cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Male‐to‐female ratios among NTDs and women's periconceptional intake of folic acid

Background About a decade ago, a hypothesis was put forward to explain the preponderance of females among neural tube defect (NTD) fetuses. That hypothesis predicts that a woman's higher levels of early gestational intake of methyl groups, such as folic acid, will be associated with lesser male-to-female ratio differences in NTD-affected births, specifically less preponderance of females. We explored this hypothesis in four distinct studies that investigated human NTDs, obtained information on folic acid, and capitalized on timing of folic acid fortification by investigating data that were collected both prior to and after the 1998 initiation of U.S. mandatory folic acid fortification of grains. Methods We analyzed data from four population-based case control studies conducted in California for birth years spanning 1987-2011. Two studies were conducted before folic acid fortification of the U.S. food supply. Each of the four studies included interviews of women who either had NTD-affected pregnancies (cases) or who did not have a pregnancy affected by a birth defect (controls). In each study, information on periconceptional supplement use was elicited. We explored male-to-female ratios and 95% binomial confidence limits in each data set. Results Our analyses of two case-control studies performed prior to and two performed post mandatory folate fortification in the United States showed that more NTD-affected fetuses were female in the first two studies. In the studies done before fortification, the frequency of females was even greater among those pregnancies without folic acid supplementation. Conclusion Our findings suggest folic acid may differentially reduce risk of NTDs among female fetuses.
QUANTIFYING THE UNCERTAINTY OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SOFT COSTS IN THE “COST OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SPREADSHEET TOOL” (CREST) MODEL

While solar photovoltaics are projected to grow, major financial barriers exist that impede installation. Soft costs (human-driven costs) can account for over half of total project costs and are often simplified in typical models. We use the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's “Cost of Renewable Energy Spreadsheet Tool” to quantify uncertainty of three soft cost inputs and their influence on the output cost of energy using variance-based sensitivity indices. We then suggest how the development process and model can be redesigned to represent the complexities of this socio-technical system.
Factors associated with bleeding events in patients on rivaroxaban for non-valvular atrial fibrillation: A real-world experience

Abstract Background Rivaroxaban is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) approved for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Data related to the risk factors associated with rivaroxaban-induced bleeding in patients with NVAF remain scarce in the community setting. We sought to investigate these bleeding risk factors in a racially diverse patient population. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective study based on a chart review of patients who received rivaroxaban from our outpatient pharmacy from January 2015 to April 2018 for NVAF. Any reported bleeding event (BE) was recorded as either major or minor bleeding event. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results Of the 327 patients included in our analysis, 105 (32%) were female, and the mean age was 62 ± 12 years. Among the included patients, 176 (54%) patients were black, 71 (22%) were white, 51 (15.6%) were Hispanic, 13 (4%) were Asian, and 15 (4.6%) belonged to other races. 89 (27.2%) of the patients had co-prescription of aspirin. A total of 24 (7.3%) patients developed BE, out of which 9 (2.7%) patients had a major BE, and 15 (4.5%) patients had minor BE. Non-fatal gastrointestinal bleeding and epistaxis were the most common type of BE. On multivariable analysis, concurrent aspirin use (81 to 325 mg) (P = 0.03; odds ratio (OR) 2.60 [1.08–6.28]) and increasing age (P = 0.00; OR 1.06 [1.01–1.11]) were independent predictors of BE. Conclusion In community practice, aspirin co-prescription is common among NVAF patients prescribed rivaroxaban. Increasing age and concurrent aspirin use are independent predictors of BE.
Nurses Care, Doctors Cure: the Racial Construction of Work for Black Men in Gendered Occupations

The research on gender and work documents that occupations are defined as more gender-appropriate for men or for women. Nursing is seen as a “woman’s job” while being a doctor yields higher economic rewards and status. Most of the research in this area, however, fails to consider how racial minority status affects the performance of duties associated with gendered occupations. I examine how gender and race shape the ways that caring and curing are done in gendered occupations of nursing and medicine. How do black male nurses and doctors construct ideas about caring and curing in their respective professions? These findings can help us understand additional factors that shape the ways medicine and nursing are practiced by minority groups who may experience their professional work differently from those in the majority. Key words: Gendered occupations - Black professionals - Nurses Care
Density functional studies on the hollow resonances in the Li-isoelectronic sequence (Z = 4?10)

Following from our work on triply excited hollow resonances in three-electron atomic systems, a density functional theory (DFT)-based formalism is employed to investigate similar resonances in the Li-isoelectronic series (Z = 4–10). A combination of the work-function-based local nonvariational exchange potential and the popular gradient plus Laplacian-included Lee–Yang–Parr correlation energy functional is used. The generalized pseudospectral method provides nonuniform and optimal spatial discretization of the radial Kohn–Sham equation. First, all the eight n = 2 intrashell states of B2+, N4+ and F6+ are presented, which are relatively less studied in the literature compared to the remaining four members. Then calculations are performed for the eight 2l2l'nl'' (3 ≤ n ≤ 6) hollow resonance series, namely 2s2ns 2Se, 2s2np 2Po, 2s2nd 2De, 2s2pns 4Po, 2s2pnp 4De, 2p2ns 4Pe, 2p2np 4Do and 2p2ns 2De, of all the seven positive ions. Next, as an illustration, higher resonance positions of the 2s2ns 2Se series are calculated for all the ions with a maximum of n = 25. The calculated excitation energies are in excellent agreement with the available literature data (for the n = 2 intrashell states the deviation is within 0.125% and excepting only one case, the same for the resonance series is well below 0.5%). With an increase in Z, the deviations tend to decrease. Radial densities are also presented for some of the selected states. The only result available in the literature for the lower resonances (corresponding to a maximum of n = 17) have been reported very recently. The n > 16 (17 for F6+) resonances are examined here for the first time. This gives a promising viable and general DFT scheme for the accurate calculation of these and other hollow resonances in many-electron atoms.
A Multidisciplinary Scoping Review of Literature Focused on Compassion, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, or Mindfulness Behaviors and Working with the Public

This multidisciplinary scoping review was conducted to understand how best to enforce behaviors to assist library employees in interacting with a diverse population in a more positive way. The scop...
Examining the Factor Structure and Incremental Validity of the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale - Short Form in a Community Sample.

The Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale – Short Form (BDEFS-SF; Barkley, 2011) was developed to assess deficits in five facets of executive functioning. Theoretical assumptions surround...
Estimating Sufficient Dimension Reduction Spaces by Invariant Linear Operators

We propose two new classes of estimators of the sufficient dimension reduction space based on invariant linear operators. Many second-order dimension reduction estimators, such as the Sliced Average Variance Estimate, the Sliced Inverse Regression-II, Contour Regression, and Directional regression, rely on the assumptions of linear conditional mean and constant conditional variance. In this paper we show that, under the conditional mean assumption alone, the candidate matrices for many second-order estimators are invariant for the dimension reduction subspace. As a result, these matrices provide useful information about the dimension reduction subspace—that is, a subset of their eigenvectors spans the dimension reduction subspace. Using this property, we develop two new methods for estimating the central subspace: the Iterative Invariant Transformation and the Nonparametrically Boosted Inverse Regression, the second of which is guaranteed to be \(\sqrt {n}\)-consistent and exhaustive estimator of the dimension reduction subspace. We also conduct a simulation study to show strong evidence that Nonparametric Boosted Inverse Regression outperforms some of the classical second-order inverse regression methods.
Long duration x-ray source development for x-ray diffraction at the National Ignition Facility.

We present the results of experiments to produce a 10 ns-long, quasi-monochromatic x-ray source. This effort is needed to support time-resolved x-ray diffraction (XRDt) measurements of phase transitions during laser-driven dynamic compression experiments at the National Ignition Facility. To record XRDt of phase transitions as they occur, we use high-speed (∼1 ns) gated hybrid CMOS detectors, which record multiple frames of data over a timescale of a few to tens of ns. Consequently, to make effective use of these imagers, XRDt needs the x-ray source to be narrow in energy and uniform in time as long as the sensors are active. The x-ray source is produced by a laser irradiated Ge foil. Our results indicate that the x-ray source lasts during the whole duration of the main laser pulse. Both time-resolved and time-integrated spectral data indicate that the line emission is dominated by the He-α complex over higher energy emission lines. Time-integrated spectra agree well with a one-dimensional Cartesian simulation using HYDRA that predicts a conversion efficiency of 0.56% when the incident intensity is 2 × 1015 W/cm2 on a Ge backlighter.
Dialogue across Differences of Position, Perspective, and Identity: Reflective Practice in/on a Student-Faculty Pedagogical Partnership Program.

BackgroundInspired by various conceptualizations of both cultural diversity and cross-role partnership, this discussion challenges the assumption that holds sway in many people's minds: Differences...
Attitudes toward physical activity of white midlife women.

Objective To explore attitudes toward physical activity of White midlife women in the United States using a feminist perspective.
Vented sediments and tsunami deposits in the Puget Lowland, Washington – differentiating sedimentary processes

The sandy deposits produced by tsunamis and liquefaction share many sedimentary features, and distinctions between the two are important in seismically active coastal zones. Both types of deposits are present in the wetlands bordering Puget Sound, where one or more earthquakes about 1100 years ago caused both tsunami flooding and sediment venting. This co-occurrence allows an examination of the resulting deposits and a comparison with tsunami and liquefaction features of modern events. Vented sediments occur at four of five wetland field localities and tsunami deposits at two. In comparison with tsunami deposits, vented sediments in this study and from other studies tend to be thicker (although they can be thin). Vented sediments also have more variable thickness at both outcrop and map scale, are associated with injected dykes and contain clasts derived from underlying deposits. Further, vented sediments tend to contain a greater variety of sedimentary structures, and these structures vary laterally over metres. Tsunami deposits compared with vented sediments are commonly thinner, fine and thin landward more consistently, have more uniform thickness on outcrop and map scales, and have the potential of containing coarser clasts, up to boulders. For both tsunami deposits and vented sediments, the availability and grain size of source material condition the characteristics of the deposit. In the cases presented in this paper, both foraminifera and diatom assemblages within tsunami deposits and vented sediments consisted of brackish and marine species, and no distinction between processes could be made based on microfossils. In summary, this study indicates a need for more careful analysis and mapping of coastal sediments associated with earthquakes to avoid misidentification of processes and misevaluation of hazards.
Production and flux of carbohydrate species in the Gulf of Mexico

were about 3 times higher than those in 2000, which was a time of lower nutrient concentrations, indicating that the fluxes of carbohydrate species are related to the nutrient status and phytoplankton composition. The results suggest that APS in the upper water column can be produced by cyanobacteria, prymnesiophytes, and heterotrophic bacteria. Most importantly, our data indicate that APS and CHO compounds are more resistant to biological degradation than other organic compounds, suggesting that the role of CHO compounds in carbon cycling in the ocean is more complex than previously thought. INDEX TERMS: 1050 Geochemistry: Marine geochemistry (4835, 4850); 1615 Global Change: Biogeochemical processes (4805); 1065 Geochemistry: Trace elements (3670); KEYWORDS: carbohydrates, acid polysaccharides, POC flux, uronic acids, seawater, Gulf of Mexico
African-American Parents’ Racial and Ethnic Socialization and Adolescent Academic Grades: Teasing Out the Role of Gender

This study examined the relationship of racial and ethnic socialization and academic achievement in a sample of 218 African American adolescents (grades 9–12; 52% girls) attending a public high school in the northeastern United States. Researchers were particularly interested in whether adolescent gender moderated the relationship between racial and ethnic socialization and academic grades. Results indicated that aspects of ethnic socialization, African American cultural values and African American heritage were linked to adolescent grades. Additionally, adolescent gender was found to moderate the association between these socialization variables and grades. The findings also suggest that socialization provided by paternal caregivers around African American cultural values and African American heritage may have differential effects for academic grades than the socialization messages provided by maternal caregivers. Information generated from this study broadens the understanding of socialization factors that can facilitate positive academic outcomes in African American youth and has practical implications for parents and educators.
The social world of magicians: Gender and conjuring

This paper discusses the relationship of gender to magic. It explores sociological and social-psychological reasons, both historically and in contemporary society, for the dearth of women magicians. Such factors as the social-structural dimensions of the magic profession, the socialization of gender roles in play and communications, the nature of magic, and the role of power and control in a performance are discussed. The uses of magic as a metaphor for an analysis of gender roles in everyday life are proposed in the concluding section.
Augmentation by 4-aminopyridine of vestibulospinal free fall responses in chronic spinal-injured cats.

Abstract This study examines the effect of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on free fall responses (FFR) in the hindlimb muscles of chronically spinal injured cats. The thoracic spinal cord of 7 adult female cats was injured by a standardized contusion method. At 3–7 months post-injury the FFR in 6 hindlimb muscles was recorded electromyographically in each animal, under ketamine sedation. The normal short-latency response to a sudden drop was severely attenuated in all injured animals and practically undetectable in 2 cases. Within 15 min following intravenous administration of 1 mg/kg 4-AP, there was profound augmentation of the amplitude of the FFR and a tendency toward normalization of latency in all animals, though the normal amplitude range was not attained. The same 4-AP dose produced a relatively small increase of FFR amplitude in only 2 of 4 normal, uninjured animals tested. The data are consistent with previous observations that low doses of 4-AP restore conduction in some critically demyelinated axons, and provide support for the hypothesis that conduction block in surviving axons is responsible for a proportion of the dysfunction in chronic spinal injury. Augmentation of FFR in injured animals may also result partly from increased transmitter release in both spinal cord and periphery, due to the presynaptic effects of 4-AP.
CyberPLAYce: a play space of creative, intelligent tools promoting personal and computational expression for early learners

CyberPLAYce is a portable, cyber-physical-spatial learning environment that students use to discover, manipulate, and create, matched to teacher curricula for children 8-10 years old. CyberPLAYce finds inspiration in the concepts of embodied child-computer interaction, where meaning is constructed through personal and computational expression along with restructuring the spatial configuration of elements in the environment. A full-functioning prototype has been developed, early interaction with children has been observed, and a research plan has been developed for usability evaluation. We envision that CyberPLAYce, "an object-to-think with", will allow children to express themselves through their creation of cyber-physical-spatial worlds.
International Polar Year kicks off

The International Polar Year officially began on 1 March with an opening ceremony in Paris, France, and with local celebrations held throughout the week. The festivities marked the start of the two-year international effort to understand ongoing change in the polar regions. Previous IPYs (1882–1883 and 1932–1933) and the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958) resulted in a legacy that included the creation of maps of the polar regions, the establishment of permanent Antarctic research stations, the launch of the first satellites, and ratification of the Antarctic Treaty in 1961. Organizers of the current IPY hope that it will leave its own legacy of research, data, observation systems, and the inspiration of future scientists, said Robin Bell, chair of the U.S. National Committee for IPY and a geophysicist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, N.Y.
Uncompensated hospital care for pregnancy and childbirth cases.

BACKGROUND: The large number of medically indigent patients in the United States is a major concern to policymakers and may be due to recent increases in the number of uninsured people. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect the amount of unpaid hospital charges for services provided to pregnant women. METHODS: Individual and hospital data were collected on a representative set of 235 pregnancy and childbirth patients with unpaid hospital charges from 28 hospitals in the state of Indiana. RESULTS: Most of these patients did not have insurance coverage (63.8%), yet the majority were employed in the public or private sector (72.3%). Over half (55.5%) of the total uncompensated care amount for this group was from the $1000 to 2499 debt category. The median charge for these patients was $1468, of which the typical hospital was able to collect only 25.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the belief that any national effort to expand the availability of health insurance coverage to w...
Object detection and characterization by monostatic ladar Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) using polarimetric discriminants

The purpose of this study is to explore novel monostatic ladar detection principles utilizing polarimetric Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and single-pixel detection parameters. The depolarization of backscattered elliptical polarized light beams, from extended area space materials, was studied at different sample orientations. Specifically, the depolarization ratio for both linearly and circularly polarized light waves was estimated under quasimonostatic transceiver geometry. The experimental results indicate that space object materials exhibit distinct depolarization signatures, which provide enhanced discrimination capabilities. The outcome of this study would enhance the monostatic-ladar detection and discrimination capabilities.
Availability Analysis of Repairable N-Server ni-Replicated Systems

We develop an exact closed-form expression for the steady-state availability of a repairable, N-server system in which the ith server contains n i identical, reconfigurable, breakdown-prone units. Our approach, which follows from the Markov chain balance equations and the recursive properties of Hessenberg matrix determinants, is simpler than previously proposed matrix geometric approaches, and can readily be adapted to the availability analysis of more complicated structures. We illustrate this by computing the steady-state availability of a mixed parallel-serial gracefully degrading replicated system.
On unique factorization domains

Abstract In this paper we attempt to generalize the notion of “unique factorization domain” in the spirit of “half-factorial domain”. It is shown that this new generalization of UFD implies the now well-known notion of half-factorial domain. As a consequence, we discover that one of the standard axioms for unique factorization domains is slightly redundant.
Partial reconstruction of the nose

Abstract In spite of abrogating certain fixed principles, such as extending a donor site out toward the cheek, per se , grafting the external portion of the flap rather than the internal aspect of the flap and gambling on the vascular distribution as generally conceived, I believe an approach has been found which is cosmetically superior, with no disfiguring donor site to be complained of, and which is produced in a single-stage procedure rather than a multiple-stage procedure. The advantages to be found with the aforementioned approach lead me to believe that its future employment in partial reconstruction of the nose deserves serious consideration.
ACTIVE POTASSIUM TRANSPORT AND [Na++ K+]ATPase ACTIVITY IN CULTURED GLIOMA AND NEUROBLASTOMA CELLS

—The ouabain-sensitive K+ uptake and ATPase activities of cultured glioma and neuroblastoma cells were studied. Both cell lines showed ouabain-sensitive K+ uptake which correlated with the level of [Na++ K+]ATPase activity found in the respective total cell homogenate. The glioma cells had a 2.1-fold higher rate of K+ uptake than neuroblastoma cells, and a 2.4-fold higher [Na++ K+]ATPase activity. In the presence of ouabain neuroblastoma cells released K+ and took up Na+ in a 1:1 ratio. These results are compared and contrasted with similar studies on brain tissue and isolated cells. It is suggested that the cultured cell lines may serve as good models for the cation transport properties of their tissue counterparts.
Impact of Charcot neuroarthropathy on metatarsal bone mineral density and geometric strength indices.

article i nfo Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN), an inflammatory condition characterized by rapid and progressive destruction of pedal bones and joints, often leads to deformity and ulceration in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral neuropathy (PN). Repetitive, unperceived joint trauma may trigger initial CN damage, causing a proinflammatory cascade that can result in osteolysis and contribute to subsequent neuropathic fracture. We aimed to characterize osteolytic changes related to development and progression of CN by measuring bone mineral density (BMD) and geometric strength indices using volumetric quantitative computed tomography. Twenty individuals with DM+PN were compared to twenty age-, sex-, and race-matched individuals with DM+PN and acute CN. We hypothesized that individuals with acute CN would have decreased BMD and de- creased total area, cortical area, minimum section modulus, and cortical thickness in the diaphysis of the second and fifth metatarsals. Results showed BMD was lower in both involved and uninvolved feet of CN participants compared to DM+PN participants, with greater reductions in involved CN feet compared to uninvolved CN feet. There was a non-significant increase in total area and cortical area in the CN metatarsals, which helps ex- plain the finding of similar minimum section modulus inDM+PNand CNsubjects despite theCNgroup'ssignif- icantly lower BMD. Larger cortical area and section modulus are typically considered signs of greater bone strength due to higher resistance to compressive and bending loads, respectively. In CN metatarsals, however, these findings may reflect periosteal woven bone apposition, i.e., a hypertrophic response to injury rather than increased fracture resistance. Future research using these techniques will aid further understanding of the inflammation-mediated bony changes associated with development and progression of CN and other diseases.
Osteonecrosis of the talus

Talar osteonecrosis remains partially understood and a clinical challenge. Further research is necessary to elucidate the etiology, pathophysiology, and true incidence of this complex disorder fully. Optimal imaging strategies and staging systems also require further investigation. As our understanding of talar osteonecrosis evolves, so will our ability to treat this disorder promptly and properly.
Modeling of California's June wind, wind stress and curl of the wind stress

Summary form only given. Atmospheric mesoscale modeling of a typical June California and Northern Baja California marine atmosphere reveals details important to coastal ocean processes. The southbound wind speed increases from distant offshore to up to a few kilometers of the Northern and Central California Coast. Fast winds extend southward of Point Conception, leaving the eastern portion Southern California Bight with weak and cross shore winds. The southbound, coast parallel winds are re-established south of San Diego, and extend along Northern Baja California. The fastest winds are close to the coast in the immediate lees of every cape. Wind stress patterns match the surface wind patterns with the greatest wind stress close to the coast in the lees of capes. Contrary to previously held views, the curl of the wind stress is strong and positive only within 10-20 km of the northern California Coast and in the greater Santa Barbara Channel area. Thus, the positive wind stress curl that is associated with coastal upwelling occurs only in limited areas close to the coast. The remainder of the coastal waters of California and Northern Baja California have weak, negative curl of the wind stress which generates ocean downwelling.
A virtual reconstruction of the Cone sisters' apartments

This sketch presents how the real-time 3D interactive simulation, "The Virtual Tour of the Cone Sisters' Apartments", from the SIGGRAPH 02 Art Gallery exhibition was designed, authored and produced by the Imaging Research Center (IRC) at UMBC for two installations at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA).
Measurements of the photochemical production of aerosols in ambient air near a freeway for a range of SO2 concentrations

Abstract The formation and growth of photochemically produced aerosol particles were studied for initially particle-free ambient air collected downwind from a freeway in two 14 m3 transparent Teflon bags exposed to natural sunlight for SO2 concentrations ranging from 0.006 to 0.067 ppm, by volume. Using a Thermo Systems Electrical Aerosol Analyzer, the concentration and size distribution of aerosol particles from 0.0056 to 0.36 μm dia. was measured as a function of time. The volumetric conversion rate of material from the vapor to the condensed phase was found to be a linear function of the initial SO2 concentration and directly proportional to the initial non-methane hydrocarbon concentration in the bags. Filter samples of the photochemically produced aerosol particles were analyzed for sulfate, nitrate and nitrite. The sulfate and nitrate formation rates ranged from 0.72 to 2.6 μg m−3 h−1 and 0.76 to 3.2 μg m−3 h−1, respectively, while the nitrite formation rate ranged from 0.008 to 0.038 μg m−3 h−1. The overall rate of SO2 to sulfate conversion was estimated to range from 0.55 to 1.3% h−1. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the chemical states of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon on the surface of the filter samples. Sulfur was found in the form of SO2−4, as well as chemisorbed SO2 and SO3. Nitrogen was present as NO−3 and as two reduced forms identified as amines or amides, and carbon was present as either elemental carbon or as paraffinic hydrocarbon.
Sequential infection and distribution of wound-tumor virus in the internal organs of a vector after ingestion of virus.

Abstract Fluorescent antibody techniques were used to detect wound-tumor virus (WTV) antigens in the hemolymph, brain, salivary glands, intestine, Malpighian tubules, ovaries, fat body, and mycetomes of the viruliferous leafhopper Agallia constricta Van Duzee. No antigens could be detected in the male reproductive organs. WTV antigens were localized in the cytoplasmic particulates of hemocytes and of fat body cells. Particles which stain specifically, by the fluorescent antiserum, in the hemolymph of viruliferous leafhoppers could be pelleted by low speed centrifugation. When insects were given a 1-day acquisition feed, WTV antigens were detected on the 4th day in a particular corner of the filter chamber of the intestine of some intestines. No positive reactions could be found in the hemolymph or any other organs at this time, or indeed before the 12th day. By the 12th day the entire filter chamber was filled with fluorescent particles and infection had extended from this part of the ventriculus to other adjacent parts of this organ. By the 14th day WTV antigens could be detected in fat body, brain, and Malpighian tubules, and on the 17th day in the salivary glands. Various internal organs were maintained in a culture medium, and some of them showed peristaltic movements for up to 3 weeks. When organs were isolated from viruliferous leafhoppers at least 4 weeks after the acquisition of WTV and maintained in vitro for 15 days, WTV antigens were detected in brain, salivary glands, intestine, Malpighian tubules, and ovaries. Fat body tissues and mycetomes tended to degenerate in the medium.
Experimental assessment of a compact branched tray generator for ammonia–water desorption

An experimental investigation of heat and mass transfer in a miniaturized ammonia–water desorber utilizing microscale geometries is presented. The desorber, sized for a 3.5-kW space-conditioning system, is of a branched tray design consisting of an array of alternating plates with integral microscale features enclosed between cover plates. The desorber is hydronically coupled to a heat transfer fluid that is heated by the combustion of natural gas. An adiabatic analyzer and solution cooled rectifier are integrated into the same envelope as the desorber. The component is tested as part of a single-pressure system on a breadboard test facility and is studied over a range of heat transfer fluid inlet temperatures, flow rates, and concentrated solution flow rates. Desorber performance is experimentally investigated over a wide range of test conditions to improve the understanding of performance at design and off-design conditions and the potential for flow instabilities.
A Test of the Usefulness of Perfectionism Theory Across Cultures: Does Perfectionism in the US and Japan Predict Depressive Symptoms Across Time?

The present study examined cultural variations on performance perfectionism (Chang in Cogn Therapy Res 30:677–697, 2006; Cogn Therapy Res 33:334–344, 2009) in 168 European American and 151 Japanese college students. Results of between-groups analyses on performance perfectionism provided support for the general notion of self-enhancement in the West and self-criticism in the East. Moreover, performance perfectionism was found to be associated with concurrent and prospective (2 months later) depressive symptomatology in both cultural groups. Results of regression analyses for both European Americans and Japanese indicated that negative self-oriented performance perfectionism predicted changes in depressive symptomatology at Time 2 even after controlling for initial symptomatology at Time 1. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.
Comparative sequencing of plant genomes: choices to make.

The first sequenced genome of a plant, Arabidopsis thaliana , was published <6 years ago ([Arabidopsis Genome Initiative, 2000][1]). Since that time, the complete rice genome ( Oryza sativa ; [Goff et al., 2002][2]; [Yu et al., 2002][3]; [International Rice Genome Sequencing Project, 2005][4]) and a
Novel σ receptor ligands attenuate the locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine

Cocaine interacts with sigma receptors, suggesting that these sites are important for many of its behavioral effects. Therefore, two novel sigma receptor ligands, BD1008 (N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethylamine) and BD1063 (1-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-methylpiperazine), were evaluated for their ability to attenuate cocaine-induced locomotor activity. Receptor binding studies showed that BD1008 and BD1063 have nanomolar affinities for sigma1 and sigma2 sites, but a 250-fold or lower affinity for nine other receptors, making them among the most selective sigma receptor ligands identified. In behavioral studies, pretreatment of mice with BD1008 or BD1063 produced a two-fold increase in the ED50 for the locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine. These results suggest that sigma receptors are involved in the behavioral effects of cocaine.
The acute effects of prior cycling cadence on running performance and kinematics.

GOTTSCHALL, J. S. and B. M. PALMER. The acute effects of prior cycling cadence on running performance and kinematics. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 34, No. 9, pp. 1518–1522, 2002.PurposeTo determine if cycling cadence affects subsequent running speed through changes in stride frequency.MethodsThirte
Autoradiographic studies of the intracanal diffusion of aqueous and camphorated parachlorophenol in endodontics.

Abstract Studies of the penetrability of radio-labeled aqueous parachlorophenol and camphorated parachlorophenol were conducted by means of microscopic and autoradiographic techniques. The results indicated that aqueous parachlorophenol penetrated into the dentin from the pulp chamber and root canal and traveled at least to the cementodentinal junction, whereas the camphorated parachlorophenol did not.
Extended Area Range Instrumentation System Utilizing DME Links

Updated and expanded range instrumentation installations require a system capable of actually tracking and controlling large numbers of vehicles over expanded areas. A range instrumentation system is discussed based on distance measurement equipment (DME) coupled with high performance data links which satisfies these requirements. Previously developed DME systems utilized a single frequency data link, required a low sample rate, and accomodated only a few vehicles. The DME range instrumentation system described will handle a large number of test vehicles and accomodate high data rates without performance degradation. This is accomplished by incorporating surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices and microprocessors with previous developed technology. A system performance analysis for various configurations of the range instrumentations system design is also presented.
Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of a cloned cardiac Ca2+ channel alpha 1 subunit (alpha 1C) expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The alpha 1 subunit of cardiac Ca2+ channel, expressed alone or coexpressed with the corresponding beta subunit in Xenopus laevis oocytes, elicits rapidly inactivating Ca2+ currents. The inactivation has the following properties: 1) It is practically absent in external Ba2+; 2) it increases with Ca2+ current amplitudes; 3) it is faster at more negative potentials for comparable Ca2+ current amplitudes; 4) it is independent of channel density; and 5) it does not require the beta subunit. These findings indicate that the Ca2+ binding site responsible for inactivation is encoded in the alpha 1 subunit and suggest that it is located near the inner channel mouth but outside the membrane electric field.
POP: a hybrid point and polygon rendering system for large data

We introduce a simple but effective extension to the existing pure point rendering systems. Rather than using only points, we use both points and polygons to represent and render large mesh models. We start from triangles as leaf nodes and build up a hierarchical tree structure with intermediate nodes as points. During the rendering, the system determines whether to use a point (of a certain intermediate level node) or a triangle (of a leaf node) for display depending on the screen contribution of each node. While points are used to speedup the rendering of distant objects, triangles are used to ensure the quality of close objects. Our method can accelerate the rendering of large models, compromising little in image quality.
Coagulation factor defends adenovirus from immune attack.

Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) has been intensively studied as a viral vector for gene therapy, and understanding host–Ad5 interactions will be key to the safe and effective use of this vector. A recent study in mice provides new insights in this area by showing that Ad5 enlists a host coagulation factor to overcome complement-mediated blockade and infect the liver (pages 452–457).
Microampere negative helium ions using potassium vapour exchange

Abstract Modification of the ion source of a model EN tandem Van de Graaff accelerator to utilise potassium vapour charge exchange has increased the negative helium ion currents to 2.0μA. Alpha particle beam currents used in experiments depend on the transmission through the machine and vary from 0.3 to 0.8 μA. The modified source has been used with potassium vapour exchange for continuous periods of up to three weeks. No upper time limit has been established. time limit has been established.
Metastable and equilibrium phases in dilute V--N alloys

Alloys of vanadium containing 0 to 10 at. pct nitrogen were prepared and aged at temperatures from 300 to 950°C. The nitrogen solvus line was determined and the discontinuities are discussed in terms of the phases coexisting with the α-phase at various temperatures. Aging temperatures greater than 550°C produced only V3N in equilibrium with the α-phase. Aging at 550°C and below resulted in a sequence of transformations beginning with the precipitation of V16N from supersaturated α-phase. This transformation was followed by the decomposition of the V16N into two other metastable phases, termed VxN and VγN. Longer aging times at 550°C resulted in dissolution of VγN and resultant large discs of V*N precipitate. Further aging yielded V3N. Except for the α-phase, the phases involved in this sequence have nitrogen atoms which are ordered. The crystal structures of both the vanadium atoms and the nitrogen atoms in VxN and VγN are presented and discussed. VN is shown to be bet while VγN is bcc with respect to the vanadium atoms. The morphology of the precipitates is described and discussed in terms of their crystal structures.
Restoring the Adaptive Capacity of Forest Ecosystems

Enhancing maintenance of desired goods and services in the face of perturbations—i.e., enhancing the ecosystems capacity to adapt—is a key consideration for restoration efforts. Complexity science provides a scientific framework for understanding and studying ecosystems, which can facilitate restoration efforts that increase or restore adaptive capacity. Many characteristics of complex systems have been integrated into ecosystem ecology. However, unifying these concepts under complexity theory provides new insights into ecosystem behavior. Several cases highlight how this can be useful for restoration efforts. For example, including cross-scale hierarchies in the analysis provided a better understanding of variability in ecosystems—e.g., in terms of the diversity in boreal forests and in terms of natural regeneration dynamics. Another example shows how a “mechanistic view” of diversity of traits can help understand how restoration treatments influence selected ecosystem functions, and how restoration trea...
G-protein receptor kinase 5 regulates the cannabinoid receptor 2-induced up-regulation of serotonin 2A receptors

We have recently reported that cannabinoid agonists can up-regulate and enhance the activity of serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors in the prefrontal cortex (PFCx). Increased expression and activity of cortical 5-HT2A receptors has been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and schizophrenia. Here we report that repeated CP55940 exposure selectively up-regulates GRK5 proteins in rat PFCx and in a neuronal cell culture model. We sought to examine the mechanism underlying the regulation of GRK5 and to identify the role of GRK5 in the cannabinoid agonist-induced up-regulation and enhanced activity of 5-HT2A receptors. Interestingly, we found that cannabinoid agonist-induced up-regulation of GRK5 involves CB2 receptors, β-arrestin 2, and ERK1/2 signaling because treatment with CB2 shRNA lentiviral particles, β-arrestin 2 shRNA lentiviral particles, or ERK1/2 inhibitor prevented the cannabinoid agonist-induced up-regulation of GRK5. Most importantly, we found that GRK5 shRNA lentiviral particle treatment prevented the cannabinoid agonist-induced up-regulation and enhanced 5-HT2A receptor-mediated calcium release. Repeated cannabinoid exposure was also associated with enhanced phosphorylation of CB2 receptors and increased interaction between β-arrestin 2 and ERK1/2. These latter phenomena were also significantly inhibited by GRK5 shRNA lentiviral treatment. Our results suggest that sustained activation of CB2 receptors, which up-regulates 5-HT2A receptor signaling, enhances GRK5 expression; the phosphorylation of CB2 receptors; and the β-arrestin 2/ERK interactions. These data could provide a rationale for some of the adverse effects associated with repeated cannabinoid agonist exposure.
Multipurpose MRG Domain Involved in Cell Senescence and Proliferation Exhibits Structural Homology to a DNA-Interacting Domain

Summary The ubiquitous MRG/MORF family of proteins is involved in cell senescence, or the terminal loss of proliferative potential, a model for aging and tumor suppression at the cellular level. These proteins are defined by the ∼20 kDa MRG domain that binds a plethora of transcriptional regulators and chromatin-remodeling factors, including the histone deacetylase transcriptional corepressor mSin3A and the novel nuclear protein PAM14, and they are also known components of the Tip60/NuA4 complex via interactions with the MRG binding protein (MRGBP). We present here the crystal structure of a prototypic MRG domain from human MRG15 whose core consists of two orthogonal helix hairpins. Despite the lack of sequence similarity, the core structure has surprisingly striking homology to a DNA-interacting domain of the tyrosine site-specific recombinases XerD, λ integrase, and Cre. Site-directed mutagenesis studies based on the X-ray structure and bioinformatics identified key residues involved in the binding of PAM14 and MRGBP.
Differential equations with discontinuous right-hand sides☆

Many phenomena from physics, control theory, and economics have been successfully described by differential equations with discontinuous functions. This in turn leads to a great need to develope a theory for such differential equations. However, as far as existence and qualitative behavior are concerned, such a theory is far from being complete. Even existence results are available only for very special discontinuous function f (as the discontinuous part in equation), e.g., see [S] for piecewise continuous f; [9] for f having one discontinuous point, [S, 121 for f of bounded variation. In this paper, we are going to establish some existence results for differential equations with discontinuous right-hand sides with great generality. Some of the results in this paper can be stated and proved for high order ordinary and partial differential equations. For example, we may consider the following problem
Scattering of long wavelength shear Alfvén waves by a localized density cavity

[1] We demonstrate here, for the first time, that the scattering of a shear Alfven wave (SAW) having a long perpendicular wavelength (λ⊥), with a localized density cavity, generates perturbations in the field structures like that expected from the radiation pattern of an Alfven wave resonance cone (AWRC) emitted from localized sources. Such a SAW-cavity interaction provides a novel mechanism for generating narrow structures of inertial Alfven waves like those observed from satellites and variously called solitary, kinetic and dispersive Alfven waves.
The effects of aneurysm on the biaxial mechanical behavior of human abdominal aorta

The biomechanical response of normal and pathologic human abdominal aortic tissue to uniaxial loading conditions is insufficient for the characterization of its three-dimensional (3D) mechanical behavior. Planar biaxial mechanical evaluation allows for 3D constitutive modeling of nearly incompressible tissues, as well as the investigation of the nature of mechanical anisotropy. In the current study, 26 abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissue samples and 8 age-matched (> 60 years of age) nonaneurysmal abdominal aortic (AA) tissue samples were obtained and tested using a tension-controlled biaxial testing protocol. Graphical response functions (Sun et al., 2003. J. Biomech. Eng. 125, 372-380) were used as a guide to describe the pseudo-elastic response of AA and AAA. Based on the observed pseudo-elastic response, a four-parameter exponential strain energy function developed by Vito (1990. J. Biomech. Eng. 112, 153-159) was used from which both an individual specimen and group material parameter sets were determined for both AA and AAA. Peak Green strain values in the circumferential (Ethetatheta,max) and longitudinal (ELL,max) directions under an equibiaxial tension of 120 N/m were also compared. The strain energy function fit all of the individual specimens well with an average R2 of 0.95 +/- 0.02 and 0.90 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SEM) for the AA and AAA groups, respectively. The average Ethetatheta,max at 200 N/m equibiaxial tension was found to be significantly smaller for AAAs as compared to AAs (0.07 +/- 0.01 versus 0.13 +/- 0.03, respectively; p < 0.01). There was also a pronounced increase in the circumferential stiffness for AAA tissue as compared to AA tissue, indicating a larger degree of anisotropy for this tissue as compared to age-matched AA tissue. We also observed that the four-parameter Fung-elastic model was not able to fit the AAA tissue mechanical response using physically realistic material parameter values. It was concluded that aneurysmal degeneration of the abdominal aorta is associated with an increase in mechanical anisotropy, with preferential stiffening in the circumferential direction.