cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Including gene networks to predict calving difficulty in Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey cattle

Calving difficulty or dystocia has a great economic impact in the US dairy industry. Reported risk factors associated with calving difficulty are feto-pelvic disproportion, gestation length and conformation. Different dairy cattle breeds have different incidence of calving difficulty, with Holstein having the highest dystocia rates and Jersey the lowest. Genomic selection becomes important especially for complex traits with low heritability, where the accuracy of conventional selection is lower. However, for complex traits where a large number of genes influence the phenotype, genome-wide association studies showed limitations. Biological networks could overcome some of these limitations and better capture the genetic architecture of complex traits. In this paper, we characterize Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey breed-specific dystocia networks and employ them in genomic predictions. Marker association analysis identified single nucleotide polymorphisms explaining the largest average proportion of genetic variance on BTA18 in Holstein, BTA25 in Brown Swiss, and BTA15 in Jersey. Gene networks derived from the genome-wide association included 1272 genes in Holstein, 1454 genes in Brown Swiss, and 1455 genes in Jersey. Furthermore, 256 genes in Holstein network, 275 genes in the Brown Swiss network, and 253 genes in the Jersey network were within previously reported dystocia quantitative trait loci. The across-breed network included 80 genes, with 9 genes being within previously reported dystocia quantitative trait loci. The gene-gene interactions in this network differed in the different breeds. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of genes in the networks showed Regulation of ARF GTPase was very significant (FDR ≤ 0.0098) on Holstein. Neuron morphogenesis and differentiation was the term most enriched (FDR ≤ 0.0539) on the across-breed network. Genomic prediction models enriched with network-derived relationship matrices did not outperform regular GBLUP models. Regions identified in the genome were in the proximity of previously described quantitative trait loci that would most likely affect calving difficulty by altering the feto-pelvic proportion. Inclusion of identified networks did not increase prediction accuracy. The approach used in this paper could be extended to any instance with asymmetric distribution of phenotypes, for example, resistance to disease data.
Signature Infrared Bacteria Spectra Analyzed by an Advanced Integrative Computational Approach Developed for Identifying Bacteria Similarity

Infectious diseases have become one of the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality in human life. Therefore, bacteria identification plays a critical role to protect public health from infectious diseases. Optical spectroscopy has been widely used to identify bacteria by yielding unique signature spectra representing the structure and composition of the bacteria. Since bacteria exhibit very close sensing and analytical patterns, it is challenging to determine their distinctions. In this study, we introduce a novel integrative computational approach for analyzing infrared (IR) spectroscopy spectra to identify bacteria by measuring their similarities employing logarithmic-based wavelet features. A visual analytics tool is also developed to support an interactive visual analysis for characterizing bacteria features. Thirty-two signature IR spectra of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and forty spectra of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosai ) collected by an advanced fiber-optic Fourier transform IR (FO-FTIR) spectroscopy sensor system are used for validating the proposed computational approach. Three machine learning techniques are employed to differentiate the bacteria by measuring their performances. Implementing the presented approach, we identified the overall accuracy of 92.5% in classifying the bacteria with logistic regression. We also found that both sensitivity and specificity are significantly high, exceeding 92%.
Calculations of Neutron Detector Efficiencies

Several improvements have been made during the last few years to computer calculations of efficiencies for detecting neutrons with hydrocarbon scintillators. The most recent work of Cecil et al. (1979) claims an accuracy of a few percent for a substantial range of neutron energies, detector thresholds, and counter sizes. These improvements include the adoption of new inelastic cross sections and energy and angular distributions for neutron-induced reactions on carbon, adoption of new light-response functions, use of relativistic kinematics, and proper determination of light deposited by escaping charged particles. Although the number of possible nuclear reactions for medium-energy neutrons in a scintillator is large, good agreement of calculations with many different measurements of detector efficiencies up to neutron energies of 300 MeV indicates that the efficiencies may be described adequately by grouping the different reactions into a few channels in the efficiency code.
Who Will Be the New Radiologists?: A 2012 Assessment

I believe we are deep into a period of uncertainty in Radiology. That uncertainty has manifold dimensions. Will the downturn in overall imaging use continue at its present rate of decline? For those of you who may not appreciate the reality of this national trend because you are still doing OK with respect to volume of high tech studies such as CT and MR countrywide the yearly decrease in MR utilization is now 6 years old and the decline in CT has begun more recently. The optimists or perhaps the fantasists out there may not worry because when the Affordable Care Act a.k.a Obamacare comes fully on stream in 2014, then all those uninsured will now get imaged and presumably the decline will reverse. Maybe so but the results from Massachusetts indicate no imaging volume flood from the institution of the more comprehensive inclusion of all its citizens in reimbursable health care coverage.
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging of the Liver: Techniques and Applications

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a technique that assesses the cellularity, tortuosity of the extracellular/extravascular space, and cell membrane density based on differences in water proton mobility in tissues. The strength of the diffusion weighting is reflected by the b value. DWI using several b values enables the quantification of the apparent diffusion coefficient. DWI is increasingly used in liver imaging for multiple reasons: it can add useful qualitative and quantitative information to conventional imaging sequences; it is acquired relatively quickly; it is easily incorporated into existing clinical protocols; and it is a noncontrast technique.
Glucose lowering and vascular protective effects of cycloset added to GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective To determine the glucose-lowering mechanism of action and the effects of a quick-release bromocriptine-QR, a D2-dopamine agonist (Cycloset) on vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Study design and methods Fifteen poorly controlled T2D treated with metformin plus glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) were studied after 4 months of Cycloset, 3.2 mg/d. Subjects received a 5-hour double-tracer (iv 3-3H-glucose and oral 14C-glucose) mixed meal test (MMT) to quantitate rates of endogenous glucose production (EGP), oral glucose appearance (RaO) and disappearance (Rd) pre- and post-Cycloset. Vascular assessments included 2-day continuous BP monitoring, reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) and arterial stiffness (AS). Results HbA1c decreased from 8.3 ± 0.3% to 7.7 ± 0.2% (P < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose did not change (143 ± 4 vs 147 ± 5) and mean plasma glucose during MTT decreased from 223 ± 3 to 210 ± 4 mg/dL (P < 0.05) after Cycloset. Basal EGP (2.2 ± 0.2 vs 2.1 ± 0.2 mg/kg min) was unchanged, but there was greater MMT suppression (1.1 ± 0.1 vs 0.7 ± 0.1, P < 0.05). After Cycloset, RaO declined from 2.0 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.2 mg/kg min and peripheral oral glucose appearance from 53.1 ± 3.2 to 44.4 ± 3.1 g (P < 0.01). There were no changes in plasma insulin or glucagon concentration. Systolic (134 ± 4 vs 126 ± 6), diastolic (78 ± 3 vs 73 ± 4), mean BP (97 ± 5 vs 90 ± 4) and pulse pressure (54 ± 2 vs 51 ± 2 mm Hg) were reduced; RHI increased from 1.4 ± 0.1 to 1.9 ± 0.3 au and AS decreased modestly (19.8 ± 4.1 to 16.2 ± 3.7 au, P = NS). Conclusions Addition of Cycloset to GLP-1 RA improved vascular indices and postprandial hyperglycaemia in T2DM primarily by lowering oral glucose appearance, suggesting that hepatic glucose uptake was enhanced. Improved vascular indices may explain the reduction in cardiovascular events observed with Cycloset therapy in patients with T2DM.
Pilot Study of the Effects of High-Protein Meals During Hemodialysis on Intradialytic Hypotension in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Objective Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have high protein and energy requirements, and protein-energy wasting is common and associated with poor outcomes. Eating during dialysis may improve nutritional status by counteracting the catabolic effects of HD treatment; but eating during HD may be discouraged because of concerns of postprandial hypotension. However, little data are available to support this practice. In this study, we hypothesized that high-protein meals during HD do not lead to symptomatic intradialytic hypotension events. Design A 9-week, nonrandomized, parallel-arm study. Setting A single in-center HD clinic. Subjects Eighteen patients undergoing HD from 2 shifts completed the study. Patients were aged 62 ± 16 years with dialysis vintage of 3.4 ± 2.6 years. Intervention Patients in the intervention group (n = 9) undergoing HD received meals of ∼30 g protein and ∼1/3 daily recommended intakes of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and fluid during dialysis for 25 consecutive HD sessions. The control group (n = 9) completed all aspects of the study including a visit by study personnel but were not given meals. The 25 consecutive sessions before the start of the intervention/control phase were used as a baseline comparison for each patient. Main Outcome Measure Symptomatic hypotension event frequency. Results In the intervention arm, there were 19 symptomatic hypotension events in 5 patients prestudy and 18 events in 6 patients during the study. In the control arm, there were 16 events in 7 patients prestudy and 13 events in 7 patients during the study. Change in the frequency of symptomatic hypotension events from prestudy to during study was not different between groups (P = .71). There was no effect of meals on nutritional status, but patients reported positive attitudes toward receiving meals during dialysis. Conclusion High-protein meals during HD did not increase symptomatic hypotension events. Larger, longer term studies are needed to confirm these results and evaluate whether high-protein meals on dialysis benefit nutritional status and clinical outcomes.
Passive Pitch Mechanics of Elastic Flapping Wings

Many flapping wing micro air vehicles (FWMAVs) utilize a flexible joint that allows the wing to passively rotate about the pitching axis. Generally, simple rigid body models are used to estimate the passive pitching dynamics. However, evidence suggests elastic wings increase aerodynamic force generation and expend less energy relative to rigid wings. As a result, elastic wings are becoming an integral part of FWMAV design. But, the effect of wing elasticity on passive pitching mechanics is unclear. To explore this, we develop a coupled model of an elastic wing attached to a flexible pitching joint. Aerodynamic moments are included through a simple blade element approach. The model is applied to an idealized insect forewing subject to prescribed roll rotation. The simulation results suggest (1) aerodynamic moments, not rigid body inertia or elastic forces, are primarily responsible for lift-generating passive pitch, (2) joint stiffness influences pitching mechanics more than wing elasticity does, and (3) flexible wings can increase net lift by as much as 20% if the pitching joint is mistuned. The framework developed in this paper can be used to design and optimize FWMAV systems in terms of both elastic wings and flexible passive pitch joints.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
A Case of Antibiotic-Induced Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

Purpose: To report a case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in a 75 year-old patient who was taking concomitant ciprofloxacin and metronidazole. Method: Case report Results: A ...
Sociocultural Psychology and Regulatory Processes in Learning Activity: Contributions of Cultural-Historical Psychological Theory

Written by educational researchers and professionals working with children and adolescents in and out of school, this book shows how self-regulation involves more than an isolated individual's ability to control their thoughts and feelings, particularly in a learning environment. By using Vygotsky's cultural-historical psychological theory, the authors provide a unique set of four analytical lenses for a better understanding of how self-regulation, co-regulation, and other-regulation function as a system of regulatory processes. These lenses move beyond a focus on solitary individuals, who self-regulate behavior, to centre on individuals as relational, agential, and contextually situated. As agents, teachers and their students build their learning contexts and are influenced by these self-engineered contexts. This is a dynamic perspective of a social context and underlies the view that regulatory processes are an integral part of a functional system for learning.
Detection of Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp, and Balamuthia mandrillaris in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues by Real-Time Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Objectives Pathogenic free-living amebae (FLAs) cause skin, ocular, and central nervous system (CNS) infections with significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of FLA infections by pathologic examination of tissue sections can be aided using molecular assays. This study investigated the performance characteristics of a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (FLA-PCR) for detection and differentiation of FLAs in clinical specimens. Methods FLA-PCR was performed on 39 human specimens comprising one cutaneous, 14 corneal, and 24 CNS formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues with a histopathologic diagnosis of FLA infection and four CNS FFPE tissues with inflammation but no evidence of FLAs. In addition, clinical specificity and assay limit of detection were determined. Results FLA detection sensitivities ranged from 79% to 84% in FFPE tissues. No cross-reactivity was observed. Conclusions While sensitivity is limited, FLA-PCR assay may serve as a useful adjunct for detection or confirmation of FLA infections in FFPE tissues.
Vacuum-ultraviolet absorption cross-sections of functionalized cyclic hydrocarbons: Six-membered rings

Abstract Absorption cross-sections were measured in the vacuum ultraviolet (9.92–5.17 eV) using differential absorption spectroscopy for a series of six-membered hydrocarbon rings: cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, benzene, tetrahydropyran, 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 1,4-dioxane, 1,4-dioxene, cyclohexanol, cyclohexen-4-ol, cyclohexen-3-ol, cyclohexanone, cyclohexen-4-one, cyclohexen-3-one, 3,4-epoxycyclohexene, and 4,5-epoxycyclohexene. In addition, cross-sections for 1-butene and acetic acid were measured for comparison with the literature. Uncertainties were quantified in all cases by accounting for errors in gas-phase concentration, experimental repeatability, and signal-to-noise ratio as a function of photon energy. Convolving the sources of error using the root-sum-square method led to an upper limit of 5% uncertainty above the detection limit, which is largely attributable to chemical purity. The primary objective of the present work is to provide absolute cross-sections along with quantified uncertainty limits. The majority of the absorption spectra, which reflect electronic transitions such as σ → σ* and n → σ*, are reported for the first time and provide insight into fundamental chemical physics, such as vibrational band structure and Rydberg transitions. In addition, the absorption cross-sections enable quantitative isomer-resolved speciation measurements in combustion chemistry, photolysis calculations for laser spectroscopy and atmospheric chemistry, and spectral assignments in astrochemistry.
Electron bifurcation: progress and grand challenges

Electron bifurcation moves electrons from a two-electron donor to reduce two spatially separated one-electron acceptors. If one of the electrons reduces a high-potential (lower energy) acceptor, then the other electron may proceed “uphill” to reduce a low-potential (higher energy) acceptor. This mechanism is now considered the third mode of energy transduction in biology, and offers promise for the development of novel bioinspired energy conversion strategies. Nature uses electron bifurcation to realize highly sought-after reactions: reversible CO2 reduction, nitrogen fixation, and hydrogen production. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of electron bifurcation, including both recent progress and outstanding questions in understanding and developing artificial electron bifurcation systems.
Joint Optimization of Operating Mode and Part Sequence for Robot Loading Process Considering Real-time Health Condition

In this paper, we develop a decision-making framework for real-time production control considering the condition variation of robotic arms. Specifically, the temperature dynamics of robotic arms under different operation conditions is analyzed to assess the robotic arm’s health status. Statistical models based on the observation of real-time information is firstly built to characterize the relationship between the robot temperature and time, considering various operation modes (i.e., capacity, working mode, speed). Then a loading process using the robotic arm is investigated and a continuous space Markov decision model is formulated to minimize the total processing time for a limited batch of products with different types. Numerical studies suggest that the performance of the proposed method is significantly better than the benchmark plans. Such a study reflects the necessity of joint consideration on the health condition of production assets together with production control, to maintain high productivity and utilization of the assets in production systems.
SearchIE: A Retrieval Approach for Information Extraction

We address the problem of entity extraction with a very few examples and address it with an information retrieval approach. Existing extraction approaches consider millions of features extracted from a large number of training data cases. Typically, these data cases are generated by a distant supervision approach with entities in a knowledge base. After that a model is learned and entities are extracted. However, with extremely limited data a ranked list of relevant entities can be helpful to obtain user feedback to get more training data. As Information Retrieval (IR) is a natural choice for ranked list generation, we explore its effectiveness in such a limited data case. To this end, we propose SearchIE, a hybrid of IR and NLP approach that indexes documents represented using handcrafted NLP features. At query time SearchIE samples terms from a Logistic Regression model trained with extremely limited data. We explore SearchIE's potential by showing that it supersedes state-of-the-art NLP models to find civilians killed by US police officers with only a single civilian name as example.
Structure-based design and analysis of SuFEx chemical probes

The discerning reactivity of sulfur(VI)-fluoride exchange (SuFEx) chemistry has enabled the context-specific labeling of protein binding sites by chemical probes that incorporate these versatile warheads. Emerging information from protein-probe structures and proteomic mapping experiments is helping advance our understanding of the protein microenvironment that dictates the reactivity of targetable amino acid residues. This review explores these new findings that should influence the future rational design of SuFEx probes for a multitude of applications in chemical biology and drug discovery.
PPARγ Deficiency in Carbon Nanotube-elicited Granulomatous Inflammation Promotes a Th17 Response to a Microbial Antigen.

Background: The pathological consequences of interaction between environmental carbon pollutants and microbial antigens have not been fully explored. We developed a murine model of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)- elicited granulomatous disease which bears a striking resemblance to sarcoidosis, a human granulomatous disease. Because of reports describing lymphocyte reactivity to mycobacterial antigens in sarcoidosis patients, we hypothesized that addition of mycobacterial antigen (ESAT-6) to MWCNT might elicit activation in T cells. Methods: Macrophage-specific peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) knock out (KO) mice were studied along with wild-type mice because our previous report indicated PPARγ deficiency in sarcoidosis alveolar macrophages. MWCNT+ESAT-6 were instilled into mice. Controls received vehicle (surfactant-PBS) or ESAT-6 and were evaluated 60 days post-instillation. As noted in our recent publication, lung tissues from PPARγ KO mice instilled with MWCNT+ESAT-6 yielded more intensive pathophysiology, with elevated fibrosis. Results: Inspection of mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) revealed no granulomas but deposition of MWCNT. MLN cell counts were higher in PPARγ KO than in wild-type instilled with MWCNT+ESAT-6. Moreover, the CD4:CD8 T cell ratio, a major clinical metric for human disease, was increased in PPARγ KO mice. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from PPARγ KO mice instilled with MWCNT+ESAT-6 displayed increased Th17 cell markers (RORγt, IL-17A, CCR6) which associate with elevated fibrosis. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PPARγ deficiency in macrophages may promote ESAT-6-associated T cell activation in the lung, and that the MWCNT+ESAT-6 model may offer new insights into pathways of lymphocytemediated sarcoidosis histopathology.
Restaurants and COVID-19: What are consumers & rsquo;risk perceptions about restaurant food and its packaging during the pandemic?

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent U.S. in-restaurant dining restrictions deleteriously affected the restaurant industry. While dining restrictions were adopted to prevent human contact, evidence suggests that consumers may mistakenly perceive that restaurant "food" and its "packaging" are risky sources of COVID-19. To explore consumers' COVID-19 risk perceptions about food itself, restaurant food specifically, and restaurant food packaging, this study collected nationwide U.S. consumer survey data (n = 958) using an online consumer panel. Findings showed that: (1) consumers were less concerned about contracting COVID-19 from food in general than restaurant food and its packaging, with consumer restaurant concern highest for food served in restaurants, and lowest for hot/cooked restaurant food followed by restaurant food from carry-out; and (2) the risk perceptions of consumers varied with financial concern for food, gender, and being in a high-risk category of COVID-19. Implications for researchers, restauranteurs, government, and food safety professionals are discussed.
Five Year Analysis Assessing the Trend in Prescribing and Expenditures of Oral Oncolytics for Medicare Part D: 2013-2017.

Introduction:Oral oncolytics are becoming a mainstay in oncology, representing first-line therapies for numerous different malignancies. In addition, the cost of oncology drugs has increased dramat...
Debaryomyces, the Achilles heel of wound repair

In a recent Science paper, Jain et al. (2021) discover that a fungus contributes to delayed wound healing in mice and is enriched in inflamed tissue from Crohn's disease patients. This culprit is not a well-known pathogen, but cheese yeast Debaryomyces hansenii, highlighting the importance of further studying fungi-host interactions.
International Consortium for Social Development: Members’ Views and Future Directions:

This article aims to discuss members’ views about the past and current engagements and activities of the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), and the future directions and strate...
Narrative closure

In this article, “Narrative Closure,” a theory of the nature of narrative closure is developed. Narrative closure is identified as the phenomenological feeling of finality that is generated when all the questions saliently posed by the narrative are answered. The article also includes a discussion of the intelligibility of attributing questions to narratives as well as a discussion of the mechanisms that achieve this. The article concludes by addressing certain recent criticisms of the view of narrative expounded by this article.
Impact of Age and Race on Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy for Localized Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Objectives To investigate impact of age and race on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in men undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) using a prospectively maintained, racially diverse cohort. Methods The Center for Prostate Disease Research Multicenter National Database was used to identify patients receiving RP from 2007-2017. The Expanded PCa Index Composite and 36 Item Short-Form Health Survey were completed at baseline and regular intervals. Groups were stratified based on age: 70. Longitudinal patterns in HRQoL were assessed using linear regression models, adjusting for baseline HRQoL, demographics, and clinical characteristics. Results In 626 patients undergoing RP, 278 (44.4%) were 70. Older men had worse baseline urinary bother (P 70. However, when adjusting for baseline HRQoL, race, NCCN risk, and comorbidities, no difference was found between age groups in urinary function or bother, or sexual function. Sexual bother was worse in older men until 48 months post-operatively but subsequently improved to levels similar to younger patients. Race independently affected HRQoL outcomes with older African American men reporting worse urinary function and sexual bother. Conclusions When accounting for baseline HRQoL, age does not independently predict worse HRQoL outcomes. Older and younger men experience similar declines in urinary and sexual domain scores after RP. Our findings may be used to better inform patients regarding their expected post RP HRQoL and guide treatment decision-making.
Interface engineering and integration of two-dimensional polymeric and inorganic materials for advanced hybrid structures

Two-dimensional layered materials (2DLMs) such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have been at the forefront of materials science in recent years due to their excellent electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. On the other hand, 2D polymeric nanosheets (2DPs), such as 2D organic frameworks with analogous layered molecular structures, have also been undergoing rapid development. Inorganic 2DLMs and 2DPs have many complementary physical and chemical properties that can be integrated into advanced hybrid materials with a precisely defined molecular and interfacial structure and high performance. In this perspective, we introduce recent representative studies and summarize the latest developments in the field of advanced 2D and 3D hybrid materials based on the integration of 2DLMs and 2DPs. The intimate contact between atomically thin 2DLMs and 2DPs induces significant property changes in the individual components and also leads to new functionalities. Such hybrid 2DLM/2DP structures are critical for the fundamental study of organic/inorganic interfaces, as well as for practical applications in energy conversion and storage, molecular separation, and flexible electronics.
Formal Methods Technology Transfer: A View from NASA

Since 1988 NASA Langley Research Center has supported a formal methods research program. From its inception, a primary goal of the program has been to transfer formal methods technology into aerospace industries focusing on applications in commercial air transport. The overall program has been described elsewhere. This paper gives an account of the technology transfer strategy and its evolution.
Just the Facts, Ma'am: Scotus Ups the Ante Fifty Years after Conley

A half-century since the Supreme Court set forth the "notice pleading" standard in Conley v. Gibson, recent divided decisions by the Court have heightened the pleading standard for plaintiffs. On the positive side, the new standard should reduce claims that have no merit from proceeding on to what can be costly discovery, but only at the cost of filtering out some meritorious claims, particularly when discovery is necessary to unearth information held exclusively by a defendant. Additionally, the new standard raises some Erie choice of law issues, and it seems to conflict with one of the complaint forms set forth in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Thus, it appears that the Supreme Court's revision the pleading standard is not yet complete.
Biological and Biomedical Aspects of Metal Phenolates

The phenol functionality is involved in diverse biological processes and functions, serving as a proton donor and as a metal-binding ligand. It is commonly found in many biochemicals (such as siderophores and the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan), pharmaceuticals (including antibiotics, metal-chelating agents, and diagnostic agents), and natural products (such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and salicylic acid). In association with other functional groups, the phenol moiety forms various types of metal-binding sites of diverse structures and functions, for example, for iron binding and transport, in enzymes for oxygenation of substrates, and for biotransformation of aromatic compounds. Many environmentally hazardous aromatic compounds such as bisphenol A, PCB, and DDT can be degraded by tyrosinate(phenolate)-containing metalloenzymes from microorganisms, which provides a clue for bioremediation of these toxic substances. Moreover, the phenol-containing wet-adhesive byssal proteins from some clams and mussels has stimulated further development of adhesive materials for medical and other applications; and the study of binding of transferrin with nanoparticles affords better understanding of protein–mineral interfacial interactions. In addition to these naturally occurring metal-phenolate centers, there are many metal complexes of phenol and derivatives that exhibit various catalytic activities and serve as structural and/or functional model systems for tyrosinate-containing metalloproteins. Keywords: phenol; catechol; polyphenol; metalloenzyme; metalloproteins; metallodrugs; metallopharmaceutical; environment; materials
Hydrogen transport in a toroidal plasma using multigroup discrete-ordinates methodology

Neutral hydrogen transport in a fully ionized two-dimensional tokamak plasma was examined using discrete ordinates and contrasted with earlier analyses. In particular, curvature effects induced by toroidal geometries and ray effects caused by possible source localization were investigated. From an overview of the multigroup discrete-ordinates approximation, methodology in two-dimensional cylindrical geometry is detailed, mesh and plasma zoning procedures are sketched, and the piecewise polynomial solution algorithm on a triangular domain is obtained. Toroidal effects and comparisons as related to reaction rates and perticle spectra are examined for various model and source configurations.
Aberrant expression of genes necessary for neuronal development and notch signaling in an epileptic mind bomb zebrafish

Mutation within an ubiquitin E3 ligase gene can lead to a failure in Notch signaling, excessive neurons, and depletion of neural progenitor cells in mind bomb mutants. Using mib(hi904) zebrafish, we reported seizures and a down-regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling pathway genes. A transcriptome analysis also identified differential expression pattern of genes related to Notch signaling and neurodevelopment. Here, we selected nine of these genes (her4.2, hes5, bhlhb5, hoxa5a, hoxb5b, dmbx1a, dbx1a, nxph1, and plxnd1) and performed a more thorough analysis of expression using conventional polymerase chain reaction, real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. Transgenic reporter fish (Gfap:GFP and Dlx5a-6a:GFP) were used to assess early brain morphology in vivo. Down-regulation of many of these genes was prominent throughout key structures of the developing mib(hi904) zebrafish brain including, but not limited to, the pallium, ventral thalamus, and optic tectum. Brain expression of Dlx5a-6a and Gfap was also reduced. In conclusion, these expression studies indicate a general down-regulation of Notch signaling genes necessary for proper brain development and suggest that these mutant fish could provide valuable insights into neurological conditions, such as Angelman syndrome, associated with ubiquitin E3 ligase mutation.
The Integration—Segregation Debate: some sociological considerations

Abstract This paper will argue that sociology has neglected special education as a central focus of its concern. An attempt is thus made to suggest what such a sociology might look like drawing upon positivist, functionalist, conflict and neo‐Marxisl paradigms to examine the history and development of special education. Precisely because of this neglect, these paradigms themselves prove to be inadequate and material from the sociologies of deviance and social policy is consequently drawn upon. Thus it is finally argued that special education can be analysed within broader structural considerations of the issue of social control rather than from a humanitarian perspective, which has been the case up to now.
Measuring behavior in genetic disorders of mental retardation.

As researchers have examined the so-called “behavioral phenotypes” of different genetic mental retardation conditions, the measurement of behavior becomes increasingly important. From earlier, more global examinations of noteworthy behaviors or profiles, recent researchers have moved from reliance on a single, all-encompassing questionnaire to more multimethod, multireporter approaches. This paper summarizes strengths and weaknesses in utilizing parent-report questionnaires and checklists; psychiatric nosology and specific psychiatric questionnaires; observational studies; reports from individuals with mental retardation themselves; profile analyses of psychometric test and subtest scores; and “grouping” analyses of items (factor analysis) and people (cluster analysis). Although we advocate a mixture of approaches to behavioral assessment, in future work researchers will require more theoretically driven methods for studying behavior, greater acknowledgment that the child's behavior is simply one event in ongoing interactions–transactions with other people, and more attention to age-related changes in behavioral phenotypes. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2005;11:340–346.
Testing for random effects in analysis of covariance model

Abstract We derive the locally best invariant tests for the random effects under unbalanced one-way classification set up, when the data on a single covariate are available. The distributions of the test statistics involved are also derived.
Influence of processing variables on the structure and properties of ZnO films

Zinc oxide films of high optical quality have been deposited onto both silica and silicon substrates using reactive sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, and an aqueous solution based technique. Films have been characterized with respect to crystalline phase and phase stability, surface morphology, and optical response by means of X-ray diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, optical transmission and ellipsometry measurements. All films studied were of the wurtzite phase, fine-grained, and exhibited varying degrees of c-axis orientation with respect to the substrate normal depending upon deposition conditions. Films showed some degree of residual tensile stress which was inferred from the E{sub 2} Raman line shift relative to the single crystal frequency. The wurtzite phase was found to be stable to temperatures near 800{degrees}C, but at higher temperatures, reaction with silica led to evolution of Zn{sub 2}SiO{sub 4} at the interface. Variations in Raman line intensities upon post deposition annealing has been correlated with oxidation of excess zinc in the lattice.
A note on social dominance and learning ability in the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus)

Abstract Relatively little is known about the relationship between social behavior and specific cognitive abilities of the chicken. It is uncertain whether dominant birds have a cognitive advantage over subordinate birds that might facilitate their superior position in the social hierarchy. Likewise, it is unknown whether subordinate birds compete successfully with higher ranking birds because their cognitive capacities compensate for physical deficits. In this study, the relationship between the chicken's position in the dominance hierarchy and its performance on a cognitive task was explored. Ten pairs of New Hampshire domestic roosters ( Gallus gallus ) were observed to determine dominance or subordinance within dyads. All birds were then trained and tested on a visual discrimination learning task. Discriminative stimuli were orange and green plastic discs. Correct stimuli (orange or green) were randomly assigned to birds. Placement of the discs (left or right of center) was also randomly assigned and counterbalanced to avoid a side bias. Birds were rewarded with food for pecking at the correct disc. Criterion for task completion was 80% correct responses on three consecutive test sessions or 86% correct on two consecutive sessions. All subjects met the test criterion. The number of trials to criterion was compared between dominant and subordinate birds using a paired t -test. No difference was found in performance between dominant and subordinate birds ( p > 0.05) suggesting that in chickens, ability to learn a novel visual discrimination task is not well correlated with rank. Additional studies, particularly using different learning paradigms, are needed to confirm these results.
The 30-minute rule for reissuing blood: are we needlessly discarding units?

The standards of the American Association of Blood Banks require that blood for reissue must be maintained continuously between 1 and 10 degrees C. To comply with this standard, most transfusion services have set a 30-minute limit on the time that a unit of blood can be out of a monitored refrigerator before it must be discarded. The primary reason for such a time limit is to reduce the risk that small numbers of contaminating bacteria could grow to lethal numbers before the blood is administered. An extensive review of the pertinent literature revealed that the organisms that may survive refrigeration (i.e., psychrophilic bacteria) are unable to begin logarithmic phase growth for several hours after returning to room temperature. This is due to alterations in bacterial enzyme systems and membrane lipids that occur during growth at refrigerator temperatures and that must be repaired before rapid growth may occur. On the basis of this information, it appears that the 30-minute limit could be extended to 2 hours without any increased risk to the recipient. Such a policy change could save 18,000 units of blood per year in the United States.
Molecular Marker Analysis of Seed Size in Soybean

Seed size is an important attribute of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] for some food uses. The objectives of this study were to identify simple-sequence-repeat (SSR) markers associated with quantitative trait loci for seed size (SSQTL) and to compare the effectiveness of phenotypic selection and marker-assisted selection for seed size among individual F 2 plants. Three small-seeded lines were crossed to parents with normal seed size to form three two-parent populations. The parents of the populations were screened with 178 SSR markers to identify polymorphism. Population 1 (Pop 1) had 75 polymorphic SSR markers covering 1306 centimorgans (cM), Pop 2 had 70 covering 1143 cM, and Pop 3 had 82 covering 1237 cM. Seed size of each population was determined with 100 F 2 plants grown at Isabela, Puerto Rico, and their F 2 -derived lines grown in two replications at three environments. Single-factor analysis of variance and multiple regression were used to determine significant marker-SSQTL associations. Population 1 had 12 markers that individually accounted for 8.1 to 14.9% of the variation for seed size combined across environments, Pop 2 had 16 markers that individually accounted for 7.8 to 36.5% of the variation, and Pop 3 had 22 markers that individually accounted for 8.6 to 28.8% of the variation. Three marker loci that had significant SSQTL associations in this study also were significant in previous research, and 13 markers had unique SSQTL associations. The relative effectiveness of phenotypic and marker-assisted selection among F 2 plants varied for the three populations. Averaged across the three populations, phenotypic selection for seed size was as effective and less expensive than marker-assisted selection.
An approximate confidence interval for survival probability based on Jackson's method for the analysis of mark-recapture data

A common problem in mark-recapture studies is that the effects of mortality and emigration are confounded. Jackson's method is a simple and elegant way to separate these effects. This paper describes an approximate confidence interval for survival probability based on Jackson's method. Some simulation results are presented suggesting that the confidence interval works well in situations where the bias of Jackson's method is small.
σ Receptors: potential medications development target for anti-cocaine agents

The ability of cocaine to interact with σ receptors suggests a viable target for medications development. Recently, numerous novel compounds and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting σ receptors have been synthesized and shown to prevent the behavioral toxicity and psychomotor stimulant effects of cocaine in animals. Protective doses of σ receptor antagonists have also been shown to prevent changes in gene expression that are induced by cocaine. Together, the studies provide insight and promising future directions for the development of potential medications for the treatment of cocaine addiction and overdose.
Fundamental Interactions of Fe in Silicon: First-Principles Theory

Interstitial iron and iron-acceptor pairs are well studied but undesirable defects in Si as they are strong recombination centers which resist hydrogen passivation. Thermal anneals often result in the precipitation of Fe. Relatively little information is available about the interactions between Fe and native defects or common impurities in Si. We present the results of first-principles calculations of Fe interactions with native defects (vacancy, self-interstitial) and common impurities such as C, O, H, or Fe. The goal is to understand the fundamental chemistry of Fe in Si, identify and characterize the type of complexes that occur. We predict the configurations, charge and spin states, binding and activation energies, and estimate the position of gap levels. The possibility of passivation is discussed.
Krylov iterative methods and synthetic acceleration for transport in binary statistical media

In particle transport applications there are numerous physical constructs in which heterogeneities are randomly distributed. The quantity of interest in these problems is the ensemble average of the flux, or the average of the flux over all possible material 'realizations.' The Levermore-Pomraning closure assumes Markovian mixing statistics and allows a closed, coupled system of equations to be written for the ensemble averages of the flux in each material. Generally, binary statistical mixtures are considered in which there are two (homogeneous) materials and corresponding coupled equations. The solution process is iterative, but convergence may be slow as either or both materials approach the diffusion and/or atomic mix limits. A three-part acceleration scheme is devised to expedite convergence, particularly in the atomic mix-diffusion limit where computation is extremely slow. The iteration is first divided into a series of 'inner' material and source iterations to attenuate the diffusion and atomic mix error modes separately. Secondly, atomic mix synthetic acceleration is applied to the inner material iteration and S"2 synthetic acceleration to the inner source iterations to offset the cost of doing several inner iterations per outer iteration. Finally, a Krylov iterative solver is wrapped around each iteration, inner and outer, to further expedite convergence. A spectral analysis is conducted and iteration counts and computing cost for the new two-step scheme are compared against those for a simple one-step iteration, to which a Krylov iterative method can also be applied.
Mutual fund flows and window-dressing

Abstract We use a sequential game to analyze an agency problem in the mutual fund industry where a representative fund manager considers window-dressing his portfolio holdings for the purpose of attracting fund flows from a representative investor. The manager is motivated to window-dress to improve the investor's perception of managerial skill which may positively affect fund flows in the next period. However, the investor may suspect window-dressing and thus downgrade perceived managerial skill. The model supports a Bayesian Nash equilibrium where the manager window-dresses only when receiving a low return in the first period and the investor withdraws funds only when observing low returns in both periods. Consequently, we show that window-dressing is a rational behavior even when fund outflows may result.
The effect of cobalt chloride on serum protein electrophoretic patterns in mice

Metals can produce diverse and varied effects on biochemical systems. Certain metals (such as cobalt) are known to be indispensable in trace quantities to some organisms yet will become toxic at higher concentrations [ 1, 21. However, the precise response elicited by various levels of this metal (and others) has been only partially investigated [3] and mechanisms by which metals function in order to produce these responses remain obscure. A diversity of biochemical effects can also be observed among classes of metals. Recently compounds of platinum and of rhodium were cited as potent anti-tumor agents [4] whereas a barium compound was noted to induce cancer development in human cervical cells [5]. It appears that the largely unexplored questions of how multivalent metal ions influence normal and pathological conditions in the cell are pertinent. The present study was undertaken to determine the in viva effect of cobalt chloride on mice serum protein electrophoretic patterns following short and long-term exposure to various levels of the salt.