cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Charge-separation in panchromatic, vertically positioned bis(donor styryl)BODIPY–aluminum(III) porphyrin–fullerene supramolecular triads

Three, broad band capturing, vertically aligned supramolecular triads, R2-BDP-AlPorF3←Im-C60 [R = H, styryl (C2H2-Ph), C2H2-TPA (TPA = triphenylamine); ← = coordinate bond], have been constructed using BODIPY derivative (BDP, BDP-Ph2 or BDP-TPA2), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)aluminum(III) porphyrin (AlPorF3) and fullerene (C60) entities. The C60 and BDP units are bound to the Al center on the opposite faces of the porphyrin: the BDP derivative through a covalent axial bond using a benzoate spacer and the C60 through a coordination bond via an appended imidazole. Owing to the bis-styryl functionality on BDP, the constructed dyads and triads exhibited panchromatic light capture. Due to the diverse absorption and redox properties of the selected entities, it was possible to demonstrate excitation wavelength dependent photochemical events. In the case of the BDP-AlPorF3 dyad, selective excitation of BDP resulted in singlet–singlet energy transfer to AlPorF3 (kEnT = 1.0 × 1010 s−1). On the other hand, excitation of the AlPorF3 entity in the BDP-AlPorF3←Im-C60 triad revealed charge separation leading to the BDP-(AlPorF3)˙+-(C60)˙− charge separated state (kCS = 2.43 × 109 s−1). In the case of the Ph2-BDP-AlPorF3 dyad, energy transfer from 1AlPorF3* to 1(Ph2-BDP)* was witnessed (kEnT = 1.0 × 1010 s−1); however, upon assembling the supramolecular triad, (Ph2-BDP)-AlPorF3←Im-C60, electron transfer from 1AlPorF3* to C60 (kCS = 3.35 × 109 s−1), followed by hole shift (kHS = 1.00 × 109 s−1) to Ph2-BDP, was witnessed. Finally, in the case of the TPA2-BDP-AlPorF3←Im-C60 triad, only electron transfer leading to the (TPA2-BDP)˙+-AlPorF3←Im-(C60)˙− charge separated state, and no energy transfer, was observed. The facile oxidation of Ph2-BDP and TPA2-BDP compared to AlPorF3 in the latter two triads facilitated charge separation through either an electron migration or hole transfer mechanism depending on the initial excitation. The charge-separated states in these triads persisted for about 20 ns.
Effect of Temperature on the Efficiency of Thin Film Amorphous Silicon Tandem Heterojunction Solar Cells with AFORS-HET

Simulation and design of a-SiC/a-Si(i)/a-Si:H/ and a-SiC/a-Si(i)/a-SiGe:H solar cells are investigated and optimized. The maximum efficiency is achieved by changing temperature up to 400K.
NS-kNN: a modified k-nearest neighbors approach for imputing metabolomics data

A common problem in metabolomics data analysis is the existence of a substantial number of missing values, which can complicate, bias, or even prevent certain downstream analyses. One of the most widely-used solutions to this problem is imputation of missing values using a k-nearest neighbors (kNN) algorithm to estimate missing metabolite abundances. kNN implicitly assumes that missing values are uniformly distributed at random in the dataset, but this is typically not true in metabolomics, where many values are missing because they are below the limit of detection of the analytical instrumentation. Here, we explore the impact of nonuniformly distributed missing values (missing not at random, or MNAR) on imputation performance. We present a new model for generating synthetic missing data and a new algorithm, No-Skip kNN (NS-kNN), that accounts for MNAR values to provide more accurate imputations. We compare the imputation errors of the original kNN algorithm using two distance metrics, NS-kNN, and a recently developed algorithm KNN-TN, when applied to multiple experimental datasets with different types and levels of missing data. Our results show that NS-kNN typically outperforms kNN when at least 20–30% of missing values in a dataset are MNAR. NS-kNN also has lower imputation errors than KNN-TN on realistic datasets when at least 50% of missing values are MNAR. Accounting for the nonuniform distribution of missing values in metabolomics data can significantly improve the results of imputation algorithms. The NS-kNN method imputes missing metabolomics data more accurately than existing kNN-based approaches when used on realistic datasets.
Rehabilitation of Patients with Primary Intradural Tumors of the Spinal Cord

This chapter will approach rehabilitation of patients with spinal tumors from the perspective of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Function. Tumor pathology guides clinicians in prognostication. Impairments involve virtually every organ system in the body, and the rehab physician must manage and ameliorate these to enhance outcomes of the rehab program, and minimize secondary complications. The rehabilitation program must establish achievable and measurable goals for mobility and activities of daily living. Ultimately, the aim of any rehabilitation program is to enhance patient participation in society, and enable the individual to achieve their goals of maximizing their independence in home life, vocational and recreational activities.
Effects of an experimental ice storm on forest canopy structure

Intermediate disturbances are an important component of many forest disturbance regimes, with effects on canopy structure and related functions that are highly dependent on the nature and intensity...
First Report of Coinfection of Satellite and Defective RNA of Bamboo mosaic virus in the Bamboo Host in California, U.S.A.

Bamboo mosaic potexvirus (BaMV) was first reported to infect bamboo in Brazil in 1977, and the virus was later identified in Taiwan, the United States, mainland China, India, Australia, and Indonesia (Abe et al. 2019; Elliott and Zettler 1997; M. T. Lin et al. 1977; N. S. Lin et al. 1993, 1995; W. W. Lin et al. 2015). Three leaf samples of 20 plants of Beechey bamboo (Bambusa beecheyana) showing mosaic and yellowish streak symptoms were collected in Palomar College Arboretum (San Marcos, CA) in 2019. A virus was isolated by cesium chloride density gradient (Lin and Chen 1991), and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified virions showed one major 30-kDa protein. Viral RNAs were extracted from virions, and cDNAs were synthesized using oligo(dT)15 and random primers with AMV and M-MLV RNase H− reverse transcriptase (Promega), respectively. The fragments of genomic and satellite RNA of BaMV were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Q5 high-fidelity DNA polymerase (NEB). The PCR primers and virus characterization are further described in supplementary materials, and amplicons were Sanger sequenced. The viral sequences of three BaMV-Yoshi clones (MT111578, MT111579, and MT111580) were aligned and compared using MAFFT and Phylo.io. The full genomic nucleotide sequence of BaMV-Yoshi shares 79.0 to 80.3% identity with other BaMV isolates in GenBank, whereas amino acids of BaMV-Yoshi ORF4 are only 71.2 to 78.9% identical to others. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BaMV-Yoshi diverged from a common ancestor earlier than all Asian isolates and became a distinct group by itself (W. W. Lin et al. 2017; Wang et al. 2017). Six clones of BaMV satellite (satBaMV-Y; MT111572 to MT111577) RNAs show 93.2 to 95.1% identity to other satBaMV isolates in GenBank, and they contain noncanonical polyadenylation signal AAUAAU or AAGAAU instead of AAUAAA conserved in satBaMV isolates from Taiwan, China, or San Diego (CA). Northern blotting using ³²P-labeled BaMV 5′ untranslated region-specific riboprobe also detected 1.2- and 0.9-kb RNA species in virions, indicating that they are encapsidated defective RNAs (D RNAs). Two BaMV D RNAs (Y1 and Y2; MT113945 and MT113946) consist of 1,162 and 845 nucleotides in length with a single internal deletion of the helper virus genome, but their RNA recombination sites (Y1, 525/5,730; Y2, 185/5,709) are different from D RNAs generated by serial passages of BaMV-S in tobacco (Yeh et al. 1999). To our knowledge, this is the first report of full-length BaMV genome information outside Asia, and new recombination hotspots of BaMV D RNAs occurring in the bamboo host. This is also the first mixed infection of two BaMV subviral RNAs identified in nature. Contribution of mixed infection of satBaMV and D RNAs to replication competence and evolution of the helper virus warrants further investigation.
Early Crowdfunding Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: As the number of COVID-19 cases increased precipitously in the United States, policy makers and health officials marshalled their pandemic responses. As the economic impacts multiplied, anecdotal reports noted the increased use of web-based crowdfunding to defray these costs. Objective: We examined the web-based crowdfunding response in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States to understand the incidence of initiation of COVID-19–related campaigns and compare them to non–COVID-19–related campaigns. Methods: On May 16, 2020, we extracted all available data available on US campaigns that contained narratives and were created between January 1 and May 10, 2020, on GoFundMe. We identified the subset of COVID-19–related campaigns using keywords relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored the incidence of COVID-19–related campaigns by geography, by category, and over time, and we compared the characteristics of the campaigns to those of non–COVID-19–related campaigns after March 11, when the pandemic was declared. We then used a natural language processing algorithm to cluster campaigns by narrative content using overlapping keywords. Results: We found that there was a substantial increase in overall GoFundMe web-based crowdfunding campaigns in March, largely attributable to COVID-19–related campaigns. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic persisted and progressed, the number of campaigns per COVID-19 case declined more than tenfold across all states. The states with the earliest disease burden had the fewest campaigns per case, indicating a lack of a case-dependent response. COVID-19–related campaigns raised more money, had a longer narrative description, and were more likely to be shared on Facebook than other campaigns in the study period. Conclusions: Web-based crowdfunding appears to be a stopgap for only a minority of campaigners. The novelty of an emergency likely impacts both campaign initiation and crowdfunding success, as it reflects the affective response of a community. Crowdfunding activity likely serves as an early signal for emerging needs and societal sentiment for communities in acute distress that could be used by governments and aid organizations to guide disaster relief and policy.
Selective area heteroepitaxy of low dislocation density antiphase boundary free GaAs microridges on flat-bottom (001) Si for integrated silicon photonics

Integrating III–V gain elements in the silicon photonics platform via selective area heteroepitaxy (SAH) would enable large-scale and low-cost photonic integrated circuits. Here, we demonstrate antiphase boundary (APB)-free gallium arsenide (GaAs) microridges selectively grown on flat-bottom (001) silicon (Si) inside a recess. This approach eliminates the need for etching the patterned Si to form trapezoid or v-groove shapes, often leveraged for eliminating APBs. A low surface dislocation density of 8.5 × 106 cm−2 was achieved for 15-μm-wide GaAs microridges, quantified by electron channeling contrast imaging. The avoidance of APBs is primarily due to their self-annihilation, influenced by the sufficiently low temperature GaAs nucleation and subsequent higher temperature buffer overgrowth. Dislocation filtering approaches, namely, thermal cycle annealing and strained-layer superlattices, have been applied to effectively reduce the dislocation density. SAH of GaAs on trapezoidal-shaped Si pockets is also reported to illustrate the differing growth conditions for GaAs on (001) and (111) Si microplanes.
Asthma and Physical Activity in Urban Children.

OBJECTIVES Asthma and obesity disproportionately affect urban minority children. Avoidance of physical activity contributes to obesity, and urban children with asthma are at risk for lower levels of physical activity. We examined associations between lung function and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and moderators of this association in a diverse sample of children with asthma. METHODS Urban children (N = 142) ages 7-9 with persistent asthma and their caregivers completed a study of asthma and physical activity. Longitudinal mixed effects models examining daily-level asthma and physical activity evaluated the association between asthma and MVPA, and the moderating effect of weight, and cultural/contextual factors on this association. RESULTS Average daily MVPA was below recommended guidelines. Differences in MVPA were found by racial/ethnic group (p = .04) and weight (p = .001). Poorer asthma status was associated with lower MVPA in Latino and Black participants (p's < .05), and in normal weight youth (p = .01). Body mass index (BMI) moderated the association between asthma and MVPA. Those with lower BMI had more optimal asthma status and higher MVPA levels, whereas associations attenuated for participants with higher BMI (p = .04). Caregivers' perceptions of neighborhood safety and fear of asthma were marginally associated with children's symptoms and MVPA: as perceptions of safety decreased and fear increased, associations between asthma and MVPA weakened (p's = .09 and .07, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Suboptimal asthma status is associated with less MVPA in urban children. Weight status and cultural/contextual factors play a role in the association and are worthy targets for future research and intervention.
A Hybrid Mechanistic Data-Driven Approach for Modeling Uncertain Intracellular Signaling Pathways

For many intracellular signaling pathways, it can be difficult to construct accurate mechanistic models since their mechanisms are only partially understood. As a result, any mechanistic models developed for such systems will not be reliable. To mitigate potential model-system mismatches, this work proposes a hybrid modeling approach by combining a first-principle model and an artificial neural network (ANN) to improve the prediction accuracy. First, the proposed scheme identifies a subset of model states whose dynamics have the highest correlations with outputs, and correction terms are added to these states' differential equations to compensate for the model-system mismatches. Second, the values of the correction terms are estimated from experimental measurements by solving an L2-regularized least-squares problem. Third, an ANN is developed with the states' dynamics and the correction terms as inputs and outputs, respectively, of the ANN, and the developed ANN is integrated with the original mechanistic model to finalize the hybrid model development process. Consequently, the final hybrid model will possess generalized prediction capabilities while retaining model interpretability. We have successfully validated the proposed methodology by developing a hybrid model of the simplified apoptosis signaling pathway, which is only partially known beforehand.
A smart mask for active defense against airborne pathogens.

Face masks are a primary preventive measure against airborne pathogens. Thus, they have become one of the keys to controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Common examples, including N95 masks, surgical masks, and face coverings, are passive devices that minimize the spread of suspended pathogens by inserting an aerosol-filtering barrier between the user’s nasal and oral cavities and the environment. However, the filtering process does not adapt to changing pathogen levels or other environmental factors, which reduces its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. This paper addresses the limitations of passive masks by proposing ADAPT, a smart IoT-enabled “active mask”. This wearable device contains a real-time closed-loop control system that senses airborne particles of different sizes near the mask by using an on-board particulate matter (PM) sensor. It then intelligently mitigates the threat by using mist spray, generated by a piezoelectric actuator, to load nearby aerosol particles such that they rapidly fall to the ground. The system is controlled by an on-board micro-controller unit that collects sensor data, analyzes it, and activates the mist generator as necessary. A custom smartphone application enables the user to remotely control the device and also receive real-time alerts related to recharging, refilling, and/or decontamination of the mask before reuse. Experimental results on a working prototype confirm that aerosol clouds rapidly fall to the ground when the mask is activated, thus significantly reducing PM counts near the user. Also, usage of the mask significantly increases local relative humidity levels.
A Graph Grammar Based Scheme for Generating and Evaluating Planar Mechanisms

The paper focuses on representing and evaluating planar mechanisms designed using graph grammars. Graph grammars have been used to represent planar mechanisms but there are disadvantages in the methods presently available. This is due to the lack of information in understanding the details of a mechanism represented by the graph since the graphs do not include information about the type of joints and components such as revolute links, prismatic blocks, gears and cams. In order to overcome the drawbacks in the existing methods, a novel representation scheme has been developed. In this method, the authors represent a variety of mechanism types by the use of labels and x, y position information in the nodes. A set of sixteen grammar rules that construct different mechanisms from the basic seed is developed, which implicitly represents a tree of candidate solutions. The scheme is tested to determine its capability in capturing the entire set of feasible planar mechanisms of one degree of freedom. In addition to the representation, another important consideration is the need for an accurate and generalized evaluator for kinematic analysis of the mechanism which, given the lack of information, may not be possible with current design automation schemes. The graph grammar based analysis module is implemented in an existing object-oriented grammar framework and the results have found this to be superior to existing commercial packages.
Is female sexual dysfunction related to personality and coping? An exploratory study.

Introduction Sexual disorders impact up to 43% of women. However, the relationship between sexual dysfunction and psychological variables such as personality traits and coping mechanisms is not well understood.
Decoding the Star-Forming Main Sequence or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Central Limit Theorem

Star-formation rates (SFR) of disk galaxies strongly correlate with stellar mass, with a small dispersion in SSFR at fixed mass, sigma~0.3 dex. With such small scatter this star-formation main sequence (SFMS) has been interpreted as deterministic and fundamental. Here we demonstrate that it is a simple consequence of the central limit theorem. Our derivation begins by approximating in situ stellar mass growth as a stochastic process, much like a random walk (where the expectation of SFR at any time is equal to the SFR at the previous time). We then derive expectation values for median SSFR of star-forming disks and their scatter over time. We generalize the results for stochastic changes in SFR that are not independent of each other but are correlated over time. For unbiased samples of (disk) galaxies, we derive an expectation that should be independent of mass, decline as 1/T, and have a relative scatter that is independent of mass and time. The derived SFMS and its evolution matches published data to z=10 with sufficient accuracy to constrain cosmological parameters. The framework reproduces several important observables, including: the scatter in SSFR at fixed mass; the SFHs of nearby dwarf galaxies and the Milky Way; and the scatter in the Tully-Fisher relation. The evolution of the mass function is less well reproduced and we discuss ways to generalize the framework to include other sources of stellar mass such as mergers. The predicted dispersion in SSFR has consequences for the classification of quiescent galaxies, as such galaxies have heterogeneous formation histories, and many may only be temporarily diminished in their star-formation activity. The implied dispersion in SFHs, and the SFMS's insensitivity to timescales of stochasticity, thus substantially limits the ability to connect massive galaxies to their progenitors over long cosmic baselines. [TRUNC.]
A Lyapunov-Based Proof of the Quadratic Separation Principle for Systems with Noise-Free Measurements

A simple proof of the separation principle for systems with noise-free measurements and quadratic cost is presented. The proof is entirely deterministic in nature and is based on Lyapunov's theorem.
Extra-Dimensionality in general relativity and theory of spaceon structures

Quantization of the partial differential equations of motion obtained from an application of the Einstein, Infeld and Hoffmann method to a 4+1 space leads to the concept ofspaceons. The vacuum expectation value of the Hamiltonian for two particles involves a potentialenergy contribution\(V(r) = - (A/r)\int\limits_0^{r/\sigma } {\exp [ - t^2 /2] dt} \) whereA and σ are parameters depending on charge, mass and two additional ones with dimension of length and mass. The use of observations from electron-proton scattering, which suggest a Gaussian distribution, when applied here implies a periodicity length of 3050 m in the additional dimension and that the lowest nonzero energy for a spaceon associated with the electron is ∼ 103 GeV. For the proton, however, the energy of the associated spaceon is ∼ 0.5 GeV.
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF INSPIRATORY AIRFLOW IN THE HUMAN NOSE AND NASOPHARYNX

Extrapolation of the regional dose of an inhaled xenobiotic from laboratory animals to humans for purposes of assessing human health risk is problematic because of large interspecies differences in nasal respiratory physiology and airway anatomy. There is a need for dosimetry models that can adjust for these differences in the upper respiratory tract. The present work extends previous efforts in this laboratory and elsewhere to simulate nasal airflow profiles numerically in laboratory animals and humans. A three-dimensional, anatomically accurate representation of an adult human nasal cavity and nasopharynx was constructed. The Navier-Stokes and continuity equations for airflow were solved using the finite-element method under steady-state, inspiratory conditions simulating rest and light exercise (steady-state inspiratory flow rates: 15 L/min and 26 L/min, respectively) with the fluid dynamics software package FIDAP. Simulated airflow was streamlined in the main nasal passages and complex in the vestibul...
Chromosome structure: euchromatin and heterochromatin.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the terms “euchromatin” and “heterochromatin” that have long been familiar for expressing primarily the state of chromatin condensation during the cell cycle. The term “heterochromatin,” in particular, has been used to describe such chromatin or chromosome segments that did not go through the uncoiling process toward the end of mitosis and so remained condensed throughout interphase. Usually this condensed state of chromatin results in a heteropyknotic property. On the other hand, the chromatin that uncoils in the subsequent interphase is considered euchromatin. The earlier studies on different chromatintypes were based on the staining variation in interphase nuclei. Similar studies using metaphase chromosomes were limited to those species where the heterochromatic segments were recognizable from the staining differences by conventional methods. However, recent advances in banding technology and in sequencing DNA replication using isotype-labeled nucleotides and BrdU have rendered the metaphase chromosomes amenable for such investigations. In metaphase chromosomes, the regions stained by the C-banding method and the latereplicating X chromosome (in females) are regarded as heterochromatic. The remaining regions are referred to as “euchromatic.”
Estimating Meiotic Disjunction Frequencies in Chicken Translocation Heterozygotes Based on Embryonic Mortality

Chickens heterozygous for a chromosomal translocation [MN t(1;4)] were intercrossed and the progeny were analyzed for their chromosome complement. A ratio of 1 homozygous translocation carrier to 4 heterozygous translocation carriers to 1 homozygous standard chromosome carrier was noted (n = 520), rather than the 1:2:1 ratio expected from Mendelian segregation. The excess of heterozygous carriers was apparently caused by union of complementary duplication/deficient gametes. Embryonic death occurred in 68% of fertile zygotes. This finding fits very closely to expectations if alternate and adjacent meiotic disjunctions occurred at equal frequencies. As alternate disjunction frequencies increase from 0.5 to 1.0 in inter se matings, the proportion of inviable zygotes among fertilized ova will decrease from 0.625 to 0 and the proportion of translocation heterozygotes among viable progeny will decrease from 0.667 to 0.5. In instances where alternate and adjacent disjunction occur at equal frequency, preferential recovery of translocation carriers will occur. This may contribute to chromosomal diversity within a species, and possibly lead to speciation.
Compounds of novel structure having kappa-agonist behavioral effects in Rhesus monkeys

The kappa-agonist behavioral effects of several compounds were studied in rhesus monkeys and mice. Rhesus monkeys trained to discriminate ethylketazocine from saline responded as if ethylketazocine had been administered when given bridged oripavines with either N-allyl or N-cyclopropylmethyl, but not N-methyl, substituents. These compounds had C7 substitutions of either 2-hydroxy-2-pentyl or 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-hexyl. Monkeys also showed ethylketazocine-like responding when given U-50,488 (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2- (1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide), a compound with an atypical structure not resembling any known narcotic. Additionally, ethylketazocine-like responding was produced by two 5,9-alpha dimethyl 6-7-benzomorphans with either an N-2-methoxyisobutyl or an N-2-methoxy-propyl substituent. The latter compound was the only compound active in producing ethylketazocine-like discriminative effects that also reversed morphine-withdrawal signs. The N-methyl bridged oripavines that were inactive in producing ethylketazocine-like discriminative effects reversed morphine withdrawal signs.
Promise and progress in environmental genomics: a status report on the applications of gene expression‐based microarray studies in ecologically relevant fish species

The advent of any new technology is typically met with great excitement. So it was a few years ago, when the combination of advances in sequencing technology and the development of microarray technology made measurements of global gene expression in ecologically relevant species possible. Many of the review papers published around that time promised that these new technologies would revolutionize environmental biology as they had revolutionized medicine and related fields. A few years have passed since these technological advancements have been made, and the use of microarray studies in non-model fish species has been adopted in many laboratories internationally. Has the relatively widespread adoption of this technology really revolutionized the fields of environmental biology, including ecotoxicology, aquaculture and ecology, as promised? Or have these studies merely become a novelty and a potential distraction for scientists addressing environmentally relevant questions? In this review, the promises made in early review papers, in particular about the advances that the use of microarrays would enable, are summarized; these claims are compared to the results of recent studies to determine whether the forecasted changes have materialized. Some applications, as discussed in the paper, have been realized and have led to advances in their field, others are still under development.
SURGERY FOR CONGENITAL ESOTROPIA

Esotropia in the neonatal period is significant if it is prolonged or recurrent, while exotropia is not. Straight eyes for most of the waking hours is the rule rather than the exception in the newborn. Successful surgical management of congenital esotropia depends on equal attention to diagnosis, planning and treatment These are preceded by proper timing of the surgical procedure and followed by careful, comprehensive attention to the needs of the patient. The manifest cosmetic and hoped-for functional benefit of early surgery, when supported by competent paediatric anaesthesia, makes early surgery the logical choice for treatment of congenital esotropia.
Fast fixed-point independent vector analysis algorithms for convolutive blind source separation

A new type of independent component analysis (ICA) model showed excellence in tackling the blind source separation problem in the frequency domain. The new model, called independent vector analysis, is an extension of ICA for (independent) multivariate sources where the sources are mixed component-wise. In this work we examine available contrasts for the new formulation that can solve the frequency-domain blind source separation problem. Also, we introduce a quadratic Taylor polynomial in the notations of complex variables which is very useful in directly applying Newton's method to a contrast function of complex-valued variables. The use of the form makes the derivation of a Newton update rule simple and clear. Fast fixed-point blind source separation algorithms are derived and the performance is shown by experimental results.
Sustainable Practices in Mentoring: Tools to Support Child Outcomes and a Mentoring Protocol in Early Language and Literacy

This article seeks to examine 2 federally funded early literacy projects, one an Early Reading First demonstration project, the other an Early Childhood Educators Professional Development Research Study. It describes the respective professional development models that include on-site mentoring support to improve teacher quality. The article illustrates the use of child-level and classroom data to inform an individualized mentoring protocol to impact change in both teacher knowledge and classroom practice, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for children in early childhood classrooms.
Sketch-based Identification of Bench and Terrace Slope Breaks in the Laramie Basin, Wyoming

This study presents a semi-automated approach to support the identification of fluvial landform slope breaks in the Laramie Basin, southeastern Wyoming. The landforms in question form the edges of terraces and benches and tend to be subtle and varied depending on where they appear in the landscape. Because of this variation combined with DEM error, conventional raster filtering methods were unable to readily identify the benches with any consistency. In an effort to automate the collection of benches, a two stage, sketch-based algorithm was designed to detect bench edges on a semi-automated basis and was integrated into a commercial GIS environment for testing and execution. The approach of tailoring an algorithm to detect a particular feature proved viable and, in fact, more consistent in many cases than heads-up digitizing. However, feature complexity appears to be a significant driver in the accuracy of the algorithmic approach with the unlikely finding that more complex features are more accurately identified than less complex features. This research demonstrates that user cognition, DEM resolution, algorithm functionality and landform characteristics are thus all important and interrelated factors requiring consideration when implementing approaches to topographic feature identification.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual: Historical Observations

A variety of social, political, and economic factors influenced the creation of the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1952. Subsequent to DSM-I, cultural, medical, and economic factors shaped each successive version of the DSM; we discuss some of the more prominent controversies these editions have generated. Publication of the DSM-5 in May 2013 sparked a new round of debates concerning the possible impact on patients and society as a whole.
On the fracture of solids characterized by one or two parameters: Theory and practice

Based on the asymptotic stress fields including higher order terms at the crack tip of a non-linear material, conditions under which single or double parameter controlled onset of fracture initiation occur are discussed. A set of experimental data under cleavage fracture was analysed. It is shown that under Mode I plane strain conditions two parameters J and A2 can be utilized to predict the onset of fracture with J setting the loading level and A2 relating to the constraint. Theoretical meanings of fracture toughness values corresponding to conditions of small scale yielding and the HRR stress distribution are discussed. A procedure of applying this concept to the evaluation of flawed structures is outlined.
Existence of Solitary Pressure Pulses in a Cylindrical Fluid-Filled Elastic Tube

Abstract The problem studied in this paper concerns solitary pressure pulses in a cylindrical fluid-filled elastic tube. By assuming the tube wall is a thin elastic membrane, the nonlinear hydrodynamic equations are coupled with the membrane conditions at the tube wall as a free surface and the existence of a solitary pressure pulse in the fluid-filled tube is proved.
Personalized messages that promote science learning in virtual environments

College students learned how to design the roots, stem, and leaves of plants to survive in five different virtual reality environments through an agent-based multimedia educational game. For each student, the agent used personalized speech (e.g., including I and you) or nonpersonalized speech (e.g., 3rd-person monologue), and the game was presented via desktop computer (low immersion) or head-mounted display (high immersion). Across both levels of immersion, students who received personalized agent messages performed better on retention and problem-solving transfer tests. Although students reported higher levels of physical presence with high rather than low immersion, higher immersion did not lead to better performance on tests of retention or transfer. Students learn more deeply from computer-based simulation games when an on-screen agent speaks to them in a personalized style rather than a nonpersonalized style.
Ultrasound contrast agents: A review

During the past 25 years, many attempts have been made to establish effective ultrasound contrast agents for both cardiac and noncardiac applications. The ideal ultrasound contrast agent would be: (a) nontoxic; (b) injectable intravenously; (c) capable of passing through the pulmonary, cardiac and capillary circulations; and (d) stable for recirculation. A variety of potential ultrasound contrast agents have been or are now under development. Present and future ultrasound contrast agents should provide for increased diagnostic capabilities in a variety of normal and abnormal vessels and organs throughout the body. These agents will enhance tumor vascularity, delineate areas of ischemia, as well as improve visualization of vascular stenosis. Future developments with modification of ultrasound equipment should increase the capabilities of these agents to improve imaging as well as Doppler sensitivity.
At least one YMHCI molecule in the chicken is alloimmunogenic and dynamically expressed on spleen cells during development

Transcriptionally active, MHC class I (MHCI) loci are located in two separate polymorphic genomic regions in the chicken called B and Y. The YMHCI gene sequences encode molecules with uncommon substitutions in the antigen-binding region indicating that YMHCI molecules are likely unique and may bind a specialized form of antigen distinct from that of other antigen-binding MHCI molecules. To learn whether YMHCI gene expression results in the production of alloantigens at the cell surface, we immunized 15I5 × 7 2 chickens using syngeneic RP9 cells expressing transduced YF1w*7.1, a potentially alloimmunogenic YMHCI allele from the Y7 haplotype present in line C. The resulting antisera show that YF1w*7.1 MHCI molecules are immunogenic and expressed on the surfaces of cells in blood and spleen of line C chickens. Virtually all CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells circulating in line C blood are positive, as are BU1+ cells. The YF1w*7.1 MHCI allele is dynamically expressed at levels comparable to but transcriptionally independent of classical BMHCI on erythrocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and thrombocytes within the spleen pre- and post-hatching. The antisera react with cells from two among four haplotypes segregating in closed populations of lines N and P. YMHCI shares features associated with both classical and non-classical MHCI. It is becoming increasingly likely that YMHCI has a fundamental role in avian immunity and thereby needs to be included in the growing spectrum of functionally active, diverse MHCI molecules no longer adequately described by the classical/non-classical dichotomy.
Hadron production at large transverse momenta in very-high-energy heavy-ion collisions

Abstract When the density of large transverse-momentum partons produced in hard collisions becomes very high in heavy-ion collisions at extremely high energies, hadronization by recombination is shown to be more important than jet fragmentation. How the two mechanisms of hadronization can be discerned observationally is discussed.
Cardiovascular pathophysiology of environmental pollutants.

cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the industrialized world. In the United States alone, it kills 1 million people per year; accounting for over 40% of all deaths ([50][1]). Despite significant medical advances, the decline in CVD mortality in the United States that
Laryngeal microcirculation and pathways of cancer spread

The microcirculation of the human larynx was studied in cleared anatomic specimens. The distribution of the endolaryngeal blood supply was constant enough to permit naming of the subdivisions of the superior and inferior laryngeal arteries. There was a remarkable correlation between arteriolar and capillary distribution and the laryngeal routes of cancer spread within the larynx. Compartmentalization of the larynx was not apparent. The paraglottic space was filled with blood vessels.
A rapid plastic embedding technique for preparation of three-micron thick sections of decalcified hard tissue.

A 24 hour start-to-finish method is described for the preparation of three-micronthick sections of decalcified hard tissues. Following acetone dehydration, the tissue to be embedded is infiltrated under vacuum with a series of graded clearing solutions which approach the content of the final methyl methacrylate mixture. After overnight in a 35 C oven, the plastic is polymerizd by four hours heating at 42 C. Three-micron-thick sections are then easily prepared using a Jung microtome for high resolution histologic or detailed autoradiographic procedures.
Bilateral submandibular sialolithiasis and concurrent sialadenitis: a case report.

Abstract Sialolithiasis is a common cause of obstructive sialadenitis. However, bilateral sialolithiasis is a relatively rare occurrence. An unusual case is reported in which a patient presented with bilateral submandibular sialolithiasis, concurrent sialadenitis, and unilateral sialodocholithiasis.
Contribution of the 30/36 Hydrophobic Contact at the C-Terminus of the α-Helix to the Stability of the Ubiquitin Molecule†

The contribution of the hydrophobic contact in the C-capping motif of the α-helix to the thermodynamic stability of the ubiquitin molecule has been analyzed. For this, 16 variants of ubiquitin cont...
Dissipation due to a "valley wave" channel in the quantum Hall effect of a multivalley semiconductor.

When the quantized Hall effect occurs at a semiconductor surface such as Si(110), where the carriers have a time-reversal valley degeneracy, there should be a spontaneous valley polarization at appropriate values of the filling factor ..nu... There can then be dissipation at T-italic = 0 due to radiation of Goldstone bosons (''valley waves'') at impurity sites, provided that the current density exceeds a critical value j-italic/sub c-italic/ determined by the intervalley electron-electron scattering or other terms which modify the valley-wave dispersion at long wavelengths. The dissipation above j-italic/sub c-italic/ is described by a constant resistivity rho/sub x-italic//sub x-italic/, which should be small but measureable, and sensitive to the density of neutral impurities.
Healthcare IT Adoption: An Analysis of Knowledge Transfer in Socioeconomic Networks

AbstractDespite the potential of health information technology (HIT) systems to significantly reduce medical errors, streamline clinical processes, contain healthcare costs, and ultimately improve the quality of healthcare, their adoption by hospitals in the United States has been rather slow. To study this adoption process and get insights into the underlying mechanisms, in this work we synthesize the theories on social networks and knowledge transfer. We propose a research framework in which the absorptive capacity of a potential adopter and the collective disseminative capacity of connected adopters act as two key determinants of knowledge transfer in a socioeconomic network, and these two capacities substitute for each other in affecting HIT adoption. We also propose that, in a network setting, the mechanism of knowledge transfer manifests quite differently from that of social contagion in its impact on the diffusion process at different stages of adoption. Using a large longitudinal data set covering...
Open trial of thalidomide in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Reports on the use of thalidomide in the last 20 years have described favorable responses in a variety of inflammatory conditions. We have performed an open trial to begin to assess further its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). During a 3-year-period, 31 patients with chronic active RA were enrolled into a 4-month open trial using thalidomide, to assess its efficacy and safety. Of these patients, 21 began the study taking 300 mg/day and the other 10 patients began at lesser doses that were increased gradually. Patients were evaluated at least 7 times during the 4-month study. Of the 31 patients, 17 (55%) withdrew from the study over the course of 12 weeks because of adverse events and no benefit was seen in any of these patients with a mean dose of 177 mg/day. There were 14 patients taking thalidomide for 4 months, and 4 of the 14 (29%) responded to therapy, satisfying at least 4 of the 6 Paulus criteria; 6 of 14 (43%) partially responded to therapy, satisfying 3 of the 6 Paulus criteria; and 4 of 14 (29%) did not respond, with each group taking average dosages, respectively, of 304 mg/day, 264 mg/day, and 303 mg/day. Of the 14 patients completing the 4-month study, 9 patients consented to participate in an extended trial of thalidomide treatment for at least 4 more months. Patients showing partial benefit within the first 4 months are more likely to show definite benefit later on.This study did not confirm the level of effect previously reported with thalidomide. However, some patients with previously refractory RA did improve. Although we had no comparison group, we believe that, as an investigational therapy, thalidomide should be considered in patients with RA for whom other conventional treatment approaches have failed. Thalidomide should be administered initially at 50 mg/hs for 1-2 weeks and then increased by 50 mg every 1-2 weeks as tolerated. The major obstacle to short term use of thalidomide is drowsiness and the major adverse effect to long term use is peripheral neuropathy.
Condensed-matter physics: vortices weave a tangled web.

In high-temperature superconductors, quantized vortex filaments can be twisted up into a DNA-like double helix. An experiment is proposed to test how easily these vortex lines cut through each other.
Effect of estrus synchronization with Syncro-Mate-B® on serum luteinizing hormone, progesterone and conception rate in Brahman heifers

Abstract Twenty-two estrous cyclic, 2-yr-old Brahman heifers were randomly assigned to receive either estrus synchronization with Syncro-Mate-B® (SMB; 11) or no treatment (Control; 11). Blood samples were collected via tail vessel puncture at onset of estrus and daily thereafter until Day 11 after estrus. Blood samples were also collected from five SMB and five Control heifers at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h after the onset of estrus. All samples were processed to yield serum and stored at −20°C until radioimmunoassay. Heifers were inseminated by one technician using semen from a single ejaculate of a Brahman bull 12 h after the onset of estrus. All SMB heifers exhibited estrus within 72 h of implant removal. All heifers had corpora lutea (CL) detected by rectal examination 8 to 12 d following estrus. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) was not affected by treatment, time (4 - h intervals) or an interaction of treatment by time (P > 0.10). Independent analysis with h indicated that at h 12, SMB (2.2 ± 0.06 ng/ml) had lower LH than did control heifers (8.9 ± 2.1 ng/ml). Serum progesterone increased from Day 1 through Day 12 in all heifers, which is indicative of functional CL. Serum progesterone was affected by treatment (P
Liquid Phase Behavior of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids with Alcohols

Ionic liquids have been suggested as replacement solvents in reactions and separations since they have negligible vapor pressure; thus, they would reduce fugitive emissions that are common when organic solvents are used in these applications. To fully utilize ionic liquids in reactions and separations, a fundamental understanding of the factors that govern the phase behavior of ionic liquids with other common liquids is necessary. In this work, we present a systematic study of the impact of different factors on the phase behavior of imidazolium-based ionic liquids with alcohols. All systems examined showed upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior, with low solubility of the ionic liquid in the alcohol and high solubility of the alcohol in the ionic liquid. An increase in the alkyl chain length of the alcohol resulted in an increase in the UCST. Branching of the alcohol resulted in a higher solubility of the alcohol in the ionic-liquid-rich phase. By increasing the alkyl chain length on the cati...
Low-energy electron detection with delta-doped CCDs

Delta-doped CCDs have achieved stable quantum efficiency, at the theoretical limit imposed by reflection from the Si surface in the near UV and visible. In this approach, an epitaxial silicon layer is grown on a fully-processed CCD using molecular beam epitaxy. During the silicon growth on the CCD, 30 percent of a monolayer of boron atoms are deposited nominally within a single atomic layer, resulting in the effective elimination of the backside potential well. In this paper, we will briefly discuss delta-doped CCDs and their application of low-energy electron detection. We show that modification of the surface this way can greatly improve sensitivity to low-energy detection. We show that modification of the surface this way can greatly improve sensitivity to low-energy electrons. Measurements comparing the response of delta-doped CCDs with untreated CCDs were made in the 50 eV-1.5 keV energy range.For electrons with energies below 300 eV, the signal from untreated CCDs was below the detection limit for our apparatus, and data are presented only for the response of delta-doped CCDs at these energies. The effects of multiple electron hole pair production and backscattering on the observed signals are discussed.