cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Higher order factors of personality in Jamaican young adults

This study examined the tenability of a higher order factor structure of personality using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, a popular measure of the Big Five personality traits. The sample (n = 1018) of Jamaican older adolescents and young adults is unique since they represent a culture where there is very little literature on the structure of personality. Moreover, previous studies of higher order personality factors have examined samples almost exclusively from Europe and North America. Through confirmatory factor analysis, we found that a model with five first order factors and one higher order factor fit the Jamaican data as well as, or better than other more complex models. We then discuss possible implications for this finding.
Does co-morbid depression alter the inverse relationship between obesity and substance use disorders?

Background Substance use disorders and obesity are often inversely related to one another, hypothetically due to competition over shared neurobiological reward circuitry. However, obesity and substance use disorders share common risk factors, such as other psychiatric disorders. It is unknown whether the inverse relationship between obesity and substance use disorders continues to exist in the presence of shared risk factors.
Complexity in Built Environment, Health, and Destination Walking: A Neighborhood-Scale Analysis

This study investigates the relationships between the built environment, the physical attributes of the neighborhood, and the residents’ perceptions of those attributes. It focuses on destination walking and self-reported health, and does so at the neighborhood scale. The built environment, in particular sidewalks, road connectivity, and proximity of local destinations, correlates with destination walking, and similarly destination walking correlates with physical health. It was found, however, that the built environment and health metrics may not be simply, directly correlated but rather may be correlated through a series of feedback loops that may regulate risk in different ways in different contexts. In particular, evidence for a feedback loop between physical health and destination walking is observed, as well as separate feedback loops between destination walking and objective metrics of the built environment, and destination walking and perception of the built environment. These feedback loops affect the ability to observe how the built environment correlates with residents’ physical health. Previous studies have investigated pieces of these associations, but are potentially missing the more complex relationships present. This study proposes a conceptual model describing complex feedback relationships between destination walking and public health, with the built environment expected to increase or decrease the strength of the feedback loop. Evidence supporting these feedback relationships is presented.
Galvanomagnetic effects in the solid solution and precipitate phases of AuCo alloys

Abstract The electrical resistance, magnetoresistance and Hall effect in AuCo alloys containing between 1 and 15·6 at.% Co have been measured in both the quenched and over-aged states. Measurements were made in the temperature range ∼2–250 K and in flux densities up to 7 T. Supporting magnetization measurements were made to 1·6 T. The results are interpreted in terms of the standard age-hardening mechanism. The quenched state is a cluster spin-glass with magnetic triplets or larger clusters of Co ions, and the over-aged state consists of high-conductivity incoherent Co-rich precipitates. In the aged state most of the Co has effectively no influence on the electrons’ motion.
Impact assessment of CO2 mitigation options in Korea using energy system analysis model

The Korea Electric Power Research Institute (KEPRI) has performed a study to analyze the deployment impact of CO2 mitigation options in the power generation sector in Korea, with IEA Clean Coal Centre. The goal of this study is the identification of the viable technology and legal options for CO2 mitigation, and the impact assessment of the options for the Korean power generation sector. The MARKAL modeling package of IEA/ETSAP was used as an appropriate tool to make the database of Korean energy system in the model and assess the effects of the options. Several scenarios were made to study the effect of CO2 emission reductions on the Korean power generation sector, and these were classified as the Base Scenario, New Technology Scenario, Carbon Tax Scenario, Total Carbon Emission Cap Scenario, and mixtures of the scenarios. Under the base scenario based on the National Electricity Plan of Korea, the future power generation will be dominated by nuclear and coal power plants, with some of natural gas fired plant and a very small proportion of renewables. However, with increasing pressure to mitigate CO2 emissions, the analysis results of all four scenarios and combination of the scenarios showed that Korea would have to adopt a little different approach. An extensive modeling work was, therefore, undertaken to analyze the impact of various measures on introduction of new technologies and policies in order to achieve significant CO2 emissions reduction. As results of this work, we found estimated average cost for a ton carbon mitigation and estimated amount of CO2 emission reduction by application of each scenario including constraint of lower limit of coal power generation for security of energy supplies in Korea. The results obtained are to be suggested as recommendation in establishing a sustainable energy portfolio within the Korean power generation sector.
15-Methyl-1,2-hexadecanediol, a major constituent of hamster surface wax

Long chain 1,2-alkanediol diesters comprise about 15–20% of the acetone soluble skin surface wax of golden Syrian hamsters. The constituent 1,2-alkanediols, obtained through acidic methanolysis, were fractionated by preparative gas liquid chromatography of their isopropylidene derivatives. The major component (57%) was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry as 15-methyl-1,2-hexadecanediol.
Production of 8.4m segments for the Giant Magellan Telescope

Production of segments for the Giant Magellan Telescope is well underway at the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab. We report on the completion of the first 8.4 m off-axis segment, the casting of the second segment, and preparations for manufacture of the remaining segments. The complete set of infrastructure for serial production is in place, including the casting furnace, two 8.4 m capacity grinding and polishing machines, and a 28 m test tower that incorporates four independent measurement systems. The first segment, with 14 mm p-v aspheric departure, is by some measures the most challenging astronomical mirror ever made. Its manufacture took longer than expected, but the result is an excellent figure and demonstration of valuable new systems that will support both fabrication and measurement of the remaining segments. Polishing was done with a 1.2 m stressed lap for smoothing and large-scale figuring, and a series of smaller passive rigid-conformal laps for deterministic figuring on smaller scales. The interferometric measurement produces a null wavefront with a 3-element asymmetric null corrector including a 3.8 m spherical mirror and a computer-generated hologram. In addition to this test, we relied heavily on the new SCOTS slope test with its high accuracy and dynamic range. Evaluation of the measured figure includes simulated active correction using both the 160-actuator mirror support and the alignment degrees of freedom for the off-axis segment.
Neuroform stent assisted aneurysm treatment: evolving treatment strategies, complications and results of long term follow-up

Introduction This report details experience with the Neuroform stent, with an emphasis on evolving treatment strategies, complication rates and treatment durability. Methods All patients undergoing Neuroform stent assisted aneurysm treatment were registered in prospectively maintained endovascular databases at two institutions. Results 284 patients with 302 aneurysms underwent aneurysm treatment with Neuroform during a 42-month study period. Imaging follow-up was available for 166 of 286 saccular aneurysms which were treated with stents and coils (average interval 12.9 months). 80 demonstrated progressive thrombosis (48.2%), 40 were unchanged (24.1%) and 46 (27.7%) demonstrated re-canalization, 25 (15.1%) of which were major recanalizations requiring retreatment. The vast majority of recanalizations and retreatments were observed in large or giant aneurysms. A cumulative total of 25 ischemic strokes (8.8%) and eight neurovascular deaths (2.8%) were recorded in these patients. Ten of these strokes were associated with transient deficits which went on to complete resolution by the time of discharge or at the initial clinical follow-up, yielding a significant stroke rate of 5.3%. Delayed (>48 h) complications, including four deaths—related to stroke (n=2, 6 days and 8 weeks post-procedure) and spontaneous parenchymal hemorrhages (n=2)—represent events which are a direct consequence of stenting and likely would not have been encountered in the context of standard non-stent supported embolization techniques. Conclusion Neuroform facilitates the endovascular treatment of complex and wide necked cerebral aneurysms. However, complete occlusion at angiographic follow-up remains uncommon and is observed in only one-third of patients. Delayed complications (>48 h) represent an important component of the overall complications associated with Neuroform assisted aneurysm embolization.
A new statistical method for testing hypotheses of neuropsychological/MRI relationships in schizophrenia: Partial least squares analysis.

We applied partial least squares (PLS) as a novel multivariate statistical technique to examine neuropsychological correlates of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of brain volumes in a well studied sample of 15 male patients with chronic schizophrenia. In the current study, because the total number of measures far surpassed the total number of subjects, extant multivariate techniques such as canonical correlation could not be used to examine relationships among simultaneous measures of MRI and neuropsychology. Moreover, because MRI measures were expected to be highly inter-correlated, as would be neuropsychological test scores, extant multivariate statistical techniques would be substantially limited because they typically assume statistical independence among sets of measures. PLS, on the other hand, proved to be especially well suited to examining the relationships among function and anatomy measures in this sample, where statistically significant relationships were demonstrated that were entirely consistent with prior studies using univariate correlation techniques. In particular, statistically significant relationships emerged among sets of MRI temporal lobe measures and neuropsychological tests of verbal memory and categorization as well as among MRI frontal measures and neuropsychological tests of working memory.
PHOSPHAGEN IN MYTILUS CALIFORNIANUS.

Abstract 1. 1. N-phosphorylarginine of muscle extracts of Mytilus californianus, and some other species investigated, gives three distinct spots on two-dimensional chromatography. 2. 2. The three fractions, AP1, AP2 and AP3, had a 1:1 ratio of arginine to phosphate (P). One minute hydrolysis in 0·5 N HCl at 100°C resulted in splitting to arginine and inorganic P. None of the fractions contained either carbohydrate, amino acids other than arginine, or acetyl. AP2 was found to contain Ca2+. 3. 3. All three fractions were substates for arginine phosphoryltransferase; however, when Mg2+ was omitted from the assay system only AP1 showed a liberation of free arginine. 4. 4. AP1, AP2 and AP3 differed in the rate of incorporation of either arginine-C14 or P32. AP1 became labeled first, followed by AP2, and AP3, in P32 experiments. AP1 and often AP1 and AP2 were labeled with arginine-C14. 5. 5. In several experiments, when AP1 was the only fraction labeled with arginine-C14, AP2 became radioactive upon stimulation of the ABRM. A possibility of selective participation, of the three fractions, in muscle contraction is discussed.
Radiative Energy Blockage in Large Pool Fires

Abstract During the combustion process, a thin, cool, fuel-rich core region is established near the fuel surface. In large-scale fires, where radiation is the dominant mechanism for energy feedback to the fuel surface, the attenuation of the radiant flux by the core gases significantly affects the mass consumption rate. A simple flame-radiation model is proposed to account for this blockage effect. It consists of two discrete, homogeneous, isothermal regions: a high temperature, luminous flame, and a cool, fuel-rich core. The thin core layer (about 7 percent of the flame height) has a surprisingly significant impact on the radiant feedback, as it attenuates the radiant flux to the surface by 25 to 35 percent. The simplified model is able to predict, with great accuracy, the mass consumption rate and total radiative power output of PMMA pool fires without rigorous specification of the temperature and concentration distributions within the flame.
Diagnostic Decision-Making in Anatomic Pathology

In diagnostic pathology, decision-making skills are used to match the facts of a particular case to a diagnostic category. Ideally the diagnosis is established with "beyond a reasonable doubt" certainty, but substantial uncertainty orfrank diagnostic error can afflict the diagnostic process for a variety of reasons. Many of these diagnostic problems are explained by failures of decision-making. Unfortunately, it appears that substantial components of decision-making are too poorly understood to study or improve. For example, "instant pattern recognition," use of implicit knowledge, and use of creativity represent areas where discussion may not be helpful. In contrast, rule-based problem-solving is sufficiently well understood that the members of an almost purely cognitive specialty might be prompted to ask, what do we know about what we do when we problem-solve? This article reviews some of the more intriguing aspects of decision-making in the hope of stimulating interest in the topic among pathologists.
Statistics Online Computational Resource for Education.

The Statistics Online Computational Resource (www.SOCR.ucla.edu) provides one of the largest collections of free Internet-based resources for probability and statistics education. SOCR develops, validates and disseminates two core types of materials – instructional resources and computational libraries.
Nitric oxide produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase promotes diuresis

Extracellular fluid volume is highly regulated, at least in part, by peripheral resistance and renal function. Nitric oxide (NO) produced by NO synthase type 3 (NOS 3) in the nonrenal vasculature m...
EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND THE PROFESSORIAL ROLE

The article defines educational planning from differing perspectives and describes four bodies of knowledge bearing upon the concept. The bodies of knowledge described are operations research, manpower and human resources planning, planning‐programming‐budgeting, and futurology. The uses professors, especially in the United States, are making in research and training are depicted. Finally, research and training recommendations bearing upon planning, which might be considered for the future, are offered.
The interhaemal barrier in the chorioallantoic placenta of the greater mustache bat, Pteronotus parnellii, with observations on amplification of its intrasyncytial lamina

Chorioallantoic placentae were obtained from a reproductively synchronized wild population of greater mustache bats for ultrastructural and immunocytochemical examination. The single discoidal placenta was always located in a lateral to mesometrial position on the right side of the uterus, which in the non-pregnant state is partially bicornuate. The placenta was labyrinthine and haemodichorial in advanced pregnancy. The interhaemal barrier included syncytiotrophoblast that lined the maternal vascular spaces and an underlying, continuous layer of cytotrophoblast. The barrier also contained a discontinuous extracellular layer, the intrasyncytial lamina, that was usually completely surrounded by syncytiotrophoblast. Two lines of evidence suggest that the intrasyncytial lamina may serve, in part, to strengthen the interhaemal barrier: (1) the lamina became significantly thicker as the maternal vascular channels became larger; and (2) the syncytiotrophoblast in the walls of the smallest vascular tubules expressed only very limited amounts of cytokeratins, normally a major component of the cytoskeleton of cells of epithelial origin, while the cytokeratin-rich cytotrophoblast was often highly attenuated. It was not uncommon to see gaps between the ectoplasmic processes of syncytiotrophoblast which exposed portions of the intrasyncytial lamina to the maternal vascular space. As platelet adhesion was never observed in such areas, the intrasyncytial lamina may be augmented in part by material that is non-thrombogenic.
Ileoanal pouch procedures in children.

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the long-term experience with colectomy and the ileoanal pouch procedure (IAPP) in children from one hospital. Methods: Between 1977 and 2001, 168 children under 18 years of age underwent colectomy and IAPP. One hundred thirty-one had ulcerative colitis (UC). Twenty-six had familial colonic polyposis (FP), 9 had Hirschsprung's disease (HD), and 2 had colonic inertia. Ninety-seven had a J-pouch, 62 had a lateral pouch, and 9 had a straight pull-through (SP). The mean age was 13.9 years. Results: Complications within 2 years included pouchitis (16%), ileoanal strictures (14%), and adhesions (7%). There were no deaths. Fifty-six patients (33%) required reoperation, including 20 revisions of large pouches and 8 conversions of SP to pouches because of stool frequency. Six children (3.6%) had later pouch removal (3 had Crohn's disease). Stool frequency at 6 months was 3.8 (mean). At 6 months 5% had occasional soiling. Eighty-four percent can delay defecation over 1½ hours; 82% can urinate without a bowel movement. With a mean follow-up of 11.2 years, 94.6% are functioning well. Conclusions: Colectomy with IAPP is the preferred operation for children with UC, FP, and selected HD. The J-pouch is the preferred technique because of simplicity of construction and sparsity of complications. J Pediatr Surg 36:1689-1692. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
The “nondialyzable” fraction obtained from ichthyocol digested with collagenase

Kinetic analysis was made of the dialysis of digests of ichthyocol gelatin prepared with collagenase. It was found that most, if not all, of the peptides in such digests are dialyzable, but at greatly different rates. First, there is a class of slowly dialyzable peptides that contain most of the tyrosine, ester groups, and carbohydrate moieties of the parent protein molecule. Second, there is a class of slowly dialyzable peptides, which are rich in the polar amino acids and appear to originate from the polar or “noncrystalline” regions of the protein molecule. Third, there is a class of rapidly dialyzable peptides that are rich in proline and hydroxyproline and appear to originate from the “crystalline” regions of the collagen molecule. After 48 hr., the most slowly dialyzable peptides remain in an aggregate fraction which, operationally, has been designated a “non-dialyzable” fraction. It has been established that the aggregate peptides have, relative to original gelatin, increased contents of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and lysine, and contain major portions of the carbohydrate, tyrosine, and hydroxylamine-sensitive (“ester-like”) bonds of gelatin. However, they have relatively decreased contents of proline, hydroxyproline, arginine, and leucine. Their Contents of glycine and alanine are relatively unchanged. Dinitrophenylation studies indicated that the average peptide length of the “nondialyzable” peptides was 11–15 residues. On the basis of these and other studies, a representation is made of the polar and nonpolar regions of the collagen molecule.
A SiGe PA with dual dynamic bias control and memoryless digital predistortion for WCDMA handset applications

This paper demonstrates a two-stage 1.95-GHz WCDMA handset RFIC power amplifier (PA) implemented in a 0.25-/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS process. With an integrated dual dynamic bias control of the collector current and collector voltage, the average power efficiency of the two-stage PA is improved from 1.9% to 5.0%. The measured power gain is 18.5 dB. The gain variation with dynamic biasing is less than 1.8 dB. An off-chip memoryless digital predistortion linearizer is also adopted, satisfying the 3GPP wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) linearity specification by a 10 dB improvement of adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) at +26 dBm average channel output power.
Structure and optical properties of a thermoresponsive polymer-grafted, lipid-based complex fluid

We report herein an example of a self-assembling, stimulus-responsive complex fluid that switches between two distinct structural (two-dimensional (2-D) to one-dimensional supramolecular architecture) and functional (fluid to gel and nonbirefringent to birefringent) states in response to modest temperature changes. This complex fluid is formed by the noncovalent self-assembly of a quaternary mixture of a phospholipid, dimyristolyphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), a lipopolymer consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) terminally grafted onto the phosphate headgroup of DMPE (DMPE-EO45), and a cosurfactant, lauryldi-methylamine N-oxide (LDAO), dispersed in water. The supramolecular assembly formed by this mixture has been found to undergo a reversible transformation from a liquid-crystalline gel to a nonbirefringent fluid upon reduction in temperature. The onset of the thermotropic phase transition has been determined to be 16 °C by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The structural organization (i.e., the supramole...
Optical limiting by index-matched phase-segregated mixtures

The nonlinear optical response for index-matched, non-absorbing immiscible phases (liquid-solid, liquid-liquid, solid-solid) has been determined by means of open aperture z-scan measurements. In mixtures where one constituent shows a relatively high optical nonlinearity, rapid and reversible transformation to a light-scattering state is observed under conditions where a critical incident light fluence is exceeded. This passive broadband response is induced by a transient change in the dispersive part of the refractive index, and is based upon the Christiansen-Shelyubskii filter that at one time was used as a means to monitor the temperature of glass melts. Modeling studies are used to simulate scattering intensities in such textured composites as a function of composition, microstructure, and constituent optical properties. Results provide a rational approach to the selection of materials for use in these limiters. Challenges to preparing dispersed phase mixtures and their response to 532 nm nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation are described.
Simultaneous light emission—differential thermal analysis of selected coordination compounds

Abstract A new apparatus which permits the simultaneous determination of both the light emission (LE) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves of a compound is described. LE—DTA curves are reported for a selected number of coordination compounds, each containing vigorous reducing—oxidizing ligands or ions. New LE curve peaks are reported for [Co(NH3)6](NO3)3, [Ni(en)3](NO3)2, and [Rh(NH35X](NO32) (X = Cl, Br on NO3) complexes. Multiple LE peaks were found for [Co dien (NO3)3], cis-[Co(en)2(NO2)2] NO2 and [Co dien NH3(NO2)2]Cl. The presence of carbon-containing reducing ligand is not necessary in order to obtain a LE peak during the thermal dissociation process
Sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the Hudson River Airshed

Sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the Hudson River Estuary Airshed were investigated using positive matrix factorization (PMF). A three-city dataset was used to obtain common factor profiles. The contributions of each factor on each sampling day and site were then determined, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted. A stable eight-factor solution was identified. PMF was able to identify a factor associated with air–surface exchange. This factor contains low-molecular weight PAHs and was a dominant contributor to the measured PAHs concentrations. Factors linked to motor vehicle use (diesel and gasoline vehicle emissions and evaporative/uncombusted petroleum) and natural gas combustion were also major contributors. Motor vehicle combustion and oil combustion factors were the predominant contributors to particle-phase PAHs, while natural gas combustion, air–surface exchange, and evaporative/uncombusted petroleum factors made substantial contributions to gas-phase PAH concentrations. In contrast to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is dominated by regional transport, spatial variations in PAH concentrations suggest that PAH concentrations in the Hudson River Estuary Airshed are dominated by sources within the New York–New Jersey urban–industrial complex.
Endoscopic and Surgical Management of Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome is a disease characterized by autosomal dominant clustering of colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as other cancers. It is critical for clinicians and surgeons caring for patients with HNPCC to be familiar with their management related to CRC. Based on retrospective studies, screening colonoscopy is recommended every 1 to 2 years beginning at age 20 to 25, or 10 years younger than the earliest CRC in the family (whichever is earlier). HNPCC patients with colon cancer should be considered for total abdominal colectomy rather than a more limited segmental colon resection due to the increased risk of metachronous neoplasia associated with the condition. Rectal cancer in HNPCC has not been well studied, but discussions with the patient regarding surgical management should weigh the risks of metachronous CRC with the morbidity and quality of life issues associated with proctocolectomy. Regardless of the procedure, a patient with HNPCC requires close postoperative endoscopic surveillance of any remaining at-risk mucosa. In terms of chemoprevention, aspirin has been shown to be effective in preventing colorectal neoplasia in prospective trials and should be considered in patients who do not have a contraindication to the drug. Trials for other chemopreventative agents in HNPCC are ongoing. As more is learned about particular genotype–phenotype correlations with Lynch syndrome, this will likely affect surgical decision making. Despite all of these efforts in the management of patients with HNPCC or Lynch syndrome, incident CRCs still occur, thus reinforcing the need for further studies to better understand the optimal management of these patients.
Laparoscopic management of cystic disease of the liver

Background: Laparoscopic management of cystic disease of the liver, including severe polycystic disease, is evolving.
Potential energy optimization and Monte Carlo simulations of the first hyperpolarizability: a comparative study

We contrast two numerical approaches that are used to optimize the intrinsic hyperpolarizability: potential optimization and sum-rule-constrained Monte Carlo simulations. Our aim is to resolve inconsistencies between the two. We show that while the first method accurately reflects the properties of real physical systems, the second requires exotic hamiltonians that obey sum rules but may not represent a physical reality. Under certain extreme conditions, the sum-rule-constrained approach leads to systems that may not be representable by any Schrodinger Equation in differential equation form.
The role of exposure to isolated words in early vocabulary development

Fluent speech contains no known acoustic analog of the blank spaces between printed words. Early research presumed that word learning is driven primarily by exposure to isolated words. In the last decade there has been a shift to the view that exposure to isolated words is unreliable and plays little if any role in early word learning. This study revisits the role of isolated words. The results show (a) that isolated words are a reliable feature of speech to infants, (b) that they include a variety of word types, many of which are repeated in close temporal proximity, (c) that a substantial fraction of the words infants produce are words that mothers speak in isolation, and (d) that the frequency with which a child hears a word in isolation predicts whether that word will be learned better than the child's total frequency of exposure to that word. Thus, exposure to isolated words may significantly facilitate vocabulary development at its earliest stages.
Waste Management Options for Long-Duration Space Missions: When to Reject, Reuse, or Recycle

The amount of waste generated on long-duration space missions away from Earth orbit creates the daunting challenge of how to manage the waste through reuse, rejection, or recycle. The option to merely dispose of the solid waste through an airlock to space was studied for both Earth-moon libration point missions and crewed Mars missions. Although the unique dynamic characteristics of an orbit around L2 might allow some discarded waste to intersect the lunar surface before re-impacting the spacecraft, the large amount of waste needed to be managed and potential hazards associated with volatiles recondensing on the spacecraft surfaces make this option problematic. A second option evaluated is to process the waste into useful gases to be either vented to space or used in various propulsion systems. These propellants could then be used to provide the yearly station-keeping needs at an L2 orbit, or if processed into oxygen and methane propellants, could be used to augment science exploration by enabling lunar mini landers to the far side of the moon.
Aging Field Collected Aedes aegypti to Determine Their Capacity for Dengue Transmission in the Southwestern United States

Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue virus, is well established throughout urban areas of the Southwestern US, including Tucson, AZ. Local transmission of the dengue virus, however, has not been reported in this area. Although many factors influence the distribution of the dengue virus, we hypothesize that one contributing factor is that the lifespan of female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the Southwestern US is too short for the virus to complete development and be transmitted to a new host. To test this we utilized two age grading techniques. First, we determined parity by analyzing ovarian tracheation and found that only 40% of Ae. aegypti females collected in Tucson, AZ were parous. The second technique determined transcript levels of an age-associated gene, Sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein 1 (SCP-1). SCP-1 expression decreased in a predictable manner as the age of mosquitoes increased regardless of rearing conditions and reproductive status. We developed statistical models based on parity and SCP-1 expression to determine the age of individual, field collected mosquitoes within three age brackets: nonvectors (0-5 days post-emergence), unlikely vectors (6-14 days post-emergence), and potential vectors (15+ days post-emergence). The statistical models allowed us to accurately group individual wild mosquitoes into the three age brackets with high confidence. SCP-1 expression levels of individual, field collected mosquitoes were analyzed in conjunction with parity status. Based on SCP-1 transcript levels and parity data, 9% of collected mosquitoes survived more than 15 days post emergence.
MIMO Broadcast Channels Based on SINR Feedback using a Non-Orthogonal Beamforming Matrix

The signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) feedback has been utilized in random beamforming (RBF) to select users for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems where a large number of users are required to obtain a multi-user diversity gain. However, if the number of users is not large enough, it may be difficult to obtain the performance gain and be easy to have a performance degradation conversely. To resolve this problem, it is necessary to find orthogonal random beams close to the channel matrix of selected users. In this paper, we present RBF using a non-orthogonal beamforming matrix (RBF NOBM), demonstrating an efficient search of random beams correlated with the channel matrix of selected users over a small number of users. For single user RBF using NOBM (SU-RBF NOBM) with two transmit antennas, the beamforming matrix for user data service is obtained through closed form expressions, and SU-RBF NOBM is then expanded to more than two transmit antennas. We also propose user selection algorithms for SU-RBF NOBM and multi-user RBF using NOBM (MU-RBF NOBM). Via simulation results, we demonstrate that the performances of RBF NOBM represent significant improvements compared to conventional beamforming schemes.
The coagulation of blood: preliminary survey of thrombin and autoprothrombin zymogen structure.

Abstract Numerous facts are consistent with the conclusion that bovine thrombin zymogen is a dimer of thrombin and is easily dissociated from autoprothrombin III (Stuart factor, F-X, autoprothrombin, prothrombokinase). The latter comprises about 4.4% of the total protein in our preparation. When thrombin forms, at least two peptides are removed. Prethrombin has one N-terminal amino acid in common with thrombin. Autoprothrombin C has an amino acid composition and specific activity similar to autoprothrombin III, but has only half the molecular weight. A likely possibility is that autoprothrombin III is a dimer of autoprothrombin C. Alternatively it could represent one mole of autoprothrombin C and one of F-VII.
Cardiac Function and Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide in First-Time Flash Pulmonary Edema

OBJECTIVE To assess left ventricular (LV) function and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with first-time flash pulmonary edema (FPE). PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively studied all patients presenting to Mayo Clinic's site in Rochester, MN, from January 5, 2000, to December 30, 2004, with FPE. Only patients with first-time FPE who had undergone BNP assessment and echocardiography within 24 hours of presentation were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ( RESULTS Thirty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria (22 female, 15 male). Mean ± SD LVEF was 41%±13%. The LVEF was reduced in 73% (group 1, n=27; mean ± SD age, 75±8 years) and preserved in 27% (group 2, n=10; mean ± SD age, 75±13 years). Most frequent underlying causes for first-time FPE were coronary artery disease and hypertension. Patients with preserved LVEF had significantly lower BNP levels at presentation (535 pg/mL [interquartile range, 352-1210 pg/mL]) vs 1320 pg/mL (interquartile range, 768-2000 pg/mL; P =.01), despite similar elevated LV filling pressures as measured by echocardiography. The mean ± SD ratio of early diastolic mitral valve inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity was 23±8 vs 22±10; P =.78. Early diastolic mitral annulus velocity, a surrogate measurement for myocardial relaxation, was reduced in all patients with preserved LVEF and in 95% of patients with reduced LVEF. CONCLUSION Coronary artery disease and hypertension are the most common precipitating factors for first-time FPE. Reduced myocardial relaxation in almost all patients regardless of LVEF supports the notion that diastolic dysfunction is a prerequisite for FPE. Levels of BNP were elevated in every patient regardless of LVEF but were significantly lower in patients with preserved LVEF despite similarly elevated LV filling pressures.
A general theory of fuzzy arithmetic

Abstract This paper provides a general framework for the manipulation of lattice fuzzy numbers (LFNs). The operations and the laws for the LFNs are shown to be intrinsically determined by those for the underlying range and domain of LFNs. LFNs are studied in an abstract setting which contains and generalizes most of the earlier algebraic as well as analytical results. In particular, if range and domain of the LFNs are equipped with algebraic topologies, then continuity of the operands as well as operations of LFNs is shown to be preserved under the product topology. We also establish numerous, hitherto unknown, results.
PID tuning using extremum seeking: online, model-free performance optimization

Extremum seeking (ES) tunes PID controllers by minimizing a cost function that characterizes the desired behavior of the closed-loop system. This tuning method is demonstrated on four typical plants and found to give parameters that yield performance better than or comparable to that of other popular tuning methods. Additionally, ES produces favorable results in the presence of actuator saturation. The ES method thus has an advantage over model-based PID tuning schemes in applications that exhibit actuator saturation. However, since ES requires initial values of the PID parameters, the method can be viewed as a complement to another PID parameter design method. Furthermore, the ES cost function can be chosen to reflect the desired performance attributes.
Current issues in the surgical management of breast cancer: a review of abstracts from the 2002 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the 2003 Society of Surgical Oncology annual meeting, and the 2003 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.

� Abstract: Three areas of development in the surgical management of breast cancer received significant attention in 2003— breast-conserving surgery, sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, and ductal lavage. Provocative investigations focusing on these controversial aspects of surgical care were presented at major national oncology meetings throughout the year. The recently published 20-year updates by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the Italian National Cancer Institute confirm the survival equivalence of breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy in early stage disease. Data reveal, however, that this strategy is underutilized in the United States when compared with other countries. A meta-analysis of close to 70 published trials on the use of SLN biopsy has revealed an overall SLN identification rate of greater than 90%, with a false-negative rate of 8.4%. Two major controversies remain to be resolved: Is there a subset of sentinel node-positive patients who may safely avoid complete axillary lymph node dissection? What is the best way integrate lymphatic mapping into neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols? The strength of ductal lavage as a risk assessment adjunct is related to the ability to detect cellular atypia, a feature associated with a three- to fivefold increased risk for breast cancer. This technique continues to be rigorously evaluated in a number of ongoing studies. �
Improved interface electronics for nano-tesla magnetometry using Hall sensor

Abstract Haned and Missous [N. Haned and M. Missous, Nano-tesla magnetic field magnetometry using an InGaAs–AlGaAs–GaAs 2DEG Hall sensor, Sens. Actuators A102 (2003) 216–222] described the design of an extremely high sensitivity Hall-based magnetometer. Their sensor was based upon a quantum-well design and was capable of measuring magnetic fields to a resolution of 100 nT. In this letter a number of improvements to their instrumentation are suggested which will improve the performance further.
JNK Extends Life Span and Limits Growth by Antagonizing Cellular and Organism-Wide Responses to Insulin Signaling

Aging of a eukaryotic organism is affected by its nutrition state and by its ability to prevent or repair oxidative damage. Consequently, signal transduction systems that control metabolism and oxidative stress responses influence life span. When nutrients are abundant, the insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) pathway promotes growth and energy storage but shortens life span. The transcription factor Foxo, which is inhibited by IIS, extends life span in conditions of low IIS activity. Life span can also be increased by activating the stress-responsive Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Here we show that JNK requires Foxo to extend life span in Drosophila. JNK antagonizes IIS, causing nuclear localization of Foxo and inducing its targets, including growth control and stress defense genes. JNK and Foxo also restrict IIS activity systemically by repressing IIS ligand expression in neuroendocrine cells. The convergence of JNK signaling and IIS on Foxo provides a model to explain the effects of stress and nutrition on longevity.
Tribes, boundaries, and intellectual silos: science, technology, and engineering ethics education in the departmentalized world of academia

In theory, science, technology, and engineering ethics lies at the intersection of these STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields and the disciplines of philosophy and/or religion. However, empirical studies suggest that there is relatively little interaction between those teaching courses such as bioethics or engineering ethics in biology or engineering departments and their counterparts in philosophy or religion departments. An analysis of the professors in academia suggests that most participate in one, and only one community of scholars. In order to address these concerns, the authors propose a number of possible solutions, including increased availability of philosophic and religious ethics instruction for STEM professors and of STEM education for religion and philosophy professors. In addition, structural changes in universities to encourage and promote interdisciplinary scholarship and team-teaching.
The High-energy Behavior of Open String Scattering

Abstract The high energy scattering of open strings is studied using semiclassical techniques. It is shown that the integrals for the open string amplitudes are dominated by saddlepoints. In the case of orientable strings the dominant saddlepoints, to arbitrary order in perturbation theory, can be constructed from the closed string saddlepoints obtained previously. A variant of this technique is used to construct the dominant saddles for nonorientable surfaces. It is found that certain topologies do not contain dominant saddles. The one loop open string amplitudes are studied in detail to illustrate these issues. The semiclassical trajectories corresponding to these saddlepoints are described. This analysis is then applied, following the analogous treatment of the closed string, to derive an infinite set of linear between open string scattering amplitudes at infinite energy that hold order by order in perturbation theory.
Resonance Absorption of Gammas by Impurity Nuclei in Crystals

The aspects of the dynamics of a simple cubic crystal model with a dilute impurity which are relevant to the M\"ossbauer effect are considered. Harmonic nearest-neighbor forces are used, and the mass and force constant of the active nucleus differ from those of the host lattice. The calculations are carried out using a Green's function approach with the aid of an IBM 7090 computer. The recoilless fraction, temperature shift, frequencies and amplitudes of localized mode, and absorption spectra are calculated as functions of temperature, impurity mass, and coupling constant. One interesting feature of the results is that the recoilless fraction is independent of the properties of the host lattice over a fairly wide range of variation of mass and force constant. Others are that, in general, the absorption spectrum is not simple related to the phonon spectrum, and that there sometimes exists an approximate low-frequency localized mode.
The nuclear pore complex: Its free existence and an hypothesis as to its origin

The close resemblance of nuclear pore annulus substructure in very diverse eukaryotes is discussed, and the view is proposed that the number of annulus subunits is exactly, and not approximately 8. Preparations of broken down nuclear membranes from oocytes of the newt Taricha granulosa are presented. In these it is seen that the annulus can remain as an isolated free ring with 8 recognizable subunits. An hypothesis is put forward to explain the preservation of 8 subunits through a long evolutionary history. By analogy with the synthesis of large proteins and of viruses, it is proposed that there exists a closed structure of 8 subunits formed by self-assembly and held together by non-covalent bonding. Such a closed structure would have a characteristic tetragonal symmetry and might be searched for. Direct evidence for tetragonal symmetry is believed to exist in occasional reports of precisely rectangular arrays of pores. This consideration leads to a second prediction, that in such rectangular arrays the annulus subunits will be found aligned with the axes of the array.
Atomistic simulations of long-range strain and spatial asymmetry molecular states of seven quantum dots

Coherent coupling and formation of molecular orbitals in vertically coupled quantum-dot molecules is studied for a seven-dot InAs/GaAs system. The electron states are computed using a nanoelectronic modelling tool NEMO-3D. The tool optimizes atomic positions in the sample with up to 64 million atoms in the frame of the atomistic VFF model. The resulting optimal interatomic distances are then used to formulate the 20-band sp3d5s* tight-binding Hamiltonian defined on a subdomain large enough to guarantee a correct treatment of confined orbitals. It is found that in the absence of strain (VFF optimization turned off), a clear and highly symmetric miniband structure of the seven-dot orbitals is formed. It maintains a high degree of symmetry even if the dots are taken to be realistically non-identical, where the dot size increases in the growth direction. However, the inclusion of strain breaks this symmetry completely. The simulations demonstrate the important interplay of strain engineering and size engineering in the design of quantum dot stacks.
Decision making, impulsivity and time perception

Time is an important dimension when individuals make decisions. Specifically, the time until a beneficial outcome can be received is viewed as a cost and is weighed against the benefits of the outcome. We propose that impulsive individuals experience time differently, that is with a higher cost. Impulsive subjects, therefore, overestimate the duration of time intervals and, as a consequence, discount the value of delayed rewards more strongly than do self-controlled individuals. The literature on time perception and impulsivity, however, is not clear cut and needs a better theoretical foundation. Here, we develop the theoretical background on concepts of time perception, which could lead to an empirically based notion of the association between an altered sense of time and impulsivity.
Out of the Cabinet: What Drives Defections from the Government in Presidential Systems?*

This article challenges a key part of the conventional view of coalitions in presidential systems that sees them as short-lived and ad hoc. The author shows instead that there is wide variation in the durability of governing coalitions across these regimes. She develops a theory of the incentives of parties to participate in the government and the circumstances under which scholars might expect to see the existing governing coalition break down. The author draws on data from 121 cabinets in 12 Latin American countries between the late 1980s and the mid-2000s to show that the dissolution of the cabinet is more likely when the president places less value on coalition building as a policy-making strategy and when parties find it costly to participate in the government. In particular, the author shows that strong unilateral institutional powers tend to diminish the incentives of presidents to compromise with other parties; in contrast, effective legislatures and high rates of approval for the executive contri...