cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting effective starting point of genomic selection by divergent trends from BLUP and ssGBLUP in pigs, beef cattle, and broilers

Genomic selection has been adopted nationally and internationally in different livestock and plant species. However, understanding whether genomic selection has been effective or not is an essential question for both industry and academia. Once genomic evaluation started being used, estimation of breeding values with pedigree BLUP became biased because this method does not consider selection using genomic information. Hence, the effective starting point of genomic selection can be detected in two possible ways including the divergence of genetic trends and Realized Mendelian sampling (RMS) trends obtained with BLUP and Single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP). This study aimed to find the start date of genomic selection for a set of economically important traits in three livestock species by comparing trends obtained using BLUP and ssGBLUP. Three datasets were used for this purpose: a pig dataset with 117k genotypes and 1.3M animals in pedigree, an Angus cattle dataset consisted of ~842k genotypes and 11.5M animals in pedigree, and a purebred broiler chicken dataset included ~154k genotypes and 1.3M birds in pedigree were used. The genetic trends for pigs diverged for the genotyped animals born in 2014 for average daily gain and backfat. In beef cattle, the trends started diverging in 2009 for weaning weight and in 2016 for postweaning gain, with little divergence for birth weight. In broiler chickens, the genetic trends estimated by ssGBLUP and BLUP diverged at breeding cycle 6 for two out of three production traits. The RMS trends for the genotyped pigs diverged for animals born in 2014, more for average daily gain than for backfat. In beef cattle, the RMS trends started diverging in 2009 for weaning weight and in 2016 for postweaning gain, with a trivial trend for birth weight. In broiler chickens, the RMS trends from ssGBLUP and BLUP diverged strongly for two production traits at breeding cycle 6, with a slight divergence for another trait. Divergence of the genetic trends from ssGBLUP and BLUP indicates onset of the genomic selection. The presence of trends for RMS indicates selective genotyping, with or without the genomic selection. The onset of genomic selection and genotyping strategies agree with industry practices across the three species. In summary, the effective start of genomic selection can be detected by the divergence between genetic and RMS trends from BLUP and ssGBLUP.
Light-Weight Document Image Cleanup Using Perceptual Loss.

Smartphones have enabled effortless capturing and sharing of documents in digital form. The documents, however, often undergo various types of degradation due to aging, stains, or shortcoming of capturing environment such as shadow, non-uniform lighting, etc., which reduces the comprehensibility of the document images. In this work, we consider the problem of document image cleanup on embedded applications such as smartphone apps, which usually have memory, energy, and latency limitations due to the device and/or for best human user experience. We propose a light-weight encoder decoder based convolutional neural network architecture for removing the noisy elements from document images. To compensate for generalization performance with a low network capacity, we incorporate the perceptual loss for knowledge transfer from pre-trained deep CNN network in our loss function. In terms of the number of parameters and product-sum operations, our models are 65–1030 and 3–27 times, respectively, smaller than existing state-of-the-art document enhancement models. Overall, the proposed models offer a favorable resource versus accuracy trade-off and we empirically illustrate the efficacy of our approach on several real-world benchmark datasets.
DectiSomes: Glycan Targeting of Liposomal Drugs Improves the Treatment of Disseminated Candidiasis.

Candida albicans causes life-threatening disseminated candidiasis. Individuals at greatest risk have weakened immune systems. An outer cell wall, exopolysaccharide matrix, and biofilm rich in oligoglucans and oligomannans help Candida spp. evade host defenses. Even after antifungal treatment, the one-year mortality rate exceeds 25%. Undoubtedly, there is room to improve drug performance. The mammalian C-type lectin pathogen receptors Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 bind to fungal oligoglucans and oligomannans, respectively. We previously coated amphotericin B-loaded liposomes, AmB-LLs, pegylated analogs of AmBisome, with the ligand binding domains of these two Dectins. DectiSomes, DEC1-AmB-LLs and DEC2-AmB-LLs, showed two distinct patterns of binding to the exopolysaccharide matrix surrounding C. albicans hyphae grown in vitro. Here we showed that DectiSomes were preferentially associated with fungal colonies in the kidneys. In a neutropenic mouse model of candidiasis, DEC1-AmB-LLs and DEC2-AmB-LLs delivering only one dose of 0.2 mg/kg AmB reduced the kidney fungal burden several fold relative to AmB-LLs. DEC1-AmB-LLs and DEC2-AmB-LLs increased the percent of surviving mice 2.5-fold and 8.3-fold, respectively, relative to AmB-LLs. Dectin-2 targeting of anidulafungin loaded liposomes, DEC2-AFG-LLs, and of commercial AmBisome, DEC2-AmBisome, reduced fungal burden in the kidneys several fold over their untargeted counterparts. The data herein suggest that targeting of a variety of antifungal drugs to fungal glycans may achieve lower safer effective doses and improve drug efficacy against a variety of invasive fungal infections.
MIND: In-Network Memory Management for Disaggregated Data Centers

Memory disaggregation promises transparent elasticity, high resource utilization and hardware heterogeneity in data centers by physically separating memory and compute into network-attached resource "blades". However, existing designs achieve performance at the cost of resource elasticity, restricting memory sharing to a single compute blade to avoid costly memory coherence traffic over the network. In this work, we show that emerging programmable network switches can enable an efficient shared memory abstraction for disaggregated architectures by placing memory management logic in the network fabric. We find that centralizing memory management in the network permits bandwidth and latency-efficient realization of in-network cache coherence protocols, while programmable switch ASICs support other memory management logic at line-rate. We realize these insights into MIND1, an in-network memory management unit for rack-scale disaggregation. MIND enables transparent resource elasticity while matching the performance of prior memory disaggregation proposals for real-world workloads.
1.79-Approximation Algorithms for Continuous Review Single-Sourcing Lost-Sales and Dual-Sourcing Inventory Models

Stochastic inventory systems with lead times are often challenging to optimize, including single-sourcing lost-sales and dual-sourcing systems. Recent numerical results suggest that capped policies...
One More Step Towards Reality: Cooperative Bandits with Imperfect Communication

The cooperative bandit problem is increasingly becoming relevant due to its applications in large-scale decision-making. However, most research for this problem focuses exclusively on the setting with perfect communication, whereas in most real-world distributed settings, communication is often over stochastic networks, with arbitrary corruptions and delays. In this paper, we study cooperative bandit learning under three typical real-world communication scenarios, namely, (a) message-passing over stochastic time-varying networks, (b) instantaneous reward-sharing over a network with random delays, and (c) message-passing with adversarially corrupted rewards, including byzantine communication. For each of these environments, we propose decentralized algorithms that achieve competitive performance, along with near-optimal guarantees on the incurred group regret as well. Furthermore, in the setting with perfect communication, we present an improved delayed-update algorithm that outperforms the existing state-of-the-art on various network topologies. Finally, we present tight network-dependent minimax lower bounds on the group regret. Our proposed algorithms are straightforward to implement and obtain competitive empirical performance.
MLHarness: A scalable benchmarking system for MLCommons

Abstract With the society’s growing adoption of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) for various intelligent solutions, it becomes increasingly imperative to standardize a common set of measures for ML/DL models with large scale open datasets under common development practices and resources so that people can benchmark and compare models quality and performance on a common ground. MLCommons has emerged recently as a driving force from both industry and academia to orchestrate such an effort. Despite its wide adoption as standardized benchmarks, MLCommons Inference has only included a limited number of ML/DL models (in fact seven models in total). This significantly limits the generality of MLCommons Inference’s benchmarking results because there are many more novel ML/DL models from the research community, solving a wide range of problems with different inputs and outputs modalities. To address such a limitation, we propose MLHarness, a scalable benchmarking harness system for MLCommons Inference with three distinctive features: (1) it codifies the standard benchmark process as defined by MLCommons Inference including the models, datasets, DL frameworks, and software and hardware systems; (2) it provides an easy and declarative approach for model developers to contribute their models and datasets to MLCommons Inference; and (3) it includes the support of a wide range of models with varying inputs/outputs modalities so that we can scalably benchmark these models across different datasets, frameworks, and hardware systems. This harness system is developed on top of the MLModelScope system, and will be open sourced to the community. Our experimental results demonstrate the superior flexibility and scalability of this harness system for MLCommons Inference benchmarking.
Pricing and Optimization in Shared Vehicle Systems: An Approximation Framework

The optimal management of shared vehicle systems, such as bike-, scooter-, car-, or ride-sharing, is more challenging compared with traditional resource allocation settings because of the presence ...
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONS IN THE BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF COCAINE DERIVATIVES*

ABSTRACT Several structural modifications of cocaine resulted in derivatives that had behavioral effects similar to those of cocaine but that differed in potency and time course of action. There was a marked stereoselectivity in the behavioral effects of the 1 and d isomers of a phenyltropane analog of cocaine. Two N-alkylated derivatives of norcocaine failed to antagonize the behavioral effects of cocaine.
The Einhorn story.

My first contact with Professor Max Einhorn was in 1920 when I was privileged to serve a residency under his aegis at the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City after my return to civilian status following the First World War. He was one of the Founder Members of the American Gastroenterological Association in 1897 and served as its third president in 1899 and 1900, following the presidencies of Dr. Chales Stockton (Buffalo) and Dr. William H. Steward (New York City). I first became acquainted with the name Einhorn during my second year in Medical School (1914) when I was endeavoring to learn something of clinical medicine, and Einhorn’s “Diseases of the Stomach” was perused. The first edition of this work appeared in 1896, the year before the founding of the American Gastroenterological Association. It went to a six edition (1917). Einhorn’s book was one of the earliest publications on Gastroenterology to appear in the English language. It served as “lead book” for many years. The book was dedicated to Einhorn’s former teacher, the internationally known C. A. Ewald, Professor of Medicine in the University of Berlin. At the time of publication of his book, Dr. Einhorn was Professor of Medicine at the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and visiting physician to the German (subsequently the Lenox Hill) Hospital. Einhorn was a master gudgeteer, the ingenious developer of innumerable tools to be used in diagnosis. He developed one of the earliest duodenal tubes. He originated the “golden bucket.” It was attached to a string and allowed to enter the duodenum for the recovery of duodenal and pancreatic juices. He graciously presented me with one of his golden buckets at the completion of my residency with him. Einhorn originated the string test for the diagnosis of peptic ulcer. This was an important tool in diagnosis before X-ray techniques were refined. Also before the availability of the X-ray, in order to ascertain the position and size of the stomach and to detect tumors therein, he developed an apparatus called the gastric diaphane, a gadget for illuminating the lumen of the stomach. Utilizing radium bromide, he illuminated the stomach with his Radio diaphane. A digestive test capsule, or bead test was employed to
Regulation of Retinoid X Receptor Responsive Element-Dependent Transcription in T Lymphocytes by Ser/Thr Phosphatases: Functional Divergence of Protein Kinase C (PKC)θ and PKCα in Mediating Calcineurin-Induced Transactivation

T lymphocyte activation signals regulate the expression and transactivation function of retinoid X receptor (RXR) α through an interplay of complex signaling cascades that are not yet fully understood. We show that cellular Ser/Thr protein phosphatases (PPs) play an important role in mediating these processes. Inhibitors specific for PP1 and PP2A decreased basal expression of RXRα RNA and protein in T lymphocyte leukemia Jurkat cells and prevented activation-induced RXRα accumulation in these cells. In addition, these inhibitors attenuated the RXR responsive element (RXRE)-dependent transcriptional activation in transient transfection assays. Inhibitors of calcineurin (CN), by contrast, did not have any effect on the basal RXRα expression and even augmented activation-induced RXRα expression. Expression of a dominant-active (DA) mutant of CN together with a DA mutant of protein kinase C (PKC)θ, a novel PKC isoform, significantly increased RXRE-dependent transcription. Expression of catalytically inactive PKCθ or a dominant-negative mutant of PKCθ failed to synergize with CN and did not increase RXRE-dependent transcription. Expression of a DA mutant of PKCα or treatment with PMA was found to attenuate PKCθ and CN synergism. We conclude that PP1, PP2A, and CN regulate levels and transcriptional activation function of RXRα in T cells. In addition, CN synergizes with PKCθ to induce RXRE-dependent activation, a cooperative function that is antagonized by the activation of the conventional PKCα isoform. Thus, PKCθ and PKCα may function as positive and negative modulators, respectively, of CN-regulated RXRE-dependent transcription during T cell activation.
Psychosocial adjustment in adolescents with craniofacial anomalies: a comparison of parent and self-reports.

Abstract Objective: To assess rates of psychosocial adjustment problems in adolescents with craniofacial anomalies (CFAs) and to evaluate the correspondence between adolescent and parent reports of adjustment. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Reconstructive plastic surgery department in urban medical center. Participants: Sixty-four adolescents aged 14 to 18 years with CFAs and their parents. Main Outcome Measures: Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self-Report. Results: Adolescent and parent reports were compared with published norms. Adolescents with CFAs did not differ from norms on rates of self-reported problems in the clinical range. Parents of sons and daughters with CFAs reported elevations in the clinical range for deficits in social and scholastic competence; parents of daughters also reported higher clinical rates of withdrawn and somatic problems. Correlations between adolescent and parent reports were generally higher than seen in norms, especially for boys. Parents and adolescents d...
A Review of: “What You must Think of Me: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Social Anxiety Disorder”

Emily Ford is trained as a high school english teacher and has suffered from social anxiety disorder since childhood. Her coauthor, Michael R. Liebowitz, MD, is a professor of clinical psychiatry a...
Using microdensitometry to correlate cell morphology with the nuclear cycle in Ustilago maydis.

Nuclear cycle events are usually studied using 3H-thymidine, which cells take up from culture medium and incorporate into DNA. Because fungi do not incorporate exogenously supplied thymidine, other methods must be used for these organisms. The experiments described here utilized nuclear staining and computer-assisted microdensitometry. Vegetative Ustilago maydis cells were taken from li- quid cultures at various points along the growth curve, attached to microscope slides, stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, and viewed using Dif- ferential Interference Contrast and epifluorescence microscopy. Digital images of fluorescing nuclei were captured and inverted (negated) so that densitome- try software could be used to determine the relative DNA content of the nuclei. When nuclei were grouped by relative density, two peaks presumably corresponding to groups of nuclei before (1C) and after (2C) DNA synthesis were observed. Correlating nuclear density with cell morphology showed that cells complete DNA synthesis before beginning to form buds. The presence of a number of unbudded cells with the 1C amount of DNA indicated that there was a clearly defined GI period. During early log phase, approximately half of the cells in a culture were in GI. As the growth rate slowed, the percent- age of cells in GI increased dramatically. This indi- cates that the length of time spent in Gl varies with growth conditions in U. maydis. When cells from late log phase populations were subcultured into fresh medium, a lag period preceded resumption of cell growth. In addition, a significant percentage of these
Biological and pharmacokinetic properties of a novel immunoglobulin-CD4 fusion protein.

We report a CD4-immunoglobulin fusion protein in which the first two extracellular domains of human CD4 replace the Fc region of the immunoglobulin. When co-expressed with a gene encoding an immunoglobulin light chain, the protein was covalently assembled into a form having an Mr consistent with that expected for two fusion heavy chains and two immunoglobulin light chains. The antigen specificity of the antibody was retained, however, binding to HIV gp120 was lost. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed the in vivo half-life of the fusion protein to be 2.4 h in mice.
Bilayer quantum Hall ferromagnet in a periodic potential

The bilayer quantum Hall system at a total filling of $\nu_T=1$ has long resisted explanation in terms of a true counterflow superfluid, though many experimental features can be seen to be "almost" that of a superfluid. It is widely believed that quenched disorder is the root cause of this puzzle. Here we model the nonperturbative effects of disorder by investigating the $\nu=1$ bilayer in a strong periodic potential. Our model assumes that fermions are gapped and real spins are fully polarized, and concentrates on the pseudospin variable (the layer index), with the external potential coupling to the topological (Pontryagin) density of the pseudospin. We find that as the potential strength increases, there are ground state transitions in which the topological content of the pseudospin configuration changes. These transitions are generically weakly first-order, with a new quadratically dispersing mode (in addition to the linearly dispersing Goldstone mode) sometimes becoming nearly gapless near the transition. We show that this leads to strong suppressions of both the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperature and the interlayer tunneling strength, which we treat perturbatively. We discuss how these results might extend to the case of true disorder.
Suicide in Neurological Disorders

Accessible online at: www.karger.com/ned Suicide is an avoidable tragedy. The clinicians’ interest and vigilance are the most potent available deterrents. Individuals in high-risk groups can be identified, and practical, effective interventions are available. A number of neurological disorders have been identified among risk factors for suicide, so it behooves neurologists to be mindful of these conditions and to have a general awareness of suicide potential and management options. In the accompanying article, Fredrikson et al. [1] confirm an elevated risk of suicide in patients with multiple sclerosis. The twofold increase in standardized mortality ratio was comparable with that found in an earlier Danish study [2]. The methods by Fredrikson et al. [1] were excellent, yet in interpreting their work, it must be remembered that their lengthy data collection period was mainly in a period of relative therapeutic nihilism, before s-interferon became available. Now that effective treatments for multiple sclerosis are available, the hopelessness of sufferers may be mitigated. The highest risk of suicide was amongst younger males in the early years after diagnosis. Male gender is a very well recognized risk factor for suicide, partially because of its association with alcohol abuse. Other neurological disorders also confer an increased risk of suicide [3]. Stroke increases suicide risk [4]. Poststroke depression is often the soil from which suicide ideation emerges. The presence of persistent physical and cognitive impairments also contributes to suicide risk. Particular mention needs to be made of right frontal lobe strokes, which cause a motor aprosodia. In such instances, though these patients may complain of significant dysphoria, hopelessness, and suicide ideation, their inability to convey emotionality and feeling can cause disbelief in observers who tend to underestimate the severity of such utterances [5]. Huntington’s disease carries an increased risk of suicide. In his original article, Huntington [6] stated ‘the tendency to insanity and sometimes to that form of insanity which leads to suicide is marked’. Huntington patients are at risk for a plethora of psychiatric disturbances including mood disorders, psychosis, and personality disorders [7]. Even asymptomatic individuals at risk for Huntington’s disease need to be carefully screened for suicide ideation, before and after predictive genetic testing is carried out [8]. Epilepsy also carries an increased risk of suicide [9]. In addition to comorbid psychopathology, other factors increasing risk include higher seizure frequency and the need for multiple antiepileptic medications [10]. Temporal lobe foci may be a risk factor, but it may be their association with psychopathology that leads to suicide risk. Occasionally effective treatment results in the phenomenon of forced normalization wherein seizures are controlled but mental status deteriorates, sometimes dramatically so [11]. Vigabatrin has been associated with depression, but most newer antiepileptic drugs are either psychiatrically benign or even beneficial, i.e. divalproex and
Speciation and evolutionary dynamics of asymmetric mating preference

Asymmetric mating preferences occur in two closely related species, if females of one species are highly selective against males of the second, while females of the second show less selection against males of the first species. It has been suggested that such asymmetry is an indicator of common ancestry between the two species, but actual observations are contradictory and inconclusive. We developed a scenario of speciation history and asymmetric mating preference, incorporating invasion dynamicsvia frequency-dependent interspecific sexual competition. A newly isolated (derived) species may form at the periphery of the ancestral species’ distribution by invading a new range. Only a few closely related species would be expected in the new area, while many related species are expected to coexist with the ancestral species. In a peripherally derived species, female mating preferences should be relaxed through sexual character release, owing to a lack of sympatric species and a scarcity of intraspecific mating opportunities. Secondary contacts may then happen as: 1. repeated invasions, i.e. subsequent invasion by the ancestral species into the new range or, 2. backward invasions, i.e. derived species incursions into the ancestral range. Repeated invasions could lead to the coexistence of both the derived species and the newly invading ancestor. Backward invasions by the derived species can succeed only when the derived females develop a strict mating discrimination against the ancestral males. We then expect strong character displacement in the derived species. Thus, peripheral isolation and repeated invasions lead to the relaxed female mating preferences in the derived species and backward invasions lead to stronger female mating preferences in the derived species. This agrees withDrosophila data from Hawaii and the continents. Experimental data of theDrosophila arizonaemojavensis species cluster also support the hypothesis.
FemtoCaching: Wireless Content Delivery Through Distributed Caching Helpers

Video on-demand streaming from Internet-based servers is becoming one of the most important services offered by wireless networks today. In order to improve the area spectral efficiency of video transmission in cellular systems, small cells heterogeneous architectures (e.g., femtocells, WiFi off-loading) are being proposed, such that video traffic to nomadic users can be handled by short-range links to the nearest small cell access points (referred to as “helpers”). As the helper deployment density increases, the backhaul capacity becomes the system bottleneck. In order to alleviate such bottleneck we propose a system where helpers with low-rate backhaul but high storage capacity cache popular video files. Files not available from helpers are transmitted by the cellular base station. We analyze the optimum way of assigning files to the helpers, in order to minimize the expected downloading time for files. We distinguish between the uncoded case (where only complete files are stored) and the coded case, where segments of Fountain-encoded versions of the video files are stored at helpers. We show that the uncoded optimum file assignment is NP-hard, and develop a greedy strategy that is provably within a factor 2 of the optimum. Further, for a special case we provide an efficient algorithm achieving a provably better approximation ratio of 1-(1-1/d )d, where d is the maximum number of helpers a user can be connected to. We also show that the coded optimum cache assignment problem is convex that can be further reduced to a linear program. We present numerical results comparing the proposed schemes.
Dilatancy and Crustal Uplift

Opening of cracks before an earthquake (dilatancy) causes inelastic crustal uplift. Raising the pore pressure in these cracks as pore fluid diffuses into the dilatant zone produces further elastic uplift. Since the time between resaturation of the dilatant zone and the earthquake is shorter than the life of the v p /v s anomaly, the elastic uplift is less than the inelastic. The magnitude of the V p /v s anomaly gives a lower bound on the compressibility of the dilatant zone. Velocity and uplift measurements lead to the conclusion that if dilatancy occurred before the 1971 San Fernando earthquake, the pore pressure in the hypocentral region at the time of the event must have been at least an order of magnitude below hydrostatic.
Macromolecular complexes formed as the result of chloramine-T radioiodination of proteins.

Fibrlnogen has recentiy been shown to form macromolecular aggregates during radioiodination with chloramine-T. Decreased half-lives of chloramine-T radioiodinated fibrinogen have also been noted. The effects of chloramine-T on fibrinogen fragment D, fibrinopeptide A, albumin and gamma G globulin were studied to determine if aggregation is unique to fibrinogen. With fragment D and albumin, ICl-labelled protein had identical column behavior to the unlabelled protelns. Chloramine-T labelled protein showed protein products of higher molecular weight than native Fg-D. Albumin was reacted with varylng amounts of chloramine-T in the absence of iodide. In high C-T concentrations, there was significant production of higher molecular weight species. These results suggest that use of standard chloramine- T radioiodination may result in macromolecular species which would be unsuitable for in vlvo purposes. It would seem desirable that any protein labelled with chloramine-T for in vivo studies should be examined for the presence of this type of subtle denaturation prior to use. (auth)
Self-replicating colloidal clusters

We construct schemes for self-replicating clusters of spherical particles, validated with computer simulations in a finite-temperature heat bath. Each particle has stickers uniformly distributed over its surface, and the rules for self-replication are encoded into the specificity and strength of interactions. Geometrical constraints imply that a compact cluster can copy itself only with help of a catalyst, a smaller cluster that increases the surface area to form a template. Replication efficiency requires optimizing interaction energies to destabilize all kinetic traps along the reaction pathway, as well as initiating a trigger event that specifies when the new cluster disassociates from its parent. Although there is a reasonably wide parameter range for self-replication, there is a subtle balance between the speed of the reaction, and the error rate. As a proof of principle, we construct interactions that self-replicate an octahedron, requiring a two-particle dimer for a catalyst. The resulting self-replication scheme is a hypercycle, and computer simulations confirm the exponential growth of both octahedron and catalyst replicas.
Comparative progesterone concentrations in two Peromyscus species.

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma progesterone concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in the oldfield mouse ( Peromyscus polionotus ) and the deermouse ( P. maniculatus ) at estrus and at 5-day intervals during pregnancy. 2. 2. P. polionotus had significantly higher progesterone levels, both at estrus and during gestation. 3. 3. The level was markedly less in female P. polionotus bearing interspecific (P. polionotus × P. maniculatus) hybrid conceptuses than in those with conspecific conceptuses. 4. 4. It is postulated that the reduced progesterone level in females bearing hybrid fetuses may be responsible for reproductive failure which regularly occurs when this cross is attempted. 5. 5. An endocrine difference of this magnitude could represent an incipient reproductive isolating mechanism.
Fragrance material review on alpha-terpineol

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of alpha-terpineol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.
Post-spawning egg care by a squid

Spying on a brooding deep-sea squid reveals that it cradles and aerates its eggs while they mature.
Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: Diet, Chemoprevention, and Lifestyle

This article focuses on preventing the initiation and promotion of neoplastic growth in colon cancer, particularly with dietary measures. A goal of dietary epidemiology is to identify chemopreventive agents and strategies. The effects of diet are analyzed by observational approaches and experimental dietary, nutritional, or chemopreventive interventions. Short-term trials that alter intermediate biomarkers that are more sensitive than the adenoma to interventions may be necessary. The same logic needs to be applied to chemoprevention. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, calcium, and selenium have some individual effects that could be potentiated if added together. The current evidence is that the combined effect of all three agents is modest, compared with the effects of screening, or even those of smoking cessation.
CROSS-OVER ELECTROPHORESIS OF ACID MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES.

WE wish to direct attention to a simple modification of an electrophoretic technique for acid mucopolysaccharides (AMP) which makes definition of zones clear. The equipment used is the Beckman ‘Microzone’ electrophoresis unit which permits the placing of constant volume samples (0.25 µl.) on buffer soaked strips of cellulose acetate.
Phantom imaging with a prototype phase contrast radiography system

This paper reports the results of our investigation in a phantom imaging experiments with a prototype phase contrast x-ray imaging system. Two types of phantoms, including a standard mammography phantom, and a contrast-detail phantom, were imaged, and the impact of the x-ray focal spot sizes and the magnification ratios were investigated. The images acquired with phase contrast prototype system shows better detectability as compared with the images acquired under conventional attenuation base x-ray imaging conditions.
Low-temperature 1,3-butadiene hydrogenation over supported Pt/3d/γ-Al2O3 bimetallic catalysts

Low-temperature 1,3-butadiene hydrogenation is used as a probe reaction to investigate the hydrogenation activity over several γ-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} supported Pt/3d (3d = Co, Ni, Cu) bimetallic catalysts. Batch and flow reactor studies are employed to quantify the kinetic activity and steady-state conversion, respectively, of each catalyst. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is utilized to characterize particle sizes and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements are performed to verify the Pt–3d bimetallic bond formation. Pulse carbon monoxide chemisorption measurements are also performed to characterize the number of active sites. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are included to determine the binding energies of 1,3-butadiene and atomic hydrogen on the corresponding model surfaces. The binding energies of the adsorbates are found to correlate with the hydrogenation activity, allowing for use of such correlation to potentially predict hydrogenation catalysts with enhanced activity based on the binding energies of the adsorbates of interest.
Constraints on Galaxy Density Profiles from Strong Gravitational Lensing: The Case of B1933+503

We consider a wide range of parametric mass models for B1933+503, a 10-image radio lens, and identify shared properties of the models with the best fits. The approximate rotation curves vary by less than 8.5% from the average value between the innermost and the outermost image (1.5-4.1 h-1 kpc) for models within 1 σ of the best fit, and the radial dependence of the shear strength and angle also have common behavior for the best models. The time delay between images 1 and 6, the longest delay between the radio cores, is Δt = 10.6 h-1 days (Ω0 = 0.3, λ0 = 0.7), including all the modeling uncertainties. Deeper infrared observations, to more precisely register the lens galaxy with the radio images and to measure the properties of the Einstein ring image of the radio source's host galaxy, would significantly improve the model constraints and further reduce the uncertainties in the mass distribution and time delay.
High-speed DSP applied to a multimedia chip set

The hardware portion of the Harris Semiconductor Personal Computer Multimedia System is a 5 chip set which implements, in conjunction with a host processor and associated software and firmware, a complete H.320 video teleconferencing capability over ISDN 2B lines. The chip is comprised of a PAL/NTSC Video Encoder, a PAL/NTSC Video Decoder, a Video Codec, a Bus Interface and Audio Processor chip, and an Audio Codec. All 5 chips in the set are implemented in a 0.5 or 0.6 micron CMOS process. Each of the chips implement digital signal processing algorithms of varying levels of complexity and flexibility. These levels range from standard interpolation and decimation filter implementations found on the Audio Codec to dual programmable digital signal processor cores found on the Bus Interface and Audio Processor chip. A top level description of the chip set architecture is presented, along with a functional description of a typical video teleconferencing system based on this chip set. This is followed by a top level description of the various digital signal processing architectures and approaches used in the individual chips in the chip set.
The significance of pulmonary infiltrates developing in patients receiving granulocyte transfusions

Summary. We reviewed a series of 109 patients given granulocyte transfusions between 1974 and 1978, to determine if pulmonary infiltrates developing during granulocyte transfusion therapy carried any specific prognostic significance. Eighteen patients developed new infiltrates while receiving granulocytes. Six of these patients died during the acute episode, an overall mortality rate no different from patients not developing new infiltrates. However, the subgroup with pulmonary infiltrates who died had some special features including: infiltrates that developed between 7 and 21 d after transfusions were begun; infiltrates that progressed or persisted during the period of transfusion; and infiltrates that were local rather than diffuse. Autopsies on five of the six patients who died revealed disseminated fungal infection in three, pulmonary haemorrhage in one, and alveolar hyaline membranes in association with Pseudomonas sepsis in one. Besides this high-risk group specific aetiologies could rarely be assigned for other more diffuse or earlier/later developing infiltrates, despite usual diagnostic studies. We conclude that local infiltrates developing more than 1 week after transfusions are begun are life threatening; they are often caused by resistant infectious organisms and would seem to represent a failure of granulocyte therapy. Aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are warranted in patients developing this kind of infiltrate while receiving granulocytes. Conversely, pulmonary infiltrates occurring early or longer than 3 weeks after granulocyte tranfusions are begun are not clinically ominous and may be a manifestation of the beneficial effect of granulocyte therapy.
Analysis of dihydrofolate reductase gene amplification in a methotrexate-resistant human tumor cell line

Detailed cytogenetic and molecular biologic studies have been performed on the human KB tumor cell line and four methotrexate-resistant subclones. Results are presented, demonstrating that the gene encoding the target enzyme dihydrofolate reductase is increasingly amplified in progressively methotrexate-resistant subclones, and that dihydrofolate reductase sequences are localized to a homogeneously staining region on chromosome 10q.
Robot‐aided functional imaging: Application to a motor learning study

The purpose of this study was to examine the neural activity underlying an implicit motor learning task. In particular, our goals were to determine whether initial phases of procedural learning of a motor task involve areas of the brain distinct from those involved in later phases of learning the task, and what changes in neural activity coincide with performance improvement. We describe a novel integration of robotic technology with functional brain imaging and its use in this study of implicit motor learning. A portable robotic device was used to generate forces that disturbed the subjects' arm movements, thereby generating a "virtual mechanical environment" that the subjects learned to manipulate. Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure indices of neural activity underlying learning of the motor task. Eight health, right-handed male subjects participated in the study. Results support the hypothesis that different stages of implicit learning (early and late implicit learning) occur in an orderly fashion, and that distinct neural structures may be involved in these different stages. In particular, neuroimaging results indicate that the cortico-striatal loop may play a significant role during early learning, and that the cortico-cerebellar loop may play a significant role during late learning.
The radical right in Romania: Political party evolution and the distancing of Romania from Europe

Abstract Increasingly, European radical right parties have capitalized on citizen dissatisfaction with the European Union institutions. As a new EU member, to what extent have supporters of the radical right in Romania turned away from Europe? I evaluate this question by tracking the evolution of radical right parties in Romania. I find that supporters of the radical right in Romania are generally do not support or do not trust the EU. The Greater Romania Party is well-positioned to expand its electoral base in the foreseeable future if it can widen its appeal to those Romanians who are ambivalent to the EU.
The human brain: Insights and puzzles

(1985). The human brain: Insights and puzzles. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 24, Learning and the Brain, pp. 91-94.
Development and Utilization of Ontologies in Design for Manufacturing

There are many challenges associated with the design and realization of fast changing highly customized products. One promising approach is to implement design for manufacturing (DFM) strategies aimed at reducing production costs without compromising product quality. For manufacturers doing business in a globally distributed market place, effective reuse and sharing of the DFM knowledge in a collaborative environment is essential. In recent years, ontologies are increasingly used for knowledge management in engineering. Here, ontology is defined as a formal specification of domain knowledge that can be used to define a set of data and structure that enables experts to share information in a domain of interest, to aid information reasoning, and to manage and reuse data. The primary goal of this paper is to put forward the process of ontology development and utilization for DFM and to study the most important phases in the process, including: the concept categorization and class hierarchy development, slot categorization and development, identification and realization of relations among slots, and methods to support knowledge capture and reuse. Four cases are presented to illustrate the promising use of a DFM ontology. These cases prove that the DFM ontology and the process of ontology development and utilization for the DFM can facilitate the reuse of existing data, find the inconsistency and errors in data, reduce the work associated with populating the knowledge base of the ontology, and help designers make decisions by considering complex technical and economical criteria.
Science Signaling Podcast: 11 May 2010

This is a conversation with David Matus and David Sherwood about a Research Article published in the 4 May 2010 issue of Science Signaling.
Autonomic response to auditory, visual and imagined stimuli in a systematic desensitization context.

Abstract Forty subjects were randomly assigned to one of two procedures, a systematic desensitization analogue (SD) and a non-relaxation control (NRC). All subjects experienced a fear-provoking stimulus (albino rat) in three different forms: auditory (verbal description), visual (slides) and visual imagery. Autonomic nervous system responses to the stimuli were monitored. No differences between the SD and the NRC groups were found with respect to autonomic response (electrodermal) to the feared stimuli and with respect to decrement in autonomic response (electrodermal and cardiovascular) over trials. Imagined stimuli elicited greater electrodermal and cardiovascular response than did visual and auditory stimuli, but there were no consistent differences among stimulus modalities in degree of autonomic response decrement over trials. It was found, however, that imagined and visual stimuli resulted in statistically significant autonomic response decrements notably more often than auditory stimuli, but not more often than one another. The results led to the conclusion that, in terms of the autonomic components of the fear response, external visual stimuli could be justifiably used in place of visual imagery in systematic desensitization.
Feeding rate of Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) as influenced by life stage and temperature.

Feeding rates of first-instar, second-instar, and adult female Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) at 20, 24, 28, 32, and 36°C were compared based on the passage of 14C-labeled inulin through the digestive tract. For all temperatures, second instars ingested the most followed by adult females and first instars. Second instars also were more sedentary on the feeding surface and probably made more feeding punctures through the feeding membrane. Within life stages, first and second instars increased their feeding rate to an optimum temperature of 29–30°C and decreased their feeding rate at higher temperatures, whereas adult females increased their feeding rate over the entire temperature range. Results suggest that second instars are likely to cause the most scarring to citrus fruit.
Evidence for phonon effects in the electronic bands of granular Fe3O4

Abstract The Verwey nonmetal to metal transition appears to be enhanced, rather than suppressed, in high quality granular Fe 3 O 4 samples. This indicates that even in a granular system magnon and phonon effects are present and cannot be completely suppressed. The implications of such interactions on the electron polarization of iron magnetite are discussed.
Building the skill-based corporation - the case of Combustion Engineering, 1982–1990

Abstract The purposes of this paper are: (1) to develop and present an original theory about skill-based strategy and corporate entrepreneurship, at the idiographic level of theorizing, based on the analysis of a single exemplary case study; (2) to examine how extant theories of strategic management and entrepreneurship are related to the case; and (3) to consider how the important concepts and processes discussed in the case analysis may be of relevance to both organizational research and managerial practice. A case study that explores the development and evolution, from 1982 until 1990, of Combustion Engineering's skill-base and its climate for entrepreneurial action is presented chronologically in three historical sections. At the end of each section commentary on ‘Applying extant concepts and theory and developing new perspectives’ is presented, which focuses on identifying and analyzing concepts than can be useful in a theory of skill-based strategy and entrepreneurial leadership. A discussion section closes the paper.
An Economic Injury Level Approach to Establishing the Intensity of Sea Lamprey Control in the Great Lakes

Abstract Tightening budgetary constraints have forced the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to reevaluate the effectiveness of its program to control sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus in the Great Lakes. One rational option requires setting target levels of control for each of the Great Lakes. This paper is an analysis of an economic injury level approach to setting a target level of control for Lake Ontario. Using a decision support system for the integrated management of sea lamprey in Lake Ontario, we show that calculation of optimal levels of adult sea lamprey is feasible, We calculate that the economic injury level of adult sea lampreys in Lake Ontario is 30,000 fish (95% confidence interval, 16,400–43,600). We predict that this level of abundance could be achieved with an annual application of 9,400 kg of the lampricide TFM. Relative to this standard, Lake Ontario is currently undertreated for sea lamprey control. Implementation of this approach to setting target levels will require further work on estima...