cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Woody Stem Galls Interact With Foliage to Affect Community Associations

Gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) hijack the physiology of their host plant to produce galls that house wasps throughout their immature stages. The gall-maker-host plant interaction is highly evolved, and galls represent an extended phenotype of the gall wasp. We evaluated two-way interactions between stem galls produced by Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu on Castanea spp. (Fagales: Fagaceae) and foliage directly attached to galls (gall leaves) using gall leaf excision experiments and herbivore bioassays. Early season gall leaf excision decreased the dry weight per chamber (nutritive index) and thickness of the protective schlerenchyma layer and increased the number of empty chambers and the occurrence and size of exterior fungal lesions. Leaf excision also caused a modestly significant (α = 0.1) increase in the incidence of feeding chamber fungi and herbivory by Curculio sayi Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and a modest decrease in parasitoids. This study shows that gall leaves are important for stem gall development, quality, and defenses, adding support for the nutrient and enemy hypotheses. We also evaluated the effects of stem galls on the suitability of gall leaves to Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) herbivory to assess the extent of gall defenses in important source leaves. Relative growth rate of L. dispar larvae was greater on gall leaves compared with normal leaves, indicating that, despite their importance, gall leaves may be more suitable to generalist insect herbivores, suggesting limitations to the extended phenotype of the gall wasp. Our results improve our knowledge of host- cynipid interactions, gall source-sink relations, and D. kuriphilus community interactions.
Vulnerability and risk for anxiety disorders

Abstract An increasing number of studies in the anxiety disorders is concerned with the issue of etiology. Based on extant family and twin studies, it appears that the anxiety disorders are familial, but that the nature of this familial factor is uncertain. Emerging human and nonhuman primate data suggest that some individuals are likely to be more vulnerable to anxiety than others, and hence are at a greater risk for developing an anxiety disorder. This literature was reviewed briefly and a pilot investigation of the psychophysiological characteristics of anxious and normal children was described. The results were discussed in terms of the usefulness of psychophysiological strategies and challenge tasks in the assessment of anxious emotion, and as a model for exploring vulnerability to anxiety.
Two-dimensional refold interference patterns

Abstract When a rock undergoes two generations of folding, complex three-dimensional refolded structures result. If such a structure is then sectioned, two-dimensional interference patterns result. These patterns have been discussed before, but the incredible variety and complexities of these patterns can be shown only with a large number of diagrams. Using a computer simulation, various refolded structures have been sliced at every unique 30° combination of strike and dip (thirty sections per structure). The characteristics of the patterns observed are discussed and recurring recognizable patterns are identified.
Fluorometric determination of cyanide in biological fluids with p-benzoquinone.

A sensitive, specific fluorometric method has been combined with microdiffusion to measure cyanide in biological fluids. Cyanide reacts with p-benzoquinone to form fluorescent product(s) which are determined in dimethyl sulfoxide. Approximately 0.001 μmol/ml cyanide can be analyzed by this procedure. Sodium thiosulfate interferes with the determination of cyanide by the standard colorimetric procedure, but not with this fluorometric method. Blood cyanide concentrations in mice pretreated with sodium thiosulfate were compared by the fluorometric and colorimetric methods. These results demonstrate that thiosulfate interferes with the detection of cyanide colorimetrically, but not fluorometrically.
INFORMATION SUPPORT FOR ALLIANCES: PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

It is generally acknowledged that information exchange plays an important role in strategic alliances. However, little is known with respect to the perceptions each alliance partner has concerning information exchange as well as how to measure these perceptions. Key managers and executives in the food and health and personal care industries in North America participated in a mail survey to investigate these phenomena. The survey approach used a dyadic research design to identify the key elements of information exchange that impact alliance satisfaction. Based on the alliance partner's channel position as a buyer (manufacturer) or supplier (product or service supplier), the similarities and differences in perspective and subsequent managerial implications are analyzed and discussed.
A Fast Analytical Method to Compute Optimum Stiffness of Fixturing Locators

Abstract Machining fixtures are used to rigidly hold and support workpieces during machining. The quality of the machined part directly depends on the combined stiffness of the workpiece and the fixture. Low fixture stiffness causes poor quality parts, while large fixture stiffness causes the fixtures to be expensive and cumbersome. Finite element models can be used to optimize the fixture stiffness; however these techniques are computationally expensive for complex workpiece geometries. This paper develops a fast analytical method for optimizing fixture locator stiffnesses for workpieces that are more rigid than the fixture elements. The developed methodology is validated through finite element simulations and experiments.
Production rates of cosmogenic helium‐3, neon‐21, and neon‐22 in ordinary chondrites and the lunar surface

The production of 3 He, 21 Ne, and 22 Ne in meteoroids of various sizes and in the lunar surface was investigated. The LAHET code system, a purely physical model for calculating cosmic- ray particle fluxes, was used to simulate cosmic-ray particle interactions with extraterrestrial matter. We discuss the depth and size dependence of the shielding parameter 22 Ne/ 21 Ne, which is used for reconstruction of pre-atmospheric sizes, depth, and exposure histories. The 22 Ne/ 21 Ne ratio decreases with increasing depth or pre-atmospheric size but then increases with depth in very large objects. This increase with depth in the 22 Ne/ 21 Ne ratio means that this ratio is a poor indicator of shielding in some large objects. The dependence of 3 He/ 21 Ne as function of 22 Ne/ 21 Ne was also calculated, and differences between the calculations and the Bern line are discussed.
A Generalization of One-Atom Detection

Resonance ionization spectroscopy (RIS) and its associated one-atom detection can now be used to selectively detect nearly all of the elements. In this paper a notation borrowed from nuclear physics is introduced to classify five basic laser schemes which are entered into the periodic table of the elements. Applications of one-atom detection have grown to include many examples in classical physics and chemistry, photophysics, and modern physics. The modern physics category includes the detection of a few atoms generated by solar neutrino interactions in large samples and other ultralow-level counting applications for environmental research and cosmochronology.
“I had no idea”: Developing dispositional awareness and sensitivity through a cross-professional pedagogy

Abstract This research scrutinized the diffusion of a medical education pedagogy to the context of teacher education. Specifically, it focused on the use of standardized parents as an emerging pedagogy in teacher education. Preservice teachers taking part in a six case, fifteen-week intervention showed advances in multicultural awareness and ethical sensitivity as they engaged in multiple simulated parent–teacher conferences. Implications center on the use of this pedagogy within teacher education contexts to further advance the professional dispositions of teachers as they prepare to teach in diverse scholastic environments schools.
Adolescents' Internet Search Strategies: Drawing upon Familiar Cognitive Paradigms when Accessing Electronic Information Sources.

The goal of this study was to evaluate and describe the Internet search strategies of adolescent learners. Participants were 161 middle and high school students. Collected data included students' descriptions of the search process, observations of student searching behaviors, and audit trail lists of search strings used by students. The students demonstrated three approaches for locating information on the Internet, seven methods for constructing search strings, and four techniques for recovering from unsuccessful search attempts. The results suggest that when conducting research on the Internet, adolescents tend to resort to familiar cognitive schemata: starting with what they know, maintaining paradigms from the physical world, and adhering to time-tested practices. This information can be used to develop scaffolded instructional environments for adolescents that support more effective Internet searching.
Simulation of trabecular mineralization measurements in micro-CT

Micro-CT for bone structural analysis has progressed from an in-vitro laboratory technique to devices for in-vivo assessment of small animals and the peripheral human skeleton. Currently, topological parameters of bone architecture are the primary goals of analysis. Additional measurement of the density or degree of mineralization (DMB) of trabecular and cortical bone at the microscopic level is desirable to study effects of disease and treatment progress. This information is not commonly extracted because of the challenges of accurate measurement and calibration at the tissue level. To assess the accuracy of micro-CT DMB measurements in a realistic but controlled situation, we prepared bone-mimicking watery solutions at concentrations of 100 to 600 mg/cm3 K2PO4H and scanned them with micro-CT, both in glass vials and microcapillary tubes with inner diameters of 50, 100 and 150 mm to simulate trabecular thickness. Values of the linear attenuation coefficients m in the reconstructed image are commonly affected by beam hardening effects for larger samples and by partial volume effects for small volumes. We implemented an iterative reconstruction technique to reduce beam hardening. Partial voluming was sought to be reduced by excluding voxels near the tube wall. With these two measures, improvement on the constancy of the reconstructed voxel values and linearity with solution concentration could be observed to over 90% accuracy. However, since the expected change in real bone is small more measurements are needed to confirm that micro-CT can indeed be adapted to assess bone mineralization at the tissue level.
Field desorption of cluster ions: A method of testing the mechanism of ion formation

Abstract Experimental evidence is presented in support of mechanisms for field desorption involving ionization from the surface of the condensed phase or from species in equilibrium with the surface, and against a mechanism involving ionization of gaseous species. The mechanisms were tested by comparing the calculated heats of reaction for formation of M2X+ ions from alkali halides MX with the intensities of M2X+ ions formed in the field desorption experiment. The results contrast sharply with results for the spark source ionization of alkali halides. Evidence for the influence of selective evaporation and of ionic diffusion on ion intensities is also presented.
Rock Climbers' Attitudes Toward Management of Climbing and the Use of Bolts

The purpose of this research was to verify that various segments of the rock climbing community have different attitudes toward resource management and to aid in the understanding of attitudinal differences that can affect rock-climbing management. Respondents were given an on-site questionnaire; 400 usable surveys were collected from 13 different locations in the United States. Respondents identified themselves according to the type of climbing they participated in (e.g., traditional climbing, sport climbing, and hybrid climbing). Factor analysis identified five usable factors: bolt placement/use, need for management, reservations about management, appropriateness of bolts, and climbers' self-perception. A repeated-measures analysis of variance identified significant differences among responses from traditional and sport climbers on four of the five scales used to measures attitudes. The variance among the climbing subgroups indicated that various climbing groups had significantly different attitudes toward management. All climbers surveyed had reservations about the management process. Results from the analysis indicated that climbers from all three groups (traditional, sport, and hybrid) felt that managers did not adequately understand the activity of climbing, climbers did not adequately understand the management process, climbing was not treated fairly in the management process in comparison to other activities, and climbing was micromanaged.
Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use and the Risk for Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Some studies suggest that proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) increase risk for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this large, nested case–control study of adults in general practices in the United K...
Hormonal sex manipulation and evidence for female homogamety in channel catfish.

Abstract The mechanism of sex determination in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus was evaluated by hormonal and genetic methods. Aromatizable and nonaromatizable androgens, as well as an estrogen, caused feminization in fish fed steroids for 21 days after yolk-sac absorption. The effectiveness of 60 μg of ethynyltestosterone/g food decreased markedly when the experimental feeding period was shortened and was ineffective when the treatment lasted less than 12 days. Females from all-female populations produced by treatment with sex hormones were mated with normal males resulting in nine spawns with a sex ratio different from 1:1. The sex ratios were statistically similar to 3 male:1 female in five spawns, both 2:1 and 3:1 in two spawns, and 2:1 in two spawns. These data are consistent with a model for female homogametic sex determination in channel catfish and suggest that the YY equivalent genotype is viable.
Evaluating the impact of IT investments on productivity: a causal analysis at industry level

While many studies have shown positive and significant relationships between IT investments and firm productivity or performance, the question of causality remains: do higher IT investments contribute to better performance or does better performance lead to higher IT investments? In this study, we examine the issue of IT investment impact on productivity using Granger causality model with industry level data over a 30-yr period. Our results suggest that a causal relationship exists between IT investments and productivity at the industry level. IT investments contribute to productivity growth in most of the industries in our sample. In addition, we find a feedback relationship from productivity to IT investments, as suggested by some studies. We postulate that the impact of IT investments on productivity is moderated by the interaction of product information intensity and value-chain information intensity. n information intensity.
NetTrails: a declarative platform for maintaining and querying provenance in distributed systems

We demonstrate NetTrails, a declarative platform for maintaining and interactively querying network provenance in a distributed system. Network provenance describes the history and derivations of network state that result from the execution of a distributed protocol. It has broad applicability in the management, diagnosis, and security analysis of networks. Our demonstration shows the use of NetTrails for maintaining and querying network provenance in a variety of distributed settings, ranging from declarative networks to unmodified legacy distributed systems. We conclude our demonstration with a discussion of our ongoing research on enhancing the query language and security guarantees.
Ti-thickness-dependent electromigration resistance for Ti/Al-Cu-Si metallization with and without barrier rapid-thermal-anneal in an ammonia ambient

The electromigration resistance for Al-Cu-Si alloy over a Ti underlayer as a function of the initial Ti thickness in the range of 0 angstroms - 1000 angstroms is investigated. After the Ti deposition, test structures have been divided into groups with and without a rapid thermal anneal (RTA) in an ammonia ambient to form a TiN barrier. The electromigration resistance of these barrier metallization systems, in general, increases with the initial Ti thickness, except when the initial Ti thickness is less than 600 angstroms for the RTA TiN/Al-Cu-Si system. A model is proposed to explain this electromigration characteristic as a function of the initial Ti thickness for these barrier metallization systems, with the support of texture analysis of the Al-alloy surface and stress measurements of barrier layers using X-ray diffraction and wafer curvature. This study highlights a direction of how a Ti-based barrier metallization system should be processed in order to optimize its electromigration resistance.
Career Satisfaction in Primary Care: A Comparison of International and US Medical Graduates

BACKGROUND International medical graduates (IMGs) have substantial representation among primary care physicians in the USA and consistently report lower career satisfaction compared with US medical graduates (USMGs). Low career satisfaction has adverse consequences on physician recruitment and retention.
Effect of Fine Structure on Nucleon Transfer to Analog States

We extend our previous distorted-wave Born-approximation treatment of reactions of the form $A(d,p)B$ (in which $B$ is an unbound state) to include the case where $B$ is (a) dissolved into a fine structure of resonances that may overlap strongly, and (b) unstable against emission of other particles in addition to the transferred particle $n$. We assume that the reaction is strongly peripheral and goes through the $n+A$ channel of $B$ via the $\mathrm{np}$ interaction. We discuss the cross section for an experiment in which only particle $p$ is detected, while the decay products of $B$ are not observed or identified. For an isobaric-analog resonance we find that the cross section is proportional to ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}cos2({\ensuremath{\delta}}_{N}+\ensuremath{\varphi})$, where ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}$ is the $n$ escape width, ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{N}$ is the nuclear background phase shift, and $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ is the asymmetry phase. The cross section is entirely determined by the gross-structure parameters of the resonance, and does not depend on the nature of the fine structure. For the reaction $^{92}\mathrm{Mo}(d,n)$ to ${d}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ (8.40-MeV), ${s}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ (9.33-MeV), and ${d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ (9.91-MeV) analog states, we find that the effect of ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{N}+\ensuremath{\varphi}$ is negligible.
Effect of tar condensate from smoking tobacco and water-extract of snuff on the oral mucosa of mice with latent herpes simplex virus

Abstract Upper lips were inoculated with virus to establish a latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia. During the latent period, tobacco smoke tar condensate or water-extract of snuff were topically applied to the primary inoculation site for two or three consecutive months. Tar condensate induced re-activation of latent HSV in the ganglia of 10 to 20 per cent of animals but snuff extract did not. Infectious virus was also detected in lips after the chronic application of tar condensate in 10 per cent of animals. Three months' exposure to tobacco produced epithelial dysplasia and other changes in a significant number of latent HSV-infeeted mice, whereas tobacco alone did not induce dysplasia in the labial epithelium of uninfected mice.
Nahm Transform and Spectral Curves¶for Doubly-Periodic Instantons

We present the Nahm transform of the doubly-periodic instantons (i.e. instantons on T 2×ℝ2), converting them into certain meromorphic solutions of Hitchin's equations over an elliptic curve. We then show how to construct a triple consisting of an algebraic curve plus a line bundle with connection over it from a doubly-periodic instanton, and that such data coincides with the Hitchin spectral data associated with the Nahm transformed Higgs bundle.
Chemical synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing N3- and O4-carboxymethylthymidine and their formation in DNA

Humans are exposed to N-nitroso compounds from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Many N-nitroso compounds can be metabolically activated to give diazoacetate, which can result in the carboxymethylation of DNA. The remarkable similarity in p53 mutations found in human gastrointestinal tumors and in shuttle vector studies, where the human p53 gene-containing vector was treated with diazoacetate and propagated in yeast cells, suggests that diazoacetate might be an important etiological agent for human gastrointestinal tumors. The O(6)-carboxymethyl-2'-deoxyguanosine was previously detected in isolated DNA upon exposure to diazoacetate and in blood samples of healthy human subjects. The corresponding modifications of thymidine and 2'-deoxyadenosine have not been assessed, though significant mutations at A:T base pairs were found in the p53 tumor suppressor gene in human gastrointestinal tumors and in shuttle vector studies. To understand the implications of the carboxymethylation chemistry of thymidine in the observed mutations at A:T base pairs, here we synthesized authentic N3-carboxymethylthymidine (N3-CMdT) and O(4)-carboxymethylthymidine (O(4)-CMdT), incorporated them into DNA, and demonstrated, for the first time, that they were the major carboxymethylated derivatives of thymidine formed in calf thymus DNA upon exposure to diazoacetate. The demonstration of the formation of N3-CMdT and O(4)-CMdT in isolated DNA upon treatment with diazoacetate, together with the preparation of authentic oligodeoxyribonucleotide substrates housing these two lesions, laid the foundation for investigating the replication and repair of these lesions and for understanding their implications in the mutations observed in human gastrointestinal tumors.
The Inclusion of Fathers in the Empirical Investigation of Child Psychopathology: An Update.

This investigation provides an update on the inclusion of fathers in child psychopathology research. Articles published from January 1992 to January 2005 that examined parental contributions to child psychological maladjustment were identified. Each article was coded for child age, parental race, how parent gender was analyzed, type of journal, and year of publication. Overall, results replicated previous reviews (Phares & Compas, 1992), suggesting that fathers continue to be neglected in child psychopathology research. Further analyses revealed (a) higher rates of paternal research involvement as child age increased, (b) studies with a predominantly Caucasian sample included separate analyses for mothers and fathers more frequently than those with predominantly African American samples, (c) paternal research inclusion was higher in clinical compared to developmental psychology journals, and (d) over the past 6 years, more research has included fathers as participants than from the previous 7-year period (1992-1998).
Electrically controlled cholesteric gratings

Electrically controlled diffractive gratings are developed on the basis of cholesteric liquid crystal confined between two transparent electrodes. The electrodes are coated with unidirectionally treated alignment layers. The initial state is planar, with helix axis oriented normally to the electrodes. The applied field causes reorientation of molecules and creates structures modulated in the plane of the cell. Surface alignment provides unidirectional uniformity of the modulation. The parameters of the modulated structures and light diffraction are controlled by the cholesteric pitch, cell thickness and applied voltages. In the device of the first type, the modulated state produces Raman-Nath (RN) diffraction and allows a the modulated structure depends on the applied field. Diffraction regimes of both RN and Bragg types are demonstrated for this geometry. In the RN regime, the electric field allows one to control continuously the deflection angle. This effect can be used in various beam steering devices. The variation in the diffracted beam direction is more than 15 degrees. Typical working voltages are less than 10V. We present both the experimental results and 3D computer simulations of modulated structures caused by the field.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A three-year follow-up of Cambodian young people traumatized as children

Twenty-seven Cambodian young people, who were severely traumatized at ages 8 to 12, were followed up 3 years after an original study. A structured interview and self-rating scales showed that post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) were still highly prevalent (48%). Depression existed in 41%. Those with PTSD differed significantly from those without PTSD on the Global Adjustment Scale, the Social Adjustment Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Impact of Event Scale. Eight subjects had PTSD at both interviews, while 11 had none at either time. Eight showed a variable course. Avoidance behavior was highly prevalent, even among those without PTSD diagnosis. Although functioning relatively well, these youths continued to show symptoms related to their trauma of 8 to 12 years before.
Doubles and Tom Voire

Marx has confronted us first with the other, Tom, and then, quickly, the other's other-the experts, the clinicians, the lawyers. We, the readers, are perhaps another other. What are we to make of this essay of fantasy, information, gender, technology, and spying? The essay is cast, like a Lifetime [channel] film, as "being based on actual events" i.e., not wholly fabricated. It is labeled a "Clinical Report." Is it a fable, an allegory of technology, of gender malaise, of romance? I believe that Marx is suggesting that the relationship between copies and doubles parallels or is analogous to the relationship between self, the person, and other(s). I think he is suggesting further that in the same way that we have lost the thread that connects copies and originals, we have lost the thread that connects self to person and person to other and not-other. It may be easy to know we are not not-other, but are we other? The boundaries of the self are blurred in an age of mediated communication and high tech-image based social control.
Effective treatment of acute hyperkalaemia in childhood by short-term infusion of salbutamol.

Hyperkalaemia is a lifethreatening emergency and infusion of glucose with insulin has so far been regarded as the standard treatment of choice. Recently the β-2 stimulatory drug salbutamol has been shown to be an effective agent to treat hyperkalaemia by inducing a shift of potassium into the intracellular compartment. We treated 15 children aged 0.1–14 (mean 5.2) years suffering from acute hyperkalaemia (mean level 6.6±0.54, range 5.9–7.7 mmol/l) with a single infusion of salbutamol (5 μg/kg over 15 min). Serum potassium concentrations decreased significantly within 30 min to levels of 5.74±0.53 and 4.92±0.53 mmol/l after 120 min (P<0.001, respectively). No side-effects occurred other than a slight increase in heart rate in 3 patients. A single intravenous infusion of salbutamol at a dose of 5 μg/kg is a highly effective treatment for hyperkalaemia with minimal clinical side-effects. The effect lasts for at least 120 min and may reverse hyperkalaemia in some patients without further interventions so that salbutamol seems justified as the first choice treatment for this condition in childhood.
The Role of Imatinib in the Treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The Philadelphia chromosome and resultant Bcr-Abl fusion protein define most cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The characterization of this protein and its integral role in the pathogenesis of leukemia has led to the development of specific inhibitors of Bcr-Abl which possess potent anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. Imatinib, the only widely available Bcr-Abl inhibitor, represents the paradigm for rational drug development in the treatment of malignancies. It is highly effective in the treatment of chronic phase CML disease, producing a 95% complete hematologic response rate in interferon (IFN)-resistant patients. In contrast to IFN-based therapy, the majority of patients on imatinib will achieve a major cytogenetic response, suggesting a potential survival benefit. Imatinib also has a significantly more favorable toxicity profile than IFN or transplant-based strategies. Importantly, progression to the accelerated or blastic phases of the disease is rare in patients responding to imatinib. On the basis of these findings, the majority of patients with chronic phase CML should be considered for a trial of therapy with imatinib, either in the clinic or in the context of a clinical trial. Failure to achieve a complete hematologic response within 3 months or a cytogenetic response within 6 months should lead to consideration of allogeneic transplantation, IFN therapy or participation in available clinical trials. While a substantial proportion of patients with accelerated or blastic phase disease will have a response to imatinib, these responses are transient with eventual resistance as the rule. Therefore, single-agent treatment with imatinib in this setting is not recommended unless it is used as a bridge to more definitive therapy such as transplantation.
Preparation of (125I)-dCTP and its use as a substrate for RNA- and DNA-directed DNA synthesis.

Summary A method is described for the synthesis and subsequent purification of radioiodinated deoxycytidine triphosphate ( 125 I-dCTP). The resultant preparations were found to be free of mono- or diphosphorylated nucleosides as well as unlabelled dCTP. As a substrate for DNA synthesis ( 125 I)-dCTP showed incorporation into DNA equal to that of its tritiated counterpart in the endogenous RNA-directed DNA synthesizing system catalysed by avaian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase, and is also effectively utilized by Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. Therefore, ( 125 I)-dCTP prepared in this manner may be used to produce cDNA transcripts of viral or mRNA.
De novo mutation in the RP1 gene (Arg677ter) associated with retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE. The Arg677ter mutation in the RP1 gene is one of the most common causes of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP). In the current study, a de novo Arg677ter RP1 gene mutation was identified in a patient with RP. METHODS. RP1 gene mutation screening was performed in probands with simplex RP. In one proband with the RP1 mutation, paternity was established by analyzing 24 short tandem repeat polymorphisms. Additional candidate RP genes, including rhodopsin, RDS/peripherin, RP2, and RPGR, were also examined in this proband. Phenotype was characterized with psychophysics, electroretinography, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS. An RP1 (Arg677ter) mutation was identified in one of the patients with simplex RP, but the sequence change was not detected in his parents. Parentage was confirmed, and other candidate genes were negative for mutations. Retinal function and cross-sectional imaging studies in the patient indicated greater rod than cone dysfunction with a photoreceptor basis for the abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS. The de novo origin of an RP1 (Arg677ter) mutation in a patient with simplex RP suggests that this common autosomal dominant RP mutation can arise independently in the population and supports the hypothesis of a mutational hotspot in the RP1 gene. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44: 3593‐3597) DOI:10.1167/iovs.03-0155
Early Vision Network for a Moving Eye: Dynamic Contrast and Motion Detection

ABSTRACT We present a biologically-inspired early vision network that is well-suited to highly active and responsive visionplatforms. The network exploits normally undesirable camera motion as a necessary step in detecting imagecontrast. It also detects visual motion, producing distinctive signals from which useful image motion parametersare extracted. The network remains sensitive over a very wide dynamic range of inputs, and has self-calibratingproperties that make it amenable to analog VLSI implementation. The results also support the hypothesis that vertebrate cones function primarily as detectors of contrast and motion, rather than intensity. Experiments verify that naturally occurring jitter in a motor-mounted camera, instead of being avoided, can be exploited inearly visual processing. 1 INTRODUCTION Active vision systems such as mammalian eyes or mobile cameras are in constant motion. Even when fixated forapproximately stationary image acquisition, the sensing platform is rarely completely still. For active vision systems,it is impractical to hold the camera still while sensing.This paper describes a system for early visual processing, motivated by vertebrate retinal processing, that ezploitsthis unavoidable motion normally regarded as noise. The effects of physical camera jitter, instead of being removed
Test group biases and ethical concerns mar New England Journal of Medicine articles promoting HPV screening for cervical cancer in rural India

The study conclusions, released from prepublication embargo by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) at 5:00 PM on April 1, 2009, were dramatic. “In a low resource setting, a single round of HPV testing was associated with a significant reduction in the numbers of advanced cancers or deaths from cervical cancer.” Furthermore, the study abstract asserted, “No significant reductions in the numbers of associated deaths were observed in the cytology testing group or in the VIA group, as compared with the control group.”[1]
An electron-density study of germanium : evaluation of the available experimental data

Deformation and valence electron densities in germanium are derived via Fourier summation and multipole refinement of a selectively merged set of X-ray structure factors. The deformation density for germanium appears to be qualitatively different from that in silicon and diamond. The available experimental data are evaluated in the light of problems encountered in the electron-density analysis. In particular, the uncertainties associated with the experimental measurements are compared with the valence-electron contribution to the structure factors. The need for a better and more extensive data set for germanium is highlighted.
Photoelectric measurement and study of diamond-like carbon thin films

Photoelectric threshold of diamond like carbon thin films was measured using both retarding potential and variable wavelength techniques. The photoelectric threshold was found to be 3.3 eV ± 0.2 eV.
Control and Plasticity of the Presynaptic Action Potential Waveform at Small CNS Nerve Terminals

The steep dependence of exocytosis on Ca2+ entry at nerve terminals implies that voltage control of both Ca2+ channel opening and the driving force for Ca2+ entry are powerful levers in sculpting synaptic efficacy. Using fast, genetically encoded voltage indicators in dissociated primary neurons, we show that at small nerve terminals K+ channels constrain the peak voltage of the presynaptic action potential (APSYN) to values much lower than those at cell somas. This key APSYN property additionally shows adaptive plasticity: manipulations that increase presynaptic Ca2+ channel abundance and release probability result in a commensurate lowering of the APSYN peak and narrowing of the waveform, while manipulations that decrease presynaptic Ca2+ channel abundance do the opposite. This modulation is eliminated upon blockade of Kv3.1 and Kv1 channels. Our studies thus reveal that adaptive plasticity in the APSYN waveform serves as an important regulator of synaptic function.
Florida's Planning Requirements and Affordability for Low-Income Households

Growth management states in the USA, such as Florida, Oregon, and Washington, require their local jurisdictions to plan for an adequate supply of housing for all current and future residents, including low-income households. This research uses regression analysis to test the relationship between the strength of local comprehensive plans toward affordable housing and subsequent changes in housing affordability for low-income households. Semi-structured interviews with local planners about their perceptions of the efficacy of local plans provide insight into the quantitative findings. The initial plans passed after Florida's Growth Management Act were not associated with subsequent changes in housing affordability, but more recent plans were. Planners in a number of jurisdictions indicated that Florida's planning mandate increased awareness among public officials of affordable housing issues and the tools available to address them, despite the state's weak oversight.
Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular Tei index in congenital heart disease.

Background: Use of the Tei index has not been described to assess myocardial function before or after surgery in pediatric patients. This study was designed to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) function using the Tei index pre- and post-cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with lesion that result in a volume loaded right ventricle (RV). Methods: Retrospective data on 55 patients who underwent repair of a cardiac defect were analyzed. Patients with volume overload RV ( n = 15) were compared to patients without volume overload but with other cardiac defects ( n = 40). We reviewed pre- and post-operative LV myocardial performance index (Tei index). Tei index was obtained from transesophageal Doppler echocardiogram. Results: Patients with right heart volume overload, the mean preoperative Tei index was 0.6, with a postoperative mean decrease of 0.207 ( P = 0.014). Patients without right heart volume overload, the mean preoperative Tei was 0.48 with no significant postoperative change ( P = 0.82). Conclusion: Pre- and post-operative transesophageal echocardiogram assessment provides an easy and quick way of evaluating LV function intra-operatively using LV Tei index. Preoperative LV Tei index was greater in the RV volume overload defects indicating diminished LV global function. This normalized in the immediate postoperative period, implying an immediate improvement in LV function. In patients without right heart volume load, consist of other cardiac defects, demonstrated no changes in the pre- and post-operative LV Tei. This implies that LV function was similar after the surgery.
Binding of the chymotrypsin substrate, tryptophan methyl ester, by rat α-fetoprotein

Abstract We studied how tryptophan methyl ester and related compounds inhibit binding of estrone to rat α-fetoprotein and find that: (a) like chymotrypsin, α-fetoprotein binds tryptophan esters with higher affinity than tryptophan or its amides; (b) the affinity of α-fetoprotein for tryptophan methyl ester is 3.7 · 10 −4 M, which is close to the affinity of chymotrypsin (10 −4 M); (c) α-fetoprotein binding of tryptophan methyl ester is stereoselective and pH dependent. All of these observations suggest that there is a specific interaction between α-fetoprotein and the chymotrypsin substrate, tryptophan methyl ester, and that rat α-fetoprotein contains a site with some structural similarities to the catalytic site in chymotrypsin. Since we also find that tryptophan methyl ester is a competitive inhibitor of estrone binding to α-fetoprotein, it is possible that the protease substrate binding site on α-fetoprotein is spatially close to the estrone binding site.
Avoiding Revision Rhinoplasty

Septorhinoplasty is one of the most difficult surgical procedures performed by maxillofacial surgeons. Functional and cosmetic perfection, in the mind of the patient, is difficult to achieve. A great deal of time must be spent explaining surgical goals, expected outcomes, risks, benefits, and alternatives with patients before surgery. Nasal surgery is extremely difficult for the surgeon to master, because of the complex threedimensional anatomy and a relationship of hard and soft tissue, healing, scar contracture, surgical access, and manipulation. Therefore, it is also difficult for patients to understand and conceptualize the limitations of their own surgery. Most often, reoperation of the nose is because of patient dissatisfaction, resulting from poor diagnosis, poor explanation, poor planning, and poor execution by the surgeon. Inexperienced surgeons do not know what they can or cannot achieve and tend to oversell the procedure. It is only through poor results that surgeons gain experience. Revision rhinoplasty of the nose is reported to be 8% to 15%. 1 Reoperation should be performed to correct deformities that were not diagnosed or addressed in previous surgeries, such as those from poor planning and/or performance and poor surgical healing. Disturbance of the skin and subcutaneous tissues during primary surgery may lead to postoperative scarring and a lateonset deformity or asymmetry. Postoperative results take months to years before becoming fully apparent, and the novice surgeon is unable to reliably predict the outcome. There are multiple pitfalls that must be addressed and avoided by the nasal surgeon (Box 1). Pitfalls in nasal surgery can easily result in complications. The experienced nasal surgeon learns to anticipate the pitfalls and navigate between the hazards. Most surgeons learn when to operate, but it takes time and complications to learn when to stop. Overoperation of the nose often results in a poor result. Nowhere is this more true than in cosmetic nasal surgery; the enemy of good is better. Michelangelo once said: “Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle.” The nasal surgeon must have a good idea of what to expect and how the healing process will change the configuration of the nose in the 12 months after the operation. The most common reason for reoperation of the nose is simply a failure to plan. No one plans to fail, they just fail to plan. AVOIDING REVISION RHINOPLASTY Lack of Planning and Individualizing the Operation
Relief of Myxedema and Cretinism by Iodinated Blood Serum.

ConclusionIt is shown in 3 cases that a derivative of iodinated protein obtained entirely from extra-thyroidal sources exerts qualitatively the physiologic action of thyroid hormone in human myxedema.
Reliability of actual and predicted judgments across time

Abstract In order for predictions derived from judgment models to effectively represent or replace an individual's decision-making behavior, they must show adequate levels of temporal reliability. This study examined the test—retest reliability of judgment models. Thirty-three undergraduates were asked to rate the acceptability of constructing 50 hypothetical public utility plants and to describe their judgment strategy. This decision task was replicated two weeks later. Test—retest reliabilities of (a) actual judgments, (b) predictions from a statistically derived judgment model, and (c) predictions from a subjectively reported judgment model were computed. All average test—retest reliability estimates were significantly different from zero; the average reliability of judgments predicted by regression models was significantly larger than the average reliability of actual judgments and the average reliability of judgments predicted by subjective weighting strategies. Large individual differences in all three indices of reliability were noted. Further analyses showed that groups who completed the decision task before describing their subjective policies showed significantly higher reliabilities for predictions based upon their subjective policies than did most individuals who described their subjective policies before making judgments. Overall, the results support the implicit assumption that most individuals harbor temporally stable judgment policies across time, although some caution is suggested in the use of subjectively described decision strategies.
Testing for ancient admixture between closely related populations

One enduring question in evolutionary biology is the extent of archaic admixture in the genomes of present-day populations. In this paper, we present a test for ancient admixture that exploits the asymmetry in the frequencies of the two nonconcordant gene trees in a three-population tree. This test was first applied to detect interbreeding between Neandertals and modern humans. We derive the analytic expectation of a test statistic, called the D statistic, which is sensitive to asymmetry under alternative demographic scenarios. We show that the D statistic is insensitive to some demographic assumptions such as ancestral population sizes and requires only the assumption that the ancestral populations were randomly mating. An important aspect of D statistics is that they can be used to detect archaic admixture even when no archaic sample is available. We explore the effect of sequencing error on the false-positive rate of the test for admixture, and we show how to estimate the proportion of archaic ancestry in the genomes of present-day populations. We also investigate a model of subdivision in ancestral populations that can result in D statistics that indicate recent admixture.
Probing the Biology of Alzheimer's Disease in Mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia among the elderly, may either represent the far end of a continuum that begins with age-related memory decline or a distinct pathobiological process. Although mice that faithfully model all aspects of AD do not yet exist, current mouse models have provided valuable insights into specific aspects of AD pathogenesis. We will argue that transgenic mice expressing amyloid precursor protein should be considered models of accelerated brain aging or asymptomatic AD, and the results of interventional studies in these mice should be considered in the context of primary prevention. Studies in mice have pointed to the roles of soluble beta-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers and soluble tau in disease pathogenesis and support a model in which soluble Aβ oligomers trigger synaptic dysfunction, but formation of abnormal tau species leads to neuron death and cognitive decline severe enough to warrant a dementia diagnosis.
Postmolt Calcification in Subadult Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus Clarkii (Girard) (Decapoda, Cambaridae)

[In adulten P. clarkii waren die Korperreserven an Calcium so bemessen, das die Kalzifizierung fortschreiten konnte bis zu einem Ausmas, welches Hautungsstadium C1 entspricht (etwa der Halfte des Zwischenhautungsstadiums (C4)). Die Hautungsstadien C1 und C2 wurden erreicht innerhalb von 12 bzw. 24 h, bezogen auf das Ausmas der Carapaxkalzifizierung., In adulten P. clarkii waren die Korperreserven an Calcium so bemessen, das die Kalzifizierung fortschreiten konnte bis zu einem Ausmas, welches Hautungsstadium C1 entspricht (etwa der Halfte des Zwischenhautungsstadiums (C4)). Die Hautungsstadien C1 und C2 wurden erreicht innerhalb von 12 bzw. 24 h, bezogen auf das Ausmas der Carapaxkalzifizierung.]
Parasitic resistance in non-Foster circuits caused by current conveyor frequency response

Current conveyors are useful for creating non-Foster circuit components such as negative capacitors. As with operational amplifiers, it is sometimes desirable to use phase compensation techniques to improve the phase margin and stability in these circuits. However, it is shown for negative capacitor applications that the frequency response in a current conveyor leads to undesired parasitic resistance and reduced quality factor, Q. Analysis of the circuit shows that current conveyor frequency response can cause such degraded performance. In addition, measured data for a CMOS implementation confirm the predicted deleterious effects of current conveyor frequency response on parasitic resistance and quality factor.