cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
JANA2 Framework for Event Based and Triggerless Data Processing

Development of the second generation JANA2 multi-threaded event processing framework is ongoing through an LDRD initiative grant at Jefferson Lab. The framework is designed to take full advantage of all cores on modern many-core compute nodes. JANA2 efficiently handles both traditional hardware triggered event data and streaming data in online triggerless environments. Development is being done in conjunction with the Electron Ion Collider development. Anticipated to be the next large scale Nuclear Physics facility constructed. The core framework is written in modern C++ but includes an integrated Python interface. The status of development and summary of the more interesting features are presented.
A probabilistic timing approach to hot-carrier effect estimation

An approach for estimating hot-carrier induced degradation in MOS transistor circuits is presented. The approach uses probabilistic timing simulation techniques to estimate the cumulative effects of all possible inputs on hot-carrier effect (HCE) degradation in each transistor in the circuit in a single run rather than using exhaustive or Monte Carlo simulations. The approach has been implemented in a general-purpose simulator and tested on a number of typical examples and benchmarks. >
Antiphase boundary migration as a diffusion mechanism in a P3 sodium layered oxide

Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a promising, cost-effective energy storage solution. Critical to the success of these technologies is the efficient transport of ions within the battery electrodes. Here, the authors use first-principles techniques to examine sodium diffusion in a canonical sodium-ion battery cathode material, revealing a new, unconventional mechanism in which the mobile sodium ions are confined to boundaries between otherwise immobile, ordered regions. They provide evidence of a diffusion mechanism that occurs via the collective motion of the boundaries through the material. This behavior is dramatically different from that which is seen in analogous lithium-ion battery materials, and may extend to related candidate electrode materials for beyond-lithium-ion batteries. These mechanistic insights have important implications for the rate of sodium diffusion, which impacts battery charge/discharge speed.
Teenage Smoking Behaviour Following a High-School Smoking Ban in Chile: Interrupted Time-Series Analysis

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a smoking ban in high schools on smoking behaviour among Chilean students. Methods: We conducted an interrupted time-series analysis, using repeated cross-sectional data from Chile’s school population survey (2000–2011) for high-school students aged 12–18 years and a control group of persons aged 19–24 years. Poisson regression models were used to assess trends in smoking behaviour before and after the policy changes. The outcome measures were self-reported smoking prevalence (any smoking in the past month) and high frequency of smoking (smoking 15 days or more per month). Findings: From 2005 to 2011, the prevalence of smoking declined among high-school students by 6.8% per year compared with 3.6% decline per year in the control group. The decline in the target group was 2.9% (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.18 to 5.00) greater. We estimated that 5–6 years after enforcing the law, smoking prevalence among high-school students was 13.7% lower as a result of the ban. The impact of the smoking ban was primarily driven by declines in smoking prevalence among students in grades 8 to 10. The smoking ban did not significantly alter the frequency of smoking. Conclusion: The 2005 school smoking ban reduced smoking prevalence among younger high-school students in Chile. Further interventions targeting older individuals and frequent smokers may be needed.
Association of Social Support With Functional Outcomes in Older Adults Who Live Alone.

Importance Older adults who live alone are at risk for poor health outcomes. Whether social support mitigates the risk of living alone, particularly when facing a sudden change in health, has not been adequately reported. Objective To assess if identifiable support buffers the vulnerability of a health shock while living alone. Design, setting, and participants In this longitudinal, prospective, nationally representative cohort study from the Health and Retirement Study (enrollment March 2006 to April 2015), 4772 community-dwelling older adults 65 years or older who lived alone in the community and could complete activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs independently were followed up biennially through April 2018. Statistical analysis was completed from May 2020 to March 2021. Exposures Identifiable support (ie, can the participant identify a relative/friend who could help with personal care if needed), health shock (ie, hospitalization, new diagnosis of cancer, stroke, heart attack), and interaction (multiplicative and additive) between the 2 exposures. Main outcomes and measures The primary outcomes were incident ADL dependency, prolonged nursing home stay (≥30 days), and death. Results Of 4772 older adults (median [IQR] age, 73 [68-81] years; 3398 [71%] women) who lived alone, at baseline, 1813 (38%) could not identify support, and 3013 (63%) experienced a health shock during the study. Support was associated with a lower risk of a prolonged nursing home stay at 2 years (predicted probability, 6.7% vs 5.2%; P = .002). Absent a health shock, support was not associated with a prolonged nursing home stay (predicted probability over 2 years, 1.9% vs 1.4%; P = .21). However, in the presence of a health shock, support was associated with a lower risk of a prolonged nursing home stay (predicted probability over 2 years, 14.2% vs 10.9%; P = .002). Support was not associated with incident ADL dependence or death. Conclusions and relevance In this longitudinal cohort study among older adults who live alone, identifiable support was associated with a lower risk of a prolonged nursing home stay in the setting of a health shock.
Further investigation of the association between anxiety sensitivity and posttraumatic stress disorder: Examining the influence of emotional avoidance

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) and the tendency to avoid emotions have both been identified as vulnerability factors for the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, both cross-sectional and prospective research have provided evidence that emotional avoidance and AS interact to predict anxiety symptoms, such that AS may only be associated with anxiety-related pathology among those who exhibit a tendency to avoid their emotions. The purpose of the present study was to determine if this moderator model extends to PTSD within a sample of substance dependent patients. Specifically, this study examined if AS is associated with PTSD only among individuals with high (vs. low) levels of negative emotional avoidance. As predicted, results of a logistic regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between negative emotional avoidance and AS in predicting PTSD status. Follow-up analyses revealed a significant positive association between AS and PTSD status for participants high in negative emotional avoidance; however, AS was not associated with PTSD for those low in negative emotional avoidance. This finding remained even when relevant covariates were included in the model. Results confirm hypotheses and are consistent with the extant anxiety-risk literature.
A Framework for Monitoring Global Travel and Tourism Taxes: The WTTC Tax Barometer:

Travel and tourism commerce is a growing source of public revenues. As an export, this economic activity is subject to a myriad of taxes, fees, levies and user charges. The dynamics of tax policy i...
Anisotropic H c 2 of K 0.8 Fe 1.76 Se 2 determined up to 60 T

The anisotropic upper critical field, ${H}_{c2}(T)$, curves for ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.8}$Fe${}_{1.76}$Se${}_{2}$ are determined over a wide range of temperatures down to 1.5 K and magnetic fields up to 60 T. Anisotropic initial slopes of ${H}_{c2}$ $~$ $\ensuremath{-}1.4$ T/K and $\ensuremath{-}4.6$ T/K for magnetic field applied along $\mathit{c}$ axis and $\mathit{ab}$ plane, respectively, were observed. Whereas the $\mathit{c}$ axis ${H}_{c2}^{c}$ ($T$) increases quasilinearly with decreasing temperature, the $\mathit{ab}$ plane ${H}_{c2}^{\mathit{ab}}$($T$) shows a flattening, starting near 25 K above 30 T. This leads to a nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the anisotropy parameter ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{H}\ensuremath{\equiv}$ ${H}_{c2}^{\mathit{ab}}/{H}_{c2}^{c}$. The anisotropy parameter is $~$2 near ${T}_{c}~32$ K and rises to a maximum ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{H}~$ 3.6 around 27 K. For lower temperatures, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{H}$ decreases with $T$ in a linear fashion, dropping to ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{H}~2.5$ by $T~18$ K. Despite the apparent differences between the ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.8}$Fe${}_{1.76}$Se${}_{2}$ and (Ba${}_{0.55}$K${}_{0.45}$)Fe${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$ or Ba(Fe${}_{0.926}$Co${}_{0.074}$)${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$, in terms of the magnetic state and proximity to an insulating state, the ${H}_{c2}(T)$ curves are remarkably similar.
Liquidity and Credit Risk in Emerging Debt Markets

Liquidity risk is an important component of the yield spread on both corporate and sovereign bonds in emerging markets, explaining about half as much of the yield spread as credit risk specific variables. Using three measures of liquidity, including estimates from a model extension of the limited dependent variable model of Lesmond, Ogden, and Trzincka (1999)) on a dataset of over 1600 bond-years spanning both crisis and boom periods in 16 countries, we provide valuable evidence on the magnitude of these effects and the differences in liquidity across sovereign and corporate issuers. In particular, we document that liquidity components increase as credit quality deteriorates for sovereign debt, while the reverse is true for corporate debt, and are the first study to examine the determinants of the rapidly expanding emerging market corporate debt sector. Liquidity is highly significant in explaining cross-sectional variation in yield levels and changes across rated and unrated categories, for both corporate and sovereign issuers, and appears to dominate credit risk in explaining cross-sectional variations in yield spreads for both corporate and sovereign debt instruments across all of the emerging markets examined.
PET imaging of insulinoma using a 68Ga-labeled GLP-1 analog

1161 Objectives Surgical removal of insulinomas based on conventional radiological imaging has met difficulties. Radiotargeting offers the potential for intraoperative localization. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) is abundant in insulinomas which makes it an attractive target for probe development. Studies have shown success using GLP-1R agonist, exendin-4, in the detection of benign insulinoma. The objective of the study was to test the 68Ga-labeled GLP-1 analog, 68Ga-NOTA-EM2198, in localizing insulinomas on PET. Methods Metabolic stability to enzymatic degradation of EM2198 was checked with HPLC after incubating it with peptidases. Binding affinity of EM2198 to GLP-1R was evaluated in a in vitro competitive receptor binding assay. In vivo targeting was evaluated in 10 male SCID mice bearing β-TC6 insulinomas by PET imaging with 68Ga-NOTA-EM2198. Non-GLP1-R expressing PC-3 cells were used as a control. Blood glucose level was measured as an indicator of the insulinoma growth and progression. Results All mice bearing β-TC6 tumor developed hypoglycemia after 30-50 days of implantation and showed lethargy whereas PC-3 tumor-bearing mice remained normoglycemia throughout the study. The accumulation of 68Ga-NOTA-EM2198 in the tumor under normoglycemic condition (112 mg/dl at 28 days post-implantation (p.i.)) was 1.6 ± 0.2%ID/g at 1 h post injection. Remarkably, under hypoglycemic conditions (38 mg/dl 48 days p.i.) in the same mice, the tumor uptake increased 2.1 ± 0.3%ID/g. Uptake blockade studies with cold EM2198 at day 49 showed a significant reduction of the tumor uptake (1.2± 0.1%ID/g)(p Conclusions Our results suggest that 68Ga-NOTA-EM2198 is a promising PET probe with potential for early detection of GLP-1R expressing insulinomas, intraoperative localization, and noninvasive monitoring of their therapies.
An approach to enhanced control room crew performance

The author describes team skills training and the advances made in this area by utilizing both classroom and high-fidelity simulator training. The approach taken by the Duke Power Company to implement team skills training for the control room teams at its three nuclear power plants in North and South Carolina is discussed. It is concluded that nuclear control room crews must be trained in more than just the technical aspects of their jobs. Even though technical competency is clearly important, operators must also be trained in the nontechnical skills of communication, problem solving, diagnosis, and team skills. >
Evidential reasoning using neural networks

A method for using a neural network to model the learning of evidential reasoning is presented. In the proposed method, the belief function associated with a piece of evidence is represented as a probability density function which can be in a continuous or discrete form. The neurons are arranged as a roof-structured network which accepts the quantized belief functions as inputs. The mutual dependency between two pieces of evidence is used as another input to the network. This framework can resolve the conflicts resulting from either the mutual dependency among many pieces of evidence or the structural dependency due to the evidence combination order. Belief conjunction based on the proposed method is presented, followed by an example demonstrating the advantages of this method. >
The five-factor narcissism inventory: a five-factor measure of narcissistic personality traits.

This study provides convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity data for a new measure of narcissistic personality traits created from the perspective of the Five-factor model (FFM) of general personality structure. Fifteen scales were constructed as maladaptive variants of respective facets of the FFM (e.g., Reactive Anger as a narcissistic variant of angry hostility), with item selection made on the basis of a criterion-keying approach using results from 167 undergraduates. On the basis of data from 166 additional undergraduates, the convergent validity of these 15 scales was tested with respect to 8 established measures of narcissism (including measures of both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism) and the respective facets of the FFM. Discriminant validity was tested with respect to facets from other FFM domains. Incremental validity was tested with respect to the ability of the FFM narcissism trait scales to account for variance in 2 alternative measures of narcissism, after variance accounted ...
A wearable system for the visually impaired

We present a light-weight, cheap and low-power, wearable system for assisting the visually impaired in performing routine mobility tasks. Our system extends the range of the white cane by providing the user with vibro-tactile cues corresponding to the location of obstacles and a safe path for traversal through a cluttered environment. The presented approach keeps cognitive load to a minimum, and while being autonomous, adapts to the changing mobility requirements of a navigating user. In this paper, we provide an overview of the hardware and algorithmic components of our system, and show results of pilot studies with human test subjects. Our system operates at 20Hz, and significantly improves mobility performance compared to using only the white cane.
Pramipexole inhibits MPTP toxicity in mice by dopamine D3 receptor dependent and independent mechanisms

The role of dopamine D3 receptors was investigated in mediating the neuroprotective effect of the dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist (S)-2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-6-propylamine-benzothiazole (pramipexole) in vivo. Pramipexole retained the ability to inhibit 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced dopamine depletion in mice in which the dopamine D3 receptor had been deleted. However, the neuroprotective efficacy was reduced in the dopamine D3 receptor-deleted mice compared to that in littermates expressing the wildtype receptor. Furthermore, the dopamine D3 receptor selective antagonist 2-{3-[4-(2-tert-butyl-6-trifluoromethyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]propylthio}-4-pyrimidinol (A-437203) partially inhibited the neuroprotective effect of pramipexole in dopamine D3 receptor expressing mice but not in receptor-deleted mice. These results indicate that pramipexole protects dopamine neurons from MPTP-induced toxicity by mechanisms that are both dependent and independent of an interaction with dopamine D3 receptors.
Cytosine methylation can induce local distortions in the structure of duplex DNA

Methyl groups at the C5 position of pyrimidines located within oligopurine-oligopyrimidine tracts in DNA have been shown previously to modulate curvature generated by those tracts. However, it was not known whether the influence of such methyl groups is consequent to the altered helical structure within the tracts themselves. In the current study, it is demonstrated that methylation of cytosines up to three base pairs away from a (dA)5.(dT)5 tract (A-tract) can still result in alterations of the net curvature of the A-tract-containing DNA, as measured by alterations in electrophoretic mobility. This latter effect depends strongly on both the sequence of the non-A-tract DNA and the positions of the methylated C residues. The current results lend further support to the notion that the biological consequences of cytosine methylation may be effected through local alterations in DNA structure as well as through direct protein-DNA interactions.
The x‐ray diffraction, birefringence, and infrared dichroism of stretched polyethylene

The results of a study of x-ray diffraction, birefringence, and infrared dichroism on a series of polyethylene samples elongated between 0 and 400% are presented. It is shown that, by using any two of the three methods together, one may determine individually the orientation of the amorphous and crystalline portions of the polymer. The results of the third method may then be predicted. Both amorphous and crystalline regions orient appreciably upon stretching. The amorphous orientation is somewhat lower than that of the crystallites. Many of the amorphous chains appear to become completely stretched out. The results indicate that the degree of crystallinity remains constant during stretching and that the oscillator strength of the CH2 rocking vibration is also constant.
Identification of sex steroids secreted by cultured rat ovarian cells in defined medium

Abstract An established subline of cultured rat ovarian cells (31A-F 2 ) can be maintained under serum-free culture conditions. The functional capacity of these cells to synthesize and secrete sex steroids into the culture medium was determined by gas liquid chromatography, radioimmunoassay and mass spectrometry. It was concluded by these methods that 31A-F 2 cells did indeed possess a functional steroid pathway capable of synthesizing and secreting the three classes of sex steroids (progestins, androgens and oestro-gens). Thus, the 31A-F 2 rat ovarian cell line is a steroidogenic in vitro gonadal-erived system in which the effect of hormones and/or growth factors on growth and steroid production may be studied in cell culture.
Locally refined p-FEM modeling of patch repaired plates

Abstract An accurate and practical modeling technique is proposed to analyze cracked metal plates with patch repair. In the single-model approach, a p -convergent high-precision element is developed with three-dimensional elasticity theory. Whereas, in the mixed-model approach, a p -convergent transition element is developed to connect the p -convergent high-precision elements for threedimensional response and p -convergent ESL (equivalent single layer) elements for two-dimensional response. For the developed elements, two- and three-dimensional virtual crack closure techniques based on linear elastic fracture mechanics are modified to estimate the stress intensity factor. Modeling simplicity and calculation efficiency of the mixed-model approach using the p -convergent transition elements is shown for the analysis of patch repaired plates. Some results of present analysis are verified by comparison with published results. Also, performance of analysis using the proposed technique with simplicity and efficacy of modeling is investigated for patch repaired plates with respect to a number of parameters such as thicknesses of patch and adhesive, patch size, single-sided patch vs. double-sided patch.
Solving momentum-space integral equations for quarkonium spectra with confining potentials. III. Bethe-Salpeter equation with spin.

Singular integral equations for quarkonium ([ital q[bar q]]) spectra are solved in momentum space for relativistic confinement plus Coulomb potentials including spin. The confinement potential in momentum space is defined using an analytical regularization scheme. Further manipulations give rise to integro-differential equations and we obtain analytical approximations for the remaining singular integrals. The procedure is tested with two different reductions of the Bethe-Salpeter equation. Using both scalar and scalar plus pseudoscalar confinement we obtain the spectra of charmonium, [ital b]-quarkonium, and the light mesons. We compare the results with experiment and with results obtained by other techniques. Eigenfunctions for selected eigenstates are presented. A good description of both the light and heavy mesons is then obtained with scalar linear confinement in the instantaneous approximation to the Bethe-Salpeter equation. This description is based upon the inclusion of a Breit term to approximate transverse gluon effects.
Young research investigators honored at the 2011 Gordon research conference on photosynthesis: ambiance and a perspective

Using photographs taken at the conference site, we provide a perspective on (i) the awards that were given to four young investigators at the 2011 Gordon Research Conference on Photosynthesis, and (ii) the ambiance at this conference, held at Davidson College, North Carolina, during June 12–17, 2011.
Atmospheric Water Content over the Tropical Pacific Derived from the Nimbus-6 Scanning Microwave Spectrometer

Abstract The scanning microwave spectrometer (SCAMS) aboard Nimbus-6 contains a 22.23 GHz water vapor channel and 31.65 GHz window channel for deriving integrated water vapor (precipitable water) and cloud liquid water through a column over the oceans. The SCAMS derived parameters are based on a nonlinear relationship between the two channel measurements, and is shown to be more accurate than a linear model, particularly for the large values of precipitable water found in the tropics. Comparisons are made between the SCAMS derived precipitable water and 163 radiosonde measurements collected from 19 island stations over the tropical Pacific for the period between 18 August and 4 September 1975. The SCAMS values of precipitable water are shown to display the same variability as the radiosonde data, with a 0.5 cm rms difference. Fields of both precipitable water and liquid water derived by the SCAMS were averaged for the 2-week period for the ocean area between 130°E–100°W and 35°N–35°S. The Intertropical Co...
Novel pronounced reversible inhibition of phosphofructokinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and phosphoglucose isomerase by hexacyanoferrate (II).

Abstract At pH 6.8, pig kidney phosphofructokinase (PFK) is inhibited 90% by 1 m m hexacyanoferrate(II), in a reaction mixture containing 0.2 m m fructose 6-phosphate (F-6-P) and 1 m m ATP. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucose isomerase are inhibited 70% by 5 m m hexacyanoferrate(II), at a 0.2 m m concentration of their respective substrates. Unlike all previously reported inhibitions of glycolytic enzymes by hexacyanoferrate, this inhibition seems not to involve an oxidation of enzyme, substrate, or enzyme-substrate complex. It appears to be due to reversible binding of the hexacyanoferrate at, or near, the hexose phosphate binding site of each enzyme. These inhibition studies were carried out in 50 m m 2-mercaptoethanol, and spectral studies showed that these conditions ensured that all the hexacyanoferrate was in the reduced (II) state. The inhibition of PFK was competitive with respect to the substrate F-6-P. Some reaction between hexacyanoferrate(II) and the substrate could not be definitely ruled out, but such reactions cannot be the major basis for the inhibitions observed. Increasing the magnesium concentration did not overcome the PFK inhibition. For all three enzymes, addition of a high concentration of hexose phosphate substrate to an assay mixture containing highly inhibited enzyme resulted in removal of the inhibition. The inhibition was instantaneous, and there was no increase in inhibition with time of incubation with hexacyanoferrate(II). These results may provide an approach to active-site labeling of these three enzymes at their hexose phosphate binding sites. These results should also be of interest to other workers, especially those involved in oxidative phosphorylation studies, who use ferro- and ferricyanide as research tools. The effects from such experiments may, in some cases, be due to binding of these compounds at, or near, hexose phosphate binding sites in the system.
On Insensitivities in Urban Redistricting and Facility Location

This paper considers one class of problems associated with urban service systems that dispatch vehicles from fixed facilities. Given the limited resources available, one important issue is the location of the facilities and the design of their response districts to minimize average response time in the face of spatially distributed demand patterns. Calculations with spatially homogeneous demands suggest that the mean travel time resulting from totally random distribution of facilities in the region served is reduced by only 25 per cent when the facilities are optimally distributed. This apparent insensitivity of mean travel time to facility location is pursued in detail by analyzing two classes of systems involving a pair of facilities. In the first case, a procedure is outlined for determining the optimal location of a second facility, given a position for the first facility, when no interfacility cooperation is allowed. In the second case, the same region is examined, but allowing a form of interfacility cooperation. These simple models suggest that, because of insensitivities, it may not be necessary to quantize geographical data finely and then to try laboriously to find the "optimal" solutions to redistricting and facility-location problems. Redistricting and facility location based on rather crude assumptions and an awareness of some of the heuristic properties illustrated by simple analytical models may yield mean travel times very near the minimum possible.
The image of complex conjugation in l-adic representations associated to automorphic forms

If F+ is a totally real field, if n is an odd integer and if Π is a regular, algebraic, essentially self-dual, cuspidal automorphic representation of GLn(AF+), then we calculate the image of any complex conjugation under the l-adic representations rl,ι(Π) associated to Π.
STOCHASTIC INVENTORY MODELS WITH LIMITED PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND PERIODICALLY VARYING PARAMETERS

We consider a single-item, periodic-review inventory model with uncertain demands in which each period's production volume is limited by a capacity level. The demand distributions, capacity levels, and cost parameters vary according to a periodic pattern. We prove that modified base-stock policies are optimal for the finite-horizon planning model and for both the infinite-horizon discounted and undiscounted cost criterion. We further show that the optimal base-stock levels can be calculated via a simple but efficient value-iteration method. Finally, we have conducted a comprehensive numerical study to ascertain the efficiency of this solution method as well as various qualitative properties of the performance of capacitated production/inventory systems under periodically varying demand and cost patterns.
Order-Parameter Profile in Semi-Infinite Systems at Criticality

A description of the decay into the bulk of surface perturbations in a system at its critical point is presented. The description, justified by detailed renormalization-group calculations, yields asymptotic order-parameter decay, ${z}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{(d\ensuremath{-}2+\ensuremath{\eta})}{2}}$, along with power-law behavior connected with surface exponents under suitable conditions. Comparison with the phenomenological theories of Widom and of Fisher and de Gennes is also made.
Linguistic Features of Writing Quality

In this study, a corpus of expert-graded essays, based on a standardized scoring rubric, is computationally evaluated so as to distinguish the differences between those essays that were rated as high and those rated as low. The automated tool, Coh-Metrix, is used to examine the degree to which high- and low-proficiency essays can be predicted by linguistic indices of cohesion (i.e., coreference and connectives), syntactic complexity (e.g., number of words before the main verb, sentence structure overlap), the diversity of words used by the writer, and characteristics of words (e.g., frequency, concreteness, imagability). The three most predictive indices of essay quality in this study were syntactic complexity (as measured by number of words before the main verb), lexical diversity (as measured by the Measure of Textual Lexical Diversity), and word frequency (as measured by Celex, logarithm for all words). Using 26 validated indices of cohesion from Coh-Metrix, none showed differences between high- and lo...
Identification of Proteins in Single-Cell Capillary Electrophoresis Fingerprints Based on Comigration with Standard Proteins

In the previous paper in this Journal, we reported the use of capillary sieving electrophoresis to characterize proteins expressed by single cancer cells at specific phases in the cell cycle. Analysis of the data revealed one component with cell cycle-dependent changes in expression at the 99% confidence limit. However, the amount of protein present in a single cell is far too small to allow its direct identification by mass spectrometry. In this paper, we report a method by which such proteins can be tentatively identified. We perform standard SDS−PAGE electrophoresis of the proteins contained within a homogenate prepared from an HT29 cell culture. Proteins extracted from bands in the gel are identified by mass spectrometry. The proteins also provide a set of standards that can be used to spike the sample before capillary sieving electrophoresis (CSE) separation; comigration is taken as evidence for the identity of the target protein. In a proof-of-principle experiment, a single band migrating at ∼47 kDa...
Dynamics of growing interfaces from the simulation of unstable flow in random media

Viscous fingering in random porous media is encountered in many applications of two-phase flow, where the interface is unstable because the ratio of the viscosity of the displaced fluid to that of the injected fluid is large. In these applications, including enhanced oil recovery, characterization of the width of the interface is an important concern. In the limit of stable flow, the interfacial width had been found to grow as w\ensuremath{\approxeq}${\mathit{t}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\beta}}}$, where \ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.66, approximately independent of capillary number. To study the same behavior for the unstable case, we have simulated flow in two-dimensional random porous media using a standard model with different viscosity ratios and zero capillary pressure. When the injected fluid has zero viscosity, viscosity ratio M=\ensuremath{\infty}, the interfacial width has the expected self-similar diffusion-limited-aggregation-like behavior. For smaller viscosity ratios, the flow is self-affine with \ensuremath{\beta}=0.66\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04, which is the same value that had been observed in studies of stable flow. Furthermore, the crossover from self-similar fractal flow to self-affine fractal flow is observed to scale with the same ``characteristic'' time, \ensuremath{\tau}=${\mathit{M}}^{0.17}$, that had been found to scale the average interface position. This ``fractal'' scaling of the crossover leads to definite predictions about the viscosity-ratio dependence of the amplitudes associated with interfacial position and interfacial width.
Unbound free fatty acid concentrations are increased in cardiac ischemia

Monitoring increased plasma unbound free fatty acid (FFAu) concentrations has been proposed as a biomarker for myocardial ischemia. In the current study, 30 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients presenting in the emergency department, with chest pain within 12 h of onset, were clinically evaluated along with serial cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and FFAu measurements. Increased FFAu were found in 28 of 30 (93%) of ACS patients, ranging from 2.0 to 430 nM. For the nine ACS patients with myocardial infarction (MI), FFAu levels were increased at presentation for all (100%). In contrast, cTnI was increased in only 9 of 30 (30%) patients, mean 0.7 μg/L, and in only 2 of 9 (22%) MI patients, mean 1.3 μg/L. During the 24 h following admission, cTnI increased in all 9 MI patients. FFAu concentrations increased in every sample in which cTnI increased. Our findings suggest that FFAu is increased in ischemia regardless of the presence or absence of myocardial necrosis, as reflected by increased or normal cTnI, respectively.
Role-modeling 21st century small business management: Le Taj

IN MONTREAL, CANADA, there is a small Indian restaurant that seems to have understood the concept of managing successfully in the 21st century. With a fascinating blend of workplace diversity, fair employee treatment, efficiency, customer well-being, managerial support, and quality, this 25-year-old small business has managed to excel in a highly competitive environment with a grace that leaves competitors gasping for breath in disbelief. Le Taj has been serving up fine Indian cuisine for more than two decades in downtown Montreal. With its elegant decor and warm Indian ambiance, Le Taj provides a welcome respite from hectic daily life. Whether one looks for an in-house feast of five courses or chooses to enjoy Le Taj’s cuisine via its catering service, the splendor and beauty of authentic Indian food is guaranteed. We, two management professors who specialize in organizational behavior, learned about Le Taj, its excellent food, performance, and great reputation and set out to study this organization through multiple visits, in which we communicated with employees and the company’s leaders and applied critical onsite observations.
Are we testing a true thin liquid

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on a patient’s swallowing of diluting E-Z-EM’s Varibar® Thin liquid barium product (which is often used in videofluoroscopic swallow studies) to achieve a consistency closer to water. Forty patients who were 18 years and older participated in this study. Their varied medical diagnoses included stroke, pneumonia, TBI, and cancer as well as diagnoses not usually associated with dysphagia such as abdominal pain and rhabdomyolysis. To screen for aspiration, E-Z-EM’s Varibar Thin liquid was presented to patients to swallow as 2 cc, 5 cc, cup, and straw drinking trials. If no aspiration occurred, the patient was given the Varibar Thin liquid diluted by 50% using water (referred to as Ultrathin) to swallow in the same amounts. Then occurrence of aspiration with the Ultrathin liquid was compared to the occurrence of aspiration when the patient swallowed the Varibar Thin liquid. Fifty percent of patients aspirated on the Ultrathin liquid but not on the Varibar Thin liquid, across at least one of the test conditions. From these results we suggest that although E-Z-EM Varibar Thin liquid may have a low-viscosity range, it still may not be “thin enough” to identify all patients who aspirate or who are at risk for aspiration on thin liquids.
Genetic Inactivation of the NMDA Receptor NR2A Subunit has Anxiolytic- and Antidepressant-Like Effects in Mice

There is growing evidence implicating the glutamate system in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. Glutamatergic neurotransmission is mediated by several receptor subfamilies including multiple NMDA receptor subunits (NR2A-D). However, little is currently understood about the specific roles of NMDA subunits in the mediation of emotional behavior due to a lack of subunit-specific ligands. In the present study, we employed a mouse gene-targeting approach to examine the role of the NR2A subunit in the mediation of anxiety- and depressive-related behaviors. Results showed that NR2A knockout (KO) mice exhibit decreased anxiety-like behavior relative to wild-type littermates (WT) across multiple tests (elevated plus maze, light-dark exploration test, novel open field). NR2A KO mice showed antidepressant-like profiles in the forced swim test and tail suspension test, as compared to WT controls. Locomotor activity in the nonaversive environments of the home cage or a familiar open field were normal in the NR2A KO mice, as were gross neurological and sensory functions, including prepulse inhibition of startle. Taken together, these data demonstrate a selective and robust reduction in anxiety- and depression-related behavior in NMDA receptor NR2A subunit KO mice. Present results support a role for the NR2A subunit in the modulation of emotional behaviors in rodents and provide insight into the role of glutamate in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.
A Comparison of Forced-Choice Preference Assessment Procedures Using a Parent and Novel Therapist

Forced-choice preference assessments have been found to identify reinforcers. However, the utility of this procedure to identify similar reinforcers when conducted by different individuals is unknown. This investigation sought to determine whether a child's parent and a novel individual delivering the stimuli would yield the same results within forced-choice preference and subsequent reinforcer assessment procedures. During the forced-choice preference assessments, the child chose the same items. However, when the utility of these items as reinforcers was evaluated, different outcomes were found. The child chose to work for immediate reinforcers when the parent served as the therapist and to work for delayed rewards when a novel therapist was employed. The clinical significance of these outcomes is discussed.
The effect of activation history on tension production by individual muscle units

Isometric responses of individual gastrocnemius muscle units of both fast (F) and slow (S) twitch type were studied during repetitive intracellular stimulation of the innervating motoneurons in anesthetized cats. Paired stimuli usually produced maximum responses (measured in terms of tension-time area) with interpulse intervals between 5 and 10 msec. However, longer pulse trains produced maximum tension-time area per pulse with relatively long interpulse intervals (referred to as the optimum interval). For each unit, stimulus intervals around the optimum produced maximum modulation of tension during unfused tetani. Post-activation potentiation produced shifts in the optimum toward longer intervals. The optimum intervals for type F units were shorter (mean 49.4 msec) than those for type S units (mean 86.9 msec), but there was no difference between the groups when the mean intervals were expressed in ratio with the twitch contraction time, Tc (F units: 1.42 X Tc; S units: 1.31 X Tc). The range of optimum intervals for all gastrocnemius muscle units corresponded to motoneuron firing frequencies of 7-40 pulses/sec, well within the frequency ranges observed for gastrocnemius motoneurons firing under natural synaptic drive. Insertion of a single short interval (5--10 msec) at the onset of a relatively low frequency stimulus train produced a prolonged 'catch-like' enhancement of tension output, particularly in type S units. The duration of the catch-like effect depended on the interval between pulses in the underlying basic train, and was maximum for intervals between 1 and 2 X Tc. The catch-like effect was also seen in type F units but its duration was curtailed by another process called the 'sag' property. The 'sag' property occurred in type F units over a wide range of stimulus intervals (usually 0.5-3 X Tc) but was present in type S units only with relatively long intervals (greater than 2 X Tc). The 'sag' property appears to represent a disenhancement process intrinsic to muscle unit fibers activated in unfused tetani.
The role of matrix molecular weight in rubber toughened nylon 6 blends: 3. Ductile-brittle transition temperature

Abstract Izod impact strength was measured as a function of temperature for blends of nylon 6 with maleated and non-maleated styrene-hydrogenated butadiene-styrene triblock copolymers, SEBS, and ethylene/propylene random copolymers, EPR, to determine the effects of polyamide molecular weight, rubber type, and rubber particle size on the ductile-brittle transition temperature. In general, the ductile-brittle transition temperature decreases as the molecular weight of the nylon 6 matrix increases when compared at either constant maleic anhydride content of the rubber or at constant rubber particle size. Blends based on SEBS type elastomers with a standard styrene content never attain ductile-brittle transition temperature below −20°C; whereas, blends generated with EPR type rubbers or a block copolymer of low styrene content can reach values as low as −50°C. This difference in ductile-brittle transition temperature is related to the low temperature mechanical properties of the rubber phase.
Effect of apomorphine and nigrostriatal lesions on aggression and striatal dopamine turnover during morphine withdrawal: evidence for dopaminergic supersensitivity in protracted abstinence.

Reliable aggression was seen in rats which were grouped 30 days after undergoing continuous withdrawal from morphine. This withdrawal aggression, associated with long-lasting effects of morphine dependence, was blocked by morphine or lesions of the nigrostriatal bundle, but not by lesions of the median forebrain bundle. When the nigrostriatal lesioned rats were treated with a small dose of apomorphine, the aggression was reinstated. Apomorphine reduced the turnover of dopamine in the 30-day withdrawn rats at doses which were ineffective in similarly housed non-dependent rats. These results suggest that animals undergoing protracted morphine abstinence show aggression due to a latent dopaminergic supersensitivity, similar to that previously reported during acute narcotic withdrawal.
Expected hitting times for a random walk on a connected graph

Abstract A random walk on a graph is defined in which a particle moves from one vertex to any adjoining vertex, each with equal probability. The expected number of steps to get from one point to another is considered. It is shown that the maximum expectation for a graph with N vertices is O( N 3 ). It is also shown that for all graphs whose maximal valence is bounded by a constant K the maximum expectation is O (N 2 ).
Crown fragment reattachment: report of an extensive case with intra‐canal anchorage

This paper describes the resolution of an extensive complicated crown-root fracture of an endodontically treated maxillary central incisor. Initially, the fractured crown was splinted to the adjacent teeth with orthodontic wire and composite resin. Subsequently, the crown fragment was reattached by means of a fiber post using a hybrid composite resin. Early stage success was achieved with the observance of normality in function, esthetics, and health of the tooth and surrounding periodontal structures. An athletic mouthguard was fabricated to prevent further trauma. Advantages, disadvantages, and prognosis of the treatment presented are discussed.
MAP: the Microwave Anisotropy Probe

Abstract In this lecture the design of the Microwave Anisotropy Probe, to be launched by NASA in the year 2000, and some of the considerations that lead to this design, are discussed.
Insulin resistance and Alzheimer-like reductions in regional cerebral glucose metabolism for cognitively normal adults with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes.

Background—Insulin resistance is a causal factor in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D), and also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reductions in cerebral glucose metabolic rate (CMRglu) as measured by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in parietotemporal, frontal, and cingulate cortex are also associated with increased AD risk, and can be observed years before dementia onset. Objectives—We examined whether greater insulin resistance as indexed by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) would be associated with reduced resting CMRglu in areas known to be vulnerable in AD in a sample of cognitively normal adults with newly diagnosed prediabetes or T2D (P-D/T2D). We also determined whether P-D/T2D adults have abnormal patterns of CMRglu during a memory encoding task. Design—Randomized crossover design of resting and activation [F-18] FDG-PET. Setting—University Imaging Center and VA Clinical Research Unit. Participants—Participants included 23 older adults (mean age±SEM=74.4±1.4) with no prior diagnosis of or treatment for diabetes, but who met American Diabetes Association glycemic criteria for pre-diabetes (n=11) or diabetes (n=12) based on fasting or 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose values, and 6 adults (mean age±SEM=74.3±2.8) with normal fasting glucose and glucose tolerance. No participant met Petersen criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Intervention—Fasting participants rested with eyes open in a dimly lit room and underwent resting and cognitive activation [F-18]FDG PET imaging on separate days, in randomized order, at 9 am. Following a 30-min transmission scan, subjects received an intravenous injection of 5 mCi [F-18]FDG, and the emission scan commenced 40 min post-injection. In the activation condition, a 35-min memory encoding task was initiated at the time of tracer injection. Subjects
Redescription of flagellar arrangement in the duck intestinal flagellate, Cochlosoma anatis and description of a new species, Cochlosoma soricis n. sp. from shrews.

Cochlosoma anatis Kotlan (Zoomastigophorea, Retortamonadida, Cochlosomidae), isolated from the large intestines of domestic Rouen ducks, and Cochlosoma soricis n. sp., isolated from the small intestines of shrews, were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. In both organisms, a single flagellum inserted on the dorsal surface at the same level as the insertion of 4 other flagella on the ventral surface. The 4 ventro-lateral flagella emerged from the left side of the anterior attachment disk below the margin and just above the lateral groove which extended the length of the organism. A 6th flagellum emerged from the margin of the attachment disk. The proximal ends of the flagella formed a bundle with the distal ends becoming unraveled like a rope. During motility, the bundle portion extended straight out from the cell and the free ends of the flagella produced a whipping motion. In C. anatis, the dorsal surface was covered with knob-like lumps and small pits and the cells had an axostyle that emerged slightly to the right of the midline in the posterior 1/3 of the body. The axostylar tip was shorter and thicker than the flagella and in most cells it also had an irregular, knobby appearance. The irregular cell surface and axostyle were absent from C. soricis. The margin of the attachment disk curved toward the center and terminated in C. anatis as a straight edge while in C. soricis it continued as a spiral. Indentations in the mucosal brush border similar to those produced by Giardia, but distinctly belonging to Cochlosoma, were interpreted as points of attachment to the host.