cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lowland forest collapse and early human impacts at the end of the African Humid Period at Lake Edward, equatorial East Africa

In Africa, the early Holocene was characterized by wetter, warmer conditions than today, followed by rapid aridification at ~5.2 ka. However, a lack of lowland vegetation records has prevented a detailed evaluation of forest response to Holocene climate change. Additionally, although modern vegetation communities are linked to human disturbance, few studies have addressed how prehistoric human activities helped engineer the character of modern African ecosystems. Understanding the architecture of lowland and highland forests is important to prevent further degradation from climate/land-use change. We present an 11,000 yr fossil pollen record from Lake Edward, Uganda. We show that Guineo-Congolian forests dominated the highlands and lowlands in equatorial East Africa in the early Holocene, highlighting the importance of rainfall and temperature in controlling forest communities. These forests remained until ~5.2 ka, when the climate became drier. The lacustrine ecosystem response to aridification was abrupt; however, forest decreased gradually, replaced by deciduous woodlands. Woodlands dominated until after an arid period at 2 ka; however, forest did not recover. Increased disturbance indicators and grasses suggest that the arrival of Iron Age people resulted in the modern fire-tolerant vegetation. Although late Holocene climate played a role in vegetation opening, the modern ecosystem architecture in East Africa is linked to early human activities.
An income tax withholding model: Pervasiveness of overpayment

The U.S. government mandates taxpayers remit taxes through a "pay as you go" system. Research indicates employees continue to overpay interim taxes, despite the inefficiencies of this form of forced savings. Theory holds that a rational individual would choose the minimum amount of withholdings prescribed by the tax code. We adopted Kahneman-Tversky (1979) prospect theory to show that, under reasonable conditions, individuals will continue to choose excessive withholdings. This paper is not an attempt to statistically justify prospect theory however; we argue that withholdings increase when the income tax rate increases and when beforetax income increases. Our model extends the income tax withholding literature by modeling a framework to determine an optimal withholding decision for taxpayers.
A game theoretic approach to promotion design in two-sided platforms

Two-sided platforms often face a high degree of uncertainty in the availability of their service providers, which can harm the profit of the platform as it may result in too many or too few providers available for service. We propose a game-theoretic approach to optimal promotion design as a means by which platforms can influence providers' availability. We consider a mass of service providers in a two-sided market, each can be either active or not. The price paid for a service is decreasing with the number of active providers and increasing with a known demand. A provider participates only if his expected earning, that is the expected price less a fixed percentage held as the commission by the platform, passes his reserved price. There are two types of uncertainties in reserved prices. An idiosyncratic uncertainty which models the variation of reserved prices across providers; And a systematic uncertainty, representing the uncertainty in the overall average reserved price, which also accounts for the uncertainty in the number of active providers. We view the decision making of providers as a global game of strategic substitutes. Focusing on the threshold equilibria of the game, we formulate the optimal promotion design as an infinite dimensional convex optimization problem, where we show that the optimal decreasing promotion program is a combination of a bonus at all prices and a low-price-only bonus.
PET/MRI in Brain Tumors

Neuroimaging plays a decisive role in the complex scenario of brain tumors management. Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) and the new advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, permits noninvasive tumor characterization, and a more targeted therapeutic approach, with the goal of ultimately improving prognosis. While MRI remains the mainstay technique for brain tumors imaging, PET aids complementing MRI in addressing those questions that remain unanswered, such as lesion grading, tumor extent delineation and treatment response evaluation, amongst the many. The novel hybrid PET/MRI system, combining the strengths of both imaging techniques, allows us to obtain structural, functional and molecular information of brain tumors in one single scan. This chapter will review the main features of different MR techniques and PET radiopharmaceuticals used in brain tumors imaging, describing in detail also the current applications of integrated PET/MRI systems and the advantages of the combined approach.
Depth distribution of roots of some perennial plants in the Nevada Test Site Area of the northern Mojave Desert

The root systems of 48 perennial plants, representing nine species from the Rock Valley area within the northern Mojave Desert, were excavated by 10 cm depth increments to determine, by depth of soil, the distribution of roots larger than about 1/2 mm diameter. The depth of the root zone of all species was relatively shallow and obviously limited by depth of penetration of precipitation (about 10 cm mean annual rainfall). There were species differences, however, in distribution of roots. Even though a sizeable proportion of the root systems was in the first 10 cm of soil, this portion consisted largely of multiple woody tap roots with relatively few small roots. In all cases except one (Krameria parvifolia Benth), more small roots were in the second 10 cm than in the first. From 50 to more than 80 percent of the total root systems were in the first 20 cm. In most cases the majority of small roots was found between 10 and 30 cm in depth. Very fine roots were sampled separately by depth and zone without regard for species because they could not be differentiatd by species. Relative depth distribution of very fine roots at Rock Valley for 0more » to 10, 10 to 20, and 20 to 30 cm, was about 17, 42, and 41 percent, respectively. The total for the first 20 cm was 59 percent. On a 22 April date, there were 335 kg/ha roots from winter annuals in the Rock Valley area; 19 percent of them were in the first 5 cm of soil in contrast to 8 percent in 10 cm of soil for perennials. On Pahute Mesa located in the southern Great Basin desert area of the Nevada Test Site in Artemisia tridentata Nutt. varr. tridentata, 8 percent of the roots was in the first 5 cm, indicating more shallow rooting compared with the northern Mojave Desert.« less
Heritability of treadmill running endurance in rats

Treadmill running was evaluated as a phenotype for selective breeding for high- and low-endurance performance from a starting population of 18 male and 24 female outbred Sprague-Dawley rats. Each r...
Extracts of Flourensia cernua reduce consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep.

Effects of three extracts (hexanes, ether, and ethanol) from tarbush (Flourensia cernua) on intake of alfalfa pellets by lambs were examined. Forty-five ewe lambs were fed one of five treatments for five days (randomized complete block, three lambs per block on each treatment). Treatments were alfalfa pellets (CON) or alfalfa pellets plus ethanol carrier (CAR), hexanes extract (HEX), ether extract (ETH), or ethanol extract (ETOH). Extracts were applied to alfalfa pellets at the same concentration as in an equivalent amount of tarbush (as fed basis) in experiment 1 and at 10-fold dilutions of that concentration in experiment 2. Treatments were isolated from tarbush leaves by using a sequential extraction with hexanes, diethyl ether, and 100% ethanol. Lambs received 640 g of alfalfa pellets (dry matter basis) each morning and intake was monitored during a 20-min interval. Lambs were maintained and fed alfalfa pellets (4.7% of body weight) as one group except during this interval. In experiment 1, mean intake by lambs during the 20-min interval was 361, 393, 204, 212, and 228 g for CON, CAR, HEX, ETH, and ETOH, respectively (SEM = 28.9). All three extracts decreased intake (P < 0.001) compared to CON or CAR. Intake did not differ among the three extracts (HEX, ETH, and ETOH) or between the two controls (CON and CAR). Mean intake did not differ among treatments in experiment 2 (468, 455, 389, 381, and 431 g for CON, CAR, HEX, ETH, and ETOH, respectively; SEM = 30.5; P = 0.187). Several compounds are probably responsible for the low palatability and differential use of tarbush typically exhibited by livestock.
Public Policy and Personal Aspects of Disability

Prologue: Specific rule based programs represent society’s response to individuals with disabilities. There is no clearly articulated or widely accepted overarching public policy. Existing programs in the United States have evolved from principles of social justice which (perhaps unwittingly) assign medically impaired persons to administrative categories. If they fit these categories, they qualify for compensation in lieu of earnings from work. Emerging principles view disability as a health state as much determined by environmental, social and personal factors as by medical impairment. Each person’s state of health has a different trajectory determined by individual circumstances which may or may not culminate in an inability to participate in social roles, including work.
Nanog: A New Recruit to the Embryonic Stem Cell Orchestra

In this issue of Cell, and add a new transcriptional operating system to the known Oct4 and Stat3 systems required for early embryonal stem cell potency and self-renewal. Nanog, a homeobox transcription factor, plays a crucial role in the second embryonic cell fate specification following formation of the blastocyst.
The moderating effect of self-compassion on relationships between performance and subsequent coping and motivation

In this investigation, self-compassion was examined as a potential moderator of relationships between athletes’ subjective appraisals of performance and coping or motivational outcomes after a perf...
Interdisciplinary Care Model: Cardiovascular Diseases and Oral Health

This chapter focuses on coronary heart disease that affects the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle, cerebrovascular disease that disrupts the blood supply to the brain causing strokes and peripheral arterial disease that cause disruption of blood vessels supplying arms and legs. Although the pathogenesis of these diseases is not fully understood because of the complexity, a present working hypothesis of the role of infections in CVDs has been proposed, in which chronic infections (for example oral diseases) increases the levels of inflammation leading to exacerbation of mechanisms driving pathogenesis of CVD and CVD-related events. The authors describe various published studies that support a role for poor oral health in stimulation of cardio metabolic risk factors, atherothrombotic/sclerotic disease and increasing mortality risk. Similarly, the oral microbiome has been shown to play an important role in altering the balance between health and disease. This chapter provides a review of the mounting evidence base that increasingly points to the relationship between oral disease and promotion of CVD. The chapter also highlights the role of technology to improve and aid in clinical decision making through a variety of applications.
Chemoprevention in hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes

Patients and families diagnosed with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes present with an accelerated carcinogenesis. In this scenario, screening measures and preventive interventions play a crucial role in modulating the cancer risk by decreasing its incidence and mortality. In this chapter we will provide an overview of the clinical evidence of chemopreventive interventions developed in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Lynch Syndrome. Specifically, we will present the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have been the most commonly studied agents in this field. Finally, we will discuss the latest clinical trials deploying targeted agents and modern NSAIDs in the context of prevention of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.
Asymmetric three-dimensional finite element analysis of a magnetically shielded room with access ports

As part of a new initiative in multimodal functional neuroimaging at Dartmouth, a novel design for an economical magnetically shielded room (MSR) has been custom fabricated and installed on site. A three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) model was developed in concert with the MSR for evaluation of critical aspects of the design and then determination of degaussing effectiveness. The FEA model generates a full three-dimensional map of the shielding factor as a function of frequency and is sensitive to the number, thickness, and spacing of wall shielding, as well as access ports such as the door, vents and feed through panel. This simulation uses quadratic vector Lagrange elements to solve for the total electric and magnetic potentials using a timeharmonic analysis. With this model, estimation of the spatial variation in the shielding factor for a modestly shielded room is demonstrated. The Dartmouth MSR has internal dimensions of 2.35m x 2.35m x 2.16m and has two high conductivity eddy current layers and one mu metal layer (two additional layers, one eddy current and one mu metal layer will be added in the near future). The simulation results indicate that the shielding factor at the center of the MSR does not vary significantly with incident angle of the applied magnetic field. However, spatial inhomogeneities in the shielding factor are evident near MSR access ports. The results of this simulation will be used in future work, where the degaussing of the room will be validated against modeling predictions. Our future modeling work will add a virtual patient and virtual instruments, electroencephalography (EEG), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), for evaluation of achievable multimodal contrast to noise.
Sampling general distributions with quasi-regular grids: Application to the vibrational spectra calculations.

We introduce a new method for sampling a general multidimensional distribution function Px using a quasiregular grid (QRG) of points xi (i = 1, …, N). This grid is constructed by minimizing a pairwise functional, ∑u(xi, xj) → min, with the short-range pair pseudopotential u(xi, xj), defined locally according to the underlying distribution P(x). While QRGs can be useful in many diverse areas of science, in this paper, we apply them to construct Gaussian basis sets in the context of solving the vibrational Schrodinger equation. Using some 2D and 3D model systems, we demonstrate that the resulting optimized Gaussian basis sets have properties superior to other choices explored previously in the literature.
Using Twitter to Track Unplanned School Closures: Georgia Public Schools, 2015-17.

OBJECTIVES: To aid emergency response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers monitor unplanned school closures (USCs) by conducting online systematic searches (OSS) to identify relevant publicly available reports. We examined the added utility of analyzing Twitter data to improve USC monitoring. METHODS: Georgia public school data were obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified school and district Twitter accounts with 1 or more tweets ever posted ("active"), and their USC-related tweets in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years. CDC researchers provided OSS-identified USC reports. Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multivariable logistic regression were computed. RESULTS: A majority (1,864/2,299) of Georgia public schools had, or were in a district with, active Twitter accounts in 2017. Among these schools, 638 were identified with USCs in 2015-16 (Twitter only, 222; OSS only, 2015; both, 201) and 981 in 2016-17 (Twitter only, 178; OSS only, 107; both, 696). The marginal benefit of adding Twitter as a data source was an increase in the number of schools identified with USCs by 53% (222/416) in 2015-16 and 22% (178/803) in 2016-17. CONCLUSIONS: Policy-makers may wish to consider the potential value of incorporating Twitter into existing USC monitoring systems.
Sensibilidad in vitro de cepas chilenas de Cryptococcus neoformans de origen clínico

Introduccion: Las infecciones por levaduras del genero Cryptococcus afectan principalmente a pacientes con inmunocompromiso celular. Han sido escasos los estudios de susceptibilidad realizados para este genero en Chile. Objetivos: Determinar la susceptibilidad in vitro a los antifungicos de uso habitual y evaluar la concordancia esencial entre susceptibilidad determinada por microdilucion en caldo y por difusion en agar con tiras comerciales. Materiales y Metodo: Estudio descriptivo de 21 cepas aisladas desde liquido cefalo-raquideo y sangre. La CIM 50 y 90 para fluconazol, voriconazol y anfotericina B se determino por microdilucion en caldo (Sensititre Yeast One®) y por difusion en agar con tiras comerciales (MIC Test Strips). Resultados: Todas las cepas correspondieron a C. neoformans . Los rangos de CIM 50 y 90 para cada antifungico estudiado fueron amplios por ambos metodos. La concordancia esencial entre microdilucion y difusion en agar con tiras comerciales fue de 24, 62 y 29 % para fluconazol, voriconazol y anfotericina B, respectivamente. Conclusiones : La prueba de Sensititre Yeast One® y la de difusion en agar con tiras comerciales, MIC Test Strips, tienen una pobre concordancia esencial para fluconazol y anfotericina B.
Diverse scientific benchmarks for implicit membrane energy functions

Abstract Energy functions are fundamental to biomolecular modeling. Their success depends on robust physical formalisms, efficient optimization, and high-resolution data for training and validation. Over the past 20 years, progress in each area has advanced soluble protein energy functions. Yet, energy functions for membrane proteins lag behind due to sparse and low-quality data, leading to overfit tools. To overcome this challenge, we assembled a suite of 12 tests on independent datasets varying in size, diversity, and resolution. The tests probe an energy function’s ability to capture membrane protein orientation, stability, sequence, and structure. Here, we present the tests and use the franklin2019 energy function to demonstrate them. We then present a vision for transforming these “small” datasets into “big data” that can be used for more sophisticated energy function optimization. The tests are available through the Rosetta Benchmark Server (https://benchmark.graylab.jhu.edu/) and GitHub (https://github.com/rfalford12/Implicit-Membrane-Energy-Function-Benchmark).
Hemodynamic and transcriptomic studies suggest early left ventricular dysfunction in a preclinical model of severe mitral regurgitation.

Abstract Objective Primary mitral regurgitation is a valvular lesion in which the left ventricular ejection fraction remains preserved for long periods, delaying a clinical trigger for mitral valve intervention. In this study, we sought to investigate whether adverse left ventricular remodeling occurs before a significant fall in ejection fraction and characterize these changes. Methods Sixty-five rats were induced with severe mitral regurgitation by puncturing the mitral valve leaflet with a 23-G needle using ultrasound guidance. Rats underwent longitudinal cardiac echocardiography at biweekly intervals and hearts explanted at 2 weeks (n = 15), 10 weeks (n = 15), 20 weeks (n = 15), and 40 weeks (n = 15). Sixty age- and weight-matched healthy rats were used as controls. Unbiased RNA-sequencing was performed at each terminal point. Results Regurgitant fraction was 40.99 ± 9.40%, with pulmonary flow reversal in the experimental group, and none in the control group. Significant fall in ejection fraction occurred at 14 weeks after mitral regurgitation induction. However, before 14 weeks, end-diastolic volume increased by 93.69 ± 52.38% (P Conclusions In this rodent model of mitral regurgitation, left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved for a long duration, yet rapid and severe left ventricular dilatation, and biological remodeling occurred before a clinically significant fall in ejection fraction.
Numerically modeling stochastic inflation in slow-roll and beyond

We present a complete numerical treatment of inflationary dynamics under the influence of stochastic corrections from sub-Hubble modes. We discuss how to exactly model the stochastic noise terms arising from the sub-Hubble quantum modes that give rise to the coarse-grained inflaton dynamics in the form of stochastic differential equations. The stochastic differential equations are solved event by event on a discrete time grid. We then compute the power spectrum of curvature perturbations that can be compared with the power spectrum computed in the traditional fashion using the Mukhanov-Sasaki equation by canonically quantizing the inflaton fluctuations. Our numerical procedure helps us to easily extend the formalism to ultra slow-roll inflation and study the possibility of primordial black hole formation.
Evidence of gene nucleotide composition favoring replication and growth in a fastidious plant pathogen.

Nucleotide composition (GC content) varies across bacteria species, genome regions, and specific genes. In Xylella fastidiosa, a vector-borne fastidious plant pathogen infecting multiple crops, GC content ranges between ∼51-52%; however, these values were gathered using limited genomic data. We evaluated GC content variations across X. fastidiosa subspecies fastidiosa (N = 194), subsp. pauca (N = 107), and subsp. multiplex (N = 39). Genomes were classified based on plant host and geographic origin; individual genes within each genome were classified based on gene function, strand, length, ortholog group, Core vs. Accessory, and Recombinant vs. Non-recombinant. GC content was calculated for each gene within each evaluated genome. The effects of genome and gene level variables were evaluated with a mixed effect ANOVA, and the marginal-GC content was calculated for each gene. Also, the correlation between gene-specific GC content vs. natural selection (dN/dS) and recombination/mutation (r/m) was estimated. Our analyses show that intra-genomic changes in nucleotide composition in X. fastidiosa are small and influenced by multiple variables. Higher AT-richness is observed in genes involved in replication and translation, and genes in the leading strand. In addition, we observed a negative correlation between high-AT and dN/dS in subsp. pauca. The relationship between recombination and GC content varied between core and accessory genes. We hypothesize that distinct evolutionary forces and energetic constraints both drive and limit these small variations in nucleotide composition.
A qualitative survey of household emergency preparedness for the elderly and the medically frail living in coastal urban communities.

Objective: To understand how elderly and medically frail adults have experienced disasters and how this experience impacts what they do now to prepare for disasters and to generate theory regarding the process through which community members prepare for disasters. Design: This study employed a qualitative descriptive methodology, Situational Analysis (SA), to explore the social processes of disaster preparedness in vulnerable community members. The Protective Action Decision Model was used to inspire the interview guide and initial coding of the data. Discourse analysis was performed on noninterview data. Setting: A coastal urban community heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Participants: Convenience sample of 33 elderly or medically frail community members. Results: Based on the findings, it was theorized that these community members are unprepared for disasters. Their lack of preparedness is due in large part to a lack of education on how best to prepare. If these community members are incidentally prepared, it is largely due to their past experience with disaster or their professional experience. The preparedness discourse did not recognize the extent to which elderly and medically frail populations rely on institutions and social support networks to meet their disaster resilience antecedents. Conclusions: Community interventions such as distributing disaster supply kits and offering evacuation assistance can help to overcome situational impediments to preparedness and provide the best chance for community members to survive disasters without becoming ill or injured. Study results can inform emergency plans and policy efforts to better meet the needs of these community members during disasters.
A review on the application and safety of non-thermal techniques on fresh produce and their products

Abstract Foodborne illnesses are major public health concerns affecting many people across the globe. Post-harvest wastage due to microbial contamination is a major cause for food loss in the fresh produce sector. These losses account for more than 25% even before produce reaches the consumer and contribute to economic loss and food insecurity. The benefits of eating fresh produce outweigh the disadvantages of production and waste because it occupies an important position in the food pyramid for its nutritional content. Many non-thermal and thermal techniques are used to reduce pathogenic microorganisms that contaminate fresh produce at the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages. While thermal techniques are efficient in achieving sufficient microbial stability, they significantly reduce nutritional content and freshness of the produce. At present, consumers prefer minimally processed foods with less nutritional loss and extended shelf-life. Researchers have studied several non-thermal techniques to meet the consumer preferences and some of them are commercialized. The application of these techniques depends on the food matrices and purpose. This review discusses mechanism of action, application and safety of non-thermal techniques such as pulsed light technology, high-pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electric fields (PEF) and irradiation used for the treatment of fresh produce and their advantages and disadvantages.
Confectionery gels: Gelling behavior and gel properties of gelatin in concentrated sugar solutions

Abstract Gummies are gelatin-based confectionery gel products where the sweeteners play vital roles in the product texture. This study focused on the impacts of sweeteners, which make up ~70–80% of the total solids, on the sol properties, gelling, and melting behaviors of gelatin (4–6%) gels. Gelling and melting properties of gelatin solutions with and without sweeteners (sucrose and glucose syrup) were characterized with rheology and differential scanning calorimetry, while the final gel texture and surface properties were analyzed with texture analyzer and tensiometer. In contrast to the plain systems without sweeteners, which gelled at around 22 °C and melted at 35 °C, the high-sweetener systems exhibited coil-to-helix transition at a higher temperature level, and the subsequent sol-gel transition depended greatly on the bulk viscosity. Below the sucrose-syrup level of 75.9%, the transition was observed at 34–43 °C; higher levels of saccharides postponed or inhibited the transition. The internal interactions of high-sugar gels were considerably weaker than the plain gels, suggesting smaller and more dispersed junction zones. The quantities of melting enthalpy and internal interactions increased with gelatin concentration but decreased with sucrose-syrup level, due to the high viscosity. Gel surfaces were generally hydrophobic (non-polar) except for the 4% gelatin gels, whose surface polarity increased with sugar level. Gel hardness and tackiness increased with gelatin concentration but did not change significantly with moisture/sugar content at 5–6% gelatin.
Emotional and Social Reactions to Genetic Disease

Known genetic diseases are numerous (2336 according to the 1975 edition of McKusick’s catalog), ranging over virtually every clinical category, and varying from those whose impact is relatively minor (such as brachydatyly) to the very severe (e.g., osteogenesis imperfecta). Sometimes the disease afflicting them is already well known by individuals who seek genetic counseling since they or their relatives may have had the disease for some time (e.g., Marfan’s syndrome). At other times, individuals may be in the process of learning about the disease for the first time during genetic counseling, since their child may have just been diagnosed as having the disease or problem (e.g., Down’s syndrome or Tay-Sachs). Therefore, the genetic counselor can expect to encounter a wide range of reactions to genetic disease, depending on the situation, the severity of the disease, and when individuals learned of the problem.
Origin and significance of ice-rafted detritus in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean

Piston core TN057-14 from the eastern Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean contains several layers rich in volcanic tephra that were deposited during the last glacial period. Comparison with nearby cores (TN057-13PC4/ODP Site 1094) indicates that these tephra layers are correlative with the South Atlantic (SA) ice-rafted detritus (IRD) layers identified by Kanfoush et al. (2000, 2002). We analyzed the tephra for major and trace elements as well as isotopic ratios of strontium, neodymium, and lead. The elemental and isotopic composition of all tephra layers examined indicates the South Sandwich Island volcanic arc (SSI) as their dominant source, with minor input from Bouvet Island. Similar analyses of clear mineral grains (mainly feldspars, quartz, and olivine) also point to the SSI as the main source. We conclude that tephra erupted from the SSI was first deposited as air fall on sea ice and multiyear ice and then secondarily rafted to the studied sites. Deposition of the tephra-rich IRD layers was controlled by changes in sea surface temperature and sea-ice conditions in the Polar Frontal Zone of the South Atlantic, rather than Antarctic ice sheet dynamics.
The association between unintended pregnancy and violence among incarcerated men and women.

Background: In this article, we examine the association between unintended pregnancy and individual and community level indicators of violence in a population of both women and men in the criminal justice system. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 290 women and 306 men in 3 correctional facilities in Kansas City and used logistic regression models to assess relationships between key independent variables and unintended pregnancy. Findings: In gender-specific logistic regression models, women with a history of intimate partner violence were 2.02 times more likely (CI 1.15, 3.56), and those with a history of sexual abuse before age 16 were 1.23 times more likely (CI 1.02–1.49) to have experienced unintended pregnancy. Men or their family members who were victimized by neighborhood violence were 1.82 times more likely to have experienced unintended pregnancy (CI 1.01, 3.28). Discussion: These findings suggest the need for gender and community-specific interventions that address the relations...
Air Traffic Control Using a Microwave Landing System

The performance of air traffic controllers using a simulated microwave landing system to control the landing of STOL aircraft is investigated. In a series of two experiments, controllers were asked to achieve a 60-sec separation between targets at the missed approach point when only two targets were on the simulated radar scope, and in the presence of 25 targets, with up to 10 on the screen at any one time. In both experiments, the presence of a ground wind is found to degrade separation performance, and an increased work load results in even greater separation variability, as the controllers did not have time to convert aircraft distances into times. In addition, curved courses are found to have an effect on performance. It is thus recommended that in order to create a practical air traffic control system with separation standards based on time, as in the MLS, controller work loads should be reduced and aircraft positions should be displayed with respect to time rather than distance.
Comments on the neutron electric dipole moment in the Weinberg model of CP-violation

Abstract The calculation of neutron EDM due to the exchange of neutral Higgs bosons is reconsidered. We find that, contrary to previous claims, both the scalar and the pseudoscalar Higgs nucleon couplings are not dominated by the heavy-quark contributions. The relevant pseudoscalar coupling is calculated by using the recent EMC data on the nucleon matrix element of the axial vector current; the scalar coupling incorporates the information contained in the πN sigma-term. The need for a proper treatment of the strange quark operators between the nucleon states is emphasized.
Reproductive Biology and Search Behavior of Amitus bennetti (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae), a Parasitoid of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Amitus bennetti Viggiani & Evans is a recently discovered parasitoid of whiteflies in the genus Bemisia, including the serious pests Bemisa tabaci (Gennadius) and Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring. The reproductive biology and the host searching behavior of A. bennetti was studied in the laboratory, using B. argentifolii as a host. The developmental time for A. bennetti from egg to adult at 27°C was 21.4 ± 0.2 d (range, 18–31 d). The primary behavioral pathway when searching for hosts was searching, grooming, host encounter, host antennation, followed by probing a host. Searching occupied 44.9% of the adults’ time budget, whereas grooming represented 27.1%. There was a significantly greater preference to antennate and probe 1st and 2nd instars than older instars. Average longevity of A. bennetti adults exposed to hosts was 6.3 ± 0.9 d (range, 3–11 d). Oviposition occurred on days 0–6 of adult life, but was concentrated in days 0–3. The average number of progeny produced in the daily fertility study was 78.8 ± 8.1 (range, 47–122) female offspring per female; no males were produced in any experiment or colony. Life tables were constructed assuming a preimaginal survival of 100%, and yielded a net reproductive rate ( R o) of 73.1, a cohort generation time ( T c) of 21.7 d, and an intrinsic rate of increase ( r m) of 0.199, the highest ever recorded for a parasitoid of Bemisia spp. This parasitoid may be a suitable candidate for use in inundative release programs targeting Bemisia spp. whiteflies.
VISUALLY EVOKED RESPONSE IN ANESTHETIZED MAN WITH AND WITHOUT INDUCED MUSCLE PARALYSIS.

The use of highly sensitive techniques for recording sensory evoked responses from the human scalp increases the likelihood that the potentials obtained contain electrical components not only from the underlying brain but also from skeletal muscle and other extraneuronal sources. Our concern over the observation of Bickford that the auditory evoked response in man has important skeletal muscle components, prompted us to study the effects of complete skeletal muscle paralysis on the visually evoked response ( VER ) in lightly anesthetized surgical patients. The effects of thiopental on the VER in man have been reported by Cig6nek ( 1961a,b ). Brazier ( 1960a,b ) also recorded the averaged visually evoked response in man and animals; she reported the modifications of the visually evoked response in animals by general anesthetics. A study of the effects of a variety of general anesthetics on the VER in man has been recently completed and is being reported elsewhere (Domino et al., 1963). Inasmuch as light general anesthesia (Stage 111, upper plane 1 after Guedel) does not markedly alter the VER in man, and in fact may enhance certain components, it was felt that surgical patients under general anesthesia could be used a.s subjects to determine the effect of skeletal muscle paralysis on the visually evoked response. Such an approach appeared justified and feasible by selecting patients in whom skeletal muscle paralysis had to be induced for tracheal intubation prior to surgery.
One laptop per child: vision vs. reality

The vision is being overwhelmed by the reality of business, politics, logistics, and competing interests worldwide.
Optimization of a 3'-minor groove binder-DNA probe targeting the uidA gene for rapid identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 using real-time PCR.

Abstract Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli are harmful human pathogens capable of causing bloody diarrhea and vomiting. An important serotype commonly associated with human illness is the E. coli O157:H7 serotype. Unlike other real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for identifying E. coli O157:H7, this study describes the development and optimization of a real-time PCR method targeting a conserved point mutation at +93 in the uidA (gusA) gene that is unique to O157:H7, distinguishing it from non-O157:H7 serotypes. A TET-labeled Minor Groove Binder (MGB) DNA probe was designed for use in a 5′ nuclease PCR assay. Using a panel of two E. coli O157:H7 strains, three E. coli non-O157:H7 strains, and one non-E. coli species, the assay was optimized for the specific detection of the E. coli O157:H7 strains. Optimal conditions were identified at high anneal/extend temperatures, low magnesium concentrations, and low probe concentrations, resulting in correct identification of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 strains. The improved specificity of MGB probes for single base pair mismatches such as the +93 uidA mutation provides a novel approach towards rapid identification of E. coli O157:H7.
Distribution of lactotroph subpopulations in different regions of the rat pituitary

In this study, we examined the distribution of lactotrophs in different regions of pituitaries of ovariectomized (OVX) rats either untreated or treated with estradiol, progesterone or a combination of estradiol and progesterone. Anterior pituitaries were cut into inner and outer zones. Each of these regions was enzymatically dispersed and the resulting cells subjected to density sedimentation through a discontinuous Percoll gradient. The light and heavy cell subpopulations obtained were compared with cells not subjected to Percoll (unseparated cells). Cell numbers were determined and prolactin positive cells were assessed by immunocytochemistry. In OVX rats, the percentage of lactotrophs in the unseparated cell fraction of the outer zone was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that in the inner zone. Estradiol increased the percentage of PRL cells in all cell populations, but the effect on inner zone light cells was significantly less than on any other type of cells. Progesterone given alone did not affect the percentage of lactotrophs in pituitary compared to untreated OVX rats nor did it alter the effects of estradiol. When the number of lactotrophs was calculated, the unseparated cells of inner and outer zone were equivalent except in the untreated OVX group where there was a significantly greater number of lactotrophs in the outer zone. In untreated OVX rats there was an equal distribution of lactotrophs between light and heavy cells in both inner and outer zones. Estradiol significantly increased the number of PRL cells in both zones and the effect was greater in the heavy cell fractions especially in the outer zone. In contrast, progesterone decreased the number of PRL positive cells in both zones and across cell types, but this effect was most pronounced in the outer zone. Progesterone also decreased the total pituitary cell number and this effect was greater than could be accounted for by the decrease in lactotroph numbers. We conclude that, except in untreated OVX rats, the numbers of lactotrophs in inner and outer zones are similar. The results also indicate that estradiol and progesterone can significantly alter the proportion and/or numbers of PRL positive cells within pituitary zones and may also affect cells that are not identified as PRL positive.
KINETICS OF COMPETITIVE INHIBITION OF NEUTRAL AMINO ACID TRANSPORT ACROSS THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER

— The transport of tryptophan across the blood-brain barrier is used as a specific example of a general approach by which rates of amino acid influx into brain may be predicted from existing concentrations of amino acids in plasma. The kinetics of inhibition of [14C]tryptophan transport by four natural neutral amino acids (phenylalanine, leucine, methionine, and valine) and one synthetic amino acid (α-methyl tyrosine) is studied with a tissue-sampling, single injection technique in the barbiturate-anesthetized rat. The equality of the K1 (determined from cross-inhibition studies) and the Km (determined from auto-inhibition data) for neutral amino acid transport indicate that these amino acids compete for a single transport site in accordance with the kinetics of competitive inhibition. Based on equations derived for competitive inhibition, apparent Km values are computed for the essential neutral amino acids from known data on amino acid transport Km and plasma concentrations. The apparent Km values make possible predictions of the in vivo rates of amino acid influx into brain based on given plasma amino acid concentrations. Finally, a method is presented for determining transport constants from saturation data obtained with single injection techniques.
Shape reconstruction from brightness functions

In this paper we address the problem of reconstructing the shape of a convex object from measurements of the area of its shadows in several directions. This type of very weak measurement is sometime referred to as the brightness function of the object, and may be observed in an imaging scenario by recording the total number of pixels where the object's image appears. These types of measurements, collected as a function of viewing angle, are also referred to as lightcurves in the astrophysics community, and are employed in estimating the shape of atmosphere less rotating bodies (e.g. asteroids). We address the problem of shape reconstruction from brightness functions by constructing a least-squares optimization framework for approximating the underlying shapes with polygons in 2-D, or polyhedra in 3-D, from noisy, and possibly sparse measurements of the brightness values.
A millimeter-wave SiGe power amplifier with highly selective image reject filter

This paper presents a fully integrated 8186GHz power amplifier (PA) fabricated in a 0.12 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology. Three cascode stages, followed by two common-emitter stages were utilized to achieve power gain of 30dB with 12dBm output power at 1dB compression and saturated power of 14dBm. Small signal characteristics show peak gain achieved at 86GHz with both input and output matching is better than −15dB from 77GHz to 87GHz. A 40dB image rejection is accomplished by a selective notch filter also integrated on chip. The PA's bias is applied by digitally adjustable bias circuits to provide process and temperature compensation and was measured in room temperature, 50°C and 85°C. It consumes quiescent currents of 120mA and 85mA from a 2V and 2.7V supplies respectively at 1dB compression and occupies area of 1.6mm2.
Case report. Pulmonary sequestration: The value of ultrasound

A child presented with a chest infection. A chest radiograph showed consolidation in the left lung base. This failed to clear in spite of adequate antibiotic therapy. Ultrasound examination (real-time) suggested pulmonary sequestration, and an aberrant blood supply was demonstrated. Subsequent angiography, surgery and pathological examination of the resected segment confirmed this.
Zinc toxicosis in a dog secondary to ingestion of pennies.

Zinc poisoning was identified in a 4-year-old dog secondary to ingestion and gastric retention of two pennies. The pennies were identified radiographically and were observed to dissolve almost completely over a 2-day period. The dog died 2 days after laparotomy and gastrotomy. Renal tubular necrosis and hepatic degeneration were identified histologically. Radiologists should be aware of the potential for intoxication from pennies and zinc nuts when these foreign objects are retained in the stomach.
On the film thickness dependence of shear strengths in sliding, boundary-layer friction

Abstract The density functional theory calculated pressure-dependent shear strength S of a four-layer slab of KCl on a Fe(1 0 0) substrate is compared to previous calculations for a bilayer slab to gauge the effect of film thickness on the shear properties of the film. It is found that the shear strength varies with pressure as S = S 0 + αP , where P is the contact pressure. The resulting calculated values for the four-layer slab are S 0 〈1 0〉 = 62 ± 15 and S 0 〈1 1〉 = 65 ± 11 MPa while α 〈1 0〉 and α 〈1 1〉 are 0.06 ± 0.01. The values are very close to those calculated for the bilayer slab of S 0 〈1 0〉 = 64 ± 9 and S 0 〈1 1〉 =69 ± 8 MPa and α 〈1 0〉 and α 〈1 1〉 of 0.05 ± 0.01, and in reasonable agreement with the experiment values. These results suggest that the thickness of the film does not have a profound effect on the shear properties.
Effectiveness of denial of handgun purchase to persons believed to be at high risk for firearm violence

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether denial of handgun purchase is an effective violence prevention strategy. METHODS: Individuals denied handgun purchase because of a prior felony conviction and handgun purchasers with a felony arrest at time of purchase were examined. RESULTS: Relative to those denied purchase, handgun purchasers were found to be at greater risk for subsequent offenses involving a gun (relative risk [RR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08, 1.36) or violence (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.39), after adjustment for number of prepurchase weapon/violence charges. CONCLUSIONS: Denial of handgun purchase to persons with a prior felony conviction may lower their rate of subsequent criminal activity.
Expression of Cytochrome P450-4A Isoforms in the Rat Cremaster Muscle Microcirculation

Objective: This study sought to identify any specific cytochrome P450 (CYP450) -4A enzyme isoforms expressed in arterioles and/or the surrounding parenchymal tissue of the rat cremaster muscle.Methods: RT-PCR was used to detect the presence of specific CYP450-4A isoforms in isolated muscle fibers and arterioles from the cremaster muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats; CYP450-4A protein expression was determined by Western blotting.Results: CYP450-4A3 mRNA was expressed in isolated muscle fibers and in cremasteric arterioles, while CYP450-4A8 mRNA was expressed only in cremasteric arterioles. CYP450-4A1 and CYP450-4A2 mRNA were not expressed in arterioles and skeletal muscle cells, although all four isoforms were strongly expressed in the liver. CYP450-4A protein was detected in both the isolated muscle fibers and in the isolated arterioles.Conclusions: The present study identifies the specific pattern of cytochrome P450-4A isoform expression in arterioles and parenchymal cells of the skeletal muscle microcirculat...