cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS)

The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was originally developed to screen for pathological gambling in clinical settings; however, its use has expanded to other purposes, settings, and populations, including prevalence studies of pathological gambling in the general population. Questions have been raised about the accuracy of the SOGS with its use in these new settings and populations. The purpose of this study is to examine current estimates of the reliability, validity, and classification accuracy of the SOGS in two different samples: (a) a general population sample (N= 803) and (b) a gambling treatment sample (N = 1,589). DSM-IV diagnostic criteria served as the standard against which to measure the SOGS classification accuracy and both the SOGS and DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were administered to participants. The SOGS was found to have satisfactory reliability with coefficient alphas of .69 and .86 in the general population and gambling treatment samples, respectively. The SOGS demonstrated satisfactory validity by differentiating between the general population and the gambling treatment sample and by exhibiting high correlations with DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and moderate correlations with other measures of gambling problem severity. The SOGS demonstrated good to excellent classification accuracy in the gambling treatment sample, but had poorer accuracy in the general population sample with a 50% false positive rate. The SOGS overestimated the number of pathological gamblers in the general population, as compared to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria.
Videomicroscopy study of vertical flow of organic liquids in wet and dry heterogeneous porous media

Videomicroscopy was used with a novel bead-pack micromodel to observe directly movement and distribution of toluene in the unsaturated zone during its initial entry, subsequent water infiltration and gravity drainage, and externally imposed fluctuations in the water table. In a partially water-saturated medium gravity drainage of toluene to the water table occurred as thin layers which flowed along continuous air-water interfaces, leaving a very low residual saturation. Experiments with presaturated toluene and water and with n-butanol and water showed that such drainage was faster and more complete for liquids that spread spontaneously on water, i.e., that had zero contact angle. However, whatever the spreading properties, drainage in such layers did not occur at all unless the gravitational driving force for downward flow exceeded the vertical capillary pressure gradient opposing flow. Toluene trapped in zones of low permeability or hydraulic conductivity during the first infiltration of water following toluene injection was not displaced during subsequent water infiltration and gravity drainage cycles. Fluctuations in the water table redistributed the toluene, in some cases trapping mobile toluene while in others mobilizing trapped toluene. The implications of these results for contamination and cleanup of ground water aquifers are discussed
Exploring the dimensions of nomophobia

Nomophobia was investigated as a theoretical construct among young adults.Dimensions of nomophobia were identified and described.The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was devised and validated.The NMP-Q can be used as a measure of nomophobia.Nomophobia can be considered a situational phobia and included in DSM-5. Nomophobia is considered a modern age phobia introduced to our lives as a byproduct of the interaction between people and mobile information and communication technologies, especially smartphones. This study sought to contribute to the nomophobia research literature by identifying and describing the dimensions of nomophobia and developing a questionnaire to measure nomophobia. Consequently, this study adopted a two-phase, exploratory sequential mixed methods design. The first phase was a qualitative exploration of nomophobia through semi-structured interviews conducted with nine undergraduate students at a large Midwestern university in the U.S. As a result of the first phase, four dimensions of nomophobia were identified: not being able to communicate, losing connectedness, not being able to access information and giving up convenience. The qualitative findings from this initial exploration were then developed into a 20-item nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q). In the second phase, the NMP-Q was validated with a sample of 301 undergraduate students. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure for the NMP-Q, corresponding to the dimensions of nomophobia. The NMP-Q was shown to produce valid and reliable scores; and thus, can be used to assess the severity of nomophobia.
Genistein effects on growth and cell cycle of Candida albicans.

Microbial virulence is generally considered to be multifactorial with infection resulting from the sum of several globally regulated virulence factors. Estrogen may serve as a signal for global virule
Effects of histidine decarboxylase inhibitors on the production of an aberrant alkaloid in Dolichothele sphaerica

Abstract Attempts at regulating the production of the aberrant alkaloid 4(5)-[N-isovalerylaminomethyl]imidazole were initiated by pretreating Dolichothele sphaerica plants with Known histidine decarboxylase inhibitors. Larger quantities of the unnatural precursor, 4(5)-aminomethylimidazole, were converted to the corresponding aberrant alkaloid when the cactus plants were pretreated with α-methylhistidine or α-hydrazinohistidine. These compounds appeared to be successful in inhibiting the formation of histamine from histidine, thereby limiting the availability of the natural precursor.
Prenatal Pregnancy Complications and Psychiatric Symptoms: Children with ASD versus Clinic Controls.

Abstract The current study examined the association between prenatal pregnancy complications (PPC) and childhood psychiatric symptoms in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and non-ASD children who were referred to a psychiatric clinic (Controls). Parents completed a DSM-IV -referenced rating scale and developmental history questionnaire. Participants were classified as having ≥1 PPC (+PPC) versus none (−PPC). Children with ASD were significantly more likely to have PPC than Controls. Intra-group comparisons demonstrated that children in the ASD + PPC group had more severe anxiety than ASD/−PPC group. The Control + PPC group obtained higher symptom ratings of inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior than Control/−PPC. Children in the ASD + PPC group were rated as having more severe anxiety and depression symptoms than Control + PPC. Dissimilar associations in ASD and non-ASD samples were found, suggesting divergent pathogenic processes in different clinical phenotypes.
Chaos decomposition of multiple fractional integrals and applications

Chaos decomposition of multiple integrals with respect to fractional Brownian motion (with H > 1/2) is given. Conversely the chaos components are expressed in terms of the multiple fractional integrals. Tensor product integrals are introduced and series expansions in those are considered. Strong laws for fractional Brownian motion are proved as an application of multiple fractional integrals.
Foot pedal control of suction during lower intestinal endoscopy

Lower intestinal endoscopy can be uncomfortable for the patient. This article describes a device to help achieve maximum comfort for the patient by reducing background noise to an acceptable minimum.
Residential Demand for Water and the Pricing of Municipal Water Services

A large microdata sample is used to estimate the price elasticity of residential demand for water services. Data on delinquency of payments at the household level are employed to draw inferences about service termination. The issue of service termination permits a discussion of the public goods aspects of water and sewer service and of the appropriate pricing policy for municipal water services.
Deterministic and stochastic robustness measures for discrete systems

Deterministic and stochastic Lyapunov theorems are used to demonstrate the robustness of a stable linear, time-variant, discrete-time nominal system to both unknown deterministic and stochastic perturbations. Time-domain conditions are presented on the appropriate deterministic or random characteristics of perturbations to maintain the proper stability behavior of the overall system. It is concluded that the novel robustness conditions proposed can find application in the feedback design of control systems where the closed-loop system is known to be stable with a certain degree, e.g. as in the case of linear quadratic optimal control with alpha -degree of prescribed stability. >
Computing the singular value decomposition on the Connection Machine

Consideration is given to the computation of the singular value decomposition (SVD) on the Connection Machine (CM). Brief descriptions of the Lisp language and some typical matrix manipulating functions are given. Implementation details of various Jacobi-SVD algorithms on an 8192-processor CM are presented. For n*n matrices, where n >
Influence of Genetic Differences in Merit of Mates on Sire Evaluation

Abstract Effect of nonrandomness of bulls’ mates on daughter milk yield was examined from first lactation records of cows with birth dates in 1965 and later. Results were based on 67,081 Ayrshire, 77,633 Brown Swiss, 241,486 Guernsey, 1,433,761 Holstein, 291,201 Jersey, and 10,465 Milking Shorthorn records. Extent of assortative mating was examined. Correlations between sire Predicted Difference and dam (mate) Cow Index for individual years ranged from −.08 to .20. Correlations for all records within herd-year (.00 to .02) indicated essentially no assortative mating for milk yield for any breed except Ayrshire. For Ayrshires, negative assortative mating was indicated by a correlation of −.07. Within-sire regressions of daughter milk yield deviated from contemporary average (which had been adjusted for average Predicted Difference of contemporaries’ sires) on dam Cow Index (merit of mates) by breed were .84 to 1.08. Expected regression was 1.00. Effect of merit of mates on sire evaluation was determined by comparing evaluations from standardized yield with those from standardized yield minus dam Cow Index. Correlations between evaluations for 4233 Ayrshire, 5275 Brown Swiss, 13,742 Guernsey, 32,572 Holstein, 13,688 Jersey, and 1240 Milking Shorthorn bulls rounded to 1.00 except for Milking Shorthorns (.99); average absolute differences in evaluations were 9 to 16 kg, and maximum differences were 49 to 118 kg. Adding an adjustment to Sire Summaries to account for nonrandomness of mates would do little to increase accuracy.
Quantum‐size effects on the band edge of CdTe clusters in glass

The measurement of quantum‐size behavior in semiconductor crystals has been examined through an analysis of the size dependence of the semiconductor’s absorption edge. In past studies, there appeared to be little agreement between theory and experiment for very small crystals. In this paper, the effects of crystal‐size distribution and tunneling of the carrier wave functions into the quantum well barrier are considered. An analysis of the microstructure size and absorption edge of CdTe clusters in a glass matrix is conducted with samples ranging from 0.16 to 0.8 times the exciton Bohr diameter at the Γ point and from 1 to 5 times the exciton Bohr diameter at the L point. Results show fully coupled exciton behavior at the L point and a more complex process at the Γ point. In the latter, the band‐gap energy increase with decreasing cluster size is significantly smaller than that calculated using a model in which the photoexcited carriers are assumed to be confined to a monosize set of clusters bounded by an...
Transplanting Active Learning Abroad: Creating a Stimulating Negotiation Pedagogy Across Cultural Divides

For all of the ongoing attention paid by international relations scholars to reevaluating and improving their pedagogy, the effort to engage classes in new and productive ways can be exceptionally challenging when a western professor travels to a non-western society to teach advanced students. Professor Michael Fowler here explores the use of active-learning techniques in teaching international negotiation and conflict resolution abroad. Drawing especially on the author's experiences in working with officials in Laos and Vietnam, the article provides guidance for fashioning an effective active-learning course abroad, while referencing useful literature on negotiation teaching and scholarship. It assumes that certain readers will not be familiar with active-learning methods, but might want to incorporate them into future courses, and that others will be well-versed in this pedagogy, but will be looking to apply their customary techniques to the new circumstances of teaching advanced students abroad. This article includes material of interest to both groups.
Characteristics of the ionization tracks and interactions of uranium-238 nuclei in emulsion

The acceleration and extraction of uranium-238 nuclei by the Bevalac have been confirmed by their visual detection in nuclear research emulsion. A preliminary result for the collision mean free path for stopping uranium-238 (energy less than or equal to 115 million electron volts per nucleon) is 3.1 +- 0.6 centimeters. Qualitative characteristics of the observed uranium-nucleus collisions are also described.
Organization of the stretch response to milk in the rat fetus.

Intraoral infusion of milk reliably elicits a stretch response in the rat fetus. The fetal stretch response appears isomorphic to the stereotypic behavior exhibited postnatally by suckling rat pups during milk ejection. Using a procedure that permits direct fetal observation, milk infusions were delivered to rat fetuses on Day 20 or 21 of gestation. Infusion of milk promoted systematic changes in fetal behavior that culminated in expression of the stretch response nearly 3 min later. Interruption of this behavioral sequence prevented stretching, suggesting that a period of behavioral reorganization after milk infusion is necessary but not sufficient for the stretch response to occur. The behavioral sequence initiated by the fetal rat's first exposure to milk is remarkably similar to the behavior exhibited by experienced infant rats at the nipple. © 1992 Wiley & sons. Inc.
Extent of mixing in a two-component batch system measured using MRI

Abstract This work addresses the characterization of the degree of mixing to improve quality and efficiency. The objective was to establish a new method to evaluate the extent of mixing using a binary component batch system. Batch mixing was studied in a two-component system of Newtonian oil with a viscosity of 3.5 Pa s and suspended particles with a mean diameter of 200 μm. The experiments were performed with three particle loadings: 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight. Mixing was monitored as a function of number of revolutions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Images were acquired from initially segregated material to fully uniform material. They were analyzed statistically in terms of center and spread characteristics, coefficient of variation, length scale, and mixing intensity. As mixing proceeded, the signal intensity distributions changed dramatically at approximately 500 revolutions for all three particle concentrations. The length scales decreased as mixing proceeded by factors of approximately 1.5, 3.6, and 6.3 for 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. Mixing intensities decreased from 1 to less than 0.05. Mixing intensity (I) versus log(no. of revolutions) showed a linear relationship with coefficient of determination values (R2) greater than 0.93 and slope values in a relatively narrow range.
Montmorillonite−Poly(ethylene oxide) Nanocomposites: Interlayer Alkali Metal Behavior

Clay-PEO nanocomposites can have large electrical conductivities that make them potential electrolyte materials for rechargeable lithium batteries, but the origin of these large conductivities, especially for Li-containing materials, is poorly understood. This paper presents X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA-DTA, and (7)Li and (23)Na NMR data for PEO nanocomposites made with natural (SWy-1) and synthetic (MNTS) montmorillonite clays that provide new insight into interlayer structure. An increase in basal d(001)-spacings demonstrates successful intercalation of PEO in all samples, and X-ray line narrowing shows that this intercalation improves the layer stacking order. The basal spacings of 17.9-19.4 A are consistent with a helical or bilayer structure of PEO in the interlayer. TGA-DTA provides quantitative results for the hydration state of the nanocomposites, demonstrates PEO intercalation, and shows that the composites prepared from the synthetic montmorillonite are less stable than those made with SWy-1. (7)Li NMR shows that the nearest neighbor hydration state of Li(+) is unaffected by PEO intercalation and suggests weak interaction of Li(+) with PEO. (23)Na NMR shows that PEO intercalation results in the conversion of the multiple Na(+) hydration states observed for the pristine clay into inner sphere sites most likely formed through coordination with the basal oxygens of the clay. These differences between lithium and sodium suggested that tighter binding of the Na to the clay may be the origin of the conductivity of Li-montmorillonite-PEO nanocomposites being as much as 2 orders of magnitude larger than those of Na-montmorillonite-PEO nanocomposites. The results confirm the idea that polymer oxygen atoms do not participate in sequestering the exchangeable cations and agree with the jump process for cation migration advanced by Kuppa and Manias (Kuppa, V.; Manias, E. Chem. Mater. 2002, 14, 2171).
Mo2(O)(OCH2tBu)4(PMe3)4. Preparation and characterization of a partial hydrolysis product of Mo2(OCH2tBu)6

Abstract Partial hydrolysis of Mo 2 (OCH 2 t Bu) 6 in the presence of excess trimethylphosphine produced the novel compound Mo 2 (PMe 3 )( μ -O)( μ -OCH 2 t Bu) (OCH 2 t Bu) 3 ( 1 ). The solid-state molecular structure of 1 as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed an MoMo double bond [2.4931(9) A] between the metal centers which are in local octahedral and trigonal bi-pyramidal coordination geometries, respectively. The complex possesses an asymmetric oxo bridge [1.996(4) A and 1.874(4) A] as well as a bridging alkoxide ligand. Based on the coordination geometries, as well as the metal-metal separation, it is proposed to contain metal centers with formal oxidation states Mo(4+) ( d 2 ) and Mo(2+) ( d 4 ). In solution 2 is evidently non-fluxional on the NMR time-scale and maintains a geometry akin to that seen in the solid state. Compound 1 reacted with carbon monoxide (1 equiv.) giving a 1:1 adduct, 2 , wherein the d 4 -Mo(2+) center is ligated by CO. Thermolysis of 2 does not yield oxidation products, i.e. Me 3 PO or CO 2 , but does show evidence for the formation of (PMe 3 ) 4 Mo(CO) 2 along with other uncharacterized molybdenum alkoxide products. While 2 may be formally derived from the oxidative cleavage of CO 2 by reaction with Mo 2 (OCH 2 t Bu) 4 (PMe 3 ) 4 , the latter inserts CO 2 into the MoOR bonds, as does Mo 2 (O i Pr) 4 (dmpe) 2 , where dmpe = Me 2 PCH 2 CH 2 PMe 2 .
Source and propagation of internal solitary waves in the northeastern South China Sea

[1] Large-amplitude internal solitary waves (ISWs) observed near Dongsha Island in the South China Sea originate in tide-topography interactions at Luzon Strait. Their arrival times at two moorings (S7 at 117°17'E, 21°37'N, and Y at 117°13.2'E, 21°2.8'N) are investigated, with respect to model-predicted barotropic tidal currents over Lan-Yu ridge at Luzon Strait. Each ISW packet can be associated with a westward tidal current peak. The time lags between the ISWs and the barotropic tidal currents are 57.6 ± 0.9 hours at S7 and 55.1 ± 1.0 hours at Y, consistent with the mode-one internal waves propagating nondispersively through the region's bathymetry and climatological stratification. Larger ISWs usually arrive earlier than smaller ones, consistent with the theoretical relation between nonlinear wave speed and wave amplitude. The observation that the ISWs are associated with westward tidal currents, with/without the presence of earlier eastward tidal currents, suggests that they are generated by nonlinear steepening of internal tides, rather than by the lee-wave mechanism. An idealized nonlinearization distance, over which the ISWs are generated in internal tide troughs, is estimated to be 260 ± 40 km from Luzon Strait.
A global address space approach to automated data management for parallel Quantum Monte Carlo applications

Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) applications perform simulation with respect to an initial state of the quantum mechanical system, which is often captured by using a cubic B-spline basis. This representation is stored as a read-only table of coefficients, and accesses to the table are generated at random as part of the Monte Carlo simulation. Current QMC applications such as QWalk and QMCPACK, replicate this table at every process or node, which limits scalability because increasing the number of processors does not enable larger systems to be run. We present a partitioned global address space (PGAS) approach to transparently managing this data using Global Arrays in a manner that allows the memory of multiple nodes to be aggregated. We develop an automated data management system that significantly reduces communication overheads, enabling new capabilities for QMC codes. Experimental results with the QWalk application demonstrate the effectiveness of the data management system.
Treatment of croup. A critical review.

• Although viral croup is the most common form of airway obstruction in children 6 months to 6 years of age, there is debate regarding medical care for the hospitalized patient. A complete review of the English-language literature from 1960 to 1988 was performed, using both manual and Medline searches. Critical review shows that laryngotracheitis and spasmodic croup, previously emphasized in the literature as having distinct etiologies, most likely are two ends of a broad spectrum in the clinical presentation of a single disease. Critical assessment of all prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials reported during the study period shows that there is little information on the use of humidified air or supplemental oxygen, that racemic epinephrine hydrochloride is of well-demonstrated efficacy, and that dexamethasone phosphate at a dose greater than 0.3 mg/kg is effective in decreasing the length and severity of respiratory symptoms associated with viral croup. (AJDC. 1989;143:1045-1049)
Diversity in penaeidin antimicrobial peptide form and function

Penaeidins are a diverse family of two-domain antimicrobial peptides expressed in shrimp. Variation in penaeidin sequence results in functional diversity, which was discovered using synthetic reproductions of native penaeidins. An isoform of penaeidin class 3 from Litopenaeus setiferus (Litset Pen3-4) was synthesized using native ligation and compared directly with the synthetic penaeidin class 4 known to be expressed in the same organism. New antimicrobial activity data are included in this review that emphasize differences in effectiveness that are apparent from a direct comparison of two classes. A novel approach to intact penaeidin analysis is presented in the form of Fourier Transform Ion-Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry, which has implications for the identification of individual penaeidin isoforms without chemical modification or enzymatic cleavage. The new information included in this review helps gather the perspective on relevance of penaeidin diversity to antimicrobial function, the use of synthetic peptides as tools to evaluate specific immune functions and the application of high mass resolution, top-down sequencing methods to the intact analysis of individual penaeidin isoforms.
Leptomeningeal Dissemination of Optic Pathway Gliomas in Three Children

We treated three children with optic pathway gliomas who had progressive disease associated with metastatic spread to the leptomeninges. One patient had radiographic resolution of leptomeningeal disease after treatment with intravenous carmustine and oral mercaptopurine but died of progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The second patient was treated with intravenous thiotepa, and the leptomeningeal disease remained stable. The third patient was treated with intravenous vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, cis-platin, and etoposide and had a significant size reduction of the leptomeningeal lesion. Although leptomeningeal dissemination is a seemingly rare event, it is important that all children with optic pathway gliomas be considered for this possibility, particularly after the onset of new, atypical neurologic symptoms.
North Polar Dust Storms in Early Spring on Mars

Abstract Observations of Mars during 1996–1997 by the Hubble Space Telescope covered the entire spring season in the northern hemisphere of Mars, which was favorably positioned for viewing the north polar region. This paper reports observations of dust activity during this period. Local dust activity occurred near the edge of the subliming north polar cap during early spring; this included local dust clouds, similar to those seen by Viking near the edge of the south polar cap, and unusual, arc-shaped dust features that seem to represent a new type of dust phenomenon. These dust arcs may explain the Rima Tenuis rift, which has been occasionally seen by groundbased observers of Mars. Analysis of numerical simulations from a Mars general circulation model for the early northern spring season have provided insights into the plausible meteorological background at high latitudes in the vicinity of the retreating north polar cap. These Hubble observations extend the geographic and seasonal ranges during which local dust activity seems to be common on Mars. The combination of image analysis and model calculations support the hypothesis that these dust storms are the result of winds associated with fronts moving across the seasonal cap that lift dust exposed on the cap during CO 2 sublimation.
Societal savings by “fast tracking” lower acuity patients in an urban pediatric emergency department

Abstract To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a "fast track" system for diverting lower acuity patients away from the pediatric emergency department (ED), 4,060 patients triaged to the fast track area of an urban pediatric ED with the 10 most common discharge diagnoses from 1/1/94 through 12/31/94 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients triaged as having nonurgent concerns qualified for treatment in a separate fast track area for 8 hours per day (fast track patients). These patients were compared with 5,199 seen in the main pediatric ED for the same concerns during the remaining hours when the fast track was not in operation (ED patients). Computer records were reviewed for demographics, acuity levels, diagnosis, and collection ratios (revenues/charges). The societal savings was calculated as ∑ $ [(Δ mean revenue of diagnosis 1–10 in the main ED - mean revenue of diagnosis 1–10 in the fast track) × the number of patients seen in fast track for diagnosis 1–10 ] stratified by acuity. Collection ratios were comparable between groups (57% v 62%), but the average charges (physician and facility) were significantly less for patients seen in the fast track by a ratio of 1:2.4 ( P P
Transformation of the basidiomycete, Schizophyllum commune

Protoplasts of aSchizophyllum commune tryptophan auxotroph (trp1), deficient in indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthetase (IGPS), were transformed to trp+ with plasmid DNA containing the SchizophyllumTRP1 sequence. Efficiencies up to 30 transformants per microgram of plasmid DNA were obtained. Southern blots reveal that the transforming DNA is integrated in chromosomal DNA. The trp+ phenotype of transformants is stable in meiosis and mitosis. Transformants possess IGPS activity comparable to wild-type cells.
Persuasiveness of one- and two-sided communications as a function of awareness there are two sides

Abstract It was hypothesized that the persuasiveness of a one-sided communication would be reduced more than that of a two-sided communication when the audience was made aware there were two plausible sides to the issue. Subjects were informed they would hear the prosecution summary for a court trial, and about half of the subjects were further informed that it was not an open-and-shut case. Cross-cutting this variation, about half of the subjects were exposed to a one-sided prosecution communication while the rest were exposed to a two-sided communication. The predicted interaction between awareness of there being two plausible sides and one- versus two-sided communications was supported. These effects did not seem to be accounted for by perceived bias in the communications and were explained in terms of reactions to pressure to adopt or reject a particular position on an issue.
Transition from a uniform state to hexagonal and striped Turing patterns

CHEMICAL travelling waves have been studied experimentally for more than two decades1–5, but the stationary patterns predicted by Turing6 in 1952 were observed only recently7–9, as patterns localized along a band in a gel reactor containing a concentration gradient in reagents. The observations are consistent with a mathematical model for their geometry of reactor10 (see also ref. 11). Here we report the observation of extended (quasi-two-dimensional) Turing patterns and of a Turing bifurcation—a transition, as a control parameter is varied, from a spatially uniform state to a patterned state. These patterns form spontaneously in a thin disc-shaped gel in contact with a reservoir of reagents of the chlorite–iodide–malonic acid reaction12. Figure 1 shows examples of the hexagonal, striped and mixed patterns that can occur. Turing patterns have similarities to hydrodynamic patterns (see, for example, ref. 13), but are of particular interest because they possess an intrinsic wavelength and have a possible relationship to biological patterns14–17.
Sequence variation at the rice blast resistance gene Pi-km locus: implications for the development of allele specific markers.

The recently cloned blast resistance (R) gene Pi-km protects rice crops against specific races of the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae in a gene-for-gene manner. The use of blast R genes remains the most cost-effective method for an integrated disease management strategy. To facilitate rice breeding we developed a Pi-km specific DNA marker. For this purpose, we initially explored the existing sequence diversity for alleles of the two genes responsible for the Pi-km specificity. The analysis of 15 rice cultivars revealed that the majority of nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with the Pi-km1 gene. Interestingly, the correspondent amino acid variation was localized within the predicted coiled-coil domain of the putative Pi-km1 protein. In contrast, the sequence of Pi-km2 alleles was highly conserved even within distantly related cultivars. Furthermore, disease reactions of the selected cultivars to five M. oryzae isolates, as well as their determined Pi-km1 allele, showed a good correlation with the known Pi-k genes (-k/-kh/-km/-ks/-kp) historically reported for these cultivars. Based on these findings, specific primer sets have been designed to discriminate among the various Pi-km alleles. The new markers should simplify the introgression of the valuable blast resistance associated with the complex Pi-k locus into rice cultivars.
Tidal Currents and Zig-Zag Sand Shoals in a Wide Estuary Entrance

Fourteen 27-hr tidal-current stations were occupied in the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, in a 100-km2 area of subtidal sand banks where the average water depth is 6.5 m. At ebb strength, surface current speed ranged from 132 to 64 cm/sec; near-bottom speed ranged from 79 to 24 cm/sec. At flood strength, surface current speed ranged from 104 to 57 cm/sec; near-bottom speed ranged from 65 to 35 cm/sec. Near the bottom at more than half the stations, flood flow dominates over ebb flow in both peak speed and duration. Velocity data from bottom to surface were fitted by a parabolic velocity defect law from which shear stress at the bed was estimated. At ebb strength, this stress ranged from 185 to 13 dynes/cm2. At flood strength, this stress ranged from 80 to 4 dynes/cm2. Peak flows at all stations are competent to move bed sediment. An index of net sediment transport rate at each station was obtained from a calculation of competent flow power, corrected to mean tidal range, and integrated over an entire observation period. With two exceptions, net transport of bed sediment is ebb directed. Decrease in net sediment transport rate along a path of net motion requires deposition of sediment. Locations of deduced deposition correspond to shoals. Prominent indentations, or sinuses, in the margins of shoals, are strongly dominated by net sediment transport toward the closed end of a channel. Zig-zag shoals extend from the north cape three-fourths of the distance to the south across the entrance. This line of shoals is comprised of oppositely opening sinuses, or parabolas, which are with distance to the south alternately ebb dominated and flood dominated. The shoals represent spit-building action in the presence of strong reversing tidal currents which are mutually evasive. Other shoals in the entrance are due to subaqueous levee building marginal to main channels. Still other shoals in the entrance are constructed when a flood-dominated channel intersects the ebb-directed path of net sediment transport; the interdicted sediment then is flushed landward to form a secondary shoal when spreading of the flood current occurs.
Conflict and Imagery: Saint Michael and Ecclesiastical Power in New Spain

AbstractOn 25 April 1631, Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to the Indian Diego Lazaro in the town of San Bernabe in Puebla de los Angeles. This apparition, the sanctuary built in honour of Saint Michael, and the promotion of his cult by Puebla’s episcopacy cemented a connection between the saint and the city. What might have been an obscure occurrence in a tiny Indian town became a crucial event for the development of New Spanish painting. Curiously, while the apparition took place within Puebla’s jurisdiction, it was in Mexico City that the most spectacular Saint Michael imagery was created. Of the six large-scale canvases created at the end of the seventeenth century for the cathedral’s sacristy, four include the image of the archangel, but without reference to Puebla. Conceived in a spirit of competition with Puebla, the decoration of Mexico City’s sacristy offered the chapter an opportunity to elevate its status and document its own connection to the archangel. This paper explains how the tensions...
Source of funding and outcome of clinical trials.

Because of recent concerns about conflicts of interest and published research, the author analyzed 107 controlled clinical trials. Studies were classified as favoring either a new therapy or a traditional therapy, and as being supported by a pharmaceutical manufacturer or as being generally supported. Seventy-one per cent of the trials favored new therapies; 43% of these were funded by pharmaceutical firms. Of the 31 trials favoring traditional therapy, only four (13%) were supported by a pharmaceutical firm. There was a statistically significant association between the source of funding and the outcome of the study (p=0.002). Few trials supported by pharmaceutical manufacturers favored traditional therapy; some reasons for this finding may include selection of drugs likely to be proven efficacious, Type II errors (false-negative studies), and fear of discontinuation of funding should such studies be submitted. Important clinical information may be lost if negative studies are not published.
Growth and structure of Fe and Co thin films on Cu(111), Cu(100), and Cu(110): A comprehensive study of metastable film growth.

The growth and structure of Fe and Co thin films on single-crystal Cu(111), Cu(100), and Cu(110) substrates have been investigated using x-ray-photoelectron and Auger electron forward scattering, CO-titration, low-energy electron diffraction, and reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The motivation for this study is to understand the role of surface structure and kinetics in the growth of metal films on metal substrates. The effect of varying substrate growth temperatures between 80 and 450 K plays a prominent role in determining both the film morphology and crystalline phase. Nonideal film growth, including agglomeration of Co and Fe and surface segregation of Cu, is the rule rather than the exception
Jaw movements and patterns of mandibular bone strain during mastication in the monkey Macaca fascicularis.

Small amalgam fillings were placed in maxillary and mandibular second molar and canine teeth for cine-radiographic analysis. The rosette strain gauges were bonded bilaterally to mandibular cortical bone below the second or third molars. The monkeys were placed in a restraining chair that did not restrict normal head, neck or jaw movements; they were fed various foods and the bone-strain data recorded. Simultaneous jaw movements were recorded with cine-radiographic apparatus synchronized with the bone-strain recordings. During vigorous mastication, the transition between fast close and the power stroke was correlated with a sharp increase in masticatory force. In most instances, the jaws were maximally-loaded prior to maximum intercuspation, i.e. during the buccal phase (phase I) of occlusion. The macaques swallowed frequently throughout a chewing sequence and these swallows were intercalated into the chewing cycle toward the end of the power stroke. Such swallows had little effect on the magnitude or direction of peak principal strains during the power stroke. Bone-strain data suggested that unloading patterns during the power stroke of mastication were largely a function of the relaxation time of the jaw adductors. The period from 100 per cent peak strain to 50 per cent peak strain during unloading closely approximated to the half-relaxation time of the whole adductor jaw muscles.
Effect of pressure on H/D exchange during n-octane conversion with Pt-SiO2 catalysts

Abstract For atmospheric conditions a hydrocarbon undergoes dehydrocyclization by a mechanism that involves nearly irreversible adsorption of the reactant. Hence, there is essentially no H/D exchange when a mixture of D 2 and hydrocarbon are passed over the catalyst. The current study shows that this is not the case for conversions at higher pressures (6.8 atm; 0.69 MPa). At the higher pressure, there is exchange of H and D to produce a nearly statistical distribution of H and D in the unconverted reactant as well as the products. The pressure dependence is consistent with a mechanism in which the H 2 (D 2 ) pressure limits the second dehydrogenation step. This mechanism accounts for the H 2 dependence of both H/D exchange and the competitive conversion of a mixture of alkane and cycloalkane.
Active Peptide Sequences in the Cell Binding Domain of Thrombospondins

Abstract Methods for measuring the attachment of viable cells to immobilized peptides to identify sequences possessing cell binding activity are described. The 212-residue C-terminal cell binding domain (CBD) of human thrombospondin-1 (TS1 or TS) was thought to contain a site or sites for the attachment of a number of cell types based on inhibition of cell attachment to TS1 with monoclonal antibodies. The presence of such a site was confirmed by expression of this region of TS1 in Escherichia coli and demonstration of its cell binding activity independent of other known cell attachment sites in TS1. To further define active sequences within the CBD, a set of eight overlapping peptides that spanned the 212-residue domain was synthesized with standard techniques. Several of these long (30-mer) peptides were found to be insoluble in aqueous buffers; thus, they could not be tested as soluble inhibitors of the attachment of cells to TS1, a standard approach to identification of active cell binding sequences. Using chemically derivatized plates prepared by Costar Corp., we devised assays to test the direct attachment of cells to the peptides immobilized on plastic wells. We also found that the peptides were adsorbed to underivatized plastic when solubilized in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. Even rather short peptides (5 residues) were efficiently immobilized with these methods. Peptides immobilized directly on plastic gave higher levels of cell attachment than the same peptides conjugated to a carrier protein and then immobilized. Using these methods, two of the 30-mers were found to support cell attachment. The active sequences within the 30-mers were then narrowed down to a hexamer in one case and a pentamer, both containing the tripeptide VVM. Shorter, soluble peptides containing these active sequences act synergistically to inhibit the attachment of cells to TS1 and its recombinant CBD.
Learning Disabilities in Costa Rica Challenges for an “Army of Teachers”

Special education services in the country of Costa Rica have been affected by factors that most developing countries confront: shortages of trained personnel, geographic isolation of a large sector of the population, and severe economic limitations. Despite these challenges, services for students with learning disabilities in Costa Rica have rapidly expanded in the last 15 years through the development of resource rooms, recargo classrooms, and itinerant teacher delivery systems. The history and evolution of special education services in Costa Rica are described, along with critical issues that impede the expansion of educational services to students with learning disabilities, particularly in rural areas.
A handful of carbon

Locking carbon up in soil makes more sense than storing it in plants and trees that eventually decompose, argues Johannes Lehmann. Can this idea work on a large scale? With the rash of IPCC reports in climate much in the news, geoengineering — the deliberate large-scale modification of the environment — is now being taken seriously in scientific and political circles that would previously have scoffed at the notion. Oliver Morton reports on the state of play in the field [News Feature p. 132] On the climate change mitigation front, the incorporation of ‘biochar’ into the soil is one idea gaining support. Johannes Lehmann argues that trapping biomass carbon in this way is more effective than storing it in plants and trees that will one day decompose. The latest IPCC report — round 3 — is covered in the News pages this week.
Chemical hydrogen storage using polynuclear borane anion salts

Abstract The polynuclear borane anions nido-B11H14−, closo-B10H102− and closo-B12H122− undergo heterogeneous transition metal-catalyzed hydrolysis to generate hydrogen. The rate of hydrolysis is dependent upon the concentration of polynuclear borane anions and surface area of the metallic catalyst. The aqueous solutions of polynuclear borane anions, especially the closo-B10H102− and closo-B12H122− dianions, are very stable for an extended period of time (years) in the absence of catalyst and spontaneously generate hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium metal catalyst. These polynuclear borane anions have a high potential for use in portable hydrogen storage systems without requiring high pH aqueous media for storage as in the case of NaBH4.
Investigation of a comprehensive approach for trace analysis of dissolved organic substances in water

Abstract An isolation—fractionation scheme for the analysis of dissolved trace organic substances in natural and drinking waters was developed. The principle behind this scheme was to concentrate dissolved organic solutes and separate them into fractions by adsorption on different adsorbents (XAD-8 resin, AG-MP-50 cation-exchange resin and Carbopack B graphitized carbon black) under varying pH conditions. Test solutions containing 22 model organic substances and inorganic salts were used to monitor process performance. High-resolution gas chromatography was employed for the separation and quantitation of each model compound. Chemical derivatization procedures were established for several highly polar model compounds. Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry was used for the confirmation of compound identity in each separated fraction.
Regulation of collagen synthesis by ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid increases type I procollagen mRNA.

Abstract Ascorbic acid specifically stimulates collagen production in cultured human skin fibroblasts, an effect that appears to be independent of its cofactor role in prolyl and lysyl hydroxylation. In order to investigate the level of regulation of ascorbic acid on collagen synthesis, we have translated mRNA in a cell-free system derived from rabbit reticulocytes. Total RNA was prepared from normal human skin fibroblasts and similar fibroblasts which had been exposed to 100 uM ascorbic acid for four days. Ascorbic acid treatment resulted in a twofold stimulation of procollagen mRNA whereas non-collagenous mRNA was unchanged. These results reveal that ascorbic acid has a preferential stimulating effect on type I procollagen mRNA.
The needs and experiences of women in sexually integrated prisons

Three issues were considered in this evaluation of the usefulness of co-corrections: violence, over-management and policies about sexuality. A study of one sexually integrated prison showed that co-corrections has both advantages and disadvantages for women. Inmates and staff were included in the research. Survey and anecdotal data were collected. The strengths of co-corrections were described from the data along with some suggestions for overcoming the weaknesses.
Right-sided Myxomas

Primary tumors of the heart are rare with an incidence of 0.0017% to 0.19% in unselected patients at autopsy. Of those tumors, cardiac myxomas are the most commonly seen and account for about 50% of primary cardiac tumors. About 75% to 85% of myxomas originate in the left atrium, 15% to 20% in the right atrium, and only rare cases have been reported of myxomas originating in the left and right ventricles (5%). We present 3 cases in which right-sided myxomas were diagnosed echocardiographically and review the literature on primary cardiac myxomas.
Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound

Bilateral whole breast (screening) ultrasound has been well established in multiple single- and multi-institution published studies as a valuable adjunct to mammography screening for early detection of breast cancer. However, implementation of screening breast ultrasound programs has been limited and has met with resistance because of the number of potential false positives generated by ultrasound screening, and the lack of available personnel to perform the examination. Automated breast ultrasound, which has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in whole-breast ultrasound screening, is a potential option for providing breast ultrasound screening on a widespread basis.
Gender Roles and Empathic Accuracy: The Role of Communion in Reading Minds

Although empathic accuracy is considered a stable skill, few individual difference measures consistently predict performance on Ickes’ (e.g., 2001) empathic accuracy measure. Because past work has shown that women are more empathically accurate than men when female gender roles are made salient before an empathic accuracy task, we hypothesized that self-reported communion and related variables might predict empathic accuracy. Participants (194 undergraduates) from a northwestern U.S. university completed an empathic accuracy task and self-report measures of communion and empathy. Communion and empathic concern predicted greater empathic accuracy, but only after controlling for socially desirable responding. The role of communion in empathic inference is discussed, along with the need to include measures of social desirability when examining correlates of empathic accuracy.
Grias longirachis (Lecythidaceae), a new species from northwestern Ecuador.

A new species,Grias longirachis S. A. Mori & J. L. Clark, with enclosed calyx in bud and unusually long inflorescence rachises, is described based on collections from northwestern Ecuador. A key to the species ofGrias is provided.