cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response to Greg Mogenson. My dog that is not my dog: the slippery slope of PDI as a method of psychology

First, I would like to thank Greg Mogenson for sending me his response to my paper and to say that I appreciate his taking the time and making the effort to carefully read and reflect on my critici...
Collaborative is Superadditive in Political Economics

Zeckhauser examined the shift from single-author works to mostly multiple-author works, a shift in modern trends. He zeroed in on the target population comprising Nobel laureates and the younger population of winners of the John Bates Clark Award. Collaboration was absent among the first ten Nobel Prize winners on their single most cited work. Similar findings were found for the John Bates Clark Award. Besides the increasing needs for specialization, collaboration is lauded for its superadditiveness, where the contribution of two specialists amounts to a value greater than the sum of values of their individual contribution.
Early growth response protein 1 regulates promoter activity of α-plasma membrane calcium ATPase 2, a major calcium pump in the brain and auditory system

Along with sodium/calcium (Ca2+) exchangers, plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases (ATP2Bs) are main regulators of intracellular Ca2+ levels. There are four ATP2B paralogs encoded by four different genes. Atp2b2 encodes the protein pump with the fastest activation, ATP2B2. In mice, the Atp2b2 transcript has several alternate transcriptional start site variants: α, β, µ and δ. These variants are expressed in developmental and tissue specific manners. The α and β Atp2b2 transcripts are equally expressed in the brain. αAtp2b2 is the only transcript found in the outer hair cells of young mice (Silverstein RS, Tempel BL. in Neuroscience 141:245–257, 2006). Mutations in the coding region of the mouse Atp2b2 gene indicate a narrow window for tolerated dysfunction of the ATP2B2 protein, specifically in the auditory system. This highlights the necessity of tight regulation of this gene for normal cell physiology. Although ATP2Bs are important regulators of Ca2+ in many cell types, little is known about their transcriptional regulation. This study identifies the proximal promoter of the αAtp2b2 transcript. Further investigations indicate that ATOH1 and EGR1 modulate promoter activity. Additionally, we report that EGR1 increases endogenous expression of Atp2b2 transcript in two cell lines. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) indicate that EGR1 binds to a specific site in the CpG island of the αAtp2b2 promoter. This study furthers our understanding of Atp2b2 regulation by: (I) elucidating transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for Atp2b2, and (II) identifying transcription factors that modulate expression of Atp2b2 in the brain and peripheral auditory system and (III) allows for future studies modulating gene expression of Atp2b2.
Three Ontologies of STEM Education: An Apolitical Curricular Trend, Eurocentric Economic Policy, and Discursive Episteme

In our efforts to foster space for critical work in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education, we put Barad’s notion of agential realism to work in describing the ontological space of STEM. We suggest three intersecting dimensions to this ontology: STEM as apolitical curricular trend, STEM as Eurocentric economic policy, and STEM as discursive episteme. With the goal of interrupting and proposing alternatives, we conclude by pointing to existing spaces where critical work in mathematics and science education already occurs.
Democratic Designs: A Multipronged Assessment

This chapter provides a critical assessment of the democratic purchase of the various models presented in the book. To accomplish this, a variety of metrics are applied: social capital, human capabilities, non-discrimination, and sustainability.
Automatic Perspective Correction of Manuscript Images

Frequently, images of rare documents must be taken under strict time constraints, when a chance opportunity arises, and with equipment that is less than ideally suited for precise digitization. This can often result in uncalibrated images whose contents are nonetheless qualitatively useful. Due to the logistics of document imaging, perspective distortion is a common artifact which can manifest itself in images taken under these constrained circumstances. We propose an automated approach for correcting this perspective distortion, even for uncalibrated images of documents with irregular page edges containing no regular text.
Efficient information acquisition and dissemination in pervasive computing systems through caching

Pervasive Computing applications require continual and autonomous availability of 'what I want' type of information acquisition and dissemination in a proactive yet unobtrusive way. Mobility and heterogeneity of pervasive environments make this problem even more challenging. Effective use of middleware techniques, such as caching, can overcome the dynamic nature of communication media and the limitations of resource-poor devices. In pervasive systems data is needed by users, devices, services and applications whereas caching mechanisms developed for mobile and distributed systems cater mainly to devices and in some special cases to users. Pervasive computing environments present entirely new set of challenges because of the fact that data may be acquired and disseminated at various stages within the system. Therefore, novel caching mechanisms are needed that take into account demand-fetched and prefetched (or pulled), as well as broadcast (or pushed) data. In addition, cache maintenance algorithms should consider such features as heterogeneity, mobility, interoperability, proactivity, and transparency that are unique to pervasive environments.
Molecular Pathology of Histiocytic Disorders

Histiocytic disorders are diseases characterized by the proliferation and/or accumulation of histocytic cells in bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB), and a variety of extramedullary tissues, associated with variable local and systemic symptoms, which depend on the disease subtype. Histiocytes are hematopoietic cells that derive from BM progenitors and have important functions in the immune system, including antigen presentation and antigen processing. Normal histiocytes include multiple functional subsets with distinct morphology, immunophenotype, and tissue localization. Histiocytic dis-orders are currently classified according to their morphologic and immunophenotypic resemblance to these normal counterparts, as well as according to their clinical presentation and biologic behavior (Table 42.1). The immunohistochemical classification of the tumors of histiocytes and accessory dendritic cells proposed by the International Lymphoma Study Group comprises two major categories: disorders of varied biologic behavior and malignant disorders. This chapter will focus on the former category, which includes clonal and non-clonal entities, none of which may be definitively classified as malignant, although their clinical behavior may be aggressive and even fatal (Table 42.2). The malignant disorders include sarcomas with histiocytic or dendritic cell differentiation, as well as acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) with monocytic or monoblastic differentiation. Due to the rarity and thus lack of a significant amount of molecular data, sarcomas with histiocytic or dendritic cell differentiation will not be addressed in this chapter. For a discussion of AMLs with monocytic or monoblastic differentiation, see Chaps. 34 and 35.
Compound heterozygosity for hemoglobin C and Korle-Bu: moderate microcytic hemolytic anemia and acceleration of crystal formation [corrected] [published erratum appears in Blood 1994 May 15;83(10):3105]

We report here that compound heterozygosity for hemoglobin Korle-Bu (HbKB) and HbC (beta 6 Glu-->Lys) is associated with moderate chronic hemolytic anemia with microcytosis. To understand the pathogenesis of this syndrome, we have studied the effect of Hb Korle-Bu (KB = beta 73 Asp-->Asn) on the crystallization of HbC. We have previously established that fetal Hb (HbF) inhibits the crystallization of HbC. In contrast, HbS accelerates crystallization affecting the pathogenesis of SC disease. We now report on in vitro crystallization of mixtures of HbKB, HbC, and various amounts of HbF and the native hemolysate of a child who is a compound heterozygote for HbKB and HbC. At 6 months of age, the propositus' hemolysate contained 55% HbKB, 39% HbC, and 6% HbF. Crystal formed within 2 minutes compared with 30 minutes for the mixture of 40% HbC:60% HbS and with 180 minutes for 40% HbC:60% HbA. The morphology of the crystals formed was cubic, in contrast with the tetragonal crystals observed in CC and SC disease. Early crystals did not exhibit “sharp edges” until 45 minutes. Purified HbKB formed aggregates but not crystals after 24 hours. Isopycnic gradients showed that the KB/C compound heterozygotes have red blood cell (RBC) densities intermediate between the AC and CC phenotype and similar to SC disease. The surface residue beta 73, known to participate in areas of interaction of the deoxy HbS polymer, can now be assigned to areas of contact in HbC containing crystals. The hemolysis observed in the HbKB/C compound heterozygote is likely to be secondary to the acceleration of Hb crystallization. The microcytosis and increased RBC density is clearly the consequence of the presence of HbC, but the basis of the increased RBC pathology compared with AC trait, despite the low proportion of HbC (35% to 40%), remains to be elucidated.
Effect of Tissue Material Properties in Blast Loading: Coupled Experimentation and Finite Element Simulation

Computational models of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) require a robust definition of the material models of the brain. The mechanical constitutive models of these tissues are difficult to characterize, leading to a wide range of values reported in literature. Therefore, the sensitivity of the intracranial pressure (ICP) and maximum principal strain to variations in the material model of the brain was investigated through a combined computational and experimental approach. A finite element model of a rat was created to simulate a shock wave exposure, guided by the experimental measurements of rats subjected to shock loading conditions corresponding to that of mild traumatic brain injury in a field-validated shock tube. In the numerical model, the properties of the brain were parametrically varied. A comparison of the ICP measured at two locations revealed that experimental and simulated ICP were higher in the cerebellum (p < 0.0001), highlighting the significance of pressure sensor locations within the cranium. The ICP and strain were correlated with the long-term bulk (p < 0.0001) and shear moduli (p < 0.0001), with an 80 MPa effective bulk modulus value matching best with experimental measurements. In bTBI, the solution is sensitive to the brain material model, necessitating robust validation methods.
Abstract P420: Chronic Pain in Adolescents and Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Introduction: Chronic pain is a significant public health concern in the U.S., estimated to affect nearly 100 million people. While post-surgical pain associated with treatment of congenital heart ...
Auctioning the Upzone: A New Strategy to Induce Local Government Compliance with State Housing Policies

This white paper proposes a new tool — the development-rights auction — for inducing local governments to comply with state policies favoring high-density housing near transit and job centers. Local governments that rezone pursuant to state law would be permitted to auction, and thus profit from, the newly created buildable space. Winning bidders would acquire tradable “development allowances,” similar to the emissions allowances that are now bought and sold under California’s cap-and-trade regime for greenhouse gas emissions. Just as the owner of a power plant who wishes to burn fossil fuels must purchase emissions allowances for the carbon dioxide that would be released, so too would a landowner who wishes build in the expanded zoning envelope have to acquire and redeem development allowances. The new, state-conferred prerogative of local governments to auction development rights in areas the state wants upzoned would foster compliance with state policy through several channels. First, local governments would have a fiscal incentive to allow dense new housing in the targeted areas, and to streamline what are now cumbersome and discretionary permitting procedures. Second, the price at which development allowances trade (relative to the price of finished housing) would provide state oversight agencies with a valuable, forward-looking signal about the existence of hidden local barriers to the development of nominally-permitted housing. The right to auction development allowances would also give the most supplied-constrained cities a political incentive to support state-directed upzoning, and would bury the argument that state upzoning bills amount to giveaways to developers. Though there is some question about the constitutionality of the model, we conclude that U.S. and state constitutional challenges would probably fail.
Dynamics of Misinformation Cascades

The study of information-sharing cascades has been a constant endeavor since the emergence of social networks. Internet memes which mostly consist of catchphrases, viral images, or small videos shared over the social network are notorious for attracting the users’ attention and spreading through the web in a fast fashion. Misinformation propagators latch their message to a meme to maximize the influence and spreading of the false news. As a result, the diffusion of misleading content has become a force to be reckoned with in the field of information warfare, as foreign actors seek to change opinions, manipulate ideologies, and create conflicts. In this study, we analyze the rapid dissemination of misinformation, aka, misinformation cascades, focusing on cascade temporal behavior and multi-cascade influence relationships. Twitter data used in this study contains only information associated with the Russian Internet Agency (IRA) and the Iranian Cyber Army (ICA). Our study focuses on analyzing temporal patterns of information dynamics created by these foreign actors for the sole purpose of spreading misinformation. We explore dividing temporal cascades into phases, where each phase differs from the previous regarding the number and characteristics of the information bursts. For this preliminary study, we are focusing on the #Trump and #USA hashtags used by the ICA. By studying the dynamics behind each phase, the forces behind the transition from one phase to another, and the influence relationships between cascades and their phases, we expect to shed some light on the timely subject of how to identify and protect society from information manipulation campaigns.
An Untethered Soft Robot Based on Liquid Crystal Elastomers.

An untethered, soft robot using liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators, onboard power, and wireless Bluetooth control was developed. LCE actuators were thermally triggered using Joule heating and...
Electrodynamic assisted self-assembled fibrous hydrogel microcapsules: a novel 3D in vitro platform for assessment of nanoparticle toxicity

Nanoparticle (NP) toxicity assessment is a critical step in assessing the health impacts of NP exposure to both consumers and occupational workers. In vitro assessment models comprising cells cultured in a two-dimensional tissue culture plate (2D-TCP) are an efficient and cost-effective choice for estimating the safety risks of NPs. However, in vitro culture of cells in 2D-TCPs distorts cell–integrin and cell–cell interactions and is not able to replicate an in vivo phenotype. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro platforms provide a unique alternative to bridge the gap between traditional 2D in vitro and in vivo models. In this study, novel microcapsules of alginate hydrogel incorporated with natural polymeric nanofibers (chitin nanofibrils) and synthetic polymeric nanofibers poly(lactide-co-glycolide) are designed as a 3D in vitro platform. This study demonstrates for the first time that electrodynamic assisted self-assembled fibrous 3D hydrogel (3D-SAF hydrogel) microcapsules with a size in the range of 300–500 μm in diameter with a Young's modulus of 12.7–42 kPa can be obtained by varying the amount of nanofibers in the hydrogel precursor solutions. The 3D-SAF microcapsules were found to mimic the in vivo cellular microenvironment for cells to grow, as evaluated using A549 cells. Higher cellular spreading and prolonged proliferation of A549 cells were observed in 3D-SAF microcapsules compared to control microcapsules without the nanofibers. The 3D-SAF microcapsule integrated well plate was used to assess the toxicity of model NPs, e.g., Al2O3 and ZnO. The toxicity levels of the model NPs were found to be dependent on the chemistry of the NPs and their physical agglomeration in the test media. Our results demonstrate that 3D-SAF microcapsules with an in vivo mimicking microenvironment can be developed as a physiologically relevant platform for high-throughput toxicity screening of NPs or pharmaceutical drugs.
Factors affecting toxic hydrogen sulfide concentrations on swine farms ― sulfur source, release mechanism, and ventilation

Abstract In the past 25 years, we have conducted more than 20 laboratory and field studies related to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in animal production. From millions of first-hand and real-world H2S data points, we found that sulfur (S) source, release mechanism, and ventilation are three critical factors affecting toxic H2S concentrations. Source of S determines how much H2S mass can be potentially produced. Sulfur in water for animal drinking and barn cleaning can be a more important S source than S from animal feed and can cause extremely high H2S concentrations. Release of H2S from liquid swine manure exhibits a dynamic mechanism of Bubble Release and Reservoir Effect. High H2S concentrations induced by manure disturbance and sudden H2S release depend on the amount of H2S that has been trapped in manure gas bubbles. Release patterns of H2S are complicated and irregular and are difficult to predict. Ventilation or air exchange dilutes the H2S mass in a defined space. The importance of ventilation, especially during manure operations, cannot be over-emphasized. Insufficient ventilation has claimed many deaths and injuries of farm workers and animals.
Detection of Demographics and Identity in Spontaneous Speech and Writing

This chapter focuses on the automatic identification of demographic traits and identity in both speech and writing. We address language use in the virtual world of online games and text entry on mobile devices in the form of chat, email and nicknames, and demonstrate text factors that correlate with demographics, such as age, gender, personality, and interaction style. Also presented here is work on speakers identification in spontaneous language use, where we describe the state of the art in verification, feature extraction, modeling and calibration across multiple environmental conditions. Finally, we bring speech and writing together to explore approaches to user authentication that span language in general. We discuss how speech-specific factors such as intonation, and writing-specific features such as spelling, punctuation, and typing correction correlate and predict one another as a function of users’ sociolinguistic characteristics.
Parallel analysis with biological chips

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how the authors reached the situation where they needed a biological chip. The chapter describes how they devised their first chip-based assays for biological analysis. The basic concept of a biological chip assay is explained here. Biological extracts are deciphered by reacting these mixtures with an ordered array of biological molecules. The extent of binding of labeled products to their cognate array elements provides a quantitative readout of important cellular processes such as gene expression. Parallelism allows precise comparisons to be made between all the genes or gene products represented in the array. Pseudocolor representations simplify data analysis. Also, colorful illustrations have been used in this chapter to help readers visualize a biological chip assay. Moreover, formal methodological guidelines are provided to expedite biological chip experiments. Finally, the chapter outlines various applications including gene expression monitoring, DNA resequencing, point mutation analysis, and genotyping applications. Biological chips have immediate applications in both academic and commercial settings. These allow for accelerated data acquisition for drug discovery, disease diagnosis and prognosis, and basic research. And, biological chips used in massive, parallel assays will assist in accelerating the information age of biology.
Differential Toxicity Characterization of Green Alternative Chemicals

The sections in this article are Introduction Chemical Properties Related to Differential Toxicity Modeling Chemical Clearance – Metabolism and Excretion Predicting Differential Inherent Molecular Toxicity Cell Types/Cell Lines High-Throughput Screening (HTS) High-Content Screening (HCS) Whole-Genome Approaches Integrating In Vitro Data to Model Toxicity Potential Databases Relevant for Toxicity Characterization Example of Differential Toxicity Analysis Conclusion Disclaimer Keywords: differential toxicity; chemical clearance; chemical design; green alternative chemicals; green chemistry
Implementing Geometric Algorithms Robustly

This note is meant as a sequel to Steven Fortune's note on ‘Robustness issues in geometric algorithms’ [For96] in these proceedings. We revisit some of the issues raised by him, such as the consistency between the combinatorial and numerical data in geometric algorithms, and then we elaborate on a number of additional topics, including issues in proving correct geometric algorithms meant to be executed with imprecise primitives, and in the rounding of geometric structures so that all their features are exactly representable.
The alkaline anterior midgut of larval mosquitoes as a barrier for microorganisms (1100.5)

The lumen of the anterior midgut of larval mosquitoes is maintained at extremely alkaline pH values of 10-12, and digestive enzymes show very alkaline pH optima. This situation favors digestion of ...
THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF INADEQUATE EDUCATION FOR THE PUERTO RICAN POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Resumen en: This paper calculates the economic consequences of failing to graduate from high school for Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. Based on a range of social s...
IFE availability prediction model

Provides the reader with information about a software model designed to predict availability of an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The paper discusses the structure of the model, concept of operations, and future opportunities. The IFE availability prediction model has been designed to assess IFE system availability for a fleet of aircraft using a predefined flight schedule. This assessment is accomplished by simulating IFE unit failures and the time and resources required in restoring IFE system based on a specified maintenance and logistics support system.
Adenovirus proteins: III. Cell-free synthesis of adenovirus proteins in cytoplasmic extracts of KB cells

Abstract Cell-free protein synthesis was studied in cytoplasmic S-30 supernatant fractions from uninfected KB cells and from KB cells 18 hr after infection with adenovirus type 2 (Ad 2). Optimal conditions for protein synthesis, including Mg 2+ concentration, energy source, and sulfhydryl compounds, are similar for S-30 fractions prepared from uninfected and infected cells. Amino acid incorporation into trichloracetic acid-precipitable material is linear for 10–15 min at 37° and is inhibited 90–95% by RNase, puromycin, or cycloheximide and 30–40% by sodium fluoride. Approximately 30–40% of the proteins synthesized during 20 min of incorporation are released from ribosomes. Ribosomes in the S-30 fraction from infected cells are programmed by endogenous viral mRNA and synthesize and release all known virion polypeptides in vitro including hexon, penton, fiber, and internal core polypeptides. Double-label coelectrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels showed that the same viral polypeptides are synthesized in vivo and in vitro .
Alteration of the nucleotide-binding site asymmetry of chloroplast coupling factor 1 by catalysis.

Abstract Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to show that ATP hydrolysis induces a change in the properties of two nucleotide-binding sites in isolated chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF1). The fluorescence donor was Lucifer Yellow vinyl sulfone (4-amino-N-[3-(vinylsulfonyl)phenyl]naphthalimide- 3,6-disulfonate), covalently bound to a unique site on the alpha subunit between nucleotide-binding sites 2 and 3. The fluorescence acceptor was the ATP analog 2'(3')-trinitrophenyladenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), incorporated specifically into nucleotide-binding site 1. Energy transfer from Lucifer Yellow to TNP-ATP in site 1 was greater if catalysis occurred before TNP-ATP was incorporated than if no catalysis occurred, indicating that one of the nucleotide-binding sites near the Lucifer Yellow had changed its properties to those of site 1 as a result of catalysis. The amount of energy transfer increased with the degree of substrate excess during catalysis, as expected if catalysis were required for the new site 1 location. ADP, which binds to CF1, but is not a substrate for hydrolysis, caused little energy transfer. Titration of site 3 with TNP-ATP showed greater energy transfer from Lucifer Yellow when catalysis had not occurred, indicating that sites 1 and 3 switched properties as a result of catalysis. The amount of energy transfer declined exponentially with time between removal of substrate and addition of TNP-ATP to site 1, with a half-time of 1.5-2 h at room temperature. This result suggests that the change that results in switching of nucleotide-binding sites 1 and 3 relaxes in the absence of substrate. Our results show that the asymmetry of the nucleotide-binding sites of CF1 is not a permanent feature of the molecule.
Seismic Ground Motion Parameter Relations

The relationships among spectral velocity for 0.5 hz and 1.0 hz frequencies, peak ground acceleration, and peak ground velocity of earthquake-induced ground motion are investigated using the horizontal components of motion from 70 California strong-motion records and accounting for event size, source-to-site distance, and geologic conditions at the recording site. These strong motion records indicate that the estimation of intermediate-frequency spectral response using ground acceleration and typical design spectra is unconservative for a large, distant event (magnitude-8+, 120-km epicentral distance) by a factor of about 2 to 6, depending on the site geology. Ground velocity can be used to estimate intermediate frequency spectral response; however, expected spectral response will exceed these estimates during the motion from large, distant events by a factor of about 1.4 to 2.5. Because of the large variabilities associated with strong motion data, these results are tentative.
Preliminary human trial of a new male sterilization procedure: vas sclerosing.

A method of male sterilization using chemical sclerosing agents is presented. 25 ml of 90% ethanol and 3.6% formaldehyde was injected into each vas deferens of 8 patients. 7 of the subjects became aspermic by Week 16 of follow-up and the 8th subject became aspermic 8 weeks after reinjection. Little postinjection discomfort was reported. The irreversibility of the procedure has yet to be assessed.
Prostaglandin E and F2α receptors in bovine corpus luteum plasma membranes are two different macromolecular entities

Abstract Greater numbers of prostaglandin (PG) F2α as compared to PGE receptors were solubilized from bovine corpus luteum plasma membranes by sodium deoxycholate (SDC) concentrations from 0.01% to 0.1%. However, at 0.5% SDC concentration, virtually 100% of both PGs receptors were solubilized. When these solubilized PGs receptors were chromatographed on a calibrated Sepharose 6B column, they exhibited a small but reproducible difference in their distribution coefficients. The above results suggest that PGE and PGF2α receptors represent two different macromolecular entities with a relatively small size difference between them.
Some Limitations of the Value Concept

"Exchange value" compared with the abstractions of physical science, 410. — Subordination of price to value in economic theory, 413. — A general medium of exchange implicit in the theory of exchange value, 416. — Value as imputed price, 419. — Methods of imputation, 421. — Imputation of value extended to goods not priced in the market, 423. — The value of a stock depends on the size and nature of the units chosen, 425. — Meaning of "national wealth," 427.
Clinical score for adrenoleukodystrophy patients candidate for bone marrow transplantation

Abstract X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a progressive genetically determined metabolic disorder that causes severe and progressive nervous system involvement and primary adrenocortical insufficiency. Many different therapeutic approaches have been tried in an attempt to cure this disorder. To date, bone marrow transplantation has been the only one that, in certain selected patients, has given encouraging results, but fewer than 2% of patients undergo this procedure. Candidate patients should have minimal demyelinating lesions as shown by nuclear magnetic imaging of the brain. The aim of the present multidisciplinary study is to evaluate the criteria used in the selection of certain patients with ALD for bone marrow transplantation.
QCD thermodynamics at zero and non-zero density

Abstract We present results on the QCD equation of state, obtained with two different improved dynamical staggered fermion actions and almost physical quark masses. Lattice cut-off effects are discussed in detail as results for three different lattice spacings are available now, i.e. results have been obtained on lattices with temporal extent of N τ = 4, 6 and 8. Furthermore we discuss the Taylor expansion approach to non-zero baryon chemical potential by means of an expansion of the pressure. We use the expansion coefficients to calculate various fluctuations and correlations among hadronic charges. We find that the correlations reproduce the qualitative behavior of the resonance gas model below T c and start to agree with the free gas predictions for T ≳ 1.5 T c .
Evolutionarily Conserved Mammalian Adenine Nucleotide Translocase 4 Is Essential for Spermatogenesis

The adenine nucleotide translocases (Ant) facilitate the transport of ADP and ATP by an antiport mechanism across the inner mitochondrial membrane, thus playing an essential role in cellular energy metabolism. We recently identified a novel member of the Ant family in mouse, Ant4, of which gene configuration as well as amino acid homology is well conserved among mammals. The conservation of Ant4 in mammals, along with the absence of Ant4 in nonmammalian species, suggests a unique and indispensable role for this ADP/ATP carrier in mammalian development. Of interest, in contrast to its paralog Ant2, which is encoded by the X chromosome and ubiquitously expressed in somatic cells, Ant4 is encoded by an autosome and selectively expressed in testicular germ cells. Immunohistochemical examination as well as RNA expression analysis using separated spermatogenic cell types revealed that Ant4 expression was particularly high in spermatocytes. When we generated Ant4-deficient mice by targeted disruption, a significant reduction in testicular size was observed without any other distinguishable abnormalities in the mice. Histological examination as well as stage-specific gene expression analysis in adult and neonatal testes revealed a severe reduction of spermatocytes accompanied by increased apoptosis. Subsequently, the Ant4-deficient male mice were infertile. Taken together, these data elucidated the indispensable role of Ant4 in murine spermatogenesis. Considering the unique conservation and chromosomal location of the Ant family genes in mammals, the Ant4 gene may have arisen in mammalian ancestors and been conserved in mammals to serve as the sole and essential mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier during spermatogenesis where the sex chromosome-linked Ant2 gene is inactivated.
Nuclear reaction mesurements with 1H, 2H, 3He and 4He incident on silicon detectors

Abstract Nuclear reactions which occur when a lithium-drifted silicon detector is bombarded with beams of 15.1, 21.6, and 26.5 MeV protons, 17.0 MeV deuterons, 40.7 MeV 3 He ions, and 33.6 MeV alpha particles have been observed. The energies and intensities of a number of reaction peaks were measured. A calculation is described which predicts quite accurately the energy and intensity of several of the observed reaction peaks. The calculation is based on previously measured reaction cross-sections, together with a theory for the sharing of nuclear recoil energy between atomic and electronic processes.
Parental Involvement in Young Children's Computer Use and Cognitive Development.

ABSTRACT Increasingly, young children are using computers; however, the role of the parent in facilitating this type of learning is not yet clear. This study investigates the relationship between parental involvement in computer use and cognitive development in their children. Parents of Head Start children who owned a computer (n = 136) reported on the frequency and type of involvement with their children while at the computer. Children of parents who reported active involvement with them on the computer had higher scores on cognitive measures than children with nonactive parental involvement. Additionally, a linear relationship was found between the number of active interactions and many of the subscales. Children of parents reporting all 4 types of active interactions scored higher on subscales of cognitive assessment (verbal, quantitative, general cognitive, and memory) than children with less parental involvement. This study shows that active parental involvement in young children's computer use is r...
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance before and after temporal lobectomy

Abstract Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performance was studied before and after patients underwent right (n = 34) or left (n = 34) temporal lobectomy. Patients had hemisphere language dominance judged on intracarotid amobarbital testing and were free of space-occupying lesional pathology by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Right and left lobectomy patients did not differ before or after surgery on WCST parameters: categories completed, perseverative errors, total correct responses, total errors, nonperseverative errors, and perseverative responses. There was no relationship between WCST performance and MRI-determined hippocampal volumes or age of recurrent seizure onset. These findings are contrary to previous reports, suggesting the presence of laterality effects on preoperative WCST performance, relationships between WCST performance and age of seizure onset, and association of WCST performance and degree of mesial temporal sclerosis. Data from this study are consistent with a report on a larger group of temporal lobectomy patients, which found no laterality effect on WCST performance. The WCST seems to be of no value when attempting to lateralize seizure onset in nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy.
Angular distribution of electromagnetic bremsstrahlung from heavy-ion collisions at intermediate energies

Abstract Recently measured spectra of hard photons emitted in collisions between two heavy ions at bombarding energies as low as 35 MeV/n have been reported by Alamanos et al. to show dipole-like angular patterns. In a schematic calculation it will become obvious that these photons may be interpreted as coherent bremsstrahlung arising from collisions with non-zero impact parameters where the axial symmetry, which usually leads to cancellation of the dipole contribution, is distorted.
Narrative Study: Whose Story Is It, Anyway?

M In the past three decades, narratives and, in particular, stories people tell about their lives have become the focus of the evolving interdisciplinary field of narrative study (Bruner, 1990; Linde, 1993; Ochs, 1997; Rosenwald & Ochberg, 1992; Sarbin, 1986), which posited narrative as the central means by which people give their lives meaning across time: "We dream in narrative, daydream in narrative, remember, anticipate, hope, despair, plan, revise, criticize, gossip, learn, hate and love by narrative" (Hardy, 1968, p. 5). Consequently, narratives have gained increasing stature outside the fields of literature and folklore, becoming both a focus of research and a rich source of data in several areas of
Vegetation dynamics and exotic plant invasion following high severity crown fire in a southern California conifer forest

Early post-fire vegetation dynamics following large, severe forest fires are largely unknown for the southern California mountains owing to historic fire suppression. Vegetation in 38 forest stands was surveyed (2004, 2005, and 2007) following the 2003 Cedar Fire in the Cuyamaca Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, San Diego County, California, USA. Each stand was sampled using four 10-m radius plots for the tree stratum, and 20 1-m2 quadrats for shrub and herb strata. Changes in canopy cover by species, origin (native and exotic) and life form were analyzed. 2007 data were subjected to clustering to examine the divergence in species composition of the stands with time. Shrub cover increased from 3 to 31%, and exotic herbaceous cover increased from 3 to 40%. Cover of native annuals had increased from 2004 (17%) to 2005 (33%), but then dropped to 15% in 2007. Forty percent of the stands were dominated by the shrub species Ceanothus palmeri, and associated with higher pre-fire conifer cover and fire severity. More than 50% of the stands were dominated by exotic annuals and associated with lower fire severity and less steep slopes. The remaining stands (<10%) were dominated by chaparral shrubs and occurred on lower elevation, steep west-facing slopes. Species traits predict their dynamics following disturbance, as environmental conditions change. Establishment and increasing abundance of species dependent on dispersal to reach a site, including exotic and native herbaceous species, occurred in years 2–4. Differences among stands in species composition 4 years post-fire were associated with topographic and fire severity gradients.
Abundances of volatiles and genetic relationships among submarine basalts from the Woodlark Basin, southwest Pacific

Abstract Glasses from submarine lavas of the Woodlark Basin (Southwest Pacific) have been analyzed for volatiles using dynamic high-temperature mass spectrometry. Abundances for H2O, Cl, F, S, and CO2 in basaltic glasses with typical mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) compositions and rare high Na-high Ti(NaTi) basalts are reported. Compared to similar incompatible element-depleted MORB, the Woodlark Basin basalts have Cl contents (average 0.046 ± 0.005 wt%) which are enriched and, at similar Mg#, are even higher than those from most back-arc basin (BAB) settings. Glasses from near the Woodlark Spreading Center (WSC) have H2O abundances (average 0.210 ± 0.020 wt%) typical of most MORB, but those for the “NaTi” basalts recovered from a transform that intersects the Solomon Island arc are significantly higher (average 0.605 ± 0.020 wt%). The volatile data in the MORB are consistent with previous results from trace element and isotope studies which suggest that fluids introduced by subduction are not actively involved in the genesis of magmas along the present spreading center. Elevated Cl abundances may reflect some crustal assimilation during magmatic evolution, but the high H2O contents in NaTi basalts appear to be a primary feature associated with the enrichment of moderately incompatible elements in mantle-derived liquids. Least-squares mixing and Rayleigh fractionation calculations were used to evaluate the roles of fractional crystallization and partial melting. It appears that the Woodlark Basin basalts have at least three different sources. The petrogenesis of “NaTi” basalts remains enigmatic as no simple model for their origin can explain their chemical characteristics.
Differential calcium requirements for growth of mouse skin epithelial and fibroblast cells.

Concentrations of extracellular Ca++ optimum for growth of cell types of mesodermal origin have been reported to be up to 100-fold higher than concentrations optimal for epidermal or other epithelial lining cells. In order to examine Ca++ requirements of epithelial v. fibroblastic cells derived from a common tissue source, prior to prolonged culture, freshly isolated mouse epidermal keratinocytes, hair follicle cells and dermal fibroblasts were plated at high density or at clonal density in medium ranging from 0.014 to 1.4 mM Ca++. Epithelial skin cells grew best at Ca++ levels below 0.1 mM while dermal fibroblasts grew best at a Ca++ concentration of 1.4 mM. the epithelial cell types exhibited marked morphologic changes in response to Ca++, while the fibroblasts did not. These results suggest that the variations in Ca++ response between lining epithelium and mesenchymal cells resulted from inherent differences in these cell types, but a mechanism for such differential effects has not yet been defined.
Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram findings in runners completing a half marathon.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate electrocardiograms (ECGs) before and after running a half marathon to characterize the changes that occur after exertion. Echocardiograms were also done postrace on selected runners. Methods Volunteer runners older than 18 years completed a questionnaire detailing demographic and medical history. Prerace ECGs were performed at a prerace symposium and postrace ECGs were performed within 15 minutes of the participants' completion of the race. Echocardiograms were performed on a random sampling of runners who were judged to have abnormal or changed postrace ECGs. Results Eighty-seven runners were enrolled and completed the study. There were 46 males (53%) and 41 females (47%). Fifty-four (62%) runners had changes noted in their ECGs. The most common changes noted were atrial enlargement (37 runners). Other abnormalities seen on the ECGs included new conduction abnormalities, new Q waves, nonspecific ST/T-wave changes, and resolution of previous abnormalities that were seen on initial ECG. There was no statistically significant difference between runners with ECG changes and runners without ECG changes when comparing sex, age, previous marathon experience, exercise, history of exercise-induced chest pain, medical history, and family history of heart disease. Twenty runners with changed or abnormal postrace ECGs had postrace echocardiograms, and 8 were abnormal. Of the abnormal echocardiograms, 2 runners had normal but changed postrace ECGs and 4 runners had abnormalities that were inconsistent with what was seen on ECG. Conclusion Our study suggests that ECG abnormalities and changes can occur in distance runners, but their significance is unclear.
Infrared [Fe II] emission in the circumstellar nebulae of luminous blue variables

After a serendipitous discovery of bright [Fe II] λ16435 emission in nebulae around η Carinae and P Cygni, infrared spectra of other luminous blue variables (LBV) and LBV candidates were obtained. Bright infrared [Fe II] emission appears to be a common property among LBVs with prominent nebulae; this is an interesting discovery because strong [Fe II] λ16435 is typically seen in shock-excited objects like supernova remnants and outflows from newly formed massive stars, as well as in active galactic nuclei (AGN), where the excitation mechanism is uncertain. This paper presents spectra in the H-band (1.5 to 1.75 µm) for the central stars and nebulae of η Car, AG Car, P Cyg, Wra 751, HR Car, HD 168625, HD 160529, R 127 and S Doradus. Seven of nine targets show bright [Fe II] λ16435 in their nebulae, while it is absent in all central stars except the LBV candidate Wra 751. The two objects (S Dor and HD 160529) without prominent [Fe II] λ16435 are not yet known to have nebulae detected in optical images, and both lack bright thermal infrared emission from dust. The possible excitation mechanisms for this line and the implications of its discovery in LBV nebulae are discussed; there are good reasons to expect shock excitation in some objects, but other mechanisms cannot be ruled out.
Minimally invasive resection of intradural-extramedullary spinal neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE Spinal intradural-extramedullary neoplasms are uncommon lesions that usually cause pain or neurological deficit secondary to neural compression. Traditional treatment of these tumors includes open laminectomy with intradural resection. We describe an alternative minimally invasive surgical technique in a consecutive series of patients undergoing treatment for symptomatic lesions. METHODS Six patients (four men, two women) presented with symptoms including pain (five out of six) and/or neurological deficit (two out of six) with radiographic evidence of intradural pathology. All patients underwent surgical resection using a minimally invasive, unilateral approach. Pain relief was analyzed using the visual analog scale and magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the extent of resection. Traditional laminectomy for tumor resection disrupts the muscular, ligamentous, and bony structures of the spine, which may contribute to pain and instability. Minimally invasive resection of intradural tumors offers the option of reducing approach morbidity when resecting these lesions. Using a tubular retractor system (X-Tube, Medtronic Sofamor-Danek, Memphis, TN) and microscopic surgical techniques, we were able to resect different intradural lesions successfully. RESULTS All patients underwent successful, complete resection of their intradural-extramedullary tumors. The average patient age was 47 years (range, 41-60 yr) with one cervical, one thoracic, and four lumbar lesions. The mean operative time was 247 minutes (range, 180-320 min), the estimated blood loss was 56 mLs (range, 40-75 mLs), and the hospital stay was 57 hours (range, 48-80 h). Histologically, five tumors were determined to be schwannomas and one was identified as a myxopapillary ependymoma. There were no complications associated with this surgical technique. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated complete resection in all cases. CONCLUSION Intradural-extramedullary neoplasms can be safely and effectively treated with minimally invasive techniques. Potential reduction in blood loss, hospitalization and disruption to local tissues suggest that, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, this technique may present an alternative to traditional open tumor resection.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory laser tracking systems

The four SAO laser satellite-ranging systems, located in Brazil, Peru, Australia, and Arizona, have been in operation for more than five years and have provided ranging data at accuracy levels of a meter or better. The paper examines system hardware (laser transmitter, the electronics, mount, photoreceiver, minicomputer, and station timing) and software (prediction program, calibration programs, and data handling and quick-look programs) and also considers calibration, station operation, and system performance.
Effect of Temperature on Impact Properties of Hybrid Fiberglass/Kevlar Laminate Composites

This paper demonstrates results of an experimental study on Kevlar/fiberglass composite laminates subjected to impact loading at variable temperatures. The effect of temperature on maximum energy, maximum impact force, and compression after impact was studied at several low velocity impact energy levels (8J, 15J, 25J). The temperatures considered were in the range of -50C to 120C. Results indicated that impact performance of these composites was affected over the range of temperature considered. Testing at ambient temperature is not fully sufficient and therefore additional testing must be performed for full understanding of composite laminate properties.