cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Violence among Newly Sedentary Foragers

communities. However, her assessment (pp. 703-704, 709) that this information is at odds with my (1987) analysis of violence in simple human societies is curious; if anything, her material supports my analysis quite convincingly. By contrast, her assessment that centralized leadership is necessary to quell disturbance and that "sedentary societies cannot exist without formal centralized leadership at some level, be it internal or external" (p. 708) appears questionable. Kent here assumes the functionality of political legitimacy and superordinate control, as is perhaps also reflected in her choice of "Basarwa" as an ethnic designation. (Wilmsen [1989:278] states that "Zhu do not refer to themselves as Basarwa, except when they decry their downtrodden state.") The Kutse group described by Kent seems to be in the incipient stages of developing adult male status differentiations analogous to those of other sedentary San, as documented by Cashdan (1980), and the types of fighting Kent describes seem to be part of this process. Kent herself emphasizes the role of one man as organizer of the public beating she discusses and she states, "I believe he took the responsibility in an attempt to achieve a leadership position" (p. 707). This is quite consistent with my notion (Knauft 1987:479) that a more overt and chronically aggressive ethos develops as adult male status rivalries become prominent and politically foregrounded, for example, in disputes over material possessions and leadership rights in the context of sedentism. Far from lumping such violence with that in more politically decentralized nomadic foragers, as Kent (pp. 703, 709) suggests, I was particularly concerned to contrast the dynamics of violence in such different conditions.
Topological equivalence of bifurcation problems

A number of models have been developed, using singularity theory, for analysing the bifurcation of solutions to nonlinear problems as parameters vary. In all such models, there appear moduli, which parametrise families with continuously varying bifurcation behaviour. However, if one investigates the qualitative behaviour of the bifurcation branching, then, with the exception of certain special values, such families are qualitatively the same and the moduli effectively disappear. Such a qualitative investigation can be carried out by considering the 'topological equivalence' of bifurcation problems. The author considers such topological equivalence and derives sufficient conditions that: (1) bifurcation problems are topologically equivalent (and so describe the same qualitative branching behaviour for solutions); (2) bifurcation problems are topologically determined by a particular part of their Taylor expansions; and (3) moduli parameters are topologically redundant (and can be ignored) in 'universal models', which are models describing all possible bifurcation phenomena in a given problem.
Using LOINC to link 10 terminology standards to one unified standard in a specialized domain

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted Highlights? Ten existing cephalometric standards were unified to one terminology set. ? LOINC was used as the unifying standard the 10 standards mapped to. ? This methodology could be used for other similar projects. Despite the existence of multiple standards for the coding of biomedical data and the known benefits of doing so, there remain a myriad of biomedical information domain spaces that are essentially un-coded and unstandardized. Perhaps a worse situation is when the same or similar information in a given domain is coded to a variety of different standards. Such is the case with cephalometrics - standardized measurements of angles and distances between specified landmarks on X-ray film used for orthodontic treatment planning and a variety of research applications. We describe how we unified the existing cephalometric definitions from 10 existing cephalometric standards to one unifying terminology set using an existing standard (LOINC). Using our example of an open and web-based orthodontic case file system, we describe how this work benefited our project and discuss how adopting or expanding established standards can benefit other similar projects in specialized domains.
MODIS data used to study 2002 fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia

Smoke and haze blanketed western Indonesia during August and September 2002, signaling the arrival of another El Nino event in Southeast Asia. Although not as severe as the 1997–1998 El Nino event, the 2002 El Nino produced drought conditions in western Indonesia that favored extensive biomass burning in lowland areas of Borneo, Sumatra, and Sulawesi, three of the largest islands that form part of the vast Indonesian archipelago. Data derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) on board the NASA Terra satellite showed that most of the burning during 2002 occurred in central and western Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), where forests are being cleared to make way for industrial oil palm and pulp plantations. Comparison of fire data from several different satellite sensors also reveals that fires detected in Kalimantan during 1997 appeared more numerous (Figure 1) and burned over a longer period (Figure 2) than fires that burned in late 2002 (see discussion below). This result is consistent with recent El Nino observations that characterize the current event as moderate relative to the 1997–1998 event (see http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/).
Discontinuous gas exchange patterns of beet armyworm pupae, Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1C toxin, pupal age and temperature

. Changes in the discontinuous gas exchange cycle of pupal beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), exposed or not to Cry1C Bacillus thuringiensis toxin, are examined against developmental age (1–7 days) and at different temperatures (10–25 °C) using flow through respirometry. Both exposed and nonexposed pupae exhibit discontinuous gas exchange, but only at 10 °C; the frequency of cyclic release of CO2 increases with increasing temperatures. The three phases of the discontinuous gas exchange cycle are distinct for both treatment groups. However, the duration of each phase is significantly greater for pupae exposed previously to toxin. The closed phase is 40 ± 14% longer, the flutter phase 23 ± 19% longer, and the open phase is 28 ± 12% longer when pupae were exposed to toxin. Respiratory water loss is 4.5 ± 1.3% for toxin exposed pupae and 2.1 ± 2.4% for unexposed pupae. Furthermore, the exposed pupae have significantly greater cuticular permeability (26.01 ± 1.9 µg cm−2 h−1 mmHg−1) than the nonexposed pupae (9.64 ± 0.9 µg cm−2 h−1 mmHg−1). However, in both strains, cuticular transpiration (>93%) far exceeds respiratory transpiration. Overall, total water loss is significantly greater in pupae whose larvae are exposed to toxin compared with pupae from nontreated larvae. Toxin exposed pupae have a mean cycle duration of 60 ± 2.5 min whereas that of nonexposed pupae is 42 ± 1.8 min.(ml g−1 h−1) of the open phase is greater earlier in pupal life followed by a minimum at mid-pupal stage and an increase at late-pupal development in both treatment groups. Combining all 7 days, closed, flutter and open phase (ml g−1 h−1), pupae exposed to toxin produce significantly more CO2 during each phase. On average, toxin exposed pupae produce 52 ± 12, 43 ± 10 and 15 ± 37% more CO2 than the untreated pupae during the closed, flutter and open phases, respectively. Therefore, the present study reinforces the need to use insects of similar developmental age in studies of insect respiration patterns and energy metabolism.
Nature of the intrinsic protein kinases involved in phosphorylation of non-histone proteins in intact prostatic nuclei: further identification of androgen-sensitive protein kinase reactions.

Nuclei isolated from rat ventral prostate contain a number of messenger-dependent and -independent protein kinases. Studies were undertaken to determine the relative contribution of these protein kinases in phosphorylation of non-histone proteins (NHPs) in isolated nuclei. The data suggest that messenger-dependent protein kinases such as those dependent on cAMP or Ca2+/calmodulin or Ca2−/phospholipid may be present in very small amounts in intact isolated nuclei, and thus appear not to be significantly involved in phosphorylation of endogenous NHPs. Messenger-independent nuclear associated protein kinases PK-N1 and PK-N2 are known to catalyze the phosphorylation of NHPs in vitro (Goueli SA, et al., Eur J Biochem 113: 45–51, 1980). Of these, the intrinsic heparin-sensitive PK-N2 as compared with heparin-insensitive PK-N1 appeared to be the predominant protein kinase engaged in phosphorylation of NHPs in intact nuclei. About 78–88% of NHP phosphorylation in intact nuclei was inhibited by heparin suggesting that the remaining 12–22% phosphorylation of NHPs was catalyzed via the heparin-insensitive protein kinase(s). Further, the data provide additional evidence that heparin-sensitive PK-N2 is the one that is most responsive to androgenic status in the animal.
New Sorbents for Desulfurization of Liquid Fuels by π-Complexation

CuY and AgY zeolites were studied as selective sorbents for the desulfurization of liquid fuels. Thiophene and benzene were used as the model system, and vapor-phase isotherms were measured. Compared to NaY, CuY and AgY adsorbed significantly larger amounts of both thiophene and benzene at low pressures as a result of π-complexation with Cu+ and Ag+. On a per-cation basis, more thiophene was adsorbed by Cu+ than by Ag+, e.g., 0.92 molecule/Cu+ vs 0.42 molecule/Ag+ at 2 × 10-5 atm and 120 °C. Molecular orbital calculations confirmed the relative strengths of π-complexation as thiophene > benzene and Cu+ > Ag+. The experimental heats of adsorption for π-complexation are in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.
Human cardiac troponin I: a Langmuir monolayer study.

Human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is the preferred biomarker in the assessment of myocardial infarction. It is known to interact with troponin C and T to form a trimeric complex. Whereas small amounts are found in the cytoplasm, most of cTnI is in the form of a complex with actin located in myofilaments. To understand these interactions of cTnI better, we first investigated the surface chemistry of cTnI as a Langmuir monolayer spread at the air−water interface. We investigated the optimal conditions for obtaining a stable Langmuir monolayer in terms of changing the ionic strength of the subphase using different concentrations of potassium chloride. Monolayer stability was investigated by compressing the cTnI monolayer to a specific surface pressure and keeping the surface pressure constant while measuring the decrease in the molecular area as a function of time. Aggregation and/or domain formation was investigated by using compression−decompression cycles, in situ UV−vis spectroscopy, Brewster angle microsc...
Famous last words

My former students and colleagues have had their say about their experiences with me. It is only fair that I have the opportunity to reply, and as they say, extend and amplify my comments. I hope these clarifications and amplifications are useful to the reader.
Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: Reaction Pathways for 14C-Labeled Acetic Acid

Reaction pathways for 14C labeled acetic acid (at both carboxylic and methyl positions) added during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over a doubly promoted fused iron catalysts were studied in a CSTR at 100 psig, 270 °C and ca. 90% CO conversion. The addition of acetic acid slightly affected the CO conversion but results in a significant reduction in H2 conversion. Both the unlabeled and labeled acetic acid addition caused a large decrease in the alkene ratio for C2 hydrocarbons as compared to an increase for the C3 and C4 hydrocarbons suggesting a direct formation pathway of ethane from added acetic acid. The 1-alkene/2-alkene fraction was found to increase significantly when acetic acid was added and returned to the original value once the addition is terminated, indicating inhibition of hydrogenation activity of the catalyst by acetic acid. Distribution of 14C suggests some C–C bond rupture and direct formation of ethane from labeled acetic acid. In the case of 1-14C labeled acetic acid addition, the gradual increase of the relative molar activity (14C content per mole) with carbon number reveals that 14C containing part of acetic acid initiate chain growth and also participates in the chain propagation for hydrocarbon formation in FTS. When acetic acid labeled at methyl position was added, the results indicated that 14C containing part of acetic acid participates in chain initiation only. The addition of acetic acid decreases methane and methanol selectivity while it increases ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetone selectivity in FTS. Reaction of acetic acid during FTS was found to produce products like ethyl butanoate, ethylene glycol, and its ether, 1,2-diethoxyethane which are not generally observed in the normal FTS product spectrum. The results indicate that acetic acid is not a significant intermediate in FTS with an iron catalyst. 14C-distribution in most of the labeled oxygenate compounds are consistent with the hydrogenation of the acetic acid to acetaldehyde and/or ethanol as primary products followed by secondary reaction of these two primary oxygenate products.
When Should Sedation or Neuromuscular Blockade Be Used During Mechanical Ventilation

Sedation has become an important part of critical care practice in minimizing patient discomfort and agitation during mechanical ventilation. Pain, anxiety, and delirium form a triad of factors that can lead to agitation. Achieving and maintaining an optimal level of comfort and safety in the intensive care unit plays an essential part in caring for critically ill patients. Sedatives, opioids, and neuromuscular blocking agents are commonly used in the intensive care unit. The goal of therapy should be directed toward a specific indication, not simply to provide restraint. Standard rating scales and unit-based guidelines facilitate the proper use of sedation and neuromuscular blocking agents. The goal of sedation is a calm, comfortable patient who can easily be aroused and who can tolerate mechanical ventilation and procedures required for their care.
Amino acid side chain interactions in the presence of salts.

The effects of salt on the intermolecular interactions between polar/charged amino acids are investigated through molecular dynamics simulations. The mean forces and associated potentials are calculated for NaCl salt in the 0−2 M concentration range at 298 K. It is found that the addition of salt may stabilize or destabilize the interactions, depending on the nature of the interacting molecules. The degree of (de)stabilization is quantified, and the origin of the salt-dependent modulation is discussed based upon an analysis of solvent density profiles. To gain insight into the molecular origin of the salt modulation, spatial distribution functions (sdf's) are calculated, revealing a high degree of solvent structuredness in all cases. The peaks in the sdf's are consistent with long-range hydrogen-bonding networks connecting the solute hydrophilic groups, and that contribute to their intermolecular solvent-induced forces. The restructuring of water around the solutes as they dissociate from close contact is...
Tubercular pancreatic abscess presenting as Fever and cystic pancreatic lesion with endoscopic management.

Isolated pancreatic tuberculosis is a rare presentation of tubercular infection. There are few reported cases of pancreatic tuberculosis diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS FNA) [1–5], though EUS is often used in the evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions [6]. We present a case of a tubercular pancreatic abscess presenting as a cystic lesion in a patient with undiagnosed immunodeficiency. The abscess was aspirated by EUS FNA and treated with endoscopic drainage and antimycobacterial medications.
In the SOAP: the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) from the perspective of a Community Hospital Residency

The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) was developed by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) as a way to modernize and streamline the ‘Scramble’ process for unfilled positions during Match Week of the Main Residency Match. As we all know, competition for residency spots is becoming more fierce, and the number of total unmatched applicants to PGY-1 positions (8,794 in 2010) continues to rise as unfilled PGY-1 positions (1,060 in 2010) continue to fall (1). Historically, the Scramble would begin on Tuesday at noon EST and conclude at noon on Thursday. The majority of spots were allotted within 4 hours, and over 90% were filled with 48 hours in 2009 and 2010 (2). In those hours, there was widespread panic, lots of wheeling and dealing and a huge disorganized influx of faxes, telephone calls, and emails. (Published: 16 July 2012) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2012, 2 : 18712 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v2i2.18712
A dichotic rhythm task: advantage for the left-handed.

Abstract Right- and left-handed subjects responded to a task which required identification of signal events embedded in four-beat dichotic rhythm patterns. Lefthanded subjects reported a significantly greater number of signals from both ears than did right-handed subjects. The results suggested that left-handed subjects may be better able to analyze simultaneous stimuli and integrate differential information from them into a coherent response structure. The data further support a bi-dominant theory of left-handedness.
The influence of size, shape and vessel geometry on nanoparticle distribution

Nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging as promising carrier platforms for targeted drug delivery and imaging probes. To evaluate the delivery efficiency, it is important to predict the distribution of NPs within blood vessels. NP size, shape and vessel geometry are believed to influence its biodistribution in circulation. Whereas, the effect of size on nanoparticle distribution has been extensively studied, little is known about the shape and vessel geometry effect. This paper describes a computational model for NP transport and distribution in a mimetic branched blood vessel using combined NP Brownian dynamics and continuum fluid mechanics approaches. The simulation results indicate that NPs with smaller size and rod shape have higher binding capabilities as a result of smaller drag force and larger contact area. The binding dynamics of rod-shaped NPs is found to be dependent on their initial contact points and orientations to the wall. Higher concentration of NPs is observed in the bifurcation area compared to the straight section of the branched vessel. Moreover, it is found that Peclet number plays an important role in determining the fraction of NPs deposited in the branched region and the straight section. Simulation results also indicate that NP binding decreases with increased shear rate. Dynamic NP re-distribution from low to high shear rates is observed due to the non-uniform shear stress distribution over the branched channel. This study would provide valuable information for NP distribution in a complex vascular network.
Lifted Jacobi Equation for Varying Penalty Parameter in the Riemannian Geometry of Quantum Computation

Recent developments in the differential geometry of quantum computation are exposited. The quantum evolution is described in terms of the special unitary group of n-qubit unitary operators with unit determinant. The group manifold is taken to be Riemannian. In the present work, the lifted Jacobi equation and geodesic derivative are reviewed. This is applicable to investigations of conjugate points and the global characteristics of geodesic paths in the group manifold, and the determination of optimal quantum circuits for carrying out a quantum computation.
Effect of P-wave scattering on velocity and attenuation in unconsolidated sand saturated with immiscible liquids

Seismic wave tomography is a potentially powerful tool for detecting and delineating nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants in the shallow subsurface. To develop this application, we are conducting laboratory and numerical studies to understand the mechanisms of P-wave transmission through NAPL-water‐sand systems. P-wave measurements of traveltime and amplitude were taken in the 100–900 kHz frequency range through saturated sand with variable NAPL content. To simulate the stress conditions of the shallow surface, a low confining and axial pressure of 60 and 140 kPa, respectively, was applied. The measurements show a significant change in the traveltime and amplitude of the primary arrival as a function of NAPL saturation. To simulate the laboratory measurements, we performed numerical calculations of P-wave propagation through a 1-D medium. The results show that the main behavior of traveltime and amplitude variation can be explained by P-wave scattering. This represents an alternative explanation to...
Angular Circulation Speed of Tablets in a Vibratory Tablet Coating Pan

In this work, a single tablet model and a discrete element method (DEM) computer simulation are developed to obtain the angular circulation speed of tablets in a vibratory tablet coating pan for range of vibration frequencies and amplitudes. The models identify three important dimensionless parameters that influence the speed of the tablets: the dimensionless amplitude ratio (a/R), the Froude number (aω2/g), and the tablet–wall friction coefficient, where a is the peak vibration amplitude at the drum center, ω is the vibration angular frequency, R is the drum radius, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The models predict that the angular circulation speed of tablets increases with an increase in each of these parameters. The rate of increase in the angular circulation speed is observed to decrease for larger values of a/R. The angular circulation speed reaches an asymptote beyond a tablet–wall friction coefficient value of about 0.4. Furthermore, it is found that the Froude number should be greater than one for the tablets to start circulating. The angular circulation speed increases as Froude number increases but then does not change significantly at larger values of the Froude number. Period doubling, where the motion of the bed is repeated every two cycles, occurs at a Froude number larger than five. The single tablet model, although much simpler than the DEM model, is able to predict the maximum circulation speed (the limiting case for a large value of tablet–wall friction coefficient) as well as the transition to period doubling.
Measuring technological change through patents and innovation surveys

Abstract This article provides an overview of recent research using innovation surveys and patent data as indicators of technological activity. The conceptual and methodological problems of ‘measuring’ technology are discussed, with a classification of the types of information which can be drawn from patent databases and from surveys of both innovations and the innovative efforts of firms. The findings and the methodological strengths and weaknesses of such studies are reviewed, considering first the evidence at the firm level, second the analysis of the industrial structure and finally the evidence at the country level and the process of globalization. The overview shows that rich and important evidence on the technological activities of firms is offered by these indicators. A summary of new departures for research based on innovation and patent data concludes the paper.
Trustee decisions in investment and finance

When a trustee makes a decision for a client, a standard objective is to decide as the client would if he had the trustee's information. How can this objective be attained when, given the trustee's information, there is still uncertainty about the consequences of alternative courses of action? A promising approach is to apply the rule to maximize expected utility using the client's utilities for consequences and the trustee's probabilities for states. But taking utilities and probabilities from different sources causes a problem that has to be resolved. Briefly, the problem is that the client's utilities for consequences involve assessments of risks that are uninformed because he does not have informed probabilities. And the resolution of the problem is to reconstruct his utilities for consequences using a component due to risk that the trustee supplies for the client, and a component due to other consequences that the client supplies for himself.
Failure of ozone susceptibility tests to predict yield reductions in wheat

Abstract Several measures of injury to wheat seedlings following an acute exposure to ozone were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in predicting susceptible and tolerant cultivars of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., to ozone. Estimates of plant susceptibility from visual injury, chlorophyll loss, and stress ethylene production did not correlate with each other or with actual yield reductions in plants exposed to long term treatment with ozone. The inability of tested measures to accurately predict ozone susceptible and tolerant cultivars limits the use of these measures as rapid screening techniques for determining sensitibity of wheat cultivars to ozone.
High-Yield Synthesis of Multi-Branched Urchin-Like Gold Nanoparticles

Here, we report on an aqueous room temperature synthesis method for the production of gold nanoparticles that have a number (>4) of branches ultimately resembling the shape of sea urchins. The particles are synthesized in the presence of water soluble thiol terminated molecules, used as ligand molecules. These nano-urchins are produced in high yield and exhibit unique optical properties. The thiolated ligands stabilize the particles, making it possible to dry them and store them for days. When redissolved, the particles show some aggregation but not a loss in shape; their extinction spectrum shows a shift in the plasmon resonance from 585 to 622 nm together with a peak broadening. Large local electromagnetic (EM) field enhancements are expected near the sharp featured branches of the nano-urchins. Finite difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations performed on a nanoparticle with four branches show enhancements of the light intensity relative to the incident field of approximately 3000-fold. We reason that...
Nature and magnitude of calcium uptake by excised roots of Vetch and Barley

Generally, Ca uptakes were higher and K uptakes lower for excised vetch roots as opposed to those of barley under similar conditions. This behavior was considered to be related to root ion exchange properties and Dorman theory, since the ion exchange capacity of vetch roots is considerably higher than that of barley. Metabolic inhibitors were very effective against K uptakes in contrast to Ca uptakes by both vetch and barley indicating that Ca uptake was primarily non-metabolic under these experimental conditions. The rapidity with which most of the Ca previously taken up was removed by a Ba solution suggests that, for short time periods, a quasi-reversible ion exchange relationship existed between Ba and Ca. Fundamental differences between Ca and K washout curves are attributed to this primarily non-metabolic process. It was concluded that uptake of Ca by excised vetch and barley roots is basically of a surface nature.
Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania: A disabling headache syndrome responding to indomethacin

A 57-year-old man experienced daily episodes of unilateral headache accompanied by homolateral partial Horner syndrome and rhinorrhea for more than 40 years. Treatment with indomethacin eliminated these headaches. The patient's illness is best classified as "chronic paroxysmal hemicrania" as described by Sjaastad and Dale.
Multinuclear NMR studies of single lipid bilayers supported in cylindrical aluminum oxide nanopores.

Lipid bilayers were deposited inside the 0.2 μm pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) filters by extrusion of multilamellar liposomes and their properties studied by 2 H, 3 1 P, and 1 H solid-state NMR. Only the first bilayer adhered strongly to the inner surface of the pores. Additional layers were washed out easily by a flow of water as demonstrated by 1 H magic angle spinning NMR experiments with addition of Pr 3 + ions to shift accessible lipid headgroup resonances. A 13 mm diameter Anopore filter of 60 μm thickness oriented approximately 2.5 x 10 - 7 mol of lipid as a single bilayer, corresponding to a total membrane area of about 500 cm 2 . The 2 H NMR spectra of chain deuterated POPC are consistent with adsorption of wavy, tubular bilayers to the inner pore surface. By NMR diffusion experiments, we determined the average length of those lipid tubules to be approximately 0.4 μm. There is evidence for a thick water layer between lipid tubules and the pore surface. The ends of tubules are well sealed against the pore such that Pr 3 + ions cannot penetrate into the water underneath the bilayers. We successfully trapped poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a molecular weight of 8000 in this water layer. From the quantity of trapped PEG, we calculated an average water layer thickness of 3 nm. Lipid order parameters and motional properties are unperturbed by the solid support, in agreement with existence of a water layer. Such unperturbed, solid supported membranes are ideal for incorporation of membrane-spanning proteins with large intra- and extracellular domains. The experiments suggest the promise of such porous filters as membrane support in biosensors.
Comparative anatomy: in praise of a powerful approach to elucidate mechanisms translating cardiac excitation into purposeful contraction

This review wishes to illustrate and, thus, reemphasize the importance of descriptive comparative anatomy for the elucidation of mechanisms driving cardiac function at different levels of spatial resolution. The following examples have been chosen: 1. the cardiac conduction system; and 2. the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac and skeletal muscle. Both examples demonstrate that anatomy and geometry dictate the mechanistic behaviour of the systems under discussion, and that precise knowledge of the architecture of biological systems, in general, is crucial for an understanding of how function is consummated. The detailed comparative display and discussion of the sarcoplasmic reticulum's architecture serves the additional purpose of exposing important anatomical and geometric features of this organelle at a time when considerable efforts are being expended toward the unravelling of the mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling; anatomy is manifestly critical to these efforts.
Slow-wave sleep deprivation and waking function.

SUMMARY Slow-wave sleep (SWS) has been theorized to be an intense form of nonREM sleep, but selective deprivation of SWS or Stage 4 sleep has not been shown to cause greater decrements in alertness or performance, compared to deprivation or disruption of the other stages of sleep. The present experiment examined the effects of marked SWS deprivation (SD) for two nights, a control sleep disruption (CD) condition in which minutes of SWS were preserved, and a no sleep disruption (ND) condition. Daytime sleepiness was assessed with the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and performance was evaluated with the simulated assembly line task (SALT), neither of which was used in previous studies of SWS or Stage 4 sleep deprivation. In agreement with prior studies, two nights of SD did not cause greater daytime sleepiness than did CD, although sleepiness in both conditions was increased compared to the ND condition. In addition, neither SD nor CD caused declines in performance or mood. However, post hoc analysis suggests an interaction between SWS and sleep duration, such that sufficient SWS may tend to prevent adverse effects of mild sleep loss on waking function.
THE GRAND MENHIR BRISÉ: ITS FALL and FRACTURE

Summary The stability of the Grand Menhir against high velocity winds, and its fall and subsequent breakage are analyzed dynamically. It is concluded that the present locations of the fragments indicate strongly that the menhir was indeed erected and that it broke on impacting with the ground. the Grand Menhir Brise represents a unique example of breakage in which dynamical principles of solid mechanics have been found scientifically appropriate.
Absolute photoionization cross-section measurements of the excited 4D and 5S states of sodium

We have measured the absolute cross section for photoionization of the $4D$ and $5S$ excited states of sodium for 1.06 \ensuremath{\mu}m radiation. The method of measurement is based on saturation of ionization probability at high intensity of the ionizing radiation. The measured cross sections for ionization of unaligned atoms are 15.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.7 Mb for the $4D$ state and 1.49\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13 Mb for the $5S$ state, both in excellent agreement with calculated values.
Recent clinical progress in Gaucher disease.

Purpose of reviewMajor clinical advances in Gaucher disease focus on detection, prediction and treatment of variant phenotypes.Recent findingsThe advent of efficacious enzyme therapy has emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to prevent the morbid manifestations of the disease
Management of Pediatric and Adolescent Breast Masses

Breast masses in children and adolescents are uncommon and most often benign. Occasionally, however, they require surgical intervention for lifestyle limiting symptoms or malignant potential. These masses are best evaluated with physical exam and ultrasound. Breast masses likely to be encountered by the surgeon in the pediatric and adolescent population include intraductal papillomas, phyllodes tumors, primary breast cancer, and metastatic lesions. Unlike adults, pediatric and adolescent breast cancer tends to be of the secretory variety and typically have less metastatic potential. However, cases of inflammatory and medullary breast cancers have also been reported in girls and appear more aggressive. Radiation exposure during breast development is a risk factor to subsequent development of breast cancer. Surgical objective for a concerning pediatric and adolescent breast mass is complete resection while preserving normal breast development, when appropriate. The need for routine axillary dissection for malignant cases in children appears unnecessary from the limited data available, and the authors favor sentinel lymph node sampling and reserve axillary dissection for positive lymph nodes.
Size Dimorphism and Food Habits of North American Owls

Although in most species of birds the male is characteristically larger than the female, the direction of size dimorphism among many birds of prey is reversed; the female is larger than the male. This reversal is present in the orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes and in the families Stercorariidae and Fregatidae (Amadon 1959:534). Several authors have discussed the possible origin and significance of sexual dimorphism in size in raptorial birds. Briill (1937), Hagen (1942), Dementiev (1951), Storer (1952, 1966), and Selander (1966) believe that the increased size of the female over the male permits differential niche utilization by the sexes; that is, a difference in sizes of the sexes would allow an
Avian influenza: the next pandemic?

In 1997, a novel strain of influenza A (H5N1) was discovered in poultry in South Asia and China. Since that time, this avian influenza virus has undergone a number of mutational changes and has spread widely in poultry and birds. Its adaptation to migratory birds in 2005 provided the opportunity for even more widespread dissemination, which now includes 50 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Although the virus has yet to obtain the necessary genes for efficient human-human transmission, it has already caused more than 100 human fatalities throughout the world. As the virus continues to propagate widely in birds and poultry, the likelihood of its acquiring the genetic mechanisms for human-human transmission increases. If this does occur, the ensuing worldwide pandemic could be catastrophic.
Meshfree Method for Inelastic Frame Analysis

The feasibility of using meshfree methods in nonlinear structural analysis is explored in an attempt to establish a new paradigm in structural engineering computation. A blended finite-element and meshfree Galerkin approximation scheme is adopted to solve the inelastic response of plane frames. In the proposed method, moving least-squares shape functions represent the displacement field, a plane stress approximation of the two-dimensional domain simulates beam bending, J2 plasticity characterizes material behavior, and stabilized nodal integration yields the discrete equations. The particular case of steel frames composed of wide flange sections is investigated, though the concepts introduced can be extended to other structural materials and systems. Results of numerical simulations are compared with analytical solutions, finite-element simulations, and experimental data to validate the methodology. The findings indicate that meshfree methods offer an alternative approach with enhanced capabilities for no...
Maximally even sets and configurations: common threads in mathematics, physics, and music

Convex (concave) interaction weighting functions are combined with circular configurations of black and white sites to determine configurations that have minimum (maximum) weight. These configurations are called maximally even configurations. It is shown that for a given number of black and white sites, all maximally even configurations are equivalent under rotation and reflection, and a simple algorithm is constructed that generates these configurations. A number of equivalent conditions that determine a maximally even configuration are established. These equivalent conditions permit maximally even configurations to apply to a number of seemingly disparate problems including the dinner table and concentric circles problems, the one-dimensional antiferromagnetic Ising model, and musical scales.
Transanal rectosigmoid resection for severe intractable idiopathic constipation

Abstract Introduction Idiopathic constipation is a source of significant morbidity in children. A subset of patients is refractory to medical therapy and requires surgical intervention. We present a novel surgical technique for the management of these patients. Methods We reviewed the records of 288 patients with severe idiopathic constipation and soiling. Patients who were refractory to medical management and had a megarectosigmoid underwent a transanal full-thickness rectosigmoid resection with a primary colo-anal anastomosis. Results Fifteen patients underwent a transanal rectosigmoid resection. The preoperative contrast enema demonstrated an enormously dilated rectosigmoid in 14. An average of 43 cm (range, 8-98 cm) of rectosigmoid was resected. Of 14 patients with more than 3 months of follow-up, the preoperative laxative dose was 68 mg of senna/d (range, 52-95 mg), which decreased to 8.6 mg postoperatively ( P Conclusion Transanal rectosigmoid resection for medically intractable idiopathic constipation resulted in a dramatic reduction or elimination in laxatives use while preserving continence. It is a useful alternative to surgical options such as other colonic resections, antegrade enemas, and stomas.
Work at the Limits: A Response to My Critics

Abstract This essay is a response to Paul Harvey’s, Sylvester Johnson’s, Kathryn Lofton’s, and Jennifer Scheper Hughes’s readings of More than Belief (2011).
Purification and partial sequencing of the XL-I form of xenobiotic-metabolizing medium chain fatty acid:Coa ligase from bovine liver mitochondria, and its homology with the essential hypertension protein

The XL-I form of xenobiotic-metabolizing medium-chain fatty acid:CoA ligase was purified to apparent homogeneity from bovine liver mitochondria. The procedure gave rise to a 435-fold increase in specific activity, with a yield of 12%. The enzyme eluted from a gel filtration column as a single peak with an apparent molecular weight of ca. 55,000. It ran as a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) which had an apparent molecular weight of 62 kDa. N-Terminal sequence analysis of the enzyme gave no sequence, which indicates a blocked N-terminus. To obtain sequence data, the enzyme was cleaved at methionine residues using CNBr. The resulting peptides were separated by SDS-PAGE. The cleavage pattern revealed two large peptides with molecular weights of ca. 10,000 and 12,000, plus several smaller peptides of lesser intensity. The 10 kDa and 12 kDa peptides were electroblotted onto Trans-Blot, and then sequenced directly from the blot. The N-terminal sequences of these two peptides are presented. When compared with known sequences it was discovered that these two peptides both have high homology with regions of the SA essential hypertension protein. This suggests a role for a carboxylic acid:CoA ligase in the control of high blood pressure.
Interrelationships among the plasma membrane, the membrane skeleton and surface form in a unicellular flagellate

Surface isolates or membrane skeletons from surface isolates can maintain the cell and surface form characteristic of euglenoids. We now report that the plasma membrane alone obtained by trypsin or urea digestion of surface isolates can also maintain surface form, but the membrane skeleton is able to produce striking changes in membrane organization. Trypsin digests microtubules, the membrane skeleton and partially digests the major integral membrane protein from surface isolates but does not alter the paracrystalline plasma membrane interior. Extraction of surface isolates with 4M urea leaves an insoluble plasma membrane and a subset of proteins arranged perpendicularly to the membrane surface. To resolve further the relationship between the plasma membrane and the membrane skeleton we have perturbed membrane organization by extraction of surface isolates with NaOH and find that readdition of the extract followed by neutralization restored important features of the membrane skeleton and caused patching of the membrane interior. Biochemically, the reassembled membrane skeleton consisted of 80 and 86 kD polypeptides and other less abundant proteins, and structurally the reassembled membrane skeleton was about the same thickness as the native membrane skeleton. Reassembly of the membrane skeleton appeared to be saturatable in that addition of an excess of extract had no effect on the thickness of the membrane skeletal layer. When the 80 kD protein was depleted from the reassembly mixture by affinity chromatography using Sepharose-bound monoclonal antibodies, the amount of 86 kD protein bound was significantly reduced, suggesting a dependance of 86 kD protein on 80 kD binding. A urea soluble fraction enriched in the 80 and 86 kD proteins was added to alkali-stripped membranes and 170 A filaments were formed perpendicularly to the membrane surface. From the sum of these experiments we suggest that a) the native amorphous membrane skeleton ofEuglena may consist of a framework of 80 and 86 kD filaments arranged in a brush-like layer, b) the framework can direct plasma membrane organization, but once determined, membrane form remains stable to urea and trypsin but not to alkali, and c) new surface growth can in theory occur as an expansion of the brush-like layer by direct intercalation of filaments enriched in or consisting wholly of 80 and 86 kD proteins.
Adult calendar calculators in a psychiatric OPD: a report of two cases and comparative analysis of abilities.

Two case reports are presented of psychiatric patients discovered in an adult psychiatric OPD who were proficient calendar calculators. Both were found to have similarities in history, clinical presentation, and symptomatology. Reaction times of both subjects on a set of 192 test dates were not random but were significantly predicted by the year and the month. In one subject (Tim), performance based on a visual stimulus differed little from that from an auditory stimulus. Although one subject was faster and more accurate, their response times significantly correlated. Statistical analysis revealed that this shared common variance resided in the month and year. It is hypothesized that they both employ their memory organized around a calendar-based system that entails keying off from December 1 of the test year.
Worker size variability and foraging efficiency in Veromessor pergandei (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

As foragers of the harvester ant, Veromessor pergandei, travel further from their nest they spend significantly more time sampling seeds in experimental patches. Although accepted seeds are heavier than offered seeds, mass of accepted seed is not correlated with sampling time. Variably sized V. pergandei workers do not “size-match”; little, if any, variance in size of seed selected can be attributed to body size of forager. The lack of size-matching in V. pergandei suggests individual performance may be an inadequate measure of colony foraging success.
Recombinant human immunodeficiency virus-1 transactivator of transcription1-86 allosterically modulates dopamine transporter activity.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 positive drug abusers exhibit greater neurological impairments and have higher rates of motor and cognitive dysfunction in comparison to HIV-1 negative drug abusers or HIV-1 positive individuals who do not abuse drugs”, it reads as “HIV-1 positive individuals who do not abuse drugs (Del Valle et al., 2000; Ferris et al., 2008; Hudson et al., 2010; Nath, 2010). Although the exact neuropathic basis for this HIV-1 drug abuse interaction is unknown, there has been recent recognition of a convergence between the toxicity of HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein and drugs of abuse within the ventral striatum dopaminergic system (Ferris et al., 2008; Nath, 2010). This putative interaction between the HIV-1 Tat protein and the dopamine (DA) system may produce the neurocognitive/motor impairments associated with chronic HIV-1 infection and drug abuse (Ferris et al., 2008; Harrod et al., 2008). Human imaging studies have found a significant reduction in DA transporter (DAT) density in HIV-1 positive patients, especially in those patients with cognitive/motor deficits and those with co-morbid cocaine abuse (Chang et al., 2008; Wang et al., 2004). We have reported that in vitro exposure to recombinant Tat1-86 decreased the specific [3H]DA uptake and [3H]WIN 35,428 binding sites without a change in total DAT immunoreactivity (Wallace et al., 2006; Zhu et al., 2009). Further, our research using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis has demonstrated that Tat protein interacts directly and specifically with hDAT-GFP in a concentration-dependent manner (Zhu et al., 2009). Thus, the accumulating evidence suggests that the influence of Tat on DAT function and DAT ligand binding sites involves a protein-protein interaction between Tat and DAT, possibly serving as a mechanistic basis for interactions between HIV-1 and cocaine.