cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The diagnostic value of non-contrast magnetic resonance coronary angiography in the assessment of coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose The current literature reports a wide range of diagnostic accuracy of non-contrast magnetic resonance coronary angiography (NC-MRCA) for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness of NC-MRCA with that of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with suspected CAD using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Two investigators independently extracted 36 published manuscripts between 2010 and 2019. Databases including Medline, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched using pre-established keywords. Analysis of the data followed the PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses and primary analysis followed the Mantel-Hansel methodology. Correctness of classification for detecting coronary artery stenosis ≥50% (CAS) was measured using ICA as the gold standard. Results A total of five studies met inclusion criteria, with a total of 417 patients and 2883 coronary segments. The pooled per patient sensitivity and specificity of NC-MRCA for CAS in suspected patients was 90.3% (95% CI 85.6–95.1%) and 77.9% (95% CI 69.5–86.3%). Pooled per vessel assessment of NC- MRCA revealed a sensitivity of 83.7% (95%CI 79.7–87.8%) and specificity of 90.0% (95%CI 86.7–93.4%). Per-segment assessment of NC-MRCA showed a pooled sensitivity of 81.6% (95% CI 76.8–86.4) and specificity of 97.0% (95% CI 95.5–98.5). Mild to moderate heterogeneity was noted in most diagnostic parameters with larger heterogeneity noted in the per-segment analyses. There was less heterogeneity in sensitivity and NPV than specificity and PPV. Conclusion According to this meta-analysis, non-contrast coronary MRA resulted in adequate screening in patients with suspected CAD with high sensitivity and specificity. This result was true for per-patient, per-vessel, and per-segment assessment.
Efficient state and parameter estimation for high-dimensional nonlinear system identification with application to MEG brain network modeling.

System identification poses a significant bottleneck to characterizing and controlling complex systems. This challenge is greatest when both the system states and parameters are not directly accessible leading to a dual-estimation problem. Current approaches to such problems are limited in their ability to scale with many-parameter systems as often occurs in networks. In the current work, we present a new, computationally efficient approach to treat large dual-estimation problems. Our approach consists of directly integrating pseudo-optimal state estimation (the Extended Kalman Filter) into a dual-optimization objective, leaving a differentiable cost/error function of only in terms of the unknown system parameters which we solve using numerical gradient/Hessian methods. Intuitively, our approach consists of solving for the parameters that generate the most accurate state estimator (Extended Kalman Filter). We demonstrate that our approach is at least as accurate in state and parameter estimation as joint Kalman Filters (Extended/Unscented), despite lower complexity. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by inverting anatomically-detailed individualized brain models from human magnetoencephalography (MEG) data.
Ashcraft, W. Michael. 2018. A Historical Introduction to the Study of New Religious Movements.

Ashcraft, W. Michael. 2018. A Historical Introduction to the Study of New Religious Movements. London: Routledge.
Reward magnitude enhances early attentional processing of auditory stimuli.

Reward associations are known to shape the brain's processing of visual stimuli, but relatively less is known about how reward associations impact the processing of auditory stimuli. We leveraged the high-temporal resolution of electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the influence of low- and high-magnitude stimulus-reward associations in an auditory oddball task. We associated fast, correct detection of certain auditory target stimuli with larger monetary rewards, and other auditory targets with smaller rewards. We found enhanced attentional processing of the more highly rewarded target stimuli, as evidenced by faster behavioral detection of those stimuli compared with lower-rewarded stimuli. Neurally, higher-reward associations enhanced the early sensory processing of auditory targets. Targets associated with higher-magnitude rewards had higher amplitude N1 and mismatch negativity (MMN) ERP components than targets associated with lower-magnitude rewards. Reward did not impact the latency of these early components. Higher-reward magnitude also decreased the latency and increased the amplitude of the longer-latency P3 component, suggesting that reward also can enhance the final processing stages of auditory target stimuli. These results provide insight into how the sensory and attentional neural processing of auditory stimuli is modulated by stimulus-reward associations and the magnitude of those associations, with higher-magnitude reward associations yielding enhanced auditory processing at both early and late stages compared with lower-magnitude reward associations.
A theoretical model for crack propagation and crack arrest in pressurized pipelines

The further development of a mathematical model for steady-state crack propagation in a pressurized pipeline is described. A key parameter in the model-the location of the plastic yield hinge relative to the moving crack tip-was determined by forcing agreement with crack speeds observed in the full-scale line pipe tests. The maximum crack driving force predicted by the model was then taken as a measure of the minimum fracture toughness value required for crack arrest. Comparisons with existing empirical formulations derived by Battelle, the American Iron and Steel Institute, British Steel, and the British Gas Council for the minimum required toughness values for crack arrest were made to demonstrate the reasonableness of this approach.
The Role of Zero-Order Ultrasensitivity Amplification in the Regulation of the Glycogen Phosphorylase A — Phosphorylase B Cycle

Biological signaling systems generally contain amplification steps to offset attenuations of the signal. Diminution of signal may be caused by dilution of messenger molecules, desensitization of receptors and by the activities of specific antagonistic processes. Two general classifications of biochemical amplification have been described by Koshland et al. (1). Magnitude amplification depends on the ability of a single enzyme molecule to catalyze the conversion of many molecules of substrate. Several steps of magnitude amplification may be linked in a cascade such as found in blood clotting or hormonally induced glycogenolysis. Sensitivity amplification is a measure of the fractional change in response compared to the fractional change in signal. In the case of sensitivity amplification, the signal may be a small change in a relatively large concentration of stimulatory species with the response being a relatively larger change in a pre-existing level of output molecules. For example, a 10% increase in the concentration of signal molecules causing a 50% increase in the concentration of responding species yields a sensitivity amplification factor of 5. Sensitivity amplification is known to arise in three circumstances: Positive cooperativity, multiple inputs of a single effector and zero-order ultrasensitivity. The zero-order effect may occur in regulatory systems utilizing cyclic activation-deactivation through covalent modification of an enzyme protein. The regulated enzyme must be present at a concentration higher than the Michaelis constants of either or both of the two converter enzymes.
TRADING PARTNER VOLATILITY AND THE ABILITY FOR A COUNTRY TO COPE: A PANEL GMM MODEL, 1970-2005

This paper explores how six indicators of domestic and global development, influence the dissemination of volatility in trading partner growth rates. Using a dynamic panel, fixedeffects, system GMM methodology, I find that for the most part, developing countries can indeed cushion their economies from fluctuations in trading partner growth by increasing depth and diversification both domestically and globally. On the other hand, I also find that while developed countries seem to already be insulated from such fluctuations, increases in the same variables will actually increase a country's susceptibility to trading partner volatility.
Failure of men to select a balanced amino acid mixture.

Human capacity to discriminate between poorly and well balanced diets and liability to select amino acid imbalanced mixtures for deficient nutrient
Site-specific mutations of FtsZ - effects on GTPase and in vitro assembly

FtsZ, the major cytoskeletal protein in bacterial cytokinesis, assembles in vitro into protofilaments, which can further associate into sheets, bundles or tubes. We have constructed 16 site-directed mutants of E. coli ftsZ, and tested them for GTP hydrolysis and assembly in vitro, and for their ability to complement the temperature sensitive ftsZ84 mutation in E. coli. The mutants were grouped into three classes. Benign mutants, which mapped mostly to the front and back surface of the protofilament, were able to complement ftsZ84 in vivo and showed normal assembly in vitro. GTP contact mutations had less than 10% of wild type GTPase activity. They could all assemble in vitro, and several of these mutants could complement ftsZ84. A third, and newly discovered, class of mutations mapped to the sides of the protofilaments. These lateral mutants had mostly normal GTPase and assembly in vitro, but none of them complemented ftsZ84. The non-complementing mutants showed greatly reduced expression from the pBS58 vector, suggesting possible dominant negative effects. Several mutants with greatly reduced GTPase could still complement ftsZ84, suggesting that the high level of GTPase observed in vitro is not essential for in vivo function. All of the lateral mutants failed to complement ftsZ84, which suggests that these surfaces of the protofilaments are important for function in cell division. These lateral surfaces may mediate association of FtsZ protofilaments into pairs or small sheets, although their structure is apparently different from the sheets assembled in DEAE dextran or calcium.
Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rat and Mouse Pups

The ultrasonic vocalization (USV), or isolation calling response, of infant rats and mice has been studied as a measure of the intensity of an aversive affective state and as an early communicative behavior between pup and mother. The four protocols described in this unit are for the basic isolation testing procedure, and for elicitation of the contact quieting response to littermates and/or dam, the potentiation of isolation calling response by a prior brief maternal interaction and the predator-induced suppression of USV by the scent of an unfamiliar male. These procedures for the elicitation of USV, and for its regulation by different kinds of social interaction, provides the basis for experimental research on the early development of emotion and communication in an animal model system.
Energy-efficient Time-Stampless Adaptive Nonuniform Sampling

Nowadays, since more and more battery-operated devices are involved in applications with continuous sensing, development of an efficient sampling mechanisms is an important issue for these applications. In this paper, we investigate power efficiency aspects of a recently proposed adaptive nonuniform sampling. This sampling scheme minimizes the energy consumption of the sampling process, which is approximately proportional to sampling rate. The main characteristics of our method are that, first, sampling times do not need to be transmitted, since the receiver can compute them by using a function of previously taken samples, and second, only innovative samples are taken from the signal of interest, reducing the sampling rate and therefore the energy consumption. We call this scheme Time-Stampless Adaptive Nonuniform Sampling (TANS). TANS can be used in several scenarios, showing promising results in terms of energy savings, and can potentially enable the development of new applications that require continuous signals sensing, such as applications related to health monitoring, location tracking and entertainment.
STAT3 induction by LPS and TNFα in pancreatic acinar cells

Introduction. Inflammatory mediators have been implicated in the onset and progression of acute pancreatitis (AP). The signaling pathways affected by inflammation in pancreatic cells are still largely unknown. SOCS proteins are cytokine-induced cytokine signaling inhibitors that terminate the inflammatory response. Our previous studies show that SOCS-3 mRNA levels are up regulated in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or inflammation (TNFα) in acinar cells. With the addition of IL-6 or IL-1β, SOCS-3 expression is down regulated. Since SOCS-3 proteins are known to affect the JAK/STAT pathway, we hypothesized that LPS and TNFα, in combination with the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β, would mediate STAT3 mRNA expression in pancreatic acinar cells. Methods. Rat pancreatic acinar cells (AR42J) were treated with either LPS (10 μg/ml) or TNF-α (10, 100, or 200 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of IL-6 (20 ng/ml) or IL-1β (10 ng/ml) for 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 180, or 360 min. Total RNA extracted at each time point was used in multiplex RT-PCR reactions to determine STAT3 mRNA expression. Values were standardized to 18S rRNA. Results. STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by 3 h in acinar cells treated with either LPS or TNFα. At the highest concentration of TNFα, the addition of IL-6 and IL-1β significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced STAT3 mRNA expression. When added in combination with the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 or IL-1β, LPS-induced STAT3 expression remained elevated without further change. Conclusions. STAT3 expression was increased in response to endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokines, suggesting that STAT3 plays a role in initiating the inflammatory response in pancreatic acinar cells. These results indicate that inhibition of pancreatic STAT3 expression is a potential therapeutic strategy during the onset of acute pancreatitis.
Human Factors in Public Facilities Design

This article describes research examining people's perception of public facilities to show how consumers' beliefs can be used for environmental design and maintenance. In this study, beliefs about ...
Maternal aggression in mice and rats towards male and female conspecifics

Although postpartum aggression is primarily studied in laboratory mice and rats, it is unclear how the two species compare in terms of the factors associated with peak levels of aggressive behavior. Using the same experimental protocol, we assessed the relative effect of intruder sex and time since parturition on the frequency of maternal aggression in Long-Evans rats and CFW mice. Females were studied for 2 consecutive cycles of pregnancy and lactation. During the first lactation, aggression was tested 2 times per week for 3 weeks in order to select animals that attacked at least once. During the second lactation, both pup care and aggressive behavior were assessed in detail. Testing occurred twice in each lactation week, with postpartum days 1–7, 8–14, and 15–21 considered weeks 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Maternal behavior towards 3 pups was observed for 5 minutes, followed by a confrontation with an intruder. Lactating females encountered female intruders once per week, and male intruders in the alternate weekly test. The same behaviors were measured in the 2 species, except for the tail rattle exhibited by mice and the aggressive posture shown by rats. Lactating rats and mice show similar decreases in pup care behavior as lactation progresses in time; yet the factors associated with peak levels of aggression differ between species. In Long-Evans rats, female intruders receive more attacks, threats, and aggressive postures than males. Frequency of attack bite and sideways threat declines in each passing week of lactation. Lactating mice are more aggressive toward male intruders throughout the lactation period. Mice still attack and threaten during the third week of lactation, but less often in comparison to the first week. Therefore, peak levels of aggression vary in mice and rats both as a function of intruder sex and lactation week.
Blast-Induced Neurotrauma: Characterizing the Blast Wave Impact and Tissue Deformation

Primary blast injury, caused by exposure to the primary pressure wave emitted from explosive ordnance, is a common trauma associated with modern warfare activities. The central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to primary blast injury, which is responsible for many of the war related casualties and mortalities. An ex vivo model system is developed to introduce a blast wave, generated from a shock tube, directly to spinal cord tissue sample. A high-speed shadowgraphy is utilized to visualize the development of the blast wave and its interaction with the tissue samples. The surface deformation of the tissues is also measured for the analysis of internal stress and possible damage occurred in the tissue sample. Understanding the temporal development of the blast-tissue interaction provides valuable input for characterizing and modeling blast-induced neurotrauma. Particularly, tracking the sample surface deformation over time provides realistic boundary conditions for numerically simulating the injury and understanding the temporal development of stress.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Systematics of group-nonsubgroup transitions: Square to triangle transition

A variety of structural transitions in nature do not involve a group-subgroup relationship. A two-dimensional example is the transition between a square lattice and a triangular lattice, which is known to occur in vortex lattices, Wigner crystals, skyrmion lattices, colloids, diblock copolymers, etc. A three-dimensional analog is the shock-induced BCC to HCP transition in iron. We develop a systematic technique that incorporates site symmetry and yields displacive transition mechanisms and free energy forms for such structural changes. This procedure is demonstrated for the square to triangle transition.
DNA Methylation and microRNA Biomarkers for Noninvasive Detection of Gastric and Colorectal Cancer

Cancer initiation and progression is controlled by both genetic and epigenetic events. Epigenetics refers to the study of mechanisms that alter gene expression without permanently altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic alterations are reversible and heritable, and include changes in histone modifications, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNA-mediated gene silencing. Disruption of epigenetic processes can lead to altered gene function and malignant cellular transformation. Aberrant epigenetic modifications occur at the earliest stages of neoplastic transformation and are now believed to be essential players in cancer initiation and progression. Recent advances in epigenetics have not only offered a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism(s) of carcinogenesis, but have also allowed identification of clinically relevant putative biomarkers for the early detection, disease monitoring, prognosis and risk assessment of cancer patients. At this moment, DNA methylation and non-coding RNA including with microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent the largest body of available literature on epigenetic biomarkers with the highest potential for cancer diagnosis. Following identification of cell-free nucleic acids in systematic circulation, increasing evidence has demonstrated the potential of cell-free epigenetic biomarkers in the blood or other body fluids for cancer detection. In this article, we summarize the current state of knowledge on epigenetic biomarkers - primarily DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs - as potential substrates for cancer detection in gastric and colorectal cancer, the two most frequent cancers within the gastrointestinal tract. We also discuss the obstacles that have limited the routine use of epigenetic biomarkers in the clinical settings and provide our perspective on approaches that might help overcome these hurdles, so that these biomarkers can be readily developed for clinical management of cancer patients.
Testicle ischemia resulting from an inguinal hernia.

Abstract Background Scrotal pain in the emergency department (ED) should be evaluated rapidly for sources that may cause irreversible testicular ischemia. Objectives This case report discusses a patient presenting with a large inguinal hernia causing testicle ischemia. Case Report A 48-year-old man with a 1-year history of a large right-sided indirect inguinal hernia was transferred to the ED from the ultrasound laboratory after the patient experienced acute onset of severe right-sided testicular pain. The radiologist urgently called the attending emergency physician to notify him of ultrasound findings that showed compromised vascular flow to the right testicle. Urology and General Surgery were consulted immediately. The patient was placed in a supine position and reduction of the large hernia was attempted. After approximately 15min of manual pressure, the herniated bowel was reduced back into the abdominal cavity and the patient experienced immediate relief of his symptoms. Conclusions Scrotal ultrasound was repeated, and vascular flow to his right testicle was found to be re-established. This case highlights a rare presentation of acute onset of testicular ischemia caused by vascular compression from a large indirect inguinal hernia in an adult male.
Fair Trade Consumption and the Limits to Solidarity

On the basis of an online survey (n=185) of university student consumers and ethnographic "shopalongs" with 10 participants, this article demonstrates that while students are often inspired by the things they learn about Fair Trade and related labels in their university classrooms or from friends, they remain uncertain about what Fair Trade is precisely trying to accomplish. With the goal of shedding light on the lived experience of consumption and the contradictions that shape students' shopping practices, we identify three primary factors limiting students' ability or willingness to consume in solidarity with Fair Trade producers: (1) the students' reluctance or inability to devote significant amounts of time to shopping and consumption related research, (2) the influence of their ingrained consumption habits, including those learned from their parents, and (3) the perceived lack of Fair Trade products in local retail outlets. We maintain that in terms of encouraging Fair Trade consumption, the last fac...
Analysis of speech segment duration with the lognormal distribution: A basis for unification and comparison

Abstract This study re-examines published data with the lognormal distribution (LND) and presents a basis for the unification of many previous measurements of speech segment duration in connected speech. The application of the LND was motivated by the connection between previous speech models and the law of proportionate effects, which is known to generate LNDs. Distributions of speech segment length in previous studies [Psycholinguistics: Experiments in Spontaneous Speech, 1968; Language and Speech 25 (1982) 11–28; Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 72 (1982) 705–716; Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 83 (1988a) 1553–1573; Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 83 (1988b) 1574–1585; Speech Communication 19 (1996) 161–176] were re-plotted onto lognormal cumulative plots. With the exceptions of stressed consonants and the phoneme /f/, the data were consistent with the LND, based on the results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and root mean square error of the least-squares fit. Aside from the exceptions, the results indicate that (1) the duration of pauses, vowels and consonant classes can be effectively modeled with two parameters (geometric mean and geometric standard deviation), and (2) linguistic and non-linguistic effects are proportionate to duration and combine multiplicatively. Analysis with the LND revealed specific characteristics in some of the distributions that were not observed in the original analysis with linear-scaled distributions. Examples of how the LND may be used to detect heterogeneous groups in data sets, to determine outliers, and to reveal differences in underlying processes (e.g., existence of incompressible portions) are given. Advantages of using LND parameters (i.e., geometric mean, geometric standard deviation) over linear parameters (e.g., coefficient of variation) are also discussed.
A Facile Route to Polymer Solar Cells with Optimum Morphology Readily Applicable to a Roll‐to‐Roll Process without Sacrificing High Device Performances

A new fabrication method for polymer solar cells that can produce optimized vertical distribution of components is reported. The favorable donor–acceptor morphology showing a well-organized photo-induced charge transporting pathway with fine nanodomains and high crystallinity is achieved. This process is also readily scalable to a large-area and high-speed roll-to-roll process without sacrificing high device performances, even without a PEDOT:PSS layer.
Asymmetric Rhythms and Tiling Canons

rhythms, melodic structures, harmonies, and lyrics in the songs we hear. This article focuses on what may be the most important of these aspects: rhythm. We examine the mathematics of some rhythmic structures common in popular and folk music. Anyone who listens to rock music is familiar with the repeated drum beat?one, two, three, four?based on a 4/4 measure. Fifteen minutes listening to a Top 40 ra dio station offers evidence enough that most rock music has this basic beat (Audio Example l).1 But if we tune the radio to different frequencies, we may hear popular music (jazz, Latin, African) with different characteristic rhythms (Audio Example 2). Although much of this music is also based on the 4/4 measure, some instruments play repeated patterns that are not synchronized with the 4/4 beat, creating syncopation? an exciting tension between different components of the rhythm. This article is con cerned with classifying and counting rhythms that are maximally syncopated in the sense that, even when shifted, they cannot be synchronized with the division of a mea sure into two parts. In addition, we discuss rhythms that cannot be aligned with other even divisions of the measure. Our results have a surprising application to rhythmic canons.
Amine-intercalated α-zirconium phosphates as lubricant additives

Abstract In this study, three types of amines intercalated α-zirconium phosphate nanosheets with different interspaces were synthesized and examined as lubricant additives to a mineral oil. Results from tribological experiments illustrated that these additives improved lubricating performance. Results of rheological experiments showed that the viscosity of the mineral oil was effectively reduced with the addition of α-zirconium phosphate nanosheets. The two-dimensional structure, with larger interspaces, resulting from amine intercalation, exhibited improved effectiveness in reducing viscosity. This study demonstrates that the nanosheet structure of α-zirconium phosphates is effective in friction reduction. The manufacture of lubricants with tailored viscosity is possible by using different intercalators.
Pharmacokinetics of cefepime in cystic fibrosis patients.

The purposes of this study were to determine and compare the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of cefepime in patients with and without cystic fibrosis. Twelve patients with cystic fibrosis hospitalized for treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations were studied. In addition, pharmacokinetic data for seven of the patients with cystic fibrosis were compared with those for seven age-matched control patients. The cefepime dose was 50 mg/kg of body weight (maximum, 2 g) administered as a 30-min intravenous infusion every 8 h for a minimum of 8 days. Serial plasma and urine samples, obtained after the first and last doses, were analyzed for cefepime content by a validated high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay. By standard noncompartmental analysis, the pharmacokinetic parameters ascertained were area under the concentration in plasma-time curve, elimination half-life, total body clearance, renal clearance, and volume of distribution at steady state. In addition, the maximum concentration in plasma was recorded. Mean (+/- standard deviation) results of the first dose analysis in patients with cystic fibrosis were as follows: maximum concentration in plasma, 142.6 (+/- 26.07) micrograms/ml; area under the concentration in plasma-time curve, 265.3 (+/- 114.31) micrograms.h/ml; elimination half-life, 1.8 (+/- 0.53) h; total body clearance, 127.2 (+/- 50.94) ml/min; renal clearance, 91.1 (+/- 38.86) ml/min/kg; volume of distribution at steady state, 14.1 (+/- 4.31) liters. Analysis for the last dose in patients with cystic fibrosis did not vary appreciably from these values, nor did those from the controls. Thus, it appears that the first-dose pharmacokinetics of cefepime are predictive of those at steady state. In order to consistently exceed the MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the entire dosing interval in patients with cystic fibrosis, a higher dose and/or different dosing interval compared with those used in this study may be necessary.
Ascospore discharge and germination in Xanthoria polycarpa

Xanthoria polycarpa discharged ascospores in the fall, winter, and spring. Discharge in the summer was infrequent. Spore discharge was correlated with rainfall. In the laboratory ascospores were discharged from 1 to 24 mm away from apothecia, and commonly occurred in groups of eight. Spore discharge occurred at 5, 10, 15, and 20 C. No discharge occurred at 25 or 30 C. Spores were discharged when apothecia were placed on moist filter paper or in an atmosphere of 100% RH. No discharge occurred at relative humidities less than 100%. More than 90% of ascospores incubated on water agar at 15 C germinated within 3 da. The highest percentage of spores germinated on plates incubated at 10, 15, and 20 C. Germination also occurred at 5 and 25 C, but not at 30 C. Spore germination was optimum at pH 5, 6, and 7. Spore germination on water agar and on lichen-extract agar was greater than germination on malt-yeast-extract agar or bark-extract agar.
Assessment of visual recall and recognition learning in a museum environment

Subjects were tested for visual learning of objects in a small museum immediately following either total or limited exposure to the museum environment. Both recall and recognition memory results were better in the limited than in the total exposure condition. Attention time to exhibits correlated positively with recall but showed no relationships with the recognition measure. Findings were discussed in relation to early field research on museum visitor attention patterns.
Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Pregnant Adolescents

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among pregnant adolescents. Methods: Charts of all patients (n 735) who attended the Maternal and Infant Care Clinic at University Hospital, Newark, NJ, between July 1, 1991, and June 30, 1992, were reviewed for STDs which included gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At the first prenatal visit, each registrant had endocervical specimens obtained to detect gonorrhea and chlamydia.A serum sample was obtained for syphilis screening. HIV testing was made available to all patients and testing was done on a voluntary basis. The same STD screening that was done at the initial visitwas repeated at 28 and 36 weeks. Results: Twenty-five percent ofpatients tested positive for one or more STDs. The mean patient age was 17.3 years. The mean gestational age at first visit was 19.5 weeks. The mean number of visits was 7.3. The following STDs were identified: 4.8% of patients tested positive for gonorrhea, 20.9% tested positive for chlamydia, and 1.7% tested positive for syphilis. Twenty-one percent of patients had a positive STD diagnosed at the initial visit. Another 4.8% of patients had an STD diagnosed at some time after the initial visit when the initial screen was negative for STDs. An additional 1% of patients who initially tested positive for an STD had subsequent screening which revealed anotherSTD (differentorganism). Seven patients testedHIV positive. Sixty-one percent of patients with STDs agreed toHIV testing. One patient had HIV coexistent with another STD. Conclusions: Pregnant adolescents are at risk for multiple STDs. HIV testing should be offered. STD screening should be repeated in the third trimester in adolescent patients. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Interface Between Marketing and Finance: Integrated Management in an Unstable World

Human existence is characterized by discontinuities, chaos, instabilities, constant changes, and paradoxes (Firat and Venkatesh, 1996). A challenge to social scientists is to construct theories which explain human behavior, given the plurality and complexity of human behavior. At the same time, business decision makers face the challenge of managing in an environment of constant change and flux. The economist, Joseph Schumpeter (1943), described this process well:
Zero-backscatter cloak for aspherical particles using a generalized DDA formalism.

The Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) formalism has been generalized to materials with permeabilities µ ≠ 1 to study the scattering properties of impedance-matched aspherical particles and cloaked spheres. We have shown analytically that any impedance-matched particle with a four-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the direction of the incident radiation has the feature of zero backscatter. Moreover, an impedance-matched coat with the aforementioned symmetry property acting on an irregular dielectric particle with the same symmetry property can substantially reduce the backscatter. This leads to a substantial reduction of the signals from an object being detected by a monostatic radar/lidar system. The DDA simulation also provides accurate information about electric field distributions in the vicinity of a cloaked sphere.
Identification of cis-Acting Deoxyribonucleic Acid Elements That Mediate Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Stimulation of the Rat Luteinizing Hormone β-Subunit Gene1

GnRH plays a critical role in reproductive development and function by regulating the biosynthesis and secretion of the pituitary gonadotropins, LH and FSH. Although it is known that GnRH induces gonadotropin subunit gene transcription, the mechanism by which this occurs has not been elucidated. Studies have been hindered by the lack of available cell lines that express the LH and FSH subunit genes and respond to GnRH. We have transfected the rat pituitary GH3 cell line with the rat GnRH receptor complementary DNA. These cells, when cotransfected with regulatory regions of the LH or FSH subunit genes fused to a luciferase reporter gene, respond to GnRH with an increase in promoter activity comparable to that seen in primary rat pituitary cells. In this study, we have used this cell model to identify cis-acting elements of the LHβ gene that mediate stimulation by GnRH. Analysis of a series of 5′-deletion and internal deletion constructs has revealed two regions of the rat LHβ gene promoter involved in medi...
Optimum acoustic design of free-running low speed propellers

A theoretical analysis is conducted concerning the effect of blade loading on the noise output of a free-running propeller in axial motion. The minimization of the mean square sound pressure at a point in space is considered, taking into account constraints on propeller thrust and torque. Attention is given to aerodynamic equations, acoustic equations, the expansion of the aerodynamic variables, and the nonlinear programming formulation.
Prototype Performance Of A High Resolution X-Ray Imaging System For Use In Coronary Angiography

This paper describes preliminary performance data of the components of a high resolution x-ray imaging device, under development at the University of Arizona through NIH sponsorship for application in coronary angiography. The system will consist of an external modular x-ray sensor, a proximity focussed image intensifier and six CCD's coupled to the output of the image intensifier via six fiber optic tapers. The tapers are joined at the large ends to form a coplanar fiber optic taper assembly.One taper has been delivered whith distortion of less than 1.2 %.One channel of the camera and display electronics is operational. The limiting resolution of a pilotsystem, consisting of a 40 mm Gen.II image intensifier, the fiber optic taper and a CCD is 3.9 1p/mm, the Nyquist frequency of the CCD magnified by the taper.
Field and laboratory electroantennographic measurements of pheromone plume structure correlated with oriental fruit moth behaviour

Peak-to-trough electroantennogram amplitudes (bursts), caused by the individual filaments of a plume of female pheromone, diminish as high-emission-rate sources are approached by male Grapho- lita molesta, and this reduction is correlated with in-flight arrestment (ceasing to advance upwind) These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that one cause of in-flight arrestment in response to high-concentration point sources is the attenuation of the peak-to- trough amplitudes close to the source High burst frequency, high pheromone flux, or low levels of continuous neuronal activity all are less well correlated with arrestment Rather, arrestment appears due to a reduction of chemosensory input to the CNS during flight up the plume, even though the actual molecular concentration continues to increase In a laboratory wind tunnel, upwind flight initiation by more than 20% of males was elicited only by pheromone source concentrations evoking significant fluctuations in EAG amplitudes at downwind release points The burst frequencies that evoked high levels of upwind flight initiation ranged from a mean of 0 4-2 2 burstsls Because a previous study revealed that flying male G molesta change their course angle within 0 15 s of losing or contacting pheromone, these EAG burst frequencies indicate that during flight in a pheromone plume, many manoeuvres are probably made in response to contact with individual plume filaments Thus, upwind flight tracks may be shaped by hundreds of steering reactions in response to encounters with individual pheromone filaments and pockets of clean air Field-recorded EAGs reveal that burst amplitudes diminish from 3 to 30 m downwind of the source, whereas burst frequencies do not, averaging c 11s at 3, 10 and 30 m downwind
Interferon-γ Differentially Regulates Monocyte Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and -9 through Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Caspase 8

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) individually enhance monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) but induce MMP-1 only when added in combination. Because interferon-γ (IFNγ) is also found at inflammatory sites, we determined its effect on monocyte MMPs in the presence or absence of TNFα and GM-CSF. IFNγ alone did not stimulate monocyte MMP-9 or MMP-1; however, in the presence of GM-CSF it induced MMP-1 and enhanced MMP-1 stimulated by GM-CSF and TNFα. IFNγ induced MMP-1 in the presence of GM-CSF through the stimulation of TNFα production through a mechanism involving both p38 and ERK1/2 MAPKs, in which GM-CSF stimulated ERK1/2 whereas IFNγ activated p38. In support of this conclusion TNFα neutralizing antibody and antibodies against TNF receptor I and -II blocked the induction of MMP-1 by GM-CSF and IFNγ. In contrast to its effects on MMP-1, IFNγ inhibited TNFα-induced MMP-9 through a caspase 8-dependent pathway as demonstrated by the restoration of MMP-9 with caspase 8 inhibitors. Moreover, the phosphorylation of STAT1 by IFNγ was blocked by an inhibitor of caspase 8, indicating that STAT1 had a suppressive effect on MMP-9. Caspase 8-mediated phosphorylation of STAT1 through p38 MAPK as shown by the inhibition of IFNγ-induced phosphorylation of p38 by caspase 8 inhibitors. Activation of caspase 8 by IFNγ did not result in increased apoptosis. Thus IFNγ in the presence of GM-CSF and/or TNFα differentially regulates monocyte MMPs through induction of TNFα and a novel mechanism involving caspase 8 that is independent of apoptosis.
HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE PRIMARY THICKENING MERISTEM IN THE VEGETATIVE STEM OF ALLIUM CEPA L.

Stems of Allium cepa L., 1, 2, 5, and 6 months old respond similarly when stained for protein and RNA. The primary thickening meristem (PTM) stains more intensely than surrounding stem tissues. The acropetal region of the PTM is a broadly staining band which narrows basipetally to the level of the initiation of shoot-borne roots in the stem and disappears more basipetally. These staining patterns are consistent with the hypothesis that the PTM functions in stem thickening and root production, and also indicate that the meristem functions before histological evidence of the cambial-like zone exists in the onion stem. Histochemical staining may be an accurate method of locating the PTM. THE EXISTENCE of a primary thickening meristem (PTM) in the crown of monocotyledons has
Opportunities for Research and NIH

The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and to reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The power of the molecular approach to health and disease has steadily gained momentum over the past several decades and is now poised to catalyze a revolution in medicine. The foundation of success in biomedical research has always been, and no doubt will continue to be, the creative insights of individual investigators. But increasingly those investigators are working in teams, accelerated by interdisciplinary approaches and empowered by open access to tools, databases, and technologies, so a careful balance is needed between investigator-initiated projects and large-scale community resource programs. For both individual and large-scale efforts, it is appropriate to identify areas of particular promise. Here are five such areas that are ripe for major advances that could reap substantial downstream benefits.
Review of Namibimydas Hesse, 1972 and Nothomydas Hesse, 1969 (Diptera: Mydidae: Syllegomydinae: Halterorchini) with the Description of New Species

The Mydidae genera Namibimydas Hesse, 1972 and Nothomydas Hesse, 1969 are reviewed. Both genera were known from two species each occurring in southern Namibia and western South Africa and are here redescribed. Four new species, all from Namibia, are described herein: Namibimydas psamminos sp. n., Namibimydas stuckenbergi sp. n., Nothomydas aquilonius sp. n., and Nothomydas picketti sp. n. A dichotomous key to all species is presented and illustrations and photographs are provided to support the descriptions and future identification. Distribution, occurrence in biodiversity hotspots sensu Conservation International, and seasonal incidence are discussed for all species. Information of all four genera of Syllegomydinae: Halterorchini is summarised and photographs of all genera provided. A novel structure of the male terminalia, termed supra-hypandrial sclerite, is described and illustrated.
R{sub b} and R{sub c} in the two Higgs Doublet Model with flavor changing neutral currents

A study of {ital R}{sub {ital b}} and {ital R}{sub {ital c}} is presented in the context of a two-Higgs-doublet model with flavor-changing scalar currents (FCSC{close_quote}s). Implications of the model for the {rho} parameter and for {ital b}{r_arrow}{ital s}{gamma} are also considered. The experimental data on {ital R}{sub {ital b}} places stringent constraints on the model parameters that are difficult to reconcile with the constraints from {ital b}{r_arrow}{ital s}{gamma} and {rho}. If we treat the couplings of the model as purely phenomenological, then the model can still survive albeit in a rather narrow region of the parameter space. Noting that aspects of the experimental analysis for {ital R}{sub {ital b}} and {ital R}{sub {ital c}} may be of some concern, we also disregard {ital R}{sub {ital b}}{sup expt} and {ital R}{sub {ital c}}{sup expt} and give predictions for these using constraints from {ital b}{r_arrow}{ital s}{gamma} and the {rho} parameter only. We emphasize the theoretical and experimental advantages of the observable {ital R}{sub {ital b}+{ital c}}{equivalent_to}{Gamma}({ital Z}{r_arrow}{ital b{bar b}}or{ital c{bar c}})/{Gamma}({ital Z}{r_arrow}hadrons). We also stress the role of {ital R}{sub {ital l}}{equivalent_to}{Gamma}({ital Z}{r_arrow}hadrons)/{Gamma}({ital Z}{r_arrow}{ital l}{sup +}{ital l}{sup {minus}}) in testing the standard model despite its dependence on QCD corrections. Noting thatmore » in models with FCNC{close_quote}s the amplitude for {ital Z}{r_arrow}{ital c{bar c}} receives a contribution which grows with {ital m}{sup 2}{sub {ital t}} the importance and uniqueness of precision {ital Z}{r_arrow}{ital c{bar c}} measurements for constraining flavor-changing {ital t{bar c}} currents is underscored. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}« less
Phosphorus acquisition by Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens from soil interspaces shared with Mojave Desert shrubs

1 Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens (L.) Husnot (Red Brome) is an invasive annual grass that is associated with increases in fire frequency and decreases in perennial plant diversity. The success of Red Brome in the Mojave Desert has been attributed to its competitive ability, but competition between Red Brome and native shrubs for below-ground resources has not been investigated previously. In this study we present a modification of previous dual-isotope methods that assesses competitive interactions and responses among plants under field conditions. We then use this method to (i) determine if direct competition for phosphorus (P) occurs between Red Brome and native shrubs, and (ii) evaluate the effectiveness of phosphate acquisition by Red Brome from soil interspaces shared with different Mojave Desert shrub species. 2 Clipping Red Brome to remove ≈85% of its foliage on the day prior to labelling soil interspaces with P isotopes did not have the desired effect of inhibiting phosphorus uptake by Red Brome. Therefore we were unable to verify that direct competition for P occurred between Red Brome and native shrubs. 3 Nonetheless, by sampling plant tissue from unclipped strips of Red Brome that were centred between two shrubs, we were able to evaluate the effectiveness of phosphate acquisition by Red Brome from interspaces shared with different shrubs. There were no differences in the amount of phosphorus acquired by Red Brome from soil interspaces shared with the evergreen shrub Larreatridentata (D.C.) Cov. versus soil interspaces shared with the drought deciduous shrub Lycium pallidum Miers. However, Red Brome acquired more than six times as much P from soil interspaces shared with Larrea than from soil interspaces shared with the drought deciduous shrub Ambrosia dumosa Payne. Less P uptake by Red Brome from soil interspaces shared with Ambrosia suggests greater effectiveness of Ambrosia compared with Larrea to deplete soil P.