cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A rank minimization heuristic with application to minimum order system approximation

We describe a generalization of the trace heuristic that applies to general nonsymmetric, even non-square, matrices, and reduces to the trace heuristic when the matrix is positive semidefinite. The heuristic is to replace the (nonconvex) rank objective with the sum of the singular values of the matrix, which is the dual of the spectral norm. We show that this problem can be reduced to a semidefinite program, hence efficiently solved. To motivate the heuristic, we, show that the dual spectral norm is the convex envelope of the rank on the set of matrices with norm less than one. We demonstrate the method on the problem of minimum-order system approximation.
The clinical spectrum of stereotypies in frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

We clinically assessed patients meeting international criteria for frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) for the presence and characteristics of stereotypies. Of 32 subjects with FTLD (50% women), 19 (60%) had stereotypies. The majority of patients with stereotypies were female (68%). The median age of symptom onset suggestive of FTLD was 58 years (range: 37–74), with a mean time to stereotypy onset of 2.1 years. In all cases, the stereotypies were simple. There were no differences in the age of FTLD onset, functional imaging results, neuropsychological test scores or frequency of mood disorders or psychoses between those with and without stereotypical movements. However, compulsive behavior was noted more often in those with stereotypies (58% vs. 15%, P = 0.02). Of the 19 patients with stereotypies, three had vocal stereotypies, and three had both vocal and motor stereotypies. Of the 16 subjects with motor stereotypies, 9(56%) were appendicular and 7 (44%) were craniocervical. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Evidence-Based Special Education and Professional Wisdom: Putting It All Together

There has been an increasing focus on evidence-based practices in special education with efforts underway to authoritatively identify those practices that are evidence based. However, the identification of evidence-based practices is only the beginning of the process of implementing evidence-based special education. The professional wisdom of special educators will be necessary for evidence-based practices to be implemented effectively and result in improved outcomes for students with disabilities. Specifically, special educators will have to apply their professional wisdom in (a) selecting and adapting evidence-based practices to their students' learning needs and goals, their own teaching strengths, and the educational environments in which the practice will be implemented; (b) assessing the effects of evidence-based practices; and (c) integrating effective teaching techniques in the delivery of evidence-based practices.
C 2 splines covering polar configurations

A polar configuration is a triangle fan in a quad-dominant mesh; it allows for many mesh lines to join at a single polar vertex. This paper shows how a single tensor-product spline of degree ( 3 , 6 ) can cap a polar?configuration?with a C 2 surface. By design, this C 2 polar spline joins C 2 with surrounding bi-3 tensor-product splines and thereby complements algorithms that smoothly cap star-like, multi-sided regions. Highlights? A polar configuration is a triangle fan within a quad-dominant mesh. ? It occurs naturally where many parameter lines join. ? We construct a single degree-(3, 6) spline that caps a given polar configuration. ? This C 2 polar spline joins C 2 with surrounding bicubic splines.
O-027 Antithrombotic states and outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Introduction Antithrombotic states are encountered frequently, either due to medical therapy or by pre-existent pathologic states, and may affect the severity of hemorrhagic strokes such as aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages. Cerebrovascular specialists analyzed a 2-year period of subarachnoid hemorrhage data in order to determine the effects of antithrombotic states on the outcomes of patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods This is a retrospective review of 365 patients who experienced aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage at Emory University over a 2-year period. The patients were grouped into those with and without an antithrombotic state at time of hemorrhage and were stratified according to presentation, clinical grades, outcomes, need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion and the development of vasospasm. CT of the head was assessed for bleed pattern and Modified Fisher Grade (mF). Patients were excluded if no aneurismal source was subsequently discovered. Results There is a strong association between antithrombotic states and outcomes as assessed by modified Rankin Scale (p Conclusion Patients in antithrombotic states presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage have worse outcomes without a significant difference in presentation grades.
Adaptation to Early Adulthood by a Sample of Youth Discharged from a Residential Education Placement

Three years of outcome data for foster youth (n = 106) discharged from a one-of-kind residential education service are presented. Findings were that 50% of respondents attended college at some point. Youth reported having 2 or 3 jobs a year with at least one bout of unemployment. Most of the non-college bound youth reported working in low-wage unskilled jobs that did not appear to be career oriented. Almost 75% of former residents had at least one connection to the adult world through school, work, or marriage one year after discharge. This rate had climbed to 96% at the 36-month interview. Respondents were reporting much lower rates of criminal justice involvement, homelessness, and victimization than found in other studies of discharged foster youth.
Characterization of harpy/Rca1/emi1 mutants: Patterning in the absence of cell division

We have characterized mutations in the early arrest gene, harpy (hrp), and show that they introduce premature stops in the coding region of early mitotic inhibitor1 (Rca1/emi1). In harpy mutants, cells stop dividing during early gastrulation. Lineage analysis confirms that there is little change in cell number after approximately cycle-14. Gross patterning occurs relatively normally, and many organ primordia are produced on time but with smaller numbers of cells. Despite the lack of cell division, some organ systems continue to increase in cell number, suggesting recruitment from surrounding areas. Analysis of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation shows that endoreduplication continues in many cells well past the first day of development, but cells cease endoreduplication once they begin to differentiate and express cell-type markers. Despite relatively normal gross patterning, harpy mutants show several defects in morphogenesis, cell migration and differentiation resulting directly or indirectly from the arrest of cell division.
Application of metal β-diketone polymers as selective sorbents in complex mixture analysis and for sulfur-containing compounds

Les polymeres contenant les metaux suivants: lanthane, cuivre, nickel et zinc ont ete utilises dans des pre-colonnes de sorption pour l'analyse par chromatographie gazeuse de melanges complexes
Sex determination: An avian sexual revolution.

Hormones are not all-powerful in determining whether birds develop with male or female features. Chickens that are genetic sexual mosaics reveal that individual cells also have a say in the matter.
Characterizations of some classes of spiking neural P systems

We look at the recently introduced neural-like systems, called SN P systems. These systems incorporate the ideas of spiking neurons into membrane computing. We study various classes and characterize their computing power and complexity. In particular, we analyze asynchronous and sequential SN P systems and present some conditions under which they become (non-)universal. The non-universal variants are characterized by monotonic counter machines and partially blind counter machines and, hence, have many decidable properties. We also investigate the language-generating capability of SN P systems.
Effects of phthalic acid esters on drug metabolizing enzymes of rat liver

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) inhibited UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity of rat liver in vitro and in vivo. Diethyl phthalate and dimethoxyethyl phthalate also inhibited this enzyme in vitro. On the other hand, DEHP did not inhibit the activity of the cytosolic enzyme N-acetyltransferase; it also did not alter the levels of rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 in vitro. It is suggested that DEHP may alter the composition of microsomal phospholipids.
New insights into Archean sulfur cycle from mass-independent sulfur isotope records from the Hamersley Basin, Australia

We have measured multiple sulfur isotope ratios ( 34 S/ 33 S/ 32 S) for sulfide sulfur in shale and carbonate lithofacies from the Hamersley Basin, Western Australia. The v 33 S values (v 33 SWN 33 S30.515UN 34 S) shift from 31.9 to +6.9x over a 22-m core section of the lower Mount McRae Shale (V2.5 Ga). Likewise, sulfide sulfur analyses of the Jeerinah Formation (V2.7 Ga) yield v 33 S values of 30.1 to +8.1x over a 50-m section of core. Despite wide variations in v 33 S and N 34 S, these two shale units yield a similar positive correlation between v 33 S and N 34 S. In contrast, pyrite sulfur analyses of the Carawine Dolomite (V2.6 Ga) yield a broad range in N 34 S (+3.2 to +16.2x) but a relatively small variation and negative values in v 33 S( 32.5 to 31.1x). The stratigraphic distribution of N 33 S, N 34 S, and v 33 S in Western Australia allows us to speculate on the sulfur isotopic composition of Archean sulfur reservoirs and to trace pathways in the Archean sulfur cycle. Our data are explained by a combination of massindependent fractionation (MIF) in the atmosphere and biological mass-dependent fractionation in the ocean. In the Archean, volcanic, sulfur-bearing gas species were photolysed by solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in an oxygen-free atmosphere, resulting in MIF of sulfur isotopes. Aerosols of S8 (with v 33 Ss 0) and sulfuric acid (with v 33 S6 0) formed from the products of UV photolysis and carried mass-independently fractionated sulfur into the hydrosphere. The signatures of atmospheric photolysis were preserved by precipitation of pyrite in sediments. Pyrite precipitation was mediated by microbial enzymatic catalysis that superimposed mass-dependent fractionation on mass-independent atmospheric effects. Multiple sulfur isotope analyses provide new insights into the early evolution of the atmosphere and the evolution and distribution of early sulfur-metabolizing organisms. A 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Reactions of (CO)2(η5-C5H5)Fe Alkyls and Ph3C+ BF4 : A Search for Hydrogen-Atom Abstraction following One-Electron-Transfer

Abstract The reaction products of Ph3C+BF4- (2) and (CO)2- (η5-C5H5)Fe-(2-cyclopropylethyl) (1), -neopentyl (10), and -(1-norbornyl-carbinyl) (13) under N2 and under CO have been determined in an effort to detect evidence of hydrogen-atom abstraction from the 17e, Fe(III) cation-radical intermediate produced by one-electron transfer to the starting cation. None was observed. Labeling studies reveal that migratory CO insertion to produce (CO)2(η5-C5H5)FeCO(2-cyclo-propylethyl) (8) is accompanied by β- not α-hydride abstraction to form [(CO)2(η5-C5H5)Fe(η2-cyclopropylethene)]+BF4-(3) when 1 reacts with 2 under CO. The insertion is catalytic in 2. Hydrogen is not lost from 10 or 13 under these conditions; the acyl complexes (CO)2(η5-C5H5)FeCOCH2-C(CH3)3 (11), 71%, or (CO)2(η5-C5H5)FeCO(1-norbornylcarbinyl) (14), 80%, respectively, are the only organometallic products.
Observation of a metamagnetic phase transition in an itinerant 4f system via the magneto-optic Kerr effect: Ce(Fe1−xCox)2

The optical and magneto-optical properties of single crystals of ${\mathrm{YFe}}_{2},$ ${\mathrm{CeFe}}_{2},$ and $\mathrm{Ce}({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{)}_{2}$ $(x\ensuremath{\simeq}0.1)$ were measured between 1.4 and 5.0 eV using a rotating-analyzer ellipsometer and a normal-incidence polar Kerr spectrometer. The electronic structures and optical properties of ${\mathrm{YFe}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{CeFe}}_{2}$ were calculated using the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital method in the atomic-sphere approximation. For ${\mathrm{YFe}}_{2}$ the calculations reproduce the experimental spectra. Alloying ${\mathrm{CeFe}}_{2}$ with small amounts of Co leads to an electronic instability which is evidenced by a low-temperature antiferromagnetic (AF) phase. The Kerr effect was measured in the AF and field-induced ferromagnetic (FM) regime. A remarkably large Kerr rotation was measured even in the AF state (up to $\ensuremath{-}1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}).$ The phase transition from AF to FM order was observed in the Kerr rotation spectra at 5 and 50 K at photon energies of 1.8 and 4.0 eV.
The efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical oligo(phenylenevinylenes)

Selective DDQ oxidation of 2,5-bis(methylmethoxy)-1,4-di(octyloxy)benzene generates an unsymmetrical subunit suitable for the preparation of substituted tetrameric oligo(phenylenevinylenes) in good to excellent yields.
Implicit Cooperation Strategies for Multi-robot Search of Unknown Areas

Although explicit coordination of team search may provide solid performance for small team sizes, it has been shown that such methods do not scale to larger teams due to limited communications bandwidth and computational requirements. In addition, methods that rely upon persistent, reliable network connections may have limited applicability to real-world search problems. In this work, we explore implicit cooperation enabled through sharing of search progress information. Prior research shows cooperation paradigms in which team members share a global task list result in interference and duplication of search when members choose the same search areas. Methods that only use local sensor information to identify search targets require fewer message exchanges and create less interference between robots than existing shared approaches. In addition, search progress and completion are more consistent due to the reduction in interference. Results based on simulations and physical experiments are presented that compare performance in terms of time-to-cover, consistency, and interference.
The impact of change in pregnancy body mass index on cesarean delivery

AbstractObjective: To examine the impact of pregnancy changes in body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of cesarean delivery.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using linked birth certificate and discharge diagnosis data from the year 2007. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated for the outcome of cesarean delivery, as a function of a categorical change in pregnancy BMI (kg/m2): BMI loss (BMI change 10). The impact of pregnancy change in BMI was determined for the entire cohort and then stratified by prepregnancy BMI category.Results: The study population consisted of 436 414 women with singleton gestations. When compared to women with no net change in BMI, women with excessive BMI changes collectively had a 80% increased incidence of cesarean delivery (aOR = 1.78). By prepregnancy obesity class, the aOR for cesarean delivery in women with excessive BMI change were: normal weight (aOR = 2.25), overweight...
Conformal invariance of partially massless higher spins

We show that there exist conformally invariant theories for all spins in d=4 de Sitter space, namely the partially massless models with higher derivative gauge invariance under a scalar gauge parameter. This extends the catalog from the two known gauge models—Maxwell and partially massless spin 2—to all spins.
Isolation and N-terminal amino acid sequence of an octopamine ligand binding protein

An octopamine receptor photoaffinity probe was used to label membranes from the light organs of Photinus pyralis, a tissue highly enriched in octopamine receptors. Labeling was concentrated in a glycoprotein of 75 ± 2 kDa with lesser labeling of a 79 ± 2 kDa component. Labeling could be displaced by prior incubation with octopamine, mianserin, cyproheptadine, phentolamine or propranolol, with a relative potency that correlated with the ability of these same agents to modulate light organ octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. The 75 kDa binding protein was isolated and its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined.
Lean NOx Reduction with H2 and CO in Dual-Layer LNT–SCR Monolithic Catalysts: Impact of Ceria Loading

A series of monolithic catalysts consisting of a layer of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst deposited on top of lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst were synthesized for lean reduction of NOx (NO&NO2) with H2 and CO. The LNT catalyst exhibited a rather low NOx conversion below 250 °C due to CO inhibition. The top SCR layer comprising Cu/ZSM5 significantly increased the NOx conversion at low temperature by its reaction with NH3 formed during the regeneration phase. The addition of CeO2 to the LNT layer promoted the water gas shift reaction (CO + H2O ↔ H2 + CO2). The WGS reaction mitigated the CO inhibition and the generated H2 enhanced the low-temperature catalyst regeneration. The ceria addition decreased the performance at high temperatures due to increased oxidation of NH3. The ceria loading was optimized by applying a non-uniform axial profile. A dual-layer catalyst with an increasing ceria loading axial profile improved the performance over a wide (low and high) temperature range.
Is symptomatic knee osteoarthritis a risk factor for a trajectory of fast decline in gait speed? Results from a longitudinal cohort study.

Objective Gait speed is an important marker of health in adults and slows with aging. While knee osteoarthritis (OA) can result in difficulty walking, it is not known if radiographic knee OA (ROA) and/or knee pain are associated with a fast decline trajectory of gait speed over time. Methods Gait speed trajectories were constructed using a multinomial modeling strategy from repeated 20-meter walk tests measured annually over 4 years among participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a prospective cohort study of adults ages 45–79 years at baseline with or at high risk of knee OA. We grouped participants into 4 knee OA categories (having neither ROA nor knee pain, ROA only, knee pain only, or symptomatic knee OA [ROA and pain]) and examined their association with trajectories of gait speed using a multivariable polytomous regression model adjusting for age and other potential confounders. Results Of the 4,179 participants (mean ± SD age 61.1 ± 9.1 years, 57.6% women, mean ± SD body mass index 28.5 ± 4.8 kg/m2), 5% (n = 205) were in a fast decline trajectory, slowing at a rate of 2.75%/year. People with symptomatic knee OA had an almost 9-fold risk (odds ratio 8.9; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.1, 25.5) of being in a fast decline trajectory compared with those with neither pain nor ROA. Participants with knee pain had 4.5 times the odds of a fast decline (95% CI 1.4, 14.6), and those with ROA only had a slight but non–statistically significant increased risk. Conclusion People with symptomatic knee OA have the highest risk of a fast decline trajectory of gait speed compared with people with ROA or pain alone.
Sequence sensing Jamming attacks against modular-based channel hopping rendezvous algorithms for cognitive ratio networks

Efficient utilization of wireless bandwidth is a critical, if not the key, component of the wireless network architectures that balance availability and access. Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs) are an important part of the solution to this problem. Common control channels (CCCs) for rendezvous in CRNs have limitations such as single point of failure, low scalability, and susceptibility to jamming attacks. Several rendezvous algorithms have recently been proposed that remove the need for CCCs. In particular, the Modular Clock (MC) channel hopping rendezvous algorithms provide extremely efficient rendezvous times for CRNs without using time synchronization and CCCs (i.e., blind rendezvous). However, these algorithms are vulnerable to Sequence Sensing Jamming Attacks (SSJAs) in which the jammer can estimate the channel hopping sequences within the first-half period of the MC algorithm. Using a single jammer and two listening channels, we show how to compute the entire MC Channel Hopping (CH) sequence and thus reduce the rendezvous success rate from around 95% to around 15% for the basic period. We show this is a major security problem for CRNs utilizing the MC algorithm since any secondary user or even group of users can easily be denied access to the network with high probability. We also compare these results to the Random rendezvous algorithm and show it vastly outperforms the MC algorithm when there are security concerns about a sequence sensing jammer.
Combined laser communications and laser ranging transponder for Moon and Mars

High-resolution active laser ranging systems for Moon, Mars and beyond are analyzed. Both stand-alone laser-ranging transponders, and laser-communications systems configured to provide millimeter-level ranging data are analyzed. It is shown that a combined dual-function laser-communications and laser-ranging system is feasible.
Analysis of Protein Expression and Gene Mutation of c-kit in Colorectal Neuroendocrine Carcinomas

Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon are rare but highly aggressive malignancies. The recent observations that c-kit protooncogene, a tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed in a subset of small cell lung cancer and that selective kinase inhibitors block the in vitro growth of small cell lung cancer cell lines prompted us to investigate the expression and mutation status of the c-kit gene in colorectal neuroendocrine carcinomas. Sixty-six cases of primary colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma were collected from 13 institutions, including 36 small cell carcinomas and 30 moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. Immunohistochemical studies using a polyclonal antibody against c-kit protein (CD117) demonstrated a strong and diffuse cytoplasmic staining in 15 cases (23%), which were relatively equally distributed in the small cell and moderately differentiated subgroups. As controls, 25 conventional colorectal adenocarcinomas, 26 colorectal adenomas and 19 colorectal carcinoid tumors were all negative, whereas 15 gastrointestinal stromal tumors were all positive, for kit expression. In contrast to gastrointestinal stromal tumors, kit-overexpressing neuroendocrine carcinomas showed no mutations in the juxtamembrane domain (exon 11) of the c-kit gene as determined by mutational analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test revealed that the patients with kit-positive tumors did not differ significantly in survival from those with kit-negative tumors (P = 0.77). These results indicate that c-kit overexpression observed in a subset of colorectal neuroendocrine carcinomas may not be mediated via activating mutations, and does not appear to be an initiating event during tumorigenesis because of lack of c-kit expression in other types of colorectal epithelial neoplasms. More importantly, our observations may have potential therapeutic implications since specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown promise in the management of patients with kit-expressing malignancies.
A survey of student assessment in U.S. medical schools: the balance of breadth versus fidelity.

Background: Faced with the challenge to develop models of assessment relevant to work of physicians, medical schools have broadened their assessment of medical student competency. Purpose: U.S. medical schools were surveyed to determine the extent to which student assessments have broadened beyond multiple-choice question (MCQ) examinations and preceptor ratings. Methods: A survey mailed to 126 accredited U.S. medical schools asked respondents to indicate the frequency with which a variety of assessment methods were used in each year of the curriculum. Results: Examinations dominated preclinical assessments. Year 3 relied heavily on faculty ratings, live observations, and MCQs. Preceptor ratings were used most in Year 4. Conclusions: A variety of competency assessments currently are used; MCQs remain a core assessment method. Year 3 had the greatest breadth of assessment strategies. The findings suggest that educators continue to be challenged to balance the breadth of competencies sampled with the fideli...
“Men are taro” (they cannot be rice): Political aspects of food choices in Wamira, Papua New Guinea

(1988). “Men are taro” (they cannot be rice): Political aspects of food choices in Wamira, Papua New Guinea. Food and Foodways: Vol. 3, Continuity and Change in Pacific Foodways, pp. 41-57.
Raman scattering in amorphous boron

Abstract Raman scattering measurements have been performed at room temperature in thin film evaporated amorphous B and B 0.91 C 0.09 . The amorphous B spectrum indicates density of states features similar to those observed in infrared absorption as well as lower frequency scattering attributed to acoustic plus optic-like modes. The addition of C to amorphous B broadens the spectrum and shifts the lowest frequency peak to higher frequencies. A comparison of the amorphous B and broadened crystalline β-B Raman spectra indicates a number of similarities in peak frequencies that are consistent with similar short range order in both materials.
Generating functions on idempotent semigroups. II. Semilattice variables and independence

Abstract In earlier work it was shown that if two functions in the algebra of functions of single semilattice elements were convolved then the generating function of the convolution was the pointwise product of the generating functions of the functions convolved. Many combinatorial applications were given. This idea is carried further in this paper by developing an important class of functions which are indeed a convolution of simpler functions. The basic idea used is of a “semilattice variable,” which is an analog of the random variable of probability theory. Thus the functions of the semilattice algebra are viewed as “distributions” of semilattice variables, and their generating functions as cumulative distributions functions. This points up in a striking way that the semicharacters and Mobius functions are analogous to differential and integral operators. The concepts are applied to probability theory and many examples are given, including a derivation of the Polya fundamental theorem.
Physiological Disposition of a New Diuretic, 14C-Metolazone, in Dogs

Abstract: Counting procedures using 34 C were used to follow the concentration of metolazone and its metabolites in the blood, plasma, plasma water, bile, urine, and feces of dogs given single oral or intravenous doses of metolazone. Doses were administered orally from 0.1 to 50 mg./kg. and intravenously from 0.1 to 5 mg./kg. Regardless of the route of administration, a log-log relationship existed between the peak blood level and the dose. Within the blood, the drug was distributed among the fractions according to the approximate proportion: 80% erythrocyte, 15% plasma, and 5% plasma water. The appreciable hemoglobin and albumin protein binding of drug may explain the relatively long half-life, 5–6 hr., of the total counts in circulation from an intravenous dose of 5 mg./kg. Hydroxylated and further products of oxidation accounted for 40–60 % of the excreted drug. There did not appear to be any accumulation or preferential retention of drug or metabolites. This was coupled with a recovery of 90-100% of the dose in urine and feces. The rate at which the metabolites were excreted via the urine was equivalent to that of the intact drug. In intravenous studies, excretion of drug occurred primarily in the urine; about 25 % of the dose may be excreted in the bile.
Contemporary vertical velocity of the central Basin and Range and uplift of the southern Sierra Nevada

[1] We estimate the present-day vertical velocity field in the central Basin and Range and Sierra Nevada mountains and consider causative processes. We analyzed data from 16 continuously operating Global Positioning System stations finding that relative vertical velocity precision (WRMS scatter) is ∼0.25 mm/yr. These data demonstrate that the southern Sierra Nevada is experiencing uplift of ∼0.5 mm/yr relative to a local reference frame in southern Nevada, and ∼1 mm/yr relative to stations in the northern Mojave Desert. As a possible source of these motions, we explored post-seismic viscoelastic relaxation following the 1872 Owens Valley and 1952 Kern County earthquakes with models of laterally homogeneous lower crust and upper mantle viscosity. Post-seismic deformation from these two earthquakes cannot entirely explain the data set. Lateral variations in viscosity or contributions from other regional earthquakes may also be important.
Stem cell plasticity or fusion: two approaches to targeted cell therapy.

Abstract The possibility the adult stem cells may be able to differentiate along atypical developmental pathways has garnered widespread attention. Recent papers have demonstrated that some “plasticity” arises as a result of cellular fusion events. This review attempts to highlight and reconcile the current data on both sides of the plasticity debate.
The nature of reinforcement in cerebellar learning.

Abstract In a now classic study, W. J. Brogden and W. H. Gantt (1942,American Journal of Physiology,119,277–278) demonstrated that movements (limbs, head, eyelid) elicited by direct electrical stimulation of certain regions of the cerebellum (particularly the ansiform lobe) could be trained to respond to neutral auditory or visual conditioned stimuli with appropriate pairing. In recent work we have replicated these results in detail and presented considerable evidence that the reinforcing or “teaching” pathway so activated for the learning of discrete movements is the inferior olive–climbing fiber projection system to the cerebellum. Very strong evidence now indicates that the memory traces for this “skilled response” learning are formed and stored in the cerebellum. The climbing fiber system and inhibitory pathway from the interpositus nucleus to the inferior olive appear to form a neural instantiation of the Resorla–Wagner formulation of classical conditioning and accounts for the “cognitive” phenomenon of blocking. It is concluded that reinforcement in this form of learning is not due simply to contiguity/contingency or to unconditioned stimulus aversiveness, per se, but rather to activation of a particular brain circuit, here the climbing fiber system, a circumstance that may apply to other forms of learning, with other reinforcement circuits, as well.
Predicting nursing GPA and national council licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN): a thorough analysis.

The study involved prediction of GPA in a nursing program and NCLEX-RN licensure score following completion of the program. The sample included 155 students who completed and 34 who failed to complete a baccalaureate nursing program for the 1984-1986 years. The best set of predictors of nursing GPA included ACT composite score, anatomy grade, and chemistry grade, R = .73. The best set of predictors of NCLEX-RN included ACT composite score, high school percentile rank, nursing GPA, and chemistry grade, R = .68. Classification of withdrawn and completing groups and also pass and fail NCLEX-RN performance via discriminant analysis provided results comparable to those of previous research; however, residual analysis indicated very large residuals for those withdrawing from the program as well as those who failed the licensure exam. An alternative to discriminant analysis for classifying students is suggested.
Cannabinoids And The Cholinergic System

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) decreases EEG activation and causes slow waves in the cat. The EEG slow-wave activity is accompanied by a concomitant decrease in acetylcholine release from the neocortex. The findings suggest that THC depresses the brainstem-activating system. Large doses of Δ8- and Δ- 9THC increase brain acetylcholine levels in rodents such as the mouse and rat, but this effect is not seen with minimal doses of the cannabinoids that show behavioral effects. The most dramatic change produced by THC is that brain acetylcholine utilization is reduced, primarily in the hippocampus.
Situated Knowledges of Personal Embodiment Transgender Activists' and Psychological Theorists' Perspectives on `Sex' and `Gender'

Academic psychologists' treatment of `sex' as an ahistorical, pretheoretical notion in theories of `gender' is compared and contrasted with knowledge produced by persons whose own gendered embodiment is outside binary gender/sex categories and whose moral agency is erased by theories depicting them as exceptions to a binary-based scheme. This latter knowledge, emerging from an activist community's reflections on its own personal/political praxis in relation to dominant social institutions and ideologies, has selectively incorporated, challenged and transformed gender/sex discourses in significant segments of medicine and academic disciplines other than psychology. Psychological theories continue to reproduce binary categories (and practices organized around them), in part because they incorporate only some of the implications of a social constructivist perspective, and in part because psychologists seem to theorize gender/sex in isolation from other knowledge-producing communities.
Novel targeted therapies to overcome imatinib mesylate resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) was developed as the first molecularly targeted therapy that specifically inhibits the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity in patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Due to its excellent hematologic and cytogenetic responses, particularly in patients with chronic phase CML, imatinib has moved towards first-line treatment for newly diagnosed CML. Nevertheless, resistance to the drug has been frequently reported and is attributed to the fact that transformation of hematopoietic stem cells by BCR-ABL is associated with genomic instability. Point mutations within the ABL tyrosine kinase of the BCR-ABL oncoprotein are the major cause of resistance, though overexpression of the BCR-ABL protein and novel acquired cytogenetic aberrations have also been reported. A variety of strategies derived from structural studies of the ABL-imatinib complex have been developed, resulting in the design of novel ABL inhibitors, including AMN107, BMS-354825, ON012380 and others. The major goal of these efforts is to create new drugs that are more potent than imatinib and/or more effective against imatinib-resistant BCR-ABL clones. Some of these drugs have already been successfully tested in preclinical studies where they show promising results. Additional approaches are geared towards targeting the expression or stability of the BCR-ABL kinase itself or targeting signaling pathways that are chronically activated and required for transformation. In this review, we will discuss the underlying mechanisms of resistance to imatinib and novel targeted approaches to overcome imatinib resistance in CML.
Chaotic Transport of Mass and Potential Vorticity for an Island Recirculation

The method of lobe analysis is used and extended to analyze a time-dependent, boundary-trapped recirculation. The recirculation gyre occurs in a numerical model of wind-driven flow around an island, but the underlying geometry of the gyre is similar to persistent eddies such as the Alboran Gyre and the Great Whirl. Even in the steady (weak forcing) limit, the gyre leaks fluid due to the fact that the surface Ekman pumping above it is directed downward. The authors show that this leakage is rapidly superseded by chaotic transport into and out of the gyre when time dependence sets in. Variations of the traditional ‘‘turnstile’’ approach to transport are used to study the dynamics of the gyre. A Lagrangian recirculation boundary, consisting of pieces of stable and unstable manifolds joined by a gate, allows straightforward calculation and visualization of potential vorticity flux.
Solute—solvent interactions in tetra-n-butylphosphonium salts studied by gas chromatography

Abstract The gas chromatographic properties of nine low-melting tetra- n -butylphosphonium (QBP) salts are described and compared to the properties of the analogous tetra- n -butylammonium (QBA) salts. The QBP salts, particularly those containing strong nucleophilic anions (such as chloride, bromide, iodide and nitrate) provide efficient column packings with wider liquid ranges than those observed for the QBA salts. The dominant retention mechanism for a wide range of organic solutes on the QBP salts is established as gas—liquid partitioning with only small contributions from interfacial adsorption. Based on the measurement of the partial molar Gibbs free energy of solution per methylene group and the molar retention volumes for McReynolds test probes and a series of aromatic polarity probes it is established that the principal difference in retention properties between the QBP and QBA salts is due to the greater solubility of hydrocarbons in the QBP salts. The polar selectivity probes show similar trends for the QBA and QBP salts but quantitative differences exist that depend on both the nature of the cation and anion. The retention characteristics of the QBA salts can only be used as a qualitative guide to the properties of the QBP salts.
The Total Snthesis of (±)-barbatusol

Abstract An eight-step synthesis of the naturally occurring hypotensive diterpene barbatusol ( 3 ) featuring a Friedel-Crafts annulation is reported.
NMR solution structure of domain 1 of human annexin I shows an autonomous folding unit.

Abstract Annexins are excellent models for studying the folding mechanisms of multidomain proteins because they have four–eight homologous helical domains with low identity in sequence but high similarity in folding. The structure of an isolated domain 1 of human annexin I has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. The sequential assignments of the 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances of the isolated domain 1 were established by multinuclear, multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. The solution structure of the isolated domain 1 was derived from 1,099 experimental NMR restraints using a hybrid distance geometry-simulated annealing protocol. The root mean square deviation of the ensemble of 20 refined conformers that represent the structure from the mean coordinate set derived from them was 0.57 ± 0.14 A and 1.11 ± 0.19 A for the backbone atoms and all heavy atoms, respectively. The NMR structure of the isolated domain 1 could be superimposed with a root mean square deviation of 1.36 A for all backbone atoms with the corresponding part of the crystal structure of a truncated human annexin I containing all four domains, indicating that the structure of the isolated domain 1 is highly similar to that when it folded together with the other three domains. The result suggests that in contrast to isolated domain 2, which is largely unfolded in solution, isolated domain 1 constitutes an autonomous folding unit and interdomain interactions may play critical roles in the folding of annexin I.
Bioinformatic Methods for the Rapid Identification of Thermostabilizing Mutants

Membrane proteins are often of particular difficulty to study, frequently limited by stability in detergent solution. Taking advantage of the available genomic and cell culture data, presented are two bioinformatic methods to quickly identify a limited set of amino acids or positions which likely underlie the thermal adaptation of a given protein family. This set then provides a small number of mutants to screen for stabilization and are used to demonstrate a significant increase in thermostability of an example membrane protein.
Fine structure of the body wall and cells in the pseudocoelom of the nematode Rhabditis pellio.

Electron microscope studies have revealed the detailed structure of the layers in the body wall of Rhabditis pellio; namely, cuticle, hypodermis, and muscular layer. The pseudocoelom contains the intestine, gonads, and groups of cells thought to be glandular and components of the ill-defined excretory or coelomocyte systems. The gland-like cells are differentiated into an apical region including the surface, nucleus, and mitochondria and a basal region composed of a dense homogeneous cytoplasm free of cellular components. These cells possess numerous surface pores that are continuous with microvilli-lined surface membrane-invaginated pockets. Cells not in contact with the surface through the pore show vesicles, presumably secretory, located opposite and in apparent continuity with the pore. This type of surface architecture differs somewhat from that previously reported, but undoubtedly performs a similar function; namely, the increase in surface area and hence, the functional efficiency of these cells.
The relationship between articulatory control and improved phonemic accuracy in childhood apraxia of speech: A longitudinal case study

Jaw movement patterns were examined longitudinally in a 3-year-old male with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and compared with a typically developing control group. The child with CAS was followed for 8 months, until he began accurately and consistently producing the bilabial phonemes /p/, /b/, and /m/. A movement tracking system was used to study jaw duration, displacement, velocity, and stability. A transcription analysis determined the percentage of phoneme errors and consistency. Results showed phoneme-specific changes which included increases in jaw velocity and stability over time, as well as decreases in duration. Kinematic parameters became more similar to patterns seen in the controls during final sessions where tokens were produced most accurately and consistently. Closing velocity and stability, however, were the only measures to fall within a 95% confidence interval established for the controls across all three target phonemes. These findings suggest that motor processes may differ between c...
Nephrolithiasis in children

A metabolic etiology is the most common cause for pediatric kidney stones. Appropriate evaluation of affected children should include assessment of stone type, if available, and assessment of predisposing factors in all cases. This review discusses the metabolic disorders that lead to nephrolithiasis with respect to the development of calcium, uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones. Environmental and hereditary factors are summarized to provide a guide in the evaluation of pediatric stone formers.
Heart-rate responses of infant rats and guinea pigs to stimulus onset and offset: tests of the generality of a bidirectional effect

To test the generality, across modality and across species, of a bidirectional effect of photic stimulation in infant rats found in previous experiments, two experiments examined the effects on heart rate (HR) of onset and offset of auditory stimulation in rats and of photic stimulation in guinea pigs. Experiment 1 demonstrated a unidirectional, decelerative response in rats 17 and 21 days of age to the onset and offset of a 1-kHz tone, at both low (80 dB) and high (100 dB) intensity levels and at 14 days to the onset of the high-intensity tone. Experiment 2 demonstrated that infant guinea pigs, which unlike infant rats are precocial and not nocturnal, responded to the offset but not to the onset of light, and that this response was decelerative. These results indicated a lack of generality of the bidirectional HR effect, and were discussed in terms of the orienting/defensive reflex distinction.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

In 1980, the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was established to describe the long-lasting symptoms that can occur following exposure to extremely stressful life events. This article reviews the findings of neuroendocrinologic alterations in PTSD and summarizes the finding of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), catecholamine, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) systems. These are the neuroendocrine systems that have been studied in PTSD. Also included is a review of the basic facts about PTSD and biologic data.
Empirical examination of the neutrophil criterion (>1500 μl−1) currently needed to declare CR in AML

Currently, NCI guidelines require that the neutrophil count exceed 1500 before complete remission (CR) may be declared in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We tested the empirical validity of this formulation by comparing event-free survival (EFS) in CR in (a). 305 patients who met the NCI criteria for CR and (b). 36 patients who met all the criteria for CR except that the neutrophil count at what we considered CR was 1000-1499 (lower neutrophil group) at which time they began post-remission therapy. EFS was statistically identical in both groups. We extended these findings to 752 patients, who met the NCI criteria for CR except that some may have had circulating blasts at "CR"; 82 of the 752 were in the lower neutrophil group. These data suggest that the minimum needed to declare CR in AML be changed from 1500 to 1000.
Perceived Transparency and Fairness of the Organ Allocation System and Willingness to Donate Organs: A National Study

The influence of perceptions of organ allocation on willingness to donate organs is unclear. We performed a national study assessing the relation of public perceptions of organ allocation to willingness to donate organs, and we assessed the contribution of beliefs regarding discrimination in health care to observed associations. Among 845 participants, a majority (65%) reported that they less than "mostly" understand allocation, and most (71%) reported that they believe allocation is "unfair" or are "unsure" of its fairness. Participants reporting less understanding were less willing to donate (56%) than persons reporting greater understanding (67%) (p < 0.01). Participants believing allocation is "unfair" or who are "unsure" about fairness were less willing to donate (54%) than persons believing allocation is "fair" (68%) (p < 0.01). Associations were stronger among certain demographic subgroups. Participants with the least favorable perceptions of allocation were more likely than their counterparts to believe that race and income discrimination occur in transplantation and to believe that they personally experienced income discrimination in health care. Adjustment for these beliefs partially attenuated associations between perceptions regarding allocation and willingness to donate. Interventions enhancing transparency and perceived fairness of organ allocation may improve willingness to donate, particularly if they address concerns regarding discrimination in transplantation and health care.
No specific effects of caloric stimulation on the visual-imagery processes of normal subjects

Recent research indicates that neglect can be temporarily, but only partially, ameliorated by activating the contralateral hemisphere via caloric stimulation and other techniques. In this study, we evaluated whether caloric srimulation could be used to manipulate visual-imagery processes in normal subjects. 11 normal subjects participated in a quantitative visual-imagery task while undergoing caloric stimulation. Neither side of report nor ear of caloric stimulation affected performance. Possible reasons for this negative result are reviewed.