cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are self-rated and behavioural measures of impulsivity in bipolar disorder mainly related to comorbid substance use problems?

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Impulsivity is a multidimensional feature observed in bipolar disorder (BD) and substance use disorder (SUD). We previously found a relationship between SUD and risk taking in BD. It is still unclear whether self-rated and behavioral impulsivity measures differ between BD with and without comorbid SUD, or are specific to BD.Methods: 93 adults with BD with comorbid SUD, 91 BD without SUD, and 93 healthy controls (HC) were administered the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS), the Behavioral Inhibition/Behavioral Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS), and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Analyses compared impulsivity measures across groups controlling for age. Discriminant function analyses (DFA) assessed the combination of variables effectively predicting group membership.Results: BD displayed increased BIS, BIS/BAS scores, reduced performance on the Cambridge Gambling and Rapid Visual Processing, and Affective Go/No-Go tasks compared to HC. Comparisons between BD with ...
Liberty in Law? Intellectual Property Rights and Global Alliance Networks

Do formal legal institutions complement or substitute social network mechanisms of knowledge protection? We explore how the composition and structure of firms’ international alliance networks chang...
Risk Stratification for Major Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Intra-abdominal General Surgery Using Latent Class Analysis.

BACKGROUND:Preoperative risk stratification is a critical element in assessing the risks and benefits of surgery. Prior work has demonstrated that intra-abdominal general surgery patients can be classified based on their comorbidities and risk factors using latent class analysis (LCA), a model-based
A structurally-characterized peroxomanganese(IV) porphyrin from reversible O2 binding within a metal–organic framework

The role of peroxometal species as reactive intermediates in myriad biological processes has motivated the synthesis and study of analogous molecular model complexes. Peroxomanganese(IV) porphyrin complexes are of particular interest, owing to their potential ability to form from reversible O2 binding, yet have been exceedingly difficult to isolate and characterize in molecular form. Alternatively, immobilization of metalloporphyrin sites within a metal–organic framework (MOF) can enable the study of interactions between low-coordinate metal centers and gaseous substrates, without interference from bimolecular reactions and axial ligation by solvent molecules. Here, we employ this approach to isolate the first rigorously four-coordinate manganese(II) porphyrin complex and examine its reactivity with O2 using infrared spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, EPR spectroscopy, and O2 adsorption analysis. X-ray diffraction experiments reveal for the first time a peroxomanganese(IV) porphyrin species, which exhibits a side-on, η2 binding mode. Infrared and EPR spectroscopic data confirm the formulation of a peroxomanganese(IV) electronic structure, and show that O2 binding is reversible at ambient temperature, in contrast to what has been observed in molecular form. Finally, O2 gas adsorption measurements are employed to quantify the enthalpy of O2 binding as hads = −49.6(8) kJ mol−1. This enthalpy is considerably higher than in the corresponding Fe- and Co-based MOFs, and is found to increase with increasing reductive capacity of the MII/III redox couple.
Kinetics of chalcocite leaching in oxygenated alkaline glycine solutions

Abstract Naturally occurring chalcocite (Cu2S) was leached with oxygenated alkaline glycine solutions. The influence of glycine concentration, stirring speed, particle size, dissolved oxygen concentration and temperature on the copper dissolution rate were evaluated. Under all conditions, the copper leach rate was very rapid in the first 6 h of leaching after which significant slower rates were recorded. The influence of fine grinding P100–20 μm was remarkable with up to 78% Cu extracted over 6 h of leaching as compared to just 40% for 38–53 μm size fraction under the same conditions. SEM-EDS and XPS analysis of the leach residue confirmed the presence of covellite (CuS) on the particle surfaces. It appears that chalcocite leaching in oxygenated alkaline glycine solution occurs in two stages. The first stage is fast and involves the conversion of chalcocite into cupric ions and covellite while in the second stage, the formed covellite slowly converts to cupric ions and sulfate ions. Kinetic analysis using the shrinking core model of both the first and second stages indicates that the reactions appear to be controlled by diffusion through the product layer with calculated apparent activation energies being 25.kJ/mol (1st stage) and 108 kJ/mol (2nd stage).
VLSI Layout Fabrics

In a typical VLSI IC, the preferred routing direction for any metal layer is usually perpendicular to the directions for layers above and below it. Other than this guideline, layout is performed without a strict prior arrangement of wires. This can easily give rise to situations where two or more wires are routed together for long distances on the same metal layer, resulting in crosstalk problems.
Longitudinal Continuity Learning Experiences and Primary Care Career Interest: Outcomes from an Innovative Medical School Curriculum.

Background Medical students in the USA have negative perceptions of primary care careers, which are exacerbated by the hidden curriculum and medical school culture. Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) have shown promise in ameliorating this situation by promoting student/preceptor continuity relationships and helping students maintain empathy.
Rule-based searching for collision test cases of autonomous vehicles simulation

Research and development in the field of autonomous vehicles has increased along with related work on automated driving (AD) software. Thorough testing of AD software using simulations must be conducted in advance of testing AD cars on the road. Parameters of the many objects around an AD car, such as other cars, traffic lanes and pedestrians are required as inputs of the simulation. Therefore, the number of parameter combinations becomes extremely large. A combination of parameters is called a test case; hence, the challenge is to search collision test cases from the extremely large number of combinations. A rule-based method is the main focus because an explicit method of searching test cases is required in certain industries in the real world. In this study, a method of rule-based searching for collision test cases of autonomous vehicles simulations is proposed. Simulation models that have rules between an AD car and other cars are defined. Algorithms were also developed to search collision test cases that generate test cases incrementally. Experiments on AD simulations involving the simulation models of a three-lane highway and a signalised intersection were conducted. The results indicate the efficiency of the method.
Abstract TP264: Actin Reorganization is a Rapid and Reversible Adaptive Response by Neurons Exposed to Ischemic and Excitotoxic Injury in vitro and in vivo

In initial stages of ischemic injury, glutamate receptor hyperactivation mediates extensive neuronal cell death. Most of this initial death is due to cytotoxic edema, whereby sodium and chloride en...
Category Strategy for Firm Advantage

The decision of where to position in a market is crucial to firm success. Most strategy research focuses on either choosing an attractive industry or firm-level differences that lead to sustained a...
Preservation of olfaction in anterior midline skull base meningiomas: a comprehensive approach.

Olfaction is an undervalued sense in neurosurgery. Attempted surgical resection of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas puts the olfactory pathway at risk. Preservation of olfaction may increase the postoperative quality of life. Objective assessment of olfaction may inform clinical decision-making and influence the selection of operative approaches for surgical resection. We reviewed all patients who underwent surgical resection for midline anterior skull base meningiomas from July 1, 2014, through December 31, 2017. Patient demographics, tumor size, operative approach, pre- and postoperative deficits, and Simpson grade were collected and analyzed. Postoperative olfaction was assessed by clinical evaluation as well as objective evaluation using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). Twenty-eight patients (10 male, 18 female) were included with an average age of 53.8 years (range 27–80 years). Twenty-six patients underwent craniotomy for resection, while 2 patients had endoscopic approaches. Average tumor volume was 402.1 cm3 (6.6–2507.7 cm3). Preoperatively, five patients (17.8%) presented with olfactory impairment. Objectively, 50% of patients (14/28) consented and completed the UPSIT. The average postoperative UPSIT score was 25.8/40 (9/40–38/40). Two patients not identified on clinical assessment alone demonstrated postoperative olfactory deficit on UPSIT (2/14). There are limited published studies evaluating olfaction in patients who undergo skull-based approaches for anterior fossa meningiomas. Our series showed the highest olfaction preservation rate (87.5%) using a comprehensive strategy and multitude of surgical approaches based on the olfactory function and tumor characteristics.
Kolmogorov-Smirnov Two-Sample Tests

We have not previously discussed the use of criteria suggested by direct comparison of empirical (sample) cumulative distribution functions with one another or with hypothetical c.d.f.’s (“goodness of fit”). This important approach leads to a wide variety of procedures which stand apart from the procedures of earlier chapters in several respects. They are expressed in a different form. The relevant statistics are not approximately or asymptotically normally distributed. The theory of their asymptotic behavior is fascinating and raises different kinds of problems requiring different kinds of tools. The mathematical interest of these and other problems has played a larger role than statistical questions in motivating the extensive literature about them, although there is also some excellent work on statistically important questions.
Genomic regions linked to soft sweeps approximate neutrality when inferring population history from site pattern frequencies

Recent studies have suggested that selection is widespread throughout the genome and largely uncompensated for in inferences of population history. To address this potential issue, we estimated site pattern frequencies for neutral and selection associated areas of the genome. There are notable differences in these frequencies between neutral regions and those affected by selection. However, these differences have relatively small effects when inferring population history.
3.16 – Micro-Coolers

Ever-increasing heat fluxes approaching that at the surface of the sun in microelectronic chips, and the miniaturization of powered devices of all types, have been strongly driving microcooling technologies of all types. Microcooling technologies include micro heat pipes and thermocapillary systems, microchannel heat exchangers, microjet convection coolers, solid-state coolers, and mechanical coolers. Microcooling technologies also range from mature devices that are commercially available to those that are nascent and still in basic research to solve fundamental problems. This chapter reviews different microcooling devices and technologies, the underlying principles, and the state-of-development to date.
Effects of ISI and satellite channel nonlinearity on Viterbi demodulation/decoding

It is shown that, for convolutionally coded transmission over bandwidth-constrained channels, a mere reversal of the switching direction at the encoder output produces a change in the system bit error probability performance. This change is significant when the Viterbi demodulator/decoder is matched to the total channel memory and is more significant for linear channels than for nonlinear ones. The reversal of switching direction is a simple demonstration of the fact that the well-known optimum codes for the linear AGWN channel are no longer necessarily optimum for a bandwidth-constrained channel with or without the addition of channel nonlinearity. It is concluded that potentially significant performance improvement can be obtained by matching the encoder (through the appropriate choice of tap weights and modulo-2 summers) to the channel in addition to matching the demodulator/decoder to the channel for a given encoder.
Design Optimization of the Snubber circuit for Three- level NPC Converter pole for Hard switching Application

This paper describes the design and selection criteria of RC snubber circuit for the Three level Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) converter pole with series connected SiC MOSFETs and clamping diodes. The converter pole is used as a building block for implementing a three phase converter for hard switching applications. Passive RC snubbers have been used for voltage balancing among series connected MOSFETs and clamping diodes because they ensure reliable dynamic voltage sharing. Traditional snubber designs involve limiting resistor (R) of high power rating and large footprint. Moreover, the existing methodology is not optimized for three level converter poles involving MOSFETs and clamping diodes during switching process. This paper proposes a novel design methodology of RC snubbers for three level converter poles by modelling the switching dynamics. RC snubbers have been optimized for lower switching losses, considering voltage overshoot due to parasitic inductance and gate pulse mismatch. The proposed design reduces the switching loss in converter pole compared to conventional designs, thereby reducing power rating and footprint of snubber resistor. The design methodology has been validated with simulation results. Experiments have been conducted on three level converter pole at 2.5kV DC bus for analyzing the voltage balancing of MOSFETs and clamping diodes.
Cavity-enhanced non-destructive measurements for determination of the strontium clock transition linewidth with 30 microhertz resolution

We will present a new technique for determining the lifetime of long-lived optically excited states. In particular, we are able to implement cavity-enhanced QND style measurements on two optical transitions in strontium as a way of determining the linewidth of the millihertz linewidth optical transition in strontium. The observation of the direct modification of the transmitted probe light also opens the door to direct frequency comparisons between the probe light and the optical transition frequency, perhaps providing an alternative to Ramsey spectroscopy and enhanced measurement bandwidth.
Medical Respite for the Homeless: Moving from the Present to the Future

This chapter focuses on one highly specific aspect of homelessness, the need for increased programs in medical respite for the homeless. That is because many persons who have experienced homelessness just prior to an acute care hospital admission are simply not well enough to return to shelters or the streets when their acute care needs have been met. Some of these patients move into sub-acute or long-term care settings. But for many, a different kind of environment is needed. What are needed are programs designed explicitly for the previously homeless patient, programs that provide the full range of medical, psychiatric, physical and occupational, spiritual, and social services designed to meet the particular needs of these patients. The country presently lacks the kind of excellent medical respite programs that this large acute care hospital population needs and deserves. Increasing the handful of such programs would advance the well-being of these patients and take a significant care burden off the physicians, nurses, and social workers who care for these patients while in the hospital and at discharge. Also, being able to move patients into excellent medical respite programs could be highly financially advantageous for the hospitals. This chapter presents a picture of how the problem developed and some thinking about the evolution of solutions. Then the chapter moves from where we are to where we should be, concluding with a brief presentation of some examples and thoughts for next steps.
A thermodynamic origin for the Cohen-Kaplan-Nelson bound

The Cohen-Kaplan-Nelson bound is imposed on the grounds of logical consistency (with classical General Relativity) upon local quantum field theories. This paper puts the bound into the context of a thermodynamic principle applicable to a field with a particular equation of state in an expanding universe. This is achieved without overtly appealing to either a decreasing density of states or a minimum coupling requirement, though they might still be consistent with the results described. The paper establishes that the holographic principle applied to cosmology is consistent with minimizing the free energy of the universe in the canonical ensemble, upon the assumption that the ultraviolet cutoff is a function of the causal horizon scale.
Lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders producing leukodystrophies

Lysosomes are organelles within a cell responsible for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris. There are approximately forty known inherited disorders with primary lysosomal defects affecting the metabolism of lipids, glycoproteins, and mucopolysaccharides. Peroxisomes are organelles within a cell that are responsible for the biosynthesis of membrane phos- pholipids (plasmalogens), cholesterol, and bile acids, conversion of amino acids into glucose, oxidation of fatty acids, reduction of hydrogen peroxide by catalases, and prevention of excess oxalate synthesis. Lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders can pro- duce leukodystrophies. Magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy can provide important infor- mation in evaluating patients with concern for a possible inherited metabolic disorder, initially by narrowing the differential diagnosis of patients with suspected leukodystrophies and subsequently by monitoring disease progression. Lysosomal and per- oxisomal disorders can be challenging, as some phenotypes may represent residual cellular activity of the organelle and initially present with normal imaging. However, the goal of the authors in this article is to provide an overview of known lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders producing leukodystrophies. In this article, we discuss the imaging features of three lysosomal disorders and four peroxisomal disorders, respectively, which can also be classified as leukodystrophies.
UNTIL DEATH DO US PART? WHY COURTS SHOULD EXPAND PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS TO INCLUDE TEN‐YEAR MARRIAGES

It has become apparent that marriage, while still strongly valued by society and government, has become less appealing to Americans as a whole. The changes taking place in society, whether economic or moral, have resulted in married couples becoming the minority in the United States. This decrease demonstrates that there is a need for reform, and that couples need to be provided with new options that will incentivize them to choose this union over cohabitation. This Note will discuss how expanding prenuptial agreements to allow couples to contract to the length of their marriage may help to accomplish that goal. This expansion will give couples the ability to tailor their relationship to fit their individual expectations and quell the reservations commonly associated with formalized relationships. Furthermore, such an expansion would be consistent with current law regulating premarital agreements and would still allow state governments to remain involved in regulation, making it less drastic of a reform than privatization.
Suicide, homicide, and the quality of life: an archival study

A study of the various United States as of 1940 showed that suicide rates were higher and homicide rates were lower in states where the quality of life was higher. These findings support a hypothesis derived from Henry and Short's theory of suicide and homicide.
Near term space transportation systems for earth orbit and planetary applications

With the resumption of Space Shuttle flights in mid-1988, many of the initial flights will include a mix of upper stage propulsion systems for geosynchronous orbit and planetary mission applications. This paper presents a system definition and the modifications required to the Inertial Upper Stage and the Transfer Orbit Stage for the near term Space Shuttle missions, namely the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, Magellan, Galileo, Ulysses, Mars Observer, and the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite. The definition and capabilities of the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle, currently being developed by NASA to perform a wide range of on-orbit missions and services in support of orbiting spacecraft, are also included.
A study on the open-ended coaxial line method for measuring the permittivity of materials at microwave frequencies

The authors report the results of a study on the open-ended coaxial line method for measuring the complex permittivity of materials at microwave frequencies. The method is based on the quasi-static analysis of an open-ended coaxial line terminated by a semi-infinite medium. The complex permittivity of a 40% dioxane-water mixture at 25.1 degrees is evaluated for measured admittance over a frequency range of 1 to 18 GHz. The results obtained compare favorably with the available experimental and theoretical data. The sensitivity of the measurement to the standard used is shown by measurements of 20% dioxane-water mixture using two different sets of standards. The limitations of this technique are also discussed. >
PAS Domains and Metabolic Status Signaling

PAS domains are sensor modules in bacterial two-component regulatory systems, but are also present in diverse eukaryotic proteins. In his essay that won the Amersham Biosciences and Science Grand Prize, Jared [Rutter][1] describes how metabolite sensing by PAS domains allows essential cellular processes like circadian rhythm, protein synthesis and sugar storage to be regulated by cellular metabolism. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/298/5598/1567
Abstract 2825: Germline genetic variants inANGPT1&2andFGF2are associated with pathologic complete response to bevacizumab in breast cancer patients

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a central mediator of angiogenesis in cancer and may be targeted by the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab (B). We have conducted a prospective phase II study using neoadjuvant B and chemotherapy (CT) in breast cancer patients and showed improved pathologic complete response (pCR) with the combination compared to the expected pCR with CT alone (41% vs. 25%, p=0.029 one sided). We evaluated baseline serum levels of ten angiogenesis-related proteins (ANG1, ANG2, bFGF, IL-1a, MMP-9, PDGF-BB, PECAM-1, Tie-2, VEGF and VEGFR2) and found that baseline Tie-2 and bFGF serum levels were associated with pCR. The goal of the current study is to explore the association of germline single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to pCR obtained with bevacizumab therapy. Methods: Our original patient population consisted of 27 whites (EA) and 12 African Americans (AA) who received docetaxel/cyclophosphamide/bevacizumab and doxorubicin. Only 22 EA and 11 AA had buffy coat samples available for genotyping with the Illumina® HumanOmni2.5-8v1-1 BeadChip. We tested 555 SNPs with a minor allele frequency (MAF) of at least 5%, located in 10 angiogenesis-related genes. Results: Univariate analysis revealed that 73% AA patients achieved pCR compared to 27% EA (p=0.012) and that 54% of the patients with ductal carcinomas achieved pCR compared to 11% with lobular or poorly differentiated tumors (p=0.021). We therefore included race and cancer type as covariates in a logistic regression model testing for association between pCR and each of the 555 SNPs. There were five SNPs in ANGPT1, five in ANGPT2, and four in FGF2 that were associated with pCR (p<0.05). Because of the modest sample size, none of these SNPs reached levels of significance after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Conclusion: ANGPT1, ANGPT2 and FGF2 are promising targets for future research. SNP analysis results support our hypothesis that the interaction of the host's angiogenic profile and the type of cancer explains differences in clinical response to VEGF inhibition. Specifically, our work showed that variants of the ANGPT1, ANGPT2, and FGF2 genes or their respective proteins might render certain tumors more susceptible to targeting of VEGF.. Citation Format: Issam Makhoul, Robert Griffin, Stephen Erickson, Ishwori Dhakal, Venay R. Raj, Dorothy A. Graves, Jeannette Y. Lee, Mohammed S. Orloff, Eric R. Siegel, Susan A. Kadlubar. Germline genetic variants in ANGPT1 & 2 and FGF2 are associated with pathologic complete response to bevacizumab in breast cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2825. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2825
Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of Human Cardiac Reprogramming and Differentiation in Regenerative Medicine

Regeneration or replacement of lost cardiomyocytes within the heart has the potential to revolutionize cardiovascular medicine. Numerous methodologies have been used to achieve this aim, including the engraftment of bone marrow- and heart-derived cells as well as the identification of modulators of adult cardiomyocyte proliferation. Recently, the conversion of human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells and induced cardiomyocyte-like cells has transformed potential approaches toward this goal, and the engraftment of cardiac progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells into patients is now feasible. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic control of human cardiogenesis, cardiac differentiation, and the induced reprogramming of somatic cells to cardiomyocytes. We also cover genetic programs for inducing the proliferation of endogenous cardiomyocytes and discuss the genetic state of cells used in cardiac regenerative medicine.
AN UNFOLDING ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE PREFERENCES

This study represents a reanalysis of Heath's (1963) data using Coombs' unfolding technique. Some additional objectives of this study are to find the dimensions underlying the cognitive preferences, to test Heath's first two hypotheses in terms of individuals as well as clusters, and to compare cluster and individual analyses. The first dimension, which goes from Applications to Memory to Principles to Questioning, accounts for over half of the individuals and over two-thirds of the clusters. A two-dimensional configuration accounts for 90% of the individuals and 99% of the clusters. The ordering along the second dimension goes from Memory to Application to Questioning to Principles. The analyses of clusters and individuals were shown to give identical solutions. With respect to the first dimension alone as well as with consideration of both dimensions, the following hypotheses were supported: (a) that the Physical Science Study Curriculum group and the control group would be generally located in different regions of the same joint space, the PSSC group being more densely distributed than controls in regions near Principles and Questioning, the controls being more densely distributed than the PSSC group in regions near Memory and Applications; (b) that achievement scores for PSSC clusters would be higher in regions near Principles and Questioning than in regions near Applications and Memory; and (c) that the region-achievement relationship hypothesized in “b” would be stronger in the PSSC group than in the control group. Implications following from the analysis were discussed.
Ultrafast, single-shot phase and amplitude measurement via a temporal imaging approach

We demonstrate single-shot measurement of the phase and amplitude of an ultrafast waveform using time-magnification and heterodyning with simple external clock synchronization.
54 SIGNIFICANCE OF TRANSIENT NEUROLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS

Early identification of neurologic handicap is imperative to monitor the quality of perinatal care and for appropriate intervention. To determine the incidence and significance of “transient neurologic abnormalities” (TNA)during infancy we utilized the French method which serially evaluates posture, active and passive muscle tone and primitive reflexes(Amiel-Tison,Curr Probl Ped,1976). 85 of 93 VLBW(mean BW 1.2Kg,range.5-1.5Kg, GA 29.6wks, range 26-36 wks)in 1977 were assessed by the Tison exam at term, 4 and 8 mos corrected age. Stanford Binet or Bayley and standard neurological exams were performed at a mean of 31(range 19-40) mos. Neurologic abnormalities were noted in 36 infants. These resolved in 20 by 8 mos, in 14 additional infants by 31 mos and 2 infants remained with Spastic Diplegia but normal IQ's. The results demonstrate the high incidence of early neurological abnormalities in VLBW infants, however, many are transient and apparently benign. Age 8 mos is a critical time for determining later prognosis. Persistence of abnormalities beyond 8 mos results in either permanent neurological handicap or in poorer developmental outcome even though the neurological examination becomes normal.
Behavior and sensitivity of an optimal tree diameter growth model under data uncertainty

Using loblolly pine, shortleaf pine, white oak, and northern red oak as examples, this paper considers the behavior of potential relative increment (PRI) models of optimal tree diameter growth under data uncertainty. Recommendations on initial sample size and the PRI iterative curve fitting process are provided. Combining different state inventories prior to PRI model development increased sample size and diameter class representation while regionalizing the models. Differences arose between loblolly and shortleaf pine in both the contribution from each state inventory pool and the number of points used in the final model fitting. Generally, pooled models predicted the highest overall increment. Natural-origin loblolly pine produced a significantly different PRI model than planted loblolly. PRI curves for northern red oak in the Lake States and the Midsouth varied across the range of diameters considered, suggesting that widespread geographic differences in optimal performance may be present within a species. The PRI methodology is consistent with current theories on diameter growth and compares favorably with other model designs.
Balancing fertility rates with resources.

Michael Balter's article “The baby deficit” (Special Section: Life Cycles, News, 30 June, p. [1894][1]) overlooks a yawning chasm in perception. As Balter reports, economists concerned with economic growth view low fertility in developed countries with alarm. At the same time, ecologists grimly document the global impact of excessive resource consumption in the same countries. Moreover, total fertility rates (TFRs) alone do not describe the trajectory of global population and its impact. China has a below-replacement TFR (1.6), but its still-growing population combined with economic growth is creating horrendous environmental and health impacts, as well as stressing global markets for raw materials. Human consumption already exceeds the carrying capacity of the planet by 23% ([1][2]). In the foreseeable future, global climate change and collapsing biodiversity may substantially reduce Earth's carrying capacity. The looming peak in global oil production, undermining the heavy energy subsidy it provides to agriculture, could shrivel the Green Revolution and exacerbate the shortfall. Since the start of the industrial age, the human population and the economy that supports it have experienced exhilarating growth. As with a narcotic, the initial sense of well-being has given way to addiction and destruction. We view falling TFRs as a welcome sign that the human population is undergoing detoxification from its addictive growth. The question is whether the economic system can weather the stress of withdrawal. Continued efforts to accelerate the demographic transition in developing countries are imperative. Equally imperative are creative economic thought and political effort that focus not on maintaining impossible exponential growth of consumption, but on the steady supply across the globe of the critical goods and services that humans need to lead lives of happiness and dignity. 1. 1.[↵][3]See [www.ecofoot.net/][4] (accessed 4 Aug. 2006). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.312.5782.1894 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [4]: http://www.ecofoot.net/
Cryomilling of Nano-Phase Dispersion Strengthened Aluminum

In recent years considerable effort has been expended on the development of dispersion strengthened alloys by mechanical alloying. Our research has shown that considerable improvement in microstructure control and properties can be gained by carrying out milling at cryogenic temperatures. We have found that aluminum and dilute aluminum alloys can be dispersion strengthened with aluminum oxy-nitride particles by the use of a slurry milling technique where the fluid medium is liquid nitrogen. The alloyed powders produced by this technique are strengthened by aluminum oxy-nitride particles which are typically 2–10 nm in diameter and with a mean spacing of 50–100 nm. The dispersoids are generated during the milling process by adsorption and reaction with components of the liquid nitrogen bath. On thermal treatment prior to consolidation, the alloyed powders recrystallize to a grain size which is typically in the range 0.05 to 0.3 μm. The alloys exhibit a yield stress in excess of 325 MPa at room temperature and a virtually temperature independent yield stress of about 130 MPa at temperatures greater than 375° C. The paper describes the preparation of dispersion strengthened aluminum by cryomilling, the characteristics of the microstructure and discusses some aspects of the mechanical properties.
Adding clopidogrel to aspirin did not reduce recurrent stroke and increased bleeding in lacunar stroke

Source Citation SPS3 Investigators, Benavente OR, Hart RG, et al. Effects of clopidogrel added to aspirin in patients with recent lacunar stroke. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:817-25. 22931315
Accuracy of frozen section diagnosis in surgical pathology : review of a 1-year experience with 24,880 cases at Mayo Clinic Rochester

Objective To determine the accuracy of frozen section examination for routine diagnostic use in surgical pathology. Design We retrospectively reviewed the experience with frozen sections at Mayo Clinic Rochester during calendar year 1993. Material and Methods The results in 24,880 cases (97,914 frozen section slides) processed during 1993 were compared with findings on permanent sections, and types of errors detected were classified into one of three quality assurance categories. Results The overall rate of frozen section accuracy was 97.8 %. Of the 2.2 % of surgical pathology reports that needed revision, 1.6% were unavoidable tissue sampling errors, 0.5 % were errors that reflected change in degree of abnormality, and only 0.1 % were clinically significant errors that may have affected patient management. Conclusion Frozen section diagnosis is accurate for processing a high volume of surgical pathology cases.
Tertiary Intrusions and Associated Phenomena near the Thirty-Eighth Parallel Fracture Zone in Virginia and West Virginia

Recognition of Eocene igneous intrusions in Highland County, Virginia, by Fullagar and Bottino (1969) prompted a search for related phenomena. The temperature culmination of a group of thermal springs, the site of maximum uplift of the Schooley erosion surface, and a regional simple Bouguer gravity anomaly in excess of —80 mg occur within 20 mi of the common juncture point of Highland and Bath Counties, Virginia, and Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The Highland County intrusive rocks of Eocene age are the most recent surface expression of volcanism along a deep-seated crustal fracture that lies transverse to the Appalachians near the 38th parallel. Surficial rocks above the fracture zone contain igneous injections, flows, and pyroclastic deposits of late Precambrian, Devonian, Triassic, Jurassic, and Eocene age. Radiometric dating data now available suggest westward migration with time of intrusive centers. The fracture zone seems to have been present and sporadically active for more than 0.8 b. y. and may still be a zone of deep crustal weakness.
The cost of walking downhill: Is the preferred gait energetically optimal?

Humans tend to prefer walking patterns that minimize energetic cost, but must also maintain stability to avoid falling over. The relative importance of these two goals in determining the preferred gait pattern is not currently clear. We investigated the relationship between energetic cost and stability during downhill walking, a context in which gravitational energy will assist propulsion but may also reduce stability. We hypothesized that humans will not minimize energetic cost when walking downhill, but will instead prefer a gait pattern that increases stability. Simulations of a dynamic walking model were used to determine whether stable downhill gaits could be achieved using a simple control strategy. Experimentally, twelve healthy subjects walked downhill at 1.25 m/s (0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 gradients). For each slope, subjects performed normal and relaxed trials, in which they were instructed to reduce muscle activity and allow gravity to maximally assist their gait. We quantified energetic cost, stride timing, and leg muscle activity. In our model simulations, increase in slope reduced the required actuation but also decreased stability. Experimental subjects behaved more like the model when using the relaxed rather than the normal walking strategy; the relaxed strategy decreased energetic cost at the steeper slopes but increased stride period variability, an indicator of instability. These results indicate that subjects do not take optimal advantage of the propulsion provided by gravity to decrease energetic cost, but instead prefer a more stable and more costly gait pattern.
APPLICATIONS OF SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS TO NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Abstract Progress in the development of semiconductor detectors is being applied to improving the resolution and imaging performance of nuclear medicine cameras. Nuclear medicine is briefly described. Efforts to develop semiconductor cameras for both planar and tomographic imaging are reviewed.
Purification and properties of fructose diphosphate aldolase from Boa constrictor constrictors.

Abstract Fructose diphosphate aldolase from the muscles of Boa constrictor constrictors has been purified and obtained in the crystalline form. The substrate specificity and catalytic activity are similar to those of rabbit muscle aldolase, although there are significant differences in amino acid composition. The enzyme shows a pronounced change in absorption at 278 mμ on heating with a transition temperature of 59.5 °; this is shifted to 63.5 ° in the presence of the substrate. Studies of the heat stability suggest that the “melted-out” form of the enzyme undergoes further irreversible change, with loss of enzyme activity. The protein has a molecular weight of 153,000 and appears to contain three C-terminal tyrosine residues. Labeling of the active sites with radioactive dihydroxyacetone phosphate is consistent with a three-chain model. However, prolonged exposure at pH 2.4 leads to further changes in sedimentation properties suggesting the presence of smaller subunits.
Introduction: The significance of the frontier in an age of transnational history

The concept of the frontier has been central to many recent studies of settler colonialism. In Patrick Wolfe's work, the frontier constitutes the “primal” settler/indigenous binary that structures ...
Phonon-mediated particle detection

When an incident particle collides with an electron or nucleus in an insulating crystal, the recoil kinetic energy is converted rapidly into a burst of low-energy phonons. If the crystal is very pure and free of defects, and if it is very cold (T approximately 0.1 K), the phonons will propagate ballistically for distances of several centimeters. The authors report on experiments with two types of superconducting phonon sensors being considered for use on a new kind of particle detector, which is based on this effect. The device, which is called a Silicon Crystal Acoustic Detector (SiCAD), reads out phonons generated by particle scattering events. >
Measurements on ionized nitrogen in jets and estimations of Prandtl number

Abstract Measurement of temperatures and electron densities of a free jet of ionized nitrogen at atmospheric pressure were made by a spectroscopic method. The gas temperatures were in the range of 9000–15000°K and the electron densities were in the range of 5 × 1015/cm3−1017/cm3. Nitrogen mass flow rates were 0.05 and 0.1 g s with arc currents of 200 and 300 A at 40V. An estimation of Prandtl numbers was made from the temperature distribution in the jet, giving values ranging from 0.06 to 0.75.
Poster: Scoping Environment to Assist 60 GHz Link Deployment

Line-of-Sight blockage by human body is a severe challenge to enable robust 60 GHz directional links. Beamsteering is one feasible solution to overcome this problem by electronically steering phased-array beam towards Non-Line-of-Sight. However, effectiveness of beamsteering depends on the link deployment and a lack of assessment of steering effectiveness may render the link completely blacked-out during human blockage. In this poster, we propose a new technique called BeamScope, that predicts best possible location for a randomly deployed link in an indoor environment without the need of any explicit war-driving. BeamScope first characterizes the environment exploiting measurement from the randomly deployed reference location and then predicts the performance in unobserved locations to suggest a possible re-deployment. The environment characterization is captured through a novel metric and prediction is achieved via how this metric is shared between the reference location and unobserved locations. Our preliminary results show promising accuracy of identifying the best possible alternate location for 60 GHz link to achieve a robust connection during human blockage.
Spanish-Speaking Parent–Child Emotional Narratives and Children's Social Skills

We examined whether parents' content and style when discussing past positive and negative emotional experiences with their children were concurrently and predictively linked to prekindergarteners' social skills. Sixty-five low-income Spanish-speaking parent–child dyads discussed a past positive and negative emotional experience at the beginning of prekindergarten. Narratives were coded for parents' elaborative style and emotion resolution, cause, and attribution. Children's emotional and cognitive-processing words were also coded. Children's social problem-solving skills and prosocial behaviors were assessed at the beginning and at the end of prekindergarten. Concurrently, children's social problem-solving skills were related to parents' elaborative style when discussing positive emotional experiences and children's use of cognitive-processing words when discussing negative emotional experiences. Predictively, children whose parents offered resolutions when discussing negative emotional experiences at the...
Calculation of reaction rate constants using approximate evolution of quantum trajectories in imaginary and real time

Abstract Reaction rate constants can be directly obtained from evolution of the flux operator eigenvectors under the Boltzmann and Hamiltonian operators. This is achieved by evolving the quantum trajectory ensemble, representing a wavefunction, in imaginary time seamlessly switching to the real-time dynamics. Quantum–mechanical effects are incorporated through the quantum potential dependent on the trajectory momenta or on the derivatives of the wavefunction amplitude. For practicality the quantum potential and wavefunction nodes are described using linear basis, which is exact for Gaussian wavefunctions. For the Eckart barrier approximate rate constants show significant improvement over the parabolic barrier rate constants.
Keeping the bugs at bay

Abstract Induced Responses to Herbivory by R. Karban and I.T. Baldwin University of Chicago Press, 1997. £14.25/$17.95 pbk, £35.25/$44.00 hbk (ix+319 pages) ISBN 0 226 42496, 0 226 42495 2
Witch Flounder Distribution off Southern Newfoundland, and Changes in Age, Growth, and Sexual Maturity Patterns with Commercial Exploitation

Abstract Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus are distributed throughout Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization statistical subdivision 3Ps. However, the highest concentrations are found along the southwest edge of St. Pierre Bank and in the mouths of Hermitage and Fortune bays of Newfoundland. Witch flounder are most abundant at depths of 201–300 m, although substantial numbers have been caught down to 500 m. Beyond 500 m, abundance declines considerably. The preferred bottom temperature appears to be in the range of 3.1–7.0°C, and few fish are caught outside this range. I observed significant changes in mean size and age over varying depth and temperature ranges. There have been substantial changes in age composition, growth, and maturation since commercial exploitation began in the early 1950s.
Inability of the C3a anaphylatoxin to promote cellular lysis

Investigation of the biological effects of the cleavage product, C3a, derived from the third component of complement has generally focused on the effects it exerts as an anaphylatoxin1, that is, smooth muscle contraction2 and histamine release from mast cells3,4 and basophils5,6. Therefore, reports that C3a exerts cytoxic effects on various cell types 7–9, and exhibits concentration-dependent specificity for malignant cells9, excited great interest. The cytolytic activity mediated by macrophages which were activated in vitro may be attributed to their ability to generate C3a10. The far-reaching implications of such a cytolytic role for C3a led us to pursue these observations further. We report here that we have been unable to duplicate the results reported by Ferluga et al.9. On the contrary, we find that C3a actually reduces spontaneous release of label below normal background levels.
Common medications that increase the risk for developing community-acquired pneumonia

Purpose of review Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common problem with significant morbidity, mortality and costs. Recent reports link several medications and the development of CAP and associated poor outcomes. Our aim was to review the most relevant data regarding the possible association of the use of inhaled corticosteroids for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and the risk of development of CAP. In addition, we review the data regarding the use of gastric-acid suppressants including histamine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors and the increased incidence of CAP. Recent findings Several studies suggest inhaled corticosteroids use is associated with higher risk of CAP. In addition, the use of gastric-acid suppressants have been demonstrated to be associated with an increased risk of developing CAP. Summary We explore the potential risks, pathogenesis and implications for the healthcare system of these potential associations with the use of ICS and proton pump inhibitors and increased risk of CAP.