cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Runaway evolution of the male-specific exon of the doublesex gene in Diptera.

Abstract In Diptera (Insecta), alternatively spliced male-specific and female-specific products of the doublesex (dsx) gene play a key role in regulating development of the adult genital structures from the genital disc. Analysis of the pattern of nucleotide substitution of different domains of the dsx gene in 29 dipteran species showed that, over short evolutionary times, purifying selection predominated on the domain common to both sexes, the female-specific exons, and the and male-specific exon. However, over longer the evolutionary time frames represented by between-family comparisons, the male-specific exon accumulated nonsynonymous substitutions at a much more rapid rate than either the common domain or the female-specific exon. Overall, the accumulation of nonsynonymous substitutions in the male-specific exon occurred at a significantly greater than linear rate relative to the common domain, whereas the accumulation of nonsynonymous substitutions in the female-specific exon occurred at less than linear rate relative to the common domain. The evolution of the male-specific exon of dsx thus shows a pattern reminiscent of that seen in the “runaway” evolution of male secondary sexual characters at the morphological level, consistent with the hypothesis that female choice is an important factor in the morphological diversification of insect male genitalia.
Excimer emission from tetrachloro-p-xylene

(1969). Excimer emission from tetrachloro-p-xylene. Molecular Physics: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 417-419.
Characterization of seismic events during the 2009 eruption of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska

Abstract Seismic events were automatically detected and characterized throughout the 2009 eruption of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska on a single short period station located 3 km from the volcanic crater. A total of 126,789 individual events were identified from continuous recording of seismic data from January 1 to June 30 (average 29 events per hour) using a short-term average/long-term average detection algorithm. Nine metrics were computed for this suite of events including event duration, inter-event time, event rate, peak amplitude, peak-to-peak amplitude, root-mean-square (RMS) amplitude, peak frequency, center frequency, and frequency index. Eight swarms were identified with event rates exceeding 100 events per hour. The first two occurred in late January and are attributed to high amplitude spasmodic tremor. Five additional swarms were manually repicked including swarms on February 26–27, March 20–23, March 27, March 29, and April 2–4. Three of these swarms immediately preceded major explosions including March 20–23, March 27, and April 2–4. A final swarm on May 2–9 was re-picked using a correlation detection scheme. We identified 146 event families that occurred within this suite of selected events using a cross correlation technique. Seven explosions were each immediately preceded by one or more event families. Events from the dominant family during each of these periods was additionally re-picked using correlation detection. The procession of event metrics and occurrence of event families formed a complex distribution throughout the eruption. A single-station approach was used to gain a fine-scale view of variations in seismic behavior at Redoubt with a focus on potential indicators of impending explosions. These techniques may serve an important role in future real-time eruption monitoring efforts.
Computerized tomography magnified bone windows are superior to standard soft tissue windows for accurate measurement of stone size: an in vitro and clinical study.

Purpose: We determined the most accurate method of measuring urinary stones on computerized tomography.Materials and Methods: For the in vitro portion of the study 24 calculi, including 12 calcium oxalate monohydrate and 12 uric acid stones, that had been previously collected at our clinic were measured manually with hand calipers as the gold standard measurement. The calculi were then embedded into human kidney-sized potatoes and scanned using 64-slice multidetector computerized tomography. Computerized tomography measurements were performed at 4 window settings, including standard soft tissue windows (window width-320 and window length-50), standard bone windows (window width-1120 and window length-300), 5.13× magnified soft tissue windows and 5.13× magnified bone windows. Maximum stone dimensions were recorded. For the in vivo portion of the study 41 patients with distal ureteral stones who underwent noncontrast computerized tomography and subsequently spontaneously passed the stones were analyzed. All...
Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT/MEIS) and overall, verbal, and nonverbal intelligence: Meta-analytic evidence and critical contingencies

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been widely used in psychological, managerial, and educational research. Among all the measures, MSCEIT (and its earlier version MEIS) has been widely used to assess EI ability. However, there is little systematic research regarding its relationship with overall, verbal, and nonverbal intelligence. The current research fills this gap in the literature by meta-analyzing the correlations between overall MSCEIT/MEIS and overall, verbal, and nonverbal intelligence. Additionally, the current research identified four critical contingencies: the type of an instrument for intelligence assessment, the study population, the average age of a sample, and the female percentage of a sample.
From IFN to TNF: a journey into realms of lore.

Jan Vilcek relates how his work helped to identify some of the pleiotropic actions of tumor necrosis factor and contributed to the development of infliximab, the first medically useful tumor necrosis factor antagonist.
Maternal smoking: Greater effect on males, Fetal Tobacco Syndrome?

We tested the recently proposed criteria for a Fetal Tobacco Syndrome (FTS) on a sample of 925 primiparous black women (including 204 smokers) and their neonates. The proposed FTS criteria included proportional growth retardation (ponderal index greater than 2.26, birth weight less than 2,500 g) in term neonates. Only 19 neonates (2%) in our study fulfilled the FTS morphometric criteria, and of these only 8 had smoking mothers. Nonetheless, the negative effect of maternal smoking on fetal growth (birth weight and length) as reported from earlier investigations was clearly evident in our own data (P less than .01). Separate analysis by fetal sex revealed that the negative effect of maternal smoking upon fetal growth is more pronounced among males than females. We concluded that fetal sex should be taken into account in studies of maternal smoking effects. As for evidence for the existence of the FTS, it remains to be proven.
Effect of Stress on Serum Zinc and Plasma Corticoid in Dairy Cattle

Abstract Serum zinc and, in some cases, plasma corticoids were monitored in dairy cattle subjected to six types of stress. Zinc was variable in dairy cattle with normal values ranging from 85 to 175 μ g/100ml and a mean of 117±39 (mean±standard deviation) for nonstressed controls. Stress increased this variability (133±63) with increased or depressed zinc associated with some stressing condition. Serum zinc did not change significantly in animals injected with corticotropin, and no relationship was observed between plasma corticoids and zinc. Hyperthermal stress had a depressing effect on serum zinc with a negative correlation of –.92 between serum zinc and plasma corticoids. Serum zinc was lower in ketotic cows, higher in cows with evidence of mastitis and in older cows, and showed no change due to routine daily milking.
Coupled resonator optical waveguides based on silicon-on-insulator photonic wires

Coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) comprised of up to 16 racetrack resonators based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photonic wires were fabricated and characterized. The optical properties of the CROWs were simulated using measured single resonator parameters based on a matrix approach. The group delay property of CROWs was also analyzed. The SOI based CROWs consisting of multiple resonators have extremely small footprints and can find applications in optical filtering, dispersion compensation, and optical buffering. Moreover, such CROW structure is a promising candidate for exploration of low light level nonlinear optics due to its resonant nature and compact mode size (∼0.1μm2) in photonic wire.
COMPENSATORY DYNAMICS IN PLANKTONIC COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO pH PERTURBATIONS

Compensatory population dynamics, in which species that decline in response to an environmental perturbation are replaced by similar species, may be crucial in maintaining processes performed by functional groups of species. Compensatory dynamics may be produced by negative interactions among species, such that the decrease in abundance of a species releases the suppression of another species and allows it to increase. We conducted a mesocosm experiment in Trout Lake, Wisconsin, USA, to test the hypothesis that compensatory shifts in species abundances play a role in overall planktonic community response to pH perturbation. In 2000-L mesocosms over a period of six weeks, we contrasted a control treatment with two acidified treatments (press, sustained pH = 4.7; and pulse, alternating pH = 4.7 and ambient pH). In the acidified treatments, we saw changes in abundance of the major zooplankton and phytoplankton species, but we observed few cases of compensatory dynamics. Nonetheless, when present, compensatory dynamics could be strong. Analyses using autoregressive models revealed negative interactions among species that could potentially lead to compensatory dynamics. However, this potential for compensatory dynamics was not realized in cases where all species were sensitive to the pH perturbations. Therefore, compensatory dynamics that buffer community responses to perturbations may be limited in communities in which many species are sensitive to the perturbation.
Long-term results of dual-chamber (DDD) pacing in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Evidence for progressive symptomatic and hemodynamic improvement and reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy.

BACKGROUNDWe previously reported that 6 to 12 weeks of dual-chamber (DDD) pacing results in clinical and hemodynamic improvement in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This study examines the long-term results of DDD pacing in obstructive HCM.METHODS AND RESULTSDDD devices were implanted in 84 patients (mean age, 49 +/- 16 years) with obstructive HCM and severe drug-refractory symptoms. At a mean follow-up of 2.3 +/- 0.8 years (maximum, 3.5 years), the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class had improved significantly (1.6 +/- 0.6 versus 3.2 +/- 0.5, P < .00001). Symptoms were eliminated in 28 patients (33%), improved in 47 patients (56%), but remained unchanged in 7 patients (8%). Two patients died suddenly (97% cumulative 3-year survival rate). In 74 patients with significant left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction at rest, the LVOT gradients were significantly reduced at follow-up (27 +/- 31 versus 96 +/- 41 mm Hg, P < .00001). Symptoms and provokable LVOT gradients were...
Flow injection sample processing with nickel oxide electrode amperometric detection of amino acids separated by ion-exchange chromatography

Abstract A new automatic post-column sampler has been designed and used for interfacing the column outlet to a flow injection system. Segments of the effluent from the column are injected into the flow injection apparatus at regular intervals. Separation and detection of several amino acids are described. A nickel oxide electrode detector yields characteristic, useful signals for concentrations as low as 10 -6 M. Samples containing 20–35 μg of total amino acids in 1 ml were chromatographed.
Silylation-mediated oxidation of dihydropyrimidine bases and nucleosides.

Vigorous trimethylsilylation of dihydropyrimidine and dihydro-s-triazine bases and nucleosides results in their dehydrogenation to the analogous aromatic derivatives. This transformation, which cannot be effected by conventional dehydrogenating reagents, has been studied in detail using gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. For 5,6-dihydro-5-azacytidine (2a) the oxidation is quantitative, requires molecular oxygen as well as reagents capable of both N- and O-silylation, is accelerated by heat and selected free radiacal initiators, and is inhibited by diethyldithiocarbamate and galvinoxyl free radical. This anomalous silylation reaction occurs on both an analytical and preparative scale. Silylation-mediated oxidation also exhibits a substantial deuterium isotope effect with preferential retention of deuterium at the new site of unsaturation. The potential of this new reaction for the synthesis of aromatic systems and for the insertion of non-exchangeable isotopic labels in suitable reduced precursors is illustrated.
Sensitivity to thyrotropin in two subspecies of deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and albino-Swiss mouse as measured by I131 depletion

Abstract The sensitivity of the thyroid gland to thyrotropin was determined in two subspecies of deermice and in the albino-Swiss mouse by means of the thyroidal I131 depletion test. A 45% I131 depletion was obtained at 12 hr in P. m. bairdii after treatment with 0.01 U.S.P. units of TSH as compared to 27% and 8% depletion in P. m. gracilis and the albino-Swiss mouse, respectively. At doses of TSH ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 U.S.P. units, bairdii demonstrated a consistently greater depletion of thyroidal I131 than gracilis or the albino-Swiss mouse. Generally, it was found that the thyroid gland of bairdii indicated a significantly higher level of sensitivity to exogenous thyrotropin levels.
Low voltage scanning electron microscopy

Abstract Low voltage scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) is the application of the SEM at beam energies below 5 keV. The fall in electron beam range compared to its magnitude at higher energies leads to significant changes in the beam interaction volume and in the secondary and backscattered electron yields. The topographic and beam penetration contrast effects which dominate images at high energies are replaced by detector collection efficiency contrast effects giving images which are less three dimensional but which contain more detailed information on the surface morphology and, in some circumstances, the surface chemistry of the specimen. In order to observe non-conducting specimens a state of charge balance must be obtained to obviate imaging artifacts. This requires an optimized choice of the incident beam energy, sample tilt, beam current and magnification for each sample. The high stopping power of electrons at low energy can result in enhanced radiation damage. However, because of the small electron range such damage is confined to a thin, near surface, region of the specimen. The combination of a field emission gun and a high performance lens allows the probe size of the instrument to be made almost independent of the chosen beam energy over the range 1–30 keV and probable advance in electron sources and electron optics promise still better levels of performance for the LVSEM.
1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 regulates pp60c‐src activity and expression of a pp60c‐src activating phosphatase

The nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, c-src, and the steroid hormone,1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3), are essential to development of the osteoclast phenotype. On the other hand, functional relationships between the activities of c-src and 1,25(OH)2D3 are as yet unknown. To determine if 1,25(OH)2D3 modulates c-src in osteoclastogenesis, we tested the steroid's effect on avian marrow-derived osteoclast precursors. We find c-src mRNA and immunoprecipitable c-src protein (pp60c-src) unaltered by 72 h exposure of these cells to 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-11) to 10(-9) M). Despite no quantitative change in pp60c-src, in vitro kinase assay of the immune complex reveals 1,25(OH)2D3 dose-dependently accelerates the catalytic activity of pp60c-src, enhancing its autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of exogenous substrate. This observation represents the first documentation, in nontransformed cells, of humoral induction of pp60c-src kinase. Consistent with the fact pp60c-src is activated by dephosphorylation of tyrosine 527 (Y527), the phosphotyrosine content of the pp60c-src immunoprecipitate, measured by immunoblot, is decreased by 1,25(OH)2D3. Alternatively, mRNA and protein levels of c-src kinase (CSK), which inactivates pp60c-src by phosphorylating Y527, are not altered by the steroid. In contrast, 1,25(OH)2D3 enhances mRNA and especially protein levels of avian protein tyrosine phosphatase lambda (PTP lambda), an enzyme specifically activating pp60c-src by dephosphorylating Y527 [Fang et al. (1994): J Biol Chem 269:20194-20200]. Thus, treatment of avian osteoclast precursors with 1,25(OH)2D3 accelerates the catalytic activity of pp60c-src independent of protein expression. Activation of the kinase may occur via the Y527 dephosphorylating enzyme PTP, expression of which, we show for the first time, is regulated.
Green means stop: veto players and their impact on climate-change policy outputs

Political institutions can hinder the adoption of certain policies. Veto-players theory suggests that more political institutions in a state will lead to lower rates of policy adoption. Extending this argument to climate-change policy, I contend that more political institutions will lead to lower overall climate-policy adoption rates, lower adoption rates for cost-concentrated climate-policy tools, and lower adoption rates for significant climate policies. Using new data on climate policies and legislative passage rates in 23 OECD states between 1996 and 2010, I find empirical evidence demonstrating that the number of political institutions intrinsic to a state negatively affects climate-policy adoption.
Psychology of calculator languages: a framework for describing differences in users' knowledge

This paper presents a framework for describing users' knowledge of how a simple four-function calculator operates. Differences among novices and experts in their conceptions of “what goes on inside the calculator” for various sequences of button presses are summarized. Individual differences include different views on when an expression is evaluated, different procedures for evaluating a chain of arithmetic, and different rules for evaluating unusual sequences of key presses.
Oral Contraceptives: Therapeutics versus Adverse Reactions, with an Outlook for the Future II*

This review of recent developments concerning aspects of hormonal contraception reviews the hormonal and hormone-related events which occur during the normal menstrual cycle. Oral contraceptives are combined or sequential doses of estrogens and progestagens. Both types are believed to prevent ovulation by inhibiting the release hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing factors. Side effects to oral contraceptives involve nearly all systems of the body in addition to the reproductive system. Investigational bases have led to difficulties in the assessment of contraceptive side effects. Among effects noted are thromboembolic disorders. Reports of thromboembolic disorders and contraceptive effect are critically discussed.
A network flow analysis of extrusion dies and other flow systems

A method is presented to calculate the slow viscous flow distribution in systems of passages, for which the major velocity components are substantially parallel to the axes of those passages. That condition is generally satisfied in flat extrusion dies, disc filters, in-line filters, and other now devices. A finite difference matrix method is initially used to determine the flow distribution for an assumed viscosity distribution. That flow distribution is next used to determine a new distribution of resistances, now based on a specified rheological equation. This process is iterated until there is no significant change in the flow distribution. The passages are subdivided in this method and replaced by a network of resistances. A few unknowns are introduced at one end of the network, which are solved at the other end, using a matrix marching routine. The method is described for newtonian flow through a flat die with equalizing channel, for which the analytic solution is known. Results are shown for that die for flow of power law liquids.
Molecular dynamics of methanol cation (CH3OH+) in strong fields: Comparison of 800 nm and 7 μm laser fields

a b s t r a c t Fragmentation and isomerization of methanol cation by short, intense laser pulses were studied by ab initio classical trajectory simulations using CAM-B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations. Compared to random orientation, CH3OH + with the C O bond aligned with the laser polarization gained nearly twice as much energy from the laser field, in accordance with the higher vibrational intensities in the mid-IR range for aligned CH3OH + . The energy gained by CH3OH + from 7 m and 800 nm laser pulses with intensities of 0.88 × 1014 and 1.7 × 1014 W/cm2 is proportional to the intensity and the wavelength squared of the laser field.
Growing Up with Just and Unjust Wars: An Appreciation

After twenty years, Michael Walzer's Just and Unjust Wars continues to engage scholars in discussions of the moral realities of war. Smith provides a summary of Walzer's work, with particular emphasis on his method of moral argument. Walzer's argument focuses on moral norms or “practical” morality, but ultimately emphasizes the importance of moral judgment based on the principle of human rights rather than on utilitarian calculation. Addressing realists' critiques of Walzer, in particular David C. Hendrickson's (see below), Smith reaffirms Walzer's call for the need to constrain the realist doctrine of necessity, which argues that moral considerations should be subordinate to the security of the state. Walzer's treatment of nuclear deterrence and intervention is discussed in relation to the end of the Cold War. Smith concludes by paying tribute to Just and Unjust Wars as a continuing reminder of the human capacity for hope and the will to change our world for the better.
Topology-driven surface mappings with robust feature alignment

Topological concepts and techniques have been broadly applied in computer graphics and geometric modeling. However, the homotopy type of a mapping between two surfaces has not been addressed before. In this paper, we present a novel solution to the problem of computing continuous maps with different homotopy types between two arbitrary triangle meshes with the same topology. Inspired by the rich theory of topology as well as the existing body of work on surface mapping, our newly-developed mapping techniques are both fundamental and unique, offering many attractive advantages. First, our method allows the user to change the homotopy type or global structure of the mapping with minimal intervention. Moreover, to locally affect shape correspondence, we articulate a new technique that robustly satisfies hard feature constraints, without the use of heuristics to ensure validity. In addition to acting as a useful tool for computer graphics applications, our method can be used as a rigorous and practical mechanism for the visualization of abstract topological concepts such as homotopy type of surface mappings, homology basis, fundamental domain, and universal covering space. At the core of our algorithm is a procedure for computing the canonical homology basis and using it as a common cut graph for any surface with the same topology. We demonstrate our results by applying our algorithm to shape morphing in this paper.
A soft-error-immune maintenance-free TCAM architecture with associated embedded DRAM

This paper describes a novel TCAM architecture with associated embedded DRAM. The design concept improves the soft error immunity by 6 digits, and also resolves the critical problems of the look-up table maintenance of TCAM. The proposed architecture in this paper is especially attractive for realizing soft-error immune, high-performance TCAM chips.
Elastance control of a mock circulatory system for ventricular assist device test

A state-feedback controller was designed to simulate the Starling response of the heart in a mock circulatory system (MCS). The controller drives a voice coil actuator (VCA) to follow a reference volume, and thus generate the desired chamber pressure, by using position and speed feedbacks. The reference volume was adjusted according to the maximum ventricular elastance (E max ), end-systolic ventricular pressure, and left atrial pressure to respond to load variation in the MCS. The controller was tested in computer simulation by changing the load conditions and E max of the MCS. The MCS along with the controller was able to reproduce human heart function from healthy to sick conditions. A rotary ventricular assist device (VAD) was then introduced in the simulation to test the MCS. The MCS was able to produce a consistent cardiac function even with the presence of the VAD. These results suggest that the new MCS control system is able to simulate the cardiac function for VAD test.
Unexplained Drownings and the Cardiac Channelopathies: A Molecular Autopsy Series

Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and spectrum of mutations associated with long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) in a seemingly unexplained drowning cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS From September 1, 1998, through October 31, 2010, 35 unexplained drowning victims (23 male and 12 female; mean ± SD age, 17±12 years [range, 4-69 years]) were referred for a cardiac channel molecular autopsy. Of these, 28 (20 male and 8 female) drowned while swimming, and 7 (3 male and 4 female) were bathtub submersions. Polymerase chain reaction, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, and DNA sequencing were used for a comprehensive mutational analysis of the 3 major LQTS-susceptibility genes (KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A), and a targeted analysis of the CPVTl-associated, RYR2- encoded cardiac ryanodine receptor was conducted. RESULTS Of the 28 victims of swimming-related drowning, 8 (28.6%) were mutation positive, including 2 with KCNQ1 mutations (L273F, AAPdel71-73 plus V524G) and 6 with RYR2 mutations (R414C, I419F, R1013Q, V2321A, R2401H, and V2475F). None of the bathtub victims were mutation positive. Of the 28 victims who drowned while swimming, women were more likely to be mutation positive than men (5/8 [62.5%] vs 3/20 [15%]; P=.02). Although none of the mutation-positive, swimming-related drowning victims had a premortem diagnosis of LQTS or CPVT, a family history of cardiac arrest, family history of prior drowning, or QT prolongation was present in 50%. CONCLUSION Nearly 30% of the victims of swimming-related drowning hosted a cardiac channel mutation. Genetic testing should be considered in the postmortem evaluation of an unexplained drowning, especially if a positive personal or family history is elicited.
Smoking cessation in patients with respiratory disease: existing treatments and future directions.

Summary Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, account for a large proportion of tobacco-related deaths. Smoking cessation benefits almost all smokers, irrespective of the age at which they quit, making smoking cessation a core component of prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases. Evidence shows that psychosocial counselling and pharmacotherapy are effective smoking cessation methods and are most effective when used together. The first-line drugs licensed to aid smoking cessation (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline) are effective in patients with COPD. Efforts are underway to improve the efficacy of existing treatments and increase the proportion of smokers who try to quit, and who use treatment when doing so. However, existing smoking cessation counselling and drugs are among the most cost-effective clinical preventive services available. Incorporation of such treatment into routine clinical practice is essential for provision of high-quality care to all patients, especially those with respiratory disease.
Metropolitan economic decline and infant mortality due to unintentional injury

Public health professionals assert that parents could prevent a substantial portion of infant mortality due to unintentional injury (IMUI) by creating a safe environment for the infant. Examples of safe parenting behaviors include attending to a bathing infant, properly securing a child safety seat in a motor vehicle, and removing soft pillows from a crib. The contraction of regional economies, an ambient phenomenon previously reported to affect salutary behaviors, may distract parents from these routine infant monitoring tasks. I test this distraction hypothesis that the monthly incidence of IMUI will vary inversely with the performance of the economy. I retrieve economic data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and use data from the Birth Cohort File on 2 618 752 infants in all 26 metropolitan areas of California. Results support the hypothesis in that a one percent decline in employed persons coincides with an eight percent increase of IMUI in that month. Findings remain robust to control for individual covariates that could confound observed associations. I discuss my findings in relation to the literature concerned with parental distraction, describe other mechanisms through which the economy may affect IMUI, and recommend further investigation.
Bringing Society Back into the Climate Debate

Debate over climate change focuses narrowly on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A common justification for such emissions reductions is that they will lead to a reduction in the future impacts of climate on society. But research from social scientists and others who study environment–society interactions clearly indicates that the dominant factors shaping the impacts of climate on society are societal. A greater appreciation for this body of research would allow for consideration of a broader base of policy options to respond to the challenges of climate change, as well as the composition of climate research portfolios more likely to contribute useful knowledge to decision makers.
MicroRNA-26a Regulates Pathological And Physiological Angiogenesis by Targeting BMP/SMAD1 Signaling

Rationale: The rapid induction and orchestration of new blood vessels are critical for tissue repair in response to injury, such as myocardial infarction, and for physiological angiogenic responses, such as embryonic development and exercise. Objective : We aimed to identify and characterize microRNAs (miR) that regulate pathological and physiological angiogenesis. Methods and Results : We show that miR-26a regulates pathological and physiological angiogenesis by targeting endothelial cell (EC) bone morphogenic protein/SMAD1 signaling in vitro and in vivo. MiR-26a expression is increased in a model of acute myocardial infarction in mice and in human subjects with acute coronary syndromes. Ectopic expression of miR-26a markedly induced EC cycle arrest and inhibited EC migration, sprouting angiogenesis, and network tube formation in matrigel, whereas blockade of miR-26a had the opposite effects. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that miR-26a inhibits the bone morphogenic protein/SMAD1 signaling pathway in ECs by binding to the SMAD1 3′-untranslated region, an effect that decreased expression of Id1 and increased p21 WAF/CIP and p27. In zebrafish, miR-26a overexpression inhibited formation of the caudal vein plexus, a bone morphogenic protein-responsive process, an effect rescued by ectopic SMAD1 expression. In mice, miR-26a overexpression inhibited EC SMAD1 expression and exercise-induced angiogenesis. Furthermore, systemic intravenous administration of an miR-26a inhibitor, locked nucleic acid-anti–miR-26a, increased SMAD1 expression and rapidly induced robust angiogenesis within 2 days, an effect associated with reduced myocardial infarct size and improved heart function. Conclusions : These findings establish miR-26a as a regulator of bone morphogenic protein/SMAD1-mediated EC angiogenic responses, and that manipulating miR-26a expression could provide a new target for rapid angiogenic therapy in ischemic disease states.
Lidar mapping of faults in Houston, Texas, USA

Over 300 active faults intersect the Earth's surface in the Houston metropolitan area on the northern edge of the Gulf of Mexico basin. These surface faults have caused damage to roads, pipelines, and buildings. We used light detection and ranging (lidar) data to more accurately map faults in the Houston area. We developed a grid-refinement algorithm for processing the raw data to generate a 1.5-m–resolution digital elevation model (DEM). The refined grids allowed for better spatial resolution of the scarps and in some cases revealed features that were not noticed on the original DEM. Hillshading proved the best method for identifying faults that were then examined in the field. Most of these faults are part of a larger, regional, down-to-the-basin fault system along the northern Gulf of Mexico; this work complements studies of Houston and Gulf Coast neotectonics.
Health literacy skills of U.S. adults.

Objectives To examine adults' literacy proficiencies in multiple health contexts. Methods One hundred ninety-one (191) health-related items drawn from all large-scale adult literacy surveys before 2003 were scored as an independent health literacy scale. Latent class analyses provide portraits of adults with different health literacy skills. Results Adults without a high school diploma or GED, with health-related restrictions, with limited access to resources, who are members of minority population groups, and who are immigrants - have lower health literacy skills than do others. Conclusions The distribution of health literacy is not independent of general literacy skills at population or subpopulation levels.
The Influence of Gibberellic Acid on the Growth andAlkaloid Biogenesis in Datzura stramonium Linné and in Atropa belladonna Linné

Gibberellic acid in concentrations of 100 and 1,000 p. p. m. was administered as an aqueous spray to the leaves and tops of Datura stramonium and Atropa belladonna . Characteristic effects on the growth of the treated plants are described. Significant increases in plant height were demonstrated. The fifty-four-day-old stramonium plants were harvested four weeks after the first treatment. Fresh and dry weight data indicated increases in total, leaves and tops, and stem weights, but decreased root weight. The twelve-week-old belladonna plants were harvested seven weeks following treatment. Appreciable decreases in leaves and tops and root dry weights were noted. However, this was accompanied by significant increases in stem weight. Stramonium plants receiving both a single and double spray treatment with each concentration of gibberellic acid showed decreases in the concentration of total alkaloids in the leaves and tops and in the stems. Increased alkaloid roduction was observed in the roots. The favorable effects on growth from the two-spray treatment of 100 p. p. m. of gibberellic acid resulted in significant increases in total alkaloid production. Significant decreases in the concentration of alkaloids in the plant organs of belladonna were noted. Further, the total alkaloid content of belladonna treated with gibberellic acid was about one-half that of the untreated plants.
Exploration of the Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Metabolic Measures in Young People Living with HIV.

We conducted cross-sectional, multicenter studies in HIV-positive young women and men to assess metabolic and morphologic complications from tobacco smoking in 372 behaviorally infected HIV-positive youth, aged 14–25 years. Measurements included self-reported tobacco use, fasting lipids, glucose, fat distribution, and bone mineral density (BMD; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans). Overall, 144 (38.7%) self-reported smoking tobacco and 69 (47.9%) of these reported smoking greater than five cigarettes per day. Smokers versus nonsmokers had lower mean total cholesterol (146.0 versus 156.1 mg/dL; ) and lower mean total body fat percent (24.1% versus 27.2%, ). There was no difference between smokers and nonsmokers in fasting glucose or BMD. There appear to be only minimal effects from tobacco smoking on markers of cardiac risk and bone health in this population of HIV-positive youth. While these smokers may not have had sufficient exposure to tobacco to detect changes in the outcome measures, given the long-term risks associated with smoking and HIV, it is critical that we encourage HIV-positive youth smokers to quit before the deleterious effects become apparent.
A New Control System for the SLAC Accelerator Klystrons for SLC

A general overview of a new control system for SLAC klystrons is presented along with a detailed description of the remote controller for measurement and control of accelerator components.
Everything is a matter of degree: A new theoretical justification of Zadeh’s principle

One of the main ideas behind fuzzy logic and its applications is that everything is a matter of degree. We are often accustomed to think that every statement about a physical world is true or false - that an object is either a particle or a wave, that a person is either young or not, either well or ill - but in reality, we sometimes encounter intermediate situations. In this paper, we show that the existence of such intermediate situations can be theoretically explained - by a natural assumption that the real world is cognizable.
Propagation of a spherically symmetric mutual coherence function through a random medium

In this paper, an approximate solution obtained by iteration is given for the development of a spherically symmetric mutual coherence function, representing radiation propagating through a statistically homogeneous and isotropic random medium. Only small angle scattering about the radial propagation direction is considered. The results are compared to the problem where propagation is principally in a single direction.
The Effect of Structural Preferences, Temperature, and Social Factors on Visibility in Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla G. Gorilla)

Postoccupancy evaluations are common in determining successful design elements in the human setting, but they are rarely employed in zoological parks. The current study evaluated how structural preferences, temperature, and social factors affected the visibility of four groups of gorillas to the public. Although the majority of structures were located in visible portions of the exhibit, structures had a negative effect on visibility because of the gorillas' strong preference for a single typeof structure(buildings) located primarily in nonvisibleparts of theexhibits. Tem - perature and visibility were linearly related, with increasing temperatures corre- sponding with decreasing visibility. The removal of an animal from the group significantly affected the visibility of the remaining group members. The authors' results reinforce the need for exhibit designers to consider the relationships between animal behavior and environmental variables and to work with captive managers to create exhibits that meet the needs of individual animals.
Brain Stem Evoked Response in the Assessment of Learning Disabilities

Evidence has accumulated rapidly to support the hypothesis that neurological anomalies underlie specific forms of learning disability (LD). This article reviews recent studies directed at the electrophysiological assessment of LD children, with emphasis on the brain stem evoked response (BSER) methodology. Child studies appear to indicate that there are significant differences in BSERs between LD and age-matched normal controls. The methodological and statistical differences among these studies, which have clouded the findings and made replication difficult, are reviewed. Improvements in sampling and empirical procedures are suggested, including the use of discriminant analysis to explore BSER asymmetries in LD children. Future inquiry into the measurement and analysis of BSER activity in LD populations is warranted on the basis of these preliminary findings. New information may bring professionals closer to an understanding of the neurological causes of specific subtypes of LD and permit earlier identifi...
Projection-based statistical analysis of full-chip leakage power with non-log-normal distributions

In this paper we propose a novel projection-based algorithm to estimate the full-chip leakage power with consideration of both inter-die and intra-die process variations. Unlike many traditional approaches that rely on log-normal approximations, the proposed algorithm applies a novel projection method to extract a low-rank quadratic model of the logarithm of the full-chip leakage current and, therefore, is not limited to log-normal distributions. By exploring the underlying sparse structure of the problem, an efficient algorithm is developed to extract the non-log-normal leakage distribution with linear computational complexity in circuit size. In addition, an incremental analysis algorithm is proposed to quickly update the leakage distribution after changes to a circuit are made. Our numerical examples in a commercial 90nm CMOS process demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides 4/spl times/error reduction compared with the previously proposed log-normal approximations, while achieving orders of magnitude more efficiency than a Monte Carlo analysis with 104 samples.
On the origin and distribution of normal cytoplasm of onion

Seventy populations of bulb onion (Allium cepa) from the Middle East, Central Asia, and Indian subcontinent introduced into the United States National Plant Germplasm System before 1964 were evaluated for the presence of normal (N) male-fertile and male-sterile (S) cytoplasms using three polymorphisms in the chloroplast genome. One accession acquired in 1948 from Turkey possessed only S cytoplasm. Fifty accessions possessed only N cytoplasm. Nineteen accessions possessed both N and S cytoplasm, of which S predominated in two accessions. The prevalence of N cytoplasm among populations originating from the Central Asian center of origin supports it as the wild type cytoplasm of onion. One accession of A. vavilovii recently collected in Turkmenistan was identical to N cytoplasmic onion for all of 42 previously characterized polymorphisms in the chloroplast genome, at all sites for 12 restriction enzymes in the nuclear 45s ribosomal DNA, and for 68 of 72 mitochondrial probe-enzyme combinations. Polymorphisms between this accession of A. vavilovii and three N cytoplasmic onions were detected only with cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 and four restriction enzymes. The cytoplasm of A. vavilovii is closely related to N cytoplasm and this species may be the progenitor of bulb onion.
Baffled By Inactivity: the Individual Mandate and the Commerce Power

Is there a way to analyze and evaluate the unprecedented individual mandate, consistent with the text of the Constitution and (at least post-1937) relevant Supreme Court decisions, without relying on the novel activity/inactivity distinction advanced by its opponents (to the bafflement of many courts and commentators)? This article argues that there is. It presents a brief against the mandate based upon the original public meaning and doctrinal exposition of words and phrases such as “commerce,” “regulate,” “necessary and proper,” and even “among,” which are in the Constitution and the cases. In doing this, it resists expansive readings of these terms which would give Congress virtually unlimited power in favor of an understanding more consistent with the principles of limited government and enumerated powers.
Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Breast Cancer

The diagnosis and management of breast cancer are undergoing a paradigm shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to an era of personalized medicine. Sophisticated diagnostics, including molecular imaging and genomic expression profiles, enable improved tumor characterization. These diagnostics, combined with newer surgical techniques and radiation therapies, result in a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to minimizing recurrence and reducing treatment-associated morbidity. This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, including screening, staging, and multidisciplinary management.
A Comparison Between Time-of-Arrival and Novel Phased Array Approaches to Estimate Acoustic Emission Source Locations in a Steel Plate

An important step in quantitative acoustic emission (AE) monitoring is the estimation of the temporal and spatial coordinates of the source. In this paper, we describe and compare two AE source location approaches: traditional time of arrival and a novel circular phased array. Both of these approaches have their strengths and limitations depending on the application. The novelty of our phased array approach is that we employ two circular arrays, which enables us to estimate the location rather than only the direction of the source, a limitation of traditional phased array approaches that only use one array. Results of laboratory experiments performed on a steel plate according to ASTM E647 using novel multi-sensor sheets to record the AE signals are presented and discussed for both approaches. Each sheet was equipped with a dense array of piezoelectric discs laminated on a polyimide substrate. The sheets were mounted on one side of the steel plate and pencil lead breaks applied to the other side representing artificial sources of AE. The results are presented and discussed and a comparison between the performances of the two approaches is provided.
Protection structures

The ability to selectively control access to information in computing systems has taken on a heightened importance in recent years, and we can expect that concern to continue to grow. Large amounts of data are now being concentrated in readily processible form, technical developments in networking are linking those collections, and the computing power available to examine these data continues to increase. Each of these developments is being accompanied by dramatic decreases in costs. Public, institutional, governmental, and military concern over the impact of improper, inadequate controls and safeguards for this increasingly concentrated, inexpensive, and pervasive information processing power is rightfully increasing.
Population, Reproductive, and Sexual Health: Data Are Essential Where Disciplines Meet and Ideologies Conflict.

The flourishing of the individual human person, the health of human society, and the ecological well being of planet earth are inextricably connected with the issues of human population, sexuality, and reproduction. Many academic disciplines have strong interests in these issues, approaching them from different perspectives and with different emphases. However, these areas of study are also infused with controversy and strong ideological positions arising from cultural, religious, political, and social traditions that sometimes clash with each other. To address these issues, two things are needed: (1) data that address questions from different underlying assumptions; (2) open and respectful discussion among scientists, clinicians, and policy makers who have different backgrounds, narrative frameworks, and conceptual perspectives (1). The new Section on Population, Reproductive and Sexual Health, Frontiers in Public Health will contribute constructively to these critical needs.
Pollenkitt wetting mechanism enables species-specific tunable pollen adhesion.

Plant pollens are microscopic particles exhibiting a remarkable breadth of complex solid surface features. In addition, many pollen grains are coated with a viscous liquid, “pollenkitt”, thought to...