cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contributions of Sensory Coding and Attentional Control to Individual Differences in Performance in Spatial Auditory Selective Attention Tasks

Listeners with normal hearing thresholds differ in their ability to steer attention to whatever sound source is important. This ability depends on top-down executive control, which modulates the sensory representation of sound in cortex. Yet, this sensory representation also depends on the coding fidelity of the peripheral auditory system. Both of these factors may thus contribute to the individual differences in performance. We designed a selective auditory attention paradigm in which we could simultaneously measure envelope following responses (EFRs, reflecting peripheral coding), onset event-related potentials from the scalp (ERPs, reflecting cortical responses to sound), and behavioral scores. We performed two experiments that varied stimulus conditions to alter the degree to which performance might be limited due to fine stimulus details vs. due to control of attentional focus. Consistent with past work, in both experiments we find that attention strongly modulates cortical ERPs. Importantly, in Experiment I, where coding fidelity limits the task, individual behavioral performance correlates with subcortical coding strength (derived by computing how the EFR is degraded for fully masked tones compared to partially masked tones); however, in this experiment, the effects of attention on cortical ERPs were unrelated to individual subject performance. In contrast, in Experiment II, where sensory cues for segregation are robust (and thus less of a limiting factor on task performance), inter-subject behavioral differences correlate with subcortical coding strength. In addition, after factoring out the influence of subcortical coding strength, behavioral differences are also correlated with the strength of attentional modulation of ERPs. These results support the hypothesis that behavioral abilities amongst listeners with normal hearing thresholds can arise due to both subcortical coding differences and differences in attentional control, depending on stimulus characteristics and task demands.
The 1984 Nobel Physics Prize for Heterogeneous Engineering

The 1984 Nobel Prize for physics wasawarded to two European scientists for theircontributions to the `large project' that ledto the identification of two importantfundamental particles. The citation recognizedthat major discoveries in high-energy physicsdemanded more than intellectual achievement andtechnical innovation. Such qualities had to beembedded in a technological, managerial,institutional and political infrastructure.This paper aims to capture the salient featuresof that infrastructure by insisting that atleast one of the laureates should be viewed,not only as a physicist, but also as a`heterogeneous engineer', who succeeded inmobilizing the human and material resourcesneeded to attain his objectives. As such, hisproject was similar to the Manhattan project,and was typical of the transformation in thepractice of physics that came about during theSecond World War.
Compressing SMS Messages for Lowering Communication Costs in Rural Africa

Traditional compression algorithms appear to be largely unsuccessful with regards to short strings. In developing countries without connectivity to the web and data infrastructure, SMS remains one of the few ways of handling text-based information. With SMS service providers typically charging for SMS messages on a per-message basis, there exists a need to provide some form of short string compression, specifically with regards to highly structured data. This paper seeks to answer whether or not dictionary structures produce better results of compression than traditional algorithms with respect to highly structured data.To determine whether or not this approach would work, we developed a configurable parser that, when properly configured, accepts the various forms of structured data as provided by the client. We then compare the results to traditional compression mechanisms and measure the success.
Amplification and Compression of Femtosecond Pulses by Fiber Parabolic Pre-Shaping

We present a combined pulse amplification and compression scheme utilizing parabolic pre-shaping in optical fiber. Clean, near-transform-limited, 300 fs pulses are generated from 9 ps seeds, accompanied by amplification to the few-microjoule level.
A fundamental investigation on ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser engineered net shaping of stainless steel

Abstract Laser engineered net shaping (LENS), a laser beam deposition additive manufacturing method, has been utilized as a key technology in the direct manufacturing or repairing of metal parts. However, deposition defects such as pores, cavity, micro-cracks, residual stress, and uncertain microstructures always exist in the LENS fabricated parts, which will greatly affect the qualities and mechanical properties. In this paper, a novel ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) LENS process is proposed to reduce or eliminate the common defects due to the nonlinear actions and influences of ultrasonic vibration in molten materials. An experimental investigation is conducted on the effects of ultrasonic vibration on fabricated part geometry, powder utilization efficiency, surface roughness, geometry of molten pool and dilution zone, pores and micro-cracks, and grain size of the LENS-deposited AISI 630 stainless steel. The mechanical properties including tensile properties and hardness of the fabricated parts are evaluated and compared between UV-A LENS and LENS without ultrasonic vibration. The results show that process with ultrasonic vibration led to higher powder utilization efficiency, smaller flatness and surface roughness, and larger molten pool dimensions. Pores and micro-cracks were successfully reduced and crystal grains were significantly refined in UV-A LENS process. The improvement of these geometrical and microstructural characteristics induced by ultrasonic vibration further led to the increase in both tensile properties and hardness of LENS fabricated parts. The fundamental investigation in this work will help to establish an efficient and effective process for additive manufacturing and remanufacturing of metal parts with significantly improved qualities.
Thiol-functionalized nanogels as reactive plasticizers for crosslinked polymer networks

Significant efforts have been expended to mitigate plasticizer migration from crosslinked methacrylic and poly(vinyl chloride) polymer networks by synthesizing reactive plasticizers that can blend homogenously within the networks to reduce polymer property change, acute toxicity and downstream environmental effects of plasticizer migration with limited and varying amount of success. We hypothesized that appropriate thiol-functionalized nanogels synthesized using the same monomers as the parent network to generate highly compact, crosslinked structures will form thermally stable, homogenous networks and perform as optimal reactive plasticizers. Nanogels were synthesized via a thiol-Michael addition solution polymerization and incorporated at different mass ratios within a polyethylene glycol 400 urethane dimethacrylic monomer to form photo-crosslinked networks. While maintaining the inherent hydrolytic stability, thermal stability and biocompatibility of the parent matrix at ~99% acrylic group conversion, the PEG400 urethane dimethacrylic -nanogel networks retained optical clarity with >90% visible light transmission at 20wt% nanogel concentration within the matrix. The addition of the nanogels also enhanced the elongation of the parent matrix by up to 320%, while a 37°C reduction in glass transition temperature (∆Tg) and ≥50% reduction in modulus was observed. A 52% reduction in the shrinkage stress of the material was also noted. The results indicate that the application of thiol-functionalized nanogels as plasticizers to alter the bulk properties of the parent matrix while mitigating plasticizer migration by covalently crosslinking the nanogels within the polymer matrix provides a simple yet efficient technique to generate network-specific plasticizers with the ability to alter targeted properties within polymers.
Linear Equations: Square-Integrable Solutions

There are many standard references on SODEs and even more standard references on deterministic PDEs. Here are a few of each, listed in a non-decreasing order of difficulty:
Gradual changes in range size accompany long-term trends in species richness

Species richness has long been used as an indicator of ecosystem functioning and health. Global richness is declining, but it is unclear whether sub-global trends differ. Regional trends are especially understudied, with most focused on island regions where richness is strongly impacted by novel colonisations. We addressed this knowledge gap by testing for multi-decade trends in species richness in nine open marine regions around North America (197 region-years) while accounting for imperfect observations and grounding our findings in species-level range dynamics. We found positive richness trends in eight of nine regions, four of which were statistically significant. Species' range sizes generally contracted pre-extinction and expanded post-colonisation, but the ranges of transient species expanded over the long-term, slowly increasing their regional retention and driving increasing richness. These results provide more evidence that sub-global richness trends are stable or increasing, and highlight the utility of range size for understanding richness dynamics.
Recent advances in Vertebral Augmentation for the treatment of Vertebral body compression fractures

Osteoporotic and pathologic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) result in significant pain, reduced quality of life, and patient morbidity. Vertebral augmentation procedures (VAPs), which include vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, have been extensively studied. Here, we review the evidence for the effectiveness of these techniques with an emphasis on recent clinical trials. There has been controversy regarding the effectiveness of VAPs in the treatment of painful VCFs. Recent high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated that with proper patient selection, which includes identification of (1) pain referable to a fracture, (2) acute or subacute fracture (less than 6 weeks), and (3) evidence of bone edema or intravertebral clefts on magnetic resonance imaging or high radiotracer uptake on bone scintigraphy, patients are highly likely to achieve significant improvements in long-term pain control and reduced pain-related disability with low procedural risk. Both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are effective VAPs, and no high-quality, recent study has found a substantial difference in the relative effectiveness of these techniques. VAPs are safe and effective in the management of acute, painful osteoporotic, and pathologic VCFs given appropriate clinical and imaging-based patient selection. Developing evidence suggests a role for VAPs in the management of painful chronic osteoporotic fractures, and as part of a multimodal approach toward both pain and local tumor control in patients with pathologic VCFs.
Characterization of the microbiome in association with reduced diabetes incidence in AhR deficient NOD mice

AhR activation by the ligands TCDD and Cl-BBQ leads to potent immunosuppression and prevents hyperglycemia in NOD mice. In addition to exogenous treatment, AhR can be activated by endogenous ligands that control inflammation. AhR −/− mice on the C57Bl6 background have enhanced inflammatory responses following infectious or allergenic exposure in comparison to AhR wild type mice. We generated AhR−/− mice on the NOD background and hypothesized they would display an increased incidence of diabetes. Surprisingly, the opposite finding was observed; in the absence of AhR, female NOD mice have a significantly reduced onset of diabetes in comparison to wild type mice. A similar trend was observed between knockout and wild type male mice. While immune cell composition was unchanged in the pancreatic LN, an increase in the percentage of F4/80 + macrophages and CD25 + Foxp3+ T cells was observed in mesenteric LN of NOD.AhR −/− mice. Changes in gene expression in the ileum of NOD.AhR −/− mice included reduced Gzmb, Il10 and Lcn2. Commensal bacteria (including SFB and Akkermansia) have been identified that influence diabetes incidence in the NOD mouse model. It has been shown that microbial biproducts can activate AhR, and in turn, AhR activation (or lack thereof) can impact the microbiome. Thus, we hypothesize that NOD.AhR −/− mice have altered microbiota and that these changes contribute to the reduction in diabetes incidence. Initial observations demonstrated changes in fecal consistency and an increase in SFB associated with AhR deficiency. Current studies are focused on determining if shifts in the microbiome are directly associated with the reduction of diabetes incidence in NOD.AhR −/− mice.
Design and Construction of a Virtual Bicycle Simulator for Evaluating Sustainable Facilities Design

The rising interest in sustainable modes of transportation has increased demand for the design and implementation of bicycle facilities in the United States. However, as compared to the vehicular mode, bicycle facilities have relatively less development, research, and understanding. The availability of a bicycling simulator has the potential to contribute to the understanding of bicycle facility design and bicyclist behavior. The design and construction of a bicycling simulator differs from a driving simulator in many ways. A bicycling simulator requires interfaces for bicycle speed, braking, and steering angle as well as a visual interface. In addition, a representation of a real-world network, including pavement, buildings, the sky and background, and fixed and moving objects, needs to be modeled using a simulator engine. This paper presents the details of the ZouSim bicycling simulator development and the tradeoffs associated with various design decisions, such as the choice of a steering sensor and graphical display. A sample application of a wayfinding and detection markings study illustrates the use of ZouSim. The authors hope that this article will encourage other researchers who conduct research in sustainable cities to explore the use of bicycle simulators for improving bicycle facility design and operations.
John Campbell’s Present State of Europe (1750): Toryism and balance of power

John Campbell’s Present State of Europe has been viewed, particularly by Guido Abbattista, as a change in Campbell’s view on British intervention on the continent. Campbell certainly alters his pos...
Advances and challenges in signal analysis for single trial P300-BCI

In this paper a brief introduction to some of the goals, recent developments, and open problems in BCI research are given. We mainly focus on presenting our research work in signal processing for single-trial P300-BCI and discuss our current plans for improving the BCI method.
Retinopathy following intravitreal injection of mice with MHV strain JHM.

The causes of many human degenerative and inflammatory diseases of the retina are unknown. Some are genetic in origin; others are preceded by viral infections (Ryan and Maumenee, 1972; Annesley et al., 1973; Fitzpatrick and Robertson, 1973; Bos and Deutman, 1975; Wright et al., 1978). These diseases are difficult to study since eye tissue from patients is rarely available. Thus, animal models are considered useful for understanding their pathogenesis.
Secret Sharing over a Public Channel from Correlated Random Variables

We consider a model for secret sharing, where a dealer distributes the shares of a secret among a set of participants with the constraint that only predetermined subsets of participants must be able to reconstruct the secret by pooling their shares. Unlike traditional secret sharing models, no secure channels are available between the dealer and the participants. Additionally, we assume that the dealer is an abstract entity made of several sub-dealers able to communicate with the participants through a noiseless and authenticated public channel. In this setting, we assume that the sub-dealers and the participants observe realizations of independently and identically distributed random variables. Our main results are inner and outer bounds on the rate of the secret that the dealer can distribute to the participants via its sub-dealers.
Multiple Instantons and Characteristic Classes

The Hodge theorem states that, on a compact oriented manifold, each de Rham cohomology class can be represented by a harmonic form. Such a result has an important parallel in the Yang—Mills theory: each second Chern—Pontryagin class on S 4 can be represented by a family of self-dual instantons. The purpose of this chapter is to establish the general theorem that, for each m = 1, 2,..., a similarly defined 2m-th cohomology class on S 4m generalizing the Chern—Pontryagin class on S 4 can be represented by a family of self-dual instantons. In §3.1 we review some basic facts in 4 dimensions. In §3.2 we solve the Liouville equation. In §3.3 we present the explicit solutions of Witten in 4 dimensions based in the solution of the Liouville equation. In §3.4 we discuss the problem in all 4m dimensions and state our general representation theorem. In §3.5–§3.7 we prove the theorem.
AI, Marketing Science and Sustainable Profit Growth

Marketing in the digital era allows for high-quality databases about customer purchase behavior to be assembled and analyzed using sophisticated methods, including artificial intelligence. These data have led to the discovery of replicable patterns in marketing’s impact on business performance. Dominique Hanssens reviews major lessons learned about quantifiable marketing impact and draw various conclusions for the practice of marketing in an artificial intelligence environment, with a special consideration to its impact on sales growth and profitability.
Does Colon Polyp Surveillance Improve Patient Outcomes

Colon polyp surveillance now accounts for 25% of all colonoscopies performed. The evidence that colonoscopy surveillance reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence or mortality is weak. The biology of the baseline lesions and quality of the baseline exam are two primary factors contributing to post-colonoscopy CRC. Prior recommendations for surveillance were based largely on the likelihood that patients with adenomas would develop advanced adenomas, a surrogate for CRC. There is now evidence that baseline colonoscopy findings are strongly associated with the risk of incidence or death from CRC. This evidence provides a basis for updated evidence-based recommendations for surveillance. In addition, there is also growing evidence that the quality of the baseline exam is an important predictor of the likelihood of developing post-colonoscopy CRC.
Not All SLAPs Are Created Equal: A Comparison of Patients with Planned and Incidental SLAP Repair Procedures

Background. Epidemiological It is very important for the corresponding author to have a linked ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) account on MTS. To register a linked ORCID account, please go to the Account Update page ( http://mts.hindawi.com/update/ ) in our Manuscript Tracking System and after you have logged in click on the ORCID link at the top of the page. This link will take you to the ORCID website where you will be able to create an account for yourself. Once you have done so, your new ORCID will be saved in our Manuscript Tracking System automatically."?> studies have shown a progressive increase in the rate of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) repair surgery after the year 2000. However, it is not clear whether this is due to increased recognition of isolated SLAP tears or increased SLAP repair performed secondarily during arthroscopy for other purposes. Hypothesis/Purpose. We hypothesized that both isolated SLAP repair and secondary SLAP repair increased with time and that patient age influenced the pathway to SLAP diagnosis and surgery—such that younger patients were more likely to have isolated SLAP repair surgery after being diagnosed in clinic. Study Design. Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods. Data were obtained from the MarketScan database from 2003 to 2013. CPT and ICD-9 codes were used to identify SLAP surgery patients and concomitant procedures. The timing of SLAP diagnosis relative to surgery was used to determine whether the injury was recognized preoperatively. Results. 64,497 SLAP surgery patients were included. Preoperative SLAP diagnosis increased from 17.1% in 2003 to 44.6% in 2013. Patients diagnosed preoperatively were younger and had fewer concomitant procedures. Increasing age and concomitant rotator cuff tear (RCT) repair corresponded to lower odds of preoperative SLAP diagnosis. Discussion. Younger patients were more likely to have their SLAP tear diagnosed prior to surgery. Those diagnosed before surgery had fewer simultaneous procedures during their operations, suggesting that SLAP repair was more likely the primary operation. From 2003 to 2013, SLAP tears were increasingly recognized in the preoperative setting.
Investigation of the Microstructure and Rheology of Iridium Oxide Catalyst Inks for Low-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzers.

We present an investigation of the structure and rheological behavior of catalyst inks for low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers. The ink consists of iridium oxide (IrO2)...
Rational rotation-minimizing frames-Recent advances and open problems

Recent developments in the basic theory, algorithms, and applications for curves with rational rotation-minimizing frames (RRMF curves) are reviewed, and placed in the context of the current state-of-the-art by highlighting the many significant open problems that remain. The simplest non-trivial RRMF curves are the quintics, characterized by a scalar condition on the angular velocity of the Euler-Rodrigues frame (ERF). Two different classes of RRMF quintics can be identified. The first class of curves may be characterized by quadratic constraints on the quaternion coefficients of the generating polynomials; by the root structure of those polynomials; or by a certain polynomial divisibility condition. The second class has a strictly algebraic characterization, less well-suited to geometrical construction algorithms. The degree 7 RRMF curves offer more shape freedoms than the quintics, but only one of the four possible classes of these curves has been satisfactorily described. Generalizations of the adapted rotation-minimizing frames, for which the angular velocity has no component along the tangent, to directed and osculating frames (with analogous properties relative to the polar and binormal vectors) are also discussed. Finally, a selection of applications for rotation-minimizing frames are briefly reviewed-including construction of swept surfaces, rigid-body motion planning, 5-axis CNC machining, and camera orientation control.
The Changing Landscape of Auditor Liability

We provide an overview of shareholder litigation against auditors since the PSLRA. The number of lawsuits per year has declined, dismissals have increased, and settlements in recent years have declined. Our study asks why. Because we find that the likelihood an auditor is sued following a restatement has declined in recent years, it does not appear that the decline can be attributed solely to increases in audit quality. Instead, we consider whether the Supreme Court cases limiting the scope of Rule 10b-5 against private actors may have led to the decline. To study this possibility, we focus on the Supreme Court’s 2007 and 2011 rulings in Tellabs v. Makor and Janus v. First Derivative, respectively. Our analysis provides strong evidence that the higher liability standards imposed by Janus significantly reduced auditors’ liability exposure, but we find only limited evidence that the pleading standards imposed by Tellabs had a significant effect.
Emotions in the time of coronavirus: Antecedents of digital and social media use among Millennials

Abstract Increasingly, people are turning to digital and social media to address health threats. While research has commonly investigated the psychosocial antecedents of digital health information seeking behavior (digital HISB) and social media use (SMU), there has been limited research on the independent effects of emotions and no research on the interactive effects of emotions. In the context of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, this study investigates the affective, personal relevance, and socio-demographic antecedents of digital HISB and SMU, using data from an online survey of U.S. Millennials (N = 1037) in April–May 2020. Linear regression results show the effects of socio-demographic and personal relevance factors. For the independent effects of emotions, fear and sadness were associated with digital HISB; fear, joy, and disgust were associated with high-informational SMU; and joy and disgust were associated with low-informational SMU. Three interactive effects of discrete negative emotions suggest that an increase in one emotion can amplify the effect of another emotion on a measure of digital and social media use. In the fourth interaction of two negative emotions with strong biological regulatory processes, there is evidence that an increase in one emotion can diminish the effect of another emotion. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Sustainable Production of Acrylic Acid via 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid from Lignocellulosic Biomass

Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising renewable feedstock for the sustainable manufacturing of biofuels and bioproducts. Among emerging bioproducts, 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is of particular...
NaxD is a deacetylase required for lipid A modification and Francisella pathogenesis

Modification of specific Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope components, such as capsule, O-antigen and lipid A, are often essential for the successful establishment of infection. Francisella species express lipid A molecules with unique characteristics involved in circumventing host defences, which significantly contribute to their virulence. In this study, we show that NaxD, a member of the highly conserved YdjC superfamily, is a deacetylase required for an important modification of the outer membrane component lipid A in Francisella. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that NaxD is essential for the modification of a lipid A phosphate with galactosamine in Francisella novicida, a model organism for the study of highly virulent Francisella tularensis. Significantly, enzymatic assays confirmed that this protein is necessary for deacetylation of its substrate. In addition, NaxD was involved in resistance to the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B and critical for replication in macrophages and in vivo virulence. Importantly, this protein is also required for lipid A modification in F. tularensis as well as Bordetella bronchiseptica. Since NaxD homologues are conserved among many Gram-negative pathogens, this work has broad implications for our understanding of host subversion mechanisms of other virulent bacteria.
On stretch-affected flame propagation in vortical flows

Flame propagation through an array of vortices was studied with a model which incorporated the variation of the local burning velocity with stretch. Assuming incompressible flow, the mean burning velocities were calculated and compared to those of the Huygens limit. It was found that stretch causes a decrease in the mean burning velocity, and a mechanism which explains this trend was identified. The study also demonstrated that, as expected, stretch only has a significant effect on the mean burning velocity for vortices whose size is of the same order as that of the flame thickness.
Chapter 14 Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) with nerve conduction studies

Publisher Summary Motor unit number estimates (MUNE) provide a quantitative measure of the number of motor units in a muscle or group of muscles by comparing the size of the surface recorded, single motor unit potentials (SMUP) with the compound muscle action potential (CMAP). If there are only a few motor units making up the CMAP, the single motor unit potentials can be counted individually with graded stimuli that activate individual units in an all-or-none fashion. When there are more than a few SMUP, a sample of SMUP is used to estimate the size of all the SMUP. A number of methods have been developed to estimate the size of SMUP. They vary in their approach and to some extent in their ease of application, but give comparable values for MUNE in individual muscle groups. The size and shape of both the compound muscle action potential and single motor unit potentials are a function of the location of the recording electrodes. The combination of MUNE with the tracking of SMUP has provided an additional tool for measuring the physiologic natural history of changes in the number and physiology of motor units.
Time Scale Analysis of a Digital Flight Control System

In this paper, we consider the fifth order discrete model of an aircraft (longitudinal) control system which possesses three slow (velocity, pitch angle and altitude) and two fast (angle of attack and pitch angular velocity) modes and exhibits a two-time scale property. Using the recent results of the time scale analysis of discrete control systems, the high-order discrete model is decoupled into low-order slow and fast subsystems. The results of the decoupled system are found to be in excellent agreement with those of the original system.
Transcriptional Activation by the Product of Open Reading Frame 50 of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Is Required for Lytic Viral Reactivation in B Cells

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a lymphotropic virus strongly linked to the development of KS, an endothelial cell neoplasm frequent in persons with AIDS. Reactivation from latency in B cells is thought to be an important antecedent to viral spread to endothelial cells during KS pathogenesis. Earlier experiments have posited a role for the transcriptional activator encoded by KSHV open reading frame 50 (ORF50) in such reactivation, since ectopic overexpression of this protein induces reactivation in latently infected B cells. Here we have explored several aspects of the expression, structure, and function of this protein bearing on this role. The ORF50 gene is expressed very early in lytic reactivation, before several other genes implicated as candidate regulatory genes in related viruses, and its expression can upregulate their promoters in transient assays. The protein is extensively phosphorylated in vivo and bears numerous sites for phosphorylation by protein kinase C, activators of which are potent stimulators of lytic induction. The C terminus of the ORF50 protein contains a domain that can strongly activate transcription when targeted to DNA; deletion of this domain generates an allele that expresses a truncated protein which retains the ability to form multimers with full-length ORF50 and functions as a dominant-negative protein. Expression of this allele in latently infected cells ablates spontaneous reactivation from latency and strikingly suppresses viral replication induced by multiple stimuli, including phorbol ester, ionomycin, and sodium butyrate. These results indicate that the ORF50 gene product plays an essential role in KSHV lytic replication and are consistent with its action as a putative molecular switch controlling the induction of virus from latency.
Iterated function systems of finite type and the weak separation property

We prove that any iterated function system of finite type possesses the weak separation property.
Framing the Question: Learning How to Learn from the Drum

In this essay, I explore the dimensions of my experiences as an initiated member of Omo-ana, consecrated players of the Afro-Cuban sacred bata drum, an instrument that originated in Yorubaland in Nigeria, West Africa, and traveled to Cuba in the 1800s. I will describe the evolving process of learning to play the bata under the guidance of one of the most influential Olubata — keepers of the sacred bata — in the United States, my cultural consultant, Orlando “ Puntilla” Rios. The guiding question is: How can I use frame analysis as a tool in thinking about my own learning process , and by extension, to deconstruct the dominant frames to illuminate a broader range of alternatives?
Treatment of Viral and Neoplastic Diseases with Double-Stranded RNA Derivatives and Other New Agents

>> Many attempts have been made to inhibit viral and neoplastic diseases by targeting the RNA system. The pathophysiologic significance of the microRNA system and the therapeutic potential of its manipulation are discussed. Studies of doublestranded RNA derivatives are reviewed. The therapeutic potential of one of these compounds, polyI:MPC, is emphasized. Studies of other related antiviral and antineoplastic agents are discussed, including 29-deoxyoligocytidilates and telomerase inhibitors. Exp Biol Med 231:1283–1286, 2006
Secondary HIV transmission rates in a mixed-gender sample:

Information about the sexual behaviour of HIV-infected individuals is needed to predict the course of the sexually transmitted HIV epidemic in the US. The present study provides model-based estimates of the secondary transmission rate (i.e. the number of infections expected among the sex partners of already infected individuals) for a sample of HIV-positive persons in Atlanta. A mathematical model was used to estimate the secondary transmission rate of HIV infection for a sample of HIV-positive men and women in Atlanta, based on their self-reported sexual behaviour, extrapolated over a 15-year horizon. Separate rates were calculated for different transmission routes, including: from women to men-who-have-sex-with women (MSW) and from men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) to other MSM. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of different parametric and modelling assumptions. Restricted to the sub-sample that reported transmission risk behaviours, the mean number of secondary infections was 0.14 for transmission from women to MSW; 0.31 for transmission from MSW to women; and 0.84 for MSM to MSM transmission. Bisexual men were at especially high transmission risk, with 1.59 and 0.54 secondary infections expected among their male and female partners, respectively. The main analysis indicates that, in this sample, each current infection will lead to fewer than one future infection for all groups other than bisexual men, which suggests that the epidemic is contracting in this community, although this analysis cannot rule out the possibility of a growing epidemic among MSM. This method can be used to identify groups at high risk for HIV transmission and thereby to better target HIV prevention resources.
Effect of Pulsatile Oxytocin Administration to the Pregnant Ewe in the Last Third of Gestation on Fetal ACTH and Cortisol Response to Acute Hypoxemia

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effect of increased myometrial contractility throughout the last third of pregnancy on the ovine fetal response to short-term hypoxemia. METHODS Oxytocin (600 microU/kg/minute, n = 5) or saline (n = 7) was infused for 5 minutes every 20 minutes into the maternal jugular vein starting at 95-99 days of gestation and continuing throughout the last third of gestation. Fetuses were subjected to a hypoxemic challenge (1 hour) at 131 days of gestation while fetal plasma ACTH and cortisol levels and nuchal muscle electromyogram activity were monitored. RESULTS The fetal plasma ACTH concentration before and during the hypoxemic challenge was similar in the control and oxytocin groups. The fetal plasma cortisol concentration in the oxytocin group was significantly lower before and during the hypoxemia than in the controls. During hypoxemia, fetal nuchal muscle activity was significantly reduced only in the control group. CONCLUSION Increased myometrial contracture frequency throughout the last third of pregnancy alters both the neuroendocrine and behavioral responses of fetal sheep to short-term hypoxemia.
The effects of marital status on adult female homicides in the United States

With data from the 1992 Mortality Detail File, we examine the effects of marital status on female homicide victimization in the United States. Multivariate logistic regression was fitted to all female homicide deaths occuring in 1992. Results indicate that, controlling for race, education, nativity, city size, region of the country, occupation, age, day of the week, and month of the year, divorced females were 55.3% more likely to be homicide victims than married females. Notably, single women did not differ from married women with respect to homicide risk. Finally, widowed women were significantly less likely to be homicide victims than married women. The results suggest a complicated relationship between marital status and female homicide victimization.
Split-Winding Starting of 3-Phase Motors

In this paper there is presented a new method of normal voltage reduced current starting for induction motors. The scheme consists in connecting one phase of a 3-phase winding in series during the starting period only, the other phases having circuits in parallel. When full speed is attained, the series connected winding is opened momentarily, and then put back on the line in parallel. This gives the advantages of reduced current without any current surge on reclosing, no external impedance, and a low cost of control. It provides about half torque with two-thirds average current, as compared to full voltage starting; it gives a smooth torque curve on the Y connection, and only a small one-third speed torque dip on delta connection; and it allows about 50 per cent greater stalled time than on full voltage. Although this type of connection will draw unbalanced line currents, this appears unimportant. In most cases there will be other machines on the line to act as phase balancers and absorb the relatively small negative sequence current. Formulas are given for currents and torque with and without external impedances. Formulas are in terms of voltage and forward, backward, and zero phase sequence impedances.
Irreversible phase transition of firefly luciferase: contrasting effects of volatile anesthetics and myristic acid.

Abstract Firefly luciferase (FFL) has been used as a lipid-free protein model to study direct interaction of anesthetics with proteins. FFL emits a burst of light when luciferin and ATP are added in the presence of oxygen. Volatile anesthetics inhibited FFL at mM ranges, while myristic acid inhibited it at μM range. Despite the large difference, octanol/water partition coefficients of both myristic acid and halothane are 199. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that thermal transition occurred at 38.5°C with excess enthalpy of denaturation of 91.9 kcal mol−1. The transition, however, was irreversible. According to the irreversible transition kinetics, the anesthetic effects were evaluated by the temperature where the irreversible transition is half completed (T1/2). Volatile anesthetics decreased T1/2 at mM ranges, while myristic acid and oxyluciferyladenylate (luciferin competitor) increased it at μM ranges. Luciferin is a heterocyclic carboxylate and acylates AMP. Carboxyl group of myristic acid appears to make a high affinity contact to the luciferin-recognition sites. The induced-fit theory states that binding of substrates induces the enzyme into high-energy transition state. Myristic acid stabilized FFL at the transition state, which resisted thermal denaturation. Anesthetics destabilized FFL by reversibly unfolding the protein into less active intermediate states and promoted irreversible transition when the temperature is elevated.
Ionic conductivity in Li5AlO4 and LiOH

Abstract The ionic conductivity and thermal properties of Li5AlO4 and LiOH have been measured in wet and dry environments. Results show that an endothermic reaction at ∼ 415°C and an associated large increase in conductivity is observed both in Li5AlO4 in a wet environment and in LiOH. These features are not observed in Li5AlO4 prepared and examined in a dry environment. This suggests that the large conductivity increase in Li5AlO4 results from LiOH retained within the material. The reaction(s) for formation of LiOH within Li5AlO4 and the associated electrical changes appear to be reversible as the environment switches from wet to dry at high temperatures (≳ 450°C). There is a significant (> 1%) electronic contribution to the conductivity in these materials.
Prolonged exposure to social odours alters subsequent social interactions in crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)

Chemical signals in aquatic systems are used to communicate social status and consequently alter aggressive behaviour. In addition, they may also function to influence the status roles of potential opponents or in part to predetermine the outcome of agonistic interactions between opponents. Here we examined whether exposure to social odours, in the absence of other sensory contact with a 'sender', alters subsequent agonistic behaviour in crayfish. Odour-receiver crayfish were exposed to one of four different odours from a 'sender' crayfish: odours from dominant (winner), subordinate (loser), or naive crayfish, or water from a tank that did not contain a crayfish (no social odour). 'Receiver' crayfish were exposed to one of the aforementioned odours on five consecutive days. After this extended exposure, the 'receiver' crayfish was allowed to interact with an effect-evaluator crayfish that had been isolated during the 5-day exposure period. 'Receiver' crayfish that were exposed to dominant (winner) odours behaved analogous to a subordinate role in that these animals lost the majority of their fights, but they also fought more intensely compared to the other treatments. Conversely, when crayfish were exposed to subordinate (loser) odours, their agonistic interactions were less intense and they subsequently won more encounters compared to the other treatments. These results may suggest that the receivers of the dominant odours had exhausted their chemical signal reserves by responding to the signal and therefore were obliged to increase their levels of visual/tactile responses. Because their chemical reserves were no longer sufficient to reinforce the visual displays corresponding to increased fight intensity, these animals tended to lose fights. In contrast, the receivers of the subordinate odours probably had sufficient chemical reserves to communicate chemically during agonistic encounters, and consequently, won more fights.
Passing the test.

What role should the federal government have in pre-college science education? David Goldston looks at why the US Congress is acting now to help define that.
The penetration of a density interface by heavy vortex rings

This paper describes experiments in which small volumesV of heavy fluid were released in the uppermost of two uniform layers of fluid and the degree of penetration into the lower layer determined.
Measuring Attitudes toward Statistics in an Introductory Course on Statistics

The 1980 Statistics Attitude Survey of Roberts and Bilderback was administered to 237 students in 8 sections of a freshman introductory course on statistics at both the beginning and the end of the...
Computed tomography of vertebrobasilar artery aneurysm

Review of computed tomographic as well as clinical and angiographic findings in 19 patients with vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms has revealed that there are two roentgenographically and clinically distinct types of aneurysms: saccular and fusiform. The saccular aneurysms often present with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage that differs in distribution from that seen with anterior circulation aneurysms. Small interpeduncular cisternal hematomas are helpful in localization of these aneurysms. Fusiform aneurysms of the basilar artery frequently present as posterior fossa mass lesions and have a fairly characteristic appearance on computed tomograms.
Microwave-induced rapid nanocomposite synthesis using dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes as the nuclei

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) provide a reactive environment in presence of microwave radiation because they absorb the energy that leads to fast, direct heating. This makes composite formation in a microwave reactor highly feasible where the SWNTs serve as the nuclei for polymerization. In this article, we demonstrate rapid, in situ synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanocomposites using their respective monomers. The key to their success was the use of the highly dispersible SWNTs, which had strong interactions with the monomer and the polymer. Rapid synthesis within a few minutes was possible, which led to remarkable nano-scale dispersion of nanotubes in polymer matrix by encapsulation of the already dispersed SWNTs before the latter could agglomerate. The molecular weight and polydispersity of the polymers remained unchanged in the presence of the SWNTs. The addition of 0.5 wt% SWNT to PMMA enhanced its thermal stability (as measured by the initial degradation temperature) by 37 °C and the hardness by around 50%. On the other hand, with the addition of up to 4 wt% SWNT, the PVP showed no enhancement in thermal stability but its hardness increased by 250–300%. Finally, this technique is practical because it reduces time, cost, and energy requirements.
Comparative Development of Bradysia impatiens (Diptera: Sciaridae) under Constant and Variable Temperatures,

The life stages of the sciarid fly Bradysia impatiens (Johannsen) were reared at constant temperatures of 12.8, 18.3, 23.9, 29.4, and 32.2±0.6°C, and a variable temperature regime of from 18.9 to 30.0±0.6°C. A 12-hour period of light was provided during the 24-hour day. Humidity was between 50 and 90% within the invironmental chambers and close to 100% within the individual rearing chambers. The lower and upper temperature limits for development at constant temperatures were 10°C and 32.2–35.0°C, respectively. Mean developmental period for the immature stages decreased with increasing constant temperatures until a peak temperature was reached, and then increased. Longevity increased with decreasing constant temperatures. Optimum constant temperature for the mean development of the egg, larva, pupa, and longevity of the adult at constant temperatures was 29.4, 23.9, 29.4, 12.8°C, respectively. The optimum temperature required to complete development from egg to adult was the variable temperature 18.9–30.0°C. At this temperature regime the mean developmental period was 19.2 days. At constant temperatures the mean development period ranged from 48.8 days at 12.8°C to 19.9 days at 29.4°C. Fecundity was about the same from 12.8 to 29.4°C; however, fecundity was reduced at 32.2°C. The highest temperature tested was 32.2°C and had injurious effect on eclosion of eggs, development of larvae, emergence of pupae, and longevity of the adult.
Ligand Exchafige Reactiohs of Theophyllipie – Metal Ion Complexes

Abstract Ligand exchange reactions are reported for a series of complexes of theophyiline (Tp) with Cu(II., Zn(II) arid Cd(II). H(Tp)2(L)2 · XH2O(L = ammonia and primary amines, X = 1 or 2) can be converted to Co(Tp)2·4H20, and this compound then yields Cu(Tp)2 upon heatinq. Cu(Tp)2(NH3)2 and Cd(Tp)2·H2O are also formed from CU(Tp2)(NH3)2·2H2O and Cd(Tp)2(NH3)2·2H2O respectively. Similar theophylline-metal-ion binding sites are observed in these complexes, and the possibility for hydrogen bonding between exocyclic Tp carbonyl groups and other liqands coordinated to the central metal atom is discussed.
Prostaglandin regulation of airway smooth muscle tone.

PROSTAGLANDINS E and F have a strong and opposite effect on airway smooth muscle1,2. They are released from the isolated guinea-pig lung during anaphylaxis3 and injection of histamine or acetylcholine into the pulmonary circulation4, both circumstances where airway constriction probably occurs. Therefore, airway tone might be modulated by the prostaglandins released, if they reach the airway smooth muscle. We report that such modulation occurs in the isolated guinea-pig trachea.