cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of statistical tests for group differences in brain functional networks

Brain functional connectivity has been studied by analyzing time series correlations in regional brain activities based on resting-state fMRI data. Brain functional connectivity can be depicted as a network or graph defined as a set of nodes linked by edges. Nodes represent brain regions and an edge measures the strength of functional correlation between two regions. Most of existing work focuses on estimation of such a network. A key but inadequately addressed question is how to test for possible differences of the networks between two subject groups, say between healthy controls and patients. Here we illustrate and compare the performance of several state-of-the-art statistical tests drawn from the neuroimaging, genetics, ecology and high-dimensional data literatures. Both real and simulated data were used to evaluate the methods. We found that Network Based Statistic (NBS) performed well in many but not all situations, and its performance critically depends on the choice of its threshold parameter, which is unknown and difficult to choose in practice. Importantly, two adaptive statistical tests called adaptive sum of powered score (aSPU) and its weighted version (aSPUw) are easy to use and complementary to NBS, being higher powered than NBS in some situations. The aSPU and aSPUw tests can also be applied to adjust for covariates. Between the aSPU and aSPUw tests, they often, but not always, performed similarly with neither one as a uniform winner. On the other hand, Multivariate Matrix Distance Regression (MDMR) has been applied to detect group differences for brain connectivity; with the usual choice of the Euclidean distance, MDMR is a special case of the aSPU test. Consequently NBS, aSPU and aSPUw tests are recommended to test for group differences in functional connectivity.
Genetic loci affecting body weight and fatness in a C57BL/6J × PWK/PhJ mouse intercross

To determine the genetic variation that contributes to body composition in the mouse, we interbred a wild-derived strain (PWK/PhJ; PWK) with a common laboratory strain (C57BL/6J; B6). The parental, F1, and F2 mice were phenotyped at 18 weeks old for body weight and composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). A total of 479 (244 male and 235 female) F2 mice were genotyped for 117 polymorphic markers spanning the autosomes. Twenty-eight suggestive or significant linkages for four traits (body weight, adjusted lean and fat weight, and percent fat) were detected. Of these, three QTLs were novel: one on the proximal portion of Chr 5 for body weight (Bwq8; LOD = 4.7), one on Chr 3 for lean weight (Bwtq13; LOD = 3.6), and one on Chr 11 for percent fat (Adip19; LOD = 5.8). The remaining QTLs overlapped previously identified linkages, e.g., Adip5 on Chr 9. One QTL was sex-specific (present in males only) and seven were sex-biased (more prominent in one sex than the other). Most alleles that increased body weight were contributed by the B6 strain, and most alleles that increased percent fat were contributed by the PWK strain. Eight pairs of interacting loci were identified, none of which exactly overlapped the main-effect QTLs. Many of the QTLs found in the B6 × PWK cross map to the location of previously reported linkages, suggesting that some QTLs are common to many strains (consensus QTLs), but three new QTLs appear to be particular to the PWK strain. The location and type of QTLs detected in this new cross will assist in future efforts to identify the genetic variation that determines the ratio of lean to fat weight as well as body size in mice.
High-tone bulk acoustic resonators on sapphire, crystal quartz, fused silica, and silicon substrates

High-tone bulk acoustic resonators (HBARs) have been fabricated on four types of substrates: c-axis sapphire, AT-cut crystal quartz, fused silica, and ⟨100⟩ single crystal silicon. Quality factors of the HBARs on the four substrates have been compared. Temperature effect on the Q and resonant frequency of the four types of HBARs has been investigated. This paper reports that acoustic absorption in fused silica decreases with increased temperature. Acoustic absorptions in the other three substrates increase with increased temperature. Also, temperature coefficients of frequency of HBARs on sapphire, crystal quartz, fused silica, and silicon have been investigated. Finally, acoustic velocities in the four substrates have been extracted by measuring the frequency difference between two successive resonances of the HBAR on the corresponding substrate, and their dependences on temperature have been investigated.
Crystal Structure of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus Envelope Protein

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the leading global cause of viral encephalitis. The JEV envelope protein (E) facilitates cellular attachment and membrane fusion and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies. We have determined the 2.1-A resolution crystal structure of the JEV E ectodomain refolded from bacterial inclusion bodies. The E protein possesses the three domains characteristic of flavivirus envelopes and epitope mapping of neutralizing antibodies onto the structure reveals determinants that correspond to the domain I lateral ridge, fusion loop, domain III lateral ridge, and domain I-II hinge. While monomeric in solution, JEV E assembles as an antiparallel dimer in the crystal lattice organized in a highly similar fashion as seen in cryo-electron microscopy models of mature flavivirus virions. The dimer interface, however, is remarkably small and lacks many of the domain II contacts observed in other flavivirus E homodimers. In addition, uniquely conserved histidines within the JEV serocomplex suggest that pH-mediated structural transitions may be aided by lateral interactions outside the dimer interface in the icosahedral virion. Our results suggest that variation in dimer structure and stability may significantly influence the assembly, receptor interaction, and uncoating of virions.
Editorial: Debates in graduate medical education: who will care for us when we get older?

For many decades, the government has funded graduate medical education (GME) through Medicare and other sources to the tune of approximately 15 billion dollars per year. These funds were designated to support residency and fellowship programs that were part of academic institutions seeing a higher proportion of Medicare and Medicaid, as well as uninsured, patients. The GME program helped balance the losses that these academic institutions faced when caring for these patients, as well as with the inherent financial losses due to the obvious but necessary inefficiencies that are a part of providing medical care while still emphasizing teaching and research. Although far from a perfect system, GME funding has directly or indirectly supported generations of outstanding physicians, educators, and researchers. However, as the country strives to improve the quality and efficiency, as well as the cost, of health care, a more circumspect look at the GME system has become necessary. On July 29, 2014, the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on the Governance and Financing of GME issued a report describing their findings and recommendations regarding how they felt the federal government should support the future training and education of physicians in the United States (1). This report created quite a stir, because it brought out many important issues that apply to clinicians, educators, and researchers alike, all of whom rely upon and benefit from federal support of medical education and training. As a general starting point for discussion, the report emphasized that our health system is in flux, as we move toward creating better delivery systems that focus on patient-centered care, population health, and low-cost. The report went on to point out that we currently do not have the ability to analyze these issues in a meaningful way, and therefore, it is difficult to know exactly how GME support should be used in the future. Finally, the committee commented that they were not convinced that a shortage of physicians was imminent; thus, efforts should be focused on improving GME rather than increasing GME resources. The authors of this report then went on to make 5 major recommendations.
Embolization of Perigraft Leaks after Endovascular Stent-Graft Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms

Purpose Perigraft leak is one of the significant problems associated with transluminal placement of stent-grafts in the treatment of aortic aneurysms. This report describes the authors' experience with transcatheter coil embolization for the treatment of perigraft leaks. Materials and Methods Ten patients who underwent transluminal placement of stent-grafts for the treatment of aortic aneurysms were treated. All patients had one or more tracts between the aortic wall and stent-graft or between two stent-grafts, resulting in residual aneurysm filling. All tracts were embolized by means of transcatheter deposition of platinum or steel coils. Results In all patients, all tracts were embolized completely and residual aneurysm filling was eliminated. Complete thrombosis of the aneurysm was confined on follow-up spiral computed tomography in all 10 cases. Two cases required two embolization procedures to completely embolize the tracts. No recurrent leaks or aneurysm expansions were identified on follow-up studies. Conclusions Although long-term effectiveness remains to be proved, the initial results with transcatheter coil embolization of tracts are encouraging and suggest this technique is a safe and effective method for the management of perigraft leaks after endovascular placement of stent-grafts.
Transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography: Comparison of ultrasonic and anatomic sections

Conventional 2-dimensional echocardiography has become a well-established tool for evaluating cardiovascular diseases. Recent introduction of 2-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has widened the ultrasonic examination possibilities of the heart and great arteries. The 6 standard transesophageal transducer positions that have proved representative and of diagnostic value are described. To facilitate structure identification and interpretation of anatomic relations, transesophageal recordings were compared with corresponding anatomic sections.
Lifetime Tobacco Use

Excerpt To the editor: The strong case made against the utility of routine chest radiographs by Tape and Mushlin (1) should prompt many physicians to limit the use of chest radiographs, as recommen...
Prognostic model for disease-specific and overall mortality in newly diagnosed symptomatic patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia.

Summary We sought to define prognostic factors for survival in Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia (WM). Of 585 patients diagnosed with WM and seen at Mayo Clinic between 1960 and 2001, 337 symptomatic patients met the inclusion criteria and were analysed for overall and disease-specific survival. The median survival from the time of diagnosis was 6·4 years. The median disease-specific survival was 11·2 years. Univariate analysis for overall survival identified the following adverse prognostic factors: age >65 years (P 65 years and organomegaly were associated with poor prognosis. A prognostic model was built based on these two variables. Patients at high risk (1–2 risk factors, median survival 4·2 years) experienced worse survival than patients at low risk (0 risk factors, median survival 10·6 years), P < 0·001. The prognostic model was validated in 204 patients who were not included in the analysis cohort. β2-microglobulin ≥4 mg/l was associated with a threefold increase in the risk of death when added to the prognostic model. We describe a simple prognostic model for overall survival for newly diagnosed patients with WM.
The Relation between Puberty and Psychological Distress in Adolescent Boys.

This longitudinal study examined the relation between puberty, as measured by both pubertal status and timing, and adjustment problems, as measured by externalized hostile feelings and internalized distress symptoms, among adolescent males in grades 7 through 10. The results showed that boys who were physically more developed in grade 7, compared with their less physically developed peers, manifested more externalized hostile feelings and internalized distress symptoms in grades 8 through 10. Pubertal timing was significantly related to both internalized distress and externalized hostile feelings. This relation remained statistically significant, even after controlling for grade 7 maladjustment symptoms and concurrent stressful life events. Several significant interaction effects emerged between pubertal timing and concurrent stressful life events. The significant long-term effect of the pubertal transition, independent of stressful life experiences and symptom continuity, suggests that the past undifferentiated view of the favorable influence of early maturation on males needs to be modified.
The relationship between central life interest of restaurant managers and their level of job satisfaction

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between central life interest (CLI) and the level of job satisfaction using a convenience sample of restaurant managers. The Central Life Interest questionnaire developed by Dubin determines respondents' preference for carrying out preferred activities. Job satisfaction was measured using the Job Description Index (JDI). The CLI showed 65.3% of respondents to be flexible-focus and 25.3% as job-oriented. Unexpectedly, both groups expressed similar levels of moderate satisfaction with the six JDI categories, except for being ambivalent with promotion and for the non-job-oriented group- moderately dissatisfied. There were variations in satisfaction by age and years in the job.
Child Abuse and Unrealistic Expectations: Further Validation of the Parent Opinion Questionnaire.

This second validation study of the Parent Opinion Questionnaire (POQ) compared the unrealistic expectations of child abusing mothers (n= 16) wit h mothers whose partners perpetrated the abuse (n = 14). This comparison provided a more stringent test of the POQ's validity in that it controlled for nonspecific factors associated with being in a family identified for child maltreatment. As expected, significantly greater unrealistic expectations of child behavior were found for abusing moth ers than for control mothers. A discriminan t function analysis showe d tha t the POQ correctly classified 83% of the subjects. This measure's clinical usefulness is discussed. Child abuse is a major social and psychological issue affecting large numbers of children each year. Despite the seriousness of the problem, the development of truly successful interventions with maltreating parents has remained elusive. Thi s failure has been partly due to the lack of empirically demonstrated target deficits against which treatment might be aimed (Azar, Fantuzzo, & Twentyman, 1984). Recently, researchers have begun to document specific behavioral and cognitive deficit areas relevant for treatment purposes. One such deficit that has long bee n suggested in the traditional clinical literature as playing an etiological role is tha t abusive parents have unrealistic expectations of their child's behavior (i.e., they overestimate their child's capabilities; Steele & Pollock, 1968). When the child fails to meet these inappropriate expectations, the parent is believed to become frustrated and aggress against the child. Unfortunately, studies attempting to substantiate these dysfunctional expectations have until recently either failed (Starr, 1980) or shown errors in both over- and underestimating children's capabilities (Twentyman & Plotkin, 1982). These studies, however, operationalized "unrealisti c expectations " b y assessin g parent' s knowledge of developmental milestones. Parenta l aggressio n frequently follows complex interpersonal events , not just the simple acts assesse d b y milestone questionnaire s (e.g. , the child's ability to sit up, walk, etc.). Using an instrument designed to measure unrealistic expectations in situations involving more complex chains of child behavior, the Parent Opinion Questionnaire (POQ), Azar, Robinson, Hekimian, and Twenty man (1984) showed that maltreating mothers expressed significantly higher levels of unrealistic expectations of children's behavior than did demographically matched control mothers. Although these data provided some support for the importance of this defici t area as a potential etiological factor in child abuse, the finding might have been biased. Normal families may differ in nonspecific ways from those in which one parent has been identified as abusive (e.g. , their ability to deal with bureaucratic agencies, resources, etc.), and these nonspecific factors may ac
Genetic selection and conservation of genetic diversity

For 100s of years, livestock producers have employed various types of selection to alter livestock populations. Current selection strategies are little different, except our technologies for selection have become more powerful. Genetic resources at the breed level have been in and out of favour over time. These resources are the raw materials used to manipulate populations, and therefore, they are critical to the past and future success of the livestock sector. With increasing ability to rapidly change genetic composition of livestock populations, the conservation of these genetic resources becomes more critical. Globally, awareness of the need to steward genetic resources has increased. A growing number of countries have embarked on large scale conservation efforts by using in situ, ex situ (gene banking), or both approaches. Gene banking efforts have substantially increased and data suggest that gene banks are successfully capturing genetic diversity for research or industry use. It is also noteworthy that both industry and the research community are utilizing gene bank holdings. As pressures grow to meet consumer demands and potential changes in production systems, the linkage between selection goals and genetic conservation will increase as a mechanism to facilitate continued livestock sector development.
Preoperative selective intercostal angiography in patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair

Abstract Objective This study was designed to test the hypothesis that detection of the location of the major artery supplying the spinal cord, that is, the artery of Adamkiewicz or the great radicular artery (GRA), with angiography would help prevent paraplegia. Knowing which intercostal artery provides this important branch would enable prompt, focused revascularization. Method The surgical outcome in 131 patients with Crawford extent 1 and 2 degenerative aneurysms and 69 patients with descending thoracic aortic dissection was correlated with findings on selective intercostal arteriograms. Angiographic maneuvers were done with care, and the procedures were aborted if there was loose or "shaggy" mural thrombus, significant tortuosity, or difficulty entering each dissection channel. No attempts were made to find major contributions proximal to T6. Subarachnoid drains were placed in all patients, and all but five patients underwent distal aortic perfusion with controlled cooling to 32°F. Five patients underwent cold circulatory arrest, enabling replacement of the distal aortic arch. We defined paraplegia simply as the inability to walk at hospital discharge, paraparesis as impaired ambulation, and both as having spinal cord dysfunction (SCD). Results A GRA was found in 65 (43%)of the 151 patients studied. Of the 65 patients with the GRA identified, SCD developed in 3 (4.6%) patients. Thirteen of 135 (9.6%) patients in whom the GRA was not identified, either because they were not studied or were studied and the GRA was not found, developed SCD ( P = .35) However, when the GRA was identified, SCD occurred only in the group with aortic dissection. None of the 45 patients with degenerative aneurysms with the GRA identified had SCD, compared with 9 of 55 (16%) patients studied but without a GRA found ( P = .01). Conclusion The approach with selective intercostal angiography did not improve overall results. One third of our patients were not studied, and they fared as well as patients who were studied and the GRA was localized (not studied, 4 of 49, 8% with SCD; GRA localized, 3 of 65, 5% with SCD; P = .8). However, when the GRA was found, SCD occurred only in patients with aortic dissection. The studies confirmed the concept that the existence of mural thrombus in degenerative aneurysms results in the occlusion of many intercostal arteries, leaving those remaining patent to supply rich vascular watersheds through acquired collateral channels. As a result, in the group of patients with degenerative aneurysms, the identification of the critical intercostal artery allows focused reimplantation with uniform success. This is not the case in patients with aortic dissection. In those patients, most intercostal vessels remain patent, such that the insertion of one pair is insufficient to supply the paravertebral plexus and the spinal cord. Finally, failure to identify the GRA angiographically with our methods does not provide assurance that the GRA does not exist. Therefore negative findings did not provide license to ligate all intercostal arteries.
Fine structural studies of Johnston's organ in the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta (Johannson).

There are approximately 650 scolopidial units in Johnston's organ of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta. These sensory units exhibit greater complexity than noted previously (Gray, '60; Howse, '65; Uga and Kuwabara, '65; Moeck, '68; Ong, '69; Schmidt, '69). Each scolopale is innervated by a bipolar neuron whose dendrite terminals are modified into three ciliary structures. The largest of these differentiates near the tip into a multitubular structure. The remaining two cilia are structurally similar along the entire length of the scolopale shaft. From each of their bases, a collagen-like structure differentiates into numerous microtubules which extend proximally into individual channels of dendritic cytoplasm. A third channel, with a less developed root apparatus, was apparent for the largest cilium. Preliminary evidence suggests a proprioceptive function for this structure rather than an auditory one.
The bone marrow vascular niche : Home of HSC differentiation and mobilization

The bone marrow vasuclar niche consists of a network of thin-walled and fenestrated sinusoidal vessels whose integrity is maintained and supported by surrounding hematopoietic cells. However, this dependence is highly reciprocal in that the bone marrow vasculature provides not only a conduit for mature hematopoietic cells to the peripheral circulation but also a site where hematopoietic progenitors, especially megakaryocytes, differentiate and set the stage for full reconstitution of hematopoiesis.
Thermal crystalline-to-amorphous transition of beryllium hydride

Abstract An irreversible thermally induced solid-state phase change in crystalline beryllium hydride has been discovered, with the product being amorphous or glassy beryllium hydride. The phase change was observed using simultaneous differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis and using X-ray diffraction. The phase change takes place at 485–550 K, just below the thermal decomposition temperature of 570 K. There is slight decomposition of the beryllium hydride during the phase change of about 5±2%. The enthalpy change associated with the phase transition is 2.3±0.7 kJ mol−1.
Incorporating Experimental Design and Error Into Coalescent/Mutation Models of Population History

Coalescent theory provides a powerful framework for estimating the evolutionary, demographic, and genetic parameters of a population from a small sample of individuals. Current coalescent models have largely focused on population genetic factors (e.g., mutation, population growth, and migration) rather than on the effects of experimental design and error. This study develops a new coalescent/mutation model that accounts for unobserved polymorphisms due to missing data, sequence errors, and multiple reads for diploid individuals. The importance of accommodating these effects of experimental design and error is illustrated with evolutionary simulations and a real data set from a population of the California sea hare. In particular, a failure to account for sequence errors can lead to overestimated mutation rates, inflated coalescent times, and inappropriate conclusions about the population. This current model can now serve as a starting point for the development of newer models with additional experimental and population genetic factors. It is currently implemented as a maximum-likelihood method, but this model may also serve as the basis for the development of Bayesian approaches that incorporate experimental design and error.
Comparison of Energy and Growth Yields for Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans during Utilization of Chlorophenol and Various Traditional Electron Acceptors.

Desulfitobacterium dehalogenans grew with formate as the electron donor and 3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenylacetate (3-Cl-4-OHPA) as the electron acceptor, yielding YX/formate, YX/2e−, and YX/ATP ranging from 3.2 to 11.3 g of biomass (dry weight)/mol, thus indicating that energy was conserved through reductive dechlorination. Pyruvate was utilized as the electron donor and acceptor, yielding stoichiometric amounts of acetate and lactate, respectively, and a YX/reduced acceptor of 13.0 g of biomass (dry weight)/mol. The supplementation of pyruvate-containing medium with additional electron acceptors, such as 3-Cl-4-OHPA, nitrate, fumarate, or sulfite, caused pyruvate to be replaced as the electron acceptor and nearly doubled the YX/ATP (YX/acetate formed). A comparison of the yields for 3-Cl-4-OHPA with those for other traditional electron acceptors indicates that the dehalogenation reaction led to the formation of similar amounts of energy equivalents. The various electron acceptors were used concomitantly with 3-Cl-4-OHPA in nonacclimated cultures, but the utilization rates and amounts utilized differed.
Shared Perceptual Basis of Emotional Expressions and Trustworthiness Impressions From Faces

Using a dynamic stimuli paradigm, in which faces expressed either happiness or anger, the authors tested the hypothesis that perceptions of trustworthiness are related to these expressions. Although the same emotional intensity was added to both trustworthy and untrustworthy faces, trustworthy faces who expressed happiness were perceived as happier than untrustworthy faces, and untrustworthy faces who expressed anger were perceived as angrier than trustworthy faces. The authors also manipulated changes in face trustworthiness simultaneously with the change in expression. Whereas transitions in face trustworthiness in the direction of the expressed emotion (e.g., high-to-low trustworthiness and anger) increased the perceived intensity of the emotion, transitions in the opposite direction decreased this intensity. For example, changes from high to low trustworthiness increased the intensity of perceived anger but decreased the intensity of perceived happiness. These findings support the hypothesis that changes along the trustworthiness dimension correspond to subtle changes resembling expressions signaling whether the person displaying the emotion should be avoided or approached.
Effects of Dye Loading Conditions on the Energy Conversion Efficiency of ZnO and TiO2 Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

In this paper, we report the significant effects of dye loading conditions on the overall light conversion efficiency of zinc oxide (ZnO) film electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. A comparison of the ZnO film electrodes was also made with TiO2 film electrodes prepared with similar dye loading conditions. It was found that using a higher and lower dye concentration requires a shorter and longer immersion time, respectively, for optimal sensitization of ZnO to obtain maximum efficiencies. A similar trend was found for the TiO2 film electrode as well; however, smaller differences in the overall light conversion efficiencies were observed with varying dye concentration and immersion time. It was found that the chemical stability was an issue for the ZnO film electrodes but was not pertinent for the TiO2 film electrodes. The film quality and structure of the ZnO film differed after prolonged immersion in high dye concentration, where the formation of N3 dye and Zn2+ aggregates and/or the deterioration of ...
DETERMINATION OF THE PARAMETERS OF CANCELLOUS BONE USING HIGH FREQUENCY ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS II: INVERSE PROBLEMS

In a precursor to this article the Biot model was used to model poroelastic media. The question this article addresses is whether the sort of experiments described by McKelvie and Palmer, Williams, and Hosokawa and Otani can be used to determine the parameters of the Biot model. A method of computing acoustic pressure in the low 100 kHz range was developed in Buchanan and Gilbert, "Determination of the parameters of cancellous bone using high frequency acoustic measurements," which appeared in Math. Comput. Modelling. In the present work a parameter recovery algorithm which uses parallel processing is developed and tested. It is found that when it is assumed that the agreement between calculated and measured data is about two digits, porosity can be determined to within about 1–2% and permeability, pore size and the bulk moduli to within about 40%, but in most cases less than 20%.
Encoding of others' beliefs without overt instruction.

Under what conditions do people automatically encode and track the mental states of others? A recent investigation showed that when subjects are instructed to track the location of an object but are not instructed to track a belief about that location in a non-verbal false-belief task, they respond more slowly to questions about an agent’s belief, suggesting that belief information was not encoded or tracked automatically [Apperly, I. A., Riggs, K. J., Simpson, A., Samson, D., & Chiavarino, C. (2006). Is belief reasoning automatic? Psychological Science, 17, 841–844]. In the current experiments, we show that if belief probes occur closer in time to the events that signal the content of the agent’s false belief, responses to those probes are faster than responses to probes about reality, and as fast as responses to probes about belief when instructed to track them, suggesting (i) beliefs may get encoded automatically in response to certain cues and (ii) that belief information rapidly decays unless it is maintained via ‘top-down’ instructions.
A Comparison of Cover Pole With Standard Vegetation Monitoring Methods

The ability of resource managers to make informed decisions regarding wildlife habitat could be improved with the use of existing data sets and the use of cost-effective, standardized methods to simultaneously quantify vertical and horizontal cover. We characterized vegetation structure of 3 semiarid plant communities to compare cover pole measurements, standard measurements of vegetation cover, composition, height, and the proportion of the soil surface exposed by large intercanopy gaps. We propose that a more versatile and interpretable description of wildlife habitat can be generated using a line-point intercept method together with measurements of vegetation height and the proportion of the soil surface exposed by large intercanopy gaps.
Rat Pancreatic Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase, a Novel Regulator of Cholecystokinin Receptor Affinity

We previously demonstrated that the existence of two affinity states of the pancreatic cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor depends on the presence of ATP.' Subsequently, we established that the effect of ATP to induce two CCK binding affinity states was biochemically mediated by the enzyme nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) (manuscript in preparation). Nucleoside diphosphate kinase catalyzes the transfer of high energy gamma-phosphate groups from nucleoside triphosphates to nucleoside diphosphates. In that study the ability of an assortment of nucleoside triphosphates to serve as substrate for NDPK was compared with their ability to induce two binding affinity states of the CCK receptor on rat pancreatic membranes for which previous studies have observed only a single binding affinity state. Nucleoside triphosphates capable of serving as a substrate for NDPK could also induce two CCK binding affinity states on pancreatic membranes, whereas those that could not serve as substrate for NDPK could not induce two CCK binding affinity states. Furthermore, GDP potentiated the effect of ATP on binding (manuscript in preparation). To conclusively identify NDPK we found it necessary to clone and functionally express this enzyme. We report here that the characteristics of the cloned and expressed enzyme are similar to those of pancreatic membrane NDPK and consistent with the ability of this enzyme to induce two CCK binding affinity states.
The Supervisors’ Conference

Since 1985, approximately 75% of the psychiatry department faculty of a medical school have met every two weeks for a supervisors’ conference. The conference was conceived by members of the Residency Education Committee as a way to improve the supervision of psychiatry residents. It has evolved into a study group of supervision and serves as a forum for supervisors to share their methods of supervision. Conference formats range from literature reviews to videotaped observations of supervision. Future directions of the conference are reviewed regularly by conference attendees and by annual surveys of all departmental faculty members.
VOCAL AND OTHER BEHAVIOUR OF KENYAN BLACK‐COLLARED BARBETS LYBIUS TORQUATUS

Summary We describe 12 visual and six acoustical displays of Black-collared Barbets, all associated with interactions of these sexually monomorphic barbets in greeting ceremonies and in antiphonal duets. Certain of the displays, e. g., bill directing, smooth posture and chatter calls largely are associated with multiple-barbet interactions and greeting ceremonies involving more than two barbets, and seem to represent purely agonistic displays. Other displays, most notably the bobbing and floating flight displays, and the tyaw call, are associated with preduet greeting ceremonies involving the presumed pair. In every case duets were performed by a presumed pair, following a greeting ceremony and visual displays accompany the duetting, which usually becomes precisely synchronized after the initial few notes. Four to 17 notes of each of two types, a usually lower pitched, short and mainly double type A note that introduces most duets, and a higher pitched, usually single, clear type B note that often terminates the duet. Variation in the notes and in their tempos within duets suggests no clearly defined temporal indicators for achieving, maintaining, and concluding the duets. The A and B notes cannot yet be assigned to one or other sex and similarity in form and development of the notes, from notes of greeting ceremonies, suggests the possibility that under some circumstances a bird of one sex may be able to deliver notes of either type. The duets are delivered from singing posts within the group's (or pair's) territory and usually only one duet is uttered from a site before the birds shift to another singing post. The duetting is compared with that of other barbets and appears to be among the best synchronized and most precise in the family. Comparisons with non-barbet duetting species are difficult because of the special habits and ecology of the barbets and uncertainty as to the sexual role of the duetters.
Facilitation of olfactory learning by a modulator of AMPA receptors

The effects of a benzoyl-piperidine drug (BDP) that facilitates AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic responses were tested on the acquisition and retention of long-term memory at dosages that had no detectable effects on a variety of performance measures. BDP-12 produced a dose-dependent suppression of exploratory activity in rats with statistically reliable effects occurring at 50 mg/kg (i.p.). The drug had no effects on balance beam performance at 30 mg/kg but at 45 mg/kg reduced the number of crossings made within a session; it did not, however, affect the time required to perform a traversal. The performance of well-trained rats presented with a familiar pair of odors (correct and incorrect) was not not detectably altered by BDP-12 at 30 mg/kg; however, the number of correct responses made in a five-trial test was reduced at 45 mg/kg. These results indicate that the AMPA receptor modulator at 30 mg/kg has little influence on arousal, motivation, sensori-motor processing, and attention; higher dosages cause a depression of learned and unlearned prepotent responses. The effects of the lower concentration were tested on two-odor discrimination learning in rats that had extensive training on the task. The animals (n = 20) were given three or five acquisition trials with novel odor pairs immediately after an injection of drug or vehicle and then tested 1-3 d later for retention in five unrewarded probe trials. Retention performance was not significantly better than chance 52.6 +/- 4.5% correct) for odors learned on vehicle injection days but was well above chance for odors learned on drug injection days (70.6 +/- 4.2% correct). Within-subject comparisons confirmed the memory enhancing effect of BDP-12 (p < 0.01). Analyses of performance during five training trials indicated that the rats made more correct responses on days on which they were given the drug than on days on which they were injected with vehicle (p < 0.02). Within-subject differences in acquisition were correlated with differences in retention (r = 0.70). There were no evident effects of the drug on response latencies during acquisition. These results suggest that AMPA receptor modulators reduce the amount of training needed for the formation of long-term memory and do so at dosages which have little effect on variables that secondarily influence acquisition. Possible reasons for this selectivity are discussed.
Effect of drug stability on the analysis of release data from controlled release microspheres

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drug stability on the analysis of in vitro release data from controlled release microspheres. Amoxicillin was chosen as a model drug and its stability in various media determined. The in vitro release of amoxicillin from PLGA microspheres was investigated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing either Tween-80 or Tween-80 + Na-azide. Drug concentration in the media and the amount remaining inside the microspheres were analysed using HPLC. Amoxicillin degraded rapidly in PBS. The rate of degradation was reduced in the presence of Tween 80 and Na-azide. Drug release from the microspheres was analysed with and without considering the drug degradation rate. Mass balance between released drug, drug remaining in the microspheres and initial drug loading was only achieved when drug degradation was accounted for. Drug stability should be considered in analysis of in vitro extended release data, since released drug may degrade with time. These result...
A biomechanical evaluation of the stability of small and large diameter dental implants: preliminary study

The aim of this study was to compare the immediate implant mobility and the pull-out resistance of large diameter dental implant (4.5 mm) with a standard size (3.25 mm) implant. Two groups consisting of 18 implants, were placed in 5 embalmed human mandibles. The result of Periotest showed the same initial stability for the two groups. The maximum pull-out force for large diameter implants was 16% greater than that for the small diameter implants, although this difference was not statistically significant. There were significant positive correlation (p<0.05, p<0.01) between the pull-out force and the bone density for the large and small diameter implants.
Two-Phase Convective Cooling for Ultrahigh Power Dissipation in Microprocessors

We present results of modeling for the design of microgaps for the removal of high heat fluxes via a strategy of high mass flux, high quality, and two-phase forced convection. Modeling includes (1) thermodynamic analysis to obtain performance trends across a wide range of candidate coolants, (2) evaluation of worst-case pressure drop due to contraction and expansion in inlet/outlet manifolds, and (3) 1D reduced-order simulations to obtain realistic estimates of different contributions to the pressure drops. The main result is the identification of a general trend of improved heat transfer performance at higher system pressure.
A Formal Account of Epistemic Defeat

The goal of this chapter is to disentangle several related—but importantly distinct—notions of evidential defeat. The broadest distinction in the literature on epistemic defeat is that between rebutting and undercutting defeat; very roughly, the idea is that rebutting defeaters provide a “positive” reason to disbelieve the conclusion, whereas an undercutting defeater merely “blocks” existing reasons to believe the conclusion. In this chapter, I formalize these two notions and explore some related (and under-discussed) phenomena such as “hybrid” defeat (where a single defeater can both rebut and undercut), “bidirectional” defeat (where some information that serves as evidence for a conclusion can become a defeater in the presence of another piece of evidence for the conclusion), and “redundant” defeat (where an undercutting effect is generated by the non-independence of two pieces of information, rather than by the “blocking” phenomenon that occurs in more typical cases of undercutting).
Restricting Metformin in CKD: Continued Caution Warranted.

To the Editor: Given the low observed incidence of metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) in a systematic review of diabetic patients with and without CKD, a commentary by Stanton recommends liberalizing metformin use in CKD, namely, continuation at a reduced dose over an eGFR range of 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m. The FDAblack box warning and NKF-KDOQI recommendations advise against metforminwith Scr levels$ 1.4 mg/dL and$1.5 mg/dL inmen and women, respectively (Table 1). We are concerned about relaxing restrictions for 3 primary reasons. First, MALA fatality is high (45%-48%). The multitude of alternative diabetic pharmacotherapies calls into question whether a small risk for death justifies any benefit of metformin. Second, MALA incidence may be underestimated. Randomized trials of metformin are not generalizable to real-life scenarios given their strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and monitoring. While large observational studies may better reflect real-life practices, MALA event capture may be poor. Third, patients with CKD are susceptible to AKI. The metformin package insert advises against use in conditions leading to AKI, including “cardiovascular collapse (shock), acute myocardial infarction, and septicemia.” Such complications are common in CKD, substantially increasing MALA risk. No trials have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of metformin specifically in CKD. New data show that metformin users had higher mortality compared with nonusers among patients with Scr . 6 mg/dL in Taiwan, where until recently there were no metformin restrictions in CKD. While studies are needed to granularly determine the eGFR threshold above which metformin is safe, we recommend a conservative approach: metformin use should be reviewed with eGFRs of 45 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m and discontinued with eGFRs , 45 mL/min/1.73 m, and treatment should be interrupted with any illness heightening AKI risk regardless of eGFR.
A purposeful behaviour theory of work and family size decisions.

Our goal in this chapter will be to develop a theory of work and family size decisions at the level of the social psychology of a man and woman in an intimate relationship. Four assumptions shape the form and substance of our theory. Firstly, we assume that work and family size considerations must be integrated in any valid theory and that these considerations function as either simultaneous or sequential criteria (Bagozzi and Van Loo, 1988; Van Loo and Bagozzi, 1984). By simultaneous criteria we mean that work and family size decisions are decided upon contemporaneously in either explicit or implicit choice processes. This might occur at one point in time such as at the outset of marriage but more likely than not happens intermittently throughout the course of the relationship. By sequential criteria we mean that one or the other are decided upon with the alternative functioning as either a preexisting or anticipated constraint.
Toward predictive modeling of large and complex biological signaling networks

Abstract The main goal of this article is to identify critical issues that arise when building in silico models that can predict the behavior of complex biological signaling networks. We discuss practical approaches to overcome, circumvent, or moderate these issues. Here we focus on modeling spatially homogenous systems, such as those consisting of cells of the same type receiving the same input. Proper modeling of spatially heterogeneous systems requires additional model features and added modeling scales, beyond those required for spatially homogenous systems. These different modeling scales are defined here as different layers in the hierarchical relationships in a network. For example, protein molecules and cells that contain the protein molecules belong to different scales.
Successful weight loss maintenance associated with morning chronotype and better sleep quality

It is not known whether individuals successful at long term weight loss maintenance differ in chronotype (i.e., being a "morning" or "evening" person) or sleep habits compared to those who are overweight and obese. We compared Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores of 690 National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) members (73 % female, 93 % white, age = 51.7 ± 12.5, BMI = 26.4 ± 5.1) to 75 enrollees in two behavioral weight loss interventions (INT; 77 % female, 88 % white, age = 55.7 ± 10.4, BMI = 36.2 ± 4.7). Controlling for age, MEQ scores were higher in NWCR than INT, p = .004, such that more NWCR than INT were morning-types and fewer were evening types, p = .014. Further, NWCR participants reported better sleep quality, longer sleep duration, and shorter latency to sleep onset compared to INT, ps < .05, and fewer NWCR participants reported <6 or <7 h of sleep, ps < .01. Future studies should examine if these factors change as a result of weight loss or are predictors of weight outcome.
The drug resistance status and molecular typing of S.typhoid and S.paratyphoid strains in Shanghai from 2008-2010

Objective:To know antibiotic resistance and molecular types of S.typhoid and S.paratyphoid strains isolated in Shanghai,to master the epidemiological rules and to provide scientific evidences for the future prevention and control.Methods: Modified K-B method recommended by WHO was used for sensitivity test on 18 strains of S.typhi and S.paratyphi to 13 kinds of antibiotics.Pulsed field gel-electrophoresis(PFGE) was used to classify and analyze the 18 strains of S.typhi and S.paratyphi.Results: The drug resistance rate of 18 S.typhoid and S.paratyphoid strains was 100% for rifampicin and 44.4% for nalidixic acid,in which the resistance rate to nalidixic acid was 37.5% for S.typhi and 100% for 5 S.paratyphi A strains.All the strains were sensitive to the rest 11 kinds of antibiotics.All strains of S.paratyphi B were not resistant to nalidixic acid.A total of 18 isolates were classified to 16 types by PFGE and only 3 strains of S.typhi A were classified to the same type.Conclusion: S.typhoid and S.paratyphoid isolates from 2008 to 2010 were in high sensitivity to antibiotics.S.paratyphi A strains shared high homology and PFGE types of S.typhoid strains were dispersive.