cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemic Meningococcemia and Purpura Fulminans with Induced Protein C Deficiency

Patients with epidemic infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C were studied to assess the relationship of abnormal coagulation parameters to prognosis. Patients were categorized into stages within the first hour of observation according to severity of illness. During the epidemic years 1986 through 1991, 113 patients with bacteriologically proven N. meningitidis infection were observed, 15 of whom died. Purpura fulminans was seen in 28 patients, of whom 14 (50%) died. Among the 14 surviving patients who had purpura fulminans, 10 suffered gangrene with deforming autoamputation secondary to the dermal microvascular thrombosis and hemorrhagic necrosis. Evaluation of the induced diffuse intravascular coagulation in 59 patients included studies of the naturally occurring anticoagulants, focusing on protein C and protein S. The magnitude of the declining levels of protein C, the degree of thrombocytopenia, and the presence of fibrin split products are directly related to the clinical severity of the illness (P = .0053). Thus, in individuals with severe disease expression, the risk of purpura fulminans with death or deformity was significantly increased when the platelet count was < 50,000 cells/mm3 (P = .0001) and protein C levels were low (P = .0158). The immaturity of the protein C system in children who are < 4 years of age may contribute to the rapid and more frequent pathogenesis of purpura fulminans. Therapy directed at replacement of the naturally occurring anticoagulants, such as protein C, may ultimately improve the prognosis for individuals with purpura fulminans.
NEW SPECIES AND COMBINATIONS IN HOUSTONIA (RUBIACEAE)

Two new species are described:Houstonia butterwickiae from Texas andH. teretifolia from Mexico, and two new combinations are made:H. acerosa subsp.polypremoides andH. mullerae.
The role of speech-gesture congruency and delay in remembering action events

When watching others describe events, does information from their speech and gestures affect our memory representations for the gist and surface form of the described events? Does our reliance on these memory representations change over time? Forty participants watched videos of stories narrated by an actor. Each story included three target events that differed in their speech-gesture congruency for particular actions (congruent speech/gesture, incongruent speech/gesture, or speech with no gesture). Participants had to reproduce target event sentences, prompted after delays of 2, 6, or 18 minutes. Seeing gestures, either congruent or incongruent, led to better gist recall (more mentions of the target action, more gestures for the target action, and more complete target events) compared to not seeing gestures. However, seeing incongruent gestures sometimes led to reproductions of the incongruent gestures, particularly after short delays, as well as inaccuracies in speech. Our results suggest that over time...
Fine-Granularity and Spatially-Adaptive Regularization for Projection-Based Image Deblurring

This paper studies two classes of regularization strategies to achieve an improved tradeoff between image recovery and noise suppression in projection-based image deblurring. The first is based on a simple fact that r-times Landweber iteration leads to a fixed level of regularization, which allows us to achieve fine-granularity control of projection-based iterative deblurring by varying the value r. The regularization behavior is explained by using the theory of Lagrangian multiplier for variational schemes. The second class of regularization strategy is based on the observation that various regularized filters can be viewed as nonexpansive mappings in the metric space. A deeper understanding about different regularization filters can be gained by probing into their asymptotic behavior-the fixed point of nonexpansive mappings. By making an analogy to the states of matter in statistical physics, we can observe that different image structures (smooth regions, regular edges and textures) correspond to different fixed points of nonexpansive mappings when the temperature(regularization) parameter varies. Such an analogy motivates us to propose a deterministic annealing based approach toward spatial adaptation in projection-based image deblurring. Significant performance improvements over the current state-of-the-art schemes have been observed in our experiments, which substantiates the effectiveness of the proposed regularization strategies.
The Integrator Complex Subunit 6 (Ints6) Confines the Dorsal Organizer in Vertebrate Embryogenesis

Dorsoventral patterning of the embryonic axis relies upon the mutual antagonism of competing signaling pathways to establish a balance between ventralizing BMP signaling and dorsal cell fate specification mediated by the organizer. In zebrafish, the initial embryo-wide domain of BMP signaling is refined into a morphogenetic gradient following activation dorsally of a maternal Wnt pathway. The accumulation of β-catenin in nuclei on the dorsal side of the embryo then leads to repression of BMP signaling dorsally and the induction of dorsal cell fates mediated by Nodal and FGF signaling. A separate Wnt pathway operates zygotically via Wnt8a to limit dorsal cell fate specification and maintain the expression of ventralizing genes in ventrolateral domains. We have isolated a recessive dorsalizing maternal-effect mutation disrupting the gene encoding Integrator Complex Subunit 6 (Ints6). Due to widespread de-repression of dorsal organizer genes, embryos from mutant mothers fail to maintain expression of BMP ligands, fail to fully express vox and ved, two mediators of Wnt8a, display delayed cell movements during gastrulation, and severe dorsalization. Consistent with radial dorsalization, affected embryos display multiple independent axial domains along with ectopic dorsal forerunner cells. Limiting Nodal signaling or restoring BMP signaling restores wild-type patterning to affected embryos. Our results are consistent with a novel role for Ints6 in restricting the vertebrate organizer to a dorsal domain in embryonic patterning.
Current- and spin-density-functional theory for inhomogeneous electronic systems in strong magnetic fields.

We formulate the current- and spin-density-functional theory for electronic systems in arbitrarily strong magnetic fields. A set of single-particle self-consistent equations which determine, in addition to the ground-state energy, the density, the spin density, the current density, and the spin-current density, is derived and is proved to be gauge invariant and to satisfy various physical requirements, including the continuity equation. For a magnetic field of constant direction in space, we prove that the exchange-correlation energy functional ${E}_{\mathrm{xc}}$[${n}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}$,${n}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$,${j}_{p\ensuremath{\uparrow}}$,${j}_{p\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$] ${n}_{m}$T (\ensuremath{\downarrow})r) is the \ensuremath{\uparrow} (\ensuremath{\downarrow}) component of the density and ${\mathrm{j}}_{\mathit{p}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\downarrow}})}$(r) is the \ensuremath{\uparrow} (\ensuremath{\downarrow}) component of the ``paramagnetic'' current density] is actually a functional of ${n}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}$(r), ${n}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$(r), ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}}$(r)\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{\nabla}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${\mathrm{j}}_{\mathrm{p}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}}$(r)/${\mathit{n}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}}$(r), and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}}$(r)\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{\nabla}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${\mathrm{j}}_{\mathrm{p}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}}$(r)/${\mathit{n}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}}$(r). An explicit form of ${E}_{\mathrm{xc}}$, which is local in ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}$(r) and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$(r), is derived from linear-response theory. The generalizations to finite-temperature ensembles and to magnetic fields of arbitrarily varying directions are presented.
Combinatorial algorithms for minimizing the weighted sum of completion times on a single machine

Abstract We study the problem of minimizing the weighted sum of completion times of jobs with release dates on a single machine with the aim of shedding new light on “the simplest (linear program) relaxation” (Queyranne and Schulz, 1994 [17] ). Specifically, we analyze a 3-competitive online algorithm (Megow and Schulz, 2004 [16] ), using dual fitting. In the offline setting, we develop a primal–dual algorithm with approximation guarantee 1 + 2 . The latter implies that the cost of the optimal schedule is within a factor of 1 + 2 of the cost of the optimal LP solution.
Upward flame spread along PMMA vertical corner walls Part II: Mechanism of “M” shape pyrolysis front formation

Abstract Flame spread behavior and the pyrolysis region spread characteristics along polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) vertical corner walls were studied in detail with an automated infrared (IR) imaging temperature measurement technique. The technique was recently developed for the measurement of transient pyrolysis temperature on both charring and noncharring materials. Temporal isotherms on large PMMA samples were successfully obtained, from which the progress rate of the pyrolysis front was automatically deduced. It was found that the pyrolysis front shape was always M shaped, i.e., no spread along the corner, and the maximum spread is within a few centimeters of the corner. Understanding of the mechanism of the M-shape formation is important in developing a prediction model of the spread rate. Four possible mechanisms, effect of ignition mode, effect of solid phase conduction heat loss, fire-induced flow cooling, and flame displacement effect, were identified. Four different experiments were designed to test each mechanism, among them the flame displacement effect, which causes a large heat loss in a nonflammable gas layer due to a poor mixing of pyrolysis products and air was found to be the principal mechanism. For an upwardly spreading fire, total heat flux distributions above the M-shape pyrolysis peak were measured by a Gardon-gauge heat flux meter, and visible flame height and pyrolysis front height were respectively measured by a video camera and the IR technique.
Should Two-Drug Initial Therapy for Hypertension Be Recommended for All Patients?

Hypertension is a common disorder linked to increases in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Effective treatment decreases this excess mortality. Therapy with a single antihypertensive agent fails to achieve blood pressure goals in up to 75 % of patients. Compared to monotherapy, combination antihypertensive therapy, especially with fixed-dose (single pill) formulations, may more effectively control blood pressure and improve medication persistence while decreasing adverse effects, healthcare costs, and physician therapeutic inertia. Certain combinations, such as a calcium channel blocker and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, have been associated with similar or fewer adverse effects and better outcomes than other combinations. In contrast, other combinations such as thiazide diuretics and β-blockers may cause more adverse effects than monotherapy. When choosing a thiazide diuretic, chlorthalidone is preferable to hydrochlorothiazide, given better efficacy and cardiovascular outcomes. Initial combination antihypertensive therapy may benefit patients with stage I or II hypertension and more widespread use should be encouraged.
Gravity wave heat fluxes - A Lagrangian approach

Abstract The effect of a vertically propagating, internal gravity wave on the vertical flux of potential temperature (heat) is considered by averaging the local heat flux vector over a potential temperature surface. This approach gives the wave heat flux a simple physical picture which is not readily apparent from the more common Eulerian formulation. This method also allows the eddy diffusion coefficient to be a function of the phase of the wave. Such a phase dependent eddy diffusion has been previously considered from an Eulerian viewpoint as a model of a convectively unstable gravity wave. Here, the Lagrangian method confirms and corrects the Eulerian results. Earlier work is extended by modeling a constant amplitude “breaking” wave, as well as by considering eddy diffusion coefficients that are asymmetric with respect to the wave breaking region. In all cases studied, 1ocalizing the eddy diffusion to the region of wayebreaking decreases the average heat flux.
Expatriate Adjustment and Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Managerial Practices

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effects of relations-oriented managerial behaviors on the relationship between two modes of expatriate adjustment—role innovation and personal change—and contextual performance. Using data from 194 expatriates and 505 of their subordinates, we found evidence of full mediation for the role innovation–performance relationship. For ratings of expatriate effectiveness, recognizing and team building behaviors appear to fully mediate the role innovation–performance relationship. For ratings of supervisor satisfaction, inspiring, supporting, and team building appear to fully mediate the role innovation–performance relationship. No significant results were found for the personal change–performance relationship. The results provide insights for extending current models of the expatriate adjustment process, and understanding the means by which expatriates fulfill their responsibilities.
Increasing information usability for climate adaptation: The role of knowledge networks and communities of practice

Abstract This paper examines the dissemination of climate knowledge among Great Lakes decision-makers, especially focusing on cross-scale processes to tailor knowledge to better fit decision contexts. It employs both network analysis of those involved with documents and events intended to integrate climate change information into policy production or practice and qualitative research to understand how climate information flows among stakeholders in the water quality sector, a policy area of great importance in the Great Lakes region. It finds that the network consists of centralized regional-scale work surrounded by more dispersed specialized and local work that has developed over time. Our interviews reveal that overlaps between these scales produce more usable knowledge as potential users form their own specialized networks which operate as communities of practice that further tailor information to match particular application needs. We propose a model of this process that describes how the development of usable information works in a continuum, with each step furthering usability at the regional level. This model outlines the potential for knowledge networks and communities of practice to not only drive the use of information in particular decision contexts, but also provide a critical means to inform regional work and scale up the production of usable information about climate change.
MicroRNA-mediated regulation of synaptic palmitoylation: shrinking fat spines.

Local regulation of protein translation is essential for synaptic plasticity. MicroRNA-mediated alteration in expression of an enzyme that regulates the palmitoylation of a specific synaptic protein determines dendritic spine size.
Using Asphalt Mixture Beams in the Bending Beam Rheometer

ABSTRACT The paper is presented to validate the use of asphalt mixture beams in the Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) test. Experimental work was performed to address the concerns regarding the sources of variability of using asphalt mixture beams for the BBR tests. The dimensional differences on the accuracy of deflections of a beam are evaluated using finite element method and statistical analyses. The effect of air voids on the overall stiffness of asphalt mixtures is found to be less significant at low temperatures through the volumetric measurements on three nominal maximum aggregate sizes NMAS (i.e., 12.5 mm, 9.5 mm, and 4.75 mm) mixture beams. The homoscedasticity of variances among the 12.5 mm, 9.5 mm, and 4.75 mm NMAS mixture groups is statistically validated using the Bartlett's test, so the measurements and comparisons among these NMAS mixture groups are valid for the BBR tests. A linear viscoelastic analysis (LVE) was used to evaluate the thermal properties of the three NMAS mixture beams. The LVE ...
Donor Core-Cooling Provides Improved Static Preservation for Heart-Lung Transplantation

Abstract Twenty-three dairy calves underwent heart-lung allotransplantation after donor organs were procured using either donor core-cooling through cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or pulmonary artery flush (PAF) to assess which method provides optimal graft preservation. In Groups 1 (control) and 2, donors were cooled to 15°C on CPB and organs were either immediately transplanted (Group 1) or stored in saline solution (4°C) for 4 hours (Group 2) prior to transplantation. In Group 3, donors were pretreated with prostaglandin E 1 prior to PAF with modified Euro-Collins solution. Organs were stored in saline solution (4°C) for 4 hours and were then transplanted. Acute cardiopulmonary function following transplantation was assessed by the ratio of end-systolic pressure to end-systolic dimension, extravascular lung water (EVLW), lung compliance, arterial oxygenation, and lung biopsy. Cardiac function after the transplantation procedure was similar in all groups, but EVLW values and lung biopsy scores were worse after PAF. Arterial O 2 tension appeared lower after PAF, but not significantly so. Core-cooling provides superior static preservation and thus improved graft function in the acute bovine model.
Hemodynamic action of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the isolated rat heart.

Abstract The effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on heart rate, coronary flow, pressure development, and time to ischemic contracture were studied in the isolated, perfused rat heart. A bolus of CGRP (2640 pmols) caused significant increases in heart rate and coronary flow; these effects were sustained for at least five minutes after injection. The increase in coronary flow was independent of heart rate, since CGRP caused an increase in coronary flow in non-beating (potassium-arrested) hearts. The dose-response of CGRP was studied using five doses (65, 218, 658, 1320 and 2640 pmols) given as bolus injections. Although the increase in heart rate was apparently dose-dependent, significant increases above baseline were observed only with the two highest doses. In contrast, coronary flow increased significantly above baseline with the injection of all but the lowest dose of CGRP. Ten minutes after injection of CGRP, all hearts were made ischemic. The time to onset of ischemic contracture was approximately 11 minutes for those hearts that received 65 pmols CGRP; however, for those hearts receiving all other doses of CGRP, the time to onset of contracture was approximately 8 minutes. We conclude that CGRP significantly decreases the resistance of the coronary vascular bed, and that it may be an important regulator of regional blood flow in the heart.
Towards consolidating democracy: The paradoxical role of democracy groups in Thailand

Civil society is thought to contribute to consolidating democracy, but exactly how this happens is not especially well understood. This article examines the recent experiences of ‘democracy groups’ in Thailand. While acknowledging there are other factors that contribute to democratic consolidation, it finds the cumulative effect of Thailand's intermediating organizations, such as democracy groups, appears to be a redistribution of information and resources in ways that are causing changes in state‐society relations, making the country more pluralistic and contributing to consolidating democracy. Democracy groups and other civil society organizations are providing a widening circle of Thais with virtually unprecedented opportunities to participate in the policy‐making process. Yet despite their accomplishments, these groups might have greater consolidating effects if they themselves adhered more to democratic norms and procedures. Nevertheless, without democracy groups and other civil society organizations...
Resonant coupling and negative differential resistance in metal/ferrocenyl alkanethiolate/STM structures

Recent experimental studies demonstrated that self-assembled molecules sandwiched between metallic contacts can perform logic functions based on negative differential resistance NDR. To understand the mechanism of NDR, the electronic structure and transport properties of one such junction, ferrocenyl alkanethiolate attached to a gold surface and probed with a scanning tunneling microscope tip, are investigated by large scale ab initio calculations. The I-V characteristics show strong NDR features at both positive and negative biases, in good agreement with the experimental data. The voltage-dependent transmission, potential drop profile, and molecular level alignment under bias suggest that the ferrocenyl group acts like a quantum dot and that the NDR features are due to resonant coupling between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the density of states of gold leads. The strength of the individual NDR peaks can be tuned by changing the tunneling distance or using suitable spacer layers.
Waterlogging Effects on Plant Nutrient Concentrations in Soybean

ABSTRACT Previous research has implicated nitrogen (N) deficiency as a major contributor to waterlogging-induced yield loss in soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr.]. However, this stress is recognized as also reducing leaf concentrations of other nutrients. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of waterlogging stress on leaf N compared with other macro and micronutrients. A secondary objective was to assess the effects of waterlogging at different developmental stages on soybean yield. Compared with other nutrients [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn)], N demonstrated the greatest association with waterlogging-induced yield loss. This conclusion was based on concomitant occurrence of decreased yield with decreased N, depression of N below the critical level, and symptomology. Soybean was as sensitive to waterlogging stress when applied at a vegetative stage (V4) compared with reproductive stages (R1, R3, and R5).
Anesthetic management of vaginal delivery in a parturient with hemochromatosis induced end-organ failure

The vast majority of females affected by hemochromatosis are asymptomatic during childbearing years. We were able to provide effective obstetric anesthesia care to a 35-year-old woman with severe hemochromatosis. She had systolic heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 15%, severe pulmonary hypertension, mitral insufficiency, a history of ventricular tachycardia, cirrhosis, obstructive sleep apnea, gestational diabetes, and severe scoliosis. A multidisciplinary approach was used to stabilize her heart failure and prepare her for childbirth. An arterial line and epidural analgesic were placed before induction of labor. Vaginal delivery was accomplished with passive decent of the fetus and forceps assistance. We discuss hemochromatosis and its implications for the parturient.
Composition, ion-ion correlations and conductivity of beta″-alumina

Abstract It is concluded from conductivity and diffuse x-ray scattering measurements on Mg stabilized Na and K β″-alumina single crystals that higher activation energies are associated with greater ordering of mobile ions on a superlattice. Similar measurements on Zn stabilized Naβ″ with a higher vacancy concentration suggest that the low temperature conductivity is mainly determined by the fraction of vacancies that are not ordered. The rapid decrease observed in the Raman intensity of the 144 cm −1 Na + mode with increasing temperature is attributed to fluctuations caused by thermal excitation of the low energy mode at 32 cm −1 .
Heat Transfer Predictions in Rotating Radial Smooth Channel: Comparative Study of k-ε Models With Wall Function and Low-Re Model

The two-equation models (k-e) have been employed to predict turbulent flow and heat transfer for radially outward flow in a cooling duct rotating in orthogonal mode. The low-Reynolds-number model, which permits integration of the Navier-Stokes equations to the wall, has been used. The results from the low-Re model and the high-Re model with “Wall Function” are compared with the experimental data available in literature. Computations have been made for a range of Reynolds numbers (2500 to 25000) and a range of rotation numbers (0.088 to 0.24). Different conditions such as uniform wall temperature, uniform wall heat flux and uneven wall temperatures have been used as boundary conditions for heat transfer. The low-Re model does not perform as well as the Wall Function model in predicting heat transfer for flows at high Reynolds number. However, the low-Re model predictions are better than those from the high-Re Wall Function model for flows at low Reynolds number. In fact, for the geometry considered (1.27 cm × 1.27 cm duct) it becomes necessary to use the low-Re model for flows at low Reynolds number because of the limitation of the Wall Function. Heat transfer predictions from the low-Re model are within 10–40% for flows at low Reynolds number. The disadvantage of the low-Re model, in addition to the large number of cells requirement, is the slow convergence rate.Copyright © 1994 by ASME
Intra- and extracellular potassium activities and the potassium equilibrium potential in partially depolarized human atrial cells.

Under tissue bath conditions, isolated specimens of human right atrium are characterized by the presence of large numbers of partially depolarized cells. The basis for the depolarization is still not understood. To determine if reduced intracellular potassium activity (aKi) is responsible for the low levels of maximum diastolic potential (MDP), aKi was directly measured with potassium ion-selective micro-electrodes (KISE). The effects of varying bath potassium concentration ([K+]0) on aiK and on the relationship between MDP and the potassium equilibrium potential (EK) also were determined. In 4 mM [K+]0, all specimens studied were partially depolarized (MDP = -43.9 +/- 1.3 mV [mean +/- S.E.]) and beat spontaneously. aKi was 98.1 +/- 1.5 mM, and EK was -93.3 +/- 0.4 mV. Changes in [K+]0 between 2.5 and 40 mM did not change aKi significantly. MDP was relatively insensitive to [K+]0 and was always far positive to EK over the entire range of [K+]0 studied. The ability of the KISE to reliably measure aKi in the face of the spontaneous diastolic depolarization was assessed by using acetylcholine or cooling to depress automaticity. These measures did not significantly alter the calculated aKi. The results indicate that: aKi in human atrial specimens is similar to that in atria from other mammalian species, and the low level of MDP exhibited by human atrial cells subject to conventional tissue bath conditions does not primarily result from low levels of aKi.
Inferring statistical complexity.

Statistical mechanics is used to describe the observed information processing complexity of nonlinear dynamical systems. We introduce a measure of complexity distinct from and dual to the information theoretic entropies and dimensions. A technique is presented that directly reconstructs minimal equations of motion from the recursive structure of measurement sequences. Application to the period-doubling cascade demonstrates a form of superuniversality that refers only to the entropy and complexity of a data stream.
Drift by Coupling to an Anti-Integrable Limit

A symplectic twist map near an anti-integrable limit has an invariant set that is conjugate to a full shift on a set of symbols. We couple such a system to another twist map in such a way that the resulting system is symplectic. At the anti-integrable limit we construct a set of nonzero measure of orbits of the second map that drifts arbitrarily far, even when the coupling is arbitrarily small. Moreover, these drifting orbits persist near the anti-integrable limit.
Overexpression of glutathione reductase in Brassica juncea: Effects on cadmium accumulation and tolerance

To determine the importance of glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) for heavy metal accumulation and tolerance, a bacterial GR was expressed in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.), targeted to the cytosol or the plastids. GR activity in the cytosolic transgenics (cytGR) was about two times higher compared to wild-type plants; in the plastidic transgenics (cpGR) the activity was up to 50 times higher. When treated with 100 μM CdSO 4 , cytGR plants did not differ from wild type in cadmium tolerance or accumulation. CpGR plants, however, showed enhanced cadmium tolerance at the chloroplast level: in contrast to wild-type plants they showed no chlorosis, and their chlorophyll fluorescence parameters F v /F m and photochemical quenching were higher. Cadmium tolerance at the whole-plant level (plant growth) was not affected. The lower cadmium stress experienced by the cpGR chloroplasts may be the result of reduced cadmium uptake and/or translocation: cadmium levels in shoots of cpGR plants were half as high as those in wild-type shoots. These differences in cadmium tolerance and accumulation may result from increased root glutathione levels, which were up to two times higher in cpGR plants than in the wild type.
Invited article: A parallel process model of nonverbal communication

This article develops a parallel processing model of nonverbal communication that emphasizes the interdependence of behavioral and person perception processes from a functional perspective on social interaction. The form and outcome of the behavioral (encoding) and person perception (decoding) processes are a product of three related elements, including: (1) determinants, (2) the social environment, and (3) cognitive-affective mediators. In this model, the determinants (biology, culture, gender, and personality), in combination with the partner and setting, influence interpersonal expectancies, dispositions, goals, affect, and cognitive resources. In turn, these mediators constrain the attention and cognitive effort applied to behavior management and person perception. In general, fewer cognitive resources and decreased effort will have less effect on the outcome of automatic behavioral (e.g., scripts) and person perception (e.g., impressions based on appearance and nonverbal cues) processes than on more demanding ones. The utility of this theory in integrating behavioral and person perception processes into a single system is discussed.
Behavioral risk, teacher–child relationships, and social skill development across middle childhood: A child-by-environment analysis of change

Abstract The purposes of the present study were to examine the growth trajectories of children's social skills from kindergarten through sixth grade, and to investigate the roles of early behavior problems and teacher–child relationships in children's social skill development, using data from phases I, II, and III of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. There were four main findings. First, on average, children showed curvilinear social skill growth trajectories from kindergarten to sixth grade, with periods of marked acceleration in the early and later elementary years and a period of slight deceleration in the late elementary years. Second, children with higher levels of preschool internalizing behavior problems demonstrated lower levels of kindergarten social skills and qualitatively different social skill growth trajectories than their less-internalizing peers over time. Third, children with higher-quality teacher–child relationships demonstrated greater social skills from kindergarten through sixth grade than their peers with lower-quality relationships. The magnitude of the effect for teacher–child relationships increased as children aged and was marginally stronger for children with lower levels of early internalizing problems. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Three unusual strokes in a triggered lightning flash

Time-resolved photographic records of three strokes of a triggered lightning flash are examined. These strokes exhibit several examples of novel behavior that include (1) the abrupt transformation of dart leaders to stepped leaders and (2) the partial 'reflection' of dart leader luminosity back up the channel. Both phenomena are associated with an apparent discontinuity in channel characteristics between the natural and artificial (wire) sections of the channel. We estimate the ratio of characteristic impedances for these sections to have an upper bound of about a factor of 3. Analysis of one of the dart leader 'reflections' yields a propagation speed of 9.6 x 10 to the 7th m/s whereas the dart leader and return stroke speeds (two-dimensional) over the same channel section are 1.7 x 10 to the 7th and 13 x 10 to the seventh m/s, respectively. Also, one of the return strokes reveals the occurrence of two distinct waves of luminosity that are separated by only 5 microns and that travel up nearly identical channels that differ only in the channel terminus.
Hispanic/Latino identity: A response to Tammelleo

Tammelleo's 'Continuity and Change in Hispanic Identity' contains a provocative analysis of some of the main issues surrounding Hispanic/Latino identity as well as of the philosophical positions that Linda Alcolf, Angelo Corlett, and I have devel oped with respect to it. In a spirit of dialogue and with a view to clarification and advancement of the discussion, I offer arguments against Tammelleo's positive evaluation of some aspects of the view defended by Corlett, I defend my own position against the objections Tammelleo articulates against it, and I show that his own position, with some modifications, fits nicely within my account. In spite of these criticisms, I conclude that Tammelleo's view has much in it that is valuable and useful. I hope that my comments encourage his further thinking, and that of others, on these significant topics.
Parallel computations for Yau filters

In the early 1990s, Yau developed a new class of nonlinear filters, called the Yau Filterswhich contain the Kalman-Bucy filters and the Benes filters as special cases. It has been shown that, from the Lie algebraic point of view, the Yau filters are the most general finite-dimensional filters. Yau and Hu proved that the DMZ equation for a Yau filter can be reduced to a Kolmogorov type partial differential equation and a system of linear differential equations. They noticed that the PDE is independent of the observed data and hence can be solved off-line. An efficient parallel algorithm for the system of ODEs would lead to fast solutions of Yau filters and hence their suitability for real-life applications. In this paper, we have proposed several parallel methods suitable for this system of ODEs.
Effects of errors in a multicenter medical study: Preventing misinterpreted data

Large research projects offer significant advantages for research, but they pose special data quality problems. Data gathered in such projects may contain a greater absolute number of mistakes because of the people collecting data, the complexity of data processing, and the collation required. We wanted to learn from the types and frequencies of errors encroaching on data in a multicenter field trial, and to assess the effects of these errors had they passed through. We used extensive error trapping while processing 688 forms from seven sites in the field trial. Snapshots of the dataset were taken at several points in the process, before and after checking and correcting. We discovered 2.4% of the received data to be mistaken. These errors would have affected the data's reliability, decisions based on the study, and possibly the choice of analysis. Almost all of the mistakes were made at the time of measurement and may be related to raters' perceived importance of the variables. We found that communication and education effectively reduced the number of mistakes and their impact on the study over the course of the field trial. While an estimate of the overall error rate is important, the number of mistakes, in general, is only imperfectly related to the errors' effects on the study's results. Our results also suggest that statistical models that treat mistakes as simple independent events can be misleading.
Tidal rhythm of cyst formation in the rock pool ciliate Strombidium oculatum Gruber (Ciliophora, Oligotrichida): a description of the functional biology and an analysis of the tidal synchronization of encystment

Abstract The tide pool ciliate Strombidium oculatum Gruber alternates between an encysted (≈18 h) and a free-swimming (≈ 6 h) stage with a circatidal rhythm. This behaviour greatly increases the probability of remaining in a tide pool during flooding by the high tide. The functional biology of S. oculatum was studied in a series of field and laboratory experiments to analyse how this ciliate maintains a rhythm which is phased to the tide. Experiments revealed that S. oculatum responds phototaxically with a switch in polarity during the course of the free-swimming stage. The phototaxis is interpreted as a mechanism to guide the ciliates to advantageous microhabitats during the free-swimming and the encysted stages, respectively. It is suggested that the pigment spot used in phototaxis is composed of sequestered stigmata from ingested autotrophs. Encystment is gregarious and induced by a chemical factor present in both free-swimming ciliates and cyst walls; the thallus of green algae is preferred to rock surface as a substratum for encystment. The nutrition of S. oculatum is mixotrophic and sequestered plastids are found in the cytoplasm. Photosynthetic assimilation rates, measured by 14 C-label, were 17 and 55%, of cell carbon· day −1 for free-swimming ciliates and cysts, respectively. Reproduction rate of free-swimming ciliates, calculated from in situ incubations, was 0.027 h −1 . As an explanation of how S. oculatum achieves the tidal synchronization, a hypothesis of natural selection of correctly phased individuals was tested. The response to artificial selection for a faster rhythm, and the correlation between shore level and the phase and duration of the encysted stage, support this hypothesis. A model analysis, which incorporates the observed individual variation in the phase of the circatidal rhythm, also revealed that the measured growth rate balances the loss rate imposed by the proposed natural selection. An almost identical pattern of circatidal encystment is reported for a heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Oxyrrhis sp., which co-occurs with S. oculutum and represents a striking example of convergent evolution.
Complex kinetics of fluctuating enzymes: phase diagram characterization of a minimal kinetic scheme.

Enzyme molecules are dy- namic entities with stochastic fluctua- tion in both protein conformation and enzymatic activity. However, such a notion of fluctuating enzymes, best characterized by recent single-molecule experiments, was not considered in the classic Michaelis-Menten (MM) kinetic scheme. Here we incorporate the fluc- tuation concept into the reversible MM scheme, and solve analytically all the possible kinetics (i.e., substrate concen- tration dependent enzymatic velocity) for a minimal model of fluctuating en- zymes. Such a minimal model is found to display a variety of distinct kinetic behaviors (phases) in addition to the classic MM kinetics; excess substrate inhibition, sigmoidal kinetics, and con- cave biphasic kinetics. We find that all these kinetic phases are interrelated and unified under the framework of fluctuating enzymes and can be ade- quately described by a phase diagram that consists of two master parameters. Functionally, substrate inhibition, sig- moidal kinetics, and convex biphasic phases exhibit positive cooperativity, whereas concave biphasic phases dis- play negative cooperativity. Remarka- bly, all these complex kinetics are pro- duced by fluctuating enzymes with single substrate binding site, but the two conformations are, therefore, fun- damentally different from the classic MWC and KNF models that require multiple subunit or binding sites. This model also suggests that, for a given enzyme/substrate pair, the non-MM be- haviors could undergo transitions among different kinetic phases induced by varying product concentrations, owing to the fundamental Haldane symmetry in the reversible MM scheme.
Pollen analysis of Agathirsia wasps

Abstract Parasitic wasps are one of the most abundant natural enemies of insect pests and the most ecologically understudied. Agathirsia is a genus of solitary, parasitic wasps, restricted to arid regions of the south-western United States of America and Mexico. They often parasitise the larvae of lepidopteran (butterflies and moths) crop pests. Pollen analyses were conducted on 127 specimens of 19 Agathirsia species to determine possible food sources and plant taxa important to these beneficial insects. Pollen was examined with both light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pollen was removed from the head more than any other insect part (96% of the time). In the LM analyses, nearly 1700 pollen grains were recorded and assigned to 117 pollen types, 49% of which were Asteraceae. For the SEM analyses, pollen was identified but not counted. Eighty-eight pollen types were identified, of which 48% were Asteraceae. Pollen from 36 families, 65 genera and nine species were identified. Asterac...
Urinary heavy metals and associated medical conditions in the US adult population

Health effects of heavy metals have been widely investigated, but further evaluation is required to comprehensively delineate their toxicity. Using data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on 1,857 adults to examine the relationship between urinary heavy metals and various medical conditions. Cardiovascular diseases were correlated to cadmium (OR: 4.94, 95% CI: 1.48-16.56) and lead (OR: 5.32, 95% CI: 1.08-26.21). Asthma was related to tungsten (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.15-2.59) and uranium (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.01-2.28). Hepatotoxicity was associated with molybdenum (OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.24-7.73) and uranium (OR: 4.79, 95% CI: 1.74-13.19). Surprising inverse relationships occurred for excessive weight with lead (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52-0.98), reduced visual acuity with cobalt (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.95) and cesium (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35-0.77). This study supports some previous evidence of potential relationships and provides insights for future research.
Comparison of polarization mode dispersion emulators

We analyze polarization mode dispersion (PMD) emulators comprised of a small number of sections of polarization-maintaining fibers with polarization scattering at the beginning of each section. Unlike previously studied devices, these emulators allow the emulation of a whole ensemble of fibers. We derive an analytical expressions and determine two main criteria that characterize the quality of PMD emulation. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy.

Objectives. To assess the operative feasibility, clinical outcomes, and complications of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (RPLND) after chemotherapy. Methods. A retrospective review of clinical records from 7 patients who underwent laparoscopic RPLND after chemotherapy was performed. Five patients presented with nonseminomatous germ cell tumor after orchiectomy. One patient was diagnosed with pure seminoma and one with epididymal small cell cancer. All 7 patients received multiagent chemotherapy for clinical Stage IIA or higher disease, followed by laparoscopic RPLND for findings of a residual retroperitoneal mass on computed tomography or a prechemotherapy mass size greater than 3.0 cm. The mean tumor diameter was 3.07 cm before chemotherapy and 1.91 cm after chemotherapy. A modified laparoscopic left (n = 3), right (n = 3), and bilateral (n = 1) template was used. None of the patients had received radiotherapy before surgery. Results. Postchemotherapy laparoscopic RPLND was successfully completed in 5 (71.4%) of 7 patients. Two patients required a conversion to open surgery. The overall complication rate was 57.1% (4 of 7), with a major complication incidence of 42.8% (3 of 7). No mortalities were recorded. Of the 5 patients who presented with nonseminomatous germ cell tumor after orchiectomy, 3 were found to have retroperitoneal lymph nodes consistent with mature teratoma, 1 had necrotic tissue, and 1 had residual viable tumor. Conclusions. Laparoscopic RPLND is a feasible operation in patients after systemic chemotherapy. This technique remains challenging at this time and should be reserved for patients with limited residual disease and should only be performed at institutions with considerable laparoscopic expertise.
The religious right and the reshaping of sexual policy: An examination of reproductive rights and sexuality education

This article chronicles the impact on sexuality policy in the United States of the rise of the Religious Right as a significant force in American politics. Using a case study analysis of abortion-reproductive rights and sexuality education, it narrates the story of how U.S. policy debates and practices have changed since the 1970s as sexual conservatism rose in prominence and sexual progressives declined in power. The Religious Right’s appeal to traditional moral values and its ability to create moral panics about sexuality are addressed, specifically with regard to abortion and sexuality education. Ultimately, political meddling and moral proscriptions, disregard for scientific evidence, and the absence of a coherent approach regarding sexual and reproductive health rights have undermined sexuality policy in the United States. The article ends on a cautious note of optimism, suggesting that the Religious Right may have overreached in its attempt to control sexuality policy.
Studies on the validity of the Einstein viscosity law and Stokes' law of sedimentation

Ultracentrifugal studies on polystyrene latex particles (PSL) in solutions of different densities prepared either from mixtures of H2O and D2O or from various concentrations of sucrose in water yielded a value, by interpolation, of 1.0520 for the density of solution in which the particles neither sediment nor float. Considerations of these results plus the nature of the particles lead to the conclusion that the partial specific volume of the polystyrene latex particles is (1/1.0520) cc./g., a value in agreement with the bulk specific volume of solid polystyrene. Evidence is presented for PSL to support the view that the effective hydrodynamic volume is equal to the partial specific volume, so that volume fractions can be determined from the partial specific volume and the dry weight concentration. Measurements of the viscosity of suspensions of polystyrene latex particles over a broad concentration range showed that the intrinsic viscosity was 2.5, in confirmation of the theory of Einstein. At concentrations above 2% by volume a square term in concentration, with coefficient about 10, and also a cubic term are needed to satisfy the data. From the partial specific volume of the latex particles and the value of the sedimentation coefficient extrapolated to infinite dilution, a value of 2640 ± 12 A. was calculated for the diameter of the particles from Stokes' law. This value is in excellent agreement with values obtained by electron microscopy, light scattering, and low angle x-ray scattering. This agreement amounts to a satisfactory test of Stokes' law for particles not much larger than some of the viruses. Studies of the dependence of sedimentation coefficient on concentration indicate that existing theories are not completely satisfactory and that the influence of backward flow of liquid during the sedimentation of the solute particles is appreciable.