to PhaSeal from conventional methods of antineoplastic preparation showe...
Power of assaying inbreeding through sampling of phenotypes and mating types.

Power of detecting inbreeding coefficient through a phenotype or mating type bioassay is evaluated as a function of sample size and level of inbreeding. Efficiency of a mating bioassay over a phenotypic one is then defined as the ratio of the two power functions for a given sample size while surveying the same population (i.e., with the same F). Empirical analysis of this efficiency function indicates that efficiency depends largely on n and F apart from the gene frequencies at the locus.
Population cancer risks associated with coal mining: a systematic review.

Background Coal is produced across 25 states and provides 42% of US energy. With production expected to increase 7.6% by 2035, proximate populations remain at risk of exposure to carcinogenic coal products such as silica dust and organic compounds. It is unclear if population exposure is associated with increased risk, or even which cancers have been studied in this regard. Methods We performed a systematic review of English-language manuscripts published since 1980 to determine if coal mining exposure was associated with increased cancer risk (incidence and mortality). Results Of 34 studies identified, 27 studied coal mining as an occupational exposure (coal miner cohort or as a retrospective risk factor) but only seven explored health effects in surrounding populations. Overall, risk assessments were reported for 20 cancer site categories, but their results and frequency varied considerably. Incidence and mortality risk assessments were: negative (no increase) for 12 sites; positive for 1 site; and discordant for 7 sites (e.g. lung, gastric). However, 10 sites had only a single study reporting incidence risk (4 sites had none), and 11 sites had only a single study reporting mortality risk (2 sites had none). The ecological study data were particularly meager, reporting assessments for only 9 sites. While mortality assessments were reported for each, 6 had only a single report and only 2 sites had reported incidence assessments. Conclusions The reported assessments are too meager, and at times contradictory, to make definitive conclusions about population cancer risk due to coal mining. However, the preponderance of this and other data support many of Hill’s criteria for causation. The paucity of data regarding population exposure and risk, the widespread geographical extent of coal mining activity, and the continuing importance of coal for US energy, warrant further studies of population exposure and risk.
Working Group on Education and Training, Paris, France, March 29”April 2, 1971

The IHD Working Group on Education in Hydrology held its fourth session in Paris at Unesco House. The meeting was opened by S. Dumitrescu, Director of the Office of Hydrology, on behalf of the Director General of Unesco. Nine members, each representing a different country attended the meeting. Two members were unable to attend. There were two observers from the World Meteorological Organization.
Endocrine gland cancer.

Background. Incidence and prognosis of cancers of the endocrine glands vary greatly by histologic type. Methods. Population-based data from SEER registries, 1973-1987, were analyzed. Results. Thyroid cancer accounts for most (92%) of the cancers of the endocrine glands. The four major histologic types of thyroid cancer display distinct patterns, reflecting different biologic entities. Papillary carcinoma, the most common type, occurs more frequently in women than in men and in whites than in blacks and has an early onset. Follicular carcinoma, the second most common type, shows a steady increase in incidence with age and a female preponderance but no racial disparity. Medullary carcinoma, the rare differentiated thyroid tumor, has a female excess in whites only and a slow increase in incidence with age. Anaplastic carcinoma shows few racial or sex variations and reaches a substantial level only after age 50. The prognosis also varies greatly by histologic type. The overall 5-year relative survival rate is greater than 90% for papillary and follicular carcinomas, 82% for medullary carcinoma, and less than 10% for anaplastic carcinoma. Carcinomas of the suprarenal gland and thymus are rare, accounting for about 3% of endocrine cancers each. These tumors, unlike the differentiated thyroid cancer, show no female preponderance, have a higher incidence rate in blacks, and have a poorer survival rate. Conclusions. The marked predominance of papillary carcinoma and the continued increase in its relative frequency characterize the postgoiter era and an increased use of scintigraphy and fine needle aspiration. Underdiagnosis of small tumors may explain the observed lower incidence of papillary carcinoma in blacks.