cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adverse Prenatal Exposures and Fetal Brain Development: Insights from Advanced Fetal MRI

Abstract Converging evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggest fetal vulnerability to adverse prenatal exposures increase the risk for neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and depression. Recent advances in fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have allowed us to characterize typical fetal brain growth trajectories in vivo as well as to interrogate structural and functional alterations associated with intrauterine exposures such as maternal stress, environmental toxins, drugs, and obesity. Here, we review proposed mechanisms how prenatal influences disrupt neurodevelopment, including the role played by maternal and fetal inflammatory responses. We summarize insights from MRI research in fetuses, highlight recent discoveries in normative fetal development using quantitative MRI techniques (i.e., three-dimensional volumetry, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, placental diffusion imaging, and functional imaging), and discuss how baseline trajectories are shaped by prenatal exposures.
Performance and Managerial Turnover: Evidence from Career Paths of Film Directors

Using a unique data set that covers the entire career path of film directors (managers) and contains project-specific measures of performance, we examine intertemporal patterns in managerial performance and turnover, and test the implications of job matching theories. We show that turnover is initially high but declines in the number of films (projects) completed. Further, we show that a performance metric constructed from the entire career history is the appropriate measure of re-hiring decisions, superior to a measure based on only the most recent performance. We estimate the marginal contribution of directors to the economic success of their films, and we find that this ability measure is increasing in the number of films made. Similarly, the budget or scale of the project is increasing in directors' experience. Overall, our evidence supports job matching based on continuously updated ability measures. Our findings also extend a larger literature on managerial turnover.
The 1976 Amendments to the Act Governing Collective Bargaining Between Teacher Organizations and Boards of Education in Connecticut: An Appraisal

In 1976, the Connecticut General Assembly amended the Teacher Negotiation Act in several significant ways. This Article reviews these amendments.
Differentiation of real functions

Darboux functions Darboux functions in the first class of Baire Continuity and approximate continuity of derivatives The extreme derivatives of a function Reconstruction of the primitive The Zahorski classes The problem of characterizing derivatives Derivatives a.e. and generalizations Transformations via homeomorphisms Generalized derivatives Monotonicity Stationary and determining sets Behavior of typical continuous functions Miscellaneous topics Recent developments Bibliography Supplementary bibliography Terminology index Notational index.
A biochemical signature for rapid recall of memory CD4 T cells.

Mechanisms for the rapid recall response mediated by memory T cells remain unknown. In this study, we present a novel, multiparameter analysis of TCR-coupled signaling and function in resting and activated naive and memory CD4 T cells, revealing a biochemical basis for immunological recall. We identify a striking elevation in expression of the proximal tyrosine kinase Zap70 in resting Ag-specific and polyclonal mouse memory vs naive CD4 T cells that is stably maintained independent of protein synthesis. Elevated Zap70 protein levels control effector function as IFN-γ production occurs exclusively from the Zap70 high fraction of activated T cells in vitro and in vivo, and specific down-modulation of Zap70 expression in memory CD4 T cells by small interfering RNA or protein inhibition significantly reduces rapid IFN-γ production. Downstream of Zap70, we show quantitative differences in distal phosphorylation associated with effector function in naive and memory subsets, with low accumulation of phosphorylation in memory T cells producing IFN-γ at early time points, contrasting extensive phosphorylation associated with IFN-γ production following sustained activation of naive T cells. Our results reveal a novel biochemical signature imparted to memory CD4 T cells enabling efficacious responses through increased Zap70 expression and reduced accumulation of downstream signaling events.
Advances in direct volume rendering for visualizing large 3D data sets from scientific and medical applications

Volume rendering permits the visualization of 3D structures without a prior segmentation process. Direct volume rendering is a key technology for visualizing large 3D data sets from scientific or medical applications. This technology employs the use of transfer functions to assign optical properties, such as color, opacity and shading, to original values of the data set being visualized. Thus, a transfer function is particular important to the quality of direct volume-rendered images. However, finding appropriate transfer functions is a tedious task, often done by trial and error. To alleviate these difficulties, efforts to assist in creating transfer functions and improve the efficiency of data exploration are being undertaken. This paper presents and discusses: (1) typical 3D scientific and medical data sets used for direct volume rendering; (2) methods of transfer function design for optimal volume rendering imaging, and (3) generation of automatic and semi-automatic transfer functions for large classes of scalar volume data. The paper also illustrates how direct volume visualization with automatically generated transfer functions, has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of time to segment medical and scientific large data sets as well as enhancing the real-time quality of imaging.
Mycorrhizal dependency of some endemic and endangered Hawaiian plant species

Four endemic species of Hawaiian plants were tested for their response to inoculation with a Hawaiian isolate of Glomus aggregatum (an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus [AMF]) when grown in a native soil with or without P added to achieve different soil-solution P levels. The endangered species (Sesbania tomentosa [Fabaceae] and Colubrina oppositifolia [Rhamnaceae]) and two nonendangered species (Bidens sandvicensis and B. asymmetrica 3 sandvicensis [Asteraceae]) were tested. When soil-solution P levels in greenhouse trials were similar to unfertilized field soils (e.g., 0.005‐0.020 mg P/L), shoots of inoculated plants were 2.1 to 7.0 times larger than noninoculated plants. Leaf tissue P levels and root biomass in these species showed similar responses to inoculation. Mycorrhizal dependencies ranging from 44 to 88% were measured when plants were grown in low-P soils and were 24‐42% in soil with P levels typical of highly productive agricultural soils. A survey of P levels in a variety of native (nonagricultural) Hawaiian soils indicated the widespread occurrence of P-limited sites (mean 5 0.010 mg P/L, range 5, 0.001‐0.030 mg P/L; N 5 41). The terms ‘‘ecological mycorrhizal dependency’’ (EMD) and ‘‘agricultural mycorrhizal dependency’’ (AMD) are introduced to refine the concept of mycorrhizal dependency.
Direct standardization of incidence rates in the presence of incomplete data

When comparing the disease incidence rates for several subpopulations, epidemiologists often use direct standardization to adjust for potential confounding variables. In population-based studies, however, the data are often incompletely classified with respect to membership in the subpopulations of interest. In such a situation, one often assumes that the cases with missing data have the same distribution as the complete cases, that is the data are missing completely at random. In this setting, we derive variance estimates for the directly standardized rates which account for the use of incomplete data. We illustrate the use of these methods with data from a study of the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer by immigrant status where birthplace data are often incomplete.
My Transplant is My Life: Compliance Status as a Moderator of Differential Susceptibility to Item Context Effects

A context effect experiment was embedded in a structured telephone survey of renal transplant recipients. Respondents received a specific question, "How satisfied are you with your transplant?," and a global assessment question, "How satisfied are you with life in general?.," under either contrast, assimilation, or control conditions. Importantly, context effects interacted with the treatment adherence status of respondents such that noncompliant recipients were less susceptible to the context manipulations. Results point to the importance of considering respondents' characteristics as potential moderators of item context effects and have implications for intervention strategies.
The politics of power: Electricity reform in India

Ongoing theft, corruption, and an artificially decreased pricing structure have made it nearly impossible for the state utilities in India to improve power service. As a result, industrial consumers across India exit the state-run system and rely on their own on-site power generation in order to ensure a consistent and reliable source of electricity. The 2003 Electricity Act encourages further power production from these captive plants through its open access clause. By encouraging the growth of these captive power plants, politicians in India set up a dual-track economy, whereby state-run and market-run production exist side-by-side. This strategy allows politicians to encourage private sector involvement in the electricity market, without jeopardizing the support of key political constituencies at the state level.
Feed-in tariff vs. renewable portfolio standard: An empirical test of their relative effectiveness in promoting wind capacity development

Abstract This paper examines the relative effectiveness of feed-in tariff (FIT) and Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in promoting wind capacity development using panel data. Conservative estimates suggest that, on average across countries, FIT increases total wind capacity more than RPS by a magnitude of about 1800 MW. When using time variant policy indicators, the difference between the two policies increases to nearly 2000 MW, roughly 8% of 2009 cumulative capacity in Germany. As for annual wind capacity since 2005, this paper has found no significant difference between FIT and RPS. It is also found that wind energy development responds to high electricity demand and high oil dependence.
Deformation-Induced Phase Transition and Superstructure Formation in Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Deformation-induced phase transitions and superstructure formation in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were studied by means of in-situ synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) as well as Raman spectroscopy. The deformation conditions involved uniaxial stretching of quenched PET films at a temperature just below its glass transition temperature (Tg), where a notable “plastic deformation” stage was observed. WAXD results indicated that the initial sample contained a “slush” structure (amorphous + nematic), whereby deformation induced oriented amorphous, nematic, smectic (C and quasi-A), and stable triclinic crystalline phases. SAXS results indicated that the fibrillar superstructure was formed upon the formation of oriented slush. In-situ Raman spectroscopic data revealed the orientation information on ethylene glycol and benzene ring as well as the gauche−trans transition in deformation of PET chains, which are in good agreement with X-ray results. A mechan...
That Texas Disease: Commodity Fetishism and Psychic Deprivation in The Hamlet

(2002). That Texas Disease: Commodity Fetishism and Psychic Deprivation in The Hamlet. Lit: Literature Interpretation Theory: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 69-90.
Advanced Mathematical Science of Ethnic Violence

Advancing peace and conflict studies into a quantitative science requires advanced mathematical methods and concepts. Lim, Metzler and Bar-Yam (2007, "LMB") provide a wavelet based method for predicting the location of violence in a country based upon the hypothesis that well mixed or well separated groups do not engage in violence, but intermediate sized groups without clear boundaries between them do. Wiedmann and Toft (2010, "WT") consider the remarkable quantitative success of LMB and question whether the methods used correctly evaluate their effectiveness. Here we provide some additional tests to address questions raised by WT. We confirm the quantitative success of LMB. Moreover, despite claiming to criticize LMB’s policy implications that suggest the separation of groups as a method of promoting peace, WT affirm that homogenous populations are not susceptible to violence. WT’s statement itself could be used to motivate a policy of separation. In contrast, LMB provide scientific precision that can guide policy makers in a choice of policy options in terms of geographical distributions and political boundaries, or the alternative of promoting the mixing of ethnic populations. Here we point to additional scientific support for the key policy implications.
The properties of a lipoteichoic acid antigen fromStreptococcus pyogenes

Abstract A glycerol teichoic acid antigen fromStreptococcus pyogenes 1-RP41 was determined to be composed of approximately 40% glycerol, 30% phosphate, 20% alanine, 4% glucose and 1.5% fatty acids. At least six fatty acids were reproducibly found with the C16 and Cb18 chain lengths predominating. Extracts of the lipoteichoic acid made from lyophilized cells by the usual method were shown by DEAE-cellulose chromatography to contain two physical forms of the antigen, one fatty-acylated and the other de-acylated. The former could be converted to the latter by partial hydrolysis removing the fatty acids and alanine. The two forms were observable in both two-dimensional immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. Moreover, they did not behave equivalently in quantitative precipitin reactions.
Mappings related to permutations

Abstract For each permutation of an interval of integers, a mapping is constructed with certain properties. Even for the infinite intervals N or Z , the result is constructive and easily implemented. A second algorithm is given and utilized to describe the resulting mapping for permutations of a particularly regular type. The question of existence of these mappings arises in proving that certain integral conditions imply various smoothness properties.
Refilling and Switching of Antiepileptic Drugs and Seizure-Related Events

We sought to estimate the risk of seizure-related events associated with refilling prescriptions for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and to estimate the effect of switching between brand-name and generic drugs or between two generic versions of the same drug. We conducted a case-crossover study using health-care databases from British Columbia, Canada, among AED users who had an emergency room visit or hospitalization for seizure (index seizure-related event), defined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9) codes 345.xx (epilepsy and recurrent seizures) and 780.3x (convulsions), between 1997 and 2005. AED prescription refilling itself was associated with 2.3-fold elevated odds of seizure-related events when the refill occurred within 21 days before the index event (odds ratio (OR) 2.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-3.44). The OR was 2.75 (95% CI 0.88-8.64) for refills that involved switching, yielding a refill-adjusted OR for switching of 1.19 (95% CI 0.35-3.99). Refilling the same AED prescription was associated with an elevated risk of seizure-related events whether or not the refill involved switching from a brand-name to a generic product.
Treatment of pyruvate carboxylase deficiency with high doses of citrate and aspartate.

A patient with severe pyruvate carboxylase deficiency presented at age 11 weeks with metabolic decompensation after routine immunization. She was comatose, had severe lactic acidemia (22 mM) and ketosis, low aspartate and glutamate, elevated citrulline and proline, and mild hyperammonemia. Head magnetic resonance imaging showed subdural hematomas and mild generalized brain atrophy. Biotin-unresponsive pyruvate carboxylase deficiency was diagnosed. To provide oxaloacetate, she was treated with high-dose citrate (7.5 mol/kg(-1)/day(-1)), aspartate (10 mmol/kg(-1)/day(-1)), and continuous drip feeding. Lactate and ketones diminished dramatically, and plasma amino acids normalized, except for arginine, which required supplementation. In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), glutamine remained low and lysine elevated, showing the treatment had not normalized brain chemistry. Metabolic decompensations, triggered by infections or fasting, diminished after the first year. They were characterized by severe lactic and ketoacidosis, hypernatremia, and a tendency to hypoglycemia. At age 3(1/2) years she has profound mental retardation, spasticity, and grand mal and myoclonic seizures only partially controlled by anticonvulsants. The new treatment regimen has helped maintain metabolic control, but the neurological outcome is still poor.
Forty Years of Forensic Interviewing of Children Suspected of Sexual Abuse, 1974–2014: Historical Benchmarks

This article describes the evolution of forensic interviewing as a method to determine whether or not a child has been sexually abused, focusing primarily on the United States. It notes that forensic interviewing practices are challenged to successfully identify children who have been sexually abused and successfully exclude children who have not been sexually abused. It describes models for child sexual abuse investigation, early writings and practices related to child interviews, and the development of forensic interview structures from scripted, to semi-structured, to flexible. The article discusses the controversies related appropriate questions and the use of media (e.g., anatomical dolls and drawings). It summarizes the characteristics of four important interview structures and describes their impact of the field of forensic interviewing. The article describes forensic interview training and the challenge of implementing training in forensic practice. The article concludes with a summary of progress and remaining controversies and with future challenges for the field of forensic interviewing.
160 Gbit/s adaptive dispersion equaliser using asynchronous chirp monitor with balanced dispersion configuration

Adaptive dispersion equalisation operating at 160 Gbit/s using an asynchronous chirp monitor with a balanced dispersion configuration is demonstrated for the first time. The dispersion fluctuation of an 80 km DSF was successfully eliminated over a temperature range of 40°C (from 5 to 45°C).
Ventricular Resynchronization in Refractory Heart Failure

The use of a multisite transvenous pacemaker in a patient with refractory heart failure who experienced short-term symptomatic improvement is described. The improvement in heart failure symptoms was most likely related to resynchronization of atrioventricular and interventricular asynchrony. Large, multicenter, randomized trials of this technology are being performed to evaluate the importance of this therapeutic modality in the treatment of heart failure. (CHF. 2000;6:333‐336) ©2000 by CHF, Inc.
Silicon Oxidation During Bilayer Resist Etching

Steady-state etching rates and initial film losses were measured for two types of silicon-containing polymers (polysiloxanes and polysilyistyrenes) under a variety of oxygen plasma conditions. While steady state behavior was observed for most conditions, the silylstyrene resists showed higher etch rates than predicted from recent models. The deviations were explained by the fact that the oxidized layer formed from silylstyrene polymers has a large residual carbon content, and thus sputters at a rate higher than predicted for a stoichiometric SiO2 layer. The siloxane material showed good agreement with the model under all conditions and was determined to form a more SiO2-like oxidized layer. XPS analysis was used to monitor the conversion of carbon-bound silicon to oxidized species for the polysilylstyrenes. Conversion was more rapid and more complete when etching with higher ion energies. Polysilylmethylstyrene reached a steady-state oxide thickness between 3.4 and 5.8 nm, depending on etching conditions. A copolymer of this material with chloromethylstyrene showed a comparable thickness when etched at high ion energies, but did not reach a steady state when etched at conditions where the average ion energy was below 110 eV.
A 3KG Kicker Magnet System for the Tevatron Beam Abort System

We report on the design of the prototype kicker magnet system to be used in the abort channel of the Tevatron at Fermilab. The magnet has a peak field of 3kG, a 10-90% rise time of 1.5?s, and the field is greater than 90% of peak for 21?sec. The kicker magnetic energy is stored in a capacitor and resonantly discharged into the magnet inductance. When the magnet is completely charged a thyratron-ignitron combination is used to clip the recharge of the capacitor and circulate the current in the magnet.
Making non-volatile nanomagnet logic non-volatile

Field-coupled nanomagnets can offer significant energy savings at iso-performance versus CMOS equivalents. Magnetic logic could be integrated with CMOS, operate in environments that CMOS cannot, and retain state without power. Clocking requirements lead to inherently pipelined circuits, and high throughput further improves application-level performance. However, bit conflicts -- that will occur in defect free, pipelined ensembles -- can make non-volatile logic volatile. Assuming a field-based clock, we present hardware designs to improve steady state non-volatility, and explain how design enhancements could increase clock energy. We then suggest materials-related design levers that could simultaneously deliver non-volatility and low clock energy.
Synthesis, photophysical properties, in vivo photosensitizing efficacy, and human serum albumin binding properties of some novel bacteriochlorins

The synthesis, photophysical characteristics, in vivo photosensitizing efficacy, human serum albumin (HSA) binding properties, and skin phototoxicity of some stable bacteriochlorins were investigated. The novel bacteriochlorins, obtained from chlorophyll-a, have long-wavelength absorptions in the range λmax = 734−758 nm. Preferential migration of ethyl over methyl substituents among ketobacteriochlorins obtained in the pinacol−pinacolone rearrangements of vic-dihydroxybacteriochlorins was confirmed by NOE studies. The bacteriochlorins show relatively low fluorescence quantum yields. Among all the bacteriochlorins the triplet states were quenched by ground state molecular oxygen in a relatively similar manner, yielding comparable singlet oxygen quantum yields. In preliminary in vivo studies (DBA/2 mice, transplanted with SMT/F tumors), ketobacteriochlorins were found to be more photodynamically active than the related vic-dihydroxy analogues. Replacement of the methyl ester functionalities with di-tert-but...
Ionization, electrode surfaces and discharges in SF 6 at extra-high-voltages

The influence on DC electrical performance of SF 6 gas from small protrusions on electrode surfaces has been investigated experimentally in a system of moderate size over the pressure range from 1/2 to 15 atm. abs. The protrusions used were steel or aluminum spheres with 0.079cm radius or a rod 10 times higher than its tip radius of 0.039cm. Over the complete voltage range, 100 kV to 1500 kV, good agreement was found between measured values and those calculated using a simple ionization development model for discharge initiation. This simple model was applied to calculate the effect of other protrusion shapes. In each case when the product of gas pressure times protrusion height above a flat electrode exceeded 80 atm-microns their presence decreased the breakdown stress. Scanning microscope views of the sphere tips after sparking showed microscopic protrusions which account for the deterioration found after the first spark.
The inhibition of nitric oxide-activated poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase attenuates transsynaptic alteration of spinal cord dorsal horn neurons and neuropathic pain in the rat

Transsynaptic alteration of spinal cord dorsal horn neurons characterized by hyperchromatosis of cytoplasm and nucleoplasm (so-called 'dark' neurons) occurs in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the common sciatic nerve. The incidence of dark neurons in CCI rats has been proposed to be mediated by glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. In the present study, we examined whether the inhibition of the nitric oxide (NO)-activated poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS), a nuclear enzyme critical to glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, would both reduce the incidence of dark neurons and attenuate behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain in CCI rats. Dark neurons were observed bilaterally (with ipsilateral predominance) within the spinal cord dorsal horn, particularly in laminae I-II, of rats 8 days after unilateral sciatic nerve ligation as compared to sham operated rats. The number of dark neurons in the dorsal horn was dose-dependently reduced in CCI rats receiving once daily intrathecal (i.t.) treatment with the PARS inhibitor benzamide (200 or 400 nmol, but not 100 nmol benzamide or saline) for 7 days. Consistent with the histological improvement, thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and low threshold mechano-allodynia also were reliably reduced in CCI rats treated with either 200 or 400 nmol benzamide. Neither dark neurons nor neuropathic pain behaviors were reliably affected by i.t. administration of either 800 nmol novobiocin (a mono(ADP-ribose) synthetase) or 800 nmol benzoic acid (the backbone structure of benzamide), indicating a selective effect of benzamide. Intrathecal treatment with an NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (40 nmol, but not its inactive D-isomer) utilizing the same benzamide treatment regimen resulted in similar reductions of both dark neurons and neuropathic pain behaviors in CCI rats. These results provide, for the first time, in vivo evidence indicating that benzamide is neuroprotective and that the PARS-mediated transsynaptic alteration of spinal cord dorsal horn neurons contributes to behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain in CCI rats. These observations may have general implications beyond treatment of neuropathic pain in that PARS-mediated neuronal alterations may play a significant role in glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity under many other circumstances.
Möglichkeiten der reputationserhaltenden Verwertung einer Marke

Der „Wert der Marke“ ist derzeit ein weit beachtetes Thema in der Marketingforschung. Darunter soll hier das Potenzial verstanden werden, welches durch den Verkauf der Markenrechte oder durch Preisaufschlage, die von den Nachfragern akzeptiert werden, aber auch durch Brand Extensions, Composite Branding, Werbeallianzen und dergleichen zu einem mehr oder minder hohen Gewinn fur das Unternehmen fuhrt. Die Marketingforschung beschaftigte sich auch bereits intensiv mit Brand Extensions oder Markenallianzen, jedoch vornehmlich aus dem Blickwinkel heraus, ob und unter welchen Bedingungen das Image eines anderen Produkts von der renommierten Marke profitieren kann. Im Vordergrund dieses Beitrags steht dagegen die Frage, ob bzw. unter welchen Bedingungen die Attraktivitat einer renommierten Marke Schaden nehmen wurde, wenn Brand Extensions vorgenommen, Co-Produkte angeboten oder Werbeallianzen eingegangen werden. Denn durch derartige Aktivitaten, mit denen eben „der Wert der Marke“ zur Gewinnerzielung verwertet wird, konnte sich die Attraktivitat der renommierten Marke verringern, was gleichzeitig die Investitionen in diese Marke zum Teil entwertet. In dieser Studie wird fur drei Aktivitatsbereiche, Brand Extensions, Composite Branding und Werbeallianzen mit unbekannten fremden Marken, untersucht, welche Effekte bei derartigen Masnahmen auf die Attraktivitat einer renommierten Dachmarke zu erwarten sind.
Distribution of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study

Background and Purpose—Little is known about the distribution of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores from patients with ischemic stroke sampled from population-based studies. We describe the distribution of NIHSS in ischemic stroke cases from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study. Methods—Within a biracial population of 1.3 million, all strokes among area residents in 2005 were ascertained by screening discharge records at local hospitals and outpatient clinics. A sampling scheme was developed to ascertain additional cases presenting to physician offices and nursing homes, not identified through the other sources. All confirmed ischemic stroke cases underwent chart abstraction, and a retrospective NIHSS (rNIHSS) score (range, 0–42) was generated on the basis of initial physician examination findings. Results—There were 2233 ischemic stroke cases identified during the 12-month study. The overall median rNIHSS score was 3 (interquartile range, 1–7). Median rNIHSS score was 3, 7...
Predation by the army ant Neivamyrmex rugulosus on the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex arizonensis

Summary. Raids by the army ant Neivamyrmex rugulosus (tribe Ecitonini) on a nest aggregation of the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex arizonensis (tribe Attini) resulted in major brood loss and partial destruction of the fungus-gardens in the attacked nests. T. arizonensis workers attempted to rescue their brood by carrying them to ad-hoc shelters under rocks above ground, but the army ants pursued the workers to retrieve much of the brood. Raids on single colonies lasted about half an hour, after which the escaped T. arizonensis workers returned to their nest with any rescued brood. Raids on single nests occurred repeatedly during the 24-hour period the army ants swept through the T. arizonensis nest aggregation. Compared to unraided colonies, raided colonies were left with only about 25 % of their brood. Army ant predation thus is an important source of brood loss to T. arizonensis and probably also to all attine ant species. The behavioral, morphological, and nest-architectural defenses of fungus-growing ants against army ant predation are discussed.
Nationalism and aggression

The term "nationalism," in its neutral, general sense, refers to the set of ideas and sentiments that forms the conceptual framework of national identity. National identity is one among many, often coexisting and overlapping identities occupational, religious, tribal, linguistic, territorial, class, gender, and more. But in the modern world, national identity constitutes what may be called the "fundamental identity," the identity that is believed to define the very essence of the individual, which the other identities one may have modify but slightly, and as a result these other identities are considered secondary. The world community today is a community of "nations"; modem societies are "nations" by definition, those societies that do not view themselves as nations are believed to be not (yet) modern, and, in many cases, loyalty to the "nation" lies at the basis of social solidarity and represents the strongest motive behind political mobilization. All contemporary "nations" are derived from entities that previously possessed quite different identities. The first nation was England, which became one in the sixteenth century. The United States of America, France, and Russia defined themselves as such in the eighteenth century. Most others followed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.1
Modulation of Polyglutamine Conformations and Dimer Formation by the N-Terminus of Huntingtin

Polyglutamine expansions within different proteins are associated with nine different neurodegenerative diseases. There is growing interest in understanding the roles of flanking sequences from disease-relevant proteins in the intrinsic conformational and aggregation properties of polyglutamine. We report results from atomistic simulations and circular dichroism experiments that quantify the effect of the N-terminal 17-residue (Nt17) segment of the huntingtin protein on polyglutamine conformations and intermolecular interactions. We show that the Nt17 segment and polyglutamine domains become increasingly disordered as polyglutamine length (N) increases in Nt17-Q(N) constructs. Hydrophobic groups within Nt17 become sequestered in intramolecular interdomain interfaces. We also show that the Nt17 segment suppresses the intrinsic propensity of polyglutamine aggregation. This inhibition arises from the incipient micellar structures adopted by monomeric forms of the peptides with Nt17 segments. The degree of intermolecular association increases with increasing polyglutamine length and is governed mainly by associations between polyglutamine domains. Comparative analysis of intermolecular associations for different polyglutamine-containing constructs leads to clearer interpretations of recently published experimental data. Our results suggest a framework for fibril formation and identify roles for flanking sequences in the modulation of polyglutamine aggregation.
The lessons from stakeholder theory for U.S. business leaders

Abstract It has been 20 years since Freeman [Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Marshfield, MA: Pittman Publishing.] first proposed his stakeholder approach to strategic management, which stated that corporations must consider the needs and demands not only of their shareholders but also those of a wide range of other external constituencies, or “stakeholders.” Examples of stakeholders include customers, employees, suppliers, and communities. Freeman's theory has generated an extensive body of research, including not only the efforts of the management researchers who have tested, revised, and refined the theory, but also the views of corporate executives who have used the stakeholder approach in their strategic planning. This article, based upon a review of that literature, identifies five important lessons from the stakeholder model for today's business leaders. These lessons are particularly timely, given the inappropriate behavior that has occurred in the business world during recent years.
Iodine catalyzed pyrolysis of dimethyl sulfide. Heats of formation of CH3SCH2I, the CH3SCH2 radical, and the pibond energy in CH2S

A kinetic study has been made of the gas phase, I2-catalyzed decomposition of (CH3)2S at 630–650 K. Some I2 is consumed initially, reaching a steady-state concentration. The initial major products are CH4 and CH2S together with small amounts of CH3SCH2I, CH3I, HI, and CS2. The initial reaction corresponds to a pseudo-equilibrium: accompanied by: and which brings (I2) into steady state and a final complex reaction: From the initial rate of I2 loss it is possible to obtain Arrhenius parameters for the iodination: We measure k1, (644 K) = 150 L/mol s and from both the Arrhenius plot and independent estimates A1 (644 K) = 1011.2 ± 0.3 L/mol s. Thus, E1 = 26.7 ± 1 kcal/mol. From the steady-state I2 concentration, an assumed mechanism and the known rate parameters for the CH3I/HI system. It is possible to deduce KA (644) = 3.8 × 10−2 with an uncertainty of a factor of 2. Using an estimated ΔS (644) = 4.2 ± 1.0 e.u. we find ΔHA (644) = 7.0 ± 1.1 kcal. With 〈ΔCPA〉644 = 1.2 this becomes: ΔHA(298) = 6.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. Then ΔH (CH3SCH2I) = 6.3 ± 1 kcal/mol. Making the assumption that E−1 = 1.0 ± 0.5 kcal/mol we find ΔH (644) = 25.7 ± 0.7 kcal/mol and with 〈ΔCPI〉 = 1.2; ΔH = 25.3 ± 0.8 kcal/mol. This gives ΔH (CH3SĊH2) = 35.6 ± 1.0 kcal/mol and DH (CH3SCH2H) = 96.6 ± 1.0 kcal/mol. This then yields Eπ(CH2S) = 52 ± 3 kcal. From the observed rate of pressure increase in the system and the preceding data k3, is calculated for the step CH3SCH2 CH3 + CH2S. From an estimated A-factor E3 is deduced and from the overall thermochemistry values for k−3 and E−3. A detailed mechanism is proposed for the I-atom catalyzed conversion of CH2S to CS2 + CH4.
Tectonics, Bathymetry, and Geomagnetism of the Southern Continental Borderland West of Baja California, Mexico

Bathymetric and magnetic ship surveys of the southern continental borderland (the southern portion of a submarine province of ridges and basins west of northern Baja California) reveal the following structural features: (1) a fault zone trending south-southeast from Islas Los Coronados to Bahia Todos Santos, (2) southeast-northwest faults within the borderland, especially a trend toward San Clemente Island, (3) the Santo Tomas fault zone trending west-southwest across the borderland from Bahfa Soledad [(1), (2) (?), and (3) are associated with the continental Agua Blanca fault], (4) several east-west fault zones, (5) faults along the seaward margin of the borderland, (6) very large geomagnetic anomalies associated with the present coast line, (7) north-south geomagnetic anomalies in the deep-sea crust, (8) many minor faults, and (9) broad folding of the borderland. The recorded seismicity is associated only with the first three. Most (if not all) of the faults are observed or interpreted to dip steeply. Many are observed or interpreted to have large strike-slip components of displacement in addition to obvious dip-slip components. Heat-flow measurements by Von Herzen (1964) reveal that heat flow increases to the east and probably indirectly causes the strength of the crust under the borderland to diminish to half the strength of the oceanic crust to the west where heat flow is normal. This largely explains the severe deformation of the borderland crust relative to the oceanic crust. The high heat flow helps to explain the ubiquitous volcanic rocks. Isostatic computations suggest a test for determining some structure and history of the underlying mantle. The development of the continental borderland apparently began in the Mesozoic and reached its peak during the Miocene Epoch. It is still proceeding. The borderland results from a combination of many processes including right-lateral faulting between the oceanic basin and the continent plus east-west dilation.
Ammonia photolysis on Jupiter

Ammonia photolysis under simulated Jovian conditions indicates that the photochemical reaction would rapidly convert all the ammonia of Jupiter to nitrogen even in a large excess of hydrogen. It is suggested that ammonia is observed because the planet's atmosphere is deep and hot and/or because electrical discharge phenomena are important.
The formation and growth of pressure solution seams in clastic rocks: A field and analytical study

Abstract Pressure solution seams (PSSs) are closing mode structures of localised dissolution resulting in a volume reduction. We present new observations constraining the processes by which PSSs initiate and grow in low porosity clastic rocks from southern Ireland. PSSs initiate as inter-granular PSSs at quartz grain to grain contacts. As quartz dissolves, clay remains as a residue along the contacts as well as filling the adjacent pores to form incipient PSSs involving multiple grain boundaries. Further lengthening and thickening occurs by lateral linkage and transverse coalescence of neighbouring segments of incipient PSSs. Multiple PSS segments are observed to concentrate in thin tabular zones that appear as single macroscopic PSSs visible in hand samples. Published numerical modelling results show the ability of both lateral and transverse growth of PSSs due to the presence of asperities on their flanks, which confirm our interpretations based on our laboratory and field observations.
On the Quest for Knowledge and the Duty to Know

The “social” component of economics comprises environmental concerns, employment needs, developmental musts and any agenda that results from differences in economic systems. Why is there so little in common between problems raised in the textbooks and the tools and objectives emerging from established economic theory? It is concluded that, although we cannot always predict the outcomes of our actions, we should be aware of the underlying dangers and of the limitations incumbent on their pursuit.
Cosmogenic nuclear reactions in iron meteorites

Abstract The cosmogenic He 3 , He 4 , Ne 21 , Ne 22 , Ar 36 and Ar 38 isotopes have been measured mass spectrometrically in seven ataxites and one octahedrite. An attempt at analysis of these and previous data is made based on nuclear reactions induced by high-energy protons. A combination of He 3 /He 4 , He 3 /Ar 38 and Ne 21 /Ar 38 ratios are used as a measure of the energy and intensity of the incident radiation. Factors contributing to anomalous ratios are discussed. Exposure ages are deduced on the basis of these ratios, total isotopic abundances, and previously measured Cl 36 values.
On an Optical Inertial Navigation System—Part II

In part I, we developed the optical transfer function of the lens-fiber system for quasi-monochromatic, incoherent excitation, and studied the properties of the kernel function. We also studied the cross-talk between the fibers of the lens-fiber system for a worker bee and an artificial eye, and showed that it is not significant. This allows us in this paper, to consider a mathematical idealization of a corneal surface as a continuum of lens-fiber systems. We consider this surface to be a regular immersion of class rges 2 that is the image in R3 of a simply connected, open set in R2. We study the change in the power propagated in the fiber due to virtual motions of the corneal surface and show that for motion along the axis, the power propagated is invariant. Finally, we show that the ego-motion estimation problem is well-posed for sufficiently rich quasi-monochromatic, incoherent excitation on an allowable, regular corneal surface, and further show that the solution does not depend on the parameterization of the surfaces or the parameters of the aircraft (such as mass and inertia matrix) on which the ONS is mounted.
Analysis of trajectory errors in integrating ordinary differential equations

Abstract A method of analyzing and interpreting trajectory errors in the numerical solution of ordinary differential equations by digital computers is discussed. Truncation in integrating a set of differential equations leads to errors in the trajectory of the solution. An explanation is given for the use of diagrams in the complex plane to evaluate errors in the trajectory, with a discussion of the properties of a number of frequently used integration formulas via the diagrams. The diagrams portray the characteristics of an integration method in more detail than do the absolutely stable regions presented by Dahlquist. Based on the diagrams, guidelines are listed as to how to choose a proper integration formula for the given set of differential equations. A method is presented to check whether or not the numerical solution is satisfactory.
Multiple sclerosis and postural control: the role of spasticity.

Abstract Sosnoff JJ, Shin S, Motl RW. Multiple sclerosis and postural control: the role of spasticity. Objectives To examine the association between spasticity and postural control in subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design Cross-sectional. Setting Motor control laboratory. Participants Subjects with MS (n=16, 2 male) and age and sex-matched subjects (n=16) participated in the investigation. All subjects with MS had Expanded Disability Status Scale scores between 0 and 4.5 and modified Ashworth scale scores between 1 and 3. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Postural control was measured with a force platform that quantifies ground reaction forces and moments in mediolateral and anteroposterior directions. Postural control was indexed with anterior-posterior sway range, medial-lateral sway range, 95% elliptical area of the deviations of center of pressure (COP), velocity of COP sway, and the frequency at which 95% of spectral profile was contained. Participants with MS further underwent assessment of the soleus Hoffman reflex (H-reflex) as an index of spasticity. Results Cluster analysis on H-reflex data identified groups of MS participants with high spasticity (n=7) and low spasticity (n=9). There were no differences in age, duration of MS, and disease severity between MS groups. There were no differences in anterior-posterior sway range between any of the groups. The high spasticity group had greater COP area, velocity, and mediolateral sway compared with the low spasticity and control group, and the low spasticity group had postural control values between the high spasticity and control groups. Conclusions The pattern of results suggests that spasticity contributes to postural deficits observed in MS.
Glutamatergic Neurotransmission Expression Profiling in the Mouse Hippocampus After Perforant-Path Transection

Objective The goal is to determine cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate regenerative and neurodegenerative responses within the adult mouse dentate gyrus after axotomy of the principal glutamatergic input, the perforant path (PP). Methods A “molecular fingerprint” of the dentate gyrus was generated to provide an extensive, concurrent representation of genes, with an emphasis on glutamate receptor subunits and related markers of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Reorganization of the hippocampal formation was evaluated by regional microdissection of the dentate gyrus, followed by terminal continuation RNA amplification and custom-designed cDNA microarray analysis after unilateral PP transections at five time-points (0, 1, 10, 14, and 30 days post-lesion). Gene-expression profiles garnered from the ipsilateral side of PP transected hippocampal formation (including the dentate gyrus) were compared and contrasted with those of naive subjects, sham surgical subjects, and mice subjected to unilateral occipital cortex lesions. Specific gene array observations were validated by immunoblot analysis. Results Results indicated selective regulation of specific transcripts, including AMPA and NMDA glutamate-receptor subunits, excitatory amino acid transporters, glutamate receptor interacting protein genes, and glial-associated markers across the time-course of the lesion study. Conclusion The goal was to identify messenger RNAs from specific classes of relevant transcripts that change over time in relationship to the synaptic and cellular alterations to help understand mechanisms that underlie lesion-induced synaptic plasticity.