cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revisiting William Morris Davis and Walther Penck to Propose a General Model of Slope ‘Evolution’ in Deserts

Based on research from slopes on rhyolite domes of known age formed over a million-year continuum in eastern California, a classic geomorphic debate is reconsidered and a general model of desert slope development proposed. This study examines steep (∼25° to ∼35°) boulder-dominated slopes that include well, varnished, vertically oriented colluvial deposits. Such deposits are common throughout the arid southwestern United States. Basic field and isotopic dating methods are combined with two surface-dating techniques, cosmogenic chlorine-36 and rock varnish microlaminae, to produce a detailed slope development history with broad implications for geomorphic theory that includes the unresolved geomorphic debate between Walther Penck and William Morris Davis. Slopes in this study are dominated by the on-going desert slope processes of debris flows and in-situ grain disintegration as evidenced by active debris flow features, terminal Pleistocene ages of microlaminae, and chlorine-36 ages progressively younger th...
An unnatural PIP simulates growth factor signaling.

In this issue of Chemistry & Biology , Laketa et al. describe the synthesis of a membrane permeant phosphoinositide lipid that acts to stimulate PI(3,4,5)P 3 -dependent signaling without the need of growth factor stimulation.
Centrosome Maturation and Mitotic Spindle Assembly in C. elegans Require SPD-5, a Protein with Multiple Coiled-Coil Domains

The maternally expressed C. elegans gene spd-5 encodes a centrosomal protein with multiple coiled-coil domains. During mitosis in mutants with reduced levels of SPD-5, microtubules assemble but radiate from condensed chromosomes without forming a spindle, and mitosis fails. SPD-5 is required for the centrosomal localization of gamma-tubulin, XMAP-215, and Aurora A kinase family members, but SPD-5 accumulates at centrosomes in mutants lacking these proteins. Furthermore, SPD-5 interacts genetically with a dynein heavy chain. We propose that SPD-5, along with dynein, is required for centrosome maturation and mitotic spindle assembly.
A resource delegation framework for software defined networks

In this paper we address the problem of multi-domain multi-provider SDN-based networks and propose an architecture for controlling them using a collection of agents responsible for ownership and use of SDN resources. Instead of posing the problem in terms of controller coordination for the purpose of establishing connections across the network, we propose to treat it as a resource-management problem with explicit delegations of consumable resources by domains to the users of those resources. The advantage of our approach is in explicitly exposing the resource delegation abstraction. It exposes the control of network elements in different domains by different controllers and permits generalizing several existing multi-domain architectures, making the selection of which one to apply a deployment choice, rather than an architectural principle. We propose a rigorous algebraic formulation for the SDN resource delegation problem and describe the prototyping work in implementing this framework and some of its applications.
High rooting frequency and functional analysis of GUS and GFP expression in transgenic Medicago truncatula A17

Summary • An effective transformation method is described for Medicago truncatula A17, verifying its suitability as a model legume for functional genomics. • Media and culture methods are detailed that yielded an average frequency of 35% for recovery of transgenic shoots from cotyledonary node explants and 39% for root induction and regeneration of entire plants from 419 phosphinothricin-resistant shoots. • Fertile plants transgenic for both 35S-GFP and phas-GUS were obtained in five of eight independent experiments. The presence and stable inheritance of transgenes was confirmed by GFP or GUS expression and by genomic DNA blots. GFP expression driven by the normally constitutive CaMV 35S promoter diminished as the leaves matured. Although GUS was very strongly and uniformly expressed in seed cotyledons of most lines, one line exhibited an aberrant, patchy pattern. Additionally, weak GUS expression was evident in leaf veins from the normally stringently spatially regulated phas promoter. • Stably transformed, fertile, M. truncatula A17 plants were generated. The unconventional expression patterns for 35S-GFP and phas-GUS expression obtained in some transformants suggest the occurrence of novel epigenetic events.
Physiological adaptations to weight loss and factors favouring weight regain

Obesity is a major global health problem and predisposes individuals to several comorbidities that can affect life expectancy. Interventions based on lifestyle modification (for example, improved diet and exercise) are integral components in the management of obesity. However, although weight loss can be achieved through dietary restriction and/or increased physical activity, over the long term many individuals regain weight. The aim of this article is to review the research into the processes and mechanisms that underpin weight regain after weight loss and comment on future strategies to address them. Maintenance of body weight is regulated by the interaction of a number of processes, encompassing homoeostatic, environmental and behavioural factors. In homoeostatic regulation, the hypothalamus has a central role in integrating signals regarding food intake, energy balance and body weight, while an 'obesogenic' environment and behavioural patterns exert effects on the amount and type of food intake and physical activity. The roles of other environmental factors are also now being considered, including sleep debt and iatrogenic effects of medications, many of which warrant further investigation. Unfortunately, physiological adaptations to weight loss favour weight regain. These changes include perturbations in the levels of circulating appetite-related hormones and energy homoeostasis, in addition to alterations in nutrient metabolism and subjective appetite. To maintain weight loss, individuals must adhere to behaviours that counteract physiological adaptations and other factors favouring weight regain. It is difficult to overcome physiology with behaviour. Weight loss medications and surgery change the physiology of body weight regulation and are the best chance for long-term success. An increased understanding of the physiology of weight loss and regain will underpin the development of future strategies to support overweight and obese individuals in their efforts to achieve and maintain weight loss.
Laryngeal mini-microflap: A new technique and reassessment of the microflap saga

Vocal fold surgical technique has advanced substantially because of increased knowledge regarding anatomy and physiology of phonation and because of technological improvements. However, many new techniques have been based on anecdote and "common sense," largely because there is no good experimental model for vocal fold surgery since the human is the only species with a vocal ligament. Consequently, our earlier pronouncements require careful reexamination especially as new research adds to our fund of knowledge. Review of the principles and results of laryngeal microflap surgery suggests that there may be important shortcomings in the technique. A new mini-microflap technique appears better, as does limited mucosal resection. This is a preliminary report, and further investigation is needed.
Detecting Sugarcane yellow leaf virus infection in asymptomatic leaves with hyperspectral remote sensing and associated leaf pigment changes

Sugarcane infected with Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) rarely produces visual symptoms until late in the growing season. High-resolution, hyperspectral reflectance data from SCYLV-infected and non-infected leaves of two cultivars, LCP 85-384 and Ho 95-988, were measured and analyzed on 13 July, 12 October, and 4 November 2005. All plants were asymptomatic. Infection was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Results from discriminant analysis showed that leaf reflectance was effective at predicting SCYLV infection in 73% of the cases in both cultivars using resubstitution and 63% and 62% in LCP 85-384 and Ho 95-988, respectively, using cross-validation. Predictive equations were improved when data from sampling dates were analyzed individually. SCYLV infection influenced the concentration of several leaf pigments including violaxanthin, beta-carotene, neoxanthin, and chlorophyll a. Pigment data were effective at predicting SCYLV infection in 80% of the samples in the combined data set using the derived discriminant function with resubstitution, and 71% with cross-validation. Although further research is needed to improve the accuracy of the predictive equations, the results of this study demonstrate the potential application of hyperspectral remote sensing as a rapid, field-based method of identifying SCYLV-infected sugarcane plants prior to symptom expression.
A holistic 3D finite element simulation model for thermoelectric power generator element

Abstract Harvesting the thermal energy stored in the ambient environment provides a potential sustainable energy source. Thermoelectric power generators have advantages of having no moving parts, being durable, and light-weighted. These unique features are advantageous for many applications (i.e., carry-on medical devices, embedded infrastructure sensors, aerospace, transportation, etc.). To ensure the efficient applications of thermoelectric energy harvesting system, the behaviors of such systems need to be fully understood. Finite element simulations provide important tools for such purpose. Although modeling the performance of thermoelectric modules has been conducted by many researchers, due to the complexity in solving the coupled problem, the influences of the effective Seebeck coefficient and carrier density variations on the performance of thermoelectric system are generally neglected. This results in an overestimation of the power generator performance under strong-ionization temperature region. This paper presents an advanced simulation model for thermoelectric elements that considers the effects of both factors. The mathematical basis of this model is firstly presented. Finite element simulations are then implemented on a thermoelectric power generator unit. The characteristics of the thermoelectric power generator and their relationship to its performance are discussed under different working temperature regions. The internal physics processes of the TEM harvester are analyzed from the results of computational simulations. The new model presented by this paper is more conservative than the traditional model in predicting the performance of TEM power generator working under strong-ionization region. By accounting for the mechanisms that are typically ignored or simplified in the existing models, this new model provides more holistic descriptions on the thermoelectric power generator behaviors and therefore potentially will further improve the accuracy in the computational simulations.
Cytokine/neurotrophin interaction in the aged central nervous system

Age-associated neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are characterised by neuronal impairment that leads to cognitive deficits. As certain affected neurons depend on trophic factors such as neurotrophins (NTs), impairment in NT function has been suggested to be a component of neuronal damage associated with such disorders. Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are also characterised by high levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the CNS. Because TNFα receptors and certain NT receptors share a high degree of homology and are capable of activating similar signalling pathways, one possibility is that altered cytokine levels may affect NT function in the aged or diseased CNS. Here we wish briefly to review the evidence suggesting a role for cytokine and NT in the onset of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases. We propose that cytokine/NT interactions may alter neuronal homeostasis, thus possibly contributing to some of the neuronal degeneration occurring during such age-associated CNS diseases.
Measurement of naproxen in human plasma by chip-based immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis.

An electrokinetic immunoassay performed in a chip-based capillary electrophoresis system is described for the rapid measurement of naproxen in human plasma. The system employs a fluorescently labeled antibody to capture and detect the analyte of interest within a 5 min total assay time with an LOD of 0.025 µg/mL and a saturation level of 450 µg/mL. The system compared well with a conventional HPLC technique but was found to be much faster. Application of the electrokinetic assay to the study of patients with allergy to naproxen demonstrated increased concentrations of the drug extending past the predicted elimination half-life. The portability of the system and its ability to process up to 18 samples per hour makes it suitable for use in emergency room situations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Crystal Structure of Sodium Nitrite, NaN O 2

The structure of NaN${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ was determined in order to test W. H. Zachariasen's prediction (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 53, 2123 (1931)) that the ${(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_{2})}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ group would be angular with 120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} between the N\ensuremath{\bigominus}O bonds. Powdered crystal, rotating crystal, and Laue data were used. The lattice is body-centered, orthorhombic, space group ${{C}_{2\ensuremath{\nu}}}^{20} (\mathrm{Imm})$, with a unit cell $a=3.55\mathrm{A}$, $b=5.56$, $c=5.37$ containing two molecules. From visually estimated intensities the positions of the atoms in fractions of unit cell dimensions are:
The Organization of Action Sequences: Evidence From a Relearning Task.

Abstract In two studies, the organization of sequential behavior in transcription typing was investigated. The design of the studies made it possible to test the hypothesis that sequential skill in typing resides only at an abstract, effector-independent level. Skilled typists (N = 12) learned to type on an altered keyboard in an experimental paradigm that allowed only certain components of the motor control system to adapt to the alterations. When performance was compared on a pretest and a posttest, various decrements in the typists' speed and accuracy were observed. The forms of these decrements provided evidence against a strong form of the effector-independent hypothesis.
Reply to Egel

I wish first to thank Richard Egel for sharing his thoughts during the drafting of his commentary. Richard Egel does not appear to have any substantive disagreement with the definitions I recommend using. Rather his note deepens the historical context of my comments. He also suggests that we should perhaps just accept different meanings between different fields and gives ‘homologous’ and ‘non-homologous’ recombination as an example where this is true.It should be clear from my article that I agree when the fields are disjoint, but as soon as two fields start merging, it is more useful to employ words that minimize confusion irrespective of whether everyone else follows your lead. The recombination example is interesting. In addition to the terms ‘homologous’ and ‘non-homologous’ recombination, there are the synonyms ‘equal’ and ‘unequal’ crossing over. There has thus been a linguistic gene duplication and, as a result, their meanings might be allowed to diverge profitably. I think there is nothing ambiguous about ‘equal’ and ‘unequal’ crossing over. The same cannot be said of ‘homologous’ and ‘non-homologous’ recombination. If I have an unequal crossing over between the alpha and beta haemoglobins what sense does it make to call it ‘non-homologous’ when the aligned genes at the cross-over site are homologous? Why not call it what it really is, namely paralogous recombination or paralogous crossing over? Surely this would improve both the accuracy and precision of communication among us.While on this soapbox, I would like to suggest that ‘invariant’ is an ambiguous word that is best avoided, having two common meanings, unvaried and invariable. If I observe a dozen aligned sequences and note that all of them have a methionine in position 80, I can correctly note that position 80 is unvaried (in the sample) but I cannot know, although I can believe, that it is invariable. The next sequence I examine might have an isoleucine at position 80, which would prove that the site is variable and thus not invariable. Varied and unvaried are, like similarity, observations whereas variable and invariable are inferences, like homology. The word ‘invariant’ is probably best avoided in molecular evolutionary studies.
Human neuroblastoma cell lines as models of catechol uptake.

Abstract This report compares the effect of antidepressants on the accumulation of [ 3 H]catecholamines in two human neuroblastoma cell lines, IMR-32 and SK-N-SH, and a rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC-12. Analysis of the catecholamine uptake system in SK-N-SH cells revealed that both [ 3 H]dopamine and [ 3 H]norepinephrine accumulated via a single competitive, saturable and apparently active process. Similar potencies exhibited by several inhibitors suggest that identical uptake systems exist in all 3 cell lines, with SK-N-SH cells being the most active. Although SK-N-SH and PC-12 cells have been reported to secrete dopamine in preference to other catecholamines, high intracellular concentrations of [ 3 H]norepinephrine were measurable after incubation with [ 3 H]dopamine. Additionally, [ 3 H]norepinephrine/[ 3 H]dopamine ratios increased with longer tracer incubations, in the presence of exogenous ascorbate and when including O-methylated metabolites. Moreover, accumulation of [ 3 H]catechols was competitively inhibited by various antidepressants, with maximal inhibition to 70% of control and K i s consistent with reported noradrenergic uptake 1 transport systems. Hence, the human neuroblastoma cell lines studied appear to serve as appropriate models of catechol reuptake processes in noradrenergic cells.
Speed discrimination under stabilized and normal viewing conditions

To determine whether speed discrimination improves when the retinal image is stabilized against the effects of eye movements, thresholds were measured under stabilized and normal viewing conditions. In the normal viewing conditions, eye movements were recorded and used to estimate retinal-image speeds. Stimulus reference speed for sinusoidal gratings varied from 0.5 to 8.0 deg/sec. Results showed that speed discrimination thresholds, expressed as Weber ratios, decreased with increasing stimulus speed for both the normal and stabilized viewing conditions. Stabilized viewing thresholds were higher than normal viewing thresholds only at the slowest stimulus reference speed. However, when speed discrimination thresholds were expressed as a function of the estimated retinal speed, there was no difference in thresholds for the stabilized and normal viewing conditions. A retinal-image model, whereby speed discrimination depends on retinal-image motion, explains the results.
Why alumni don't give: A qualitative study of what motivates non -donors to higher education

This project explores why non-donors do not give to their alma mater by interviewing 12 non-donors for an in-depth examination of their decision-making processes. The Van Slyke and Brooks (2005) model of alumni giving provides the conceptual framework. This study concludes that where donors and non-donors differ is in the ways in which they socially construct their college experiences to create their own realities. The stories they tell themselves and others about their college experiences and the values they attach to those stories create a reality in which giving does not fit. They tell themselves that the college is too expensive for them or their children today, that other charities need their money more, and that the education they received was a product for which they already paid. This reality becomes the narrative lens through which non-donors interpret and evaluate requests for donations to the college. Variables such as their reasons for attending college, how they fit college into their life and whether they viewed college as a commodity emerged as important themes in these non-donors’ narratives. Other process variables – who makes the giving decisions and how they prioritize giving – come into play for these non-donors as well. This study shows the need to include non-donors in research that explores factors that motivate alumni to give to their alma mater and confirms that examining the impact of demographic characteristics and experiences on alumni giving relies on oversimplified pictures of donors' and non-donors’ decision-making processes.
Prodigiosin in an Actinomycete

PRODIGIOSIN, the bright red pigment produced by organisms of the genus Serratia, is among the more conspicuous pigments extant in the microbial world. The chemical nature of prodigiosin has been the subject of extensive study and was defined as a tri-pyrrylmethene by Wrede and Rothhaas in 19341. Subsequent work has demonstrated that the pigment is actually composed of a number of separable components rather than the single entity supposed by earlier workers1. Although prodigiosin has been studied predominantly in the genus Serratia, the possible presence of the pigment in an actinomycete has been reported2. In the course of our isolating vast quantities of actinomycetes from soils collected throughout the world, a small number of orange-red pigmented Streptomyces were observed. This communication is concerned with the identification of the pigment produced by these actinomycetes as identical to that produced by Serratia marcescens.
COMPARING THEORIES, MEAL PLANS AND MACRONUTRIENT COMPOSITIONS OF POPULAR HIGH PROTEIN DIETS

High protein diets are perceived as being a homogeneous group. The objective of this paper was to analyze the theories, meal plans and macronutrient composition of the most popular high protein diets. The diets investigated include: Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, Protein Power, The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, Sugar Busters and Entering the Zone. The theory behind the diets is similar but the meal plans proposed are very different. All of the diets subscribe to the basic theory that obesity is due to hyperinsulinemia and/or insulin resistance. According to these diets, increased insulin levels result in excess carbohydrates being converted to fat and stored. Yet the mechanisms of controlling obesity differ between them, one states that benign dietary ketosis aids in dissolving stored fat, another states that decreasing frequency of carbohydrate containing foods results in lowered insulin release. These theories are discussed in detail. The dietary regimens prescribed in these diets are similar in their recommendation of lower carbohydrates, higher protein and higher fat. However, the recommendation levels of these macronutrients vary greatly among the diets. Recommended carbohydrate levels vary from approximately 5% to 40% of calories. The current recommendation for carbohydrates by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 55% of total calories. The protein levels display less variation ranging from 20% to 30%, and fat levels from 30% to 65%. USDA recommends 15% and 30%, respectively. Nutrition educators will benefit greatly by understanding these differences and articulating this information to their clients.
The First Structurally Characterized Monolithio Aluminum Amide Dimer

Herein is reported the first synthesis and structural characterization of a monolithio aluminum amide dimer: [Me2AlNLi(THF)2Ph]2. It is prepared by deprotonation of the corresponding neutral dimeric species [Me2AlNHPh]2 with tBuLi in THF in 78% yield. Characterization data include 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analysis, and a single crystal X-ray analysis. The crystal structure demonstrates that the lithium atoms are still associated with the molecule. The spectroscopic and structural data indicate that there is not a significant degree of π bonding between the Al and N atoms.
Methylphenidate treatment during pre- and periadolescence alters behavioral responses to emotional stimuli at adulthood.

Abstract Background Methylphenidate (MPH) is a psychomotor stimulant medication widely used for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given the extent of prescribed use of MPH, and because MPH interacts with the same brain pathways activated by drugs of abuse, most research has focused on assessing MPH's potential to alter an individual's risk for adult drug addiction. Data examining other potential long-term behavioral consequences of early MPH administration are lacking, however. Methods We investigated the long-term behavioral consequences of chronic administration of MPH (2.0 mg/kg) during pre- and periadolescent development in adult rats by assessing their behavioral reactivity to a variety of emotional stimuli. Results The MPH-treated animals were significantly less responsive to natural rewards such as sucrose, novelty-induced activity, and sex compared with vehicle-treated control animals. In contrast, MPH-treated animals were significantly more sensitive to stressful situations, showed increased anxiety-like behaviors, and had enhanced plasma levels of corticosterone. Conclusions Chronic exposure to MPH during development leads to decreased sensitivity to rewarding stimuli and results in enhanced responsivity to aversive situations. These results highlight the need for further research to improve understanding of the effects of stimulants on the developing nervous system and the potential enduring effects resulting from early-life drug exposure.
Continuous-time common-mode feedback for high-speed switched-capacitor networks

This paper deals with the design of a continuous-time common-mode feedback (CMFB) for switched-capacitor networks. Its reduced input capacitance decreases the capacitive load at the output of the fully differential amplifier, improving its achievable gain-bandwidth (GBW) product and slew rate. This topology is more suitable for high-speed switched-capacitor applications when compared to a conventional switched-capacitor CMFB, enabling operation at higher clock frequencies. Additionally, it provides a superior rejection to the negative power supply noise (PSRR/sup -/). The performance of the CMFB is demonstrated in the implementation of a second-order 10.7-MHz bandpass switched-capacitor filter and compared with that of an identical filter using the conventional switched-capacitor CMFB (SC-CMFB). The filter using the continuous-time CMFB reduces the error due to finite GBW and slew rate to less than 1% for clock frequencies up to 72 MHz while providing a dynamic range of 59 dB and a PSRR/sup -/>22 dB. Both circuits were fabricated in 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS technology.
Administrative Practice and the Waning Promise of Professionalism for Public Administration

For two decades public administration has considered a series of evolving conceptions of professionalism, designed to address some of the field's central concerns. The authors evaluate professionalism's ability to provide practitioners a sense of unity and purpose, to promote virtuous and competent administrative practice, to defend public administration's legitimate institutional role in governance, and to enhance the standing of the field in the eyes of the public and its representatives. They conclude that the professional ideal, even a revised professionalism that avoids explicit claims to autonomous practice, is one that the field should relinquish.
Evaluation of hydraulic lift in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm

Abstract Hydraulic lift (HL) in plants is defined as the redistribution of water from wetter to drier soil through the plant roots in response to soil water potential gradients. Water is released from the roots into the dry soil when transpiration is low (night) and reabsorbed by the plant when higher transpiration rates are resumed (daylight). It was hypothesized that since HL is not of sufficient magnitude to meet total transpirational demands, there may be sufficient water transferred to maintain viable roots in the surface soil in anticipation of root water uptake for plant development from rain events before it is lost to water evaporation and/or runoff. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants of diverse genetic backgrounds were grown in a split-root container with roots of one plant divided between the two adjacent soil volumes. The soil in one container was allowed to dry while the adjacent soil container remained wet for the duration of the tests. Cotton transpiration was lowered by covering the plant with black cloth for several hours while changes in soil water content were measured in both containers using calibrated soil water sensors. Results showed that water was transferred from the wet to the dry soil through the root system at low transpiration rates. There was also an indication of genetic diversity in the magnitude of HL that may be due to differences in root resistance to water flow since total root length for a particular genotype was either smaller in the dry soil or similar to total root length in the wet soil. The amount of water transferred was small, but when integrated over a soil depth represented an amount ranging from 11% to 32% of corresponding daily evapotranspiration rates of 2–6 mm d−1, respectively, which could presumably maintain root viability for additional root water uptake when made available. These results are important in dryland cotton production where additional transpiration represents increased lint yield and plant breeders may consider this trait in their selection of cotton germplasm with drought resistance.
Nonlocalizing imaging studies for hyperparathyroidism: where to explore first?

Background For patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), imaging studies are obtained to facilitate minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. If imaging studies are nonlocalizing, it is not known if exploration should begin on a particular side or gland location. Study Design A retrospective review of a prospective parathyroid database was performed. The cohort consists of pHPT patients who underwent initial parathyroidectomy between December 1999 and July 2010 and had all preoperative imaging studies reported as nonlocalizing (negative or indeterminate). Results Of 880 patients, 151 (17%) had nonlocalizing imaging studies. Reasons for starting exploration on a particular side were identified in 78 (52%) patients and included concomitant thyroid pathology (53%), suspicion on surgeon re-review of imaging (38%), or earlier thyroidectomy (9%). Exploration began on the right in 52%, the left in 42%, and was unknown in 6%. The surgeon had suspicion on imaging in 30 patients and correctly started on the side of pathology in 19 (63%). Hyperfunctioning glands were in eutopic locations in 144 patients (95%) and 3 had intrathyroidal glands. In 111 patients (74%) with single gland disease, median adenoma weight was 320 mg (range 80 to 8,210 mg). There was no difference in adenoma laterality (p = 0.7) or location (p = 0.8). Intraoperative parathyroid hormone criteria were met in 145 (96%) patients and 149 are eucalcemic at last follow-up; 2 (0.7%) patients have persistent disease. Conclusions In pHPT patients with nonlocalizing imaging, hyperfunctioning glands are not more frequently located on a particular side or anatomic position. Eutopic location is common and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring should be used to guide the extent of surgery.
Development and Testing of a Demand-Responsive Strategy for Traffic Signal Control

Traffic signal control in urban areas has a major impact on the performance of the transportation network. Existing computer-based traffic control systems are mostly of the First Generation type, i.e., they implement control strategies that were calculated off-line based on historical traffic flow information. The purpose of the study described in this paper was to develop and test demand-responsive traffic control strategies that can be implemented in real-time. Three different computer programs were developed: (1) A Dynamic Programing based program; (2) A heuristic search procedure; and (3) A rolling horizon strategy that is suitable for real-time implementation.
Estimating event rates in the presence of dating error with an application to lunar impacts

Abstract Radiometric ages of objects are often used to reconstruct historical variations in the rate function of geological events. Measurement error in such ages can lead to a bias in the estimated rate function. This paper describes a method for estimating the historical rate function that accounts for measurement error. The method is applied to the estimation of the rate of lunar impacts over the past 3.5 billion years from the argon–argon ages of 155 impact spherules. A simulation study of the performance of the method is also presented.
The Role of Moral Emotions in Predicting Support for Political Actions in Post-War Iraq

A web-based study of 393 undergraduates at a public university in the United States was conducted to examine the relationship between moral emotions (i.e., emotions that motivate prosocial tendencies) and support for political actions to assist Iraqi citizens after the Second Gulf War (2003-2004). Previous work on emotions and prosocial tendencies has focused on empathy. In the context of post-war Iraq, we found that while empathy predicted support for a number of different political actions that have the potential to advance the welfare of the Iraqi people (humanitarian action in particular), guilt over the U.S. invasion was an important predictor of support for reparative actions (i.e., restoring damage created by the U.S. military), and moral outrage toward Saddam Hussein and his regime was the best predictor of support for political actions to prevent future harm to the Iraqi people and to punish the perpetrators. Our findings demonstrate the utility of an emotion-specific framework for understanding why and what type of political actions individuals will support. And in contrast to the traditional view that emotions are an impediment to rationality, our findings suggest that they can serve as a potentially powerful vehicle for motivating political engagement among the citizenry. Language: en
Hypertension control rates: time for translation of guidelines into clinical practice.

i i p U o s o g c t he goal of effective blood pressure control is to prevent or delay the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, with a reultant increase in the quality and duration of a healthy ife. There has been some improvement in the treatment nd control of hypertension in the United States, as ocumented by the National Health and Nutritional ealth Survey (NHANES) (1999 –2000) (1). Fifty-nine ercent of adults aged 18 to 74 years were treated for high lood pressure, compared with 54% in NHANES III 1991–1994). Additionally, the NHANES IV study reorts that 34% of patients had blood pressure levels at the ecommended goal of 140/90 mm Hg, compared with 7% in NHANES III (1,2). The U.S. Department of ealth and Human services, in their Healthy People 2010 eport, has a goal of 50%. In clinical trials completed over he past 10 years, an average of 64% of participants chieved a blood pressure goal of 140/90 mm Hg. There are currently effective interventions for lifestyle odification and pharmacologic treatment to lower lood pressure (1,3). Although the combination of these trategies has been successful in clinical trials, it fails to get ranslated to the same level in clinical practice, as evienced by recent analyses (4,5). This failure is particuarly evident among ethnic minority populations and the lderly, who bear a disproportionately heavier burden of he morbidity and mortality resulting from a failure to chieve their blood pressure goal. Therefore, one must sk what are the most effective strategies to achieve blood ressure goals in the general population, and does “one ize fit all”. In the past, the reasons for poor rates of control of ypertension were largely attributed to patient-related actors, such as lack of awareness and knowledge of hyertension, lack of access to health care, low literacy rates, oor adherence to prescribed treatment and clinic visits, nd cost of drugs (6,7). Recent data, however, indicate hat other factors may be more central to the problem, ncluding decreased time for interaction between patients nd health care practitioners and the environment or seting where the interaction occurs (8). The importance of improving awareness of and access
Residual Stress Relief in Post-Weld Heat Treatment

This paper focuses on analysis of weld residual stress relief process during furnace-based uniform post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). Two classes of pressure vessel steels: 2-1/4CrMo and carbon steel are considered in seam weld configurations. It is found that the dominant mechanism for residual stress relief is the creep relaxation that occurs much earlier during a PWHT cycle than typically expected. This phenomenon is further confirmed by experimental data. After a large number of parametric analyses of various PWHT parameters, a simple form of relationship is proposed for relating residuals stress relief to a set of PWHT parameters for the two classes of steels. These parameters include PWHT ramp-up heating time, PWHT holding time, PWHT holding temperature, and weldment thickness.© 2008 ASME
Reform Studies: Political Science on the Firing Line

Political science has a long tradition of research into topics such as campaign finance and redistricting, but these separate efforts have only recently merged into something resembling a recognizable sub-field of political reform. One impetus for this new-found coherence has been the emergence of recent reform concerns regarding such matters as U.S. election administration, primary election procedures, conflict of interest situations, ballot restrictions on minor party candidates, and the need for transparency. The addition of the new on top of the still-unresolved, ongoing problems has yielded plenty of grist for the political science mill.
Effect of viscosity on Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities.

We consider the effect of viscosity on Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) and Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instabilities by deriving a moment equation for fluids with arbitrary density and viscosity profiles, including surface tension. We apply our result to the classical case of two semi-infinite fluids with densities ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{1}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{2}$ and viscosities ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{1}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{2}$. Treating a shock as an instantaneous acceleration we find that perturbations at the interface undergo damped oscillations when viscosity and surface tension are both present. For pure viscosity the amplitude \ensuremath{\eta}(t) evolves according to \ensuremath{\eta}(t)/\ensuremath{\eta}(0)=1+(\ensuremath{\Delta}vA/2k\ensuremath{\nu})(1-${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2\mathit{k}2}$\ensuremath{\nu}t) where \ensuremath{\Delta}v is the jump velocity imparted by the shock, A=(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{2}$-${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{1}$)/(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{2}$+${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{1}$), \ensuremath{\nu}=(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{1}$+${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{2}$)/(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{1}$+${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}_{2}$), k=2\ensuremath{\pi}/\ensuremath{\lambda} is the wave number of the perturbation, and t is time. We also consider the turbulent energy in accelerating fluids and calculate the reduction in ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{turbulent}}$ as a function of \ensuremath{\nu}, and propose experiments to measure the effect of viscosity on RT and RM instabilities.
Estrogen-induced gonadotropin surges in decerebrated female rhesus monkeys with medial basal hypothalamic peninsulae

Hypothalamic peninsulae, posteriorly continuous with the brain stem, were produced in ovariectomized rhesus monkeys by aspiration of the cerebral hemispheres and all brain structures anterior and dorsal to the optic chiasm. These preparations were sustained for 52 to 60 h postoperatively by maintaining blood gases and pH within physiological limits and by supporting arterial blood pressure, when necessary, with infusions of rhesus monkey blood and norepinephrine. The sc injection of estradiol benzoate (EB) to such animals upon completion of the ablation procedure was followed 18–24 h later by unambiguous surges of serum LH and FSH with durations in excess of 24 h. These findings are consonant with the view that the central components of the control system that initiates the preovulatory gonadotropin surge in the rhesus monkey are resident within the medial basal hypothalamic-hypophysial apparatus.
Dynamic origins of differential RNA binding function in two dsRBDs from the miRNA "microprocessor" complex.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) affect gene regulation by base pairing with mRNA and contribute to the control of cellular homeostasis. The first step in miRNA maturation is conducted in the nucleus by the “microprocessor” complex made up of an RNase III enzyme, Drosha, that contains one dsRNA binding domain (dsRBD), and DGCR8, that contains two dsRBDs in tandem. The crystal structure of DGCR8-Core (493−720), containing both dsRBDs, and the NMR solution structure of Drosha-dsRBD (1259−1337) have been reported, but the solution dynamics have not been explored for any of these dsRBDs. To better define the mechanism of dsRNA binding and thus the nuclear maturation step of miRNA processing, we report NMR spin relaxation and MD simulations of Drosha-dsRBD (1259−1337) and DGCR8-dsRBD1 (505−583). The study was motivated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) of the two dsRBDs, which showed that Drosha-dsRBD does not bind a representative miRNA but isolated DGCR8-dsRBD1 does (Kd = 9.4 ± 0.4 μM). Our results show tha...
The Rise and Demise of Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Defined Benefit Pension Plan (DBPP), once regarded as the gold standard of traditional corporate pension plans, has fallen upon hard times. Corporate sponsors regard the plans as financial drains, fountains of bad publicity, and targets for heavy-handed government regulation. Employees covered by the plans fear they will not deliver on the promises employers made to provide financial security after retirement. Legislative fixes for the system have hastened, not slowed down, the exodus of employers from DBPP. The authors of this paper agree that DBPP is, indeed, an endangered species in the private sector, but concur with the criticism that the conventional explanations for it – particularly in the trade literature – tend be self-serving, superficial and not convincing and often incomplete in their analysis. Using Porter’s model of competition to identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of competing influences we endorse the conclusion that the failure of DBPP is one of strategic choice by employers whose power and influence in the global economy is not effectively counter-balanced by labor, or by forces sympathetic to labor. The growing trend towards the Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP) is consonant with employers’ interests but a setback for employees who had to give up the “gold standard” (DBPP). Even the paradoxical effect of ERISA hastening the demise of the pension system it was created to reform is less puzzling when examined in the context of who had influence in drafting the legislation, writing regulations and enforcing the law.
Optimal design of stochastic production lines: A dynamic programming approach

We consider the problem of choosing the number and type of machines for each station in a new production line where the sequence of processes (i.e., manufacturing recipe) has already been established. We formulate a model to minimize cost (investment plus operating) subject to constraints on throughput and cycle time. Using queueing network approximations within a dynamic programming framework, we develop a line design algorithm that works in station-wise fashion. For computational tractability, we must discretize a continuous state space. However, we are able to compute bounds on the error in the cost function as a guide to the appropriate choice of grid size. We conclude by applying our algorithm to an industrial problem that motivated this work.
Synthesis and reactivity of oxygen ligated molybdenum(II) carbonyl complexes

Abstract Bis(acetylacetonate) and bis(tropolonate) complexes of MoII were synthesized by combining [NEt4][Mo(CO)4(I)3] and two equivalents of the ligand, followed by trapping with either an alkyne or phosphine. Alkyne complexes (trop)2Mo(CO)(PhC CH) (1b) and (acac)2Mo(CO)(PhC CR) (R = Me (2a), H (2b)) were characterized crystallographically. The alkyne ligands undergo rapid rotation at room temperature on the NMR time scale and the barrier to rotation for the butyne complexes (LX)2Mo(CO)(MeC CMe) (LX = trop (1c), acac (2c)) were measured by variable temperature NMR. The rotational barrier of the tropolonate derivative 1c is 1.6 kcal/mol lower than that of the acetylacetonate derivative 2c despite the fact that trop is both smaller and less basic than acac. The coordinated alkynes will readily undergo exchange with free alkyne in solution and, on a slower time scale, the CO ligand can be displaced to form the bis(alkyne) species (LX)2Mo(RC CR)2 (4). The CO ligand of (LX)2Mo(CO)(PhC CH) can also be readily displaced by P(OMe)3 to form (LX)2Mo(P(OMe)3)(PhC CH), but larger phosphorus donors do not react. Alkyne complexes 1 and 2 will oxidize in air to the d2 species (LX)2Mo(O)(RC CR) in which the alkyne has been rotated perpendicular to the Mo–O bond and locked in position. The synthesis of the (LX)2Mo(CO) fragment reported here provides access to oxygen ligated low-valent Mo species which have thus far remained elusive.
Lumbar Puncture Opening Pressure Is Not a Reliable Measure of Intracranial Pressure in Children

There is very little data correlating lumbar puncture pressures to formal intracranial pressure monitoring despite the widespread use of both procedures. The hypothesis was that lumbar puncture is a single-point measurement and hence it may not be a reliable evaluation of intracranial pressure. The study was therefore carried out to compare lumbar puncture opening pressures with the Camino® bolt intracranial pressure monitor in children. Twelve children with a mean age of 8.5 years who had both lumbar puncture and intracranial pressure monitoring were analyzed. The mean lumbar puncture opening pressure was 22.4 mm Hg versus a mean Camino bolt intracranial pressure of 7.8 mm Hg (P < .0001). Lumbar puncture therefore significantly overestimates the intracranial pressure in children. There were no complications from the intracranial pressure monitoring, and the procedure changed the treatment of all 12 children avoiding invasive operative procedures in most of the patients.