cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-dimensional systolic speckle tracking echocardiography provides a noninvasive aid in the identification of acute pediatric heart transplant rejection.

BACKGROUND Acute rejection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric heart transplant (HT) population. A reliable noninvasive method for diagnosis of clinical rejection could substantially reduce these negative outcomes. OBJECTIVE Evaluate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) as early noninvasive indicators of acute pediatric HT rejection. METHODS An 18-month prospective cohort study involving 61 patients evaluated absolute change in peak global systolic strain (GLS and GCS) from enrollment (baseline) to next planned clinical encounter (follow-up) or rejection. Acute rejection defined as a biopsy of grade ≥ 2R or treatment with enhanced immunosuppression by the transplant team, blinded to strain analysis. Two patient cohorts three months post HT without evidence of rejection at enrollment were identified. The study cohort experienced rejection. The control cohort remained free from rejection on follow-up. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) models evaluated change in GLS and GCS by cohort group and time. RESULTS Applying exclusion criteria, 51 patients enrolled in the control cohort and 10 in the study cohort. The study cohort's mean GLS declined 33% from baseline to rejection (P < .001) and mean GCS declined 16.6% (P = .021). No significant change from baseline to follow-up was seen in the control cohort. A threshold absolute GLS value of 16.1% identified acute rejection with 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity (Likelihood Ratio, [LR] 51). CONCLUSION Noninvasive global longitudinal strain was sensitive and specific in the identification of acute clinical rejection in pediatric HT recipients.
Genetic mobility and instability of retroviral vector in vector producer cells for gene therapy

A primary biosafety issue of retroviral vector-mediated gene therapy is the genetic instability of retroviral vectors. Reverse transcription of vector RNA genome is initiated by viral reverse transcriptase (RT) in a virion particle after infection of a target celi. During reverse transcription, abnormal template switches between vector and occasionally copackaged helper virus in a virion particle can therefore enable helper virus to regain replication elements from the vector and revert to replication-competent retrovirus (RCR). This research was undertaken to study the origins of RT enzyme activities and test the hypothesis that RT enzyme activities are contributed by both exogenous RT, which is imported by the re-infection of vector virions, and endogenous RT, which is provided by Intracellular vector virion particles. Superinfection of vector in vector producer cells (VPC) can increase the number of integrated vectors in VPC, and is mainly caused by decreased Env-receptor interference, a consequence of helper virus gene inactivation by host DNA methylation at the 5' LTR promoter region. Suppression of helper virus gene expression by DNA methylation also reduces vector production. A chimeric retroviral helper virus combined with picomavirus IRES (internal ribosome entry site) sequence and a selection marker was therefore constructed to eliminate DNA methylated helper virus from cell populations to maintain active gene expression and enhance Env-receptor interference. Packaging cells established by this chimeric helper virus exhibit high titer production without detectable superinfection. In addition to exogenous RT activities imported by superinfection, significant endogenous RT activities (0.2% to 7.8% of exogenous RT activity), which originates from viral precursor protein PrlSO^®^"'*", were also demonstrated by intracellular retrotransposition of a retroviral vector in VPC. Retrotransposed vectors can integrate into different chromosomal locations to increase the plasticity of the VPC genome as observed
Uncertainty quantification of structural and geotechnical parameter by geostatistical simulations applied to a stability analysis case study with limited exploration data

Abstract There are many uncertain factors impacting stability analyses of rock structures. Quantification of these factors significantly impact the engineering decision making process. Some of these factors are spatially distributed within the geological domain, and the quantification of the spatial uncertainty is beneficial for stability analysis of the structure. This paper proposes an integrated methodology for a stability analysis of rock structure by incorporating spatially varying factors. This research models two key factors: one categorical structural parameter (fault zones) and one continuous geotechnical parameter (rock quality designation (RQD)). Two geostatistical simulation algorithms i.e., sequential indicator simulation and sequential Gaussian simulation are applied to quantify the spatial uncertainty by generating multiple equiprobable simulation maps of fault zones and RQD values. A slope stability analysis is performed by modeling the spatially varying fault zones and RQD. The proposed method is validated using a synthetic data set. The results from the synthetic data show the stability value of the synthetic data closely match with stability value calculated from simulated data. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a slope stability analysis for an open pit mine design where limited exploration data is available. Geostatistically simulated RQD maps from the case study mine are analyzed to determine a safe slope angle of 44° for the open pit mining operation. The proposed method can be applied for quantifying other geotechnical risk and integrated within any stability analysis framework.
Water-based Liquid Scintillator detector as a new technology testbed for neutrino studies in Turkey

Abstract This study investigates the deployment of a medium-scale neutrino detector near Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The aim of this detector is to become a modular testbed for new technologies in the fields of new detection media and innovative photosensors. Such technologies include Water-based Liquid Scintillator (WbLS), Large Area Picosecond Photo-Detectors (LAPPDs), dichroic Winston cones, and large area silicon photomultiplier modules. The detector could be used for instantaneous monitoring of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant via its antineutrino flux. In addition to its physics and technological goals, it would be an invaluable opportunity for the nuclear and particle physics community in Turkey to play a role in the development of next generation of particle detectors in the field of neutrino physics.
The role of Smad2 and Smad3 in regulating homeostatic functions of fibroblasts in vitro and in adult mice

The heart contains an abundant fibroblast population that may play a role in homeostasis, by maintaining the extracellular matrix (ECM) network, by regulating electrical impulse conduction, and by supporting survival and function of cardiomyocytes and vascular cells. Despite an explosion in our understanding of the role of fibroblasts in cardiac injury, the homeostatic functions of resident fibroblasts in adult hearts remain understudied. TGF-β-mediated signaling through the receptor-activated Smads, Smad2 and Smad3 critically regulates fibroblast function. We hypothesized that baseline expression of Smad2/3 in fibroblasts may play an important role in cardiac homeostasis. Smad2 and Smad3 were constitutively expressed in normal mouse hearts and in cardiac fibroblasts. In cultured cardiac fibroblasts, Smad2 and Smad3 played distinct roles in regulation of baseline ECM gene synthesis. Smad3 knockdown attenuated collagen I, collagen IV and fibronectin mRNA synthesis and reduced expression of the matricellular protein thrombospondin-1. Smad2 knockdown on the other hand attenuated expression of collagen V mRNA and reduced synthesis of fibronectin, periostin and versican. In vivo, inducible fibroblast-specific Smad2 knockout mice and fibroblast-specific Smad3 knockout mice had normal heart rate, preserved cardiac geometry, ventricular systolic and diastolic function, and normal myocardial structure. Fibroblast-specific Smad3, but not Smad2 loss modestly but significantly reduced collagen content. Our findings suggest that fibroblast-specific Smad3, but not Smad2, may play a role in regulation of baseline collagen synthesis in adult hearts. However, at least short term, these changes do not have any impact on homeostatic cardiac function.
Exhibition Review: Getting Oriented to Cezanne

(1978). Exhibition Review: Getting Oriented to Cezanne. Roundtable Reports: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 12-12.
Concepts and issues in mental health and aging

Abstract The second and last prior edition of this book was published in 1992, seemingly a lifetime ago within the field of geriatric mental health research, and perhaps truly a lifetime ago for some readers. Over the 28 year span leading to the current version, the field of mental health and aging has experienced an unprecedented level of change and growth. The fundamental taxonomy of many mental health disorders has been questioned, adjusted, and redefined. The detection of biomarkers has taken a center stage in health care, and the conceptualization of mental health research within multidimensional constructs is a radical departure from dichotomous-based classification models for psychiatric disorders. Neuroimaging techniques have grown at an unprecedented rate. For example, the first publications on the technique of blood oxygen level–dependent imaging, vital in functional MRI, were released while the last edition of this book was in press. The role of mental health in whole-body well-being has gained traction, particularly as it applies to aging. The complex interplay of psychiatric symptoms, cognition, daily functioning, and aging is increasingly appreciated in medical care. Increasing thoughtfulness toward the importance of cultural competence, recognition of the impact of ethnic discrimination on mental health, and the integration of person-centered language into the lexicon of patient care are all relatively new, yet sorely needed changes within mental health care. The goal of the present chapter is to briefly synthesize the current state of the field and discuss the critical issues facing researchers and clinicians providing care to older adults.
TIR-1/SARM1 Inhibits Axon Regeneration

Abstract An injured axon has two choices, regenerate or degenerate. In many neurons, the result is catastrophic axon degeneration and a failure to regenerate. To coerce the injured nervous system to regenerate, the molecular mechanisms that regulate both axon regeneration and degeneration need to be defined. We found that TIR-1/SARM1, a key regulator of axon degeneration, inhibits regeneration of injured motor axons. Loss of tir-1 function both reduces the frequency with which severed axon fragments degenerate and increases the frequency of axon regeneration. The increased regeneration in tir-1 mutants is not a secondary consequence of its effects on degeneration. Rather, TIR-1 carries out each of these opposing functions cell autonomously by regulating independent downstream genetic pathways. While promoting axon degeneration with the DLK-1 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade, TIR-1 inhibits axon regeneration by activating the NSY-1/ASK1 MAPK signaling cascade. Our finding that TIR-1 regulates both axon regeneration and degeneration provides critical insight into how axons coordinately regulate the two key responses to injury, consequently informing approaches to manipulate the balance between these responses towards repair.
Microglia-targeting nanotherapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases

Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the design of nanotherapeutic platforms that could address the challenges of targeted delivery of active therapeutic agents to the central nervous system (CNS). While the majority of previous research studies on CNS nanotherapeutics have focused on neurons and endothelial cells, the predominant resident immune cells of the CNS, microglia, are also emerging as a promising cellular target for neurodegeneration considering their prominent role in neuroinflammation. Under normal physiological conditions, microglia protect neurons by removing pathological agents. However, long-term exposure of microglia to stimulants will cause sustained activation and lead to neuronal damage due to the release of pro-inflammatory agents, resulting in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This Perspective highlights criteria to be considered when designing microglia-targeting nanotherapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. These criteria include conjugating specific microglial receptor-targeting ligands or peptides to the nanoparticle surface to achieve targeted delivery, leveraging microglial phagocytic properties, and utilizing biocompatible and biodegradable nanomaterials with low immune reactivity and neurotoxicity. In addition, certain therapeutic agents for the controlled inhibition of toxic protein aggregation and for modulation of microglial activation pathways can also be incorporated within the nanoparticle structure without compromising stability. Overall, considering the multifaceted disease mechanisms of neurodegeneration, microglia-targeted nanodrugs and nanotherapeutic particles may have the potential to resolve multiple pathological determinants of the disease and to guide a shift in the microglial phenotype spectrum toward a more neuroprotective state.
Novice vs expert inter-rater reliability of the balance error scoring system in children between the ages of 5 and 14.

Abstract Background The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is a tool to measure balance, however, no studies have shown its reliability between novice and expert raters. Research Question What is the inter-rater reliability of BESS measurements when performed by novice raters compared to experts, and does completion of a focused, online training module increase the inter-rater reliability among novice raters? Methods In this reliability study, 5 novice volunteers were asked to independently rate BESS tests from 50 random prerecorded BESS videos of normal healthy subjects aged 5–14. Novice raters regraded the same 50 videos after receiving a formal training. The novices’ scores before and after the formal training were compared to one another and then the scores were compared to 4 expert scores. Intraclass correlation (ICC) with 95 % confidence intervals or percent agreements were calculated and compared across groups. Results For the total BESS score, novice raters showed good reliability (ICC 0.845) which did not change with a formal training (ICC 0.846). Expert raters showed excellent reliability (ICC 0.929). Poor to moderate reliability was noted in the foam stance-single leg in the untrained novice and trained novice group (ICCs 0.452 and 0.64 L respectively). Significance BESS testing by novice raters with only written instruction and no formal training yields good inter-rater reliability. In contrast, BESS testing by expert raters yields excellent reliability. A focused training for novice raters conferred a small improvement in the reliability of the scoring of the single leg stance on foam condition but not a significant difference to the overall BESS score. While novices demonstrated promising reliability for overall BESS scores, optimizing clinical research using the BESS with expert raters show the highest reliability.
Sous-Chef: The Recipe Assistant

During lockdown, it's tempting to order takeout or heat up a frozen pizza. We naturally turn to food for comfort, but as lockdown continues it is easy to lose track of healthy habits. Our robot will encourage users to try new recipes with a mix of healthy ingredients while removing the hassle of searching for a recipe. The robot will gather user-input from motion sensors to learn the user's preferences for core components of the meal (protein, carbs, etc.). After selecting a recipe, the user will use gesture commands to scroll through the steps, avoiding sticky fingers on the robot.
Benefits Left on the Table: Evidence from the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act

In this study we test whether behaviorally-motivated informational interventions can lead individuals to utilize consumer financial protections. Specifically, we use a large-scale randomized controlled trial to test whether gain/loss framing and reminder messaging can lead servicemembers in the United States Army to utilize an interest-rate protection outlined in the Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA). While we find that reminder messaging increases engagement with informational materials, we find no differences in engagement across gain and loss framing. Furthermore, we find that information provision has no effect on servicemember credit outcomes, regardless of how SCRA protections are framed or whether email reminders are sent. We run a second experiment to explore what factors may be limiting the efficacy of our interventions and find that low engagement with emails and significant attrition throughout the application process are likely to contribute to our results. Taken together, our results suggest that financial education or information interventions offered via email face significant challenges to their effectiveness even when the apparent benefits seem large.
The Risk Premium in Municipal Bond Offerings

Underpricing of municipal bond offerings in the primary market raise borrowing costs for state and local borrowers. We argue that a significant part of the primary market underpricing can be explained as compensation to dealers for their bearing of the price risk of newly-issued bonds. We demonstrate this by showing empirically that underpricing is increasing in the volatility of the market for United States Treasury bonds, in municipal bond market spreads, in municipal bond spread volatility, and in the duration of the newly-issued bonds.
[REiNS] NF Clinical Trials - REiNS Collaboration 2020 Recommendations: Looking Back and Moving Ahead.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) type 1 (NF1), NF type 2 (NF2), and schwannomatosis are genetic tumor predisposition syndromes with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Effective medical treatments for these conditions remain limited. Since its founding in 2011, the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis (REiNS) International Collaboration has worked to develop standardized, practical, and clinically meaningful outcome measures for clinical trials in these conditions. Two previous supplements published in Neurology ® in 20131 and 20162 set forth a variety of recommendations that are summarized in the table.
AdaLoss: A computationally-efficient and provably convergent adaptive gradient method.

We propose a computationally-friendly adaptive learning rate schedule, "AdaLoss", which directly uses the information of the loss function to adjust the stepsize in gradient descent methods. We prove that this schedule enjoys linear convergence in linear regression. Moreover, we provide a linear convergence guarantee over the non-convex regime, in the context of two-layer over-parameterized neural networks. If the width of the first-hidden layer in the two-layer networks is sufficiently large (polynomially), then AdaLoss converges robustly \emph{to the global minimum} in polynomial time. We numerically verify the theoretical results and extend the scope of the numerical experiments by considering applications in LSTM models for text clarification and policy gradients for control problems.
Function of IHF in λ DNA Packaging: II. Effects of Mutations Altering the IHF Binding Site and the Intrinsic Bend in cosB on λ Development

Abstract cosB is the binding site on λ DNA for terminase, the phage DNA packaging protein. cosB contains three binding sites for gpNu1, the small subunit of terminase, and a site for integration host factor (IHF). IHF plays an accessory role in λ DNA packaging, and IHF stimulates the burst size of λ several-fold, presumably by assisting the interaction of terminase with cosB. The present work includes a study of the effect on λ development of a mutation, called I1A - , which consists of three adjacent base-pair changes in the IHF binding site. The I1A - mutation was found to abolish IHF stimulation of the λ burst size, indicating that IHF is unable to bind to the mutant I1A site. A second mutation, called I1B - and also consisting of three adjacent base-pair changes, is a mutation that reduces an intrinsic bend found in cosB. λ I1B - was more dependent on IHF than λ + , raising the possibility that the intrinsic bend in cosB plays a role in cos function for λ + under the IHF - conditions. In vitro DNA packaging experiments established that the I1 mutations affect DNA packaging per se. A series of Nu1 mutations that create terminuses able to suppress a variety of cosB defects were found to suppress the defects of the I1A - and I1B - mutations under IHF - conditions.
Bringing Out the Big Guns: The USA PATRIOT Act, Money Laundering, and the War on Terrorism

Although much has been said since September 11, 2001, about the need to attack terrorism through the international financial system, the effort appears bound to fail. The existing framework of money laundering regulation was designed to thwart the conversion of ill-gotten gains into apparently legitimate income; it was not designed to detect the conversion of apparently legitimate income into terrorist funding. The challenge facing the money-laundering system becomes especially daunting when one considers the relatively low cost of terrorist acts and the innocuous ways in which the funding for those acts reaches the hands of the terrorists. When one also considers that terrorists frequently move funds through unconventional banking channels, using parties that appear absolutely legitimate, the low probability of intercepting terrorist funding becomes obvious. In light of these realities, the anti-money laundering provisions enacted by the USA PATRIOT Act seem bound to fail as a weapon against international terrorists. The international financial operations of terrorist networks are too varied and sophisticated for anti-money laundering laws to have much effect on the funding of terrorist actions. The USA PATRIOT Act provisions will nevertheless serve at least two purposes. First, they play a role in the psychological war on terrorism by reassuring the American people that the government is taking decisive action to thwart future terrorist attacks. Second, they will assist in the prosecution of the usual group of sophisticated criminals who move large amounts of cash (i.e. organized crime and drug dealers). To the extent terrorists and organized criminals have interconnected operations, these new laws might help disrupt the criminal and/or terrorist activity. More likely, however, the new money laundering rules will merely be another tool provided to law enforcement in building cases against non-terrorist criminals.
Grief counselling efficacy

Abstract The growing debate within the bereavement field about the efficacy of grief counselling offers two contrasting viewpoints. At one extreme is Neimeyer's claim that ‘such interventions are typically ineffective, and perhaps even deleterious, at least for persons experiencing a normal bereavement’. At the other is the more cautiously optimistic position of Larson and Hoyt, who argue that studies of grief counselling as typically practised demonstrate levels of effectiveness similar to those found for traditional psychotherapy, and that there is no empirical evidence to support claims of harmful effects. This article summarises the key findings and claims in this debate, explores factors that might have contributed to an uncritical acceptance of the claim that grief counselling is harmful, and recapitulates the authors’ view that the empirical data on outcomes from grief counselling give cause for cautious optimism.
Perinasal indicators of deceptive behavior

High-stakes lying causes detectable changes in human behavior and physiology. Lie detection techniques based on behavior analysis are unobtrusive, but often require laborintensive efforts. Lie detection techniques based on physiological measurements are more amenable to automated analysis and perhaps more objective, but their often obtrusive nature makes them less suitable for realistic studies. In this paper we present a novel lie detection framework. At the core of this framework is a physiological measurement method that quantifies stress-induced facial perspiration via thermal imagery. The method uses a wavelet-based signal processing algorithm to construct a feature vector of dominant perinasal perspiration frequencies. Then, pattern recognition algorithms classify the subjects into deceptive or truthful by comparing the extracted features between the hard and easy questioning segments of an interview procedure. We tested the framework on thermal clips of 40 subjects who underwent interview for a mock crime. We used 25 subjects to train the classifiers and 15 subjects for testing. The method achieved 80% success rate in blind predictions. This framework can be generalized across experimental designs, as the classifiers do not depend on the number or order of interview questions.
Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophage SBX-1 and Its Bacterial Host, Both Endemic in Soybeans

A phage, SBX-1, and its bacterial host, Xanthomonas sp. 1, were isolated consistently from roots, internal portions of stems, and leaves of soybean plants. Phage titer in leaves was highly variable. It was very low in seedlings, reached a maximum of 10(4) PFU/ml of sap after 11 weeks of plant growth and again dropped to very low levels. We isolated SBX-1 from plants of all 45 varieties studied, but not consistently from some. Plants of some varieties also carried Xanthomonas sp. 2, which was resistant to infection by SBX-1. The SBX-1 particle has a polyhedral head containing DNA of density 1.709. It has an edge-to-edge diameter of 80 nm and a tail length of 112 nm. The tail has a base plate and spikes. This is the first report of the extensive and continuous occurrence of a phage and its host bacterium in plants.
Competition Law and Public Service in the European Union and the United States

This is a review of The Limits of Competition Law: Markets and Public Services (Oxford 2005), by Tony Prosser, a Professor of Public Law at the University of Bristol, England. When competition laws and other public service principles are in tension, can courts avoid a collision or will it be necessary to pick a winner? Prosser's analysis pays particular attention to public service obligations and their implications for the regulation of state monopoly in the European Union, drawing interesting and important connections between antitrust principles in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, specifically France and Italy. Although the notions of sovereignty that predominate in the EU differ fundamentally from those of federalism in the United States, Prosser's discussion parallels familiar American debates about the scope of defenses for regulated industries under antitrust laws. State-sponsored public service laws can serve important goals, as Prosser recognizes, but this review argues that an extension of his frame can also give courts grounds to recognize when state or industry claims of public service goals values are unjustified.
Assessing Higher Order Thinking in Video Games

Computer video games have become highly interesting to educators and researchers since their sophistication has improved considerably over the last decade. Studies indicate simple video games touting educational benefits are common in classrooms. However, a need for identifying truly useful games for educational purposes exists. This article begins with an examination of lower level learning in so-called edutainment products and concludes with an example of an advanced social studies simulation that fosters higher order thinking. The article identifies characteristics of highly cognitive virtual interactive environments and offers a detailed index and scoring rubric as a tool for teachers and preservice teachers to use when evaluating the tendencies a video game demonstrates toward encouraging higher order thinking in its participants.
Factors associated with interhospital transfer of children with respiratory failure from level II to level I pediatric intensive care units.

Abstract Purpose Of all sources of admission to level I pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), interhospital transfer admissions from level II PICUs carry the highest mortality and resource use burden. We sought to investigate factors associated with transfer of children with respiratory failure from level II to level I PICUs. Methods A case-control study was conducted among children with respiratory failure admitted to 6 level II PICUs between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2007, with frequency matching of 466 nontransferred children (controls) to 187 transferred children (cases). Results Among 653 children, transferred children were younger and had more comorbidities. After multivariable analysis, transferred children were more likely to have comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-2.98) and receive escalated care including high-frequency ventilation (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.04-6.37) and surfactant therapy (OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.35-21.0). Conclusions The study identified patient-level and process-of-care factors associated with transfer from level II to level I PICUs. These findings highlight the influence of escalated care on transfer decision making for critically ill children in respiratory failure.
The problem of kill assessment .I.I. The Doppler effect and exo-atmospheric kill assessment

For pt.I see National Radar Conference, Atlanta Ga, May 2001). In this paper, the future problems of kill assessment in the exo-atmosphere is discussed. The concentration is on characterizing the Doppler spectrum of objects that are undergoing non-uniform motion. Then a data collection experiment is discussed for gathering exo-atmospheric Doppler data.
Using simulation with hardware verification for teaching computer architecture

Material for a computer architecture class based on four progressively more complex microprogrammed circuits is described. The circuits and their associated microassemblers and simulators are discussed. Interestingly, the simulators allow students to understand the workings of the hardware more fully than is possible using the hardware alone.
A general zone theory of color and brightness vision. II. The space-time field

The elements of vision are brightness and color varying in time and space, constituting a vector space-time function: the visual sensation field. The sensory-field generated from the light-field variations on the retina is analyzed here in terms of elemental space-time responses (Green's functions). Both chromaticity and intensity variations in either time or space are included in a unified theory, to bridge the existing gap between color theory and analyses of spatial and temporal brightness. Sensory Green's functions are here related to standard color models and to familiar responses for special stimuli, and are shown to be advantageous for nonhomogeneous and/or nonstationary visual conditions. The theory is first applied for intensity space-time variations, to elucidate existing intensity-contrast analyses. Then the general theory including chromatic contrast is illustrated by deriving color vision generalizations of the Bloch and Ricco laws and a general space-time reciprocity law, by analyses of wavelength-pulse and color-flicker experiments, and by derivation of Abney's law of luminance additivity for heterochromoatic flicker and minimally distinct borders.
Electrical Noise and Transport Properties of Graphene

We present a study of the noise properties of single-layer exfoliated graphene as a function of gate bias. A tunnel/trap model is presented based on the interaction of graphene electrons with the underlying substrate. The model incorpo- rates trap position, energy, and barrier height for tunneling into a given trap—along with the band-structure of the graphene—and is in good accord with the general char- acteristics of the data.
Influence of balance on oral-motor control of speech: a pilot investigation.

In this exploratory study, the interaction between motor coordination for balance and oral-motor control for speech was investigated in 31 typical college-aged women, ages 20 to 29 years (M = 22.3, SD = 2.1), recruited through the local university. Since speech is dependent on the control and coordination of the subsystems of the speech production mechanism, it was hypothesized that a difficult balance task would interfere with speech motor control. Oral-motor control was measured by diadochokinesis while participants were in a nonchallenging balance position (floor standing) and a challenging balance position (balance disk on one leg). Results indicated that individuals compensated for speech rate while having to maintain their balance for the syllable repetitions. However, the number of syllables repeated was significantly fewer while on the balance disk. In addition, a correlational analysis indicated that history of speech therapy services was related to poorer balance screening score. Directions for ...
A Practical Equation to Predict Resting Metabolic Rate in Older Men

It is important to know the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of patients to devise a nutrition support regimen. Although there are numerous equations for predicting RMR, few (eg, the Harris Benedict equation [HBE]) are specific for elderly individuals over the age of 50 years. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine biologic predictors of RMR in healthy older men, (2) develop a practical equation to predict RMR from readily measurable variables, and (3) compare existing equations that predict RMR with the measured RMR values obtained in this study. Eighty-nine healthy, elderly (aged 50 to 78 years) men had their RMR measured by a ventilated-hood technique under meticulous conditions described in full detail. Other biologic data were obtained. A stepwise regression equation was computed by using the measured RMR as the dependent variable and the other data as independent variables. The best predictors of RMR were fat-free mass (which accounted for 85% of the variability), free 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine leve...
Japanese cedar pollen-specific interleukin-4 production develops immediately after the first exposure to pollens in infants with atopic dermatitis.

ummary Background Japanese cedar pollens (JCPs) spread over most areas of Japan from February to April and cause pollenosis. While IgE synthesis against JCPs starts after age 1, it remains to be clarified when JCP-specific T helper cells acquire the ability to produce IL-4, a cytokine that induces IgE synthesis. Objective This study aimed to clarify when the sensitization of T cells to JCPs develops. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 153 children with atopic dermatitis (AD) aged 0–15 years were stimulated with a standardized JCP allergen. As parameters of T cell responsiveness, lymphocyte proliferation and the production of IL-4 and IFN-γ were measured. Results T cell responses against JCPs were negative before March in infants with AD who had never been exposed to JCPs or who were exposed for less than a month (nine, seven and nine subjects for lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production and IgE synthesis, respectively). Lymphocyte proliferation distinctly increased in 67.6% (23/34) of infants with AD examined between March and June. JCP-specific IL-4 production was observed in 56.0% (14/25) of infants with AD examined between March and June. Correspondingly, a slight increase in the level of serum JCP-specific IgE antibody was seen in 17.2% (five of 29) of infants with AD examined between April and June. Conclusion These results demonstrate that the sensitization of T cells to JCPs is effectively completed within a few months after the first exposure to JCPs.
A PERVASIVE BROAD COMPONENT IN H I EMISSION LINE PROFILES: TEMPERATURE, TURBULENCE, OR A HELIUM SIGNATURE?

Gaussian analysis of interstellar neutral hydrogen emission profiles has revealed a pervasive broad component with a width on the order of 34 km s–1. When present, this component can most readily be identified in high galactic latitude directions where the H I profiles are either intrinsically weak or simple. Examination of published data reveals that this characteristic line width has been found in a variety of other H I features including compact high-velocity clouds, very-high-velocity clouds, and the Magellanic Stream. When its presence is accounted for in the analysis of H I profiles, other families of line widths at 14 and 6 km s–1 are clearly revealed. Possible mechanisms for producing this broad background component are discussed, including temperature, turbulence, and the critical ionization velocity effect. A line width on the order of 34 km s–1 would imply a kinetic temperature of 24,000 K, too high to keep the gas neutral; hence it should not be observed in H I emission spectra. Turbulent motions could explain a pervasive broad component, but not why it always has the same numerical value in various classes of H I emission line features. The critical ionization velocity effect hypothesis is intriguing because 34 km s–1 is the value for helium. Clearly, this could be a coincidence but the other prominent distribution peaks correspond to two families of critical ionization velocities of abundant interstellar elements including C, N, and O (about 14 km s–1) and metals (about 6 km s–1). Unfortunately, the mechanism by which this effect operates, even in laboratory situations, is not clearly understood. It is suggested that further investigation of the distribution of H I component line widths by allowing for the existence of a pervasive broad underlying component may cast a clearer light on this intriguing phenomenon.
Analysis Of Linewidth Measurement Techniques Using The Low Voltage SEM

Linewidth measurement using the scanning electron microscope is not well understood. The basic intent is to measure the size of a structure from the secondary and backscattered electron signal generated by that structure1-6. Thus, an accurate measurement requires an understanding of how the profile and critical dimension of the line being measured relate to the electron signal. The complicating factor is that different features generate different signals and that surroundings often influence the detected signal from a given feature.© (1987) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adsorption and structural properties of channel-like and cage-like organosilicas

Channel-like and cage-like mesoporous silicas, SBA-15 (P6mm symmetry group) and SBA-16 (Im3m symmetry group), were modified by introducing single ureidopropyl surface groups, mixed ureidopropyl and mercaptopropyl surface groups, and single bis(propyl)disulfide bridging groups. These hexagonal and cubic organosilicas were prepared under acidic conditions via co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and proper organosilanes using poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) amphiphilic block copolymer templates, P123 (EO20PO70EO20) and F127 (EO106PO70EO106). The modified SBA-15 and SBA-16 materials were synthesized by varying the molar ratio of organosilane to TEOS in the initial synthesis gel. The removal of polymeric templates, P123 and F127, was performed with ethanol/hydrochloric acid solution. In the case of SBA-15 the P123 template was fully extracted, whereas this extraction process was less efficient for the removal of F127 template from the SBA-16-type organosilicas; in the latter case a small residue of F127 was retained. The adsorption and structural properties of the resulting materials were studied by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms at −196∘C (surface area, pore size distribution, pore volumes), powder X-Ray diffraction, CHNS elemental analysis and high-resolution thermogravimetry. The structural ordering, the BET specific surface area, pore volume and pore size decreased for both channel-like and cage-like mesoporous organosilicas with increasing concentration of incorporated organic groups.
Puberty: A Finishing School for Male Social Behavior

Abstract: The classical view of steroid-dependent organization of brain and behavior holds that gonadal steroid hormones, acting during an early critical period of development, cause permanent structural changes in neural circuits that determine behavioral responses to hormones in adulthood. This classical view has been modified to incorporate evidence that organizational effects of steroids can occur outside of the established perinatal critical period and that multiple critical periods may exist during development. Experiments in this laboratory indicate that steroid-dependent organization of neural circuits underlying male social behaviors occurs during puberty. This work shows that adult-typical reproductive and flank marking behaviors cannot be activated by gonadal steroids in male Syrian hamsters prior to puberty, suggesting that developmentally timed processes during puberty render the nervous system responsive to activating effects of gonadal steroids in adulthood. Additional experiments demonstrate that the presence or absence of gonadal hormones during puberty is a major factor in the ability of steroids to activate reproductive and flank marking behavior in adult male hamsters and in androgen receptor expression within the neural circuit underlying these behaviors. Thus, gonadal hormones during puberty appear to exert long-lasting changes in neural circuits that are responsible for the programming of activational responses to steroids later in adulthood. A two-stage model for maturation of male social behaviors is proposed: a perinatal critical period for sexual differentiation of neural circuits, followed by the pubertal period, during which gonadal steroids further organize the circuits to enhance behavioral responsiveness to hormones in adulthood. Whether puberty is a critical period for the proposed second wave of steroid-dependent organization of behavioral circuits remains to be determined.
Electron grafted barrier coatings for packaging film modification

Abstract The O 2 barrier performance of organosilane films, coated, dried and electron beam grafted to polyolefin film has been studied. Excellent anti-scalping properties based upon limonene (dipentene) transmission measurements have also been observed. Results are also reported on O 2 permeability reduction when the process is applied to common barrier polymers such as EVOH and acrylonitrile. Experience with its in-line application on LDPE is discussed.
Intensity of segregation as a measure of incomplete mixing

Danckwerts suggested that the effect of incomplete mixing on homogeneous reactions could be described by the statistical concept - intensity of segregation. The present experimental study supports use of this concept and presents a correlation in terms of a mixing variable, rpm. Cette etude experimentale demontre l'utilite du concept statistique-intensite de segregation tel que suggere par Danckwerts pour la description de l'effet de melange incomplet sur des reactions homogenes. On presente une correlation en fonction de la vitesse d'agitation.
Improvement in regional and global left ventricular function after intracoronary thrombolysis: Assessment with two-dimensional echocardiography

After acute myocardial infarction, 23 patients undergoing intracoronary thrombolysis and 10 patients receiving conventional medical treatment were studied by 2-dimensional echocardiography to determine changes in regional and global left ventricular (LV) performance. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis of echocardiographic studies showed improvement in regional and global LV function in 18 patients with successful reperfusion immediately after thrombolysis to 10 days later (p less than 0.0005). Eleven patients who were studied before thrombolysis demonstrated no change in regional or global LV function immediately after thrombolysis. LV function did not improve in the conventionally treated group. These data indicate that in patients with acute coronary artery occlusion successfully reperfused by intracoronary thrombolysis, regional and global LV function improved by day 10 but not immediately after reperfusion.
Technical Change in an Evolutionary Model

I. Introduction: Neoclassical theory and the evolutionary alternative, 90, — II. A specific evolutionary model, 93. — III. Calibration of the model, 98. — IV. Simulation results, 102. — V. Conclusion, 116.
Sp1 protein contributes to airway-specific rat MUC 2 mucin gene transcription.

Abstract We have shown increases in the abundance of airway mucin mRNA during the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rat models ( Jany et al., 1991 ) and now seek to determine the underlying mechanisms. As transcriptional modulation may be involved, we provide here a functional analysis of the 5′ flanking region of a rat mucin gene (MUC 2). Using deletion mutants to bp −859, we constructed expression cassettes in CAT vectors and transfected them into two MUC 2-expressing cell lines, SPOC 1, a rat airway epithelial cell line and IEC-6, a rat intestinal epithelial cell line, and into one MUC 2 non-expressing cell line, FR, a rat skin fibroblast cell line. Results indicated that nucleotides −59 to −40 mediated high level expression in SPOC 1, but not in the other cells. Used as a probe in gel shift assays, fragment −59/−40 formed complexes of differing mobilities when incubated with nuclear protein extracts from the three cell types. Mutation of the putative Sp1 binding site in the probe sequence interfered with protein binding in all three cell types, but anti-Sp1 antibody supershifted a band formed only by airway cell extracts. A model of airway cell-specific MUC 2 transcription is proposed.
Special role and role expectation of black administrators of neighborhood mental health programs.

This paper attempts to portray the role conflict and ambiguity of black administrators in community mental health programs. The paper is not about mental health programs themselves but rather focuses on the problems of blacks in leadership positions in such programs. The implication of this paper is that blacks cannot escape being black despite their professional position or training. They are regarded by their superiors, colleagues, staff, and the community as performing what Hughes called a “racial function.” This function presents an interesting dilemma. On the one hand, the black administrators are recruited and employed out of the needs expressed by the black community. On the other hand, their white superiors determine whether they remain in those positions. To offend either group risks the loss of their position. The black community and white employer sometimes make conflicting demands on these black administrators. The result is that blacks find themselves unable to please either. Blacks have reacted by withdrawal from the black community or resignation from the organization. This paper attempts to explain these conflicts. Although the problems of black administrators are called special cases it does not mean that other ethnic groups have not experienced any or all of these problems. It is called a special case because the black community is undergoing a special and unique kind of socioeconomical transition. Black administrators in other types of public organizations will recognize some of the conflicts described in this paper.