cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between regular eye examinations and changes in visual and functional status.

Objectives: To determine whether regular eye examinations are associated with a greater or lesser rate of loss of ability to read newsprint, onset of blindness or low vision, or onset of limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and activities of daily living (ADLs). Design: A sample of 14,215 Medicare beneficiaries observed between 1994 and 1999 linked to the 1994 and 1999 National Long-Term Care Surveys (NLTCS). Effects of annual examinations were assessed using instrumental variables. Setting: The Medicare-linked NLTCS is representative of U.S. elderly persons from 1994 to 1999. Participants: Longitudinal observational study of persons aged 65 and older. Measurements: Change in self-reported and provider-reported vision and change in functional limitations associated with vision related to the number of years with eye examinations and other factors. Results: Persons with more-regular eye examinations between 1994 and 1998 were less likely to have experienced a decline in vision or in functional status between 1994 and 1999. On average, an additional year with an eye examination was associated with a decrease in the probability of becoming unable to read newsprint of 0.12 (P=.03), a lower probability of onset of low vision or blindness of 0.009 (P=.06), and a decrease in the probability that the number of functional limitations increased of 0.13 (P=.002) for IADLs and 0.05 (P=.003) for ADLs. Conclusion: Elderly persons who have regular eye examinations experience less decline in vision and functional status.
Dynamic IEEE 802.11: Design, Modeling and Performance Evaluation

In Wireless LANs (WLANs) the medium access control (MAC) protocol is the main element that determines the efficiency of sharing the limited communication bandwidth of the wireless channel. Previous papers have shown that an appropriate tuning of the backoff algorithm can drive the IEEE 802.11 protocol close to its theoretical limits. In this work we analytically study the performance of the IEEE 802.11 protocol with a dynamically tuned backoff. Specifically, we investigate the sensitiveness of the dynamically tuned backoff algorithm to some network configuration and traffic parameters. Our results indicate that, under stationary traffic conditions, the capacity of the enhanced protocol approaches the theoretical upper bound value in all the configurations analyzed. Furthermore, we also show that the algorithm quickly re-tunes the backoff window size when the network traffic conditions change thus guaranteeing, even with non-stationary traffic conditions, a capacity that is very close to the optimal value. Robustness of the protocol to error conditions is also evaluated. In the paper it is shown the protocol correctly reacts to error conditions.
Psychological Measurement, Bias in

The issue of reliable and valid assessment of mental health status has been faced in clinical practice since the inception of efforts to evaluate intelligence, dating at least to Spearman's theory of general intelligence. G-theory, as it became known, presumed that individuals possess an overall intelligence, as opposed to more varied intelligences in diverse areas, as later expressed by Thurstone (1927), and more recently rearticulated by Gardner (1983). Unfortunately, efforts to develop psychological assessment instruments have historically focused and been standardized on white middle-class males. Little or no consideration was given to the diversity of the U.S. population with respect to gender, race, ethnicity, religiosity, or any other relevant demographic characteristic. Even within the United States, various verbal expressions are unclear or uninterpretable among some native born Americans in all parts of the country. Keywords: item bias; ethnicity; minority populations; measurement standardization
A Framework for a Delaware Inland Bays Environmental Classification

Since Delaware’s coastal bays have been highly eutrophied for at least twenty years and Maryland’s coastal bays are not nutrient stressed, dominance of the fish community in Delaware’s coastal bays by Fundulus sp. may be an indicator of nutrient stress. Maryland’s coastal bays are menhaden, spot, and anchovy dominated. The dominance of Fundulus sp. in a nutrient-stressed system relates to the hardy nature of these fishes, especially in low-oxygen conditions. Submerged aquatic vegetation as seagrasses (SAV) has been absent from the highly nutrient-stressed Delaware coastal bays for about twenty-five years. In contrast, SAV is still found in Maryland’s coastal bays. The loss of SAV as a habitat for young fish may also be contributing to the apparent species shift in Delaware’s coastal bays.
Information and communications technologies to facilitate concurrent engineering in construction

The adoption of concurrent engineering techniques in the construction industry needs to be underpinned by cost-effective, secure and reliable communications networks. These need to support a wide range of communications facets which are considered important in concurrent life cycle design and construction (CLDC). This paper investigates the enabling information and communications technologies which are applicable in this context. It briefly describes these technologies highlighting, where appropriate, current developments and future trends. The extent to which the identified facets of communication are addressed by the new and emerging technologies is also examined and recommendations made on the way forward.
Consumer Preference, Attitude, and Acceptance of Pork

Consumer preference, attitude and acceptance of pork will be the driving influences on how the pork industry responds to consumer demand. From this study, it would appear that consumers are uncertain in understanding the color and marbling qualities that will translate into pork of excellent eating qualities. Slightly over one half of the consumers in this study were able to identify the proper color and marbling needed to achieve the eating quality desired in a pork product. 85% of the consumers in this study indicated that they would be willing to pay more for a pork product that would give them increased satisfaction in taste, tenderness, and juiciness. 83 % of the participants in this study indicated that they were willing to pay more per pound for pork that came from a certain breed or method of production and 71 % would pay more for pork from a “pork certified program” similar to the Certified Angus program in beef . The per cent of participating consumers were willing to pay extra per pound for pork that was: a) naturally grown 63 %, b) from a SWAP certified herd 54 %, and c) traceable back to the producer (43%). Less than one third were willing to pay extra for organically grown pork. Responses in this study indicated that when a certain type of pork product was desired, consumers were willing to pay only a modest addition in the price per pound. This additional willingness to pay extra for the desired product ranged from $0.05 to $0.75 per pound. Even though the survey generally indicated that consumers were willing to pay extra per pound for certain types of pork products, when they were specifically asked to answer, “I generally shop for the most economical pork product rather than paying more per pound for a brand name and/or for a higher quality product”, slightly over one half indicated they did shop for the most economical pork. From this study, it would suggest that an aggressive educational and marketing program will be needed for niche markets to achieve additional pork premiums. And in order to increase consumer demand for traditionally produced commodity pork, producers must be willing to improve pork quality traits. Finally, consumer education on selecting pork must be provided by educational institutions and the pork industry.
Fasting reduces plasma interleukin-6 responses to the trier social stress test

Objective Fasting prolongs rodent lifespans by 50%, and also improves survival after surgery in mice. It is less clear whether fasting has similar positive effects in humans. While it is not feasible to reproduce lifelong studies in people, it is possible to investigate fasting in humans by testing acute stress responses. In this pilot study we examined the effects of fasting on inflammatory reactivity to acute psychosocial stress. Methods Twenty-nine adults (58% male) were randomly assigned to an overnight fast, a three-day juice fast, or a non-fasting control condition. The overnight group fasted for 18 hours, the juice group ingested only water or juice for three days, and the control group ate normally. After fasting, participants were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). IL-6 was measured in plasma at −1, 30, and 120 minutes post-TSST. Results Plasma concentrations of IL-6 increased significantly in response to stress in all groups (time effect: F = 20.26; p 0.001 ), but IL-6 responses in both fasting groups were lower compared to controls (group by time interaction: F = 3.98; p = 0.05). Conclusions These findings indicate allow the cautious conclusion that fasting positively affects acute inflammatory responses to stress, which might indicate that previous work on fasting in rodent models can be translated to humans. Future studies will have to further address this affect and relate altered stress responses to development of long-term health.
Classifying class I and class II compounds by hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding descriptors.

The successful development of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) and the prediction of toxicity based on QSARs depend on the correct classification of the mechanism of toxic action of chemical compounds. The toxicity mechanism of a compound can be determined by a few existing methods, such as studying the chemical structure of the compound for certain substructures and assigning a mechanism accordingly. However, these methods are less reliable for compounds with complex structures and are usually complicated. A novel descriptor-based method employing a multivariate statistical technique--discriminant analysis--was developed in this study for the classification of class I and class II compounds. The discriminating variables used in discriminant analysis were the hydrophobicity descriptor log(K(ow)) and the hydrogen bonding descriptors E(LUMO), E(HOMO), Q(+), and Q(-). Because only numerical values of these descriptors are required for this method, which can be calculated, no additional experimental work was required for the toxicity mechanism classification of new compounds. A nonlinear discriminant function was generated that could not be expressed explicitly. Assessing the predicting ability of the discriminant function by the cross-validation method showed that a low total error rate, 4.2% was achieved.
1415 STUDIES IN RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA (RLF) I – ASSOCIATION OF ARTERIAL PaO 2.

Of 569 oxygen-treated neonates examined by two retinologists between 1/75 and 12/79, 50 had RLF. The severest grade in either eye is indicated in Table I. A comparison of the duration of exposure to several PaO2 levels was made between RLF neonates and 50 weight-matched controls without RLF. Linear trending of the PaO2 between individual PaO2 determinations was assumed in order to estimate the time each patient was exposed to a given PaO2 range. Only the period when arterial blood gases were obtainable from indwelling catheters was analyzed. Short periods of exposure to high PaO2's do not seem to have a significant relationship to the genesis of RLF. However, even modestly elevated PaO2's (80-99) for significant durations may influence RLF development.
Numerical Model for Spray-Wall Impaction and Heat Transfer at Atmospheric Conditions

A numerical model is developed to simulate for atmospheric applications the impingement of water sprays on surfaces heated at temperatures ranging from nucleate to film boiling. The droplets are modeled in the Lagrangian frame of reference and are dispersed stochastically in the continuous gas phase. The model is based on the fundamental basics of single water droplet impingements extended to full sprays, where the overall heat-transfer process is broken down into its basic components: boiling heat transfer associated with the droplet contact, bulk air convection, and radiation. Droplet dynamics at the wall is modeled based on an empirical correlation relating the droplet incoming to outgoing Weber number. Droplet contact heat transfer is modeled using an effectiveness parameter for the heat transfer that is a function of the droplet Weber number. Numerically modeling the dropletwall dynamics and contact heat transfer has not been addressed before in a numerical model. The model is tested at atmospheric pressure using experimental data for nozzles that disperse a spectrum of nonuniform droplets. Favorable comparison with the experimental data is demonstrated.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone and dexamethasone do not alter secretion of immunoreactive β-endorphin from dissociated fetal hypothalamic cell cultures

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and glucocorticoids are major regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis controlling secretion of β-endorphin and other pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides from pituitary. Although previous work has shown that CRH stimulates secretion of β-endorphin from adult hypothalamic explants, and that glucocorticoids can inhibit basal and stimulated secretion of POMC-derived peptides from pituitary, the role of glucocorticoids on hyopthalamic β-endorphin secretion is not known. Studies were performed to assess the effects of CRH and dexamethasone, a potent glucocorticoid, on secretion of immunoreactive (IR) β-endorphin from dissociated fetal hypothalamic cell cultures. CRH (10−9–10−6 M) did not stimulate secretion of IR-β-endorphin from hypothalamic cells which did release IR-β-endorphin upon potassium-induced depolarization. However, CRH did stimulate IR-β-endorphin secretion from fetal hypothalamic explants which were similar to hypothalamic tissue from which dissociated hypothalamic cell cultures were derived. Exposure of cells to dexamethasone (10−6 M) did not inhibit basal nor potassium-stimulated release of IR-β-endorphin. These results indicate that: (1) dissociated fetal hypothalamic cells in culture do not exhibit a functional CRH receptor coupled to stimulation of IR-β-endorphin secretion; (2) exposure of hypothalamic cells to dexamethasone does not inhibit basal nor depolarization-induced release of IR-β-endorphin; and (3) dissociated fetal hypothalamic cells may have limited utility in elucidating specific regulatory relationships because of in vitro conditions and/or cytoarchitectural relationships.
1010-62 Impact of Breast Repositioning in Women on SPECT Thallium-201 Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Breast attenuation (BA) is recognized as a cause of artifactual anterior perfusion abnormalities on SPECT thallium imaging (TI) in women. To study the effect of BA on all myocardial regions, we used the change in apparent regional perfusion caused by left breast repositioning as an index of BA. TI was performed on 432 women and 2 redistribution images were acquired: Rl (breast neutral position) and R2 (breast repositioned to upper left). In 11 control pts the R2 image was performed without repositioning. For each pt, 2 separate polar maps were constructed from Rl and R2 short axis slices and were divided into lateral, inferior, septal, anterior, and apical sectors. Mean normalized counts per pixel (MNC) were determined for each sector. The change in apparent perfusion due to breast repositioning for a given sector was computed as (MNC in R2)—(MNC in Rl) and was determined for each sector in all pts. The change in apparent perfusion occurring in a sector due to intrastudy variability was determined as the 95% confidence limits of (MNC in R2)—(MNC in Rl) for that sector in the control subjects. A significant change in apparent perfusion in a sector due to breast repositioning was defined as one which exceeds the 95% confidence limits for intrastudy variability for that sector. Results Breast repositioning caused a significant change in apparent perfusion in 91% of patients in at least one sector . The number of pts showing a change in apparent perfusion in each sector is shown: n = 432 pts lat int sep ant apex decreased perfusion 19 73 52 126 10 no change 335 288 295 193 207 increased perfusion 78 71 85 113 215 Conclusion Breast repositioning studies suggest that BA affects SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in the majority of women. Although the greatest frequency of change in perfusion occurs in the anterior segment, the breast attenuation influences all segments.
A decision analysis approach to financial risk management in strategic outsourcing contracts

Managing risks and the associated decisions surrounding them is an activity often undertaken by organizations within an enterprise on an ad hoc basis, using document templates or spreadsheets to track issues or concerns and associated actions. Such an approach, while worthwhile, does not provide a consistent foundation for data collection, analysis, or reporting to enable data-driven decision making. We describe a framework consisting of (1) data specification and collection, (2) predictive modeling, and (3) reporting for managing service provider risks associated with the execution of strategic outsourcing (SO) contracts and show how such a framework has been leveraged at IBM for managing financial risks associated with IBM’s SO business. In particular, we provide details on the construction of quantitative models for proactive risk management and discuss the decision process driven by the model results.
Determining Heterogeneity in the Scleral Shell Using an Inverse Mechanics Approach

One of the important events leading to loss of vision in primary open-angle glaucoma — the 2nd leading cause of blindness in the US [1] — is the death of retinal ganglion cells. Previous research has established a strong correlation between elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and the incidence of glaucoma [2]. Stiffening of ocular tissues (like sclera) and axonal damage in the optic nerve head (ONH) were found to occur in response to elevated IOPs [3, 4]. As such, the biomechanical environment in and around the ONH, which is surrounded by the sclera and through which the visual information exits the eye, could be important in the incidence of this disease. Additionally, race and ethnicity factors were found to affect the incidence of glaucoma [5].© 2013 ASME
Do partition coefficients (liphophilicity/hydrophilicity) predict effects of occlusion on percutaneous penetration in vitro: a retrospective review.

AbstractContext: Skin occlusion influences percutaneous penetration by limiting penetrant evaporation, but also through impeding loss of water from skin and increasing the hydration state of the stratum corneum, thus dramatically altering the physiological nature of the stratum corneum. In general, occlusion is widely utilized to enhance penetration of applied drugs in clinical practice; however, occlusion does not increase the percutaneous absorption of all chemicals.Objective: We focus on what effect occlusion has on the in vitro percutaneous absorption of compounds of varying lipophilicities/hydrophilicities.Methods: Studies and prior reviews of the effects of occlusion on the in vitro percutaneous penetration of penetrants of varying lipophilicities/hydrophilicities were identified in the MEDLINE, PubMED, Embase and Science Citation Index databases using the terms occlusive, occluded, occlusion, in vitro, skin and percutaneous absorption/penetration to generate as broad of a search as possible. From t...
Effects of chlorpromazine on cell wall biosynthesis and incorporation of orotic acid into nucleic acids in Bacillus megaterium

Abstract The microorganism Bacillus megaterium was used as a model system for the study of the biochemical basis of action of chlorpromazine. At 33 μM, chlorpromazine (10 μg/ml) doubled the generation time of logarithmic phase cultures of B. megaterium . The effect of the drug on the incorporation of labeled precursors for macromolecules was compared at equivalent turbidities. Incorporation of 14 C-orotic acid into RNA and DNA was immediately inhibited. In contrast, incorporation of 14 C-adenine, 14 C-formate and 14 C-thymidine into nucleic acids was unaffected, indicating that nucleic acid synthesis was normal despite interference by the drug in the utilization of exogenous orotic acid. Incorporation of 14 C- l -lysine was unaffected, but chlorpromazine immediately inhibited the incorporation of 14 -C-diaminopimelic acid into cell wall. Uridine nucleotide precursors (colorimetric assay) for glycopeptide polymer of cell wall accumulated promptly upon addition of the drug. Accumulation was dose dependent and reached eight times that of control cells. Other phenothiazines including trifluoperazine (3 μM), promazine (58 μM), promethazine (156 μM) and chlorpromazine sulfoxide (2 mM) also caused significant accumulation of cell wall precursors. Although the mechanism of action is unknown, it appears that chlorpromazine specifically interferes with cell wall synthesis in B. megaterium .
Determination of Fumonisins B1 and B2 and Their Major Hydrolysis Products in Corn, Feed, and Meat, Using HPLC†

A high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a fluorescence detector (excitation, 229 nm; emission, 442 nm) was used to analyze o-phthaldialdehyde-derivatized fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2...
Pedestrian Environments, Transit Path Choice, and Transfer Penalties: Understanding Land-Use Impacts on Transit Travel:

This paper investigates the impact of pedestrian environments on walking behavior, and the related choice of travel path for transit riders. Activity logs from trip surveys combined with transit-ro...
Dynamic signature for the equilibrium percolation threshold of attractive colloidal fluids.

Short-time self-diffusivities, $D_{S}{}^{S}$, are computed for attractive colloidal fluids with van der Waals potentials to identify their percolation threshold and a previously unexplained dynamic transition. Our results show a discontinuous change in the slope of $D_{S}{}^{S}$ vs temperature as the percolation threshold is crossed. Because $D_{S}{}^{S}$ depends only on multibody hydrodynamic interactions, the percolation threshold of attractive colloidal fluids is shown to correspond to a transition in a dynamic property consistent with the linear viscoelastic measurements of Woutersen et al., J. Chem. Phys. 101, 542 (1994).
Two Contrasting Models for Mentoring as They Affect Retention of Beginning Teachers

Research indicates that mentoring programs help increase the retention of beginning teachers. School administrators may be presented with competing mentoring models, with various sources and types ...
2,3-Dihydro-1H-imidazo(1,2-b)pyrazole: a new inhibitor of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis.

Abstract 2,3-Dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-b]pyrazole has been shown to inhibit DNA synthesis in animal cells growing in culture, but has no effect on bacterial cells. The inhibition of DNA synthesis due to the drug is prevented and reversed by deoxyguanosine, but is potentiated by deoxycytidine. The mode of action of the compound is different from that observed using other known inhibitors of DNA synthesis and therefore the drug may be useful as an alternative method to stop DNA synthesis.
Efficient traffic flow simulation computations

Explicit numerical methods for solving macroscopic traffic flow continuum models have been studied and efficiently implemented in traffic simulation codes in the past. We studied and implemented implicit numerical methods for solving the flow conservation traffic model. We then wrote an experimental code in C simulating a freeway (un)congested pipeline and freeway entry/exit traffic flow. Tests with real data collected from the I-35 W freeway in Minneapolis were conducted on a workstation computer. The implicit methods gave the same (and in some cases better) accuracy as the Lax method. The implicit methods were (more than twice) faster than the Lax method.
“Selling out” and the sociology of knowledge

Personal experience suggests that it is a great oversimplification to assume that those analysts or scientists who work on government sponsored contracts are forced by their personal economic and power interests to make their work conform to the ideology of the military-industrial establishment. The sociology of knowledge on which this assumption is based must be supplemented by a culturology of knowledge. In terms of the latter an important obstacle to good policy analysis for government comes from the fact that most analysts are heavily influenced by a rather narrow academic and intellectual subculture that makes it difficult for them to understand with sufficient balance the problems that face decisionmakers in the real world.
Influx of Sodium Thiocyanate into Cerebrospinal Fluid in Normal and Vitamin A Deficient Calves

Summary The influx of thiocyanate ion (SCN) from the blood to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was studied in normal and vitamin A deficient Holstein calves to provide information on the mechanism whereby the CSF pressure is increased in vitamin A deficiency. Mean CSF pressures in the normal group during the experiment were 97mm, whereas the deficient animals exhibited mean pressures of 173mm. SCN concentrations were determined in CSF and blood samples taken hourly during the first 9 hr and at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr after injecting NaSCN intravenously. While the SCN concentrations in CSF and serum were slightly higher in the deficient calves, CSF thiocyanate values expressed as per cent of the serum level were very similar in both normal and deficient groups. The kinetics of penetration indicated that SCN moves from the blood stream to the CSF at rates quantitatively similar in normal and vitamin A deficient calves.
The global program on youth: Lessons learned from collaboratories in action

ABSTRACT The Global Program on Youth (GPY) employs a technology-supported, collaborative framework of problem solving, called a collaboratory, to improve the lives of children and youth. Collaboratory partners use technology to share research, apply practice wisdom, and learn from the experiences and perspectives of diverse groups of people. Findings from the initiative are presented in this article, highlighting the lessons learned from each of the participating collaboratories, including the rewards, challenges, and applications of technology-supported collaboration.
Inversion Interpretation of Multiple Spacing Resistivity Logs

where V(W) is the voltage observed at a given frequency and V(0) is the dc voltage. The integral functions used to calculate the driving electric force &d(p), the external impedance Z,(p) and the voltage observed at the receiver V,(w) are, in general, quite complicated. However, when the collinear dipole-dipole array is perpendicular to the pipe for the very low frequency case, analytic solutions exist for Ezd(p) and Z,(p) as indicated in equations (10) and (11). To compute the response for a dipole-dipole array oriented at an angle with respect to the pipe, the numerical Fourier cosine and sine transforms have been performed using the digital convolution filters developed by Anderson (1979).
Monkey Leptin Receptor mRNA: Sequence, Tissue Distribution, and mRNA Expression in the Adipose Tissue of Normal, Hyperinsulinemic, and Type 2 Diabetic Rhesus Monkeys

Objective: We have cloned the rhesus monkey leptin receptor and examined its mRNA expression levels in the adipose tissue of monkeys to investigate the regulation of gene expression of the leptin receptor. Research Methods and Procedures: Monkey leptin receptor cDNA was cloned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Tissue distribution of monkey leptin receptor was examined by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR. The mRNA levels of monkey leptin receptor in adipose tissue of normal (n=10), hyperinsulinemic obese (n = 8), and type 2 diabetic monkeys (n = 8) were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Monkey leptin receptor cDNA had at least two alternatively spliced isoforms (long and short forms). The long form of the leptin receptor mRNA was expressed relatively highly in liver, adipose tissue, hypothalamus, and choroid plexus, whereas the total leptin receptors were expressed in every tissue examined. The mRNA levels of the long form of the leptin receptor in adipose tissue were not correlated to body weight, fasting plasma insulin, plasma glucose, or plasma leptin levels. The mRNA levels of the long form of the leptin receptor were highly correlated to that of the total leptin receptor (long and short form). Discussion: The long form of leptin receptor mRNA existed in adipose tissue as well as in liver and hypothalamus, suggesting that the leptin receptor in adipose tissue may be functional in adipose tissue. The expression of the leptin receptor mRNA in adipose tissue is not affected by obesity, hyperinsulinemia, or diabetes.
Sensory neuron differentiation is regulated by notch signaling in the trigeminal placode

Trigeminal sensory neurons develop from the neural crest and neurogenic placodes, and have been studied as a principal model of sensory neuron formation. While the Notch pathway has been extensively characterized in central nervous system development and other developmental processes, it has not been well characterized in sensory neurogenesis. Here we studied the functional role of Notch signaling in the trigeminal ophthalmic (opV) placode, a prime model of sensory neurogenesis. To establish a good spatiotemporal description of Notch pathway genes in the chick trigeminal placode, a stage-specific expression analysis was conducted, showing that expression of most Notch pathway genes and effectors are expressed in the placode, with expression primarily being confined to ectodermal cells. Expression was highest at stages of peak neuronal differentiation. To test the function of Notch signaling in opV placode cell differentiation, Notch receptor cleavage was blocked using the gamma-secretase inhibitor, DAPT, or signaling was activated by misexpression of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). Notch activation resulted in a significant reduction in sensory neurogenesis. Cells remained in the ectoderm and did not differentiate. Expression of the opV specification marker Pax3 was also lost in targeted cells. DAPT exposure resulted in a dramatic increase in neurogenesis without increasing proliferation, where many differentiated cells were found in the mesenchyme and, surprisingly, within the ectoderm. This is the first result clearly showing prolific neuronal differentiation in the ectoderm of the trigeminal placodes after experimental manipulation of a molecular signaling pathway, thus identifying Notch signaling as a primary regulator of the sensory neuron fate in the opV placode.
Beyond CO2lonialism: the potential for fair trade certification to embrace voluntary carbon offsets

Carbon offset projects are a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Some offset projects cause immediate harm to the people and environment of developing countries while others provide questionable returns in terms of actual carbon capture and storage. Finally, carbon offset projects create barriers to industrialisation for developing countries. All of these challenges must be addressed if carbon offsets are to meet the promise of serving as both an effective solution to climate change and a development mechanism for countries in the global South. This paper examines the potential for fair trade to embrace and certify voluntary carbon offsets, thereby ensuring ethical, socially responsible offsets.
Some transistor building blocks for analogue computers

MANY analogue computers of the electronic type include combinations of a few ?building blocks? called operational amplifiers. This paper analyzes the basic properties of voltage and current operational amplifiers and discusses some of the problems of designing the circuitry using junction transistors. Although much has been written about the voltage operational amplifier,1 especially where vacuum tubes are employed, it is hoped that this presentation of the subject will emphasize those properties of the network configuration which become important if transistors are to be used. A somewhat different approach to making the best use of transistors in the analogue computer type of circuits is to use currents instead of voltages as the dependent variables. This leads to what in some respects seems to be a more reasonable utilization of the natural properties of transistors than the obvious expedient of simply ?transistorizing? existing circuits. One of the aims of this paper is to explore this possibility in a rather general way and to relate the principles and philosophy of the current operational amplifier to the more familiar voltage case. The analysis is based on the small signal operation of devices such as vacuum tubes and transistors which allows them to be replaced by the usual equivalent circuits. No attempt will be made to include practical circuit diagrams.
An analysis of caucasoid and negroid prenatal primary molar crown dimensions

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the prenatal primary molar crown size of two of the subspecies of man, Caucasoid and Negroid. The four primary molar tooth buds were dissected from sixty-eight human foetuses ranging in age from 19 to 38 Weeks intrauterine. There were fifty American Caucasoid and eighteen American Negroid foetuses. A total of 512 tooth buds were stained with alizarin red S to show the presence and degree of calcified areas. The tooth buds selected for measurement were determined by the extent of their calcification. A total of 152 tooth buds met all requirements necessary to permit their microscopic measurement for comparison of prenatal primary molar crown size between the two groups, Caucasoid and Negroid. Twenty-eight dimensions were studied for the four primary molars between the two groups. The data obtained from the sample was analysed statistically for homogeneity of variance and for significant differences in the mean size of the tooth bud crowns for the two groups. The results of the analyses indicated that twenty-three of the dimensions were not significantly different. The five dimensions that have presented significant differences were Sufficient to prevent rejection of the contention of molar crown size differences between the two groups.
Uniqueness of stable meissner state solutions of the chern-simons-higgs energy

For external magnetic field h ex ≤ Ce–α , we prove that a Meissner state solution for the Chern-Simons-Higgs functional exists. Furthermore, if the solution is stable among all vortexless solutions, then it is unique.
Cross-layer MAC Optimization for Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper we propose an optimization of MAC protocol design for wireless sensor networks, that accounts for cross-layering information. In particular, we look at integrating location information with backoff window design for a MAC protocol. While location information is many times crucial for the relevance of the reported event in sensor networks, location estimation algorithms do not always yield accurate information. The estimation accuracy can be characterized spatially using a location reliability probability distribution function. We show that this distribution function greatly influences the design of the optimal backoff window parameters, and the overall throughput performance of the MAC protocol.
Seeing Double to Recognize TB

One-third of the world is infected with the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis , which causes tuberculosis (TB). However, most infected—yet otherwise healthy—individuals never develop TB disease. Watson and colleagues have now identified an important aspect of a healthy immune system response to M. tuberculosis that keeps the disease at bay. In mice, the authors showed that double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) from M. tuberculosis present in the host macrophage cytosol elicits an autophagic response. During innate immune cell autophagy, foreign bodies are marked for sequestration and degradation by lysosomes. Previously, the actual signal that triggered autophagy of macrophages harboring M. tuberculosis was unknown, but some evidence pointed toward an immune response to the M. tuberculosis ESX-1 secretion system. Now, Watson et al. show that the pathway is stepwise, leading to death of the pathogen: First, ESX-1 permeablizes the phagosomal membrane; then, this “foreign” M. tuberculosis genomic dsDNA is recognized by the STING-dependent pathway in the macrophage cytosol; next, these bacteria are marked with ubiquitin, which targets these pathogens to autophagy. Mice with monocytes that could not deliver M. tuberculosis to this autophagy pathway could not suppress infection. This fundamental work by Watson et al. may allow for development of both new vaccines and pharmacological treatments of TB. Future work will be needed to confirm the same immune response with human cells and to determine whether this pathway can be stimulated in immunocompromised individuals. Currently, a major issue is how to treat infections with multidrug-resistant TB strains; few antibiotics exist (if any) that affect these bacteria. Triggering an improved immune response may provide an avenue to more effectively treat even these most problematic TB cases. R.O. Watson et al. , Extracellular M. tuberculosis DNA targets bacteria for autophagy by activating the host DNA-sensing pathway. Cell 150 , 803–815 (2012). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.cell.com/abstract/S0092-8674%2812%2900884-7?switch=standard
Aspartame, neurotoxicity, and seizures: A review

Abstract Physicians are asked to advise people with epilepsy whether consumption of aspartame (NutraSweet®) is safe and prudent. Aspartame is metabolized to l -phenylalanine, l -aspartate, and methanol. Each metabolite can produce toxic or excitatory effects in animal model systems but only at doses much higher than those feasible from human aspartame consumption. Secondary changes in brain levels of catecholamines and serotonin may occur because of competition precursor transport into brain; however, the clinical relevance of these changes is uncertain. In rodent models of epilepsy, aspartame may alter seizure thresholds when given in doses of 1,000 mg/kg, equivalent to consumption of about 400 diet soft drinks. Applicability of such animal data is questionable. Seizure thresholds in genetically photosensitive baboons are not altered by massive doses of aspartame. Scanty anecdotal clinical reports of overlaps between seizures and aspartame consumption have been published. Monitoring of consumer complaints by the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration has failed to document an association of aspartame intake and epilepsy. No controlled clinical trials of aspartame in people with epilepsy have been published. Current evidence suggests that present consumption of aspartame does not induce brain damage, nor does it provoke seizures.
Evolutionary implications of the family of 14-3-3 brain protein homologs in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The GF14 family of proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana consists of a homologous group of polypeptides ranging in size from ∼27 kDa to ∼32 kDa. As a group, GF14 proteins are also homologous to a family of mammalian proteins most commonly referred to as 14-3-3 proteins. Several distinct and different biochemical activities have been historically attributed to the various isoforms of the mammalian 14-3-3 proteins. These data present the possibility that the various activities are performed by functionally distinct lineages of the gene family. Here we present phylogenetic analyses based on the derived amino acid sequences of five GF14 isoforms expressed in Arabidopsis suspension-cultured cells. A high degree of sequence integrity is apparent in the various Arabidopsis isoforms, and the overall structures of the plant forms are quite conserved with regard to the structures of the known mammalian forms. These gene phylogenies indicate no evolutionary conservation of specific isoform lineages within both plants and animals. Rather, the evolutionary history of this protein appears to be characterized by a separate radiation of plant and animal forms from a common ancestral sequence. Even though the plant and animal forms have evolved independently since that ancestral split, large domains are conserved in both major lineages.
The Coulombic contribution to the dynamical matrix for non-cubic lattices with a basis

Abstract A correction is made and an expression derived for the Coulombic contribution to the dynamical matrix for non-cubic lattices with a basis.
Competitive Algorithms for Relaxed List Update and Multilevel Caching

We study relaxed list update problem (RLUP), in which access requests are made to items stored in a list. The cost to access the jth item xj is cj, where ci?ci+1 for all i. After the access, xj can be repeatedly swapped, at no cost, with any item that precedes it in the list. This problem was introduced by Aggarwal et al. (1987, “Proc. 19th Symp. Theory of Computing,” pp. 305?313) as a model for the management of hierarchical memory that consists of a number of caches of increasing size and access time. They also proved that a version of LRU is C-competitive, for some C, for a restricted class of cost functions. We give an efficient offline algorithm that computes the optimal strategy for RLUP. We also show an elegant characterization of work functions for RLUP. We prove that move-to-front (MTF) is optimally competitive for RLUP with any cost function. An interesting feature of the proof is that it does not involve any estimates on the competitive ratio. Finally, we give a lower bound on the competitive ratio of online algorithms for RLUP.
Chemical heterogeneity of soldier defensive secretions in the desert subterranean termite, Amitermes wheeleri

Abstract Soldier defensive secretions were analyzed by GC/MS in eight spatially separated groups of Amitermes wheeleri collected in Arizona and California. Eleven sesquiterpenoids, four of known structure, were isolated. Quantitative and qualitative differences among the groups of termites were extensive; composition of the defensive secretions among colonies varied from one to six components. Intraspecific differences between pairs of sympatric colonies at six sites were much less pronounced. The variability found in A. wheeleri suggests that soldier defensive secretions in the genus Amiterines are not reliable markers for interspecific systematic comparisons.
CAMCORE: Industry and governments' efforts to conserve threatened forest species in Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico

Abstract In 1980, the Central America and Mexico Coniferous Resources Cooperative (CAMCORE) was organized by forest industry, government agencies, and the College of Forest Resources, North Carolina State University, to preserve and test threatened forest species and populations in Middle America. The cooperative has now grown to include 16 organizations in nine countries. Explorations and subsequent seed collections in Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico have resulted in the successful ex-situ gene conservation of 5203 trees, representing 21 species and 187 different provenances of conifers and hardwoods. Genetic material from the Central American and Mexican seed collections have been established in 500 ha of gene-conservation banks and genetic tests on lands belonging to members of the cooperative in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, South Africa, the United States, and Venezuela. Pedigree information on mother-tree collections and subsequent field plantings is on computer database at North Carolina State University. Early results from CAMCORE genetic tests indicate that height gains of approximately 20% are possible in the tropics by simply using alternative species and more-productive seed sources. Cooperative-wide tree improvement programs are now being planned for Pinus caribaea and P. tecunumanii .
Coexistence of macular corneal dystrophy types I and II in a single sibship

BACKGROUND Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder that has been subdivided into two primary immunophenotypes, MCD types I and II. The MCD type I gene has been localised previously to chromosome 16q22 and suggestive evidence provided that MCD type II gene is also linked to this region. Here an unusual family is reported where both MCD types I and II are found in a single sibship. METHODS Immunoreactivity to an anti-keratan sulphate monoclonal antibody (5-D-4) was evaluated in patients’ serum and in corneal tissue obtained at keratoplasty. Chromosomal haplotypes were constructed using microsatellite repeat markers spanning the region of the MCD type I locus. RESULTS Immunological studies demonstrated that two of the affected siblings have MCD type II while one has MCD type I. Haplotype analysis suggests that all three affected sibs inherited one identical parental haplotype. However, the two MCD types differ in their alternative chromosome with both MCD type II children sharing an identical haplotype, different from their MCD type I sibling. CONCLUSION The findings in this study support the hypothesis that the genes for MCD types I and II co-localise to the same region of chromosome 16 and are likely to be due to allelic manifestations of the same abnormal gene.
Control Design and Robustness Analysis of Linear Time-Periodic Systems

This paper proposes a new design approach for control of periodically time-varying systems. The approach is based on the point-mapping technique to obtain an equivalent linear time-invariant sampled-data system for the linear periodically time-varying system with a piecewise parametrization of the control vector. This allows the known control design techniques for sampled-data systems to be applied. The proposed approach is then extended for analysis of robustness of the control design with respect to plant parametric uncertainties. This is achieved by computation of approximate discrete-time dynamics of the perturbed system by truncated point-mappings. By computing an upper norm bound on the error due to the truncated approximations, the robustness analysis of the system with respect to the parametric uncertainties is then formulated as a discrete-time structured singular value problem. Two numerical examples are considered to illustrate the approach and the extension of the approach for robust stability analysis.
Meeting in the middle: Fred L. Casmir's contributions to the field of intercultural communication

Abstract Fred Casmir's third culture building (TCB) framework made a major theoretical contribution to communication studies. Casmir conceptualized the framework as an active process whereby different cultural groups come together to form a third culture between them. The third culture then becomes a common ground for all participants; a cognitive space that incorporates elements of both cultures and yet remains separate and distinct. Third culture building is a departure from adoption (the process of taking on the cultural mores of another) or adaptation (modifying one's cultural mores to better fit those of another), and achieved through deliberate development in an extended process, during which all participants gain an understanding of, and appreciation for, one another. In this essay, the authors review the life and work of Fred Casmir – a leading figure in establishing intercultural communication as a specific area of study. Next the authors discuss the ideological foundations, intended use, key applications and heuristic value of Casmir's third culture building framework.
Vibrational control of nonlinear systems: Vibrational controllability and transient behavior

In the first part of this work [1], the criteria for the existence of stabilizing parametric oscillations have been derived. In the present paper, the problem of choosing the stabilizing vibrations is addressed and the properties of transient behavior of vibrationally controlled nonlinear systems are analyzed.