cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The theory and computation of evolutionary distances: Pattern recognition

Abstract A method of finding pattern similarities between two sequences is given. Two portions, one from each sequence, are similar if they are close in the metric space of evolutionary distances. The method allows a complete list to be made of all pairs of intervals, one from each of two given sequences, such that each pair displays a maximum local degree of similarity, and, if the lengths of the given sequences are m and n, then the procedure takes on the order of mn computational steps. This result lends itself to finding similarities by computer between pairs of biological sequences, such as proteins and nucleic acids.
Connectivity of random nets

The weak connectivity γ of a random net is defined and computed by an approximation method as a function ofa, the axone density. It is shown that γ rises rapidly witha, attaining 0.8 of its asymptotic value (unity) fora=2, where the number of neurons in the net is arbitrarily large. The significance of this parameter is interpreted also in terms of the maximum expected spread of an epidemic under certain conditions.
The contribution of leadership and human resources to organizational success: An empirical assessment of performance in major league baseball

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to an underdeveloped area within the resource‐based view (RBV) of strategic management. Relatively little work has been carried out concerning the concurrent contribution of leadership and human resources to a given organization's success. We investigated the relative contribution of these two resources to competitive advantage within the context of professional baseball. We found that player resources (defense/pitching and offence/batting) explained 67% of the variance in winning percentage, while leadership explained very little (slightly more than 1%) of the variance. We relate our results to seminal RBV arguments and find these supportive of our findings. We also explore the minimal contribution of leadership in our results. We suggest a number of ways that future research could investigate this further. While we limited the leadership construct to the “field manager,” future studies could expand the construct to include the “management team” (i.e., include c...
A role for nitrite in the production of nitrous oxide in the lower euphotic zone of the oligotrophic North Pacific Ocean

Abstract Understanding the role of the oceans in the Earth's changing climate requires comprehension of the relevant metabolic pathways which produce climatically important trace gases. The global ocean represents one of the largest natural sources of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) that is produced by selected archaea and/or bacteria during nitrogen (N) metabolism. In this study, the role of nitrite (NO 2 − ) in the production of N 2 O in the upper water column of the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre was investigated, focusing primarily on the lower euphotic zone where NO 2 − concentrations at the primary NO 2 − maximum reached 195 nmol L −1 . Free-drifting sediment trap arrays were deployed to measure N cycle processes in sinking particulate material and the addition of selected N substrates to unpreserved sediment traps provided an experimental framework to test hypotheses regarding N 2 O production pathways and controls. Sinking particles collected using NO 2 − -amended, unpreserved sediment traps exhibited significant production of N 2 O at depths between 100 and 200 m. Subsequent stable isotope tracer measurements conducted on sediment trap material amended with 15 NO 2 − yielded elevated δ 15 N values of N 2 O, supporting N 2 O production via a NO 2 − metabolism pathway. Experiments on seawater collected from 150 m showed N 2 O production via NO 2 − metabolism also occurs in the water-column and indicated that the concentration of NO 2 − relative to NH 4 + availability may be an important control. These findings provide evidence for the production of N 2 O via nitrifer-denitrification in the lower euphotic zone of the open ocean, whereby NO 2 − is reduced to N 2 O by ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms.
Prospects for using laser-prepared atomic fountains for optical frequency standards applications

We consider the problems and techniques of high-resolution microwave and optical spectroscopy of atoms on free-flight gravitational orbits in an atomic fountain. We consider choice of species and tabulate some relevant characteristics of several attractive atomic systems, including possible clock transitions and their estimated radiative linewidths. We illustrate one possible scheme for appoaching Zacharias’s dream of an atomic fountain and discuss a powerful two-stage laser cooling technique to reduce unwanted velocity spread. We present the status of measurements on slow atoms and on stabilized laser sources for the atomic-clock applications in both rf and optical domains.
Quality Uncertainty and Challenges to Wheat Procurement

Issues related to quality uncertainty in wheat producing countries have escalated in importance in recent years. While Canada addresses these issues in part through variety regulations, firms in the United States resolve these through varying commercial strategies. Conventional alternatives for procurement range from spot purchases with specifications for easily measurable characteristics, to varying forms of strategies with precommitment. In grains, these are complicated by intrinsic uncertainty associated with functional qualities that are not easily measurable and that procurement costs vary spatially. Thus, shifting origins may involve higher cost due to having to bid grain away from its best market. We posed alternative procurement strategies and developed analytical models to evaluate the costs and risks of these in the case of hard red spring (HRS) wheat. Climatic conditions are a source of uncertainty in functional performance which reduces incentives for contracting and vertical integration, and poses a challenge to any form of integrated supply chain management. Les problemes lies a l'incertitude quant a la qualite des approvisionnements des pays producteurs de ble ont augmente au cours des dernieres annees. Tandis que le Canada s'attaque a ces problemes en imposant divers reglements, des entreprises etats-uniennes les resolvent en adoptant diverses strategies commerciales. Les moyens d'approvisionnement traditionnels varient des achats au comptant assortis de criteres pour les caracteristiques facilement mesurables, a diverses strategies comprenant un pre-engagement. Dans le secteur des cereales, la situation est compliquee par l'incertitude intrinseque quant aux qualites fonctionnelles qui ne sont pas facilement mesurables et le fait que les couts d'approvisionnements varient d'un endroit a l'autre. Par consequent, s'approvisionner dans d'autres pays pourrait entrainer des couts plus eleves en privant le secteur de son meilleur marche. Nous avons formule d'autres strategies d'approvisionnement et elabore des modeles analytiques pour evaluer les couts et les risques de ces strategies dans le cas du ble de force roux de printemps. Les conditions climatiques sont une source d'incertitude de la qualite fonctionnelle qui diminue les incitatifs pour la conclusion de contrat et l'integration verticale et qui pose un obstacle pour toute forme de gestion integree de la chaine d'approvisionnement.
Estimating small-area population growth using geographic-knowledge-guided cellular automata

Estimation of small-area population counts in an intercensal year and in a future year is a challenging task. This paper presents preliminary results in the development of a geographic-knowledge-guided cellular automata (CA) for modelling growth in small geographic areas. Geographic knowledge contains rules dictating growth patterns that typically cannot be captured by a traditional CA model. Nighttime stable light images and census population counts in censal years are used to determine base-year population counts in each cell in the CA model, and these estimated base-year population counts are used to manually calibrate the model. We use census data in 1990 and 2000 in El Paso County of Texas as the base-year population data, develop a set of rules based on specific urban-growth situations in El Paso and use the model to estimate population counts in block groups in a future year in the study area. Preliminary results in El Paso County suggest that the model has the potential to produce reasonably accurate population counts in sub-county areas in a future year. Future work will include the development of computational procedures that can be used to automate the calibration of the CA model.
A desire to be taught: Instructional consequences of intrinsic motivation.

This paper summarizes the results from a series of studies designed to test the hypothesis that making learning more fun will produce corresponding increases both in learning and retention and in subsequent interest in the subject matter itself. Each study examined the effects of two or more versions of an educational activity, each designed to involve identical instructional content, but to differ in motivational appeal. The data from the studies presented provide good general support for the hypothesized cognitive and motivational benefits of appropriately designed motivational embellishments of educational activities. Exceptions to this rule, however, and a more general theoretical analysis of the conditions under which such positive effects are (and are not) expected to occur, are also discussed.
Production of Alkaline Protease from Acetic Acid

The use of acetic acid as a carbon source in alkaline protease fermentation was examined. Acetic acid was a good carbon source and yielded a great deal of alkaline protease.Acetic acid has advantages over ordinary carbon sources such as starch and glucose in that it can be supplied to culturing liquid as much as needed to perform the fermentation efficiently, that it has a function to control the pH of culturing liquid at a constant level and that it was obtained at lower price.The maximum proteolytic activity attained was 1.6 × 104 units/ml (11.4 mg-enzyme/ml).
Single molecule biology: Coming of age

Cellular heterogeneity and stochastic fluctuation play key roles in biological processes. Single molecule approaches have the key advantage of avoiding ensemble averaging, allowing the observation of transient intermediates and heterogeneity (both static and dynamic). Thus they have revolutionised the way many biological questions are addressed. The challenge ahead is to develop integrated approaches such as the combination of single molecule imaging with single molecule manipulation to probe the dynamics of gene regulatory and cell signalling networks in living cells.
Nanostructured NiFe2O4 Soft Magnetic Ferrite

NiFe2O4 is an important high frequency soft magnetic material due to its ultra high resistivity; however, its initial permeability is rather low. Conventional magnetic ferrites are manufactured through ceramic processing. In an effort to explore innovative approaches for fabricating ferrite materials with improved performance, a study of fabricating nanostructured NiFe2O4 using wet chemical approaches has been carried out. The synthetic NiFe2O4 precursor was synthesized by a citrate reaction method followed by calcinating at various temperatures. Systematic studies concerning the crystallographic structure, the nanostructure and morphology of the particle, the phase homogeneity, the conditions for chemical reaction completion, and the magnetic properties have been carried out using x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements. The results show that by using a citrate reaction approach, pure phase and stoichiometric NiFe2O4 can be fabricated easily, and the particle size can be controlled on a nanometer scale, even at high calcination temperatures. In addition, a comparative study of the NiFe2O4 fabricated by conventional ceramic processing and this new citrate processing will be presented.
Partial Replacement of Fishmeal with Soybean Meal and Soy Protein Concentrate in Diets of Atlantic Cod

Abstract Juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua (initial weight = 24.1 ± 1.4 g [mean ± SE) were fed diets in which fish meal (FM) was replaced with soy protein concentrate (SPC) and soybean meal (SBM) in isonitrogenous, isocaloric diets for 84 d. A standard marine finfish diet (3 mm, 54% protein, 14% fat) was modified to produce four experimental diets in which 50% of FM was replaced with soy at 0:1, 1:1, or 1:2 ratios of SPC:SBM and 100% FM replacement with a 1:1 ratio of SPC:SBM. No differences in mortality or feed intake were detected among treatments, and fish fed the 50% FM replacement diets, in any combination, grew as well or better than the control for all variables investigated. Cod fed the 100% FM replacement diet exhibited the lowest growth and differed from the control with respect to final body weight, growth, specific growth rate, and thermal-unit growth coefficient. No enteritis was observed in histological sections. These results indicate that 100% fish meal replacement is not recommended, but...
Micro-CT scanner with a focusing polycapillary x-ray optic

A bench-top x-ray micro-CT scanner was used to evaluate a focusing x-ray optic as a means to augment micro-CT scanner performance. The optic consists of a bundle of hollow glass fibers (25 micrometer diameter) which are arranged and curved so that the optic has an 8 degree input focus and a 4.1 degree output focus cone angle. This optic was placed between our spectroscopy x-ray source (18 keV) and the specimen. The x-ray fluorescent crystal plate was placed as close as possible behind the specimen and the light image generated within it was projected onto a CCD with a lens. The specimen was imaged and rotated about its axis in 1 degree steps until a 360 degree rotation was completed. The resulting, normalized, projection images were submitted to modified Feldkamp cone- beam reconstruction. A 1 cm diameter plastic cylinder, in which glass microspheres (nominally 10, 30, 100 or 300 micrometer diameter) were suspended, was used to compare the spatial resolution of the x-ray optic versus the no-optic scans performed at a range of comparable focal spot-to- specimen distances. The increased flux at the specimen obtained by placing the specimen (and fluorescent crystal) closer to the output focal spot of the optic resulted in increased x-ray flux, thereby reducing scan duration several- fold without increase in penumbral blurring.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of basis function overlap on intramolecular electron transfer amplitudes: some results for a two-site hubbard model

Abstract The effect of overlapping basis functions is detailed for the simplest model (homopolar two-site Hubbard model) of intramolecular electron transfer. Nonvanishing overlap improves, as expected, the quality of the valence-bond wavefunction, but has no strong effect on the exact or molecular orbital transfer amplitude.
Laparoscopic ureterectomy for the management of painful calculi in a ureteral stump

We present a rare case of a laparoscopic ureterectomy for the treatment of unusual chronic pain from a large retained stone in a ureteral stump. The history of long-term co morbidities from retained ureteral stumps is reviewed, as well as a discussion on the possible etiology of the pain for this particular patient. An argument for the change of the standard of care for the management of ureters in relation to nephrectomies is also made in regard to adult patients with a history of stone disease.
On-Line CORDIC For Generalized Singular Value Decomposition(GSVD)

An on-line CORDIC implementation for computing the Generalized Singular Value Decomposition is presented. Among several algorithms, the implementation shown is based on Luk's parallel version for a triangular processor array, using odd-even ordering. To implement GSVD, the CORDIC approach is attractive compared with using conventional arithmetic units, such as square root, divider and multiplier. However, the CORDIC module is relatively slow because of the requirement of full precision computation to determine the direction of the angle and the variable shifter in the basic step. To avoid this, the use of redundant and on-line CORDIC has been proposed previously for SVD and matrix triangularization. This results in a significant speedup at some additional cost because of the variable scaling factor introduced. The extension of on-line CORDIC approach to the GSVD is presented. The advantages of this approach are more significant in GSVD because of the longer sequence of dependent operations. This makes the combination of the short step time of on-line CORDIC and the overlapping capability of on-line very attractive. By comparing it with conventional approach as well as CORDIC approach with full precision computation, we show that a speedup of about 5 can be achieved.
Sensing in Fibers Aided by Localized Four Photon Mixing

We describe new technique for selective localization of four-photon mixing (FPM) recently developed to retrieve geometrical, dispersive, stress, and birefringent properties of distributed fiber devices. The technique relies on counter-colliding pulse power transfer and is capable of resolving physical fluctuations comparable to a silica molecular diameter.
The Impact of Corporate Strategy on a Firm's Reputation

This study examined 178 Fortune 500 firms as to the link between their corporate strategies and their reputation scores. The results suggest that while related diversified firms experienced higher performance levels, on average, than single business firms, the related diversifiers also had lower reputation scores than single business firms. Further, unrelated diversified firms experienced lower reputation scores than related diversifiers, although the mean difference between the two strategies was not statistically significant. The results suggest that firms considering a change in strategy might also anticipate a change in their overall reputations. Some possible implications of the link between a firm's strategy and reputation are discussed.
Catinathrips, New Genus, a New Species, and a Reassignment (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Catinathrips is a new genus proposed for C. kainos (type-species) and Taeniothrips vaccinophilus Hood. These species differ from other thripines by the combination of 2-segmented maxillary palpi, posteromarginal plates on abdominal segments, single pair of postero-marginal pronotal setae, and lack of ocellar seta pair I. The new species has comparatively short posteroangular setae and long terminal setae; T. vaccinophilus has posteroangulars ⅔ as long as its terminals. Both species infest Vaccininm species, in company with Frankliniella vaccinii Morgan. A possible third species of Catinathrips infests hickory. Males are unknown.
The influence of parent and peer modeling on the development of communication apprehension in elementary school children

This study investigated the influence of parental and peer modeling on the development of elementary communication apprehension. In Phase 7 scales were developed to measure parental and peer modeling. In Phase 2 elementary and junior high school students (N = 1614) responded to measures of elementary communication apprehension, parental modeling, and peer modeling. Each participant took a packet home to their parents which included measures of communication apprehension and spousal communication apprehension. Results indicated a significant relationship between parental modeling and elementary communication apprehension but no significant relationship between elementary communication apprehension and parents’ communication apprehension or spousal communication apprehension.
Numerical Investigations Into the Mechanisms of Microbubble Drag Reduction

Tentative de modelisation du phenomene de reduction du frottement superficiel par l'injection de microbulles. On utilise un programme standart de calcul de la couche limite turbulente. Etudes parametriques de la localisation des bulles de la couche limite, de la concentration maximale et du modele de viscosite du melange
Role conflict, role clarity, job tension and job satisfaction in the brand manager position

One hundred ninety-eight brand managers were examined on four important role decisions: role conflict, role clarity, job tension, and job satisfaction. Role conflict was significantly related to role clarity, job tension, and job satisfaction. Role clarity was related to job tension and job satisfaction at significant levels and job tension was significantly related to job satisfaction. All relationships occurred in the expected directions. Four independent variables were analyzed with these four role dimensions: personal factors, organizational factors, involvement with product decisions, and level of contact with interfaces. Significant relationships were found only for involvement with product decisions and level of contact on the job satisfaction dimension.
Fungistatic and Bacteriostatic Studies on Some Alkynoic Acids

The results of a study of the fungistatic and bacteriostatic actions of several alkynoic acids are reported. It has been demonstrated that Δ 9,10-hendecynoic acid possesses considerable fungistatic activity, although slightly less than that of undecylenic acid.
Two tales of infant leukemia

Comment on Nagayama et al, page [4663][1], and comment on Massey et al, page [4606][2] Nagayama and colleagues show that infants with B-cell–precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a germ-line MLL gene rearrangement are highly curable with relatively short-term intensive chemotherapy, while
Microtubule Network Is Required for Insulin Signaling through Activation of Akt/Protein Kinase B: EVIDENCE THAT INSULIN STIMULATES VESICLE DOCKING/FUSION BUT NOT INTRACELLULAR MOBILITY*

Abstract The microtubule network has been shown to be required for insulin-dependent GLUT4 redistribution; however, the precise molecular function has not been elucidated. In this article, we used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to evaluate the role of microtubules in intracellular GLUT4 vesicle mobility. A comparison of the rate of fluorescence recovery (t½), and the maximum fluorescence recovered (Fmax) was made between basal and insulin-treated cells with or without nocodazole treatment to disrupt microtubules. We found that intracellular mobility of fluorescently tagged GLUT4 (HA-GLUT4-GFP) was high in basal cells. Mobility was not increased by insulin treatment. Basal mobility was dependent upon an intact microtubule network. Using a constitutively active Akt to signal GLUT4 redistribution, we found that microtubule-based GLUT4 vesicle mobility was not obligatory for GLUT4 plasma membrane insertion. Our findings suggest that microtubules organize the insulin-signaling complex and provide a surface for basal mobility of GLUT4 vesicles. Our data do not support an obligatory requirement for long range microtubule-based movement of GLUT4 vesicles for insulin-mediated GLUT4 redistribution to the cell surface. Taken together, these findings suggest a model in which insulin signaling targets membrane docking and/or fusion rather than GLUT4 trafficking to the cell surface.
Postprandial response of calcium metabolism in postmenopausal women to meals varying in protein level/source

Abstract The postprandial response of calcium metabolism to single meals varying in protein source and level was determined in eight postmenopausal women, age 51 to 65 years. Following an overnight fast, subjects consumed a liquid meal containing either 15 g or 45 g of protein from beef (B), cottage cheese (C), or soy isolate (S; 45 g only); one meal provided 0 g protein (basal). Blood was collected before the meal and at 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes post-meal. Urine was collected every 30 minutes post-meal. Urinary Ca excretion significantly increased following 45-g protein meals when compared with basal meals, but not when compared with 15 g protein meals. Although glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was unaffected by diet, percent renal tubular Ca reabsorption was significantly reduced following C45 or S45 meals. No consistent changes in serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (Ct) were observed in response to diet. Serum phosphorus levels were significantly reduced following high-protein meals when compared with no-protein meals. Insulin response varied with protein level and source (C45 > S45 > C15 > B45 > B15 > basal). Significant associations found between insulin and calcium metabolism indicate a possible role of insulin in the mechanism of protein-induced calciuria.
Differentiation-dependent regulation of the cyclooxygenase cascade during adipogenesis suggests a complex role for prostaglandins.

Aim: A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of adipocyte differentiation and metabolism is important for the prevention and/or treatment of obesity and its complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. A complex role for prostaglandins (PGs) in adipogenesis is suggested. We examined the expression and cellular localization of enzymes in the cyclooxygenase (COX) cascade that synthesize PGs as well as the PG profile as a function of differentiation status in 3T3-L1 cells. Methods: Murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were used as a model for studies of adipocyte differentiation induced by a hormone cocktail and compared with the parental fibroblastic line NIH 3T3. Both cell lines were incubated in maintenance medium or differentiation medium. Nine days after differentiation, the expression of enzymes in the COX cascade was evaluated by immunoblot analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry, and PG formation was examined using enzyme immunoassay. Results: A differentiation-dependent diminution of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA and cognate proteins in 3T3-L1 cells was observed. PG release, including PGE2, 6-keto PGF1α, PGD2 and 15d-PGJ2, significantly decreased following differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells (anova/Tukey, p < 0.05). However, microsomal PGE synthase (mPGES) and lipocalin-type PGD synthase (L-PGDS) were selectively upregulated. Immunocytochemistry revealed that COX-1 and COX-2 became intracellularly more diffuse upon differentiation, whereas mPGES was redistributed to the nuclear compartment. Conclusions: Regulation of PG formation and COX-2 expression in 3T3-L1 cells is differentiation-dependent and involves changes in the levels of gene expression of the individual isoforms as well as redistribution of the enzymes within cellular compartments.
Induction of renal glomerular lesions by urethane in inbred mice susceptible to spontaneous glomerulonephritis.

SummaryUrethane induced glomerular lesions in NH mice, an inbred strain which is susceptible to the spontaneous development of glomerulonephritis. Mice with the urethane-induced glomerular alterations exhibited renal insufficiency, albuminuria, edema, and depressed plasma protein levels. One case evidenced hypercholesterolemia.
CS directionality and intensity in avoidance learning and extinction

Rats were given avoidance conditioning and extinction in a shuttlebox with simple and complex directional cue stimuli. The hypotheses were: increasingly complex cue stimuli would produce faster learning and slower extinction; and avoidance from CS source would produce faster learning and slower extinction. Results were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance. All hypotheses were supported at p<.01. The results were interpreted in terms of Mowrer’s (1960) fear-reduction theory and a drive-stimulus-reduction model.
Genetic variation at aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) loci in populations of Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting polluted and reference habitats

The non-migratory killifish Fundulus heteroclitus inhabits clean and polluted environments interspersed throughout its range along the Atlantic coast of North America. Several populations of this species have successfully adapted to environments contaminated with toxic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Previous studies suggest that the mechanism of resistance to these and other “dioxin-like compounds” (DLCs) may involve reduced signaling through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway. Here we investigated gene diversity and evidence for positive selection at three AHR-related loci (AHR1, AHR2, AHRR) in F. heteroclitus by comparing alleles from seven locations ranging over 600 km along the northeastern US, including extremely polluted and reference estuaries, with a focus on New Bedford Harbor (MA, USA), a PCB Superfund site, and nearby reference sites. We identified 98 single nucleotide polymorphisms within three AHR-related loci among all populations, including synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions. Haplotype distributions were spatially segregated and F-statistics suggested strong population genetic structure at these loci, consistent with previous studies showing strong population genetic structure at other F. heteroclitus loci. Genetic diversity at these three loci was not significantly different in contaminated sites as compared to reference sites. However, for AHR2 the New Bedford Harbor population had significant FST values in comparison to the nearest reference populations. Tests for positive selection revealed ten nonsynonymous polymorphisms in AHR1 and four in AHR2. Four nonsynonymous SNPs in AHR1 and three in AHR2 showed large differences in base frequency between New Bedford Harbor and its reference site. Tests for isolation-by-distance revealed evidence for non-neutral change at the AHR2 locus. Together, these data suggest that F. heteroclitus populations in reference and polluted sites have similar genetic diversity, providing no evidence for strong genetic bottlenecks for populations in polluted locations. However, the data provide evidence for genetic differentiation among sites, selection at specific nucleotides in AHR1 and AHR2, and specific AHR2 SNPs and haplotypes that are associated with the PCB-resistant phenotype in the New Bedford Harbor population. The results suggest that AHRs, and especially AHR2, may be important, recurring targets for selection in local adaptation to dioxin-like aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants.
“Culture Clash'' Revisited: Newcomer and Longer‐Term Residents' Attitudes Toward Land Use, Development, and Environmental Issues in Rural Communities in the Rocky Mountain West*

Abstract Many rural communities in the Rocky Mountain West with high amenity values have experienced substantial in-migration in the 1990s. Popular media accounts and some social science literature suggest that newcomers have very different values than longer-term residents regarding environment, growth, and development issues, and that these differences are resulting in widespread social conflict. We evaluate these “culture clash” and “gangplank” hypotheses using survey data from three rural communities in the Rocky Mountain West that are experiencing amenity-related in-migration. We examine attitudes about environmental concern, population growth, economic development, and tourism development. Results indicate that newcomers differ significantly from longer-term residents on a number of sociodemographic dimensions, but either there are no significant attitude differences between the two groups, or, where difference exist, longer-term residents wish more strongly than newcomers to limit population growth and development in their communities. We offer explanations for why the results differ from media accounts and from the earlier research observations and hypotheses.
Properties of bovine papillomavirus E1 mutants.

Abstract Ostensibly comparable mutants of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) affecting the El open reading frame that were constructed in several laboratories have been reported to exhibit either reduced or increased transformation efficiencies in established mouse cell lines relative to wild-type BPV-1 DNA. To resolve these discrepancies, we have reexamined many of the mutants in mouse C127 cells by using focus formation assays. Our primary conclusions are that all E1 mutants tested consistently generated reduced numbers of transformants and that the reduced transformation was not due to cell toxicity associated with El mutations, as had been proposed. Our results can best be explained by the inability of the El mutants to replicate extrachromosomally, therefore leading to a rapid loss of the BPV-1 DNA and consequently, reduced transformation. In support of this hypothesis, we demonstrated that the human papillomavirus type 11 El protein was able to suppress BPV-1 transformation, probably because of interference with BPV-1 replication. Therefore, we attribute the phenotypic disparities reported by the various laboratories to still undefined differences in assay conditions.
Corrigendum to “Phylogeny of the New World true frogs (Rana)” [Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 34 (2005) 299–314]

There is an error in a locality for a voucher specimen reported in Table 1. The entry for Rana virgatipes reports the correct specimen voucher number but the incorrect locality. The correct information, preceded by the applicable table column head, follows: Species: Rana virgatipes Voucher number and specimen locality data: MVZ 175944: USA: New Jersey: Burlington Co.: Lake at junction of Hwy. 70 and Hwy. 530. GenBank No.: AY779202
Risk factors for symptomatic hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis among combination antiretroviral therapy-treated adults in Botswana: results from a clinical trial.

Abstract Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors are an integral component of combination antiretroviral treatment regimens. However, their ability to inhibit polymerase-γ has been associated with several mitochondrial toxicities, including potentially life-threatening lactic acidosis. A total of 650 antiretroviral-naive adults (69% female) initiated combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and were intensively screened for toxicities including lactic acidosis as part of a 3-year clinical trial in Botswana. Patients were categorized as no lactic acidosis symptoms, minor symptoms but lactate <4.4 mmol/liter, and symptoms with lactate ≥4.4 mmol/liter [moderate to severe symptomatic hyperlactatemia (SH) or lactic acidosis (LA)]. Of 650 participants 111 (17.1%) developed symptoms and/or laboratory results suggestive of lactic acidosis and had a serum lactate drawn; 97 (87.4%) of these were female. There were 20 events, 13 having SH and 7 with LA; all 20 (100%) were female (p<0.001). Cox proporti...
A SIMPLE MATHEMATICAL DERIVATION OF THE STEWART-HAMILTON FORMULA FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CARDIAC OUTPUT*

A derivation of the Stewart-Hamilton formula is presented which is applicable to all the most usual cardiac output measurement techniques and also to the determination of regional blood flow.
Two novel ADAMTS13 gene mutations in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic-uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS).

Two novel ADAMTS13 gene mutations in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic-uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS). Background Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) are now considered to be variants of one single syndrome called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic-uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS). Key features are thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and subsequently impaired function of different organs, especially the kidneys and the central nervous system (CNS). One possible reason is the deficiency of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (vWF-CP) resulting in persistence of uncleaved, ultralarge von Willebrand factor multimers (ULvWFM). Methods We report a patient who was initially diagnosed with Evans syndrome (hemolytic anemia and autoimmune thrombocytopenia) as infant. At 10 years of age he developed HUS-like disease with gastrointestinal tract infection, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia,and acute renal failure. However, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli –like or Shiga-like toxins were not detected. Results Further investigations revealed severe deficiency ( 40%) of vWF-CP activity caused by compound heterozygosity of two novel ADAMTS13 gene mutations (1170 G>C [W390C] and 3735 G>A [W1245X]. vWF-CP autoantibodies were not detected. Periodic (every 2 weeks) treatment with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) maintained both platelet level and kidney function within normal range and prevented new episodes of TTP/HUS. Conclusion Enteropathogenic E. coli – and Shiga-like toxin-negative patients who present with hemolytic or thrombocytopenic episodes and HUS like symptoms should be tested for vWF-CP deficiency and other noninfectious reasons for TTP/HUS since plasma substitution possibly provides an efficient therapeutic option for this subgroup of patients.
Neuroleptics and animal models: feasibility of oral treatment monitored by plasma levels and receptor occupancy assays

The administration of neuroleptics in animal models has been extensively reported and plays an important role in the study of schizophrenia. Our study was designed to address the following questions: (1) Is it possible to achieve steady-state receptor occupancy levels administering neuroleptics in drinking water? (2) Is there an appropriate dose to obtain clinically comparable receptor occupancies? (3) Is there a correlation between plasma drug levels and receptor occupancy? Thus, we tested three neuroleptic drugs administered in drinking water for 7 days. Plasma drug levels were measured, and in vivo receptor occupancy assays were performed in order to determine peak and trough dopamine D2 receptor occupancies in striatal brain samples. Overall, our study indicates that in rodents the administration of appropriate doses of haloperidol and olanzapine in drinking water achieves receptor occupancies comparable to the clinical occupancy levels, but this appears not to be the case for clozapine.
A prelude to the 3x+1 problem

The unsolved 3x+1 problem is to determine the behavior under iteration of a certain function that increases on the odd integers and decreases on the even integers. Here we completely solve a problem of similar appearance in which the odd-even decomposition of th positive intergers is replaced by a decomposition stemming from Beatty's theorem for the golden ratio . This decomposition is given by A={a(n)}B={b(n)} for the Wythoff pairs (a(n),b n)), which are a(n)=[nф] and b(n)=[nф]. The function that we study is f(a(n))=b(n)+2 and f(b(n))=n.
Effects of size and concentration of particles on rates of ingestion of latex particulates by mosquito larvae.

Using suspensions of uniform latex microspheres, differences in rates of ingestion due to particle concentration and size were examined in filter-feeding larvae of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae). With suspensions having particle diameters that allowed optimal ingestion, rates of ingestion by 4th instars were optimal for particulate concentrations (weight/volume) ranging from 0.03 to 4%; ingestion rates fell off sharply at concentrations below 0.03%. For all instars, ingestion rates declined markedly with decreasing mean particle diameters below 0.71 µ. Optimal ingestion occurred with suspensions of mean particle diameters ranging from 0.71 up to 1.86 I¼ for the 1st instar, 7.6 I¼ for the 2nd and 3rd instars, and 26 µ for the 4th instar, above which sizes ingestion rates declined with increasing size. Almost no particulate of the 91-µ mean diameter size was ingested by 2nd instars, and absolutely none of both 45 and 91-µ mean diameter sizes by 1st instars.
Lack of effect of chronic aspartame ingestion on aminergic receptors in rat brain.

Influence de l'administration chronique d'aspartam sur la cinetique de fixation de ligands specifiques sur les recepteurs dopaminergiques, adrenergiques et serotonergiques du systeme nerveux central du rat. Ces conditions sont proches de la consommation de l'aspartam chez l'homme. Les premiers resultats suggerent aucune modification a la suite du traitement
White-Light Optical Signal Processing With A Programmable Magneto-Optic Device

The application of a programmable magneto-optic spatial light modulator to white-light optical signal processing is presented. We have shown that the magneto-optic device responds to the polarized white-light, in which a wide range of color object patterns can be generated. Since the magneto-optic device is a transmitted type spatial light modulator, it is very suitable for real-time programmable spatial filter synthesis and object pattern generation for optical signal processings. Experimental demonstrations of some of the elementary spatial filter syntheses and pseudocolor encodings are provided.
Multiplexed Quantification for Data-Independent Acquisition

Data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategies provide a sensitive and reproducible alternative to data-dependent acquisition (DDA) methods for large-scale quantitative proteomic analyses. Unfortunately, DIA methods suffer from incompatibility with common multiplexed quantification methods, specifically stable isotope labeling approaches such as isobaric tags and stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC). Here we expand the use of neutron-encoded (NeuCode) SILAC to DIA applications (NeuCoDIA), producing a strategy that enables multiplexing within DIA scans without further convoluting the already complex MS2 spectra. We demonstrate duplex NeuCoDIA analysis of both mixed-ratio (1:1 and 10:1) yeast and mouse embryo myogenesis proteomes. Analysis of the mixed-ratio yeast samples revealed the strong accuracy and precision of our NeuCoDIA method, both of which were comparable to our established MS1-based quantification approach. NeuCoDIA also uncovered the dynamic protein changes that occur ...
The Hazards of Predicting Divorce Without Crossvalidation.

Divorce prediction studies (e.g., Gottman, Coan, Carrere, & Swanson, 1998) suggest that couples' eventual divorce can be very accurately predicted from a number of different variables. Recent attention to these studies has failed to consider the need to crossvalidate prediction equations and to consider the prevalence of divorce in the population. We analyze archival data to demonstrate that accuracy and predictive value drops precipitously during crossvalidation. We conclude that results of studies without crossvalidation analyses should be interpreted with extreme caution, no matter how impressive the initial results appear to be.
The time interval alignment (IA) policies, boundary and applications with multiple stream arrivals

This paper discusses a class of interval alignment (IA) scheduling policies, which are particularly effective for the systems that do not have Markovian structure. The numerical results show that IA policies effectively smooth part flows, improve performance and decrease average Work-in-Process (WIP) by adding intermediate delays to the system. The boundary of IA policy is proven and the applications of IA policy in the system with multiple stream arrivals have been discussed. With the combination of release policy, it is practical to implement IA to multiple stream arrival system.
Minimization of Continuous Bethe Approximations: A Positive Variation

We develop convergent minimization algorithms for Bethe variational approximations which explicitly constrain marginal estimates to families of valid distributions. While existing message passing algorithms define fixed point iterations corresponding to stationary points of the Bethe free energy, their greedy dynamics do not distinguish between local minima and maxima, and can fail to converge. For continuous estimation problems, this instability is linked to the creation of invalid marginal estimates, such as Gaussians with negative variance. Conversely, our approach leverages multiplier methods with well-understood convergence properties, and uses bound projection methods to ensure that marginal approximations are valid at all iterations. We derive general algorithms for discrete and Gaussian pairwise Markov random fields, showing improvements over standard loopy belief propagation. We also apply our method to a hybrid model with both discrete and continuous variables, showing improvements over expectation propagation.
Injury Types and Incidence Rates in Precollegiate Female Gymnasts: A 21-Year Experience at a Single Training Facility

BACKGROUND: With childhood sports opportunities continuing to increase at an enormous rate along with participation starting at younger ages, the number of female participants in sports has increased in paramount fashion over the past few decades. A review of the current literature reveals a very small number of studies (PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the incidence of various injuries and injury rates for different gymnast levels among young precollegiate female gymnasts over a 21-year period, from 1985 to 2005. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological study. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved study retrospectively evaluated young, precollegiate female gymnasts over a 21-year period. Gymnasts were stratified into 1 of 4 competition levels based on the number of hours spent training. In addition to the frequency of injuries and hours trained, data collected on each gymnast included the following: age at the time of injury, body part injured, laterality of the injury, and diagnosis. RESULTS: Over the 21-year period, 3681 new injuries were evaluated by a single physician. The injury incidence (2.155 per 1000 exposure hours) was slightly lower when compared with previously reported injury rates. There were 1,452,574 total exposure hours documented from training facility records. The injury rate per 1000 exposure hours was 2.859 for elite, 2.820 for high-level, 1.667 for intermediate, and 0.687 for novice gymnasts. The lower extremity was injured more often than the upper extremity (60.9% compared with 22.6% of total injuries). This difference was statistically significant across all levels. CONCLUSION: The injury incidence in this study was 2.155 per 1000 exposure hours. This was slightly lower when compared with previously reported injury rates. Although those studies only lasted 3 years or less, the injury rates can be directly compared because they are reported as injuries per 1000 training hours. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With the variability in data available and limited studies reported, a conclusive analysis is needed because of the long-term effects of injury seen on gymnasts, such as early degenerative disorders, cost of injury treatment, and reduction of well-being. In our 21-year study, we found the incidence of injury was slightly lower than that shown in prior shorter studies. In addition, we were able to evaluate specific injuries seen in this population over that time period. Also, this extended study revealed the longitudinal nature of a series of injuries over a period of time that has not been seen in other studies, thus giving insight into the effects of increased gymnastics in the young, female, adolescent population, which could be potentially used in guidelines for gymnasts in the future. Language: en
How Do People React to Stigma Acknowledgment? Race and Gender Acknowledgment in the Context of the 2008 Presidential Election

Some studies have found that acknowledging one's stigmatized social identity in an evaluative context leads to more favorable evaluations, whereas others have found that stigma acknowledgment can increase negative evaluations. The present study examined one potential factor (i.e., evaluators' attitudes toward social groups to which acknowledgers belong) that may moderate the relation between stigma acknowledgment and evaluations, in the context of race and gender acknowledgment in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Results indicated that acknowledgment of race, but not gender, led to more negative evaluations, particularly for high-prejudiced individuals. The findings highlight the importance of examining stigma acknowledgment effects from a Person × Situation perspective. Implications for advancing understanding of acknowledgment as a useful strategy in evaluative contexts are discussed.