cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PREPARING FOR THE SAT® I: REASONING TEST—AN UPDATE

To document the extent of special test preparation for the SAT® I: Reasoning Test, we surveyed a stratified random sample of some 6,700 students who registered to take the SAT I in 1995–96. A smaller companion survey sought information about special preparation programs from a stratified random sample of secondary schools whose students take the SAT I. The objectives were to: determine the availability, and incidence of use, of a variety of programs and resources designed to prepare students to take the SAT I; describe some of the salient features of these resources; and estimate the amount of time (and money) that students spend on preparing for the test. Though the surveys differed slightly from similar surveys conducted in 1986–87, they were designed generally to enable comparison with the results of the earlier surveys. The student survey found that prospective SAT I takers participate, to varying degrees, in a variety of preparation activities. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT for practice and using the test familiarization materials provided by the College Board are the most frequently used strategies. Other commercially available books and texts used in regular courses are also consulted relatively frequently. Engagement is much less frequent with such resources as test-preparation software, special programs given either at school or outside school, or private tutoring. When particular programs or resources were available, cost was cited less often than some other factor as a reason for not using the resource. This was true for each of several resources, including coaching courses. About 12 percent of all students in the survey said they had attended preparation or coaching sessions outside school, where this minority of students paid, on average, about $400. On average, students currently spend a total of approximately 11 hours preparing for the SAT I, about the same amount (10 hours) that students reported in the 1986–87 survey. Currently, about 10 percent of all students report spending 54 hours or more preparing for the test (about the same as the 58 hours reported in 1986–87). Now, approximately 3 percent of test takers say they do not devote any time at all to SAT preparation (compared with 9 percent in 1986–87). The results of the school survey revealed that a slight majority (52 percent) of all secondary schools now offer programs to prepare students for the SAT I, about the same proportion (49 percent) as in 1986–87.
Mycobacterium avium Complex Cervical Lymphadenitis in an Immunocompetent Adult

Nontuberculosis mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis is a relatively common disease in immunocompetent children but a rare disease in immunocompetent adults. We report the diagnosis and treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex cervical lymphadenitis in an adult female. Our evaluation of immune competence, including gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) signaling, found no evidence of deficiency.
Implications of the placental structure compatibility for interspecies embryo transfer

Abstract Comparative histological features of the chorionic villi in placental cotyledons of the common eland ( Taurotragus oryx ) and bongo ( Boocercus euryceros ) antelopes and okapi ( Okapia johnstoni ) and giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis ) were examined. The chorionic villi in both antelope species showed only moderate branching and/or surface corrugation and their cross-sections were polygonal to oval. The close similarity in the structure of cotyledons has been apparently a contributing factor for success in mutual interspecies embryo transfer. The chorionic villi in okapi and giraffe had very different structures. In okapi the villi on cross-section were round and filled with thin connective tissue. They showed minimal branching and surface corrugation. In giraffe the villi showed extensive surface corrugation, had multiple fine branches, and were filled with a more dense connective tissue. Prospect for materno-fetal compatibility in mutual embryo transfer between these species is guarded.
AMINO ACID TRANSPORT REGULATION IN PREIMPLANTATION MOUSE EMBRYOS: EFFECTS ON AMINO ACID CONTENT AND PRE- AND PERI-IMPLANTATION DEVELOPMENT

Several nonessential amino acids improve preimplantation development of mouse embryos in vitro and increase the proportion of the embryos that implant after transfer to surrogate mothers. The beneficial effects of the amino acids are associated with accumulation of them by embryos via transport systems that select for the amino acids. Expression of most of the transport systems is developmentally regulated apparently at the level of synthesis and degradation of mRNAs encoding their transport proteins. Since genes encoding pertinent amino acid transport proteins have now been partially cloned, it will be possible to use transgenic experiments further to test the theory that regulation of amino acid transport is needed for normal pre- and peri-implantation development.
Preparative separation of lappaconitine, ranaconitine, N-deacetyllappaconitine and N-deacetylranaconitine from crude alkaloids of sample Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai by high-speed counter-current chromatography

Analytical high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used for the systematic selection and optimization of the two-phase solvent system to separate alkaloids from Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai. The optimum solvent systems CHCl3-MeOH-0.3 M/0.2 M HCl (4:1.5:2, v/v) thus obtained led to the successful separation of lappaconitine, ranaconitine, N-deacetyllappaconitine and N-deacetylranaconitine from 60 to 500 mg of crude alkaloid sample by preparative HSCCC separation.
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and the afferent visual system

Step-like visual field defects, identified by kinetic perimetry, have been reported in all children with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) and in many of their parents. In order to confirm this finding, the authors evaluated the afferent visual systems of 18 children with TS (ages 8–14) and an affected parent.Thirty-four were able to perform quantitative automated threshold perimetry. Of 68 fields, 17 fields (25%) had a significantly elevated corrected pattern standard deviation and ten (15%) had an abnormal hemifield test. To evaluate the possibility of transient visual field abnormalities, fields were repeated on nine individuals. Five out of eight fields that were initially abnormal reverted to normal and ten of ten fields remained normal during the repeat examination. Visual field defects do not appear to occur in patients with TS at a rate substantially different from that observed in normal patients. These data demonstrate that visual field defects are not likely to be useful as markers for Gilles...
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a hospital-based cognitive-behavioral treatment program for eating disorders

This outcomes-management study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a hospital-based cognitive-behavioral treatment program for eating disorders. The study found that by using a systematic, decision-tree approach to treatment, patients with severe eating disorders could be treated effectively by initiating treatment in a partial day hospital program, with less cost than when treatment was initiated at an inpatient level of care. The average cost saving of this approach was $9,645 per case. The rate of recovery for the entire sample was 63% at 12-month follow-up and did not differ as a function of initial level of care. Patients who were treated with a shorter duration of illness and at an older age of onset had the best response to treatment. A longer duration of illness was associated with higher levels of eating disorder symptoms and higher levels of depression, which suggests that the early intervention may be more effective because treatment can begin at a lower level of psychopathology.
A Method to Detect Inhomogeneities in Historical Dewpoint Temperature Series

Abstract Hourly dewpoint temperature data for the 1951–2006 period at 10 stations in the contiguous United States were investigated to determine if inhomogeneities in their records could be detected. At least three instrument changes are known to have occurred during this time period. The relatively sparse network of stations with dewpoint temperature data in the United States necessitated a nonconventional method to create a reference series. Utilizing nighttime occurrences of fog, clear/calm conditions, and precipitation as meteorological situations during which dewpoint temperatures and minimum temperatures are similar, three potential reference series based on daily minimum temperature were developed to test for inhomogeneities. Four stations with independent network neighbors recording hourly dewpoint data provided a direct validation of the effect of inhomogeneities on dewpoint temperatures. It was determined that fog conditions and the combined results from all three meteorologically based tests pe...
Progress in Superconducting Magnet Technology for Accelerators/Storage Rings

The progress on the Energy Saver is briefly described. A description of some of the ''hard lessons'' is given, and a short comparison of the two-shell dipole versus the ''cos /theta/'' form is made.
First Report of Web Blight on Verbena Caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Web blight was observed on verbena (Verbena × hybrida) during July 1999 in a cultivar trial planting at Burden Research Plantation in Baton Rouge, LA. Foliage blight, stem lesions, and branch death were common symptoms on 12 of 24 cultivars in the trial. Plant death occurred in cvs. Babylon Florena (one of four plants), Purple Princess (two of four plants), and Taylortown Red (two of four plants). Isolations from infected leaves and stems on acidified water agar consistently yielded a fungus with the mycelial and cultural characteristics of Rhizoctonia solani. Pathogenicity tests were carried out by placing 5-day-old fungal mycelial plugs, grown on acidified potato dextrose agar, at the base of healthy verbena stems and holding plants in a dew chamber at 26°C. After 3 days, foliage blight and stem lesions appeared on inoculated plants, and plants were moved to a greenhouse where temperatures ranged from 23 to 32°C. Seven of nine inoculated plants died after 7 days; noninoculated plants remained healthy. The fungal pathogen was reisolated from all inoculated plants. The fungus was identified as R. solani anastomosis group (AG)-1 IB based on multinucleate condition, type of sclerotia produced, and ability to anastomose with R. solani tester isolates of AG-1 IB. This is the first report of web blight on verbena.
Cubic networks and 36 tilings assembled from isostructural trimeric magnesium aryldicarboxylates

Two new metal-organic frameworks [{Mg3(bpdc)3·4DMF}⊃3.8DMF] (1), and [Mg3(bdc)3 · 4DMSO] (2) have been synthesized by the high temperature equimolar reactions of magnesium nitrate with the appropriate dicarboxylic acid in either neat DMF or mixed DMF/DMSO solutions (where bpdcH2 = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid and bdcH2 = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray analyses and found to be similarly composed of linked trimeric secondary building units. The trimers in 1 act as distorted octahedral nodes to produce a three-dimensional cubic network with guest DMF molecules trapped within square channels. In contrast, the trimeric SBUs in 2 act as pseudo-planar-hexagonal nodes to give an unusual 36 two-dimensional network assembly. Compound 1 is potentially porous and thermogravimetric analysis is consistent with the initial loss of guest DMF and framework-bound DMF in two steps between 68 – 330°C, with decomposition of the material at 580°C.
Penetration of freeway ultrafine particles into indoor environments

Abstract High concentrations of ultrafine particles have been reported to exist near major freeways. Many urban residences are located in close proximity to high-density roadways. Consequently, indoor environments near freeways may experience significant concentrations of outdoor ultrafine particles. Given that people spend over 80% of their time indoors, understanding transport of ultrafine particles from outdoor to indoor environments is important for assessing the impact of exposure to outdoor particulate matter on human health. Four two-bedroom apartments within 60 m from the center of the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, CA were used for this study. Indoor and outdoor ultrafine particle size distributions in the size range of 6–220 nm were measured concurrently under different ventilation conditions without indoor aerosol generation sources. The size distributions of indoor aerosols showed less variability than the adjacent outdoor aerosols. Indoor to outdoor ratios for ultrafine particle number concentrations depended strongly on particle size. Indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios also showed dependence on the nature of indoor ventilation mechanisms. Under infiltration conditions with air exchange rates ranging from 0.31 to 1.11 h - 1 , the highest I/O ratios (0.6–0.9) were usually found for larger ultrafine particles (70–100 nm), while the lowest I/O ratios (0.1–0.4) were observed for particulate matter of 10–20 nm. Data collected under infiltration conditions were fitted into a dynamic mass balance model. Size-specific penetration factors and deposition rates were determined for all studied residences. Results from this research have implications concerning personal exposure to freeway-related ultrafine particles and possible associated health consequences.
Children's Exposure to Violence by Various Family Members Living in the Home

A sample of ethnically diverse college students reported on household family violence occurring when they were between the ages of 8 and 17. Parents and siblings were reported to engage in violent acts at a similar rate significantly higher than that of other relatives living in the home. Rates of violence exposure showed a small but statistically significant increase when other relatives in the home were included. Within families, there was a strong positive association between amount of violence committed by parents and siblings, verbal and physical violence, and direct and indirect violence. This study provides an innovative method for family violence data collection and points to the importance of including all household members in family violence estimates.
MK-801 alters the GABAA receptor complex and potentiates flurazepam's antiseizure efficacy

MK-801 is an uncompetitive allosteric antagonist that interferes with glutamate-gated calcium ion conductance through the NMDA receptor-associated ionophore. In an outbred strain of mouse, MK-801 elicits episodes of explosive "popping" behaviors that may serve as a preclinical screening paradigm for novel antipsychotic medications. This investigation examined the effects of MK-801, at doses associated with the elicitation of popping, on the GABAA receptor complex in cerebral cortex, and flurazepam's ability to antagonize electrically precipitated seizures. Twenty four hours after MK-801 administration, there was an increased density of the radiolabeled antagonist-preferring conformation of the central benzodiazepine binding site and a potentiation of flurazepam's antiseizure efficacy. The data show that interference with NMDA receptor-mediated calcium ion conductance is associated with a relatively selective change in the GABAA receptor complex in cerebral cortex, and has functional behavioral consequences. Moreover, the data provide additional evidence for a delicate balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission. Disturbance of this balance can have behavioral consequences for the animal.
Cancer Information-Seeking Experiences: The Implications of Hispanic Ethnicity and Spanish Language

Background. Strategies to support cancer information-seeking among Hispanics are needed. Methods. We analyzed data from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to explore cancer information-seeking experiences among respondents according to ethnicity and language of interview. Results. Over 80% of Spanish-speaking Hispanics had never looked for cancer information. Compared to English-speaking respondents, Spanish-speaking Hispanics who sought cancer information indicated their search took a lot of effort (67%), was hard to understand (54%), and frustrating (42%). Spanish-speaking Hispanics noted minimal confidence in obtaining cancer information. Conclusions. Language and cultural differences must be considered in the design, implementation, and dissemination of cancer information.
The application of {(DMF)10Yb2[TM(CN)4]3}∞ (TM = Ni, Pd) supported on silica to promote gas phase phenol hydrogenation

Abstract The catalytic gas phase phenol hydrogenation activities/selectivities associated with Pd/SiO 2 prepared by Pd(NO 3 ) 2 and Pd(C 2 H 3 O 2 ) 2 impregnation have been compared with those delivered by Pd–Yb/SiO 2 prepared from a {(DMF) 10 Yb 2 [Pd(CN) 4 ] 3 } ∞ precursor. The Pd metal loading spanned the range 1–10% (w/w) and the reaction was conducted over the temperature interval 398–448 K. Phenol hydrogenation yielded both cyclohexanone as a partially hydrogenated reactive intermediate and cyclohexanol as the fully hydrogenated product. The activated catalysts have been characterized by HRTEM/EDX, XPS and XRD. The reaction exhibits a slight dependence on Pd particle size with a lower specific hydrogenation activity associated with larger Pd particles. The incorporation of Yb resulted in an appreciable enhancement of phenol conversion. Yb/SiO 2 , however, did not exhibit any hydrogenation activity and the promotional effect of Yb in Pd–Yb/SiO 2 is tentatively attributed to hydrogen transfer via surface Yb hydride. The effect of contact time and reaction temperature on activity/selectivity has been considered and is discussed in terms of phenol/catalyst interaction(s). The promotional effect of Yb also extends to phenol hydrogenation over supported Ni (5%, w/w Ni) where Ni–Yb/SiO 2 delivered higher conversions and higher overall cyclohexanone yields when compared with Ni/SiO 2 .
Nanoscale Cooperative Length of Local Segmental Motion in Polybutadiene

The influence of molecular weight between cross-links, Mc, on the segmental α-relaxation of polybutadiene (PBd) networks was probed using dynamic mechanical spectroscopy. Linear polybutadiene (Mw =...
Pre-transplant predictors of one yr weight gain after kidney transplantation.

Clinically useful predictors of weight gain could be used to reduce the epidemic of post-kidney transplant obesity and resulting co-morbidities. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of weight gain at 12 months following kidney transplant in a cohort of 96 recipients. Demographic, clinical, and environmental data were obtained at transplant and 12 months. Descriptive, correlational, and Bayesian network analysis were used to identify predictors. For the 52 (55.9%) recipients who gained weight, the average amount gained was 9.18 ± 6.59 kg. From the 15 baseline factors that met inclusion criteria, Bayesian network modeling identified four baseline predictors for weight gain: younger age, higher carbohydrate consumption, higher trunk fat percentage, and higher perception of mental health quality of life. Three are modifiable through either pre- or immediate post-transplant clinical intervention programs.
Bayesian regression with nonparametric heteroskedasticity

Abstract This paper studies large sample properties of a semiparametric Bayesian approach to inference in a linear regression model. The approach is to model the distribution of the regression error term by a normal distribution with the variance that is a flexible function of covariates. The main result of the paper is a semiparametric Bernstein–von Mises theorem under misspecification: even when the distribution of the regression error term is not normal, the posterior distribution of the properly recentered and rescaled regression coefficients converges to a normal distribution with the zero mean and the variance equal to the semiparametric efficiency bound.
Fluorescence-enhancement microscopy at 10 nm resolution

The historical importance of optical microscopy to biological study is difficult to overstate. Optical techniques are relatively non-invasive and minimally perturbative both during sample preparation and measurement, enabling temporally resolved imaging of dynamically evolving samples in vivo or at near physiological conditions. Spectroscopic contrast provided by fluorescence and Raman imaging, in particular, provides superior molecular addressability and chemical differentiability. Although spectroscopic techniques are widely utilized in molecular and cellular biology, typically the spatial resolution is limited by light diffraction to 200 – 500 nm, well above the length scale where individual molecules or complexes interact (<10 nm). Alternate microscopy techniques, such as X-ray crystallography, high-resolution nuclear-magnetic-resonance tomography, electron microscopy, scanning-tunneling microscopy, and atomic-force microscopy (AFM), can provide exquisite, sub-nm spatial resolution but do so at the price of chemical differentiability and/or temporal resolution. This gap in imaging functionality has been addressed by scanning near-field optical techniques and recently 25-30 nm resolution for fluorescence [1] and Raman [2] microscopy has been demonstrated using so-called apertureless approaches which rely on enhancement of the optical signal near a sharp (metal) probe. Although this resolution is well below the diffraction limit, it is only incrementally better than what can be obtained with standard near-field techniques where an apertured illumination source (or detection region) is scanned in close proximity to the sample.
On a problem in radiotherapy: Questions of non‐negativity

A well-known result is used to show that if g is a non-negative function and the radiation field, f, is its Radon transform, the dose field, f, is the convolution of g with (1/πr) and is necessarily non-negative. Simple series expansions of f and f are given, and the series for f is written as a finite Fourier series. Known properties of finite Fourier series are used to seek, fruitlessly, for useful conditions on the coefficients to ensure the non-negativity of f.
Mechanical reinforcement of polymer nanocomposites: theory and ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) studies

The microstructure of polymer-grafted nanoparticles in polymer melts that are chemically identical to the brush was investigated using ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS). The dispersions were thermodynamically stable. Particle size and melt molecular weight were varied such that the particle softness, L*, or the ratio of the brush thickness to the particle radius ranged from L* = 0.02–0.29. The experimentally extracted structure factors and radial distribution functions from USAXS show stronger particle interactions in lower molecular weight melts due to brush stretching corresponding to an enhancement in bulk properties at particle concentrations above the jamming transition. Good agreement was found between the measured structure factors and those predicted using the Percus–Yevick closure. Further, enhancement in the storage modulus, previously observed with rheology, was predicted through the Zwanzig–Mountain relation and Monte Carlo simulations. Overall, the use of USAXS and rheology enables the connection between experiment and theory to predict, and ultimately control the interactions of polymer-grafted nanoparticles in polymer melts.
Development and Initial Validation of a Measure of Motives for Pregaming in College Students

Objective Pregaming (i.e., drinking alcohol prior to going out) is a common and risky drinking practice on college campuses. Yet, little is known about what motivates students to pregame as no motives measure exists specifically targeting pregaming. The current study describes the development and initial validation of a measure to assess motives for pregaming and to evaluate associations between these motives and pregaming behavior.
Scattering of X-rays in irradiated A15 compounds

Abstract Recent transmission electron microscope studies of neutron-irradiated Nb3Sn showed that the irradiation primarily produces small coherent disordered regions in a much less disordered matrix. This paper examines the X-ray scattering for such a system within the framework of the kinematic theory of X-ray diffraction. It is shown that the following X-ray observations in irradiated A15 compounds are consistent with the electron microscope observations: (a) uniform lattice expansion; (b) no significant change in X-ray line widths; and (c) a weakening of both fundamental and superlattice line intensities on irradiation.
Opioid Dependence: Rationale for and Efficacy of Existing and New Treatments

Opioid dependence is a chronic and relapsing medical disorder with a well-established neurobiological basis. Opioid agonist treatments, such as methadone and the recently approved buprenorphine, stabilize opioid receptors and the intracellular processes that lead to opioid withdrawal and craving. Both methadone and buprenorphine have been proven effective for the treatment of opioid dependence and can contribute to a decreased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. In addition, a buprenorphine/naloxone combination appears to have a decreased potential for abuse or diversion, compared with that associated with methadone. Largely because of these properties, recent legislation now affords an unprecedented opportunity for general physicians to offer opioid agonist treatment through their offices. This review focuses on the neurobiological basis of opioid dependence, the rationale for methadone and buprenorphine treatments, and issues in prescribing these medications to patients with HIV infection.
Physical therapists’ treatment choices for non-specific low back pain in Florida: an electronic survey

AbstractObjectives:No study has described low back pain (LBP) treatment choices among physical therapists (PTs) in the United States (US) in the new millennium. Intervention for LBP in the new millennium is largely based on evidence-based practice (EBP) recommendations. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to describe PTs' preferences for treating acute and subacute non-specific LBP in Florida and to compare these preferences to EBP guideline recommendations and (b) to compare outpatient musculoskeletal therapist (MSPT) choices for management of acute and subacute LBP to non-outpatient musculoskeletal therapist (NMSPT) choices.Methods:The data were collected with an electronic survey. Study participants selected treatment choices for acute and subacute LBP clinical vignettes.Results:A total of 327 PTs participated in the study, of which 128 worked in outpatient musculoskeletal settings. The most common treatment choices for acute and subacute LBP were home exercise program, exercise in the clinic, b...
Exploring the Motive for Data Publication in Open Data Initiative: Linking Intention to Action

The present article reports a study on the motivation for publishing research datasets in the open data linking intention and action in regard to publishing datasets. This research study was designed to broaden understanding of the behavioral nature of publishing research datasets by distinguishing between the intention to share and the action of sharing. The data was generated from preliminary survey results conducted by Data ONE work groups. The final data used in this paper is based on 587 observations. The analysis results show support for all of the path coefficients of the theoretical model except for the path of perceived self-efficacy, and legal context and policy variables. The intention to share a dataset was found to be a significant determinant in the action of sharing data. Acknowledging the key determinants of intention to publish datasets arguably entails significant policy implications on data sharing.
Neognathae (Typical Birds)

The Neognathae comprise a superorder of flying, or secondarily flightless, birds in the class Aves and subclass Neornithes. They are characterized by possession of a keeled sternum and of a bony palate of the neognathous type. Keywords: neognathae; palaeognathae; neornithes; aves; birds
AutoClickChem: click chemistry in silico.

Academic researchers and many in industry often lack the financial resources available to scientists working in “big pharma.” High costs include those associated with high-throughput screening and chemical synthesis. In order to address these challenges, many researchers have in part turned to alternate methodologies. Virtual screening, for example, often substitutes for high-throughput screening, and click chemistry ensures that chemical synthesis is fast, cheap, and comparatively easy. Though both in silico screening and click chemistry seek to make drug discovery more feasible, it is not yet routine to couple these two methodologies. We here present a novel computer algorithm, called AutoClickChem, capable of performing many click-chemistry reactions in silico. AutoClickChem can be used to produce large combinatorial libraries of compound models for use in virtual screens. As the compounds of these libraries are constructed according to the reactions of click chemistry, they can be easily synthesized for subsequent testing in biochemical assays. Additionally, in silico modeling of click-chemistry products may prove useful in rational drug design and drug optimization. AutoClickChem is based on the pymolecule toolbox, a framework that may facilitate the development of future python-based programs that require the manipulation of molecular models. Both the pymolecule toolbox and AutoClickChem are released under the GNU General Public License version 3 and are available for download from http://autoclickchem.ucsd.edu.
Hybrid CMOS/nanodevice circuits for high throughput pattern matching applications

We propose a class of novel hybrid CMOS/nanodevice circuits for pattern matching applications (e.g. real-time network intrusion detection, network packet routing, DNA sequencing), with the potential for dramatic improvements in throughput, density, and power performance relative to state-of-the-art designs. The performance advantage of our novel circuits is mainly due to three factors: the implementation of a ternary content addressable memory cell with stackable ultra-dense resistive switching (“memristive” or RRAM) devices; three dimensional hybrid CMOS/nanodevice circuitry with an area-distributed interface enabling high communication bandwidth between the memory and CMOS subsystems; and use of a modified CMOL FPGA fabric with low reconfiguration overhead.
Methionine Metabolism of the Myxomycete Physarum polycephalum

Daniel, John W. (University of Wisconsin, Madison), and Karlee Babcock. Methionine metabolism of the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum. J. Bacteriol. 92:1028–1035. 1966.—Previous studies have shown that Physarum polycephalum requires exogenous methionine for growth, but not cysteine, folic acid, or vitamin B12. Methionine can also serve as the sole source of sulfur for all cellular requirements, without limiting the growth rate. S-methyl-l-cysteine, 2-hydroxy-4-methiol butyric acid, S-adenosyl-l-methionine, and methionine peptides were the only compounds supporting growth, when substituted for methionine. Other methionine analogues, methyl donors in combination with homocysteine, and intermediates of the cystathionine pathway were not active. Ethionine and S-ethyl cysteine were good methionine antagonists. This myxomycete is apparently unable to synthesize the methyl or S-methyl group, although it still appears able to transmethylate, at least from S-methyl cysteine, and probably from S-adenosyl methionine, which can also serve as a source of adenine.
Early Life Influences on Cognitive Impairment Among Oldest Old Chinese

Objectives. This article examines the effects of early life socioeconomic conditions on the risk of cognitive impairment among oldest old persons in China. We also examine whether adult socioeconomic status mediates the association between early life socioeconomic status and cognitive impairment in old age. Methods. Data derived from two waves (1998‐2000) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. We estimated logistic and multinomial regression models of cognitive impairment for a nationwide sample of people aged 80 to 105 (N ¼ 8,444). Results. Among both men and women, urban residence in early life as well as education was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment at baseline. We found modest support for a protective effect of advantaged childhood background on the odds of cognitive impairment onset during the 2-year follow-up, especially among women. Discussion. Our findings suggest that socioeconomic environment throughout the life course, early life in particular, can influence the risk of cognitive impairment in old age. Not only can public policy that targets illiteracy, hunger, and poverty improve the lives of tens of thousands of children, but ultimately such investments will pay significant dividends many decades later in enhancing the cognitive well-being of older persons.
Improving Thermal Reliability of FETs and MMICs

The constant need for higher speed leads to the requirement of field effect transistors (FETs) with shorter gate lengths, smaller gate widths, and narrower gate-finger pitches. The relationship between various FET parameters and the device lifetime is not readily determined due to the complexity of the problem, along with the elaborate, time-consuming process, and expense of the measurements to establish reliability. This paper presents analytical expressions relating FET reliability [the change in the mean-time-to-failure (MTTF)] to its gate length, width, pitch, substrate thickness, thermal conductivity, and dissipated power. Experimental observations support the model's conclusions. The expressions and results are useful to device/circuit designers to assess the projected MTTF value in their device/MMIC designs.
Equation of state and radial distribution functions of FCC particles in a CFB

Kinetic theory of granular flow was verified experimentally for flow of fluid catalytic cracking particles in a vertical pipe. Measurements of particle pressure using a differential transducer and granular temperature with a digital camera as a function of bulk density, determined using an X-ray densitometer, showed that a relation exists among pressure, temperature, and density, analogous to the ideal gas law. In the limit of zero solids volume fraction: (Solid Pressure)/[(Granular Temperature) × (Bulk Density)] = 1.0. Measurements of radial distribution functions using the digital camera showed that their peak values occur at particle contact and lie between the predictions from the Bagnold equation and Carnahan–Starling equation. The hard sphere model was corrected for a cohesive pressure using the minimum in the measured radial distribution function. The new model agrees with the pressure measurements in the dense regime.
Forest Canopy Structure at Overwintering Monarch Butterfly Sites: Measurements with Hemispherical Photography

Using hemispherical photography and digital im- age analysis, we have quantifed forest canopy structure and light conditions at monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) overwintering sites near Santa Barbara, California Hemi- spherical photographs were taken from 1.75 m height in more than 30 forest groves, including permanently occupied transient, formerly occupied and unoccupied sites. Analysis of the photographs permitted us to calculate site factors that quantify the proportion of indirect and direct rudiation re- ceived relative to completely open conditions. The perma- nently occupied sites exhibited a narrow range of indirect rudiation and a slightly wider but still narrow range of an- nual direct rudiation Transient sites exhibited a wider range of indirect and annual direct radiation than the permanent sites. Within the largest aggregation site, horizontal and ver- tical variation in site factors was considerable. Changes in monthly direct rudiation with height may be unpredictable and reduce confidence in extrapolations from near ground level to the height of butterfly clusters. Sites that formerly
The New Economy and Transforming Employment Relations: A Review Essay

The State of Working America 2004/2005. Lawrence Mishel, Jared Bernstein, and Sylvia Allegretto. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2004. The Betrayal of Work: How Low-Wage Jobs Fail 35 Million Americans. Beth Shulman. New York: The New Press, 2003. Low-Wage America: How Employers Are Reshaping Opportunity in the Workplace. Eileen Appelbaum, Richard J. Murnane, and Annette Bernhardt, editors. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 2003. The Working Poor: Invisible in America. David K. Shipler. New York: Knopf, 2004.
Utilizing whole genome sequences to study population genomics of gene networks: a case study of the Arabidopsis thaliana immune-signaling network

Arabidopsis thaliana is a member of the mustard (Brassicaceae) family that is widely used as a model organism in plant biology. The 1001 Genomes Project [1] has been sequencing the genomes of Arabidopsis strains (accessions) and has made these sequences available. We selected the genomes of 30 Arabidopsis accessions with diverse geographical and environmental origins for our analysis. Using the TAIR8 annotation of the Arabidopsis reference genome, for the accession Col-0, we generated a dataset of approximately 27,000 protein-coding genes for all of the 30 genomes. With such population genomic data, it is feasible to ask whether a group of genes is under a different type of selection from the rest of the genome. The plant immune-signaling network is robust to network perturbations. We hypothesized that genes that constitute a robust network tend to be under neutral selection because deleterious mutations in such genes do not strongly affect the immune phenotype owing to the robustness of the network. We identified the component genes of the plant immune-signaling network in a relatively unbiased manner by mining AraNet [2], which is a functional gene network built without using phenotype information. We compared population genetic summary statistics for the network component genes and those for all of the genes in the genome. For example, Tajima’s D is such a summary statistic, and positive, negative and zero values of Tajima’s D suggest diversifying, purifying and neutral selection, respectively, when the effective population size does not change. The Tajima’s D value distribution for all of the genes in the genome has a single clear peak with a negative value, suggesting that purifying selection is the genomic norm. Our preliminary results showed that the plant immune-signaling network genes are significantly enriched with genes whose Tajima’s D values are near zero compared with all of the genes in the genome. This finding suggests that there is a lower level of purifying selection among the network component genes than other genes.
Path Length Differencing and Energy Conservation of the SN Boltzmann/Spencer-Lewis Equation

It is shown that the SN Boltzmann/Spencer-Lewis equations conserve energy locally if and only if they satisfy particle balance and diamond differencing is used in path length. In contrast, the spat...
A Comparison of Projection Pursuit and Neural Network Regression Modeling

Two projection based feedforward network learning methods for model-free regression problems are studied and compared in this paper: one is the popular back-propagation learning (BPL); the other is the projection pursuit learning (PPL). Unlike the totally parametric BPL method, the PPL non-parametrically estimates unknown nonlinear functions sequentially (neuron-by-neuron and layer-by-Iayer) at each iteration while jointly estimating the interconnection weights. In terms of learning efficiency, both methods have comparable training speed when based on a Gauss-Newton optimization algorithm while the PPL is more parsimonious. In terms of learning robustness toward noise outliers, the BPL is more sensitive to the outliers.
Performance analysis of the self-correcting adaptive filter

An adaptive noise canceller is a well-known method for removing noise from noise-corrupted speech. The problem arises in many situations such as airplane cockpits and automobiles. The purpose of the self-correcting adaptive filter (SCAF) method is to improve the accuracy of filters with small order compared to other methods. This paper extends the results of the SCAF by investigating the limit to which the SCAF algorithm approaches when large and abrupt changes of the desired signal as well as the noise signal are present. Simulation results are presented to compare the performance of the SCAF algorithm with the fixed step size LMS algorithm.
Free fatty acid-induced peripheral insulin resistance augments splanchnic glucose uptake in healthy humans

To investigate the effect of elevated plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations on splanchnic glucose uptake (SGU), we measured SGU in nine healthy subjects (age, 44 ± 4 yr; body mass index, 27.4...
Multiwavelet prefilters. 1. Orthogonal prefilters preserving approximation order p/spl les/2

In applications using multiwavelets, there is a necessary step of associating a given discrete signal with a function in the scaling function space V/sub 0/. This association is equivalent to including a prefilter and a post-filter for the filter bank determined by the underlying multiwavelets. We give a construction for orthogonal (paraunitary) finite-impulse response (FIR) prefilters that preserve the approximation order of a given arbitrary scaling vector /spl Psi/ with approximation order p/spl les/2. We give several such prefilters for the DGHM multiwavelet.
Oral Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation Can Increase the Testosterone/Epitestosterone Ratio

The availability of endogenous anabolic steroids and their precursors in the form of “dietary supplements” has become widespread in the United States. The popularity of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) arose from a number of reports in the popular press that suggested that the results of a study conducted by Morales et al. (1) characterized DHEA as similar to the mythical fountain of youth. Increased use of DHEA among athletes was reported anecdotally before and during the 1996 Olympic Games, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission explicitly added the compound to the list of prohibited compounds in December 1996, although it would have been considered prohibited previously under the “related compounds” provision of the list. Other groups testing for steroids have either added DHEA as an example of a prohibited compound or assumed that it did not play a role in their testing program. Some researchers have questioned whether the use of compounds that are precursors of the anabolic steroid testosterone increase testosterone and therefore impact the testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio. Two studies have reported that no increase in the T/E ratio occurred when DHEA was given (2)(3). We report here on the impact of administration of two over-the-counter DHEA preparations on the excretion of several steroids, and a greater than 6:1 dose-dependent increase of the T/E ratio in one individual. Two over-the-counter preparations of DHEA were obtained from a health food store and from a pharmacy. Nature’s Pride “DHEA 50 mg+” (product A; Nature’s Products, Davie, FL) capsules contained DHEA (50 mg), suma ( Pfaffia paniculata , 25 mg), Korean ginseng ( Panax ginseng , 25 mg), muira pauma ( Ptychopetalum olacoides , 25 mg), shitake mushroom concentrate ( Lentinus edodes , 15 mg), and green tea extract ( Camelia sinesis , 5 mg). YourLife DHEA tablets (product B; Leiner Health Products, Inc., Carson, …
The altitudinal and geographical distributions of flower types in Rhododendron section Vireya, especially in the Papuasian species, and their significance

Most species of Rhododendron section Vireya from Papuasia can be assigned to well-marked flower types, 127 species being placed in five of these types. It is suggested that two of the main types may be pollinated mainly by birds, one by sphingid moths and one by butterflies. Above 3000 m red-flowered species greatly predominate over those with other colours in Papuasia, and also through much of Malesia; the relationship between ornithophily and this correlation is discussed. The distribution of flower types within supraspecific taxa suggests that some rearrangement of the latter may be necessary; some flower types are demonstrably polyphyletic. It is shown that in west Malesia species with flower colour other than red, not or slightly zygomorphic flowers and relatively longer corolla lobes are commoner than within Papuasia; it appears that section Viveya is, florally at least, most specialized in this latter area. Flower type and pollinators in section Vireya are related to those in the rest of the genus, and it is suggested that the adoption of ornithophily has been an important factor in the success of the Ericaceae as a whole in tropical montane areas.
Spectra of Matrix Isolated Metal Atoms and Clusters

The matrix isolation spectra of all of the 40 presently known atomic metal species show strong matrix effects. The transition energies are increased, the bands are broad and exhibit splitting of sublevels which are degenerate in the gas phase. Several models have been proposed for splitting of levels, but basic effects are not yet understood, and spectra cannot be predicted, yet it is possible to correlate gas phase and matrix in many of the systems. Selective production of diatomics and clusters via thermal and optical annealing of atomic species can be monitored by optical spectra, but yields spectroscopically complex systems which, however, especially in the case of transition metals, can be used as precursors in novel chemical reactions. A combination of absorption, emission, ir, Raman, ESR, and other methods is now quickly yielding data which will help correlate the increasing wealth of existing data. Die Matrixisolationsspektren aller zur Zeit bekannten Metallatome zeigen starke Matrixeffekte. Die Ubergangsenergien sind erhoht, die Banden sind breit und zeigen Aufspaltung von Niveaus, die in der Gasphase entartet sind. Verschiedene Modelle sind fur die Aufspaltung der Niveaus vorgeschlagen worden, doch sind die grundlegenden Effekte noch nicht verstanden worden, und die Spektren konnen nicht vorhergesagt werden. Dennoch ist es moglich, die Gasphase und die Matrix in vielen Systemen zu korrelieren. Die selektive Herstellung von zweiatomigen Molekulen und Clustern durch thermisches und optisches Tempern der atomaren Spezies kann mittels optischer Spektren verfolgt werden. Sie liefert spektroskopisch komplexe Systeme, die speziell im Fall der ubergangsmetalle als Vorlaufer neuer chemischer Reaktionen verwandt werden konnen. Eine Kombination der Absorptions-, Emissions-, JR-, Raman-, ESR-Spektroskopie und anderer Methoden liefert schnell Ergebnisse, die dazu beitragen werden, die wachsende Fulle von Daten zu korrelieren.