cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The difference between autism and ADHD is in the eye of the cognitive task

Abstract A body of literature has indicated shared characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The purpose of the current study was to demonstrate how different cognitive-attentional tasks may distinguish between children with ASDs and ADHD dependent upon the cognitive-attentional task. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) were performed to determine whether the Leiter-R sustained attention subscale task and a rapid letter naming task distinguished between children with ADHD and ASDs, respectively in Study 1 and Study 2. Leiter-R sustained attention subscale task scores did not distinguish between children with ADHD and ASDs. Rapid letter naming performance, however, did appear to distinguish between children with ADHD and ASDs. Different cognitive-attentional tasks may distinguish differently between children with ADHD and ASDs.
Ophiolitic detritus in the Upper Ordovician flysch of Notre Dame Bay and its bearing on the tectonic evolution of western Newfoundland

Samples from the Upper Ordovician graywacke-shale sequence in western Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, contain trace quantities of detrital chromite. The age and provenance of these sedimentary rocks indicate that the chromite was derived from the general area of the ophiolite bodies now exposed in western Newfoundland. These data place a new constraint on tectonic reconstructions of the area for the Ordovician Period. Our analysis of the stratigraphy in Notre Dame Bay, together with recently published isotopic dates for both the Eastern Fleur de Lys terrane and Notre Dame Bay area is compatible with the hypothesis that ophiolite obduction in western Newfoundland resulted from the collision of an island arc with a passive continental margin during Middle Ordovician time.
Response of the rif-1 tumor in vitro and in c3h/km mice to x-radiation (cell survival, regrowth delay, and tumor control), chemotherapeutic agents, and activated macrophages.

The radiation response of logarithmic growth phase and fed plateau phase RIF-1 cells in vitro was found to be characterized by D0 (slope of cell survival curve on semilog plot) values of 110 and 133 rads and extrapolation numbers of 36 and 28, respectively. The response of the tumor in vivo to X-irradiation in nonanesthetized mice showed a dependence on the tumor implantation site. In the leg muscle, the response indicated that most cells were at an intermediate level of oxygenation, whereas in the subcutaneous tissue of the flank, the response of the tumor indicated that it had a small fraction (1.5%) of hypoxic cells of maximum radioresistance. Misonidazole radiosensitized the leg-implanted tumor as measured both by cell survival and regrowth delay. The median tumor cure dose of radiation in mice was 3,990 rads (3,670--4,340), which agreed closely with that predicted from the radiation survival curve. The tumor was relatively insensitive to a single dose of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, sensitive to a single dose of cis-platinum, and highly sensitive to a single dose of cyclophosphamide.
Doing East Asian STS Is Like Feeling an Elephant, and That Is a Good Thing

East Asian STS is like an elephant whose shape we are trying to determine by touching it in the dark. It appears differently to different investigators. This is a good thing, as is amply demonstrat...
Visual Representations of the Spatial Relationship Between Bermuda High Strengths and Hurricane Tracks

The 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons dramatically demonstrated the magnitude of the societal significance of hurricanes, negatively impacting on all scales from the personal to the national. Although definitive identification of the forcing mechanisms controlling hurricane tracks and landfall patterns remains elusive, increasing evidence supports the hypothesis that the increase in hurricane activity along the Gulf Coast is due to a southwestward shift in the position of the Bermuda High. This research uses multiple visualization techniques to explore the spatial correlation between Bermuda High strengths - as interpreted from the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index - and hurricane tracks. Using hurricane vector data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) Hurricane Data set (HURRDAT) and NAO index data since 1947, the hypothesized spatial relationships were investigated. Due to the vast number of storm track segments (more than 17,000), displaying all segments in the same map failed to reveal any coherent spatial pattern. For this reason, storm track segments were converted into a point coverage, each point representing the mid-point of an original storm segment. Other visualization methods were applied to this new point coverage, including choropleth mapping and continuous 2-D and enhanced 3-D surface displays. The latter two methods were novel approaches for the visualization of large numbers of hurricane tracks and can be applied to any large data sets consisting of linear features. Results visually support a spatial relationship between hurricane tracks and Bermuda High strengths.
Hyperphagia and obesity in female rats with temporal lobe lesions

Damage to the temporal lobes in cats, dogs, and primates has long been known to result in hyperphagia and obesity, but research into the role of this area of the brain in feeding behavior has largely been neglected because of an inability to produce similar results in rats. The present study reports hyperphagia and obesity in female rats with small electrolytic lesions centered in the posterodorsal amygdala. Daily food intake more than doubled in the first few days after surgery and mean weight gain was more than four times that observed in animals with sham lesions during the first 26 days. The rats with lesions were not hyperresponsive to a switch in diets (lab chow to high-fat, and back). In all animals that gained abnormal amounts of weight, the posterior extent of the lesions extended through the amygdalohippocampal area into the ventral hippocampal formation. The results suggest that the temporal lobe is an important extrahypothalamic site for the regulation of food intake in rodents.
Postural response latencies are related to balance control during standing and walking in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Objective To understand and examine the relation between postural response latencies obtained during postural perturbations and representative measures of balance during standing (sway variables) and walking (trunk motion). Design Cross-sectional. Setting University medical center. Participants Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) (n=40) were compared with similar aged control subjects (n=20). There were 20 subjects with MS in the normal walking velocity group and 20 subjects with MS who had slow walking velocity based on a timed 25-foot walk (T25FW) of Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Postural response latency, sway variables, trunk motion variables. Results We found that subjects with MS with both slow or normal walking velocities had significantly longer postural response latencies than the healthy control group. Postural response latency was not correlated with the T25FW. Postural response latency was significantly correlated with center of pressure sway variables during quiet standing (root mean square: ρ=.334, P =.04; range: ρ=.385, P =.017; mean velocity: ρ=.337, P =.038; total sway area: ρ=.393, P =.015). Postural response latency was also significantly correlated with motion of the trunk during walking (sagittal plane range of motion: ρ=.316, P =.05; SD of transverse plane range of motion: ρ=−.43, P =.006). Conclusions These findings clearly indicate that slow postural responses to external perturbations in patients with MS contribute to disturbances in balance control during both standing and walking.
Mechanical properties of selected glasscrystal composites

Desirable physical properties not provided by single-phase materials are often conveniently attained by multiphase composites. This paper is concerned with the variation of the mechanical properties of bulk glass through the incorporation of a crystalline oxide phase. Glass-Al2O3 and glass-ZrO2 composites containing 20 and 40 vol % spherical, crystalline inclusions, 125 to 150 μrn in diameter, were prepared by hot pressing. The effects of internal stress and elastic properties of the crystalline inclusion on composite mechanical properties were studied. Experimental elastic-property values agreed well with theoretical values calculated from Hashin's equations. Flexural strength tests of all composite compositions revealed that the fracture path rarely traversed the crystalline oxide inclusions. The Al2O3 and ZrO2 additions strengthened the glass considerably, except when internal stresses were of sufficient magnitude to cause cracking of the glassy matrix upon cooling and before flexural testing. Glass-Al2O3 composites were consistently stronger than the glass-ZrO2 counterparts. This strength difference is attributed to the higher elastic moduli of the Al2O3 composites. Hypotheses which postulate strengthening as a result of restricted flaw size are apparently not applicable to these materials.
Dune grading along the Oregon coast, USA: a changing environmental policy

Abstract In 1984, an amendment to coastal regulations in the state of Oregon permitted grading of coastal dunes to provide views of breaking waves from beachfront homes. Passage of the amendment represents a change in the trend toward increased restrictions on human activities in environmentally sensitive coastal areas. This study is an assessment of the effects of the new policy on the value of dunes for shore protection and implications of the policy for future shoreline management. Potential effects include increased wave attack of dunes in more seaward locations, higher erosion rates on sediments emplaced by earth-moving equipment, increased deflation of unvegetated sediments, and greater human effort to maintain the modified dunes in a condition that is out of equilibrium with natural processes. The Oregon initiative underscores the need to re-evaluate and alter environmental controls according to public needs. It represents a shift of policy from strict compliance with standards of environmental compatibility to a more lenient approach that seeks to accommodate the land use rights of individual property owners.
Corporal Punishment and Personality Traits in the Children of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands:

This research examined different forms of corporal punishment as experienced by 155 11- to 17-year-old youths in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The study explored the frequency, severity, fairness, deservedness, and total number of different forms of punishment experienced in relation to six negative personality dispositions: aggression, negative self-esteem, negative self-adequacy, emotional instability, emotional unresponsiveness, and negative worldview. A very high proportion of the youths reported being physically punished. The greater the variety of forms of punishment that males experienced, the more emotionally unstable, hostile/aggressive, and overall psychologically maladjusted they were. But no significant relation emerged between corporal punishment and personality variables for females. A small subgroup of highly punished females as well as males, however, reported more feelings of emotional instability, hostility, and overall psychological maladjustment than did less severely punished youths...
A fluorescent assay for agonist-activated phospholipase D in mammalian cell extracts

Phospholipase D (PLD) is activated in mammalian cells in response to a wide variety of stimuli. A rapid assay for agonist-activated PLD activity in cell extracts was developed, utilizing a fluorescent derivative of phosphatidylcholine as substrate. Utilization of the substrate was assessed following thin-layer chromatography of the reaction mixture. Hydrolysis products generated by phospholipases D, C, and A2 could be visualized in the same reaction. Phorbol ester and vasopressin increased PLD activity in intact A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells, as measured by an isotopic labeling method. Using the in vitro fluorescent assay, enhanced PLD activity was detected in membranes prepared from A7r5 cells that had been treated with phorbol ester or vasopressin. The agonist-activated activity was independent of phosphorylation occurring during the course of the assay. PLD activity was detected, in varying amounts, in membranes prepared from a variety of different mouse tissues. These results show that a fluorescent assay can be used to rapidly assess the activity of PLD and other phosphatidylcholine-utilizing phospholipases in cell and tissue extracts. The effects of agonists on PLD activity can be retained and quantitated in a broken cell preparation, permitting characterization of the agonist-activated form of the enzyme.
Assessment of the potential breadmaking quality of hard wheats by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of gliadins

The development of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography has provided a method for analysis of large numbers of very small samples of wheat proteins much more quickly and accurately than was previously possible. This paper describes the comparison of the amount of a specific gliadin fraction in a given variety with the general baking (breadmaking) score previously determined for that variety. Correlation coefficients between this gliadin fraction and breadmaking quality of hard red spring wheats grown in three different areas of the country during one year are significant at the 5% or 1% level. This method could, if found to be suitable for other varieties over a number of years, provide a quick method to analyze for breadmaking potential of new wheat varieties on as little as half-kernels or 5 mg of wheat flour.
Substrate specificity of allelic variants of the TAP peptide transporter

Summary The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) translocates peptides from the cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). An important determinant for the specificity of translocation is the identity of the C-terminal residue of the peptide substrate. In the rat, a suitable C terminus is necessary but not always sufficient for a peptide to be selected for translocation. Here we show that sequence constraints within a peptide of optimal length (9 residues) may interfere with transport; that the transporter selectively translocates shorter derivatives of a 16-mer peptide rather than the 16-mer itself; and that the transporter cim b allele, which is most selective in the C termini it will tolerate, is more relaxed in peptide length preference than is the cim a variant.
Effect of low temperature and culture media on the growth and freeze-thawing tolerance of Exiguobacterium strains.

Abstract Bacteria of the genus Exiguobacterium have been repeatedly isolated from ancient permafrost sediments of the Kolyma lowland of Northeast Eurasia. Here we report that the Siberian permafrost isolates Exiguobacterium sibiricum 255-15, E. sibiricum 7-3, Exiguobacterium undae 190-11 and E . sp. 5138, as well as Exiguobacterium antarcticum DSM 14480, isolated from a microbial mat sample of Lake Fryxell (McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica), were able to grow at temperatures ranging from −6 to 40 °C. In comparison to cells grown at 24 °C, the cold-grown cells of these strains tended to be longer and wider. We also investigated the effect of growth conditions (broth or surface growth, and temperature) on cryotolerance of the Exiguobacterium strains. Bacteria grown in broth at 4 °C showed markedly greater survival following freeze-thawing treatments (20 repeated cycles) than bacteria grown in broth at 24 °C. Surprisingly, significant protection to repeated freeze-thawing was also observed when bacteria were grown on agar at either 4 or 24 °C.
Agreement among evaluators of bovine embryos produced in vivo or in vitro

Six experienced individuals evaluated 40 embryos on videotape for stage of development and quality grade. These 40 observations comprised 15 embryos produced in vivo, 15 embryos produced in vitro, and 10 embryos that were repeated throughout the videotape. Embryos produced in vivo were recovered from uterine flushings of superovulated heifers 7 d after estrus, and embryos produced in vitro were harvested 7 d after insemination of in vitro-matured oocytes. Embryos of various stages (morulae, blastocysts, or degenerated) and quality grades (1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = fair, 4 = degenerated) were recorded on videotape for evaluation. After video microscopy, the embryos were stained and the number of nuclei per embryo was counted. Six evaluators reviewed the videotape and the percentage of agreement and kappa (k; agreement beyond chance) among evaluators were determined for classifications of stage and grade. Consistency of each evaluator's responses was estimated using the 10 repeated embryos. Agreement within evaluators was higher for stage of embryo development (89.2%) than quality grade (68.5%). Agreement among evaluators for stage was slightly higher with embryos produced in vivo (85.0%, k = 0.74) than in vitro (72.3%, k = 0.48). Agreement among evaluators for grade was similar with embryos from in vivo (61.0%, k = 0.46) and in vitro (57.7%, k = 0.42) production. For both sources of embryos, agreement was substantially better for Grades 1 and 4 than for Grades 2 and 3. The results of this study suggest that good to excellent agreement exists for classifying Day 7 bovine embryos by stage and by extremes of quality grade (Grades 1 and 4) but not by degree of abnormal morphology (Grades 2 and 3). Simple grading criteria of Grade 1 (highest quality), Grade 2 (morphologic defects), and Grade 3 (degenerated) maximized agreement among evaluators.
Evolution of continents

Abstract Continents evolve from ocean basins through a complex series of events. The early stages involve development of greenstone belts, island arcs, marginal basins, etc. These diverse assemblages are swept together during orogenic events, and during this process it is common that continental fragments and other exotic blocks, possibly from considerable distances, may be incorporated in the final agglomeration. The event that causes stabilization (cratonization) is intrusion of post-orogenic, silicic, plutonic rocks, which weld the various fragments into a shield. Shield uplift commonly occurs a few tens of millions of years after stabilization. The process of shield formation has occurred throughout geologic history at different places on the earth, and it is possible to recognize places currently at different stages of the evolutionary pattern. Four examples discussed in this paper are: (1) the Archean craton of southern India; (2) the late Proterozoic/ early Phanerozoic craton of northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula; (3) the portion of the western United States west of inferred Precambrian basement; and (4) the eastern Caribbean, which is considered to be just starting its progress toward continental character. The evolutionary process requires continual increment of lithophilic elements into upper mantle source regions for the shield-forming assemblages. This compositional change may result from continual differentiation of lithophile elements out of the lower mantle, which must be considered as having an essential role in the formation of continental crust.
Stratified least fixpoint logic

Stratified least fixpoint logic, or SLFP, characterizes the expressibility of stratified logic programs and, in a different formulation, has been used as a logic of imperative programs. These two formulations of SLFP are proved to be equivalent. A complete sequent calculus with one infinitary rule is given for SLFP. It is argued that SLFP is the most appropriate assertion language for program verification. In particular, it is shown that traditional approaches using first-order logic as an assertion language only restrict to interpretations where first-order logic has the same expressibility as SLFP.
East-West Inclination of Large-Scale Photospheric Magnetic Fields

Sixteen years of WSO magnetogram data have been studied to determine the solar cycle variation and latitude dependence of the east-west inclination of photospheric magnetic field lines. East-west inclination is here defined as the angle between a field line and its local radial vector, as projected onto the plane of the latitude and line of sight. Inclination is determined by a least-squares fit of observed magnetic fields to a simple projection model, and is found to depend on polarity and to change with the solar cycle. Leading and following polarities are tipped towards each by about 9° and have an overall net tilt in the direction of rotation (to the west) of 0.6°. New cycles are seen to begin at high latitudes and to grow through the lower latitudes over approximately 5 years, providing evidence for an extended cycle length of 16–18 years.
Detection of the magnetization reversal of individual interacting single-domain particles within Co-Cr columnar thin-films

The fundamental Barkhausen noise generated by the magnetization reversal of individual particles within a particulate magnetic medium has been observed using the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) as a sensitive magnetization probe. This is the first time the reversal of individual interacting single or nearly single domain particles has been detected. The jumps correspond to magnetic switching volumes of approximately 3*10/sup -15/ cm/sup 3/ with moments around 10/sup -12/ emu. The magnetization in a Co-Cr thin film, a columnar perpendicular magnetic recording medium, is determined by passing a current through the film and measuring the AHE voltage induced within the sample itself. Hall samples as small as 0.6 mu and containing only a few hundred columns have been made via microlithography. For these samples, the voltage change due to the reversal of a single column can be readily detected with a system sensitivity of 4*10/sup -14/ emu. The spatial dependence of the measurement response over the surface of the Hall geometry has been determined by both calculation and experiment, so that the magnitude of magnetization changes detected by jumps in the AHE voltage can be adjusted for geometric effects. >
The effects of ramipril on sympathetic nervous system function in older patients with hypertension.

Background There are important interactions between the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system. Therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may suppress sympathetic nervous system activity. Objective To test the hypothesis that long-term ACE inhibition by ramipril will suppress sympathetic nervous system activity and up-regulate α-adrenergic receptor responsiveness in older patients with hypertension. Methods This placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized study was conducted at the University Hospital, General Clinical Research Center, University of Michigan Medical Center. Fifteen healthy older patients with mild to moderate hypertension received 8 weeks of ramipril therapy with doses ranging from 5 mg to 20 mg. The following measurements were obtained: plasma norepinephrine levels; norepinephrine kinetic parameters derived from plasma norepinephrine and 3H-norepinephrine levels obtained during infusion and disappearance of 3H-norepinephrine, including the extravascular norepinephrine release rate, norepinephrine clearance, spillover fraction, and volume of distribution; forearm blood flow; platelet membrane α2-receptor binding characteristics, and adenylyl cyclase activity. Results Although plasma norepinephrine levels increased in the subjects treated with ramipril, there were no significant differences from baseline in the rate of norepinephrine appearance into the vascular compartment (P = .76) or in the rate of norepinephrine release into the extravascular compartment (P = .92). In addition, no differences were observed in other norepinephrine kinetic parameters (norepinephrine spillover fraction, norepinephrine volume of distribution, or clearance) between the ramipril and placebo groups. Consistent with this, there was no apparent change in measures of vascular or platelet α-adrenergic receptor responsiveness. Conclusions Ramipril therapy did not suppress systemic sympathetic nervous system activity, alter other norepinephrine kinetic parameters, or alter α-adrenergic responsiveness in older patients with hypertension. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1999) 65, 420–427; doi:
The Dynamics of Atmospherically Driven Intraseasonal Polar Motion

Abstract The atmospheric dynamical processes that drive intraseasonal polar motion are examined with National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis data and with pole position data from the International Earth Rotation Service. The primary methodology involves the regression of different atmospheric variables against the polar motion excitation function. A power spectral analysis of the polar motion excitation function finds a statistically significant peak at 10 days. Correlation calculations show that this peak is associated with the 10-day, first antisymmetric, zonal wavenumber 1, normal mode of the atmosphere. A coherency calculation indicates that the atmospheric driving of polar motion is mostly confined to two frequency bands, with periods of 7.5–13 and 13–90 days. Regressions of surface pressure reveal that the 7.5–13-day band corresponds to the 10-day atmospheric normal mode and the 13–90-day band to a quasi-stationary wave. The regressions of po...
Solar modulation and a galactic origin for the anomalous component observed in low-energy cosmic rays

The current theory of solar modulation can be used to argue that the cosmic-ray component at low energies, which is observed to have an anomalous composition, is not of galactic origin, i.e., it is not a component of the galactic cosmic-ray flux. The current theory predicts, from quite general considerations, that an unreasonably large intensity of cosmic rays, by many orders of magnitude, would be required in the interstellar medium to account for the observed fluxes. Conceivably, the current modulation theory could be modified so that only reasonable interstellar fluxes are predicted. One such modification involves an unusual scheme for particle diffusion in the interplanetary medium. Particles are assumed to diffuse not as a result of their own motion among small-scale irregularities in the magnetic field, but rather in a process in which they are trapped between time-varying constrictions in the large-scale field.
Comment on Schepers: acute distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury: a systematic review of suture-button versus syndesmotic screw repair

Schepers systematic review offers valuable insight into a controversial topic [1]. However, Schepers does not indicate that two of the studies included in his analysis report on the same patient pool. These patients are therefore double counted in his analysis.
A comprehensive program for expanding pathways to IT careers

The Expanding Pathways for Educational Development and Information Technology Experiences (ExPEDITE) Project is creating a smooth transition to an information technology (IT) career for students in West Virginia. This National Science Foundation funded project brought together a secondary school system, community and technical college, university and companies in the technology industry to create a model for addressing the growing need for IT professionals.The ExPEDITE project was designed to meet the growing workforce demand for IT professionals, and improve the technology education of students and the educators who prepare them. Based on comprehensive research and an evaluation of career skills and workforce needs, the project partners are enhancing current secondary and higher education IT related programs. They are developing and approving articulation agreements between secondary school, community college, and university. The project team has developed and implemented a comprehensive IT internship/mentoring program for students, secondary teachers and college professors. They have also developed and are using IT awareness materials to attract and retain students to IT career paths. The team has created an IT career continuing education course for online dissemination to secondary school counselors and teachers. The ExPEDITE project processes are reproducible and effectively provide pathways for secondary and post-secondary students to learn IT skills while exposing them to expanding IT career opportunities.
Electrostatic ligand coatings of nanoparticles enable ligand-specific gene delivery to human primary cells.

A general method of coating polymer/DNA nanoparticles was developed. Peptide coated nanoparticles were found to have favorable biophysical characteristics including small particle size, near-neutral ζ potential, and stability in serum. At appropriate formulation conditions including near-neutral charge ratio, the coated nanoparticles enabled effective ligand-specific gene delivery to human primary endothelial cells in serum-containing media. As this nanoparticulate drug delivery system has high efficacy, ligand-based specificity, biodegradability, and low cytotoxicity, it may be potentially useful in several clinical applications.
Dirichlet Branes and Ramond-Ramond charges.

We show that D-branes, extended objects defined by mixed Dirichlet-Neumann boundary conditions, break half the supersymmetries of the type II superstring and carry a complete set of electric and magnetic Ramond-Ramond charges. The product of the electric and magnetic charges is a single Dirac unit, and the quantum of charge is that required by string duality. This is strong evidence that D-branes are intrinsic to type II string theory and are the Ramond-Ramond sources needed for string duality. Also, we find in the IIa string a 9-form potential, which gives an effective cosmological constant.
The economics of the creative arts: The case of the composer

The economic condition of the performing arts has in recent years received considerable attention from professional economists, as well as from leaders in government, business, and philanthropy. At the same time, the economic condition of the creative artist the writer, poet, playwright, painter, sculptor, choreographer has all but been ignored. Yet in the long run. the cultural contribution of this era in history to future generations will largely depend on the creative output of these individuals. The object of this study is to focus attention on the condition of one kind of creative artist in twentieth century America: the composer of serious music. It is hoped that the findings of this study will have reievance for other fields of creative activity as well. [1 ] The field of the creative arts_ is generally conceded to be an economic disaster area. The objectives of this study are (1) to obtain information about the professional activities of composers, an area in which the economic profession has 10 date been fairiv uninformed. (2) to use this information to identify the major problems facing composen and, in the light of an economic framework, to ferret out reasons for these problems, and (3) to try to formulate some policy suggestions as to how some of the problems might be minimized or overcome.
Holoprosencephaly: from Homer to Hedgehog

Holoprosencephaly (HPE), a common developmental defect affecting the forebrain and face, is etiologically heterogeneous and exhibits wide phenotypic variation. Graded degrees of severity of the brain malformation are also reflected in the highly variable craniofacial malformations associated with HPE. In addition, individuals with microforms of HPE, who usually have normal cognition and normal brain imaging, are at risk for having children with HPE. Some obligate carriers for HPE may not have any phenotypic abnormalities. Recurrent chromosomal rearrangements in individuals with HPE suggest loci containing genes important for brain development, and abnormalities in these genes may result in HPE. Recently, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) was the first gene identified as causing HPE in humans. Proper function of SHH depends on cholesterol modification. Other candidate genes that may be involved in HPE include components of the SHH pathway, elements involved in cholesterol metabolism, and genes expressed in the developing forebrain.
Logics of public communications

Multi-modal versions of propositional logics S5 or S4—commonly accepted as logics of knowledge—are capable of describing static states of knowledge but they do not reflect how the knowledge changes after communications among agents. In the present paper (part of broader research on logics of knowledge and communications) we define extensions of the logic S5 which can deal with public communications. The logics have natural semantics. We prove some completeness, decidability and interpretability results and formulate a general method that solves certain kind of problems involving public communications—among them well known puzzles of Muddy Children and Mr. Sum & Mr. Product. As the paper gives a formal logical treatment of the operation of restriction of the universe of a Kripke model, it contributes also to investigations of semantics for modal logics.
Relationship of cardiovascular reactivity and anger expression to serum lipid concentrations in healthy young men

The relationship between behaviorally evoked cardiovascular reactivity, preferred mode of anger expression, and serum lipid concentrations was examined in 63 healthy, young adult males. Subjects derived from three studies, each evaluating cardiovascular response to laboratory stressors. All participants completed the Spielberger Anger Expression Scale and provided fasting blood samples for lipid determinations. A significant negative correlation, calculated by meta-analytic procedures, was noted between a baseline-free measure of heart rate reactivity and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations (r = -0.26, p = 0.05). However, the previously reported relationship between cardiovascular reactivity and elevated total serum cholesterol (TSC) was not found. Additionally, men scoring high on a self-report measure of the tendency to express anger outwardly had significantly higher HDL-C concentrations than men scoring low on this measure (r = 0.30, p = 0.02); when subjects were stratified by level of cardiovascular reactivity, this relationship was apparent only among those showing the greatest magnitude of heart rate and blood pressure responses to acute mental stress.
Dynamic Responses of a Viscoelastic Material in Nanoscale by Using Harmonic Nanoindentation

A rapid method to measure the viscoelastic properties of microstructures or nanocomposites is presented in this work. The time-dependent properties of viscoelastic materials in nanoscale are evaluated by using a harmonic nanoindentation test which is performed by a nanoindenter assembled on an atomic force microscope with a three sided pyramidal Berkovich probe tip. The experimental data are calculated by a numerical regression to fit the three-parameter Kelvin-Maxwell viscoelastic model and compared with the data determined from a creep test conducted by a tension machine. It shows that the compliances evaluated from the nanoindentation are smaller than those from the creep test, which means the properties evaluated by the nanoindentation are much stiffer than those by the creep test. Moreover, the relaxation time determined from the nanoindentation is smaller than the one from the creep test, meaning the response in the nanoindentation is quicker than the response in the creep test. The results present the variation of mechanical properties between the macro and micro scales.
Photosynthesis below the surface in a cryptic microbial mat

The discovery of subsurface communities has encouraged speculation that such communities might be present on planetary bodies exposed to harsh surface conditions, including the early Earth. While the astrobiology community has focused on the deep subsurface, near-subsurface environments are unique in that they provide some protection while allowing partial access to photosynthetically active radiation. Previously we identified near-surface microbial communities based on photosynthesis. Here we assess the productivity of such an ecosystem by measuring in situ carbon fixation rates in an intertidal marine beach through a diurnal cycle, and find them surprisingly productive. Gross fixation along a transect (99×1 m) perpendicular to the shore was highly variable and depended on factors such as moisture and mat type, with a mean of ~41 mg C fixed m−2 day−1. In contrast, an adjacent well-established cyanobacterial mat dominated by Lyngbya aestuarii was ~12 times as productive (~500 mg C fixed m−2 day−1). Measurements made of the Lyngbya mat at several times per year revealed a correlation between total hours of daylight and gross daily production. From these data, annual gross fixation was estimated for the Lyngbya mat and yielded a value of ~1.3×105 g m−2 yr−1. An analysis of pulse-chase data obtained in the study in conjunction with published literature on similar ecosystems suggests that subsurface interstitial mats may be an overlooked endogenous source of organic carbon, mostly in the form of excreted fixed carbon.
Incidence of apnea in infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis: a systematic review.

Objective To determine the incidence of apnea in infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis and identify relevant risk factors from the available literature. Study design A systematic search of available databases for studies reporting the rate of apnea in a consecutive cohort of infants hospitalized with RSV infection was performed. The overall incidence of apnea was extracted and analyzed in relation to preterm birth, age, and potentially confounding illnesses. Results The incidence of apnea in the study population of 5575 hospitalized patients with RSV ranged from a high of 23.8% to a low of 1.2%. Comparison of the cohort by term and preterm birth revealed an expected excess in apnea incidence in preterms, even in the absence of information about chronologic age. Many studies appeared to be confounded by the inclusion of impaired infants with neuromuscular disorders. Conclusions Based on the available data, precisely quantifying the risk of apnea attributable to RSV infection is not possible. Factors intrinsic to the individual infants may account for a significant percentage of the apnea attributed to RSV. Recent studies have found a
Needed: A few good knights for the information age-competence, courage, and compassion in the engineering curriculum

The ABET 2000 Criteria for Engineering Programs provide us with a new roadmap for engineering education. The guidelines call for demonstrated competence in the practice of engineering. That competence includes a strong sense of how engineering practice fits into a societal framework on a local and a global level. At the same time the number of modern design tools has increased tremendously, the impact of engineering activity on the lives of everyone in society has increased, the engineering basics are unchanged and we still have only 4-5 years to prepare our students to become engineers. With new guidelines and increased demands, perhaps a modified or new approach to instruction would be helpful. The author discusses a design-based approach to teaching that meets these criteria and that also includes concepts of service and ethical responsibility. This approach has been used successfully by the author in numerous courses and has also been used very successfully to introduce environmentally responsible design practice for freshman through senior level courses.
Rothstein roundtable podcast--"Medicare mandate for claims-based functional data collection: an opportunity to advance care, or a regulatory burden?".

Clinicians and administrators have begun implementing Medicare's mandated claims-based functional data collection. At the 2013 Rothstein Roundtable at APTA Conference in …
Science to Practice: What Is New about Detecting Emphysema?

Through the use of diffusion-weighted 3He MR imaging, Fain et al in this issue of Radiology demonstrated the potential for detection of early emphysema in the lungs of healthy smokers. The technique possibly could become an important tool for understanding the pulmonary processes that occur with emphysema, for implementing treatment before clinical symptoms occur, and for monitoring the effect of treatment.
The effects of notetaking while reading or listening

College students either read or listened to a 2000 word prose passage concerning a fictitious native tribe. Additionally, one‐half of each group took notes on the presentation. All learners then co...
Wandering spleen with torsion: Appearance on CT and ultrasound

Wandering spleen is a rare entity which may present with symptoms suggestive of other, more common abdominal processes. Torsion of the long pedicle may occur causing abdominal pain. This article describes a case of wandering spleen diagnosed by computed tomography (CT). Liver spleen scintigraphy and sonography supported this diagnosis and suggested torsion. To our knowledge this is only the second case of this entity in which color flow and duplex Doppler findings have been reported.
B4GAT1 is the priming enzyme for the LARGE-dependent functional glycosylation of α-dystroglycan

Recent studies demonstrated that mutations in B3GNT1, an enzyme proposed to be involved in poly-N-acetyllactosamine synthesis, were causal for congenital muscular dystrophy with hypoglycosylation of α-dystroglycan (secondary dystroglycanopathies). Since defects in the O-mannosylation protein glycosylation pathway are primarily responsible for dystroglycanopathies and with no established O-mannose initiated structures containing a β3 linked GlcNAc known, we biochemically interrogated this human enzyme. Here we report this enzyme is not a β-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase with catalytic activity towards β-galactose but rather a β-1,4-glucuronyltransferase, designated B4GAT1, towards both α- and β-anomers of xylose. The dual-activity LARGE enzyme is capable of extending products of B4GAT1 and we provide experimental evidence that B4GAT1 is the priming enzyme for LARGE. Our results further define the functional O-mannosylated glycan structure and indicate that B4GAT1 is involved in the initiation of the LARGE-dependent repeating disaccharide that is necessary for extracellular matrix protein binding to O-mannosylated α-dystroglycan that is lacking in secondary dystroglycanopathies.
Simultaneous Selection of Features and Metric for Optimal Nearest Neighbor Classification

Abstract Given a set of observations in ℝ n along with provided class labels, &#x1d49e;, one is often interested in building a classifier that is a mapping from ℝ n → &#x1d49e;. One way to do this is using a simple nearest neighbor classifier. Inherent in the use of this classifier is a metric or pseudo-metric that measures the distance between the observations. One typically uses the L 2 metric. We examine the classification benefits of the use of alternative Minkowski p-metrics. We also study the relationship between the selection of the p-metric and the selection of optimal classification features. We compare a simple greedy approach of Minkowski p-metric optimization followed by feature selection, the greedy method, with a simultaneous optimization of the p-metric and feature selection process. We utilize a stochastic optimization methodology to perform the simultaneous optimization.
Thin metallic films for high-density digital recording

Three different methods, electrodeposition, autocatalytic deposition, and vacuum deposition, by which thin metal films may be made are described. They have a combination of magnetic characteristics which should make them well suited to the purpose of high density recording. It is concluded that the factors which are primarily responsible for the superior recording performance of these films when compared with the conventional particulate coatings are their thinness and their high coercivity.
Vector geometry for computer graphics

Computer graphics and modeling rely on mathematical operations on points and vectors. The author advocates using vector geometric analysis to simplify required derivations. He presents the basic language and methods of vector geometric analysis and characterizes the situations favoring vector geometric versus coordinate based analysis. A set of C++ classes is developed which includes methods and definitions of overloaded operators implementing nearly all of the low level operations and matrix construction algorithms presented in this article and its companion (J.R. Miller, see ibid., vol.19, no.4, 1999). Sample code using these tools to perform representative common operations is presented.
Probability of error in PAM systems with intersymbol interference and additive noise

The effect of intersymbol interference and additive noise on the performance of a digital data transmission system is considered. The data sequence is assumed to be independent and equiprobable. The additive noise is independent of the signal but is not restricted to be Gaussian. A simple lower bound, an upper bound, and a simple approximation to the upper bound, on the probability of error are derived. The approximation to the upper bound is twice the lower bound; hence, either can be taken as an approximation to the actual error probability.
Clocking scheme for nanomagnet QCA

Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) was previously demonstrated using aluminum tunnel junction single-electron transistor technology at mK temperatures, and molecular QCA is under development for operation at room temperature (RT). All of the basic building blocks needed for QCA have been experimentally demonstrated. Our work on nanomagnet-based QCA (NMQCA) holds the most promise for achieving viable RT operation in the near term. One requirement of the QCA architecture is a low-power clock structure. In this paper, we demonstrate the design and simulation of an on-chip low-power clock circuit that can facilitate the realization of the nanomagnet-based fully functional logic circuit on a single chip.
Where is the evidence supporting public service announcements to eliminate mental illness stigma

Advocates and social marketers have used substantial resources to develop public service announcements (PSAs) as a lead strategy in public education and awareness campaigns meant to eliminate stigma associated with mental illness. Evaluations of PSAs are needed to determine whether this is a good investment. The author notes that very few studies have been reported in the peer-reviewed medical and psychological research literature addressing this question. Reports of government contractors suggest that PSAs have some effect as measured by population penetration, but such data provide no meaningful evidence about the impact of PSAs, such as real-world change in prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behaviors. The author considers reasons for the limited impact of PSAs and proposes that social marketing campaigns could enhance their impact by targeting local groups.
Muscle mTORC1 suppression by IL-6 during cancer cachexia: a role for AMPK.

Although catabolic signaling has a well-established role in muscle wasting during cancer cachexia, the suppression of anabolic signaling also warrants further investigation. In cachectic tumor-bear...
Low Temperature Heat Capacity of 4He Films in Vycor

Precision heat capacity results of thin 4He films adsorbed in Vycor are presented. We found a sharp heat capacity peak at the superfluid transition and evidence of monolayer completion. The temperature dependence of the heat capacity in various coverage regimes is analyzed in terms of one and two dimensional excitations.