cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative physiology of young and old cohorts of bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck): mortality, growth, and oxygen consumption

Abstract The bay scallop Argopecten irradians (Lamarck) undergoes rapid population decline in its second year of life. Pre-(1st-yr) and postreproductive (2nd-yr) bay scallops were held in cages at two sites on Long Island, New York, U.S. Survival, growth, and metabolic rates of the two cohorts were compared monthly throughout the autumn and winter. Second-year scallops, the harvestable crop of the year, maintained a positive energy balance until late November–December. Both age classes experienced similar relative tissue weight losses during overwintering (9–11% at the site where milder environmental conditions prevailed, and 24–25% at the more stressful site). Ambient water temperature explained a significant proportion (93%) of the seasonal variation in the rate of oxygen consumption. Thus the northern bay scallop A.i. irradians shows a limited ability to acclimatise oxygen consumption to seasonal temperature changes over the range of 1–23°C. A significant increase in oxygen uptake was associated with increased gametogenic activity of young scallops in May. Metabolic rate at this time was 50% higher than that predicted based on temperature, providing an estimate of the metabolic cost of reproduction in this species. The weight-normalized oxygen uptake rate of senescent scallops was significantly lower than that of young scallops. Mass natural mortality of the older cohort occurred during the winter, before the onset of a second gametogenesis; only 50% of the population survived beyond late January in 1985. Mortality was delayed by 2.5 months during a similar experiment conducted in 1986. Results of this study suggest that senescent mortality of New York bay scallop populations is not directly linked to the energy drain of a second reproductive event following overwintering stress.
Learning and Process Improvement during Production Ramp-Up

Rapid product lifecycles and high development costs pressure manufacturing firms to cut not only their development times (time-to-market), but also the time to reach full capacity utilization (time-to-volume). The period between completion of development and full capacity utilization is known as production ramp-up. During that time, the new production process is ill understood, which causes low yields and low production rates. This paper analyzes the interactions among capacity utilization, yields, and process improvement (learning). We model learning in the form of deliberate experiments, which reduce capacity in the short run. This creates a trade-off between experiments and production. High selling prices during ramp-up raise the opportunity cost of experiments, yet early learning is more valuable than later learning. We formalize the resulting intertemporal trade-off between the short-term opportunity cost of capacity and the long term value of learning as a dynamic program. The paper also examines the tradeoff between production speed and yield/quality, where faster production rates lead to more defects. Finally, we show what happens if managers misunderstand the sources of learning.
Plasma and lipoprotein lipid responses to four hypolipid drugs.

The responses of 14 hyperlipidemic subjects to 4 hypolipidemic agents were compared by measureing cholesterol and triglyceride in whole plasma, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL) monthly for 2 months before and 3 months during treatment with each of 4 drugs: clofibrate, 2 g/d; colestipol, 20 g/d; para-aminosalicylic acid-ascorbate (PAS-C), 6–8 g/d; and oxandrolone, 7.5 mg/d. Lipid responses proved to be stable by the first monthly evaluation both off and on each drug. Mean adherence was high and similar for all agents (81–92% of the prescribed dose). Clofibrate was associated with significant decreases in mean plasma cholesterol (−16%, p<.01), plasma triglyceride (−51%, p<.005), VLDL-cholesterol (−61%, p<.005) and VLDL-triglyceride (−61%, P<.005), while HDL cholesterol increased (+20%, p<.01), and the LDL-cholesterol/HDL ratio declined (−24%, p<.05). Colestipol was associated with decreases in mean plasma cholesterol (−15%, p<.01) and LDL-cholesterol (−22%, p<.05), while VLDL-triglyceride increased (+41%, p<.05), and the LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio declined (−25%, p<.05). PAS-C was associated with decreases in VLDL-cholesterol (−30%, p<.05), and VLDL-triglyceride (−29%, p<.05), while the LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio remained unchanged. Oxandrolone was associated with increases in mean plasma cholesterol (+7%, p<.05), LDL-cholesterol (+45%, p<.005 [+25% excluding one subject who increased 298%]), and LDL-triglyceride (+24%, p<.01), while decreases occurred in plasma triglyceride (−31%, p<.05), VLDL-cholesterol (−26%, p<.05), VLDL-triglyceride (−42%, p<.005), HDL-cholesterol (−45%, p<.005), and HDL-triglyceride (−43%, p<.01). The mean LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio increased by 109% (p<.005), reflecting the reciprocal changes in LDL and HDL. Thus, while both clofibrate and colestipol were associated with significant, equivalent reductions in theoretical atherogenic risk, oxandrolone produced a net effect that was not only adverse but 4 times that magnitude, suggesting caution in its long-term use, even for the management of hypertriglyceridemia.
Conformation versus cohesion in the relative stabilities of gabapentin polymorphs

Polymorphism in molecular solids is driven by the competition between internal molecular conformational strain and external binding forces. The pharmaceutical gabapentin exhibits three polymorphic forms each differing in molecular conformation and intermolecular interactions. To improve the understanding of the polymorphic formation, terahertz spectroscopy and solid-state density functional theory have been applied in the analysis of the factors leading to these particular crystalline arrangements. It was found that the most stable solid-state polymorph contained gabapentin molecules under considerable internal strain. The origins of this unexpected stability are described in terms of intramolecular conformational changes and the amount of cohesive binding energy present in each polymorph. Finally, the temperature dependence of the polymorph stabilities is investigated by calculation of the free–energy curves of each form and determining the solid–solid transition points connecting the various phases.
Rise time of EPR signal IIvf in chloroplast photosystem II.

Abstract The rise time of the photoinduced, reversible EPR Signal II vf in spinach chloroplasts is found using flash excitation to be 20 ± 10 μ s. The results are interpreted as evidence that the Signal II vf radical is an electron carrier on the donor side of Photosystem II, but probably does not result from the first donor to P680 + .
Sinus rhythm ECG criteria associated with basal-lateral ventricular tachycardia substrate in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

ECG Criteria Associated with NICM VT. Introduction: Patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) usually have basal-lateral scar in the left ventricle (LV). We sought to determine electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics that may help identify NICM patients with basal-lateral scar and VT. Methods and Results: Phase I, study patients (n = 25) had NICM, VT, and endocardial/epicardial basal-lateral LV low voltage consistent with scar on detailed mapping. ECGs were compared to controls (n = 18) with NICM, and comparable age and gender without VT/known scar. All patients had either sinus or paced atrial rhythm ECGs without bundle-branch block or ventricular pacing. In phase II, criteria were evaluated prospectively, blinded to clinical data, using ECGs from 15 NICM patients, of which 7 patients had VT and endocardial/epicardial basal-lateral LV scar on detailed mapping. Of ECG characteristics studied, V1 R and R:S ratio, and V6 S and S:R ratio were univariately associated with basal-lateral-scar associated VT. Controlling for LVEF and multicollinearity in multivariate analyses, V1 R ≥ 0.15 mV (P = 0.001) and V6 S ≥ 0.15 mV (P < 0.001), or V6 S:R ≥ 0.2 mV (P < 0.001), best predicted presence of basal-lateral scar. In Phase II, the former criteria best identified those with NICM and VT because of basal-lateral scar, with sensitivity and specificity 0.86 and 0.88, respectively. Conclusions: Among patients with NICM, VT, and normal QRS duration, V1 R ≥ 0.15 mV and V6 S ≥ 0.15 mV predicted presence of basal-lateral LV areas of bipolar low voltage. This ECG information may have important value in defining presence of LV scar and possible risk for VT in NICM patients. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 1351-1358, December 2011)
Wavelet-based image processing

The 1990s witnessed an explosion of wavelet-based methods in the field of image processing. This article will focus primarily on wavelet-based image compression. We shall describe the connection between wavelets and vision, and how wavelet techniques provide image compression algorithms that are clearly superior to the present JPEG standard. In particular, the wavelet-based algorithms known as SPIHT, ASWDR, and the new standard JPEG2000, will be described and compared. Our comparison will show that, in many respects, ASWDR is the best algorithm. Applications to denoising will also be briefly referenced and pointers supplied to other references on wavelet-based image processing.
Dynamic metabolic flux analysis (DMFA): A framework for determining fluxes at metabolic non-steady state

Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) is a key tool for measuring in vivo metabolic fluxes in systems at metabolic steady state. Here, we present a new method for dynamic metabolic flux analysis (DMFA) of systems that are not at metabolic steady state. The advantages of our DMFA method are: (1) time-series of metabolite concentration data can be applied directly for estimating dynamic fluxes, making data smoothing and estimation of average extracellular rates unnecessary; (2) flux estimation is achieved without integration of ODEs, or iterations; (3) characteristic metabolic phases in the fermentation data are identified automatically by the algorithm, rather than selected manually/arbitrarily. We demonstrate the application of the new DMFA framework in three example systems. First, we evaluated the performance of DMFA in a simple three-reaction model in terms of accuracy, precision and flux observability. Next, we analyzed a commercial glucose-limited fed-batch process for 1,3-propanediol production. The DMFA method accurately captured the dynamic behavior of the fed-batch fermentation and identified characteristic metabolic phases. Lastly, we demonstrate that DMFA can be used without any assumed metabolic network model for data reconciliation and detection of gross measurement errors using carbon and electron balances as constraints.
Regional Markets and Agrarian Transformation in Bolivia: Cochabamba, 1539-1960

Rural economy and society in colonial Cochabamba: an overview -- Reform programs and changes in the structure of rural land tenure -- Changes in external and internal markets -- The partition of the hacienda and land-tenure changes in Cochabamba Department -- Case studies of land-tenure change in Cochabamba Department -- Conclusions.
Self-Actualization and Attitudes toward Women

150 subjects were administered Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory and Kirkpatrick's Feminist-antifeminist Belief-Pattern Scale. Results indicated self-actualizing beliefs and attitudes corre...
Evaluation of regression models in metabolic physiology: predicting fluxes from isotopic data without knowledge of the pathway.

This study explores the ability of regression models, with no knowledge of the underlying physiology, to estimate physiological parameters relevant for metabolism and endocrinology. Four regression models were compared: multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR), partial least-squares regression (PLS) and regression using artificial neural networks (ANN). The pathway of mammalian gluconeogenesis was analyzed using [U−13C]glucose as tracer. A set of data was simulated by randomly selecting physiologically appropriate metabolic fluxes for the 9 steps of this pathway as independent variables. The isotope labeling patterns of key intermediates in the pathway were then calculated for each set of fluxes, yielding 29 dependent variables. Two thousand sets were created, allowing independent training and test data. Regression models were asked to predict the nine fluxes, given only the 29 isotopomers. For large training sets (>50) the artificial neural network model was superior, capturing 95% of the variability in the gluconeogenic flux, whereas the three linear models captured only 75%. This reflects the ability of neural networks to capture the inherent non-linearities of the metabolic system. The effect of error in the variables and the addition of random variables to the data set was considered. Model sensitivities were used to find the isotopomers that most influenced the predicted flux values. These studies provide the first test of multivariate regression models for the analysis of isotopomer flux data. They provide insight for metabolomics and the future of isotopic tracers in metabolic research where the underlying physiology is complex or unknown.
Surfactant-free preparation of supported cubic platinum nanoparticles

A novel method has been developed for preparing supported cubic platinum nanoparticles. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen are used to reduce platinum precursors present at a solid–gas interface and to control the shape of the growing Pt nanoparticles. By avoiding the use of any organic agents in the synthesis, cubic Pt particles free of hydrocarbons are formed, thereby avoiding possible contamination of the catalyst surface. The approach used is simple and readily scalable.
Electron channeling contrast imaging of crystalline deformation due to high power ultrasound

Abstract The ability of ultrasound to reduce markedly the static load needed for material deformation has important implications for the future of material processing; however, the underlying mechanism is still controversial. Wide area electron channeling patterns (ECPs) and channeling contrast were used to examine a chemically polished single-crystal aluminum rod following high power insonification at 20.5 kHz. ECPs taken from the rod's local deformation region showed a marked reduction in channeling bandwidths, by as much as 45%. Spatial information from channeling contrast micrographs revealed details of progressive crystalline misorientation within the deformation region.
Incoherent neutron scattering from solid mixtures of orthohydrogen and parahydrogen

The cross section for incoherent scattering of neutrons from orthohydrogen molecules in solid hydrogen is calculated at a variety of $o\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ concentrations. Part of the scattering depends in a simple way on the $o\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ angular-momentum autocorrelation functions so that incoherent neutron scattering can provide direct information about these functions.
Beyond the chiral pool: a general approach to β-amino-α-keto amides

Abstract A simple route was developed for the synthesis of optically enriched β-amino-α-keto amides. The highly diastereoselective addition of alkyl dithiolanecarboxylates to optically enriched sulfinimines affords the corresponding β-amino-α-keto esters in which the ketone carbonyl group is protected as a dithiolane. Amidation of the ester functionality with a primary amine proceeds readily at room temperature. Treatment with HCl cleaves the N–S bond of the sulfinyl group to provide a free amine functionality, which can then be incorporated into a peptide. Removal of the dithiolane protecting group under oxidative conditions proceeds without epimerization as exemplified by a model dipeptide.
Synthesis and chiroptical properties of amphiphilic dendrimers based on 2,3-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol

Abstract The syntheses and chiroptical properties of amphiphilic dendrimers based on 2,3-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol up to the third generation are described. Water-solubility is imparted to the dendrimers using a selective palladium-catalyzed deprotection of allyl ester terminal groups. Circular dichroism studies indicate that a transfer of chirality from the central core to the achiral branch segments does not occur in any of the dendrimers in THF. However, a temperature-dependent Cotton effect associated with the 2,3-dialkoxybenzyl ether branching subunit appears at the first generation in water consistent with a transfer of chirality from the chiral core to the dendrons. This effect disappears at the second and third generations suggesting greater conformational flexibility at higher dendrimer generation. The increased flexibility at higher dendrimer generation is rationalized by a decrease in hydrophobic compression at higher dendrimer generation. This work highlights the effect of asymmetric branching and solvent-induced compression in restricting the conformational mobility of dendrimers.
Robots in the AI Classroom: What Smart Machines Can Teach Smart Students

The design and implementation of autonomous robots provides experience with engineering problems as well as with hard problems in artificial intelligence. Our aims in this article are fourfold: First, we describe how the use of robots complements traditional classroom lectures for the teaching of important concepts in a graduate‐level AI class. Second, we discuss the use of robots as a multimedia tool for capturing student interest and facilitating the self‐guided exploration of AI concepts. Third, we relate readings and robots in the curriculum and show how the robots aid understanding of philosophical issues in AI. Finally, we describe the robot kits and the organization of the class, present several completed projects by student teams, and report some of the feedback given by students who completed the course. We also analyze the successes and failures of the first two courses offered and describe the changes made for the recently completed second course.
Application of a predictive safety model in a combustion testing environment

Abstract A predictive safety model for accident prevention and system failure, called Continuous Hazard Tracking and Failure Prediction Methodology, is applied at the Marshall Space Flight Center's promoted combustion test chamber. It combines the underlying principles of work sampling, control charts, and multivariate analysis. The sampling is performed to observe the occurrence of conditions which may be becoming hazardous in a given system. These building blocks of hazards, which we have called dendritics, could result in an accident, system malfunction, or unacceptable risk conditions. The data collected is plotted to generate the appropriate control chart, which depends on the characteristics of the given system and the protection desired. Based on the pattern of the control chart, a system ‘under control’ is not disturbed whereas a system ‘out of control’ is investigated for potential conditions becoming hazardous. Then appropriate steps are taken to eliminate or control these conditions in order to maintain a desired safety status of the system. The continuously running characteristic of this model allows for the verification that the corrective measures taken to ameliorate the ‘out of control’ conditions were satisfactory or whether more proactive action is required. The results provided by the predictive model were validated with historical safety data.
Apolipoprotein-defined lipoprotein abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis patients and their potential impact on cardiovascular disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore apolipoprotein-defined lipoproteins for abnormalities when comparing non-rheumatological controls to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Methods: Apolipoprotein and lipoprotein profiles were measured on 94 RA patients and 79 controls by immunoturbidimetric procedures, electroimmunoassays, and immunoprecipitation. Differences between means were tested with a two-sided Student t test with Satterthwaite adjustment. p-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni procedure.Results: RA patients had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) than controls, but no significant differences in the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C. RA patients had significantly lower levels of apolipoprotein (apo)A-I and lipoprotein (Lp)A-I:A-II, but no difference in levels of LpA-I than normal controls. There was a significant difference in the lev...
Theory and Practice of Self-Induced Pain Management: Approaches Learned from Effective Copers

Pain control can be central to the effective management of sickle cell disease (SCD). The traditional medical model has relied on pharmacological intervention as the primary treatment approach to pain management. Alternatively, psychologists have the capability of assisting people with SCD through methods that empower them to control SCD pain. The concepts advanced in this article are based on the clinical experiences of the authors in working with people who have SCD. The purpose of the article is to describe alternative strategies to the traditional pharmacological methods for management of SCD pain. The authors examine in more depth cognitive strategies and autonomic nervous system engaging strategies that have been found to be effective in the self-induced management of SCD pain.
Metabolism of ecdysteroid by testes of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens

Testes from late last stage larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, were incubated with [3H]ecdysone and [3H]cholesterol. [3H]Ecdysone was converted to six other major ecdysteroids, identified by cochromatography in reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RPHPLC); four of them were verified by normal-phase HPLC. A highly polar fraction, moderately polar ecdysteroids (20,26-dihydroxyecdysone, 3-epi-20-hydroxyecdysone, and 20-hydroxyecdysone) and low-polarity ecdysteroids, including 2-deoxyecdysone, were detected after incubation with [3H]ecdysone. Compounds that reacted positively to antibodies to progesterone and testosterone were detected in the low-polarity fractions. Testes were incubated in fractions corresponding to each of the major ecdysteroid peaks derived from [3H]ecdysone metabolism. Although most of the radioactive ecdysteroid fractions were further metabolized to high- and low-polarity endpoints, 88% of the [3H]20-hydroxyecdysone peak apparently remained unmetabolized. 20-Hydroxyecdysone may be the primary ecdysteroid product of testes of H. virescens. [3H]Cholesterol was not metabolized to any appreciable extent.
Predicting the Risk of Extinction through Hybridization

Natural hybridization threatens a substantial number of plant and animal species with extinction, but extinction risk has been difficult to evaluate in the absence of a quantitative assessment of risk factors. We investigated a number of ecological parameters likely to affect extinction risk, through an individual- based model simulating the life cycle of two hybridizing annual plant species. All parameters tested, ranging from population size to variance in pollen-tube growth rates, affected extinction risk. The sensitivity of each parameter varied dramatically across parameter sets, but, overall, the competitive ability, initial frequency, and selfing rate of the native taxon had the strongest effect on extinction. In addition, prezygotic reproductive barriers had a stronger influence on extinction rates than did postzygotic barriers. A stable hybrid zone was possible only when habitat differentiation was included in the model. When there was no habitat differentia- tion, either one of the parental species or the hybrids eventually displaced the other two taxa. The simulations demonstrated that hybridization is perhaps the most rapidly acting genetic threat to endangered species, with extinction often taking place in less than five generations. The simulation model was also applied to natu- rally hybridizing species pairs for which considerable genetic and ecological information is available. The predictions from these "worked examples" are in close agreement with observed outcomes and further sug- gest that an endemic cordgrass species is threatened by hybridization. These simulations provide guidance concerning the kinds of data required to evaluate extinction risk and possible conservation strategies.
Planetary precession in gravitation theory

A simple derivation of the general relativistic correction to planetary orbits is given, without explicit reference to Einstein’s field equations. The calculation is compared to Schiff’s investigation of the bending of light. Restrictions on the line element of curved space, which follow from the weak and strong equivalence principles are discussed. The weak equivalence principle and the weak field approximation are exploited to give a simple derivation of the correction to planetary motion in the Brans-Dicke theory.
NEURAL INNERVATION OF THE NEWBORN EXSTROPHIC BLADDER: AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

AbstractPurpose: Continence in bladder exstrophy is not always easy to attain. Some patients have a small noncontractile bladder while in others an adequate capacity bladder may not contract normally. Innervation of the detrusor determines its ability to contract. The exstrophic bladder during organogenesis does not store urine. Therefore, its requirements for contraction are limited and its innervation would potentially reflect this difference in function. The availability of specific immunostains allows better differentiation of the neural elements in tissue specimens. Our study focuses on myelinated nerves innervating the newborn exstrophic detrusor.Materials and Methods: Biopsies were obtained from the anterior wall of 10 newborn exstrophic bladders at the time of initial closure and compared to 10 newborn controls. Patient age at bladder closure ranged from 1 to 90 days (mean 22). Specimens were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded. Then 4 micro. thick sections were stained with S100, an immunostain ...
Confirmed 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid toxicosis in a dog.

A 2-year-old, intact male Weimaraner was evaluated for episodic extensor rigidity and a stiff gait of 24 hours’ duration. Percussion of the proximal appendicular muscles with a reflex hammer resulted in formation of dimples consistent with myotonia. Electromyography identified myotonic potentials. Residues of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were detected in both serum and urine. The dog was treated with intravenous fluid therapy for 36 hours, and clinical signs improved dramatically. Toxicosis with 2,4-D should be considered a differential for acquired myotonia in dogs with or without systemic signs. Exposed dogs with only clinical signs of myotonia can have good clinical outcomes. A confirmed clinical case of 2,4-D toxicosis in the dog has not previously been reported.
A Mammalian Homologue of GCN2 Protein Kinase Important for Translational Control by Phosphorylation of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2α

A family of protein kinases regulates translation in response to different cellular stresses by phosphorylation of the α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2α). In yeast, an eIF-2α kinase, GCN2, functions in translational control in response to amino acid starvation. It is thought that uncharged tRNA that accumulates during amino acid limitation binds to sequences in GCN2 homologous to histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HisRS) enzymes, leading to enhanced kinase catalytic activity. Given that starvation for amino acids also stimulates phosphorylation of eIF-2α in mammalian cells, we searched for and identified a GCN2 homologue in mice. We cloned three different cDNAs encoding mouse GCN2 isoforms, derived from a single gene, that vary in their amino-terminal sequences. Like their yeast counterpart, the mouse GCN2 isoforms contain HisRS-related sequences juxtaposed to the kinase catalytic domain. While GCN2 mRNA was found in all mouse tissues examined, the isoforms appear to be differentially expressed. Mouse GCN2 expressed in yeast was found to inhibit growth by hyperphosphorylation of eIF-2α, requiring both the kinase catalytic domain and the HisRS-related sequences. Additionally, lysates prepared from yeast expressing mGCN2 were found to phosphorylate recombinant eIF-2α substrate. Mouse GCN2 activity in both the in vivo and in vitro assays required the presence of serine-51, the known regulatory phosphorylation site in eIF-2α. Together, our studies identify a new mammalian eIF-2α kinase, GCN2, that can mediate translational control.
Discovery and Expression Analysis of Alternative Splicing Events Conserved among Plant SR Proteins

The high frequency of alternative splicing among the serine/arginine-rich (SR) family of proteins in plants has been linked to important roles in gene regulation during development and in response to environmental stress. In this article, we have searched and manually annotated all the SR proteins in the genomes of maize and sorghum. The experimental validation of gene structure by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed, with few exceptions, that SR genes produced multiple isoforms of transcripts by alternative splicing. Despite sharing high structural similarity and conserved positions of the introns, the profile of alternative splicing diverged significantly between maize and sorghum for the vast majority of SR genes. These include many transcript isoforms discovered by RT-PCR and not represented in extant expressed sequence tag (EST) collection. However, we report the occurrence of various maize and sorghum SR mRNA isoforms that display evolutionary conservation of splicing events with their homologous SR genes in Arabidopsis and moss. Our data also indicate an important role of both 5' and 3' untranslated regions in the regulation of SR gene expression. These observations have potentially important implications for the processes of evolution and adaptation of plants to land.
Experimental demonstrations of real-time MILP control

This paper presents results from recent hardware experiments using two forms of on-line Mixed-integer Linear Programming (MILP). The demonstrations were performed on wheeled ground vehicles, with a view to future use on autonomous teams of UAVs. The first experiment uses MILP at a high-level to account for a limited detection horizon while maneuvering in the presence of obstacles. The second performs low-level control with MILP to reject disturbances while performing a rendezvous. The paper describes the design of the multi-vehicle testbed and discusses the architecture and implementation details of the experiments. In both cases, the online MILP compensated for the uncertainties present and successfully completed the maneuvers.
EM-based soft noncoherent equalization of doubly selective channels using tree search and basis expansion

We propose a soft noncoherent equalizer for coded transmissions over unknown time- and frequency-selective, or doubly selective, channels. Such a soft equalizer can be used in conjunction with a soft decoder as part of a turbo reception scheme. Like a number of existing designs, ours is motivated by the use of the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm to estimate the unknown channel parameters, and manifests as an iteration between soft channel estimation and soft coherent equalization. As a departure from the existing designs, which assume a Gauss-Markov (i.e., autoregressive) channel and employ a trellis whose number-of-states grows exponentially in the channel length, we use a basis expansion (BE) model for the channel and a soft tree-search in place of the trellis, leveraging recent ideas from the MIMO literature. The complexity of our schemes grows only linearly in the block length and quadratically in the number of BE coefficients. Numerical experiments show performance that is close to genie-aided bounds and robust to mismatch in channel-fading rate.
Stayin’ Alive: How the Society of Clinical Psychology Can Remain Vital and Viable for the Next 20 Years

Norcross and Karpiak (2012) provide a wealth of data showing recent trends in Division 12 membership. This article provides some new data suggesting that the Division's “market share” of clinical psychologists is eroding and that the current membership of Division 12 does not adequately reflect the changing demographics in the field. In order for the division to remain a vital and viable presence within the field, I suggest that the Society of Clinical Psychology will need to intensify our efforts to recruit and retain a population of younger, more diverse, and more practice-oriented graduate students and early career psychologists. Specific recruitment and retention initiatives are proposed, some of which are new, others of which would extend existing programs within the Division.
On the generation of surface waves by turbulent shear flows

The model proposed by Phillips (1957) for the generation of water waves by the random fluctluations of normal pressure already present in a turbulent wind is generalized to include energy transfer associated with the interaction between surface wave and mean air flow (Miles 1957). It is found that this energy transfer may increase by an order of magnitude the surface displacements produced by a given distribution of pressure fluctuations in the principal stage of development.
The Dire Straits of Homelessness: Dramatic Echoes and Creative Propositions From the Field

This ethnographic study draws on the realities, survival strategies, and needs of a group of homeless people living in South Florida. Fifty-six individuals (mean age = 51 years; age range = 21–76 years) of various racial backgrounds responded to a semistructured narrative interview. Two thirds of respondents encountered substance abuse challenges and experienced chronic homelessness, one third worked, and three fifths were arrested at least once. Thematic narrative analyses revealed that substance abuse, unemployment, a low-paying job, and a relationship breakup were the most prevalent causes of homelessness. The greatest difficulties reported concerned sleeping patterns, police harassment and brutality, dehumanization, and hunger. Survival strategies incorporated hiding from police, attending local food drives, soliciting food from local fast food places, and begging. Support came predominantly from the church, family members, and friends. Relief desired embodied broader employment opportunities, close-b...
Community Violence in Context Risk and Resilience in Children and Families

Although some community violence research has examined the context of community violence, including the social, economic, and structural organization of neighborhoods, more needs to be learned about family, school, and community-level factors that may promote and lessen the incidence and prevalence of community violence. In addition, further research is needed on various social, environmental, and contextual factors hypothesized to protect youth from exposure. This article (a) reviews and examines the relation between neighborhood context and risk of violence exposure, (b) reviews current literature on predictors of community violence and mental health and behavioral consequences for children and families adversely affected by community violence, (c) examines sources of resilience and community strengths that extend beyond the individual, (d) discusses the contributions and limitations of current conceptualizations of risk and resilience, and (e) highlights directions for future research. Information from this review can inform community and government efforts to lessen community violence through prevention and treatment.
Neurobiological Processes of Risk and Resilience in Adolescence: Implications for Policy and Prevention Science

This article focuses on the concepts of risk and resilience and their potential to inform clinical interventions, school-based prevention programs, and social policies. Research suggests that childhood adversity can trigger a cascade of psychological and neurobiological events that can lead to mental disorders in later life. Yet little is known about how these processes manifest in adolescence, a developmental window that is typically associated with an elevated risk for psychopathology and represents a period of neurological growth and reorganization that is second only to early childhood. A better understanding of adolescent brain development may provide an empirical grounding to improve the focus and timing of interventions, particularly those that target self-regulation, meta-cognition, and social supports. Finally, opportunities and challenges that emerge when bridging neuroscience and prevention science are discussed.
Finding Housing: Discrimination and Exploitation of Latinos in the Post-Katrina Rental Market

This case study investigates the discriminatory and exploitative housing practices that contributed to the social marginalization of Latinos in the Gulf Coast Recovery Zone following Hurricane Katrina. Discriminatory practices (such as denial of available units or rejection of Latinos from homeless shelters) leave migrants vulnerable to homelessness and economic exploitation. The most vulnerable Latinos are those who hold an undocumented legal status, have marginal occupational status, or have limited English ability. These vulnerabilities are magnified following a disaster when housing is in short supply, group tensions are high, employers are heavily involved in allocation of housing, and government oversight is lacking. Using 25 interviews with established and newly arrived Latino immigrants on the Gulf Coast, the author finds that these four factors—legal status, occupational status, limited English language ability, and the disaster context—contributed to the exploitation of and discrimination agains...
Disentangling the effects of cognitive development and linguistic expertise: a longitudinal study of the acquisition of English in internationally-adopted children.

Abstract Early language development is characterized by predictable changes in the words children produce and the complexity of their utterances. In infants, these changes could reflect increasing linguistic expertise or cognitive maturation and development. To disentangle these factors, we compared the acquisition of English in internationally-adopted preschoolers and internationally-adopted infants. Parental reports and speech samples were collected for 1 year. Both groups showed the qualitative shifts that characterize first-language acquisition. Initially, they produced single-word utterances consisting mostly of nouns and social words. The appearance of verbs, adjectives and multiword utterances was predicted by vocabulary size in both groups. Preschoolers did learn some words at an earlier stage than infants, specifically words referring to the past or future and adjectives describing behavior and internal states. These findings suggest that cognitive development plays little role in the shift from referential terms to predicates but may constrain children’s ability to learn some abstract words.
Knowledge Sharing: The Influences of Learning Organization Culture, Organizational Commitment, and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

This study investigated cultural (learning organization culture), psychological (organizational commitment), and behavioral (organizational citizenship behavior) antecedents of knowledge-sharing intention of employees. The authors’ structural equation model using data collected from 452 Korean workers showed that learning organization culture was significantly associated with organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior, and knowledge-sharing intention. Organizational citizenship behavior turned out to fully mediate the relationship between organizational commitment and knowledge-sharing intention. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Solar-radiation-based absolute calibration of optical sensors: SeaWiFS and a Daedalus 1268

The authors have developed a solar-radiation-based calibration method for the radiometric calibration of satellite sensors with a solar diffuser such as that used on SeaWiFS. A similar method using a diffuser at ground level can be used to calibrate airborne sensors such as the Daedalus 1268 sensor operated by EG&G in a helicopter. The atmospheric transmittance is measured while measurements of a solar illuminated diffuser panel are made by the instrument being calibrated. Measurements of the panel are also taken with the direct solar beam blocked. The difference gives the signal due to the attenuated solar beam. The major advantage of this method is that the source for the calibration, the Sun, is the same source used in measurements. Results of calibrations of SeaWiFS and a Daedalus scanner are presented. >
Temperature and scaling behavior of strained-Si N-MOSFET's

Summary form only given. The device characteristics of N-MOSFETs fabricated in strained-Si have been investigated as a function of temperature and gate length. It is found that the low field mobility is enhanced compared to Si control devices at temperatures down at 20 K. For moderate fields, g/sub m/ is enhanced at all measured temperatures, for effective gate lengths down to 0.8 mu m (L/sub drawn/=1.5 mu m). At high power density, however, the devices exhibit a negative differential output resistance. The thermal conductivity of the relaxed Si/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/ buffer layers is estimated by fitting polysilicon resistor characteristics to a first order model. >
Resource Transfers and Human Life-History Evolution*

Formal models of life-history evolution have been used to illuminate both the peculiarities of the human life cycle and its commonalities with those of other taxa. Understanding reproductive decisions in both the contemporary market-based economies of wealthy nation-states and rapidly changing populations largely of the Global South presents particular challenges to evolutionary life-history theory for several reasons. These include (a) the rapidity with which reproductive patterns change, (b) the magnitude of fertility reduction from previous equilibria, and (c) the frequent absence or even reversal of expected wealth-fertility gradients. These empirical challenges have been met to an increasing extent by specifically incorporating durable wealth and resource transfers into more traditional life-history models. Such relatively new models build on classical life-history theory to generate novel predictions. Among these are quite robust predictions that the existence of heritable wealth will decrease optim...
Corrections regarding the Lellouch et al. (1989) analysis of Mars atmospheric 12CO and 13CO spectra

Lellouch et al. (1989) obtained atmospheric CO mixing ratios from Martian C-12O and C-13O microwave spectra that were 3-5 times greater than the Kaplan et al. (1969) IR measurememts; they also inferred a factor-of-2 increase in atmospheric CO abundance between September, 1986 and January, 1987. A reanalysis has been conducted of the Lellouch material, and more detailed treatment of the radiative transfer analysis indicates that its observations are consistent with the Kaplan CO volume mixing ratio determination. It is also ascertained that the Lellouch atmospheric temperature profiles are in error, with no evidence being found for the extreme temperature inversions inferred for the lowest 5 km of the Martian atmosphere.
Relative geoidal undulations from deflections of the vertical

Shoran trilateration in the Bahama Islands permits the determination of the deflection of the vertical with considerable accuracy. The deflections observed to date show a striking correlation with the ocean-bottom gradients and with the available free-air anomaly gradients. This suggests the computation of relative geoidal heights by using strategically placed deflection observations. This paper describes a promising method of computing the relative undulations.
Examining Teacher Effectiveness within Differentially Effective Primary Schools in the People's Republic of China.

The objective of this study was to advance our understanding of educational effectiveness processes within contexts where they have seldom been studied before: rural and urban areas in China. Utilizing a “contextually sensitive” school effectiveness research design, we collected classroom observation data to address our research hypotheses and question. The research design called for crossing 2 levels of effectiveness status (more effective, less effective) and 2 levels of community type (urban, rural). Multivariate analyses of variance with traditional teacher effectiveness variables as the dependent indices yielded significant differences between more effective and less effective schools and between urban and rural schools. Qualitative results complemented the classroom observations by identifying unique characteristics of classroom teaching in the People's Republic of China.
Resolution of clopidogrel-associated polyarthritis after conversion to prasugrel

Purpose A case of acute polyarthritis associated with the use of clopidogrel is reported. Summary A 72-year-old retired Caucasian man arrived at the emergency department with confusion, a temperature of 101 °F, difficulty walking, leukocytosis, and diffuse joint aches. The patient reported decreased oral intake and progressive weakness. Upon questioning, he reported pain in almost all joints. The patient reported no rash, twitching, or focal numbness. Approximately two weeks earlier, the patient underwent a nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention secondary to coronary artery disease, after which clopidogrel and aspirin were initiated. The patient had no complaints the week after his stent placement. Approximately four days before this hospital admission, the patient reported acute onset of lateral left leg pain. The symptoms progressed in the following days, necessitating admission to the hospital. The patient’s symptoms markedly improved with discontinuation of clopidogrel and administration of corticosteroids. Prasugrel was initiated before hospital discharge. The patient reported no arthralgias and continued compliance with prasugrel during follow-up telephone calls by the clinical pharmacist at two and six weeks. Applying the Naranjo et al. probability scale to this case yielded a score of 5, suggesting that clopidogrel was the probable cause of the patient’s adverse reaction. Conclusion A patient developed acute polyarthritis evidently associated with clopidogrel therapy. Symptoms resolved after prasugrel was substituted for clopidogrel and reappeared after two doses of clopidogrel were taken inadvertently.
The Changing Meanings of Sustainable Tourism

Conventional meanings of sustainable tourism arose out of the convergence of two streams developing in the late twentieth century. One stream arose from the growth of tourism itself and the rising attention society placed on its positive and negative impacts. Another stream originated in the emergent field of international development where a variety of governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental agencies strove to enhance developing countries’ economies. In both streams, this concern evolved into a focus on the environmental and social impacts of development, which lead to the convergence of both streams into the notion of sustainable tourism. And while sustainable tourism involved a conventional meaning, fundamental changes occurring at the very end of the twentieth century and beginning of the twenty-first century have caused us to rethink whether that conventional meaning is still appropriate and useful.