cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atomistic simulation of the structural and conductance evolution of Au break junctions

Abstract We present a first principles study on the formation of Au nanowires in a break junction under different initial conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to perform structural relaxations on four systems to investigate the effects of varying the number of relaxed layers and the system cross-section on the evolution of the break junction during the elongation process. The effect on the structure evolution by the increment value used for elongation was considered; therefore, structural relaxations with four selected increment values were performed separately. Electron transport calculations using the non-equilibrium Green’s function technique combined with DFT (NEGF-DFT) were also performed for each structure obtained from our relaxations. Even though the structures and junction stretching approaches were different, qualitatively similar results were found in all systems, including a single atomic chain and a conductance plateau with value of G 0 near the breaking point. We also found that the breaking distance and the final structure of the broken junction are different when either the number of relaxed layers or the increment value is changed.
Divergent Thinking Abilities as a Function of Daydreaming Frequency

One hundred seventy-four subjects were tested to determine the relationship between daydreaming frequency and different measures of creativity. Daydreaming frequency was determined by self-report m...
Biofeedback techniques in the treatment of visual and ophthalmologic disorders: a review of the literature.

The literature on the use of biofeedback techniques in the treatment of visual and opthalmologic disorders is reviewed. Although this consists mainly of case studies, there is mounting evidence that biofeedback may be applicable to the treatment of strabismus, nystagmus, blepharospasm, elevated intraocular pressure, and myopia. Because of the success in applying biofeedback techniques in the treatment of other neuromuscular disorders, it is concluded that the use of these techniques in the treatment of blepharospasm and strabismus shows the most promise.
Speaking genomics to parents offered germline testing for cancer predisposition: Use of a 2-visit consent model

BACKGROUND Patients with cancer are increasingly offered genomic sequencing, including germline testing for cancer predisposition or other disorders. Such testing is unfamiliar to patients and families, and clear communication is needed to introduce genomic concepts and convey risk and benefit information. METHODS Parents of children with cancer were offered the opportunity to have their children's tumor and germline examined with clinical genomic sequencing. Families were introduced to the study with a 2-visit informed consent model. Baseline genetic knowledge and self-reported literacy/numeracy were collected before a study introduction visit, during which basic concepts related to genomic sequencing were discussed. Information was reinforced during a second visit, during which informed consent was obtained and a posttest was administered. RESULTS As reflected by the percentage of correct answers on the pretest and posttest assessments, this model increased genetic knowledge by 11.1% (from 77.8% to 88.9%; P < .0001) in 121 parents participating in both the study introduction and consent visits. The percentage of parents correctly identifying the meaning of somatic and germline mutations increased significantly (from 18% to 59% [somatic] and from 31% to 64% [germline]; P < .0001). Nevertheless, these concepts remained unfamiliar to one-third of the parents. No relation was identified between the change in the overall percentage of correct answers and self-reported literacy, numeracy, or demographics. CONCLUSIONS The use of a 2-visit communication model improved knowledge of concepts relevant to genomic sequencing, particularly differences between somatic and germline testing; however, these areas remained confusing to many participants, and reinforcement may be necessary to achieve complete understanding.
Assessing climate sensitivity of peak electricity load for resilient power systems planning and operation: A study applied to the Texas region

Abstract Accurate forecasting of peak electricity load has long been an active area of research in electricity markets, and power systems planning and operation. Unanticipated climate-induced surges in peak load can lead to supply shortages causing frequent brownouts and blackouts, and large-scale socioeconomic impacts. In this paper, the climate sensitivity of daily peak load is characterized by leveraging advanced statistical machine learning algorithms. More specifically, a rigorously tested and validated predictive model based on the Bayesian additive regression trees algorithm is proposed. Results from this study revealed that maximum daily temperature followed by mean dew point temperature are the most important predictors of the climate-sensitive portion of daily peak load. Among the non-climatic predictors, electricity price was found to have a strong positive association with the daily peak load. Economic growth was observed to have an inverse association with the daily peak load. While the proposed framework is established for the state of Texas, one of the most energy-intensive states with geographic and demographic susceptibility to climatic change, the methodology can be extended to other states/regions. The model can also be used to make short-term predictions of the climate-sensitive portion of daily peak load.
Health sociology in a globalizing world

Los sociologos que trabajan en el area de la salud representan uno de los grupos de especialistas de la sociologia mas grandes en el mundo. Este campo se ha expandido globalmente como respuesta el creciente reconocimiento del papel significativo que tienen los factores sociales a la hora de determinar la salud de individuos, grupo y poblaciones. El caracter especialmente relevante que ha tenido ultimamente la sociologia de la salud tiene que ver con (1) la utilizacion de la teoria sociologica para el estudio de la salud y (2) la manera como la perspectiva sociologica ha permitido poner en evidencia las causas y los efectos colectivos sobre los problemas de salud. Hoy en dia se puede decir que la sociologia de la salud produce informacion que puede ser util tanto para la medicina como para los decisores politicos; pero, a la vez, las investigaciones de campo que se realizan desde la sociologia de la salud sobres situaciones relacionadas con la salud tambien son utiles para la propia sociologia. Este papel revisara brevemente el origen de la sociologia de la salud y perfilara la transicion de su estatus actual, antes de discutir los mas recientes desarrollo en las tecnicas de investigacion y la probable direccion futura de este campo.
Are relationships between impulsivity and depressive symptoms in adolescents sex-dependent?

Abstract Introduction Both depressive symptomology and impulsivity are common during adolescence and are associated with various negative life outcomes. The potential sex-dependent nature of relationships between these constructs needs further exploration in order to understand their complexities. This cross-sectional study examined how levels of these constructs may differ by sex. Additionally, we investigated whether sex moderates relationships between adolescents' depression symptoms and different facets of impulsivity. Methods 156 adolescents (Mage = 17.37, SD = 1.91, 59% female) completed self-report measures of their demographics, depression symptoms, and impulsivity. Multiple Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) assessed mean differences in depression symptoms and impulsivity by sex and race/ethnicity. Moderation analyses examined how sex may indirectly affect relationships between depression symptoms to predict attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsivity facets, as well as overall trait impulsivity. Results Correlations between depression symptoms and impulsivity scores were significant. Baseline depression symptoms were significantly higher among females (M = 9.53) compared to males (M = 6.68). Moderation effects of sex were not significant for attentional, motor, or overall trait impulsivity. However, sex moderated relations between depression symptoms and non-planning impulsivity, such that adolescent males showed higher levels of non-planning impulsivity when they reported high levels of depressive symptoms (B = .32, p Conclusions While adolescent females may be more prone to depression, adolescent males may be more likely to experience non-planning impulsivity when experiencing symptoms of depression. The results of this study extend the literature regarding sex differences in vulnerabilities between these constructs. We suggest interventions targeting non-planning impulsivity may be especially salient for adolescent males reporting high levels of depressive symptoms.
Identity, Role Conception, and Status Dilemma: A Socio-Psychological Account of China-U.S. Relations

This article examines the status politics in Chinese foreign policy and its implications on China-U.S. relations. The analysis of status recognition and the role it plays in Chinese diplomacy revea...
Factors Associated With the Highest and Lowest Cited Research Articles in General Surgery Journals.

Abstract Background Citation count is a common bibliometric tool used to determine the long-term impact and performance of journal articles. Many of the other potential factors associated with highly and lowly cited articles in the general surgery literature, however, remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to attempt to identify characteristics of articles that may predict or correlate with article citation counts and, consequently, article impact. Methods We identified articles from Annals of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery, and Journal of the American College of Surgeons between 1998 and 2008 that had 0-5 total citations. We then matched these articles to an identical number of the highest cited articles from these same journals for comparison. Student's t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, chi-squared tests, and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine the significance of difference between data sets at a predetermined level of significance set to P Results Significant differences of article characteristics between the two cohorts included higher prevalence of clinical studies (P = 0.3919), multi-institutional (P = 0.0007) and multi-national (P = 0.0023) studies, surgical oncology (P Conclusions There are a relatively small number of articles with 0-5 citations after 10 y for these major general surgery journals. This indicates that journals are consistently able to select articles that will be impactful in aiding future research. Certain factors, however, are associated with being highly cited as opposed to lowly cited, and an understanding of these factors can aid researchers and journals in designing and reporting future studies.
Acknowledgment of Reviewers

On behalf of the editors of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews (MMBR), I gratefully acknowledge the following individuals, who served as reviewers for the journal from October 2019 through September 2020. Their time and effort in reviewing manuscripts are essential to ensuring the high
Multitiered Early Literacy Identification in 3-Year-Old Children in Head Start Settings:

Three-year-old children are seldom the focus in studies about supplemental early literacy instructional support. This study examines 3-year-old children’s potential need for additional early litera...
Ten Year Trends in Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship.

Background Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is one of the more recently established surgical fellowships, with many candidates applying due to a perception of inadequate exposure to advanced MIS during residency. The desire for advanced training should be reflected in increased competitiveness for fellowship positions. The aim of this study is to determine the desirability of MIS fellowships over time through review of national application data. Methods We reviewed the fellowship match statistics obtained from The Fellowship Council, the organizing body behind the MIS fellowship match. Data from January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2019 were included. We compared match rates to other specialties using the National Resident Matching Program, a nonprofit organization established for US residency and some fellowship programs. Results In the period of 2008 to 2019, the number of certified MIS fellowship programs increased from 124 to 141. While this program expansion was associated with a 19% increase in available positions, the number of applications increased 36%. As a result, the number of positions filled increased from 83% to 97%, but the match rate among US applicants fell from 82% to 71% during this interval. In comparison, the match rates for pediatric surgery, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and surgical critical care fellowships remained largely unchanged, most recently 50%, 56%, 99%, and 100% respectively. Conclusion Over the last decade, US residents have shown an increased interest in pursuing MIS fellowship positions. As a consequence, the match process for MIS fellowships is becoming increasingly competitive.
David Wake: Why are there so many kinds of organisms (but especially salamanders)?

The vitality and dynamism of contemporary evolutionary biology owe much to the efforts and creativity of David Wake, who died of renocardiac syndrome on April 29, 2021. He was 84 years old. As one of the foremost biologists of his generation, Dave pursued a highly synthetic, integrative research program that sought to explain the evolution of diversity. But he maintained a particular focus on processes, such as organismal development, that had been underemphasized, if not entirely neglected, by the modern synthesis achieved in the middle of the 20th century. Over the last half of his career, Dave drew the world’s attention to the precipitous decline of amphibian populations, including his beloved (and it was love) salamanders of the family Plethodontidae, and promoted and organized a global scientific response to diagnose and ultimately address the problem. David Wake. Reprinted with the permission of The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. Dave was born on June 8, 1936, in Webster, South Dakota. He was raised in nearby Pierpont, a small farming community—326 people according to the 1940 census—filled mostly with Norwegian immigrants (1, 2). Education was highly prized; of the 11 students in his high school class, 3 went on to earn doctorates and become college professors. Before Dave’s final year, the family relocated to Tacoma, Washington, where he and two siblings could attend Pacific Lutheran College (now Pacific Lutheran University) while living at home, the only financial arrangement his parents could afford. It was here, while collecting insects for an entomology course, that Dave discovered plethodontid salamanders, but especially Ensatina , a remarkable species endemic to the Pacific Coast ranges and Sierra Nevada that is best known to evolutionary biologists as a classic example of Rassenkreis , or ring species (3). Any prior fascination with insects, or even … [↵][1]1Email: hanken{at}oeb.harvard.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
A spatio-temporal model for detecting the effect of cocaine use disorder on functional connectivity

Abstract Drug addiction can lead to many health-related problems and social concerns. Researchers are interested in the association between long-term drug usage and abnormal functional connectivity. Functional connectivity obtained from functional magnetic resonance imaging data promotes a variety of fundamental understandings in such association. Due to the complex correlation structure and large dimensionality, the modeling and analysis of the functional connectivity from neuroimage are challenging. By proposing a spatio-temporal model for multi-subject neuroimage data, we incorporate voxel-level spatio-temporal dependencies of whole-brain measurements to improve the accuracy of statistical inference. To tackle large-scale spatio-temporal neuroimage data, we develop a computational efficient algorithm to estimate the parameters. Our method is used to first identify functional connectivity, and then detect the effect of cocaine use disorder (CUD) on functional connectivity between different brain regions. The functional connectivity identified by our spatio-temporal model matches existing studies on brain networks, and further indicates that CUD may alter the functional connectivity in the medial orbitofrontal cortex subregions and the supplementary motor areas.
Establishing a research agenda for broadening participation of black men in computing, informatics, and engineering

Abstract The underrepresentation of Black men in computing, informatics, and engineering is at a critical state. Much research has been attributed to the increase in women's representation in Information Technology (IT), but little has explicitly focused on Black men. Additionally, the research with Black men in IT studies the population from a group level of analysis rather than an individual level. This conceptual and theoretical manuscript positions the author as an exemplar, a Black man and IT, and uses theoretical linkages of the Individual Differences Theory of Gender and IT. The result is a research plan to study the underrepresentation of Black men in IT, exploring individual and group level analysis, introducing qualitative artifacts, and showcasing successful Black men in IT.
Repurposing ceritinib induces DNA damage and enhances PARP inhibitor responses in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have activity in homologous recombination (HR) repair-deficient, high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC). However, even responsive tumors develop PARPi resistance, highlighting the need to delay or prevent the appearance of PARPi resistance. Here we showed that the ALK kinase inhibitor ceritinib synergizes with PARPis by inhibiting complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which increases production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent induction of oxidative DNA damage that is repaired in a PARP-dependent manner. Additionally, combined treatment with ceritinib and PARPi synergized in HGSOC cell lines irrespective of HR status, and a combination of ceritinib with the PARPi olaparib induced tumor regression more effectively than olaparib alone in HGSOC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Notably, the ceritinib and olaparib combination was most effective in PDX models with preexisting PARPi sensitivity and was well tolerated. These findings unveil suppression of mitochondrial respiration, accumulation of ROS, and subsequent induction of DNA damage as novel effects of ceritinib. They also suggest that the ceritinib and PARPi combination warrants further investigation as a means to enhance PARPi activity in HGSOC, particularly in tumors with preexisting HR defects.
Scavenger Hunt Assignments in Academic Libraries

Abstract A literature review and sampling of information found on college and university libraries' Web sites reveal a wide difference of opinion on the effects of using library scavenger hunts to teach college students about the campus library. Conflicting views on the effectiveness of scavenger hunts as an educational activity are summarized. Both positive and negative views are compared to research-based literature on the topic.
Development, maintenance, and modulation of patterned membrane topography: models based on the acetylcholine receptor.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a brief overview of the problem of acetylcholine (Ach) receptor topography at the neuromuscular junction and discusses possible mechanisms for the development and stabilization of this topography. It discusses the fluidity of the cell membrane and the speed with which membrane proteins may diffuse laterally in the membrane. Many of the proposed mechanisms depend directly or indirectly on the lateral mobility of proteins in the cell membrane. The strengths and weaknesses of the various models and some experimental approaches to test them are discussed. The chapter also discusses two of the models, the diffusion-trap model and the electromigration model, that can explain a rather wide range of the data and require little of the cell machinery. The cell can merely insert the ACh receptor at random and the ACh receptor is then localized by the physics of the membrane. Thus, a complete description of these models is possible based upon the properties of the membrane alone. The chapter discusses some possible functional consequences of the dynamics of the cell membrane as it pertains to the plasticity of synaptic function.
Modulation of rpoH Expression using an Antisense Strategy

Hsp60 mediates invasion of HeLa cells, blocks organelle trafficking, and is the most abundant protein secreted into the phagosomes of host cells throughout the course of intracellular multiplication. In Escherichia coli the heat shock response is controlled by sigma factor 32 (RpoH) encoded by rpoH. Moreover, we do not know to what extent RpoH is either expressed or required for gene expression. In a study the authors focused on controlling levels of Hsp60 production by modulating expression of rpoH in order to evaluate the role of heat-shock protein (Hsp60) and the heat shock response in pathogenesis. The authors developed three strategies to alter rpoH expression: (i) construct an rpoH knockout mutant by allelic replacement; (ii) replace the endogenous rpoH promoter with an isopropyl- β-D-thio-galactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible promoter; and (iii) to knock down levels of RpoH and HtpAB with antisense RNA. Either the rpoH gene is located in a dead zone for recombination or more likely the introduction of strong promoters into this locus causes constitutive expression of downstream genes associated with cell division (ftsYEX). Preliminary data presented in a report in this chapter suggest that antisense can be used to knock down protein expression levels in L. pneumophila.
Geometric Path Integrals. A Language for Multiscale Biology and Systems Robustness

In this paper we suggest that, under suitable conditions, supervised learning can provide the basis to formulate at the microscopic level quantitative questions on the phenotype structure of multicellular organisms. The problem of explaining the robustness of the phenotype structure is rephrased as a real geometrical problem on a fixed domain. We further suggest a generalization of path integrals that reduces the problem of deciding whether a given molecular network can generate specific phenotypes to a numerical property of a robustness function with complex output, for which we give heuristic justification. Finally, we use our formalism to interpret a pointedly quantitative developmental biology problem on the allowed number of pairs of legs in centipedes.
Inhalation carcinogenicity of alpha halo ethers. I. The acute inhalation toxicity of chloromethyl methyl ether and bis(chloromethyl)ether.

A range of acute studies were performed with chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME) and bis(chloromethyl)ether (BCME), including 14-day LC50’s, following single seven-hour inhalation exposures. The LC50’s for CMME were 55 ppm for rats and 65 ppm for hamsters. The LC50’s for BCME were 7 ppm for both species. All animals showed characteristic changes of acute irritation of the respiratory tract manifested by congestion, edema, and hemorrhage. Severe shortening of life span was seen in 30-day exposures of rats to CMME and in all studies with BCME. Incidences of mucosal changes, including atypia, were generally increased in a dose-related manner in both species. The carcinogenicity of BCME in these range finding experiments was demonstrated by a skin cancer in a rat after three exposures and a nasal tumor in a hamster after one exposure to 1 ppm BCME.
Predictive Pricing and Revenue Sharing

Predictive pricing (e.g., Google's "Smart Pricing" and Yahoo's "Quality Based Pricing") and revenue sharing are two important tools that online advertising networks can use in order to attract content publishers and advertisers. We develop a simple model of the pay-per-click advertising market to study the market effects of these tools. We then present an algorithm, PricingPolicy , for computing an advertising network's best response i.e., given the predictive pricing and revenue sharing policies used by its competitors, what policy should an advertising network use in response? Using PricingPolicy , we gain insight into the structure of optimal predictive pricing and revenue sharing policies.
Gerald Caplan: A Tribute to the Originator of Mental Health Consultation

Gerald Caplan (1917–2008), world-renowned child and community psychiatrist, was the originator of the modern practice of mental health consultation. In addition to consultation, Caplan developed and refined many conceptual models and methods for practice for use in community mental health, psychology, and education. This tribute article focuses on his career and contributions to the field of consultation and offers insights into his approach to mental health consultation.
Electrodynamic response of Y1Ba2Cu3Oy and La1.85Sr0.15CuO4- delta in the superconducting state.

Measurements of the temperature dependence of the surface resistance ${R}_{s}$ at 9.85 GHz and the screening length ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{s}$ at 1 MHz for the superconducting states of ${\mathrm{Y}}_{1}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{y}$ and ${\mathrm{La}}_{1.85}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.15}$Cu${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ show strong correlations, suggesting that the superconducting state is the same in the two materials. While the overall temperature dependence of ${R}_{s}$ is reasonably well described by the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory in the very dirty limit, additional features are seen in ${R}_{s}$ and also in ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{s}$ which suggest detailed deviations from the BCS $s$-wave state.
Extended Implications of Technology in Second Language Teaching and Learning

Bhatia and Ritchie’s (2009) book chapter provides an extensive review of the core issues pertaining to second language (L2) acquisition in the information age. It also reiterates the influence of information technology on second language education. Technology, with all its merits, has “brought about a new generation of information and language learning tools” (p. 547). This is so be it used online or offline, inside or outside of the classroom, synchronously or asynchronously.
Improving Habitat for Species at Risk While Maintaining Timber Supply: The Umpqua Land Exchange Project

Western land development initiatives by the federal government led to a fragmented ownership in much of western Oregon. A project to examine the feasibility of voluntary land exchanges between public and private owners to increase ecological health of fish and other species in Umpqua Basin while maintaining timber supply has been initiated. A landscape model has been developed to quantitatively link geomorphic and management related variables to species habitat suitability so that solutions can be systematically assessed. A pilot study to develop and test the methodology has been completed and data compilation is in the final stages for the first 675,000 acre (2700 sq. km) analysis unit.
Crystal Structure of the PTEN Tumor Suppressor: Implications for Its Phosphoinositide Phosphatase Activity and Membrane Association

The PTEN tumor suppressor is mutated in diverse human cancers and in hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes. PTEN is a phosphatase that can act on both polypeptide and phosphoinositide substrates in vitro. The PTEN structure reveals a phosphatase domain that is similar to protein phosphatases but has an enlarged active site important for the accommodation of the phosphoinositide substrate. The structure also reveals that PTEN has a C2 domain. The PTEN C2 domain binds phospholipid membranes in vitro, and mutation of basic residues that could mediate this reduces PTEN's membrane affinity and its ability to suppress the growth of glioblastoma tumor cells. The phosphatase and C2 domains associate across an extensive interface, suggesting that the C2 domain may serve to productively position the catalytic domain on the membrane.
Solidification kinetics in SiGe alloys.

The solidification kinetics of SiGe alloys, modeled by the Stillinger-Weber potential, are investigated using nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics computer simulation techniques. Interface response functions and solute redistribution at the regrowing solid/liquid interface are investigated. The maximum crystallization velocity of SiGe alloys is found to decrease below the pure component values, in agreement with the results of explosive crystallization measurements. The results of solidification velocity versus interface temperature (i.e., one of the interface response functions) obtained from the simulation for SiGe alloys compare well, in most cases, with Aziz's continuous growth model assuming short-range diffusion-limited growth. Mutual trapping of Si in Ge and Ge in Si is found in both Si-rich and Ge-rich alloys, in agreement with Aziz's solute trapping theory and with experiment. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Plasma progesterone concentrations as puberty criteria for Brahman-crossbred heifers

Abstract Plasma progesterone concentrations greater than 1.0 ng/mL are often used as puberty criterion for heifers. However, prepubertal Brahman-crossbred heifers may experience progesterone concentrations greater than 1.0 ng/mL as result of their excitable temperament. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate three different puberty criteria (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 ng/mL of plasma progesterone) on the proportion of heifers incorrectly classified as pubertal (false positives). Blood samples were collected, immediately after transrectal ovarian ultrasonography, from 37 Braford and 43 Brahman × Angus heifers on days 0 and 10, 40 and 50, 80 and 90, and 120 and 130 of the experiment. Across breeds, heifer mean body weight and age were, respectively, 253 kg and 269 days at the beginning (day 0), and 326 kg and 399 days at the end of the experimental period (day 130). Puberty was confirmed once a corpus luteum and plasma progesterone concentrations greater than 1.5 ng/mL were concurrently detected in one or both evaluations performed on a 10-day interval. Prepubertal heifers were classified as false positive if, at least once during the experimental period, their plasma progesterone concentrations were greater than the adopted puberty criterion in two samples collected 10 days apart but no luteal tissue was concurrently detected. Approximately 55% of the Brahman × Angus and 86% of the Braford heifers experienced progesterone concentrations above 1.0 ng/mL before reaching puberty (breed effect; P P = 0.03) the proportion of false positive Brahman × Angus heifers (25.0 versus 8.3%, respectively, SEM = 5.5), whereas increasing puberty criterion from 1.0 to 1.5 ng/mL and from 1.5 to 2.0 ng/mL decreased ( P = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) the proportion of false positive Braford heifers (57.1, 31.4, and 11.4%, respectively; SEM = 7.4). In conclusion, plasma progesterone concentrations greater than 1.0 ng/mL is a common occurrence among prepubertal Brahman-crossbred heifers. Further, 1.5 and 2.0 ng/mL of progesterone may be more appropriate values for puberty assessment in Brahman × Angus and Braford heifers, respectively, particularly if blood samples are collected infrequently.
Tracking of fluid-advected odor plumes: strategies inspired by insect orientation to pheromone

Autonomous vehicles with plume-tracing capabilities would be valuable for finding chemical sources in fluid flows. This article considers strategies allowing autonomous vehicles to find and trace an odor plume to its source. These strategies are inspired by the maneuvers of moths flying upwind along a pheromone plume. Although moth maneuvers are well documented, the mechanisms underlying sensory perception and navigation are not fully understood; therefore, a key objective was to define sensor, signal-processing, and actuation algorithms for autonomous vehicles. The strategies presented do not precisely mimic insect orientation to odors. Optimizing performance, however, suggests orientation strategies that may have biological counterparts. The results demonstrate the importance of cross-plume counterturning strategies for maintaining intermittent contact with the chemical plume, given noisy sensory information. It is important for the searcher to maintain intermittent contact with the plume because flow direction while detecting odor is the main indicator of the instantaneous desired direction of motion.
Embryotoxicity of weathered crude oil from the Gulf of Mexico in mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Weathered crude oil in the Gulf of Mexico can result from oil spills such as the Deepwater Horizon incident that occurred on April 20, 2010 or from natural seeps. Adult waterbirds of the Gulf Coast region may become exposed to weathered crude oil while foraging, wading, or resting, and residues can then be transferred to nests, eggs, and hatchlings. Although the toxicity of many types of crude oil to avian embryos has been thoroughly studied, the effects of weathered crude oil on developing avian embryos are not well characterized. The objective of the present study was to examine embryotoxicity of weathered crude oil collected from the Gulf of Mexico in June 2010 using mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model species. Weathered crude oil was applied to fertilized mallard duck eggs by paintbrush in masses ranging from 0.1 to 99.9 mg on day 3 of incubation. Mortality occurred as early as day 7 and the conservatively derived median lethal application of weathered crude oil was 30.8 mg/egg (0.5 mg/g egg) or 30.7 µl/egg (0.5 µl/g egg). Body mass, liver and spleen mass, crown–rump and bill lengths, and frequency of deformities were not significantly different among hatchlings from oiled and control eggs. In comparison to published reports of fresh crude oil embryotoxicity, weathered crude oil was considerably less toxic. We conclude that avian toxicity varies according to the degree of crude oil weathering and the stage of embryonic development at the time of exposure. Results indicate bird eggs exposed to weathered crude oil from the Gulf of Mexico during summer 2010 may have had reduced hatching success. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1885–1891. © 2011 SETAC
Emergency Orthogeriatrics: Concepts and Therapeutic Alternatives

Multidisciplinary orthogeriatric care can enhance prompt ED diagnosis, optimal pre- and postoperative care, and functional recovery in older adults with bony injuries. Emergency care providers should be cognizant of prevalent geriatric syndromes including delirium and standing level falls to minimize fracture-related morbidity. Recognizing the implications of aging physiology, acute care physicians should be aware of effective alternatives to analgesia, procedural sedation, and definitive imaging to promote early surgical management and postoperative recovery.
Linguistically informed digital fingerprints for text

Digital fingerprinting, watermarking, and tracking technologies have gained importance in the recent years in response to growing problems such as digital copyright infringement. While fingerprints and watermarks can be generated in many different ways, use of natural language processing for these purposes has so far been limited. Measuring similarity of literary works for automatic copyright infringement detection requires identifying and comparing creative expression of content in documents. In this paper, we present a linguistic approach to automatically fingerprinting novels based on their expression of content. We use natural language processing techniques to generate "expression fingerprints". These fingerprints consist of both syntactic and semantic elements of language, i.e., syntactic and semantic elements of expression. Our experiments indicate that syntactic and semantic elements of expression enable accurate identification of novels and their paraphrases, providing a significant improvement over techniques used in text classification literature for automatic copy recognition. We show that these elements of expression can be used to fingerprint, label, or watermark works; they represent features that are essential to the character of works and that remain fairly consistent in the works even when works are paraphrased. These features can be directly extracted from the contents of the works on demand and can be used to recognize works that would not be correctly identified either in the absence of pre-existing labels or by verbatim-copy detectors.
Captopril enhances aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity in potassium-depleted rats.

Captopril enhances aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity in potassium-depleted rats. We demonstrated that potassium depletion significantly increased gentamicin nephrotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats (100 mg·kg −1 ·day −1 ). To determine whether this enhanced toxicity was mediated by renin secretion, we evaluated the effect of a converting enzyme inhibitor in this model. When we administered the combination of captopril (100 mg·kg −1 ·day −1 ) and gentamicin in potassium-depleted rats, we observed a surprising and significant adverse effect of this combination on the clearances of inulin (C In ) and PAH (C PAH ) and renal blood flow (RBF). Pretreatment with indomethacin significantly improved C In and C PAH , and potassium repletion abolished this effect entirely. In potassium-depleted animals that received both gentamicin and captopril, the intra-arterial administration of imidazole, a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, significantly reduced urinary TXB 2 excretion and significantly improved RBF and C In in vivo. In the same group of animals, administration of the kallikrein antagonist aprotinin also significantly increased both RBF and C In . To measure total renal thromboxane B 2 production (TXB2), we perfused kidneys ex vivo with cell-free perfusate. Three groups of animals were studied: potassium-repleted control animals, potassium-depleted control animals, and potassium-depleted animals treated with gentamicin alone, captopril alone, or the combination of gentamicin and captopril. We measured TXB 2 in renal venous effluent by radioimmunoassay. Ex vivo perfused kidneys from potassium-depleted control animals produced significantly more TXB 2 than potassium-repleted controls. Kidneys from potassium-depleted animals that received both gentamicin and captopril produced significantly greater amounts of TXB 2 than did kidneys from potassium-depleted animals treated with captopril alone, gentamicin alone, or control potassium-depleted kidneys. The administration of imidazole ex vivo at a rate equivalent to in vivo administration (10 µM/min) reduced TXB 2 production by potassium-depleted kidneys that received the combination of gentamicin and captopril to that of potassium-repleted control kidneys. These results suggest that the deleterious effect of captopril in potassium-depleted rats that received gentamicin is due at least in part to kinin-stimulated renal TXB 2 production.
Analog CCD processors for image filtering

While charge-coupled devices (CCDs) are used extensively in many image sensor applications, they are also capable of performing many basic signal processing functions. This paper presents some analog CCD circuitry for implementing an edge detection algorithm and a boundary-preserving image filter. In particular, the parallel, pipelined architecture is introduced as an efficient architecture for integrating CCD imagers with analog CCD processors for high-throughput image processing applications.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Modified predictor-corrector algorithm for locating weighted centers in linear programming

In certain applications of linear programming, the determination of a particular solution, the weighted center of the solution set, is often desired, giving rise to the need for algorithms capable of locating such center. In this paper, we modify the Mizuno-Todd-Ye predictor-corrector algorithm so that the modified algorithm is guaranteed to converge to the weighted center for given weights. The key idea is to ensure that iterates remain in a sequence of shrinking neighborhoods of the weighted central path. The modified algorithm also possesses polynomiality and superlinear convergence.
Cyclic AMP metabolism in mouse parotid glands properties of adenylate cyclase, protein kinase and phosphodiesterase

Abstract Catecholamines induce unique growth and secretory responses in salivary glands. An analysis of three enzyme activities involved in cyclic AMP metabolism was carried out to identify the specificity of these responses for salivary glands. Although parotid adenylate cyclase has an unusually high specific activity, its kinetic properties and responses to NaF, guanine nucleotides, and isoproterenol are similar to other tissues not stimulated to grow after isoproterenol stimulation. Solubilized adenylate cyclase was separated from other membrane proteins by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels. There was a single broad peak of activity with a pI of 5.9. Parotid protein kinase has a subcellular distribution and substrate preference similar to hepatic protein kinase. Activation by cyclic AMP is also similar to that reported for other tissues, with a K a of 1.2·10 −7 M. Parotid cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphoriesterases are a heterogeneous group of enzymes with relatively low specific activity as compared with mouse pancreas, liver and brain. Isoelectric focusing of supernatant phosphodiesterases revealed at least six peaks of enzyme activity in the pI range of 4–6. Previous reports of a large increase in parotid cyclic AMP levels after in vivo administration of catecholamines and specific growth and secretion could be the result of a relatively high specific activity adenylate cyclase associated with low specific activity cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases.
Shading reduces coral-disease progression

The growing incidence of tropical-marine diseases is attributed to increases in pathogen prevalence and virulence associated with global warming. Additionally, the compromised-host hypothesis suggests that rising ocean temperatures may increase disease activity by making the corals more susceptible to ubiquitous pathogens. We tested the effects of reducing irradiance stress on coral-disease progression rates by shading corals showing signs consistent with white-plague disease. Our results showed that white-plague disease on shaded corals progressed significantly more slowly than on controls. Although the mechanisms are unknown, this study suggests that light intensity influences the rate of coral-disease progression.
Estimates of the geostrophic stream function in the western North Pacific from XBT surveys

Bernstein and White (1981) have argued that the 300 m temperature field in the western North Pacific reflects the 100/1000 dbar geostrophic stream function of the upper ocean where 100/1000 dbar implies the 100 dbar surface relative to the 1000 dbar surface. The correlation between upper ocean dynamic height and temperature in this region provides the basis for their argument. The involved relationship suggests that it may be possible to monitor the relative upper ocean geostrophic transport, as well as energy relations and heat fluxes with expendable bathythermograph (XBT) surveys. Certain discrepancies between data from different sources are felt to result from problems with the XBT observations. The present investigation is concerned with the determination of the ability of XBT surveys to estimate geostrophic currents, taking into account a comparison of directly measured data with estimated shears. Discrepancies are found to be related to an underestimation of the dynamic height gradients.
Do vestibular otolith organs participate in human orthostatic blood pressure control

We hypothesized that vestibular otolith organ stimulation contributes to human orthostatic responses. Twelve subjects underwent three 60 degrees upright tilts: (1) with the neck flexed from 0 degrees to 30 degrees relative to the body during 60 degrees tilt, such that the head moved from horizontal to 90 degrees above horizontal (0 to 1 Gz otolith stimulation); (2) with the head and body aligned, such that they tilted together to 60 degrees (0 to 0.87 Gz otolith stimulation); and (3) with the neck flexed 30 degrees relative to the body during supine conditions, and the neck then extended to -30 degrees during 60 degrees body tilting, such that the head remained at 30 degrees above horizontal throughout body tilting (constant 0.5 Gz otolith stimulation). All three tilt procedures increased thoracic impedance, sympathetic nerve activity (N = 8 of 12), arterial pressure, and heart rate relative to supine conditions (all P < 0.04). Within the first 20 s of tilt, arterial pressure increased most obviously in the 0 to 1 Gz otolith condition. Thoracic impedance tended to increase more in otolith-constant conditions, but no dependent variable differed significantly between tilt conditions, and no significant time x tilt interactions emerged. Otolith inputs may contribute to early transient adjustments to orthostasis. However, lack of significant main effects of tilt condition and time x tilt interactions suggests that potential otolith effects on the variables we studied are relatively subtle and ephemeral, or that other mechanisms compensate for a lack of change in otolith input with orthostasis.
The many faces of the genetics contribution to temporomandibular joint disorder.

Structured Abstract Authors – Oakley M, Vieira AR Objectives – Review the literature on candidate genes for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Setting and Sample Population – Literature review. Materials and Methods – Two basic approaches were used to obtain literature in any language regarding genes and TMD. First, Medline, Embase, and Science Citation Index databases were searched using the keywords ‘temporomandibular joint disorder’ and ‘temporomandibular joint dysfunction’ for studies published from 1966 to 2007. Then, the references list of the studies obtained in the database was also considered. Results – Candidate genes for TMD include genes for individual variations in pain perception, gender and ethnicity, proinflammatory cytokines, female hormones, breakdown of extracellular matrix, and syndromic forms of TMD. Conclusion – Most of the studies on genetic variation contributing to TMD are approaching the disease mainly from an immune-inflammatory perspective. Recent investigations of the genetic variables which may predict identifiable levels of pain perception may uncover new approaches to our traditional treatment modalities for the chronic pain patient.