cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Sleep on Emotional Memory Consolidation Processes

An emerging trend in the literature has accumulated evidence in support for sleep’s role in the processing of episodic emotional memories. This review presents varying perspectives and models regarding information processing and affective functioning as it relates to sleep, emotions, and memory. Adaptive and maladaptive functions as it directly relates to sleep and emotions are also discussed herein. Collectively, the findings attempt to build on the literature and offer some clarity into the interaction of sleep, emotions, and memory.
Instructions to the Worker Bee

I frame the Nebraska poet Lucy Adkins’ poem of this same name as an array of helpful allegorical windowpanes, and describe the terrain of classroom collaboration (or the lack of it) as viewed helpfully through this window.
Efficient Packings of Unit Squares in a Large Square

How efficiently can a large square of side length x be packed with non-overlapping unit squares? In this note, we show that the uncovered area W(x) can be made as small as $$O(x^{3/5})$$ . This improves an earlier estimate which showed that $$W(x) = O\bigl (x^{({3+\sqrt{2}})/{7} }\log x\bigr )$$ .
Venous Thromboembolism in Autologous Blood or Marrow Transplantation Survivors: A Report from the Blood or Marrow Transplant Survivor Study.

ABSTRACT Hemostatic complications are commonly encountered in blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients, increasing their morbidity and mortality and are well described in the immediate post-transplantation period. The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in long-term survivors of autologous BMT has not been studied previously. Patients who underwent autologous BMT between January 1, 1974, and December 31, 2010 for a hematologic malignancy, lived 2 years or more after transplantation, and were age ≥18 years were surveyed for long-term outcomes. The median duration of follow-up was 9.8 years (interquartile range, 6.4 to 14.3 years). We analyzed the risk of VTE in 820 autologous BMT recipients who survived for ≥2 years, compared with 644 siblings. BMT survivors were at a 2.6-fold higher risk of VTE compared with siblings (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 4.4; P =.0004), after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Conditional on surviving for ≥2 years after BMT, the mean cumulative incidence of VTE was 3.9 ± .8% at 5 years and 6.1 ± 1.1% at 10 years. A diagnosis of plasma cell disorder (hazard ratio [HR], 2.37; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.2; P = .004) and annual household income ≤$50,000 (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.6; P = .015) were associated with increased VTE risk. Our data indicate that autologous BMT survivors are at elevated risk for developing late-occurring VTE. The development of risk prediction models to identify autologous BMT survivors at greatest risk for VTE and thromboprophylaxis may help decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with VTE.
At the heart of harm: Cardiac substrates of action-based aversion to harm

Abstract Facets of cardiovascular functioning have been used to index pro-social attitudes and behaviors. A recent study found that participants who engaged in prototypically (yet harmless) violent acts showed a vascular stress response, suggesting that individuals find some acts immoral even without harmful consequences (Cushman et al., 2012). The present research replicates and expands upon that study by (1) utilizing beta-adrenergic and vagally-mediated cardiac markers of actions, (2) assessing the aversiveness of each individual action, and (3) validating a trait-like measure of action aversion. Participants performed either a series of simulated acts of harm or physically identical (but emotionally neutral) actions. Overall, participants reported greater negative reactions to the aversive acts compared to physically identical neutral acts. In addition, sympathetically-mediated cardiac responses were observed for participants who performed simulated acts of harm. However, the vagally-mediated measure of cardiac activity did not significantly predict self-reported aversion to performing actions. The present study partially validates the paradigm introduced in Cushman et al. (2012) and provides further evidence that some individuals have an automatic adverse reaction to prototypical acts of harm in and of themselves. It also highlights the limitations of using vagally-mediated markers to index self-regulation or pro-social attitudes.
Self Learning from Large Scale Code Corpus to Infer Structure of Method Invocations.

Automatically generating code from a textual description of method invocation confronts challenges. There were two current research directions for this problem. One direction focuses on considering a textual description of method invocations as a separate Natural Language query and do not consider the surrounding context of the code. Another direction takes advantage of a practical large scale code corpus for providing a Machine Translation model to generate code. However, this direction got very low accuracy. In this work, we tried to improve these drawbacks by proposing MethodInfoToCode, an approach that embeds context information and optimizes the ability of learning of original Phrase-based Statistical Machine Translation (PBMT) in NLP to infer implementation of method invocation given method name and other context information. We conduct an expression prediction models learned from 2.86 million method invocations from the practical data of high qualities corpus on Github that used 6 popular libraries: JDK, Android, GWT, Joda-Time, Hibernate, and Xstream. By the evaluation, we show that if the developers only write the method name of a method invocation in a body of a method, MethodInfoToCode can predict the generated expression correctly at 73% in F1 score.
Outcomes of Second Arterial Conduits in Patients Undergoing Multivessel Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Abstract Background Benefits of multiarterial versus single-arterial coronary bypass grafting (CABG) are debated. Objectives This study sought to compare long-term survival, morbidity, and graft patency after multiarterial versus single-arterial CABG. Methods Mandatory clinical registries linked with discharge databases were used to identify baseline and operative characteristics and outcomes of 42,714 patients undergoing CABG from 2005 through 2012. Patients with single-vessel disease, without arterial conduits, or undergoing emergency, reoperative, or concomitant procedures were excluded. Survival, stroke, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization rates were compared using Cox modeling, and patients were matched by propensity score. Median follow-up was 7.8 years (interquartile range: 5 to 10 years); last follow-up was December 31, 2016. Results Of the 26,124 patients, 3,647 (14.0%) underwent multiarterial CABG. Single-arterial CABG patients were older (mean 68 vs. 61 years; p Conclusions In contemporary practice, single-arterial CABG is used in 85% of patients and is associated with increased long-term mortality, myocardial infarction, and reintervention compared with multiarterial CABG. Multiarterial CABG is underused in contemporary surgical revascularization, and targeted referral of younger patients for multiarterial revascularization may address this practice gap.
Conserver la nature humaine et non humaine : un curieux cas de conservation conviviale au Brésil

Cet article defend un concept de « conservation conviviale », concu ici comme « un effort visant a etablir des interdependances vitales entre les humains et les ecosystemes, en vue de leur regeneration mutuelle ». En nous appuyant sur des recherches ethnographiques que nous avons menees aupres de communautes subalternes d’Amerique latine, autochtones ou non, nous nous concentrons sur les communautes rurales bresiliennes de squatters apparues dans les annees 1990 en opposition aux economies de plantation qui ont provoque la degradation de la vie humaine et non humaine. Dans les discours et les ecrits des travailleurs de la conservation et de l’environnement, les membres de ces communautes de squatters non autochtones sont parfois depeints comme des adversaires ignorants — voire hostiles — de la nature, et leur recours a la culture sur brulis est condamne comme etant destructeur. Alors que ces familles tentent de remedier a des injustices distributives de longue date qui leur ont porte prejudice, nous decouvrons de nouveaux engagements en faveur de la conservation de la nature, tels que les efforts des squatters pour cultiver des especes d’arbres autochtones dans leurs agroforets. Ces engagements non utilitaires pour la conservation des arbres autochtones defient les presupposes d’un courant ideologique qui alimente diverses approches de la conservation de la nature — qu’il s’agisse de la « sanctuarisation de la nature », que ces approches soient « participatives » ou axees sur le « developpement » — qui font de differentes populations humaines des « gardiennes » quasi naturelles ou des « ennemies » de la nature. Cherchant a aller au-dela de ce courant ideologique, nous examinons les possibilites de conservation de la nature en dehors des zones de conservation officielles. Nous soutenons que la reparation des injustices distributives de longue date peut favoriser des pratiques humaines qui reproduisent conjointement des processus socioculturels et biophysiques.
DOCK8 Expression in Regulatory T Cells Maintains their Stability and Limits Contact Hypersensitivity.

Chronic dermatitis is a hallmark of Dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency. The migration of DOCK8-deficient T cells to the skin and their survival there have been reported to be defective. Surprisingly, we found that Dock8−/− mice demonstrated an exaggerated contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response to oxazolone with increased ear swelling, T-cell infiltration, and expression of Ifng. To understand the mechanisms of persistent skin inflammation in DOCK8 deficiency, we examined mice with selective deficiency of DOCK8 in T cells or T regulatory cells (Tregs) and found that both have exaggerated CHS. Moreover, oral tolerance to oxazolone, mediated by Tregs, was impaired in Dock8−/− mice. Transfer of Tregs from oxazolone-sensitized wild-type mice, but not Dock8−/− mice, reduced the CHS response of Dock8−/− recipients. Lack of DOCK8 in Tregs resulted in their acquisition of a pathogenic FOXP3+T-bet+IFNγ+ phenotype at CHS sites and promoted their conversion into ex-Tregs. The transfer of Tregs from Dock8−/− mice increased the CHS response of wild-type recipients to oxazolone. Thus, DOCK8 expression in Tregs limits CHS by promoting Treg stability and fitness in inflamed skin. Interventions aimed at ameliorating Treg function may be useful in treating skin inflammation in DOCK8 deficiency.
Production of green transportation fuels from Brassica carinata oil: A comparative study of noble and transition metal catalysts

Abstract Herein, we present the production of jet and diesel range hydrocarbons from non-edible hexane-extracted Brassica carinata oil. The influence of four heterogeneous catalysts (two noble metal catalysts: Pd/C and Ru/C, and two transition metal catalysts: Ni/C and Ni/SiO2-Al2O3) was investigated at 400 °C. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, TGA, TG-TPR, and BET specific surface area and pore size analyzer. The upgrading experiments consisted of three different approaches: 1) single-step cracking (1-C), 2) single-step simultaneous cracking, and hydrotreatment (1-C·H), and 3) a two-step process of cracking followed by hydrotreatment (2-C·H). Reaction products were characterized using different instruments and metrics: GC-FID, GC–MS, simulated distillation, CHNS-O elemental analyzer, viscometer, higher heating value (HHV), and total acid number (TAN). The 2-C·H process produced the highest amounts of desired hydrocarbons. The highest liquid yield of 81% with HHV of 47 MJ/kg was obtained with the use of Ni/SiO2-Al2O3 catalyst. All catalysts appeared to be regenerable after partial deactivation. Model compound studies were performed using erucic acid that accounted for about 40% of carinata oil FFA (free fatty acid) profile. Reaction pathways were proposed according to the chemical analysis of the products.
Distribution of Rare Earth Elements in the Illinois Basin Coals

Coal and coal combustion byproducts are potential candidates for alternative resources of REEs (rare earth elements). The Illinois Basin is a major coal-producing district in the USA, but little work is available on speciation of REEs in the basin’s coals. In this study, a total number of 382 samples from known locations in the Illinois Basin coal beds were acquired, analyzed for their REE contents, and investigated for any spatial trends or chemical correlations. This study includes Springfield, Herrin, and Baker coal beds—the most heavily mined coals in the basin. An average coal ash from the basin contains 320 ppm REE, with Baker being the highest (407 ppm on average). However, the distribution of REEs in the coal beds was laterally and vertically heterogeneous. A number of trends were found in the REE variations. The most important trend was the relationships of the REE concentrations and fractionations with the distance from the syndepositional sandstones. The total REE concentrations were higher in the proximity of the sandstones, likely due to the increased deposition of detrital material. This increase was the most significant in Springfield coal (90%) and least in Baker (6%). Those coal samples from the Springfield and Herrin coal beds distal from the syndepositional sandstones had a heavy to light REE ratio (H/L ratio) of 0.40 on average, whereas in proximal locations, the ratio was dropped to an average of 0.30. This trend was not significant in the Baker coal bed. In general, higher mineral matter in the coals was associated with higher REEs. In coal preparation plants, refuse rocks can have up to 360 ppm REE. However, the ashes of the cleanest coals had higher REE levels. Such ashes also have a higher ratio of heavy to light REEs. The highest REE concentrations were found in the claystones and the shales associated with the coal beds. Since the naturally occurring calcite, quartz, and pyrite samples were depleted in REEs, an association of REEs with the clay minerals can be suggested.
Teacher Knowledge in Transition Planning: Does Locale Matter?:

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act mandates transition planning to occur in conjunction with the individualized education program for secondary age students with disabilities beginning...
Validation of an insertion-engineered isoprene synthase as a strategy to functionalize terpene synthases

Terpene synthases are biotechnologically-relevant enzymes with a variety of applications. However, they are typically poor catalysts and have been difficult to engineer. Structurally, most terpene synthases share two conserved domains (α- and β-domains). Some also contain a third domain containing a second active site (γ-domain). Based on the three-domain architecture, we hypothesized that αβ terpene synthases could be engineered by insertion of a heterologous domain at the site of the γ-domain (an approach we term “Insertion-engineering terpene synthase”; Ie-TS). We demonstrate that by mimicking the domain architecture of αβγ terpene synthases, we can redesign isoprene synthase (ISPS), an αβ terpene synthase, while preserving enzymatic activity. Insertion of GFP or a SpyCatcher domain within ISPS introduced new functionality while maintaining or increasing catalytic turnover. This insertion-engineering approach establishes that the γ-domain position is accessible for incorporation of additional sequence features and enables the rational engineering of terpene synthases for biotechnology.
Learner Narratives of Translingual Identities: A Multimodal Approach to Exploring Language Learning Histories, by Kiernan, P.

Translingual studies gained popularity with the publication of Language Difference in Writing: Toward a Translingual Turn (Horner et al., 2011). According to Horner et al. (2011), translingual sees...
Microscopes and Endoscopes

Microscopes and endoscopes helped revolutionize the surgical treatment of many disease processes. The utility of microscopes and endoscopes has increased rapidly with technological advancements in optics, mechanics, video, navigation, and computer processing. The use of microscopes and endoscopes in neurosurgery and orthopedics has been widespread in the last half century. Minimally invasive approaches to the spine require visualization through smaller portals, and therefore the use of the microscope and endoscope is essential to many minimally invasive spine surgeries.
A cubic mass formula for baryons

A cubic mass formula for baryons is derived in brokenSU3 symmetry. The comparison of this with the cubic mass formula derived from experiments shows quite reasonable agreement.
Comparison of the Tensile, Creep, and Rupture Strength Properties of Stoichiometric SiC Fibers

Tensile strength, creep strength, and rupture strength properties were measured for the following types of polymer-derived stoichiometric SiC fibers: Hi-Nicalon Type S from Nippon Carbon, Tyranno SA from Ube, and Sylramic from Dow Corning. Also included in this study were an earlier version of the SA fiber plus two recent developmental versions of the Sylramic fiber. The tensile strength measurements were made at room temperature on as-received fibers and on fibers after high-temperature inert exposure. The creep-rupture property data were obtained at 1400 deg C in air as well as, argon. Some fiber types showed strong effects of environment on their strength properties. These results are compared and discussed in terms of underlying mechanisms and implications for ceramic composites.
Calibrating entropy functions applied to computer networks

It has been suggested that the problem of determining the state of a network could be solved by computing entropy functions based on the dynamic connections that are made among the nodes of that network. In this paper we will attempt to calibrate, in a quantitative way, the computation of those entropy functions on simulated data that we believe should resemble real data. Our purpose is to understand how one might use the entropy functions to signal that the state of a network is undergoing a significant change, perhaps due to an attack on the network or an attack emanating from the network. Our results are, we believe, either inconclusive or negative. Specifically, we believe that our simulations suggest either that these entropy functions are not sufficiently indicative of anomalous behavior in a network as to be usable for this purpose or that conversely in order for them to be used to detect anomalous behavior, the underlying “normal” behavior of the network would have to be more stable than we might expect it to be.
Object-Oriented Reuse, Concurrency and Distribution: An Ada-Based Approach

Introduction Object-Oriented Programming Introducing DRAGOON Inheritance-Based Reuse Genericity Concurrency Distribution System Configuration Translation into Ada Conclusion
Effects of structural load and joist type on flanking sound transmission

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of structural load and joist type on flanking sound transmission in the NRC flanking facilities. Measurements were performed at two NRC flanking facilities, such as he first generation four-room and second generation eight-room facilities to assess the effects of these parameters. The appropriate surfaces of the rooms were shielded to limit the sound transmission to the paths being investigated. The first part of the study dealt with the reproducibility of load and general tendency of the effect of loading. The second part dealt with the effect of loading relative to joist orientation and continuity. The initial study investigated flanking sound transmission experienced between two horizontally separated rooms with discontinuous joists perpendicular to the separating wall.
Surveillance and Radiation Therapy for Stage I Seminoma—Have We Learned From the Evidence?

Purpose To analyze, in the setting of stage I seminoma, the factors affecting adjuvant treatment decisions and resulting survival outcomes, using a national dataset. Methods and Materials We identified 33,094 stage I seminoma patients after orchiectomy from 1998 to 2012 from the National Cancer Data Base. Factors affecting treatment selection (active surveillance [AS] vs adjuvant treatment [AT]) were identified using a parsimonious multivariate logistic regression model. Propensity scores for treatment decision were generated and incorporated into a multivariate Cox regression analysis of overall survival. This process was then repeated within the AT cohort for factors predictive for chemotherapy [CT] versus radiation therapy [RT]. Results Only 33% of patients received AS, and 65% received AT (89% RT and 11% CT). From 1998 to 2012 the proportion receiving AS increased from 23% to 60%, whereas RT utilization decreased from 73% to 21%, and CT utilization increased from 2% to 17%. Utilization of low-dose RT increased from 1.5% in 1999 to 34% in 2012. There was a small absolute overall survival advantage to AT over AS at 10 years (95.0% vs 93.4%, propensity adjusted hazard ratio 0.58, P Conclusions There has been a significant increase in use of AS for stage I seminoma, influenced by both sociodemogrpahic and clinicopathologic factors. Between AT options, there has been significant increase in use of CT, mirrored by a decline in use of RT. Although overall survival remains high for all 3 treatment strategies, AT seems to be associated with a small absolute survival advantage over AS up to 10 years out from diagnosis.
Progesterone receptor-B enhances estrogen responsiveness of breast cancer cells via scaffolding PELP1- and estrogen receptor-containing transcription complexes

Progesterone and estrogen are important drivers of breast cancer proliferation. Herein, we probed estrogen receptor-α (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) cross-talk in breast cancer models. Stable expression of PR-B in PR-low/ER+ MCF7 cells increased cellular sensitivity to estradiol and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), as measured in growth assays performed in the absence of exogenous progestin; similar results were obtained in PR-null/ER+ T47D cells stably expressing PR-B. Genome-wide microarray analyses revealed that unliganded PR-B induced robust expression of a subset of estradiol-responsive ER target genes, including cathepsin-D (CTSD). Estradiol-treated MCF7 cells stably expressing PR-B exhibited enhanced ER Ser167 phosphorylation and recruitment of ER, PR and the proline-, glutamate- and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1) to an estrogen response element in the CTSD distal promoter; this complex co-immunoprecipitated with IGF1 receptor (IGFR1) in whole-cell lysates. Importantly, ER/PR/PELP1 complexes were also detected in human breast cancer samples. Inhibition of IGF1R or phosphoinositide 3-kinase blocked PR-B-dependent CTSD mRNA upregulation in response to estradiol. Similarly, inhibition of IGF1R or PR significantly reduced ER recruitment to the CTSD promoter. Stable knockdown of endogenous PR or onapristone treatment of multiple unmodified breast cancer cell lines blocked estradiol-mediated CTSD induction, inhibited growth in soft agar and partially restored tamoxifen sensitivity of resistant cells. Further, combination treatment of breast cancer cells with both onapristone and IGF1R tyrosine kinase inhibitor AEW541 was more effective than either agent alone. In summary, unliganded PR-B enhanced proliferative responses to estradiol and IGF1 via scaffolding of ER-α/PELP1/IGF1R-containing complexes. Our data provide a strong rationale for targeting PR in combination with ER and IGF1R in patients with luminal breast cancer.
Starch gel electrophoresis of phosphofructokinase in red cells

Abstract A method for starch gel electrophoresis of human red blood cell phosphofructokinase is described. Two bands of activity were found. As stabilizing factors, beta-mercaptoethanol and ATP were necessary. Replacing ATP by ADP or adding Mg2+ to the gels did not alter the electrophoretic patterns. Red cells of 195 Caucasian, 2 Negro, 2 Oriental, 1 Mediterranean, and 10 individuals of unknown race were examined. No electrophoretic polymorphism could be detected.
Qmerit-calibrated overlay to improve overlay accuracy and device performance

In advanced semiconductor industries, the overlay error budget is getting tighter due to shrinkage in technology. To fulfill the tighter overlay requirements, gaining every nanometer of improved overlay is very important in order to accelerate yield in high-volume manufacturing (HVM) fabs. To meet the stringent overlay requirements and to overcome other unforeseen situations, it is becoming critical to eliminate the smallest imperfections in the metrology targets used for overlay metrology. For standard cases, the overlay metrology recipe is selected based on total measurement uncertainty (TMU). However, under certain circumstances, inaccuracy due to target imperfections can become the dominant contributor to the metrology uncertainty and cannot be detected and quantified by the standard TMU. For optical-based overlay (OBO) metrology targets, mark asymmetry is a common issue which can cause measurement inaccuracy, and it is not captured by standard TMU. In this paper, a new calibration method, Archer Self-Calibration (ASC), has been established successfully in HVM fabs to improve overlay accuracy on image-based overlay (IBO) metrology targets. Additionally, a new color selection methodology has been developed for the overlay metrology recipe as part of this calibration method. In this study, Qmerit-calibrated data has been used for run-to-run control loop at multiple devices. This study shows that color filter can be chosen more precisely with the help of Qmerit data. Overlay stability improved by 10~20% with best color selection, without causing any negative impact to the products. Residual error, as well as overlay mean plus 3-sigma, showed an improvement of up to 20% when Qmerit-calibrated data was used. A 30% improvement was seen in certain electrical data associated with tested process layers.
Calculation of helium photoionization in the random-phase approximation using square-integrable basis functions

The photoionization cross section of helium is calculated by a numerical analytic continuation of the frequency-dependent polarizability. Approximate values of the polarizability are obtained by an application of the equations-of-motion method. The entire calculation is performed without the use of continuum basis functions. The calculated cross sections agree well with the observed values.
Prescriptive Gender Stereotypes and Backlash Toward Agentic Women

In an experiment, job description and applicants' attributes were examined as moderators of the backlash effect, the negative evaluation of agentic women for violating prescriptions of feminine niceness (Rudman, 1998). Rutgers University students made hiring decisions for a masculine or “feminized” managerial job. Applicants were presented as either agentic or androgynous. Replicating Rudman and Glick (1999), a feminized job description promoted hiring discrimination against an agentic female because she was perceived as insufficiently nice. Unique to the present research, this perception was related to participants' possession of an implicit (but not explicit) agency-communality stereotype. By contrast, androgynous female applicants were not discriminated against. The findings suggest that the prescription for female niceness is an implicit belief that penalizes women unless they temper their agency with niceness.
Immunological Considerations Attending Platelet Transfusion

1 Iso-immunization against platelets occurs infrequently with less than ten transfusions, but the frequency rises steadily with the number of transfusions until all patients eventually become immunized. 2 Characteristics of specific antigens and antibodies that have been identified to date are described briefly and the relative merits of various immunologic technics used to measure platelet iso-antibodies are discussed. 3 More than half of the anti-platelet iso-anti-bodies that arise after transfusion are “incomplete” and cannot be detected by conventional serologic tests. Some of these antibodies have been identified by “blocking” tests or by passive transfer. These findings explain why refractoriness to platelet transfusions is not always accompanied by serologic evidence of immunization. 4 Isoimmune destruction of platelets is a relatively innocuous occurrence and does not contra-indicate further trials of platelet transfusion. 5 Although platelets can be matched under some circumstances when iso-immunization has taken place, at present empirical selection of donors based on survival of transfused platelets appears to be the best approach to platelet transfusion in sensitized individuals.
Behavioral observations on oryx antelope (Oryx beisa) invading Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

In 1959 a boundary change in the Serengeti National Park excluded the area inhabited by oryx antelope. During the following years, only a few solitary animals came temporarily into the park. Beginning in 1972, oryx invaded the southeastern part of the park more frequently and in larger numbers. Recent observations (1974–1975) show that oryx are still only visitors to the Serengeti National Park, but there are indications that they may become resident in the future. Compared with a resident oryx population in the Tarangire National Park, the wandering herds in Serengeti were characterized by (a) a more frequent occurrence of mixed herds of some size, (b) the absence of subadults and juveniles, and (c) the absence of female groups. Small all-male groups, “harem” groups, and solitary adult bulls were recorded in both areas. Oryx exhibit a polyphasic rhythm of daily activity. Except when large concentrations of wildebeest arrive in an area, oryx do not avoid the company of other game species, although they hardly interact with them. A hierarchical organization was recognizable in all the groups observed. Generally bulls ranked over cows, but sometimes subadult or young-adult bulls were dominated by high-ranking cows. Fights among bulls were quite frequent. In addition to spontaneous sparring matches, these agonistic interactions were linked with coordination of group activities, with frontal approaches of group members at close range, particularly in grazing, and with strange bulls joining a herd. The severest fight observed took place between the alpha-bull of a mixed herd and a solitary bull. Peers challenge each other by equivalent, reciprocal displays until fighting develops. In an encounter of unequal opponents, only the dominant animal shows dominance and/or offensive threat displays. The subordinate responds by defensive threats and/or submissive displays. Such a “dominance encounter” ends with the withdrawal of the subordinate without a fight. An alpha-bull of a mixed herd does not fight the subordinate bulls, but frequently has “dominance encounters” with them. In this way, the alpha-bull reinforces his dominance over the others, affects changes in the activity of the group, influences speed, length, and direction of movements, and prevents members of the group, including subordinate bulls, from leaving.
Strangulation from the Sea? A PRC Submarine Blockade of Taiwan

ple’s Republic of China (PRC) is one of the most important challenges for U.S. foreign policy.1 Although many scholars judge current U.S.-China relations to be at their best in many years, President Chen Shui-bian’s moves toward gradual independence before Taiwan’s March 2004 presidential election, which were met by warnings and threats from the mainland, are a reminder that the Taiwan issue remains a potential source of instability.2 Further moves toward Taiwan’s independence during President Chen’s second term, such as rewriting the constitution, may very well lead to another Taiwan Strait crisis. The military buildup of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is largely focused on Taiwan, combined with the island’s disputed political status, make a PRC attack on Taiwan one of the most likely short-to-medium-term (next ave to ten years) threats to East Asian stability, and therefore U.S. economic and security interests.3 Could the PRC successfully use military force to settle the Taiwan issue? Scholarly debates about Chinese intentions and overall strategic goals in East Asia rarely address the prospects for a successful Chinese use of force Strangulation from the Sea?
EVOLUTION OF GABAA RECEPTOR DIVERSITY IN THE HUMAN GENOME

Abstract Nowhere is the record of receptor evolution more accessible than in the organization of the 19 vertebrate genes coding for subunits of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in the central nervous system, the γ -aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA A R). Co-expression of α , β , and γ subunit genes is necessary for the formation of a GABA A R that is potentiated by widely used anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and hypnotics. The identification of α , β , and γ genes on chromosomes 4, 5, and 15 suggests that co-localization of a γ gene with an α and β may be important for brain function. We have now directly examined the organization of GABA A R subunit genes on human chromosomes. Estimates of physical distance using in situ hybridization to cells in interphase, and gene localization using hybridization to cells in metaphase demonstrate the existence of β – α – α – γ gene clusters in cytogenetic bands on chromosomes 4(p12) and 5(q34). Sequencing of PAC clones establishes intercluster conservation of a unique head-to-head configuration for α and β genes on chromosomes 4, 5, and 15. Remarkably, phylogenetic tree analysis predicts the existence of a β – α – γ ancestral gene cluster in which internal duplication of an ancestral α was followed by cluster duplication, resulting in the relative chromosomal positions of modern GABA A R subunit genes in the human genome.
Dynamic mechanical properties of some polyurethane-acrylic copolymer interpenetrating polymer networks

Dynamic mechanical properties have been investigated for interpenetrating-network systems based on polyol-cured polyurethanes (PU) and 2 to 1 n-butyl acrylate-n-butyl methacrylate (Ac) networks. The systems were formed simultaneously (SIN) from all of the precursors and reactants for both networks in the same vessel, and sequentially (SIPN) by swelling a precured PU with the reactants that will form the Ac network. If the Ac network is formed after gelation of the PU, the IPNs are transparent and appear to have single T (tan δmax) between those of the homonetworks; visible-phase separation occurs if the Ac is intentionally polymerized prior to PU gelation. Damping curves were lower and broader and the T (tan δmax) and rubber moduli were higher for the SIN than for the SIPN systems. Up to 65 percent Ac, the T (tan δmax) data for both SIN and SIPN fit the Gordon-Taylor equation if a T (tan δmax) for the Ac homonetwork 7°C higher than observed is used, suggesting a higher crosslink density for the Ac network under these conditions. The differences in properties of the SIN and SIPN are assumed to be dependent on sample homogeneity and upon the presence of a tin catalyst in the SIN preparation. This can result in limited Ac-network formation and consequent phase separation before PU gelation has occurred, and the catalyst may also increase the extent of interaction, such as grafting or hydrogen-bond formation between the networks.
Development and Runout of a Detachment Slide, Bracebridge Inlet, Bathurst Island, Northwest Territories, Canada

A detachment slide on Bathurst Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, occurred on an extensively vegetated, south-facing slope of approximately 5d. The slide is 260 m long, 20–30 m wide, generally less than 1 m thick, involves 4,800 m of material, and exhibits four distinct geomorphic zones. These zones are: (1) the source area, characterized by barren ground and depressed topography; (2) the extension zone, characterized by upwelled mud deposits and extension fractures, containing the upslope portion of the slide mass; (3) the compression zone which shows evidence of folding and thrusting of the tundra mat and occurs in the downslope portion of the slide mass; and (4) the disturbed zone, located to the sides and in front of the slide toe, exhibiting simple folding and tension gashes of the tundra mat. It is suggested that the detachment slide developed through a unique set of conditions which are: (1) wind-driven snow is trapped along the lee of the valley ridge, (2) summer melting of the snow provides a supply of water to the head of the slope, and (3) melt water accelerates melting of the permafrost and develops excess pore water pressures. The detachment slide then progresses as follows: (1) downhill creep (solifluction) at the head of the slope increases the tensile stress acting in the vegetative mat until the tundra mat fails, (2) the resulting slide overloads the slope below, leading to a series of progressive detachments, and (3) as the slide progresses downslope, the shear strength of the slope materials increases due to a decreasing water content leading to cessation of movement.
The effects of storage time and temperature and anticoagulant on laboratory measurements of canine blood progesterone concentrations

The effects of anticoagulant, storage time, storage temperature, and assay method, on laboratory measurements of blood progesterone concentrations of dogs is unclear; these factors have had a dramatic effect on blood progesterone concentrations in other species (particularly cows). In six experiments, we determined the effects of assay technique (chemiluminescence versus radioimmunoassay (RIA)), storage time, and temperature, as well as the use of heparinized plasma versus serum (coagulated blood) on measured progesterone concentrations of bitches. The studies showed that: (a) RIA measured significantly higher serum progesterone concentration (SPC) than chemiluminescence; (b) refrigeration of whole blood during the first 2 h after sample collection significantly decreased measured SPC; (c) progesterone concentration in heparinized plasma was not affected by storage temperature of whole blood for at least 5 h; (d) refrigeration of whole, clotted blood did not affect SPC, provided that samples were held at room temperature for the first 2 h after collection. These findings are of particular importance when blood samples are collected for determination of the initial rise in SPC that is associated with the LH surge in estrous bitches.
Diversity of deep-sea hydrothermal vent Archaea from Loihi Seamount, Hawaii

Abstract Through an examination of SSU rDNA (genes coding for SSU rRNA), the molecular phylogeny of the domain Archaea (e.g. one of the three major lineages of life) was analyzed from a microbial mat at an active, deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystem located at Pele’s Vents on the summit of Loihi Seamount, Hawaii. These SSU rDNAs were amplified from extracted microbial mat genomic DNA by PCR, cloned into a plasmid vector, and sequenced. The derived archaeal sequences were then used to infer the evolutionary relationships between these microbial mat community members and their closest known relatives. Of the four clones initially chosen for sequence analysis, a cluster of three phylogenetically similar PVA (Pele’s Vents Archaea) clones all contained in the archaeal group I lineage of the marine Crenarchaeota were detected. A single PVA clone was contained in the archaeal group II lineage of the marine Euryarchaeota. All four of the PVA clones are novel and constitute the discovery of new archaeal taxa. From further rarefaction results of 75 archaeal SSU rDNA clones, we estimate the organismal diversity of this domain from the microbial mats located at Pele’s Vents to be significantly greater than that of the bacterial domain from this same ecosystem. Analyses of archaeal diversity at both the organismal (i.e. rarefaction) and phylogenetic level suggest that hydrothermal vents, such as Pele’s Vents, are intimately linked with marine archaeoplankton (a recently discovered component of marine picoplankton) detected from oceans around the world.
Spatial database with each picture self-contained multiscape and access control in a hierarchy

Abstract The applications of spatial database are more and more popular in the computer and network environments. It is the reason why information security is an important issue now in our world. The purpose of this paper is to integrate the spatial database processing technique and the access control in a hierarchy technique to enhance the security of spatial database. Combining the concepts of traditional cryptography and steganography, a new spatial database cryptosystem with double security mechanisms is proposed.
Stereoelectronic properties of spiroquinazolinones in differential PDE7 inhibitory activity.

A detailed computational study on a series of spiroquinazolinones showing phosphodiesterase 7 (PDE7) inhibitory activity was performed to understand the binding mode and the role of stereoelectronic properties in binding. Our docking studies reproduced the essential hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions for inhibitors of this class of enzymes. The N1 proton of the quinazolinone scaffold was involved in H-bonding to an amide side chain of the conserved glutamine residue in the active site. The central bicyclic ring of the molecules showed hydrophobic and π-stacking interactions with hydrophobic and aromatic amino acid residues, respectively, present in the PDE7 active site. The docked conformations were optimized with density functional theory (DFT) and DFT electronic properties were calculated. Comparison of molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) plots of inhibitors with the active site of PDE7 suggested that the electronic distribution in the molecules is as important as steric factors for binding of the molecules to the receptor. The hydrogen bonding ability and nucleophilic nature of N1 appeared to be important for governing the interaction with PDE7. For less active inhibitors (pIC50 6.5) had MEP highest at N3, not N1. Efficient binding of these inhibitors may need some rearrangement of side chains of active-site residues, especially Asn365. This computational modeling study should aid in design of new molecules in this class with improved PDE7 inhibition. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2008
Transmission of Lung Sounds through Light Clothing

Background: Doctors are exhorted to always place the stethoscope directly on the skin and never to auscultate through clothing. Nevertheless, casual observation reveals that doctors
Reactive Compatibilization of Poly(l-lactide) and Conjugated Soybean Oil

Ring-opening bulk polymerization of l-lactide using N-2-hydroxyethylmaleimide (HEMI) as the initiator and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate as the catalyst produced a reactive end-functionalized poly(l-lactide) (HEMI-PLLA). Melt blends of HEMI-PLLA and conjugated soybean oil (CS) were prepared. HEMI-PLLA underwent a Diels−Alder reaction with the CS to high conversion, coupling the two immiscible components. Up to three HEMI-PLLA molecules reacted with one CS molecule to create products with varying architecture that acted as compatibilizers for the melt blend. Blends of HEMI-PLLA and 5 wt % CS resulted in a greater than 17-fold increase in elongation to break compared to PLLA homopolymer and more than doubled the elongation to break compared to a 5 wt % CS blend with unreactive PLLA. Analysis of the blend morphology indicated that the in situ formation of the compatibilizer decreased the CS droplet diameter compared to unreactive binary blends and that an optimum droplet diameter exists for toughening PLLA with CS.
Kinetics of dissociative chemisorption on strained edge-shared surface defects on dehydroxylated silica

Abstract Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used to study the kinetics of reactions between water, ammonia, methanol, and methylamine and the edge-shared tetrahedral surface defects in dehydroxylated silica. Results show that all reactant gases tested undergo a dissociative chemisorption reaction on strained SiO bonds in the edge-shared ring. The reaction kinetics and observed product distributions indicate that two types of edge-shared rings are present, one which contains silanol groups and one which does not. The silanol-containing defects are less reactive than the silanol-free defects, with reaction rates which are more sensitive to the basicity of the gas phase reactant. The rate of reaction between water and defects is at least 100000 faster than the hydrolysis of unstrained SiO bonds. The relative reactivities of strained and unstrained Si-O bonds show that bond strain promotes bond rupture reactions which are important in phenomena such as the stress corrosion cracking of silica.
In vivo optical imaging of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor following laser incision in skin

Background and Objective Laser–tissue interaction studies have focused on laser-induced secondary effects on tissue and the postmortem histological analysis of laser wounds. In this study we addressed wound healing and possible impairment of wound healing due to collateral tissue damage by in vivo imaging of gene expression. Study Design/Materials and Methods We used a transgenic mouse model containing a VEGF promoter driving a GFP reporter gene to image VEGF expression in vivo. Twenty-two mice received two full thickness incisions in the dorsal skin: one with the Free Electron Laser (λ = 6.45 μm, 52.9 mJ/mm2) and one with a scalpel. Mice were imaged for GFP expression at 3 days, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Confocal microscopic imaging was performed at 2 weeks. Results Peak GFP expression was seen at 2–3 weeks and was localized in fibroblasts. FEL lesions showed more total GFP expression than scalpel lesions but this was only statistically significant (P < 0.05) at 2 and 4 weeks. The full-width half-max (FWHM) of the GFP expression was always larger for the FEL lesion compared to the scalpel lesion but was only statistically significant (P < 0.05) at 2 and 3 weeks. At 2 weeks the extent of the GFP expression in the laser lesion was on average 55 μm beyond that seen in the scalpel lesion but correlated with the number of laser passes. Conclusions Feasibility of using transgenic mice carrying photoactive reporter genes for studying cellular process of laser-inflicted wound repair in a noninvasive, in vivo manner was shown. GFP expression mediated by the VEGF promoter in fibroblast showed minimal impairment of wound healing due to the laser. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:343–350, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nutritional misinformation of children: A developmental and experimental analysis of the effects of televised food commercials.

This study assessed the accuracy of judgments of 100 school age children as to the presence of real fruit content in 3 sets of cereals and beverages advertised on TV: real fruit, nonfruit, and artificially fruit flavored products. In the baseline session, accuracy was an increasing function of age, but children at each age were deceived about real fruit content of artificial fruit products. In session 2, the experimental group saw TV ads for 6 products embedded in a program (naturalistic viewing). They then judged fruit content for these six advertised products, plus a matched set of six for which ads were not shown. Controls saw toy ads on TV, and then judged the same 12 products. In session 3, subjects in each group saw the same ads they had seen in Session 2, without the program and with instruction to attend very carefully to messages in the ad (intensive viewing). They then judged all 12 products again. After naturalistic viewing, few significant differential changes from baseline were found. But after intensive viewing, accuracy of judgment of advertised artificial fruit products was lower than baseline among experimental group children. By contrast, accuracy was higher than baseline both for control children's judgements of “advertised” prod-