cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ABO B gene is associated with introversion personality tendancies through linkage with dopamine beta hydroxylase gene.

Abstract/Summary Although personality is thought to be 50% heritable, consensus has not been reached about the specific genes involved, interest in genes affecting personality and behavior continues because of the linkage of personality traits with both physical and mental illness. One hundred and twenty years of study of the ABO blood types and the genes causing them has led to more precise assignment of genotype-phenotype linkage. Countries like Japan and Korea with 100 years history of study of ABO blood groups and personality as well as other countries have published research with no consensus. Introversion is a well-studied personality trait with 50% genetic causation. Dopamine system has been linked to the introversion-extroversion spectrum with high dopamine linked to introversion. Dopamine beta hydroxylase determines the ratio of dopamine to norepinephrine. Dopamine beta hydroxylase gene, DBH, is in linkage disequilibrium with ABO gene thus offering insight into the ABO findings related to personality traits. ABO blood groups have been studied with some but not all studies finding type AB associated with introversion. One explanation for the inconsistent replication of findings could be that genotypes would show more differences than phenotypes. ABO A allele, ABO B allele or the synergism of both alleles could be the driver of introversion trait in ABO AB. Patients in an obstetric gynecology practice appeared to demonstrate a tendancy to introversion in phenotype ABO B. Since we had access to ABO blood phenotypes instead of genotypes of our obstetric gynecology office patients, we hypothesized that phenotype ABO AB when compared with ABO O would be associated with higher introversion since these phenotypes were also genotypes and since ABO O unlike ABO AB is not found associated with introversion in extant research. Though ABO B allele was observed to be the likely cause of introversion in patients and since we had available only phenotypes of ABO to use in search of genetic allele that causes introversion trait, ABO AB needs to be dissected to see whether ABO A allele or ABO B allele is the driver of the introspective trait. Based on the literature and on observation, the hypothesis was that ABO B is the driver of introversion trait. A pilot student of 225 obstetric gynecology patients using the online NPA personality test showed higher scores for introversion tendancies in ABO AB compared to ABO O and when ABO AB was compared to ABO A. This supports ABO B as the driver of introversion tendancies in the ABO gene. Studies using ABO genotypes instead of ABO phenotypes should provide further support for this hypothesis. Given the support for introversion tendancies in personality caused by higher dopamine genetically with dopamine beta hydroxylase low activity and this dopamine state being common mechanism for such conditions as schizophrenia and autism, continued discoveries of genes that impact this state will lead to many health implications.
Intraoperative versus postoperative radiographic coronal balance for adult spinal deformity surgery.

Coronal malalignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) has a close relationship with patient clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between intra- and postoperative coronal radiographic parameters. A novel parameter, the central sacral pelvic line (CSPL), and its relation to the central sacral vertical line (CSVL) is explored. CSPL is a measure of spinal alignment referenced to the patient’s pelvis as an intraoperative proxy for CSVL. CSVL is difficult to measure intraoperatively, because a C7-plumb line (referenced to gravity) cannot be drawn in the supine position. 47 subjects ≥ 18 years old undergoing a spinal fusion of ≥ 6 levels from 2015 to 2017 were enrolled. The CSPL is defined as the perpendicular line bisecting the midpoint of the line that connects the superior aspects of the acetabuli. Two metrics describing coronal alignment were derived from each radiograph: (1) horizontal distance between the C7-plumb line and the CSPL at C7 (C7-CSPL) and (2) horizontal distance between the C7-plumb line and CSVL (C7-CSVL). Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analysis was used to study the relationship between the intraoperative C7-CSPL and the postoperative C7-CSVL. On average, the intraoperative C7-CSPL distance was 32.1 mm, postoperative C7-CSPL 20.8 mm, and postoperative C7-CSVL 18.9 mm. 15/47 (32%) had intraoperative C7-CSPL measurements > 4 cm, requiring intraoperative correction. Of those 15, 10 patients (67%) still had a postoperative C7-CSVL 5 cm had a 50% chance of having a postoperative C7-CSVL > 4 cm; patients with intraoperative C7-CSPL < 5 cm had a 3% chance of having coronal malalignment. There is a strong positive relationship between postoperative C7-CSPL and C7-CSVL (r = 0.80 and 0.85, respectively). In adult spinal surgery, the intraoperative coronal alignment measured using the novel C7-CSPL distance correlates well with postoperative C7-CSVL distance. This gives the surgeon an objective measurement of the correction they need after assessing initial intraoperative imaging. Our findings suggest an intraoperative C7-CSPL distance < 5 cm as a threshold value to predict postoperative C7-CSVL < 4 cm in 97% of patients tested.
Shared-Memory Scalable k-Core Maintenance on Dynamic Graphs and Hypergraphs

Computing k-cores on graphs is an important graph mining target as it provides an efficient means of identifying a graph’s dense and cohesive regions. Computing k-cores on hypergraphs has seen recent interest, as many datasets naturally produce hypergraphs. Maintaining k-cores as the underlying data changes is important as graphs are large, growing, and continuously modified. In many practical applications, the graph updates are bursty, both with periods of significant activity and periods of relative calm. Existing maintenance algorithms fail to handle large bursts, and prior parallel approaches on both graphs and hypergraphs fail to scale as available cores increase.We address these problems by presenting two parallel and scalable fully-dynamic batch algorithms for maintaining k-cores on both graphs and hypergraphs. Both algorithms take advantage of the connection between k-cores and h-indices. One algorithm is well suited for large batches and the other for small. We provide the first algorithms that experimentally demonstrate scalability as the number of threads increase while sustaining high change rates in graphs and hypergraphs.
Generalizable cursor click decoding using grasp-related neural transients.

Intracortical brain-computer interfaces (iBCI) have the potential to restore independence for individuals with significant motor or communication impairments. One of the most realistic avenues for clinical translation of iBCI technology is to enable control of a computer cursor—i.e. movement-related neural activity is interpreted (decoded) and used to drive cursor function. Both nonhuman primate and human studies have demonstrated high-level cursor translation control using attempted upper limb reaching movements. However, cursor click control—based on identifying attempted grasp—has only been successful in providing discrete click functionality; the ability to maintain click during translation does not yet exist. Here we present a novel decoding approach for cursor click based on identifying transient neural responses that emerge at the onset and offset of intended hand grasp. We demonstrate in a human participant, who used the BCI system independently in his home, that this transient-based approach provides high-functioning, generalized click control that can be used for both point-and-click and click-and-drag applications. Data collected under clinical trial NCT01894802
Incidental diagnosis of a spindle cell type gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a dog with ethylene glycol intoxication

A 6-year-old castrated male American Pit Bull Terrier dog was presented for evaluation of acute onset of tonic-clonic seizures, anorexia, and vomiting. On physical examination, neurologic signs, such as generalized proprioceptive ataxia, salivation, circling to the right, and absent patellar reflexes bilaterally, were noted. A complete blood cell count revealed mild hemoconcentration and an inflammatory leukogram, while a chemistry panel showed severe azotemia, marked hypochloremia, and a severe titrational metabolic acidosis, suggesting possible ethylene glycol intoxication. However, an irregularly round, small mass was identified in the large intestine on abdominal ultrasound. Additionally, bilateral hyperechoic renal cortices with medullary rim sign were suggestive of acute nephritis or tubular necrosis. The cytologic evaluation of a fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the abdominal mass revealed a large population of mesenchymal cells, suggesting the presence of neoplasia. Due to the worsening of symptoms, the dog was humanely euthanized. Necropsy confirmed ethylene glycol intoxication, and the incidental finding of a neoplastic intestinal mass was diagnosed as spindle cell sarcoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed strong, diffuse positivity for CD117, smooth muscle actin, and S-100, indicating the final diagnosis of a spindle cell type gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). This report briefly discusses the classifications of nonlymphoid, nonangiogenic intestinal mesenchymal tumors, characteristics of GISTs, and the importance of the immunohistochemical classification of mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
Mutationen in den DNA-mismatch-Reperatur-Genen beim sporadischen kolorektalen Karzinom

Tumoren von Patienten mit hereditarem non-Polyposis kolorektalem Karzinom (HNPCC) sind charakterisiert durch gehaufte Mutationen in Mikrosatellitensequenzen [1]. Diese genetische Instabilitat ist mit einer defekten DNA-mismatch-Reperatur und zahlreichen Replikationsfehlern (replication error = RER) assoziiert. HNPCC Familien haben Mutationen in einem von vier DNA-mismatch-Reperatur Genen: MSH2 (Mutationen in ca. 60% der Familien), MLH1 (Mutationen in ca. 30% der Familien), PMS1 und PMS 2 (Mutationen in ca. 10% der Familien) [2, 3]. 10–20% der sporadischen kolorektalen Karzinome zeigen den gleichen RER-Phanotyp, der bei Tumoren von HNPCC Familienmitgliedern zu finden ist [4]. Bisher konnte nur eine begrenzte Zahl an Mutationen in den DNA-mismatch-Reperatur Genen bei sporadischen Kolonkarzinomzellinien mit Mikrosatelliteninstabilitat festgestellt werden [5]. Wir untersuchten daher primare sporadische kolorektale Karzinome auf den RER-Phanotyp und suchten bei RER-positiven Tumoren nach Mutationen in den bei HNPCC Patienten am haufigsten mutierten Genen, MSH2 undMLHl.
A Virtuous Cycle: The Relationship between Happiness and Virtue

What constitutes a good, worthwhile, fulfilling life? How should one live? What kind of a person should one be? From Lao Tzu to Aristotle, from Dostoyevsky to Bertrand Russell, philosophers ancient and modern attempted their own answers to these oldest and most enduring of philosophical questions. Frequently figuring in the discussions on the highest, best possible life were the concepts of “happiness” and “virtue”. Notwithstanding inevitable differences in terminology, many great minds posited that the road to a happy, thriving, worth-of-living life is paved with virtues. Is there any merit to these claims? Does possessing and exercising virtue indeed lead to happiness? The current chapter endeavors to shed light on these questions, by reviewing the burgeoning empirical literature on the relationship between virtues and happiness. In line with the philosophical thinking on the topic, our review reveals virtue and happiness to be closely associated. It furthermore appears that happiness and virtue are bi-directionally related — with virtue leading to happiness and happiness leading to virtue, in a “virtuous cycle.”
Gene-Enzyme Relationships in Histidine Biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis

Mutants for 9 of the 10 steps in histidine biosynthesis have been isolated and identified by enzyme assay. Each locus has been mapped in relation to the aro cluster and to other histidine loci by deoxyribonucleic acid-mediated transformation. The genes which code for enzymes 3, 6, and 8 of the pathway are linked to the aro cluster. A major histidine linkage group is composed of the genes which specify enzymes 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10. The locus which codes for step 9 of the pathway is unlinked to any other identified his loci. The major histidine cluster is loosely linked to cysB and is unlinked to any of the loci concerned with aromatic amino acid biosynthesis.
Protein Composition of the Structural Components of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

Abstract Digitonin, a sterol glycoside which complexes with cholesterol, stripped off the envelope of vesicular stomatitis (VS) virions and liberated two viral structural proteins, 83% of P6 and 53% of P4. Deoxycholate also disrupted VS virions but released nucleocapsid cores which could be identified by higher buoyant density, ratio of incorporated 3H-uridine to 14C-protein, and electron microscopy. The major nucleocapsid protein was P5 but varying amounts of the minor protein aggregate P2 were present, depending on the concentration of urea used for extraction. P2 appeared to be a polymer of P5. Two other minor structural proteins, P1 and P3, could not be located in the virion. From these data, we conclude that the three microscopically identifiable structures of VS virions are each composed primarily of a single major protein, as follows: P6 = envelope protein, P4 = protein of underlying “shell,” and P5 = nucleocapsid protein.
NASA's Plans for Life Sciences Research Facilities on a Space Station

A Life Sciences Research Facility on a Space Station will contribute to the health and well-being of humans in space, as well as address many fundamental questions in gravitational and developmental biology. Scientific interests include bone and muscle attrition, fluid and electrolyte shifts, cardiovascular deconditioning, metabolism, neurophysiology, reproduction, behavior, drugs and immunology, radiation biology, and closed life-support system development. The life sciences module will include a laboratory and a vivarium. Trade-offs currently being evaluated include (1) the need for and size of a 1-g control centrifuge; (2) specimen quantities and species for research; (3) degree of on-board analysis versus sample return and ground analysis; (4) type and extent of equipment automation; (5) facility return versus on-orbit refurbishment; (6) facility modularity, isolation, and system independence; and (7) selection of experiments, design, autonomy, sharing, compatibility, and integration.
Factors Affecting Pregnancy in Free-ranging Elk, Cervus elaphus nelsoni , in Michigan

Uncertainty exists as to which factors are most closely related to probability of pregnancy in Elk ( Cervus elaphus ), which thresholds are key for managers who want to assess the potential productivity of free-ranging Elk herds, and whether these thresholds vary among populations. We examined relationships among pregnancy, age, and mass for 513 harvested free-ranging Elk in Michigan, and compared relationships with other published models and with thresholds derived from other free-ranging and penned populations to see if relationships were consistent among populations. Pregnancy rates varied (chi 2 2 = 136.3; P 12.5-year-olds; 0.60) cows. Probability of pregnancy in adult cows was related to mass (chi 2 = 7.4; P = 0.006), age (chi 2 = 12.6; P = 0.0004) and age class (chi 2 = 16.4; P < 0.0001), but not to lactation status (chi 2 = 0.4; P = 0.515); pregnancy was also positively related (chi 2 = 15.8; P < 0.0001) to mass in yearlings. Probability of pregnancy increased 1.02× and 1.04× for each 1 kg increase in body mass of adult and yearling cows, respectively, and prime-aged cows were 4.9× more likely to conceive than old cows. Compared to thresholds derived primarily from penned or farmed Elk, both adult and yearling free-ranging Elk in Michigan and elsewhere were able to achieve higher levels of pregnancy at lower body mass. Thresholds also varied among free-ranging Elk populations. Given variation among populations, managers should calibrate mass-pregnancy relationships for their respective populations to determine whether condition is potentially limiting pregnancy in their populations.
Southern hemisphere influenza vaccine in American Samoa

To the Editor‐in‐Chief: I read with interest the article by Strikas and colleagues 1regarding the …
Effect of Nalidixic Acid on Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Bacteriophage SPO1-infected Bacillus subtilis

The effect of nalidixic acid on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis in Bacillus subtilis cells infected with bacteriophage SPO1 was studied. Nalidixic acid had little inhibitory effect on SPO1 DNA synthesis at concentrations that drastically inhibited B. subtilis DNA synthesis. Inhibition of DNA synthesis, appropriate to the concentration used, was imposed within 1 min after addition of nalidixic acid, suggesting that it acts directly on DNA synthesis in both infected and uninfected cells. The SPO1 DNA synthesized in the presence of high concentrations of nalidixic acid had a density characteristic of normal SPO1 DNA and was packaged into viable progeny phage particles, but its rate of synthesis was reduced and bacterial lysis was delayed.
Brain Lateralization across the Life Span

Functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres in humans may develop gradually in childhood, reach a zenith sometime in adulthood, and undergo further change in senescence. Or brain lateralization may be established prior to birth and remain invariant throughout life, despite the effects of maturation, experience, and disease. This chapter summarizes evidence from various sources regarding the developmental course of lateralization in infancy and childhood as well as in normal and pathological aging. Major issues are identified, and guidelines for interpreting findings are suggested. Although the question of life-span change versus invariance cannot be answered definitively without attaining a much better understanding of the functions and processes that are thought to be lateralized, and how they change over time, the existing evidence favors the hypothesis of invariant lateralization.
Comparison between Genetic Algorithms and Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper compares two evolutionary computation paradigms: genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization. The operators of each paradigm are reviewed, focusing on how each affects search behavior in the problem space. The goals of the paper are to provide additional insights into how each paradigm works, and to suggest ways in which performance might be improved by incorporating features from one paradigm into the other.
Confirmation of HIV infection using gene amplification.

Direct recognition of viral gene sequences can be used to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in clinical specimens. A modification of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplification of gene sequences was used for detection of HIV-1-specific RNA prepared from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The RNA served as a template for reverse transcriptase using primers derived from both the 3′ORF and the LTR regions of HIV-1, as well as from the control cellular sequences encoding beta-actin and T cell receptor. The resultant DNA was amplified with DNA polymerase. A transcriptional step using the bacteriophage T7 promoter recognition sequences, incorporated into the primers, was used to enhance the efficiency of the amplification process. This assay detects as few as 100 RNA copies of cloned HIV-1 genome. Starting with 1 μg RNA isolated from PBMC, we were able to detect HIV-1 sequences in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-1 infection. The inclusion of T cell-specific primers permitted simultaneous evaluation of an immunologic parameter. The PCR can be applied to RNA samples for detection of viral and cellular sequences and is a rapid and efficient means for detection of HIV-1 sequences as well as potentially informative cellular sequences.
Top of the hour radio newscasts and the public interest

Top of the hour radio newscasts are an important source of political information for many Americans. While there is an extensive research literature on the political role of television news programs, few studies have examined this electronic medium of political communication. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, this paper assesses the performance of radio newscasts in serving the public interest by presenting diverse viewpoints that engage citizens in the political sphere and by making available the specific information they need to hold the government accountable. It concludes that the public interest is only modestly served by these newscasts.
COMPARISON AND COMBINATION OF LEARNING CONTROLLERS : COMPUTATIONAL ENHANCEMENT AND EXPERIMENTS

Five discrete-frequency linear learning-control laws are compared and experimentally tested. These include simple integral-control-based learning using a single learning gain, phase-cancellation learning control, a contractionmapping learning-control law with monotonic decay of the error norm, and learning controllers that invert the system model and the observer model. The inversion designs converge the fastest initially, but phase cancellation with identification updates and the contraction-mapping method with model updates have better stability robustness properties. The learning control approaches are combined to obtain the advantages of each, by using inversion methods for the first few repetitions, followed by a more robust method. It is demonstrated that the computation of the learning action can be made in the frequency domain using fast Fourier transform methods, with as much as 94% reduction in computarion time. In experiments on a Robotics Research Corporation robot, the learningcontrol laws result in a reduced rms tracking errors for all joints, by a factor of close to 3 orders of magnitude.
Thyroid hormone and the heart.

T hyroid hormone has profound effects on the heart and circulation. For over 200 years it has been recorded that some of the most prominent signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are those involving the cardiovascular system.’ These include palpitations, tachycardia, widened pulse pressure, a hyperdynamic precordium, and marked increases in cardiac output (Table I) .’ All measures of ventricular contractility in both humans and experimental animals have demonstrated supranormal systolic and diastolic function.” These changes arise from multiple factors including alterations in systemic hemodynamics” and thyroid hormone-mediated effects on cardiac myocyte-specific gene expression.’ In contrast, the hypothyroid heart is characterized by subnormal resting contractile performance. With this as a rationale, investigators have attempted to apply thyroid hormone therapy to the treatment of various forms of heart disease.” The tiding that patients with congestive heart failure have low serum TG3 levels, which is a poor prognostic indicator for survival, gives further theoretic support for these studies.” The search for novel hormonal therapies for dilated cardiomyopathies7 has been stimulated by recent reports that immunocyte production of tumor necrosis factor and nitric oxide can mediate myocyte damage in this disease.8 In the present issue of the Jownal, Moruzzi and colleagues have studied the effectiveness of 12 weeks of l-thyroxine (T,) treatment on the physiologic and functional parameters of patients with dialated cardiomyopathy.” They have previously observed that 7 days of T4 treatment improved cardiac performance lo and now report significant increases in ejection fraction, ventricular contractility, resting cardiac output, and a decline in systemic vascular resistance. Most impressive was the improvement in exercise capacity and the apparent lack of hyperthyroid signs and symptoms consistent with the normal levels of thyroid function tests. The dose of T1 used (100 pg/day) corresponds to a standard replace-
State of the Art-Location on Networks: A Survey. Part II: Exploiting Tree Network Structure

The discussion of the fundamental p-center and p-median problems in Part I of this paper provides the basis for the work surveyed in Part II. Part II deals with the minimax and minisum location problems with mutual communication, location problems involving multiple objectives, the distance constraints problem and problems involving the location of paths. In addition, convexity issues in network location problems are discussed. Virtually all of this work exploits network structure. Specifically it is based on the assumption that the network is a tree. The conclusion section gives a brief discussion of the state of the art and of current trends in network location research.
Reducing carbon footprint in cement material making: Characterizing costs of conserved energy and reduced carbon emissions

Abstract Adoption of energy efficient technologies is an important strategy to reduce demand for fossil fuels and carbon footprint in cement making. We characterized the costs of energy savings and carbon-emission reduction from applying energy efficiency technologies in cement-making plants in the United States in three historical years. Final energy savings resulting from efficiency measures identified in this study were estimated as 82 PJ, 125 PJ, and 95 PJ in 1994, 2004, and 2010, respectively; equivalent to approximately 20%, 25%, and 31% of the sector's annual final energy use. The associated carbon-emission reduction was 2.1 million metric tons of carbon (MtC), 3.3 MtC, and 2.5 MtC in 1994, 2004, and 2010, respectively. Using the concepts of cost of conserved energy (CCE) and cost of carbon-emission reduction (CCR), we estimated that cost effective measures contributed to final energy savings in the range of 15–25% of the sector's annual energy use, and carbon-emission reduction equals to 8–12% of the sector's annual carbon emissions. This study also points out the importance of future monitoring effort to track efficiency measure implementation for the industrial sector, and the need for an improved market for energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.
Epidemiologic monitoring of possible health reactions of wastewater reuse

Abstract The possible health effects of consuming groundwater partially recharged with recycled wastewater were monitored in a long-term study of residents of several communities in eastern Los Angeles County, California. In three phases of ecologic studies, health measures were compared among residents of two recycled water areas (high and low concentration) and two control areas. Included were measures of mortality, reportable illnesses, adverse birth outcomes, and incident cases of cancer. While significant differences were noted among the four study areas when comparing several health outcomes, none of the differences were in a direction to suggest a dose-response relationship between reclaimed water consumption and disease. To supplement findings of the ecologic studies, a household survey was conducted of approximately 2,500 women, half residing in the high recycled water area and half in the control area. The survey provided increased information on reproductive outcomes and on excess effects after controlling for important potential confounding factors such as cigarette use and alcohol consumption. The results of both the ecologic studies and the household survey provide no indication that recycled water has a noticable harmful effect on the health of a population exposed for nearly two decades.
Effect of artificial fever in increasing susceptibility to bacterial endotoxin.

THERE is remarkably little information concerning the effect of fever on mechanisms of resistance to infection1. Indications of a potentiating effect of high ambient temperatures on mortality in mice challenged with endotoxin or with Gram-negative bacilli have been recorded2–4. Recently, Bannister5 has observed that high ambient temperatures potentiate the febrile response to pyrogenic doses of endotoxin in human volunteers. Burack has observed that the Shwartzman response in the skin of rabbits is also conditioned by the environmental temperature6. Work on the effect of environmental temperature on the lethality of endotoxin was therefore undertaken.
Molly McQuade, Ed. By Herself: Women Reclaim Poetry

It is hard to imagine a more welcome book and odd that no one conceived of such a project sooner.
A Big Five model of disposition and situation interaction: why a ''helpful'' person may not always behave helpfully

Abstract A “bottom-up” Big Five disposition–situation interaction model is introduced that highlights the interactive relation between an individual's behavioral trait tendencies and the different facets of a situation to which he or she may respond. In the proposed model, personality traits are considered markers for how an individual might interpret and respond to different facets of a situation. Given a complex situation with multiple response options, a person will respond to the part of the situation most salient to him or her at that time. The presented model illustrates how interactions between the trait dimensions of the Big Five model with the different facets of a situational context, as well as the intra-individual interactions between the different trait dimensions themselves, determine which facet of a situation will be salient. The model is expected to improve prediction of specific behaviors in specific situations using personality traits. Results from an illustrative study are presented.
Al and Ga diffusion barriers in molecular beam epitaxy

The growth of AlGaAs has been known to exhibit a region of substrate temperatures where rough growth morphologies are observed. A number of mechanisms had been proposed to explain this forbidden window of growth temperatures. Here, these mechanisms are examined, with emphasis on the growth of the binary, AlAs, in order to rule out effects due to differences in diffusion and desorption of Ga and Al. Reflection high energy electron diffraction is used to monitor the growth of AlAs in both solid source and gas source MBE as a function of substrate temperatures. Even without Ga present, 3D features are observed at intermediate substrate temperatures. Above and below these temperatures, RHEED intensity oscillations are observed, indicating layer-by-layer growth. This reentrant behavior is observed when using As4 or when using As2 produced from arsine, but not using As2 produced from elemental arsenic. Oxygen is not observed to incorporate differently in AlAs layers grown in the different temperature regimes. Atomic hydrogen is observed to smoothen the growth morphology. To explain the results we consider potential barriers to adatom diffusion at step edges. The temperature boundaries of the reentrant behavior were measured versus the incident Al flux. The Al flux dependence of the boundaries is consistent with the existence of diffusion barriers at step edges.
Fast Bokeh effects using low-rank linear filters

We present a method for faster and more flexible approximation of camera defocus effects given a focused image of a virtual scene and depth map. Our method leverages the advantages of low-rank linear filtering by reducing the problem of 2D convolution to multiple 1D convolutions, which significantly reduces the computational complexity of the filtering operation. In the case of rank 1 filters (e.g., the box filter and Gaussian filter), the kernel is described as `separable' since it can be implemented as a horizontal 1D convolution followed by a 1D vertical convolution. While many filter kernels which result in bokeh effects cannot be approximated closely by separable kernels, they can be effectively approximated by low-rank kernels. We demonstrate the speed and flexibility of low-rank filters by applying them to image blurring, tilt-shift postprocessing, and depth-of-field simulation, and also analyze the approximation error for several aperture shapes.
Gas chromatographic method for the microdetermination of barbiturates in blood using a nitrogen-selective flame ionization detector.

Abstract A rapid, quantitative gas-liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of as little as 10 ng of unmodified barbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, and hexobarbital from whole blood is described. The method involves one extraction from whole blood into chloroform with subsequent injection into a gas chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-sensitive flame ionization detector. This method has the advantage of small sample size, high specificity, sensitivity, and rapidity.
Chemical Composition of Gas- and Aerosol-Phase Products from the Photooxidation of Naphthalene

The current work focuses on the detailed evolution of the chemical composition of both the gas- and aerosol-phase constituents produced from the OH-initiated photooxidation of naphthalene under low- and high-NOx conditions. Under high-NOx conditions ring-opening products are the primary gas-phase products, suggesting that the mechanism involves dissociation of alkoxy radicals (RO) formed through an RO2 + NO pathway, or a bicyclic peroxy mechanism. In contrast to the high-NOx chemistry, ring-retaining compounds appear to dominate the low-NOx gas-phase products owing to the RO2 + HO2 pathway. We are able to chemically characterize 53−68% of the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass. Atomic oxygen-to-carbon (O/C), hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C), and nitrogen-to-carbon (N/C) ratios measured in bulk samples by high-resolution electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-TOFMS) are the same as the ratios observed with online high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometry (HR-ToF-AMS), sug...
Anomalous E2 Internal Conversion Coefficients for Rotational Transitions

Experimental evidence indicating that many conversion coefficients for enhanced E2 transitions between rotational states are not in agreement with theoretical values is given. Discrepancies are correlated with the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus. (L.N.N.)
“Snow Fighting with Spring”: Building on Young English Language Learners' Thinking

(2001). “Snow Fighting with Spring”: Building on Young English Language Learners' Thinking. Childhood Education: Vol. 78, No. 1, pp. 25-29.
WITH LITERACY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL: RETHINKING THE SOCIAL IN LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION. (2nd ed.). Carole Edelsky. London: Taylor & Francis, 1996. Pp. xxv + 242. £39.00 cloth, £13.95 paper.

Edelsky's With Literacy and Justice for All (2nd ed., original work published 1991) is a strong argument for a holistic approach to language and literacy teaching. Although this “theory-in-practice” is primarily intended for L1 literacy teaching, Edelsky makes clear connections to its applicability in L2 classrooms as well. Writing and second languages are language ; therefore, they can and should be acquired as children acquire their L1s: in meaningful situations of use. The premise, however, is that the teacher genuinely believes in the Whole Language ideology, which entails equality and empowerment of all students.
Nucleus Accumbens Carbachol Disrupts Olfactory and Contextual Fear-Potentiated Startle and Attenuates Baseline Startle Reactivity

Although the nucleus accumbens (NAc) typically is not considered a primary component of the circuitry underlying either the acquisition or retrieval of conditioned fear, evidence suggests that this region may play some role in modulating fear-related behaviors. The goal of the present study was to explore a potential role for NAc cholinergic receptors in the expression of fear-potentiated startle (FPS) and baseline startle reactivity. Intra-NAc infusion of the broad-acting cholinergic receptor agonist, carbachol, suppressed FPS elicited by re-exposure to both a discrete odor previously paired with footshock and the conditioning context. Although carbachol elevated spontaneous motor activity, activity bouts did not account for startle suppression in carbachol-treated Ss. In addition, intra-NAc carbachol suppressed baseline startle over a range of acoustic pulse intensities in the absence of explicit fear conditioning. Collectively, these findings suggest that NAc cholinergic receptors play a role in the modulation of baseline startle reactivity, rather than in the retrieval of learned fear, and that this role is independent of overt motor activity.
The materiality of country-specific geographic segment disclosures

Abstract SFAS 131 (1997) substantially changed geographic segment reporting in the United States by requiring disclosures to be made by individual foreign country when operations in an individual country are material. Although SFAS 14 (1976) provided a quantitative threshold for determining separately reportable segments, SFAS 131 provides no guidance for determining when operations in an individual country are material. In SAB 99 (1999), the SEC reminds firms that exclusive reliance on quantitative benchmarks to assess materiality is inappropriate; qualitative factors also should be considered. Using financial analysts as subjects, we conduct an experiment to examine two possible benchmarks for determining the materiality of operations in an individual foreign country: (1) the percent of total operations located in an individual country (a quantitative benchmark) and (2) the level of risk associated with the country in which the operations are located (a qualitative benchmark). The results indicate that across two regions both the magnitude of operations and the level of country risk significantly affect financial analysts’ judgments about firm risk. However, the effect that the magnitude of specific country operations has on risk assessment does not apply to countries of relatively high and relatively low risk. These results suggest that, although materiality is often evaluated in quantitative terms, the qualitative criterion of country risk may dominate in importance.
Structure and characterization of aerogel materials and oxidation products from the reaction of (CH3O)4Si and RSi(OCH3)3

Abstract Reactions of (CH 3 O) 4 Si and RSi(OCH 3 ) 3 (R = CH 3 , C 2 H 5 , C 3 H 7 , C 4 H 9 , C 16 H 33 ) at a mole ratio of 1 to 1 were performed in methanol using base catalysis. Subsequent supercritical drying produced materials that have a wide range of surface areas and porosities. Spectroscopic characterization, revealed normal Si–O substitution as well as incorporation of the carbon chain into the Si framework. Heating of the stable forms of the materials in air at different temperatures yielded, depending upon oxidation conditions, several materials with much higher surface areas, typical of aerogels. Pore-size distribution measurements revealed mesopore features that differed from the non-oxidized materials for some R groups. Spectroscopic characterization revealed the disappearance of the R–Si substitution for all R groups and the appearance of an oxidized intermediate for R = C 16 H 33 .
First Report of Phoradendron macrophyllum on Populus tremuloides.

Phoradendron macrophyllum (Engelm.) Cockerell (Viscaceae) is a common mistletoe found on at least 60 hardwood tree species, including several species of cottonwood (Populus spp.) (1), and is distributed from northern Mexico through Arizona and New Mexico into central California (1). R. Gilbertson recently received a specimen of what appeared to be P. macrophyllum parasitizing a planted aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) on the Wear Ranch near Fort Grant, Graham County, AZ (T. 11 S., R. 21 E., Section 11). A large swelling on a branch bearing a few small mistletoe plants measuring less than 5 cm high indicated the infection. Comparison of the mistletoe leaf trichomes with those of P. macrophyllum (trichomes with two branches from a common base) and P. coryae Trel. (trichomes stellate with secondary and tertiary branching) indicated that the specimen was definitely P. macrophyllum (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. macrophyllum, or any other mistletoe, on aspen. References: (1) R. Scharpf...
Bacterial interactions and transport in geological formation of alumino-silica clays.

Abstract Bacterial transport in the subsurface is controlled by their interactions with the surrounding environment, which are determined by the surface properties of the geological formation and bacterial surfaces. In this research, surface thermodynamic properties of Escherichia coli and the geological formation of alumino-silica clays were characterized based on contact angle measurements, which were utilized to quantify the distance-dependent interactions between E. coli and the geological formation according to the traditional and extended Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (DLVO) theory. E. coli attachment to alumino-silica clays was evaluated in laboratory columns under saturated and steady-state flow conditions. E. coli deposition coefficient and desorption coefficient were simulated using convection–dispersion transport models against E. coli breakthrough curves, which were then linked to interactions between E. coli and the geological formation. It was discovered that E. coli deposition was controlled by the long-ranged electrostatic interaction and E. coli desorption was attributed to the short-ranged Lifshitz–van der Waals and Lewis acid–base interactions. E. coli transport in three layers of different alumino-silica clays was further examined and the breakthrough curve was simulated using E. coli deposition coefficient and desorption coefficient obtained from their individual column experiments. The well-fitted simulation confirmed that E. coli transport observations were interaction-dependent phenomena between E. coli and the geological formation.
Body composition and reproductive function exert unique influences on indices of bone health in exercising women.

Abstract Reproductive function, metabolic hormones, and lean mass have been observed to influence bone metabolism and bone mass. It is unclear, however, if reproductive, metabolic and body composition factors play unique roles in the clinical measures of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone geometry in exercising women. This study compares lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) and estimates of femoral neck cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) and cross-sectional area (CSA) between exercising ovulatory (Ov) and amenorrheic (Amen) women. It also explores the respective roles of reproductive function, metabolic status, and body composition on aBMD, lumbar spine BMAD and femoral neck CSMI and CSA, which are surrogate measures of bone strength. Among exercising women aged 18–30 years, body composition, aBMD, and estimates of femoral neck CSMI and CSA were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Lumbar spine BMAD was calculated from bone mineral content and area. Estrone-1-glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol glucuronide were measured in daily urine samples collected for one cycle or monitoring period. Fasting blood samples were collected for measurement of leptin and total triiodothyronine. Ov (n = 37) and Amen (n = 45) women aged 22.3 ± 0.5 years did not differ in body mass, body mass index, and lean mass; however, Ov women had significantly higher percent body fat than Amen women. Lumbar spine aBMD and BMAD were significantly lower in Amen women compared to Ov women (p
Heuristic rules for group IV dopant site selection in III?V compounds

Abstract The use of column IV dopants in III–V compounds is of great interest because they are easy to handle and in the case of Si, readily available in most molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) chambers. A column IV dopant can act as a donor or an acceptor or both depending on its size relative to the cation and anion sites, the substrate orientation and the growth conditions. In this article, we present heuristic rules for predicting group IV dopant site selection in III–V compounds based on the relative covalent radii of the dopant to the host lattice sites, types and relative numbers of surface dangling bonds and the growth conditions. Preliminary predictions show excellent agreement with available experimental data.
Trisha Brown's Water Motor: Forever, Now, and Again

Trisha Brown's signature solo Water Motor (1978) was the first of her choreographies to make the physical intelligence and virtuosity of Brown's unique dancing body the basis for movement and choreography. Preserved in Babette Mangolte's 1978 film, Water Motor returned to the stage in 2011 in its first performance by a dancer other than Brown—an occasion for reexamining the dance's pivotal role in Brown's career.
Human Growth Hormone Release in Sleep: Nonsuppression by Acute Hyperglycemia

ABSTRACT After 2 base line study nights, hyperglycemia of 43–348% above base line was achieved during early sleep on a third night by constant glucose infusion in 6 normal young men. No significant difference in human growth hormone (HGH) release in sleep occurred between base line (mean peak HGH ±se 17.1±2.9 ng/ml) and infusion nights (13.9±4.2 ng/ml). Thus, release of HGH in sleep is not suppressed by acute hyperglycemia. This suggests sleep release is not a substrate servorhythm comparable to waking HGH release. It may be a primary neural rhythm perhaps facilitating protein synthesis.
Prostatitis as a risk factor for prostate cancer.

Background:The association of infection or inflammation of the prostate with prostate cancer has been suggested but not established. This study was undertaken to investigate this association.Methods:Cases were Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with histologically proven prostate cancer diagnosed
The role of β2-adrenergic receptor variation in human Hypertension

Hypertension results from a complex and diverse array of metabolic and physiologic processes that interact with environmental factors to ultimately determine blood pressure levels and disease. Consequently, the identification of genes related to hypertension is complicated by the heterogeneity of its etiology and the likelihood that several genes with moderate effects, possibly acting in a contextdependent manner, influence blood pressure and the occurrence of hypertension. A number of studies have recently implicated variation within the b2-adrenergic receptor in blood pressure regulation and the development of hypertension. The role of these findings is reviewed here, and their possible clinical implications in human hypertension.
Recent advances in observations and modeling of the solar ultraviolet and X-ray spectral irradiance

Abstract There have been significant, recent advances in understanding the solar ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray spectral irradiance from several different satellite missions and from new efforts in modeling the variations of the solar spectral irradiance. The recent satellite missions with solar UV and X-ray spectral irradiance observations include the X-ray Sensor (XRS) aboard the series of NOAA GOES spacecraft, the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), the SOHO Solar EUV Monitor (SEM), the Solar XUV Photometers (SXP) on the Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE), the Solar EUV Experiment (SEE) aboard the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Dynamics, and Energetics (TIMED) satellite, and the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) satellite. The combination of these measurements is providing new results on the variability of the solar ultraviolet irradiance throughout the ultraviolet range shortward of 200 nm and over a wide range of time scales ranging from years to seconds. The solar UV variations of flares are especially important for space weather applications and upper atmosphere research, and the period of intense solar storms in October–November 2003 has provided a wealth of new information about solar flares. The new efforts in modeling these solar UV spectral irradiance variations range from simple empirical models that use solar proxies to more complicated physics-based models that use emission measure techniques. These new models provide better understanding and insight into why the solar UV irradiance varies, and they can be used at times when solar observations are not available for atmospheric studies.