cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implications of the shared socioeconomic pathways for tiger (Panthera tigris) conservation

Abstract Over the last century, numbers of wild tigers (Panthera tigris) have crashed, while human populations have boomed. Here we investigate future trajectories of human population within tiger range through analysis of the shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs). These five pathways describe urban, rural and total population distributions by decade through 2100, based on plausible but contrasting scenarios of economic, education, migration, and urbanization policy. In 2010 approximately 57 million people lived in regions defined as “tiger conservation landscapes” (or TCLs); 8% of sympatric people lived in towns and cities that occupied 4% of tiger range. We show that tigers could share these same geographies with as few as 40 million (30% decline compared to 2010) or as many as 106 million people (an increase of 85%) by 2100. Those populations could be as much as 64%, or as little as 17%, urbanized, depending on the pathway. Urban areas are likely to expand, displacing between 6 and 22% of tiger's current range, depending on how urban growth is managed. Human population density thresholds compatible with tigers vary by region, from 140 persons/km2 in the Indian subcontinent, to 10 persons/km2 in the Russian Far East and northern China. SSP3, a future where nations indulge regional rivalries, would make conservation more difficult, whereas SSP1, with a focus on well-managed urbanization and education, could help relieve pressures. Tigers are a conservation-reliant species and will likely remain so through the 21st century, therefore we suggest coupling continued site-level protection with efforts to develop constituencies for conservation in Asia's burgeoning cities.
Chicago Takes It On the Chin: Imperfect Information Could Play a Crucial Role in the Post-Kodak World

This article briefly describes the revolutionary potential of the Supreme Court's Kodak decision. It discusses the dramatic changes in antitrust that would occur if the field took concepts such as imperfect information, lock-in effects, strategic behavior, and other post-Chicago ideas seriously. Among the effects of this decision could be: (1) Imperfect information could substitute for traditional market share-based market power and reveal that a market that structurally appeared competitive in fact was behaving anticompetitively. Market share-based safe harbors are more likely to be inappropriate. (2) This imperfect information-based market power also can lead to relatively direct harm to consumers by allowing price increases or by distorting consumers' choices among differentiated products. (3) Imperfect information also can create more narrowly defined relevant markets because it can effectively prevent customers from turning to certain potential substitutes. They may not know of an option's existence or, more likely, that it is a cost/effective option. A finding of narrower markets usually will have the effect of making it more likely that a firm will be found to have market power. (4) Businesses, like individual consumers, can make information-based mistakes that can cause them to be exploited. Consumer protection law's assumptions about individuals' capabilities, vulnerabilities, and needs can apply to businesses as well. (5) Information problems can be so great that they can affect the competition in entire markets. A broad interpretation of Kodak could shake the antitrust world. In addition to tying analysis, at least four areas of antitrust could be profoundly affected, including vertical restraints analysis, franchiser/franchisee relationships, predatory pricing analysis, and Robinson-Patman Act and other antitrust situations involving price discrimination, such as bundled and single product discounting. This article shows that these topics all require considerable additional analysis by the antitrust community.
Contrasting Responses of Lizards to Divergent Ecological Stressors Across Biological Levels of Organization.

Abstract It is frequently hypothesized that animals employ a generalized “stress response,” largely mediated by glucocorticoid (GC) hormones, such as corticosterone, to combat challenging environmental conditions. Under this hypothesis, diverse stressors are predicted to have concordant effects across biological levels of an organism. We tested the generalized stress response hypothesis in two complementary experiments with juvenile and adult male Eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus). In both experiments, animals were exposed to diverse, ecologically-relevant, acute stressors (high temperature or red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta) and we examined their responses at three biological levels: behavioral; physiological (endocrine [plasma corticosterone and blood glucose concentrations] and innate immunity [complement and natural antibodies]); and cellular responses (gene expression of a panel of five heat-shock proteins in blood and liver) at 30 or 90 min post stress initiation. In both experiments, we observed large differences in the cellular response to the two stressors, which contrasts the similar behavioral and endocrine responses. In the adult experiment for which we had innate immune data, the stressors affected immune function independently, and they were correlated with CORT in opposing directions. Taken together, these results challenge the concept of a generalized stress response. Rather, the stress response was context specific, especially at the cellular level. Such context-specificity might explain why attempts to link GC hormones with life history and fitness have proved difficult. Our results emphasize the need for indicators at multiple biological levels and whole-organism examinations of stress.
Mutations in the anticodon stem of tRNA cause accumulation and Met22-dependent decay of pre-tRNA in yeast.

During tRNA maturation in yeast, aberrant pre-tRNAs are targeted for 3'-5' degradation by the nuclear surveillance pathway, and aberrant mature tRNAs are targeted for 5'-3' degradation by the rapid tRNA decay (RTD) pathway. RTD is catalyzed by the 5'-3' exonucleases Xrn1 and Rat1, which act on tRNAs with an exposed 5' end due to the lack of certain body modifications or the presence of destabilizing mutations in the acceptor stem, T-stem, or tRNA fold. RTD is inhibited by mutation of MET22, likely due to accumulation of the Met22 substrate adenosine 3',5' bis-phosphate, which inhibits 5'-3' exonucleases. Here we provide evidence for a new tRNA quality control pathway in which intron-containing pre-tRNAs with destabilizing mutations in the anticodon stem are targeted for Met22-dependent pre-tRNA decay (MPD). Multiple SUP4οc anticodon stem variants that are subject to MPD each perturb the bulge-helix-bulge structure formed by the anticodon stem-loop and intron, which is important for splicing, resulting in substantial accumulation of end-matured unspliced pre-tRNA as well as pre-tRNA decay. Mutations that restore exon-intron structure commensurately reduce pre-tRNA accumulation and MPD. The MPD pathway can contribute substantially to decay of anticodon stem variants, since pre-tRNA decay is largely suppressed by removal of the intron or by restoration of exon-intron structure, each also resulting in increased tRNA levels. The MPD pathway is general as it extends to variants of tRNATyr(GUA) and tRNASer(CGA) These results demonstrate that the integrity of the anticodon stem-loop and the efficiency of tRNA splicing are monitored by a quality control pathway.
I Have to Pay to Use the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: What Should I Do?

Background For many years, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been one of the most commonly used cognitive screening instruments in ambulatory care settings. Because the MoCA will no longer be in the free public domain by the end of 2020, it is important to consider cognitive screening tests that are comparable and free. Methods We briefly review three cognitive screening instruments, the Saint Louis University Mental Status examination, the Short Test of Mental Status, and the Addenbrooke's cognitive examination, and compare these tests with the MoCA. Conclusion The Addenbrooke's cognitive examination is a comprehensive cognitive examination that is too long for administration in primary care. The Short Test of Mental Status uses a 38-point scale, does not account for education, and is available only in English. The Saint Louis University Mental Status is an ideal candidate to replace the MoCA because similar to the MoCA, it is based on a 30-point scale and available in many languages. In addition to dementia, it has been validated for diagnosing mild cognitive impairment. While the MoCA has more tests suited for detecting dysexecutive dementias, it is possible to supplement the Saint Louis University Mental Status with comparable public domain executive function tests. In summary, we believe the Saint Louis University Mental Status to be a suitable free alternative to the MoCA.
A Theory of Loop Formation and Elimination by Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity

We show that the local Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) rule has the effect of regulating the trans-synaptic weights of loops of any length within a simulated network of neurons. We show that depending on STDP's polarity, functional loops are formed or eliminated in networks driven to normal spiking conditions by random, partially correlated inputs, where functional loops comprise synaptic weights that exceed a non-zero threshold. We further prove that STDP is a form of loop-regulating plasticity for the case of a linear network driven by noise. Thus a notable local synaptic learning rule makes a specific prediction about synapses in the brain in which standard STDP is present: that under normal spiking conditions, they should participate in predominantly feed-forward connections at all scales. Our model implies that any deviations from this prediction would require a substantial modification to the hypothesized role for standard STDP. Given its widespread occurrence in the brain, we predict that STDP could also regulate long range functional loops among individual neurons across all brain scales, up to, and including, the scale of global brain network topology.
Relations for a class of terminating ${}_4F_3(4)$ hypergeometric series

We derive relations for a certain class of terminating ${}_4F_3(4)$ hypergeometric series with three free parameters. The invariance group composed of these relations is shown to be isomorphic to the symmetric group $S_3$. We further study relations for terminating ${}_3F_2(4)$ series that fall under two families. By using a series reversal, we examine the corresponding terminating ${}_4F_3(1/4)$ and ${}_3F_2(1/4)$ series relations. We additionally derive formulas for the sums of the first $n+1$ terms of several nonterminating ${}_3F_2(4)$ and ${}_3F_2(1/4)$ series. We also show how certain known summation formulas for terminating ${}_2F_1(4)$ and ${}_3F_2(4)$ series follow as limiting cases of some of our relations.
Racial/ethnic differences in average CA125 and CA15.3 values and its correlates among postmenopausal women in the USA.

Among healthy postmenopausal women, levels of CA125 and CA15.3 are influenced by demographic and reproductive factors, including race/ethnicity. In this study, we sought to examine the interaction between race/ethnicity and other correlates of these biomarkers and whether the racial differences observed are simply determined by other correlates with racial differences. In archived sera from 946 postmenopausal women who participated in the 2001–2002 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we measured CA125 and CA15.3 and examined their associations with health survey and examination data available in this cohort. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the association between CA125 and CA15.3 and race/ethnicity. We then calculated geometric means of these markers by demographic and reproductive factors stratified by race/ethnicity and used likelihood ratio tests to evaluate heterogeneity. Non-white race was associated with lower CA125, with Non-Hispanic Black women being associated with − 29.0% (95% CI − 42.5%, − 12.2%) difference and Mexican American women being associated with − 6.4% (95% CI − 18.1%, 6.9%) difference on average compared to Non-Hispanic White women. Associations between CA125 and age and parity varied by race/ethnicity. Non-Hispanic Black women were associated with higher CA15.3 compared to Non-Hispanic White women, with 17.3% (95% CI − 0.5%, 38.3%) differences on average. Associations between CA15.3 and age, number of births, and age at natural menopause varied by race/ethnicity. Among postmenopausal women, Non-Hispanic Black women were associated with lower CA125 and higher CA15.3 levels compared to Non-Hispanic White women. Our results support that race/ethnicity should be considered when assigning thresholds for these biomarkers being tested for diagnostic or screening purposes.
Two-Step Ocean Velocity Data Assimilation in the Gulf of Mexico

This paper describes a two-step 3D variational (3DVAR) analysis methodology for achieving velocity data assimilation in an ocean forecasting system. Two separate 3DVAR analyses are performed during each daily forecast cycle. The first 3DVAR analysis utilizes data streams of temperature, salinity, and sea surface height anomaly data in a traditional 3DVAR analysis. The second 3DVAR analysis performs velocity data assimilation using surface drifter data. The covariance model relates the errors between temperature and salinity with geopotential. Geostrophic coupling then relates geopotential to velocity. Steric height calculations convert temperature and salinity vertical error covariances into geopotential covariances. Thus, velocity innovations influence scalar quantities and visa versa. The ocean numerical model is baroclinic, hydrostatic, Boussinesq, has a free-surface, and for this experiment, runs at 4 km resolution with 50 vertical levels that are terrain following near shallow topography and z-levels everywhere else. The data assimilation component performs the two 3DVAR analyses on the same model grid, once per day with a 6-hour incremental insertion hindcast. For each daily cycle, the first 3DVAR analysis creates an analysis that becomes the background for the second 3DVAR analysis. Because the 3DVAR analysis system corrects mesoscales, the increments from the first analysis are added to the 9 three hourly forecast from the previous cycle. These modified forecasts are then averaged together as the background for the 2nd 3DVAR analysis. The surface drifter locations provide velocity trajectories. Positions are decimated to one observation per drifter per day, such that their trajectories represent “nearly” the average velocity for that drifter for each day in order to minimize the effects of inertial oscillations. Since both the observations and the background represent a daily average, the resulting innovations consistently represent daily variability. The approach approximates mesoscale velocity observations compatible with the horizontal length scales typically constrained in the 3DVAR analysis system. Validation compares forecasted speed and direction relative to the in situ drifter trajectory speed and direction. Comparisons of twin experiments with/without velocity data assimilation suggest that the two-step 3DVAR analysis with velocity data assimilation has superior skill.
Improving Thermoregulation in Transported Preterm Infants: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Background: Premature infants are at risk for hypothermia. Hypothermia leads to metabolic and physiologic derangements and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Goal: Achieve admission temperature of 36.5°-37.5° for 80% of transported infants <37 weeks or <2.5 kg on NICU admission by December 2017. Methodology: We used the Model for Improvement with Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to achieve …
Consistency and regularity effects in character identification: A greater role for global than local mapping congruence.

Abstract Consistency and regularity, concepts that arise, respectively, from the connectionist and classical cognitive modeling work in alphabetic reading, are two ways to characterize the orthography-to-phonology mappings of written languages. These concepts have been applied to Chinese reading research despite important differences across writing systems, with mixed results concerning their relative importance. The present study of covert naming in Chinese is distinctive in testing the ERP effects of regularity and consistency in a fully orthogonal design. We found that consistency, but not regularity, affected the N170, P200 and N400 as well as pronunciation transcription accuracies, demonstrating a more prominent role of consistency than regularity in character naming, consistent with conclusions from English word naming. To capture a generalization across writing systems, we propose mapping congruence as a writing-system-independent way of referring to orthography-to-phonology mappings and illustrate these congruence effects in an interactive framework of character identification.
The Design of a Low-Voltage Bandgap Reference [The Analog Mind]

Most integrated circuits incorporate bandgap references (often simply called bandgaps) to define certain dc voltages or currents that serve various building blocks. In this article, we introduce a step-by-step procedure for the design of low-voltage bandgaps. As presented in Figure 1, a typical power-management environment employs a low-dropout (LDO) circuit that, from a global supply of 1.2 V, generates a moderately regulated voltage around 1 V. This voltage acts as a local supply for the bandgap circuit and some other building blocks. It is desirable for the bandgap to provide substantial supply rejection to minimize corruption in its output due to the electronic noise produced by the LDO and the transient perturbations caused by the switching activities within the other building blocks.
Effect of Early Versus Late Onset Mitral Regurgitation on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy in an Animal Model

ABSTRACT Background Patients surviving a myocardial infarction have progressive cardiac dysfunction and ventricular remodeling. Mitral regurgitation is often diagnosed in these patients, and is a risk factor that portends poor prognosis. Whether such post-infarction mitral regurgitation magnifies adverse left ventricular remodeling is unclear, which was studied in an animal model. Methods Forty-one adult rats were induced with myocardial infarction by left coronary artery ligation and assigned to three groups: (group 1) myocardial infarction only; (group 2) myocardial infarction with severe mitral regurgitation introduced after 4 weeks; and (group 3) myocardial infarction with severe mitral regurgitation introduced after 10 weeks. Valve regurgitation was introduced by advancing a trans-apical, ultrasound guided needle into the mitral valve anterior leaflet. Animals were survived to 20 weeks from the index procedure, with biweekly cardiac ultrasound, and invasive hemodynamics and histology at termination. Results At 20 weeks, end diastolic volume was largest in the groups with mitral regurgitation, compared to the group without the valve lesion (group 1: 760.9±124.6μl, group 2: 958.0±115.1μl, group 3: 968.3±214.9μl). Similarly, end systolic volume was larger in groups with regurgitation (group 1: 431.2±152.6μl, group 2: 533.2±130.8μl, group 3: 533.1±177.5μl). In the infarction only group, left ventricular remodeling was maximal until 6 weeks and plateaued thereafter. In groups with mitral regurgitation, left ventricular remodeling was significantly elevated upon the onset of regurgitation and persisted. Conclusions Mitral regurgitation is a potent driver of adverse cardiac remodeling after a myocardial infarction, irrespective of the timing of its onset.
African American Families on Autism Diagnosis and Treatment: The Influence of Culture

Cultural factors such as health care access and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom interpretations have been proposed as impacting delayed diagnosis and treatment for African American children with ASD. A qualitative study of urban African American families caring for their child with autism was conducted with 24 family members and 28 ASD professionals. Cultural caring meant families protected their child from harm including potential or actual distrustful encounters, and took action for their child and community to optimize their child's health and address the knowledge deficits of ASD within their community. Families and professionals believed cultural influences delayed families' receiving and seeking appropriate health care for the African American child with ASD affecting timely autism diagnosis and treatment.
Influence of the charge double layer on solid oxide fuel cell stack behavior

Abstract While the charge double layer effect has traditionally been characterized as a millisecond phenomenon, longer timescales may be possible under certain operating conditions. This study simulates the dynamic response of a previously developed solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack model that incorporates the charge double layer via an equivalent circuit. The model is simulated under step load changes. Baseline conditions are first defined, followed by consideration of minor and major deviations from the baseline case. This study also investigates the behavior of the SOFC stack with a relatively large double layer capacitance value, as well as operation of the SOFC stack under proportional-integral (PI) control. Results indicate that the presence of the charge double layer influences the SOFC stack's settling time significantly under the following conditions: (i) activation and concentration polarizations are significantly increased, or (ii) a large value of the double layer capacitance is assumed. Under normal (baseline) operation, on the other hand, the charge double layer effect diminishes within milliseconds, as expected. It seems reasonable, then, to neglect the charge double layer under normal operation. However, careful consideration should be given to potential variations in operation or material properties that may give rise to longer electrochemical settling times.
IL-10 Deficiency Promotes Increased Borrelia burgdorferi Clearance Predominantly through Enhanced Innate Immune Responses

Borrelia burgdorferi is capable of persistently infecting a variety of hosts despite eliciting potent innate and adaptive immune responses. Preliminary studies indicated that IL-10-deficient (IL-10(-/-)) mice exhibit up to 10-fold greater clearance of B. burgdorferi from target tissues compared with wild-type mice, establishing IL-10 as the only cytokine currently known to have such a significant effect on spirochetal clearance. To further delineate these IL-10-mediated immune effects, kinetic studies indicated that spirochete dissemination to target tissues is similar in both wild-type and IL-10(-/-) mouse strains, and that enhanced clearance of B. burgdorferi in IL-10(-/-) mice is correlated with increased B. burgdorferi-specific Ab as early as 2 wk postinfection. Immunoblot analysis indicated that Abs produced by infected IL-10(-/-) and wild-type mice recognize similar ranges of spirochetal Ags. Immune sera from IL-10(-/-) and wild-type mice also exhibited similar bactericidal activity in vitro, and passive transfer of these immune sera into B. burgdorferi-infected SCID mice caused similar reductions of bacterial numbers in target tissues. Infectious dose studies indicated that 8-fold more B. burgdorferi were needed to efficiently infect naive IL-10(-/-) mice, suggesting these animals possess higher innate barriers to infection. Moreover, macrophages derived from IL-10(-/-) mice exhibit enhanced proinflammatory responses to B. burgdorferi stimulation compared with wild-type controls, and these responses are not significantly affected by the presence of immune serum. These findings confirm that B. burgdorferi clearance by innate immune responses is more efficient in the absence of IL-10, and these activities are not directly related to increased levels of B. burgdorferi-specific Ab.
Endogenous adenosine down-modulates mid-trimester intraamniotic tumor necrosis factor-alpha production.

Problem To determine whether adenosine in amniotic fluid down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Method of study Mid-trimester amniotic fluid from 21 women was incubated ex vivo in the presence or absence of human adenosine deaminase, the enzyme that irreversibly degrades adenosine. After 24 hr, supernatants were assayed by ELISA for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10. Clinical parameters were obtained after completion of laboratory testing. Results Inclusion of adenosine deaminase resulted in a median increase in TNF-α production from 0.9 to 7.3 pg/mL (P = 0.0014). IL-6 production exhibited a non-significant median increase from <2.0 to 53.0 pg/mL (P = 0.0780). Median IL-10 production increased slightly from a median of <0.2 to 1.3 pg/mL. Adenosine deaminase-stimulated TNF-α production was proportional to parity and unrelated to gestational age, time of delivery, maternal age or indication for amniocentesis. Conclusion Adenosine deaminase treatment increases TNF-α production by ex vivo-cultured amniotic fluid. Adenosine contributes to immune modulation in the amniotic cavity.
Various Kinds of Actuators and Signal Interfaces

Advances in technology are increasing the variety and sophistication of a wide range of actuators used in vehicles. The main types of actuators are motors, solenoids, and relays that use electromagnetic force and piezoactuators that use the piezoelectric effect. This chapter describes these actuators and examples of their application, focusing on motors. It also briefly outlines signal interfaces, which play an important role in the use of all types of actuators. Keywords: brushed DC motor; Fleming's rules; commutation; wiper motor; power window motor; brushless DC motor; vector control; power steering motor; blower motor; solenoid
[Comment on “Looking at gender distribution among AGU Fellows”] A second look at gender distribution among AGU Fellows

In the September 13,1994, issue of Eos, Ellen Druffel reported on the gender distribution of AGU Fellows [Druffel, 1994]. In brief, her findings were that women were underrepresented among AGU Fellows even when age differences and the overall low percentage of female AGU members were taken into consideration. Druffel concluded with a series of recommendations that were intended to “help balance the scales with respect to gender.” It was implicit in Druffel's conclusions that gender equity is desirable. However, her rationale for achieving gender equity was not so clear. Druffel may have been implying that women are kept from achieving Fellowship by biases of some type, and therefore well-qualified candidates for Fellowship are not receiving the recognition they deserve. Alternatively, Druffel may have been conceding that the selection process for Fellowship is unbiased, but that gender equity in Fellowship is desirable in and of itself, regardless of individual achievement levels. In the latter case, her recommendations amount to the installation of gender-based quotas for Fellowship. I hope that in her reply Druffel will clarify the philosophical basis for her recommendation. However, I disagree with Druffel's conclusion, regardless of her reasons.
Modernizing Financial Regulation: The Relation Between Interbank Transactions and Supervisory Reform

“Modernized” financial firms are larger than traditional institutions, and they provide a broader range of services. Although the individual regulatory issues raised by modernization are not new, the pace and scope of these market changes may imply a qualitative change in the ability of governments to guarantee financial system stability. Private market discipline is more flexible, and the value of flexibility seems to have risen. In order to elicit private monitoring, however, governments must credibly eschew “too-big-to-fail” policies. Toward this end, national regulators should encourage ongoing efforts to implement secure interbank settlement systems.
Gastrointestinal Toxicities With Combined Antiangiogenic and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

Combining the latest targeted biologic agents with the most advanced radiation technologies has been an exciting development in the treatment of cancer patients. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an ablative radiation approach that has become established for the treatment of a variety of malignancies, and it has been increasingly used in combination with biologic agents, including those targeting angiogenesis-specific pathways. Multiple reports have emerged describing unanticipated toxicities arising from the combination of SBRT and angiogenesis-targeting agents, particularly of late luminal gastrointestinal toxicities. In this review, we summarize the literature describing these toxicities, explore the biological mechanism of action of toxicity with the combined use of antiangiogenic therapies, and discuss areas of future research, so that this combination of treatment modalities can continue to be used in broader clinical contexts.
Designing Online Courses for Screen Reader Users.

A review of multiple online courses at one institution was conducted by a skilled screen reader user for the purpose of assessing the extent to which the courses were navigable and understandable to online students using assistive technologies. This paper identifies features of online courses that may present problems for screen reader users and recommends solutions to address those problems. The following two overarching recommendations are suggested and elaborated: 1) Just as a roadmap assists drivers in navigating unfamiliar terrain, principles of clarity, consistency, and organization should be applied to the design of online courses to orient students to the virtual learning environment. 2) Web pages and course documents should make effective use of metadata, i.e., machine-understandable information about computer-based content, in order for course material to be accurately understood by students using a screen reader.
Determining Circadian Response of Adult Male Acrobasis nuxvorella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to Synthetic Sex Attractant Pheromone Through Time-Segregated Trapping With a New Clockwork Timing Trap

Mate finding is a key lifecycle event for the pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig, as it is for virtually all Lepidoptera, many of which rely on long-range, species-specific sex pheromones, regulated largely by circadian clocks. Adult male moths were trapped at discrete time intervals during the first two seasonal flights for 6 yr to determine times of peak activity associated with male response to pheromones. From 1997 to 2002, the Harris-Coble automated clockwork timing trap was used for hourly time-segregated sampling. Analysis of variance with linear contrasts determined that circadian response of A. nuxvorella males to pecan nut casebearer pheromone began at ≈2100 hours, the first hour of total darkness, lasting for 6–7 h. It peaked from midnight to 0400 hours and ended at the onset of morning twilight, ≈0500 hours. The hours of peak activity are hours of minimal bat predation. The study shows that pecan nut casebearer males become responsive to pheromone several hours before females start calling and remain responsive for at least 1 h after they stop. The extended response period conforms to studies of other polygamous Lepidoptera in which a selective advantage is conferred on early responding males in scramble competition for available females.
Nabokov's dialogue with Chekhov: Ladies with an without dogs

Although Nabokov's admiration for Chekhov's work is well-documented, relatively little critical attention has been paid to the connections between the two writers' works. This article concentrates on two of Nabokov’s stories as part of his larger dialogue with Chekhov. "The Reunion" is analyzed in conjunction with Chekhov’s story ‚The Lady with the Little Dog,‛ focusing on the theme of deception in both stories, particularly the notion of secret, double lives. The analysis also includes an examination of the stories’ structural similarities, including the continual overturning of both characters’ and readers’ expectations. The expected endings do not occur in either story, and the ultimate conclusions are open-ended and ambiguous. While "The Reunion" is a relatively straightforward story, "That in Aleppo Once. . . " is considerably more complex. Nabokov deliberately complicates matters by creating both an unreliable narrator and a second character (the narrator’s wife) who invents stories about her experiences. Thus Nabokov takes Chekhov’s ambiguity a step further: not only is the future of the characters uncertain, the past is as well. The Chekhovian subtext appears throughout the story, and it turns out that the story is a reversal or subversion of Chekhovian details and devices. Perhaps most striking are the authors’ respective treatments of their heroines. While Chekhov creates a character in Anna Sergeyevna who at first appears to be a literary type and then transforms her into a complex individual, Nabokov reverses this course. The narrator’s wife continually evades his and the reader’s understanding; the more we seem to learn about her, the less we really know. Finally, the narrator declares that his wife never existed at all, that she is simply "a phantom" who exists only on the page. From a metaliterary angle, of course, this is entirely accurate, since she is a fictional character. Thus Nabokov’s story simultaneously pays tribute to Chekhov and lays bare the mechanics of storytelling, narrative decisions, and the creative process itself.
Psychology, Philosophy, and Scientific Research Programs

Sanders and Rappard have presented a most thoughtful and insightful critique and integration of the relationship between psychology and the philosophy of science. In reflecting upon this work, I find myself in agreement with many of the general and specific arguments which they make.
Accuracy of density functionals for molecular electronics: The Anderson junction

The exact ground-state exchange-correlation functional of Kohn-Sham density functional theory yields the exact transmission through an Anderson junction at zero bias and temperature. The exact impurity charge susceptibility is used to construct the exact exchange-correlation potential. We analyze the successes and limitations of various types of approximations, including smooth and discontinuous functionals of the occupation, as well as symmetry-broken approaches.
Effects of maternal caffeine intake during lactation on molar enamel surfaces in new-born rats.

Abstract Dams were fed normal laboratory chow until delivery. At birth, the litters were combined, and eight pups were randomly assigned to each dam. Dams with the recombined litters were divided into two groups. Dams of group 1 were fed a 20% protein diet as a control; dams of group 2 were fed a 20% protein diet supplemented with caffeine (2 mg/100 g of the dam's weight). On day 22, the dams of group 2 were anaesthetized with ether. They were injected with 2 iu of oxytocin in order to collect milk. Blood was collected from pups and dams to determine its caffeine concentration. The first and second molars were removed from each pup's mandible and maxilla. Radiographs were taken of 10 randomly selected first or second molars from each group. Four randomly selected molars from each litter were placed in a specially designed chamber and bathed with a constant flow of acid solution to determine the amount of mineral dissolved from the enamel surfaces. The remaining non-acid exposed molars were pulverized in freezer mills. A small portion of this powder was then analysed for the total amount of minerals. No differences were found in the radiographic density of enamel between the groups. The amount of dissolved calcium, phosphorus and magnesium from enamel surfaces in the caffeine group was consistently greater than that of the non-caffeine group in the first molars, whereas, in the second molars, there was no difference between the groups. The concentration of calcium, phosphorus and zinc in the first molars in the caffeine group was less than that in the non-caffeine group, whereas there was no difference between the groups in the second molars. Thus the caffeine intake of suckling pups in the early growing period affected the enamel surface of the first molar.
Ground vehicle blunt impact damage formation to composite aircraft structures

Composite aircraft structures such as fuselage and wings are subject to impact from many sources. Of particular interest are impacts which can impart severe damage that is difficult to visually detect, or is even not visually detectable. Such damage modes include delamination, separation/delamination of stringers and stiffeners from skin, and fracture of internal stiffening components such as stringers and frames. Extensive damage can be produced by blunt impact sources involving wide-area contact, which reduces the propensity to leave visible signs that damage has formed, especially with high-strength composite outer skin. Ground service equipment (GSE) is a realistic and oft-occurring source of blunt impact damage due to: (i) the interactions between GSE and aircraft typically involving a soft rubber bumper material, (ii) the close proximity with which GSE operate around aircraft, and (iii) the high mass of GSE involves very large impacting energies despite their slow speeds. Blunt impact damage can pro...
Iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine in Cooley anemia

The iron-chelating agent, deferoxamine, was studied in 16 patients with thalassemia major. Urinary excretion of iron in response to 0.75 gm of deferoxamine, intramuscularly, ranged from 2.2 to 44.8 mg Fe/24 hours. In response to a subcutaneous infusion of 1.5 gm deferoxamine for 18 hours, iron excretion increased by an average of 240%. The intravenous infusion of large doses of deferoxamine for 18 hours resulted in the highest rate of iront excretion, as much as 447.5 mg Fe/24 hours in response to 16 gm of deferoxamine. Administration of vitamin C increased chelation-induced excretion of iron in most patients more than five years of age. Preliminary evidence suggests that further iron accumulation can be prevented and exessive iron stores can be depleted by the intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous administration of deferoxamine.
Applying Constructivism in Instructivist Learning Cultures.

Purpose – Many educators have advocated constructivist‐based pedagogies as a way to develop the skills needed in knowledge societies. However, many countries have a tradition of instructivist‐based practices, which rely on didactic lectures, rote memorization and high‐stakes exams. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the reactions to constructivist‐based pedagogy in instructivist‐based learning cultures.Design/methodology/approach – The author employs a literature review to compare the philosophical and pedagogical differences between constructivism and instructivism, and proposes a conceptual model for introducing constructivist‐based pedagogies into instructivist learning cultures.Findings – The needs of teachers, students, and institutions intersect during pedagogical innovations, which take place within national systems. The alignment between students' and teachers' educational philosophies, as well as an institutional system's resources, policy, and culture can bring conflict or congruence,...
Nonvisualization of both kidneys with I-131 orthoiodohippurate scintigraphy

From the Department o f Nuclear Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College o f Medicine, Bronx, NY. Address reprint requests to M. Donald Blaufox, MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman, Department o f Nuclear Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, N Y 10461 9 1988 by Grune & Stratton, Inc. 0001-2998/88/1801-0009505.00/0 nausea, and vomiting. Blood and urine chemistries obtained 1 month prior to admission were within the normal range. Ultrasonography revealed kidneys of normal appearance with no evidence of dilatation of the collecting system. Nuclear Medicine studies were performed two days later. The kidneys were vaguely discernible on a Tc-99m DTPA flow study and were not imaged at all with 1-131 OIH scintigraphy. Urine chemistry could not be obtained because the patient remained anuric and BUN and serum creatinine rose to 143 mg/100 mL and 12.7
Can Sex Education Delay Early Sexual Debut

In this study, we examine whether a nine-lesson sex education intervention, “Get Real: Comprehensive Sex Education That Works,” implemented in sixth grade, can reduce the number of adolescents who might otherwise become “early starters” of sexual activity (defined as heterosexual intercourse) by seventh grade. Participants were 548 boys and 675 girls who completed surveys in both sixth grade (baseline) and seventh grade (follow-up). The sample was 35% Latino, 32% Black, 24% White, 3% Asian, and 6% biracial. Students randomly assigned to the control condition were 30% more likely to initiate sex by follow-up when controlling for having had sex by sixth grade, demographic variables, and a tendency to give socially desirable responses. This finding is noteworthy because previous research has identified early starters to be prone to poor outcomes in sexual health, family formation, economic security, and incarceration and few middle school interventions have shown an effect on behavioral outcomes.
Effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate on high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction

Insulin resistance, a hallmark of metabolic disorders, is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Impairment of insulin responsiveness in vascular endothelium contributes to insulin resistance. The reciprocal relationship between insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction augments the pathophysiology of metabolism and cardiovascular functions. The most abundant green tea polyphenol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been shown to have vasodilator action in vessels by activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). However, it is not known whether EGCG has a beneficial effect in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced endothelial dysfunction. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either a normal chow diet (NCD) or HFD with or without EGCG supplement (50 mg·kg−1·day−1) for 10 wk. Mice fed a HFD with EGCG supplement gained less body weight and showed improved insulin sensitivity. In vehicle-treated HFD mice, endothelial function was impaired in response to insulin but not to acetylcholine, whereas the EGCG-treated HFD group showed improved insulin-stimulated vasodilation. Interestingly, EGCG intake reduced macrophage infiltration into aortic tissues in HFD mice. Treatment with EGCG restored the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of eNOS, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and protein kinase B (Akt), which was inhibited by palmitate (200 μM, 5 h) in primary bovine aortic endothelial cells. From these results, we conclude that supplementation of EGCG improves glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. The results suggest that EGCG may have beneficial health effects in glucose metabolism and endothelial function through modulating HFD-induced inflammatory response.
Sulfur assimilation in soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.): molecular cloning and characterization of a cytosolic isoform of serine acetyltransferase.

A full-length cDNA clone encoding a cytosolic isoform of serine acetyltransferase (SATase; EC 2.3.1.30) was isolated by screening a soybean seedling cDNA library with a 32P-labeled expressed sequence tag. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the isolated cDNA revealed a single open-reading frame of 858 base pairs encoding a 30-kDa polypeptide. The deduced amino acid sequence of soybean SATase revealed significant homology with other plant SATases. Analysis of genomic DNA by Southern blotting indicated that SATase is encoded by a small gene family. The authenticity of the isolated SATase cDNA was confirmed by the expression of the cDNA in an Escherichia coli cysteine-auxotrophic mutant resulting in the growth of the mutant in minimal medium without cysteine. Expression of soybean SATase in E. coli resulted in the production of a 34-kDa protein that was subsequently purified by nickel-affinity column chromatography. The purified protein exhibited SATase activity, indicating that the E. coli-expressed protein is a functionally active SATase. The recombinant soybean SATase was inhibited by l-cysteine, the end product of the cysteine biosynthetic pathway. Antibodies raised against the recombinant soybean SATase cross-reacted with a 34-kDa protein from Arabidopsis leaves, but failed to detect any proteins from soybean leaves and seeds. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that SATase mRNA was expressed at low levels during soybean seed development. In comparison to Arabidopsis leaves, the SATase activity was several-fold lower in soybean leaves and seeds, suggesting that SATase is a low-abundance enzyme.
TU‐G‐217A‐06: Accelerated 3D Lung MRI Using Compressed Sensing

Purpose: High temporal resolution volumetric thoracic MRI is needed to accurately describe the lung and lungtumor motion. The main aim of the present study is to substantially increase 3D acquisition speed of lungMRI with k‐space under‐sampling along the phase encoding directions and subsequent image reconstruction using Compressed Sensing (CS). Method and Materials: CS was simulated using fully sampled thoracic breath‐ holding MRI of a lungcancer patient. The imaging resolution is 1.8×1.8×2.6 mm. Biased random under‐sampling was imposed in the k‐space by selecting more points near the center, and fewer points near the bottom left and bottom right corners. An unbiased random under‐sampling scheme was performed for comparison. The data was reconstructed using the Split Bregman method for L1 regularized problems, which solve the unconstrained optimization problem iteratively by spliting the L1 and L2 components. The method removes the artifacts due to the non‐uniform under‐sampling by minimizing the total variation (TV) while maintaining fidelity with the sampled measurements. Results: We were able to reconstruct the data sub‐sampled with different under‐sampling factors (2×2 − 4×4 folds). Imagesreconstructed with very low sampling ratio of 13.05% were acceptable. The biased under‐sampling strategy required 30% fewer samples than the unbiased under‐sampling technique for equivalent results. The overall quality and resolution of the reconstructed image was comparable to the fully sampled dataset in the conspicuity of fine lung features and organ shapes, which are degraded by noise in imagesreconstructed from same dataset without using the CS method. Conclusions: We have successfully demonstrated the application of CS to high‐resolution 3D MRI of the lung, providing an acceleration factor up to 4x4. While higher acceleration factor is needed for real‐time full thoracic imaging, the current method would enable real time imaging of a subvolume of the lung for regional motion study.