cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex differences on the WISC-R

Sex differences on 13 subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC-R), and in the factor structure of the 13 subtests, are examined in the white subsample (N = 944 males, 924 females) of the total national standardization sample of the WISC-R (Kaufman and Doppelt, 1976; Wechsler, 1974). This sample of children, whose ages range from 6 to 16.5 years, were chosen by a stratified, random-sampling procedure to be representative of the population of the United States, in accord with demographic features revealed in the 1970 census. All of the WISC-R subtests, listed in Table 1, are highly familiar, except Tapping Span, which was not included in the published version of the test. It is ostensibly a non-verbal test of visual imitative memory. A straight row of four l" wooden blocks, spaced 1" apart, is placed before the S. The examiner, holding a block between his thumb and index finger taps out a pattern on the row of four blocks, say, 1-4-2-3, if we imagine the blocks are consecutively numbered from left to right. The S's task is to imitate the same pattern of taps on the row of blocks, tapping out the pattern just as the examiner had done. Task difficulty is increased by tapping out longer and more complex series. The use of subtest scaled scores, with a mean of 10 and SD of 3 at every age in the total standardization sample, in effect obviates age differences in the test scores. All the analyses in this study are based on the age-standardized scaled scores. Table 1 shows the means and SDs of the scaled scores for males and females, and the difference between the sexes, in scaled score units and in SD units. Despite a multivariate statistical test which shows the overall differences between the sexes to be significant beyond the 0.001 level, the differences are generally quite small, with the marked exception of the Coding test, on which females exceed males by about half of a SD. This one quite extreme sex difference in the WISC-R battery has also been noted by Samuel 11983) in large samples both of whites and blacks (independent of the present standardization sample). The Coding test (matching geometric symbols with numbers) seems to involve perceptual speed and accuracy, dexterity in copying symbols, and rote memory. The only other subtest which shows an appreciable difference (0.37 SD), in favor of males, is Information. The sex differences can also be expressed in the form of the point-biserial correlation coefficient, rr~, with males coded 0, females 1. The rph, in the range of low values found here, is virtually a linear function of the mean difference. Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) can be partialed out of each rph, revealing the relative size of the sex differences on the various subtests when the sexes are statistically equated on FSIQ. These results are shown in Fig. 1. Partialing out FSIQ has only a slight
Time of development and duration of the effect of a guinea pig transfer factor.

Abstract The time of development and the duration of the effect of a guinea pig antihomograft transfer factor has been studied. The factor is demonstrable in the lymph nodes by the seventh or eighth day after grafting. The capacity for causing a cutaneous inflammatory reaction in the donor and inducing the accelerated rejection of donor skin grafts arises and declines at the same rate. By injecting the factor prior to grafting it is shown that it has a short-lived effect. The data are consistent with the characteristics of the development, duration, and passive transfer of antibodies.
Universal access and the ADA: a disability access design specification for the new UCLA library online information system

The time‐honored, fundamental mission of American libraries is to provide universal access to information, collections, materials, and services. In passing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), Congress estimated that over 43 million Americans have one or more disabilities. Congress further noted that society historically has tended to isolate and segregate individuals with disabilities, and, despite some improvements, such forms of discrimination against individuals with disabilities continue to be a serious and pervasive social problem. 42 USC Section 12101 (a) (5) provides that “individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including outright intentional exclusion, the discriminatory effects of architectural, transportation, and communication barriers, overprotective rules and policies, failure to make modifications to existing facilities and practices, exclusionary qualification standards and criteria, segregation, and relegation to lesser services, programs, activities, benefits, jobs, or other opportunities.”
Forage quality of alfalfa protected by resistance to bacterial leaf spot.

Abstract Bacterial leaf spot (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. alfalfae Dye (Xca), can prevent stand establishment and decrease the yield and persistence of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the central USA. Previous studies have shown that BLS inoculation may affect concentrations of monophenolic compounds and thus alter the forage quality of alfalfa. In a controlled environment, comparisons were made of forage quality, including phenolic monomers, of alfalfa cv. Kanza (susceptible) and KS76 germplasm (derived from Kanza, resistant) with and without inoculation with Xca. The cultivar × inoculation interactions were non-significant (P > 0.05) for all parameters determined for leaves and stems. Leaves from Xca-inoculated plants had more neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, permanganate lignin and cellulose, and less true in vitro digestible dry matter, than did leaves from uninoculated plants. The nutritive value of stems was not altered by inoculation. Regardless of inoculation treatment, leaves had a five times greater consentration of total phenolics than did stems, yet neutral detergent fiber from stems was less digested than that from leaves. Across inoculations, leaves of BLS-resistant KS76 had superior forage quality, including lower concentrations of ferulic acid and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, than leaves of BLS-susceptible Kanza. The Xca-inoculated stems had lower p-coumaric and ferulic acids and total phenolics than uninoculated controls. Stems of Kanza had higher concentrations of ferulic acid and total phenolics than stems of KS76. Resistance to BLS in KS76 protected nutritive value of leaves.
Striatal tachykinin biosynthesis: regulation of mRNA and peptide levels by dopamine agonists and antagonists.

The effects of dopamine agonists and antagonists on rat basal ganglia substance P, substance K, and preprotachykinin mRNA were examined. Chronic administration of the prototypical dopamine antagonist haloperidol decreased striatal preprotachykinin mRNA and nigral tachykinin peptides. Chronic treatment with the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist l-sulpiride (but not the inactive d-isomer) mimicked the effect of haloperidol. In contrast, the atypical neuroleptic clozapine did not decrease tachykinin mRNA or peptides. The potent indirect dopamine agonist methamphetamine rapidly increased preprotachykinin mRNA, substance P, and substance K although the direct agonist apomorphine was without effect. Methamphetamine-stimulated changes in preprotachykinin mRNA were prevented by prior haloperidol administration. These data demonstrate that alterations in dopaminergic transmission significantly alter striatonigral tachykinin biosynthesis in vivo.
Applying peripheral vascular injury guidelines to penetrating trauma.

Abstract Introduction Treatment of traumatic vascular injury is evolving because of endovascular therapies. National guidelines advocate for embolization of injuries to lower extremity branch vessels, including pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulas, in hemodynamically normal patients without hard signs of vascular injury. However, patient stability and injury type may limit endovascular applicability at some centers. We hypothesized that for penetrating trauma, indications for endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular injuries, as outlined by national guidelines, are infrequent. Methods We reviewed records of patients sustaining penetrating peripheral vascular injuries treated at our university-based urban trauma center from 2006–2010. Patient demographics and outcomes were analyzed. Results In 92 patients with penetrating peripheral vascular injuries, 82 were managed operatively and 10 were managed nonoperatively. Seventeen (18%) were hemodynamically unstable on arrival, 44 (48%) had multiple vessels injured, and 76 (83%) presented at night and/or on the weekend. No pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulas were seen initially or at follow-up. Applying national guidelines to our cohort, only two patients (2.2%) met recommended criteria for endovascular treatment. Conclusions According to national guidelines, indications for endovascular treatment of penetrating peripheral vascular injury are infrequent. Nearly two-thirds of patients with penetrating peripheral vascular injuries were hemodynamically unstable or had multiple vessels injured, making endovascular repair less desirable. Additionally, over 80% presented at night and/or on the weekend, which could delay treatment at some centers due to mobilization of the endovascular team. Trauma centers need to consider their resources when incorporating national guidelines in their treatment algorithms of penetrating vascular trauma.
Generalized Damping Curves and Their Use in Solving Power-Switching Transients

The equivalent circuits applicable to many power system switching conditions can frequently be reduced to one or more series or parallel RLC (resistance-inductance-capacitance) circuits. It is shown that the responses of these circuits to a variety of stimuli can be expressed on a per-unit basis, as families of dimensionless curves involving one parameter. Such curves are presented and are then used to solve representative power-switching problems.
In vivo MR evaluation of Gd-DTPA conjugated to dextran in normal rabbits

A dextran-Gd-DTPA compound has been recently synthesized utilizing 70,800 Da molecular weight dextran. This polymeric contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging has been found chemically to be very stable and to demonstrate in vitro improved relaxivities of 1.5 to 2.3 times that of monomeric Gd-DTPA at 100 MHz. This MR experiment examines the in vivo distribution and relaxivity of the 70,800 Da molecular weight dextran-Gd-DTPA compound in a rabbit model by measuring the change in signal-to-noise ratio of a variety of organs (renal cortex, renal medulla, liver, brain, and torcula herophile) compared to the preinjection state. Results demonstrate prolonged (beyond 60 min) enhancement of the renal cortex, renal medulla, liver and torcula, and no enhancement of brain parenchyma.
The role of pannexin hemichannels in inflammation and regeneration

Tissue injury involves coordinated systemic responses including inflammatory response, targeted cell migration, cell-cell communication, stem cell activation and proliferation, and tissue inflammation and regeneration. The inflammatory response is an important prerequisite for regeneration. Multiple studies suggest that extensive cell-cell communication during tissue regeneration is coordinated by purinergic signaling via extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Most recent data indicates that ATP release for such communication is mediated by hemichannels formed by connexins and pannexins. The Pannexin family consists of three vertebrate proteins (Panx 1, 2, and 3) that have low sequence homology with other gap junction proteins and were shown to form predominantly non-junctional plasma membrane hemichannels. Pannexin-1 (Panx1) channels function as an integral component of the P2X/P2Y purinergic signaling pathway and is arguably the major contributor to pathophysiological ATP release. Panx1 is expressed in many tissues, with highest levels detected in developing brain, retina and skeletal muscles. Panx1 channel expression and activity is reported to increase significantly following injury/inflammation and during regeneration and differentiation. Recent studies also report that pharmacological blockade of the Panx1 channel or genetic ablation of the Panx1 gene cause significant disruption of progenitor cell migration, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. These findings suggest that pannexins play important roles in activation of both post-injury inflammatory response and the subsequent process of tissue regeneration. Due to wide expression in multiple tissues and involvement in diverse signaling pathways, pannexins and connexins are currently being considered as therapeutic targets for traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, ischemic stroke and cancer. The precise role of pannexins and connexins in the balance between tissue inflammation and regeneration needs to be further understood.
Neratinib: an oral, irreversible dual EGFR/HER2 inhibitor for breast and non-small cell lung cancer

Background: The revolutionary success of imatinib, a specific inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase (TK) in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia ushered in the era of targeted therapies...
Hybrid vector beam generation

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of a class of spatially variant polarization beams called hybrid vector beams. Hybrid vector beams have cylindrically symmetric amplitude and a spatially varying degree of polarization ellipticity in their transverse profile about the beam axes, varying from linear to elliptical to circular every 45 degrees. We describe a method for the generation of various hybrid vector beam polarizations based on the transformation of various cylindrical vector beams using conventional wave plates. The Stokes parameters for the overall polarization of each hybrid vector beam generated are experimentally measured and mapped numerically.
Robotic-assisted partial cystectomy with en bloc excision of the urachus and the umbilicus for urachal adenocarcinoma

We report two cases of urachal adenocarcinoma managed with robotic-assisted partial cystectomy. A detailed description of the robotic technique including methods used to resect the tumor, urachus, and umbilicus en bloc is described. A review of the management of urachal adenocarcinoma is presented. The robotic approach is technically feasible and safe, and is an attractive alternative to traditional open or laparoscopic-assisted partial cystectomy for this uncommon genitourinary malignancy.
A Virtual Velocity Sensor for Improved Transient Performance of Electrostatically-Actuated MEMS

Electrostatically-actuated MEMS devices suffer from a non-linear bifurcation phenomenon called “snap-through” or “pull-in.” This bifurcation severely limits the operating region of such devices. Control schemes have been proposed to eliminate snapthrough. These stabilizing controllers can be implemented using relatively straight forward current and voltage measurements. However, in order to alter the transient behavior of the system, for example to reduce settling time, or to minimize the likelihood of contacting the bottom electrode, the controller should also include terms dependent on the velocity of the movable electrode. Direct sensing of this velocity during normal device operation is typically not feasible. In this paper we show how the electrode velocity may be indirectly sensed using only capacitance and voltage measurements. Our approach is based on well known techniques of nonlinear observer design, and provides arbitrary fast linear error dynamics. Simulation results show excellent performance.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Making Decisions About Assessment Practices for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing are a low-incidence population with diverse linguistic characteristics and levels of academic achievement. This article presents findings on teacher recommendations of assessment practices for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. A total of 372 educational professionals responded to a set of three study vignettes that asked for recommendations for accommodations or alternate assessments appropriate for the scenarios. Participants also provided open-ended responses that justified their recommendations. Four randomly assigned conditions controlled for test subject (math or reading), student skill level (two or five grades below grade level in math and/or reading), and communication mode used in instruction (American Sign Language or a combination of sign and speech). Participant recommendations for accommodations or alternate assessments varied by test subject (math or reading) and student skill level but not by communication mode. Justifications for recommendat...
Effects of hyperbaric oxygen exposure on experimental head and neck tumor growth, oxygenation, and vasculature.

Background. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) is used to promote healing in irradiated tissues, but concern persists about the possibility that it may promote residual tumor growth. Methods. The tumor growth of SQ20B and Detroit 562 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma xenografts were studied after single-dose irradiation and 5� /week HBO2 treat- ment at 2.4 atm absolute for 90 minutes. The effect of HBO2 treatment on tumor hypoxia and vasculature was also exam- ined by immunohistochemical analysis. Results. HBO2 treatment increased tumor oxygenation during the treatment interval but did not promote the growth of either irradiated or unirradiated tumors. No increase in tumor vascular endothelial growth factor expression or vascularization was detected. Conclusions. This study found no evidence for persistent changes in tumor microenvironment or tumor growth promotion caused by hyperbaric oxygen exposure. A 2005 Wiley Period- icals, Inc. Head Neck 27: 362-369, 2005
Improving Middle and High School Students' Comprehension of Science Texts.

Throughout the United States, many middle and high school students struggle to comprehend science texts for a variety of reasons. Science texts are frequently boring, focused on isolated facts, present too many new concepts at once, and lack the clarity and organization known to improve comprehension. Compounding the problem is that many adolescent readers do not possess effective comprehension strategies, particularly for difficult expository science texts. Some researchers have suggested changing the characteristics of science texts to better assist adolescent readers with understanding, while others have focused on changing the strategies of adolescent readers. In the current paper, we review the literature on selected strategy instruction programs used to improve science text comprehension in middle and high school students and suggest avenues for future research.
PERIMENOPAUSAL AND POSTMENOPAUSAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY: Part 2. Hormonal Regimens and Complementary and Alternative Therapies*

As midwives increasingly provide care to women throughout the lifecycle, they need to become familiar with a variety of treatments for perimenopausal and postmenopausal problems and preventive measures for the potentially disabling conditions that can accompany aging. This article reviews various regimens of hormone replacement therapy. It discusses types of estrogen and progestin, appropriate dosages, routes of administration, and duration of therapy. It offers guidelines for initiation, contraindications, and required follow-up. It addresses the management of side effects and problems. The article briefly reviews a variety of complementary and alternative therapies including various self-help measures, such as nutrition and exercise, and selected herbal treatments. Part 1 of this article, which appeared in the January/February 1996 issue of JNM, reviewed the literature on recommended therapeutic and preventive indications for hormone replacement therapy, providing guidelines for the provision of informed consent.
Modelling detection probabilities to evaluate management and control tools for an invasive species

Summary 1. For most ecologists, detection probability (p) is a nuisance variable that must be modelled to estimate the state variable of interest (i.e. survival, abundance, or occupancy). However, in the realm of invasive species control, the rate of detection and removal is the rate-limiting step for management of this pervasive environmental problem. 2. For strategic planning of an eradication (removal of every individual), one must identify the least likely individual to be removed, and determine the probability of removing it. 3. To evaluate visual searching as a control tool for populations of the invasive brown treesnake Boiga irregularis, we designed a mark–recapture study to evaluate detection probability as a function of time, gender, size, body condition, recent detection history, residency status, searcher team and environmental covariates. 4. We evaluated these factors using 654 captures resulting from visual detections of 117 snakes residing in a 5-ha semi-forested enclosure on Guam, fenced to prevent immigration and emigration of snakes but not their prey. Visual detection probability was low overall ( = 0·07 per occasion) but reached 0·18 under optimal circumstances. 5. Our results supported sex-specific differences in detectability that were a quadratic function of size, with both small and large females having lower detection probabilities than males of those sizes. There was strong evidence for individual periodic changes in detectability of a few days duration, roughly doubling detection probability (comparing peak to non-elevated detections). Snakes in poor body condition had estimated mean detection probabilities greater than snakes with high body condition. Search teams with high average detection rates exhibited detection probabilities about twice that of search teams with low average detection rates. Surveys conducted with bright moonlight and strong wind gusts exhibited moderately decreased probabilities of detecting snakes. 6.Synthesis and applications. By emphasizing and modelling detection probabilities, we now know: (i) that eradication of this species by searching is possible, (ii) how much searching effort would be required, (iii) under what environmental conditions searching would be most efficient, and (iv) several factors that are likely to modulate this quantification when searching is applied to new areas. The same approach can be use for evaluation of any control technology or population monitoring programme.
Markerless Mutagenesis in Methanococcus maripaludis Demonstrates Roles for Alanine Dehydrogenase, Alanine Racemase, and Alanine Permease

Among the archaea, Methanococcus maripaludis has the unusual ability to use L- or D-alanine as a nitrogen source. To understand how this occurs, we tested the roles of three adjacent genes encoding homologs of alanine dehydrogenase, alanine racemase, and alanine permease. To produce mutations in these genes, we devised a method for markerless mutagenesis that builds on previously established genetic tools for M. maripaludis. The technique uses a negative selection strategy that takes advantage of the ability of the M. maripaludis hpt gene encoding hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase to confer sensitivity to the base analog 8-azahypoxanthine. In addition, we developed a negative selection method to stably incorporate constructs into the genome at the site of the upt gene encoding uracil phosphoribosyltransferase. Mutants with in-frame deletion mutations in the genes for alanine dehydrogenase and alanine permease lost the ability to grow on either isomer of alanine, while a mutant with an in-frame deletion mutation in the gene for alanine racemase lost only the ability to grow on D-alanine. The wild-type gene for alanine dehydrogenase, incorporated into the upt site, complemented the alanine dehydrogenase mutation. Hence, the permease is required for the transport of either isomer, the dehydrogenase is specific for the L isomer, and the racemase converts the D isomer to the L isomer. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all three genes had been acquired by lateral gene transfer from the low-moles-percent G+C gram-positive bacteria.
Beyond morbidity and mortality: The social and legal outcomes of non-accidental trauma

BACKGROUND: Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. We aimed to assess the social and legal outcomes of AHT and determine if the rates of successful prosecution have changed over recent years. METHODS: We utilized the trauma database at a single institution to identify all cases of AHT during two time periods: 1996-2001 and 2006-2010 then collected data from the Child Advocacy and Protection Team database. We characterized the social and legal outcomes and compared them between the two cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients (120 historic and 134 modern cohort) were included. Mortality rate was 19.7% and did not differ between the two cohorts. Thirty-seven percent of patients were discharged to foster care, this rate did not change across the two time periods. Suspected perpetrators pled guilty or were found guilty in only 74 cases (29%). However, when a case involved a fatality, perpetrators pled or were found guilty more often than in cases of a non-fatality (50 vs. 21.5%; p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: AHT results in fatality in approximately 1 in 5 cases, perpetrators are identified and found guilty in only 29% of the cases. Trauma surgeons need to be strong advocates for these vulnerable patients and actively participate in legal proceedings. Language: en
Effects of Embryo Culture on Angiogenesis and Morphometry of Bovine Placentas During Early Gestation

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of undefined and semidefined culture systems for in vitro embryo production on angiogenesis and morphometry of bovine placentas during early gestation. Blastocysts produced in vivo were recovered from superovulated Holstein cows and served as controls. Blastocysts produced in vitro were exposed to either serum-supplemented medium with cumulus cell coculture (in vitro-produced with serum; IVPS) or modified synthetic oviductal fluid medium without serum or coculture (mSOF). Single blastocysts from each production system were transferred into heifers. Fetuses and placentas were recovered on Day 70 of gestation. Cotyledonary tissues were obtained for quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARG) mRNA and protein. Samples of placentomes were prepared for immunocytochemistry and histological analysis. Placentas from the mSOF group were heavier and had the fewest placentomes, least placental fluid, and lowest placental efficiency (fetal weight/placental weight) compared with the in vivo and IVPS groups. There was no effect of embryo culture system on volume densities of fetal villi or maternal endometrium within placentomes. The volume density of fetal pyknotic cells was increased in placentomes in the mSOF group compared with the in vivo and IVPS groups. Placentomes in the mSOF group had decreased densities of blood vessels and decreased levels of VEGF mRNA in cotyledonary tissue. In conclusion, compared with placentas from embryos produced in vivo or in vitro using an undefined culture system, placentas from embryos produced in vitro using a semidefined culture system exhibited a greater degree of aberrant development of the placenta during early gestation.
Radar altimeter gate tracking: theory and extension

The range gate tracking algorithms in the United States' satellite radar altimeters over the past 20 years all use the same waveform estimators: uniformly weighted gates. The generic algorithm is based on a nested family of range intervals, within which the average reflected power is computed. This choice of gate weighting is guided by matching the gate properties to the shape of the flat surface impulse response of the scattering surface. For the case of a conventional, pulse-limited radar altimeter, the flat surface impulse response is a step function, for which uniformly weighted gates are appropriate. In the more general case, nonuniform weights are required. This paper reviews the theory behind the gate tracking algorithm as applied to conventional altimeters and extends this basic method to the recently proposed delay/Doppler altimeter whose impulse response does not have a step-function shape. Furthermore, it is shown that the definition of the tracking gates for either type of altimeter can be modified to account for the impact of the radar antenna beampattern on the altimeter waveform.
What google maps can do for biomedical data dissemination: examples and a design study

Biologists often need to assess whether unfamiliar datasets warrant the time investment required for more detailed exploration. Basing such assessments on brief descriptions provided by data publishers is unwieldy for large datasets that contain insights dependent on specific scientific questions. Alternatively, using complex software systems for a preliminary analysis may be deemed as too time consuming in itself, especially for unfamiliar data types and formats. This may lead to wasted analysis time and discarding of potentially useful data. We present an exploration of design opportunities that the Google Maps interface offers to biomedical data visualization. In particular, we focus on synergies between visualization techniques and Google Maps that facilitate the development of biological visualizations which have both low-overhead and sufficient expressivity to support the exploration of data at multiple scales. The methods we explore rely on displaying pre-rendered visualizations of biological data in browsers, with sparse yet powerful interactions, by using the Google Maps API. We structure our discussion around five visualizations: a gene co-regulation visualization, a heatmap viewer, a genome browser, a protein interaction network, and a planar visualization of white matter in the brain. Feedback from collaborative work with domain experts suggests that our Google Maps visualizations offer multiple, scale-dependent perspectives and can be particularly helpful for unfamiliar datasets due to their accessibility. We also find that users, particularly those less experienced with computer use, are attracted by the familiarity of the Google Maps API. Our five implementations introduce design elements that can benefit visualization developers. We describe a low-overhead approach that lets biologists access readily analyzed views of unfamiliar scientific datasets. We rely on pre-computed visualizations prepared by data experts, accompanied by sparse and intuitive interactions, and distributed via the familiar Google Maps framework. Our contributions are an evaluation demonstrating the validity and opportunities of this approach, a set of design guidelines benefiting those wanting to create such visualizations, and five concrete example visualizations.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF POMEGRANATE JUICE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PHENOLIC COMPOSITION AND PROCESSING

The antioxidant activity of pomegranate juices was evaluated by four different methods (ABTS, DPPH, DMPD, and FRAP) and compared to those of red wine and a green tea infusion. Commercial pomegranate juices showed an antioxidant activity (18-20 TEAC) three times higher than those of red wine and green tea (6-8 TEAC). The activity was higher in commercial juices extracted from whole pomegranates than in experimental juices obtained from the arils only (12-14 TEAC). HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS analyses of the juices revealed that commercial juices contained the pomegranate tannin punicalagin (1500-1900 mg/L) while only traces of this compound were detected in the experimental juice obtained from arils in the laboratory. This shows that pomegranate industrial processing extracts some of the hydrolyzable tannins present in the fruit rind. This could account for the higher antioxidant activity of commercial juices compared to the experimental ones. In addition, anthocyanins, ellagic acid derivatives, and hydrolyzable tannins were detected and quantified in the pomegranate juices.
Motion graphs++: a compact generative model for semantic motion analysis and synthesis

This paper introduces a new generative statistical model that allows for human motion analysis and synthesis at both semantic and kinematic levels. Our key idea is to decouple complex variations of human movements into finite structural variations and continuous style variations and encode them with a concatenation of morphable functional models. This allows us to model not only a rich repertoire of behaviors but also an infinite number of style variations within the same action. Our models are appealing for motion analysis and synthesis because they are highly structured, contact aware, and semantic embedding. We have constructed a compact generative motion model from a huge and heterogeneous motion database (about two hours mocap data and more than 15 different actions). We have demonstrated the power and effectiveness of our models by exploring a wide variety of applications, ranging from automatic motion segmentation, recognition, and annotation, and online/offline motion synthesis at both kinematics and behavior levels to semantic motion editing. We show the superiority of our model by comparing it with alternative methods.
SELECTIVE BINDING OF ZINC BY BASIC PROTEINS OF THE HELA CELL NUCLEOLUS.

Treatment of ethanol-fixed HeLa cells with solutions containing zinc ions results in marked retention of zinc by the nucleolus. Subsequent exposure to dithizone results in selective staining of the nucleolus with visualization of some of its internal structure. Free amino groups of protein are shown to be chiefly responsible for binding of the zinc, but the imidazole rings of histidine residues may also play a part in zinc retention. High concentrations of protein-bound amino groups can be demonstrated by the ninhydrin-Schiff or the hydroxynaphthaldehyde methods to have a distribution in the HeLa cell nucleolus similar to the sites of marked zinc retention, and the Pauly reaction shows that imidazole groups of histidine are concentrated in the nucleolus in a similar fashion.The zinc-binding protein is acid extractable and it is suggested that this protein may represent a product of the nucleolus with functions in other parts of the cell, where the reactive basic groups are masked by linkages to acidic gro...
Wages in a Factor Proportions Time Series Model of the US

The theoretical effects of changes in prices and factor endowments on wages in general equilibrium models have been examined under various assumptions. The present paper is the first to estimate wage effects in the context of this theory. The data cover the US real wage, labor force, fixed capital assets, energy input, and prices of manufactures and services from 1949 to 2006. Estimated input elasticities of the wage are consistent with labor in the middle of the factor intensity ranking, and energy as very intensive in manufacturing. The estimation technique quantifies fundamental influences on the labor market.
Event-averaged maximum likelihood estimation and mean-field theory in multitarget tracking

This paper presents a novel type of Kalman filter for track maintenance in multitarget tracking using thresholded sensor data at high target/clutter densities and low detection levels. The filter is robust against tracking errors induced by crossing tracks, clutter, and missed detections, and the computational complexity of the filter scales well with problem size. There are two key features that differentiate this approach from earlier work. First, to reduce computational load, the filter exploits techniques from statistical field theory to simplify measurement to track association by using a mean-field approximation to sum over associations. Second, to enhance tracking of close together targets, the filter explicitly models the error correlations that occur between such target pairs. These error correlations are caused by measurement to track association ambiguities that arise when target separations are comparable to sensor measurement errors. >
AIB1 Is a Conduit for Kinase-Mediated Growth Factor Signaling to the Estrogen Receptor

Growth factor modulation of estrogen receptor (ER) activity plays an important role in both normal estrogen physiology and the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Growth factors are known to stimulate the ligand-independent activity of ER through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the direct phosphorylation of ER. We found that the transcriptional activity of AIB1, a ligand-dependent ER coactivator and a gene amplified preferentially in ER-positive breast cancers, is enhanced by MAPK phosphorylation. We demonstrate that AIB1 is a phosphoprotein in vivo and can be phosphorylated in vitro by MAPK. Finally, we observed that MAPK activation of AIB1 stimulates the recruitment of p300 and associated histone acetyltransferase activity. These results suggest that the ability of growth factors to modulate estrogen action may be mediated through MAPK activation of the nuclear receptor coactivator AIB1.
Comment on ``Heat capacity, time constant, and sensitivity of Earth's climate system'' by S. E. Schwartz

[1] Schwartz [2007] recently evaluated the time constant of Earth’s climate system. However, his methodology yields to a significant underestimation of the value of t and obscures a much more interesting property of the system. Schwartz found t = 5 ± 1 years. Herein, by using an improved methodology I find that for short time scales from 0 to 2 years t is of the order of a several months and for larger time scales, at least up to 20 years, t is at least 70% larger than what Schwartz estimated. [2] Schwartz [2007] hypothesized (his equation (17)) that the climate system behaves as a first-order autoregressive process plus a linear trend. The implicit idea seems that the linear trend represents the effect of the external forcings on climate while the temperature signal, detrended of the above linear component, represents the internal variability of the same. This internal variability is assumed to be described by an AR(1) process whose autocorrelation function, r(Dt), decays as an exponential function of the lag time Dt with a given time constant t: r(Dt) = exp( Dt/t). [3] Although in physics using simple models is useful, the one suggested by Schwartz [2007], with a single time constant, is an oversimplification and, as I will prove below, it is inconsistent with the analysis. In fact, it is very well known that climate is the combination, coupling and superposition of several phenomena. Some phenomena respond quickly as the atmosphere, others as the deep ocean respond very slowly. Thus, each climate component responds with its own time constant that might range from a few months to several years or decades. [4] Given the length limitation of the temperature data herein analyzed (approximately 125 years) the analysis is limited to time scales below 20 years with a monthly resolution and I look for two time constants. The climate model I suggest is
The evolution of tail‐length in widowbirds (Ploceidae): tests of alternatives to sexual selection

The long tails of male widowbirds (Euplectes, Ploceidae) have been used to test sexual selection theory, but alternatives to sexual selection have not been investigated. This study tests three alternative hypotheses for the evolution of tail-length in widowbirds: apose-matism, the unprofitable prey hypothesis and species recognition. Using museum specimens, geographic patterns of tail-length were examined for evidence of character convergence (as predicted by the aposematism and unprofitable prey hypotheses) or character divergence (as predicted by the species recognition hypothesis) in areas where two pairs of species were sympatric. There was no consistent trend: one species showed evidence of character convergence and the other some evidence of divergence. Experimental manipulation of tail-length in the Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macrourus also failed to support the species recognition hypothesis: there was no preference for males with species-typical tail-lengths but only a slight and non-significant trend to favour short-tailed males. There was also no evidence that mistaken identity led to territory loss following these experimental manipulations. Tail-length of six Euplectes species did not correlate with unpalatability scores, as predicted by the aposematism hypothesis. These hypotheses do not appear to explain the evolution of long tails in widowbirds, suggesting that sexual selection is the sole factor favouring long tails. Interspecific variation in tail-length remains unexplained.
Benefits and constraints of time-based metering along RNAV STAR routes

The NextGen Integration and Implementation Office of the Federal Aviation Administration has outlined a set of novel operational concepts for improving the efficiency of air traffic operations. In the terminal domain, one proposed operational change is Time-Based Metering (TBM) utilizing Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) route assignments. The MITRE Corporation's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) was tasked to provide benefits and feasibility analysis of these proposed changes and to develop models to test concepts for use in the management and control of air traffic. This paper describes the evaluation of potential benefits and constraints on the feasibility of implementing TBM along RNAV STAR routes. It focuses on computer simulated trial runs of a case study in which time-based metered delivery is implemented at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport. This study has yielded two important findings. The first finding is the maximum tolerable variation of actually realized en-route to terminal delivery times from the prescribed schedule times. The second finding is an estimate of the potential reduction in low altitude vectoring in high density airspace.
Swarm intelligence for achieving the global maximum using spatio-temporal Gaussian processes

This paper presents a novel class of self-organizing multi-agent systems that form a swarm and learn a spatio- temporal process through noisy measurements from neighbors for various global goals. The physical spatio-temporal process of interest is modeled by a spatio-temporal Gaussian process. Each agent maintains its own posterior predictive statistics of the Gaussian process based on measurements from neighbors. A set of biologically inspired navigation strategies are identified from the posterior predictive statistics. A unified way to prescribe a global goal for the group of agents is presented. A reference trajectory state that guides agents to achieve the maximum of the objective function is proposed. A switching protocol is proposed for achieving the global maximum of a spatio- temporal Gaussian process over the surveillance region. The usefulness of the proposed multi-agent system with respect to various global goals is demonstrated by several numerical examples.
The Effect of Age on Death Disgust: Challenges to Terror Management Perspectives

Proponents of Terror Management Theory (TMT) argue that many facets of disgust serve to defend against existential anxiety accompanying cognizance of one's mortality. Because the passage of time brings death closer, this view predicts that the intensity of disgust elicited by reminders of death should increase with age. Skeptical of TMT, we conducted Internet-based studies using the instrument created by TMT proponents. Results reveal that age is negatively, not positively, correlated with death disgust sensitivity, a pattern consistent with adaptive habituation rather than terror management. The same result was obtained using in-person administration of the instrument in Costa Rica, a society characterized by attitudes toward death that differ from those of the U.S. Additional work in Costa Rica demonstrated that, contrary to TMT predictions, attention to one's own death need not increase disgust reactions to the body or its products. Both the evocative power of death stimuli and the negative effects of ...
Beyond Mental Illness: Targeting Stronger and More Direct Pathways to Violence

The association between violence and serious mental illness (SMI)—schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder—was examined and guided by the I3 model to ...
Evolution of Law and Legal Concept in Burma: Challenges at the Transition

This paper explores evolutionary process of legal concept and theory in Burma. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the issues that Burma will face in legal transformation. Since its independence, the post-colonial governments have failed to transform legal system in accordance with the social elements that govern daily lives of Burmese. The paper argues that there are two fundamental challenges Burmese society faces in legal transformation. The first challenge is the emergence of a new constitution - what kind of constitution should be implemented to suite the livelihoods and social elements? The second challenge resonates in the question of how can Burmese society achieve “rule of law” system while it encompasses traditional and social elements into it.
Antitrust in Wonderland: Regulating Markets of Innovation

This article examines the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property law, critiquing the government's approach and proposing amendments to current standards. In particular, this article focuses on the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission's treatment of innovation effects as a factor in antitrust analyses. While the government characterizes innovation effects as fundamental to Antitrust-IP law, the Guidelines set forth by the government in its present state renders the innovation effects factor as nugatory and, in the long run, will hinder technological research and development in this country. Thus, this article proposes amendments to the Guidelines so that innovation effects may be given greater weight. This article revisits the history of antitrust law applied to the New Economy, explains why current standards are flawed, and suggests amendments to the Guidelines that would offer more potency to the innovation effects factor.
Home Range as a Measure of Probable Interactions Among Populations of Small Mammals

A technique for estimating the probability of interaction in space using the home range as a basis of measurement is presented. The overlap area between adjacent home ranges and the relative use of home range area are used to obtain the estimate. The methods were demonstrated with data for Perognathus longimembris (Coues) for the USAEC Nevada Test Site. Probable interaction between females ranged from .6301 for individuals with recapture centers only 11.43 m apart to .0000 for animals 88.53 m apart. In this case the recapture radius was 44.45 m. Probable interaction between males and females ranged from .6289 to .0000 with distances from recapture centers of 11.43 m to 85.53 m, respectively. Assumptions required by this technique and limitations of interpretation are discussed.
Influenza: The Present Status of Chemotherapy

Rather than await arrival of “ideal” drugs, physicians might well make greater use of the one agent thus far available: amantadine, which has been shown to be effective prophylactically and to a lesser degree therapeutically. More experience with amantadine might speed the development of better drugs; moreover, influenza may prove to be controllable only through a combination of specific immunization and specific chemotherapy.
Buffered osmium tetroxide (OsO4) fixation for cytological and Feulgen microspectrophotometric studies of human rectal polyps.

Evidence has been presented that when human rectal mucosa and polyps are fixed with buffered OsO4 according to the method of Palade, staining of paraffin sections by basic and acidic dyes results in a distinct color difference between chromatin and cytoplasm. Furthermore, the Feulgen reaction also can be carried out successfully and such OsO4-fixed Feulgen-stained sections are especially suitable for microspectrophotometric determinations of DNA in individual nuclei.