cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Approaches to Long Document Summarization: Fourier Transform Based Attention in a Transformer Model

In this work, we extensively redesign the newly introduced method of token mixing using Fourier Transforms (FNET) to replace the computationally expensive self-attention mechanism in a full transformer implementation on a long document summarization task (> 512 tokens). As a baseline, we also carried out long document summarization using established methods such as Longformer and Big Bird transformer models that are capable of processing over 8000 tokens and are currently the state of the art methods for these type of problems. The original FNET paper implemented this in an encoder only architecture while abstractive summarization requires both an encoder and a decoder. Since such a pretrained transformer model does not currently exist in the public domain, we decided to implement a full transformer based on this Fourier token mixing approach in an encoder/decoder architecture which we trained starting with Glove embeddings for the individual words in the corpus. We investigated a number of different extensions to the original FNET architecture and evaluated them on their Rouge F1-score performance on a summarization task. All modifications showed better performance on the summarization task than when using the original FNET encoder in a transformer architecture.
On-line analysis of the GSR

This study reports the use of the λ, a measure of sequential dependency developed by Lathrop (1964) in connection with electrodermal activity. Thirteen female subjects, ranging in age from 19 to 53, participated in a simple repeat-stimulus habituation experiment: GSR data in percent-change and λ were compared. A high, positive correlation was obtained. Consequently, the use of λ is advocated because it shows both initial value and sequential dependency and meets the criteria for analysis based on the probability of statistics such ast andF.
What Shape is Your Resident in? Using a Radar Plot to Guide a Milestone Clinical Competency Discussion

OBJECTIVE One of the challenges for program directors (PDs) is to sort and weight the tidal wave of assessments that training programs create in the modern Milestone era. We evaluated whether the use of a radar plot (RP) would be helpful in sorting data and providing a graphic representation of each resident's progress. DESIGN Using at least 2 different types of assessments for each of the 16 surgical Milestones, the data were ranked and weighted by a predetermined method embedded in a computerized workbook (Excel). This process created a unique 16-spoked RP for each resident (Fig. below). The RP allowed the faculty to see areas of weakness (shown by concavity) and allowed an overall grade calculated as a ratio of the area of the smooth outer circle (faculty expectations, triangles) and the resident's unique radar shape (resident performance, squares). To help us validate our new tool, we looked at whether residents with recent remedial issues "looked" different from residents without remedial issues. RESULTS Of our 30 categorical residents, 8 had significant areas of concavities, suggesting possible areas of improvement. Of these 8 residents, 4 had been on a remediation program in the last 18 months. The average ratio of performance/expectations was 0.709. The 4 residents on recent remediation had a ratio of 0.616 when compared with 0.723 for the residents without remedial issues (p CONCLUSIONS Many exciting challenges await PDs, as we evolve to a competency-based evaluation system. The use of an evaluation summary tool using RPs may aid PDs in leading clinical competency discussions and in monitoring a resident's progress over time.
Integration Systems and Interaction Spaces

Integration systems are abstract methods of combining theories, computational paradigms, algorithms, and other rule-driven symbolic processing systems. This paper discusses our hopes and our progress in creating a principled approach to a theory of integration for large systems. First, we discuss two types of integration systems, distinguished by the flexibility of the integration process and the types of infrastructure that they retain. In the next section of the paper, we present our approach to creating an integration infrastructure through the processing of explicit meta-knowledge. In the following section, we introduce some work on combining wrappings with text-based Virtual Reality environments to form a new kind of integration infrastructure, and in the last section, we discuss the requirements for formalisms that have emerged from working in these testbeds. This research was supported in part by the Aerospace Corporation’s Sponsored Research Program, by the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Advanced Research, and by the Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Software and Intelligent Systems Technology Office.
The effect of age on the early disposition of doxorubicin

Purpose Clinical studies indicate that anthracycline cardiotoxicity increases with patient age. This may be due to altered pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. A parameter termed 'early clearance' has been shown to decrease with age in patients receiving intravenous doxorubicin. This parameter, as defined, has no immediate relationship to any physiologically based pharmacokinetic parameter. We therefore reevaluated the pharmacokinetic data to better define the relationship between doxorubicin disposition and patient age.
Diffuse γ-ray background from Seyfert galaxies

AT least 20% of all Type I Seyfert galaxies are detectable1,2 (at the comparable Ariel 5 and Uhuru sensitivities) as X-ray sources in the ∼2–10 keV band. Both the Ariel 5 and Uhuru results indicate the X-ray luminosity function is quite steep (dN/dL∼L−2) so that more sensitive HEAO X-ray detectors may reveal that nearly all Type I Seyfert galaxies are X-ray sources. It is suggested here that the diffuse background spectrum observed at hard X-ray and γ-ray energies can be accounted for by Seyferts, given their individual (hard) spectra.
Induction of Low Dose Oral Tolerance in Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1- and CCR2-Deficient Mice

The chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptor CCR2 have been shown to play an important role in the migration and trafficking of macrophages and Th1 effector cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Also, MCP-1 has been reported to regulate oral tolerance induction by inhibition of Th1 cell-related cytokines and by the ability of Abs to MCP-1 to inhibit oral tolerance. This study demonstrates that neither MCP-1 nor its receptor CCR2 is required for the induction of oral tolerance. Mice deletional for either MCP-1 or CCR2 had suppressed cell-proliferative and Th1 responses following oral administration and immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG(35-55)). TGF-beta was up-regulated in fed and immunized deletional mice, while IL-4 was absent from deletional mice, but up-regulated in controls. Decreased experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis severity was found in MOG(35-55)-fed MCP-1 deletional mice, indicating induction of oral tolerance. These results demonstrate that MCP-1 is not required for induction of oral tolerance and that MCP-1 and CCR2 are essential for up-regulation of IL-4 in tolerized mice.
Parents And The Dynamics Of Child Rearing

The Development of Child-Rearing Research: From Mere Beliefs to a Dynamic Perspective Theories of Parent-Child Relationships Different Approaches Used in Studying Parent-Child Relationships The Determinants of Parental Behavior Associations Between Parenting and Childrens Outcomes The Attributes of Effective Parents When Parenting Goes Awry: Child Maltreatment Contemporary Family Problems and Social Policy Summary and Implications of a Dynamic View of Parents
Physical realization and identification of topological excitations in quantum Heisenberg ferromagnet on lattice

Physical spin configurations corresponding to topological excitations expected to be present in the XY limit of a purely quantum spin 1/2 Heisenberg ferromagnet, are probed on a two dimensional square lattice. Quantum vortices (anti-vortices) are constructed in terms of coherent spin field components as limiting case of meronic (anti-meronic) configurations. The crucial role of the associated Wess-Zumino term is highlighted in our procedure. It is shown that this term can identify a large class of vortices (anti-vortices). In particular the excitations having odd topological charges form this class and also exihibit a self-similar pattern regarding the internal charge distribution. This manifestation of different behaviour of the odd and the even topological sectors is very prominent in the strongly quantum regime but fades away as we go to higher spins. Our formalism is distinctly different from the conventional approach for the construction of quantum vortices (anti-vortices).
Retransmission control and fairness issue in mobile slotted ALOHA networks with fading and near-far effect

The effects of different retransmission control policies on the performance of a mobile data system employing the slotted ALOHA protocol are investigated, with the emphasis on the unfairness between close-in and distant users due to the near-far effect. An analytical multi-group model is developed to evaluate both the user and the network performance of the mobile slotted ALOHA network under two classes of retransmission control policies, namely the Uniform Policy and the Nonuniform Policy. The Uniform Policy requires that all users adopt the same retransmission probability, whereas the Nonuniform Policy allows more distant users to have larger retransmission probability in order to compensate for the unfairness caused by the near-far effect. The performance of a slotted ALOHA network with a linear topology in a Rician fading channel under the two policies is compared by the multi-group model and simulation. The Nonuniform Policy is found to be more effective in alleviating the unfairness of user throughput over a wider range of the data traffic load than the Uniform Policy, which is effective only when the data traffic load is very light. Thus, a mobile data network can enjoy the network performance improvement derived from the near-far effect while the unfairness between close-in and distant users can be greatly mitigated without resorting to power control.
Anthropological Demography: Toward a New Synthesis

Anthropological Demography: Toward. New Synthesis. David I. Kertzer and Tom Fricke. eds. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997. 294 pp.
WITH SELECTION FOR FECUNDITY THE MEAN FITNESS DOES NOT NECESSARILY INCREASE

ABSTRACT A population with two alleles at one locus is considered. It is assumed that there is random mating of adults and that matings in which a particular pair of genotypes is involved may have a different mean number of offspring, or fecundity, than other types of matings. There is assumed to be no other selection. It is shown that the genotypic frequencies that maximize the mean fecundity of the population are not necessarily the same as the stable equilibrium frequencies. Thus, examples can be found for which the mean fecundity decreases from one generation to the next, and one such example is presented. An example in which there is no stable equilibrium, and the mean fecundity oscillates, is also given.
Reporting Mortality Findings in Trials of Rofecoxib for Alzheimer Disease or Cognitive Impairment: A Case Study Based on Documents From Rofecoxib Litigation

Sponsors have a marketing interest to represent their products in the best light. This approach conflicts with scientific standards that require the symmetric and comparable reporting of safety and efficacy data. Selective reporting of the results of clinical trials can misrepresent the risk-benefit profile of drugs. We summarize how the sponsor represented mortality findings associated with rofecoxib in clinical trials of patients with Alzheimer disease or cognitive impairment. We reviewed documents that became available during litigation related to rofecoxib involving Merck & Co, including internal company analyses and information provided by the sponsor to the FDA. We also evaluated information in 2 published articles that reported results of these trials. In one article (reporting results of protocol 091) published in 2004, 11 “non-drug related deaths” were reported (9 deaths among 346 rofecoxib patients and 2 deaths among 346 placebo patients). In another article (reporting results of protocol 078) published in 2005, 39 deaths were reported among patients taking study treatment or within 14 days of the last dose (24 among 725 rofecoxib patients and 15 among 732 placebo patients) and an additional 22 deaths in the off-drug period (17 in rofecoxib patients and 5 in placebo patients). However, these articles did not include analyses or statistical tests of the mortality data, and the 2 articles concluded that regarding safety, rofecoxib is “well tolerated.”In contrast, in April 2001, the company's internal intention-to-treat analyses of pooled data from these 2 trials identified a significant increase in total mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 4.43; 95% CI, 1.26-15.53 for protocol 091, and HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.17-5.56 for protocol 078), with overall mortality of 34 deaths among 1069 rofecoxib patients and 12 deaths among 1078 placebo patients (HR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.55-5.77). These mortality analyses were neither provided to the FDA nor made public in a timely fashion. The data submitted by the sponsor to the FDA in a Safety Update Report in July 2001 used on-treatment analysis methods and reported 29 deaths (2.7%) among 1067 rofecoxib patients and 17 deaths (1.6%) among 1075 placebo patients. This on-treatment approach to reporting minimized the appearance of any mortality risk. In December 2001, when the FDA raised safety questions about the submitted safety data, the sponsor did not bring these issues to an institutional review board for review and revealed that there was no data and safety monitoring board for the protocol 078 study. The findings from this case study suggest that additional protections for human research participants, including new approaches for the conduct, oversight, and reporting of industry-sponsored trials, are necessary.
Role of vitamin B12 in nucleic acid metabolism. II. Liver coenzyme A levels in the rat.

Abstract The coenzyme A concentration in the liver of vitamin B 12 -deficient rat is 2–3 times greater than in that of supplemented controls. The implication of this finding is discussed.
Multivariate statistical analysis of asynchronous lidar data and vegetation models in a neotropical forest

article i nfo In this paper, we conduct multivariate analyses of similarity amongst lidar instruments and canopy models by exploiting the similarities of binned canopy height profiles to community datasets in that we treat profile bins as "species" to calculate distance matrices between sample units. Canopy profiles were derived from lidar data using the MacArthur-Horn transformation and from field data using a model we developed that uses two sets of allometric equations describing crown shape and tree height and a third from raw field data. We conducted a statistical comparison of seven asynchronous relative vegetation profiles (RVP) derived from different methodologies between the years of 2005 and 2012. We compared three airborne lidar datasets, three modeled profiles from field data,and one terrestriallidar datasetusing pairwise Mantel tests,multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP) and a permutation-based comparison using a similarity index for within plot comparisons. We used the results of MRPP to determine possible drivers of poor agreement between instruments and models andfounda moderate relationshipbetweenwithin-plotvariability(observeddelta)andestimatedaboveground biomass(r 2 =0 .273,pb 0.05),whichweattributetopoormodelperformanceonlowdensity/lowbiomassplots. In addition, correlation analysis of height metrics derived from RVPs resulted in weak correlations at low height percentiles and strong correlations at higher percentiles. Overall, we identified general similarity between lidar profiles using MRPP (lidar only A =0 .202,p b 0.001), but poorer agreement between lidar and modeled profiles (all profiles A =0 .076,p b 0.001). We attribute some of these differences to selection of canopy profile models and to approaches used for accounting for canopy occlusion in lidar transformations. In addition, we discuss the possibility of using Mantel tests to estimate temporal scales of vertical structure change in La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica.
Purification and properties of pig liver esterase.

Abstract A homogenous preparation of pig liver aliesterase (EC 3.1.1.1) was obtained by the use of preparative starch-gel electrophoresis. The esterolytic activity of this preparation is markedly accelerated at high substrate concentration. Two active sites on the molecule may account for this unusual kinetic behavior. The sites may be identical as in a monomer-dimer equilibrium or they may be nonidentical and different in function. The esterase apparently is neither stereospecific nor stereoselective, and it did not exhibit an asymmetric active site. The enzyme hydrolyzes esters that are nonionic at a much greater rate than charged analogs. Half-esters of dicarboxylic acids are neither substrates nor inhibitors. Apparently an anionic charge on an ester inhibits the association between the esterase and ester.
Pufferfish inflation: Functional morphology of postcranial structures in Diodon holocanthus (Tetraodontiformes).

For the purpose of defending itself against predators, the balloonfish (Diodon holocanthus) can triple its body volume by pumping water into its stomach. Diodon holocanthus exhibits striking structural and functional specializations for inflation. The stomach of the balloonfish is highly extensible and has lost its digestive function, it is repeatedly folded upon itself and is lined with transitional epithelium. The peritoneal cavity of the balloonfish is also large and extensible. During inflation, the stomach expands into an existing peritoneal space surrounding the axial musculature and presses the folded peritoneum out into potential peritoneal spaces ventral to the head and surrounding the dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal peduncle; only the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head are unaffected. Balloonfish skin is also specialized for inflation. Because the collagen fibers in the dermis of unstretched skin are wavy, little force is required to extend the skin up to 40% of its rest length. At high strains, the collagen fibers are stressed directly and the skin suddenly becomes stiff. Stiff skin surrounding a ball of incompressible water provides a rigid framework for the support of the erectile spines, and the balloonfish becomes a formidable, spiny sphere. However, not all of the structural and functional features that contribute to the ability of balloonfish to inflate are evolutionary adaptations specifically for inflation. Absence of pleural ribs, absence of a pelvis, and the orthogonal arrangement of dermal collagen sheets in the skin were all present in the ancestor of pufferfishes, and thus, must be considered exaptations. Sagittal plane flexibility of the vertebral column may be an epiphenomenon of the lengthening of the body cavity for more spherical inflation. Together these structural and functional features—whether adaptations, exaptations, or epiphenomena—combine to produce a highly effective mechanical defense. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nanoscale Analysis of the Effect of Pathogenic Mutations on Polycystin-1

The activity of proteins and their complexes often involves the conversion of chemical energy (stored or supplied) into mechanical work through conformational changes. Mechanical forces are also crucial for the regulation of the structure and function of cells and tissues. Thus, the shape of eukaryotic cells is the result of cycles of mechano-sensing, mechano-transduction, and mechano-response. Recently developed single-molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques can be used to manipulate single molecules, both in real time and under physiological conditions, and are ideally suited to directly quantify the forces involved in both intra- and intermolecular protein interactions. In combination with molecular biology and computer simulations, these techniques have been applied to characterize the unfolding and refolding reactions in a variety of proteins, such as titin (an elastic mechano-sensing protein found in muscle) and polycystin-1 (PC1, a mechanosensor found in the kidney).Copyright © 2010 by ASME
CMOS current mode winner-take-all circuit with both excitatory and inhibitory feedback

A CMOS current-mode winner-take-all circuit is presented. Its operation is discussed and simulation results are reported. The circuit contains both excitatory and inhibitory feedback; as a result, the circuit has higher resolution and speed than an existing current-mode winner-take-all circuit.
Combining Time-of-Flight Methods and Velocity-Aligned Doppler Spectroscopy to Measure Wavelength-Dependent Product State Distributions in H2Se Photolysis†

Results are presented on the ultraviolet photolysis of H2Se. An experimental approach is introduced that combines velocity-aligned Doppler spectroscopy (VADS) with time-of-flight (TOF) methods. Atomic hydrogen is detected, and by utilizing a tunable photolysis source, one is able to map out propensities for populating HSe vibrational states as a function of photolysis wavelength. Interest in observing such behavior in triatomic systems was suggested theoretically by Schinke and co-workers in the mid-1980s.
A computational procedure for large rotational motions in multibody dynamics

A computational procedure suitable for the solution of equations of motion for multibody systems is presented. The present procedure adopts a differential partitioning of the translational motions and the rotational motions. The translational equations of motion are then treated by either a conventional explicit or an implicit direct integration method. A principle feature of this procedure is a nonlinearly implicit algorithm for updating rotations via the Euler four-parameter representation. This procedure is applied to the rolling of a sphere through a specific trajectory, which shows that it yields robust solutions.
Detection of Truthful and Deceptive Interpersonal Communications across Information Transmission Modes

Summary This study investigated the utility of various types of information for detection of truthful and deceitful communications. Videotaped segments from interviews were edited to produce five stimulus tapes that presented all available information or deleted various combinations of facial, paralinguistic, and verbal content cues. Ss were 109 male and female college students; each viewed one of the edited videotapes and judged whether taped responses were truths or lies. Results indicated that facial cues were not useful to Ss, but verbal content and paralinguistic cues were useful. Paralinguistic cues were more useful for the recognition of true statements; verbal content, for detection of lies.
Nd and Sr isotopic constraints on the petrogenesis of the west side of the northern Coast Mountains batholith, Alaskan and Canadian Cordillera

Nd and Sr isotopic ratios are reported from 15 samples of plutons of the northern Coast Mountains batholith (CMB), between. the Alexander–Wrangellia terrane and the Stikine terrane of southeastern ...
Pharmacokinetic Model for Salicylate in Cerebrospinal Fluid, Blood, Organs, and Tissues

Abstract The developed pharmacokinetic model, an extension of the Bischoff-Dedrick model, simultaneously predicts the kinetic behavior of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs, and tissues. The model, which is entirely different from conventional compartment models, is derived from basic considerations of drug distribution with biochemical and physiological meaning. The dog was studied at three different dosages of salicylate: therapeutic, moderate intoxication, and severe intoxication. The predicted kinetics of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, plasma, liver, muscle, and adipose tissue by the model agreed well with the experimental data. The effectiveness of hemoperfusion treatment for the severely intoxicated dog by albumin-coated activated carbon and its effect on the kinetic behavior of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs, and tissues were studied. The model was also applied to predict the kinetic changes of salicylate in the body during and after the extra- corporeal treatment. The predicted results also agreed with the experimental data.
On the depth of penetration of photons and electrons for intravascular brachytherapy.

Abstract Purpose. To investigate the depth dose characteristics of various radionuclides under consideration for intravascular brachytherapy (IVB). Materials and Methods. In the past few years, various preclinical studies have shown that 10–30 Gy of ionizing radiation delivered by a brachytherapy treatment may inhibit restenosis following angioplasty. A number of new delivery systems using various radionuclides have been developed and are being investigated for IVB. Typical target size for IVB is in the range of millimeters, in contrast to conventional brachytherapy for cancer in which the target may be 1–5 cm in size. The question addressed in this paper is: whether lower energy photon emitters and even beta emitters, which are not commonly used for intracavitary brachytherapy of cancer, may provide a depth of penetration adequate for IVB. To explore this issue, radial dose functions for photons and electrons in the range of 1–10 mm in water were calculated using Monte Carlo simulation. Reference depth for normalization of the radial dose funtion was chosen to be 2 mm. Results. Radial dose functions have been calculated for monoenergetic photons with energies of 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, and 1.00 MeV and monoenergetic electrons with energies of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 MeV. Also, the same calculations have been performed for 192 Ir, 125 I, and 103 Pd gamma or x-ray sources as well as 90 Sr- 90 Y, 32 P, and 188 Re beta-emitting sources. Results are also provided for selected cases in a simulated calcified lesion in water. Conclusions. It is concluded that photons above an energy of 20 keV and electrons above an energy of 1.0 MeV are acceptable from the point of view of adequate depth of penetration for IVB in tissue.
Gesture modeling: improving spatial recognition in architectural design process

In this paper, we discuss the role of spatial cognition during the architectural design activity, and how it affects design creativity. Recognizing that current CAD applications' Windows-Icon-Menu-Pointer (WIMP) user interfaces do not fully support creative exploration in modeling geometries for design, we design a prototype system that incorporates a regular pc and a depth camera for gestural input. We present the implementation and use scenario of the system, and discuss why gestural input may advance creativity in the design process.
Hydrodynamics and Semi-Flexible Filament Behavior

In this paper we simulate the effect of hydrodynamic interaction on the Brownian dynamics of semiflexible filaments. Semiflexible filaments are those whose entropy-driven bending fluctuations are resisted by the elastic bending stiffness. Semiflexible filaments make up the structural scaffold of cell and tissue matrix, and understanding their dynamic behavior is necessary for studying force transmission and remodeling in cells and tissue matrix. Hydrodynamic interaction refers to force on filament mediated through the local solvent flow around it. The local solvent flow is induced by the motion of the filament itself. Dynamic studies of semiflexible filaments tend to assume a uniform friction coefficient at every point on the filament. However Lagamarsino et al [1] showed that even for a filament in uniform translation, most of the drag is localized at the filament ends, which increases the tendency of the filament to bend and rotate even under a uniform driving force. In this paper we explore how the combined effect of non-uniform friction coefficient due to hydrodynamic screening and the non-uniform local solvent flow due to the filament fluctuations affects its Brownian dynamics.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Effects of sevelamer and calcium on coronary artery calcification in patients new to dialysis: time for better controlled clinical trials.

To the Editor: Block et al.1 report in their open-label trial that 'use of calcium containing phosphate binders resulted in more rapid progression of coronary calcium than did use of sevelamer'. However, their trial could not explain the mechanism whereby treatment with calcium-containing phosphate binders increases coronary artery calcium scores (CACS). Importantly, their patients with zero calcification at baseline did not progress despite calcium loading. Moreover, they found no relationship between the actual calcium load and the severity of progressive calcification. They speculate that progression of calcification is related to unsubstantiated adynamic bone disease in calcium-treated patients. However, a more likely explanation for the difference in CACS is the significantly lower low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol level in sevelamer-treated patients. This view is supported by their important, but not previously reported finding in dialysis patients of a significant correlation between the low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels and the change in CACS.
Revelations of ovarian follicle biology from gene knockout mice

Abstract Autocrine, paracrine and endocrine factors are necessary for normal ovarian folliculogenesis. A number of studies have demonstrated that the pituitary hormones follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) as well as granulosa cell-derived growth factors such as activins, inhibins, and kit ligand are necessary for follicle development. Recent knockout studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that mice lacking the pituitary proteins FSHβ and activin receptor type II are infertile due to blocks at the pre-antral and antral follicle stages, respectively. Although the somatic cells of the ovary (the granulosa and theca cells) have long been implicated in ovarian function, only recently have we shown that the oocyte plays an essential role in controlling its own fate by influencing somatic cell functions. Mice lacking the oocyte-secreted growth factor, growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), are infertile due to a block at the one-layer primary follicle stage, leading to secondary defects in thecal cell layer formation, oocyte growth and meiotic competence, and granulosa cell differentiation. Furthermore, using recombinant GDF-9, we demonstrate that GDF-9 also regulates cumulus expansion and expression of several key granulosa cell-specific genes. Thus, GDF-9 functions as an oocyte-secreted growth and differentiation factor during early and late folliculogenesis and at ovulation to regulate several key somatic cell functions essential for female reproduction.
Past, present and future distributions of a local assemblage of congeneric lizards in southern California

Understanding how species and species assemblages will respond to climate shifts is critical for predicting the impacts of modern warming on biodiversity. Addressing this question, we collected location data for four sympatric Sceloporus lizard species across a species-rich region of southern California, constructed habitat suitability models for each, and simulated temperature shifts to predict distributions at the last glacial maximum (LGM) and for a gradient of predicted end-of-century levels of warming. Current habitat modeled for Sceloporus magister comprises 243,204 ha, was 357,100 ha at the LGM, and may be reduced to 99,780 ha at a +3 °C future scenario; current habitat modeled for Sceloporus occidentalis comprises 150,870 ha, was 222,590 ha at the LGM, and could be reduced to 62,800 ha at a +3 °C; for current habitat modeled for Sceloporus vandenburgianus comprises 18,990 ha, was 78,830 ha at LGM, and may be 8210 ha at +3 °C; and habitat modeled for Sceloporus orcutti currently comprises 57,830 ha, was 28,660 ha at the LGM, and may be 35,970 at +3 °C. Having undergone multiple climate shifts, regions recognized for high biodiversity may have intrinsic characteristics supporting that biodiversity. Our results indicate that the elevational heterogeneity of this landscape provided suitable habitat for these species throughout a past cold climate extreme and will likely continue to do so under predicted future warming. We identified climate refugia, areas providing suitable habitat under both current and shifted climates, obviating the challenge for species with low dispersal capabilities to track rapidly changing climate envelopes.
Progressive ophthalmoplegia with acute ischemic abducens nerve palsies.

Purpose To determine the frequency of early progression of ophthalmoplegia in patients with acute ischemie abducens nerve palsies. Methods Patients with ischemie abducens nerve palsy examined within one week from the onset of symptoms were identified using predetermined entry criteria and serially followed up using a standardized ophthalmoplegia grading scheme. Results Only two of the 35 patients initially had a complete abduction deficit. Of the 33 patients who initially had an incomplete abduction deficit, 18 (54%) showed progression of their ophthalmoplegia. Conclusions Patients with acute incomplete ischemie abducens nerve palsies frequently demonstrate early progression of their ophthalmoplegia.
Learning the Unwritten Rules: Working Class Students in Graduate School

While researchers have begun to examine the experiences of working class students in undergraduate education more closely, we know less about the experiences of working class students in graduate school. Through a nationwide survey of graduate students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in Sociology, we examined the extent to which working class students face greater challenges or barriers in completing their degrees compared to their middle class peers. We found working class students to be comparatively disadvantaged in academic integration and financial support. We discuss the implications of these findings for improving the graduate school experiences of working class students.
Photoelectrochemical study of passive films on aluminum

Abstract Photocurrent spectroscopy and Photoelectrochemical Laser Imaging (PECLI) were performed on passive films on aluminum. Cathodic photocurrents were measured between 2.7 and 6.9 eV. Photoelectrochemical laser images of the oxide covered aluminum surface were recorded in the presence of non-corroding (no Cl − ) and corroding (Cl − ) electrolyte.
Dysregulation of kappa-opioid receptor systems by chronic nicotine modulate the nicotine withdrawal syndrome in an age-dependent manner.

Mechanisms that mediate age differences during nicotine withdrawal are unclear. This study compared kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) activation in naive and nicotine-treated adolescent and adult rats using behavioral and neurochemical approaches to study withdrawal. The behavioral models used to assess withdrawal included conditioned place and elevated plus maze procedures. Deficits in dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) were examined using microdialysis procedures. Lastly, the effects of KOR stimulation and blockade on physical signs produced upon removal of nicotine were examined in adults. Nicotine-treated adults displayed a robust aversion to an environment paired with a KOR agonist versus naive adults. Neither of the adolescent groups displayed a place aversion. KOR activation produced an increase in anxiety-like behavior that was highest in nicotine-treated adults versus all other groups. KOR activation produced a decrease in NAcc dopamine that was largest in nicotine-treated adults versus all other groups. Lastly, KOR activation facilitated physical signs of withdrawal upon removal of nicotine and KOR blockade reduced this effect. Chronic nicotine enhanced the affective, anxiogenic, and neurochemical effects produced by KOR activation in adult rats. Our data suggest that chronic nicotine elicits an increase in KOR function, and this may contribute to nicotine withdrawal since KOR activation facilitated and KOR blockade prevented withdrawal signs upon removal of nicotine. Given that chronic nicotine facilitated the neurochemical effects of KOR agonists in adults but not in adolescents, it is suggested that KOR regulation of mesolimbic dopamine may contribute to age differences in nicotine withdrawal.
EFFECT OF GROWTH TEMPERATURE AND GLUCOSE ON THERMAL INJURY OF SACCHAROMYCES CARLSBERGENSIS

Fermentation temperature markedly affects the flavour of lager beers. The influence of growth temperature on the thermal stability of a strain of S. carisbergensis was examined in a model fermentation system. At 40° C in the presence of glucose there was substantial leakage of yeast cell contents, the extent of which was a function of growth temperature. Increased incubation time at 40° C prior to glucose addition increased the glucose-induced leakage. Similar results were achieved with cells preincubated at 40° C and then added to glucose solution at 30° C. Without heat treatment or without glucose, growth temperature had little effect on leakage of cell contents. Ca++ protected against glucose-induced leakage, but only in the initial stages. Leakage was independent of the osmotic pressure of the medium, and was caused only by fermentable sugars, and cells so treated exhibited characteristics of a ruptured cytoplasmic membrane, ATPase activity and inability to retain accumulated sorbose at 0° C.
An advanced microprocessor course with a design component

The paper describes the structure of an advanced microprocessor course, given at the graduate level. Included in the discussion is the rationale for the specific processors taught, the depth of coverage, and a design component.
Study of Interior Design Continuing Education: Attitudes of the Profession

Attitudes about different aspects of continuing education in interior design were explored in a survey of 10% of the professional and associate members of the American Society of Interior Designers and the Institute of Business Designers. Over 50% of those receiving questionnaires returned them. The profile of the most frequent respondent was a designer who had been practicing for over 10 years (41%), was self-employed (43%), was classified as a senior designer/project designer (26%), worked in firms with less than 5 persons (51%) and with less than 5 designers (77%), and did mainly contract projects (47%). Furthermore, this profile indicates a designer with a Bachelor's degree in design (69%) who has not taken/passed the NCIDQ examination (66%), is 30–40 years old (35%), and is female (76%). Almost 65% of the respondents work in metropolitan areas of 250,000 or larger population. The majority indicated that they had not taken a continuing education course in the past 2 years–because of time and money restraints. Only 20% indicated that they were unlikely to earn CEU credit in the next year. The subject matter would be the single most important factor influencing a decision to take a course, but the presenter and the requirement to maintain licensing or certification were other important decision factors. A full-day or 4-hour evening time periods were the preferred course durations. Design practitioners, followed in order by technical trade personnel and design educators, were the preferred instructors. There was a strong preference for courses to be offered in the designer's community, at a classroom or conference facility, in conjunction with a chapter program, and preferably in March/April. A list of 49 course topics, divided into business, design, and technology categories were rated for interest: Seven of the top 12 topics were in the technology area, with lighting and color psychology at the top of the list. The results indicate that, in most cases, the professionals are interested in courses beyond the basic or core level.
Inducible Resistance of Fish Bacterial Pathogens to the Antimicrobial Peptide Cecropin B

Cecropin B is a cationic antimicrobial peptide originally isolated from the diapausing pupae of the giant silk moth, Hylphora cecropia. Cecropin B elicits its antimicrobial effects through disruption of the anionic cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Previous work by our laboratory demonstrated that a constitutively expressed cecropin B transgene conferred enhanced resistance to bacterial infection in medaka. The development of antibiotic resistance by pathogenic bacteria is a growing problem. The potential for fish bacterial pathogens to develop resistance to cecropin B was addressed in this study. Four fish bacterial pathogens were selected for the study based on their importance in aquaculture. Vibrio anguillarum, Vibrio vulnificus, and Yersinia ruckeri all exhibited inducible resistance to cecropin B. The inducible resistance of these three pathogens was correlated with reversible changes in their ultrastructures, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. V. anguillarum was demonstrated to become more adhesive to a CHSE-214 cell monolayer and to cause increased cumulative mortality in medaka following exposure to cecropin B. This work demonstrates that the resistance of fish bacterial pathogens to cecropin B is inducible and suggests that resistance to other cationic antimicrobial peptides may occur through similar means. The observed changes in ultrastructure and infectivity suggest that resistance to antimicrobial peptides is an integral part of the pathogenesis of fish gram-negative bacterial pathogens.
Nearest-neighbor-preserving embeddings

In this article we introduce the notion of nearest-neighbor-preserving embeddings. These are randomized embeddings between two metric spaces which preserve the (approximate) nearest-neighbors. We give two examples of such embeddings for Euclidean metrics with low “intrinsic” dimension. Combining the embeddings with known data structures yields the best-known approximate nearest-neighbor data structures for such metrics.
Link between iron and sulphur cycles suggested by detection of Fe(n) in remote marine aerosols

IRON is essential to the growth of organisms, and iron derived from the atmosphere may be the limiting nutrient for primary productivity in some oceanic regions1–6. Aeolian mineral dust is the chief source of marine iron in many areas1–3,5,7, but there is little information on the chemical form of the iron in this dust. Here we report that Fe(n) contributed 56±32% of the total iron in marine aerosol samples collected over the central North Pacific and 49 + 15% at Barbados. We suggest that the key reaction that produces Fe(n), and hence increases the solubility of marine aerosol iron in sea water, is [Fe(in)(OH)(H2O)5]2+ + H2O^ [Fe(n)(H2O)6]2+ + OH- (refs 8–10). The presence of Fe(n) in remote marine aerosols suggests that the OH radical has been produced in these heterogeneous reactions. From consideration of both the marine biological production of dimethylsulphide and the subsequent oxidation of reduced forms of sulphur in the atmosphere, we propose that the iron and sulphur cycles in both the atmosphere and the ocean may be closely coupled.
Experimental investigation of a premixed flame in an impinging turbulent stream

Flames in stagnating turbulence provide useful vehicles for fundamental studies of turbulent reactingflows. We present here experimental data on premixed flames in a turbulent methane-air mixture impinging on a wall. Turbulence generators with two different hole sizes and therefore resulting in turbulent streams with two different integral scales are employed. Time-resolved axial and radial velocity components are measured at many positions along the axis. Corrections for the density and velocity biasing associated with the different seeding levels in reactants and products are made in terms of particle fluxes. The aerothermochemical conditions are such that the flame is found to be free standing, i.e., separated from the wall. Histograms of the axial velocity within the flame are interpreted so as to yield the progress variable and thus the density with the consequence that the pairs of velocity data are supplemented with state data. Both conventional and Favre-averaged quantities are thereby obtained. Generation and redistribution of turbulent intensities within the flame are observed. The influence of the integral length of the turbulence on the character of the flame is in accord with physical arguments.
In-office imaging in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The standards of 'state of the art' in-office imaging are rapidly changing. This Viewpoint assesses the imaging techniques available for in-office use and highlights the obstacles that need to be overcome in this field in order for clinicians to have easy access to the right data in order to provide the best possible care.
Transdermal sumatriptan for acute treatment of migraineurs with baseline nausea.

Objective.— To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transdermal sumatriptan in migraine patients who have baseline nausea. Background.— Migraine-associated nausea and vomiting can limit the effectiveness of acute treatment with oral agents by causing delays, avoidance, or incomplete absorption of medication due to post-dose vomiting. Methods.— In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in adult (aged 18-66 years) migraineurs, 530 patients were randomized to receive transdermal sumatriptan or a placebo patch and remained in the study until they had treated a single moderate to severe migraine attack or had gone 2 months without treatment. At baseline (before applying the study patch), patients recorded headache pain intensity and the presence or absence of migraine-associated symptoms, including nausea. The use of analgesic or anti-emetic rescue medications within 2 hours of patch activation was prohibited. Post-hoc analyses were conducted to assess the proportion of patients with nausea at baseline who experienced headache relief and who were free from nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia at 1 and 2 hours post-activation. Results.— A total of 454 patients were included in the intent-to-treat population for efficacy analyses. Baseline demographic and migraine headache characteristics were generally similar between the treatment groups. In the overall study population, transdermal sumatriptan was significantly superior to placebo at 1 hour post-activation for pain relief (29% vs 19%, respectively; P < .0135) and freedom from nausea (71% vs 58%, respectively; P < .05) and at 2 hours post-activation for freedom from pain (18% vs 9%, respectively; P < .009), pain relief (53% vs 29%, respectively; P < .0001), freedom from nausea (84% vs 63% respectively; P < .001), freedom from photophobia (51% vs 36%, respectively; P < .0028), freedom from phonophobia (55% vs 39%, respectively; P < .0002); and freedom from migraine (16% vs 8%, respectively; P < .0135). In the post-hoc analysis, transdermal sumatriptan was markedly superior to placebo for pain relief and freedom from pain, nausea, photo-, and phonophobia at 1 and 2 hours post-activation. Conclusions.— Transdermal sumatriptan is superior to oral triptans for migraine patients whose baseline nausea causes them to delay or avoid acute treatment.
EFFECT OF POSTMORTEM AGE OF FLOUNDER SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM ON INHIBITION OF ENZYMIC LIPID PEROXIDATION BY CYTOSOL

On aging in situ or in vitro, flounder muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum became less sensitive to inhibition by the soluble fraction of the muscle tissue. This decrease in sensitivity to inhibition was the result of the change in balance between the response to a dialyzable inhibitor and a large molecular weight activator found in the soluble fraction. With aging, the sarcoplasmic reticulum became more sensitive to the stimulatory activity of the large molecular weight activator.