cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Register variation in mimetic gestural complements to signed language

Abstract Communication commonly occurs with both linguistic and gestural signals. In spoken languages the gestural signal can be manual (e.g., meaningful hand gestures) or vocal (e.g., meaningful uses of pauses, volume, and intonation), but in signed languages non-linguistic gesture and language occupy the same visual–gestural channel. One type of gesture, constructed action , is characteristically mimetic and allows for depiction of a character's actions with the speaker's body. We examine that type of gesture as it complements narratives presented in American Sign Language (ASL) to various audiences. A single text (an account of a Deaf leader's life) was recounted by two native Deaf signers of ASL to three different audiences, a design that allows us to apply the sociolinguistic framework of style known as audience design (Bell, 1984). The data show that constructed action can occur in both non-formal and formal settings. Additionally, if constructed action is analyzed by body parts (i.e., head, torso, arms/hands, and legs/feet) and degree of production (i.e., slight, moderate, exaggerated), some trends appear across settings. We suggest these trends could be attributed to the signers accommodating to their audiences. Finally, we report an association between degree of emphasis of constructed action and audience/setting for the two signers.
Movements of female white-tailed deer to bait sites in West Virginia, USA

We present a comparison of movements of adult female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in response to seasonal bait sites in the central Appalachians of West Virginia, USA. Our objectives were to compare bait-site use among seasons, evaluate home-range and core-area sizes between baiting and non-baiting periods, and compare distance from the geographic centres of activity to nearest bait site between baiting and non-baiting periods. From June 2000 to May 2001, we radio-monitored 52 deer and determined their use of 29 seasonal bait sites with automated camera systems. We collected 6461 locations and 1333 photographic observations of radio-collared deer. Bait-site use did not differ among four seasonal baiting periods. Additionally, home-range and core-area sizes did not differ between baiting and non-baiting periods. However, deer shifted their centres of activity closer to bait sites during baiting periods. High variability in deer behaviour should be considered when implementing deer-management activities that require all deer to use bait sites, such as infrared-triggered camera surveys.
Neck-shoulder loading characteristics and work technique

In recent years, several occupational health departments in the Ericsson Telephone Group have noticed an increase in the number of patients with neck-shoulder disorders. To investigate any possible relationship between these problems and the working environment, the Group cooperated with the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health to develop a method for registering arm and head movements while working..The method is a type of frequency study using video technology to record the work movements and applying microcomputerized analysis and evaluation to the movement pattern. The method aims at obtaining, in a simple way, an objective picture of neck-shoulder loadings when working in a motionless sitting position with relatively rapid arm movements. Using this technique, we at Ericsson have compared the work movements of a group of people with neck-shoulder disorders, with a problem-free control group. Results show that individuals with this problem have a significantly higher loading resulting from ...
Hypothalamic Obesity: The Myth of the Ventromedial Nucleus

Lesions restricted to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus were neither necessary nor sufficient for, and did not contribute to, the production of hypothalamic obesity. Hypothalamic lesions and knife cuts that do produce obesity damage the nearby ventral noradrenergic bundle or its terminals.
Variance reduction for quantile estimates in simulations via nonlinear controls

Linear controls are a well known simple technique for achieving variance reduction in computer simulation. Unfortunately the effectiveness of a linear control depends upon the correlation between the statistic of interest and the control, which is often low. Since statistics often have a nonlinear relation-ship with the potential control variables, nonlinear controls offer a means for improvement over linear controls. This paper focuses on the use of nonlinear controls for reducing the variance of quantile estimates in simulation. It is shown that one can substantially reduce the analytic effort required to develop a nonlinear control from a quantile estimator by using a strictly monotone transformation to create the nonlinear control. It is also shown that as one increases the sample size for the quantile estimator, the asymptotic multivariate normal distribution of the quantile of interest and the control reduces the effectiveness of the nonlinear control to that of the linear control. However, the data...
Sampling by Ethnic Surnames: The Case of American Jews

BECAUSE members of minority groups constituting a very small population of a national population are difficult and costly to locate using standard probability sampling, social scientists interested in studying small minority groups have frequently had to rely on nonprobability sampling methods. Some of the most common ways of obtaining rare population subjects have been by screening households in known minority communities, recruitment from lists of persons known to belong to the group, such as minority group organization lists, and selecting subjects on the basis of definitive demographic characteristics, such as physical appearance, language, and names. Yet the use of such techniques makes the representativeness of the selected sample and the research results questionable. If research projects on small population groups must rely on nonprobability methods of sampling, therefore, an attempt should be made to determine which of those methods yields the most unbiased
Limits on Higgs bosons, scalar-quarkonia, and η b 's from radiative upsilon decays

We have searched for monochromatic photon signals in the reaction \ensuremath{\Upsilon}(9460)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}X+\ensuremath{\gamma} in a sample of 420 000 \ensuremath{\Upsilon} decays observed in the CUSB detector. From the absence of signal we obtain upper limits for Higgs-boson production in \ensuremath{\Upsilon} decay which approach the minimal-standard-model expectations, including QCD radiative corrections, for low Higgs-boson masses. For two Higgs-boson models we obtain bounds on the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two neutral Higgs fields as a function of the Higgs-boson mass. We do not confirm the \ensuremath{\zeta}(8.3) and find no evidence for a nearby bound scalar-quark--anti-scalar-quark state. We obtain a lower bound for the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{b}$ mass using potential-model predictions.
The Bodycare ‐ Getting Kids Active scheme

Describes the Bodycare ‐ Getting Kids Active scheme developed by St Edmundsbury Borough Council in response to the findings of a local children’s fitness survey, and which is now in its third year of operation. The scheme visits every primary and middle school in the borough and delivers a programme on healthy lifestyles. The programme is designed to appeal to all children ‐ not just sports lovers. It covers all aspects of health and fitness, from healthy eating to exercise. The scheme was designed to integrate into the Health‐Related Fitness module of the National Curriculum. Key attractions of the scheme are the use of heart rate monitors that enable cross‐curricular studies and the collection of “FitTick” stickers for sessions of physical activity. With a view to establishing the scheme in other parts of the UK, it is now available as an off‐the‐shelf package to other leisure providers.
Monensin inhibition of corticotropin releasing factor mediated ACTH release

Abstract Monensin is a sodium selective carboxylic ionophore that has been helpful in studying the intracellular mechanisms of protein secretion by its ability to inhibit transport of secretory proteins, particularly through the Golgi apparatus, and by its capacity to block intracellular posttranslational processing events. We studied in rat anterior pituitary cell culture the effects of monensin on: CRF stimulated ACTH release; presynthesized (stored) ACTH release; and on forskolin- (activator of adenylate cyclase) and KCl- (a membrane depolarizer which does not stimulate ACTH synthesis) induced ACTH release. Monensin inhibited CRF stimulated ACTH release in a dose-dependent fashion. The ED 50 was 2.7×10 −8 M and maximal inhibition was 52% at 1.5×10 −7 M. Inhibition at 40 minutes of CRF incubation was similar to the percent inhibition noted at 1 hr 40 min and 2 hr 40 min. Monensin (1.5×10 −6 M) decreased the amount of ACTH release from cells incubated with cycloheximide plus CRF by 32% ( p −6 M) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (3×10 −3 M) mediated ACTH release in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibition of forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP mediated ACTH release by 1.5×10 −6 M monensin was 48% and 46% respectively. Monensin (1.5×10 −6 M) also reduced KCl (50 mM) stimulated ACTH release by 48%. This study demonstrates that monensin inhibits CRF mediated ACTH release. This inhibitory action of monensin is: dose and time dependent; directed in part against presynthesized (stored) ACTH; not on or proximal to the activation of adenylate cyclase or generation of cyclic AMP; and present on cells that are depolarized with KCl, suggesting an inhibitory effect on the secretory granule.
Evolutionary significance of granular exine structure in the light of phylogenetic analyses

In 1973 Van Campo and Lugardon recognized granular structure as a third major type of exine structure in seed plants, in addition to columellar (restricted to angiosperms) and alveolar (restricted to other seed plants, such as cycads and saccate conifers). Because they found granular structure both in other seed plants (non-saccate conifers, Gnetales) and in angiosperms (some Magnoliales, monocots, and “Amentiferae”), they suggested it might be ancestral in angiosperms. This suggestion was elaborated by other workers and supported by studies of Le Thomas and Lugardon on Annonaceae (Magnoliales), which appeared to show origin of columellae by various modifications of granules. Phylogenetic (cladistic) analyses of seed plants based on morphological and molecular data modify this scheme considerably but reaffirm the systematic interest of granular structure. In conifers and Gnetales (which probably form a clade), granular structure appears to be derived from alveolar (as in Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae and extinct outgroups of conifers). Molecular analyses root the phylogenetic tree of angiosperms among Amborella, Nymphaeales, and Austrobaileyales, which have columellar and related exine structures, implying that granular exines were derived within angiosperms. This contradicts earlier views that granular structure provides evidence for a relationship between angiosperms and outgroups such as Gnetales and Bennettitales. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that granular structure was derived from columellar within Magnoliales and Laurales, in each of which it is an important synapomorphy of a major subgroup; the same may also be true for Fagales. However, phylogenetic analyses of Annonaceae confirm that granular structure is ancestral in this group and columellar is derived, essentially as a reversal to the ancestral state in angiosperms. In Fagales granular structure is associated with wind pollination, but not in Magnoliales and Laurales; however, in all three cases it may be correlated with reduction in exine thickness.
Introduction to chronic hepatitis B infection

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects over 350 million people worldwide and over 1 million die annually of HBV-related chronic liver disease. Although many individuals eventually achieve a state of nonreplicative infection, the prolonged immunologic response to infection leads to the development of cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in up to 40% of patients. In endemic areas, where carrier rates are >5%, most individuals are infected perinatally, by vertical transmission, or in early childhood. In the United States, where prevalence is low except in particular areas and populations (e.g., Alaskan natives, immigrants from highly endemic areas), transmission is generally horizontal, percutaneous, or via sexual contact in adulthood. A variety of host (age at infection, gender, immune status); viral (viral load, genotype, mutation); and external (concurrent viral infections, alcohol consumption, chemotherapy) factors influence disease progression. Several variables (age at infection, gender, ethnicity, immune status) also influence the risk of chronic infection. Perinatal transmission, the most common mode of infection worldwide, can be reduced by appropriate prophylaxis (vaccination of the infant at birth together with hepatitis B immune globulin); anti-viral therapy in late pregnancy may also be beneficial. Five drugs are now FDA-approved for the treatment of HBV (interferon, lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, and peginterferon alfa-2a), and suppressive anti-viral therapy improves the natural history of HBV. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis or HCC are highly likely to die unless they successfully undergo liver transplantation. While novel anti-viral drugs have improved the management of cirrhosis, strategies to prevent and treat HCC remain inadequate.
How Charles Taylor Philosophizes with History: A Review of Dilemmas and Connections

Abstract Charles Taylor’s latest collection of essays, Dilemmas and Connections, is the most recent installment in his development of a grand history of the rise of a modern, secular age. In this review, I show how the historical narrative that defines Taylor’s late work is in continuity with his earlier hermeneutic commitments, while also allowing him to advance new inquiries into areas as diverse as secularism, religion, nationalism, and human rights discourse. I do this by not only providing a succinct summary of Taylor’s master narrative, but also by arguing that it resolves a number of philosophical dilemmas.
Colonization of Culicoides furens.

Procedures for the laboratory colonization of Culicoides furens (Poey) are described. Colonies can be started from groups of 500 or more newly emerged adults collected in the field. The larvae are reared dry soil (uncontaminated with larvae from the natural population) collected from the breeding sites. The larval food consists of measured quantities of free-living nematodes and powdered oatmeal. With the specified procedures, the complete life cycle occupies 34–36 days.
Factor V Leiden and other hypercoagulable state mutations are not associated with osteonecrosis during or after treatment for pediatric malignancy.

Abstract Objective: Osteonecrosis (ON) is a debilitating complication of cancer treatment in children and is usually associated with systemic steroid therapy. Defects of coagulation may be important in the pathogenesis of ON. This study evaluated the prevalence of factor V Leiden (FVL, 1691G→A), the most common inherited thrombophilic state, the prothrombin 20210G→A polymorphism, and the thermolabile methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR, 677C→T) variant in a group of children in whom ON developed during or after treatment for cancer. Study design: Children in whom ON developed during cancer treatment at St Jude Children's Research Hospital were studied (n = 24). Genomic DNA was isolated, and polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify the FVL, prothrombin 20210, and thermolabile MTHFR mutations. Results: Sixteen of 24 patients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The mean age at ON diagnosis was 14.4 ± 3.7 years. The mean interval between cancer diagnosis and ON diagnosis was 27 ± 21 months. Twenty-two patients had received steroids for a mean duration of 24 ± 15 weeks before having development of ON . No patient had a history of thrombosis. Five (21%) patients had a family history of thrombosis. Genetic analysis revealed 0 (0%) of 24 FVL, 1 (4.5%) of 22 prothrombin 20210, and 3 (13.6%) of 22 thermolabile MTHFR. None of these mutation frequencies was significantly different from our control frequencies or published values. Conclusions: Although procoagulant abnormalities in general and FVL in particular have been detected in a significant number of patients with ON of the jaw and Legg-Perthes disease, we did not identify an increased prevalence of FVL or other hypercoagulable state mutations in a cohort of children with ON that developed during or after treatment for a variety of cancers. (J Pediatr 1999;134:310-4)
Intestinal disaccharidase activities in the growing germfree and conventional rats

Abstract Disaccharidase (maltase, invertase, trehalase, lactase, and cellobiase) activities have been studied in homogenates of small intestine of the germfree and conventional rats from birth through 120 days of age. The pH optimum values for germfree and conventional rats were comparable. In adult germfree rats, the pattern of distribution of disaccharidase activities in different sections of small intestine was similar to that of conventional rats. Lactase and cellobiase activities were substantial at birth, reached maximum at 7 days of age, and then decreased gradually to a plateau at 30 days of age in both groups. Maltase activity was low at birth, whereas no invertase and trehalase activities could be detected up to 7 days of age, and these activities developed rapidly during the third week of life in both groups. Differences in activity of these disaccharidases between germfree and conventional rats were not apparent until after weaning (21 days) when the germfree animal showed a higher activity than the conventional rat. When the germfree rats were conventionalized by the introduction of cecal contents from the conventional rats, the disaccharidase activities were reduced to normal conventional levels. These results indicate that intestinal disaccharidases are synthesized by the animal itself, and that the intestinal microorganisms do not contribute to any major extent to their production.
Innate immune system plays a critical role in determining the progression and severity of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

Background & Aims: Inflammatory mediators released by nonparenchymal inflammatory cells in the liver have been implicated in the progression of acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity. Among hepatic nonparenchymal inflammatory cells, we examined the role of the abundant natural killer (NK) cells and NK cells with T-cell receptors (NKT cells) in APAP-induced liver injury. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were administered a toxic dose of APAP intraperitoneally to cause liver injury with or without depletion of NK and NKT cells by anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody (MAb). Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, liver histology, hepatic leukocyte accumulation, and cytokine/chemokine expression were assessed. Results: Compared with APAP-treated control mice, depletion of both NK and NKT cells by anti-NK1.1 significantly protected mice from APAP-induced liver injury, as evidenced by decreased serum ALT level, improved survival of mice, decreased hepatic necrosis, inhibition of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Fas ligand (FasL), and chemokines including KC (Keratinocyte-derived chemokine); MIP-1α (macrophage inflammatory protein-1α); MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1); IP-10 (interferon-inducible protein); Mig (monokine induced by IFN-γ) and decreased neutrophil accumulation in the liver. Hepatic NK and NKT cells were identified as the major source of IFN-γ by intracellular cytokine staining. APAP induced much less liver injury in Fas-deficient (lpr) and FasL-deficient (gld) mice compared with that in wild-type mice. Conclusions: NK and NKT cells play a critical role in the progression of APAP-induced liver injury by secreting IFN-γ, modulating chemokine production and accumulation of neutrophils, and up-regulating FasL expression in the liver, all of which may promote the inflammatory response of liver innate immune system, thus contributing to the severity and progression of liver injury downstream of the metabolism of APAP and depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) in hepatocytes.
Spectroscopic and Theoretical Studies of the Unusual EPR Parameters of Distorted Tetrahedral Cupric Sites:' Correlations to X-ray Spectral Features of Core Levels

X-ray spectral data and self-consistent field-Xa-scattered wave (SCF-Xa-SW) calculations are presented for D4h and D u CuC12in order to evaluate specific contributions to the small hyperfine in distorted tetrahedral copper sites and to compare the mechanism of hyperfine reduction in these complexes with that for the blue copper site in plastocyanin. Comparison of the 2p3,2 XPS data for the two geometries indicates that the extent of delocalization of the d,z+ ground state in the D u salt is slightly less than in the D4h complex. Multiplet splitting of satellite structure from Cu 3s photoemission shows no change going from D4h to D u CuCIz-, indicating that the indirect Fermi contact contribution to the hyperfine from the core Cu 3s level does not change between the two complexes. Analysis of X-ray edge data for Cs2CuC14 ( D u ) indicates that there is at most 5.8% 4p, mixed into the ground-state wave function, an amount that is insufficient to explain the reduced hyperfine in this distorted Td complex. SCF-Xa-SW calculations performed with sphere radii adjusted so that the ground-state wave function fits the experimental g values indicate that -70% of the reduction in All between D4h and D2d comes from increased orbital angular momentum in the ground state of the Du salt arising from decreased ligand field transition energies. In contrast, increased delocalization relative to D4h CUCI,~accounts for most of the reduction in the blue copper proteins. The remaining 30% of the reduction in All is associated with a -50 X lo4 cm-I reduction in Fermi contact between the two salts. Xa calculations of a number of Cu complexes with < D u symmetry indicate that this reduction is not associated with direct 4s mixing into the half-occupied ground state but is most likely due to increased polarization of the filled totally symmetric valence levels in DZd CuCI,” resulting from increased 4s mixing as compared with D,,, CuCIt-. These studies are then extended to include copper sites exhibiting rhombically split g and A values. Single-crystal optical and EPR studies on copper-doped bis( 1,2-dimethylimidazole)zinc(II) dichloride (Zn[Cu] (dmi),C12) combined with ligand field and SCF-Xa-SW calculations indicate that the rhombic features in these complexes can be explained through admixture of -3% d,z character in the ground-state wave function. Finally, the structurally uncharacterized blue copper protein stellacyanin, which also shows a rhombic EPR spectrum similar to that in Zn[C~](dmi)~Cl~, is considered. In contrast to the C, effective symmetry found in the structurally defined site in plastocyanin, stellacyanin is predicted to have C, effective symmetry. A ligand field calculation using the plastocyanin site as a starting point indicates that stellacyanin requires a stronger field ligand along the Cu-methionine coordinate to produce the observed dzz mixing.
Resistance to thyroid hormone: one of several defects causing reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormone.

Resistance to thyroid hormone: one of several defects causing reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormone
The multifunctional DNA repair/redox enzyme Ape1/Ref-1 promotes survival of neurons after oxidative stress.

Abstract Although correlative studies demonstrate a reduction in the expression of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease/redox effector factor (Ape1/Ref-1 or Ape1) in neural tissues after neuronal insult, the role of Ape1 in regulating neurotoxicity remains to be elucidated. To address this issue, we examined the effects of reducing Ape1 expression in primary cultures of hippocampal and sensory neurons on several endpoints of neurotoxicity induced by H 2 O 2 . Ape1 is highly expressed in hippocampal and sensory neurons grown in culture as indicated by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and activity. Exposing hippocampal or sensory neuronal cultures to 25 or 50 nM small interfering RNA to Ape1 (Ape1siRNA), respectively, for 48 h, causes a reduction in immunoreactive Ape1 by approximately 65 and 54%, and an equivalent loss in endonuclease activity. The reduced expression of Ape1 is maintained for up to 5 days after the siRNA in the medium is removed, whereas exposing cultures to scrambled sequence siRNA (SCsiRNA) has no effect of Ape1 protein levels. The reduction in Ape1 significantly reduces cell viability in cultures 24 h after a 1-h exposure to 25–300 μM H 2 O 2 , compared to SCsiRNA treated controls. In cells treated with SCsiRNA, exposure to 300 μM H 2 O 2 reduced cell viability by 40 and 30% in hippocampal and sensory neuronal cultures, respectively, whereas cultures treated with Ape1siRNA lost 93 and 80% of cells after the peroxide. Reduced Ape1 levels also increase caspase-3 activity in the cells, 2–3-fold, 60 min after a 1-h exposure to 100 μM H 2 O 2 in the cultures. Exposing neuronal cultures with reduced expression of Ape1 to 65 μM H 2 O 2 (hippocampal) or 300 μM H 2 O 2 (sensory) for 1 h results in a 3-fold and 1.5-fold increase in the phosphorylation of histone H2A.X compared to cells exposed to SCsiRNA. Overexpressing wild-type Ape1 in hippocampal and sensory cells using adenoviral expression constructs results in significant increase in cell viability after exposure to various concentrations of H 2 O 2 . The C65A repair competent/redox incompetent Ape1 when expressed in the hippocampal and sensory cells conferred only partial protection on the cells. These data support the notion that both of functions of Ape1, redox and repair are necessary for optimal levels of neuronal cell survival.
Antipyrine metabolism in man

Abstract The metabolism of antipyrine (AP) has been investigated in 15 healthy subjects by relating the saliva AP elimination rates to the urinary excretion rates of 4-hydroxyantipyrine (AP-40H), 3-hydroxymethylantipyrine (AP-CH2OH) and N-demethylantipyrine (AP-NH2). Highly significant correlation coefficients have been obtained for AP-40H (r = 0.94). AP-CH2OH (r = 0.85) and for AP-NH2 (r = 0.86). While little interindividual variation occured in the urinary concentrations of AP-4OH and AP-CH2OH, two-fold variation was found for AP-NH2. The ratios of the three metabolites were highly constant over a period of several months in some subjects but slightly variable in others indicating their control by genetic and environmental factors.
Sinus node recovery times following the spontaneous termination of supraventricular tachycardia and following atrial overdrive pacing: A comparison☆

We compared the pauses that followed the spontaneous termination of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias with the pauses that followed the cessation of atrial overdrive pacing in 21 patients. In 10 patients with abnormal sinus node function and in 11 patients with normal sinus node function we recorded the spontaneous termination of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in the clinical electrophysiology laboratory; a strong correlation (r = 0.94) was found between the maximal spontaneous sinus node recovery time and the maximal paced sinus node recovery time. A weaker correlation was found between the paced and spontaneous sinus node recovery times (r = 0.57) when the spontaneous termination of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia was recorded during ambulatory electrocardiographic recording in seven patients. Spontaneous sinus node recovery times were significantly shorter than maximal paced sinus node recovery times (p less than 0.001). However, no significant difference was detected between the paced and spontaneous sinus node recovery times when atrial pacing was performed at the rate of the tachycardia. We conclude that spontaneous and postpacing sinus node recovery times are closely correlated. The paced sinus node recovery time is, however, frequently more prolonged than spontaneous sinus node recovery time because of probable atriosinus entrance block during rapid supraventricular tachycardia.
Alternative cost containment programs and the survival of the health care delivery system.

(1982). Alternative Cost Containment Programs and the Survival of the Health Care Delivery System. Hospital Topics: Vol. 60, No. 6, pp. 19-21.
Applications of modified weighted density functional theory: Freezing of simple liquids

A new formulation of the weighted density approximation, the so‐called modified weighted density approximation (MWDA), has been developed recently by Denton and Ashcroft [Phys. Rev. A39, 4701 (1989)]. In the present article, the MWDA theory is examined by applying it to the freezing of simple liquids in low dimensions such as one‐dimensional hard rods and two‐dimensional hard disks, and also applying it to three‐dimensional adhesive hard spheres and classical one‐component plasma systems. Comparisons with previous density functional investigations and computer simulations are also presented.
Towards the Gravity Dual of Quarkonium in the Strongly Coupled QCD Plasma

We build a 'bottom-up' holographic model of charmonium by matching the essential spectral data. We argue that these data must include not only the masses but also the decay constants of the J/{psi} and {psi}{sup '} mesons. Relative to the 'soft-wall' models for light mesons, such a matching requires two new features in the holographic potential: an overall upward shift as well as a narrow 'dip' near the holographic boundary. We calculate the spectral function as well as the position of the complex singularities (quasinormal frequencies) of the retarded correlator of the charm current at finite temperatures. We further extend this analysis by showing that the residue associated with such a singularity is given by the boundary derivative of the appropriately normalized quasinormal mode. We find that the 'melting' of the J/{psi} spectral peak occurs at a temperature T{approx_equal}540 MeV, or 2.8T{sub c}, in good agreement with lattice results.
Optical effects of abaxial anthocyanin on absorption of red wavelengths by understorey species: revisiting the back-scatter hypothesis

A red/purple coloration of lower (abaxial) leaf surfaces is commonly observed in deeply-shaded understorey plants, especially in the tropics. However, the functional significance of red abaxial coloration, including its role in photosynthetic adaptation, remains unclear. The objective of this study was to test the back-scatter hypothesis for abaxial leaf coloration, which posits that red pigments internally reflect/scatter red light transmitted by the upper leaf surface back into the mesophyll, thereby enhancing photon capture in light-limited environments. Abaxially red/non-red variegated leaves of Begonia heracleifolia (Cham. & Schltdl.) were used to compare reflectance spectra and chlorophyll fluorescence profiles of abaxially anthocyanic (red) and acyanic (non-red) tissues under red light. Photosynthetic gas exchange in response to red light was also compared for abaxially red/non-red leaf sections. The results did not support a back-scattering function, as anthocyanic leaf surfaces were not more reflective of red light than acyanic surfaces. Anthocyanic tissues also did not exhibit any increases in the mesophyll absorbance of red light, or increased photosynthetic gas exchange under red light at any intensity, relative to acyanic tissues. These results suggest that abaxial anthocyanins do not significantly enhance the absorption of red light in the species tested, and alternative functions are discussed.
Making the Grade but Feeling Distressed: Gender Differences in Academic Performance and Internal Distress

There is disagreement over whether girls or boys are at risk in the context of school. Girls outperform boys in school, particularly in stereotypically feminine subjects. However, girls are also more vulnerable to internal distress than boys are. The aim of this research was to understand this pattern of gender differences. Gender differences in academic performance and internal distress were examined in elementary school children moving into adolescence. Girls outperformed boys across all 4 subjects but were also more prone to internal distress than boys were. Girls doing poorly in school were the most vulnerable to internal distress. However, even girls doing well in school were more vulnerable than boys
On the relevance of wire load models

Wire load models (WLMs) are generally perceived to be inaccurate and inadequate for good optimization. The traditional wisdom is that accuracy of WLMs will worsen as die sizes expand and feature sizes shrink, and as wire loads become less predictable and more dominant over pin loads. In many industry white papers and academic works, the weaknesses of WLMs are used to motivate the unification of logic synthesis and physical layout into a single tool. We believe, however, that care must be taken in how we derive our motivations for new flows. In previous studies, evidence against WLMs was generally anecdotal or based on limited data (e.g., from a single design). Today, the maturation of Cadence Design Systems' PKS design tool affords us a unique opportunity to study WLMs in greater depth, and to quantify the timing improvements achieved by the unification of synthesis and layout. Using PKS, we have performed extensive experiments on fifteen real industry test cases. Our results confirm much of the conventional wisdom about WLMs, but also indicate that WLMs probably can still perform a useful function in the design flow.
Grounded Cognition: Past, Present, and Future

Thirty years ago, grounded cognition had roots in philosophy, perception, cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics, cognitive psychology, and cognitive neuropsychology. During the next 20 years, grounded cognition continued developing in these areas, and it also took new forms in robotics, cognitive ecology, cognitive neuroscience, and developmental psychology. In the past 10 years, research on grounded cognition has grown rapidly, especially in cognitive neuroscience, social neuroscience, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology. Currently, grounded cognition appears to be achieving increased acceptance throughout cognitive science, shifting from relatively minor status to increasing importance. Nevertheless, researchers wonder whether grounded mechanisms lie at the heart of the cognitive system or are peripheral to classic symbolic mechanisms. Although grounded cognition is currently dominated by demonstration experiments in the absence of well-developed theories, the area is likely to become increasingly theory driven over the next 30 years. Another likely development is the increased incorporation of grounding mechanisms into cognitive architectures and into accounts of classic cognitive phenomena. As this incorporation occurs, much functionality of these architectures and phenomena is likely to remain, along with many original mechanisms. Future theories of grounded cognition are likely to be heavily influenced by both cognitive neuroscience and social neuroscience, and also by developmental science and robotics. Aspects from the three major perspectives in cognitive science—classic symbolic architectures, statistical/dynamical systems, and grounded cognition—will probably be integrated increasingly in future theories, each capturing indispensable aspects of intelligence.
Characterization of human crossover interference

We present an analysis of crossover interference over the entire human genome, on the basis of genotype data from more than 8,000 polymorphisms in eight CEPH families. Overwhelming evidence was found for strong positive crossover interference, with average strength lying between the levels of interference implied by the Kosambi and Carter-Falconer map functions. Five mathematical models of interference were evaluated: the gamma model and four versions of the count-location model. The gamma model fit the data far better than did any of the other four models. Analysis of intercrossover distances was greatly superior to the analysis of crossover counts, in both demonstrating interference and distinguishing between the five models. In contrast to earlier suggestions, interference was found to continue uninterrupted across the centromeres. No convincing differences in the levels of interference were found between the sexes or among chromosomes; however, we did detect possible individual variation in interference among the eight mothers. Finally, we present an equation that provides the probability of the occurrence of a double crossover between two nonrecombinant, informative polymorphisms.
The significance of sinistral portal hypertension complicating chronic pancreatitis.

Abstract Background: Sinistral portal hypertension, a localized (left-sided) form of portal hypertension may complicate chronic pancreatitis as a result of splenic vein thrombosis/obstruction. Aim: To determine appropriate surgical strategy for patients with splenic vein thrombosis/obstruction secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Methods: We reviewed our experience with operative management of 484 consecutive patients with histologically documented chronic pancreatitis treated between 1976 and 1997. The diagnosis of sinistral portal hypertension was based on clinical presentation, preoperative endoscopic and radiographic imaging, and operative findings. “Symptomatic,” herein defined, denotes those patients with sinistral hypertension and either gastrointestinal bleeding or hypersplenism. “Asymptomatic” patients were those with sinistral hypertension alone. Results: Sinistral portal hypertension was present in 34 of the 484 patients (7%). Gastric or gastroesophageal varices were confirmed in 12 patients (35%), of whom 6 had variceal bleeding and 4 had hypersplenism (25%). All symptomatic patients were treated by splenectomy alone or in conjunction with distal pancreatectomy. Splenectomy at the time of pancreatectomy for primary pancreatic symptoms was also performed in 15 patients with (asymptomatic) sinistral portal hypertension. None of the 23 patients who had splenectomy rebled in mean follow-up of 4.8 years. In contrast, 1 of the 11 patients with asymptomatic sinistral portal hypertension who underwent pancreatic surgery without splenectomy died of later variceal bleeding 3 years after lateral pancreatojejunostomy. Conclusions: Symptomatic sinistral portal hypertension is best treated by splenectomy. Concomitant splenectomy should be strongly considered in patients undergoing operative treatment of symptomatic chronic pancreatitis if sinistral portal hypertension and gastroesophageal varices are also present.
EUS-guided fiducial placement for stereotactic body radiotherapy in locally advanced and recurrent pancreatic cancer.

Background Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been approved for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Placement of gold fiducials is required for real-time tracking and delivery of a high-dose therapeutic beam of radiation to the tumor. Traditionally, fiducials have been placed either intraoperatively or percutaneously. Recently, EUS-guided fiducial placement has been reported, but the safety and feasibility of this approach is not well defined. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and limitations of EUS-guided placement of 0.8 × 5.0 mm fiducials via a 19-gauge needle for locally advanced and recurrent pancreatic cancer. Design Prospective study of patients with either locally advanced or recurrent pancreatic cancer referred for EUS-guided fiducial placement for SBRT at our institution over a 3-year period. Setting Tertiary referral center conducting >1800 EUS procedures annually. Main Outcome Measurements Primary outcome measurements included success, complications, and technical limitations of EUS-guided fiducial placement in pancreatic cancer. In addition, the percentage of patients successfully completing SBRT after EUS-guided fiducial placement was determined. Results A total of 51 patients (mean age 73 years; 57% male) with locally advanced (n = 36) and recurrent (n = 15) pancreatic cancer were referred for EUS-guided fiducial placement. Fiducials were successfully placed in 46 patients (90%), with technical failures occurring in 4 patients (8%) with recurrent cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy. In 3 patients (7%), the fiducials spontaneously migrated from the original site of injection, thereby requiring a second EUS procedure for placement of additional fiducials. Of the 46 patients with fiducials placed under EUS guidance, 42 patients (91%) successfully completed SBRT. Two patients experienced disease progression before SBRT, 1 patient was lost to follow-up, and 1 patient experienced a complication at ERCP that precluded further therapy. Only 1 complication (2%), of mild pancreatitis, occurred in a patient undergoing simultaneous placement of fiducials and celiac plexus neurolysis for intractable abdominal pain. Limitations Single-center experience and lack of a formal follow-up protocol to assess for complications. Conclusion EUS-guided fiducial placement for SBRT in locally advanced and recurrent pancreatic cancer is safe and feasible. Successful placement was achieved in 90% of patients, with a low complication rate (2%). Furthermore, 91% of patients successfully completed SBRT after EUS-guided fiducial delivery. Although fiducials can spontaneously migrate from the initial injection site, the rate of migration is relatively low (7%), and no migration-related complications occurred over the course of this study. Limitations to EUS-guided fiducial placement may include surgically altered anatomy (pancreaticoduodenectomy) in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer.
Estrogen regulation of c-fos gene expression through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-dependent activation of serum response factor in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Abstract 17β-Estradiol (E2) induces proliferation and c-fos gene expression in MCF-7 cells and both responses are partially blocked by wortmannin and LY294002 which are inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K). Analysis of the c-fos gene promoter shows that the effects of wortmannin and LY294002 are associated with inhibition of E2-induced activation through the serum response factor (SRF) motif within the proximal serum response element at −325 and −296. E2 activates constructs containing multiple copies of the SRF (pSRF) and a GAL4–SRF fusion protein; these responses are accompanied by PI3-K-dependent phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited by wortmannin/LY294002, the antiestrogen ICI 182780, but not by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) inhibitor PD98059. Using a series of kinase inhibitors and dominant negative kinase expression plasmids, it was shown that the non-genomic activation of SRF by E2 was associated with src–ras–PI3-K pathway, thus, demonstrating hormonal activation of the SRE through src–ras activation of both PI3-K- and MAPK-dependent signaling pathways.
Expression and localization of five members of the testis-specific serine kinase (Tssk) family in mouse and human sperm and testis

Members of the testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (Tssk) family may have a role in sperm differentiation in the testis and/or fertilization. To gain insight into the functional relevance of these kinases, their expression was examined both at the mRNA and protein levels. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that all five Tssk mRNAs are almost exclusively expressed postmeiotically in the testis. Recombinant mouse and human Tssks were cloned and used for validation of an array of commercial and custom-made antibodies against Tssks. Immunolocalization in mouse testis, and in mouse and human sperm, showed that Tssk1, Tssk2, Tssk4 and Tssk6, but not Tssk3, were present in mouse sperm and in germ cells from mouse testis. TSSK1, TSSK2 and TSSK6 were also detected in human sperm, while TSSK3 was absent. In both mouse and human sperm, Tssk1 was partially soluble, while Tssk2, Tssk4 and Tssk6 were insoluble in non-ionic detergents. In vitro recombinant TSSK2 activity assays showed maximum enzymatic activity at 5 mM Mg 2+ and a Km for ATP of � 10 mM. These, observations together with findings that the Tssk1/Tssk2 double knock-out as well as the Tssk6 null mice are sterile without presenting other detectable defects, suggest that these kinases could be used as targets for male contraception.
Agility improvement through cooperative diversity in cognitive radio

In this paper, we illustrate the benefits of cooperation in cognitive radio. Cognitive (unlicensed) users need to continuously monitor spectrum for the presence of primary (licensed) users. We show that by allowing the cognitive radios operating in the same band to cooperate we can reduce the detection time and thus increase the overall agility. We first consider the case of two cognitive users and show how the inherent asymmetry in the network can be exploited to increase the agility. We then extend our protocol to study multi-user multi-carrier cognitive network. We compare our cooperation scheme with the non-cooperation scheme and derive expressions for agility gain. We show that our cooperation scheme reduces the detection time for the cognitive users by as much as 35%
Community Effects on the Resolution of Adolescent Premarital Pregnancy

Although prior research demonstrates that residence in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood increases young women's risk of bearing a child out of wedlock, few studies have explored the sequence of events accounting for this relationship. Analyzing data from the National Survey of Children using a multivariate nested logit model, the authors find that community socioeconomic status has little effect on the likelihood that unmarried adolescent women will become pregnant but that premaritally pregnant adolescents in poor communities are less likely than those in wealthier neighborhoods to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy. Thus, differences in premarital fertility rates across neighborhoods of varying socioeconomic status appear to result largely from differences in abortion rates. Compared to White women, Black women are more likely to become premaritally pregnant and less likely to marry before childbirth. Parent's education reduces premarital fertility rates both by reducing rates of premarital...
Fuzzy clustering with Multiple Kernels

In this paper, the kernel fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm is extended to an adaptive cluster model which maps data points to a high dimensional feature space through an optimal convex combination of homogenous kernels with respect to each cluster. This generalized model, called Fuzzy C-Means with Multiple Kernels (FCM-MK), strives to find a good partitioning of the data into meaningful clusters and the optimal kernel-induced feature map in a completely unsupervised way. It constructs the kernel from a number of Gaussian kernels and learns a resolution specific weight for each kernel function in each cluster. This allows better characterization and adaptability to each individual cluster. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated for several toy and real data sets.
A local instructional theory for the guided reinvention of the quotient group concept

a b s t r a c t In this paper we describe a local instructional theory for supporting the guided reinvention of the quotient group concept. This local instructional theory takes the form of a sequence of key steps in the process of reinventing the quotient group concept. We describe these steps and frame them in terms of the theory of Realistic Mathematics Education. Each step of the local instructional theory is illustrated using example instructional tasks and either samples of students' written work or excerpts of discussions.