cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AN INFANT RAT MODEL OF STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE (SP) NASAL COLONIZATION AND INVASIVE PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE. 1054

Our preliminary studies suggested that infant rats exposed to SP via the intranasal route develop persistent nasal colonization with SP. In these experiments, 10μL of 0.5% low-gelling-point agarose containing approximately 2×105 SP serotypes 3, 4, 6 or 19 were placed onto the nares of infant rats (n=12 for each group). All pups became colonized with SP, without bacteremia. To develop this intranasal model of SP colonization further and attempt to induce invasive pneumococcal disease, 4 day old Sprague-Dawley infant rats received an intranasal inoculation of 2 × 105cfu SP serotype 3 in 10μL of 0.5% agarose. Six days following intranasal challenge, animals were randomized to either intrapulmonary injection of 0.025 ml of 0.5% agarose to produce lung injury or to no injection. Nasal aspirates (NA) and blood cultures (BCx) were monitored for SP just prior to the intrapulmonary injection (Day 6) and daily thereafter for three days (Days 7-9). (+NA and +BCx indicate positive nasal aspirates and blood cultures for SP, respectively): Table Two animals with bacteremia after lung puncture died one day after the bacteremia was detected. We conclude that: 1)this intranasal inoculation model produces reliable and persistent SP nasal colonization in the infant rat and 2)intranasal colonization followed by intrapulmonary puncture with agarose resulted in pneumococcal bacteremia and death in 20% of animals. Therefore, intranasal inoculation with SP serotype 3 together with intrapulmonary injection of agarose may become a suitable model of invasive pneumococcal disease following SP colonization in the infant rat.
Stratigraphy and geologic history of Pennsylvanian and Permian rocks, Mogollon Rim region, central Arizona and vicinity

Stratigraphic, paleontologic, sedimentologic, and petrographic data are used to construct a revised system of correlation and stratigraphic nomenclature for Pennsylvanian and Permian rocks of central and northern Arizona and adjacent regions. The resulting scheme emphasizes major tectonic and depositional events but also provides for recognition of local to regional minor events. By recognizing stratigraphic spikes in the rock record and combining these with available biostratigraphic data, regional correlation is established in spite of a sparsity of fossils, complex cyclic lithologic units, abrupt facies changes, sporadic subsurface data, and drastic differences in quality and extent of outcrops. Highlights of the proposed correlation and nomenclature include the following. 1. Differentiation of Supai and Naco Formations and restriction of use of the term "Supai." 2. Correlation of the Supai Group and the Hermit Formation into the western part of central Arizona (as far east as Sedona). 3. Formal definition of a new stratigraphic unit, the Schnebly Hill Formation, and several formal members. 4. Correlation of Pennsylvanian and Permian strata of the Grand Canyon and Defiance Plateau with rocks in central Arizona (Mogollon Rim and adjacent areas). With a clearer concept of stratigraphy and nomenclature, the resulting sedimentologic and tectonic history of the region can be deciphered. The resulting interpretation of geologic history provides a foundation for relating tectonic and sedimentologic events of the Colorado Plateau to the evolution of southwestern North America.
Differential sensitivities to risperidone and olanzapine in a human immunodeficiency virus patient.

Abstract Background: Neuroleptic sensitivity presents a considerable problem for the treatment of psychosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient population. As yet, there are few data on the response of these patients to newer atypical antipsychotic medications. Methods: We present the detailed medication history of a 33-year-old man with AIDS, who had a prior history of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) with both typical antipsychotics and risperidone, and was treated with olanzapine for major depression with psychotic features. Results: The patient developed akathisia in a dose-dependent manner at dosages between 10 and 15 mg daily of olanzapine, but no EPS. Akathisia responded to dose reduction and use of β-adrenergic blockade. Conclusions: The AIDS patient may exhibit sensitivity even to newer atypical antipsychotics. The lack of EPS and response to a β-blocker underscore the different mechanisms causing akathisia and EPS.
Pancreatic cancer treatment in the U.S. veteran from 1987 to 1991: Effect of tumor stage on survival

To assess the outcomes after pancreatic cancer treatment in a nationwide hospital system, patients treated in Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) hospitals from 1987 to 1991 were studied by tumor stage, the most significant reported influence on survival. Tumor registrars from DVA hospitals provided information that allowed TNM staging in 598 patients, and duration of survival from treatment to death was known in 96+% of cases. Survival was 9 months longer after 64 resections for stage I–II (localized) pancreatic cancer than after 149 other treatments (P < 0.05, ANOVA), but resection did not increase mean survival in 49 patients with stage III (lymph node metastases) disease. Twenty-one patients with ampullary, duodenal, bile duct, or cystic cancers had a significantly increased survival at any stage. Percutaneous biliary intubation had inferior results to operative therapy at all stages, but this may be due to the selection of sicker patients for nonoperative therapies. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Children's Behavioral response to residential treatment

This study examined behavior changes demonstrated over time by children who had been placed in a residential treatment center. Objective observation of behavior during such a placement is essential for continued treatment planning, including continuing in residence, transfer, or discharge. Teachers and residential treatment counselors completed Child Behavior Checklists at admission, discharge, and time points in between, for 36 patients. The results indicated excellent interjudge reliability for externalizing behavior but not for internalizing. Children who demonstrated oppositional, defiant, or generally conduct-type symptoms seemed to do most poorly in the residential treatment setting. The results suggested that the current design of residential treatment centers may not be effective in dealing with acting-out behavior problems.
Acceleration of the regeneration of the crushed hypoglossal nerve by testosterone

The effect of testosterone propionate (TP) on regeneration of the crushed hypoglossal nerve was studied in young adult rats. The TP treatment promoted axonal outgrowth as measured by an increase in the proportion of hypoglossal neurons labeled by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase injected into the tongue at selected postlesion periods compared with that in controls. The result indicated that TP exerts its effect on regeneration primarily by increasing the metabolic activity in hormone target neurons. The somatotopic organization of the hypoglossal nucleus and its projection into the major nerve branches were unaltered subsequent to crush injury. The maintenance of specificity was attributed to the intact perineurial and endoneurial sheaths which guided regenerating fibers to their original targets.
Incorporation of organic aggregates by marine mussels

Two marine mussels, Geukensia demissa (Dillwyn) and Mytilus edulis (L.) collected in 1990 in Old Silver Beach, Falmouth, Massachusetts, incorporated nitrogen when fed 15N-labelled organic aggregates produced from dissolved organic nitrogen released by the brown sea-weed Fucus vesiculosis. Uptake of 15N on the aggregate diet was linear over the course of 24 h, and unincorporated 15N was eliminated from the gut after 48 h. Both species of mussels incorporated approximately five times more N when they were fed organic aggregates than when they were fed either 15N-labelled dissolved organic material (DOM) or particulate detritus, both of which were also derived from the seaweed. Nitrogen uptake was greatest in controls fed the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii; mussels fed phytoplankton incorporated seven times more nitrogen than those fed aggregates. However, aggregates could supply an estimated 7 to 14% of the N requirements for both mussels, whereas DOM or particulate detritus could only supply 1 to 3%. These data provide evidence that a food web pathway exists from primary producer to released dissolved organic nitrogen to microbial organic aggregate to metazoan consumer, and, further, that it can be more important in a detrital food web than either particulate detritus or DOM.
General Method for the Determination of Stability Constants of Lanthanide Ion Chelates by Ligand−Ligand Competition: Laser-Excited Eu3+ Luminescence Excitation Spectroscopy

A highly sensitive, convenient, direct spectroscopic method for the measurement of stability constants of Eu3+ ion complexes of multidentate ligands is described. Eu3+ ion complexation is monitored...
Introduction of O-glycosidically linked mannose into proteins via mannosyl phosphoryl dolichol by microsomes from Fusarium solani f. pisi

Abstract Cutinase, a glycoprotein containing O -glycosidically linked carbohydrates, is induced in glucose-grown Fusarium solani f. pisi by cutin hydrolysate. Microsomal preparations from the induced cells catalyzed mannosyl transfer from GDP-mannose to glycolipid and glycoprotein fractions but not into oligosaccharide lipids. Maximal rates of mannosyl transfer into glycolipids and glycoproteins were obtained with 5 m m Mg 2+ and 10 m m Mn 2+ , respectively. Mannosyl transfer into glycolipids and glycoproteins showed pH optima of 8.0 and 7.0, respectively, and both transfers showed an apparent K m of about 2 μ m for GDP-mannose. The mannosyl lipid was identified as β- d -mannosyl phosphoryl dolichol by thinlayer and ion-exchange chromatography, as well as by analyses of the products derived from it by acid and base treatments. The fungal microsomal preparation also catalyzed mannosyl transfer from GDP-mannose to exogenous dolichol phosphate. This transfer was stimulated maximally by 0.09% Triton X-100 and showed a pH optimum at pH 8.0. The apparent K m values for dolichol phosphate and GDP-mannose were 120 and 2.3 μ m , respectively. The product derived from exogenous dolichol phosphate was identified as β- d -mannosyl phosphoryl dolichol as indicated above. The endogenous mannosyl acceptor lipid from this fungus was isolated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Analysis of the p -nitrobenzoyl derivatives of the base hydrolysis products of this acceptor lipid by highperformance liquid chromatography showed that the major components of this dolichol were C 95 and C 100 . The microsomal preparation also catalyzed the transfer of mannose from exogenous mannosyl phosphoryl dolichol to glycoproteins with a pH optimum of 7.5 and an apparent K m of 1.7 μ m . Analyses of the β-elimination products of the glycoproteins generated from both GDP-mannose and dolichol phosphoryl mannose showed that single mannosyl residues were transferred to hydroxyl groups of the endogenous proteins. Exogenous cutinase was not glycosylated even after denaturation, sulfitolysis, or removal of carbohydrates by HF hydrolysis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis indicated that cutinase and its possible precursors were among the in vitro glycosylation products. Bacitracin and amphomycin but not tunicamycin inhibited the mannosyl transfer reactions.
On the structure of HBPH

Abstract High level ab initio calculations have been used to study isomers of HBPH. HB = PH and BPH2 were found to be local minima, the former appearing to be the global minimum and over 40 kcal mol−1 more stable than the latter. HB = PH has a cis, planar structure with an essentially linear HBP unit, and the second H bridges the B and P. There is no local minimum corresponding to H2BP. Qualitative differences between SCF and correlated potential energy surfaces are observed.
Transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization with gastro‐oesophageal stapling in the management of acute variceal bleeding

Background Operation is required for patients with portal hypertension who have failed to respond to emergency sclerotherapy for control of acute variccal bleeding. This study evaluates the role of transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization combined with gastro-oesophageal stapling for control of acute variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension of different aetiologies. Methods Transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization combined with gastro-oesophageal stapling was performed in 65 patients (28 with cirrhosis, 17 with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis and 20 with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction) in whom emergency endoscopic sclerothcrapy, and/or pharmacotherapy and balloon tamponade had failed. The Sugiura procedure was modified to minimize operating time and to reduce the operative difficulties due to oesophageal wall necrosis after sclerotherapy. Results The operative mortality rate was higher in patients with cirrhosis (P = 0·0003); sepsis was the leading cause of death (in nine of 18). A high mortality rate (12 of 15) was seen in patients with Child grade C cirrhosis. Control of bleeding was achieved in all patients. The procedure-related complication rate was 17 per cent with a 6 per cent oesophageal leak rate; four of 47 surviving patients developed oesophageal stricture. During a mean follow-up of 33 months, residual varices, recurrent variccs and rebleeding were seen in three, two and three of 47 survivors. Conclusion Transabdominal extensive oesophagogastric devascularization combined with gastro-oesophageal stapling is an effective and safe procedure for control of acute variceal haemorrhage with satisfactory long-term control, especially in patients without cirrhosis and low-risk patients with cirrhosis.
Learning ramp transformation for single image super-resolution

We propose an edge based single image super-resolution algorithm.Our algorithm involves learning how ramp profiles transform across resolutions.Ramp profiles are defined as monotonic pixel profiles across edges.Our results demonstrate several advantages compared to other techniques. We propose the use of explicitly identified image structure to guide the solution of the single image super-resolution (SR) problem. We treat the image as a layout of homogeneous regions, surrounded by ramp edges of a larger contrast. Ramps are characterized by the property that any path through any ramp pixel, monotonically leading from one to the other side, has monotonically increasing (or decreasing) intensity values along it. Such a ramp profile thus captures the large contrast between the two homogeneous regions. In this paper, the SR problem is viewed primarily as one of super-resolving these ramps, since the relatively homogeneous interiors can be handled using simpler methods. Our approach involves learning how these ramps transform across resolutions, and applying the learnt transformations to the ramps of a test image. To obtain our final SR reconstruction, we use the transformed ramps as priors in a regularization framework, where the traditional backprojection constraint is used as the data term. As compared to conventional edge based SR methods, our approach provides three distinct advantages: (1) Conventional edge based SR methods are based on gradients, which use 2D filters with heuristically chosen parameters and these choices result in different gradient values. This sensitivity adversely affects learning gradient domain correspondences across different resolutions. We show that ramp profiles are more adaptive, stable and therefore reliable representations for learning edge transformations across resolutions. (2) Existing gradient based SR methods are often unable to sufficiently constrain the absolute brightness levels in the image. Our approach on the other hand, operates directly in the image intensity domain, enforcing sharpness as well as brightness consistency. (3) Unlike previous gradient based methods, we also explicitly incorporate dependency between closely spaced edges while learning ramp correspondences. This allows for better recovery of contrast across thin structures such as in high spatial frequency areas. We obtain results that are sharper and more faithful to the true image color, and show almost no ringing artifacts.
Sensitivity analysis and design optimization of three-dimensional non-linear aeroelastic systems by the adjoint method

We consider the problem of optimizing a non-linear aeroelastic system in steady-state conditions, where the structure is represented by a detailed finite element model, and the aerodynamic loads are predicted by the discretization of the non-linear Euler equations. We present a solution method for this problem that is based on the three-field formulation of fluid–structure interaction problems, and the adjoint approach for coupled sensitivity analysis. We discuss the computational complexity of the proposed solution method, describe its implementation on parallel processors, and illustrate its computational efficiency with the aeroelastic optimization of various wings. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Very-high-energy antiproton physics: Colliding 1-TeV "antiquarks" on heavy nuclei

Dorfan et al. demonstrated experimentally that one can extend the mass range of an accelerator by using the Fermi motion of nucleons inside heavy nuclear targets. The development of antiproton sources and intense pion beams at Fermilab and CERN makes possible a dramatic enhancement of this mechanism. We show that the increase in threshold production using antiprotons or pions rather than protons far exceeds the loss in luminosity. Furthermore, by using antiprotons in an internal-target experiment, the modest instantaneous rates and large signal/background ratio permit detailed study of the final state.
Counting motifs in probabilistic biological networks

Studying the distribution of motifs in biological networks provides valuable insights about the key functions of these networks. Finding motifs in networks is however a computationally challenging task. This task is further complicated by the fact that inherently, biological networks have uncertain topologies. Such uncertainty is often described using probabilistic network models. In this study we tackle this challenge. We present the exact computation of the expected value and variance of the number of occurrences of key motifs in probabilistic networks, as well as a specialized sampling approximate method for computing the variance for very large networks. Our method is generic, and easily extends to arbitrary motif topologies. Our experiments demonstrate that our method scales to large protein interaction networks as well as synthetically generated networks with different connectivity patterns. Using our method, we identify over-represented motifs in protein-protein interaction networks of five different organisms, as well as in human transcription regulatory networks of different human cells with different lineages.
Bipedalism and Parturition : an Evolutionary Imperative for Cesarean Delivery?

Human biologic evolution involves a compromise between the physical adaptations for bipedalism with effects on birthing success and the much later increases in encephalization of our species. Much of what comes to define life history parameters like gestation length, and brain and birth weight in our species is best understood from this evolutionary perspective. Human populations have been dealing with the obstetric dilemma for many hundreds of thousands of years and modern biomedicine, using techniques like cesarean sections, has alleviated, but not eliminated, birthing as a "scar" of human evolution. If women begin to demand access to universal cesarean delivery, what will the outcome be for the future of human evolution? We can only speculate on the social, biologic, and demographic costs of this transition.
Disposing of Plutonium

Wolfgang K. H. Panofsky has recently written (Letters, 3 Jan., p. 11) in support of the decision by the Department of Energy (DOE) to “pursue two technologies for disposing of excess military plutonium.” He describes the technologies as (i) the “throw away” vitrification into glass logs option, and (ii) the “burn-up” in a mixed oxide fuel option. This does not seem to be an accurate or complete description of the Administration9s two options. It is correct that one option is to burn up the surplus plutonium as mixed oxide fuel, with subsequent disposal of the spent fuel in a geologic repository. However, the other option is not restricted to vitrification, but includes immobilization of plutonium in “glass or ceramic material” (1). The “ceramic” option includes the possibility of developing durable, crystalline materials for disposing of dangerous, long-lived, fissile materials, particularly if DOE decides to immobilize all of the surplus plutonium. The National Research Council9s committee (chaired by Panofsky) which assessed the options for disposing of plutonium gave the ceramic option only cursory consideration (2). However, research on ceramics as waste forms already has a long history (3). The disposal of fissile materials with long half-lives may well benefit from strategies that capitalize on the benefits of using highly durable materials that can retain both the fissile nuclides and the required neutron absorbers for hundreds of millions of years (4).
Structural Conduciveness, Personality Characteristics and Death Anxiety:

Several writers suggest that social integration attenuates death anxiety. This hypothesized relationship is conceptualized as being a result of efforts to relieve cognitive dissonance. Since the magnitude of reward derived from social participation varies with social status, it is hypothesized that death anxiety varies directly with social status. Since position in the life cycle affects the salience of death and consequently the possibility of avoiding dissonance, it is hypothesized that death anxiety varies directly with age. The predictive power of these structural position variables was then compared to that of personality correlates of death anxiety.Analysis of data from a statewide probability sample of male Virginia residents (N = 699) provided support for the hypotheses. Four dimensions of death anxiety were examined, and the structural and personality variables have nearly equivalent separate effects on two: death denial and death avoidance. Personality is a somewhat better predictor of death fea...
Non-Centered Spike-Triggered Covariance Analysis Reveals Neurotrophin-3 as a Developmental Regulator of Receptive Field Properties of ON-OFF Retinal Ganglion Cells

The functional separation of ON and OFF pathways, one of the fundamental features of the visual system, starts in the retina. During postnatal development, some retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) whose dendrites arborize in both ON and OFF sublaminae of the inner plexiform layer transform into RGCs with dendrites that monostratify in either the ON or OFF sublamina, acquiring final dendritic morphology in a subtype-dependent manner. Little is known about how the receptive field (RF) properties of ON, OFF, and ON-OFF RGCs mature during this time because of the lack of a reliable and efficient method to classify RGCs into these subtypes. To address this deficiency, we developed an innovative variant of Spike Triggered Covariance (STC) analysis, which we term Spike Triggered Covariance – Non-Centered (STC-NC) analysis. Using a multi-electrode array (MEA), we recorded the responses of a large population of mouse RGCs to a Gaussian white noise stimulus. As expected, the Spike-Triggered Average (STA) fails to identify responses driven by symmetric static nonlinearities such as those that underlie ON-OFF center RGC behavior. The STC-NC technique, in contrast, provides an efficient means to identify ON-OFF responses and quantify their RF center sizes accurately. Using this new tool, we find that RGCs gradually develop sensitivity to focal stimulation after eye opening, that the percentage of ON-OFF center cells decreases with age, and that RF centers of ON and ON-OFF cells become smaller. Importantly, we demonstrate for the first time that neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) regulates the development of physiological properties of ON-OFF center RGCs. Overexpression of NT-3 leads to the precocious maturation of RGC responsiveness and accelerates the developmental decrease of RF center size in ON-OFF cells. In summary, our study introduces STC-NC analysis which successfully identifies subtype RGCs and demonstrates how RF development relates to a neurotrophic driver in the retina.
Development of a fluorescently labeled thermostable DHFR for studying conformational changes associated with inhibitor binding.

Abstract A fluorescently-labeled, conformationally-sensitive Bacillus stearothermophilus (Bs) dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) (C73A/S131CMDCC DHFR) was developed and used to investigate kinetics and protein conformational motions associated with methotrexate (MTX) binding. This construct bears a covalently-attached fluorophore, N-[2-(1-maleimidyl)ethyl]-7-(diethylamino)coumarin-3-carboxamide (MDCC) attached at a distal cysteine, introduced by mutagenesis. The probe is sensitive to the local molecular environment, reporting on changes in the protein structure associated with ligand binding. Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of the unlabeled Bs DHFR construct (C73A/S131C DHFR) also showed changes upon MTX association. Stopped-flow analysis of all data can be understood by invoking the presence of two native state DHFR conformers that bind to MTX at different rates (20.2 and 0.067 μM−1 s−1), similar to previously published findings for Escherichia coli DHFR. Probe fluorescence of C73A/S131CMDCC DHFR predominantly reports on MTX binding to one of the conformers while intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of C73A/S131C DHFR reports on binding to the other conformer. This study demonstrates the use of an extrinsic fluorophore attached to a distal region to investigate ligand binding interactions that are not experimentally accessible via intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence alone. The thermostability of C73A/S131CMDCC DHFR provides an important new tool with applications for investigating the temperature dependence of DHFR conformational changes associated with binding and catalysis.
Spirituality in the Flesh: The Role of Discrete Emotions in Religious Life

Recent research on the emotions provides significant new information concerning the bodily substrates of perception, cognition, and motivation. Such information promises new insights into a variety of religious phenomena. We might, for example, note how the emotion of fear frequently influences readers' response to apocalyptic literature and thereby becomes one source of the longer-lasting moods and dispositions we frequently discern in this distinctive religious outlook. A very different emotion, wonder, is similarly capable of affecting religious sensibilities as is evident in the life and writings of the environmental activist Rachel Carson. As these examples suggest, studying spirituality in the flesh is an important first step toward a truly interdisciplinary understanding of the embodied nature of religious thought and feeling.
Insecticide resistance in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Abstract A strain of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), collected from corn in North Florida showed resistance to commonly used insecticides. Resistance to pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, cyhalothrin, fenvalerate, tralomethrin, bifenthrin, tetramethrin, and fluvalinate) ranged from 2- to 216-fold; the highest resistance level observed was to fluvalinate. Resistance to organophosphorus insecticides (chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion, diazinon, sulprofos, dichlorvos, and malathion) ranged from 12- to 271-fold; the highest resistance level observed was to methyl parathion. Resistance to carbamates (methomyl, carbaryl, and thiodicarb) ranged from 14- to >192-fold with the highest resistance level being observed with carbaryl. Detoxication enzyme assays revealed that activities of microsomal oxidases (aldrin epoxidase, heptachlor epoxidase, biphenyl hydroxylase, p -nitroanisole O -demethylase, and phorate sulfoxidase) and hydrolases (helicin β-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase) were 1.4- to 6.6-fold higher in the field strain than in the susceptible strain. Levels of cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b 5 were 1.7- and 1.3-fold higher, respectively, in the field strain than in the susceptible strain. In addition, the bimolecular rate constants for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by dichlorvos and carbaryl were 2.8- and 3.5-fold higher, respectively, in the susceptible strain than in the field strain. There was no difference in the rate of cuticular penetration of carbaryl in both strains. The results indicated that the broad spectrum of insecticide resistance observed in the field strain was due to multiple resistance mechanisms, including increased detoxication of these insecticides by microsomal oxidases and target site insensitivity such as insensitive acetylcholinesterase.
The effect of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot study.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly common condition that may progress to hepatic cirrhosis. This pilot study evaluated the effects of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet on obesity-associated fatty liver disease. Five patients with a mean body mass index of 36.4 kg/m2 and biopsy evidence of fatty liver disease were instructed to follow the diet (<20 g/d of carbohydrate) with nutritional supplementation for 6 months. Patients returned for group meetings biweekly for 3 months, then monthly for the second 3 months. The mean weight change was −12.8 kg (range 0 to −25.9 kg). Four of 5 posttreatment liver biopsies showed histologic improvements in steatosis (P=.02) inflammatory grade (P=.02), and fibrosis (P=.07). Six months of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet led to significant weight loss and histologic improvement of fatty liver disease. Further research is into this approach is warranted.
Gender, Attributions of Responsibility, and Negotiation of Deviant Labels in Small Groups

Incorporating both attribution and labeling theory, this article examines the negotiation of deviant labels in small groups, with emphasis on how that process is influenced by attributions of responsibility and the gender of group members. Pressures associated with goal-directed groups make deviant labeling and resistance a common occurrence, especially when the actions of members significantly interfere with group goals or normative expectations. Findings based on the analysis of narrative responses to vignettes demonstrate the prevalence and importance of accounts and conciliatory actions for mitigating group conflict and avoiding negative outcomes. Calling problematic members into account while avoiding hostile undertones effectively initiates dialogue and facilitates the negotiation of group strategies for completing tasks. However, the data also suggest that while deviant group members frequently offer accounts for objectionable behavior, such accounts are rarely honored by conforming members. The re...
On the Cross Section of Heavy Nuclei for Slow Neutrons

The cross section for slow neutrons is computed with the statistical model of the nucleus and neutron-proton interaction of the Majorana form. The constants in the potential are taken from Feenberg's calculations on the binding energies of light nuclei. It is rather surprising that the scattering problem is reducible to one particle form despite the fact that the Majorana operators permute the coordinates of neutrons and protons. The formulas for the cross section are applicable even when there is neutron-neutron interaction, as suggested by L. Young, provided a simple change is made in the constants. It is shown that the anomalously large cross sections in Cd and Hg cannot be interpreted on the basis of an additional node of the neutron's wave function within the nucleus for Hg as compared with Cd.
Priming and Backward Influences in the Human Brain: Processing Interactions during the Stroop Interference Effect

This study investigated neural processing interactions during Stroop interference by varying the temporal separation of relevant and irrelevant features of congruent, neutral, and incongruent colored-bar/color-word stimulus components. High-density event-related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral performance were measured as participants reported the bar color as quickly as possible, while ignoring the color words. The task-irrelevant color words could appear at 1 of 5 stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) relative to the task-relevant bar-color occurrence: -200 or -100 ms before, +100 or +200 ms after, or simultaneously. Incongruent relative to congruent presentations elicited slower reaction times and higher error rates (with neutral in between), and ERP difference waves containing both an early, negative-polarity, central-parietal deflection, and a later, more left-sided, positive-polarity component. These congruency-related differences interacted with SOA, showing the greatest behavioral and electrophysiological effects when irrelevant stimulus information preceded the task-relevant target and reduced effects when the irrelevant information followed the relevant target. We interpret these data as reflecting 2 separate processes: 1) a 'priming influence' that enhances the magnitude of conflict-related facilitation and conflict-related interference when a task-relevant target is preceded by an irrelevant distractor; and 2) a reduced 'backward influence' of stimulus conflict when the irrelevant distractor information follows the task-relevant target.
Vibrio mutants of Rhodospirillumrubrum

Abstract A new class of morphological mutants was isolated from Rhodospirillum rubrum by selection for resistance to D -cycloserine. These mutants were of vibrio morphology and showed impaired uptake of D -alanine.
Effects of Spatial Disturbance on Common Loon Nest Site Selection and Territory Success

ABSTRACT The common loon (Gavia immer) breeds during the summer on northern lakes and water bodies that are also often desirable areas for aquatic recreation and human habitation. In northern New England, we assessed how the spatial nature of disturbance affects common loon nest site selection and territory success. We found through classification and regression analysis that distance to and density of disturbance factors can be used to classify observed nest site locations versus random points, suggesting that these factors affect loon nest site selection (model 1: Correct classification = 75%, null = 50%, K = 0.507, P < 0.001; model 2: Correct classification = 78%, null = 50%, K = 0.551, P < 0.001). However, in an exploratory analysis, we were unable to show a relation between spatial disturbance variables and breeding success (P = 0.595, R2 = 0.436), possibly because breeding success was so low during the breeding seasons of 2007–2008. We suggest that by selecting nest site locations that avoid disturb...
A NOTE ON NON‐STATIONARITY AND CANONICAL ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE TIME SERIES MODELS

. Box and Tiao (1977) established the correspondence between non-stationary roots and canonical correlations of an AR(1) process. In this paper, we give an alternative, more direct, proof of the correspondence and extend a special case of that result to AR(p) processes. The usefulness of these results for multiple time series modelling is also briefly discussed.
The association between advanced diagnostic imaging and ED length of stay.

Abstract Objective There has been a rise in advanced diagnostic imaging (ADI) use in the emergency department (ED). Increased utilization may contribute to longer length of stay (LOS), but prior reports have not considered improved methods for modeling skewed LOS data. Methods The 2010 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data were analyzed by 5 common ED chief complaints. Generalized linear model (GLM) was compared to quantile and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to evaluate the association between ADI and ED LOS. Receipt of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was the primary exposure. Emergency department LOS was the primary outcome. Results Of the 33,685 ED visits analyzed, 17% involved ADI. The median LOS for patients without ADI was 138 minutes compared to 252 minutes for those who received ADI. Overall, GLM offered the most unbiased estimates, although it provided similar adjusted point estimates to OLS for the marginal change in LOS associated with ADI. The effect of imaging differed by LOS quantile, especially for patients with abdominal pain, fever, and back symptoms. Conclusions Generalized linear model offered an improved modeling approach compared to OLS and quantile regression. Consideration of such techniques may facilitate a more complete view of the effect of ADI on ED LOS.
Navigating the complex path between the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and cooperation: an endophenotype approach.

Although cooperation represents a core facet of human social behavior there exists considerable variability across people in terms of the tendency to cooperate. One factor that may contribute to individual differences in cooperation is a key gene within the oxytocin system, the oxytocin reception gene (OXTR). In this article, we aim to bridge the gap between the OXTR gene and cooperation by using an endophenotype approach. We present evidence that the association between the OXTR gene and cooperation may in part be due to how the OXTR gene affects brain systems involved in emotion recognition, empathy/theory of mind, social communication and social reward seeking. There is evidence that the OXTR gene may influence the functional anatomy of the amygdala, visual cortex, anterior cingulate and superior temporal gyrus. However, it is currently unknown how the OXTR gene may be linked to the functional anatomy of other relevant brain regions that include the fusiform gyrus, superior temporal sulcus, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction and nucleus accumbens. We conclude by highlighting potential future research directions that may elucidate the path between OXTR and complex behaviors such as cooperation.
The American system : a review article

The role of government in the ante-bellum American economy has been boldly redefined in a score of books and articles published during the past decade. Close analysis of state and local sponsorship of enterprise, initiated and supported by the Committee on Research in Economic History, has suggested a thesis that appears to invite a new view of American capitalism in its formative years. Taken together, the works here reviewed form a consistent report of economic endeavor in an almost unfamiliar land. There, the elected public official replaced the individual enterpriser as the key figure in the release of capitalist energy; the public treasury, rather than private saving, became the major source of venture capital; and community purpose outweighed personal ambition in the selection of large goals for local economies. “Mixed” enterprise was the customary organization for important innovations, and government everywhere undertook the role put on it by the people, that of planner, promoter, investor, and regulator.
A3: An Environment for Self-Adaptive Diagnosis and Immunization of Novel Attacks

This paper describes an ongoing research effort aiming to use adaptation to defend individual applications against novel attacks. Application focused adaptive security spans adaptive use of security mechanisms in both the host and the network. The work presented in this paper is developing key infrastructure capabilities and supporting services including mandatory mediation of application I/O, record and replay of channel interaction, and VMI-based monitoring and analysis of execution that will facilitate replay-based diagnosis and patch derivation for attacks that succeed and go unnoticed until a known undesired condition manifests. After describing the basics, we present the results from our initial evaluation and outline the next steps.
A note on the convergence rate of the finite element method for singularly perturbed problems using the Shishkin mesh

We consider the numerical approximation of singularly perturbed problems by the h version of the finite element method on a piecewise uniform, Shishkin mesh. It is well known that this method yields uniform approximations, with respect to the perturbation parameter, at a quasi-optimal algebraic convergence rate. In this note we show that the known rate is asymptotically sharp (as the meshwidth h->0), by obtaining lower and upper bounds on the error. Numerical results that agree with the analysis are presented, as are comparisons with certain other non-uniform mesh strategies.
Projections from the laterodorsal nucleus of the thalamus to the limbic and visual cortices in the rat.

The laterodorsal nucleus (LD) of the thalamus is an important source of thalamic afferents to the limbic cortex, but the topography and lamination of these projections has not been investigated in detail. Using the anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin and Fluoro-Ruby, the present study demonstrates that in the rat, LD projects to infraradiata, precentral agranular, retrosplenial, visual (area 18b), subicular, and entorhinal cortices. Each subregion of LD has a distinct pattern of terminals within these cortical areas. The rostral part and the dorsalmost part of LD project densely to retrosplenial granular a (Rga) cortex, presubiculum and parasubiculum. Slightly more caudal parts of dorsal LD project primarily to the postsubiculum. More ventral parts of LD project primarily to retrosplenial dysgranular (Rdg) and retrosplenial granular b (Rgb) cortices. The projection of LD to area 18b originates from cells in the caudalmost part of LD. In each cortical region, LD terminals display distinct laminar patterns. In area 18b and the adjacent Rdg cortex, the LD terminal field is in layers I, III, and IV, but in both the Rgb and Rga cortices the terminal field is located predominantly in layer I. In the postsubiculum the LD terminals are distributed to layers I and III/IV and extend into superficial layer V; in the presubiculum and the parasubiculum the LD terminals are only in the deep layers (i.e., layers IV-VI). A small number of LD axons terminate in the deep layers (i.e., layers IV-VI) of the medial entorhinal cortex. These results indicate that each area of LD has a distinct projection to limbic and adjacent neocortex.
Statistical Analysis of CFD Solutions from the Fourth AIAA Drag Prediction Workshop

A graphical framework is used for statistical analysis of the results from an extensive N-version test of a collection of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics codes. The solutions were obtained by code developers and users from the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Russia using a variety of grid systems and turbulence models for the June 2009 4th Drag Prediction Workshop sponsored by the AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Technical Committee. The aerodynamic configuration for this workshop was a new subsonic transport model, the Common Research Model, designed using a modern approach for the wing and included a horizontal tail. The fourth workshop focused on the prediction of both absolute and incremental drag levels for wing-body and wing-body-horizontal tail configurations. This work continues the statistical analysis begun in the earlier workshops and compares the results from the grid convergence study of the most recent workshop with earlier workshops using the statistical framework.
A Safe landing? : golden parachutes and corporate behavior

The original motivation for golden parachutes was to provide managers the incentive to maximize shareholder wealth without concerns of job loss from change of control. But they may also create the incentive to run down a firm and make it an attractive takeover candidate, especially in the case of poorly performing firms that require substantial turnaround effort. Such concerns led to the U.S. Congress passing laws that limit tax deductibility to golden parachutes and levy additional taxes on such payments. Our study of a sample of 245 first-time golden parachute adopting firms during 1980-94 indicates that such concerns (and the legislation) are misplaced. Regardless of whether they are under- or over-performers prior to parachute adoption, managers do not appear to run down their firms: They do not put the firm up for sale any more often than average, CEO turnover does not increase, and firms' operating, financial and stock performance subsequent to adoption show no evidence of value destruction. In contrast, we find a dramatic increase in both inward and outward corporate control activity, leading us to the conclusion that golden parachutes have simply given managers the confidence (and a cushion) to restructure their firms without having to worry about losing their jobs from the firm being put in play.
Identification of organic pigments by solution spectrophotometry

Organic pigments can be extracted readily into organic solvents from paints, plastics, inks, and other colored samples. If visible (in some cases near-infrared) wave-length spectrophotometric data are obtained from the resulting solutions using a log-absorbance presentation, the pigments can be identified by matching curve shapes to those in a library of reference curves. Pigment identification is recognized as an important aid in industrial color matching. This article describes research leading to analytical schemes for the solution spectrophotometry of organic pigments, and to the development of an available library of reference curves. The advantages of the logabsorbance presentation are illustrated. A curve-shape index is described for searching the reference library. The solution-spectrophotometry method is compared with common alternatives; it is simple and rapid, usable on a micro scale, relatively free from interferences by other constituents of the samples, capable of identifying impure samples and the components of mixtures, and applicable with readily available equipment.
Bringing Sketch Recognition into Your Hands

The paper mentions that a flexible method of sketch recognition works consistently across a variety of software and hardware platforms, including mobile devices such as the Nintendo DS and iPhone. An example application employs this method to drive facial expressions.
Bone tumor mimickers: A pictorial essay

Focal lesions in bone are very common and many of these lesions are not bone tumors. These bone tumor mimickers can include numerous normal anatomic variants and non-neoplastic processes. Many of these tumor mimickers can be left alone, while others can be due to a significant disease process. It is important for the radiologist and clinician to be aware of these bone tumor mimickers and understand the characteristic features which allow discrimination between them and true neoplasms in order to avoid unnecessary additional workup. Knowing which lesions to leave alone or which ones require workup can prevent misdiagnosis and reduce patient anxiety.
Radio pulsar disk electrodynamics

Macroscopic physics are discussed for the case of a disk close to an isolated, magnetized, rotating neutron star that acts as a Faraday disk dynamo, while the disk acts as both a load and a neutral sheet. This sheet allows the polar cap current to return to the neutron star, splitting a dipolar field into two monopolar halves. The dominant energy loss is from the stellar wind torque, and the next contribution is dissipation in the auroral zones, where the current returns to the star in a 5 cm-thick sheet. The disk itself may be a source of visible radiation comparable to that in pulsed radio frequency emission. As the pulsar ages, the disk expands and narrows into a ring which, it is suggested, may lead to a cessation of pulsed emission at periods of a few sec.