cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Non-myopic Utility Function for Statistical Global Optimization Algorithms

The high cost of providing ’’worst-case‘‘ solutions to global optimization problems has motivated the development of ’’average-case‘‘ algorithms that rely on a statistical model of the objective function. The critical role of the statistical model is to guide the search for the optimum. The standard approach is to define a utility function u(x) that in a certain sense reflects the benefit of evaluating the function at x. A proper utility function needs to strike a balance between the immediate benefit of evaluating the function at x – a myopic consideration; and the overall effect of this choice on the performance of the algorithm – a global criterion. The utility functions currently used in this context are heuristically modified versions of some myopic utility functions. We propose using a new utility function that is provably a globally optimal utility function in a non-adaptive context (where the model of the function values remains unchanged). In the adaptive context, this utility function is not necessarily optimal, however, given its global nature, we expect that its use will lead to the improved performance of statistical global optimization algorithms. To illustrate the approach, and to test the above assertion, we apply this utility function to an existing adaptive multi-dimensional statistical global optimization algorithm and provide experimental comparisons with the original algorithm.
Disasters and the Future of Humanitarian Action: Issues, Trends, and Challenges

Since the end of the Cold War, there has been an unprecedented growth and institutionalization of the international humanitarian enterprise. This growth was to a large extent due to the end of bipolarism and the consequent lifting of inhibitions around military and humanitarian interventions. Accordingly, humanitarian agencies have adapted to a new context that allowed presence ‘in’ conflict areas, rather than just ‘around’ conflict. The model was predicated on two assumptions that have now become increasingly questionable: the first was that conflict would continue to be the main driver of disasters and vulnerability; the second was that western-driven approaches to the provision of assistance and protection would continue to be welcome in disaster affected States. After discussing major trends in disasters and disaster response, this chapter questions both these assumptions and provides pointers on the humanitarian challenges of the future.
SEMICONDUCTION IN NICKEL-DOPED POLYMER CARBONS

A study was made of the preparation and the electrical character of semi-conductors made of nickel-doped polymer carbon. These materials were made from various nickel loaded-ion exchange resins which were then pyrolyzed to temperatures ranging from 700°C to 1200°C and in yields of about 13%, based on dry resin. The electrical conductivity and its temperature coefficient and the Hall coefficient were studied, and the pyrolysis and conduction mechanisms were examined. Nickel contents up to 12 atom % were studied. The conductivity is generally found to increase as the pyrolysis temperature or impurity concentration is increased. As expected from theory and from the already high concentration of carriers in polymer carbon, (activation energies of about 0.01 to 0.07 eV) high concentration of impurity (about 1 atom %) is needed to materially affect the conductivity. For example, in polymer carbons prepared at 800°C, which exhibited an activation energy of about 0.07 eV, the addition of about 1 atom % Ni caused a change in conductivity of about 20%, whereas, in polymer carbons prepared at 1000°C and 1200°C with activation energies of 0.01–0.02 eV, addition of up to about 6 atom % Ni caused little change in conductivity, but 11.5 atom % caused a fourfold increase. This conveniently high working level of impurity for semi-conductor modification is to be compared with that in Ge (parts per million or less) or Si (parts per billion). Interpretation of the Hall coefficients and the high ferromagnetism of the nickel-doped samples suggests that the addition of Ni to polymer carbon increases the “hole” density. This may be pictured as due to raising the Fermi level by the electrons from the Ni, in an extension of the Mrozowski theory of polymer carbons. This behavior is interpretable qualitatively, with a two-conductor model.
Overview and Scope

This book presents a unified, efficient model of decision forests which can be used in a number of applications such as scene recognition from photographs, object recognition in images and automatic diagnosis from radiological scans. Such applications have traditionally been addressed by different, supervised or unsupervised machine learning techniques. However, in this book, diverse learning tasks, including regression, classification, and semi-supervised learning are all seen as instances of the same general decision forest model. The unified framework further extends to novel uses of forests in tasks such as density estimation and manifold learning. This unification carries both theoretical and practical advantages. For instance, the underlying single model gives us the opportunity to implement and optimize the general algorithm for all these tasks only once, and then easily adapt it to individual applications with relatively small changes.
Instrument Modeling Concepts for Tradespace Analysis of Satellite Constellations

Constellations are gaining popularity in government and commercial space-based missions for Earth Observation (EO) due to their risk tolerance and ability to improve observation sampling in space and time. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is developing a pre-Phase A tool called Tradespace Analysis Tool for Constellations (TAT-C) to initiate constellation mission design. The tool will allow users to explore the tradespace between various performance, cost and risk metrics (as a function of their science mission) and select Pareto optimal architectures that meet their requirements. This paper will describe the concept of modeling the primary science instruments within TAT-C, using a radar as an example, but extendable to imagers, occulters and lidars. The modularity of TAT-C‘s software architecture allows for crisply defining the interface between TAT-C‘s user defined or internal variables and the payload variables. The described module will inform TAT-C users of payload-dependent performance differences among thousands of constellation architectures (e.g. revisit time of the sensor swath, differential signal to noise ratio (SNR), spatial resolution of measurements) and allow them to pick an appropriate constellation architecture for detailed development. The module may also inform operational decisions of satellite modes, based on ground optimization or onboard autonomy.
DIFFERENCES IN CARDIAC REMODELING, HEMODYNAMIC RESPONSE, AND PREDICTORS OF OUTCOMES AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-FLOW, LOW-GRADIENT AORTIC STENOSIS AND NORMAL-FLOW, LOW-GRADIENT AORTIC STENOSIS: RESULTS FROM THE LARGEST SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE

Limited data exist on low-gradient (LG) aortic stenosis (AS) treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We sought to assess the impact of flow (low-flow (LF) or normal-flow (NF)) on cardiac remodeling, hemodynamic response and clinical outcomes after TAVR in this population. We
Scalable Manufacturing of Hybrid Solid Electrolytes with Interface Control

Hybrid solid electrolytes are promising alternatives for high energy density metallic lithium batteries. Scalable manufacturing of multi-material electrolytes with tailored transport pathways can provide an avenue toward controlling Li stripping and deposition mechanisms in all-solid-state devices. A novel roll-to-roll compatible coextrusion device is demonstrated to investigate mesostructural control during manufacturing. Solid electrolytes with 25 and 75 wt % PEO-LLZO compositions are investigated. The coextrusion head is demonstrated to effectively process multimaterial films with strict compositional gradients in a single pass. An average manufacturing variability of 5.75 ± 1.2 μm is observed in the thickness across all the electrolytes manufactured. Coextruded membranes with 1 mm stripes show the highest room temperature conductivity of 8.8 × 10-6 S cm-1 compared to the conductivity of single-material films (25 wt %, 1.2 × 10-6 S cm-1; 75 wt %, 1.8 × 10-6 S cm-1). Distribution of relaxation times and effective mean field theory calculations suggest that the interface generated between the two materials possesses high ion-conducting properties. Computational simulations are used to further substantiate the influence of macroscale interfaces on ion transport.
Reliability of VANET Bicycle Safety Applications in Malicious Environments

This paper presents a bicycle safety application that aims to reduce accidents due to the so-called Right Hook Conflict, where a right-turning vehicle causes a crash with an adjacent bicycle. It is based on the same technologies introduced for accident avoidance for motor vehicles in the context of connected vehicles. The bicycle safety application uses information that is exchanged in periodic beacon messages emitted by all vehicles, including bicycles. This wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication is however vulnerable to malicious jamming attacks. A bicycle safety application algorithm is presented that is capable of mitigating against such attacks, as well as message loss due to natural phenomena. The algorithm was analyzed in terms of accuracy and application reliability. Its effectiveness was evaluated based on real-world field experiments using commercial equipment installed in the vehicles and bicycle.
Learning and memory retention deficits in prepubertal guinea pigs prenatally exposed to low levels of the organophosphorus insecticide malathion

Abstract High doses of malathion, an organophosphorus (OP) insecticide ubiquitously used in agriculture, residential settings, and public health programs worldwide, induce a well-defined toxidrome that results from the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). However, prenatal exposures to malathion levels that are below the threshold for AChE inhibition have been associated with increased risks of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability comorbidity. The present study tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposures to a non-AChE-inhibiting dose of malathion are causally related to male-biased cognitive deficits later in life in a precocial species. To this end, pregnant guinea pigs were injected subcutaneously with malathion (20 mg/kg) or vehicle (peanut oil, 0.5 ml/kg) once daily between approximate gestational days 53 and 63. This malathion dose regimen caused no significant AChE inhibition in the brain or blood of dams and offspring and had no significant effect on the postnatal growth of the offspring. Around postnatal day 30, locomotor activity and habituation, a form of non-associative learning, were comparable between malathion- and peanut oil-exposed offspring. However, in the Morris water maze, malathion-exposed offspring presented significant sex-dependent spatial learning deficits in addition to memory impairments. These results are far reaching as they indicate that: (i) malathion is a developmental neurotoxicant and (ii) AChE inhibition is not an adequate biomarker to derive safety limits of malathion exposures during gestation. Continued studies are necessary to identify the time and dose dependence of the developmental neurotoxicity of malathion and the mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of this insecticide in the developing brain.
An explanation is not an excuse: Trust calibration in an age of transparent robots

Abstract Some view transparency as a cure to the challenge of human-robot trust calibration. This point of view considers a person's trust in a robot to be little more than a reflection of the robot's performance. A transparent robot capable of explaining its behavior will thus result in correct trust calibration. This chapter argues that this simple calculus ignores critical determinants of trust such as individual differences (human and robot), social and contextual factors, and, most importantly, human psychology itself. We examine how these factors influence the success of an explanation and begin to outline a program of research by which an autonomous robot might tailor its explanation to an audience. Moreover, we consider the impact that cognitive laziness of humans in real-world environments will have on the tendency to trust a robot and the ethical ramifications of creating robots that mold their explanations to the person.
Development of a huBLT Mouse Model to Study HCMV Latency, Reactivation, and Immune Response.

Immunodeficient mice engrafted with human tissues provide a robust model for the in vivo investigation of human-restricted viruses such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Several humanized mouse models have been developed and improved over the last 30 years. Here, we describe a protocol for the transplant of human hematopoietic stem cells with autologous fetal liver and thymic tissues into NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIL2rγtm1Wjl mice to create a humanized bone marrow-liver-thymus model (huBLT) that can be infected with HCMV. The presence of human thymus allows the development of a functional human immune system, including HLA-restricted human T-cells and B-cells. Indeed, following infection, huBLT mice generate virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. Additionally, both HCMV-specific IgM and IgG B-cell responses can be detected. This huBLT model provides the first animal model to explore the adaptive human immune response to HCMV infection.
Hearing Loss and Healthcare Access among Adults

Hearing loss (HL) is common among individuals aged 50 and older and is associated with increased healthcare costs. Whether HL is associated with less access to healthcare is unclear. In this study, we examined the association between HL and access to medical care and prescription drugs among individuals 50+ with and without HL. We used nationally representative 2013–2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, consisting of 1,977 adults with HL and 17,399 without. We applied an inverse propensity score weighting and regression modeling to adjust for any potential differences in health and socioeconomic conditions between the two groups. Adults with HL were more likely to be white, less educated, poorer, and with public insurance (p
Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Patients’ Adjustment: A Pilot Study about Recurrence of Cancer

Background: The need to prevent cancer lead us to propose three innovative courses of cancer as categories of disease. Aim: The goals of our research are to investigate the impact of various factors on cancer recurrence adaptation and to assess the quality of life, anxiety as a state, depression as a state, and disease evolution over a three-month period. Methods and Materials: We met 32 subjects after announcing the recurrence of their cancer during this longitudinal and prospective study, and we saw 21 of them again three months later. In two times of the study, we made fill out several questionnaires concerning various variables. Results: Our main findings suggest that the majority of the participants did not have a new cancer recurrence and that the implementation of a fighting strategy is representative of them. Our linear regressions and average comparisons enabled us several relations about to different categories of disease. Conclusion: Supportive therapies and stress management programmes would be beneficial for cancer patients who have had a recurrence.
Using IOR to analyze the I/O Performance for HPC Platforms

The HPC community is preparing to deploy petaflop-scale computing platforms that may include hundreds of thousands to millions of computational cores over the next 3 years. Such explosive growth in concurrency creates daunting challenges for the design and implementation of the I/O system. In this work, we first analyzed the I/O practices and requirements of current HPC applications and used them as criteria to select a subset of microbenchmarks that reflect the workload requirements. Our analysis led to selection of IOR, an I/O benchmark developed by LLNL for the ASCI Purple procurement, as our tool to study the I/O performance on two HPC platforms. We selected parameterizations for IOR that match the requirements of key I/O intensive applications to assess its fidelity in reproducing their performance characteristics.
Effects of a novel carbohydrate and protein source on sow performance during lactation.

Ninety-one primiparous and multiparous sows and their pigs were used to evaluate the effects of a novel carbohydrate- and protein-based feed ingredient (Nutri-Pal, NP) on sow and litter performance during lactation. Nutri-Pal is a feed supplement for sows that consists of a blend of milk chocolate, brewer's yeast, whey products, and glucooligosaccharides. The dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal control and a corn-soybean meal plus 5% NP fed from d 110 of gestation to weaning. The diets were formulated to be equal in total Lys and ME. Sows were allotted to treatment based on parity, body weight, and the date of d 110 of gestation. There were 46 and 45 sows per treatment over four farrowing groups. Litters were standardized to 10 pigs and weighed within 1 d of farrowing, and all sows weaned at least 8 pigs at an average age of 21 d. Sows were weighed on d 110 of gestation, d 1 postfarrowing, and at weaning. Sows were fed three times daily during lactation. Sows were checked twice daily after weaning for signs of estrus. The weaning weight of sows fed NP was increased (P 0.10) by diet. There were no effects (P > 0.10) of diet on litter performance response variables (pigs weaned, litter and average pig weaning weight and gain, and survival percent). The NP feed ingredient had minor effects on sow productivity, but it did not affect litter productivity indices.
Heat Transfer in Geothermal Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mathematical formulation of the problems of convective heat transfer in geothermal systems. Geothermal reservoirs may have numerous near-vertical faults and relatively impermeable intrusive interspersed in the aquifers. Both theoretical and experimental investigations of heat transfer in geothermal systems are reviewed. A qualitative understanding of the large-scale convection processes in a geothermal reservoir and the prediction of reservoir behavior under production can be obtained by idealizing it as a saturated porous medium. The identification of a viable geothermal reservoir and the estimation of its capacity remain major problems in the utilization of geothermal resources. Thermal anomalies in geothermal areas can be detected by surface manifestations, aerial infrared surveys, geochemical analyses, or exploratory drillings. Many of the analyses are applicable to a wide range of engineering problems whenever they can be idealized as convection in a porous medium. These include the problems of the secondary recovery of oil by thermal methods, the use of fibrous materials for thermal insulations, the design of aquifers as an energy storage system, and the deposition of mineral ore in the subsurface formation. Results from short-duration well testing are used to determine reservoir characteristics.
Asian American Midlife Women's Attitudes Toward Physical Activity

ABSTRACT Objectives To explore Asian American midlife women's attitudes toward physical activity using a feminist perspective. Design A qualitative online forum study. Settings Internet communities/groups for midlife women and ethnic minorities. Participants A total of 17 Asian American women recruited through the Internet using a convenience sampling method. Methods A 6‐month qualitative online forum was conducted using 17 online forum topics. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Three major themes related to Asian American midlife women's attitudes toward physical activity were extracted from the data: keeping traditions, not a priority, and not for Asian girls. Because Asian American midlife women were busy in keeping their cultural traditions, they rarely found time for physical activity. The women gave the highest priority to their children, and physical activity was the lowest priority in their busy lives. Also, the women were rarely encouraged to participate in physical activity during their childhoods, and they perceived that their weak and small bodies were not appropriate for physical activity. Conclusions Several implications for future development of physical activity promotion programs for this specific population have been suggested based on the findings.
Industrial engineering student perceptions of computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering

During a NSF funded (HRD-0225228) study of gender parity in the School of Industrial Engineering (IE) at the University of Oklahoma, IE students' responses to questions about courses, experiences with faculty, and computers were noted. Over half of the students (21 out of 41) interviewed commented about Computer Science (CS), Computer Engineering (CE), or Electrical Engineering. Student responses fell into three categories: perceptions of the disciplines (12), perceptions of the departments (7), and perceptions of programming courses (15). IE students perceived these disciplines as intangible, populated by cubicle dwellers, limited, and lucrative. These disciplines need to better communicate their professional context. Perceptions of the departments came mostly from former CE majors who felt unwelcome there. Of the 30 students who had taken the programming course, 4 students enjoyed it and 11 students disliked it. The absence of an accepted pedagogy for beginning programming classes is felt by these students
Recent Paper Industry Waste Treatment Systems

The paper industry is the third largest discharger of industrial waste in the U.S. A great deal of experience has been gained in the design and operation of such treatment facilities. This information is contained in the records of the National Council of the Paper Industry for Air and Stream Improvement. The experience contained in these records is translated into design parameters. The application of these design parameters is illustrated with the case histories of two highly successful treatment plants. The first case history deals with an aerated stabilization basin system. The design of this plant shows excellent foresight in providing for the flexibility necessary in treating paper mill wastes and also reserve capacity necessary to protect the receiving stream under any conditions. The second case history is of an activated sludge system. This system illustrates an application where a high degree of treatment is needed at all times.
Low-Energy Digit-Serial/Parallel Finite Field Multipliers

Digit-serial architectures are best suited for systems requiring moderate sample rate and where area and power consumption are critical. This paper presents a new approach for designing digit-serial/parallel finite field multipliers. This approach combines both array-type and parallel multiplication algorithms, where the digit-level array-type algorithm minimizes the latency for one multiplication operation and the parallel architecture inside of each digit cell reduces both the cycle-time as well as the switching activities, hence power consumption. By appropriately constraining the feasible primitive polynomials, the mod p(x) operation involved in finite field multiplication can be performed in a more efficient way. As a result, the computation delay and energy consumption of one finite field multiplication using the proposed digit-serial/parallel architectures are significantly less than of those obtained by folding the parallel semi-systolic multipliers. Furthermore, their energy-delay products are reduced by a even larger percentage. Therefore, the proposed digit-serial/parallel architectures are attractive for both low-energy and high-performance applications.
H+ + H Scattering and Ambipolar Diffusion Heating

We report new and highly accurate quantum mechanical calculations of the astrophysically interesting scattering of H+ by H atoms. The effects of the quantum indistinguishability of the two protons are treated consistently throughout, including the calculation of the momentum transfer cross section where elastic scattering and charge transfer cannot be separated at low energies. We are able to resolve the numerous oscillations in the energy variation of the angle-integrated cross sections. With decreasing energy below 1 eV, the oscillations grow in amplitude until a smooth, approximately 1/v2 dependence on velocity is reached below 10-5 eV. The 1/v behavior, traditionally associated with a constant Langevin rate coefficient, is never realized down to the lowest energy calculated (10-10 eV). We use the momentum transfer cross section to calculate accurately the transport rate coefficient that characterizes the drag force between ionic and neutral fluids and the strength of ambipolar diffusion heating for temperatures and ion-neutral drift speeds relevant for astrophysical applications. An early fit of this rate coefficient by Draine is sustained except at low energies. The application of these results to the role of ambipolar diffusion in heating jets from young stellar objects is discussed.
Lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of TRAIL promotes dendritic cell differentiation.

Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a death-inducing cytokine whose physiological function is not well understood. Here, we show that TRAIL has a role in programming human dendritic cell (DC) differentiation. TRAIL expression was strongly induced in DCs upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) stimulation. Blockade of TRAIL with neutralizing antibody partially inhibited LPS-induced up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and the expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-12 (IL-12) p70. In addition, neutralization of TRAIL in LPS-treated DCs inhibited the DC-driven differentiation of T cells into interferon-γ (IFN-γ) -producing effectors. The effects of TRAIL neutralization in poly(I:C)-treated DCs were similar, except that IL-12 production and the differentiation of effector T cells into IFN-γ producers were not inhibited. Strikingly, TRAIL stimulation alone was sufficient to induce morphological changes resembling DC maturation, up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules, and enhancement of DC-driven allogeneic T-cell proliferation. However, TRAIL alone did not induce inflammatory cytokine production. We further show that the effects of TRAIL on DC maturation were not the result of the induction of apoptosis, but may involve p38 activation. Hence, our data demonstrate that TRAIL co-operates with other cytokines to facilitate DC functional maturation in response to Toll-like receptor activation.
Energy-Aware Instruction Scheduling

Energy consumption is increasingly becoming an important metric in designing computing systems. This paper focuses on instruction scheduling algorithms to reduce energy. Our experimentation shows that the best scheduling from the performance perspective is not necessarily the best scheduling from the energy perspective. Further, scheduling techniques that consider both energy and performance simultaneously are found to be desirable. We also validate the energy estimates of the instruction schedules obtained using the energy transition cost tables by executing the instructions on a cycle-accurate energy simulator. We conclude the paper with a discussion of alternate ways of building energy transition tables and estimating absolute energy consumption.
17β-Estradiol Potentiates Kainate-Induced Currents via Activation of the cAMP Cascade

Evidence for nongenomic actions of steroids is now coming from a variety of fields of steroid research. Mechanisms of steroid action are being studied with regard to the membrane receptors and the activation of second messengers. The present study investigated the mechanism for the rapid effect of estrogen on acutely dissociated hippocampal CA1 neurons by using the whole-cell, voltage-clamp recording. Under the perforated patch configuration, 17 beta-estradiol potentiated kainate-induced currents in 38% of tested neurons. The potentiation was stereospecific, rapid in onset, and reversible after the removal of the steroid. Dose-response curves show that the potentiation by 17 beta-estradiol was evident at a concentration as low as 10 nM and saturated at 10 microM. 17 beta-Estradiol did not affect the kinetics (i.e., affinity and cooperativity) and reversal potential of kainate-induced currents. This suggests that the potentiation did not result from direct interaction with kainate receptors nor the activation of ion channels other than kainate receptor-channels. The potentiation by 17 beta-estradiol was similar to the enhancement of kainate-induced currents evoked by 8-bromo-cAMP, and was modulated by an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase (IBMX). The estrogen potentiation was blocked by a specific blocker of PKA (Rp-cAMPS). Under standard recording configuration, the effect was significantly affected by intracellular perfusing with GDP-beta-S or GTP-gamma-S. The data suggest that the potentiation of kainate-induced currents by 17-beta-estradiol was likely a G-protein(s) coupled, cAMP-dependent phosphorylation event. By involvement of this non-genomic mechanism, estrogen may play a role in the modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus.
Is post-operative radiotherapy of any benefit after R0 resection for N2 disease?

This is another paper in a recent and growing trend of papers that takes a very large database and by the sheer basis of numbers tries to answer what is a very common posed question (1). Importantly, this particular question may not be answerable using a smaller more granular or detailed database.
The acquisition and use of context-dependent grammars for English

This paper introduces a paradigm of context-dependent grammar (CDG) and an acquisition system that, through interactive teaching sessions, accumulates the CDG rules. The resulting context-sensitive rules are used by a stack-based, shift/reduce parser to compute unambiguous syntactic structures of sentences. The acquisition system and parser have been applied to the phrase structure and case analyses of 345 sentences, mainly from newswire stories, with 99% accuracy. Extrapolation from our current grammar predicts that about 25 thousand CDG rule examples will be sufficient to train the system in phrase structure analysis of most news stories. Overall, this research concludes that CDG is a computationally and conceptually tractable approach for the construction of sentence grammar for large subsets of natural language text.
Structure and Substance in Artificial‐Phonology Learning, Part II: Substance

Artificial analogues of natural-language phonological patterns can often be learned in the lab from small amounts of training or exposure. The difficulty of a featurally-defined pattern has been hypothesized to be affected by two main factors, its formal structure (the abstract logical relationships between the defining features) and its phonetic substance (the concrete phonetic interpretation of the pattern). This paper, the second of a two-part series, reviews the experimental literature on phonetic substance, which is hypothesized to facilitate the acquisition of phonological patterns that resemble naturally-occurring phonetic patterns. The effects of phonetic substance on pattern learning turn out to be elusive and unreliable in comparison with the robust effects of formal complexity (reviewed in Part I). If natural-language acquisition is guided by the same inductive biases as are found in the lab, these results support a theory in which inductive bias shapes only the form, and channel bias shapes the content, of the sound patterns of the worlds languages.
The stimulus prefix is not irrelevant and is redundant in different ways

The present study examined the stimulus prefix effect of immediate recall under conditions in which the prefix element was defined explicitly as being an irrelevant item that should be ignored, or, alternatively, as an item to be remembered and recalled. Memory was poorer in the latter case. Also examined were the effects of three types of redundancy relation between the prefix and target elements; one of these, interstring redundancy (same prefix precedes each target string), was found to improve recall in a relative sense, and another, conceptual redundancy (prefix and target items belong to the same conceptual category), was found to degrade it. Thus, that part of the conventional stimulus prefix effect attributable to redundancy, per se, can be viewed as a composite of at least two opposing factors. Finally, the independent variables of the present study were interpreted to impose different information-processing requirements on the subject, and an account of these requirements was offered.
Resilient child sexual abuse survivors: Cognitive coping and illusion

This research examined cognitive coping strategies associated with resilience in a nonclinical sample of child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. In Study 1, 180 college women completed surveys assessing self-enhancing cognitive distortions of reality, known as positive illusions, and CSA history. CSA survivors and nonvictimized women were found to be equally likely to engage in illusion, and for both groups, measures of illusion were strongly associated with psychological well-being. In Study 2, a qualitative study, a subsample of 20 CSA survivors from Study 1 were interviewed regarding their efforts to cope with CSA. Analysis was focused on comparisons between well-adjusted and poorly-adjusted women. The high adjustment group revealed a greater tendency to engage in four types of cognitive strategies: disclosing and discussing CSA, minimization, positive reframing, and refusing to dwell on the experience. The results of both studies highlight the importance of cognitive reappraisal in CSA recovery. Implications for therapists working with CSA survivors are discussed.
Aqueous dispersions of colloidal poly(3-hexylthiophene) gel particles with high internal porosity

This work outlines the development of nano-porous, sub-micron poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) gel particles as solution-processable inks for applications in polymer solar cells. These dispersions are produced by emulsifying bulk P3HT organogels into water containing surfactant. The optical characteristics and stability of the resulting gel particles are assessed and their structure characterized. The P3HT within the gel particles is shown to retain its crystallinity with no evidence of doping. The gel particles are shown to be stable against aggregation due to the presence of surfactant at the oil/water interface. The fracture of the gel network during emulsification produces a bimodal distribution of particles that increase in size with increasing P3HT concentration in the 'parent' organogel. Small Angle Neutron Scattering measurements show that the particles maintain the structure of the bulk gels with high specific surface area. Spray-coating the gel particle dispersions produces uniform thin-films, which have been used to fabricate polymer/fullerene solar cells with a fully spray-coated active layer.
Immunologic unresponsiveness induced by cytosine arabinoside in adult mice

Abstract Cytosine arabinoside when used in conjunction with F 1 hybrid lymphocyte injection extends significantly the median survival time of C3H skin grafts on CBA recipients. Some grafts (27%) show little evidence for rejection over long periods of time. This treatment could not overcome a preexisting specific immunity. However, some of the treated mice, having rejected Protocol grafts, failed to evelop specific immunity to secondary grafts. The thymus was observed to respond to the F 1 hybrid cell injection and cytosine arabinoside by enlargement followed by atrophy and cellular depletion. The phenomenon is speculated to be a state of drug-induced tolerance.
Phase-Mask Control and Stabilization of Optical Filamentation

Applying a circular phase mask before focusing improves the pointing stability of optical filamentation and helps to enhance the coherent supercontinuum bandwidth. The experiment is supported by simulations showing stabilized guiding without a waveguide structure.
Dynamics of Kv1 Channel Transport in Axons

Concerted actions of various ion channels that are precisely targeted along axons are crucial for action potential initiation and propagation, and neurotransmitter release. However, the dynamics of channel protein transport in axons remain unknown. Here, using time-lapse imaging, we found fluorescently tagged Kv1.2 voltage-gated K+ channels (YFP-Kv1.2) moved bi-directionally in discrete puncta along hippocampal axons. Expressing Kvβ2, a Kv1 accessory subunit, markedly increased the velocity, the travel distance, and the percentage of moving time of these puncta in both anterograde and retrograde directions. Suppressing the Kvβ2-associated protein, plus-end binding protein EB1 or kinesin II/KIF3A, by siRNA, significantly decreased the velocity of YFP-Kv1.2 moving puncta in both directions. Kvβ2 mutants with disrupted either Kv1.2-Kvβ2 binding or Kvβ2-EB1 binding failed to increase the velocity of YFP-Kv1.2 puncta, confirming a central role of Kvβ2. Furthermore, fluorescently tagged Kv1.2 and Kvβ2 co-moved along axons. Surprisingly, when co-moving with Kv1.2 and Kvβ2, EB1 appeared to travel markedly faster than its plus-end tracking. Finally, using fission yeast S. pombe expressing YFP-fusion proteins as reference standards to calibrate our microscope, we estimated the numbers of YFP-Kv1.2 tetramers in axonal puncta. Taken together, our results suggest that proper amounts of Kv1 channels and their associated proteins are required for efficient transport of Kv1 channel proteins along axons.
Properties of the beta subunit of the proteasome activator PA28 (11S REG).

Abstract The proteasome activator PA28 (11S REG) is composed of two homologous subunits termed α and β. The properties of the recombinant β-subunit were explored and compared to the properties of the recombinant α-subunit. PA28β produced in an Escherichia coli expression system migrates on a calibrated gel filtration column as an apparent heptamer ( M r = 250,000). Low concentrations of SDS (0.005%), dissociate the protein to a monomer ( M r = 33,000). PA28β has a complex effect on proteasome activity. At concentrations which favor oligomerization (> 2 μM), PA28β is a strong proteasome activator although its affinity for the proteasome is about 10-fold less than recombinant PA28α. The catalytic properties of the PA28α and PA28β-activated proteasome are similar. At low concentrations, PA28β is a monomer and a potent allosteric proteasome inhibitor. These studies show that oligomerization of PA28β is required for proteasome activation and that PA28β monomers are potent proteasome inhibitors.
Irreversible processes at nonequilibrium steady states.

Abstract It is shown that a Liapunov criterion exists for the stability of nonequilibrium steady states. This criterion is based upon the fluctuation-dissipation relation, as was first pointed out by Keizer. At steady states, the Liapunov function is constructed from the covariance matrix for the thermodynamic variables. Unlike the situation around equilibrium, at steady states the covariance matrix and the “excess entropy” matrix are not equivalent. The excess entropy, which serves as the Liapunov function around equilibrium, does not work in this capacity at steady states. Keizer's Liapunov function must be viewed as the first correct candidate for a proper Liapunov function for steady states.
Hemispheric asymmetry in depression and mania. A longitudinal QEEG study in bipolar disorder.

Abstract Background: previous research has been inconclusive about the nature of hemispheric asymmetry in emotional processing. Method: 13 patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder received repeated QEEGs over 2 years in different mood states. Z-score measures of asymmetry were assessed. Results: asymmetry in frontotemporal slow-wave activity appeared to be in opposite directions in depression compared to mania/hypomania. Conclusions: mood change in bipolar disorder is associated with change in QEEG asymmetry. Limitations: study of larger numbers of more homogenous patients under similar conditions is needed. Clinical relevance: study of mood state-dependent asymmetry changes in bipolar disorder may lead to better understanding of hemispheric processing of emotion.
Geographic range limitation of the intertidal gastropods Littorina sitkana and L. planaxis

Geographic ranges of marine intertidal organisms are not entirely governed by discontinuities in temperature gradients. This is especially true in the eastern north Pacific Ocean, where temperature gradation is less steep than in the western north Atlantic Ocean. The southern limit of distribution of Littorina sitkana (Philippi, 1845) and the northern limit of L. planaxis (Philippi, 1847) occur at Charleston, Oregon (Latitude 43.4°N). No discontinuity in air or water temperature can be correlated with these distributional boundaries. A third species, L. scutulata (Gould, 1849), has the widest range, overlapping with L. planaxis in the south and L. sitkana in the north (Latitude 27.5° to 58°N). L. planaxis transplanted to northern Washington survived for 4 years, grew and produced planktonic larvae. Either larval mortality or south-flowing currents during planktonic life prevent this species from dispersing northward. L. sitkana has direct development and occurs only in habitats where adults are sheltered from waves and egg masses from desiccation. Lack of suitable habitat, coupled with the presence of the predatory crab Pachygrapsus crassipes (Randall, 1839) prevent the southward establishment of L. sitkana.
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma with vaginal and brain metastases: a case report and literature review

There are very few cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma with metastases to the vagina and brain reported in the literature. Our case study highlights this rare clinical occurrence and its associated complications including pulmonary embolism. In addition we discuss current management guidelines for treating and diagnosing the disease, and how this management improves prognosis.
Polymers with quinoxaline units. IV. Polymers with quinoxaline and oxazine units

Six ladder or partly ladder polymers have been prepared by the condensation of diaminodiphenols with tetrachloro- or terahydroxyquinoxaline derivatives with the use of poly (phosphoric acid), pyridine, and naphthalene as reaction media. The polymers thus obtained are highly colored powdery materials which are slightly soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid and methanesulfonic acid. These polymers show good thermal stability.
LIFE HISTORY AND GROWTH OF LAURENCIA BRACHYCLADOS (RHODOPHYTA, CERAMIALES)1

Laurencia brachyclados, Pilger from Hawai'i completed a Polysiphonia-type tri-phasic life history in 21 weeks in laboratory culture. Tetraspores developed into gametophytes in a nearly 1:1:1 ratio of females : males : non-reproductive. Carpospores were released as early as 21 days after mixing virgin female and male gametophytes. Cultured thalli showed a guerilla type growth form. Other Hawaiian Laurencia species in culture had longer maturation times or remained non-reproductive. Variation in life history schedules may influence Laurencia species coexistence and algal community structure
Section Review Central & Peripheral Nervous Systems: Prospects for the development of new volatile anaesthetics

The mechanism of action of general anaesthetics is still unclear but a variety of evidence has strongly suggested that ion channels in the brain mediate some anaesthetic effects. The recent findings of stereoselective actions of volatile anaesthetics also indicate that a protein target is likely. Recent developments in anaesthetic mechanisms are discussed with particular emphasis on effects at GABAA receptors. Despite recent improvements in anaesthetic care, perioperative morbidity remains a significant problem especially among the critically ill. Volatile anaesthetics remain in very wide use because of great experience with them and the ability to titrate their levels easily to achieve the desired actions. This extensive use is in spite of their significant side-effects of cardiovascular and respiratory depression. Volatile anaesthetics are among the most dangerous of drugs in clinical use and even modest improvements in their safety may have dramatic clinical ramifications. The limitations of current vo...
Enhancement of ajoene-induced apoptosis by conjugated linoleic acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Ajoene has been shown to induce apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In this report the effects on apoptosis of combinations of ajoene and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10,c12CLA) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated. Although t10,c12CLA alone had no effect, ajoene plus t10,c12CLA reduced cell viability more than ajoene alone at 24 h (59.1 vs. 85.9% of control, respectively; p<0.05). Compared to treatment with t10,c12CLA, ajoene increased apoptosis 218% after 24 h (p<0.01), whereas ajoene plus t10,c12CLA increased apoptosis 122% over that caused by ajoene alone (p<0.01). Immunoblotting analysis also indicated that ajoene plus t10,c12CLA caused a greater increase in phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Bax expression and a greater release of mitochondrial proteins (cytochrome c, AIF) than additive responses to each compound alone. Ajoene plus t10,c12CLA also increased ROS production more than that resulting from ajoene treatment alone (264 vs 204% after 40 min, respectively; p<0.01). Furthermore, the antioxidant NAC prevented ROS generation and apoptosis by ajoene plus t10,c12CLA. Interestingly, the combination of ajoene and t10,c12CLA increased NF-κB activation and decreased the level of phosphorylated Akt more than each compound alone. Altogether, our observations indicate that t10,c12CLA potentiates the effect of ajoene on apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
Transient gas-to-particle heat transfer measurements in a spouted bed

Abstract Heat transfer characteristics of fluidized particles were experimentally quantified through measuring emitted infrared radiation. The presented experimental technique was designed to overcome the spatial, time varying, and instrumental intrusive limitations often found in multiphase flow studies. A pseudo two-dimensional bed was investigated by supplying a thermo-transient inlet gas temperature to fluidized, spouted, and fixed bed regimes. The highest rates of energy stored in the particles were found along the downward particulate entrainment zones surrounding the inlet gas channel. Gas-to-particle heat transfer coefficients in the spouted regime were computed per bed axial position. The resulting values found in the lower portion of the spout were in close comparison to the averaged gas-to-particle heat transfer coefficient empirical correlations found in literature. New findings are given on the high convective heat transfer coefficients in the spout fountain region, resulting from the highly turbulent nature of gas–solid mixing.