cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and cognitive impact of early life stress: Insights from an animal model.

Abstract Background Children subjected to traumatic events during childhood are reported to exhibit behavioral and cognitive deficits later in life, often leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression. Interestingly, some children continue to remain normal despite being exposed to the same risk factors. These trauma-related behavioral and cognitive profiles across different stages of life are not well understood. Animal studies can offer useful insights. Objective The goal of this study was to determine the impact of early life exposure to traumatic events on behavioral and cognitive profile in rats by tracking the behavior of each rat at different ages. Methods We utilized the single prolonged stress (SPS), a rodent model of PTSD, to study the effects of early life stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to SPS on post-natal day (PND) 25. Tests to assess anxiety- and depression-like behavior, as well as learning and memory function were performed at PND32, 60 and 90. Results Rats exposed to SPS exhibited both anxiety- and depression-like behavior at PND32. And, short-term (STM) but not long-term memory (LTM) was impaired. Rats exposed to SPS at PND60 exhibited anxiety- but not depression-like behavior. STM but not LTM was impaired. Rats exposed to SPS at PND90 exhibited fearful (as indicated by elevated plus maze test) but not an overall anxiety-like behavior (in light and dark test). These rats also displayed significant depression-like behavior with no changes in STM or LTM. Interestingly, when data was further analyzed, two subsets of PND90 rats exposed to SPS were identified, “susceptible”: with depression-like behavior and “resilient”: without depression-like behavior. Importantly, while resilient group expressed early signs of anxiety- (at PND32 and PND60) and depression-like behavior (at PND32), these behavioral deficits were absent at PND90. On the other hand, susceptible PND90 rats exposed to SPS expressed later onset of anxiety-like behavior (at PND60), while depression-like phenotype was evident only later on at PND90. Conclusions Our findings suggest that early life stress caused co-occurrence of anxiety and depression-like behavior at PND32 (mimics human early-adolescent period). This co-occurrence was lost at PND60 with demonstration of anxiety- but not depression-like behavior. Later, depression but not anxiety-like behavior was observed at PND90. It seems that behavioral adaptations occur at the critical PND60 stage (mimics human late-adolescent period), where behavioral and cognitive switching occurs, thereby, expressing susceptible and resilient phenotypes.
Multiscale Simulations of Lamellar PS–PEO Block Copolymers Doped with LiPF6 Ions

We report the results of atomistic simulations of the structural equilibrium properties of PS–PEO block copolymer (BCP) melt in the ordered lamellar phase doped with LiPF6 salt. A hybrid simulation strategy, consisting of steps of coarse-graining and inverse coarse-graining, was employed to equilibrate the melt at an atomistic resolution in the ordered phase. We characterize the structural distributions between different atoms/ions and compare the features arising in BCPs against the corresponding behavior in PEO homopolymers for different salt concentrations. In addition, the local structural distributions are characterized in the lamellar phase as a function of distance from the interface. The cation–anion radial distribution functions (RDF) display stronger coordination in the block copolymer melts at high salt concentrations, whereas the trends are reversed for low salt concentrations. Radial distribution functions isolated in the PEO and PS domains demonstrate that the stronger coordination seen in B...
SchrodinText: Strong Protection of Sensitive Textual Content of Mobile Applications

Many mobile applications deliver and show sensitive and private textual content to users including messages, social network posts, account information, and verification codes. All such textual content must only be displayed to the user but must be strongly protected from unauthorized access in the device. Unfortunately, this is not the case in mobile devices today: malware that can compromise the operating system, e.g., gain root or kernel privileges, can easily access textual content of other applications. In this paper, we present SchrodinText, a system solution for strongly protecting the confidentiality of application's selected UI textual content from a fully compromised operating system. SchrodinText leverages a novel security monitor based on two hardware features on modern ARM processors: virtualization hardware and TrustZone. Our key contribution is a set of novel techniques that allow the operating system to perform the text rendering without needing access to the text itself, hence minimizing the Trusted Computing Base (TCB). These techniques, collectively called oblivious rendering, enable the operating system to rasterize and lay out all the characters without access to the text; the monitor only resolves the right character glyphs onto the framebuffer observed by the user and protects them from the operating system, e.g., against DMA attacks. We present our prototype using an ARM Juno development board and Android operating system. We show that SchrodinText incurs noticeable overhead but that its performance is usable.
Multimodal treatment of a dog with disseminated cutaneous viral papillomatosis

Background Canine papillomaviruses (CPVs) are associated with varied cutaneous manifestations. Spontaneous resolution typically occurs within one to 12 months. This case report describes multimodal treatment of a dog with severe disseminated papillomatosis. Clinical summary An eight-month-old, female spayed, mixed breed dog was presented with a two month history of rapidly progressing papillomatosis and lack of response to oral azithromycin therapy. The dog was severely pruritic and malodorous; the weight and growth of lesions had progressed to affect the dog's gait and vision, and led to decreased quality of life. The dog was treated with substantial surgical debulking of lesions, followed by daily topical 5% imiquimod cream applied to nonexcisable lesions, and received five doses of an experimental recombinant CPV2 L1 vaccine every 14 days for 10 weeks. At the end of the 10 weeks, two lesions remained and were excised. No additional treatment was needed and 10 months post-treatment the dog was lesion free. Conclusion New therapies need to be developed and assessed, in controlled treatment trials, to determine the efficacy of single modality therapeutic interventions for severe, persistent canine cutaneous papillomatosis.
Hydrogen-assisted Carbon Dioxide Thermochemical Reduction on La0.9Ca0.1FeO3−δ Membranes: A Kinetics Study

Kinetics data for CO2 thermochemical reduction in an isothermal membrane reactor is required to identify the rate-limiting steps. A detailed reaction kinetics study on this process supported by an La0.9Ca0.1FeO3-δ (LCF-91) membrane is thus reported. The dependence of CO2 reduction rate on various operating conditions is examined, such as CO2 concentration on the feed side, fuel concentrations on the sweep side, and temperatures. The CO2 reduction rate is proportional to the oxygen flux across the membrane, and the measured maximum fluxes are 0.191 and 0.164 μmol cm−2 s−1 with 9.5 mol% H2 and 11.6 mol% CO on the sweep side at 990 °C, respectively. Fuel is used to maintain the chemical potential gradient across the membrane and CO is used to derive the surface reaction kinetics. This membrane also exhibits stable performances for 106 h. A resistance-network model is developed to describe the oxygen transport process and the kinetics data are parameterized using the experimental values. The model shows a transition of the rate limiting step between the surface reactions on the feed side and the sweep side depending on the operating conditions.
Rethinking Rates of Undiagnosed Diabetes: The Value of a Confirmatory Test.

In their study assessing the population burden of unrecognized diabetes, Selvin and colleagues used a definition that aligns more closely with clinical practice recommendations than that frequently...
Property and Stewardship

Most laws aiming at protecting the environment limit private property rights to some extent. This chapter explores the meaning and value of private property rights, their relationship to political freedom, and reasons for limiting those rights. In addition, it discusses moral arguments for voluntarily recognizing community interests in private property and for exercising property rights in a way that is consistent with the ideal of stewardship.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations among Nursing Home Residents: A Systematic Review

This systematic review analyzes research examining racial/ethnic disparities in influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage between White and racial/ethnic minority (Black and Hispanic) nursing home residents. A review of the literature for years 1966-2014 using Medline, Web of Science, and PubMed was conducted. The Epidemiological Appraisal Instrument was used to appraise the quality of the 13 included studies. Overall, articles were strong in reporting and data analysis, but weak in sample selection and measurement quality. Disparities between vaccination coverage among racial/ethnic minorities versus Whites ranged from 2% to 20% for influenza and 6% to 15% for pneumococcal vaccination. Researchers reported racial/ethnic minorities were more likely to refuse vaccinations and less likely to have vaccinations offered and their vaccination status tracked compared to Whites. Policies/strategies that focus on ensuring racial/ethnic minorities are offered influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and their vaccination status are tracked in nursing homes are warranted. Updated evaluation on vaccination disparities is also needed.
Cell Motility and the Distribution of Actin and Myosin during Mouse Trophoblast Development in Vitro

Mouse trophoblast development in vitro can be used as a model system for the study of preimplantation events (Sherman and Wudl, 1976; Glass et al., 1979). We have utilized this system to examine the relationship between cell motility and the organization of contractile proteins during trophoblast development.
Schelling’s Theory of Contracts and Rules: Applications for Procedure Design and Safety Analysis:

Rules enforced on front-line operators are not only unique to aviation and other high-risk industries; in fact, the topic of rules is just as important in business, the economics of the Market, and...
Spectral radius of r -uniform supertrees with perfect matchings

supertree is a connected and acyclic hypergraph. The set of r-uniform supertrees with n vertices and the set of r-uniform supertrees with perfect matchings on rk vertices are denoted by Tn and Tr,k, respectively. H. Li, J. Shao, and L. Qi [J. Comb. Optim., 2016, 32(3): 741–764] proved that the hyperstar Sn,r attains uniquely the maximum spectral radius in Tn. Focusing on the spectral radius in Tr,k, this paper will give the maximum value in Tr,k and their corresponding supertree.
First report of brown marmorated stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) reproduction and localized establishment in Florida

Halyomorpha halys has expanded its invasive range in the USA southward into Georgia, but prior to 2018 established reproducing populations have not been reported in Florida. Yellow pyramid traps placed in peach orchards detected adult H. halys in 2016, 2017, and 2018, with the number of positive sites and specimens captured increasing each year. During 2018, nymphs and eggs of H. halys were observed at a peach orchard in Lake County, Florida. This represents the first evidence of a reproducing population of H. halys in Florida. The range expansion into Florida is the lowest latitude observed in the invasive range of H. halys , suggesting this temperate species may be able to overcome the barriers to range expansion posed by the temperature and photoperiod regimes found at lower latitudes. Resumen Halyomorpha halys ha expandido su rango invasivo en el sur de EE. UU. hacia dentro de Georgia, sin ser detectada o confirmada taxonomicamente poblaciones reproductoras previo a 2018 en Florida. Trampas piramidales amarillas localizadas en huertos de duraznos detectaron adultos de H. halys en 2016, 2017 y 2018, aumentando el numero de adultos y sitios reportados ano a ano. En 2018, se observaron ninfas y huevos de H. halys en un huerto de duraznos en Lake County, Florida. Esto representa la primera evidencia de una poblacion reproductora de H. halys dentro en Florida. La reciente deteccion en Florida representa la latitud mas baja observada en el rango invasivo de H. halys , lo que sugiere que esta especie templada puede superar las barreras a la expansion del rango causado por la temperatura y el fotoperiodo en las latitudes mas bajas. View this article in BioOne
Endpoint accuracy of goal-directed ankle movements correlates to over-ground walking in stroke.

Abstract Objectives Goal-directed movements are essential for voluntary motor control. The inability to execute precise goal-directed movements after stroke can impair the ability to perform voluntary functions, learn new skills, and hinder rehabilitation. However, little is known about how the accuracy of single-joint, goal-directed ankle movements relates to multi-joint, lower limb function in stroke. Here, we determined the impact of stroke on the accuracy of goal-directed ankle movements and its relation to over-ground walking. Methods Stroke (N = 28) and control (N = 28) participants performed (1) goal-directed ankle dorsiflexion movements to accurately match 9 degrees in 180 ms and (2) over-ground walking. During goal-directed ankle movements, we measured the endpoint error, position error, time error and the activation of the agonist and antagonist muscles. During over-ground walking, we measured the walking speed, paretic stride length, and cadence. Results The stroke group demonstrated increased endpoint error than the controls. Increased endpoint error was associated with increased co-activation between agonist-antagonist muscles. Endpoint error was a significant predictor of walking speed and paretic stride length in stroke. Conclusions Impaired accuracy of goal-directed, ankle movements is correlated to over-ground walking in stroke. Significance Quantifying accuracy of goal-directed ankle movements may provide insights into walking function post-stroke.
Noncompliance and Nonadherence

Medical noncompliance and nonadherence are serious healthcare concerns that many pediatric psychologists are tasked with confronting in treatment. Nonadherence varies across medical conditions and family/individual situations. This chapter will review the literature on noncompliance and nonadherence and provide assessment strategies and points for intervention. We will discuss conceptualizations of concerns and the relevant literature. We will present a case to illustrate concepts discussed in the chapter.
Effect of Lonidamine on Systemic Therapy of DB-1 Human Melanoma Xenografts with Temozolomide.

BACKGROUND/AIM Since temozolomide (TMZ) is activated under alkaline conditions, we expected lonidamine (LND) to have no effect or perhaps diminish its activity, but initial results suggest it may actually enhance either or both short- and long-term activity of TMZ in melanoma xenografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cohorts of 5 mice with subcutaneous xenografts ~5 mm in diameter were treated with saline (control (CTRL)), LND only, TMZ only or LND followed by TMZ at t=40 min (time required for maximal tumor acidification). RESULTS Mean tumor volume for LND+TMZ for the period between 6 and 26 days was reduced compared to TMZ alone (repeated measures ANOVA F (1, 8), p=0.006), suggesting a pronounced impact of LND on this phenomenon. TMZ and LND+TMZ produced median growth delays of 82 and 106 days, respectively. CONCLUSION The use of TMZ alone and in combination with LND deserves further investigation in treatment of melanoma and other malignancies.
Digital contact tracing may protect privacy, but it is unlikely to stop the pandemic

It is difficult to imagine a timelier topic for this inaugural Communications Privacy column than the privacy issues associated with COVID-19 apps Against the backdrop of protests around the world opposing racism and police killings of Black people, we have a newly found understanding of the need for protection from surveillance, while also feeling the urgency of shutting down the spread of a deadly virus While many computer scientists are looking to technology for privacy-protective ways to track COVID-19 exposure, Privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) may prove ineffective without more widely available COVID-19 tests, human-centered design, and complementary laws and policies Digital contact tracing and exp sure notification might be ideal app cations for PETs
An Interleaved Non-Isolated DC-DC Boost Converter with Voltage Doubler Cell in CCM

This paper introduces an interleaved non-isolated of a boost converter with voltage doubler cell in continuous conduction mode (CCM), which can be used in many renewable energy applications, such as photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cells. The proposed converter consists of two stages. The first stage is a two- phase interleaved boost stage, and the second stage is voltage doubler voltage multiplier. Due to these two stages, the proposed converter produces twice the voltage gain of the conventional boost converter while maintaining the continuity of the input current and with lower stresses on components. The analysis and design procedure of the proposed converter is discussed in this paper. Also, a simulation tool is used to verify the steady-state analysis of the converter. Finally, a hardware prototype was executed in the laboratory to convert 15 to 200 Vdc to confirm the theoretical analysis and simulation results.
Lumbar Pedicle Morphology and Vertebral Dimensions in Isthmic and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis—A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT Background: The pedicle screw is the most common device used to achieve fixation in fusion of spondylolistheses. Safe and accurate placement with this technique relies on a thorough understanding of the bony anatomy. There is a paucity of literature comparing the surgically relevant osseous anatomy in patients with a degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and an isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS). The goal of this study was to determine the differences in the osseous anatomy in patients with a DS and those with an IS. Methods: A retrospective comparative cohort study was conducted on patients with a single-level, symptomatic L4-L5 DS or a single-level, symptomatic L5-S1 IS. Magnetic resonance imaging for these patients was reviewed. Morphometries of the pedicle and vertebral body were analyzed by 2 independent observers for the levels from L3 to S1, and radiographic parameters were compared between groups. Results: A total of 572 levels in 143 patients were studied, including 103 patients with a DS and 40 with an IS. After accounting for confounders, IS and DS had an independent effect on transverse vertebral body width, pedicle height and width, and sagittal pedicle angle. Patients with an IS had a smaller pedicle height (P Conclusions: The osseous anatomy is significantly different in patients with a DS than with an IS. Patients with an IS have smaller pedicles in the lumbar spine. Also, the L4 and L5 pedicles are more caudally angulated and the S1 pedicle is less medialized. Level of Evidence: 3. Clinical Relevance: Understanding the differences in pedicle anatomy is important for the safe placement of pedicle screws.
Examination of the relationship between lapses and weight loss in a smartphone-based just-in time adaptive intervention

We developed a smartphone-based just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI), called OnTrack, that provides personalized intervention to prevent dietary lapses (i.e., nonadherence from the behavioral weight loss intervention diet). OnTrack utilizes ecological momentary assessment (EMA; repeated electronic surveys) for self-reporting lapse triggers, predicts lapses using machine learning, and provides brief intervention to prevent lapse. We have established preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of OnTrack, but no study has examined our hypothesized mechanism of action: reduced lapse frequency will be associated with greater weight loss while using OnTrack. This secondary analysis investigated the association between lapse frequency and the weekly percentage of weight loss. Post hoc analyses evaluated the moderating effect of OnTrack engagement on this association. Participants (N = 121) with overweight/obesity (MBMI = 34.51; 84.3% female; 69.4% White) used OnTrack with a digital weight loss program for 10 weeks. Engagement with OnTrack (i.e., EMA completed and interventions accessed) was recorded automatically, participants self-reported dietary lapses via EMA, and weighed weekly using Bluetooth scales. Linear mixed models with a random effect of subject and fixed effect of time revealed a nonsignificant association between weekly lapses and the percentage of weight loss. Post hoc analyses revealed a statistically significant moderation effect of OnTrack engagement such that fewer EMA and interventions completed conferred the expected associations between lapses and weight loss. Lapses were not associated with weight loss in this study and one explanation may be the influence of engagement levels on this relationship. Future research should investigate the role of engagement in evaluating JITAIs.
Gastrokine-1, an anti-amyloidogenic protein secreted by the stomach, regulates diet-induced obesity

Obesity and its sequelae have a major impact on human health. The stomach contributes to obesity in ways that extend beyond its role in digestion, including through effects on the microbiome. Gastrokine-1 (GKN1) is an anti-amyloidogenic protein abundantly and specifically secreted into the stomach lumen. We examined whether GKN1 plays a role in the development of obesity and regulation of the gut microbiome. Gkn1−/− mice were resistant to diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis (high fat diet (HFD) fat mass (g) = 10.4 ± 3.0 (WT) versus 2.9 ± 2.3 (Gkn1−/−) p < 0.005; HFD liver mass (g) = 1.3 ± 0.11 (WT) versus 1.1 ± 0.07 (Gkn1−/−) p < 0.05). Gkn1−/− mice also exhibited increased expression of the lipid-regulating hormone ANGPTL4 in the small bowel. The microbiome of Gkn1−/− mice exhibited reduced populations of microbes implicated in obesity, namely Firmicutes of the class Erysipelotrichia. Altered metabolism consistent with use of fat as an energy source was evident in Gkn1−/− mice during the sleep period. GKN1 may contribute to the effects of the stomach on the microbiome and obesity. Inhibition of GKN1 may be a means to prevent obesity.
Mining long-COVID symptoms from Reddit: characterizing post-COVID syndrome from patient reports.

Our objective was to mine Reddit to discover long-COVID symptoms self-reported by users, compare symptom distributions across studies, and create a symptom lexicon. We retrieved posts from the /r/covidlonghaulers subreddit and extracted symptoms via approximate matching using an expanded meta-lexicon. We mapped the extracted symptoms to standard concept IDs, compared their distributions with those reported in recent literature and analyzed their distributions over time. From 42 995 posts by 4249 users, we identified 1744 users who expressed at least 1 symptom. The most frequently reported long-COVID symptoms were mental health-related symptoms (55.2%), fatigue (51.2%), general ache/pain (48.4%), brain fog/confusion (32.8%), and dyspnea (28.9%) among users reporting at least 1 symptom. Comparison with recent literature revealed a large variance in reported symptoms across studies. Temporal analysis showed several persistent symptoms up to 15 months after infection. The spectrum of symptoms identified from Reddit may provide early insights about long-COVID.
High Fidelity 3D Image Synthesis with Dynamic Computer Generated Holography (DCGH)

We demonstrate a new technique for high-resolution computer-generated holography. Our method rapidly displays a sequence of engineered wavefronts optimized together to render the desired illumination pattern. Experimental results show speckle-free 3D image synthesis capabilities.
Upcycling strategies for old corrugated containerboard to attain high-performance tissue paper: A viable answer to the packaging waste generation dilemma

Abstract This study evaluated the suitability of old corrugated containerboard (OCC) to be upcycled into a high-quality pulp for tissue paper manufacture. The evolution of the physicochemical properties of OCC fibers and their effect on tissue properties were tracked across each stage of two elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching sequences. The properties of bleached OCC were compared to those of deinked pulp (DIP), southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK), and refined OCC unbleached. Both sequences reduced the kappa number from 89 to negligible values and increased brightness from 18.9% to ca. 75% ISO, on average 6.2% ISO units below that of DIP. Overall, bleaching significantly increased tensile index and absorbency rate while having adverse effects on bulk and softness and minor impacts on absorption capacity. The change in properties was correlated to the improved fiber bondability and fiber wettability derived from the lignin removal. Compared to DIP, bleached OCC exhibited a higher tensile index, higher freeness, and similar absorption capacity but lower softness. It also showed higher absorption capacity and similar softness than SBSK but lower freeness at a comparable tensile index. The results indicate that upgraded OCC could be used as an alternative fiber to address the forecasted shortage of high-grade recycled papers in recycled tissue grades or replace virgin fibers in producing virgin tissue grades. In addition, it was determined that refined OCC unbleached could also be suitable for use in tissue grades where high brightness is not an essential product feature.
Kurtosis Approach for Nonlinear Blind Source Separation

In this paper, we introduce a new algorithm for blind source signal separation for post-nonlinear mixtures. The mixtures are assumed to be linearly mixed from unknown sources first and then distorted by memoryless nonlinear functions. The nonlinear functions are assumed to be smooth and can be approximated by polynomials. Both the coefficients of the unknown mixing matrix and the coefficients of the approximated polynomials are estimated by the gradient descent method conditional on the higher order statistical requirements. The results of simulation experiments presented in this paper demonstrate the validity and usefulness of our approach for nonlinear blind source signal separation.
A prospective multicenter study of venous thromboembolism in patients with newly-diagnosed high-grade glioma: hazard rate and risk factors

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in patients with high-grade gliomas. The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to determine the hazard rate of first symptomatic VTE in newly-diagnosed glioma patients and identify clinical and laboratory risk factors. On enrollment, demographic and clinical information were recorded and a comprehensive coagulation evaluation was performed. Patients were followed until death. The study end point was objectively-documented symptomatic VTE. One hundred seven patients were enrolled with a median age of 57 years (range 29–85) between June 2005 and April 2008. Ninety-one (85 %) had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). During an average survival of 17.7 months, 26 patients (24 %) (95 % CI 17–34 %) developed VTE (hazard rate 0.15 per person-year) and 94 patients (88 %) died. Median time to VTE was 14.2 weeks post-operation (range 3–126). Patients with an initial tumor biopsy were 3.0 fold more likely to suffer VTE (p = 0.02). Patients with an elevated factor VIII activity (>147 %) were 2.1-fold more likely to develop VTE. ABO blood group, D dimer and thrombin generation were not associated with VTE. No fatal VTE occurred. VTE is a common complication in patients with newly-diagnosed high grade gliomas, particularly in the first six months after diagnosis. Patients with an initial tumor biopsy and elevated factor VIII levels are at increased risk. However, VTE was not judged to be primarily responsible for any patient deaths. Therefore, outpatient primary VTE prophylaxis remains investigational until more effective primary prophylaxis strategies and therapies for glioma are identified.
Quorum Sensing in Rotifers

Rotifer quorum-sensing is similar in many respects to the more intensely studied bacterial quorum-sensing processes, suggesting that chemosensory processes for assessing conspecific population density may have ancient origins. The apparent involvement of the human steroidogenesis-inducing protein (SIP) in steroid production suggests a similar role for the rotifer mixis-inducing protein (MIP), such that MIP quorum sensing could trigger steroid hormone production in female rotifers, leading to meiotic oogenesis. Population genetics approaches can be used to determine when the mixis pathways of different groups of rotifers diverge and to test hypotheses related to the importance of rotifer mixis in evolutionary processes. The trade-offs between accurate population assessment and the energy costs associated with loss of a complex signaling molecule to the environment have been recognized in bacterial quorum sensing and may apply similarly to rotifers. Quorum sensing among rotifers, therefore, would be analogous to cell-cell communication between tissues of a complex multicellular organism-both require coordination, whether of animal behavior or cell physiology. Induction of sexual reproduction in rotifers satisfies the conditions that define quorum sensing, including the production and release of an autoinducing chemical cue (MIP) by rotifers in a density-dependent manner, the response by conspecifics upon reaching a threshold concentration, and the coordination of this response, which includes both physiological and behavioral changes.
Infrared Imaging of Globular Clusters Near the Galactic Center

Using the UCLA infrared cameras Gemini and KCam, we have obtained J and K’ images for several globular clusters which are located in the direction of the galactic center, including Terzan 5, Terzan 9, Terzan 10, and UKS 1. Color-magnitude diagrams are constructed for giant stars in these clusters. By studying the giant branches of these clusters relative to those of standard clusters, we have derived the reddenings, metallicities, and distance moduli for the four clusters.
Conditioning and martingales

The concept of conditioning, or equivalently conditional expectation, is one of the most fundamental notions in Probability. After some motivation for the concept, we discuss some immediate properties of conditional expectations (and probabilities). Then the regularity of conditional probabilities and some related results are discussed. Next the concept of a martingale, the basic inequalities, and the decompositions of Riesz, Doob (in the discrete case) and Jordan type [for (sub) martingales] are presented. The discrete parameter convergences of martingales, including the Andersen-Jessen theorems, are discussed. Related Complements with some details, are contained as exercises in the last section.
Use of background knowledge in natural language understanding for information fusion

Tractor is a system for understanding English messages within the context of hard and soft information fusion for situation assessment. Tractor processes a message through text processors, and stores the result, expressed in a formal knowledge representation language, in a syntactic knowledge base. This knowledge base is enhanced with ontological and geographic information. Finally, Tractor applies hand-crafted syntax-semantics mapping rules to convert the enhanced syntactic knowledge base into a semantic knowledge base containing the information from the message enhanced with relevant background information. Throughout its processing, Tractor makes use of various kinds of background knowledge: knowledge of English usage; world knowledge; domain knowledge; and axiomatic knowledge. In this paper, we discuss the various kinds of background knowledge Tractor uses, and the roles they play in Tractor's understanding of the messages.
Experimental demonstration of an all-optical routing node for multihop wavelength routed networks

Summary form only given. We have demonstrated an all-optical routing node for wavelength-routed networks. Subcarrier-header coded packets are correctly routed to a local host or converted to one of four wavelengths and routed to a waveguide array WDM device. Wavelength conversion at the packet rate of both 622 Mbps payload and 103 Mbps subcarrier multiplexed header at 3.9 GHz to four wavelengths is demonstrated.
Particular Influence of Leucine Peptides on Lysyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Ligase Formation in a Mutant of Escherichia coli K-12

l-Leucine dipeptides can enhance lysyl-transfer ribonucleic acid ligase activity 15- to 20-fold in a mutant of Escherichia coli K-12. Evidence indicates the peptides act per se.
Regulatory Effectiveness in Onshore & Offshore Financial Centers

Onshore jurisdictions, such as the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany, are critical of offshore financial centers (OFCs), such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and the Channel Islands. Arguments against OFCs include claims that their regulatory oversight is lax, allowing fraud and criminal activity. In this article, we present cross-jurisdictional data, showing that OFCs are not lax. We also provide qualitative analyses of regulatory effectiveness, demonstrating that input-based measures of regulation are inappropriate metrics for comparing jurisdictions. Based on both quantitative input measures and a qualitative assessment, we reject the onshore critique of OFCs as bastions of laxity.
Pious Princes and Red-Hot Lovers: The Politics of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is obviously a tragedy of impetuous young love. But it is also a play about politics, especially politics as conditioned by Christian morality and religion. The play's action is determined by the conflict between secular and priestly authority, and by the complex interaction among mercy, love, and punishment as practiced by Escalus, Prince of Verona, and Friar Laurence, the Franciscan. In the course of this action, the Veronese regime is transformed, and the common good determined, in ways more compatible with the friar's interests than with those of the Prince. Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's pictures of the unique problems that determined modern, as opposed to ancient, political life.
Religious Identity and Cultural Diversity: Exploring the Relationships between Religious Identity, Sexism, Homophobia, and Multicultural Competence

In this article, the authors present the results from a national study investigating the relationships between religious identity, sexism, homophobia, and multicultural competence. Participants were 111 randomly sampled counseling professionals and graduate students. The results indicated a relationship between religious identity and various aspects of valuing cultural diversity, including sexism, homophobia, and multicultural competence. Implications of the role of religion and religious identity in counseling are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.
TEACHING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM APPROPRIATE PLAY IN UNSUPERVISED ENVIRONMENTS USING A SELF-MANAGEMENT TREATMENT PACKAGE

The present study used a self-management treatment package to teach 3 children with autism, who exhibited inappropriate play behaviors, to play appropriately in the absence of a treatment provider. After self-management training, generalization and maintenance of the behavior change were assessed. Because of the detrimental effects of self-stimulation (arm flapping, spinning toys, twirling, etc.) on learning, the relationship between self-stimulatory behaviors and appropriate play was measured. Results indicated that the children learned to exhibit appropriate play skills in unsupervised settings, appropriate play skills generalized to new settings, and 2 of the children maintained their gains at 1-month follow-up. In addition, self-stimulatory behaviors decreased as appropriate play increased. Treatment implications of these findings are discussed.
Effects of an irritable bowel syndrome educational class on health-promoting behaviors and symptoms

Effects of an irritable bowel syndrome educational class on health-promoting behaviors and symptoms
Teacher Dispositions for Cultural Competence: How Should We Prepare White Teacher Candidates for Moral Responsibility?

The process of becoming culturally competent teachers could be hindered depending on the kind of dispositions individuals have toward racial/ethnic diversity. The analysis of 54 White teacher candidates' beliefs toward race and ethnicity revealed that the participants' beliefs were deeply embedded in Whiteness and that they did not identify White privilege as a type of racism. The author recommends that an affective approach that will make White teacher candidates emotionally engage in the conversation on race be taken in teacher education programs. Culturally competent teachers should not only possess knowledge and skills about teaching racially/ethnically different students, but also should possess a strong sense of social justice by thinking about whether or not their teaching contributes to society's advancement or to moral evil.
The impact of the wilson administration on economic crime rates

Previous research, based upon the interrupted time-series analysis of monthly data, has demonstrated that changes in the organizational structure of police departments produce short-term changes in the level of reported crime. The present study extends this literature by examining the independent effects of a change in hierarchical control (i.e., the appointment of O. W. Wilson as the new chief of the Chicago Police Department) and changes, over time, in the ecological structure of Chicago on reported rates of economic crime. The multivariate analyses indicate that the failure to take into account organizational change leads to model specification error. We conclude that longitudinal, within-jurisdictional research, based on the analysis of UCR data, must take into account changes in police bureaucracies that can affect the production of official counts of crime.
Congenital laryngeal webs: surgical management and clinical embryology

Laryngeal webs are uncommon congenital anomalies. The formation of a laryngeal web represents anomalous embryologic development of the larynx. The extent of airway involvement varies which ultimately affects surgical management. A series of five congenital laryngeal webs each with subglottic involvement is reported. One patient also had a ventral laryngeal cleft. All patients ultimately required open laryngeal reconstruction, either laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) or thyrotomy (laryngofissure) and silastic keel, to correct the defect and all were decannulated. Findings at surgery correlate with recent descriptions of embryonic laryngeal development though the actual mechanism by which webs develop remains unknown. The findings suggest that congenital glottic webs require accurate endoscopic diagnosis and open airway reconstruction for definitive treatment.
Novel domains of the prokaryotic two-component signal transduction systems

The archetypal two-component signal transduction systems include a sensor histidine kinase and a response regulator, which consists of a receiver CheY-like domain and a DNA-binding domain. Sequence analysis of the sensor kinases and response regulators encoded in complete bacterial and archaeal genomes revealed complex domain architectures for many of them and allowed the identification of several novel conserved domains, such as PAS, GAF, HAMP, GGDEF, EAL, and HD-GYP. All of these domains are widely represented in bacteria, including 19 copies of the GGDEF domain and 17 copies of the EAL domain encoded in the Escherichia coli genome. In contrast, these novel signaling domains are much less abundant in bacterial parasites and in archaea, with none at all found in some archaeal species. This skewed phyletic distribution suggests that the newly discovered complexity of signal transduction systems emerged early in the evolution of bacteria, with subsequent massive loss in parasites and some horizontal dissemination among archaea. Only a few proteins containing these domains have been studied experimentally, and their exact biochemical functions remain obscure; they may include transformations of novel signal molecules, such as the recently identified cyclic diguanylate. Recent experimental data provide the first direct evidence of the participation of these domains in signal transduction pathways, including regulation of virulence genes and extracellular enzyme production in the human pathogens Bordetella pertussis and Borrelia burgdorferi and the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris. Gene-neighborhood analysis of these new domains suggests their participation in a variety of processes, from mercury and phage resistance to maintenance of virulence plasmids. It appears that the real picture of the complexity of phosphorelay signal transduction in prokaryotes is only beginning to unfold.
Ecophysiological responses of plants in ecosystems with mediterranean-like climate and high mountain environments

Esta es una revision de los estudios en ecofisiologia en plantas de zonas con clima tipo mediterraneo, con enfasis en la fotosintesis frente a los multiples estres de estos ambientes. Se hace un acercamiento ecofisiologico al estudio de la distribucion de las formas de vida y de las especies, particularmente en la zona central de Chile. Se analiza el efecto del estres hidrico (sequia), termico (temperaturas) y luminico (radiacion) en la fotosintesis. El estres hidrico seria un factor determinante en la distribucion de arboles siempreverdes y semideciduos en altitudes bajas, mientras que en altitudes intermedias (en el limite arboreo) o mayores, las temperaturas y/o el estres hidrico junto con el estres luminico afectarian a arbustos y cojines. Se discutira el fenomeno de la fotoinhibicion de la fotosintesis causada por los multiples estres que enfrentarian las plantas en zonas de clima tipo mediterraneo, explicando los conceptos teoricos basicos de la emision de fluorescencia de la clorofila a y la fotoproteccion otorgada por las xantofilas. Se proponen hipotesis para explicar como estos multiples estres modulan la distribucion y los patrones fenologicos estacionales e interanuales en plantas. Se comparan especies filogeneticamente cercanas (e.g., congenericas) y con diferencias interespecificas en los caracteres fenotipicos que se correlacionan con parametros del ambiente, que se explican mediante procesos adaptativos y que no son producto de la inercia filogenetica
Deuteration of propylene over palladium overlayers on tantalum

Abstract The deuteration of propylene over Pd-covered Ta surfaces was studied by mass spectroscopy. The largest reaction rate for the formation of C 3 D 8 and C 3 D 7 H occurred at coverages slightly greater than 0.5 monolayers and also at somewhat greater than 1 monolayer. The increase in formation of C 3 D 8 and C 3 D 7 H at fractional coverages was expected. However, in this work we find in addition a minimum in the reaction at one monolayer. We argue that this result demonstrates conclusively the dramatic effect of electronic structure on surface reactivity for the Pd-covered Ta surface.
The EVB as a quantitative tool for formulating simulations and analyzing biological and chemical reactions

Recent years have seen dramatic improvements in computer power, allowing ever more challenging problems to be approached. In light of this, it is imperative to have a quantitative model for examining chemical reactivity, both in the condensed phase and in solution, as well as to accurately quantify physical organic chemistry (particularly as experimental approaches can often be inconclusive). Similarly, computational approaches allow for great progress in studying enzyme catalysis, as they allow for the separation of the relevant energy contributions to catalysis. Due to the complexity of the problems that need addressing, there is a need for an approach that can combine reliability with an ability to capture complex systems in order to resolve long-standing controversies in a unique way. Herein, we will demonstrate that the empirical valence bond (EVB) approach provides a powerful way to connect the classical concepts of physical organic chemistry to the actual energies of enzymatic reactions by means of computation. Additionally, we will discuss the proliferation of this approach, as well as attempts to capture its basic chemistry and repackage it under different names. We believe that the EVB approach is the most powerful tool that is currently available for studies of chemical processes in the condensed phase in general and enzymes in particular, particularly when trying to explore the different proposals about the origin of the catalytic power of enzymes.
Inertial Taylor Columns and Jupiter's Great Red Spot

Abstract A homogeneous fluid is bounded above and below by horizontal plane surfaces in rapid rotation about a vertical axis. An obstacle is attached to one of the surfaces, and at large distances from the obstacle the relative velocity is steady and horizontal. Solutions are obtained as power series expansions in the Rossby number, uniformly valid as the Taylor number approaches infinity. If the height of the obstacle is greater than the Rossby number times the depth, a stagnant region (Taylor column) forms over the obstacle. Outside this region there is a net circulation in a direction opposite the rotation. The shape of the stagnant region and the circulation are uniquely determined as part of the solution. Possible geophysical applications are discussed, and it is shown that stratification renders Taylor columns unlikely on earth, but that the Great Red Spot of Jupiter may be an example of this phenomenon, as Hide has suggested.
Suramin, a novel antitumor compound

Suramin, a polyanionic compound originally synthesized for use as an antiparasitic agent, has recently entered clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of human cancers refractory to conventional modalities of therapy. This is based on suramin's ability to bind and to inactivate growth factor and enzyme systems critical to cellular homeostasis and proliferation. In addition, this compound possesses adrenocorticolytic properties in vivo and exerts significant cytostatic and cytocidal effects against a variety of human tumor cell lines in vitro. Pilot studies using suramin have thus far been conducted in adrenocortical carcinoma, prostate cancer refractory to conventional hormonal manipulation and nodular lymphomas.
An adaptive Toeplitz/ERA time-domain identification algorithm

Two recursive Toeplitz algorithms are used to estimate the Markov parameters of an LTI system from measurements of the inputs and outputs of a system and in turn use ERA to construct a minimal realization. The algorithms can be used either on-line or in an off-line batch mode. The recursive Toeplitz algorithms are shown to be stable and under the assumption of a persistent excitation the estimated Markov parameters converge to the actual Markov parameters. A numerical example of a second-order single-input single-output lightly damped system illustrates the stability and convergence properties of both algorithms. Finally, the algorithms are used to obtain a 20th-order realization of the dynamics of an acoustic duct.