cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dispersal, not Vicariance, Explains the Biogeographic Origin of Iguanas on Madagascar

Abstract Lizards of the clade Iguanidae (sensu lato) are primarily a New World group. Thus, the remarkable presence of an endemic lineage of iguanas (family Opluridae) on the isolated Indian Ocean island of Madagascar has long been considered a biogeographic anomaly. Previous work attributed this disjunct extant distribution to: (1) vicariance at about 140-165 Ma, caused by the breakup of Gondwana and the separation of South America, Africa, and Madagascar (with subsequent extinction of iguanas on Africa, and potentially other Gondwanan landmasses), (2) vicariance at about 80-90 Ma, caused by the sundering of hypothesized land-bridge connections between South America, Antarctica, India, and Madagascar, or (3) long-distance overwater dispersal from South America to Madagascar. Each hypothesis has been supported with molecular divergence dating analyses, and thus the biogeographic origin of the Opluridae is not yet well resolved. Here we utilize genetic sequences of ultraconserved elements for all Iguania families and the majority of Iguanidae (s.l.) genera, and morphological data for extant and fossil taxa (used for divergence dating analyses), to produce the most comprehensive dataset applied to date to test these origin hypotheses. We find strong support for a sister relationship between the Opluridae (Madagascar) and Leiosauridae (South America). Divergence of the Opluridae from Leiosauridae is dated to between the late Cretaceous and mid-Paleogene, at time when Madagascar was already an island and was isolated from all other Gondwanan landmasses. Consequently, our results support a hypothesis of long-distance overwater dispersal of the Opluridae lineage, either directly from South America to Madagascar or potentially via Antarctica or Africa, leading to this radiation of iguanas in the Indian Ocean.
Quality Levels of Predecessor and Successor Auditors: Evidence from the Reasons Reported by Managers for Changing Auditors

In this study we investigate relations between the quality levels of successor and predecessor auditors for a sample of client-initiated auditor switches. We use reasons reported by managers for changing auditors to investigate whether those reasons are differentially related to changes in the quality levels of successor and predecessor auditors. Based on prior evidence on auditor realignments, we classify the reasons from managers into three categories that appear to summarize the motivating factors surrounding client-initiated changes. The three categories relate to structural changes of the company, audit fees, and accounting disagreements. In this study we introduce a three-level auditor quality proxy that suggests and allows future researchers, to consider auditor quality as other than a binary variable (i.e., Big 6 versus non-Big 6). We find that the quality level of the successor auditor is related to the quality level of the predecessor auditor irrespective of the reason for the change. Our results suggest that auditor quality levels are, on average, unchanged following a client-initiated change. However, an investigation of any changes in auditor quality subsequent to our classification of client-initiated changes into the three categories suggests that managers' reasons are differentially related to the change in quality of the auditor. Managers who cite structure reasons move up in quality, confirming prior literature. Managers who cite fees as a reason tend to move down in quality, which is different from findings in prior papers. Finally, we find that clients who cite accounting disagreement as the reason for changing also move down in quality, which is consistent with managers searching for less conservative auditors. Our evidence offers additional insights into possible reasons that managers change auditors and may suggest the need for financial reporting regulators to consider increased or improved disclosures related to the reasons for changing auditors particularly in the case of client-initiated changes.
Influence of the chemical nature of side chain at beta 108 of hemoglobin A on the modulation of the oxygen affinity by chloride ions. Low oxygen affinity variants of human hemoglobin expressed in transgenic pigs: hemoglobins Presbyterian and Yoshizuka.

Abstract Hemoglobin A (HbA) and two low oxygen affinity variants of HbA, HbPresbyterian and HbYoshizuka, were produced in transgenic pigs and purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography. These two variants contain either lysine (HbPresbyterian) or aspartic acid (HbYoshizuka) instead of the normal asparagine residue at position beta 108 in HbA. Transgenic pigs expressed these variants at a level up to 11% and were healthy. Both HbPresbyterian and HbYoshizuka exhibited low O2 affinity (P50 of 21.2 and 18.9, respectively, compared with control HbA value of 11.8 in 0.1 M NaCl, pH 7.5) and retained normal cooperativity with Hill coefficients of 2.9 and 2.5, respectively. HbPresbyterian exhibited Bohr effect comparable with HbA. In contrast, HbYoshizuka had a diminished response to changes in pH. Thus the structural basis of reduced O2 affinity of these variants appears to be distinct: the consequence of mutation at beta 108 is a function of the chemical nature of the side chain. This is further confirmed by the sensitivity of the O2 affinity of the variants to the presence of Cl-. The O2 affinity of HbYoshizuka is insensitive to changes in Cl- concentration, whereas the O2 affinity of HbPresbyterian exhibited a pronounced and dramatic chloride effect. In fact, P50 of HbPresbyterian was identical to that of HbA at very low Cl- concentrations, and the P50 increased to >40 at 0.5 M Cl-. The chloride effect was completely abolished when HbPresbyterian was stabilized at the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate pocket by interdimeric cross-linking. Molecular modeling studies demonstrate that in HbPresbyterian, Cl- can bridge the epsilon-amino group of Lys beta 108 with either the guanidino group of Arg beta 104 or the epsilon-amino group of Lys alpha 99, resulting in the stabilization of the "T" structure. The utility of these low O2 affinity hemoglobins as cell-free oxygen carriers is discussed.
A dimensional approach to understanding severity estimates and risk correlates of marijuana abuse and dependence in adults

While item response theory (IRT) research shows a latent severity trait underlying response patterns of substance abuse and dependence symptoms, little is known about IRT-based severity estimates in relation to clinically relevant measures. In response to increased prevalences of marijuana-related treatment admissions, an elevated level of marijuana potency, and the debate on medical marijuana use, we applied dimensional approaches to understand IRT-based severity estimates for marijuana use disorders (MUDs) and their correlates while simultaneously considering gender- and race/ethnicity-related differential item functioning (DIF). Using adult data from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 37,897), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for MUDs among past-year marijuana users were examined by IRT, logistic regression, and multiple indicators-multiple causes (MIMIC) approaches. Among 6917 marijuana users, 15% met criteria for a MUD; another 24% exhibited subthreshold dependence. Abuse criteria were highly correlated with dependence criteria (correlation = 0.90), indicating unidimensionality; item information curves revealed redundancy in multiple criteria. MIMIC analyses showed that MUD criteria were positively associated with weekly marijuana use, early marijuana use, other substance use disorders, substance abuse treatment, and serious psychological distress. African Americans and Hispanics showed higher levels of MUDs than Whites, even after adjusting for race/ethnicity-related DIF. The redundancy in multiple criteria suggests an opportunity to improve efficiency in measuring symptom-level manifestations by removing low-informative criteria. Elevated rates of MUDs among African Americans and Hispanics require research to elucidate risk factors and improve assessments of MUDs for different racial/ethnic groups.
Trait Self–Esteem Moderates Decreases in Self–Control following Rejection: An Information–Processing Account:

In the current paper, the authors posit that trait self-esteem moderates the relationship between social rejection and decrements in self-control, propose an information-processing account of trait self-esteem's moderating influence and discuss three tests of this theory. The authors measured trait self-esteem, experimentally manipulated social rejection and assessed subsequent self-control in Studies 1 and 2. Additionally, Study 3 framed a self-control task as diagnostic of social skills to examine motivational influences. Together, the results reveal that rejection impairs self-control, but only among low self-esteem individuals. Moreover, this decrement in self-control only emerged when the task had no social implications-suggesting that low self-esteem individuals exert effort on tasks of social value and are otherwise preoccupied with belonging needs when completing nonsocial tasks.
Do acetylcholine receptor and striated muscle antibodies predict the presence of thymoma in patients with myasthenia gravis

Introduction: Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and striated muscle antibodies (StrAbs) are found frequently in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with thymoma. In this study we aimed to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of these antibodies for thymoma in patients with MG. Methods: Antibody findings, thymic histology, and onset age were reviewed for 1141 patients with MG. PPV and NPV of these antibodies for thymoma were determined. Results: The PPV of AChR binding antibodies plus StrAbs was highest (50.0%) with onset before the age of 40 years. The PPV of all antibodies was low (<9%) after age 40. Higher StrAb levels did not increase the PPV. The NPV of AChR binding antibodies was high (99.7%) for all ages. Conclusions: Patients without AChR binding antibody are not likely to have a thymoma. StrAbs and AChR binding antibodies are not diagnostic for thymoma, but in early-onset MG their presence should raise the clinical suspicion for thymoma. Muscle Nerve 49: 30–34, 2014
The mouse homolog of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) gene is highly conserved and maps near the scurfy (sf) mutation on the X chromosome

Abstract The mouse WASP gene, the homolog of the gene mutated in Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome, has been isolated and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence is 86% identical to the human WASP sequence. A distinct feature of the mouse gene is an expanded polymorphic GGA trinucleotide repeat that codes for polyglycine and varies from 15 to 17 triplets in different Mus musculus strains. The genomic structure of the mouse gene closely resembles the human with respect to exon–∞tron positions and intron lengths. The mouse WASP gene is expressed as an ∼2.4-kb mRNA in thymus and spleen. Chromosomal mapping in an interspecific M. musculus/M. spretus backcross placed the Wasp locus near the centromere of the mouse X chromosome, inseparable from Gata1, Tcfe3, and scurfy ( sf ). This localization makes Wasp a candidate for involvement in scurfy, a T cell-mediated fatal lymphoreticular disease of mice that has previously been proposed as a mouse homolog of Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome. Northern analysis of sf tissue samples indicated the presence of WASP mRNA in liver and skin, presumably as a consequence of lymphocytic infiltration, but no abnormalities in the amount or size of mRNA present.
Kosher Olive Oil in Antiquity Reconsidered

Josephus attests several times to a Jewish aversion to the use of Gentile olive oil. In m. 'Abod. Zar. 2:6, this practice is first advocated and then immediately reversed by Rabbi and his court. What is the rationale for this sudden leniency with regard to Gentile olive oil? In a well-known article entitled “Kosher Olive Oil in Antiquity,” Martin Goodman argues that Rabbi's statement is the result of his inability to find a legal basis for the prohibition of Gentile olive oil. Goodman, however, accounts neither for the unique economic and dietary factors associated with olive oil, nor tannaitic legislation regarding other foodstuffs that may shed light on this case. In this article, I reconsider Jewish stances towards Gentile olive oil in antiquity from the time of Josephus to the Tannaitic period.
A Cross-Cultural Study of the Subjective Well-Being of Married Elderly Persons in the United States and India

Systematically comparable data on married elders from the United States (n = 567; ages 60+) and Madras, India (n = 207; ages 55+) and simultaneous factor analyses (LISREL) were used to test the cross-cultural metric and structural invariance of a model of the influence of emotional social support from role relationships (adult children, spouse, and friends and relatives) on subjective well-being, based on social support and interactional role theories. Except for cross-cultural differences in measurement error variances, the model showed a high degree of invariance across the two samples. Americans and Indians were unexpectedly similar in terms of the influence of emotional social support from role relationships on their subjective well-being. The discussion explores why cross-culturally similar relationships exist between emotional support and subjective well-being for married elders in two such apparently different societies.
Analysis of transient three-dimensional natural convection in porous media

Transient multidimensional natural convection in porous media has been studied using a numerical method based on the simplified Marker and Cell technique with local cancellation of low order, diffusional truncation errors. The conservation equations boundary conditions were phrased in terms of the primitive variables, velocity, and the temperature. Differences in temperature between the fluid and the solid matrix are considered. Heat transfer between the solid and liquid phases was modelled by representing the porous medium as an assemblage of spherical particles, and solving the conduction problems within the spheres at every time step. Nusselt numbers at walls were calculated from the temperature and velocity profiles. Numerical results for heat transfer through fluid saturated porous media heated from below are in agreement with published experiments. Consideration of heat transfer between the solid and fluid phase leads to Nusselt numbers that vary with the thermophysical properties of the solid material, even when the Rayleigh number and fluid thermophysical properties are kept constant. This also is observed in experiments. The calculations also show convective instabilities of the right period at high Rayleigh numbers. 15 references.
Suppression of activated microglia promotes survival and function of transplanted oligodendroglial progenitors.

To evaluate the functional consequence of microglial activation in vivo, oligodendroglial progenitors were transplanted into the spinal cord of Long Evans shaker, a myelin mutant rat in which myelin defects are associated with progressive microglial activation. Cells grafted into neonatal rats at the initiation of gliosis successfully myelinated axons. However, cells transplanted during peak microglial activation did not lead to myelination due to death of the grafted cells within 3 days after transplantation. Pretreatment of these animals with minocycline, a tetracycline derivative, resulted in cell survival and myelination by the grafted cells. In culture, minocycline did not affect the survival, proliferation, or differentiation of oligodendroglial progenitors. Hence, minocycline likely modulates the function of reactive glia in vivo to promote the survival and myelination of transplanted oligodendroglial progenitors.
Magneto-Optic Interferometric Switch With Resonator Configuration

All-optical resonators are candidates for next-generation, integrated, optical switching devices for communication purposes. Their simplicity in design can allow for easy integration using standard CMOS fabrication processes. Other switch configurations, such as the Mach-Zhender and the Sagnac, have been implemented but are more complicated. Traditionally, optical resonators have been used as optical all-pass filters. However, by including a Faraday rotator in the resonating loop with an actuating field, an all-optical switch can be realized. Optical resonator switches have often been proposed and implemented utilizing the electro-optic effect. This study reveals that magneto-optic equivalents show promise as alternatives. Here, a magneto-optical switch in a resonator configuration is proposed and implemented with theoretical analysis using the Jones calculus technique.
Dangerous Politics and Sex Research: The Example of “Penis-gate 2011”

In summer 2011, a conservative lobby group released an inaccurate statement decrying the National Institutes for Health for allegedly funding four research studies the group deemed “bizarre.” Two of these studies explicitly involved sexuality research. This paper responds to the allegations around one of the studies and describes the subsequent media firestorm generated as a result of the lobby group’s report. This paper concludes by illustrating some of the dangers these types of allegations pose for science and researchers, and offers advice for how to navigate negative media attention.
High accuracy pipeline D/A convertor configuration

A new pipeline D/A convertor configuration is presented. This structure can be used as a module in a pipeline A/D convertor. The advantage of this D/A structure is that the accuracy is not influenced by any stray capacitor such as bottom plates or drain/source junction capacitors. As a result video frequency operation can be obtained with this structure.
Use of CAIV techniques to build advanced VIIRS approaches for NPOESS key EDRs

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Visible and Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) has responsibility for 23 Environmental Data Recrods (EDRs), three of them key NPOESS EDRs of highest value to opertional users: Imagery, Sea Surface Temrpature (SST), and Soil Moisture (primary EDR from the NPOESS conical microwave imager/sounder [CMIS]). The VIIRS design was guided by a set of government requirements priorities, which were topped by key EDR performance. Taking advantage of the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Sea-viewing Wide Field Sensor (SeaWiFs) heritage, Raytheon's challenge was to optimize VIIRS system performance using Cost As Independent Variable (CAIV) analyses. The SST key EDR solution combines the traditional long-wave infrared (LWIR) split window with a second split window in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) 3-4 μm region to offer a globally robust "dual split-window" SST algorithm operable daytime and nighttime with a precision of 0.25 K, and an overall uncertainty of 0.35 K (intermediate objective) across the entire SST measurement range. This capability was recently validated by the heritage MODIS on NASA's Terra satellite. The imagery key EDR solution permits superb multi-spectral detection and discrimination of cloud presence and type MODIS. The soil moisture solution is a cross-sensor fusion approach that combines the finer spatial resolution of VIIRS with traditional coarse resolution microwave-derived soil moisture retrievals to achieve objectives under open and partially vegetated scenes. This paper briefly describes the VIIRS sensor design, the key EDR performance, and the CAIV design process with three specific hardware and EDR tradeoff exmaples. Finally, the paper concludes with a description of the key risk-reduction design processes that led to a relativley low-risk (for advanced space-borne hardware programs) developmental design, which is now approaching hardware realization.
Sexual Assault Recovery in the Aftermath of the Liberian Civil War: Forging a Sisterhood between Feminist Psychology and Feminist Theology

Cross-border feminist collaborations enhance efforts to combat violence against women, including sexual violence. Sexual assault was a pervasive human rights violation perpetrated against many Liberian women during the over decade long Civil War. Based on a review of the mental health literature focusing on the realities of this crime against humanity in the lives of Liberian women, thirteen interviews were conducted with Liberian Church leaders. The participants and the first and second authors are collaborators on faith-based initiatives aimed at serving and empowering Liberian women and girls through the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Interviewees highlight the effects, dynamics, needs, and solutions for Liberian women attempting to recover from these atrocities. This article utilizes feminist theology and feminist psychology as a frame for understanding the experiences of Liberian sexual assault survivors and feminist cross-border collaborations in West Africa.
Diagnostic performance of two confocal endomicroscopy systems in detecting Barrett's dysplasia: a pilot study using a novel bioprobe in ex vivo tissue.

Background There are currently 2 existing confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) platforms: probe-based CLE (pCLE) and endoscope-based CLE (eCLE) systems, each with its own criteria for identifying dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus (BE). The diagnostic performance of these 2 systems has not been directly compared. Design Preclinical, feasibility study. Objectives We compared the interrater agreement and diagnostic performance of the pCLE and eCLE systems. In addition, we evaluated a new BE endomicroscopy criteria based on fluorescent glucose intensity uptake. Patients Thirteen patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia or early cancer undergoing 16 EMR. Intervention CLE imaging was performed using two different probes with 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diaxol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose, a fluorescent glucose analog with preferential uptake in dysplastic mucosa to supply contrast. Four quadrants were imaged per specimen with a total of 64 imaged mucosal sites presented to three gastroenterologists. Main Outcome Measurements Interobserver agreement and accuracy for dysplasia was assessed of images classified according to Miami criteria, stacked eCLE images classified using the Mainz criteria and a novel fluorescence intensity criteria. Results The interrater agreements were 0.17, 0.68, and 0.87 for the Miami, Mainz, and the fluorescence intensity criteria, respectively. Overall accuracy in detecting dysplasia was 37% (95% CI, 30.3-43.9), 44.3% (95% CI, 37.3-50.9), and 78.6% (95% CI, 72.2-83.3) for the Miami, Mainz, and the fluorescence intensity criteria, respectively. Limitations This imaging technique and proposed fluorescence intensity criteria using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diaxol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose in EMR tissue will require in vivo validation and cannot be directly used with the current eCLE and pCLE clinical applications. Conclusions In this preclinical feasibility study, the use of an eCLE system with a topical fluorescent contrast in ex vivo EMR tissue demonstrated higher interrater agreement and accuracy.
CHEMO-IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON LOCALIZED INFECTIONS : FOURTH PAPER: EXPERIMENTAL PNEUMOCOCCIC MENINGITIS AND ITS SPECIFIC TREATMENT.

Virulent pneumococci injected into the cranial or spinal cavities of monkeys produce constantly a meningitis closely resembling pneumococcus meningitis in man, except that the experimental disease pursues a more rapid course to the invariable death of the untreated animal. An homologous immune pneumococcus serum injected into the spinal canal exerts a restraining influence upon the disease to the extent that when employed early it prevented, exceptionally, the occurrence of infection and thus saved the life of the animal, and when given later it at first retarded the disease but subsequently exerted no beneficial action and was powerless to save life. A mixture of sodium oleate, immune serum, and boric acid exerted regularly a more powerful action than immune serum alone, and not only prevented the occurrence of infection but also, when administered repeatedly, arrested the progress of an actually established infection and led, often, to the enduring and perfect recovery of the inoculated animal. It is proposed to employ a similar mixture in the direct treatment of pneumococcic meningitis and possibly of still other accessible local pneumococcic infections in man.
Fathers and daughters in a south Indian goddess myth: Cultural ambivalence and the dynamics of desire

Desire in kinship creates ambivalences which the kinship system itself does not resolve, and while this has been understood—especially with reference to the mother-son relationship in South Asia—little attention has focused on the relationship between father and daughter. The Jalari (a Telugu fishing caste) myth of the seven goddesses turns on the relationship between Shiva and his daughters. Alternately impeding and assisting each other, Shiva and his daughters represent, in their relationship, one of the central paradoxes of south Indian kinship: How can fathers and daughters love but relinquish each other, given the exigencies of development, and especially marriage? The myth presents a solution by transforming daughters into goddesses, preserving the father—daughter bond, and making marriage contingent on cooperation among women, not men. It is argued that ambivalence is central to south Indian kinship, and the fons et origo of an important regional mythical system.
Impact of Topology-dependent and independent Mobility Models on the Connectivity of Wireless Networks

The performance of the algorithms developed for wireless ad hoc and sensor networks is strictly dependent upon the changes in the physical topology of such networks. In this work, the connectivity and average path length of a static wireless network is studied in the presence of overlaying mobile nodes. A topology-based mobility model is proposed and the performance is empirically compared with traditional mobility models, such as random walk, for grid, random, and degree- limited initial topologies for different network sizes. It is shown that the connectivity of randomly distributed wireless networks can significantly be improved even with a single additional mobile node.
Novel Solution Process for Fabricating Ultra-Thin-Film Absorber Layers in Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4 Photovoltaics

Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4 crystalline materials posses direct bandgaps of ~1.55 and ~1.4 eV respectively and an absorption coefficient larger than 10^5 cm–1; their theoretical potential as solar photovoltaic absorbers has been demonstrated. However, no solar devices that employ either Fe2SiS4 or Fe2GeS4 have been reported to date. In the presented work, nanoprecursors to Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4 have been fabricated and employed to build ultra-thin-film layers via spray coating and rod coating methods. Temperature-dependent X-Ray diffraction analyses of nanoprecursors coatings show an unprecedented low temperature for forming crystalline Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4. Fabricating of ultra-thin-film photovoltaic devices utilizing Fe2SiS4 and Fe2GeS4 as solar absorber material is presented.
“You pay your share, we’ll pay our share”: The college cost burden and the role of race, income, and college assets

Abstract Changes in financial aid policies raise questions about students being asked to pay too much for college and whether parents’ college savings for their children helps reduce the burden on students to pay for college. Using trivariate probit analysis with predicted probabilities, in this exploratory study we find recent changes in the financial aid system place a higher responsibility on African American, Latino/Hispanic, and moderate-income students to pay for college themselves. We also find when parents open a savings account, start a state-sponsored savings plan, or open a college investment fund students are less likely to pay for college with student contributions. Therefore, we suggest in addition to grants and scholarships, policies that encourage accumulation of savings for college among minority and lower income families may help reduce the college cost burden they experience.
Criteria for establishing datums in manufactured parts

Abstract This paper identifies some of the problems and ambiguities with existing standards for establishing datums in manufactured components. Most of the criteria as described in the standards do not uniquely define the datums from measured data points of manufactured features. Three important characteristics need to be validated in establishing datums. By using the computational geometry-based techniques and least squares method, it is possible to provide unique and unambiguous criteria for establishing datums.
Monte Carlo and Experimental Magnetic Studies of Molecular Spintronics Devices

Molecule-based spintronics devices (MSDs) are highly promising candidates for discovering advanced logic and memory computer units. An advanced MSD will require the placement of paramagnetic molecules between the two ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes. Due to extreme fabrication challenges, only a couple of experimental studies could be performed to understand the effect of magnetic molecules on the overall magnetic and transport properties of MSDs. To date, theoretical studies mainly focused on charge and spin transport aspects of MSDs; there is a dearth of knowledge about the effect of magnetic molecules on the magnetic properties of MSDs. This paper investigates the effect of magnetic molecules, with a net spin, on the magnetic properties of 2D MSDs via Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Our MC simulations encompass a wide range of MSDs that can be realized by establishing different kinds of magnetic interactions between molecules and FM electrodes at different temperatures. The MC simulations show that ambient thermal energy strongly influenced the molecular coupling effect on the MSD. We studied the nature and strength of molecule couplings (FM and antiferromagnetic) with the two electrodes on the magnetization, specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of MSDs. For the case when the nature of molecule interaction was FM with one electrode and antiferromagnetic with another electrode the overall magnetization shifted toward zero. In this case, the effect of molecules was also a strong function of the nature and strength of direct coupling between FM electrodes. In the case when molecules make opposite magnetic couplings with the two FM electrodes, the MSD model used for MC studies resembled with the magnetic tunnel junction based MSD. The experimental magnetic studies on these devices are in agreement with our theoretical MC simulations results. Our MC simulations will enable the fundamental understanding and designing of a wide range of novel spintronics devices utilizing a variety of molecules, nanoclusters and quantum dots as the device elements.
Ossification of the Human Temporomandibular Joint

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUAOSSIFICATION DEL HUMAN ARTICULATION TEMPOROMANDIBULAR.—Le tissus molle de 23 specimens fetal de human articulationes temporomandibular, representante etates de inter 8 e 18 septimanas, esseva epurate con KOH, e le structuras ossee esseva tincturate con alizarina rubie S. Le positiones relative e le characteristicas de crescentia e de disveloppamento del skeletic componente temporomandibular esseva studiate in sito ante lor section pro studios additional. II esseva in le feto de 8 septimanas que ossification del componentes del articulation temporomandibular esseva initialmente apparente in le epurate e tincturate specimen. Le squamose componente temporal esseva levemente plus lente in su disveloppamento que le componente mandibular durante iste stadios precoce. Tamen, a 12 septimanas illo attingeva le intensitate mandibular de disveloppamento. Le componentes primordial del articulation esseva situate a un certe distantia le unes ab le alteres durante le precoce stadios de disveloppa...
Role of functional avidity in HIV-specific memory CD8 T cell effector functions

CD8+ T cells provide protective antiviral defense in HIV-1 infection. Although studies demonstrate which effector functions are employed, knowledge of the underlying mechanisms is lacking and inconclusive. Here, we investigate the functional avidity of CD8+ T cells, based on cytokine secretion and proliferation, to compare the effective antigen concentration required to induce each response. Our preliminary data suggests that the functional avidity of CD8+ T cells differs based on the effector function used for measurement, indicating that the requirements for activation differ within a single CD8+ profile. We also found that elite controllers, individuals who control the virus without antiretroviral treatment, require lower avidity interactions than chronic progressors. These and future results will help to determine optimal doses of antigens for the induction of effective responses in new vaccine formulations. Figure 1
Properties of Ribulose-1,5-Diphosphate Carboxylase (Carboxydismutase) From Chinese Cabbage and Photosynthetic Microorganisms

Ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase (carboxydismutase) was prepared from Chinese Cabbage [Brassica petsai (Parl)] and the Km values and molecular weight were determined. These parameters were found to be in good agreement with values reported for this enzyme from other higher plants. Investigation of carboxydismutase activity from the photosynthetic micro-organisms Chlamydomonas reinhardi (IU 89+), Plectonema boryanum (IU 594), and Chromatium strain D showed striking similarity to the higher plant enzyme, when the sedimentation coefficients were compared.
Kinetic phase transitions in an irreversible surface-reaction model.

An irreversible kinetic surface-reaction model, based upon the reaction of carbon monoxide and oxygen on a catalyst surface, is presented. It is found by computer simulation that the adsorbed molecules on the surface undergo both first- and second-order kinetic phase transitions. These transitions correspond to the "poisoning" phenomenon seen on catalysts. Interesting transient and periodic behavior is also seen.
Aging enhances serotonergic cardiovascular blockade by ketanserin in conscious rats

We recorded cardiovascular responses to serotonin (5- HT) and to two selective serotonergic agonists following ketanserin treatment in 3 groups of conscious rats aged 4, 14 or 24 months. The selective agonists were DOI (5- HT2 agonist), and phenylbiguanide (5- HT3 agonist). Before ketanserin treatment, pressor responses to 5- HT or DOI were larger while reflex bradycardic responses to 5- HT or phenylbiguanide were smaller in 14- and 24- month than in 4- month- old rats. Ketanserin treatment lowered blood pressure consistently, and the ensuing hypotension was more pronounced in 14- and 24- month than in 4- month- old rats. Pressor responses to DOI were attenuated similarly in all rats, but those to 5- HT were reversed to depressor responses whose magnitude was smaller in 14- and 24- month than in 4- month- old rats. On the other hand, bradycardic responses to 5- HT and phenylbiguanide were enhanced in 14- and 24- but not in 4- month- old rats. Our results indicate that even before ketanserin was given, old rats had enhanced pressor responses to 5- HT2 agonists together with weakened bradycardic responses to 5- HT3 agonists. Following ketanserin treatment, 5- HT2 pressor responses were blocked while 5- HT3 bradycardic responses were enhanced but only in old rats. These results are compatible with the interpretation that the more pronounced hypotension produced in old rats by ketanserin is due to two complementary effects on serotonergic receptors: blockade of 5- HT2 pressor responses coupled with selective enhancement of 5- HT3 bradycardic responses. (Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 6: 239–248, 1994)
Madden‐Julian Oscillation modeled using new cloud parameterization

Centered on the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a major atmospheric system that has a strong effect on global weather systems, affecting everything from the rains in Australia to the temperature in the eastern United States. The Madden-Julian Oscillation is variable, its activity ebbing and flowing on intraseasonal time scales. The MJO presents as a series of events that include eastward propagating systems of elevated wind and precipitation that push out from the Indian Ocean.
Highly reactive catalysts for aerobic thioether oxidation the Fe-substituted polyoxometalate/hydrogen dinitrate system

Abstract A new type of polyoxometalate (POM), one with a hydrogen dinitrate group associated with a d-electron-substituted polyoxometalate, FeIII[H(ONO2)2]PW11O395− (1), has been developed that catalyzes highly effective aerobic sulfoxidation (RR′S + 0.5 O2 → RR′SO) under ambient conditions (1 atm of air at room temperature). Comparison of the rates for aerobic sulfoxidation of the mustard simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) catalyzed by 1 and several other species reported to be catalysts for this class of reactions, including NO+, NO2, (NH4)2CeIV(NO3)6 and AuIIICl2NO3(CH3CN) indicate that 1 is clearly the most effective catalyst. Conversions and selectivities for the desired sulfoxide decontamination product (CEESO in these studies) are both effectively quantitative. The low or nonexistent catalytic activity of FeII(NO)PW11O396−, Fe(NO3)3 and HNO3 argues strongly that nitrosyl and nitrate derivatives of the Fe polyoxometalate and nitric acid are not species important in catalytic turnover. The techniques of single crystal X-ray diffraction, solution NMR, FTIR, TGA, DSC, cyclic voltammetry, elemental and wet chemical analyses were applied to the characterization of 1 and these are collectively consistent with the α-Keggin structure with a strongly associated hydrogen dinitrate group and a more weakly associated nitrate of crystallization.
Signal transduction pathways activated by RET oncoproteins in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells.

Gene alterations in the retproto-oncogene, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, have been found to associate with several human diseases. In this study, we showed that induction of the vgf promoter activity is a good molecular indicator for RET activation in PC12 cells, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line. We demonstrated that all forms of RET oncoprotein, including RET chimeric oncoproteins found in human papillary thyroid carcinomas (RET/PTC) as well as RET oncoproteins found in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A and 2B (2A/RET and 2B/RET) can induce vgf promoter activity in PC12 cells. In contrast, a RET mutant found in a patient with Hirschsprung's disease, as well as a RET/PTC1 mutant with deletion of the dimerization domain, failed to induce vgf promoter activity in PC12 cells. We further determined that the signaling events mediated by phosphorylated Tyr294 and phosphorylated Tyr451 binding sites are essential for RET/PTC1 to inducevgf promoter activity in PC12 cells. We also showed that RET/PTC1, 2A/RET, and 2B/RET induce ELK-, cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), or JUN-mediated gene expression in PC12 cells, and these three signaling events are mediated by phosphorylated Tyr294 and phosphorylated Tyr451 binding sites in RET/PTC1.
Males' Reactions to Participating in Research on Dating Violence Victimization and Childhood Abuse.

Childhood abuse and dating violence victimization are prevalent and devastating problems. Although there has been an abundance of research on these topics in recent years, researchers and institutional review boards often struggle with determining whether asking respondents questions on previous violence will result in increased emotional distress or other negative research outcomes. Empirical data are therefore needed that examine the research reactions of individuals who participate in research on childhood abuse and dating violence. This study examined this topic among a sample of male college students (N = 193). Results showed that victims of childhood sexual abuse had more negative emotional reactions and victims of physical dating violence had more negative perceived drawbacks to research participation than nonvictims. However, victims and nonvictims did not differ on positive research reactions. These findings suggest that there are few differences between victims and nonvictims on research reactions.
Restoration of lymphocyte function in Janus kinase 3-deficient mice by retroviral-mediated gene transfer

Janus kinase-3 (JAK3) deficiency has recently been identified as a cause of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in humans. We used a mouse model of Jak3-deficient SCID to test a gene therapy approach for treatment of this disease. Transfer of a Jak3 retroviral vector to repopulating hematopoietic stem cells resulted in increased numbers of T and B lymphocytes, reversal of hypogammaglobulinemia, restoration of T-cell activation upon stimulation with mitogens, and development of an antigen-specific immune response after immunization. Analysis for vector copy number in lymphoid and myeloid populations showed a large in vivo selective advantage for Jak3-expressing lymphoid cells. These results show that gene replacement is a feasible treatment strategy for this disease and that naturally occurring in vivo selection of corrected cells is an important advantage of this approach.
Commentary: hormones, diet, and botanicals.

In contrast to the high technology—driven interventions discussed in the previous presentations, hormonal therapy, diet, and botanicals are natural interventions that make use of homeostatic or traditional approaches. Clear advantages of these largely adjunctive therapies are discussed, as well as unique obstacles to bringing these alternative interventions into the mainstream.
Complications using grafts and implants in rhinoplasty

Understanding the use of autologous, homologous, and alloplast materials for grafting and implantation purposes has become a necessity in the armamentarium of the rhinoplasty surgeon. This article reviews the indications and relative incidences of complications associated with the use of different grafting and implant materials in rhinoplasty.
Extended analysis of hydroxyacetone in the torsional ground state

The torsion–rotation spectrum of hydroxyacetone presents a highly challenging analysis problem in molecular physics. Continuing analyses of this species are compelling due to a nascent interest from astronomers, who believe hydroxyacetone may link a variety of organic chemical families observed in the interstellar medium (ISM). Recent work has demonstrated the difficulties in analysis of the millimeter spectrum, and the modestly weaker spectrum in this region has not afforded an ISM detection. We present an extension of the laboratory measurements and analysis up to the room temperature Boltzmann peak near 300 GHz, thus providing sufficient coverage to examine the ISM for the strongest features expected in star-forming hot cores. Even without subsequent detection, searches for the stronger features will produce the lowest possible upper limits of this elusive species.
Comparison of outdoor allergenic particles and allergen levels.

Introduction Spore and pollen counts have been used traditionally to determine aeroallergen exposure. Using a liquid based collector and enzyme immunoassays, we have developed methods for measuring airborne allergen concentrations. In this work we test the hypothesis that airborne allergen concentrations are directly related to spore and pollen counts. Methods Test samplers used included a high-volume cyclonic liquid impinger (SpinCon) and a standard spore trap (Burkard). Samples were collected on a weekly basis from May to October and were analyzed microscopically for spores and pollen grains. The liquid samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunoassay for the presence of allergens from Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, oak, fescue, ragweed, and plantain. Specific Alternaria allergens Alt al and GP70 also were measured. Results Pollen counts for the SpinCon and Burkard collectors were similar, though spore counts were lower with the SpinCon. Detectable amounts of three of the seven allergenic species including fescue, ragweed, and Alternaria were present in air samples. Concentrations of pollens were seen in their respective seasons while fungal allergen levels varied throughout the period. Allergen levels generally agreed with particle counts, however peak allergen levels and peak particle counts for individual species did not correlate well. Conclusions At flow rates of 236 L/min, the SpinCon is comparable to the Burkard for counting airborne pollen and spores. Samples collected by the SpinCon permit quantitative determination of allergen levels in outdoor air. The poor correlation between measured airborne allergen and related particles indicates the potential for significant allergen exposure in the absence of identifiable particles in air.
Cerebral metastatic disease: applying what we know to rare brain metastases.

ancer is a leading cause of death worldwide (7). As economies develop, and the world population grows and C ages, the global burden of cancer continues to increase. Although there are regional differences in the prevalence and distribution of cancer risk factors, cancer detection practices, and the availability and use of various treatment modalities, improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment are far reaching. Advances in the detection of and therapeutic interventions for systemic solid neoplasms have improved median survival times. In turn, longer survival has increased the prevalence of “safe harbor” metastases. For those cancers that have a predilection to metastasize to the central nervous system—breast, lung, melanoma, and renal cancers—improvements in the oncologic armamentaria have greatly increased the likelihood of developing brain metastases. For instance, in the United States, the incidence of brain metastases in patients with known solid tumors was just more than 5% in the 1960s. Now the incidence is approximately 20% (4). In addition, improved mortality patterns for less common cancers, and cancers with historically poor survival, will likely be reflected in the prevalence of cerebral metastatic disease.
Comparative analysis of three methods to evaluate vacuum-polarization functions

Abstract The O (αα S ) contributions to the H 0 a l + l − decay width are studied on the basis of two different classes of dispersion relations for the vacuum-polarization functions of vector bosons, and compared with the results obtained using dimensional regularization. It is found that the latter agrees with one of the two approaches, thus providing explicit support to this formulation. This result also gives additional support to recent evaluations of the threshold contributions to basic corrections of the electroweak theory, as such analyses are based on the same dispersion relations.
Bromodeoxy uridine combined with UV light and gamma irradiation promotes the production of asymmetric somatic hybrid calli

The degree of gamma- or X-ray-induced donor chromosome elimination in asymmetric somatic hybrids is highly variable. Here the beneficial use of bromodeoxyuridine and UV light as additional chromosome destabilizing agents is described. Protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum were fused with protoplasts of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia (Np) that carried the kanamycin-resistance and glucuronidase (GUS) genes on separate chromosomes. Prior to fusion, the Np donor protoplasts were pretreated with bromodeoxyuridine and then were inactivated by treatment with iodoacetate ± UV light ± 200 Gy gamma irradiation. Hybrids were selected on medium containing kanamycin. The elimination of Np DNA was assessed by scoring of the fraction of hybrid calli that expressed GUS and by dot-blot analysis using a Np-specific probe. Gamma irradiation alone resulted in elimination of 50% of Np DNA. Pretreatment with bromodeoxyuridine (10 μM) followed by 2.5 to 5 min UV light resulted in the elimination of 35-45% of the donor genome, but incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (10 μM) followed by 2.5 to 5 min UV light and 200 Gy gamma irradiation resulted in 85 to 90% elimination of Np DNA.