cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying character non-independence in phylogenetic data using data mining techniques

Undiscovered relationships in a data set may confound analyses, particularly those that assume data independence. Such problems occur when characters used for phylogenetic analyses are not independent of one another. A main assumption of phylogenetic inference methods such as maximum likelihood and parsimony is that each character serves as an independent hypothesis of evolution. When this assumption is violated, the resulting phylogeny may not reflect true evolutionary history. Therefore, it is imperative that character non-independence be identified prior to phylogenetic analyses. To identify dependencies between phylogenetic characters, we applied three data mining techniques: 1) Bayesian networks, 2) decision tree induction, and 3) rule induction from coverings. We briefly discuss the main ideas behind each strategy, show how each technique performs on a small sample data set, and apply each method to an existing phylogenetic data set. We discuss the interestingness of the results of each method, and show that, although each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, rule induction from coverings presents the most useful solution for determining dependencies among phylogenetic data at this time.
Abstract 12438: Novel 4-Dimensional Optical Technique to Elucidate Hemodynamic Shear Forces and Initiation of Trabeculation During Cardiac Morphogenesis

Hemodynamic shear forces are intimately linked with cardiac development. However, the mechano-transduction mechanisms underlying this morphological event remain elusive. Trabeculation develops after cardiac looping, which is visualized in zebrafish embryos starting at 70 hours post-fertilization (hpf). We hypothesized that endocardial wall shear stress (WSS) up-regulates Notch signaling to initiate trabeculation. We developed a novel fast z-axis imaging acquisition system to reconstruct time-dependent 3-dimensional WSS in live zebrafish using single plane illuminating microscopy (SPIM). To assess the link between shear stress and trabeculation, we lowered the WSS by micro-injection of (1) gata1a-morpholino oligonucleotides (MO) at 2-cell stage to reduce erythropoiesis and viscosity by 70%, (2) tnnt2a-MO injection to inhibit cardiac contraction, and (3) use of weak atrium(wea) mutant to inhibit atrial contraction. To determine mechano-signal transduction underlying WSS and trabeculation, we assessed Notch signaling by in situ hybridization of NRG1 and notch1b. At 70 hpf, the control fish showed formation of trabeculation, whereas gata1 MO injected fish revealed a decrease in trabeculation in response to a reduction in shear stress by 90 %. Both wea mutant and tnnt2a MO injected fish exhibited smooth endocardial surfaces without trabecular networking. In situ hybridization of NRG1 and Notch 1b further showed a decrease in fluorescent intensity in the gata1 MO, wea mutant, and tnnt2a MO groups by 2.33±0.87-fold, 4.21±0.25-fold, and 4.96±0.17-fold, respectively (p
Sectoral Shifts and Occupational Migration in the United States

This research is grounded in notions of differential economic restructuring across employment sectors and geographic space, as well as migration selectivity by occupation. A series of unconstrained competing-destinations models were employed to analyze the response by workers in thirteen occupational categories to sectoral employment change, average wages, and distance. As was hypothesized, workers in occupations that require high levels of education and skills are more responsive, in terms of migration, to economic opportunities in alternative labor-market areas. However, the results do not support the hypothesis that highly educated and skilled workers migrate longer distances. Further investigation suggests that opportunities for highly educated and skilled workers may be clustering in relatively few areas that are in relatively close proximity.
Recent measurements of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect

Several techniques for the measurement of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effects in clusters of galaxies are now yielding reliable results. The data are being used to study cluster atmospheres, measure the Hubble constant, and search for cluster peculiar velocities. This review summarizes the observational status of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effects and the implications of recent results.
Evolution of Mitochondria as Signaling Organelles

Mitochondria have primarily been viewed as bioenergetic and biosynthetic organelles that autonomously co-exist within the cell. However, the past two decades have provided evidence that mitochondria function as signaling organelles, constantly communicating with the cytosol to initiate biological events under homeostatic and stress conditions. Thus, the signaling function of the mitochondria may have been selected by nature from the inception of the early eukaryote, as discussed in this essay.
Stochastic weather generators for climate‐change downscaling, part II: multivariable and spatially coherent multisite downscaling

This paper continues Part I (Wilks DS. Use of stochastic weather generators for precipitation downscaling. WIRES Clim Change 2010, 1(6):898–907) of a two-part review on statistical downscaling of climate changes using parametric ‘weather generators’, which treated only precipitation downscaling at individual locations. Here the review is extended to include also downscaling of nonprecipitation variables at individual locations, and spatially coherent precipitation and nonprecipitation downscaling. Parametric weather generators are explicitly stochastic models that usually operate on the daily timescale. The use of stochastic methods for climate downscaling is natural and logically consistent because of the inherent indeterminacy of the problem: any number of small-scale weather sequences may be associated with a given set of larger-scale values. Downscaled climate changes are simulated by adjusting or varying the parameters of the weather generators, in a manner consistent with dynamically simulated or otherwise assumed larger-scale climate changes. Two main approaches for such parametric adjustments have been developed, namely changes in the daily weather generator parameters based on imposed or assumed changes in the corresponding monthly statistics, and day-by-day changes to the generator parameters that are controlled by daily variations in simulated atmospheric circulation. These methods are reviewed here, and perspectives on their relative merits are offered. WIREs Clim Change 2012 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.167 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Cellular adaptations in fat tissue of exercise-trained miniature swine: role of excess energy intake.

This study examined the influence of energy expenditure and energy intake on cellular mechanisms regulating adipose tissue metabolism.1 Twenty-four swine were assigned to restricted-fed sedentary, ...
Stock price effect of high-yield debt issues

This paper investigates the common stock price reaction at the announcement of the issuance of high-yield straight debt. The two-day announcement period abnormal returns are not different from zero for the 164 bond issues in the sample. No difference is found between announcement period abnormal returns of firms with bonds that default and firms with bonds that do not default. Results from statistical tests indicate that the announcement period abnormal returns are not explained by issuance year, bond-rate class, underwriter, issuance size, takeover activity or prior high-yield debt issuance experience. The findings are not consistent with the models by Miller and Rock (1985), Jensen (1986), Myers and Majluf (1984) and Krasker (1986). However, results indicate that existing stockholders are not harmed or helped by the issuance of the high-yield straight debt.
Largest size-efficient scale and size efficiencies of decision-making units in data envelopment analysis

Abstract This paper extends the usual DEA analysis, which evaluates input savings that could have been effected by a decision-making unit, given its observed task, to inquire into whether even greater savings would be possible if the task were to be optimally apportioned to a number of smaller units. The notion of size efficiency is introduced to measure this potential for further input reductions, and then compared and contrasted to the extant notion of scale efficiency. The existence of a largest radially size-efficient output scale is established as a ray property of the production frontier. An illustrative application to hospitals is described.
The Economics of Occupational Safety and Health

Economic incentives play an important role in occupational safety and health, affecting the behavior and decisions of workers, firms and government. This monograph discusses factors that affect workers' decisions about whether to choose risky jobs, how careful to be on the job, and how long to remain off work during recovery from injury. The monograph also examines occupational risk-related costs that influence the following safety decisions of a firm: wage premiums paid to attract workers to risky jobs, premiums for workers' compensation insurance, government fines for safety violations, and injury-related costs such as workplace disruptions and loss of worker specific job skills. This monograph also considers the influence of government, focusing on the enactment and enforcement of safety and health standards and the safety incentives of workers' compensation insurance systems. We find broad consensus in the empirical literature that workers and firms respond to economic incentives in making safety decisions. Economic incentives play an important role in occupational risk prevention. Sometimes these incentives improve safety; but, in other cases they have an adverse effect on safety.
Mechanical comparison of 3.5 mm broad dynamic compression plate, broad limited-contact dynamic compression plate, and narrow locking compression plate systems using interfragmentary gap models.

Objectives— To compare (1) pullout properties between 3.5 mm cortical and locking screws, and (2) mechanical properties and gap displacements between the 3.5 mm broad limited-contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP), broad dynamic compression plate (DCP), and narrow locking compression plate (LCP), during axial loading of plate-stabilized diaphyseal fragments with an interfragmentary gap. Study Design— In vitro mechanical testing of implanted polyurethane foam (PUF) hollow cylinders that simulated compact or osteopenic diaphyseal bone. Sample Population— (1) Five cortical and locking screws and (2) 4 PUF-plate constructs for each plate type; using high- and low-density (0.8 and 0.32 g/cm3) cylinders. Methods— (1) Screws were completely extracted at 5 mm/min. (2) Plated constructs were axially compressed at 300 N/s for 10 cycles from 5 to 355 N to determine gap displacement during physiologic loading, followed by single cycle increasing load to failure. Results— Pullout properties were not different between screw types. All plate constructs had yield loads over 3 times trotting loads. Gap closure occurred with LC-DCP and DCP constructs, but not LCP constructs. LCP construct properties were most similar to LC-DCP and DCP construct properties in the low-density model. Conclusion— All plate systems sustained physiologic limb loads. Only LCP constructs maintained some gap integrity, although LC-DCP and DCP screws were placed in neutral position. Clinical Relevance— The LCP system is more likely than LC-DCP and DCP systems, with neutrally positioned screws, to maintain a planned interfragmentary gap, although gap strains range from 0% to 15% across the 2 mm gap during a trot load.
The Southern Presidential Primary: Regional Intentions With National Implications

Fifteen southern and border states have decided to hold presidential primaries around the second Tuesday in March 1988. Democratic party reformers have backed this regional primary in hopes that it will advantage politically moderate candidates for the presidency. This article discusses how enactment of the southern primary came about and why this reform seems unlikely to achieve the intentions of the reformers. Four major criticisms of the reforms are discussed: 1) Republicans, not Democrats, could benefit; 2) the importance of earlier primaries and caucuses-Iowa and New Hampshire in particular-could grow dramatically; 3) the desired moderating influence on Democratic candidates could be frustrated by plurality wins; and 4) the southern regional primary is not southern or regional but national.
A survey of college-bound high school graduates regarding circadian preference, caffeine use, and academic performance

This study examines the relationships between circadian preference and caffeine use with academic performance and hours spent studying for recent high school graduates entering their first year of college. Entering first-year college students enrolled at 90 baccalaureate-level institutions across the USA were invited to complete the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) and the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) as well as answer questions regarding caffeine consumption. Surveys were administered on each campus during the summer months of 2013. Only those that graduated from a US high school in the spring of 2013 were included in this study. The final sample for this study included 25,200 students that completed the BCSSE, CSM, and questions regarding caffeine consumption. Evening types (E-types) were significantly less likely to report earning A/A−’s in high school and less likely to study 16 or more hours per week compared to intermediate or morning types (M-types) (p < 0.05). Overall, entering first-year students reported an average of 1.1 servings of caffeine per day, with 39 % reporting no caffeine consumption. M-types were more likely to consume no caffeine (54 %) compared to E-types that also indicated no daily caffeine (31 %) (p < 0.05). However, E-types were approximately 2.5 times more likely to consume three or more daily servings of caffeine (18 %) compared to M-types that consume the same amount (7 %) (p < 0.05). M-types that consumed no caffeine reported the highest grades with nearly 64 % reporting they earned mostly A’s or A-’s in high school. However, the apparent advantage that morning types had over evening types regarding high school grades was completely ameliorated once three or more servings of caffeine were consumed per day. This study provides additional information to educators and health professionals to create programs and provide resource to help adolescents better understand the impact of their sleep behaviors and use of caffeine on their academic performance.
Evaluation of Toxicant and Carcinogen Metabolites in the Urine of e-Cigarette Users Versus Cigarette Smokers

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are rapidly increasing in popularity but little information is available on their potential toxic or carcinogenic effects.
Coupling between the spinal cord and cervical vertebral column under tensile loading

Current neck injury criteria are based on structural failure of the spinal (vertebral) column without consideration of injury to the spinal cord. Since one of the primary functions of the vertebral column is to protect the cord, it stands to reason that a more refined measure of neck injury threshold would be the onset of spinal cord injury (SCI). This study investigated the relationship between axial strains in the cervical vertebral column and the spinal cord using an in vitro primate model (n=10) under continuous tensile loading. Mean failure loads occurred at 1951.5±396N with failure strains in the vertebral column of 16±5% at the level of failure. Average tensile strains in the spinal cord at failure were 11±5% resulting in a mean coupling ratio of 0.54±0.17 between C1 and C7. The level of peak strain measured in the spinal cord did not always occur at the location of vertebral column failure. Spinal cord strains were less than spine strains and coupling ratios were not significantly different along the length of the spine. The largest coupling ratio was measured in the atlanto-occipital joint whereas the smallest coupling ratio occurred at the adjacent C1-C2 joint. Language: en
Improved stability of haptic human–robot interfaces using measurement of human arm stiffness

Necessary physical contact between an operator and a force feedback haptic device creates a coupled system consisting of human and machine. This contact, combined with the natural human tendency to increase arm stiffness to attempt to stabilize its motion, can reduce the stability of the system. This paper proposes a method to increase stability on demand while maintaining speed and performance. Operator arm stiffness is not directly measurable, so controllers cannot typically account for this issue. The causes of arm end-point stiffness are examined as related to system stability, and a method for estimating changes in arm stiffness based on arm muscle activity was designed to provide a robotic controller with additional information about the operator. This was accomplished using electromyograms (EMGs) to measure muscle activities and estimating the level of arm stiffness, which was used to adjust the dynamic characteristics of an impedance controller. To support this design, the correlation between EMGs...
Gaussian representations related to heat conduction

A question which arises in statistics is whether the representation (1. l) o f f ( x ) is valid for more than one value of a, and if so, what is the maximum value for a. We have at once from (1.1) that ONf(x)N(4na) -~. Since a frequency function cannot vanish identically, we see at once that there must be a finite least upper bound for acceptable values of a. Consider the ex am p le f (x )= (n ) -~e -x~. It has the representation (1.1) for 0 < a < 88 with
Discovering the Higgs through highly-displaced vertices

We suggest that the Higgs could be discovered at the Tevatron or the LHC (perhaps at the LHCb detector) through decays with one or more substantially displaced vertices from the decay of new neutral particles. This signal may occur with a small but measurable branching fraction in the recently-described “hidden valley” models, hep-ph/0604261; weakly-coupled models with multiple scalars, including those of hep-ph/0511250, can also provide such signals, potentially with a much larger branching fraction. This decay channel may extend the Higgs mass reach for the Tevatron. Unusual combinations of b jets, lepton pairs and/or missing energy may accompany this signal.
Psychological Profile of Obese Patients

Nowadays obesity is recognized to be one of the greatest public health problems worldwide. There is no indication that the huge increase in obesity seen the last decades is declining. The examination of psychological aspects of persons with morbid obesity is essential. Identification of the psychological factors associated with weight loss expands our knowledge about behaviors which are crucial in order to avoid failures in treatment. Most information on this is obtained preoperatively. Although there is no single personality type characteristic of the morbidly obese, they differ from the general population as their self-esteem and impulse control is lower. They have passive dependent and passive aggressive personality traits, as well as a trend for somatization and problem denial. Their thinking is usually dichotomous and catastrophic. Obese patients also show low cooperativeness and fail to see the self as autonomous and integrated. In the morbidly obese before undergoing surgical treatment, unusual prevalence of psychopathology, namely depression and anxiety disorders, is observed. They are subject to prejudice and discrimination and should be treated with concern to help alleviate their feelings of rejection and guilt. Information on the psychological profile of obese persons is limited. Future studies are warranted, since there is a pressured need for these people to built cognitive skills and control their body weight.
Relations of bulimic symptom frequency and intensity to psychosocial impairment and health care utilization: results from a community-recruited sample.

Objective: To determine the frequency and intensity of bulimic symptoms related to psychosocial impairment and health care utilization. Method: Females (N = 1231, M age = 17.7, range 13–55) from four community-recruited samples varying in bulimic pathology completed the eating disorder examination, social adjustment scale, and health survey utilization scale. Results: Co-occurrence of binge eating and compensatory behaviors and solely compensatory behaviors ≥1 time/month were associated with elevations in psychosocial impairment. Co-occurrence of both binge eating and compensatory behaviors and solely compensatory behaviors ≥8 times/month were related to greater service utilization. Solely binge eating and duration of bulimic behaviors were unrelated to these functional outcomes. Overvaluation of body shape and weight showed significant linear relations to the functional outcomes. Conclusion: Results suggest that current diagnostic thresholds for bulimia nervosa may be too high when considering functional impairment and service utilization and that different cut-points need to be considered for different bulimic symptoms. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007
Contamination performance of polymeric insulating materials used for outdoor insulation applications

Results of a laboratory evaluation of the contamination performance of silicone rubber and EPDM (ethylene propylenediene monomer) rubber polymers are presented. it is shown that due to significant material differences, these polymers cannot be evaluated using experimental conditions standardized for porcelain and glass. Test conditions which yield good correlation to service experience with polymeric insulators are presented. it is demonstrated that a meaningful contamination test for polymers is a salt-fog test using water at low (250 mu mS/cm) conductivity with the samples being electrically stressed at 40 V/sub rms//mm. Under these conditions it was possible to observe the following, which has been demonstrated by service experience: (a) the leakage current is dependent on the polymer material, (b) silicone rubber resists the continuous water film formation on the surface for a much longer time than EPDM, and (c) more degradation has been observed on EPDM than on silicon rubber. >
C-axis lattice expansion in ternary intercalated layered solids

Abstract A layer rigidity (LR) model has been developed to account quantitatively for the composition dependence of the c-axis lattice expansion of a wide variety of ternary layered intercalation compounds including those derived from graphite, layer dichalcogenide and silicate clay hosts. The model includes for the first time the effects of layer deformations. Using the LR model, we extract rigidity parameters which increase in magnitude with the stiffness of the host layers. The LR model provides the first quantitative explanation for 1D non-Vegards law behavior in a 2D solid solution.
B 10 (d, p)B 11 Reaction and the Configurations of B 11

A study of the states of ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$ has been made by high-resolution measurements of angular distributions and relative intensities of proton groups from ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}(d, p){\mathrm{B}}^{11}$. The use of Butler analysis and calculated reduced widths leads to the following spin and parity assignments for excited states: 2.14 Mev, \textonehalf{}-; 4.46 Mev, $\frac{5}{2}\ensuremath{-}$; 5.03 Mev, $\frac{3}{2}\ensuremath{-}$; 6.76 Mev, $\frac{7}{2}\ensuremath{-}$; 8.57 Mev, (\textonehalf{}+); 8.92 Mev, $\frac{5}{2}+$; 9.19 Mev, $\frac{7}{2}+$; 9.28 Mev, $\frac{5}{2}+$. The states of ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$ exhibit a subdivision into three classes. The first five levels from ground state to 6.76 Mev, all of odd parity, correspond closely to the theoretical predictions of Kurath. The next four states of 6.81, 7.30, 7.99, and 8.57 Mev presumably result from highly mixed configurations which is evidenced by their weak stripping intensities. The third group consists of three single-particle states of even parity at 8.92, 9.19, and 9.28 Mev. The latter two states form a $\mathrm{jj}$-double level arising from the configuration ${p}^{6}2s$.
Non-destructive evaluation methods for subsurface damage in silicon wafers: a literature review

The Subsurface Damage (SSD) in silicon wafers induced by any mechanical material-removal processes has to be removed by subsequent processes. Therefore, the measurement of SSD is critically important for cost-effective manufacturing of silicon wafers. This review paper presents several Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) methods for SSD in silicon wafers, including X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence and laser scattering.
Technological indicators of market shift

Abstract The past few years have seen many cases of displacement of domestic products by similar imported products, or by domestic products performing the same function but using a different technology. It would be desirable to forecast these technologically based market shifts before they have adverse effects on the industry whose products are being displaced. This paper describes research that shows that indicators of technological change (patents, papers, R&D expenditures) can provide from one to three years advanced warning of a market shift.
On the use of an externally deployed geophone package on an Ocean Bottom Seismometer

We describe a recent modification to the MIT Ocean Bottom Seismometer by which the geophones are housed in a separate package that is deployed on the sea floor about 1 m distance from the main unit several hours after the OBS reaches the ocean bottom. Records from deep-sea experiments and shallow-water tests show two improvements over records from geophones housed in the main instrument package. Signals recorded by the external geophones have a much better signal-to-noise ratio because tape recorder noise and instrument vibrations generated by water currents are effectively eliminated. As a result, the overall frequency response of the sensors to ground motion has a demonstrably smoother spectral shape. The second improvement is that the cross coupling of horizontal instrument motion to vertical ground motion is apparently greatly reduced because of the simpler design for the sensor package.
Evidence for close linkage of human amylase loci.

HUMAN α-amylase (α-1,4-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.1) is primarily in the pancreas and salivary glands and can be detected in serum and urine (UAmy) as well as in saliva (SaAmy) and duodenal secretions. The SaAmy locus (Amy1) has at least three mutant alleles with the combined frequency of electrophoretic variant phenotypes totalling approximately 0.01 in Caucasian Americans1. Subsequently, UAmy was shown to be a convenient source of pancreatic amylase. The pancreatic amylase locus (Amy2) has at least two mutant alleles in Caucasian and Afro-Americans2. The variant UAmy Ss is common in Caucasians whereas UAmy Sp has been found only in Afro-Americans; the frequency of variant phenotypes is 0·086 in each population2.
Sipuleucel-T for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Sipuleucel-T is an autologous cellular immunotherapy designed to stimulate an immune response to prostate cancer that prolongs the overall survival of men with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The clinical development program and key efficacy, safety, and immune response findings from the phase III studies are presented. The integration of sipuleucel-T into the treatment paradigm of advanced prostate cancer and future directions for research are discussed.
Secondary surgery after vaginal prolapse repair with mesh is more common for stress incontinence and voiding dysfunction than for mesh problems or prolapse recurrence.

To explore the need for secondary surgical procedures after transvaginal prolapse repair with mesh. Women that had prolapse repair (Prolift® or Elevate®) were reviewed for reoperation and clinical/demographic data such as prior prolapse repair, prolapse grade, operative details, length of stay (LOS) and time to reoperation. Pearson’s Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests and Wilcoxon rank tests were used. 77/335 women (23 %) had 100 additional procedures. Median (range) time to reoperation was 51 (5–1168) days: four (1 %) had primary prolapse surgery at a different site, three (1 %) repeat prolapse repair from the same site, 23 (7 %) surgery for complications and 50 (15 %) had stress urinary incontinence (SUI)/sling-related procedures. When no reoperation versus reoperation groups were compared, mean LOS (1.8 vs. 2.0 days; p = 0.044) and follow-up (228 vs. 354 days; p = 0.002) were longer in the reoperations group; postoperative hemoglobin was lower (10.8 vs. 10.4; p = 0.031). Patients with a prolapse reoperation were 10 years younger (67 vs. 57 years; p = 0.027) than patients that either had a reoperation for other reasons or had no reoperations. Patients with concomitant sling and persistent SUI requiring repeat SUI surgery were older (mean 72 vs. 66 years; p = 0.038), had prior prolapse repair (53 vs. 27 %; p = 0.017) and had anterior compartment mesh (84 vs. 56 %; p = 0.037); median operative times (78 vs. 104 min; p = 0.008) and mean LOS were shorter (median 1.6 vs. 1.9 days; p = 0.045). For patients without concomitant sling, no demographic or perioperative differences were found between those that did (n = 10) and did not (n = 86) develop de novo SUI that required reoperation. Most reoperations were for sling management and SUI; few were for mesh complications or prolapse recurrence.
Sedimentology and provenance of the Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska: Bearings on the accretionary tectonic history of the Wrangellia composite terrane

Analysis of the Upper Jurassic Naknek Formation in the Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska, documents synorogenic sedimentation in a forearc basin along the outboard (southern) margin of the allochthonous Peninsular terrane during accretion to the western North American continental margin. New geochronologic, sedimentologic, and compositional data defi ne a two-part stratigraphy for the Naknek Formation. Microfossil, megafossil, and U-Pb clast ages document early Oxfordian to early Kimmeridgian deposition of the lower 690 m of the Naknek Formation and early Kimmeridgian to early Tithonian deposition of the upper 225 m of the Naknek Formation. Lithofacies and paleocurrent data from the lower Naknek Formation demonstrate initial deposition on a high-gradient, southward-dipping basin fl oor. Submarine mass fl ows deposited poorly sorted, cobble-boulder conglomerate in proximal fan-delta environments. Gravelly mass fl ows transformed downslope into sandy turbidity currents on a muddy prodelta slope. During early Kimmeridgian to early Tithonian time, fan-delta environments were replaced by lower gradient marine shelf environments characterized by deposition of cross-stratifi ed sandstone and bioturbated mudstone. Source-diagnostic clasts, feldspathic sandstone compositions, southwarddirected paleocurrent indicators, and U-Pb zircon ages of plutonic clasts (167.6 ± 0.3 Ma; 166.5 ± 0.2 Ma, 164‐159 Ma, 156.2 ± 0.4 Ma) indicate that the Naknek Formation was derived primarily from volcanic and plutonic source terranes exposed along the northern basin margin in the southern Talkeetna Mountains. Geologic mapping documents the Little Oshetna fault, a newly identifi ed northward-dipping reverse fault that bounds the northern margin of the Naknek Formation in the Talkeetna Mountains. The concentration of boulder-rich mass-fl ow deposits in the footwall of the fault in combination with geochronologic and compositional data suggest that sedimentation was coeval with Late Jurassic shortening along the fault and exhumation of plutonic source terranes exposed in the hanging wall of the fault. From a regional perspective, coarse-grained forearc sedimentation and pluton exhumation along the outboard (southern) segment of the Peninsular terrane were coeval with crustal-scale shortening and synorogenic sedimentation in retroarc basins along the inboard (northern) margin of the Wrangellia terrane (Kahiltna, Nutzotin, and Wrangell Mountains basins). We interpret the regional and synchronous nature of Late Jurassic crustal-scale deformation and synorogenic sedimentation in south-central Alaska as refl ecting either initial collision of the Wrangellia and Peninsular terranes with the former continental margin of western North America or amalgamation of the two terranes prior to collision.
The learning curve of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) cholecystectomy: definable, short, and safe.

Background The applications of laparoendoscopic single-site ( LESS) surgery, including cholecystectomy, are occurring quickly, although little is generally known about issues associated with the learning curve of this new technique including operative time, conversion rates, and safety. Study Design We prospectively followed all patients undergoing LESS cholecystectomy, and compared operations undertaken at our institutions in cohorts of 25 patients with respect to operative times, conversion rates, and complications. Results One-hundred fifty patients of mean age 46 years underwent LESS cholecystectomy. No significant differences in operative times were demonstrable between any of the 25-patient cohorts operated on at our institution. A significant reduction in operative times (p Conclusions For surgeons proficient with multi-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the learning curve for LESS cholecystectomy begins near proficiency. Operative complications and conversions were infrequent and unchanged across successive 25-patient cohorts, and were similar to those reported for multi-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy after the learning curve.
Toxicity Profile and Pharmacokinetic Study of A Phase I Low-Dose Schedule–Dependent Radiosensitizing Paclitaxel Chemoradiation Regimen for Inoperable Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose We report the toxicity profile and pharmacokinetic data of a schedule-dependent chemoradiation regimen using pulsed low-dose paclitaxel for radiosensitization in a Phase I study for inoperable non–small-cell lung cancer. Methods and Materials Paclitaxel at escalating doses of 15 mg/m 2 , 20 mg/m 2 , and 25 mg/m 2 were infused on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with daily chest radiation in cohorts of 6 patients. Daily radiation was delayed for maximal G2/M arrest and apoptotic effect, an observation from preclinical investigations. Plasma paclitaxel concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Dose-limiting toxicities included 3 of 18 patients with Grade 3 pneumonitis and 3 of 18 patients with Grade 3 esophagitis. There was no Grade 4 or 5 pneumonitis or esophagitis. There was also no Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia or neuropathy. For Dose Levels I (15 mg/m 2 ), II (20 mg/m 2 ), and III (25 mg/m 2 ), the mean peak plasma level was 0.23 ± 0.06 μmol/l, 0.32 ± 0.05 μmol/l, and 0.52 ± 0.14 μmol/l, respectively; AUC was 0.44 ± 0.09 μmol/l, 0.61 ± 0.1 μmol/l, and 0.96 ± 0.23 μmol/l, respectively; and duration of drug concentration >0.05 μmol/l (t > 0.05 μmol/l) was 1.6 ± 0.3 h, 1.9 ± 0.2 h, and 3.0 ± 0.9 h, respectively. Conclusion Pulsed low-dose paclitaxel chemoradiation is associated with low toxicity. Pharmacokinetic data showed that plasma paclitaxel concentration >0.05 μmol/l for a minimum of 1.6 h was sufficient for effective radiosensitization.
Development of neuronal circuits and behaviors in the medicinal leech

Abstract but not the inhibitors—have much longer central processes when their peripheral processes are kept from contacting their target muscles. This system should allow us to test ideas about how individual neurons find their appropriate targets to form functional neuronal circuits.
Dopamine‐dependent motor learning: Insight into levodopa's long‐duration response

Objective: Dopamine (DA) is critical for motor performance, motor learning, and corticostriatal plasticity. The relationship between motor performance and learning, and the role of DA in the mediation of them, however, remain unclear. Methods: To examine this question, we took advantage of PITx3-deficient mice (aphakia mice), in which DA in the dorsal striatum is reduced by 90%. PITx3-deficient mice do not display obvious motor deficits in their home cage, but are impaired in motor tasks that require new motor skills. We used the accelerating rotarod as a motor learning task. Results: We show that the deficiency in motor skill learning in PITx3(/) is dramatic and can be rescued with levodopa treatment. In addition, cessation of levodopa treatment after acquisition of the motor skill does not result in an immediate drop in performance. Instead, there is a gradual decline of performance that lasts for a few days, which is not related to levodopa pharmacokinetics. We show that this gradual decline is dependent on the retesting experience. Interpretation: This observation resembles the long-duration response to levodopa therapy in its slow buildup of improvement after the initiation of therapy and gradual degradation. We hypothesize that motor learning may play a significant, underappreciated role in the symptomatology of Parkinson disease as well as in the therapeutic effects of levodopa. We suggest that the important, yet enigmatic long-duration response to chronic levodopa treatment is a manifestation of rescued motor learning. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:639 – 647
Chicks Aren’t Chickens: Women, Poverty, and Marriage in an Orthodoxy of Conservatism

This article describes the marital and domestic violence experiences of poor women in South Carolina in the context of an orthodoxy of conservatism. Drawing on Bourdieu’s scholarship, the authors present a conceptual framework that is based on the concepts of habitus, orthodoxy, and heterodoxy. The interpretation of the qualitative and quantitative data connects the observed behavioral phenomena with the structural, cultural, and political factors that sustain them. The article ends with a discussion of the implications of the findings and the debate on marriage promotion
Uniaxial compression of a hard wheat flour dough : data analysis using the upper convected Maxwell model

The behavior of a hard wheat flour dough has been measured in lubricated uniaxial compression experiments at compressional rates (crosshead speeds) of 0.2, 2 and 20 cm/min. The appropriate differential equation, derived for an upper convected Maxwell model, while taking into account the changing strain rate during the compression at constant crosshead speed, was solved numerically. With a single choice of model parameters (a viscosity and a relaxation time) there was surprisingly good agreement between the experimental and calculated results. Best fits were obtained, however, when the parameters were allowed to vary with crosshead speed, reflecting the broad relaxation time distribution known to exist in doughs.
Economic Integration in Latin America

This study examines the feasibility of economic integration in Latin America. We analyze the existence of the long-term and short-term common movements among key macro variables — real GDP, intra-regional trade, private investment and consumption — in the seven largest economies in Latin America — Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. The joint behavior of the long term trends and the joint response to transitory shocks suggest a significant degree of economic synchronization among these countries. Our results reveal that the economic fluctuations in these countries follow a similar pattern in terms of duration, intensity, response, and timing both in the long run and in the short run. The findings suggest that the group of seven economies in Latin America can lead the path of integration in the region more smoothly as macroeconomic conditions are favorable for them to do so.
Engineering Entrepreneurship: An Example of A Paradigm Shift in Engineering Education

This paper describes a course on technology-based entrepreneurship. Brown University's Division of Engineering has created a two-semester course sequence designed to introduce students to entrepreneurship through a unique merger of classroom learning and industry participation. The course is open to advanced undergraduates from all engineering disciplines, and emphasis is placed upon recruiting almost half of the student participants from outside of engineering in order to develop “team building” skills. Local “parent companies” provide seed ideas or concepts to student groups who use skills learned in the classroom (both in this course as well as other courses) to develop and refine the parent company's idea and turn it into a viable simulated spin-off business or new start-up. Managers from the parent companies serve in an evolving role over the two-semester sequence beginning as a “board of directors” for the spin-off and eventually evolving into a potential source of start-up capital (or possibly a customer for the products of the company). The faculty carefully manage the student-company interface. Deliverables at the end of the two-semester sequence include a business plan and a prototype product.
Preservation Efficiency and Dairy Heifer Response from Unwilted Formic and Wilted Untreated Silages

Abstract Four experiments were planned directly to compare unwilted formic acid treated forage with untreated forage wilted to about 35% dry matter and stored in conventional tower silos. In two experiments forage was wilted from about 19 to 35% dry matter. A third attained similar wilting starting from 32% dry matter forage, but in the fourth weather prevented any wilting. In each experiment digestibility was determined with ad libitum and maintenance feeding in 4 X 4 Latin square trials while ad libitum feed intake and growth were measured concurrently in continuous growth trials of dairy heifers. In the three experiments where wilting occurred, daily gains were slightly more on two of three formic silages while energy digestibilities and intakes were slightly better on all three untreated silages. Energy recoveries were larger on the two untreated silages which were ensiled at about 35% dry matter than on formic silage, but wilting to 47% dry matter depressed energy recovery considerably below formic silage. Gain per metric ton of dry matter ensiled was slightyly more for untreated silages insiled at about 35% dry matter than for formic silages, but when ensiled at 47% dry matter it dropped to two-thirds that of formic silage. When untreated forage could not be wilted, the silage contained 1.9% butyric acid in dry matter and 29% of nitrogen as ammonia. Animals consumed this forage at essentially maintenance, and energy digestibility was depressed to 89% of formic silage. Gain per metric ton of forage dry matter was depressed to about 10% of values usual with good forages. Well made wilted silage without treatment was equivalent or slightly better than unwilted formic silage. Practical problems of either inadequate wilting or over wilting resulted in markedly less gain per unit of forage dry matter ensiled.
Facebook use and depressive symptomatology

We examined the impact of Facebook use, personality, and sex on depressive symptoms.We found no direct link between Facebook use and depressive symptoms.Facebook use among high neuroticism females predicted lower depressive symptoms. The popularity of social networking sites, such as Facebook, has increased rapidly over the past decade, especially among youth. Consequently, the impact of Facebook use on mental health problems (e.g., depressive symptomatology) has become a recent area of concern. Yet, evidence for such a link has been mixed and factors that contribute to heterogeneity of findings have not been identified. In this study, we examined whether the association between Facebook use and depressive symptoms is moderated by individual factors (i.e., personality and sex). To this end, we measured Facebook use, depressive symptoms, and personality domains (i.e., extroversion and neuroticism) among 237 young adults. No direct association was found between Facebook use and depressive symptoms. However, for females with high neuroticism, more frequent Facebook use was associated with lower depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest a complex relationship between Facebook use and depressive symptomatology that appears to vary by sex and personality. Facebook use may be protective against depressive symptoms for female users with high levels of neuroticism, while Facebook use may be unrelated to depressive symptoms among males.
Detection of Cochlear Amplification and Its Activation

The operation of the mammalian cochlea relies on a mechanical traveling wave that is actively boosted by electromechanical forces in sensory outer hair cells (OHCs). This active cochlear amplifier produces the impressive sensitivity and frequency resolution of mammalian hearing. The cochlear amplifier has inspired scientists since its discovery in the 1970s, and is still not well understood. To explore cochlear electromechanics at the sensory cell/tissue interface, sound-evoked intracochlear pressure and extracellular voltage were measured using a recently developed dual-sensor with a microelectrode attached to a micro-pressure sensor. The resulting coincident in vivo observations of OHC electrical activity, pressure at the basilar membrane and basilar membrane displacement gave direct evidence for power amplification in the cochlea. Moreover, the results showed a phase shift of voltage relative to mechanical responses at frequencies slightly below the peak, near the onset of amplification. Based on the voltage-force relationship of isolated OHCs, the shift would give rise to effective OHC pumping forces within the traveling wave peak. Thus, the shift activates the cochlear amplifier, serving to localize and thus sharpen the frequency region of amplification. These results are the most concrete evidence for cochlear power amplification to date and support OHC somatic forces as its source.
Kinetic constants of polymeric materials from thermogravimetric data

The thermal decomposition of polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE, Teflon), high and low density polyethylene (HDP and LDP), Delrin Acetal (DA), AVCO Phenolic Fiberglass (APFG), and carbon phenolic (CP), were studied by a thermogravimetric technique which utilized a constant heating rate. Loss in sample weight was recorded as a function of time or temperature from room temperature to approximately 700°. Reaction orders were established from logarithmic rate versus temperature plots. Arrhenius frequency factors and overall activation energies were determined from computerized integrations of the appropriate rate equations in which the results were treated on the basis of first-order reaction mechanisms for specific temperature regions. Zero-order mechanisms were estimated by the usual graphical methods.