cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macromolecular requirements for the initiation and maintenance of DNA synthesis during the cell cycle of Tetrahymena pyriformis

The macromolecular reguirements for the initiation and maintenance of macronuclear DNA replication were studied in heat synchronized Tetrahymena pyriformis GL-C. Previous work had established that macronuclear S periods could occur in a consecutive fashion without intervening cell divisions during a multiple heat shock treatment, as well as immediately following the synchronized cell divisions. Cycloheximide treatment prior to or during the S period which follows the first synchronized cell division resulted in abolition of the initiation of DNA synthesis or an almost immediate cessation of DNA synthesis in progress. Temporary inhibition of DNA synthesis occurred when cycloheximide was added late in the S period. Treatment with actinomycin D was found to block the initiation of DNA synthesis but did not appreciably affect the continuation of the S period. It was concluded that RNA synthesis was required for the initiation but not the maintenance of DNA replication, whereas protein synthesis was necessary for both processes. The dependency of the initiation of an S period on prior RNA and protein synthesis was also shown to exist when a second consecutive S period was initiated without a preceding cell division. Treatment with actinomycin or cycloheximide prior to a supernumerary S period during a multiple heat shock treatment completely abolished the initiation of DNA synthesis. In T. pyriformis the synthesis of RNA and protein related to the initiation of the S period is tightly coupled to each cycle of DNA replication.
Developing a brochure on positions held by psychology alumni

We outline the development of a brochure that describes t k positions obtained by our psychology alumni. The purpose of the brochure is to inform prospective majors, current majors, parents, faculty, and admissions personal about the career-related activities of our alumni and about the versatility and career potential of a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Gradient-based habitat affinities predict species vulnerability to drought

Ecological fingerprints of climate change are becoming increasingly evident at broad geographical scales as measured by species range shifts and changes in phenology. However, finer-scale species-level responses to environmental fluctuations may also provide an important bellwether of impending future community responses. Here we examined changes in abundance of butterfly species along a hydrological gradient of six montane meadow habitat types in response to drought. Our data collection began prior to the drought, and we were able to track changes for 11 years, of which eight were considered mild to extreme drought conditions. We separated the species into those that had an affinity for hydric vs. xeric habitats. We suspected that drought would favor species with xeric habitat affinities, but that there could be variations in species-level responses along the hydrological gradient. We also suspected that mesic meadows would be most sensitive to drought conditions. Temporal trajectories were modeled for both species groups (hydric vs. xeric affinity) and individual species. Abundances of species with affinity for xeric habitats increased in virtually all meadow types. Conversely, abundances of species with affinity for hydric habitats decreased, particularly in mesic and xeric meadows. Mesic meadows showed the most striking temporal abundance trajectory: Increasing abundances of species with xeric habitat affinity were offset by decreasing or stable abundances of species with hydric habitat affinity. The one counterintuitive finding was that, in some hydric meadows, species with affinity for hydric habitats increased. In these cases, we suspect that decreasing moisture conditions in hydric meadows actually increased habitat suitability because sites near the limit of moisture extremes for some species became more acceptable. Thus, species responses were relatively predictable based upon habitat affinity and habitat location along the hydrological gradient, and mesic meadows showed the highest potential for changes in community composition. The implications of these results are that longer-term changes due to drought could simplify community composition, resulting in prevalence of species tolerant to drying conditions and a loss of species associated with wetter conditions. We contend that this application of gradient analysis could be valuable in assessing species vulnerability of other taxa and ecosystems.
Financing marine protected areas in Jamaica: An exploratory study

Abstract The establishment of marine protected areas (MPA) has been a common government response to increasing fishing, tourism and other human activities that lead to decline in coral and marine resources. MPAs often suffer inadequacy of funds and simply become “paper parks”. This study makes a case for the feasibility of a self-financing mechanism for MPAs by estimating potential surplus benefit that recreational users may gain from MPAs in Jamaica. These same recreational users in turn, might be willing to pay a small portion of that gain toward the management costs. With the help of a travel cost model and the visitors’ willingness to pay (WTP) estimates, we show that the management costs of the park amount to a negligible amount; less than 0.1% of the annual total WTP. Furthermore, using these WTP estimates and the findings from other stakeholders’ surveys (hotels, tour operators, etc.), the paper provides insights on user-supported funding policies, such as taxes and fees, which might sustain the operations of MPAs in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean region.
Gaining Insight into Adolescent Vulnerability for Social Anxiety from Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) markedly impairs daily functioning. For adolescents, SAD can constrain typical development precisely when social experiences broaden, peers' opinions are highly salient, and social approval is actively sought. Individuals with extreme, impairing social anxiety fear evaluation from others, avoid social interactions, and interpret ambiguous social cues as threatening. Yet some degree of social anxiety can be normative and non-impairing. Furthermore, a temperament of behavioral inhibition increases risk for SAD for some, but not all adolescents with this temperament. One fruitful approach taken to understand the mechanisms of social anxiety has been to use neuroimaging to link affect and cognition with neural networks implicated in the neurodevelopmental social reorientation of adolescence. Although initial neuroimaging studies of adolescent SAD and risk for SAD underscored the role of fear-processing circuits (e.g., the amygdala and ventral prefrontal cortex), recent work has expanded these circuits to include reward-processing structures in the basal ganglia. A growing focus on reward-related neural circuitry holds promise for innovative translational research needed to differentiate impairing from normative social anxiety and for novel ways to treat adolescent SAD that focus on both social avoidance and social approach.
Complex salts of platinum with ethylenediamine and propanediamine [PtCl(diamine)L][PtCl3L]

Abstract Reaction of anionic platinum salts K[PtCl 3 L], where L=NH 3 , DMSO or ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) with the diamines ethylenediamine or 1,3-propanediamine in 2:1 stoichiometry gives as products the complex salts [PtCl 3 L][PtCl(diamine)L]. No evidence of complexes containing two platinum atoms linked by these short-chain diamines was found. The complex salts were characterised by 1 H and 195 Pt NMR spectroscopy.
Beam profile measuring device and focusing aid

Abstract A system is described for observing the profile of an accelerator beam which is particularly useful at positions where the beam cross section is large such as near quadrupole focusing elements. The system also offers the possibility of observing the profile of a particular charge state fraction of a heavy ion beam at positions before the analyzing magnet.
Social Information Processing, Emotions, and Aggression: Conceptual and Methodological Contributions of the Special Section Articles

This discussion summarizes some of the key conceptual and methodological contributions of the four articles in this special section on social information processing (SIP) and aggression. One major contribution involves the new methodological tools these studies provide for future researchers. Eye-tracking and mood induction techniques will make it possible for SIP researchers to study attentional and emotion-related processes across the six SIP steps. In addition, the STEP-P instrument will open up the study of emotionally-charged aspects of preschoolers’ early SIP. A second contribution is how these articles emphasize the dynamic interplay of emotional and cognitive processes in the emergence of children’s and adolescents’ aggressive tendencies. Finally, implicit developmental themes are raised by several of these studies. Discussion concludes with suggestions for future research, including a focus on the positive (i.e., non-disruptive) role of emotions, and on the connections between moral development and aggression.
Norm estimates for inverses of Vandermonde matrices

Formulas, or close two-sided estimates, are given for the norm of the inverse of a Vandermonde matrix when the constituent parameters are arranged in certain symmetric configurations in the complex plane. The effect of scaling the parameters is also investigated. Asymptotic estimates of the respective condition numbers are derived in special cases.
Computing structure: Sets, structures, and invariants in LISP

Abstract Sets which may contain other sets as members are defined as a data type in Scheme, a dialect of LISP. Using the sets so-defined, the standard set-theoretical operations of union, intersection, powerset, etc. are developed. Drawing upon the theory of structures presented in [1], set-theoretical structures are defined and procedures for computing their automorphisms (symmetries) and invariants are developed.
Luminescence based enzyme-labeled phage (Phazyme) assays for rapid detection of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli serogroups.

Most diagnostic approaches for Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been designed to detect only serogroup O157 that causes a majority, but not all STEC related outbreaks in the United States. Therefore, there is a need to develop methodology that would enable the detection of other STEC serogroups that cause disease. Three bacteriophages (phages) that infect STEC serogroups O26, O103, O111, O145 and O157 were chemically labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The enzyme-labeled phages (Phazymes) were individually combined with a sampling device (a swab), STEC serogroup-specific immunomagnetic separation (IMS) beads, bacterial enrichment broth and luminescent HRP substrate, in a self-contained test device, while luminescence was measured in a hand-held luminometer. The O26 and O157 Phazyme assays correctly identified more than 93% of the bacteria tested during this study, the O123 Phazyme assay identified 89.6%, while the O111 and O145 Phazyme assays correctly detected 82.4% and 75.9%, re...
Centrally administered tumor necrosis factor-α facilitates the avoidance performance of Sprague–Dawley rats

Abstract In addition to their immunological functions, recent research has indicated that the pro-inflammatory cytokines can influence learning and memory processes. We have previously shown that a peripheral injection of TNFα facilitates the acquisition of a leverpress avoidance task 24 h post-injection. Because the improved acquisition is presumably mediated by central changes, the current experiment involved directly injecting TNFα into the third ventricle 24 h prior to training. The data indicate that low (20 ng) but not high (40 ng) doses of TNFα produced improved avoidance performance. Results are discussed in terms of possible monoaminergic sensitization induced by TNFα and the relationship of this to acquisition of the avoidance response.
An in vivo system for analysis of stable complex formation between Src and AFAP-110

The actin filament-associated protein, AFAP-110, forms a stable complex with activated pp60src (Src) as both an SH2 and SH3 binding partner. AFAP-110 contains two putative SH3 binding motifs and six putative SH2 binding motifs, indicating that interactions with Src may be complex. In order to evaluate the mechanism by which AFAP-110 and Src form a stable complex, an in vivo expression system was utilized that permits co-expression of each protein from the same plasmid construct subsequent to transient transfection of Cos-1 cells. Sixty hours post-transfection, western blot analysis indicated that both Src and AFAP-110 were expressed efficiently. Furthermore, Src phosphorylated AFAP-110 on tyrosine and was in stable complex with this protein. These results reflect observations detected in chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. This system has several advantages in that (a) it is rapid, (b) high levels of protein can be overexpressed, stable complex formation occurs, and all transfected cells have the potential of expressing both protein products, (c) proper protein folding and post-translational modifications are likely to occur, (d) mAbs directed against Src and AFAP-110 are specific for these avian cDNA gene products, and (e) the plasmid constructs are amenable to site-directed mutagenesis, allowing for rapid analysis of the mechanism of stable complex formation.
On sharp bounds of the zero-order Randić index of certain unicyclic graphs

Abstract Let G be a simple connected graph and t be a given real number. The zero-order general Randic index α t ( G ) of G is defined as ∑ v ∈ V ( G ) d ( v ) t , where d ( v ) denotes the degree of v . In this paper, for any t , we characterize the graphs with the greatest and the smallest α t within two subclasses of connected unicyclic graphs on n vertices, namely, unicyclic graphs with k pendant vertices and unicyclic graphs with a k -cycle.
2H−{1H} CPMAS NMR of Guest−Host Species in Zeolites: An Experimental Study

The feasibility of 2H−{1H} cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR and its implementation in HETCOR experiments is studied using as-made all-silica zeolites. The results presented show that 2H−{1H} CPMAS can be employed successfully in two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy experiments. The effects of experimental and physical parameters (spin rate, RF field strengths, 1H homonuclear dipole−dipole coupling, and the magnitude of the quadrupole coupling constants) on the NMR spectra are studied in detail. In the limit of small quadrupole coupling constants and weak proton homonuclear dipolar coupling, the cross-polarization behavior of the deuterons is similar to spin I = 1/2 systems and proton spin-diffusion is minimal. Samples with larger quadrupole coupling constants and strong proton dipole−dipole coupling exhibit less efficient spin-locking of the deuterons and proton spin-diffusion is more prevalent. In this case, it is necessary to perform proton spin-diffusion experiments in conjunctio...
On the temperature-dependency of optimal nectar concentrations for birds.

Abstract In addition to the crucial need for energy balance, the metabolically-intense hummingbirds must maintain osmotic homeostasis by regulating salt and fluid balance. Hypothetically, flowers which have coevolved with pollination by hummingbirds could provide both energy and water balance simultaneously if they produced nectars of appropriate concentrations which depend upon environmental temperature. To the extent that this has not completely adjusted, hummingbirds exposed to cold and hot extremes in temperature will have problems of water excess or deficiency, respectively.
Studies on Neural and Humoral Contributions to Arterial Pressure Lability

ABSTRACT The mechanisms of arterial pressure lability in rats following sinoaortic deaf-ferentation (SAD) remain unknown. In this paper, we review several studies that have investigated the potential mechanisms of this lability. Combined ganglionic and α-adrenergic receptor blockade reduced lability but not to control levels, indicating that the sympathetic nervous system plays a major role but is not the only mechanism involved in the generation of lability. When ganglionic blockade was combined with blockade of an endogenous humoral vasoconstrictor (vasopressin or angiotensin), lability was returned to control levels in SAD rats; however, humoral blockade alone did not alter lability. Infusion of phenylephrine or endogenous vasoconstrictors in the presence of combined neural and humoral blockade increased arterial pressure lability to levels similar to those found in rats with SAD. The neurogenic contribution to lability was further investigated by recording renal sympathetic nerve activity in conscious freely moving intact rats and rats with SAD. These studies demonstrated that one day after SAD, there was little direct correlation between transient changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure lability. Thus, the evidence presented in this paper is consistent with the hypothesis that arterial pressure lability is not the direct result of unbuffered variations in sympathetic discharge but rather is produced by an interaction between neural and humoral components.
Large-eddy simulations of a round jet in crossflow

This paper reports on a series of large-eddy simulations of a round jet issuing normally into a crossflow. Simulations were performed at two jet-to-crossflow velocity ratios, 2.0 and 3.3, and two Reynolds numbers, 1050 and 2100, based on crossflow velocity and jet diameter. Mean and turbulent statistics computed from the simulations match experimental measurements reasonably well. Large-scale coherent structures observed in experimental flow visualizations are reproduced by the simulations, and the mechanisms by which these structures form are described. The effects of coherent structures upon the evolution of mean velocities, resolved Reynolds stresses, and turbulent kinetic energy along the centreplane are discussed. In this paper, the ubiquitous far-field counter-rotating vortex pair is shown to originate from a pair of quasi-steady ‘hanging’ vortices. These vortices form in the skewed mixing layer that develops between jet and crossflow fluid on the lateral edges of the jet. Axial flow through the hanging vortex transports vortical fluid from the near-wall boundary layer of the incoming pipe flow to the back side of the jet. There, the hanging vortex encounters an adverse pressure gradient and breaks down. As this breakdown occurs, the vortex diameter expands dramatically, and a weak counter-rotating vortex pair is formed that is aligned with the jet trajectory.
Bilateral cochlear implants with large asymmetries in electrode insertion depth: implications for the study of auditory plasticity.

Conclusion: The human frequency-to-place map may be modified by experience, even in adult listeners. However, such plasticity has limitations. Knowledge of the extent and the limitations of human auditory plasticity can help optimize parameter settings in users of auditory prostheses. Objectives: To what extent can adults adapt to sharply different frequency-to-place maps across ears? This question was investigated in two bilateral cochlear implant users who had a full electrode insertion in one ear, a much shallower insertion in the other ear, and standard frequency-to-electrode maps in both ears. Methods: Three methods were used to assess adaptation to the frequency-to-electrode maps in each ear: (1) pitch matching of electrodes in opposite ears, (2) listener-driven selection of the most intelligible frequency-to-electrode map, and (3) speech perception tests. Based on these measurements, one subject was fitted with an alternative frequency-to-electrode map, which sought to compensate for her incomplete adaptation to the standard frequency-to-electrode map. Results: Both listeners showed remarkable ability to adapt, but such adaptation remained incomplete for the ear with the shallower electrode insertion, even after extended experience. The alternative frequency-to-electrode map that was tested resulted in substantial increases in speech perception for one subject in the short insertion ear.
Reaction dynamics and deuteron production

Abstract Proton and deuteron azimuthal distributions with respect to the reaction plane have been measured as a function of associated charged-particle multiplicity for 36Ar+197Au collisions at E A = 35 MeV . Quantitative corrections for the dispersion of experimentally determined reaction planes about the true reaction plane have been applied. The results are compared to the predictions of a microscopic transport model which incorporates deuteron production and Coulomb effects.
Patterns of moderate and vigorous physical activity in obese and overweight compared with non-overweight children.

Objective. We determined whether overweight and obese children performed less combined moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), less vigorous physical activity (VPA) alone, and had distinct ...
Military to private sector technology transfer: a research agenda

In the last fifteen years, there has been an increasing emphasis on transferring Department of Defense technology to the private sector. In this paper, the author presents an overview of research he has conducted concerning various aspects of this type of technology transfer and proposes avenues for future research.
Anticonvulsant effects of a novel aminobenzamide (LY201116) in mice

Abstract The drug 4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)benzamide(LY201116) is a potent and selective anticonvulsant in the maximal electric shock test in mice. The ED50 values after oral and intravenous administration were 1.7mg/kg and 0.51 mg/kg, respectively. For comparison, the oral and intravenous ED50 values for the anticonvulsant phenytoin which is selective for the maximal electric shock test were 9.1 and 8.5 mg/kg, respectively. After oral administration, LY201116 had a protective index (ED50 to produce neurological impairment, divided by ED50 on the maximal electric shock) of 13.5. After 4 days of administration, there was no evidence of the development of tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of LY201116. The hexobarbital-induced sleeping time was not significantly affected by either acute or chronic administration of LY201116 for 4 days. In combination studies with the anticonvulsants phenytoin and carbamazepine which are selective for the maximal electric shock test, LY201116 produced dose-additive effects which suggest that it produces its anticonvulsant action through the same mechanism of action as these prototype anticonvulsants.
Entropy and Heat Capacity of DNA Melting from Temperature Dependence of Single Molecule Stretching

When a single molecule of double-stranded DNA is stretched beyond its B-form contour length, the measured force shows a highly cooperative overstretching transition. We have measured the force at which this transition occurs as a function of temperature. To do this, single molecules of DNA were captured between two polystyrene beads in an optical tweezers apparatus. As the temperature of the solution surrounding a captured molecule was increased from 11 degrees C to 52 degrees C in 500 mM NaCl, the overstretching transition force decreased from 69 pN to 50 pN. This reduction is attributed to a decrease in the stability of the DNA double helix with increasing temperature. These results quantitatively agree with a model that asserts that DNA melting occurs during the overstretching transition. With this model, the data may be analyzed to obtain the change in the melting entropy DeltaS of DNA with temperature. The observed nonlinear temperature dependence of DeltaS is a result of the positive change in heat capacity of DNA upon melting, which we determine from our stretching measurements to be DeltaC(p) = 60 +/- 10 cal/mol K bp, in agreement with calorimetric measurements.
Applying lessons learned from the USAID family planning graduation experience to the GAVI graduation process.

As low income countries experience economic transition, characterized by rapid economic growth and increased government spending potential in health, they have increased fiscal space to support and sustain more of their own health programmes, decreasing need for donor development assistance. Phase out of external funds should be systematic and efforts towards this end should concentrate on government commitments towards country ownership and self-sustainability. The 2006 US Agency for International Development (USAID) family planning (FP) graduation strategy is one such example of a systematic phase-out approach. Triggers for graduation were based on pre-determined criteria and programme indicators. In 2011 the GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations) which primarily supports financing of new vaccines, established a graduation policy process. Countries whose gross national income per capita exceeds $1570 incrementally increase their co-financing of new vaccines over a 5-year period until they are no longer eligible to apply for new GAVI funding, although previously awarded support will continue. This article compares and contrasts the USAID and GAVI processes to apply lessons learned from the USAID FP graduation experience to the GAVI process. The findings of the review are 3-fold: (1) FP graduation plans served an important purpose by focusing on strategic needs across six graduation plan foci, facilitating graduation with pre-determined financial and technical benchmarks, (2) USAID sought to assure contraceptive security prior to graduation, phasing out of contraceptive donations first before phasing out from technical assistance in other programme areas and (3) USAID sought to sustain political support to assure financing of products and programmes continue after graduation. Improving sustainability more broadly beyond vaccine financing provides a more comprehensive approach to graduation. The USAID FP experience provides a window into understanding one approach to graduation from donor assistance. The process itself—involving transparent country-level partners well in advance of graduation—appears a valuable lesson towards success.
Evolutionary implications of developmental and functional integration in bat wings

This paper addresses how the wing membrane and skeletal system in bats are developmentally and functionally integrated during morphogenesis in the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). A truss network is used to quantify changes in the size and shape of the wing membrane during morphogenesis. Growth of the forearm and of third and fifth digits of the manus are also quantified. Principal component analysis indicates that changes in size of the wing (PC-1) contribute 78% of growth variation, whereas shape changes (PC-2, PC-3) contribute only about 18% of growth variation. ANOVA run on component scores shows significant differences in size (PC-1) of the wing between juveniles and sub-adults, whereas no significant difference in shape (PC-2 and 3) of the wing occurs during morphogenesis. In addition, growth compensation is shown to occur among sequentially developing skeletal elements comprising the hand wing. Coefficients of variation were significantly higher for phalangeal lengths than for total wing length and width. Compensation scores generated by summing residual scores produced by bivariate plots of wing bone elements show variable levels of compensation among individuals. However, a plot of scores against wing length shows compensation to occur throughout morphogenesis as scores are not correlated with wing size (r= 0.089). Apparently, selection has favoured a developmental system within which wing shape is conserved while simultaneous plasticity in the hand skeleton helps maintain functional integrity during rapid morphogenesis.
Tunable Ho(+3):YLF laser at 2.06 microm

A Ho/sup +3/:YLF laser was tuned by three different methods: a mirror-grating combination, a Littrouw prism, and a tilted intracavity solid etalon. (AIP)
New network theorems for current-mode circuit design

A variety of current-mode signal processing circuits can be realized in the form of a passive circuit connected to several current conveyors. The network may have multiple current excitations and outputs. If the leads between the passive network and a nullator in the nullor representation of a CCII-are interchanged, the transfer function of the network will change accordingly. In this paper, four new theorems are presented and proved for obtaining the transfer functions after the interchange is performed directly from the original network. It is shown how to obtain new networks with transfer functions that are the inverse of those of the original networks as well as transfer functions that are quotients of those of the original networks. An example is provided which illustrates all four theorems.
Broadband quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation of ultrashort optical pulses with spectral angular dispersion

Noncollinear quasi-phase matching, in combination with spectral angular dispersion, can be used to broaden the bandwidth of second-harmonic generation (SHG) beyond the bandwidth for collinear, nondispersed interactions. A general theoretical treatment is presented, in addition to a solution that predicts the generated field for the case of a Gaussian input field; a comparison is made between this technique and others available for broadband SHG. An experiment in periodically poled lithium niobate demonstrates SHG of a 138 fs pulse at 1550 nm in a 1 cm length crystal (with a collinear acceptance bandwidth 13 times narrower than the first-harmonic bandwidth) with minimal spectral narrowing.
Studies of Implicit Prototype Extraction in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease

Studies of incidental category learning support the hypothesis of an implicit prototype-extraction system that is distinct from explicit memory (Smith, 2008). In those studies, patients with explicit-memory impairments due to damage to the medial-temporal lobe performed normally in implicit categorization tasks (Bozoki, Grossman, & Smith, 2006; Knowlton & Squire, 1993). However, alternative interpretations are that (a) even people with impairments to a single memory system have sufficient resources to succeed on the particular categorization tasks that have been tested (Nosofsky & Zaki, 1998; Zaki & Nosofsky, 2001) and (b) working memory can be used at time of test to learn the categories (Palmeri & Flanery, 1999). In the present experiments, patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease were tested in prototype-extraction tasks to examine these possibilities. In a categorization task involving discrete-feature stimuli, the majority of subjects relied on memories for exceedingly few features, even when the task structure strongly encouraged reliance on broad-based prototypes. In a dot-pattern categorization task, even the memory-impaired patients were able to use working memory at time of test to extract the category structure (at least for the stimulus set used in past work). We argue that the results weaken the past case made in favor of a separate system of implicit prototype extraction.
SKEWED CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD MIX: WHY IT HAPPENS, WHY IT MATTERS

Contraceptive prevalence has been central to family planning research over the past few decades, but researchers have given surprisingly little consideration to method mix, a proxy for method availability or choice. There is no 'ideal' method mix recognized by the international community; however, there may be reason for concern when one or two methods predominate in a given country. In this article method skew is operationally defined as a single method constituting 50% or more of contraceptive use in a given country. Of 96 countries examined in this analysis, 34 have this type of skewed method mix. These 34 countries cluster in three groups: (1) sixteen countries in which traditional methods dominate, most of which are in sub-Saharan Africa; (2) four countries in which female sterilization predominates (India, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Panama); and (3) fourteen countries that rely on a single reversible method (the pill in Algeria, Kuwait, Liberia, Morocco, Sudan and Zimbabwe; the IUD in Cuba, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; and the injectable in Malawi). A review of available literature on method choice in these countries provides substantial insight into the different patterns of method skew. Method skew in some countries reflects cultural preferences or social norms. Yet it becomes problematic if it stems from restrictive population policies, lack of access to a broad range of methods, or provider bias.
METFORMIN: MECHANISMS OF ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTION, OTHER PHARMACODYNAMIC PROPERTIES, AND SAFETY PERSPECTIVES

Abstract Objective To characterize the mechanisms of action of metformin and describe its effects and safety profile. Method Results of more than 30 years of clinical use in countries other than the United States are summarized. In addition, the pharmacologic properties of metformin are compared with those of other antihyperglycemic agents. Results Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes are non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)—a heterogeneous disease that involves several pathogenic factors and is associated with other coexisting conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity. Thus, an agent that controls blood glucose levels and has favorable effects on the concomitant conditions should be considered when pharmacologic intervention is needed for the treatment of NIDDM. Metformin possesses the pharmacodynamic properties to do both. Its mechanisms of action include the reduction of hepatic glucose production and enhancement of peripheral glucose disposal, making metformin an effective antihyperglycemic agent. It also has other pharmacologic properties, independent of its glycemic effects, that offer additional clinical benefits in comparison with other pharmacologic NIDDM treatments. These benefits include stabilization or even loss of weight in patients for whom weight gain is a concern and reduction of plasma lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia. Conclusion On the basis of 3 decades of clinical experience, metformin has been shown to be not only a well tolerated but also a highly effective antihyperglycemic agent. (Endocr Pract. 1997; 3:359-370)
Systemic or intracranial apomorphine increases copulation in long-term castrated male rats

Abstract Testosterone or its estrogenic metabolite is thought to be necessary to activate male rat sexual behavior. However, systemic injections of dopamine agonists alone or in combination with exogenous testosterone, can partially restore copulatory behavior during the prolonged period of its postcastration decline. The present experiments tested the ability of the dopamine agonist apomorphine, injected systemically or into the medial preoptic area (MPOA), to restore copulation in long-term castrates that had failed to copulate on two successive weekly tests. In Experiment 1, systemic injections of apomorphine increased the number of mounts and intromissions in castrated males, compared to vehicle. In castrates given subthreshold testosterone propionate (TP), apomorphine increased the number of mounts. In Experiment 2, microinjections of apomorphine into the MPOA increased the number of mounts in animals without TP. Subthreshold TP had no significant effects in either experiment, either alone or interacting with apomorphine. These results suggest that stimulation of dopamine receptors can partially restore copulation, even after its virtual elimination. Furthermore, dopamine receptors in the MPOA may contribute to sexual arousal in long-term castrates.
Information representation and coding for flash memories

Flash memories are a very widely used type of non-volatile memory. Like magnetic recording and optical recording, flash memories have their own distinct properties. These distinct properties introduce very interesting information-representation and coding problems, which address many aspects of a successful storage system. In this paper, we survey recent results in this area. A focus is placed on rewriting codes and rank modulation.
Needle knife-assisted polypectomy in hot snare-resistant fibrotic inflammatory polyps

Abstract Background Inflammatory polyps are common sequelae in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Those polyps can usually be removed with snare polypectomy. There were limited data evaluating the management of hot snare-resistant inflammatory polyps. Methods We reported on two cases with hot snare-resistant inflammatory polyps, one was a Crohn's disease (CD) patient with the polyp at the ileo-colonic anastomosis (ICA) and the other one was an ulcerative colitis (UC) patient with polyp at the pouch inlet. Results Sedated endoscopy was performed, which showed a large 2.5 cm pedunculated polyp at the ICA in the first patient and a large 5 cm pedunculated polyp at the pouch inlet in the second patient. Hot snare polypectomy was initially attempted, but failed in both pa- tients. Then endoscopic needle knife polypectomy was performed, which helped complete polypectomy. Both procedures took approximately 25 minutes each. The patients tolerated the procedure well and continued to do well after the procedure. The final pathological diagnoses for both patients were inflammatory polyps with extensive fibrosis. Conclusions Endoscopic needle knife-assisted polypectomy appeared to be an effective technique for the management of hot snare-resistant inflammatory polyps.
Nucleotides Increase the Internal Flexibility of Filaments of Dephosphorylated Acanthamoeba Myosin II

Abstract The actin-activated Mg-ATPase activity of Acanthamoeba myosin II minifilaments is dependent both on Mg concentration and on the state of phosphorylation of three serine sites at the C-terminal end of the heavy chains. Previous electric birefringence experiments on minifilaments showed a large dependence of signal amplitude on the phosphorylation state and Mg concentration, consistent with large changes in filament flexibility. These observations suggested that minifilament stiffness was important for function. We now report that the binding of nucleotides to dephosphorylated minifilaments at Mg concentrations needed for optimal activity increases the flexibility by about 10-fold, as inferred from the birefringence signal amplitude increase. An increase in flexibility with nucleotide binding is not observed for dephosphorylated minifilaments at lower Mg concentrations or for phosphorylated minifilaments at any Mg concentration examined. The relaxation times for minifilament rotations that are sensitive to the conformation myosin heads are also observed to depend on phosphorylation, Mg concentration, and nucleotide binding. These latter experiments indicate that the actin-activated Mg-ATPase activity of Acanthamoeba myosin II correlates with both changes in myosin head conformation and the ability of minifilaments to cycle between stiff and flexible conformations coupled to nucleotide binding and release.
An Osteopontin–NADPH Oxidase Signaling Cascade Promotes Pro–Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Activation in Aortic Mesenchymal Cells

Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine upregulated in diabetic vascular disease. To better understand its role in vascular remodeling, we assessed how OPN controls metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in aortic adventitial myofibroblasts (AMFs) and A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). By zymography, OPN and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha preferentially upregulate pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (pro-MMP9) activity. TNF-alpha upregulated pro-MMP9 in AMFs isolated from wild-type (OPN(+/+)) mice, but pro-MMP9 induction was abrogated in AMFs from OPN(-/-) mice. OPN treatment of VSMCs enhanced pro-MMP9 activity, and TNF-alpha induction of pro-MMP9 was inhibited by anti-OPN antibody and apocynin. Superoxide and the oxylipid product 8-isoprostaglandin F(2) alpha-isoprostane (8-IsoP) were increased by OPN treatment, and anti-OPN antibody suppressed 8-IsoP production. Like OPN and TNF-alpha, 8-IsoP preferentially activated pro-MMP9. Superoxide, 8-IsoP, and NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) subunits were reduced in OPN(-/-) AMFs. Treatment of A7r5 VSMCs with OPN upregulated NADPH oxidase subunit accumulation. OPN structure/function studies mapped these activities to the SVVYGLR heptapeptide motif in the thrombin-liberated human OPN N-terminal domain (SLAYGLR in mouse OPN). Treatment of aortic VSMCs with SVVYGLR upregulated pro-MMP9 activity and restored TNF-alpha activation of pro-MMP9 in OPN(-/-) AMFs. Injection of OPN-deficient OPN(+/-) mice with SVVYGLR peptide upregulated pro-MMP9 activity, 8-IsoP levels, and Nox2 protein levels in aorta and increased panmural superoxide production (dihydroethidium staining). At equivalent hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, 8-IsoP levels and aortic pro-MMP9 were reduced with complete OPN deficiency in a model of diet-induced diabetes, achieved by comparing OPN(-/-)/LDLR(-/-) versus OPN(+/-)/LDLR(-/-) siblings. Thus, OPN provides a paracrine signal that augments vascular pro-MMP9 activity, mediated in part via superoxide generation and oxylipid formation.
CORROSION AND EMBRITTLEMENT IN HIGH-STRENGTH WIRES OF SUSPENSION BRIDGE CABLES

An in-depth analysis of the deterioration mechanisms in high-strength wires of suspension bridge cables is presented. Accelerated cyclic corrosion tests were conducted to assess the relative effect of corrosion on galvanized and ungalvanized wires. Samples were corroded under various levels of sustained loads in a cabinet that cyclically applied an acidic salt spray, dry conditions, and 100% relative humidity at elevated temperature, and mass loss, hydrogen concentration, ultimate load, and elongation at failure were measured. Elongation measurements indicated a significant embrittlement of the wires that could not be explained solely by the presence of absorbed hydrogen (hydrogen embrittlement). The main cause of reduction of wire elongation was found to be the surface irregularities induced by the corrosion process. The experimental results were validated through a numerical analysis using a finite-element method model of the corroded steel wire and through a series of scanning electron microscope analyses of the fracture surfaces.
Do Genetic Modifiers of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels Also Modify Their Response to a Lifestyle Intervention in the Setting of Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus? The Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) Study

Background— High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides are cardiovascular risk factors susceptible to lifestyle behavior modification and genetics. We hypothesized that genetic variants identified by genome-wide association studies as associated with HDL-C or triglyceride levels modify 1-year treatment response to an intensive lifestyle intervention, relative to a usual care of diabetes mellitus support and education. Methods and Results— We evaluated 82 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which represent 31 loci demonstrated by genome-wide association studies to be associated with HDL-C and triglycerides, in 3561 participants who consented for genetic studies and met eligibility criteria. Variants associated with higher baseline HDL-C levels, cholesterol ester transfer protein ( CETP ) rs3764261 and hepatic lipase ( LIPC ) rs8034802, were found to be associated with HDL-C increases with intensive lifestyle intervention ( P =0.0038 and 0.013, respectively) and had nominally significant treatment interactions ( P =0.047 and 0.046, respectively). The fatty acid desaturase-2 rs1535 variant, associated with low baseline HDL-C ( P =0.017), was associated with HDL-C increases with intensive lifestyle intervention (0.0037) and had a nominal treatment interaction ( P =0.035). Apolipoprotein B (rs693) and LIPC (rs8034802) single-nucleotide polymorphisms showed nominally significant associations with HDL-C and triglyceride changes with intensive lifestyle intervention and a treatment interaction ( P <0.05). Phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase-1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs4082919) showed the most significant triglyceride treatment interaction in the full cohort ( P =0.0009). Conclusions— This is the first study to identify genetic variants modifying lipid responses to a randomized lifestyle behavior intervention in overweight or obese individuals with diabetes mellitus. The effects of genetic factors on lipid changes may differ from the effects on baseline lipids and are modifiable by behavioral intervention.
Development of Aluminum Nitride/Platinum Stack Structures for an Enhanced Piezoelectric Response

Aluminum nitride (AlN) films are being investigated for piezoelectric and high temperature applications, but the piezoelectric response is still much lower than that of more common piezoelectric materials such as lead zirconate titanate or zinc oxide. A method of maximizing the piezoelectric response of aluminum nitride has been explored by depositing stack structures composed of aluminum nitride and platinum. These stack structures were created by depositing a thin, ∼50nm, metal layer in between thicker, ∼150-350nm, layers of the piezoelectric film. Platinum was chosen as the metal interlayer due to the tendency of AlN to become highly c-oriented when deposited on Pt. An electric field was applied across the structure and displacements were measured using a Laser Doppler Vibrometer. A maximum piezoelectric coefficient d33 was found to be over two times larger than the theoretical value for AlN (3.9pm/V). However, some of the stack structures were found to be conductive when measuring the displacement. I-V measurements as well as Fowler-Nordheim theory and plots were applied to investigate tunneling due to high electric fields in the structures.
CONFUCIUS AND THE ROLE OF REASON

L'A. defend la these selon laquelle la pensee et les discours de Confucius obeissent au critere de l'argumentation rationnelle. S'appuyant sur des passages des «Analectes», l'A. montre que Confucius emploie a la fois des arguments deductifs et des arguments inductifs au sein de son analyse conceptuelle (modus tollens, disanalogie)
Modelling transitional and joint marginal distributions in repeated categorical data

When a repeated measures endpoint classifies people into several categories, marginal and transitional models provide two distinct approaches for data analysis. Marginal models estimate the probabilities of being in different categories over time. Transitional models estimate the probability of changing between any two given states during follow-up visits. This paper develops transitional and marginal models and applies them to a clinical trial of treatments of opiate addiction. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of opiates in a thrice weekly urine test, administered for 17 weeks. Subjects frequently miss visits, however, and in effect respond in one of three ways to a visit: missing, opiates present or opiates absent. Thus we have three possible states. Our transitional model conditions on the current state and models the transition from state k to one of the other (0,…,K - 1) states using a mutinomial logit model. This model generalizes previous work of Muenz and Rubinstein. Significant covariates in this model are predictive of state changes. Our marginal model views the state at each time point, rather than the transitions, as the primary response. Here we model the probability of being in state k with a multinomial logit model. Correlation within individuals over visits can be handled by applying the approach of Zeger and Liang or the bootstrap. Significant covariates in this model can include more ‘global’ summaries of a person such as extent of previous opiate use. Both marginal and transitional models are needed to provide a complete description of an individual's behaviour over time since global summaries might not affect transitions. Of particular substantive interest is how the opiate treatments affect both the marginal and transition probabilities.