cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computation of the Distance-based Bound on Strong Structural Controllability in Networks

In this paper, we study the problem of computing a tight lower bound on the dimension of the strong structurally controllable subspace (SSCS) in networks with Laplacian dynamics. The bound is based on a sequence of vectors containing the distances between leaders (nodes with external inputs) and followers (remaining nodes) in the underlying network graph. Such vectors are referred to as the distance-to-leaders vectors. {We give exact and approximate algorithms to compute the longest sequences of distance-to-leaders vectors, which directly provide distance-based bounds on the dimension of SSCS. The distance-based bound is known to outperform the other known bounds (for instance, based on zero-forcing sets), especially when the network is partially strong structurally controllable. Using these results, we discuss an application of the distance-based bound in solving the leader selection problem for strong structural controllability. Further, we characterize strong structural controllability in path and cycle graphs with a given set of leader nodes using sequences of distance-to-leaders vectors. Finally, we numerically evaluate our results on various graphs.
Innovations in CKRT: individualized therapy with fewer complications

Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) can be a lifesaving intervention for critically ill patients; however, mortality remains high. The adaptation of existing innovations, including anti-clotting measures; cloud-computing for optimized treatment prescribing and therapy monitoring; and real-time sensing of blood and/or filter effluent composition to CKRT devices has the potential to enable personalized care and improve the safety and efficacy of this therapy.
Spatiotemporal Action Recognition in Restaurant Videos

Spatiotemporal action recognition is the task of locating and classifying actions in videos. Our project applies this task to analyzing video footage of restaurant workers preparing food, for which potential applications include automated checkout and inventory management. Such videos are quite different from the standardized datasets that researchers are used to, as they involve small objects, rapid actions, and notoriously unbalanced data classes. We explore two approaches. The first approach involves the familiar object detector You Only Look Once, and another applying a recently proposed analogue for action recognition, You Only Watch Once. In the first, we design and implement a novel, recurrent modification of YOLO using convolutional LSTMs and explore the various subtleties in the training of such a network. In the second, we study the ability of YOWOs three dimensional convolutions to capture the spatiotemporal features of our unique dataset
Abstract 4119: Necroptosis inducing thienopyridine analogs overcomes chemoresistance in TNBC

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined by the lack of expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), is the most aggressive and lethal form of breast cancer. The treatment of chemo-resistant TNBC tumors is particularly challenging due to the overexpression of efflux transporters, increased DNA repair, and the occurrence of genetic mutations that decrease the likelihood of apoptosis. Lack of clear targets and development of drug resistance allows TNBC to advance to metastatic stage thus resulting in poor prognosis and survival outcome. Recently, we discovered thieno-pyrimidin-hydrazinyl (TPH) class of small molecules that causes necroptotic (i.e. programmed necrosis) cell death in TNBC cells. We found that the lead compound TPH104 has an IC50 value of 160-400 nm and has ~400-fold selectivity towards different TNBC cell lines compared to normal breast cells. TPH104 selectively induced receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) - mediated necroptosis, while promoting autophagy thus resulting in significant inhibition of TNBC cell proliferation. We characterized eighteen novel TPH analogs for their cytotoxic potential and structure activity relation (SAR) and learned that the subtle changes in TPH pharmacophore could enhance or decrease efficacy against TNBC cells. We observed that 2-OH group is required to exert cytotoxic potency. Two new hit analogs of TPH104, TPH104c and TPH104m were found to activate necroptotic cell death markers (RIP, MLKL) with IC50 values similar to TPH104 in TNBC cells. Both analogs decreased the TNBC cell proliferation, and rate of colony formation compared to controls. Mechanistically, similar to TPH104, these analogs did not produce significant apoptosis induction i.e. no loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and arrested the TNBC cells in S-phase of cell cycle. Interestingly, unlike TPH104, TPH104c and TPH104m activate executioner caspases 3 and 7 only at extremely high concentration. TPH104 and its analogs reversed resistance mediated by ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporters through collateral sensitivity. TPH analogs in combination with doxorubicin and paclitaxel synergistically inhibited TNBC and TNBC/resistant (R) cells and reduced the dose-reduction index. Further understanding SAR of TPH analogs and the biology of non-apoptotic, necroptosis cell death by this new class of small molecules will help define a multimodal, non-apoptotic approach to overcome chemoresistance in TNBC patients. This will lead to the development of more selective and efficacious compounds that kills TNBC cells through unique cell death mechanism. Citation Format: Saloni Malla, Diwakar Bastihalli Tukaramrao, Divya L. Dayanidhi, Pia Vogel, Shikha Kumari, Amit K. Tiwari. Necroptosis inducing thienopyridine analogs overcomes chemoresistance in TNBC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4119.
Empiric Determination of the Daily Glucocorticoid Replacement Dose in Adrenal Insufficiency.

Background For the treatment of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in adults, the Endocrine Society's recommended daily glucocorticoid replacement dose (DGRD) is 15 to 25 mg hydrocortisone (HC), which is approximately 1.7 times the reported mean daily cortisol production rate. Prolonged glucocorticoid overtreatment causes multiple morbidities. Hypothesis We tested the hypotheses that the DGRD, empirically determined by individual patient titration, is lower than that of the Endocrine Society guidelines and tolerated without evidence of glucocorticoid under-replacement. Methods We empirically determined the DGRD in 25 otherwise healthy adults with AI by titrating the DGRD to the lowest dose tolerated as judged by body mass index, blood pressure, serum sodium concentration and AI symptoms. Patients received either HC or prednisone (PRED). The HC equivalent of PRED was assumed to be 4:1. Results The mean empirically determined DGRD, expressed as HC equivalent, was significantly less than the midpoint of the Endocrine Society's recommended DGRD (7.6 ± 3.5 mg/m2 vs 11.8 mg/m2; P < 0.001). The DGRD in the adrenalectomy group was not significantly different than the DGRD of those with other AI causes (7.9 ± 4.0 mg/m2 vs 7.3 ± 3.1 mg/m2; P = ns), demonstrating that the empirically determined DGRD was not biased by residual cortisol secretion. There was no evidence of glucocorticoid under-replacement as determined by measured biometrics and AI symptoms. Conclusions We conclude that an empirically determined DGRD is significantly lower than that of the Endocrine Society guidelines and tolerated without evidence of glucocorticoid under-replacement.
Incidental long bone cartilage lesions: is any further imaging workup needed?

To determine the rate of chondrosarcoma in incidentally discovered painless long bone cartilage lesions and to determine if any further imaging is needed. A cartilage lesion was said to be an enchondroma when it had characteristic matrix mineralization and no aggressive features. Search of all imaging reports and tumor board files for keywords enchondroma, cartilage lesion, chondroid, and chondrosarcoma. Retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies from 4.5-year period. Data points collected included patient age, sex, lesion site, size, symptoms, type of imaging, imaging appearance, and length of follow-up. Only patients with no pain were included as enchondroma. Patients with final diagnosis of chondrosarcoma were included for comparison of all features. Only 1/73 (1.4%) patients with an initial incidentally discovered painless lesion was later diagnosed, with new symptoms, as atypical cartilage tumor. Average age was 59.4 years. Bones involved were the femur (n = 33), humerus (n = 30), tibia (n = 7), fibula (n = 2), and ulna (n = 1). Average enchondroma size was 3.9 cm (range 1.4–11.5). Average follow-up was 47 months (range 2–196 months). Eleven long bone chondrosarcomas were identified. All chondrosarcoma patients had pain and aggressive imaging findings. Our study reveals that the rate of chondrosarcoma in incidentally found painless chondroid lesions without aggressive features in long bones is low. Imaging follow-up may be needed only in the setting of new symptoms.
In-Between Cultures to In-Both: Creating Common Stories of Korean American Youth

Navigating two cultural contexts through adolescence, many Korean American youths find themselves living in-between cultures that negatively impact the formation of self-identity and self-esteem. Living in a society where whiteness—culture, worldviews, appearance, and identity—is normalized, they find themselves cast into the margins of society. Sang Hyun Lee, however, reframes the space of Korean Americans from marginal, dehumanizing, and oppressive space, to liminal, where resistance and creativity is produced. The creative potentials of the Korean American 1.5 generation are realized through re-authoring stories that exemplify their experience and by creating common stories that sustain the Korean American communities. Pastors, who journey through re-authoring their stories with divine love and presence, can become story companions to Korean American youth and others, constructing faithful, life-giving narratives that empower flourishing.
A Note on kappa-Diagonal Surface States

We classify all twist-even squeezed states in string field theory which are diagonal in the kappa-basis and simultaneously surface states. For this purpose, we derive a consistency condition for the maps defining kappa-diagonal surface states. It restricts these maps to a two-parameter family of Jacobi sine functions. Not all of them are admissible maps for surface states; standard requirements single out two one-parameter families containing the generalized butterfly states and the wedge states.
What's in a name? Comparing alternative conceptualizations of posttraumatic stress disorder among preadolescent children following the Boston Marathon bombing and manhunt

New diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were introduced by DSM-5 and ICD-11. It remains unclear how well these new definitions of PTSD capture the posttrauma responses of c...
Cardiac catheterization laboratory and the role in effective patient education: A model approach

Abstract Background In recent years, the use of three-dimensional printed models (3DPM) has been described as a tool to facilitate doctor-patient communication. The application of 3DPMs in procedural planning for patients with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) has also been well described. 3DPMs have a potential role in improving understanding of cardiac anatomy for families and patients, increasing patient satisfaction, and optimizing doctor-patient communication. Objectives The purpose of this study was to report our experience using 3DPM for patient education and to compare this modality with other methods already available. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using a family questionnaire for patients who underwent cardiac catheterizations at Children's Hospital Colorado between September 2019 to August 2020, for whom a 3DPM was produced from 3D Rotational Angiography (3DRA). Questionnaires were completed before and after receiving and scrutinizing their 3DPM. Data were compared to assess patient satisfaction before and after having possession of their 3DPM, evaluating the improvement in their understanding of the child's cardiac anatomy and satisfaction ratings given by patients and their families. Results Subjects described their disease understanding as “moderate” before receiving the 3DPM. After receiving the model, significant improvements were observed in understanding their cardiac diagnosis and patient satisfaction scores in CHD patients and their families. After the intervention, families, and patients identified 3DPMs as their preferred modality to facilitate medical explanations. Conclusion The application of 3DPM allowed increased understanding of cardiac anatomy and improved satisfaction scores in our CHD patients and their family cohort.
Female sperm storage in the bonnethead Sphyrna tiburo oviducal gland: Immunolocalization of steroid hormone receptors in sperm storage tubules.

Abstract Female sperm storage (FSS) has been demonstrated to occur in representatives from all major vertebrate groups and has been hypothesized to have several possible adaptive benefits that may maximize reproductive success of its practitioners. However, while the range of taxa that exhibit FSS and its possible evolutionary benefits have received significant attention in past years, the physiological mechanisms by which FSS occurs in vertebrates have only recently been explored. In this study, we examined the potential role of gonadal steroid hormones in regulating FSS in the bonnethead Sphyrna tiburo, a small hammerhead species in which females have been shown to be capable of storing male spermatozoa for up to 6 – 7 months following copulation. Like past studies on this species, we observed associations between plasma concentrations of the gonadal steroids 17β-estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone with FSS in female bonnetheads, suggesting roles for these hormones in regulating this process. Using immunohistochemistry, we also observed presence of androgen receptor, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), and progesterone receptor in epithelial cells of sperm storage tubules in the bonnethead oviducal gland, as well as occurrence of ERα in stored spermatozoa, specifically during the sperm storage period. These results suggest that E2, T, and P4 may regulate certain aspects of FSS in bonnethead indirectly through actions on the female reproductive tract, whereas E2 may also have direct effects on sperm function. This is the first study on the regulation of FSS in sharks and has formed a basis for future work geared towards improving our understanding of this process in chondrichthyans.
Precise Weather Parameter Predictions for Target Regions via Neural Networks

Flexible fine-grained weather forecasting is a problem of national importance due to its stark impacts on economic development and human livelihoods. It remains challenging for such forecasting, given the limitation of currently employed statistical models, that usually involve the complex simulation governed by atmosphere physical equations. To address such a challenge, we develop a deep learning-based prediction model, called Micro-Macro, aiming to precisely forecast weather conditions in the fine temporal resolution (i.e., multiple consecutive short time horizons) based on both the atmospheric numerical output of WRF-HRRR (the weather research and forecasting model with high-resolution rapid refresh) and the ground observation of Mesonet stations. It includes: 1) an Encoder which leverages a set of LSTM units to process the past measurements sequentially in the temporal domain, arriving at a final dense vector that can capture the sequential temporal patterns; 2) a Periodical Mapper which is designed to extract the periodical patterns from past measurements; and 3) a Decoder which employs multiple LSTM units sequentially to forecast a set of weather parameters in the next few short time horizons. Our solution permits temporal scaling in weather parameter predictions flexibly, yielding precise weather forecasting in desirable temporal resolutions. It resorts to a number of Micro-Macro model instances, called modelets, one for each weather parameter per Mesonet station site, to collectively predict a target region precisely. Extensive experiments are conducted to forecast four important weather parameters at two Mesonet station sites. The results exhibit that our Micro-Macro model can achieve high prediction accuracy, outperforming almost all compared counterparts on four parameters of interest.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Multi-Access Edge Computing

Multi-access edge computing processes and stores data at the edge of the network, brings computing resources closer to the end users, significantly reduces latency for computation-intensive and time-sensitive applications. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can accomplish rapid deployment of wireless networks as mobile base stations. Compared to terrestrial communications, UAVs have the outstanding advantage of short-range line-of-sight links, which can improve the network performance significantly. In addition, with its flexibility and mobility, UAVs can be quickly deployed to support wireless communications in remote areas with complex environments, such as disaster areas and emergency zones. UAVs equipped with computing servers provide a new paradigm for multi-access edge computing. They have attracted wide attention from both industry and academia recently. However, there are many critical technical challenges yet to be addressed toward aerial computing. In this issue of IEEE Wireless Communications, we are pleased to present a special issue on “Aerial Computing: Drones for Multi-access Edge Computing” with a collection of 13 articles, to bring together researchers, industry practitioners, and individuals working on related areas to address some of these technical challenges for UAVs and multi-access edge computing. Thanks to the guest editors, J. Zheng, A. Anpalagan, M. Guizani, Y. Wu, N. Zhang, X. Chen, and F. R. Yu, who did an excellent job editing this special issue for our readers. Please stay tuned for new developments in the research area of UAVs and multi-access edge computing and read the editorial and the papers in this special issue.
Early Pig Management in the Zagros Flanks: Reanalysis of the Fauna from Neolithic Jarmo, Northern Iraq

In this paper, we present a reanalysis of pig (Sus scrofa) remains from the Neolithic site of Qalat Jarmo, orig- inally excavated in the 1940s and 1950s. Employing modern zooarchaeological techniques, not available during the initial analyses, we explore the nature of swine exploitation strategies and demonstrate that pigs were most likely managed by the early 7th millennium (Pottery Neolithic) and perhaps earlier. Comparing biometric data with those from other sites in the region, we show that the Jarmo pigs exhibit evidence for size decrease associated with intensive management, but had not yet achieved the degree of dental or post-cranial size reduction seen in later Neolithic domestic populations. Although samples from the earliest (Pre-Pottery) occupation of the site are small, there is some evidence to suggest that domestic pigs were present at Jarmo as early as the late 8th millennium cal. BC. In either case, Jarmo likely represents the earliest appearance of pig husbandry along the Zagros flanks, and we discuss the mechanisms by which Neolithic technologies, including domesticated animals, spread to new regions. This project emphasises the value of curated faunal assemblages in shedding new light on the spread of Neolithic economies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Hybrid Tissue-Engineered Heart Valve.

Evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative assays were performed to analyze the microstructure of the tissues. A tissue composition almost similar to that of natural heart valve leaflets was observed. The function of the valves and their Nitinol scaffolds were tested in a heart flow simulator that confirmed the trileaflet valves open and close robustly under physiologic flow conditions with an effective orifice area of 75%. The tissue–metal attachment of the leaflets once exposed to physiologic flow rates was tested and approved. Conclusions. Our preliminary results indicate that the novel hybrid approach with nondegradable scaffold for engineering heart valves is viable and may address the issues associated with current tissue-engineered valves developed with degradable scaffolds.
Designing and assessing numeracy training for journalists: toward improving quantitative reasoning among media consumers

Journalists inform multitudes of people. However, they sometimes over-focus on the narrative, failing to integrate critical quantitative information effectively. The Numerically Driven Inferencing (NDI) paradigm's research (e.g., Ranney et al., 2001; Munnich, Ranney, & Appel, 2004) suggested that a curricular module highlighting evidential/scientific thinking might enhance reporters' quantitative and analytic skills. The resulting controlled experiment involved 55 first-year journalism graduate students, our "Numbers, News, and Evidence' module, 4.5 classroom hours, 20 homework hours, and several (e.g., Pre-, Mid- and Final-test) assessments. Post-module findings indicate success: Relative to control data, the experimental group improved on the main numeracy measures: 1) estimation accuracy and 2) math competence involving simple problem solving, data analyses, and exponential growth. Students and faculty both concluded that future students should also receive numeracy modules. The module apparently influenced students' attitudes about numerical information, too. The collective results may benefit journalists, their instructors, and media consumers.
Measurement of ventilatory responses in the toad Bufo marinus: A comparison of pneumotachography and buccal pressures

Determination of pulmonary ventilation in anuran amphibians is usually accomplished from recordings of buccal pressure or by pneumotachography. Considering the well described changes in ventilatory pattern during increased respiratory drive, it is pertinent to determine whether the two methods produce comparable ventilatory responses. To resolve this question, a toad was equipped with both a buccal cannula and a pneumotachograph enabling a direct comparison of the two methods. While the two methods result in similar determinations of the overall ventilatory response to hypoxia, there was a poor correlation between buccal pressure and exhaled volume for individual breaths.
The preparation and some properties of pure misch metal

Abstract Mixed rare earth oxides derived from bastnasite and monazite ores were purified with respect to non-rare-earth metallic impurities. The purified oxide was first converted to the fluoride which was then reduced by calcium to the metal (misch metal). The various misch metals were analyzed for impurities and for the percentage of each rare earth element present. The molecular weight of the misch metal was determined both directly and by calculation from the chemical composition. The melting point, transition temperature and lattice parameters were determined for each batch of metal and compared with values calculated from the respective properties of the pure metals and the percentage of each metal present. The hardness is about the same as those found for the high purity individual metals, while the values of the resistance ratio R 300k R 4.2k were one or two orders of magnitude smaller than those reported for the individual pure metals.
Ribosomal protein L15 as a probe of 50 S ribosomal subunit structure.

L15, a 15 kDa protein of the large ribosomal subunit, interacts with over ten other proteins during 50 S assembly in vitro. We have probed the interaction L15 with 23 S rRNA in 50 S ribosomal subunits by chemical footprinting, and have used localized hydroxyl radical probing, generated from Fe(II) tethered to unique sites of L15, to characterize the three-dimensional 23 S rRNA environment of L15. Footprinting of L15 was done by reconstituting purified, recombinant L15 with core particles derived from Escherichia coli 50 S subunits by treatment with 2 M LiCl. The cores migrate as compact 50 S-like particles in sucrose gradients, contain 23 S and 5 S rRNA, and lack a subset of the 50 S proteins, including L15. Using both Fe(II).EDTA and dimethyl sulfate, we have identified a strong footprint for L15 in the region spanning nucleotides 572-654 in domain II of 23 S rRNA. This footprint cannot be detected when L15 is incubated with "naked" 23 S rRNA, indicating that formation of the L15 binding site requires a partially assembled particle.Protein-tethered hydroxyl radical probing was done using mutants of L15 containing single cysteine residues at amino acid positions 68, 71 and 115. The mutant proteins were derivatized with 1-[p-(bromo-acetamido)benzyl]-EDTA. Fe(II), bound to core particles, and hydroxyl radical cleavage was initiated. Distinct but overlapping sets of cleavages were obtained in the footprinted region of domain II, and in specific regions of domains I, IV and V of 23 S rRNA. These data locate L15 in proximity to several 23 S rRNA elements that are dispersed in the secondary structure, consistent with its central role in the latter stages of 50 S subunit assembly. Furthermore, these results indicate the proximity of these rRNA regions to one another, providing constraints on the tertiary folding of 23 S rRNA.
Subunit rearrangement accompanies sequence-specific DNA binding by the bovine papillomavirus-1 E2 protein.

The 2.5 A crystal structures of the DNA-binding domain of the E2 protein from bovine papillomavirus strain 1 and its complex with DNA are presented. E2 is a transcriptional regulatory protein that is also involved in viral DNA replication. It is the structural prototype for a novel class of DNA-binding proteins: dimeric beta-barrels with surface alpha-helices that serve as recognition helices. These helices contain the amino-acid residues involved in sequence-specifying interactions. The E2 proteins from different papillomavirus strains recognize and bind to the same consensus 12 base-pair DNA sequence. However, recent evidence from solution studies points to differences in the mechanisms by which E2 from the related viral strains bovine papillomavirus-1 and human papillomavirus-16 discriminate between DNA targets based on non-contacted nucleotide sequences. This report provides evidence that sequence-specific DNA-binding is accompanied by a rearrangement of protein subunits and deformation of the DNA. These results suggest that, along with DNA sequence-dependent conformational properties, protein subunit orientation plays a significant role in the mechanisms of target selection utilized by E2.
Interdisciplinary Evaluations for Guardianships and Conservatorships

The adequacy of forensic evaluations by an individual expert representing one discipline has increasingly been questioned. A growing awareness has developed that such evaluations can best be conducted by an interdisciplinary team of health-related professionals pooling their respective expertises. Nevertheless, a review of state laws pertaining to evaluations in connection with guardianship and/or conservatorship proceedings show that in most states little provision is made for the utilization of such interdisciplinary teams. In light of the grave risks resulting from an inappropriate evaluation in these proceedings. support is given to a model guardianship and conservatorship statute proposed by the Developmental Disabilities State Legislative Project of the American Bar Association's Commission on the Mentally Disabled which incorporates an interdisciplinary approach for such evaluations (Sales, Powell, Van Duizend, and Associates, 1982).
Poster to print: a 10-year review of pediatric abstracts at the cas

s Publications DISCUSSION: This publication rate is similar to rates previously reported (1, 2, 3). Annual abstract numbers may be influenced by submissions to subspecialty meetings however, the post-2001 increase is encouraging. Further investigation into workplace organization may be helpful in identifying factors which encourage research participation. REFERENCES: 1. Eur. J. Anaesth. 19: 888-893. 2. Can. J. Anesth 40: 632-4. 3. Anesth. Anal. 61: 445-8.
Aerosol and splatter production by focused spray and standard ultrasonic inserts.

Background: Control of contamination in the dental office has sometimes deterred practitioners from using ultrasonic scalers. Recent studies point to the aerosol and splatter produced during ultrasonic scaling as a vehicle for the possible transmission of bloodborne pathogens. A recently introduced ultrasonic insert that focuses the spray produced during scaling may reduce this aerosol contamination. An aerosol reduction device (ARD) that is attached to the ultrasonic handpiece has been shown to reduce the contamination cloud by placing suction in close proximity to the ultrasonic tip. The purpose of this study was to compare the contamination produced by a standard insert (S) and the new focused spray (F) insert with and without the use of the aerosol reduction device (ARD). Methods: The testing was conducted in vitro within a plastic enclosure using a dye in the coolant spray. After mock scaling of a dentoform model, the number of contaminated squares on the enclosure was counted and recorded. Results: ...
Isolation and enzymatic characterization of protein λ2, the reovirus guanylyltransferase

Protein lambda 2 of reovirus serotype 3 has been purified to homogeneity from extracts of cells infected with hybrid vaccinia virus strain WR into whose TK gene of the reovirus L2 genome segment under the control of the CPV ATI protein gene promoter had been inserted. Protein lambda 2 is formed in large amounts (final purification factor about 180) as a monomer that shows no tendency to pentamerize into the reovirus core projections/spikes. Isolated protein lambda 2 is reversibly guanylylated by GTP (that is, it carries out the GTP-PPi exchange reaction) and can transfer the -GMP moiety to GTP to form GppppG, to GDP to form GpppG, and to 5'-pp-terminated RNA to form GpppG- caps. These studies confirm previous studies on reovirus cores that indicated that protein lambda 2 is the reovirus guanylyltransferase. Protein lambda 2 possesses neither nucleoside nor RNA triphosphatase activities, nor methyltransferase activities; thus it is the reovirus capping enzyme, but provides neither the required 5'-ppG-terminated substrate nor does it methylate the cap structure. These must be functions of lambda 2 pentamers or of other individual or complexed components of reovirus cores.
Not enough familiarity for fluency: Definitional encoding increases familiarity but does not lead to fluency attribution in associative recognition

Five experiments were conducted to test whether encoding manipulations thought to encourage unitization would affect fluency attribution in associative recognition memory. Experiments 1a and 1b, which utilized a speeded recognition memory test, demonstrated that definitional encoding increased reliance on familiarity during the recognition memory test. Experiments 2a, 2b, and 3, however, replicated previous research that had shown that fluency is unlikely to be attributed as evidence of previous occurrence in associative recognition (Westerman, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition 27:723–732, 2001). The results put limits on the degree to which fluency can influence recognition memory judgments, even in cases of enhanced familiarity, and are consistent with previous work suggesting that participants have preexperimental expectations about fluency that are difficult to change (e.g., Miller, Lloyd, & Westerman, Journal of Memory and Language 58:1080–1094, 2008), as well as with work suggesting that fluency has less of an influence on recognition memory decisions that are conceptual in nature (Parks, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition 39:1280–1286, 2013).
A software agent model of consciousness.

Abstract Baars (1988, 1997) has proposed a psychological theory of consciousness, called global workspace theory. The present study describes a software agent implementation of that theory, called “Conscious” Mattie (CMattie). CMattie operates in a clerical domain from within a UNIX operating system, sending messages and interpreting messages in natural language that organize seminars at a university. CMattie fleshes out global workspace theory with a detailed computational model that integrates contemporary architectures in cognitive science and artificial intelligence. Baars (1997) lists the psychological “facts that any complete theory of consciousness must explain” in his appendix to In the Theater of Consciousness; global workspace theory was designed to explain these “facts.” The present article discusses how the design of CMattie accounts for these facts and thereby the extent to which it implements global workspace theory.
Regional Wavefield reconstruction for teleseismic P-waves and Surface waves

[1] With the recent availability of dense seismological array data there is the opportunity to reconstruct 2D wavefields of propagating seismic energy. Such a reconstruction allows seismic data to be viewed as wavefields rather than as single station traces. Reconstruction of such wavefields within an array will improve our understanding of complex wave propagation effects and, hence, the underlying Earth structure beneath the array. We propose an algorithm applicable for teleseismic waves that is based on wavefield expansion by cubic B-splines. Application to the high-density array in Southern California shows that we can identify basin resonances and wavefront shifts; such wavefield shifts could be caused by local structure or travel path structure, as waves pass through major structural contrasts.
Stable, trinuclear Zn(II)- and Cd(II)-metallocycles: TWIM-MS, photophysical properties, and nanofiber formation

A series of trimeric, Zn(II)- and Cd(II)-metallocycles is reported. Structural characterization of the highly stable triangles was supported by traveling-wave ion mobility-mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) and gradient tandem mass spectrometry (gMS2). Their unique photophysical properties and self-assembly to form nanofibers are also described.
Harnessing demand flexibility to match renewable production using localized policies

Intermittency of most renewable sources and lack of sufficient storage in the current power grid means that reliable integration of significantly more renewables will be a challenging task. Demand, on the other side, has been largely regarded as non-controllable in the current setting. However, there is strong evidence that a considerable portion of the current and future demand, such as plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) load, is flexible. That is, the instantaneous power delivered to it needs not to be bound to a specific trajectory. In this work we focus on harnessing demand flexibility as a key to enabling more renewable integration and particularly on localized policies, i.e. the ones that only use the load preferences and do not depend on the grid information. We start with a data driven analysis of the potential of PEV load. We then demonstrate that conventional charging policies suffer from high peak-to-average ratios of the aggregate demand and lack of correlation with wind generation. Finally we introduce a localized policy called the Average Rate (AR) policy and show that it reduces the undesired effects of PEV load and increases its correlation with wind generation in average sense. Our work demonstrates the potential of flexible loads in harnessing renewables by affecting the load patterns and mitigating the intermittency of renewables with merely local information. Moreover, our proposed charging policy can be implemented easily in the current PEVs.
Nitric oxide modulates in vitro intrinsic optical signal and neural activity in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is a novel neurotransmitter with important cardiorespiratory functions. To determine the functional topography of NO in a brainstem preparation, extracellular and intrinsic optical signal recordings were simultaneously acquired from a 300 μ m coronal brainstem slice at the level of the obex. During control conditions, spontaneous spike activity in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) was 6.2±1.4 Hz. When the competitive NOS inhibitor, l -NAME, was applied to the bath (1 mM), spike activity either ceased or was markedly reduced in frequency (1.2±0.7 Hz; n =7; P l -arginine ( l -Arg) was added to the bath (9.4±1.8 Hz; P l -NAME ( Δ T / T : −2.4±0.9%; P l -Arg (+2.1±0.8%; P
Fracture Behavior of Continuous Alumina Fiber Reinforced Epoxy

This work investigates fracture behavior of a continuous alumina fiber (FP) reinforced epoxy under compression at two different temperatures. Effects of fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and temperature on failure mechanisms of the composite material are analyzed through a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fiber orientation is found to affect the failure mechanisms of the FP/epoxy. While the failure of the 00 laminae is mainly caused by fiber breakage, that of the 90° laminae by sheared epoxy matrix. The [02/902]s laminates not only have the combined failure modes of the 00 and 900 laminae but also show fiber micro-buckling in the 0° plies and ply delamination at the interfaces of the 0° and 900 plies. Failure mechanisms are found to be different between the symmetric and antisymmetric crossply laminates. In addition, the composites fractured at 77 K display more fiber-matrix debonding, smoother fractured surfaces of fiber and matrix, and cleaner ply delamination at the interfaces of the 00 and 900 ...
Neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex encode economic value

Economic choice is the behaviour observed when individuals select one among many available options. There is no intrinsically 'correct' answer: economic choice depends on subjective preferences. This behaviour is traditionally the object of economic analysis and is also of primary interest in psychology. However, the underlying mental processes and neuronal mechanisms are not well understood. Theories of human and animal choice have a cornerstone in the concept of 'value'. Consider, for example, a monkey offered one raisin versus one piece of apple: behavioural evidence suggests that the animal chooses by assigning values to the two options. But where and how values are represented in the brain is unclear. Here we show that, during economic choice, neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) encode the value of offered and chosen goods. Notably, OFC neurons encode value independently of visuospatial factors and motor responses. If a monkey chooses between A and B, neurons in the OFC encode the value of the two goods independently of whether A is presented on the right and B on the left, or vice versa. This trait distinguishes the OFC from other brain areas in which value modulates activity related to sensory or motor processes. Our results have broad implications for possible psychological models, suggesting that economic choice is essentially choice between goods rather than choice between actions. In this framework, neurons in the OFC seem to be a good candidate network for value assignment underlying economic choice.
Social Identity and Achievement Gaps: Evidence From an Affirmation Intervention

AbstractOne provocative explanation for the continued persistence of minority achievement gaps involves the performance-dampening anxiety thought to be experienced by minority students in highly evaluative settings (i.e., “stereotype threat”). Recent field-experimental studies suggest that modest, low-cost “buffering” interventions informed by this phenomenon may be highly effective at reducing minority achievement gaps. This field-experimental study evaluates such an intervention in which students complete a self-directed “self affirmation” exercise that encourages them to identify and reflect upon their core personal values. This within-classroom randomized trial was conducted among 2,500 7th and 8th graders from six Philadelphia-area middle schools during the 2008–09 and 2009–10 academic years. Although this study failed to replicate the earlier findings indicating that the affirmation generated large increases in the academic performance of minority students, this treatment did lead to statistically s...
Process analytics formalism for decision guidance in sustainable manufacturing

This paper introduces National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)'s Sustainable Process Analytics Formalism (SPAF) to facilitate the use of simulation and optimization technologies for decision support in sustainable manufacturing. SPAF allows formal modeling of modular, extensible, and reusable process components and enables sustainability performance prediction, what-if analysis, and decision optimization based on mathematical programming. SPAF models describe (1) process structure and resource flow, (2) process data, (3) control variables, and (4) computation of sustainability metrics, constraints, and objectives. This paper presents the SPAF syntax and formal semantics, provides a sound and complete algorithm to translate SPAF models into formal mathematical programming models, and illustrates the use of SPAF through a manufacturing process example.
Historical Vegetation of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, circa 1850

Abstract Land survey data recorded by the General Land Office between 1851 and 1910 were used to map historical vegetation in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Of the 202 townships included in our study area, 148 (73%) were surveyed between 1851 and 1855. Widespread but dispersed and small-scale Euro-American settlement preceded the surveys by 5 years or more, but census records indicate that farming and logging at the time of survey had affected less than 4 and 0.5 percent of the valley, respectively. Native habitats presumably were grazed to an unknown extent by free-ranging livestock, but not otherwise disturbed by drainage or plowing. Ten vegetation classes were mapped, comprised of 66 subclasses. Prairie covered the largest area, followed in diminishing order by upland forest, savanna, woodland, riparian and wetland forest, water, shrubland, emergent wetlands, unvegetated, and herbaceous upland. Distribution of vegetation classes reflected gradients in precipitation, hydrology, soil moisture, topography...
A new transparent multi-unit recording array system fabricated by in-house laboratory technology

Abstract A new recording array system has been developed to record multi-unit activity in rabbit retina. The array consists of individually laid down layers of carbon fiber or tungsten microelectrodes whose center–center spacing can be made less than 100 μm. The array and associated electronics can be constructed by technology typically found in most electrophysiology laboratories. The array is mostly transparent, so that visual stimuli and microscopic examination can take place through it. The array can be manipulated much like a single electrode, and thus can be used to record from multiple tissue sites. Arrays as large as 32 elements have been used, with success rates of about 50% per electrode, with some electrodes picking up more than one cell. Stable recordings have been held for up to 6 h from groups of ganglion cells in an isolated eyecup preparation. These multi-electrode arrays have been used repeatedly in experiments for several months without any obvious degradation in recording quality. Although the arrays are hand-made, their layered method of assembly allows as many as 32 elements to be assembled.
Formation of Ammonia from an Iron Nitrido Complex

Radical ideas: Reaction of the iron(IV) nitrido complex [PhB(MesIm)(3)Fe[triple chemical bond]N] (see picture, Mes=2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)) with TEMPO-H (1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) results in high yields of ammonia and quantitative formation of [PhB(MesIm)(3)Fe(tempo)]. The mechanism likely involves hydrogen-atom transfer from TEMPO-H to the nitrido complex. Similar reaction with the triphenylmethyl radical yields [PhB(MesIm)(3)Fe[triple chemical bond]N--CPh(3)].
GRAPHEME-PHONEME AND PHONEME-GRAPHEME CORRESPONDENCES

Sammary.-The ability to make grapheme-phoneme correspondences (phonemic recall) comprises a necessary part of decoding unknown written words to their oral equivalents, that is, working out the pronunciation of words while reading. However, groupdecoding tests and skills-management systems, both of which measure phoneme-grapheme correspondences (graphemic recall), are frequently used to infer students' facility with phonemic recall. The notion that graphemic recall has properties that yield higher scores than phonemic recall and the notion both types of correspondences require identical skills were tested by having 26 second graders make both types of correspondences. Although a design with counterbalanced sequence by correspondences showed a significantly higher mean score for graphemic recall, the actual difference between the two scores was small. A significant rank-order correlation indicates a relationship between the two types of correspondences, but the skills required to make the two rypes of correspondences are not identical. The results suggest caution should be exercised when inferring students' facility with phonemic recall from performance on instruments which measure graphemic recall.
Expression of IGFBP-3 by human retinal endothelial cell cultures: IGFBP-3 involvement in growth inhibition and apoptosis

Purpose Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and somatostatin (SST) modulate each other's actions. SST analogues have been successfully used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) that is unresponsive to laser therapy and to retard the progression of severe nonproliferative retinopathy to PDR. In this study, the endogenous expression of IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 was examined in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs), the direct effects of IGFBP-3 on HRECs were evaluated, and the possible involvement of IGFBP-3 in mediating the growth inhibitory effects of SST receptor (SSTR) agonists in HRECs was assessed. Methods The cellular localization of IGFBP-3 was examined with anti-IGFBP-3 and fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. HRECs were exposed to varying concentrations of human recombinant IGFBP-3, and growth inhibition was evaluated by thiazolyl blue (MTT) conversion. Apoptosis was examined using fluorochrome-annexin V staining. Conditioned media (CM) from SSTR2 agonist (L779976)-treated or SSTR3 agonist (L796778)-treated HRECs were analyzed by ELISA for changes in expression of IGFBP-3. Results HREC immunostaining showed cell surface and cytoplasmic IGFBP-3. Exogenous IGFBP-3 induced a dose-dependent inhibition of HREC proliferation and staining with fluorochrome-annexin V showed numerous apoptotic HRECs. HRECs exposed to the SSTR2 or SSTR3 agonists expressed IGFBP-3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions Cultured HRECs expressed endogenous IGFBP-3. Exogenous administration of IGFBP-3-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis, supporting a regulatory role for IGFBP-3 in endothelial cells. SSTR agonists mediate their growth-inhibitory effect, in part, by increasing expression of IGFBP-3.