cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FIRST `Winged' and `X'-shaped Radio Source Candidates

A small number of double-lobed radio galaxies (17 from our own census of the literature) show an additional pair of low surface brightness `wings', thus forming an overall `X'-shaped appearance. The origin of the wings in these radio sources is unclear. They may be the result of back-flowing plasma from the currently active radio lobes into an asymmetric medium surrounding the active nucleus, which would make these ideal systems in which to study thermal/non-thermal plasma interactions in extragalactic radio sources. Another possibility is that the wings are the aging radio lobes left over after a (rapid) realignment of the central supermassive black-hole/accretion disk system due perhaps to a merger. Generally, these models are not well tested; with the small number of known examples, previous works focused on detailed case studies of selected sources with little attempt at a systematic study of a large sample. Using the VLA-FIRST survey database, we are compiling a large sample of winged and X-shaped radio sources for such studies. As a first step toward this goal, an initial sample of 100 new candidate objects of this type are presented in this paper. ...[abridged]
The Impact of Monetary Regimes on International Trade

We extend much research that has been devoted to the effects of the European Monetary Union (EMU) on international trade by introducing monetary regime variables in bilateral export equations with the objective of capturing the effects on trade of changes in monetary regimes relative to the pure EMU effects. To make the analysis relevant from an Asian perspective trade effects of the EU’s internal markets are also separated from EMU effects. To identify these different effects we include three groups of countries in our sample: EMU countries which are also members of the EU, EU countries outside the EMU and non-EU countries. The last control group consists of either non-EU industrial countries or non-EU industrial plus emerging market countries.Asian experiences with inflation targeting are discussed and compared to the empirical results we obtain for trade effects of monetary regimes. Even if deeper monetary integration leads to greater trade expansion, it involves political complexity. The choice of an ...
Exploring the trend of stream sulfate concentrations as U.S. power plants shift from coal to shale gas

Abstract Since the early 2000s, an increasing number of power plants in the U.S. have switched from burning coal to burning gas and thus have released less SO2 emissions into the atmosphere. We investigated whether stream chemistry (i.e., SO42−) also benefits from this transition. Using publicly available data from Pennsylvania (PA), a U.S. state with heavy usage of coal as fuel, we found that the impact of SO2 emissions on stream SO42− can be observed as far as 63 km from power plants. We developed a novel model that incorporates an emission-control technology trend for coal-fired power plants to quantify potentially avoided SO2 emissions and stream SO42− as power plants switched from coal to gas. The results show that, if 30% of the electricity generated by coal in PA in 2017 had been replaced by that from natural gas, a total of 20.3 thousand tons of SO2 emissions could have been avoided and stream SO42− concentrations could have decreased as much as 10.4%. Extrapolating the model to other states in the U.S., we found that as much as 46.1 thousand tons of SO2 emissions per state could have been avoided for a similar 30% coal-to-gas switch, with potential amelioration of water quality near power plants. The emission-control technology trend model provides a valuable tool for policy makers to assess the benefits of coal-to-gas shifts on water quality improvements as well as the effectiveness of emission control technologies.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of PIM3 suppresses tumorigenesis and cancer cell stemness in human hepatoblastoma cells

Hepatoblastoma remains one of the most difficult childhood tumors to treat and is alarmingly understudied. We previously demonstrated that Proviral Insertion site in Maloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases, specifically PIM3, are overexpressed in human hepatoblastoma cells and function to promote tumorigenesis. We aimed to use CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing with dual gRNAs to introduce large inactivating deletions in the PIM3 gene and achieve stable PIM3 knockout in the human hepatoblastoma cell line, HuH6. PIM3 knockout of hepatoblastoma cells led to significantly decreased proliferation, viability, and motility, inhibited cell-cycle progression, decreased tumor growth in a xenograft murine model, and increased animal survival. Analysis of RNA sequencing data revealed that PIM3 knockout downregulated expression of pro-migratory and pro-invasive genes and upregulated expression of genes involved in apoptosis and differentiation. Furthermore, PIM3 knockout decreased hepatoblastoma cancer cell stemness as evidenced by decreased tumorsphere formation, decreased mRNA abundance of stemness markers, and decreased cell surface expression of CD133, a marker of hepatoblastoma stem cell-like cancer cells. Reintroduction of PIM3 into PIM3 knockout cells rescued the malignant phenotype. Successful CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of PIM3 kinase in human hepatoblastoma cells confirmed the role of PIM3 in promoting hepatoblastoma tumorigenesis and cancer cell stemness.
Women’s Safety Concerns and Academia: How Safety Concerns Can Create Opportunity Gaps:

The present work documents the safety concerns of men and women in academia and how these concerns can create opportunity gaps. Across five samples including undergraduate and graduate students, po...
Credibility in crisis: Determining the availability and credibility of online food supply chain resources during the COVID-19 pandemic

Disruptions from COVID-19 forced agricultural business owners to navigate the uncertainty of market disruptions with limited information. As an effect, the quality of information available for agricultural businesses to adapt to changes was a concern. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability and credibility of resources for agricultural businesses to make informed decisions about food markets during COVID-19. Source credibility was the guiding framework to achieve the research objectives of 1) Describe resources available related to impacts of COVID-19 on the food supply chain, 2) Determine the credibility of available resources. A quantitative content and textual analyses were employed. Results revealed 401 terms used to describe resources (n = 779). Eleven of the top 36 terms were used over 100 times. These were: farmer, resources, farm, market, business, local, health, safe, supply, agriculture, and chain. The majority of resources (66%, f = 514) were mid-level credible sources (industry/business organization, online/print news source, nonprofit), and 32.2% (f = 251) were of the highest credibility (university scientists, USDA scientist, Extension). Implications of this work show an opportunity for university and Extension systems to publish resources and serve as credible sources related to this particular crisis.
Hard IP Reuse Methodology for Embedded Cores

Today’s hierarchical cell based design methodologies, tools and systems are capable to handle soft IP fairly well by treating it just like another RTL block. Improvements are desirable in the areas of synthesis constraints and ease of use, but the basic capabilities required to design a chip including soft IP do exist. This is almost true also for hard IP, if the block is treated like a big standard cell. Modifications to the design system are only necessary for IP protection purposes and embedded core test support. To support the standard cell approach with hard IP the library views for all tools used in the design flow need to be created. Figure 6.1 shows the hard IP deliverables that are supported today indicating for which of the views we have automation in place and which are still generated manually.
Space-variant image formation for 3D fluorescence microscopy using a computationally efficient block-based model

This study is an initial attempt to address space-variant (SV) image formation in 3D fluorescence microscopy using a computationally tractable block-based model. Spherical aberration (SA) introduces space-variance and can be attributed to refractive index (RI) and depth variation within the sample, hence affecting the imaging of most biological samples. Application of restoration algorithms to SV images is not practical, because it requires a different point-spread function (PSF) for each pixel. In this study, we use principal component analysis (PCA) to represent SV-PSFs, hence reducing the dimensionality of a block-based forward imaging problem. The PCA-based SV-imaging model is used to simulate the image of a test object with non-uniform RI. Images obtained from the PCA-based model and the existing block-based model show a 0.98 cross-correlation with an 85% reduction in computational resources when PCA is used. This computational efficiency can be exploited in the future by restoration algorithms to obtain improved biological images.
Examining search as opposed to experience goods when investigating synergies of internet news articles and banner ads

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of the economics of information-driven product categorization – search vs experience products – when investigating online brand advertising and news synergies. Design/methodology/approach – Randomized controlled post-test experiment with over 400 participants in three treatment groups involving exposures to paid advertising (banner ad-plus-banner ad) and publicity (news article-plus-banner ad and banner ad-plus-news article) for four products. Questionnaire upon web site exit tested differences in brand attitudes among treatment groups and product categories. Findings – Findings indicate that including news about the brand in the online brand communication mix – either before or after ads – generates higher brand attitude scores for experience products. For search products sequence matters and brand attitudes are more positive when consumers are exposed to news articles first followed by advertisements. Research limitations/implications –...
Competitive, reversible, and potent antagonism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-activated calcium release by heparin

The action of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) in releasing intracellular Ca2+ is shown to be competitively and potently antagonized by the glycosaminoglycan, heparin. Using either permeabilized cells of the DDT1MF-2 smooth muscle cell line, or an isolated microsomal membrane fraction derived from intact cells, heparin (4-6 kDa) at 10 micrograms/ml was observed to completely block the action of InsP3 in releasing Ca2+ accumulated via the ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump. In permeabilized cells, heparin had no effect on Ca2+ pump activity or on passive Ca2+ fluxes contributing to equilibrium Ca2+ accumulation. Heparin up to 100 micrograms/ml had no effect on the GTP-activated Ca2+ translocation process previously characterized in this cell line. Half-maximal inhibition of Ca2+ release activated by 10 microM InsP3 occurred with heparin at approximately 0.6 and 0.2 microgram/ml in permeabilized cells and isolated microsomes, respectively. Using microsomes, InsP3 dose-response curves in the presence and absence of 0.2 microgram/ml heparin (approximately 40 nM) revealed a 10-fold increase in apparent Km for InsP3 (0.31 microM in the absence of heparin) with no change in Vmax, indicating a competitive action of heparin. The results revealed a very high apparent affinity of heparin for the InsP3 active site, with a calculated Ki value of 2.7 nM. Heparin was shown to rapidly (within 20 s) reverse prior full activation of InsP3-mediated Ca2+ release returning the Ca2+ equilibrium back to that observed without InsP3. This reversal occurs even after prolonged (6 min) InsP3 activation. These results indicate a specific, high affinity, and competitive antagonism of the InsP3 active site by heparin. The rapidly induced reversal of InsP3-activated Ca2+ release by heparin strongly suggests that InsP3 directly activates a channel which remains open only while InsP3 is associated and closes immediately upon InsP3 dissociation.
An FM/cw breadboard ladar using a 32-element linear self-mixing detector array

The US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is investigating a ladar architecture based on FM/cw radar principles that uses metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) detectors as self-mixing detectors. ARL has recently incorporated a 1/spl times/32 pixel linear detector array of such detectors into a breadboard FM/cw ladar system and performed a series of characterization and outdoor image collection experiments. This paper discusses the basic operation of the system and presents some ladar imagery taken on the ARL Adelphi campus.
IT Business Value and Industry Effects: The Role of the Competitive Environment

Prior empirical research indicates differences in IT business value across industries, but the source of these differences is unclear. In this study we examine the role of the competitive environment in moderating IT business value. We identify two dimensions of the competitive environment that are likely to shape IT business value, have a strong basis in theory, and have been studied in the context of regular capital but not with respect to IT. Industry concentration is the degree to which the output of an entire industry is produced by a few firms, and is widely used as an inverse proxy for industry competitiveness. Industry dynamism denotes change that is difficult to predict, measured as the deviation of industry sales from a trend line. We estimate the moderating impact of concentration and dynamism on the marginal product of IT and regular capital by estimating a production function using data from large U.S. firms from 1987 to 1994. Results reveal that the marginal product of IT is lower in more concentrated industries, while the opposite is true for regular capital. There is limited evidence that the marginal product of IT is higher in more dynamic industries, and strong evidence that the marginal product of regular capital is lower in more dynamic industries. Taken together, results suggest that IT may provide enhanced value to firms in less concentrated (more competitive) and more dynamic environments. The findings raise new questions about IT business value in relation to a firm's competitive environment and the differences between IT and regular capital.
Whole‐Cell Recording In Vivo

In vivo whole-cell patch-clamp recording provides a means for measuring membrane currents and potentials from individual cells in the intact animal. Patch-clamp methods have largely been developed in vitro. This body of work has contributed enormously to the understanding of many important phenomena in excitable cells--including synaptic plasticity in the mammalian central nervous system, and the behavior of individual protein channels. In recent years, an increasing number of groups have applied whole-cell recording techniques in the intact animal. Such in vivo studies offer the tantalizing possibility of uncovering the underlying principles and mechanisms of neural interactions within the natural context of fully intact biological networks. This unit focuses on strategies for overcoming the specific technical challenges posed by in vivo whole-cell recording. A straightforward procedure is described for obtaining whole-cell records from the cortex of the anesthetized rat; this procedure has also been applied successfully to awake animals and other rodent species with minor modifications.
The Discovery of Sgr A

The discovery of the point-like radio source at the center of the Galaxy, colloquially termed Sgr A*, was made in February 1974 by Balick and Brown using the then-new 35km baseline interferometer between Green Bank and a remote site near Huntersville, WV. The highly unusual properties of the radio source are now well studied; however, the story behind the discovery is equally interesting. Although the signal from the source was strong (∼0.5 Jy) and the peak measured surface brightness quite high (∼107K), the interpretation of the signal as a single point source was initially obscured by the odd geometry of the synthesized aperture. In addition, two groups unknowingly competed to make the detection observations, both based on very different scientific rationales. The other group, comprising Downes and Goss, correctly anticipated the astronomical significance of the discovery but could not make their way from Europe to Green Bank when their observations were scheduled in the fall of 1973.
Differences in environmental predictability underlie divergent competitive abilities in three congeneric hydroids

Species in which individuals experience predictable and uniform environments should be most finely adapted to their environment. Many hydrozoan species in the genus Hydractinia simultaneously occupy similar microhabitats (gastropod shells inhabited by hermit crabs) but experience considerable differences in their immediate environment (size and species of shells and hosts). In the present study, hydroid species experience differences in environmental predictability and traits that mediate competitive ability (growth form and growth rate). The inferred competitive ability was directly proportional to the extent to which the gastropod environment promotes interactions between small, juvenile colonies, which always end in competitive elimination. Extensive intraspecific variation in competitive ability was explained primarily by crab host species or site. Dense host populations impose more severe disturbance regimes that favour competitively inferior, but disturbance-resistant, phenotypes. Interplay between different types of variation (gastropods and hermit crabs) provides a possible mechanism for the maintenance of intraspecific growth form variation. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 322–338.
Calibrating joint capsule mechanoreceptors as in vivo soft tissue load cells.

A method has been developed whereby the discharge of mechanically sensitive neurons from the cat knee joint capsule can be calibrated and used as load cells. The neurons are located in the upper edge of the capsule which has been previously modeled as a suspension cable and where the loading has been shown to be one dimensional. The calibration procedure relies upon applying known point loads to the cable and measuring its shape. The biomechanical model is then used to compute the cable tension at the neuron location. Results for 20 neurons showed a strong linear relationship between the tension and the frequency of neuronal discharge (r = 0.96, S.D.=0.05). For 11 of these neurons the in vivo calibration was verified by subsequently excising the posterior capsule and recording from the same neuron while subjecting the cable to measured uniaxial loads. Results showed good agreement between the in vivo and in vitro calibrations. Once calibrated these neurons can be used as load sensors to study in vivo joint loading.
Measurement of53Mn in deep-sea iron and stony spherules

Cosmic-ray-produced Mn-53 (half-life, 3.7 x 10 to the 6th yr) is measured in individual and groups of deep-sea iron and stony spherules by highly sensitive neutron activation analysis. The activities found are less than 20 dpm Mn-53/kg Fe (10 to the -5th-10 to the -6th dpm Mn-53/sample) in iron spherules, with the exception of one iron spherule, whose activity is 241 + or - 73 dpm Mn-53/kg Fe. It is believed that these low activities may indicate evaporative loss of Mn-53 caused by heating in the earth's atmosphere. On the other hand, all the stony spherules are found to contain 200-260 dpm Mn-53/kg Fe, which is similar to chondritic values. It is pointed out that these spherules may be ablation debris from large objects.
Self-optimization of photovoltaic system power generation based on sliding mode control

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy sources are rapidly becoming more popular than ever. The PV system output power relies on the applied current or voltage nonlinearity and there exist a unique point called maximum power point (MPP). For effective energy extraction from the PV system, this paper presents a controller design strategy to track the MPP of a PV system using sliding mode control method of self-optimization. The PV system modeling practice is discussed. The proposed controller design offers a fast and accurate convergence to the MPP in steady state and during varying environmental conditions. A DC/DC boost converter is utilized as a control actuator for the MPP tracking using PWM control on the switches. Results and discussion are provided to demonstrate the validity of the proposed controller design.
Mortality rates and aggression management.

A replication of an earlier study showed that mortality from certain causes of death was ecologically correlated with measures of aggression management obtained from the suicide and homicide rates.
The solubility of oxygen in Pd from its subsequent trapping of hydrogen

Solubilities of O in Pd have been measured by exposing Pd to O2 (g) at elevated temperatures, 1073–1223 K, for sufficient times to obtain equilibrium. The amounts of dissolved O are determined from the extent of subsequent trapping of H by O (323 K). The solubility enthalpy is −49 ± 4 kJ/mol 12O2.
Stress Relaxation via Addition−Fragmentation Chain Transfer in a Thiol-ene Photopolymerization

Allyl sulfide addition−fragmentation chain transfer was employed concurrently with the radical-mediated formation of a thiol-ene network to enable network adaptation and mitigation of polymerization-induced shrinkage stress. This result represents the first demonstration of simultaneous polymerization and network adaptation in covalently cross-linked networks with significant implications for the fabrication of low-stress polymer networks. For comparison, analogous networks incorporating propyl sulfide moieties, incapable of addition−fragmentation, were synthesized and evaluated in parallel. At the highest irradiation intensity, the allyl sulfide-containing material demonstrated a >75% reduction in the final stress when compared with the propyl sulfide-containing material. Analysis of the conversion evolution revealed that allyl sulfide addition−fragmentation decreased the polymerization rate owing to thiyl radical sequestration. Slow consumption of the allyl sulfide functional group suggests that intramo...
ARCHIVES FOR THE SYSTEMIC SCIENTIST

Accepting the proposition that computerized models are capable of addressing the complex, systemic problems which confound us, one is led to enquire whether an “International Library for Systemic Scientists” is needed, where could be housed retrievable recordings of any systemic scientist's computerized models. With such an archive, the credibility of each recorded model could be challenged and/or established via techniques which have classically been applied in the linguistic scrutiny and in the natural confirmation of printed scientific communications (models). This “International Archives” could then be accessed via telecommunications; computerized models could then be retrieved, scrutinized, and rectified expediently. This paper delineates techniques by which the proper control of the systemic scientist's communications (his computerized models) can be exercised. Perhaps then the inter‐disciplinary “boundaries,” which seem somehow to constrain the pursuit of our characteristically systemic difficulties, would tend to recede, since all systemic scientists would have access to all other systemic scientists' computerized models, much as we, as scientists, historically have had access to one another's models in the printed medium.
Model atmospheres and X-ray spectra of bursting neutron stars

Model atmosphere equations are derived which correspond to plane-parallel nongray atmospheres of very hot neutron stars in hydrostatic and radiative equilibrium. The nonlinear transfer equation used implements an exact photon redistribution function which precisely traces even those scattering events having large photon-electron energy exchange. The numerical results thus obtained encompass tables of the surface fluxes for 20 model atmospheres whose T(eff) ranges from 6 to 30 million K. The spectra of high gravity models are virtually identical with the blackbody spectrum shifted toward higher energies, while models approaching the Eddington limit develop a large low-energy hump.
Whey Components in Restricted-Roughage Rations, Milk Composition, and Rumen Volatile Fatty Acids

Abstract After a 3-wk standardization ration of alfalfa hay and corn silage ad libitum and concentrate at 1 kg/3kg milk, 30 lactating Holstein cows were fed 2.3kg hay/day and one of five concentrate rations ad libitum for a 6-wk experimental period. Concentrate rations were: (1) control, (2) dried whole whey, (3) high mineral whey product, (4) demineralized whey, and (5) lactose. Ration 3 contained the same amount of minerals from whey as ration 2 while rations 4 and 5 contained the same amounts of lactose as ration 2. Changes in milk fat compared to the standardization period for the rations in sequence were (percentage units): −1.26, −.58, −.47, −1.32, and −.64. This indicated whey minerals were most effective in preventing milk fat depression on high-concentrate rations although lactose also was partially effective. High-concentrate (experimental) rations increased milk protein .2 percentage units as compared to the standardization period. Milk yields and concentrate intake were not altered by treatment. Ruminal propionate concentrations ( μ M/ml) on control and demineralized whey rations increased over standardization values. Butyrate concentrations were elevated most by the rations containing the highest lactose (i.e., rations 2, 4, and 5) while acetate was not affected by any treatments.
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG PERCEPTUAL-MOTOR, SELF-CONCEPT, AND ACADEMIC MEASURES FOR CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN, GRADES ONE AND TWO

Most studies reporting correlations of psychomotor and cognitive measures deal with perceptual-training programs for the remediation of academic deficiencies. This study provided additional information about the relationships of perceptual-motor ability and academic achievement for children in kindergarten through the second grade, and included self-concept. A small positive relationship between perceptual-motor ability and academic ability was observed for all three grade levels. There was little indication of any significant relationship between self-concept and academic ability, which provides no basis for the hypothesis proposing self-concept as an intervening variable in the relationship between the perceptual-motor and academic areas, at least for such young subjects.
A globally convergent algorithm for computing fixed points of C2 maps

Chow, Mallet-Paret, and Yorke have recently proposed in abstract terms an algorithm for computing Brouwer fixed points of C^2 maps. A numerical implementation of that algorithm is presented here. Careful attention has been paid to computational efficiency, accuracy, and robustness. Some convergence theorems and results of numerical tests are also included.
Strained tridecane cage systems

Hexacyclo[6.5.0.02,7.04,12.05,10.09.13]tridecane (HCTD) contains two four-membered, two five-membered and two six-membered rings fused into a cage structure which contains about 77.0 kcal/mol of strain energy. Attempts to prepare the thioketal from the diketone of HCTD led to a skeletal rearrangement to produce a cage with one four-membered, four five-membered, and two six-membered rings fused into a cage (RHCTD). The corresponding RHCTD hydrocarbon has a strain energy 13.7 kcal/mol less than that of the starting tridecane (HCTD) which provides the driving force for the rearrangement. The X-ray structures of two HCTD derivatives and one RHCTD derivative are reported. The bond lengths in the three reported structures are normal for cages of this type. The structure of tetracyclo[6.3.0.03,7.04,11]undecane-5,10-dione mono(ketene 1′,3′-propanedithioacetal) is discussed also.
Cerebral laterality, symptoms, and diagnosis in psychotic patients

A dichotic nonsense test and a dichotic word test were used to assess cerebral laterality in 100 acutely symptomatic inpatients. Schizophrenic patients had significantly lower right ear advantages (REAs) than healthy controls, depressed patients, or schizoaffective patients. Manic patients did not differ from any other group, but manics with lower REAs were likely to have more symptoms of thought disorder than of mood disturbance while the reverse was likely to be true for manic patients with higher REAs. A subset of patients tested after symptom remission showed recovery-related increases in REA on the nonsense test and decreases on the word test, replicating previous findings. Those schizophrenics with evidence of greater disease-related decreases in REA on the nonsense than on the word test had predominantly negative symptoms whereas those with similar changes on the two tests had predominantly positive symptoms. These observations suggest the hypothesis that positive symptoms are related to overactivation of a dysfunctional left hemisphere by right hemisphere input while negative symptoms reflect a left hemisphere deficit state.
Two Cytotoxic 3,6-Epidioxy Fatty Acids from an Indonesian Sponge, Plakortis sp. 1

Abstract Two 3,6-epidioxy fatty acids, manadic acids A ( 8 ) and B ( 9 ), have been isolated from an undescribed species of a sponge, Plakortis sp., collected in Indonesia. Their structures and absolute configurations have been determined. Both compounds are moderately active against various antitumor cell lines.
Strong Protective Effect of The Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene (ALDH2) 504lys (*2) Allele Against Alcoholism And Alcohol-Induced Medical Diseases in Asians

Alcohol is oxidized to acetaldehyde, which in turn is oxidized to acetate. The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2) is the most important gene responsible for acetaldehyde metabolism. Individuals heterozygous or homozygous for the lys (A or *2) allele at the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) glu504lys (rs671) of ALDH2 have greatly reduced ability to metabolize acetaldehyde, which greatly decreases their risk for alcohol dependence (AD). Case–control studies have shown association between this SNP and alcohol dependence as well as alcohol-induced liver disease. However, some studies have produced insignificant results. Using cumulative data from the past 20 years predominately from Asian populations (from both English and Chinese publications), this meta-analysis sought to examine and update whether the aggregate data provide new evidence of statistical significance for the proposed association. Our results (9,678 cases and 7,331 controls from 53 studies) support a strong association of alcohol abuse and dependence, with allelic P value of 3 × 10−56 and OR of 0.23 (0.2, 0.28) under the random effects model. The dominant model (lys–lys + lys–glu vs. glu–glu) also showed strong association with P value of 1 × 10−44 and OR of 0.22 (0.18, 0.27). When stricter criteria and various sub-group analyses were applied, the association remained strong (for example, OR = 0.23 (0.18, 0.3) and P = 2 × 10−28 for the alcoholic patients with alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, or pancreatitis). These findings provide confirmation of the involvement of the human ALDH2 gene in the pathogenesis of AD as well as alcohol-induced medical illnesses in East-Asians.
Total nitrogen oxide following exercise testing reflects endothelial function and discriminates health status.

Nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is important in vascular health, but unsuitable as a clinical measure due to biological oxidation. Total nitrogen oxides (NOx) are stable but background nitrate levels make it difficult to detect disease-based variation. We investigated the clinical discriminatory value of NOx as it relates to exercise capability (VO2peak) and brachial artery reactivity (BAR, an NO-dependent measure of endothelial health), in healthy (H), increased risk (RF), and known cardiovascular disease (CVD) subjects. BAR was measured using forearm occlusion/hyperemia stimulus. Subjects performed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Blood at rest, exercise termination, and 10 min into recovery was mixed equally with 0.1 M NaOH at 4°C, filtered, and stored at –70°C. NOx was measured by chemiluminescence. Seven of the RF group then exercise-trained for 6 months prior to retesting. The H group (n = 12) was younger, had higher VO2peak, HDL levels, and baseline NOx values than the RF (n = 15) and CVD (n = 10) groups. NOx increased from baseline to recovery in the H group only (75.85 ± 19.04 μM vs 97.76 ± 31.93 μM; P ≤ 0.01). BAR was greater in the H versus CVD group (7.24 ± 3.78% vs 2.59 ± 3.53%; P ≤ 0.01). The relation between VO2peak and NOx recovery was significant across groups (r = 0.71, P ≤ 0.01). Following training the RF subjects (n = 7) increased VO2peak (29.98 ± 6.74 to 33.08 ± 5.57 ml kg−1 min−1; P ≤ 0.05), BAR (3.19 ± 3.96 to 6.86 ± 4.81%; P ≤ 0.05), and recovery NOx (18.29 ± 6.46 to 66.48 + 21.11 μM; P ≤ 0.01). These findings suggest that plasma NOx following GXT discriminate cardiovascular disease status, are related to regional endothelial function, and respond favorably to exercise training.
Autism: Definition, Neurobiology, Screening, Diagnosis

Autism (ie, the autism spectrum disorders) is now recognized in 1 in 150 children. This article highlights the definition, neurobiology, screening, and diagnosis of autism. The genetics, immunology, imaging, and neurophysiology of autism are reviewed, with particular emphasis on areas that impact pediatricians. Early recognition of the social deficits that characterize autism is key to maximizing the potential of these children.
Effects of image compression on iris recognition system performance

The human iris is perhaps the most accurate biometric for use in identification. Commercial iris recognition systems currently can be found in several types of settings where a person’s true identity is required: to allow passengers in some airports to be rapidly processed through security; for access to secure areas; and for secure access to computer networks. The growing employment of iris recognition systems and the associated research to develop new algorithms will require large databases of iris images. If the required storage space is not adequate for these databases, image compression is an alternative. Compression allows a reduction in the storage space needed to store these iris images. This may, however, come at a cost: some amount of information may be lost in the process. We investigate the effects of image compression on the performance of an iris recognition system. Compression is performed using JPEG-2000 and JPEG, and the iris recognition algorithm used is an implementation of the Daugman algorithm. The imagery used includes both the CASIA iris database as well as the iris database collected by the University of Bath. Results demonstrate that compression up to 50:1 can be used with minimal effects on recognition.
Statistical length of DNA from light scattering

An analysis of hydrodynamic data of DNA by use of the wormlike coil model gave a statistical length of 1300 A, in the absence of excluded volume corrections. The worm-like coil model and this hydrodynamically observed statistical length adequately describe the light scattering properties of DNA.
Emotional intelligence and psychiatry residents: does the PRITE measure emotional intelligence?

Objective The authors assessed the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Psychiatry Resident In-Training Exam (PRITE) scores. EI is important to the therapeutic alliance. The hypothesis tested was that PRITE scores would correlate with EI.
High temperature-high flux material testing for solar flux applications

The performance characteristics of several high temperature, commercially available insulating materials and refractory firebrick exposed to radiant flux densities up to 2.75 MW/m/sup 2/ are evaluated. The tests were performed at the White Sands Solar Furnace, and the information gathered is being used to design thermal protection for personnel and equipment at the Solar Thermal Test Facility, NM. (SPH)
Rotational Diffusion Of Membrane Proteins Measured By Time-Resolved Phosphorescence Depolarization

Much attention is paid in the recent years to the mobility properties of the components of cell surface membranes, especially specific receptors and antigens, since the description of the dynamic behavior of these macromolecules is necessary for the understanding of the mechanism of signal transduction through the biological membranes. The use of time-resolved optical methods for studying the rotational and lateral diffusional movements of membrane proteins was a subject for a number of reviews. This work provides a brief account of the use of time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy decay measurements for studying the rotational dynamics of the integral membrane proteins on the surface of living cells.© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Surgical Treatment of Leukemic Involvement of the Mitral Valve

A patient with severe mitral insufficiency due to infiltration of the valve and myocardium by leukemic lymphocytes is presented. Treatment was replacement of the valve with a prosthesis. The significance of this patient lies in the rarity of the clinical state and the novelty of treatment.
Does Alcoholics Anonymous involvement predict treatment outcome

Patients receiving inpatient treatment for alcohol dependence were followed for 31 weeks after discharge. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attenders, when compared with nonattenders, were not distinguishable on pretreatment patient characteristics. Posttreatment attendance of AA was not predictive of drinking outcomes. However, a measure of the degree to which patients had become involved in AA did predict more favorable outcomes.
Regional variation in adipogenesis and IGF regulatory proteins in the fetal baboon.

Intrauterine growth rate is associated with body distribution in adulthood suggesting differential response of fetal fat depots to nutritional modifications. We hypothesize that there is regional differences in fetal adipogenesis, in part, due to depot-specific regulation of the availability of insulin growth factors. In near-term baboon fetuses (n = 3–5), the subcutaneous abdominal vs. omental preadipocytes had (1) more extensive lipid accumulation as assessed by BODIPY (lipid staining) to DAPI (nuclei) absorbance ratios (mean ± SEM; 0.51 ± 0.21, 0.35 ± 0.09, p < 0.05), (2) lower (p < 0.05) secretion of IGF-binding protein 4 (9.6 ± 1.2 vs. 17.4 ± 2.8 ng/ml) and its protease pregnancy associated plasma protein A (24.6 ± 1.9 vs. 39.1 ± 6.3 µIU/ml), (3) lower protein expression of IGF2 “clearance” receptor in cell lysate (0.28 ± 0.03 vs. 0.53 ± 0.02 OD U/mm2, p < 0.05); all variables were intermediate in femoral preadipocytes. The regional variation of the adipogenesis and the IGF regulatory pathway set the stage for differential responsiveness of fat depots to external signals.
Distribution of delayed ischemic neurological deficits after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and implications for regional neuromonitoring

Abstract Objectives Many neuromonitoring devices provide data applicable to a limited region of the brain. Risk of DIND is common after aSAH and may occur near or remote from the ruptured aneurysm. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of DIND after aneurysms rupture as it relates to the potential value of regional monitoring in detection of vasospasm. Patients and methods The study enrolled aSAH patients presenting to a tertiary referral center over a three year period who received treatment for an identified ruptured aneurysm and survived >10 days with subsequent DIND. Only those patients receiving routine neuroimaging were included. To account for the anticipated effect on infarct distribution, patients were divided into groups of midline and non-midline aneurysms and assessed for vasospasm and stroke with respect to vascular distribution. Comparisons of clinical characteristics were made to determine factors predisposing to remote infarction. Results Twenty-nine patients met criteria with 15 patients harboring non-midline aneurysms. The rarity of isolated remote DIND prohibited adequate assessment of predictive clinical characteristics. For non-midline aneurysms, DIND occurred ipsilateral to the ruptured aneurysm in 93% and within the same vascular territory in 86% of patients. Midline anterior circulation aneurysms frequently resulted in ACA infarction. A neuromonitoring device with 100% sensitivity for ischemia placed in the MCA territory ipsilateral to a non-midline ruptured aneurysm would identify 71% of DIND. Conclusion Vasospasm related infarction occurs most commonly ipsilateral to or in the same distribution of the ruptured aneurysm. Less anatomical correlation is seen with midline aneurysms. Rupture of posterior circulation aneurysms infrequently results in supratentorial infarction. Decisions regarding placement of regional monitors for the purpose of vasospasm detection should consider this distribution of ischemic risk.
Hippocampal LTP induction is related to dynamic range of postsynaptic calcium concentration

Abstract It is widely believed that a rise in postsynaptic calcium concentration is a necessary step in the induction of long-term potentiation. For physiologically plausible short burst trains of pulses, the intracellular calcium dynamics has not only mean level but also variance (or dynamic range). Therefore, it is unclear whether mean level or variance of intracellular calcium dynamic is related to the induction of long-term potentiation. Here we investigate mean and standard deviation of simulated postsynaptic calcium dynamics following the patterned stimulation, which are consisted of bursts (4 pulses at 100 Hz ) repeated at 2.0, 1.0, 0.2, or 0.1 s intervals (i.e. burst frequencies of 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 or 10.0 Hz , respectively). Our results show that variance (or dynamic range) rather than mean level of postsynaptic [Ca 2+ ] i matches experimental results well.
Effect of Dissolved Oxygen Levels on Oxidative Degradation of Pyrogallol

Pyrogallol decomposition in aqueous systems with various dissolved oxygen levels was studied. The reduced dissolved oxygen levels were produced by deaeration via gas permeation. Dissolved oxygen levels were determined using a dropping mercury electrode polarograph. Degradation rates, T90, and relative protection indexes are discussed. Even at dissolved oxygen levels of less than 0.05 ppm, some decomposition of pyrogallol occurred, indicating nonoxidative pathways or the necessity of total removal of dissolved oxygen to afford complete protection. Apparently, reducing the level of dissolved oxygen is a viable alternative to stabilization of aqueous pyrogallol solutions, since the T90 was increased from 1.9 days in water with dissolved oxygen levels of 9.05 ppm to 114.4 days in water with dissolved oxygen levels of less than 0.05 ppm.
Witnessing and the Failure of Communication

This article examines the Romani Holocaust experiences by mapping out the silences that haunt this question. As a case study, the article uses the testimonial documentary Porraimos: Europe’s Gypsies in the Holocaust and argues that the Romani Holocaust question is entangled in a moral discourse described in Lyotard’s Le Differend. Bearing witness to the differend can give new insights into the understanding of the Holocaust, the conceptualization of Romani identity, and the framing of media witnessing. The article concludes with a discussion of the face and its relation to witnessing arguing that the affective feel of the differend that interpellates one as a witness is delivered through the face.
Servo control of behavior rhythms

A laboratory computer was used to implement a servo-control arrangement wherein environmental feedback to a behaving animal oscillates sinusoidally in real time. The location and period of behavior rhythms generated by the servo-control arrangement covary with the location and period of the sinusoidal command signal.
EVALUATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7, LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES, SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN GROUND BEEF WITH CRANBERRY CONCENTRATE BY THIN AGAR LAYER METHOD

The present study investigated the antimicrobial effects of cranberry concentrate on four foodborne pathogens in ground beef. Ground beef samples inoculated with pathogens were supplemented with cranberry concentrate (10% w/w) or sterile water (control) and kept at 21C and 7C for 7 days. Thin agar layer plates were used to enumerate pathogens. Results showed that Salmonella Typhimurium was reduced to undetectable levels after 7 days at 7C and after 3 days at 21C. In contrast to the control, cranberry concentrate suppressed Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus by 2.3–4.1 log cfu/g at 7C and by 5.5–8.0 log cfu/g at 21C on day 7. The antimicrobial effects of cranberry concentrate were more effective at 21C than at 7C. E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium (Gram-negative) were more sensitive to the cranberry concentrate than S. aureus and L. monocytogenes (Gram-positive). Cranberry concentrate could be used to control foodborne pathogens in the food industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Ground beef is a potentially hazardous food product, which can be contaminated by pathogens and cause foodborne outbreaks. Cranberries have proven antimicrobial effects and many health benefits. Ground beef supplemented with cranberry concentrate may help to increase the safety of the product and also offer health benefits.
An adenosine A2A agonist, ATL-146e, reduces paralysis and apoptosis during rabbit spinal cord reperfusion

Abstract Background: We hypothesized that systemic ATL-146e, an adenosine A 2A agonist, would decrease spinal cord reperfusion inflammatory stress and inhibit apoptosis and that these effects would correlate with improved neurologic functional outcome. Methods: Thirty rabbits underwent cross-clamping of the infrarenal aorta for 45 minutes. One group of animals (n = 14) received 0.06 μg/kg per minute of ATL-146e infused intravenously for 3 hours, beginning 15 minutes before reperfusion. A second group of animals (n = 16) underwent spinal cord ischemia with saline vehicle alone and served as ischemic controls. Animals (n = 9, 11) from each group survived for 48 hours and assessed for neurologic impairment with the Tarlov (0-5) scoring system. Four animals from each group were humanely killed at the end of the 3-hour treatment period, and the remainder killed after 48 hours' survival. In all animals, lumbar spinal cord tissue specimens were frozen for subsequent Western blot analysis of heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), and for the p85 fragment of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Neuronal viability indices were determined at 48 hours with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: There was improvement in neurologic function in rabbits receiving ATL-146e ( P P P P Conclusions: Systemic ATL-146e infusion during reperfusion after spinal cord ischemia results in preservation of hindlimb motor function. There is evidence of decreased spinal cord inflammatory stress immediately after treatment with ATL-146e as indicated by reduced HSP 70 induction. Treatment with ATL-146e is associated with a reduction in neuronal apoptosis as suggested by a substantial decrease in the fragmentation of PARP at 48 hours. These results suggest that inflammation during reperfusion and subsequent apoptosis contribute to paralysis after restoration of blood flow to the ischemic spinal cord.(J Vasc Surg 2001;34:482-8.)
Effect of Leaf and Panicle Feeding by Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae on Rice Grain Yield

Artificial defoliation of several varieties of rice plants to simulate late-season damage by Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth) reduced yields at 100 and 50% defoliation but not significantly at 25% defoliation. Defoliation averaging 25 to 30% by armyworm larvae resulted in yield reductions of −2.8 to 50.2%. An average of 4.8% of the panicles was damaged by armyworm larvae, but the average seed loss was 0.35%.