cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the size and absorption of single nonspherical aerosol particles from angularly-resolved elastic light scattering

Abstract Measuring the absorption of a single aerosol particle is a challenging endeavor. Of the few techniques available, none are suitable for measuring the single-particle absorption of coarse-mode nonspherical aerosols. Analysis of two-dimensional angular optical scattering (TAOS) patterns provide a possible pathway to perform this measurement. Using a Multiple-Sphere T-Matrix (MSTM) code, we simulate the captured TAOS patterns with geometries similar to a previously designed instrument. By analyzing the size of the speckle and the integrated irradiance of these simulated TAOS patterns, we are able to distinguish between high-absorbing, weak-absorbing, and non-absorbing particles over the size range of 2 µm to 10 µm. In particular, the speckle present in the scattering patterns provides a means to estimate the size of the particle. Once the size of the particle is known, the integrated irradiance provides insight into the absorption of the particle.
Piaget, self-organizing knowledge, and critical systems practice

An examination of Piaget's conception of the source, nature, development, and use of knowledge reveals that his model for the genetic development of human knowledge is cybernetic and self-organizing. Moreover, Piaget presents a model of cognition which is a reflection and extension of autopoietic biological organization; both cognitive and organic systems are seen to exhibit organizational closure and structural plasticity. An action-based intervention method, modeling embedded learning structures as cybernetic, autopoietic systems, may provide insight toward clarifying some theoretical and methodological problems of critical systems thinking.
Demystifying Gender Bias in Service Based Organizations

Women experience organizational barriers despite links between greater representation and increases in financial results. As organizations seek for a competitive means they should not neglect moving women to the top of their strategy. This research investigated gender bias by functional area and examined the linkages between gender, gender bias, leadership rank, and equal opportunity measures to support organizations in using gender as a competitive strategy. Findings demonstrated more women than men experienced bias while both genders reported equality in the workplace. Gender bias is explained through the lens of Pluralistic Ignorance to promote organizational awareness and direct their efforts.
Understanding the genetic architecture of human retinal degenerations.

Inherited retinal degenerations are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of blinding diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of the neuroretina and/or the retinal pigment epithelium. Currently, over 300 genes have been implicated in retinal degenerations (RetNet: https://sph.uth.edu/RetNet/). While mutations, or causative variants, in each of these genes are relatively rare, taken together they are a significant cause of blindness, especially in working-age individuals, which increases their economic and societal impact. Clinically, inherited retinal degenerations vary from retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis, which are often manifest at birth and initially involve rod photoreceptors in the retinal periphery, to early-onset macular degeneration, which is a progressive degeneration affecting central vision (1). Inherited retinal degenerations can show autosomal-dominant, autosomal-recessive, and X-linked inheritance, as well as more complex or multifactorial inheritance patterns, especially for some of the later-onset progressive diseases. While mutations in the same gene usually show the same inheritance pattern, it is not uncommon for mutations in the same gene to cause two or more forms of retinal disease, complicating the nosology of this group of diseases (2). In addition, the presence of disease-associated alleles at one gene can affect the penetrance or expressivity of mutations at a second, resulting in complicated family histories and in some cases even digenic diallelic (3) or digenic triallelic (4) inheritance. In PNAS, Hanany et al. (5) address this intimidating set of related diseases by developing a system to identify disease alleles at each of the associated genes and, beyond that, to calculate the gene-specific carrier frequency and the prevalence of homozygosity for variants causing autosomal recessive retinal degenerations. While appearing somewhat mundane on the surface, this work actually has far-reaching implications for both the basic science of the retina and the clinical practice of ophthalmology. The genes associated with retinal degeneration and the changes … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: hejtmancikj{at}nei.nih.gov. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
CHAPTER 28 – LIGAND FIELDS

Publisher Summary Ions, atoms, or molecules surrounding a central atom are known as ligands. In such circumstances, the ligands exert a profound influence on the states of the central atom, and many new properties emerge, which are not present in the free atom. There are two basic models for the treatment of such systems. One is known as the crystal field model in which the central atom is assumed to be surrounded by a distribution of charges, which produce an electrostatic field at the position of the central atom. The second basic model treats the central atom and its ligands as if they were a single molecule. Electrons are permitted to overlap and their probability densities are not confined to specific atoms. In most cases, this model is treated by the methods of the molecular–orbital theory although valence bond calculations are also employed. Regardless of whether one uses the crystal field or the molecular–orbital method or some combination of the two, symmetry considerations are of paramount importance.
Timed Auditory Interruption during Speech: Oral Sensory and Temporal Articulatory Changes.

Abstract: Recent investigations have demonstrated that subjects speaking under exposure to masking noise demonstrate decreases in oral sensory function and temporal reorganization of the articulatory pattern. The present study was an attempt to measure the effects of this phenomenon under varying durations of exposure to auditory masking. To assess changes in oral sensory function, lingual vibrotactile thresholds were obtained from subjects in two conditions: (1) after reading for various time intervals under exposure to 90 dB SPL babble noise, and (2) after reading for various time intervals with normal auditory feedback. Temporal changes in the articulatory pattern were assessed by obtaining duration measurements of selected speech segments from each exposure interval. Results indicated that lingual sensory changes and temporal reorganization occurred only in conditions involving disruption of auditory feedback. The changes in lingual thresholds followed a pattern such that sensitivity decreased as exposure interval increased. This trend was only mildly observed in temporal articulatory alterations. Temporal changes did demonstrate a consistent decrease in consonant duration and increase in vowel duration. The observed results are discussed in reference to physiological properties of the speech system and current theorics of sensory regulation of speech production.
Generalizing the Marcus equation

The Marcus equation for the rate of an electron-transfer reaction can be generalized to cover larger electronic-interaction matrix elements, irregular free-energy surfaces, and coupling to multiple vibrational modes and to recognize the different effects of vibrational relaxations and pure dephasing. Almost all the information needed to calculate the rate constant can be obtained from a quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulation of the system in the reactant state. Because the final expression for the rate constant does not depend on the reorganization energy, it is insensitive to slow relaxations that follow the reaction.
One-loop supergravity on AdS4 × S 7/ℤ k and comparison with ABJM theory

The large-N limit of ABJM theory is holographically dual to M-theory on AdS4 × S 7/ℤ k . The 3-sphere partition function has been obtained via localization, and its leading behavior F ABJM (0) ∼ k 1/2 N 3/2 is exactly reproduced in the dual theory by tree-level supergravity. We extend this comparison to the sub-leading $$ \mathcal{O}\left({N}^0\right) $$ order by computing the one-loop supergravity free energy as a function of k and comparing it with the ABJM result. Curiously, we find that the expressions do not match, with F SUGRA (1) ∼ k 6, while F ABJM (1) ∼ k 2. This suggests that the low-energy approximation Z M-theory = Z SUGRA breaks down at one-loop order.
The zero lower bound, the dual mandate, and unconventional dynamics

Abstract This paper examines monetary policy when it is constrained by the zero lower bound (ZLB) on the nominal interest rate. Our analysis uses a nonlinear New Keynesian model with technology and discount factor shocks. Specifically, we investigate why technology shocks may have unconventional effects at the ZLB, what factors affect the likelihood of hitting the ZLB, and the implications of alternative monetary policy rules. We initially focus on a New Keynesian model without capital (Model 1) and then study that model with capital (Model 2). The advantage of including capital is that it introduces another mechanism for intertemporal substitution that strengthens the expectational effects of the ZLB. Four main findings emerge: (1) In Model 1, the choice of output target in the Taylor rule may reverse the effects of technology shocks when the ZLB binds; (2) When the central bank targets steady-state output in Model 2, a positive technology shock at the ZLB leads to more pronounced unconventional dynamics than in Model 1; (3) The presence of capital changes the qualitative effects of demand shocks and alters the impact of a monetary policy rule that emphasizes output stability; and (4) In Model 1, the constrained linear solution is a decent approximation of the nonlinear solution, but meaningful differences exist between the solutions in Model 2.
Trends in osteoporosis and mean bone density among type 2 diabetes patients in the US from 2005 to 2014.

This study aimed to examine how bone health changed among T2DM patients in the past decade. Continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005-2006 to 2013-2014 were analyzed to examine the trends of bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence trends of osteoporosis osteopenia among T2DM patients and non-diabetic people aged 40 years and older. The age- and BMI-adjusted mean BMD of the femur neck for the four NHANES cycles decreased linearly in both T2DM patients and non-diabetic people (both Plinear trend ≤ 0.009). Among women with T2DM, the mean BMD in 2013-2014 was significantly lower than that in 2005-2006, even after adjusting for multiple covariates. During 2005-2014, the prevalence of osteoporosis among T2DM patients and non-diabetic people increased but with no significant linear trend (both Plinear trend > 0.05), while the prevalence of osteopenia in the two populations increased linearly (both Plinear trend < 0.04). Age- and BMI-adjusted mean BMD decreased in 2013-2014 in patients with T2DM and non-diabetic people, while the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia increased in both groups.
Key chemokines direct migration of immune cells in solid tumors

Immune cell infiltration into solid tumors, their movement within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and interaction with other immune cells are controlled by their directed migration towards gradients of chemokines. Dysregulated chemokine signaling in TME favors the growth of tumors, exclusion of effector immune cells, and abundance of immunosuppressive cells. Key chemokines directing the migration of immune cells into tumor tissue have been identified. In this review, we discuss well-studied chemokine receptors that regulate migration of effector and immunosuppressive immune cells in the context of cancer immunology. We discuss preclinical models that have described the role of respective chemokine receptors in immune cell migration into TME and review preclinical and clinical studies that target chemokine signaling as standalone or combination therapies.
Adoption, Safety, and Retreatment Rates of Prostatic Urethral Lift for Benign Prostatic Enlargement.

Purpose:Novel minimally invasive therapies like the prostatic urethral lift are among the many endoscopic options for the treatment of benign prostatic enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms ...
A systematic review of the use of titanium versus stainless steel implants for fracture fixation.

Background Controversy exists regarding the use of titanium and stainless steel implants in fracture surgery. To our knowledge, no recent, comprehensive review on this topic has been reported. Purpose To perform a systematic review of the evidence in the current literature comparing differences between titanium and stainless steel implants for fracture fixation. Methods A systematic review of original research articles was performed through the PubMed database using PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were English-language studies comparing titanium and stainless steel implants in orthopaedic surgery, and outcome data were extracted. Results The search returned 938 studies, with 37 studies meeting our criteria. There were 12 clinical research articles performed using human subjects, 11 animal studies, and 14 biomechanical studies. Clinical studies of the distal femur showed the stainless steel cohorts had significantly decreased callus formation and an increased odds radio (OR 6.3, 2.7-15.1; P < .001) of nonunion when compared with the titanium plate cohorts. In the distal radius, 3 clinical trials showed no implant failures in either group, and no difference in incidence of plate removal, or functional outcome. Three clinical studies showed a slightly increased odds ratio of locking screw breakage with stainless steel intramedullary nails compared with titanium intramedullary nails (OR 1.52, CI 1.1-2.13). Conclusion Stainless steel implants have equal or superior biomechanical properties when compared with titanium implants. However, there is clinical evidence that titanium plates have a lower rate of failure and fewer complications than similar stainless steel implants in some situations. Although our review supports the use of titanium implants in these clinical scenarios, we emphasize that further prospective, comparative clinical studies are required before the conclusions can be made.
The Effect of Attending a Charter School in Newark, New Jersey, on Student Test Scores:

We exploit information about parental preference and a randomized component in the assignment of students to schools within a deferred acceptance (DA) mechanism to estimate the causal effect of enr...
The Ideological Origins of American Federalism – By Alison LaCroix

This book traces the history of the “federal idea” that political authority can be divided among multiple, but independent, levels of government (6). Alison LaCroix's book reshapes our understandin...
FPGA-based non-binary QC-LDPC coding for high-speed coherent optical transmission

We present a large-girth-non-binary QC-LDPC code suitable for beyond 100 Gb/s optical transmission and describe its implementation in FPGA. Great performance with Q-limit of 5.0 dB at BER of 10−10 has been found, which corresponds to NCG of 11.95 dB at 10−15.
Cytopathogenic Mycoplasmas Associated with Two Human Tumors II. Morphological Aspects

Abstract Hummeler, K. (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.), D. Armstrong, and N. Tomassini. Cytopathogenic mycoplasmas associated with two human tumors. II. Morphological aspects. J. Bacteriol. 90:511–516. 1965.—Cytopathic effects (CPE) produced in HeLa cell cultures by two strains of mycoplasmas (F-11 and F-12) were studied by light and electron microscopy. CPE, which was marked by cytoplasmic vacuolization, did not appear to depend on intracellular mycoplasma infection. The cytopathogenic mycoplasmas appeared to be similar, both morphologically and in their intra- and extracellular distribution, to noncytopathogenic mycoplasmas previously studied by others. The probability that the CPE is related to depletion of essential nutrients is discussed, and the fine structure of the mycoplasmas is described.
A Review of “The Separatist Conflict in Sri Lanka: Terrorism, Ethnicity, Political Economy”

The Separatist Conflict in Sri Lanka provides a detailed account of the separatist struggle by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the factors that have underscored one of South Asia's ...
Psychological aspects of chronic pelvic pain in women

Abstract Three psychometric tests: (1) A Dutch adjustment of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), (2) The Amsterdam Biographical Questionnaire (ABV-V), and (3) The Interpersonal Relations Questionnaire (VIR) were administered to three groups of patients: (1) fifteen patients with chronic pelvic pain without clear organic cause; (2) twenty-two patients with chronic pelvic pain due to endometriosis; and (3) twenty-three pain-free patients. The analysis of the results showed that Groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly on the MMPI and a global view of the two pain groups indicates a neurotic behavior, but both Groups 1 and 2 differed from Group 3 (the control group) and from Group 4 (the standardization group of the adapted MMPI). On the ABV-V the pain groups' answers were similar to those of neurotic patients, while the patient control group showed a certain neurotic tendency. The results on the VIR lead to the conclusion that Group 2 has the same profile as Group 1, although they did not deviate as strongly from the control group. As it is improbable that chronic pain for which an organic cause has been found occurs predominantly in patients with neurotic personality structure or neurotic reactions, we must admit that chronic pain with an organic origin can lead to neurotic reactions. These data confirm earlier studies on neurologic patients and on patients with chronic low back pain. Because even the patient control group showed a certain neurotic tendency, it follows that every contact with the medical world results in some degree of uncertainty and that the selection of control groups, when psychosomatic problems are being studied, is especially difficult.
Do Auditors and Audit Committees Lower Fraud Risk by Constraining Inconsistencies between Financial and Nonfinancial Measures

Prior research finds that companies committing fraud tend to exhibit large inconsistencies between reported revenue growth and growth in revenue-related nonfinancial measures (e.g., number of stores, employees, patents). However, prior research also suggests that auditors, on average, are not adept at identifying and constraining these differences. This study investigates whether certain auditors and audit committees are able to lower fraud risk by constraining inconsistencies between financial and related nonfinancial measures (NFMs). For a sample of companies across a variety of industries, we find that auditors exhibiting greater industry expertise and tenure and audit committee chairs with greater tenure are less likely to be associated with companies that exhibit large inconsistencies between their reported revenue growth and related NFMs. Surprisingly, we observe that audit committees with a chair that has industry expertise are more likely to be associated with large inconsistencies (higher fraud risk). We find that this result cannot be explained by the chair’s busyness, connectedness, or equity incentives, but rather appears to relate to the authority gained by holding industry expertise. Our results suggest that not all forms of audit committee expertise may be beneficial to the audit process.
Microevolutionary patterns in the common caiman predict macroevolutionary trends across extant crocodilians

Both extinct and extant crocodilians have repeatedly diversified in skull shape along a continuum, from narrow-snouted to broad-snouted phenotypes. These patterns occur with striking regularity, although it is currently unknown whether these trends also apply to microevolutionary divergence during population differentiation or the early stages of speciation. Assessing patterns of intraspecific variation within a single taxon can potentially provide insight into the processes of macroevolutionary differentiation. For example, high levels of intraspecific variation along a narrow-broad axis would be consistent with the view that cranial shapes can show predictable patterns of differentiation on relatively short timescales, and potentially scale up to explain broader macroevolutionary patterns. In the present study, we use geometric morphometric methods to characterize intraspecific cranial shape variation among groups within a single, widely distributed clade, Caiman crocodilus. We show that C. crocodilus skulls vary along a narrow/broad-snouted continuum, with different subspecies strongly clustered at distinct ends of the continuum. We quantitatively compare these microevolutionary trends with patterns of diversity at macroevolutionary scales (among all extant crocodilians). We find that morphological differences among the subspecies of C. crocodilus parallel the patterns of morphological differentiation across extant crocodilians, with the primary axes of morphological diversity being highly correlated across the two scales. We find intraspecific cranial shape variation within C. crocodilus to span variation characterized by more than half of living species. We show the main axis of intraspecific phenotypic variation to align with the principal direction of macroevolutionary diversification in crocodilian cranial shape, suggesting that mechanisms of microevolutionary divergence within species may also explain broader patterns of diversification at higher taxonomic levels.
Long Term Storage of Dry versus Frozen RNA for Next Generation Molecular Studies

The standard method for the storage and preservation of RNA has been at ultra-low temperatures. However, reliance on liquid nitrogen and freezers for storage of RNA has multiple downsides. Recently new techniques have been developed for storing RNA at room temperature utilizing desiccation and are reported to be an effective alternative for preserving RNA integrity. In this study we compared frozen RNA samples stored for up to one year to those which had been desiccated using RNAstable (Biomatrica, Inc., San Diego, CA) and stored at room temperature. RNA samples were placed in aliquots and stored after desiccation or frozen (at −80°C), and were analyzed for RNA Integrity Number (RIN), and by qPCR, and RNA sequencing. Our study shows that RNAstable is able to preserve desiccated RNA samples at room temperature for up to one year, and that RNA preserved by desiccation is comparable to cryopreserved RNA for downstream analyses including real-time-PCR and RNA sequencing.
Cellular Mechanisms by Which FGF21 Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Male Mice

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a potent regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism and is currently being pursued as a therapeutic agent for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, the cellular mechanisms by which FGF21 modifies insulin action in vivo are unclear. To address this question, we assessed insulin action in regular chow- and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed wild-type mice chronically infused with FGF21 or vehicle. Here, we show that FGF21 administration results in improvements in both hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in both regular chow- and HFD-fed mice. This improvement in insulin responsiveness in FGF21-treated HFD-fed mice was associated with decreased hepatocellular and myocellular diacylglycerol content and reduced protein kinase Ce activation in liver and protein kinase Cθ in skeletal muscle. In contrast, there were no effects of FGF21 on liver or muscle ceramide content. These effects may be attributed, in part, to increased energy expenditure in the liver and white adipose tissue. Taken together, these data provide a mechanism by which FGF21 protects mice from lipid-induced liver and muscle insulin resistance and support its development as a novel therapy for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.
A reversible NO complex of [FeII(edampda)] and the [NiII(edampda)] analogue (edampda2−=N,N′-bis(pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetate)

Abstract NiII, CuII, ZnII and FeII complexes of edampda2− (N,N′-bis(pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetate) were prepared by the spontaneous chelation of a labile salt of each ion with the H2edampda in aqueous solution (with the FeII complex under N2). edampda2− is designed to have an intermediate ligand field stronger than edta4−, but less than tpen (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine). [FeII(edampda)] is a high-spin (S=2) complex at 25°C as shown by its ligand 1H NMR resonances appearing at low field (ortho pyridyl ring protons at 118 ppm, pyridylmethyl CH2 protons at 57 ppm, coordinated glycinato protons at 44 ppm) as broadened features. The differential pulse voltammogram of [FeII(edampda)] in solution is consistent with seven-coordinate species [FeII(edampda)(H2O)] (E1/2=0.44 V) and [FeII(edampda)Cl]− (E1/2=0.37 V) which are analogous to the known [FeII(edta)(H2O)]2− complex. As anticipated from ligand field factors the (II/III) reduction couple is intermediate in the series [FeII(edta)(H2O)]2−; 0.14 V
Ischemic and hypoxic preconditioning protect cardiac muscles via intracellular ROS signaling

Oxidative stress can cause extensive damage to cardiac tissue under reperfusion conditions. However, preconditioning the myocardium may diminish these negative effects and alleviate reperfusion injury. There are a variety of preconditioning therapies, such as ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and hypoxic preconditioning (HPC), each targeting specific channels, receptors, and/or intracellular molecules. Ischemic preconditioning involves brief periods of ischemia followed by brief periods of reperfusion, thus strengthening the cardiac resistance for a longer period of ischemia. IPC involves complex mechanisms, some of which are still not completely understood today. Nevertheless, many studies have already established models of IPC. In addition, similar to IPC, HPC has also been recognized as preventing reperfusion injury. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known mediators of IPC and HPC. Particularly, mitochondria-generated ROS initiate activity of several beneficial preconditioning pathways. The role of ROS is paradoxical; low levels of ROS are key factors in signaling IPC/HPC, but high levels of ROS can contribute to increased oxidative stress on cardiomyocytes. Therefore, it is important to determine the molecular mechanism of IPC and HPC to avoid excessive accumulation of ROS to prevent cardiac injury. In this review, we will outline IPC and HPC, explaining the putative role of ROS in both pathways. We will also discuss preconditioning efficacy in certain conditions such as exercise and how the aging myocardium responds to preconditioning therapies.
INFLUENCE OF LEAF DIFFERENTIATION ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL PATHWAY OF COLEUS CHLOROPLASTS

SUMMARY Ultrastructural observations of young Coleus leaves revealed two pathways of chloroplast development within the same leaf. Developing plastids in the mesophyll cells from the basal regions of a leaf contained dense-staining inclusion bodies associated with newly forming thylakoids while these inclusion bodies were absent from the plastids in the cells of the leaf tip. Studies of the chemical nature of these inclusion bodies suggest that they are made up of proteins and possibly lipids, with no carbohydrates. The material present in the newly-forming thylakoids is similar in electron density to the inclusion bodies. The difference in chloroplast ontogeny appears to be related to the difference in cell development between the leaf tip and base.
Numerical solutions of time-dependent incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using an integro-differential formulation

Abstract A numerical method for the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations is developed using an integro-differential formulation of the equations. The method permits the actual computation to be confined to the viscous region of the flow and offers a drastic reduction in the number of data points required in the numerical procedure. The integro-differential formulation is presented along with discussion of the kinetic and kinematic aspects of the problem and the interplay between the two aspects. Results for several parallel flow problems and for the flow past a circular cyliner are presented. For the circular cylinder, it is shown that the introductions of a splitter plate behind the cylinder suppresses vortex shedding.
On Pták's derivation of the Jordan normal form

Some readers of [1] might appreciate the following comments that make more explicit how Ptak’s beautiful insight there leads to a trivial proof of (the basics of) the Jordan normal form. The proof of Theorem 1 of [1] can also be based on the observation that, X being finite-dimensional, the sequence {0} ⊆ ker A ⊆ ker A2 ⊆ · · · must eventually be stationary, i.e., ker A = ker Aq+p for some q and all p > 0. For such q, let Xr and Xs be the range and the kernel, respectively, of A , hence dim X = dim Xr + dim Xs . Further, for any x ∈ Xr ∩ Xs, x = Az for some z, and so z ∈ ker A2q = ker A , hence x = 0. Therefore, X is the direct sum of the two A-invariant subspaces Xs and Xr , and A is regular on Xr (since A is) and nilpotent on Xs . In the setup and notation of Theorem 2 of [1], there must be, by duality, some y0 in Y for which 〈x0Aq−1, y0〉 / = 0, hence the q-order matrix (〈x0Aj−1, y0A∗q−i〉: i,j = 1, . . . , q) is triangular with nonzero diagonal entries, therefore invertible, and this guarantees that X is the direct sum X0 + X′, with X0 the linear span of (x0Aj−1: j = 1, . . . , q) and X′ the annihilator of {y0A∗q−i : i = 1, . . . , q}, both of which are Ainvariant. Moreover, it shows (x0Aj−1: j = 1, . . . , q) to be a basis for X0, and the matrix representation, with respect to this basis, of A restricted to X0 has the familiar form of a Jordan block (for the eigenvalue 0). Now, X being finite-dimensional, there are A-invariant direct sum decompositions X = X1 + · · · + Xm that are minimal in the sense that none of its summands is the direct sum of two nontrivial A-invariant subspaces. Take any one such. Then the matrix representation for A with respect to any basis made up from bases for the summands Xi is block diagonal, with the ith block the matrix representation of the restriction Ai of A to Xi with respect to the chosen basis for Xi . Assuming the underlying field to be algebraically closed, the restriction Ai of A to Xi has some eigenvalue, λi , and, in view of the minimality of Xi , Theorem 1 ensures
Alzheimer's disease risk genes and the age-at-onset phenotype.

Despite the recent identification of several novel risk genes for Alzheimer's disease (AD), little is known about their influence on the age at onset (AAO) of AD. The AAO is a phenotype with a heritable component distinct from disease risk and may be a useful trait to study in the context of developing interventions for delaying the onset of AD. We studied the influence of 10 recently identified AD risk genes and APOE in relation to AAO in a large cohort of AD patients (N = 2569). We find that the novel AD risk gene, PICALM, exerts a small effect on the AAO of AD with earlier disease onset in risk allele carriers. In addition, we confirmed the previously reported association between the APOE e4 allele and earlier disease onset. None of the other AD risk genes influenced AAO of AD. Our results suggest that besides APOE, other genes associated with AD risk do not exert large effects on the AAO phenotype of AD.
Tuned for Transposition: Molecular Determinants Underlying the Hyperactivity of a Stowaway MITE

Miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are widespread in eukaryotic genomes, where they can attain high copy numbers despite a lack of coding capacity. However, little is known about how they originate and amplify. We performed a genome-wide screen of functional interactions between Stowaway MITEs and potential transposases in the rice genome and identified a transpositionally active MITE that possesses key properties that enhance transposition. Although not directly related to its autonomous element, the MITE has less affinity for the transposase than does the autonomous element but lacks a motif repressing transposition in the autonomous element. The MITE contains internal sequences that enhance transposition. These findings suggest that MITEs achieve high transposition activity by scavenging transposases encoded by distantly related and self-restrained autonomous elements.
Nerve growth factor prevents toxic neuropathy in mice

Taxol is a promising new antitumor drug with therapeutic use that is limited by a toxic sensory neuropathy. Taxol is also cytotoxic to dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro, but this effect is prevented by cotreatment with the trophic protein, nerve growth factor. We sought to develop an animal model and then to determine whether nerve growth factor can prevent taxol neuropathy in vivo. Administration of taxol to mice resulted in a profound sensory neuropathy characterized by decreases in dorsal root ganglion content of the peptide neurotransmitter, substance P, elevated threshold to thermally induced pain, and diminished amplitude of the compound action potential in the caudal nerve. Coadministration of nerve growth factor prevented all of these signs of neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that administration of nerve growth factor may prevent certain toxic sensory neuropathies.
Decreased lung volume after nasogastric feeding of neonates recovering from respiratory disease

FEEDINGS in small infants are associated with an increased incidence of apnea and bradycardia. Physiologic changes after feeding, such as a decrease in arterial oxygen tension of 15 to 20 mm Hg, also have been demonstrated. 1 Other studies have shown that lung mechanics, including tidal volume, dynamic lung compliance, inspiratory and expiratory airway resistance. and work of breathing are not signific~mtly altered by bolus feeds given by the nasogastric route> 2 Yu and Rolfe :~ found significant changes in tidal volume and respiratory rate after nasogastric feeds in infants with respiratory distress, but observed no change in compliance, resistance, or work of breathing. Lung volume measurements are important in interpreting both changes in arterial oxygen tension and lung mechanics. However. no studies to date have documented serial changes in functional residual capacity after feeding neonates recovering from respiratory disease. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of nasogastrlc tube feeding on serial measurements of lung volumes. lung mechanics, thoracic and abdominal girths, and gastric pressure in neonates recovering from respiratory disease in an attempt to explain the previously observed postprandial arterial hypoxemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven newborn infants recovering from pulmonary disease were evaluated following bolus nasogastric feedmg. When Studied the infants' mean age was 9.5 days (range 3 to 23 days), mean weight was 2.05 kg (range 1.12 to 3.70 kg), and the majority of the patients were receiving an inspired oxygen concentration of less than 25%. The infants were fed either Enfamil formula (13 to 20 cal/ ounce) (Mead Johnson Company) or human milk. Informed parental consent was obtained for all patients. The following measurements were made: functional residual capacity, respiratory rate. tidal volume, dynamic
Order-k voronoi diagrams of sites with additive weights in the plane

It is shown that the order-k Voronoi diagram of n sites with additive weights in the plane has at most (4kź2)(nźk) vertices, (6kź3)(nźk) edges, and (2kź1)(nźitk) + 1 regions. These bounds are approximately the same as the ones known for unweighted order-k Voronoi diagrams. Furthermore, tight upper bounds on the number of edges and vertices are given for the case that every weighted site has a nonempty region in the order-1 diagram. The proof is based on a new algorithm for the construction of these diagrams which generalizes a plane-sweep algorithm for order-1 diagrams developed by Steven Fortune. The new algorithm has time-complexityO(k2n logn) and space-complexityO(kn). It is the only nontrivial algorithm known for constructing order-kc Voronoi diagrams of sites withadditive weights. It is fairly simple and of practical interest also in the special case of unweighted sites.
Treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats: review of published studies

The recent literature on the treatment of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats was reviewed. Based upon in vitro studies using isolated infected hairs and controlled or field in vivo studies, the following topical treatments were consistently found to be antifungal (i.e. antidermatophyte): lime sulfur (1:16), 0.2% enilconazole rinses, and a combined 2% miconazole/chlorhexidine shampoo. Animals or hairs were either bathed or rinsed once or twice weekly. Itraconazole, griseofulvin and terbinafine were evaluated in controlled or field studies, most commonly involving cats. Griseofulvin (50 mg kg(-1)) was reported to cure infected animals in 41-70 days. Itraconazole (10 mg kg(-1) once daily or in a combined daily/pulse therapy 10 mg kg(-1) once daily for 28 days and then week on/week off) was reported to cure infected animals in 56-70 days. Low-dose itraconazole (1.5-3.0 mg kg(-1)) in 15-day cycles required 1-3 cycles (15-45 days). Various doses of terbinafine (5-40 mg kg(-1)) were reportedly used to treat dogs or cats. The higher doses of terbinafine (> 20 mg kg(-1)) were required to achieve a mycological cure; the number of treatment days to cure varied from 21 to > 126 days. Lufenuron was reported anecdotally to be an effective cure, however, this was not substantiated in controlled studies. Finally, fungal vaccines were not found to be effective against challenge exposure, however, there is evidence that they may be useful in treatment protocols.
Socrates, Wisdom and Pedagogy

Intellectualism about human virtue is the thesis that virtue is knowledge. Virtue intellectualists may be eliminative or reductive. If eliminative, they will eliminate our conventional vocabulary of virtue words—“virtue,” “piety,” “courage,” etc.—and speak only of knowledge or wisdom. If reductive, they will continue to use the conventional virtue words but understand each of them as denoting nothing but a kind of knowledge (as opposed to, say, a capacity of some other part of the soul than the intellect, such as the will or the appetites). Virtue intellectualists may be pluralists or monists. If pluralist, they identify the virtues with distinct kinds of knowledge. If monist, they identify all the virtues with one and the same kind of knowledge.1 In a number of dialogues—including the Euthyphro, Apology, Charmides, Euthydemus, Laches, Lysis, Protagoras, and Republic I—Socrates gives arguments that support Reductive Monist Intellectualism (RMI) about human virtue.
Structure of the LexA–DNA complex and implications for SOS box measurement

The eubacterial SOS system is a paradigm of cellular DNA damage and repair, and its activation can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Under normal conditions, LexA represses the transcription of many DNA repair proteins by binding to SOS 'boxes' in their operators. Under genotoxic stress, accumulating complexes of RecA, ATP and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) activate LexA for autocleavage. To address how LexA recognizes its binding sites, we determined three crystal structures of Escherichia coli LexA in complex with SOS boxes. Here we report the structure of these LexA-DNA complexes. The DNA-binding domains of the LexA dimer interact with the DNA in the classical fashion of a winged helix-turn-helix motif. However, the wings of these two DNA-binding domains bind to the same minor groove of the DNA. These wing-wing contacts may explain why the spacing between the two half-sites of E. coli SOS boxes is invariant.
SU-GG-I-162: Development and Verification of Functions Correlating PET Image Noise to Scan Duration and Image Smoothing for Patients with Different BMI

Objectives:PETimagenoise is affected by scan duration (SD), image smoothing (IS) and patient BMI. The aim of this abstract is to develop and verify functions that describe the inter‐relationships among these variables. Methods: 50 patients were imaged on a GE DRX PET/CT scanner. These patients were divided into 5 BMI ranges: 35kg/m2, resulting in 10 patients/subgroup. PETimages of the bed position covering the patient liver were acquired in 3D for 5 minutes using LIST mode and then rebinned into 5 SD ranging from 1 to 5min with 1min interval. Each PET acquisition was then reconstructed using 3D OSEM (2 iterations 21 subsets) with varying Gaussian post filter (6, 8 and 10mm FWHM). Imagenoise in the liver (measured in units of g/ml) was determined as the STD of a fixed‐size VOI for each patient BMI, SD, and IS. Functions correlating the imagenoise to the SD & IS for each BMI subgroup were then generated. These functions were verified using data from 4 other patients (2 with BMI 20–25, 2 with BMI 30–35) that had PET SD and IS ranging from 1 to 9min with a 2min intervals and 5 to 13mm with a 2mm interval respectively. The verification was based on comparing the noise in these 4 patients' liver at each SD and IS to that determined from the derived functions. Results: The inter‐relationship among noise, SD, and IS has the following functional form: noise=k1−k2/(SD)0.5−k3/IS+k4/(SD)0.5/IS. The average difference of the noise between the 4 additional patients and the derived function is −0.0136±0.0289 g/ml. Conclusion: We derived unique and robust functions correlating PETimagenoise to SD and IS for patients with different BMI. These functions can be used to optimize image quality by minimizing imagenoise for patients with different BMIs.
Outburst in U Cephei

A SYSTEMATIC survey of the profiles of the Hα line in binary stars, shell stars, Be stars and related peculiar objects is being conducted by us (and G. J. Peters) with the Varo image intensifier attached to the coude spectrograph of the 120-inch telescope and the 24-inch coude auxiliary telescope of the Lick Observatory. Emission at Hα is found to be a more common Phenomenon among the Algol-type eclipsing binaries than was thought before. Usually, but not always, the emission is best observed during the primary minimum when the light of the hotter and brighter component is either greatly reduced or completely occulted. This is in agreement with the models representing the Algol systems as evolved binaries in which mass is still being transferred from the late-type secondary component to the hotter primary star1,2. Although the general picture is fairly clear, the problem remains how the on-flowing material and its angular momentum are distributed among the primary star, the disk revolving around it and a possible envelope enclosing the whole system. The purpose of our survey is to furnish quantitative data on this process.
Slipping on a frictional fault plane in three dimensions: a numerical simulation of a scalar analogue

Summary In this paper we Sci up and simulate numerically a scalar analogue for a rupturing seismic fault plane in a three-dimensional space. The scalar analogue bears the same relation to the full vector elastic system as an SH (anti-plane strain) system bears to a P-SV (plane strain) system in two dimensions. The fault plane is embedded in a whole space of homogeneous material and behaves like a frictional surface. We allow zones of rupture to propagate out at the wave speed in various ways within the fault plane. In some cases the region of slip propagates around unbreakable obstacles within the fault. The resulting far-field pulse shapes and spectra are computed. Mathematically we Sci up an integral equation for the displacement on the fault. As in earlier work which addressed the two-dimensional problem the integral equation has a non-integrable kernel, but a discretized version of this function may be found numerically from the discrete version of the wave operator and a stable explicit numerical scheme is obtained.
Unsolicited merchandise: Gift or sale?

Receipt of unsolicited materials by libraries raises questions of liability and responsibility for payment. This article provides a discussion of the law surrounding unsolicited merchandise and references to the state and federal statutes which provide protection for the recipient of unordered goods.
Commentary: Tracing the Commodity Chain of Global Tourism

ABSTRACT It is argued that current definitions of tourism are deficient because they define tourism as a system of consumption rather than production. Because such definitions makes tourism appear to be unlike any other industry, the study of tourism is virtually absent from the literatures of economic geography and globalization, and relatively neglected in the social sciences as well. It is suggested that tourism should be regarded as a production process involving a distinct product and identifiable inputs. As the first step towards realizing this goal, the concept of commodity chains is applied to construct a profile of the global tourism industry.
The effect of low gold concentrations on the creep of eutectic tin-lead joints

The effects of low Au concentrations on the creep properties of a eutectic Sn/Pb alloy were investigated. Creep testing was performed on double-shear specimens of fine-grained, eutectic Sn/Pb joints with Au concentrations of 0, 0.2, 1.0, and 1.5 wt pct Au at 90 °C, 0, 0.2, and 1.0 wt pct Au at 65°C, and 0.2 wt pct Au at 25 °C. In the absence of Au, the creep of finegrained eutectic Sn/Pb is dominated by grain-boundary sliding at high homologous temperature and intermediate stress. The addition of 0.2 wt pct Au or more suppressed this mechanism; the high-stress, bulk-creep mechanism was dominant at all stresses tested. Higher concentrations of Au increased porosity within the joints. The porosity decreased joint strength. During failure, the crack path followed softer regions of the joint; cracks propagated through Pb-rich islands or along Sn/Sn grain boundaries.
OCT measurement of neural structure and function

Optical coherence tomography produces high-resolution cross-sectional images of tissue microstructure using backscattered light that allows non-invasive or non-contact applications. These include novel phase sensitive applications that utilize sub-wavelength changes in optical path length. The techniques are promising to image neural structure and functional changes during action potential propagation.
Stimulated sequential dehydroxy-fluorination: a safe, convenient method for gas chromatographic analysis of phosphate diesters with possible application to hydrolysates of organophosphorus pesticides and nerve gases

Abstract Model studies with di- n -butylphosphate show that organic triester derivatives chosen to gain increased volatility by simply minimizing total molecular weight are relatively poorer in gas chromatographic properties than the diesterphosphoro-fluoridate analogue because both the molecular weight and the overall polarity of the derivative are critical factors. We find the substitution of the hydroxyl group by fluorine is the most successful way at present to derivative phosphate diesters. Fluorine substitution is effective because it reduces the strong phosphoryl dipole, presumably by decreasing the electron density on the oxygen atom via pπ-pπ back-bonding to the phosphorus. Dehydroxy-fluorination is best carried-out by a sequential reagent process starting with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to stimulate and direct the dehydroxy-step before adding hydrogen fluoride as the active fluorinating agent. This procedure is safe and convenient and is believed applicable to a wide range of hydroxy-phosphates including the hydrolysates of many organophosphorus pesticides and nerve gases at minimal sample sizes.
Parametric estimation of programming effort: an object-oriented model

This paper demonstrates that software development effort can be forecast during the conceptualization of a system using parametric analysis