cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Interpretation of the Normalization Constant in the Scaling Equation

The scaling equation, Y1 = Y2, has been used empirically and explored theoretically primarily to determine the numerical value and meaning of the scaling exponent, . The mathematical interpretation of  is clear –– it is the quotient of the relative rate of change of Y1 with respect to the rate of change of Y2. In contrast, the interpretation of the normalization constant, , is obscure, so much so that some workers have rejected the idea that it has any biological importance. With the notable exception of Steven J. Gould’s early work, Huxley’s dismissal of  largely relegated the study of its biological role to that of an academic afterthought. Here, we attempt to clarify the meaning of  by using examples from plant biology to illustrate the four primary difficulties that have obscured its importance: (1) the consistency of the units and the metrics of measurement (e.g., meters and body length, respectively), (2) the relationship between  and , (3) the interpretation of scaling equations, and (4) detecting if the numerical value of  has changed and if the change is biologically meaningful. Using examples, we show that  is biologically interpretable and offers a way to quantitatively consider similarities of biological form if (1) it is expressed in terms of the relative magnitudes of Y1 or Y2 for corresponding data points in a set of Y1 = Y2 equations, (2) the units of measurements are in the same scale, and (3) the corresponding dimensionless numbers are established based on the same units of measurement. We provide examples of where the numerical value of or differences in the values of are important, and we propose a research agenda examining the meaning of  values in terms of trait-based ecology.
Value of Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Cortical Tumors of cT2 or Greater Stage: A Risk-benefit Analysis of Renal Function Preservation Versus Increased Postoperative Morbidity

Abstract Background Indications for partial nephrectomy (PN) have expanded to include larger tumors. Compared with radical nephrectomy (RN), PN reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease but is associated with higher morbidity. Objective To explore whether the benefit of PN (preservation of estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 1 yr postoperatively) over RN is offset by higher morbidity for cT2-cT3a tumors. Design, setting, and participants A total of 1921 patients with renal cortical tumors who underwent nephrectomy between 2000 and 2012 were analyzed, with 297 having clinical stage T2 or higher disease. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, tumor size, and comorbidities were used to calculate the risk of complications within 90 d and the risk of low eGFR across a range of tumor sizes. Models were created separately for RN and PN, and the difference between risk estimates was calculated. Results and limitations For tumors with diameters between 7 and 12 cm, the risk of eGFR downgrade associated with RN was higher than the risk of complications associated with PN. The magnitude of the risk of eGFR downgrade was similar to the magnitude of complications risk across all tumor sizes. Our analysis was performed at a single institution, and used only tumor size to compare the risk and benefits of surgery. Conclusions Our study suggests that PN is associated with higher eGFR preservation than RN for cT2 or greater renal tumors. The magnitude of this advantage offsets the higher morbidity observed with PN. Patient summary When treating a large kidney tumor, it is difficult to decide whether it is better to remove the whole kidney or remove just the tumor. The second option improves postoperative renal function but is more complex. We tried to find whether there is a tumor size at which one technique should be used over the other.
Current Regulation in Parallel Combined Winding Bearingless Motors

To improve power density and motor performance, new bearingless motor topologies combine torque and magnetic suspension coils into a single winding. Of these topologies, the parallel dual-purpose no-voltage winding is advantageous from the bearingless drive perspective because it requires the least amount of hardware. However, this topology can result in undesirable current controller performance from cross-coupling effects between the suspension and torque operation. This paper investigates these cross-coupling effects using rotating reference frame theory to derive relevant system disturbance transfer functions. The nature of this coupling is explained in relation to the machine and control parameters (inductances, resistances, controller gains) to provide insights for bearingless machine and control designers. The paper proposes and simulates different compensation techniques to minimize or eliminate the cross-coupling. It is shown that with careful machine design or with proper feedback control compensation, the motor controller can be implemented as a conventional motor drive, without knowledge of the magnetic suspension system. Finally, experimental validation is provided via two prototype machines.
An Overview of Pediatric Anesthesia

Anesthesia in children is very safe. However, critical events do occur, with more than half of them involving the respiratory system and the airway. To maintain safety, surgery and anesthesia for children can only be performed in centers with the correct staff training, equipment and physical environment. Professional organizations have guidelines for these requirements. The law gives parents the right to decide about a child’s treatment, but consent and the right to refuse treatment becomes more complicated as the child’s age increases towards 16–18 years and the child is more likely to have Gillick competency. Although there is overlap between the anesthetic techniques used in adults and children, the techniques used in adults are not always appropriate in children—for example, IV induction is not always best, and the technique for adult rapid sequence induction requires modification to prevent complications in children. Children will not always keep their hand still for an IV insertion, and will not always simply accept a facemask. Techniques to assist with these common tasks are used in pediatric practice. After anesthesia, children are more likely than adults to wake unhappy and upset, and will not always suffer pain quietly. Emergence delirium is a common problem and can spoil an otherwise good anesthetic experience for the family. There are several effective strategies to prevent it.
Performance evaluation of a novel single-screw compressor and expander design

Single-screw machines have seen significant development and improvement over the last decades and they are currently employed as both compressors and expanders in several applications. The correct functioning of the machine heavily relies on the meshing between the gate rotors and the central rotor which is directly linked to the precision of the manufacturing process to avoid unexpected wear of the tooth profiles. It is well known that the wear of the gate rotor tooth profiles over time is one of the limiting factors with respect to twin-screw machines. To this end, a number of studies have been reported in the literature about improved tooth profiles. For instance, the conventional straight-line profile has been replaced by multi-column tooth flank designs to enlarge the contact surface. However, the manufacturing process is still based on CNC machines with associated challenges.In a previous study, the authors proposed and modeled a new tooth profile design to overcome the aforementioned limitations. In particular, 3D printing technique was utilized to manufacture the non-conventional tooth design. A geometry model has also been developed to calculate the sealing lines, groove volume curves, and surface areas of the new design.In this work, a detailed mechanistic model of the single-screw machine is exercised to compare the conventional straight-line profile with the newly proposed tooth profile. Particular emphasis is given to the effect of seal lines on the leakage flows. Furthermore, the design implications of the new tooth profile on internal volume ratio, porting, and displacement are also discussed.
Rebellion Without a Cause: Distorted Representations of Bebop in The Wild One

The Wild One, released in 1953, features a prototype of what Norman Mailer would later call the “white Negro.” I argue that the film's representation of white hipsters, which borrows sensationalize...
RDoC Mechanisms of Transdiagnostic Polygenic Risk for Trajectories of Depression: From Early Adolescence to Adulthood

There is substantial heterogeneity in the development of depression across early adolescence into adulthood. Yet, little is known about the risk factors underlying individual differences in the development of depression. For instance, despite the discovery of genetic variants for depression, there is also significant genetic overlap between depression and other mental disorders. Thus, depression may have etiologically complex (i.e., transdiagnostic) origins when accounting for its heterogeneous developmental presentations. This study examined the association between a transdiagnostic polygenic score for psychopathology (p-factor PGS) and depressive trajectories, spanning early adolescence into adulthood, in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We also examined whether the Research Domains Criteria (RDoC) negative valence (i.e., negative emotionality), positive valence (i.e., novelty seeking), and cognitive systems (i.e., picture vocabulary) could explain how the p-factor PGS eventuates into the various pathways of depressive development. Four trajectories of depression were identified: low depression (78.9%), low increasing (7.3%), high declining (8.2%), and early adult peaked (5.7%). The p-factor PGS was only associated with the trajectory that showed increasing depression over time. There was also a specific indirect effect by which the association of p-factor PGS on early adult peaked and high declining depression was partially mediated by negative emotionality, but not by picture vocabulary or novelty seeking. Our findings reinforce the crucial role of development in genetically-informed RDoC models of depression, as there appear to be distinct correlates and risk factors that underlie the various developmental pathways of depression. Clinical implications were also discussed.
Tai Chi practice and change in exercise habits in survivors of acute coronary syndromes: Is mindfulness a possible mechanism?

Abstract Background Mechanisms by which mind-body practice may improve exercise behaviors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are unknown. Purpose To identify predictors of exercise behaviors developed in response to a tai chi intervention. Methods We conducted an exploratory analysis using data from a pilot study of tai chi for physically inactive patients with CHD. We used Latent Class Analysis to identify patterns of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (accelerometry-assessed, average min/week) over the 9-month study period. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between MVPA patterns and changes in exercise self-efficacy (Self-efficacy for exercise scale), social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), resilience (Brief Resilience Survey), and mindfulness (Five Facets of Mindfulness) at 6 months. Results Data supported a 3-class model over time: 31% of participants were in class 1 (high and sustained MVPA, > 200 min/week), 21% were in class 2 (low and decreasing MVPA, 50 min/week), and 48% in class 3 (low and stable MVPA, Conclusions Improvements in mindfulness were associated with a distinct high and sustained MVPA pattern. Although only hypothesis-generating, these findings suggest that improvements in mindfulness skills could be a mechanism for the possible effect of Tai Chi in the promotion of MVPA.
A Toolkit for the Application of Placental-Fetal Molecular Biomarkers in Epidemiologic Studies of the Fetal Origins of Chronic Disease

In this review, we provide essential background knowledge and an analytical framework for the application of placental-fetal molecular biomarkers in fetal origins chronic disease epidemiology. The widely available and highly quantitative placental hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is used as an example. hCG is currently used for diagnosing fetal genetic disorders; yet, it can and should be expanded to understanding the fetal origins of chronic diseases. We provide justification and methods to do this. Ten papers published in the last 5 years were identified with supportive findings relevant to the application of biomarkers of hCG in epidemiologic studies on the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). There is increasing and consistent evidence that placental-fetal biomarkers may be highly informative in observational studies, as exemplified by hCG, with the correct approaches for measurement and data analysis.
Modeling of Survival and Frequency of Cardiovascular-Related Hospitalization in Patients with Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Treated with Tafamidis

ATTR-ACT (Tafamidis in Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy Clinical Trial) demonstrated the efficacy and safety of tafamidis in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Model-based analyses from ATTR-ACT can examine predictor effects on dose–response/exposure–response relationships. Parametric hazard distributions were developed for all-cause mortality and frequency of cardiovascular-related hospitalization. Time-to-event models were fitted to survival data, and repeated time-to-event models were fitted to hospitalization data. Disease-specific characteristics were assessed as baseline predictors of event hazards. There were 441 patients in this analysis. At month 30, 70.5% (tafamidis) and 57.1% (placebo) of patients were alive, with 154/441 deaths reported; 495 cardiovascular-related hospitalizations occurred. The cumulative risk of death was 42.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.2–58.0) lower with tafamidis than with placebo, regardless of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class; significant predictors of decreased risk were genotype (wild-type), greater 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance, higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations. The average cumulative risk of cardiovascular-related hospitalization up to 30 months was 40.8% (95% CI 31.0–49.7) lower with tafamidis in NYHA class I/II patients. Significant predictors of reduced risk were greater 6MWT distance, higher LVEF, and lower BUN and troponin I concentrations. Tafamidis reduced cumulative mortality and hospitalization risk versus placebo in patients with ATTR-CM. Baseline predictors of outcome were consistent with the cardiovascular nature of the disease and suggested that earlier treatment may improve outcomes. NCT01994889 (date of registration: November 26, 2013).
Adherence to Long-Term Follow-up in Patients With Sporadic Vestibular Schwannomas Managed With Serial Observation.

Objectives To examine the long-term adherence to serial imaging of patients with sporadic vestibular schwannoma and analyze factors associated with being lost to follow-up. Study Design Retrospective chart review with telephone interview. Setting Single tertiary care center. Methods Patients with a sporadic vestibular schwannoma and started on observational surveillance management between January 2005 and December 2010 were included. Demographic data, tumor size, hearing and vestibular changes, and follow-up length were recorded. Patient factors were analyzed for association with being lost to follow-up. Results In total, 122 patients were included with a median length of follow-up of 5 months (range, 0-146). After initial surveillance, 22.1% (n = 27) of patients had a change in management to either microsurgery or radiosurgery. Of the remaining 77.9% (n = 95), nearly half (44.2%, n = 42) never returned for a second visit, and all but 3 were eventually lost to follow-up. There was no association between sex, race, age at diagnosis, initial tumor size, insurance status, household income, or driving distance to hospital and being lost to follow-up. Of 26 interviewed patients initially lost to follow-up, 11 (42.3%) sought care at another institution, 5 (19.2%) chose to no longer receive care, 1 (3.8%) had transportation difficulties, and 9 (36.4%) had poor understanding of their diagnosis or instructions. Conclusions The length of follow-up for patients undergoing surveillance of sporadic vestibular schwannoma varies widely, and patients are commonly lost to follow-up. Further efforts should be made to identify at-risk patients and provide adequate education to improve long-term surveillance.
Identification of Disease-Disease Network Communities in Subpopulations of Patients with Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is ranked as one of the most common cancer diagnoses among men worldwide. Different research studies show that the current diagnosis and treatment strategies have improved the health condition of patients with PCa. Nonetheless, the number of new cases and the morbidity associated with PCa remain high. In this study, using the Medicare claims of patients identified from the SEER-Medicare database, we analyzed the disease-disease interactions in patients at different stages of PCa. Also, we implemented community detection to identify common co-occurring diseases in different subpopulations, identified by PCa stages. The similarity analysis of complication subgroups was performed to identify the most distinct complication subgroups among subpopulations. The results of the study show that the level of experiencing cooccurring diseases is different among subpopulations. Identifying distinct disease-disease interactions can inform the prediction of hospitalization rate and frequency and mortality rate among different subpopulations and enhance our understanding of the pathological correlations among diseases.
Early menopause: diagnosis and management

Abstract It is clear that reproductive aging plays a critical role in overall population health and longevity. The effects of ovarian aging on overall health are largely due to the progressive, irreversible loss of follicles and oocytes, which results in declining feedback from the somatic cells of the aging ovary, changes in endocrine hormones, and ultimately, menopause. Menopause, the culmination of the ovarian aging process, represents a major hormonal, psychological, and physiological event and confers increased risk for comorbidities and overall mortality unrelated to fertility. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a process characterized by a catastrophic acceleration of ovarian follicle loss. The resultant early menopause and infertility is devastating for women. Women who experience earlier onset of natural menopause due to POI, or surgical menopause (e.g., following oophorectomy) live shorter lives, with a higher incidence of diabetes, ischemic heart disease, cardiovascular disease mortality, bone fracture, and earlier cognitive decline than women who experience normal or late menopause. An understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of early menopause and POI is critical in order to identify and treat women suffering from this condition, thus improving the long-term health of over half of the population.
Nonrenormalization theorems in nonrenormalizable theories

A perturbative nonrenormalization theorem is presented that applies to general supersymmetric theories, including nonrenormalizable theories in which the $\ensuremath{\int}{d}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$ integrand of the action is an arbitrary gauge-invariant function $F(\ensuremath{\Phi},W)$ of the chiral superfields $\ensuremath{\Phi}$ and gauge field-strength superfields $W$, and the $\ensuremath{\int}{d}^{4}\ensuremath{\theta}$ integrand is restricted only by gauge invariance. In the Wilsonian Lagrangian, $F(\ensuremath{\Phi},W)$ is nonrenormalized except for the one-loop renormalization of the gauge coupling parameter, and Fayet-Iliopoulos terms can be renormalized only by one-loop graphs. One consequence of this theorem is that in nonrenormalizable as well as renormalizable theories, in the absence of Fayet-Iliopoulos terms supersymmetry will be unbroken to all orders, if the bare superpotential has a stationary point.
Longitudinal fracture of the coronoid process of the mandible: Report of an unusual case

Abstract A review of the literature pertaining to fractures of the coronoid process of the mandible has been presented. A previously unreported type of coronoid fracture, the longitudinal fracture, has been described.
Monolithic integration of AlGaN/GaN-LiNbO/sub 3/ optical-electronic-structures

We present an innovative technology directed at monolithic integration of GaN electronic devices with lithium niobate (LiNbO/sub 3/) waveguides. GaN FETs have been fabricated for use in systems occupying complete phase and amplitude control and measurement capabilities.
Work and Family

This article describes some of the programs, policies, practices, and problems encountered when individuals and organizations attempt to help people manage the boundary between work-professional life and family-personal life. Issues mentioned include flextime, predictable hours, dependent care costs-care-concerns, leave policies, limits to overworking, telecommuting, policy versus practice dilemmas, work-family stress, generation-culture differences in definitions of family, and rethinking the gendered nature of work. Keywords: work; family; flexible work systems; flextime; gender equity
Reconstruction Methods to Obtain Inverse Stable Sampled Systems

It is shown that Fractional Order Hold and Pulse Amplitude Modulation signal reconstruction methods can be used to improve, in many cases, the zero properties of the sampled transfer function H(z) over the Zero Order Hold reconstruction. State-Space descriptions and algorithms are used throughout as they provide a convenient way to study H(z) for any sampling period T. In addition, the problem of how well the sampled H(z) models the continuous G(s) is discussed.
The impact of policy changes on forecasting for school districts

This paper describes a case study in which a professional demographic consulting team was brought in to aid in the development of a long-term building and reorganization plan for an Indiana school district. Just prior to the start of this process, a state-level policy was promulgated that changed the age of eligibility for entering kindergarten in such a manner that it temporarily produced the appearance of an increase in the number of kindergartners in districts throughout Indiana. For the district in question, a group of residents pointed to the apparent growth in the number of kindergartners as a reason not to close schools in their area. Having uncovered both the policy and its effect, the consultants produced an enrollment forecast that was not confounded by the artificial appearance of growth. This forecast showed much less growth than expected by the district's officials and residents, both of whom had been conditioned to expect future enrollment growth by not only the policy effect but by local media reports on the national ‘Baby Boomlet’, a phenomenon not actually occurring in their district. The demographers successfully defended their forecast in the face of strong initial disbelief as well as outright opposition by the residents. This experience tends to validate the argument made by others that the participation of professional demographers in an adversarial procedure can be beneficial in helping to formulate long-term plans.
GLoo: a framework for modeling and reasoning about component-oriented language abstractions

The most important contribution to the success or failure of a software project comes from the choice of the programming languages being used and their support in the target environment. The choice of a suitable implementation language is not a guarantor for success, but an unsuitable language may result in a long, error-prone, and costly implementation, often resulting in an unstable product. In this paper, we present GLoo, a framework for modeling and reasoning about open-ended language mechanisms for object- and component-oriented software development. At the heart of GLoo is a small dynamic composition language that provides abstractions to (i) define and/or import reusable software components, (ii) introduce new compositional language abstractions, and (iii) build executable and reusable component-oriented specifications. To demonstrate its flexibility and extensibility, we then present an encoding of the traits concept as an example of how to add support for a new and readily available language abstraction to the GLoo framework.
J. Bishop, Believing by Faith: An Essay in the Epistemology of Religious Belief

Since the collapse of logical positivism, natural theology and various other religious philosophies which put a greater emphasis on empirical evidence have become more prominent. Consequently, fideists, those who argue that belief in God does not require evidence, have had to deal with an increasing number of rivals. In his book Believing by Faith John Bishop challenges this trend by providing an extremely articulate defense of a moderate version of fideism. Bishop continuously compares his view with evidentialism. As their name might imply evidentialists argue that religious belief requires evidence. Bishop notes how tremendous debate currently exists within the philosophy of religion concerning the existence of God and the status of various other truth clams despite tremendous effort to resolve this debate. The lack of consensus amongst those who have studied the evidence relevant to the debate over religion does not bode well for those who believe people need evidence in order to accept theism. Note that Bishop does not argue that differing opinions amongst first-class intellectuals proves evidential ambiguity. It is possible that a significant number of educated people are objectively wrong. Still, he does argue that evidential ambiguity concerning religious belief is at least a reasonable possibility. Consequently, Bishop spends the rest of his pages addressing what happens to religious belief under evidential ambiguity. Bishop also notes that evidentialism cannot justify religious belief on moral or epistemic grounds if evidential ambiguity exists, thus making an examination of fideism even more important. One of Bishop’s central tenets in Believing by Faith is that religious belief is not just an epistemic question, but also a moral one. Bishop makes a distinction between what he calls the first and second locus of doxastic control, which are both related to a doxastic framework. For Bishop, a doxastic framework is ‘‘a framework of beliefs
THE CARE-BY-PARENT UNIT

A preliminary report was made of 2 years9 experience with hospitalization of children in the Care-By-Parent Unit. A surprising number of mothers can, with supervision, take complete care of their ill children in an area of the hospital designed for this, releasing registered nurses to work elsewhere. The authors are convinced that this plan lessens the emotional trauma of hospitalization to the child. Most importantly, it greatly improves the learning experience for mothers who are interested in their child9s illness and its management at home. The learning experience of medical students and house staff is enhanced. Certainly, hospitalization in this manner is economical as far as personnel and money are concerned. In spite of lower costs, the authors feel that patients on this unit receive superior care.
Functionalized Nanomaterials to Sense Toxins/Pollutant Gases Using Perturbed Microwave Resonant Cavities

This chapter provides an overview of the techniques and methods involving electromagnetic resonators to study the interactions of gas molecules with nanomaterials substrates. A resonant cavity operating in TE011 mode was employed by the author(s) to characterize the nature of interactions of a range of weakly polar to nonpolar gas molecules with carbon nanotubes loaded in the cavity. Microwave resonant cavities are special electromagnetic resonators that can have a very high quality factor, which enhances the sensitivity of the apparatus as compared to standard electrical tank circuits. By measuring shifts in the resonant frequency of these circuits and by calculating the pressure broadening of the resonant peaks, the technique developed offers a highly effective means to quantify the amount of foreign agents perturbing these resonant cylinders. By functionalizing the nanomaterials with specific antibodies and loading them as wicks in these cylinders, the technique can be engineered into a very sensitive and unique chemical and biological sensor prototype.
How to find self-inflicted troubles

Frequent systemic outages erode both the service levels delivered by, and the credibility of, an information technology organization. Finding and eliminating the underlying causes of such outages should be part of a continuous improvement process. If sufficient detail is captured in the trouble ticket database when outages are reported, subsequent analysis can show which were "self-inflicted", that is, caused by some action or inaction by IT staff. This paper presents a methodology for finding self-inflicted troubles and tests it with data from a large retail organization. This type of analysis could be used in an IT academic program to demonstrate the importance of process improvement in professional practice.
Outgrowth of Bacillus megaterium Spores in the Presence of Nitrate and Ammonium Ions

Nitrate or ammonium ions, but not nitrite ion, supplied the nitrogen required for outgrowth of Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 spores through the first cell division. This outgrowth was markedly favored by K + .
Less Water: How Will Agriculture in Southern Mountain States Adapt?

[1] This study examined how agriculture in six southwestern states might adapt to large reductions in water supplies, using the U.S. Agricultural Resource Model (USARM), a multiregion, multicommodity agricultural sector model. In the simulation, irrigation water supplies were reduced 25% in five Southern Mountain (SM) states and by 5% in California. USARM results were compared to those from a “rationing” model, which assumes no input substitution or changes in water use intensity, relying on land fallowing as the only means of adapting to water scarcity. The rationing model also ignores changes in output prices. Results quantify the importance of economic adjustment mechanisms and changes in output prices. Under the rationing model, SM irrigators lose $65 in net income. Compared to this price exogenous, “land-fallowing only” response, allowing irrigators to change cropping patterns, practice deficit irrigation, and adjust use of other inputs reduced irrigator costs of water shortages to $22 million. Allowing irrigators to pass on price increases to purchasers reduced income losses further, to $15 million. Higher crop prices from reduced production imposed direct losses of $130 million on first purchasers of crops, which include livestock and dairy producers, and cotton gins. SM agriculture, as a whole, was resilient to the water supply shock, with production of high value specialty crops along the Lower Colorado River little affected. Particular crops were vulnerable however. Cotton production and net returns fell substantially, while reductions in water devoted to alfalfa accounted for 57% of regional water reduction.
Water-Soluble Cavitands

There are several classes of water-soluble host molecules that are of current interest: cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, calixarenes, resorcinarenes and derived cavitands, and most recently pillarenes. This article focuses on just one of these: water-soluble cavitands based on the resorcinarene scaffold. In contrast to cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, and pillarenes, these cavitands possess rigidly enforced concavity (negative curvature) for guest binding. Along with suitable functionalization bestowing water solubility, these hosts offer a unique perspective of supramolecular chemistry in aqueous solution. Using selected examples, this article examines the general strategies behind cavity formation and the most common approaches to water solubilization. Selected examples are also used to highlight applications of these unique water-soluble hosts.
Aberrant antibody affinity selection in SHIP-deficient B cells.

The strength of the Ag receptor signal influences development and negative selection of B cells, and it might also affect B-cell survival and selection in the GC. Here, we have used mice with B-cell-specific deletion of the 5′-inositol phosphatase SHIP as a model to study affinity selection in cells that are hyperresponsive to Ag and cytokine receptor stimulation. In the absence of SHIP, B cells have lower thresholds for Ag- and interferon (IFN)-induced activation, resulting in augmented negative selection in the BM and enhanced B-cell maturation in the periphery. Despite a tendency to spontaneously downregulate surface IgM expression, SHIP deficiency does not alter anergy induction in response to soluble hen-egg lysozyme Ag in the MDA4 transgenic model. SHIP-deficient B cells spontaneously produce isotype-switched antibodies; however, they are poor responders in immunization and infection models. While SHIP-deficient B cells form GCs and undergo mutation, they are not properly selected for high-affinity antibodies. These results illustrate the importance of negative regulation of B-cell responses, as lower thresholds for B-cell activation promote survival of low affinity and deleterious receptors to the detriment of optimal Ab affinity maturation.
A Goal-Directed Spatial Navigation Model Using Forward Trajectory Planning Based on Grid Cells

A goal-directed navigation model is proposed based on forward linear look-ahead probe of trajectories in a network of head direction cells, grid cells, place cells and prefrontal cortex (PFC) cells. The model allows selection of new goal-directed trajectories. In a novel environment, the virtual rat incrementally creates a map composed of place cells and PFC cells by random exploration. After exploration, the rat retrieves memory of the goal location, picks its next movement direction by forward linear look-ahead probe of trajectories in several candidate directions while stationary in one location, and finds the one activating PFC cells with the highest reward signal. Each probe direction involves activation of a static pattern of head direction cells to drive an interference model of grid cells to update their phases in a specific direction. The updating of grid cell spiking drives place cells along the probed look-ahead trajectory similar to the forward replay during waking seen in place cell recordings. Directions are probed until the look-ahead trajectory activates the reward signal and the corresponding direction is used to guide goal-finding behavior. We report simulation results in several mazes with and without barriers. Navigation with barriers requires a PFC map topology based on the temporal vicinity of visited place cells and a reward signal diffusion process. The interaction of the forward linear look-ahead trajectory probes with the reward diffusion allows discovery of never-before experienced shortcuts towards a goal location.
Contribution of induced magnetization to magnetization of seamounts

A FUNDAMENTAL assumption in modelling seamount magnetic anomalies is that the contribution of induced magnetization is negligible. The general consistency of seamount and non-seamount palaeopoles, scarcity of poles skewed toward the present field direction and the high ratio of remanent to induced magnetization (Koenigsberger ratio) of many oceanic basalts have been cited as evidence supporting this assumption1,2. Recent discussions concerning the dominance of normally magnetized seamounts have focused attention on the possible role of viscous and induced magnetization in seamount anomalies3–6. Here we determine natural remanent magnetization, initial volume susceptibility and the Koenigsberger ratio for more than 2,000 samples from a subaerially exposed seamount section on La Palma, Canary Islands (Table 1). By contrast to results from the oceanic crust and ophiolites, these data indicate that a variety of rock types are potential magnetic sources. The significant induced component of intrusives underscores the importance of the lithological distribution in determining the character of seamount magnetic anomalies. The La Palma data, together with a plausible lithological distribution, indicate that induced magnetization may account for one-sixth of seamount magnetization.
Parameter study of a hydrogen atmosphere flame ionization detector

Abstract A hydrogen atmosphere flame ionization detector was constructed and operated with a direct injection technique in order to investigate detector parameters that have not previously been characterized. The optimum concentration of silane added to the hydrogen atmosphere was found to be dependent on the height of the collector electrode. At higher electrode heights, the required concentration of silane decreased. In this study, a collector height of 70 mm and a silane mixing ratio of 4 ppm were chosen as the best conditions. Also, optimal response was found when the nitrogen/ oxygen ratio was ca. 1 and when the hydrogen flow was 31/min. Several observed phenomena provided indirect evidence of the detector's mechanism. The interdependence of silane doping and electrode height supports a charge transfer process within the flame as the source of enhanced metal response. Negative peaks, observed when the off-center electrode is close to the flame, are explained as the formation of ions, via charge transfer reactions, that have reduced ionic mobilities and are more inefficiently collected by the electrode than parent ions.
Regulation of cell type in yeast by the mating-type locus

Abstract Yeast developmental pathways are regulated by combinations of gene regulatory proteins specified by the mating-type locus ( MAT ), at least one of which is a DNA-binding protein. Rapid progress is being made in understanding how these proteins work. The MAT gene products share homology with the homeobox, a sequence contained in the homeotic genes that regulate segmentation in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster .
Chemisorption of ethylene on ordered Sn/Pt(111) surface alloys

Abstract The adsorption of ethylene on ordered Sn/Pt surface alloys has been investigated using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The ordered surface alloys are prepared by annealing (to 1000 K) monolayer amounts of Sn vapor deposited onto Pt(111). This produces Sn/Pt(111) surfaces with p(2 × 2) or (√3 × √3)R30 ° LEED patterns, depending on the conditions used. These surfaces are postulated [M.T. Paffett and R.G. Windham, Surface Sci. 208 (1989) 34] to be the (111) face of Pt3Sn and a substitutional surface alloy of composition Pt2Sn, respectively. Ethylene is reversibly adsorbed at temperatures below 150 K on both ordered Sn/Pt(111) surface alloys: no ethylene decomposition occurs upon heating either surface to above 600 K. As the Sn concentration in the surface alloy is increased, there is a marked decrease in the ethylene desorption temperature from 285 K on Pt(111) to 240 K on the p(2 × 2) alloy and to 184 K on the (√3 × √3)R30 ° alloy. This indicates a significant electronic effect induced by Sn on the Pt-ethylene chemisorption bond strength. However, UPS and HREELS data are consistent with retention of the di-σ-bonding interaction of ethylene on both surface alloys as on Pt(111). The adsorption/desorption behavior and decomposition of ethylene on these surface alloys is consistent with the ensemble size requirement of 4 Pt atoms for ethylene adsorption and 6 Pt atoms for ethylene decomposition on Pt(111) estimated by us previously [14], from studies of C2H4/Bi/ Pt(111). However, electronic effects of alloying Sn with Pt may complicate this simple model and are discussed in describing ethylene chemistry on these surface alloys.
Innovation in observation: a vision for early outbreak detection

The emergence of new infections and resurgence of old onesFhealth threats stemming from environmental contamination or purposeful acts of bioterrorismFcall for a worldwide effort in improving early outbreak detection, with the goal of ameliorating current and future risks. In some cases, the problem of outbreak detection is logistically straightforward and mathematically easy: a single case of a disease of great concern can constitute an outbreak. However, for the vast majority of maladies, a simple analytical solution does not exist. Furthermore, each step in developing reliable, sensitive, effective surveillance systems demonstrates enormous complexities in the transmission, manifestation, detection, and control of emerging health threats. In this communication, we explore potential future innovations in early outbreak detection systems that can overcome the pitfalls of current surveillance. We believe that modern advances in assembling data, techniques for collating and processing information, and technology that enables integrated analysis will facilitate a new paradigm in outbreak definition and detection. We anticipate that moving forward in this direction will provide the highly desired sensitivity and specificity in early detection required to meet the emerging challenges of global disease surveillance.
Fenofibrate affects the compositions of lipoproteins

This study assessed the effects of fenofibrate on lipoprotein levels and lipoprotein compositions in a subgroup of patients who participated in a multicenter fenofibrate study. Eleven men and 10 women aged 29 to 63 were studied, 12 with type II A and nine with type II B hyperlipoproteinemia. Fasting blood samples were obtained every four to six weeks. Lipoprotein lipids were quantified by procedures of the Lipid Research Clinics, and apolipoproteins by radioimmunoassay. Fenofibrate decreased mean triglyceride and cholesterol levels of the type II A patients from 130 to 99 and from 286 to 237 mg/dl, respectively. Levels of very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels rose. Apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein E levels decreased, whereas apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein AII levels rose. The mean very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride ratio and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:low-density lipoprotein triglyceride ratio decreased. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:apolipoprotein B ratio and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: apolipoprotein AII ratio decreased as did the apolipoprotein AI:apolipoprotein AII ratio. In patients with type II B hyperlipoproteinemia, triglyceride and cholesterol levels decreased with fenofibrate therapy with most of the decrease in triglyceride levels due to very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides, whereas the decrease in total cholesterol levels was due to decreases in very low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels rose. The decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was not significant in this group. Apolipoprotein E levels decreased and apoliprotein AI and apolipoprotein AII levels rose. Indices of composition in type II B patients were similar to those in type II A patients but the changes were less dramatic. Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride ratios decreased significantly, but low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:low-density lipoprotein triglyceride ratios did not change significantly with treatment. The mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:apolipoprotein B ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol:apolipoprotein AII ratio, and apolipoprotein AI:apolipoprotein AII ratio all were lowered by therapy. Thus, very low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein lost cholesterol in response to fenofibrate therapy and high-density lipoprotein particles became enriched in cholesterol.
Galactose metabolism in Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Erwinia carotovora metabolizes galactose by the Leloir pathway. The synthesis of galactokinase, UDP galactose-4-epimerase, and galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase was inducible and under catabolite repression, whereas UDP glucose-pyrophosphorylase was constitutive. Mud1 mutagenesis ofErwinia carotovora resulted in agalU-lac fusion that showed constitutive synthesis ofβ-galactosidase.
Caring for adults with thalassemia in a pediatric world.

Abstract: Improved technology and medical advances have increased the life span for patients with thalassemia. Therefore, serious consideration must now be given to adult issues such as fertility, employment opportunities, medical insurance, and long-term coping with chronic illness. Since thalassemia is a childhood illness, most adults are seen in pediatric hospitals—often, in centers with a specialty for thalassemia. Compared to a decade ago, many more patients in thalassemia centers are adolescents or older. Unfortunately, pediatric hospitals are not fully equipped to meet the changing and complex needs of adults. Emergency room care, hospital admissions, decentralized care, comprehensive care, and psychosocial issues are current challenges that must be addressed. In this study, six adult patients were asked to keep track of their care for one month to further examine self-care for thalassemia, a high-maintenance disease. From a qualitative perspective, the issues and challenges that adults face are examined and solutions for improved care are discusssed.
Core and repulsion integrals for Löwdin orthogonalized atomic orbitals in pi-electron systems

Core integral and electron repulsion integral for 2p-p1 Slater-type orbitals of allyl radical and benzene molecule transformed to Lowdin orthogonalized basis set of atomic orbitals
Modelling affricate consonants

Abstract A model for the aerodynamics and acoustics of affricate consonants is developed. The model is used to predict the changing acoustic pattern that occurs during the 100-odd milliseconds following the release of a palato-alveolar affricate. Appropriate assumptions are made about rates of release and dimensions of cavities in the anterior part of the vocal tract. The calculated acoustic pattern includes an initial transient and an interval in which the frication noise undergoes changes in amplitude and spectrum as the tongue-tip constriction increases in size. Measurements of acoustic spectra following the release of naturally produced affricate consonants show good agreement with spectra predicted from the model.